St Peter’s Basilica and the Dome with Castel Sant’Angelo Private Tour
Experience the Vatican and Castel Sant’Angelo: A Journey Through History and Heights
Start your day in the heart of Vatican City with early access to St. Peter’s Basilica, long before the crowds arrive. Meet your expert guide near St. Peter’s Square and begin your exclusive morning with a peaceful, crowd-free atmosphere.
Your adventure begins with an ascent to the first level of the dome, where you’ll step onto the interior balcony for an awe-inspiring view of Michelangelo’s dome from within and Bernini’s majestic Baldachin far below. Then, climb the narrow spiral staircase to the very top of the dome—a rewarding journey that ends with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Eternal City, from the Vatican Gardens to the distant hills of Rome.
Back on the ground, enter the Basilica to discover its spiritual and artistic treasures. Stand before Michelangelo’s Pietà, admire the grand nave, and follow your guide through centuries of history and architecture. Your visit continues beneath the church, into the Vatican Grottoes, where you’ll explore the Tomb of Saint Peter and the resting places of past popes.
After a short break, your journey resumes at the gates of Castel Sant’Angelo, the imposing fortress that once served as a mausoleum, a military stronghold, and a papal hideaway. As you explore its ancient corridors, lavish halls, and fortified walls, your guide will reveal the castle’s fascinating transformations—from imperial tomb to refuge for fleeing popes.
Conclude your tour with a visit to the castle’s panoramic terraces, where the city unfolds before you in all its timeless beauty—St. Peter’s dome, the Tiber River, and the rooftops of Rome shimmering in the Roman light.
What’s included
- Private Guided tour of St Peter’s Square, Basilica, and Dome
- Private Guided tour of Castel Sant’Angelo
- Tickets to St Peter’s Basilica and Dome
- Tickets to Castel Sant’Angelo
Exclusions
- Food and drinks
- Pick-up from your hotel and transfers
- Gratuities (recommended)
PLEASE NOTE
- Public transportation nearby
- Meeting Time: Please arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure. Late arrivals will not be allowed to join the tour or reschedule without incurring additional fees—no refunds for “No Show” as per our policy.
- Accessibility: Not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible. Not suitable for pets or travelers with walking difficulties.
- Dress Code: Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women when entering places of worship. Failure to comply may result in denied entry.
- Identification: A valid photo ID is required to enter monuments (passport, driver’s license, or state ID). Ensure your details match the ID information.
- Security & Bags: Allow 20 minutes for security checks. Large bags, backpacks, and suitcases are not allowed. Only small bags are permitted. No cloakrooms available.
- Tour Modifications: Cancellations, changes, or issues due to weather, security, or events are beyond our control and are decided by the monument’s administration.
- Tour Times: St. Peter’s Basilica meeting: 7.30/7:45/8:00 am, departure: 8:30 am. The Castel Sant’Angelo tour will continue after a short break.
- Weather Conditions: If the Dome or part of the Basilica is inaccessible due to bad weather or unpredictable events, you can request a partial refund.
- Cancellations: No booking changes within 48 hours of the tour. No refunds will be issued if the cancellation occurs after this time.
What do I need to bring?
Important Tour Information:
- Meeting Time: Please arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure. Late arrivals will not be allowed to join or reschedule the tour without incurring additional fees or cancellation. No refunds for “No Show” as per our policy.
- Accessibility: Not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Not suitable for pets or travelers with walking difficulties.
- Dress Code: Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women when entering places of worship. Failure to comply may result in denied entry.
- Identification: A valid photo ID is required to enter monuments (passport, driver’s license, or state ID). Ensure your details match the ID information.
- Security & Bags: Please allow 20 minutes for security checks. Large bags, backpacks, and suitcases are not allowed. Only small bags are permitted, and no cloakrooms are available.
- Tour Modifications: Cancellations, changes, or issues due to weather, security, or events are beyond our control and are decided by the monument’s administration.
- Tour Times: St. Peter’s Basilica meeting: 8:10 am, departure: 8:30 am. The Castel Sant’Angelo tour will follow after a short break. Tours may be delayed due to capacity or security regulations.
- Weather Conditions: If the Dome is inaccessible due to bad weather, you may request a partial refund or cancel for a full refund.
