Tour Options
A guided tour is the best way to fully appreciate the art, architecture, and history of St. Peter's Basilica. Licensed Vatican guides bring the basilica's 2,000-year story to life, pointing out details you might otherwise miss.
Available Tour Types
- Basilica Guided Tour — A focused tour of the basilica interior, typically lasting 1-1.5 hours. Covers Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's Baldachin, the papal altar, the Throne of St. Peter, the Holy Door, and the most significant chapels and artworks.
- Dome Climb Tour — Combines a guided introduction to the basilica with an accompanied climb to the top of Michelangelo's dome (551 steps). Includes the interior dome mosaics, the rooftop terrace, and panoramic views from 136.6 metres above the basilica floor.
- Scavi/Necropolis Excavations Tour — A unique tour beneath the basilica to the ancient Roman necropolis and the tomb of St. Peter. This tour must be booked directly through the Vatican Excavations Office (scavi@fsp.va) and fills up weeks in advance. Limited to small groups of 12 people.
- Combined Vatican Museums + Basilica Tour — A comprehensive experience covering the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica in one guided tour. Typically 4-5 hours. These tours use the internal passage from the Sistine Chapel directly into the basilica, bypassing the security queue.
Audio Guides
If you prefer to explore at your own pace, audio guides are available for rent at the basilica entrance in multiple languages including English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, and more. Several smartphone apps also offer self-guided audio tours.