Private Tour to St. Peters Basilica and Vatican Grottoes

Set out on a captivating private tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Grottoes, enjoying the grandeur of the Vatican. With a knowledgeable guide by your side, you’ll explore the magnificent architecture, discover the final resting places of past Popes, and bask in the beauty of St. Peter’s Square. This flexible 2-hour experience offers insights in English, Italian, or Ukrainian, ensuring a personalized journey. But the true highlight? Uncovering the secrets that lie within these hallowed halls, waiting to be unveiled.

Good To Know

• This private tour offers a guided visit to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Grottoes, providing personalized insights and a flexible itinerary.
• The tour lasts approximately 2 hours, with the option to extend and visit additional Vatican sites like the Sistine Chapel.
• The tour is wheelchair accessible and offered in English, Italian, and Ukrainian, ensuring an inclusive experience.
• Visitors must adhere to the dress code of covering shoulders and knees to respect the sacred nature of the spaces.
• Consistently positive customer feedback highlights the guide’s in-depth historical knowledge and the tour’s ability to tailor experiences to individual interests.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The private tour of St. Peters Basilica and Vatican Grottoes offers a comprehensive exploration of these iconic sites.

Priced from €40.00 per person, the tour provides a flexible itinerary with personalized insights from a live guide available in English, Italian, and Ukrainian.

The 2-hour experience (1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on security lines) includes visits to St. Peters Square and the renowned Basilica, as well as the captivating Vatican Grottoes.

Guests can avail of a reserve now and pay later option, and enjoy the convenience of free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, ensuring an inclusive experience for all.

With a 5/5 rating based on positive customer feedback, this private tour promises an immersive and enlightening journey.

Itinerary and Highlights

This private tour begins at the Piazza della Città Leonina, near the Porta Angelica, where guests embark on a captivating exploration of St. Peter’s Square, the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Grottoes.

The highlights of this 2-hour experience include:

1. Taking in the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica for approximately 40 minutes, admiring its breathtaking architecture and learning about its rich history.

2. Venturing into the Vatican Grottoes, where visitors can marvel at the final resting places of past Popes.

3. Maintaining a flexible itinerary that allows for a personalized approach and insightful historical commentary from the live tour guide.

Accessibility and Languages

This private tour is wheelchair accessible, allowing guests of all mobility levels to fully experience the wonders of St. Peter’s Basilica. Whether you speak English, Italian, or Ukrainian, a live tour guide will be on hand to provide historical insights and answer any questions. The tour’s flexibility ensures a personalized approach, catering to your interests and needs throughout the journey.

Language	Tour Guide
English	Yes
Italian	Yes
Ukrainian	Yes
French	No
Spanish	No

Visitors must adhere to the church’s dress code, covering their shoulders and knees. With these accessibility and language options, this private tour offers an inclusive and enriching experience at the heart of the Vatican.

Dress Code

Adhering to the church’s dress code ensures visitors can fully enjoy the awe-inspiring atmosphere of St. Peter’s Basilica.

To maintain the sacred nature of the space, the following guidelines must be followed:

1. Shoulders must be covered at all times.
2. Knees should be covered, with shorts, skirts, or dresses reaching below the knee.
3. Hats and sunglasses aren’t permitted inside the basilica.

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Customer Feedback

Visitors to the private tour of St. Peters Basilica and Vatican Grottoes are overwhelmingly satisfied, with an impressive 5/5 overall rating based on customer feedback.

Travelers highlight the excellent guidance provided by the tour, which offers in-depth historical insights and a personalized approach. The flexibility of the itinerary is also praised, allowing visitors to tailor the experience to their interests.

Whether it’s exploring the magnificent St. Peters Basilica or discovering the hidden gems of the Vatican Grottoes, this private tour consistently delivers an exceptional experience that exceeds expectations.

The consistently positive reviews underscore the tour’s commitment to delivering a truly memorable and enriching Vatican experience.

Tour Duration and Timing

The private tour of St. Peters Basilica and Vatican Grottoes lasts around 2 hours, though the actual duration can vary from 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the length of security lines.

The tour begins at Piazza della Città Leonina, near Porta Angelica, and covers the key highlights:

1. St. Peter’s Square – Spend around 20 minutes in this iconic plaza.
2. St. Peter’s Basilica – Explore the vast interior for approximately 40 minutes.
3. Vatican Grottoes – Visit the underground tombs and mausoleums for roughly 20 minutes.

The flexible itinerary allows for a personalized approach, with the guide providing historical insights throughout the tour.

Visitors can choose to extend their experience by visiting additional sites like the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

Starting Point and Main Stops

Beginning at Piazza della Città Leonina, near Porta Angelica, the private tour of St. Peter’s Basilica takes visitors on a captivating journey.

The first stop is the iconic St. Peter’s Square, where the guide provides historical insights and highlights the architectural grandeur.

The tour then leads to the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing guests to spend around 40 minutes exploring the awe-inspiring church, its ornate details, and the rich history it carries.

The final destination is the Vatican Grottoes, where visitors can spend approximately 20 minutes discovering the sacred burial site beneath the basilica.

Throughout the tour, the knowledgeable guide offers a personalized and flexible experience, ensuring an immersive and informative exploration of these iconic Vatican landmarks.

Additional Sites and Flexibility

While the core of the private tour focuses on St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Grottoes, visitors also have the opportunity to explore additional remarkable sites.

The tour offers flexibility, allowing guests to visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Necropolis, and even climb the Dome, based on their interests and time constraints.

The additional sites include:

1. The Vatican Museums, home to an extensive collection of art and artifacts that span centuries.
2. The Sistine Chapel, renowned for its stunning frescoes painted by Michelangelo.
3. The Vatican Necropolis, an underground cemetery that offers a glimpse into the ancient history of the Vatican.

This personalized approach ensures that each visitor can tailor the experience to their preferences, creating a truly memorable and enriching journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Take Photographs Inside the Basilica and Grottoes?

Visitors can generally take photographs inside St. Peter’s Basilica, but it’s prohibited in the Vatican Grottoes. To ensure the best experience, it’s recommended to check with the tour guide about any photography restrictions before the tour.

Are There Any Restrictions on the Size of Bags or Backpacks?

There are restrictions on bag sizes at the Vatican. Large bags and backpacks aren’t allowed, but small personal bags are permitted. It’s best to travel light to avoid any issues entering the Basilica and Grottoes.

Is There a Dress Code for the Guides as Well?

The tour guides must also adhere to the dress code, with clothing covering shoulders and knees. This ensures a consistent, respectful appearance for the private tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican Grottoes.

Are Audio Guides or Multimedia Devices Available During the Tour?

Audio guides or multimedia devices aren’t provided during the tour. However, the live tour guide offers engaging historical insights in English, Italian, and Ukrainian to enhance the experience.

Can I Extend the Duration of the Tour if I Need More Time?

Visitors can extend the duration of the tour if needed. The itinerary is flexible, allowing for additional time at the key sites like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Grottoes. This ensures guests can fully explore the highlights.

The Sum Up

This private tour offers a chance to explore the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Grottoes with a knowledgeable guide. Visitors can admire the magnificent architecture, discover the final resting places of past Popes, and enjoy the beauty of St. Peter’s Square, all within a personalized 2-hour experience that adheres to the dress code. The tour’s flexibility and language options ensure a tailored experience for each guest.

You can check if your dates are available here: