Vatican tour with climb to St. Peter's Dome

Join this guided tour of Rome's incredible art and architecture and enjoy the view of the city from the summit of Michelangelo's magnificent Dome.

Meet your art historian guide in St. Peter's Square and stroll across the piazza into the Vatican City, where your climb to the top of the dome begins: 551 steep steps in total – which is a bit more than most wish to tackle on foot – but you'll get to take the elevator for part of the way up. Climb at a leisurely pace and enjoy the journey with frequent stops. At the summit, you'll get to take in the breathtaking 360° view of the Vatican City as it extends out into Rome and its seven hills. You can take as many photographs as you want of this once-in-a-lifetime view.

Once you're back down you'll take a brief break before entering St. Peter's Basilica, an absolute triumph of art and architecture unmatched anywhere else in the world. This is where Bernini's sculptures and Michelangelo's art rise above papal tombs.

At 11:30 you'll regroup at the meeting point to begin the last part of your experience: a skip the line tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel with an English speaking art historian guide.