TourTruth score 9.4 out of 10
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Vatican City Scavi and St. Peter’s Basilica Tour
TourTruth score 3.6 out of 10
Below average
194 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score
- Rome, Italy
- 3 hrs
- Updated November 2, 2026
Explore ancient burial sites and Saint Peter’s traditional tomb, then discover the art and history of St. Peter’s Basilica.
About this tour
Go beneath St. Peter’s Basilica to explore the ancient burial grounds and the traditional tomb of Saint Peter on this Vatican City Scavi and St. Peter’s Basilica tour. A 45-minute introduction sets the scene with Vatican history and highlights to look for during your visit.
Your reserved Scavi visit takes you into a remarkable area normally closed to the public, where you can discover the layers of history beneath the basilica. Then explore St. Peter’s Basilica at your own pace with prerecorded information. Inside, take in celebrated works by Michelangelo and Bernini, including the Pietà. An optional dome climb is also described in the tour information, offering panoramic views over Vatican City and Rome, along with a closer look at the basilica’s mosaics and architecture.
Meet outside Hotel Palazzo Cardinal Cesi, near St. Peter’s Square, and arrive 30 minutes early for security checks. Choose this Vatican City Scavi and St. Peter’s Basilica tour for a deeper look at the stories and artistry beneath and within one of Rome’s most renowned landmarks.
Highlights
- Explore ancient burial sites beneath St. Peter’s Basilica
- Visit the traditional tomb of Saint Peter
- Admire Michelangelo’s Pietà and works by Bernini
- Hear an introduction to Vatican history and basilica highlights
What's included
Included
- Scavi tour reservation
- 45-minute pre-tour introduction
- Self-guided St. Peter’s Basilica tour with prerecorded information
- Tombs of popes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica
Not included
- Necropolis of St. Peter’s pre-booking fee: €25
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
3.88 / 5 · 194 reviews
Important information
- Not available for children under 15
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers or travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Meet outside Hotel Palazzo Cardinal Cesi, a few steps from St. Peter’s Square
- Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start for Vatican security and Swiss Guard checks
- Public transportation options are available nearby
How this score is calculated
This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 3.88 from 194 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 3.6.
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.
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- Viator
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