St. Peter's Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour
See Rome from above then go deeper into the Vatican’s highlights and Michelangelo’s masterpieces
Most tours skip the climb to St. Peter’s Dome, missing one of the most breathtaking views in Rome. With early access, ascend to the top of the Dome, where panoramic views stretch across Vatican City, the Eternal City beyond. Back on ground level, your guide will give a detailed overview of St. Peter’s Basilica before you step inside to explore at your own pace. Then, skip the line into the Vatican Museums for a guided visit through its most famous galleries, ending in the Sistine Chapel.
What You Get With This Tour
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Expert, English-speaking guide
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Skip-the-line Vatican Museums entry
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Entry to the Sistine Chapel
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St. Peter’s Basilica Dome climb
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St. Peter's Basilica entry
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Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
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1
Meet your guide at Largo Del Colonnato
Begin your morning right outside of St. Peter’s Basilica, where you’ll meet your friendly guide and small group of fellow travelers. This is the perfect time to get settled in, receive your priority entrance tickets, and get ready for a packed morning of unforgettable Vatican experiences. -
2
St Peter's Square
Roam through Vatican City’s breathtaking main plaza. Designed by the masterful Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the square is lined by 284 massive columns and 140 statues of saints. You'll hear the fascinating stories behind this architectural wonder as you prepare to enter the Basilica. -
3
St. Peter's Basilica Dome climb
After taking the elevator to the lower level of St. Peter’s Dome, you’ll skip many of the initial steps. Next, walk up the remaining 320 stone steps to reach the very top. The reward is an absolutely unforgettable, 360-degree panoramic view stretching across Vatican City and the entire Eternal City of Rome! -
4
St. Peter's Basilica
You’ll return to ground level for an explanation of the world's largest church. Learn about the Basilica’s most incredible works of art and magnificent architecture, including Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s stunning Baldacchino altar. Then, head inside to explore this massive space at your own pace. -
5
Vatican Museums
Next, you'll swiftly enter Vatican City’s exquisite museums with your priority skip-the-line tickets. You’ll begin your guided exploration through this historic collection, moving through key areas that hold some of the world’s most precious art and archaeological treasures. -
6
Pinecone Courtyard
Your guide will lead you into the stunning Pinecone Courtyard. This impressive space is named for the colossal ancient Roman bronze pinecone that sits here. You'll see a captivating mix of ancient and contemporary art, providing a beautiful space to pause before moving into the museum proper. -
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Pio-Clementino Museum
Then, explore the halls of the prestigious Pio-Clementino Museum, home to some of the world's most renowned classical sculptures. Here you’ll discover masterpieces like Laocoön and His Sons and the enormous, opulent red marble tub once belonging to Emperor Nero. -
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Gallery of Maps
Follow your guide into the dazzling Gallery of Maps. This magnificent hall is famous for its massive, stunning topographical frescoes. Based on the work of Ignazio Danti, these beautiful maps depict detailed representations of Italy’s many regions and cities, painted across the walls. -
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Raphael Rooms
After that, step into the spectacular Raphael Rooms. These four stunning rooms are covered in frescoes by the renowned Renaissance artist, including his iconic School of Athens. You’ll learn about the hidden meanings and historical context behind these amazing works. -
10
Sistine Chapel
Finally, you’ll enter the world-famous Sistine Chapel. Marvel at Michelangelo’s incredible and intricate fresco The Creation of Man which adorns the ceiling, and his monumental Last Judgement behind the altar. As this is a place of worship, your guide will give you an in-depth explanation beforehand. -
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Your tour finishes inside the Vatican Museums
After saying goodbye to your friendly guide at the Sistine Chapel, the guided portion of your tour concludes. You'll have the option to continue roaming through the immaculate Vatican Museums at your leisure, allowing you to revisit your favorite galleries or explore others.
Additional Information
Good to know:
Dress Code: As the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel are deeply religious sites, everyone must cover their knees, shoulders, and toes. Guests who do not meet the dress code may be refused entry by security officials. No hats please.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. A foldable umbrella stroller can be utilized in the Vatican Museums, but is prohibited inside St. Peter's Basilica. A soft baby carrier is recommended.
Bag Policy: Camera tripods and large backpacks are not allowed in the museum, so please leave them at your hotel.
Please Note: The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so visitors are not allowed to speak inside the chapel. Your guide will explain what you'll see in advance.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 5-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Early entry to St. Peter's Basilica
Access to the elevator and stairs to the top of St. Peter's dome
Guided explanation of St. Peter's Basilica before entering
Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums
Guided tour of Vatican Museums
See inside Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel
Maximum group size of 30
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Government-issued ID
Water bottle
Clothing that covers knees and shoulders
Camera
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Customer Reviews
Excellent tour with an awesome guide. Had a good pace without feeling rushed. Very informative of the history behind the church/chapel/museum. Truly worth paying a little extra to have a guide instead of attempting to navigate yourself. Would have missed out on the significance of many of the items.
Everything was so easy. Raffa met us and led us thru it all which was amazing with the huge crowd of people. She knew it all so well and showed us so much. It was fun and it wore us out in a good way!!
Our guide Raffa ( if I remember her name correctly) was excellent. Her knowledge was outstanding. Very patient with our group.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Since this is a walking tour, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water.
What to bring?
Since this is a walking tour, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water.
Can I see the Vatican without a guided tour?
Yes, you can reserve tickets to enter the Vatican without a guided tour. Click here for skip the line Vatican tickets.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest taking a Vatican Private Tour so your needs can be better accommodated.
Does the Vatican ever experience unexpected closures?
During state visits or special religious events, parts of the Vatican may be closed unexpectedly and without much notice. If an area normally visited during a tour is suddenly closed, our guide will still provide explanations of the closed areas from outside. They will even show you another gallery to compensate for the lost time in a usual location.
Will the Vatican Museums be crowded during this tour?
While we do our best to arrange the order of the tour to avoid the largest crowds, there is a chance the museums may be crowded while we are inside since the tour begins with the dome climb and visit to St. Peter's.
Is there a dress code to enter the religious sites on this tour?
We ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise you may be refused entry to religious sites and miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Rome can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
Is there an elevator I can take instead of climbing?
On this guided tour, everyone will enjoy the use of the elevator to skip the first 231 steps and emerge at the landing inside the dome. From there, you can either admire the view from the terrace or climb the remaining 320 steps on foot.
