Vatican Underground Tours — Grottoes, Dome Climb, and Necropolis Explained

The grottoes: where are they?

The grottoes sit between the basilica floor and the Scavi (the deepest burial layer). They are the crypt level, where papal tombs rest. You enter from inside the basilica, descend into a wide, temperature-controlled chamber. Entry to the basilica itself is free; the €20 grottoes tour buys the guide, the timing, and line navigation. That said, many visitors wander down on their own after paying basilica entry. The €33 underground tour includes the grottoes as part of a longer arc.

Papal tombs in the grottoes: John XXIII lies in a glass-sided case visible from the passage. John Paul II is not here — he is in the Chapel of St. Sebastian, upstairs in the basilica proper. Pope Francis was buried in 2025 at Santa Maria Maggiore, the first pope in over a century not buried at St. Peter’s. Queen Christina of Sweden is one of the few women buried in the grottoes.

What lies below the grottoes: the Scavi

The Scavi is the oldest layer — a 2nd–4th-century pagan-and-Christian mausoleum street, literally a street of tombs and burial shrines, preserved when Constantine levelled the slope to build the first basilica in the 4th century. The bones of a 1st-century man aged 60–70 were identified near the Trophy of Gaius, with graffiti nearby reading “Petros eni” (“Peter is within”). The Vatican concluded in 1968 that this was Peter’s grave. Sceptics and believers both exist; I present the archaeology plainly.

You cannot book the Scavi through GetYourGuide. It costs €13, direct with the Ufficio Scavi, max 250 visitors per day, minimum age 15, Mon–Sat only, request in writing 2+ weeks ahead, realistically months for popular dates. How to book the official Scavi tour.

The dome climb: 551 steps, the view, and more tombs

The €54 dome tour combines dome entry and the papal tombs in the grottoes (no separate €20 cost—included). You climb 551 steps total. An elevator option skips the first stretch, but roughly 320 steps still remain on foot. The view from the colonnade tier overlooks Rome in all directions. 4.5 stars from 10,212 reviews — by far the most-reviewed single tour. One honest note: a reviewer reported the stairway was closed for over an hour after a fainting incident. That does happen in narrow stone spirals at altitude on warm days. Bring water (small bottles are allowed through security), wear comfortable shoes. The €33 underground tour is similar, costs less, and also includes the full basilica walk.

The Via Triumphalis necropolis: a separate Roman cemetery you can actually visit

Entirely separate from the Scavi. This is a larger Roman cemetery (pagan and Christian, 2nd–4th century) that sits under the Vatican hillside, not under the basilica itself. Access is via a different entrance near Piazza del Risorgimento. It is the closest you can get to “the real Roman necropolis” via a reseller: €50, 4.6 stars from 40 reviews, ~1.5 hours, compulsory guide. Runs Friday and Sunday on Vatican Museum open days. Books out weeks ahead. Honest note: the review base is small (40 visitors), but the rating is strong and the access is genuine — this is a true Roman cemetery beneath Vatican grounds.

The €33 tour: basilica, dome, and grottoes in one

Best value for first-time visitors. You get the full basilica walk, the dome climb (with or without the elevator), and the grottoes in ~2.5 hours. 4.8 stars from 5,494 reviews. Small group, English guide. The depth progression is clear: floor → grottoes (papal tombs) → outside → up the dome → view. Then you understand how the basilica sits on top of everything.

Dress code and comfort

Shoulders and knees must be covered (enforced). Hats off inside. Jeans and sneakers are fine. Small water bottles are permitted through security; large bags are not. The grottoes are cool (~constant temperature), but the dome climb can be warm and narrow. The Scavi (if you book direct) is warm and humid — mentioned by many visitors as a claustrophobia or comfort note.

Which tour should you book?

First-time, all-in-one: €33 underground tour. Basilica, dome, grottoes, one guide, 2.5 hours, 4.8 stars from 5,494 reviews.

Papal tombs only: €20 grottoes tour. Shorter, focused, still 4.5 stars from 735 reviews.

Dome and tombs separately: €54 dome tour (includes grottoes). More detailed, 4.5 stars from 10,212 reviews.

True Roman cemetery: €50 Via Triumphalis tour. Larger burial site, separate entrance, 4.6 stars from 40 reviews. Harder to book but genuine necropolis access.

Understand the official Scavi: Read the Scavi booking guide. It is the deepest and most historically significant, but costs €13 and requires months of advance planning.

Frequently asked questions