- Cancellations: No changes to bookings within 24 hours of the tour. Cancellations after this time are non-refundable
Cancellation policy
- Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.
Starting/Meeting Point
Meet your guide at Largo del Colonnato 5. Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled start time. Look for a yellow flag or a sign bearing your name to identify your guide
Enter the Basilica with a professional tour guide expert in art, history, and archaeology. Visit the grottoes under the Basilica, where the tombs of Popes lie.
St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, Dome and Vatican Grottoes
Guided Tour of St. Peter’s Square, Dome, Basilica, and Papal Tombs
Explore the spiritual and artistic heart of the Vatican on a complete guided tour through its most iconic landmarks.
Your journey begins in St. Peter’s Square, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Your guide will share fascinating stories and historical insights about the square, its grand colonnades designed by Bernini, and the imposing façade of the Basilica.
Next, ascend to the top of St. Peter’s Dome, Michelangelo’s architectural triumph. After taking the elevator partway, continue on foot through the winding interior corridors to reach the summit. From here, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Basilica, Vatican City, and the rooftops of Rome.
Descending into the Basilica of St. Peter, admire world-renowned treasures such as Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s Baldachin, and the Papal Altar.
The tour concludes with a visit to the Papal Tombs in the Vatican Grottoes, the final resting place of numerous popes, including Saint John Paul II. Your guide will offer insights into their lives and legacies, bringing centuries of Church history to life.
Castel Sant’angelo/Mausoleuum of Hadrian
Castel Sant’Angelo Tour
After a short break, continue your guided experience with a visit to Castel Sant’Angelo, one of Rome’s most intriguing landmarks. Originally built as the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, the structure later served as a fortress, a papal refuge, and even a prison.
Walk through its impressive halls, explore the ancient ramparts and papal apartments, and discover centuries of history carved into its walls. Your guide will reveal the castle’s many transformations—from imperial tomb to medieval stronghold—and share stories of popes, prisoners, and hidden passages.
The tour culminates with a visit to the panoramic terrace, offering stunning views over the Tiber River, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the rooftops of Rome—a perfect finale to your historical journey.
You can start this experience at the following places.
Piazza della
2 Piazza della Città Leonina, 00193 RM Roma, IT
Lungotevere Castello, 50
50 Lungotevere Castello, 00186 RM Roma, IT
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No Hidden Costs: All taxes and fees included.
25 years of experience
Tour in The City was founded in 1990 in response to the ever increasing demand for customized guided tours, in order to visit one of the most important art collections in the World, the eternal city Rome.
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Must-see attractions
Colosseum
The Colosseum, Rome’s legendary ancient arena, once echoed with gladiator battles and grand shows, and now stands as a powerful symbol of the city's eternal legacy.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is a masterpiece of Roman ingenuity, crowned by its iconic dome and central oculus, serving as a temple-turned-church for almost two millennia.
Roman Forum
Once the center of ancient Roman society, the Roman Forum is a vast archaeological park showcasing temples, civic buildings, and storied ruins.
Vatican City
Vatican City, the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church, holds a wealth of art, history, and faith, housing St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill, one of Rome’s famed seven hills, was the site of imperial palaces and offers breathtaking views over the city and its ancient ruins.
Galleria Borghese
The Galleria Borghese, set within the lush Villa Borghese gardens, showcases a stunning collection of sculptures and paintings by masters such as Bernini, Caravaggio, and Raphael.
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica, the crown jewel of Vatican City, is a majestic architectural marvel housing Michelangelo’s Pietà and the soaring dome he masterfully designed.
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel, famed for Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring ceiling frescoes, is both a masterpiece of Renaissance art and the sacred setting of the papal conclave.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo, once Emperor Hadrian’s grand mausoleum, now serves as a museum with sweeping views of Rome and a rich history as a fortress and papal stronghold.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain, Rome's largest and most iconic Baroque fountain, is famed for its stunning sculptures.
Testimonials
Hear From Our Happy Explorers!
Martin G
A hot visit to the Colosseum!
