History and art intermingle on this guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. For an added experience, book the option to go up to the dome!
St Peter's Basilica Guided Tour + Dome Climb
We'll meet at the indicated time, very close to the Vatican. From this point, we'll walk to St. Peter's Square which will welcome us with its huge colonnades.
Before entering St. Peter's Basilica, we'll explain how this spectacular temple of Christianity was conceived and which renowned artists participated in its design and construction. You'll see that every little detail in the square and on the facade of the basilica has a meaning.
Next, we'll step inside the basilica. We'll admire the countless masterpieces found there, some highlights being the Pietà by Michelangelo and St. Peter's Baldachin canopy by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. We'll learn tons of fun facts about the different pieces we see and, in addition, we'll get to go into the crypt where the tombs of the Popes are located.
After the visit to the temple, we'll hop on an elevator that will take us to the first level of St. Peter's dome.
To reach the top of St. Peter's dome we'll have to climb 320 steps on foot. The effort will be worth it because from the viewpoint located at the top, we'll enjoy the best views of Rome, the Eternal City as we have never seen before!
After marveling at the panoramic view from the dome, we'll descend back down to St. Peter's Basilica, where the tour will end after 1.5-2.5 hours of touring.
Climbing St. Peter's Dome
If you choose the option that includes a visit to St. Peter's Basilica and access to the dome, we'll take an elevator to the first level. From there, we'll climb 320 steps to the top. The effort is worth it for the stunning views of Rome from the summit, offering a perspective of the Eternal City like no other!
After soaking in the panoramic views, we'll descend back to St. Peter's Basilica. Our tour will conclude inside the basilica after about 1.5 hours.
Please note, with the dome ascent option, you'll need to queue twice: once for the elevator and once for the steps. Therefore, the tour could be slowed down by the influx of visitors, especially on busy days.
When Is the Best Time to Go up to the Dome?
Like most tourist spots, the best time to visit is when it's least crowded, typically between 7 am and 9 am. The city will still be quiet, and the first rays of sunlight make it the perfect time to climb the dome of St. Peter's.
Opening Hours
These are the opening hours of St. Peter's Dome are:
- From October to March: from 8 am to 5 pm
- From April to September: from 8 am to 6 pm
Please note that these hours are flexible and subject to change.
Fun Facts About The Dome
- The dome measures 136.57 meters (448 feet), from the base to the cross that crowns it.
- Although it was designed by the artist Michelangelo in 1546, he died before seeing it finished.
- Its diameter is 42.56 meters.
- It was inaugurated in 1590.
- The basilica's iconic design has inspired many buildings over the years. For instance, you can see a similar dome in the Cathedral Basilica of Mary Queen of the World in Montreal.
Don't Want to Go up to the Dome?
On certain days, depending on availability, we offer a guided tour that only includes a guided tour of the basilica.
With this, you'll take a guided tour of the basilica. For this, we'll meet on Via Vespasiano and make our way towards Piazza San Pietro to admire the beauty of the imposing columns. Afterwards, we'll make our way to the basilica and discover all of the treasures which are housed within, such as La Piedad by Michael Angelo, the Bernini sculptures and the incredible mosaics of the grand dome.
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