Rome: The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter's Dome Climb
Overview
Less than 1% of Vatican visitors ascend St. Peter's Dome, this is a remarkable statistic so for this reason we have decided to take it from the top! Meet your expert Vatican guide by St. Peter's Square. Sacred stairs (and an elevator) will carry you up to St. Peter's Terrace from where you will see all of Rome and even the Tyrrhenian Sea! Back on terra firma you will tour the entirety of St. Peter's Basilica too. Take a break before making the short walk to our Vatican meeting point for your second tour of the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel! Get fast track access to the masterpieces which make the Vatican Museums absolutely must-see when in Rome.
What's Included
- Full tour of entire St. Peter's Basilica covering all the major works of art and sculpture therein
- St. Peter's Dome Climb to the top of Michelangelo's Cupola for truly amazing views of Rome!
- Immersive Sistine Chapel inside experience and a panel-by-panel tour of Michelangelo's ceiling
- Tour of little-known Papal Sarcophagi beneath St. Peter's Basilica which we call "Vatacombs"
- Catch all the classic and ancient sculptures inside world famous chambers, halls and galleries
- Get into the Vatican Museums fast with our no-line priority access ticket and a local expert guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Meeting Location
Largo del Colonnato
1, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
Piazza Papa Pio XII
00193 Roma RM, Italy
The tour concludes on St. Peter's Square beside St. Peter's Basilica.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
St. Peter's Square
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
St. Peter's Basilica
1 hour Admission Ticket Included
St. Peter's Basilica
1 hour Admission Ticket Included
Vatican Museums
1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Sistine Chapel
20 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Dress comfortably, shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women.
- On days immediately surrounding religious holidays at the Vatican, alterations to tours may become necessary due to partial closings of areas normally included in this tour. In the event that the Papal tombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica are closed, the tour of the Basilica itself will be extended and no refunds made
- Due to the route covered and/or transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid.
- The final ascent by foot requires climbing 320 somewhat steep steps in a confined area. People suffering from claustrophobia or any other health conditions are advised to remain on the terrace level.
- Please note: This description is provided as a general example. Actual experiences may vary slightly depending on the season, local conditions, and other factors beyond our control.
- Please note that essential travel documents and final itinerary details might be delivered electronically closer to the activity date.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Rome: The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter’s Dome Climb?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-5831P75
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Reviews
Average 4.87 out of 5 stars based on 1,604 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Full tour of entire St. Peter's Basilica covering all the major works of art and sculpture therein.
- St. Peter's Dome Climb to the top of Michelangelo's Cupola for truly amazing views of Rome!.
- Immersive Sistine Chapel inside experience and a panel-by-panel tour of Michelangelo's ceiling.
- Tour of little-known Papal Sarcophagi beneath St. Peter's Basilica which we call "Vatacombs".
- Catch all the classic and ancient sculptures inside world famous chambers, halls and galleries.
- Get into the Vatican Museums fast with our no-line priority access ticket and a local expert guide.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Gratuities.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Rome: The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter's Dome Climb is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Rome: The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter’s Dome Climb will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Full tour of entire St. Peter's Basilica covering all the major works of art and sculpture therein
- St. Peter's Dome Climb to the top of Michelangelo's Cupola for truly amazing views of Rome!
- Immersive Sistine Chapel inside experience and a panel-by-panel tour of Michelangelo's ceiling
- Tour of little-known Papal Sarcophagi beneath St. Peter's Basilica which we call "Vatacombs"
- Catch all the classic and ancient sculptures inside world famous chambers, halls and galleries
- Get into the Vatican Museums fast with our no-line priority access ticket and a local expert guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Dress comfortably, shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women.
- On days immediately surrounding religious holidays at the Vatican, alterations to tours may become necessary due to partial closings of areas normally included in this tour. In the event that the Papal tombs beneath St. Peter's Basilica are closed, the tour of the Basilica itself will be extended and no refunds made
- Due to the route covered and/or transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid.
- The final ascent by foot requires climbing 320 somewhat steep steps in a confined area. People suffering from claustrophobia or any other health conditions are advised to remain on the terrace level.
- Please note: This description is provided as a general example. Actual experiences may vary slightly depending on the season, local conditions, and other factors beyond our control.
- Please note that essential travel documents and final itinerary details might be delivered electronically closer to the activity date.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
