Home » The Best Tours of St. Peter’s Basilica and Why + Maps
The Best Tours of St. Peter’s Basilica and Why + Maps
Brie Greenhalgh
St. Peter’s Basilica is the most recognizable building inside tiny Vatican City and is worth visiting. The question is, what kind of tour should you take of St. Peter’s Basilica and should you combine it with a Vatican Museums tour? Find out what we recommend as the best tours of St. Peter’s Basilica so you can choose the right option for you.
While anyone can enter the beautiful church of St. Peter for free, this megamonument is full of art and history dating back to Michelangelo and beyond. The basilica you see today began construction in 1506 under the direction of Julius II. However, Constantine first built a basilica in this same spot in the 4th century.
Donato Bramante was the main architect, and the colonnades you see around the square today are emblems of his vision. But other great men like Michelangelo, Antonio da Sangallo, and Juan Lorenzo Bernini also played a pivotal role in the iconic structure and art that wows millions of visitors each year.
With a lineage like that, it’s no wonder why you need a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica to fully appreciate the centuries of work that went into designing this incredible building. But don’t take our word for it. See what our customers have to say about our St. Peter’s Basilica tours!
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our guide to St. Peter’s Basilica for more info.
4 Best Tours of St. Peter’s Basilica
So now that you understand how historical the basilica is, let’s dive into what you get on a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. Most tours are combined with a Vatican Museum tour, which takes you to see Michelangelo’s other masterpiece: the Sistine Chapel.
These two attractions are the crowning jewels of Vatican City, so it makes sense to learn about them both with a super-knowledgeable guide. Most importantly, these tours include skip-the-line tickets which is absolutely essential for visiting St. Peter’s or the Vatican Museums.
Some tours include climbing the dome or exploring the Papal Crypts. Sound exciting? Then check out any of our St. Peter’s Basilica tours below to make sure your trip is one for the books.
1. St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour
For the most comprehensive experience of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican, this tour covers it all. Begin with a visit to the Papal Crypts, where your guide will share insights into the final resting place of many popes. Then, step into the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica, exploring Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s majestic Baldacchino, and the awe-inspiring interior of the world’s largest church.
After a short break, prepare for the Dome Climb. Your guide will lead you up to the first level, where you’ll get an extraordinary, up-close look at Michelangelo’s architectural masterpiece. From there, you’ll continue independently, tackling the remaining 320 steps up a narrow, winding staircase to reach the very top. You skipped 231 steps with the elevator—now it’s time to conquer the rest! At the summit, breathtaking panoramic views of Rome await.
Next, take a scenic walk to the Vatican Museums. Skip the line and enjoy a guided tour of the most significant collections, including the Pio-Clementino Museum, Raphael Rooms, and, of course, the breathtaking Sistine Chapel.
Highlights:
5 hours
Skip-the-line entry at St. Peter’s and Vatican Museums
2. Ultimate St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb and Tour with Papal Crypts
For those looking to only tour St. Peter’s Basilica from top to bottom, look no further! This guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica starts with an early morning dome climb to avoid the crowds and the heat of the day. Your elevator ticket to the first level is included, so you’ll skip those first 231 steps before climbing the remaining 320 steps.
Not sure you’re up for that? You can still book and simply remain on the upper terrace while the rest of the group climbs to the top. You’ll still get a great view of Rome too. Learn about the history of the basilica and the men who built her before heading down to the main floor.
Explore everything from La Pietá to the mosaics and the bronze Baldacchino canopy built by Bernini himself. Then follow your guide for a tour of the Papal Crypts where popes have been buried for centuries.
3. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica Private Tour
Hoping for a private tour of St. Peter’s Basilica? This is one of our top-selling private tours that customers love. It’s the perfect length of time to learn about the best galleries and art at the Vatican before moving on to the Basilica.
You’ll have skip-the-line tickets, and start times throughout the day with a passionate guide who can tailor your tour to your preferences. Want more time at St. Peter’s than the Vatican? No problem. Let your guide lead the way on a private St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican Museums tour that you won’t soon forget.
4. Rome in a Day with Colosseum and Vatican Museums
If you’re a gotta-have-it-all kind of person, then we have just the tour for you! Our most popular tour in Rome is our Rome in a Day Tour that takes you on a guided tour to just about every major attraction in just 8 hours!
You’ll start with the essential skip-the-line entry at the Vatican Museums for a highlights tour that includes the Sistine Chapel. And of course, you’ll bypass the lines with your guide to head straight to St. Peter’s Basilica for a guided tour of this awe-inspiring church. Next up, you’ll take an air-conditioned van to central Rome and continue your walking tour.
Learn about Piazza Navona’s Fountain of Four Rivers, step inside the indescribable Pantheon, toss a coin in Trevi Fountain, then skip the line at the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Whew! It’s the ultimate day in Rome if you’re short on time or just to get to know the city’s main attractions in one fell swoop.
Highlights:
8 hours
Skip-the-line entry at the Vatican Museums and Colosseum
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