St. Peter’s Tomb & Vatican Necropolis Tour with Basilica and Sistine Chapel
Vatican Scavi Tickets | St. Peter’s Tomb, Basilica, and Sistine Chapel Tour
Discover the hidden treasures of the Vatican with exclusive Vatican Scavi tickets, which include access to St. Peter’s Tomb, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. This unique full-day experience will allow you to explore the sacred underground Vatican Necropolis beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most extraordinary archaeological and spiritual sites in the world.
Your journey begins with the Vatican Scavi Tour, where you’ll descend beneath the Basilica to visit the ancient cemetery believed to contain the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle. Access to the Vatican Necropolis is strictly limited, making these Vatican Scavi tickets highly exclusive and in high demand.
After visiting the underground, continue with a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, the heart of Catholicism and one of the most magnificent churches ever built. Admire Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s Baldachin, and the extraordinary Renaissance architecture.
A lunch break is scheduled before the afternoon portion of the tour.
The experience concludes with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, home to one of the world’s greatest art collections and Michelangelo’s masterpieces, including The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgement.
Highlights
• Official tickets to the Vatican Excavations
• Visit to the Tomb of St. Peter beneath the Basilica
• Guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica
• Lunch break between morning and afternoon tours
• Access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
• Skip-the-line entry (where applicable)
Book your tickets to the Vatican Excavations today and experience the spiritual, artistic, and historical heart of the Vatican City on an unforgettable journey.
What’s included?
✔ Exclusive guided access to the Vatican Necropolis – Visit the ancient burial streets and the Tomb of Saint Peter.
✔ VIP skip-the-line entry to St. Peter’s Basilica – Direct access from the underground, avoiding public queues.
✔ Guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica – See Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldachin.
✔ Skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums – Explore one of the world’s most important art collections.
✔ Guided visit of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel – Discover the Gallery of Maps and admire Michelangelo’s ceiling and The Last Judgment.
✔ Licensed expert guide – Professional commentary throughout the experience.
✔ Headsets when required – Clear audio for a comfortable tour.
Exclusions
- Lunch and beverages.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
- Gratuities Tips for the guide are optional.
- Personal expenses.
- Dome climb (Cupola)
Please Note
- The full first and last name of each participant (must match a valid ID).
- The lead traveler’s full name must match the ID presented at the entrance.
- A valid ID is required for all participants.
- Access may be denied if the provided details do not match the ID.
- Although entrance tickets are reserved with a specific time slot, the visit may be delayed.
- The Necropolis, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel are managed directly by the Vatican; any timing variation is beyond our control.
- The tour start time may vary by up to 30 minutes due to events outside our responsibility.
- Minimum age: Children under 10 years old are not allowed to join the tour.
- The first part of the tour includes the guided visit of the Underground Necropolis and St. Peter’s Basilica, lasting approximately 150/180 minutes.
- After the Basilica visit, there will be a free lunch break, allowing you time to relax and enjoy a meal at your leisure.
- In the afternoon, the guided tour will continue with the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, lasting approximately 120/150 minutes.
- Dress code: Shoulders and knees must be covered.
- Not wheelchair accessible.
- If St. Peter’s Basilica closes for religious or unpredictable events, one or both visits may be rescheduled.
- If rescheduling is not possible, the refund applies only to the missed visit.
What do I need to bring?
- A valid ID or passport
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Appropriate clothing respecting the Vatican dress code (covered shoulders and knees)
- A small bag only (large bags and backpacks are not permitted)
- A copy of the booking confirmation (digital or printed)
- Water, especially during warmer months
Cancellation policy
Necropoli+St Peter’s Basilica+Sistine Chapel
- Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.
Necropoli+ Basilica
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 6 days or less before the event
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 7 days or less before the event
More information
Experience type
Day tour / activity
Booking in advance
Cut off: 2 days
Duration
Difficulty
Easy
Categories
- Cultural and theme tours
- Pilgrimage or Religion
- Walking tour
- Underground tours
- Skip the line
- Arts / culture
- Private experience
- Portuguese
St. Peter’s Square
Begin your experience in the majestic St. Peter’s Square, the symbolic heart of Vatican City. Discover the meaning behind Bernini’s colonnades, the ancient Egyptian obelisk, and the history of papal ceremonies as your guide brings this monumental piazza t
Necropolis & Tomb of Saint Peter
Descend into the mysterious Vatican Underground to walk along the ancient burial streets of the Vatican Necropolis. Discover early Christian tombs and stand before what is believed to be the Tomb of Saint Peter, one of the most sacred and restricted sites in Christianity.
St. Peter’s Basilica
Explore the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world and a treasure trove of Renaissance art. Marvel at Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s Baldachin, and the richly decorated chapels that reflect centuries of faith, devotion, and artistic genius.
Lunch Break
Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel
For guests who have selected the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel option, the experience continues with an in-depth guided exploration of one of the world’s most extraordinary art collections.
After entering with skip-the-line access, guests will walk through the magnificent galleries of the Vatican Museums, including the renowned Gallery of Maps, where Renaissance cartography and decorative artistry come together in spectacular fashion. Along the way, they will encounter masterpieces of classical sculpture and iconic works that trace centuries of artistic achievement.
The visit culminates inside the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s legendary frescoes — from the awe-inspiring Creation of Adam to the powerful Last Judgment — unfold overhead in breathtaking detail. This sacred and artistic masterpiece offers a profound and unforgettable conclusion to the Vatican experience, leaving guests immersed in the beauty, history, and spiritual significance of this remarkable site.
You can start this experience at the following places.
Largo del Colonnato, 5
Piazza Papa Pio XII 9, 00193 Roma, IT
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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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