Vatican Grottoes
Explore the ancient Roman necropolis beneath St. Peter's Basilica, including the believed tomb of St. Peter. A sacred, historical journey.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the crowds and heat.
Vatican Grottoes
Best Time
Beat the crowds and heat.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the ancient Roman necropolis beneath St. Peter's Basilica, including the believed tomb of St. Peter. A sacred, historical journey.
"A profoundly moving experience connecting history, faith, and archaeology in the most powerful way. "
🎯 Book via Official Scavi Office
Email the Scavi office directly for tour requests; confirmation and payment follow.
📍 Find the Entrance Early
Access is outside St. Peter's Square; read instructions carefully to avoid missing your tour.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.7 · 882 reviews
Type
Historical Landmark
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
St. Peter's Tomb
Center of the Necropolis
Stand at the believed resting place of Saint Peter, a profoundly moving experience connecting faith, history, and archaeology.
Ancient Roman Road and Tombs
Throughout the Necropolis
Walk along an ancient Roman road lined with well-preserved tombs, mausoleums, and early Christian inscriptions.
Model of Old St. Peter's Basilica
Exhibition area
See a model showcasing the original St. Peter's Basilica, offering historical context to the site.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Necropolis Tour Well in Advance
Prepare for an Underground, Confined Space
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book via Official Scavi Office
Email the Scavi office directly for tour requests; confirmation and payment follow.
📍 Find the Entrance Early
Access is outside St. Peter's Square; read instructions carefully to avoid missing your tour.
🚫 No Photos Allowed
Photography is strictly prohibited within the excavation site.
💧 Humid but Cooler Inside
It can be humid, but the underground temperature is manageable, even in summer.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book via Official Scavi Office
Email the Scavi office directly for tour requests; confirmation and payment follow.
📍 Find the Entrance Early
Access is outside St. Peter's Square; read instructions carefully to avoid missing your tour.
🚫 No Photos Allowed
Photography is strictly prohibited within the excavation site.
💧 Humid but Cooler Inside
It can be humid, but the underground temperature is manageable, even in summer.
🚶♀️ Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be walking on uneven ancient surfaces.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently describe the Vatican Necropolis tour as a profoundly moving and unforgettable experience, offering a unique connection to history and faith. The chance to see St. Peter's tomb and walk through ancient Roman ruins beneath the Basilica is a highlight for many. However, the strict booking requirements and confined underground space are important considerations.
"Its forbidden to take photos inside. Just need to respect this request, its a privilege to get the opportunity to see this amazing site. It's a labyrinth of underground tunnels which were ancient roman paths that were once above ground, excavated back in the 1940s. It showcases religious sentiments and tombs of individuals and families from the 1st to 4th century AD, archaelogical discoveries 1600 years ago. Its said that Saint Peter's remains are here and you get to visit this tomb and the excavation area directly underneath the High Altar above.
The tour was amazing and informative at connecting us with this event in history and times gone by and how it all came about with his remains buried underneath the city.
The entrance wasn't easy to find, you dont go through the main entrance at St Peter's, you need to walk around the left of the Bascillica to a separate entrance where there are Swiss guards manning the gate. Take your ID for security too. And no large bags etc... its on the ticket... hopefully! It was on mine.
Absolutely mind blowing for me, I love architecture and history though. Thanks so much for a once in a lifetime opportunity ✨️"
Kiwi Chick
"Visiting the Vatican Necropolis is a truly magical experience. Walking beneath the Vatican itself, through authentic Roman ruins, feels like stepping back in time. The atmosphere is unlike anything else in Rome - quiet, ancient, and filled with reverence.
The path takes you along an old Roman road, lined with tombs, and leads to what is believed to be the resting place of Saint Peter. Standing there, seeing the bones of St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, is profoundly moving — a moment that connects history, faith, and archaeology in the most powerful way.
