The Original St. Peter's Dome Climb, Basilica & Vatacombs | La Vacanza Travel

The Original St. Peter's Dome Climb, Basilica & Vatacombs

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Destination: Italy, Italy, Rome
from
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  • 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Rome
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

Beat the crowds at St. Peter’s Basilica as it opens for the day. Take the lift partway up and make the final ascent on foot—the reward at the top is worth it.

Meet your expert Vatican guide by St. Peter’s Square and leave Rome behind you as you cross into Vatican City and enter St. Peter’s Basilica just as it opens to the public.

At the terrace level you can decide whether to relax and take in the view or climb the remaining 320 steps up to the summit, where the breathtaking view of Rome and beyond is simply unforgettable. Your guide will point out all the most interesting historical landmarks in every direction, be they in Vatican City, the wider city of Rome, or further afield.

As what goes up must come down, join us on a descent into the lower level of the basilica to experience the “Vatacombs,” a series of grottoes containing papal crypts and effigies crafted by the most celebrated artists of the centuries.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: St. Peter's Square, Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City Italy

Meet your expert Vatican tour guide on the threshold of St. Peter's Square and make your way across marble paving to the steps which wind up and around the dome. There are 551 in total so of course this is too much exertion for most. We take the elevator part of the way which cuts the step count by a sizable 171, leaving 380.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: St. Peter's Basilica, Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City Italy

From St. Peter's Square, enter the passageways which lead up to the top of Michelangelo's magnificent dome for superb views of the Vatican City and Rome.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: St. Peter's Basilica, Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City Italy

A fully guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica follows your dome climb. It's one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and it will leave a profound impression upon your soul.

Duration: 1 hour

Inclusions
  • Unique experience at the summit of St. Peter's Dome with an expert Vatican tour guide
  • Incredible views of Rome and far beyond which most visitors to the Vatican never see
  • Beat the crowds by getting an early start inside St. Peter’s
  • Marvel at astonishing works of art and architecture
  • Entry/Admission - St. Peter's Basilica

Exclusions
  • Food and drink
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Necropolis (scavi)
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
  • 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
  • Dome climb is a moderate+ exertion activity undertaken in a short space of time. Please be aware of this before you book
  • Bring a small bottle of water with you for dome climb
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Maximum 20 travelers on this tour
  • Due to the route covered and/or the means of transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid. Please contact us to inquire about customized tour options for guests with mobility challenges
  • This experience 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
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Departure Point

Largo del Colonnato, 1, 00193 Roma RM, Italy


Departure Time

08:00 AM


Return Details

Piazza Papa Pio XII, 1, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

2 hours 30 minutes


User's Reviews

Marco_C

22 Nov, 2023

Nadia was our tour guide, she spoke perfect English, she was engaging, and was extremely knowledgeable. The trek to the dome via all stairs is grueling, but the view from the dome is breathtaking and worth every step. One recommendation for those with extra weight and out of shape: take the elevator, and climb the rest. This is a definite “must do” tour at St Peter’s.

605ashleyp

27 Oct, 2023

Wow. What a wonderful tour. The climb to the top of the Dome, though a challenge, the view and experience was worth it! We did the 8:00am tour and the Vatican was a lot less crowed. The Sistine Chapel is always worth it. Paulo, our tour guide was amazing. Spoke great English and was very knowledgeable, warm and funny! Thank you for the restaurant suggestion night. Delicious food and very charming! Ciao - Your favorite couple, Picone!

407wiekej

11 Oct, 2023

Marianne gave us a great tour. She told us a lot about the origins of the church and all its leaders. She has a lot of knowledge in this area. We were very fortunate to have her as our guide in the Vatican. We were given plenty of time and space to take photos and there was plenty of room to ask questions. We arrived early and that was good considering the crowds that could be expected during the day. If you go, ask for Marianne as your guide.

Paul_H

08 Oct, 2023

The Majesty & Grandeur inside St. Peter's Basilica. Our tour guide Nadia was Excellent! She is by far the Best tour guide we've had in Italy. She was very well prepared, extremely informative & a great communicator. Thanks Nadia! Blessings to You!

Theresa_T

07 Oct, 2023

We very much enjoyed this your. Our guide, Nadia, was informative, funny and interesting. Loved seeing the view from the top of Dome.

User's Picture Gallery

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Go Early with Paulo!

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Our guide Clara made it so special

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Great experience!

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Great tour, great guide

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A really amazing experience.

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Breathtaking views & surreal experience

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Great experience

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Chiara is a rockstar tour guide!

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5 hour tour of the Vatican, St Peter Basilica and the museum including the Sistine Chapel

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Loved our tour and more importantly Chiara!!

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Fantastic tour!

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A brilliant tour with a brilliant guide

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Rome Trip 2022

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Great tour with fantastic guide

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Chiara Is a Great Tour Guide

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St Peter’s Basilica with Dome Climb and the Vatican - (the teacher group :))

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Let’s climb a dome!

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St. Peter's Basilica with Chiara is just great

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WhenInRome Tour of StPeters including the dome

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Vatican City Tour with Chiara (booked through „headout“)

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Vatican with Laughs

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Great tour with a fantastic guide

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Great way to learn about Vatican City

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Rome from above and St Peter what else to ask for

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