St Peter's Basilica Tours
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The enormous St. Peter's Basilica dominates Vatican City, and its dome can be seen from all over Rome. Built on the site of St. Peter’s crucifixion and over his tomb, it’s the epicenter of the Catholic Church and the burial place of many popes, including Pope John Paul II. The lavishly adorned basilica is the largest church in Italy and all of Christendom, and it's also a museum full of priceless works of art—including Michelangelo’s spectacular “Pietà” and Bernini’s bronze baldachin.
The Basics
St. Peter's Basilica is an essential part of any visit to the Vatican. There's no admission fee, so it's easy to stop in on your own, but a guided tour or audio guide will help you truly understand the significance of the history and art. Many travelers either choose a tour that focuses exclusively on the basilica or opt for one that pairs a visit with stops at other areas in the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. This is one of the most popular attractions in Rome and all of Italy, so crowds are nearly inevitable. It’s best to book a skip-the-line ticket or early-access tour that allows you to visit before most of the swarms arrive.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Be prepared for security lines similar to those at airports, including metal detectors, bag scanners, and potentially long waits.
- The basilica has a strict dress code—no bare shoulders, midriffs, or knees—and you won't be allowed in unless you adhere to it.
- A skip-the-line tour of the Vatican that includes St. Peter’s enables you to bypass the basilica’s long entry lines—though you still have to go through the security check.
- Climbing into the basilica’s dome, which affords fantastic views over St. Peter’s Square, requires a ticket.
How to Get There
St. Peter's Basilica is across the Tiber River from top sights such as the Colosseum and Piazza Navona. The nearest metro stops are Ottaviano–San Pietro–Musei Vaticani and Cipro on line A; there are closer tram and bus stops. If you'd like to walk, cross the Ponte Sant'Angelo toward the Castel Sant'Angelo for a picturesque view.
When to Get There
The church is open year-round, but it's a working church so it closes regularly for mass and special religious services. Crowds are at their thickest during summer and holidays such as Easter and Christmas, as well as during public papal addresses, given most Wednesdays in the square.
Underneath St. Peter's Basilica
The basilica’s most famous tomb is that of St. Peter, but most visitors never go below the main level of the church. You can book a small group tour of the Vatican Necropolis to explore the ancient Roman cemetery that lies underground, past the Vatican grottoes, and stand before St. Peter's tomb.
Address: Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City 00120, Italy
Hours: Open daily 7am - 7pm (6pm in winter)
Admission: Free
Admission Tickets (2)
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- Enjoy the freedom to explore St Peter's Basilica at your own pace and on your own mobile device with this wifi audio guided tour. Use the access code and the Basilica's wifi to download the audio guide to your phone or tablet.
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From $22.44 USD
303 Tours & Activities to Experience
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No Wait Dedicated Access St. Peter's Basilica Self-guided Tour
Enjoy the freedom to explore St Peter's Basilica at your own pace and on your own mobile device with this wifi audio guided tour. Use the access code and the Basilica's wifi to download the audio guide to your phone or tablet.
- Duration: 1 hour
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$22.44 USD
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- Duration: 1 hour
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$22.44 USD
No Wait Access to St Peter Basilica and its official audioguide
To dig deep into the history and art of St Peter’s Basilica, explore the church on a self-guided audio tour. Explore St Peter’s Square, walk to the basilica, and jump past the entrance queue with your No Wait Access ticket. Inside, listen to stories about the popes, pilgrims and Renaissance art masters who have left their marks on this iconic Catholic site, whose Michelangelo-designed dome dominates the Rome skyline.
- Duration: Flexible
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$22.44 USD
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- Duration: Flexible
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$22.44 USD
Vatican Museums No-Wait Access Tour with Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peters Basilica
Avoid wasting time during your Vatican visit with this Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica tour at the no-wait access entrance. Join a knowledgeable guide to pass right by the long entrance queues and start touring the massive museums. See the incomparable Raphael's Rooms, Michelangelo's stunning Sistine Chapel, as well as other museum highlights like the Maps Gallery and Tapestries Gallery. Then visit the impressive St Peter's Basilica next door.
- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
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$58.92 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
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$58.92 USD
Early Morning Vatican Truly Small Group Tour
Admire Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel without the crowds and enjoy skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums on this 3.5-hour small-group tour. Enter the Sistine Chapel before its opens to the public, and view the frescoes in a calm, crowd-free setting. Then, tour the Vatican Museums, seeing the highlights of the papal art collection, including the Raphael Rooms and Gallery of Maps, before checking out the treasures inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
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$113.93 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
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$113.93 USD
Skip the line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica
Experience some of Rome’s most important artistic and spiritual attractions with a 3-hour guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica. Beat the crowds with priority access and see highlights of the Vatican Museum’s immense collection while your guide shares the legends behind the masterpieces. Stand beneath Michelangelo’s famed frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, and skip the long lines to enter the heart of the papacy at St Peter’s Basilica.
