---
title: "St. Peter's Basilica, Dome Climb & Grottoes Tour"
date: 2026-07-25
canonical: https://visitvaticantickets.com/tours/st-peters-dome-climb-tickets/
---
# St. Peter's Basilica, Dome Climb & Underground Grottoes Tour

- Ticket price: From 33 EUR per person (Prices checked 2026-07-25, prices may vary)
- Duration: About 1.5 to 2 hours
- Best for: Basilica and grottoes without the Museums
- Combo tours
- Check availability: https://www.getyourguide.com/en-us/rome-l33/rome-st-peter-s-basilica-dome-climb-and-underground-tour-t799928/?partner_id=D7H7I6M&utm_medium=travel_agent&cmp=visitvaticantickets_com_agent_markdown (GetYourGuide · This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.)

- ★ Licensed guide walks you through St. Peter's Basilica's architecture and history
- ★ Descend into the Vatican Grottoes to see the tombs of popes and saints
- ★ Touch walls that remain from the original 4th-century basilica
- ★ Optional dome climb for panoramic views over Rome

## Our take
This is the cheapest way to combine a guided Basilica visit with the underground grottoes, which is useful if you have already done the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on a separate trip or simply want to focus on the Basilica itself. The main thing to watch for is that the dome climb is an add-on option, not automatically included, so double-check that box at booking if the rooftop view is the reason you are buying this ticket.

This **St. Peter's Basilica, dome climb and underground grottoes tour** is built for travelers who want to focus on the Basilica itself rather than the full Vatican Museums route. A licensed guide walks you through the Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the church, including the dome designed in part by Michelangelo, explaining its role as the burial site of St. Peter and a center for major papal ceremonies.

From the main floor, you descend into the Vatican Grottoes, where popes and saints are buried, including the traditional resting place of St. Peter. You can also see sections of wall from the original 4th-century basilica that once stood on this site, a detail most visitors walking straight through the Basilica never notice.

If you add the dome option at booking, the tour continues upward for panoramic views over Vatican City and the rooftops of Rome. Note that the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are not included here. If you want those sites in the same visit, see our [guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Basilica](https://visitvaticantickets.com/tours/vatican-museums-sistine-chapel-st-peters-basilica-tour/) instead.

For more on the Basilica's history, see the [history of St. Peter's Basilica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter%27s_Basilica), built over the traditional tomb of St. Peter. Our [Vatican Museums tickets guide](https://visitvaticantickets.com/) can help you decide whether this Basilica-only option or a combined tour fits your trip better.

## What's included
- ✓ Complete guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
- ✓ Guided tour of the papal tombs in the Vatican Grottoes
- ✓ Professional, licensed guide
- ✓ Entry tickets to the top of the dome if the option is selected
- ✓ Radio headsets so you can always hear your guide
- ✗ Entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

## Route and itinerary
1. **Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica**: Your licensed guide walks you through the Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the Basilica, including the dome designed in part by Michelangelo.
2. **Descend into the Vatican Grottoes**: Visit the underground grottoes to see the tombs of popes and saints, including the traditional resting place of St. Peter, and touch walls from the 4th-century original basilica.
3. **Climb the dome if you selected the option**: Travelers who add the dome option ascend for panoramic views over Vatican City and Rome, a separate ticket layered onto the base Basilica tour.

## FAQs
### Does this ticket include the dome climb at St. Peter's Basilica?
The dome climb is an optional add-on you select at booking. Without it, the ticket covers the guided Basilica and grottoes tour only.

### Are the Vatican Museums included in this tour?
No. This tour focuses on St. Peter's Basilica and the underground grottoes. Choose our three-site tour if you also want the Museums and Sistine Chapel.

### What are the Vatican Grottoes?
They are the underground level of the Basilica, home to the tombs of popes and saints, including the traditional resting place of St. Peter.

### How long does the St. Peter's Basilica and grottoes tour take?
Plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours, longer if you add the dome climb, which involves an elevator ride and a stair climb.