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St. Peter's Basilica

The center of the Catholic world, this magnificent basilica was built on the burial site of the apostle Peter.

St. Peter's Basilica: Our most recommended tours and activities

Rome: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Tour & Basilica Entry

1. Rome: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Tour & Basilica Entry

Discover the art collection inside the Vatican Museums on a tour with an art historian guide, with an optional entry to Castle Gandolfo. Walk through the galleries and admire masterpieces by Michelangelo inside the Sistine Chapel.  Meet your guide, an art historian who will tell you all about the masterpieces you will be encountering. Hear fascinating facts and stories as you visit the Gallery of the Maps, the Gallery of the Tapestries, and the Gallery of the Candelabra. Round off the tour with by encountering the marvels of the Sistine Chapel, complete with frescoes by Michelangelo. Be awed by coming face-to-face with Michelangelo’s most famous artwork: The Last Judgement. You can also make the most of your experience by selecting the option of an additional entry ticket to the Castle Gandolfo and St. Peter's Basilica which you can visit at your own pace without the guide.

Rome: Guided Tour of St. Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb

2. Rome: Guided Tour of St. Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb

Join a private or shared guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and experience this iconic attraction. Marvel at the magnificent interior of the Basilica and learn why the church took 150 years to rebuild. Discover the colorful marbles, golden ceilings, and the impressive Michelangelo's Pietà while your guide shares stories about the history of this Renaissance-style church. Take the elevator with your guide up to half the height towards the top of the Dome. Then take the steps and continue your climb to the the viewing deck at the very top. First contemplate the interior mosaics of the dome close up, then marvel at the striking views of St. Peter's Square and the Vatican Gardens from above. Admire Rome from a height of 136 meters, and spot the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Castel Sant'Angelo, and other historic sites.

Rome: St. Peter's Basilica Dome to Underground Grottoes Tour

3. Rome: St. Peter's Basilica Dome to Underground Grottoes Tour

Explore iconic sights in Rome on this guided walking tour. Stroll through St. Peter's square and take in the views of the city from the top of St. Peter's Basilica. Admire artwork like Michelangelo's emotive 'Pietà' statue and go below the Basilica to uncover St. Peter's final resting place. Meet your guide in St. Peter’s Square then start the tour by climbing your way to the top of the Basilica’s dome. Enjoy an exclusive look at the Dome’s impressive mosaics then head further up to the top balcony. From here, marvel at panoramic views across the city, spot the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and other iconic landmarks. Descend into the Basilica and admire its impressive interior and discover why it took 150 years to build. Gaze at the colorful marble, golden ceilings, and intricate mosaics that surround you. Learn about the renowned works of Renaissance and Neoclassic artists that are housed here.  Next, head underground to the Basilica’s historic grottoes and visit St. Peter’s Tomb. Touch the ancient walls of the original 4th-century Basilica and admire its beautiful frescoes. Finish the tour in St. Peter’s Square and soak up its majestic architecture. 

Rome: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-The-Line Tickets

4. Rome: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-The-Line Tickets

Design your own itinerary with a full-day skip-the-ticket-line ticket, map, and a brief orientation, so you can enjoy the highlights of the Vatican museums’ famous collections at your own pace. Start by exploring areas most tour groups never see, like the paintings in the Pinacoteca gallery and the Etruscan museum, or spend more time admiring the scenery in famous areas like the Pinecone Courtyard and Gallery of Maps.  No trip to the Vatican is complete without visiting its shining star: the Sistine Chapel. Your ticket includes entry to the chapel and your orientation provides information on what to look for when you visit this incredible treasure.

Rome: City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Bus with Audioguide

5. Rome: City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Bus with Audioguide

Explore the Eternal City from a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus with your 1 Day, 24, 48, or 72-hour ticket. Travel past the city's icons, leave the bus at any of the eight stops, and hop back on the next bus when you want to continue. Stay flexible while seeing all the amazing sights in Rome. Legend tells of Romulus and Remus and the 7 hills of Rome. Today the city is home to one of the world's largest churches, the Basilica di San Pietro of the Vatican, approached through a marvelous elliptical piazza. Among its other famous sights are the magnificent Colosseum, cinematic Trevi Fountain, and romantic Spanish Steps. With its vibrant café culture and quaint trattorias, Rome never fails to inspire. The full loop takes 100 minutes and you can jump off at any of the following points along the way: Location closest to our Bus Stops Terminal A Largo di Villa Peretti, Terminal B Largo di Villa Peretti or Terminal Piazza dei Cinquecento Santa Maria Maggiore San Giovanni in Laterano Colosseum Circo Massimo Piazza Venezia Largo Argentina Piazza Navona Vaticano (Castel Sant'Angelo) Piazza di Spagna (Fontana di Trevi)  Piazza Barberini Viale Enrico de Nicola (Stazione Termini)

Vatican: Museum, Sistine Chapel & Basilica Fast Track Tour

6. Vatican: Museum, Sistine Chapel & Basilica Fast Track Tour

Experience a level of tranquility by taking advantage of the skip-the-line guided tour to explore the stunning beauty and ancient history of the Vatican. Have the chance to marvel at the extensive art collections of the Renaissance period belonging to the Catholic Church that have gathered great significance historically and artistically throughout the years. Wander inside the Vatican Museum, explore the most spectacular rooms and sophisticated galleries and walk through the impressive paintings in the Gallery of Maps . Mesmerized by the beauty of the Sistine Chapel and admire its iconic ceiling painted by Michelangelo host to his unique masterpieces. Roam around the St. Peter’s Basilica, the greatest of all churches of Christendom, home of the famous mosaics , Michelangelo’s Pietà and the iconic Bernini’s Baldachin.

