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Home > Vatican Tours, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums Tickets > Vatican Museums and Underground Tour of the Papal Tombs in St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican Museums and Underground Tour of the Papal Tombs in St. Peter’s Basilica

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Duration

3.5 hours

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Vatican Museums and Underground Tour of the Papal Tombs in St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican Museums and Underground Tour of the Papal Tombs in St. Peter’s Basilica

Not your typical Vatican tour. Yes, you will still discover the amazing papal collections that can be found inside the Vatican Museums, but this Vatican tour goes a bit deeper, underground St. Peter’s Basilica where you’ll find another hidden treasure – the Papal Tombs.

First witness Michelangelo’s Pieta - the breathtaking sculpture inside St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome. This moving image of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus Christ after the Crucifixion is one of the most famous statues of the Renaissance period. You’ll also see St. Peter’s Baldachin by Bernini, an elaborate Baroque-style bronze sculpted canopy which decorates the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Now it’s time to explore underground St. Peter’s Basilica. Along with the ancient Roman catacombs, the papal tombs of St. Peter’s in the Vatican are some of the most intriguing sites of Rome. Also referred to as the Vatican Grottoes or the Crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, your guide will reveal the histories and mysteries behind this important burial site. Religious or not, the sacred relics, art and history that can be found within the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica is a must-see when in Rome.

ADD ON OPTION: St. Peter’s Dome Climb:
And if you wish to explore more (this time to the top) you can add on the option to climb the glorious St. Peter’s Basilica Dome.

Highlights

TOUR THE VATICAN

Your expert guide will take you to the most important rooms and artworks of the Vatican from the Round Room and the Hall of the Muses through the Gallery of the Tapestries, Gallery of the Maps and Greek Cross Hall. Visit the picturesque Belvedere and Pinecone Courtyard and the Pio Clementino Museum.
SISTINE CHAPEL & MICHELANGLEO

After your guided tour through the Vatican Museums, visit the miraculous Sistine Chapel. You’ll have just enough time to marvel at the incredible frescoes from masters of the Renaissance including The Last Judgement and The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
SAINT PETER’S BASILICA

Then visit St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most significant churches in Christianity and the largest church in the world. St. Peter’s is majestic both inside and out, with columns and statues by Bernini adorning the exterior façade as well as another Bernini masterpiece inside.
THE PIETA

Also in Saint Peter’s Basilica is Michelangelo’s Pieta, one of the most revered sculptures of the Renaissance.
VATICAN UNDERGROUND

Discover the papal tombs in old St. Peter’s Basilica. The final resting place of the popes, some dating back to the 5th century were originally housed in the old St. Peter’s Basilica. After the demolition during the 16th century most tombs were destroyed, but some were luckily preserved and transferred to the new St. Peter’s Basilica that you see today.
PAPAL TOMBS OF ST. PETER’S

The Vatican papal tombs of St. Peter’s are still relatively unknown to the general public. This exclusive tour allows you access to these underground sections of St. Peter’s Basilica, giving you a unique perspective and history explained to you by an expert on the subject – your guide.
ST. PETER’S TOMB

Pay a visit to the Tomb of the Dead, also known as St. Peter’s Tomb. Despite its name, this is not the site of Saint Peter’s grave rather than a memorial dedicated to the founder of the early Church.

TOUR THE VATICAN

SISTINE CHAPEL & MICHELANGLEO

SAINT PETER’S BASILICA

THE PIETA

VATICAN UNDERGROUND

PAPAL TOMBS OF ST. PETER’S

ST. PETER’S TOMB

Q&A

How long did it take to paint the Sistine Chapel?
It took 4 years to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Michelangelo began work in the spring of 1508, officially unveiling the finished product on Halloween 1512.
How long to tour the Vatican?
It usually takes 2.5 to 3 hours to tour the Vatican without feeling rushed.
Where is St. Peter’s Basilica?
St. Peter’s Basilica is located in Vatican City, Rome, and part of the three main sites of the Vatican along with the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
Is Michelangelo’s signature on the Pieta?
Yes. This is the only piece that Michelangelo signed personally. You can find Michelangelo’s signature on the Pieta hidden on the body of the Virgin Mary.
Where to buy tickets for St. Peter’s Basilica Dome?
You can buy tickets to St. Peter’s Dome in person at the Basilica and usually you won’t find long lines there. It costs 8 euro to climb the entire way by stairs or 10 euro to take an elevator part of the way up.

what's included

Skip-the-line admission
Expert tour guide
Headset
Free Wi-Fi, bathroom and ATM access, refreshments and recharging station available at Enjoy Rome's office before and/or after your tour

what's not included

Pick up and drop off
Gratuities (optional)

meeting point

Your meeting point is inside the Enjoy Rome office – located on Via Germanico 8 (take Metro Line A to the OTTAVIANO stop). Please arrive 25 minutes before the start of your tour to check-in with a member of our staff.

Please note- the meeting point is inside of our office. But for security reasons, we are not able to store any personal belongings at our office – so please plan accordingly.

dress code

Please note - the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica maintain a strict dress code year-round. All visitors must have their shoulders covered and pants/skirts must come to the knee. And make sure to wear comfortable shoes!

important information

The Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica has strict security restrictions. Due to metal detectors at the entrances of most attractions, it is forbidden to bring the following:

Weapons and blunt objects (knives, long umbrellas, etc.)
Glass bottles, aerosol sprays, and alcohol
Bicycles, skates, and segways
Luggage
Pets

Large bags and selfie sticks are not allowed in the Vatican. There is a free Vatican cloakroom service once you have gone through the metal detectors.

* Tours departing Wednesday: St. Peter's Basilica will be unavailable due to the weekly Papal Audience during which St. Peter's Basilica is closed. As an alternative you will be offered an extended itinerary within the Vatican Museums, which still includes the Sistine Chapel.

** On rare occasions, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel closes without notice. If this happens, you will spend a full 3 hour tour in the Vatican Museums.

accessibility

This tour is not wheelchair accessible. If you or any member of your party has difficulty with mobility (uses crutches or a wheelchair, etc.), please contact us in advance.

Private tours are available to meet these and other special needs on request and in advance.

The Vatican Museums offer free entry to all disabled visitors with certified invalidity of more than 74%. For visitors who are not self-sufficient, free entry is also extended to a companion.

cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Reviews

Score Reviews

5/5

with 3 user reviews

Best tour we had

We have two teenage kids so going into the vatican tour they had very low exoectations. We were blown away by laura antonucci. Laura made the tour more enjoyable for them. The jokes, fun facts, and pace were Exactly what we needed. We enjoyed laura more than any ither tour guide we had. Would recommend this tour to anyone

Theresa - 04/08/2024 13:27

Tres bon guide

Avons fait la visite avec Patrizi Ilarea qui est une guide passionnee et passionnante. Merci a elle

Vanbleuy - 01/04/2024 17:02

Guida

La visita ai musei è stata resa ancora più speciale dall'ottima prestazione della guida Maria Antonietta. Sensazionale!

Sonei Turossi - 03/02/2024 12:17

Rome

Vatican Museums and Underground Tour of the Papal Tombs in St. Peter’s Basilica

Adults

Less 18 years

Less 6 years

Book your tour

Vatican Museums and Underground Tour of the Papal Tombs in St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican Museums and Underground Tour of the Papal Tombs in St. Peter’s Basilica

How long did it take to paint the Sistine Chapel?

How long to tour the Vatican?

Where is St. Peter’s Basilica?

Is Michelangelo’s signature on the Pieta?

Where to buy tickets for St. Peter’s Basilica Dome?