Private Vatican Tour & St. Peter's Dome Climb

From USD $400.00
  • Duration: 5 Hours (approx.)
  • Location: Rome, Lazio
  • Product code: WIR_PVT_ENT_DOM

Begin your day at the Vatican with an ascent to the top of St. Peter's Dome to take in the most stunning of all panoramic views of Rome. Go above and beyond the average Vatican tour with a fully private guide who will bring masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini to life for you on this award-winning experience with fast-track access to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica.


What We Love About This Tour: 

  • Perks of booking a private guide: Go at your own pace, ask questions, and get up close and personal inside the Sistine Chapel
  • Tour the Vatican literally from “Top to bottom” with this exclusive guided tour
  • Dome climb and rarely rarely visited ‘Vatacombs’ are two areas not normally seen by the public

 

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 while enjoying a cappuccino at the terrace bar, 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 masterpieces by Renaissance masters such as Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini.

A short stroll along the Vatican walls leads directly to the Vatican Museums, arguably the most important collection of art in the world. After bypassing the queues with skip-the-line access, your guide will accompany you through the museum and navigate its more than 1,200 galleries while emphasizing the Rooms of Raphael, the Ancient Roman and Greek pieces in the Belvedere Courtyard, and the Gallery of Maps while ensuring that you stay on track with an eye on the ultimate prize: the Sistine Chapel. 

Much of this visit 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. 


Tour Offered: Monday through Saturday  

Duration: Approximately 4.5 hours

 

What’s Included: 

  • Expert private tour 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, Papal crypts beneath St. Peter’s 
  • Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel 

 

Not Included: 

  • Visit to the Necropolis / Scavi
  • Gratuities
  • Transport to and from meeting point (chance to include transfers upon checkout) 

 

Important to Know:

  • Tour departs rain or shine
  • Wheelchairs and strollers cannot be accommodated on this tour.

 

Important to Bring: 
  • Comfortable shoes for walking and stair climbing

 

Covid-19 compliance: For the most accurate and up-to-date information click here

  • In accordance with Italian Covid-19 safety regulations, all guests ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of Vaccination (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or AstraZeneca) or a negative Covid-test taken within 48 hours of the tour
  • Please note that due to current local Covid-19 measures, all customers will be required to bring and wear a mask during the entire visit. 
  • Temperature checks may also take place at tour venues; if your temperature is above 37.5°C you will unfortunately not be able to attend the tour.

 

Special Requirements for Vatican Tours: 

  • A strict dress code is in place at the Vatican. While short pants are permitted, shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women. Shorts must come to knee length.  
  • Large bags, knives or other weapons will not be permitted inside the Museums.

 

Terms and conditions:
  • Changes and cancellation are possible free of charge up to 96 hours before the start time. If the desired change involves a tour of greater value, the balance will be due upon rebooking.
  • Any cancellations made within 96 hours and no-shows are non-refundable.
  • Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult to join a tour or an activity.
  • See https://www.italiadeals.com/terms for complete terms and conditions