Vatican Scavi Tour – Guided Exploration of the Vatican Necropolis and St. Peter’s Basilica
Vatican Scavi Tour – Guided Exploration of the Vatican Necropolis and St. Peter’s Basilica
Step into a world hidden beneath one of the most famous churches on Earth with our exclusive Vatican Scavi Tour. This once-in-a-lifetime experience takes you below St. Peter’s Basilica into the ancient Vatican Necropolis, where history, archaeology, and faith converge in a place few travelers are ever allowed to visit.
Your guided journey begins underground, in a remarkably preserved Roman burial city dating back nearly 2,000 years. As you walk through narrow stone corridors and past ornate mausoleums, your expert guide will reveal the story of early Christianity and the archaeological discoveries that reshaped our understanding of the Vatican’s origins. The emotional highlight of the Vatican Scavi Tour is the visit to the Tomb of Saint Peter, located directly beneath the High Altar — a sacred moment that connects you to the very foundation of the Catholic Church.
After returning to the surface, your experience continues with fast-track entry into St. Peter’s Basilica, bypassing the long public queues. Inside, you will explore the world’s largest church and admire its most celebrated masterpieces. From Michelangelo’s Pietà to Bernini’s monumental altar, every detail reflects centuries of devotion, artistic brilliance, and spiritual symbolism. Your guide will bring these treasures to life with stories that transform your visit into a deeper cultural and historical journey.
Guests who choose the Dome option can extend their Vatican Scavi Tour with a self-guided climb to the top of Michelangelo’s Dome. A short elevator ride followed by a gentle staircase leads to the panoramic terrace, where sweeping 360-degree views over Vatican City and Rome reward your effort. It is the most breathtaking vantage point in the Eternal City and the perfect way to conclude this extraordinary experience.
This premium Vatican Scavi Tour is designed for travelers seeking more than a standard sightseeing visit. With limited daily availability, small group sizes, and expert storytelling, it offers rare access, meaningful insight, and an unforgettable connection to one of the most important religious sites in the world.
What’s included?
Exclusive access to the Vatican Necropolis
Descend beneath St. Peter’s Basilica and explore the ancient burial site closed to most visitors.Visit to the Tomb of Saint Peter
Stand before one of Christianity’s most sacred locations, directly beneath the High Altar.Expert licensed guide
Enjoy in-depth commentary from a professional guide specialized in Vatican history and archaeology.Skip-the-line entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica
Enter the Basilica through a dedicated fast-track access point and avoid long public queues.Guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica
Discover masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s monumental altar.Small group experience
Limited group size for a more personal, respectful, and immersive Vatican Scavi Tour.Optional Dome climb (if selected)
Self-guided ascent to the top of Michelangelo’s Dome with panoramic views over Vatican City and Rome.All reservation and access fees
Includes mandatory Vatican booking fees and handling costs for the Scavi area.Headsets (when required)
For clear audio inside St. Peter’s Basilica in compliance with Vatican regulations.
Exclusions
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Guided Tour and tickets
- Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off
Please Note
- Public transportation nearby
- Minimum age: Children under 6 years old are not allowed to join the tour.
- Accessibility:
Not wheelchair accessible
Not stroller accessible
Not suitable for pets - Duration: The tour lasts approximately 3 – 4 hours.
- Security checks: Everyone entering the Basilica must pass through security screening.
- Dress code: Vatican City dress code applies — shoulders and knees must be covered.
- Dome Access: The Dome requires climbing a spiral staircase of approximately 320 steps. Stairs cannot be skipped.
- ID requirement: You must leave an identity document (ID or passport) to receive the audio guide. It will be returned when the device is handed back.
- Bags policy: Large bags, backpacks, and suitcases are not permitted. Only small bags are allowed.
- Meeting point: Piazza Papa Pio XII, 9, 00193 Roma.
- Punctuality: You must be on time. Delays of more than 15 minutes may result in partial or total cancellation without refund.
- Reservation: Showing your booking confirmation to the tour guide is sufficient.
- Religious closures: The tour does not operate on religious holidays. Visiting the Basilica during ceremonies is not possible.
- Cancellations & refunds: If the Basilica or the Necropolis are closed for religious events or due to exceptional circumstances, the tour may be rescheduled or partially refunded. A full refund will be issued if rescheduling is not possible.
- Late arrival / No-show: Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.
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
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 3 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
4 hours
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.
St. Peter’s Dome
For guests who have selected the Dome option, the experience may continue with an optional self-guided ascent to the top of Michelangelo’s Dome at the end of the guided tour. After a convenient elevator ride followed by a short climb on foot, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view over Vatican City and Rome — one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Eternal City.
You can start this experience at the following places.
Piazza Papa Pio XII 9, 00193 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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