Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Priority entry, dome climb, and the crypts below
Destination
Vatican, Italy
Duration
3 hours
Tour size
Max 10
Language
English
Overview
Book a private St. Peter's Basilica tour for your own group, whether that's just the two of you, your family, or a group of friends. Skip the line and let your guide point out the history and symbolism you'd miss on your own, with the freedom to linger and ask questions. Then climb to the top of the dome, accompanied by your guide, with a panorama of Rome waiting at the top.
- •Step into the basilica early, when the morning light is still moving through the nave
- •Stand in front of Michelangelo's Pietà, the only work he ever signed
- •Walk down into the papal crypts where centuries of Popes are buried
- •Take the elevator to the dome's first level for a close-up of the mosaics inside the cupola
- •Climb the final 320 steps for the panorama over St. Peter's Square and the Tiber River
What's included
- Priority entry to St. Peter's Basilica
- Pre-reserved dome tickets and crypt access
- Expert English-speaking tour guide
- Headsets for clear narration
- Private group of up to 10 guests
You will visit
- St. Peter's Square
- The Swiss Guard
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Michelangelo's Pietà
- Bernini's Baldachin
- The papal crypts
- The interior of Michelangelo's dome
- Panoramic view of Rome from the dome
Get a taste of Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
What to expect
St. Peter's Square: the basilica before it fills
The tour starts in St. Peter's Square with an introduction to the Swiss Guard, the Vatican's centuries-old papal protectors, and a first look at the basilica facade. The early hour means you're standing under Bernini's colonnade with space to breathe before other travelers arrive, and since it's just your own group, there's no one else to wait on if you want to linger for photos.
Inside the basilica: from the Pietà to the Baldachin
Once inside, your guide walks you through the side chapels and toward the works the basilica is built around, at whatever pace suits your group. You'll stand in front of Michelangelo's Pietà and hear why this is the only work he ever signed, then look up at Bernini's Baldachin, the bronze canopy above the high altar.
Important Booking Note: The Vatican requires all ticket holders to provide their full name at the time of booking and exactly match an ID or passport you'll bring on the day. Please contact us if you have questions.
"Look up at the Pietà twice. Once for Mary's face. Once for the signature, the only one Michelangelo ever left."
Julia,
WalksDevour Vatican guide
Postcards from Vatican
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Private St. Peter's Basilica Tour
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Frequently asked questions
Our guides love answering your questions. Here are some things they'd like you to know before your tour starts.
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