St. Peter’s Baldachin (Baldacchino di San Pietro) Attractions & Things to do

Discover the figures, the technique and the meaning of the frescoes created in 4 years of Michelangelo's timeless passion on our Sistine Chapel tour. Find out more about Julius II, the pope who commissioned his works. Wander through Raphael's rooms as you let our expert guide reveal the mysteries and insights of the depicted characters. Discover how the church's admiration for art has led to such a vast collection of treasures in the Vatican Museums recovered from underground after years of neglect. Skip the queues and find yourself inside St Peter's Basilica where you will be able to contemplate the long history of Christian faith and be moved by Michelangelo's world famous sculpture, Pietà.
Duration: 5 hours.

Join our knowledgeable guides who will breathe life into the sites with historical context, engaging stories, and fascinating details.

Your journey begins at the meeting point, where your guide provides a brief overview of Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica.

Explore the exterior of the Basilica, learning about its Renaissance design and symbolic significance in the Catholic Church.

Step through the massive bronze doors into the awe-inspiring Nave, where colossal statues, intricate mosaics, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini's breathtaking Baldachin await.

Encounter Michelangelo's renowned sculpture, the Pieta, as your guide shares insights into the artist's life and the emotional depth of this masterpiece.

With limited group sizes, expect a personalized and interactive tour that promises to be unforgettable.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Visit the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the general public on this exclusive private early morning Vatican tour, accompanied by a top-rated, expert guide. After enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the chapel and admiring Michelangelo’s masterpiece, you’ll visit the Vatican Museums - arguably the best collection of art in the world, seeing highlights such as the Laocoon and the Apollo Belvedere as well as some other hidden treasures. This Vatican tour also includes St Peter’s Basilica, where you’ll see Michelangelo’s Pietà and learn about art, history and religion.
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes.

When you have limited time in Rome, you would like to see as much as possible. Don't look further as we have the perfect solution for you. Our Rome in two days tour takes you to all must-see highlights of Rome and still gives you the opportunity to explore the city on your own in the evening after the tour. The first day, you will explore Ancient Rome & the Old City Centre. After visiting iconic sites like the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona in Rome’s historic centre, day two sees us head across town to the Vatican City. Here we’ll come face-to-face with Michelangelo’s iconic Sistine Chapel, before exploring vast St. Peter’s basilica - heart of the Catholic faith. Our day ends at majestic Castel Sant’Angelo, whose views over Rome are the best in the city. Hitting both the highlights and off-the-beaten-path gems, this is the perfect introduction to the Eternal City!
Duration: 2 days.

A lifetime would not be enough to visit Rome's gems. However what if you only have one day in the Eternal City? Thanks to our tour, carefully studied and designed after 20 years of experience in the field, you will be able to make the most out of your time in the Eternal City.

Our groups, limited to a maximum of 15 people, are small and intimate in order to give you the best experience and to facilitate the interaction with your expert guide, who will be with you for 7 hours. Comfortably traveling by minivan, you will be able to maximise your touring time, without the hassle of trying to get from one site to another via taxi or public transportation.

It will all start with a fascinating visit to the highlights of the Ancient city. The ruins of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Then a drive to the city centre for a magnificent stroll among the squares and fountains. Last but certainly not least the Vatican Museums with as grand final the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica.
Duration: 7 hours.

Get picked up from your cruise ship to spend a full day in Rome and visit the most beautiful gems of the city with your own private guide. By the end of the day, you will return to your ship with memories for a lifetime.
Duration: 7 hours.

Discover the figures, the technique and the meaning of the frescoes created in 4 years of Michelangelo's timeless passion on our Sistine Chapel tour. Find out more about Julius II, the pope who commissioned his works. Wander through Raphael's rooms as you let our expert guide reveal the mysteries and insights of the depicted characters. Discover how the church's admiration for art has led to such a vast collection of treasures in the Vatican Museums recovered from underground after years of neglect.

** Please note that the Raphael Rooms are part of this 3-hour itinerary but on days due to crowding, timing and direction flows of crowd traffic dictated by the Vatican Museum staff on the day, we may not be able to make this stop within the designated time frame. If the Raphael Rooms are an absolute must for you to see, we suggest you book one of our longer group tours: the Early Vatican Tour or the VIP Vatican Tour where the Raphael Rooms will be covered.**
Duration: 3 hours.

Are you looking for a day tour to see Rome's highlights in a fun but in-depth way? Join us on our Rome in a Day tour and maximise your time, as we offer you an amazing overview of the Ancient City & the Vatican City. Our comprehensive private itinerary is specially designed for travellers on a tight schedule, allowing you to see all the highlights in double-quick time: admire the epic grandeur of the Colosseum and follow in the footsteps of Julius Caesar in the Roman Forum; enjoy skip-the-lines access to the Vatican Museums and gaze up at Michelangelo’s masterpieces of Renaissance art in the Sistine Chapel and vast St. Peter’s Basilica. Finish your day in the atmospheric piazzas of Rome’s historical center, admiring awe-inspiring monuments like the Trevi fountain, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and Spanish Steps along the way. Join us on this whirlwind journey through more than 2,000 years of history, and experience all the magic that Rome has to offer.
Duration: 7 hours.

