Vatican Grottoes tours

Explore the chapels, altars, and crypts of St. Peter's Basilica with an expert guide.

• An expert guide will lead you through the best of St. Peter's Basilica, from its chapels and altars to the sacred Papal Crypts.
• Dive into art and architecture by Renaissance greats such as Donato Bramante and Carlo Maderno in your preferred language.
• As you walk through the mosaic floors that tell the stories of saints and martyrs, keep an eye out for the awe-inspiring Baldachin by Bernini.
• You can opt for a guide in your preferred language, with tours available in English, French, Spanish, and Italian.
• After the tour, you can descend to the Vatican Grottoes and explore the Papal Tombs, learn about the legacy of the Clementine Chapel, and more.

Inclusions

• Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
• Expert English, French, Italian or Spanish-speaking guide
• Assistance at meeting point

• Tip: Check out Pietro Cavallini's Madonna della Bocciata fresco in the Vatican Grottoes and hear the story behind its unique name.
• Strict dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered for all guests.
• Mobile phones must remain on silent mode inside the Basilica.
• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible. The right semicircle of Saint Peter’s Square is equipped with ramp access to the Basilica. For any special requirements, contact accoglienza@fsp.va in advance.
• Sign language guided tours are available in Italian at the Basilica. This service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance at the following email address: visiteguidate@fsp.va.
• Expect a long wait at security, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take up to 2 hours!
• Around religious holidays at the Vatican, parts of the tour, such as the Papal Tombs, may not be open. In this case, the tour of the Basilica itself will be extended.

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Explore Vatican City’s top 3 sites & Entry to the Basilica with a guided tour

• Get the complete Vatican City experience on a guided tour of its three iconic sites: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica.
• Fast-track entry ensures you spend more time exploring and less time waiting at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
• Marvel at Renaissance masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel, including Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes and The Last Judgment.
• Get the flexibility to choose either the guided tour or a self-paced exploration of St. Peter's Basilica.
• Head to St. Peter's Basilica via a secret door from the Sistine Chapel, saving you 20 minutes of walking and skipping a 2-hour queue.

Inclusions

• Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
• Skip-the-line entry or guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica (as per option selected)
• Expert English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide
• Headphones

Exclusions

• Gratuities
• Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Dome

• Strict dress code: Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
• Accessibility: While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
• Inside the Sistine Chapel, maintain silence—no chatter, phones, or photos allowed. Don’t worry, your guide will brief you beforehand.
• Expect a considerable wait at the security line, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take up to an hour!

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Experience Basilica's Dome and uncover its stories with an expert guide.

• Admire Michelangelo's genius up close while climbing the Dome and learn all about its legends in a guided tour.
• This is one photo op you won't want to miss! Enjoy unparalleled views of the Eternal City, from the top of the Dome.
• Explore the intricate art-filled interiors of St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Papal Crypts in the Vatican Grottoes.
• Choose from 5 language options. On a French or English tour, you can opt to relish a sumptuous breakfast before you begin.

Inclusions

• Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and Dome with entry
• Expert English, Spanish, French, German or Italian-speaking guide
• Access by elevator to the base and stairs to the top
• Breakfast (for French and English options, if selected)

Exclusions

• Entry to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
• Entry to the Necropolis / St. Peter’s Tomb / Scavi

• Tip: While climbing the Dome, peek through special windows for rare views of the Basilica’s interiors below.
• Strict dress code: Knees and shoulders must be covered for all guests.
• The Dome is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with vertigo or claustrophobia. Even with elevator access, 320 steps must be climbed to reach the cupola.
• Expect extended wait times at security, especially during peak hours, which may exceed 2 hours. Patience is key!

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

An unbeatable combo for neighbor sites in Rome!

• Visit the riverside Castel Sant’Angelo, and St. Peter’s Basilica – the largest church in the world.
• Your guide leads a group of under 20 guests to unravel the fortified passageways and gardens of Castel Sant’Angelo, a royal mausoleum-turned-fortress.
• Inside the castle, be met with celestial sculptures and interesting rooms like the Grand Loggia, the breezy yet sheltered Courtyard of the Angel, and more.
• Less than 1 km away yet in a different nation lies St. Peter’s Basilica, the crown jewel of the Vatican! Your guided tour continues here.
• From the Papal Tombs to Bernini’s breathtaking bronze canopy and numerous niche chapels, absorb every nuance of the basilica’s narrative.

