St. Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb & Vatican Museum Ticket

Highlights:

·       Tour the Vatican literally from “Top to Bottom” with this exclusive guided tour

·       Experience a one of a kind view from the top of Vatican City

·       Get up close and inside Michaelangelo’s majestic dome

·       Visit the “Vatacombs,” the eerie resting place of former Popes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica

·       Get an early start and beat the crowds

Meet your expert Vatican guide by St. Peter's Square and leave Rome behind you as you cross over into Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica just as they open to the public. Once inside, get ready to take in the most spectacular views of Rome as the elevator carries you up to the Terrace Level of the Basilica (or walk if you prefer and earn yourself a gelato later)! Suddenly the “tiny” mosaics you saw detailing the circumference of the dome from the ground level will appear massive in their golden splendor right before your eyes.

At the Terrace level 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 unparalleled.

As what goes up must come down, join us on a descent into the lower level of the Basilica to experience the “Vatacombs,” where former Popes lie in ornate caskets and effigies crafted by the most celebrated artists of the centuries. Next on this adventure will be an in-depth visit of St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest Catholic Church in the world including world renowned sculptures by Renaissance masters such as Michelangelo and Bernini.

Enjoy a short break and a snack before we reconvene for skip the line entry to the Vatican Museums, arguably the most important collection of art in the world. Your guide will accompany you through the museum and its more than 1,200 galleries including the Rooms of Raphael, the Sistine Chapel and the Ancient Roman and Greek pieces in the Belvedere Courtyard, ensuring that you stay on track with an eye on the prize: the Sistine Chapel.

Much of this tour will be dedicated to the Chapel, from its commissioning to the finishing touches applied by none other than Michaelangelo Buonarroti, as your guide helps you to discern between myth, fact, and popular Hollywood fiction regarding this majestic work of art.

Inclusions:

·       Expert local guide

·       Tickets to St. Peter’s Dome

·       Skip the line tickets to the Vatican Museums

·       Guided visit to St. Peter’s Basilica

·       Access to the Vatacombs, crypts beneath St. Peter’s

·       Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Exclusions:

·       Hotel pickup and dropoff

·       Gratuities

·       Personal extras

·       Visit to the Necropolis / Scavi

Know before you go:

The final ascent by foot to the Dome summit requires climbing 320 somewhat steep steps in a confined area. People suffering from claustrophobia or any other health conditions that could pose a problem should consider remaining at the terrace level.