Rome: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Tour

7. Rome: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Tour

See the highlights of the Vatican City on a convenient guided day tour. Enjoy a fascinating journey through the vast collection of the Vatican Museums, including Michelangelo's iconic Sistine Chapel. Afterward, visit St.Peter's Basilica and admire its awe-inspiring architecture. Benefit from skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums. Discover the vast collection of artifacts and artwork collected by the popes including Laocoön and His Sons, Apollo Belvedere, and Belvedere Torso. Learn about the collection and stroll through famed galleries such as the Gallery of Maps. Arrive at the stunning Sistine Chapel, where your guide will give you time to admire the amazing frescoes that adorn the walls and the ceiling. Gaze in awe at Michelangelo's vivid depictions of various Biblical scenes, including The Last Judgement. Next, enter St. Peter's Basilica to discover the sculptures and artworks housed within. See the "Pietà" and "Baldacchino" before finishing the tour. Afterward, stay as long as you wish to explore the papal tombs or the dome at your own pace.

Rome: Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Tour

8. Rome: Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Tour

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vatican City on a guided tour of all of its most important treasures. Discover the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica with fast-track entrance access to make the most of your day. Begin your experience by discovering masterpieces of art in the Vatican Museums by some of the world’s most distinguished artists. Follow a guide in your chosen language to the most important areas of the museum, including the Gallery of Maps and Gallery of Tapestries. Enter the Sistine Chapel to contemplate the glory of Michelangelo’s acclaimed masterpiece, “The Last Judgment”, one of the most famous pieces of art ever made. Then, experience the magnificent interior of St. Peter’s Basilica with fast-track entrance. Be awed by one of the holiest sites in the world and admire Michelangelo’s stunning “La Pieta”.

Rome: Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour with Access to Basilica

9. Rome: Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour with Access to Basilica

Join a guided tour in Rome to discover some of the most important masterpieces of the Greco-Roman world and of Renaissance art at the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry tickets. Later, visit Saint Peter’s Basilica to explore it at your own pace. Enter the Vatican Museums from the priority entrance, skipping the long waiting hours in the ticket line. Start the tour in the Courtyard of the Armor for a glimpse of the Vatican Gardens, and continue to the Courtyard of the Pine Cone located in the middle of the ancient papal buildings. Cross some rooms of the Belvedere Palace, the Pope’s former summer residence while nowadays home to the Pius Clementine Museum, which hosts important findings of Greco-Roman art, including the Apollo Belvedere and the Laocoön Group. Then, arrive at the 3 Galleries that take you to the papal apartments – the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of Tapestries with works of the Flemish atelier of Peter Van Aelst on display, and the Gallery of Maps with frescoed maps of the Italian territory, commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII. End the tour by witnessing 2 unmissable sites in the Vatican collection – Raphael’s Rooms in the apartment of Pope Julius II and the Sistine Chapel, where you can admire Michelangelo’s masterpieces such as the scenes from the Book of Genesis and The Last Judgement. From the Sistine Chapel, use the private passage to arrive at the Saint Peter’s Basilica, where you can find brilliant works like the Statue of the Pietà, made once again by the great Michelangelo, the Baldachin of Bernini, and the Tombs of the Popes, all containing hundreds of years of history. Please note though that the passage between the museums and St.Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings and subject to other unexpected closure. On such days we will instead spend the entirety of the tour in the museums.

Vatican City: Saint Peter's Basilica Digital Audioguide

10. Vatican City: Saint Peter's Basilica Digital Audioguide

Discover the fascinating history and awe-inspiring beauty of St. Peter's Basilica with a 60-minute audio-guided tour on your smartphone. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of one of the most renowned landmarks in Rome, and delve into its rich past and magnificent architecture. St. Peter's Basilica, located in Vatican City, stands as a testament to centuries of religious significance and architectural brilliance. Originally commissioned in the 16th century by Pope Julius II, this majestic Basilica was built upon the site believed to be the burial place of Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Embark on a captivating journey as you explore the legends and myths surrounding St. Peter's Basilica. Learn about the construction of its towering dome, a marvel of Renaissance engineering, and marvel at the oculus that bathes the interior in celestial light. Discover the renowned tombs housed within the basilica, the final resting places of numerous popes and other notable figures. Through 27 listening points and a convenient digital map, the audio tour will guide you through the basilica's most significant features. Uncover the intricate details of the basilica's interior, from its ornate decorations to the intricate mosaic artwork adorning its walls. Gain insight into the symbolism and historical context behind the remarkable pavement beneath your feet. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history buff, or a spiritual seeker, this audio-guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica offers a comprehensive and engaging experience. Immerse yourself in the grandeur and majesty of this iconic masterpiece, and deepen your understanding of its profound cultural and religious significance.

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Other Sightseeing Options in St. Peter's Basilica

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What people are saying about St. Peter's Basilica

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 108,130 reviews

Marzi was exceptional. She was very detailed in her description of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and St. Peter's. Her discussion on "The Ceiling", "The Last Judgement", and "The Sistine Chapel" was excellent. We really enjoyed the detailed discussion she provided. Good work!

Amazing experience with amazing guide! Vatican is a beautiful place full of history, but definitely needs a good guide, otherwise you will miss all the cheeries on the cake.

It was an amazing experience. Our guide was Marianne and she was fantastic. She had a ton of great information and was a very fun guide.

Our Guide, Lindsy(?) from Netherlands was amazing and very passionate about the tour and content and stories etc.

Great tour, great guide. Place itself was very growded, so it was convenient to visit with the guide.