Had to collect tickets from a shop near to the Colosseum – lady there was most helpful in explaining where we needed to go and to download apps to our phones for the self audio guide (also gave us some free water with the heat!). Found the entrance easy and then enjoyed the tour – only issue was that the GPS signal wasnt great inside so it was difficult to sync the audio guide to what we were looking at. Took a break before doing the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum – we went on a very hot day and it was hard work walking around – make sure you have plenty of water!! Surfaces were very uneven – which is understandble considering its an ancient monument.
Martin G
FamilyOfFive
Amazing place to visit, weak audio guide
Such an amazing place to visit, it’s easy to understand why this is a must see! The sites were fantastic, but the audio tour was too generic. There were some interesting clips, but not enough about what we were looking at when we were at different points and too much generic history. In retrospect we would have got a lot more from a guide, but it was very nice to go at our own pace.
FamilyOfFive
Eva N
Unforgettable experience!
This tour was nothing short of amazing! From start to finish, everything was organized, engaging, and informative. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and brought the history of the Colosseum to life with fascinating stories, little-known facts, and a real passion for Ancient Rome.
The skip-the-line access was a huge plus—no waiting around in the hot sun! We also got upgraded for an Arena tour and got to explore areas that aren’t always open to the public, which made the experience feel exclusive and even more special.
Eva N
Poppy B
Very good customer service from Dolly
I was due to travel in August on this holiday however due to operational reasons, the tour may not have run and I was made aware straight away. I dealt with a women called Dolly and she offered me alternative options and we decided to refund the tour which was done promptly. Dolly gave me some brilliant advice and some useful insight to Rome.She was fab!
Poppy B
Tom P
Good day out
Really enjoyed the experience, can’t remember the tour guide’s name but he was very good. Very informative and detailed on the tour which kept me engaged about the history. It wasn’t as busy as usual which was also a pleasant experience. Highly enjoyable, many thanks.
Tom P
James C
Well worth it
Really well organised and our guide was great. Really informative and engaging. You wasn’t rushed and had a nice flow to it.
Would highly recommend this. Not sure you’d capture everything without the guide.
James C
Testimonials
Hear From Our Happy Explorers!
Martin G
A hot visit to the Colosseum!
Had to collect tickets from a shop near to the Colosseum – lady there was most helpful in explaining where we needed to go and to download apps to our phones for the self audio guide (also gave us some free water with the heat!). Found the entrance easy and then enjoyed the tour – only issue was that the GPS signal wasnt great inside so it was difficult to sync the audio guide to what we were looking at. Took a break before doing the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum – we went on a very hot day and it was hard work walking around – make sure you have plenty of water!! Surfaces were very uneven – which is understandble considering its an ancient monument.
Martin G
FamilyOfFive
Amazing place to visit, weak audio guide
Such an amazing place to visit, it’s easy to understand why this is a must see! The sites were fantastic, but the audio tour was too generic. There were some interesting clips, but not enough about what we were looking at when we were at different points and too much generic history. In retrospect we would have got a lot more from a guide, but it was very nice to go at our own pace.
FamilyOfFive
Eva N
Unforgettable experience!
This tour was nothing short of amazing! From start to finish, everything was organized, engaging, and informative. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and brought the history of the Colosseum to life with fascinating stories, little-known facts, and a real passion for Ancient Rome.
The skip-the-line access was a huge plus—no waiting around in the hot sun! We also got upgraded for an Arena tour and got to explore areas that aren’t always open to the public, which made the experience feel exclusive and even more special.
Eva N
Poppy B
Very good customer service from Dolly
I was due to travel in August on this holiday however due to operational reasons, the tour may not have run and I was made aware straight away. I dealt with a women called Dolly and she offered me alternative options and we decided to refund the tour which was done promptly. Dolly gave me some brilliant advice and some useful insight to Rome.She was fab!
Poppy B
Tom P
Good day out
Really enjoyed the experience, can’t remember the tour guide’s name but he was very good. Very informative and detailed on the tour which kept me engaged about the history. It wasn’t as busy as usual which was also a pleasant experience. Highly enjoyable, many thanks.
Tom P
James C
Well worth it
Really well organised and our guide was great. Really informative and engaging. You wasn’t rushed and had a nice flow to it.
Would highly recommend this. Not sure you’d capture everything without the guide.
James C
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