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St. Peter's Church Fast Track Private Tour With Dome Option

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$339.99 /person
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About the activity

Discover an exclusive priority access tour of St. Peter's Basilica, commonly known as "the most magnificent church in Christendom," and select from various tour options.

  • Free cancellation
    This activity is non-refundable.
  • Instant confirmation & Mobile tickets
    Receive your ticket right away. Use your phone or print your voucher.
  • Skip the line
    Get priority entry.
  • Private tour
    Avoid crowds with an exclusive experience.
  • Live guiding
    English
  • Duration
    1.5 hours
  • Includes
    • Early Morning entrance in St. Peter's Basilica
    • Guided tour
    • Transport
    • Gratuity for the guide
Highlights & Description

Highlights

  • Enter St. Peter's Basilica Early in the morning
  • Learn all about La Pieta
  • Explore interior of the most important church in the world
  • Hear the story about St. Peter's Tomb
  • Visit Vatican Grottoes with more than 80 Papal Tombs

Description

Explore one of Rome's most iconic landmarks while sidestepping the crowds and uncover the nearly 120-year history of its construction. St. Peter's Basilica is the most important edifice in Vatican City, accommodating up to 60,000 visitors. Its dome is a prominent element of Rome's skyline. As the largest church in Christendom and a significant site in Christianity and Catholic tradition, it is traditionally regarded as the burial site of St. Peter, the first Bishop of Rome and the first Pope. Upon entering the Basilica, your guide will direct you to the famous Baldachin by Bernini, which is positioned above St. Peter's tomb. This has resulted in many Popes being laid to rest nearby in the necropolis beneath the Basilica, which is occasionally accessible for tours.

Following this, you will visit another masterpiece, Michelangelo's Pietà. An art historian will provide intriguing details about this extraordinary sculpture, carved from a single block of marble and commissioned by French Cardinal Jean de Billheres. You will also view the renowned Porta Santa, the holy door located on the right side, which is only opened once every twenty-five years.

To conclude your tour, you will enjoy an exclusive visit to the Vatican Grottoes, located just beneath the Renaissance basilica and above Constantine’s 4th-century structure. These grottos contain chapels dedicated to various saints and the tombs of kings, queens, and popes dating back to the 10th century.

This unique guided experience will end in St. Peter's Square, a stunning elliptical plaza designed in the mid-17th century by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The square is bordered by grand colonnades that symbolize welcoming arms and features 140 statues of saints sculpted by Bernini and his team.

Additionally, the square is embellished with fountains and an Egyptian obelisk that was transported to Rome in 37 AD.

Good to know before you go
  • An airport-style security check is a must before you enter St. Peter's Basilica; please note that liquids and sharp items are not allowed
  • As an active Catholic Church St. Peter's Basilica is also subject to last minute closures for religious ceremonies. In these situations you will be offered alternative dates
  • Gratuities are not included
Meeting point

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cancellation policy for this activity?
This activity is non-refundable.
2. When will I receive the confirmation of my booking?
You will receive an email notification right after your successful payment. If you don't see it in your inbox, check your spam or junk mail folder. When the payment is completed you have the option to download your ticket directly.
3. What does the 'skip the line' ticket mean?
'Skip the line' tickets provide the fastest possible entry with no or very little queuing.
4. What is a private tour?
Private tours offer more advantages and benefits than regular tours. You will have your own private guide for the duration of the tour. You can also customize the itinerary to your specific interests and needs.
5. Are mobile tickets enough or do I have to print them?
Tickets don't need to be printed. You can show your ticket from your smartphone as a PDF.
  • Adults
    18-99 years
  • Children
    7-17 years
  • Infants
    0-6 years
May 2025
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