
Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.2/5
Based on 16 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica worth booking?
Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica is a 2.8-hour experience in Rome, Italy, from $95 per person. It scores 36 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.2/5 rating across 16 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 36 / 100
- Rating
- 3.2/5 (16)
- Duration
- 2.8 hours
- From
- $95 per person
Explore the Secrets Beneath St. Peter’s Basilica Venture into the Scavi excavations, the ancient necropolis beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, and visit the sacred tomb of St. Peter, reopened in 2026 after the Holy Year 202
What you get
- assistance at St. Peter's Saquare and at scurirty gates
- licensed guide for one hour tour of scavi
- licensed guide for one hour introduction visit to St. Peter's Basilica
- skip line access to St. Peter' Basilica
- secured reservation of scavi visit
About this experience
Explore the Secrets Beneath St. Peter’s Basilica Venture into the Scavi excavations, the ancient necropolis beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, and visit the sacred tomb of St. Peter, reopened in 2026 after the Holy Year 2025. Accessible to only 200 visitors a day, this exclusive tour takes small groups of up to 15 guests through narrow passageways, uncovering centuries of history, the burial sites of early Popes, and fascinating archaeological discoveries that reveal the foundations of Christianity. Descend into the crypt, explore the Popes’ tombs, then rise to enjoy St. Peter’s Basilica at your own pace—skipping the usual 2+ hour lines. This immersive journey combines archaeology, art, and spirituality, offering a rare and unforgettable perspective on one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. ✨ Book early to secure this once-in-a-lifetime experience! ✨
What's included
Included
- assistance at St. Peter's Saquare and at scurirty gates
- licensed guide for one hour tour of scavi
- licensed guide for one hour introduction visit to St. Peter's Basilica
- skip line access to St. Peter' Basilica
- secured reservation of scavi visit
Not included
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
St. Peter's Square
A pre-visit lecture on the history of Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica, delivered by your expert host, providing essential background for one of the most exciting and unforgettable experiences in Rome.
30 minutes here
The Necropolis of Saint Peter
Exclusive visit of archeological area under St. Peter's Basilica (scavi) with the area of the tomb of St. Peter, the Apposle
90 minutes here · Admission included
St. Peter's Basilica
Self guided visit of Popes' Tombs under St. Peter's Basilica including the area of St. Peter's Tomb.
15 minutes here
St. Peter's Basilica
Skip line entrance to St. Peter's and self guided visit of St. Peter's Interior with works of Bernini and Michelangelo including the Pieta.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Rome
Outside hotel Palazzo Cesi, 150 meters from St. Peter's Square.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Outside hotel Palazzo Cesi, 150 meters from St. Peter's Square.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 2 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- vaticancitytoursandtickets
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- not open to children under 14
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 16 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
16 verified traveler reviews for Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Unique Tour
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.
via Viator
Bad 👎
Very bad they escorted us only at the security check than the entrance of the dome without having any guide with us charge us 30 euro for nothing
Response from the operator: Dear Guest. Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica does not include the guide beyond excavations and the crypt. The visit to St Peters is self guided as per information on the web page. Kindly, Francesca
via Tripadvisor
Great bucket list trip
Great tour. Sylvia our first tour guide was great and oriented us to history and architecture. Anna our underground tour guide was also great. This was a bucket list tour and was well worth it.
via Tripadvisor
Not good
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 the operator: 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.
via Viator
Disappointed
It was canceled last minute. This was one of the few things we really wanted to do while here. Maybe next time
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $95 to $105
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 36
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rome.
How much does Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica cost?
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Prices start at $95 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rome usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica take?
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Plan for about 2.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rome is not rushed.
Is Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 36 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.2/5 across 16 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Rome, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rome can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rome and add a light layer if any part of the 2.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Scavi guided visit and skip line entrance to St Peters Basilica start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rome within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Rome?
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Rome runs on skip-the-line access. The Colosseum underground, the Vatican before opening, and the catacombs south of the walls all require a licensed operator, and the price gap between the good ones and the rest is smaller than you would expect. We rank by guide credentials, group size and how reliably the promised access actually materialises. On Outty we rank every Rome experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Rome Pasta and Tiramisu Class: Ravioli, Fettuccine & Fine Wine 5*, Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome, Rome: Pizza & Tiramisu or Gelato Class with Flowing Fine Wine 5*. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Rome?
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April, May, September and October. August is hot and half the city is shut. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Rome?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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