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.

Complete Vatican tour including Museums, Chapel and exclusive access to St. Peter’s Basilic via a hidden passage.

• Save 2-3 hours by skipping the ticketing queues at the Vatican's top three - Museums, Chapel, and Basilica.
• Navigate the Museums' legendary galleries and rooms with your guide who shares exciting insights in your preferred language.
• Hear key facts before walking in and admiring Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel many frescoes, including The Last Judgment.
• Skip the usual 2-hour Basilica queue and enter directly from the Sistine Chapel via a hidden door.
• Upgrade for a fully guided experience inside St. Peter’s Basilica, home to Bernini’s Baldachin and Michelangelo’s Pietà.

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
• Expert English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide
• Headphones

Exclusions

• Gratuities
• Entry to St. Peter's Basilica Dome

• Names on tickets must match a valid photo ID. Double-check the details at checkout for a smooth entry.
• Your ticket includes a specific entry time. Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your chosen slot.
• Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
• 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.
• When in Sistine Chapel, silence is mandatory and photography is prohibited. Guides will provide all necessary and interesting details before entry.
• Expect a considerable wait at the security line, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take up to an hour!
• Please be aware that during the Jubilee Year, certain areas of the Vatican Museums may be inaccessible due to religious ceremonies. Additionally, entrance to St. Peter's Basilica may also experience unannounced closures. These circumstances are beyond our control. Thank you for your understanding.

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Explore the Basilica with an expert guide and climb the dome for great city views.

• Walk with an expert through the art-filled interiors of St. Peter’s Basilica, including the iconic Pietà and the Papal Crypts in the Vatican Grottoes.
• Admire Michelangelo's genius up close while climbing the Dome—this is one photo op you won't want to miss!
• Begin your day with an optional breakfast before the tour—an exclusive offering for French and English language options.

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.
• 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 neighboring 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.
• Keep in mind that your ticket is nominative, and you must present a valid ID matching your full name on the ticket for entry.

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 customizable skip-the-line private tour.

• Tour the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with direct entry and enjoy exclusive access to St. Peter’s Basilica via a secret back door.
• Enjoy a truly private experience with just you, your group, and an expert guide dedicated solely to your tour, enriching your visit with lesser-known trivia and backstories.
• Personalize your journey—explore sections like the Borgia Apartments, Braccio Nuovo, or focus on hidden gems that fascinate you most.
• Upgrade your visit with an exclusive guided tour of the Basilica, where you’ll see the famous Pietà and Michelangelo's magnificent dome up close.

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

• The price displayed is for two people and increases as you add more participants.
• Names on tickets must match a valid photo ID. Double-check the details at checkout for a smooth entry.
• Your tour includes a specific entry time and delays entry might result in denied entry. Arrive punctually to maximize your experience.
• Cover your shoulders, knees, and backs—this applies to all visitors.
• 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.
• When in Sistine Chapel, silence is mandatory and photography is prohibited. Guides will provide all necessary and interesting details before entry.
• Security checks are mandatory for all visitors and may result in wait times, especially during peak season they might stretch to an hour.

• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.