Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica

Rome, Italy

2 hours 45 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Enjoy exclusive access to the “Scavi” archaeological site under St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican with this unique tour, where only a handful of visitors are allowed to visit St. Peter’s Tomb each day. Join your guide to explore and learn about its history and significance, before moving on to the Basilica. There'll be plenty of opportunities to ask your guide questions about early Christian history as you go.

Visit St. Peter’s Tomb in the restricted “Scavi” area of the Vatican
Learn about early Christian history by visiting the ruins with a guide
Bypass the crowds with priority access from the “Scavi” to the Basilica
Free time to explore St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Grottoes

What's Included

skip line access to St. Peter' Basilica
licensed guide for one hour tour of scavi
licensed guide for one hour introduction visit to St. Peter's Basilica
assistance at St. Peter's Saquare and at scurirty gates
secured reservation of scavi visit

Entrance fee - Entrance fee to scavi

€25.00 per person

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Via della Conciliazione, 51, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Outside hotel Palazzo Cesi, 150 meters from St. Peter's Square.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

St. Peter's Square

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Necropolis of Saint Peter

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

St. Peter's Basilica

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

St. Peter's Basilica

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
not open to children under 14
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Reviews

3.2

based on 16 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

Unique Tour

Scott_M, May 2026

Agnes was a great initial tour guide of the Vatican and St Peter’s square — she had a lot of enthusiasm for the topic and set the stage well for the actual tour. It was just fantastic to see the actual remains of St Peter and learn about the archaeological dig that discovered them — a one of a kind experience.

Not good

Mary_b, Nov 2024

Don’t book the Scavi tour. The Scavi tour has been shut down for construction and was cancelled. We took a substitute tour to St. Peter’s and it was not good. The tour started with one nice girl talking outside of St. Peter’s until another nice girl showed up to continue the tour. We basically heard everything twice. The tour inside St. Peter’s was ok but felt very rushed. Just book something else. It’ll be best.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Scavi office has prolonged its emergency closure now till December 3rd. We are now open for booking scavi tours starting December 5th, 2024. As number of visitors allowed to explore excavations os limited we invite our guests to book the visit well ahead of planned visiting time.

Disappointed

Steve_S, Oct 2024

It was canceled last minute. This was one of the few things we really wanted to do while here. Maybe next time

Top shelf guide

John_P, Sep 2024

Our Guide Agnes was simply sensational. Smart prepared enthusiastic energetic with an immense amount of obvious preparation and a storehouse of knowledge - also a really fun and sincere person.

Worst company service ever.

Chris_A, Sep 2024

I tried to cancel this booking for six months and viator never responded! Lost my money. Their website never allowed me to cancel. The booking manager never responded. My father passed away the day I should have been on the tour.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

I am sorry to hear about your loss. Please note however the Vatican services cannot be canceled as Vatican has introduced since 2023 the "no cancellation" policy for whatever reason. The Vatican desisions are beyond our authority. With kind regards. Francesca Conti

Very engaging tour

Dwayne_A, Sep 2024

Sylvia and Agnes were both wonderful tour guides. The amount of information they shared even before entering the basilica was more than we expected. Once inside Agnes played Travis with us on things she spoke to in the lower part of the basilica. Lots of fun and very informative.

Try the scavi office first

Christopher_D, Jul 2024

Ended up doing the tour with the official scavi office!! We emailed them a couple months in advance and got a response within 1-2 weeks. I purchased this scavi tour just because I was afraid the office wouldn’t respond, but glad it worked out with them (for only 25 euro each). Also didn’t want to take a chance on this tour bc it seems like they’re unreliable. Turns out they did message asking where I was, but told them we booked a tour with the official scavi office instead!

Please run the tour on time!!

Warren_C, Jun 2024

The tour ran late - we had to leave early to catch our cruise ship. Didn’t see the tomb or Peter’s bones. Please run these tours on time!!! People are on a schedule!

Unique glimpse of Roman life and death

Jane_S, Mar 2024

Fascinating look into Roman life and death - and the origin story of St. Peter's Basilica. The guide was engaging and informative. Highly recommend.

HUGE RIPOFF

David_B, Jan 2024

I tried to cancel this tour weeks in advance but was not allowed to. I am out more than $100 because of Viator’s inflexible policy. You can schedule this tour directly with the official St. Peter excavation office for 13 euros, and it is excellent. Do not schedule this tour through Viator. HUGE RIPOFF.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Dear Visitor . It is Vatican that has no cancellation policy, which Viator has to follow. Please note that the price you refer to is offred for last minute walk in during the low season and does not include the private skip line tour of the Basilica of St Peters nor the trip to the Dome. Finally the chances of scavi availability for the last minut walk in tour are nil during mid and high season.

St. Peter’s square

Mark_H, Jun 2022

Agnes (our guide) was amazing. The small group experience was worth it. So much information and insights.

Breathtaking visit.

GlennLeroy_C, May 2022

The Scavi tour with an archeologist was beyond our expectations. The St. Peter’s tour with Agnes, our guide, was worth every euro. She provided information that left us with few questions. She was very enjoyable.

Likely to Sell Out