Climb the dome of St. Peter's Basilica - Tickets & Tours 2026
Compare guided tours from Tiqets, GetYourGuide and Headout. Find the best ticket for the dome of St. Peter's Basilica - with a 360° panoramic view of Rome from a height of 136 meters.
The dome of St. Peter's Basilica: an experience at a height of 136 meters
The dome of St. Peter's Basilica is Rome's landmark and offers perhaps the most spectacular panoramic view of the city. From the viewing platform at a height of 136 meters, you can see St. Peter's Square, the Vatican Gardens and the whole of Rome as far as the Alban Hills. The ascent takes you up 551 steps - or take the elevator to the terrace and then another 320 steps to the top.
While official admission to the dome costs between 17 and 22 euros, guided tours from around 33 euros offer significantly more: an art history guide explains the mosaics, frescoes and the history of the building, a headset ensures good comprehensibility even in large groups, and the waiting time at the security checkpoint is entertaining because the guide starts the tour in St. Peter's Square. Many tours also include access to the Vatican Grottoes with the Pope's tombs.
On this page you can compare the best tours and tickets from three platforms - Tiqets, GetYourGuide and Headout - and find the offer that best suits your budget and wishes.
Guided tours of St. Peter's Basilica with dome ascent
Live guide, headset and dome ascent included - a comparison of the most popular guided tours.
GetYourGuide
Rome: St. Peter's Basilica, dome ascent and underground tour
- Duration: 1:30 h
- German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Turkish
- Incl. Vatican Grottoes
- Cancellation 24h free of charge
Tiqets
St. Peter's Basilica, dome and Vatican Grottoes: guided tour
- Duration: 2:15 h
- French, Portuguese, English, Spanish, German, Italian
- Max. 20 people per group
- Incl. Vatican Grottoes
- Cancellation 48h free of charge
Headout
Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica with ascent of the dome
- Duration: 3:00 h
- English
- Incl. Vatican Grottoes
- Small group format
- Cancellation not possible
All three tours include access to the Vatican Grottoes (papal tombs) as a bonus.
Audio guide + dome access - on your own
Digital audio guide and dome ticket at a lower price - without a guide, but at your own pace.
Headout
Admission tickets for St. Peter's Basilica with access to the dome
- Multilingual audio guide included.
- Staircase or elevator selectable (elevator at extra charge)
- Cancellation not possible
Tiqets
- Multilingual audio guide included.
- Staircase or elevator selectable (elevator at extra charge)
- Cancellation free of charge up to 24 hours in advance
GetYourGuide
St. Peter's Basilica with optional ticket for the dome & audio guide
- Multilingual audio guide included.
- Staircase or elevator selectable (elevator at extra charge)
- Cancellation free of charge up to 24 hours in advance
The self-guided options are cheaper than guided tours, but do not offer a live guide. The ratings show: Those who appreciate the historical context are better served with a guided tour. Official tickets directly from the Vatican cost 17 € (stairs) or. 22 € (elevator).
What travelers say
Michaela was an absolute highlight. She told the story of St. Peter's Basilica so vividly that the waiting time at the security check passed in a flash. The ascent to the dome was breathtaking.
The 360° panoramic view from the dome is magnificent. You can see the whole of Rome, St. Peter's Square from above and, on a clear day, as far as the mountains. The 551 steps are absolutely worth it.
The tour was also very doable with our children (11 and 14). The guide explained everything in a child-friendly way and the ascent was a real adventure for the kids. A little tip: take water with you!
How it works
Compare
Choose the tour that suits your budget and your wishes - guided, on your own or as a combination.
Book
Get your ticket directly from the provider of your choice - Tiqets, GetYourGuide or Headout.
Receive voucher
Immediate confirmation by e-mail. Your mobile voucher is your ticket - simply show it on your smartphone.
Climb the dome
On the day of your visit to St. Peter's Basilica, pass through security and enjoy the 551 steps to the panoramic view.
Frequently asked questions about the dome of St. Peter's Basilica
The official dome ticket costs 17 euros directly from the Vatican for the staircase option and 22 euros with an elevator to the terrace. This includes a digital audio guide for the basilica, but no live guide and no guided tour. Guided tours via Tiqets, GetYourGuide or Headout start at around 33 euros and also offer an art history guide, headset and often access to the Vatican Grottoes. Entry to the basilica itself is free of charge.
A total of 551 steps: 231 steps to the terrace (these are omitted in the elevator version) and 320 steps from the terrace to the top. The upper section leads through an increasingly narrow spiral staircase between the inner and outer dome shells.
Yes, the elevator goes up to the terrace at the level of the base of the dome and saves the first 231 steps. However, the remaining 320 steps to the top must be covered on foot in any case - there is no elevator here. The official elevator ticket costs 22 euros instead of 17 euros for the stairs-only option.
The ratings speak for themselves: guided tours consistently have ratings of 4.4 to 4.8 out of 5, while self-guided options have ratings of 3.7 to 4.1. The guide explains the mosaics, frescoes and the history of the building and begins the tour in St. Peter's Square, making the wait at the security checkpoint entertaining. Many tours also include access to the Vatican Grottoes.
This depends on the provider and product. Most tours on GetYourGuide can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance. With Tiqets, the deadline varies between 24 and 72 hours. However, some headout products cannot be canceled. Always check the cancellation conditions directly on the booking page of the respective provider.
The Vatican recommends climbing the dome from the age of 6. Children up to the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult. In the reviews, families with children aged 10 and over report positive experiences. However, the ascent is not suitable for people with claustrophobia, a fear of heights or heart disease.
In summer (April to September) the dome is open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, in winter (October to March) from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. The dome can be closed at short notice during extraordinary liturgical celebrations or events organized by the Holy See.
Knees and shoulders must be covered - this applies to both the basilica and the dome. Wear comfortable, closed shoes for the ascent. A light scarf or cardigan can also be useful in summer temperatures to cover your shoulders. There is currently no checkroom service.