St. Peter’s Basilica Dome To Underground Grottoes Tour

Really perfect timing and tour for St Peters Basilica. You have approx 30-45 min wait till u are thru the line into the church. Once inside, a brisk (30min) tour of the inside of the church, then time in the grottos which was surprisingly one of my favorite parts. The dome then follows, the tour guide will depart as you decide whether you want elevator climb or stairs and you can stay as you want. If you are claustrophobic...dont let the elevator option (extra 30 min-1hr) make you think you dont be in tight spaces. There is still a 10 minute unavoidable steady climb to the tippy top of the dome.l that is tight and the last 30 feet you are in a circular spiral staircase with a rope as an anchor. Views from the top are uncomparable, but just now you spend 2/3 climbing and 1/3 enjoying view. ALSO, if you want to see the dome souvenir shop (after elevator or stair climb and then all tourists do the last bit of dome climb including inner church chamber view...fun...) you must do it before you go up because the exit from the top of the dome is a different path. Now, there is the Basilica "library" and post office at the end of the tour and their are some trinkets etc there as well. Big take away, dont miss Peter's tomb and you can always go back to see more of the inside of the church after you finish the dome if you need more time

We had the best tour guide ever. Tara was great. Super informative and very active as well. She made the whole Vatican tour very fun and memorable for us

Tara was great! She is very nice and passionate about the basilica and showed us several unique things within the church.

Thank you Tara!! We had an amazing time! Tara was knowledgeable and kept us entertained with fun facts while we waited. She really knew her stuff!! 10/10

Tara was the best guide, super informative and funny. Definitely worth it! Had such a great time with this tour, would recommend if you are in Rome.