Vatican Grottoes (Grotte Vaticane) Tours
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Popes have been interred in St. Peter’s Basilica for centuries, and while many papal tombs are inside the basilica, others are located underground in the Vatican Grottoes (Grotte Vaticane). Take the stairs down from the transept to view the final resting places of dozens of popes along with a number of royals.
The Basics
The Vatican Grottoes sit below the modern basilica but above the level of the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine’s original 4th-century basilica. The earliest pope buried in the grottoes is the 9th-century Pope Nicholas I; Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II are also interred there. In addition, the tombs of Queen Christina of Sweden, Emperor Otto II, and Queen Charlotte of Cyprus are located inside along with a number of ornately decorated chapels and a 14th-century fresco of the Madonna by Pietro Cavallini.
Due to the long lines to enter St. Peter’s Basilica and the grottoes, by far the best way to visit is to join a skip-the-line Vatican tour that includes the church and underground tombs. Most small-group tours combine the basilica with other Vatican City highlights like the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Vatican Gardens.
Things to Know Before You Go
- St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Grottoes are sacred places and have a very strict dress code to enter, so be sure to wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
- Entry to the basilica requires a security check in St. Peter’s Square; large bags, suitcases, pocketknives, scissors, corkscrews, umbrellas, and other prohibited items can be left in the free cloakroom.
- The Vatican Grottoes are not accessible to wheelchairs.
How to Get There
Entrance to the Vatican Grottoes is below the St. Andrew statue near the papal altar inside St. Peter’s Basilica, located on St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro) in Vatican City. The closest metro station is Ottaviano.
When to Get There
You can visit the grottoes whenever the basilica is open. Note that the basilica closes each Wednesday morning during the weekly papal audience.
St. Peter’s Tomb
The tomb of St. Peter is not in the Vatican Grottoes, but one level below in the Scavi (archaeological dig), accessible only via a private tour that you must book months in advance through the Vatican’s Excavations Office.
Address: Piazza San Pietro, Citta del Vaticano, Vatican City, Italy
8 Tours and Activities to Experience Vatican Grottoes (Grotte Vaticane)
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St. Peter's Basilica : Fast Entry Guided Tour with Vatican official guides
To dig deep into the history and art of St Peter’s Basilica, explore the church on a walking tour with a Vatican guide. From St Peter’s Square, walk to the basilica, jumping past the entrance queue with your No Wait Access Ticket. Inside, listen to stories about the popes, pilgrims and Renaissance art masters who have left their marks on this iconic Catholic site, whose Michelangelo-designed dome dominates the Rome skyline.
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From
$33.43
From
$33.43
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Best of Rome Sightseeing Pass: Vatican and Colosseum with Hosted Entry
Check off the must-sees of Rome and Vatican City with this all-in-one pass that can be used over two days. Allowing you to visit the sights at your own pace, the prebooked sightseeing voucher includes skip-the-line access to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and the papal tombs. Just make one booking, and then use your pass to visit the landmarks at your leisure.
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From
$105.25
From
$105.25
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Ultimate VIP Early Entry Vatican Sistine Chapel & Afternoon Appian Catacomb Tour
Beat the usual rush during this early-morning, art historian-guided tour to the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Enjoy a personalized travel experience in a small group capped at only 12 people as you get a first-hand peek at masterworks from Bernini and Michelangelo, plus the seldom-visited Vatican grottoes. Tours include audio headsets for unrestricted mobility.
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From
$221.64
From
$221.64
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Early Express Sistine Chapel and Basilica semi-private tour
The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica are two of the UNESCO–listed Vatican’s top attractions, and the entry queues can be long. On this tour, visit them in the early morning calm, and avoid the queues that form later in the day. With headsets to hear your guide clearly, learn the secrets of the Vatican Galleries’ beautiful paintings, and marvel at Michelangelo’s world-famous artworks.
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From
$78.01
From
$78.01
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Small-Group Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes
Enjoy a thorough tour of St. Peter's Square and Basilica from top to bottom with a professional guide. Climb to the upper level of the Dome to be amazed by the panoramic view from the highest building of Rome.
Discover marvels of art and architecture created by world-famous masters of the Renaissance in a small group of a maximum of 8 participants.
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From
$73.05
From
$73.05
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Private Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes
Enjoy a thorough tour of St. Peter's Square and Basilica from top to bottom with a professional guide. Climb to the upper level of the Dome to be amazed by the panoramic view from the highest building of Rome. Discover marvels of art and architecture created by world-famous masters of the Renaissance.
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From
$110.51
$36.84 savings
From
$110.51
$36.84 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Peter's Tomb: Exclusive Visit of the Basilica & Its Necropolis
St. Peter’s Basilica may grab you with its grandeur, but much of its history lies in its hidden details. Head beneath the famous church and discover the Vatican necropolis, a Roman cemetery that’s said to house the relics of St. Peter the Apostle. Walk amid tombs that trace pagan Rome to the start of Christianity, then return to the basilica for a tour. Michelangelo’s ‘La Pietà’ and Bernini’s bronze baldachin are among the highlights.
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From
$73.05
From
$73.05
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Vatican City Saint Peter Basilica Private visit for your family and friends
St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the world’s great repositories of art and architecture and taking it in on your own can be overwhelming. With this private tour, visit with a guide to learn about this magnificent church’s history and treasures. Save time with priority access and admire the highlights inside at a more relaxed pace while you hear about the popes, saints, and artists who left their mark over the centuries.
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From
$309.55
per group
From
$309.55
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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