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1 h 30 miin
Daily Tour
25 people
English
Vatican Underground visit offers a rare and captivating exploration of the hidden treasures beneath the Vatican Museums, taking you beyond the surface to unearth the explore the remains belonging of a lower-middle social class such as liberties and small craftsmen.
Also You will see the tombs of the rich families of knights who acquired the poorest tombs, now abandoned, converting them into luxury tombs, with sarcophagi and mosaics of a certain value.
The new tour is articulated through the remains of the Necropolis, offering visitors the opportunity to admire, but also to appreciate more closely, the many decorative elements: marbles, mosaics, stucco, and frescoes, which have recovered its splendour after recent restorations.
Our knowledgeable guides are passionate about history and bring the stories of the Vatican Necropolis and Via Triumphalis to life, offering a rich and engaging narrative throughout the tour.
Immerse yourself in the secrets of Ancient Rome and Vatican City, and witness history come alive beneath your feet.
If You want to explore more about Vatican undergrounds, You should conider even Christian Catacombs tour and Underground Santa Maria Maggiore.
Piazza del Risorgimento, Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
- Vatican City has a strict dress code. Entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel is permitted only to appropriately dressed visitors, knees and shoulders need to be covered.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller not accessible
- Not suitable for pets.
- Since June 2024 it is mandatory for all bookings to contain truthful information about the identity of each customer, as on ID document. Accordiing to the article art 76 DPR445/2000, in case it is determined that the identity or any other information does not match the ID document, we are obliged to raport (under penalty) false representation to the police and the acess into the Vatican State will not be allowed.
- Due to Jubilee Year 2025, on occasion the connecting doors between Sistine Chapel and St Peters Basilica are closed, so the passage will be unabled to Basilica. No refunds will be issued in this case.
- Due to the long security lines the meeting time can be anticipated/posticipated to insure Your fastest entry to the Vatican state but security lines are obligatory and cannot be avoided as Vatican is a separate state and Rome Tour is not responsible for the managing of the entry.
- Vatican Museums have a strict entrance time, no late entries are allowed. Please make sure that you arrive on time! No refunds will be authorized.
- Due to the long security lines the meeting time can be anticipated/posticipated to ensure Your fastest entry to the Vatican state but security lines are obligatory and cannot be avoided as Vatican is a separate state and Rome Tour is not responsible for the managing of the entry.
The Vatican Underground Necropolis Tour, also known as the Scavi Tour, takes visitors beneath St. Peter’s Basilica to explore an ancient Roman cemetery dating from the 1st to 4th centuries AD. The tour offers a unique opportunity to discover one of the Vatican’s most significant archaeological sites.
Yes. The Vatican Underground Necropolis Tour is commonly known as the Scavi Tour, referring to the archaeological excavations beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.
The tour includes access to the Vatican Necropolis beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, guided commentary from an official Vatican guide, and the opportunity to visit the area traditionally associated with the Tomb of St. Peter.
The tour passes the area traditionally identified as the Tomb of St. Peter the Apostle, located beneath the High Altar of St. Peter’s Basilica. Visitors can view this sacred area as part of the guided route, according to Vatican regulations.
The Vatican Necropolis is one of Christianity’s most significant archaeological sites. It preserves an ancient Roman burial ground and provides valuable evidence of early Christian history and the long-standing tradition that St. Peter was buried beneath the basilica.
The guided visit usually lasts about 90 minutes, followed by access to St. Peter’s Basilica through a dedicated exit.
Yes. All visits are conducted exclusively with official Vatican guides. Independent visits are not permitted due to the site's archaeological importance and limited capacity.
Yes. Advance booking is essential because visitor numbers are strictly limited. Tickets often sell out weeks or even months in advance.
No. Photography and video recording are not permitted inside the Vatican Underground Necropolis in order to protect the archaeological site and preserve its sacred atmosphere.
The tour is generally recommended for older children and adults who have an interest in history, archaeology, or Christianity. Very young children may find the confined underground spaces challenging.
Unfortunately, the Necropolis is not wheelchair accessible due to narrow passageways, uneven surfaces, and numerous staircases.
Since the tour begins beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, visitors must follow the Vatican dress code. Clothing should cover the shoulders and knees, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Visitors explore ancient Roman mausoleums, burial chambers, inscriptions, early Christian tombs, archaeological remains, and the sacred area traditionally associated with St. Peter’s burial.
Yes. The underground environment remains naturally cool throughout the year, so bringing a light jacket is recommended even during summer.
Yes. The Scavi Tour usually ends with direct access into St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing visitors to continue exploring one of the world’s most important churches.
Yes. Official Vatican tours are offered in several languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, and others, depending on availability.
Absolutely. The Scavi Tour is considered one of the Vatican’s most exclusive experiences, offering rare access to an extraordinary archaeological site and the area traditionally recognized as the resting place of St. Peter.
The Vatican Underground Necropolis Tour provides a unique opportunity to explore one of Christianity’s holiest and most historically significant sites. With official Vatican guides, limited daily access, and an unforgettable journey beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, the tour combines archaeology, faith, and history in a truly exceptional experience.
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