- Duration: 3 hours
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$65.02 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours
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$65.02 USD
No Wait: Extended Vatican Museums Tour with Bramante Staircase, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica
Skip the long lines and enjoy no-wait access to the Vatican Museums on this 4.5-hour tour. Visit the Vatican Paintings gallery, St Peter's Basilica, and the spiral Bramante Staircase. Also, see Raphael’s Rooms, with frescoes painted by renowned Renaissance artist Raphael and the Gallery of Tapestries. Visit the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s famous “Creation of Adam” painting, plus the rarely visited Etruscan Museum.
- Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
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$105.87 USD
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- Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
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$105.87 USD
Skip the Line: Vatican Museum St Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel Tour
Discover the sacred and artistic treasures of the Vatican on an immersive tour led by an art historian guide. Skip the long lines with priority access, and see some of the most important masterpieces in the Vatican Museum’s immense collection. Stand in awe beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, and learn the stories behind the art through an audio headset so you don’t miss a word of your guide’s commentary. At the end of the tour, gain direct entrance to the magnificent interior of St Peter’s Basilica.
- Duration: 2 hours 18 minutes
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$57.54 USD
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- Duration: 2 hours 18 minutes
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$57.54 USD
Private Tour: Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Explore one of the world's biggest museums with a private 3-hour tour of the Vatican Museums complex plus St Peter's Basilica. Enjoy skip-the-line access to avoid the long lines, and wander through the highlights of the 2,000 rooms and 9 miles (15 km) of hallways full of priceless art masterpieces.
- Duration: 3 hours
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$124.29 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours
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$124.29 USD
Best of Rome Sightseeing Pass: Vatican and Ancient Rome
Check off the must-sees of Rome and Vatican City with this all-in-one pass that can be used over two day. Allowing you to visit the sights at your own pace, the prebooked sightseeing voucher includes skip-the-line access to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and the papal tombs. Just make one booking, and then use your pass to visit the landmarks at your leisure. An audio guide is also included.
- Duration: 3 days
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$92.06 USD
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- Duration: 3 days
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$92.06 USD
Rome by Night Private Sightseeing Tour
Explore Italy’s ancient capital by night and see the historic architecture in a new light on this private 2-hour sightseeing tour of Rome. Frame famous landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and St. Peter’s Basilica on camera when the crowds have gone. Head along the Via Veneto and watch the city lights play on the Tiber River. Upgrade your private tour to enjoy a toast on Janiculum Hill — with panoramic views over the rooftops of Rome.
- Duration: 2 hours
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$59.84 USD
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- Duration: 2 hours
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$59.84 USD
Special Tour December 25th with Papal Blessing
Enjoy a professional guided tour of Rome on Christmas morning. Attend the “Urbi et Orbi” Papal Blessing at St. Peter’s Basilica
- Duration: 4 hours
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$60.99 USD
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- Duration: 4 hours
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$60.99 USD
Peter's Tomb: Exclusive Visit of the Basilica & Its Necropolis
St. Peter’s Basilica may grab you with its grandeur, but much of its history lies in its hidden details. Head beneath the famous church on a 2.5-hour tour and discover the Vatican necropolis, a Roman cemetery that’s said to house the relics of St. Peter the Apostle. Walk amid tombs that trace pagan Rome to the start of Christianity, then return to the basilica for a tour. Michelangelo’s ‘La Pietà’ and Bernini’s bronze baldachin are among the highlights.
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
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$67.90 USD
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- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
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$67.90 USD
Private Skip the Line Vatican Hidden Gems Tour with Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off
Skip-the-line at the Vatican Museums on this tour of one of the world’s most renowned collections of art. With a private guide, go straight inside the complex to admire the Vatican’s architecture, marvel at works by masters like Raphael and Caravaggio, and see some of the ‘hidden,’ off-the-beaten-path sites that many visitors miss. Of course, you’ll visit the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s famous frescoes, and enter St Peter’s Basilica from the museums, avoiding the main entrance line.
- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
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$97.82 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
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$97.82 USD
Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Tour
Spend three hours perusing some of the most iconic pieces of art in the world at the Vatican Museums on this guided tour. Skip the line to purchase your entrance tickets, and then admire artwork from Raphael, Bernini, and Michelangelo, among other greats. See the Raphael Rooms, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel as you dive deep into the history and culture of past times.
- Duration: 3 hours
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$51.79 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours
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$51.79 USD
Skip-the-Line: Early Entrance Vatican Tour with Secret Rooms and St Peter's Church
See the artistic treasures of the Vatican Museum without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds with this early entrance tour. Skip the long queues and enter the museum a full hour before it opens to the general public, so you can fully appreciate some of the world’s greatest masterpieces of painting and sculpture. Experience the serenity of the Sistine Chapel before it fills with tourists, and learn the history of other collection highlights from your knowledgeable guide.
