St Peter’s Basilica Top to Bottom
This tour is perfect for the ones who want to acquire a complete knowledge of St.Peter’s Square, Dome, Basilica and Crypts
Difficulty:
Average
Tour Details
Duration 2.5 h.
Flexible Start time. Please, select a date to see availability
Meeting Point Close to St. Peter’s Basilica Entrance (Details at Booking)
Operating Days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat. (not on Sunday and Wednesay)
Tour doesn’t run on Sunday and on Wednesday during the papal audience and blessing
Language English (contact us for other languages)
Short Tour Description
Starting from the huge Saint Peter’s Square, designed by the most famous baroque artist Giovan Lorenzo Bernini and surrounded by the magnificent Colonnade, before entering the Basilica you have the chance to take a look at the Scala Regia (Royal Staircase), the formal gate to the Vatican Palaces.
A challenging 320 steps climb takes you up to the 136.57 m (448.06 ft) height Dome, designed by Michelangelo and built by Giacomo Della Porta, Michelangelo’s pupil, to get the most astonishing panoramic view of the Vatican City State and Rome.
Back to Saint Peter’s Basilica our skilled guide tours you through the masterpieces kept in the biggest of all churches of Christendom and one of the Holiest Catholic shrines, telling you the history and stories behind the Holy Door, only opened during Jubilees, Michelangelo’s masterpiece the Pietà, St. John Paul II’s Tomb, the magnificent main altar, the Baldaquin, designed by Bernini, the ancient statue of St. Peter with his right toes worn down by centuries of pilgrims who touch and kiss the foot to be blessed.
Then descend to Vatican Grottoes, just below the Basilica floor, that contain chapels dedicated to Saints and tombs of Kings, Queens and Popes, dating back to the 10th century.
Inside the Crypts find the holiest place of the Basilica, St. Peter’s tomb, the spot were the Apostle’s Memory once was and is still venerated.
What’s Included
✓ English-Speaking Local Expert Tour Guide
✓ Private Tour
✓ Dome Entrance Tickets
✓ Audio headsets (when needed)
On Request (WITH EXTRA CHARGE)
✓ Hotel pick-up/drop-off
Hightlights
❋ St. Peter’s Square
❋ The Dome
❋ St. Peter’s Basilica
❋ Michelangelo’s Pieta
❋ Tomb of St. John Paul II
❋ Statue of St. Peter
❋ Bernini’s Baldaquin
❋ St. Peter’s Crypts (vatican grottoes)
and More…
Meeting Point
Vatican Entry Porta Sant’Anna
Via Sant’Anna, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Near the Porta Sant’Anna (Saint Ann Vatican Gate) you will find us
We will hold a sign with your name on it.
Important Notes
St. Peter’s Basilica or parts of the venues could be subject to last-minute closures due to unforeseen circumstances.
This could lead to delays in access to the site, even for pre-booked visitors.
Dress Code
Entry to the St. Peter’s Basilica is permitted only to appropriately dressed visitors.
Low cut or sleeveless clothing, shorts, short skirts and hats are not allowed.
Security checks by metal detector
For security reasons all visitors and their luggage shall be screened. To facilitate and speed up security checks by metal detector, visitors are advised to remove inadmissible items from their hand baggage beforehand, and to inform staff in advance.
Luggage, bags and rucksacks
Before entering the exhibition spaces, visitors are required to leave in the cloakroom all luggage, suitcases, rucksacks, packages and containers not considered suitable by staff on account of their size or nature.
The cloakroom service is free of charge.
Large umbrellas, sticks, tripods and stands for photography, video cameras, stainless steel water bottle, banners and signs of any type must all be left in the cloakroom.
Even if you get through security, you will be turned away by the attendants at the entrance door.
Photos and Video
Photos an Video without flash are allowed everywhere at the Vatican, including inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed anywhere in the St. Peter’s Basilica.
GET IT NOW
Tours often sell out quickly so we suggest booking your tour early to guarantee your desired tour day.
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