Private Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes
Overview
Combine a thorough guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica with a climb to the top of the dome (by stairs) for the best panoramic view of Rome.
Discover marvels of art and architecture created by world-famous masters of the Renaissance with a private art historian.
PLEASE NOTE:
In the event that the grottoes or certain areas of St. Peter’s Basilica are closed, your guide will adapt the itinerary by highlighting alternative sites and artworks within the basilica. As a result, the overall duration and quality of the tour will remain unchanged.
The Dome climb is by stairs only; the elevator is not included in this tour.
What's Included
- Entry fees to the top of the Dome (by stairs)
- Private art-historian guide
- Thorough guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
- The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour
- This tour does not skip the line
Meeting Location
Largo del Colonnato
5, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
Piazza San Pietro
00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
St. Peter's Square
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
St. Peter's Basilica
40 minutes Admission Ticket Free
The Vatican Grottoes
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
St. Peter's Basilica
25 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travellers with claustrophobia
- Not recommended for travellers with vertigo
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note that you will be required to pass through metal detectors at the entrance of the square
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: a moderate amount of walking is involved
- Please be aware that the lines to clear security checks at the entrance of the square might take 15-120 minutes
- The dome's terrace might not be accessible during bad weather conditions. In that case, you can either ask for a partial refund and visit the Basilica and the grottoes or decide to cancel the tour for a full refund
- An appropriate dress-code is required in order to enter the churches: knees and shoulders should be covered
- The meeting point is outside the Basilica before entering St. Peter's square and the security checks
- Please note that this is not a skip-the-line tour
- St. Peter Basilica or its dome can be subject to partial unforeseen closures due to Vatican Administration
- Please provide the full names of all travellers when booking. The tickets are nominative, therefore, failure to present a voucher with all travellers' full names may result in denied entry
- Each traveller must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the same name provided at the time of booking for a successful entry
- PLEASE NOTE: In the event that the grottoes or certain areas of St. Peter’s Basilica are closed, your guide will adapt the itinerary by highlighting alternative sites and artworks within the basilica. As a result, the overall duration and quality of the tour will remain unchanged
- Pets are not allowed inside the Basilica
- The Dome climb is by stairs only; the elevator is not included in this tour
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Tour of St Peter’s Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-55341P37
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 29 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).
- Entry fees to the top of the Dome (by stairs).
- Private art-historian guide.
- Thorough guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica.
- The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour.
- This tour does not skip the line.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Private Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travellers with claustrophobia
- Not recommended for travellers with vertigo
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Tour of St Peter’s Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Entry fees to the top of the Dome (by stairs)
- Private art-historian guide
- Thorough guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
- The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are not part of this tour
- This tour does not skip the line
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travellers with claustrophobia
- Not recommended for travellers with vertigo
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note that you will be required to pass through metal detectors at the entrance of the square
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: a moderate amount of walking is involved
- Please be aware that the lines to clear security checks at the entrance of the square might take 15-120 minutes
- The dome's terrace might not be accessible during bad weather conditions. In that case, you can either ask for a partial refund and visit the Basilica and the grottoes or decide to cancel the tour for a full refund
- An appropriate dress-code is required in order to enter the churches: knees and shoulders should be covered
- The meeting point is outside the Basilica before entering St. Peter's square and the security checks
- Please note that this is not a skip-the-line tour
- St. Peter Basilica or its dome can be subject to partial unforeseen closures due to Vatican Administration
- Please provide the full names of all travellers when booking. The tickets are nominative, therefore, failure to present a voucher with all travellers' full names may result in denied entry
- Each traveller must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the same name provided at the time of booking for a successful entry
- PLEASE NOTE: In the event that the grottoes or certain areas of St. Peter’s Basilica are closed, your guide will adapt the itinerary by highlighting alternative sites and artworks within the basilica. As a result, the overall duration and quality of the tour will remain unchanged
- Pets are not allowed inside the Basilica
- The Dome climb is by stairs only; the elevator is not included in this tour