- Duration: 3 hours
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$69.05 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours
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$69.05 USD
Rome in One Day Colosseum and Vatican with Real Skip-the-Line
Discover the most famous landmarks in Rome and the Vatican City in the space of a single day on this in-depth tour. Skip-the-line access means you’ll beat the crowds when you visit the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Hotel pickup is included, for added convenience, while audio headsets ensure you won’t miss a word of the tour. The itinerary also includes a traditional Italian lunch.
- Duration: 8 hours
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$176.07 USD
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- Duration: 8 hours
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$176.07 USD
Small Group Tour Express Access to Sistine Chapel in Rome
A visit to the Sistine Chapel doesn't have to eat up an entire day of your Rome vacation. Enter the Vatican’s sacred chapel early, before it opens to the crowds of the general public. Soak up the serenity of Michelangelo’s frescoes without being squeezed by hordes of tourists, and learn about the chapel’s remarkable history in the intimacy of a small group limited to 6. This is paired with entry to the nearby St. Peter’s Basilica, where you can explore the world’s most famous church at your own pace.
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
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$90.91 USD
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- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
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$90.91 USD
Complete Vatical Experience: Papal Audience, Sistine Chapel, lunch included
Explore the Vatican with a guide for a full day tour of the world’s most important Catholic landmarks and sights. Start the day by attending the Papal Audience. After lunch at the Vatican cafe, visit world famous sights like the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and St. Peter’s Square where you admire Michelangelo’s Cupola. Skip long lines with your tour passes and leave the logistics to your guides. This tour is ideal for visitors looking for a hassle-free, comprehensive Vatican experience.
- Duration: 10 hours
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$126.59 USD
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- Duration: 10 hours
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$126.59 USD
Ultimate Vatican Tour of Rome
Home to some of history’s most-treasured artworks and relics, UNESCO–listed Vatican City attracts admirers from across the world, and the admission queues are often long. On this tour, avoid the wait and enjoy skip-the-line entry to the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Museums. With your guide to lead the way, save valuable visiting time and head directly to the Vatican’s most important sites.
- Duration: 3 hours
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$28.77 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours
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$28.77 USD
Early Entry Vatican Museums: The Best of the Sistine Chapel
See the Sistine Chapel without the crowds and a 3-hour, 45-minute small-group tour of the Vatican Museum’s highlights and St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll tour the Sistine Chapel, get skip-the-line access to St. Peter’s Basilica, and learn about the Vatican’s fascinating art, history, and architecture, with a personal headset so you can hear every word of the guide's stories.
- Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
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$102.42 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
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$102.42 USD
Skip The Line: Vatican Private Tour
Get personalized attention and a tour tailored just for you during this 3.5-hour private tour of the Vatican in Rome. Take advantage of skip-the-line access to make the most of your time at one of Rome's most important landmarks, where you'll get a guided tour of the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican's impressive art collection.
- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
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$84.93 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
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$84.93 USD
24 or 48hr Rome Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Skip-the-line Colosseum
Combine the convenience of a guided tour with the flexibility of independent travel on a 24- or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour of Rome. Along the way, enjoy a skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum and four optional walking tours, taking in sights such as Castel Sant’Angelo, Capitoline Hill, St. Peter Basilica, the Spanish steps, and the Pantheon.
- Duration: 1 to 2 days
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$79.41 USD
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- Duration: 1 to 2 days
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$79.41 USD
Rome: Angels and Demons Tour Half-Day Semi-Private
For a twist on the typical city tour, immerse yourself into the Rome of ‘Angels and Demons,’ Dan Brown’s bestselling novel. Inspired by the book, this sightseeing adventure takes you on a treasure hunt through the Eternal City, following the trail of the secret society known as the Illuminati. As you go, you’ll see top Rome attractions like the Pantheon, St Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo.
- Duration: 4 hours
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$69.05 USD
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- Duration: 4 hours
From
$69.05 USD
3-hour Private Vespa Tour of Rome
Experience Rome like a local on the back of a classic Vespa scooter. Take in all the highlights of the Eternal City on this private 2.5-hour tour; see sights such as the Colosseum, Vatican City, Piazza Venezia and Palatine Hill; and stop to enjoy a traditional gelato at one of Rome’s top gelaterias.
- Duration: 3 hours
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$169.17 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours
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$169.17 USD
Best of Vatican Skip-the-Line Tour
Explore the Vatican Museums during this guided 3-hour tour that includes skip-the-line-admission. Entrance to St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel are included.
- Duration: 3 hours
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$67.32 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours
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$67.32 USD
Early Bird Private Vatican Tour with Hotel Pick-Up
Beat the crowds to the Vatican, and explore its famous museum complex before the doors open to the general public. The early morning experience is led by a private guide, just for your group, so you can ask as many questions as you wish while you explore. See the Vatican Museums' treasures, then step inside the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica to admire some of the world’s finest examples of Renaissance art.
- Duration: 3 hours
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$112.78 USD
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- Duration: 3 hours
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$112.78 USD
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