Ultimate St. Peter's Basilica Dome Climb and Tour
See Michelangelo's La Pietà up close and climb the dome for stunning views of Rome and the Vatican
Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and its dome on your own can mean dealing with crowds and waiting in line for hours. Our early-morning tour, led by a captivating local guide, ensures you skip the hassle with privileged access and insider knowledge, including the best times to climb for awe-inspiring views. Explore the stunning Basilica, take in breathtaking panoramas and take it all in. This is a a truly immersive experience.
What You Get With This Tour
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Expert, English-speaking guide
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Entry to St. Peter's Basilica and 1st level access
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Climb to the top of St. Peter’s Dome
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Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins at Largo Del Colonnato
You'll meet your friendly local guide near St. Peter's Square at Largo Del Colonnato, ready to start your journey to one of Rome's most iconic landmarks. -
2
Elevator ride to the first level of the dome
Take the elevator up to the first level, where elaborate mosaics cover the interior. Step outside onto the terrace for an iconic view of Vatican City stretching before you. -
3
Climb to the top of St. Peter's Dome
From here, you'll have the option to climb 320 ancient stone steps to reach the summit. The stairway gets narrow and a bit claustrophobic, but the reward is worth it—an epic panoramic view of the Vatican and Rome's historic center. -
4
Guided explanation of St. Peter's Basilica
Back at ground level, your guide will share the fascinating history of the world's largest church before you step inside, setting the stage for what you're about to see. -
5
Explore the interior of St. Peter's Basilica
You'll witness legendary artworks including Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's Baldacchino. Your guide will show you the spectacular throne and high altar built directly above St. Peter's final resting place. -
6
Your tour finishes at St. Peter's Basilica
After the guided portion ends, you're welcome to stay inside and continue exploring the Basilica at your own pace, or head out to grab a coffee and reflect on your experience.
Additional Information
Good to know:
Dress Code: Modest attire is required for St. Peter’s Basilica, meaning shoulders, knees, and toes must be covered for all participants; no hats please.
Accessibility: This tour is not recommended for those with claustrophobia or limited mobility, as the final ascent to the dome top involves a narrow, ancient stairway of about 320 steps. Strollers are not allowed inside St. Peter's Basilica.
Please Note: The final portion of the dome climb (320 steps) must be done by stairs, even with elevator access to the first level.
Tour Changes: The Basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings due to the Papal Audience; during the Jubilee year, there are sometimes last-minute closures on Friday and Saturday mornings, in which case we will reach out to assist you in rescheduling.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 2.5-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Entry to St. Peter's Basilica
Climb to the top of the dome
Elevator access
Guided explanation of St. Peter's Basilica before entering
Maximum group size of 25
What to bring:
Government-issued ID
Modest attire (shoulders and knees covered)
Comfortable walking shoes
Water bottle
Camera
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Customer Reviews
Easy to find the group. Our guide was very good and kind. We had fun and even enjoyed a cup of coffee on top of the dome.. Beautiful views. Thank you !!
Our tour guide was the best. She was very knowledgeable and always ensured all in her flock were with her for the duration of the tour. She related her knowledge and information about the Vatican as no other. We loved her. Of the three in our group, 1 took the elevator, one walked halfway up the dome stairs and the last completed her steps to the top of the dome. All 3 of us had a great time and we got to pass thru St. Peter's Holy Doors.
My wife and I did this tour and enjoyed the guide, her knowledge and explanation for all the sights. We went to the very top of St Peter’s Dome, the views were amazing. Definitely recommend using this company and doing this tour. As a matter of fact, we love this company so much, we scheduled two more tours with them this week that we hadn’t planned to do.
Really good tour even with the amount of people visiting the Vatican on that day. Our tour guide, Volodymyr, was great. Very knowledgeable on the Vatican and its surroundings. The Dome climb was amazing and highly recommend… just make sure that you are physically able to do the climb.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, and a great camera!
What to bring?
Comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, and a great camera!
Does this tour visit the Vatican Museums?
This tour doesn't include the Vatican Museums. However, if you're interested in touring the Vatican after your tour, consider our Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.
Does this tour run on Wednesdays?
This tour isn't available on Wednesdays due to Papal Audience, which is held every Wednesday morning.
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.
What if have claustrophobia?
Some parts of the stairway to the very top of the dome become very narrow and may not be suitable for people with severe claustrophobia. If you don't think this climb is for you, you're welcome to skip this part and stay on the first level, where you'll still have a fantastic view of the Vatican from the terrace.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
The dome climb is optional and you're welcome to just take the elevator to the first level, but anyone wishing to climb should be prepared for 320 steps up and down. Otherwise, the tour will move at a fairly gentle pace with a few small stairways and uneven floors. If you're unsure, we'd suggest considering a private Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica, and Sistine Chapel Tour so we can tailor it to your needs.
Does this tour visit St. Peter's Basilica?
Please note that the Basilica is closed on Wednesday & Saturday mornings due to the Papal Audience and will not be included in tours. Afternoon tours will still include St. Peter's Basilica entry.
