We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
TripAdvisor
Vatican City
Post
Trips
Inbox
More
    Help Center

    Vatican Necropolis

    834 Reviews
    #9 of 46 things to do in Vatican City
    Sights & Landmarks, Points of Interest & Landmarks, More
    Closed today: Closed
    Piazza San Pietro | Beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, 00120 Vatican City, Italy
    Open today: Closed
    Save
    All photos (139)
    Full view
    Certificate of Excellence
    Traveler Overview
    4.5834 reviews
    • Excellent77%
    • Very good16%
    • Average5%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible1%
    Travelers talk about
    “scavi tour”(51 reviews)
    “scavi office”(32 reviews)
    “peter's bones”(26 reviews)
    About
    When Pius XII ordered a thorough excavation of the area under the High Altar in St. Peter's Basilica, twisting stone passages were found leading to an ancient Roman necropolis, which contained chambers 10- to 15-feet wide with preserved frescoes and...more
    Closed today
    Hours Today: Closed
    See all hours
    Suggested duration: 1-2 hours
    As featured in Rome: A traveler's guide
    Contact
    Piazza San Pietro | Beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, 00120 Vatican City, Italy
    Website
    +39 06 6988 5318
    Call
    Improve This Listing
    Improve This Listing

    Improve This Listing

    Ways to Experience Vatican Necropolis
    Peter's Tomb: Exclusive Visit of the Basilica...
    45 Reviews
    from $66.16
    More Info
    Sistine Chapel Early Access plus St Peter's...
    31 Reviews
    from $84.11
    More Info
    VIP St. Peter's Dome Climb, Basilica...
    from $80.00
    More Info
    Exclusive VIP Experience - Vatican...
    from $88.59
    More Info
    Reviews (834)
    Write a review
    Filter reviews
    431 results
    Traveler rating
    344
    60
    22
    4
    1
    Traveler type
    Time of year
    LanguageEnglish
    More languages
    Traveler rating
    344
    60
    22
    4
    1
    Show reviews that mention
    All reviews scavi tour scavi office peter's bones excavations office underneath st st peter in advance above ground early christians burial place of st swiss guard high humidity christian history very interesting tour century ad request tickets tour takes
    Selected filters
    FilterEnglish
    Updating list...
    1 - 10 of 431 reviews
    Reviewed 3 days ago
    The originals

    The necropolis of the vatican is actually more worth the visit. It stand on the old mars fields of Rome their burial places. After that the church was erected on that same place..

    Date of experience: August 2019
    Thank francien2015
    Reviewed 5 days ago
    Amazing experience!!

    On this tour you meet a guide on the side of the Vatican and take a tour below the Vatican to see the original tombs including the bones believed to be St. Peters. There are many areas with the original flooring and wall decorations. You...More

    Date of experience: October 2018
    1  Thank Twingirlsmom2
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
    Must do

    Booked it via Vatican. Amazing tour, best tour in Rome. Excavations are incredible and show bits of all cultures demonstrating the history of rome before the basicila was formally built. On a hot day it is very humid down there but believe me the pay...More

    Date of experience: September 2019
    1  Thank 3chetnav
    Reviewed August 16, 2019
    FYI's to make life easier + a few hints

    Since the directions are not that clear, here are some FYI's for 1st time to Italy over-planners like myself. (1) To get into St. Peter's Square (not the church) there is basically no security. You pretty much just walk past a few soldiers and you...More

    Date of experience: August 2019
    3  Thank Ramius1019
    Reviewed August 1, 2019
    Super interesting tour if you can book it!

    This was a great tour to take underneath St. Peter's Basilica. I have to say that if you are claustrophobic, the first part might be a bit uncomfortable. Guide was so knowledgeable and knew so much about the place. Book far ahead through the Vatican...More

    Date of experience: July 2019
    Thank expatgirl2014
    Reviewed August 1, 2019
    It’s a must

    Amazing but NOT for children!!! The tour is extremely long (3hrs walking) If you love history is worth every penny.

