Rome St. Peter's Basilica, Square and Papal Grottoes Tour - Image 1
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Rome St. Peter's Basilica, Square and Papal Grottoes Tour

TourTruth score 6.3 out of 10

Average

13 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • Rome, Italy
  • 1 hr 30 min
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Explore St. Peter’s Square, the Basilica’s masterpieces and the Papal Grottoes on a guided tour in Rome.

About this tour

Explore Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica, Square and Papal Grottoes on a 90-minute guided tour filled with remarkable art and history. Begin in St. Peter’s Square, where Bernini’s sweeping colonnade frames the approach to the Basilica. Inside, walk across colorful marble beneath gilded ceilings and see Michelangelo’s Pietà, followed by Bernini’s bronze Baldachin and St. Peter’s Throne. Continue into the Papal Grottoes, the historic space connecting the old Constantinian Basilica with the present church and the burial place of previous pontiffs. Your guide brings the setting to life throughout the visit, including during the Basilica’s mandatory security check, where waiting times can vary. Skip-the-line access is not included, and the Dome ticket is separate. Dress with shoulders and knees covered, then join this Rome St. Peter’s Basilica tour for an engaging look at some of the Vatican’s most celebrated landmarks.

Highlights

  • Admire Bernini’s colonnade in St. Peter’s Square
  • See Michelangelo’s Pietà and the Basilica’s gilded ceilings
  • Discover Bernini’s bronze Baldachin and St. Peter’s Throne
  • Explore the Papal Grottoes with a guide

What's included

Included

  • Tour guide

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Dome ticket
  • Skip-the-line access to the Basilica

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Meet in front of Mondo Cattolico, Piazza Pio XII 12, on the right side when facing the Basilica
  • A mandatory security check may involve an unpredictable queue; the guide shares history while you wait
  • Cover shoulders and knees inside the Basilica
  • Wheelchair access is available except in the Papal Grottoes
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health
  • Public transportation is available nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where is the meeting point?

Meet in front of Mondo Cattolico at Piazza Pio XII 12, on the right side when facing the Basilica.

Is skip-the-line access included?

No. Skip-the-line access to the Basilica is not included, and all visitors must pass through a mandatory security check.

Is a Dome ticket included?

No. A Dome ticket is not included; ask the guide for information at the end of the tour.

What should I wear?

Shoulders and knees must be covered inside the Basilica.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible except for the Papal Grottoes.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 3.08 from 13 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in Rome
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.3.

Provider rating distribution in Rome

How many tours in Rome have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • Viator

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