Discover the treasures of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica on this in-depth group tour. In the company of an expert guide, you’ll learn about the history of the Vatican and the geniuses of the Renaissance, including Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo Da Vinci. Highlights include the masterpieces of the often overlooked Pinacoteca (“Picture Gallery”), famous statues such as “Laocoon” and the "Apollo del Belvedere" and the sublime ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.


Duration: 5 hours.

Jump on board of the iconic Vespa, an expert driver will lead you to discover the wonderful landscape of the Roman countryside. Spend the day riding through beautiful ways in the gorgeous area called "Castelli Romani" and visit pittoresque villages like Frascati, where stunning villas sit along expansive vineyards, Nemi, surrended by luxurant woods,  a jewel of colorful narrow streets reflecting in the sparkling waters of a vulcanic lake, Ariccia and its beautiful Bernini's buildings, Castel Gandolfo, with the summer residence of the pope, perched on a hill overlooking the blu waters of the lake Albano. During one of the several stops you'll have the opportunity to enjoy an Italian typical lunch in a characteristic restaurant

Duration: 6 to 7 hours.

Join our knowledgeable guides who will breathe life into the sites with historical context, engaging stories, and fascinating details.

Your journey begins at the meeting point, where your guide provides a brief overview of Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica.

Explore the exterior of the Basilica, learning about its Renaissance design and symbolic significance in the Catholic Church.

Step through the massive bronze doors into the awe-inspiring Nave, where colossal statues, intricate mosaics, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini's breathtaking Baldachin await.

Encounter Michelangelo's renowned sculpture, the Pieta, as your guide shares insights into the artist's life and the emotional depth of this masterpiece.

With limited group sizes, expect a personalized and interactive tour that promises to be unforgettable.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.

With a dedicated guide in a small group tour you will head to St. Peter's Square designed by the architect Gianlorenzo Bernini for the Pope Alexander VII. You will learn from your guide about Bernini that in the late 1600s for the Pope Alexander the VII projected St. Peter's' square & the Colonnade. You'll go through security and access to the Basilica of St. Peters' once inside your eyes will be immediately captured by the Pieta of Michelangelo sculpted by the Master in a very young age. The Basilica was built in 120 years commissioned to the best Renaissance and Baroque artists such as Bramante, Sangallo, Michelangelo, Maderno and Bernini.
You will then move underneath the dome where stands the main altar beneath "Baldachin" with twisted bronze Columns of more than 90 feet high. You'll admire the amazing mosaics and the works of art.
You will then climb on top of the dome designed by Michelangelo from where you will be able to see one of the most beautiful views of the city of Rome.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.

You will be guided by our knowledgeable guides who will provide historical context, engaging stories, and fascinating details that bring the sites to life, you will enjoy a memorable tour of Panoramic Views specifically "The Dome Climb" which offers unparalleled views of Vatican City, and Rome, providing a unique perspective of the cityscape.

That; combined with limited group sizes, allowing for a more personalized and interactive tour will make it a tour to remember.
Duration: 2 to 3 hours.

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PLEASE NOTE: This self-guided walking tour does not include entry to the Basilica. Please check online for entry fees and opening times.
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See St Peter’s Basilica without joining a tour group with this affordable walking tour.

• Find out about Michelangelo, Bernini, and Raphael’s contributions to this great and sacred space
• Hear from producer Mike Corradi, author and producer of A History of Italy podcast
• Do it all in 75 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish
• Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it
• Use the virtual tour option at home

Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code.

The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions.
Duration: 75 to 90 minutes.

You will be guided by our knowledgeable guides who will provide historical context, engaging stories, and fascinating details that bring the sites to life.

Your knowledgeable guide will provide a brief overview of the Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica at the meeting point

You will have the chance to enjoy Basilica's exterior and learn about the design and construction of this Renaissance masterpiece and its symbolic significance in the Catholic Church.

Then you will enter through the massive bronze doors and step into the awe-inspiring Nave. Admire the colossal statues, intricate mosaics, and the breathtaking Baldachin designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

You will encounter Michelangelo's renowned sculpture, the Pieta. Your guide will share insights into the artist's life and the emotional depth of this masterpiece.

All of that; combined with limited group sizes, allowing for a more personalized and interactive tour will make it a tour to remember.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours.

- The tour will start on St. Peter's square, one of the most iconic places. The tour guide will illustrate its relevance, history and architecture
- You will have privileged access to St. Peter's Basilica and start the visit from the Papal Tombs located below the church, where you'll be able to see the Apostle's resting site.
- You will visit the Basilica's most important chapels and monuments, including Bernini's Baldacchino, where the Pope himself serves mass, and Michelangelo's Pietà.
- You'll be able to spend time in front of John Paul II's tomb
- At the end of the tour you can explore the Basilica by yourself, climb up to the Dome or do some shopping in the available souvenir shops
Duration: 2 hours.