Inclusions

Castel Sant’Angelo

• Guided tour of Castel Sant'Angelo with entry
• Expert English-speaking guide
• Group of up to 20 guests

St. Peter’s Basilica

• Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs
• Expert English-speaking guide

• Tip: Keep an eye out for the discreet Passetto di Borgo which connects Castel Sant’Angelo to Vatican City!

Castel Sant’Angelo

• Only some areas of the castle are suitable for the use of prams/strollers and wheelchairs.
• If you are visiting with a baby or a toddler, get a carrier.

St. Peter’s Basilica

• Strict dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered for all guests.
• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible. The right semicircle of Saint Peter’s Square is equipped with ramp access into the Basilica. For any special requirements, contact accoglienza@fsp.va in advance.
• Sign language guided tours are available at the Basilica. This service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance at the following email address: visiteguidate@fsp.va.
• Expect a long wait at security, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take up to an hour!
• Around religious holidays at the Vatican, parts of the tour such as the Papal Tombs may not be open. In this case, the tour of the Basilica itself will be extended.

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

• Head to Rome's renowned spots Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on this expertly crafted tour.
• Admire masterpieces by Renaissance maestros at the Vatican Museums followed by a visit to the Sistine Chapel and time to explore St. Peter's Basilica.
• Head to the top of Palatine Hill for spectacular views of this ancient city.
• At the Colosseum, your tour guide will offer intuitive commentary on the ancient amphitheater and the larger-than-life shows hosted here in the past.
• Finish your full-day tour with a walk down the ancient path of the Roman Forum along the Via Sacra.

Inclusions

• Full-day guided tour of Rome
• Expert English-speaking guide
• Access to the Colosseum floors 1 & 2
• Access to Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
• Access to Vatican Museums
• Access to Sistine Chapel
• Access to St. Peter’s Basilica
• Audio headsets

Exclusions

• Transport

• Tip: Don't miss checking out Pietà by Michelangelo in St. Peter's Basilica, one of the most famous sculptures to exist in the world.
• All visitors must carry a photo ID for security checks.
• Please note that in case of unexpected closures of some of the areas inside the Museums, the guide may have to modify the itinerary slightly.
• Please note that you will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica on your own. Your guide will not take you inside, since direct access from Vatican Museum is not possible.
• St Peter’s Basilica is an active place of worship and may be closed without prior notice for religious events: in this case, the visit will be substituted by a visit to the Vatican Library.
• Due to heightened security measures, you may experience delays in clearing security checks when entering venues. Guests with a pacemaker will need to show a certificate to bypass security screening
• Facilities: Cloakroom at Vatican Museums
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, people with mobility issues.
• Strict Dress Code: In order to enter St.Peter's Basilica and Vatican Museums, one must abide by a dress code. Sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, shorts, and hats are not permitted. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
• Note that the following are not allowed inside Colosseum: large backpacks or pieces of luggage.
• Note that the following are not allowed inside Vatican Museums: suitcases, backpacks, containers, umbrellas, walking sticks (except those required by disabled visitors), tripods for cameras and video cameras, signage of any kind.

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Experience the Vatican with a skip-the-line private tour tailored to your interests, at your pace.

• Your Vatican, your way! Customize your tour to explore the sections that fascinate you most, like the Borgia Apartments or the Braccio Nuovo.
• Bypass the ticketing lines and head straight to the Vatican Museums, giving you more time to explore.
• Explore leisurely with lesser crowds, and delve deeper into the Vatican's wonders with ample time to appreciate each area.
• Benefit from an expert guide as they bring the Vatican's history to life at the Pinoteca Gallery or Raphael's Rooms.

Inclusions

• Private guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line access
• Entry and private guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica (as per option selected)
• Expert English/Spanish/French/German/Italian-speaking guide
• Headsets

• Tip: Unwind in the tranquil Cortile della Pigna, a hidden gem within the Vatican, featuring ancient sculptures like the iconic bronze pine cone.
• Strict dress code: Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
• Accessibility: While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
• Inside the Sistine Chapel, it's all about the quiet vibes. No chatting, no phones, and no photos, just pure admiration. But don't worry, an expert guide will fill you in on all the cool details before you step inside.

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.