The necropolis lies 3 to 11 meters below the floor of the central nave of Saint Peter’s Basilica, under the level of the Vatican Grottoes. It was rediscovered thanks to excavations commissioned by Pope Pius XII between 1939 and 1958. Today, it offers one of the most significant windows into the origins of Christianity and the history of the Basilica itself.
That said, it’s important to note: this is a confined underground space. It is not recommended for those who are claustrophobic or have difficulty breathing.
For anyone else, though, the visit is unforgettable — a rare chance to walk under the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica and touch the raw, ancient stones of Rome. Sacred, timeless, and deeply moving."
Reita Hackaj
"Brilliant tour, excellent guide. There are ongoing excavations. Model of the old St Peters Basilica is shown. Humid ++ but cooler down in the Necropolis and still manageable in summer.
My most special tour and pilgrimage on my Italian trip. Not to be missed to see and pay respect to the bones of the first person ever to named 'Rock' i.e. Peter.
Essential visit for a Catholic Pilgrim.
Booking weeks beforehand essential through the official site required as you will be invited to your tour if it is available on your dates and visit then confirmed upon payment.
Access to this place is actually outside St Peters Square and not easy to find and most people in St Peters Basilica have no idea on where to access this tour. Go early and read the instructions on where to go thoroughly to make sure you get to your tour on time.
No photos allowed in the excavation site."
Martin Ng
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The entrance is located outside St. Peter's Square, not inside the Basilica. You'll need to go through Swiss Guard security. Follow instructions from your booking confirmation carefully, as many visitors are unsure of the exact location.
The Vatican City is accessible by public transport in Rome. The nearest Metro station is Ottaviano-S. Pietro, about a 10-15 minute walk away. Buses also serve the area.
No, access to the Necropolis is from an external entrance near St. Peter's Square. You cannot enter from within the Basilica itself.
Your booking confirmation will provide specific directions. It's recommended to arrive early and familiarize yourself with the route beforehand to ensure you don't miss your tour time.
Parking in the Vatican area can be challenging and expensive. It's generally recommended to use public transport or a taxi to reach the vicinity.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Booking is essential and must be done weeks or months in advance through the official Vatican Excavations Office website. They will confirm your visit based on availability.
The tour typically costs around €20 per person. Prices can vary slightly, and booking directly through the official site is recommended.
Tours are scheduled throughout the day, but availability is limited. You request your preferred dates and times, and the Excavations Office confirms based on their schedule.
No, same-day tickets are not available. Advance booking is mandatory due to the limited capacity and high demand.
It's crucial to arrive on time. Missing your slot may result in forfeiture of your booking, as rescheduling is difficult due to limited availability.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
The tour involves descending into an ancient Roman burial site beneath St. Peter's Basilica. You'll walk along old Roman roads, see tombs, and learn about early Christianity and the history of the Basilica from a knowledgeable guide.
The Necropolis is an underground, confined space. It is not recommended for individuals who are claustrophobic or have respiratory issues.
No, photography is strictly prohibited within the excavation site to preserve the ancient artifacts and maintain the solemn atmosphere.
The guided tour typically lasts about 1.5 hours, providing an in-depth exploration of the site.
Wear comfortable shoes as you'll be walking on uneven ancient surfaces. The underground temperature is generally cooler than outside, but it can be humid.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, the area around St. Peter's Square and the Vatican offers numerous cafes, trattorias, and restaurants for a meal before or after your tour.
Food and drinks are generally not permitted inside the Necropolis to protect the ancient site.
No, there are no dining facilities within the Necropolis itself. You'll need to eat before or after your tour in the surrounding Vatican area.
📸 📸 Photography
Absolutely not. Photography, including with mobile phones, is strictly forbidden inside the Necropolis to protect the delicate ancient remains and artifacts.
While you can't photograph inside, you can take photos of St. Peter's Square and the exterior of St. Peter's Basilica before or after your tour.
The ban is in place to preserve the integrity of the ancient site, prevent damage to artifacts, and maintain the solemn, sacred atmosphere of the burial grounds.
Social
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