    Date of experience: July 2019
    Thank Deborah N
    Reviewed July 28, 2019 via mobile
    Unique experience

    Booked the Scavi tour through the Vatican many months in advance. I was so lucky that I was able to get the one day that I was available. They email back with the possible time and if you accept, you pay 13€. It does say...More

    Date of experience: July 2019
    2  Thank ylc25
    Reviewed July 28, 2019
    a great visit of the Basilica from a different point of view

    Being atheists, we didn't really want to do a tour of St Peter focused on the religious side. Our visit to the necropolis below the basilica was wonderful as our guide focused on the archaeological aspect of the creation of the structure, and its successive...More

    Date of experience: July 2019
    1  Thank Raphael M
    Reviewed July 15, 2019
    A highlight for both religious and archeological interests

    I learned of this place years ago reading Dan Brown's Angels & Demons and was thrilled to discover it was actually real! The visit comprises a walk along a subterranean Roman street from the 1st century that was build as a necropolis, with proximity to...More

    Date of experience: July 2019
    Thank ConnecticutDad2010
    Reviewed July 14, 2019
    Amazing - highlight of our trip

    We went on one of the hottest days in July. I’ve read that it would be stiffling hot and humid inside and very claustrophobic. It was definitely cooler inside than I imagined. As far as claustrophobic, you would have to have extreme claustrophobia to not...More

    Date of experience: July 2019
    3  Thank boysrus
    View more reviews
    123456…44
    Nearby
    Nearby HotelsSee all nearby hotels
    Repubblica Hotel
    464 reviews
    .02 miles away
    Hotel Paris
    219 reviews
    .02 miles away
    Hotel Alius
    215 reviews
    .02 miles away
    Hotel Augustea
    382 reviews
    .03 miles away
    Nearby RestaurantsSee all 2 nearby restaurants
    Rosemary - Terra e Sapori
    604 reviews
    .04 miles away
    Ristorante Cotto
    2,544 reviews
    .06 miles away
    La Cucina Nazionale
    1,910 reviews
    .05 miles away
    Gelateria Verde Pistacchio
    622 reviews
    .04 miles away
    Nearby AttractionsSee all 75 nearby attractions
    Chiesa Di San Paolo Entro Le Mura
    226 reviews
    .06 miles away
    Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
    412 reviews
    .10 miles away
    Piazza della Repubblica
    950 reviews
    .11 miles away
    See all nearby hotelsSee all 2 nearby restaurantsSee all 75 nearby attractions
    See all
    Questions & Answers
    Ask a question
    See all 102 questions
    Bahea A
    August 31, 2019|
    AnswerShow all 5 answers
    Response from expatgirl2014 | Reviewed this property |
    As far as i know, you must write the excavations office to ask for place on tour. I never heard of a company offering it.
    1
    Vote
    yashgupta25
    August 7, 2019|
    AnswerShow all 5 answers
    Response from KelloggTraveler | Reviewed this property |
    Jeans are all right.
    0
    Votes
    World_citizen_2
    June 4, 2019|
    AnswerShow all 4 answers
    Response from vacations2xayear | Reviewed this property |
    I travel with my license, passport and teacher ID. That day they only ask to see my confirmation email. As you probably know, often there are not hard rules, it depends on who is in charge. A passport always trumps a... More
    0
    Votes
    123456…34
    Related to items you viewed
    La Pieta
    La Pieta
    4,434 Reviews
    Monuments & Statues
    Baldacchino di San Pietro, di Bernini
    Baldacchino di San Pietro, di Bernini
    1,019 Reviews
    Sacred & Religious Sites
    Stanze di Raffaello
    Stanze di Raffaello
    1,180 Reviews
    Specialty Museums
    Vatican Gardens
    Vatican Gardens
    1,117 Reviews
    Gardens
    Vatican Grottoes
    Vatican Grottoes
    434 Reviews
    Sacred & Religious Sites, Specialty Museums
    Sistine Chapel
    Sistine Chapel
    19,469 Reviews
    Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious Sites, Historic Sites, Art Museums, Points of Interest & Landmarks