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
4.94
(198)
2.5 h
Max 25 Guests
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.
You’ll meet your friendly local guide at Largo Del Colonnato, near St. Peter's Square. Then, you'll begin your journey to the top of the Dome. Taking the elevator to the first level to admire the elaborate mosaics, you can ascend the narrow, ancient stairway to the very top, where you’ll have an unbeatable view of Rome and the Vatican.
Afterwards, your guide will give you an in-depth tour inside the Basilica itself before entering, where you’ll learn its history and see the artistic mas...
Select participants and date
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!
Private, friendly guide
Climb St. Peter's Dome
St. Peter's Basilica
La Pieta
Panoramic views of Rome
Elevator access
Max 25 guests
Private, friendly guide
Climb St. Peter's Dome
St. Peter's Basilica
La Pieta
Panoramic views of Rome
Elevator access
Max 25 guests
Guide gratuity
Meals
Guide gratuity
Meals
Hotel pickup
Meet your guide at Largo Del Colonnato
Your tour begins with a warm welcome from your guide at Largo Del Colonnato Square, conveniently located in the heart of the Vatican City.
1st level of St. Peter's Dome
Step out of the elevator on the dome’s lower level to witness elaborate mosaics and architectural details, as dreamed up by Michelangelo.
Top of the St. Peter's Dome
Climb 320 steps to the very top of the dome, where you’ll be rewarded with a view of the Vatican that has inspired pilgrims and poets alike.
St. Peter's Basilica
Return to the ground level to discover its opulent decorations, stunning marble statues, and gold accents that reflect its sacred status.
La Pietá
Carved from a single block of Carrara marble, this masterpiece showcases Michelangelo's skill in capturing human emotion and divine beauty.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Meet your guide at Largo Del Colonnato. This is the area just outside of the St. Peters Square colonnades, on the right side if you’re looking at St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll see a friendly representative holding a “The Tour Guy” sign standing between the fountain and the green kiosk.
Comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, and a great camera!
4.94
198 Ratings
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Not much substance
James Somerville
June 02, 2025
Met for earliest tour in morning. By the time the group was ready had to wait in a longer line for entrance. Tour guide had pretty surficial knowledge. Could have learned as much from Wikipedia page. Guide didn’t accompany to top of Dome or into Basilica, which technically might not have been allowed, but plenty of other guides were doing it. By the time Dome climb was done the Basilica was packed. Wish we had got there at same time on our own, done the Basilica, then the Dome, and saved money. Basically, the guide was valuable for steering us in right direction.
Company is very well organized
Joseph Sansone
June 01, 2025
The dome climb is not for anyone who doesn't like crooked, slanted and VERY tight spaces. The tour is amazing however and the guides are very knowledgeable and often funny. They are authentic Vatican employees and you will not be disappointed. Joe S.
Anne-Josée Beaudoin
May 30, 2025
Denise Hiben
May 28, 2025
LEENUS KOODARAPILLY
May 27, 2025
Bri Derousseau
May 26, 2025
FANTASTIC!
Jennifer Schoffstall
May 26, 2025
Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable!
ana chechelashvili
May 26, 2025
Kathleen Gratias
May 24, 2025
CLIMB
Eric Bruno
May 24, 2025
This was a great tour - we would do it again.
stephanie robotham
May 24, 2025
Guide was great and full of info and enthusiasm. Loved the way he told the story of the history in a succinct way
Great Experience
Cody DAVIS
May 24, 2025
Our tour was scheduled for the day after Papa Francisco's funeral. Even though Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica were being preparing for the conclave, we still had an excellent tour. Our guide was interesting and funny. I'll always book with the atour Guy for tours in Rome.
The tour
John Algeo
May 23, 2025
It was great. The pacing was perfect.
Francesca era fantastica! St. Peters Basilica & dome tour
William Eakin
May 23, 2025
Our tour guide, Francesca, was very pleasant, informative and attentive. She took time to look after each of our group of 18 and no one was lost in the chaos. The Basilica is massive & full of wonders. It was nice to have a guide to explain the history and background of the more notable sights. I strongly recommend planning to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting time & CONFIRM that you are at the correct location. Google maps is usually very accurate, but this time we found ourselves waiting several minutes talking with what we thought were fellow group-mates when we found we were at the wrong meeting point! We almost missed our tour! Fortunately with With the help of a couple of very helpful waiters & locals, we found our way to the designated meeting point. The staff reacted quickly and got us off on our tour with Francesca & the group. We were well looked after.
Great tour!
Michael Rebellino
May 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this tour. The guide was very friendly, engaging, and knowledgable. I learned a lot and had an amazing time exploring St. Peter's Basilica. The tour was the perfect length of time and I would definitely recommend it. One of the highlights of our trip for sure.
Louisa Ruiz
May 21, 2025
Great Dome Tour!
Kerry Smith
May 21, 2025
My husband and I did this tour on the second day of the conclave. As a result, the security line was long. Luckily our super knowledgeable guide Maria was able to provide context about Vatican City while we waited. The Dome Tour is worth it for two reasons. One, seeing the dome from above gives you a full appreciation of its size and the beauty that is unfathomable from the floor of St Peter’s Basilica. Second, the view of Rome AND the Vatican Gardens from the top is spectacular! Maria was super informative within the basilica as well . There is so much to see and appreciate. Without the information shared on the tour we really would have missed so much context. I highly recommend this tour and if you are lucky enough to have Maria you are in excellent hands!
Tour
Tonya Brake
May 17, 2025
Thank you we really enjoyed this tour!! Would definitely do another tour with you guys..Tonya
Vivian Rupp
May 16, 2025
It was not an easy climb but super glad we did it. Maria was a very good guide.
Brad Smith
May 16, 2025
Great tour and experience! Our tour guide was very well informed and was enjoyable.
Fabritzio was awesome
Glenn Archer
May 16, 2025
Fabritzio was an easy going , friendly and knowledgeable tour guide. The view from the dome was the best view of Rome and much easier than I thought it would be to climb. It was extremely good value for money and would highly recommend this to anyone with a normal level of fitness.
Christine Molloy
May 16, 2025
Debra Hanley
May 14, 2025
It was an awesome tour! Our guide was amazing and we really appreciated the skip the line tour. We loved all the facts she shared with us and the beauty of the whole Vatican area. The Sistine Chapel was great. So wonderful to see the art and the museums. It was also definitely a work out climbing all the steps - but so worth it for those views!!! Definitely recommend to others!
Thomas Poole
May 14, 2025
Great!
Great guide-incredible views
James Beaty
May 14, 2025
The views at the top of St. Peter’s dome were amazing. Guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Highly recommend