Rome Entire Vatican Tour with St. Peter's Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Visit
by ItaliaTours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$318Overview
This 4.5-hour guided tour of Vatican City begins at St. Peter's Square, where participants meet a Vatican expert guide. The tour starts with a climb to the top of St. Peter's Dome. Visitors take an elevator partway up, then climb 380 steps to reach the dome's terrace, which offers panoramic views of Rome and the Tyrrhenian Sea. After descending, the tour continues with a complete guided visit of the entire St. Peter's Basilica. This includes viewing all the major artworks and sculptures, as well as a visit to the lesser-known Papal Sarcophagi beneath the basilica, called the Vatacombs. A break follows before walking a short distance to the Vatican Museums. With priority access to skip the lines, participants spend about 90 minutes exploring the museums' extensive collection of ancient art and sculptures. The tour ends with a 20-minute visit to the Sistine Chapel, where the guide explains Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes, including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement. Hotel pickup and gratuities are not included. Participants should dress comfortably with shoulders and knees covered. The dome climb involves 380 steps in a confined space and may not be suitable for those with claustrophobia or certain health conditions.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
St. Peter's Square
Meet the Vatican guide at St. Peter's Square and cross the marble paving to the dome stairs. The dome has 551 steps in total; the tour uses an elevator to skip 171 steps, leaving 380 steps to climb on foot.
30 min
St. Peter's Basilica
Ascend the passageways to the top of Michelangelo's dome, which offers clear views of Vatican City and the city of Rome.
60 min
St. Peter's Basilica
After the dome climb, take a fully guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica, exploring its architecture, sculptures, and artworks.
60 min
Vatican Museums
Enter the Vatican Museums with fast-track access and spend about 90 minutes viewing thousands of ancient artworks and sculptures within extensive galleries.
90 min
Sistine Chapel
View Michelangelo's famous ceiling frescoes including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement during a 20-minute guided visit inside the chapel.
20 min
Meeting point
Meet at 7:45 AM for 8:00 AM departure by the Tiare fountain (Fontana delle Tiare), just beneath Largo del Colonnato and in front of the pillars which run around Saint Peter's Square. Your guide will be holding an ItaliaTours signboard. Google maps
End point
The tour concludes on St. Peter's Square beside St. Peter's Basilica.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Rome Entire Vatican Tour with St. Peter's Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Visit
by ItaliaTours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$318Overview
This 4.5-hour guided tour of Vatican City begins at St. Peter's Square, where participants meet a Vatican expert guide. The tour starts with a climb to the top of St. Peter's Dome. Visitors take an elevator partway up, then climb 380 steps to reach the dome's terrace, which offers panoramic views of Rome and the Tyrrhenian Sea. After descending, the tour continues with a complete guided visit of the entire St. Peter's Basilica. This includes viewing all the major artworks and sculptures, as well as a visit to the lesser-known Papal Sarcophagi beneath the basilica, called the Vatacombs. A break follows before walking a short distance to the Vatican Museums. With priority access to skip the lines, participants spend about 90 minutes exploring the museums' extensive collection of ancient art and sculptures. The tour ends with a 20-minute visit to the Sistine Chapel, where the guide explains Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes, including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement. Hotel pickup and gratuities are not included. Participants should dress comfortably with shoulders and knees covered. The dome climb involves 380 steps in a confined space and may not be suitable for those with claustrophobia or certain health conditions.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
St. Peter's Square
Meet the Vatican guide at St. Peter's Square and cross the marble paving to the dome stairs. The dome has 551 steps in total; the tour uses an elevator to skip 171 steps, leaving 380 steps to climb on foot.
30 min
St. Peter's Basilica
Ascend the passageways to the top of Michelangelo's dome, which offers clear views of Vatican City and the city of Rome.
60 min
St. Peter's Basilica
After the dome climb, take a fully guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica, exploring its architecture, sculptures, and artworks.
60 min
Vatican Museums
Enter the Vatican Museums with fast-track access and spend about 90 minutes viewing thousands of ancient artworks and sculptures within extensive galleries.
90 min
Sistine Chapel
View Michelangelo's famous ceiling frescoes including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement during a 20-minute guided visit inside the chapel.
20 min
Meeting point
Meet at 7:45 AM for 8:00 AM departure by the Tiare fountain (Fontana delle Tiare), just beneath Largo del Colonnato and in front of the pillars which run around Saint Peter's Square. Your guide will be holding an ItaliaTours signboard. Google maps
End point
The tour concludes on St. Peter's Square beside St. Peter's Basilica.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.