Beneath St. Peter’s Basilica lies a mysterious subterranean world of papal tombs (Vatican grottoes) and ancient catacombs predating everything we know about the Vatican.
The first level underneath the Basilica’s nave consists of the Vatican Grottoes, home to the mortal remains of at least 90 popes. In fact, historians regard it as a true underground church as it contains relics from the original church built over St. Peter’s tomb.
A recent discovery (1940) and situated a level below the Vatican Grottoes, the Necropolis—also known as the Scavi—is an ancient Etruscan cemetery that, with time, came to house both Christian and pagan tombs.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Vatican Grottoes and Necropolis tickets.
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Vatican Grottoes and Necropolis tickets
If you really want to see what the Vatican was before and after the birth of Christianity, we suggest opting for any one of these tickets for a mind-blowing experience:
Papal Grottoes + St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb Tour
Often termed ‘the original experience,’ this Pappal Grottoes + St. Peter’s Basilica guided tour lasts 2 hours.
Once you have toured the Basilica, you’ll be taken down via a stairwell to the Papal Crypt or Papal Grottoes, where a majority of the Popes are buried.
You also get to tour the Grottoes’ many chapels, visit the monument below where St. Peter’s tomb is located, and get a feel of what the Basilica is like underneath as it actually stands atop the old Constantine-era Basilica.
This guided tour starts at 8.30 am to help you avoid the crowds that get larger as the hours drift by. The other two timeslots are 12.30 pm and 3.00 pm, respectively.
Please arrive at least 15-20 minutes before the tour starts. Your guide will be waiting for you at Tiqets’ partner’s office, next to the Pausa Caffè-Lounge, in Via di Porta Cavalleggeri 61.
Ticket Details
- Adult (15+ years): €30
- Child (2 to 14 years): €20
Free entry
Infants aged 1 year and under can enter the attraction for free
Cancellation policy
You are eligible for a full refund if you cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before the booked date. However, you cannot reschedule your ticket to another date.
Vatican Grottoes and St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour
This guided tour starts from St. Peter’s Square and then progresses to the Basilica, where your guide will entertain you with insights about the Renaissance masterpieces within—especially Michelangelo’s Pietà.
Next, descend into the Papal Grottoes by taking the entrance near the statues of St. Helen and St. Andrew. Down here, you’ll see the remaining columns from Constantine’s original basilica upon which the current Basilica is built. Your guide will also show you the more important final resting places of the 90 popes interred here.
You’ll be surprised to know that there are 68 attractions in the Grottoes that deserve your attention. These range from chapels to tombs, altars, and statues.
Though this tour is available at 8.30 am, 12.30 pm, and 3 pm, the crowds can still swell up. Hence, your guide will provide you with a radio and headset so you don’t miss out on anything.
This tour is available in English and French, and the meeting point for this tour is the activity provider’s office in Via di Porta Cavalleggeri, 61.
Ticket Details
- Adult (10+ years): €27
- Child (5 to 9 years): €17
Free entry
Infants aged 4 years and under can enter the attraction for free
Cancellation policy
You are eligible for a full refund if you cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before the booked date. However, you cannot reschedule your ticket to another date.
Planning a visit to the Museums? Here’s all you need to know about the attraction’s dress code, its three entrance lines, opening and closing hours, the amenities within the Museums, how to reach the Vatican, and special tours like the Vatican Museums early morning and late evening tickets, Castle Gandolfo, and Sistine Chapel tour tickets.
Necropolis and St. Peter’s Tomb Guided Tour Ticket
This small-group tour ticket offers you skip-the-line access to St. Peter’s Basilica and a speedy entrance to the mysterious and revered Necropolis that historians say houses the real tomb of St. Peter.
The Necropolis is still under excavation, and new burial tombs and routes are being discovered yearly. In fact, this ancient Roman cemetery has tombs and preserved decorations dating back to the 1st century AD.
A highlight of this tour is visiting St. Peter’s tomb. Learn about his persecution and martyrdom at Nero’s Circus in 64 AD. Discover how his burial site became the foundation for the first Vatican basilica built during Emperor Constantine’s reign.
Regarding exclusivity, fewer than 100 permits are granted daily for the Vatican tour, so make sure you book your tickets in advance.
Though the tour takes you directly to the Necropolis, you can return to the start point and explore the Basilica independently.
This tour is available from 9 am, 11 am, 1.30 pm, and 2.30 pm. It lasts for 3 hours and is available only in English.
Ticket Details
- Adult (16+ years): €105
Note: This tour is not open to children aged 15 years and younger
Cancellation policy
This is a non-refundable ticket; you cannot reschedule it for another date.
Timings
Vatican Grottoes
| Days | Timings | Last entry |
| Weekdays | 9 am to 6 pm | 5.30 pm |
| Weekends | 9 am to 6 pm | 5.30 pm |
Vatican Necropolis
| Days | Timings | Last entry |
| Weekdays | 8 am to 6 pm | 4.30 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am to 2 pm | 12.30 pm |
Note: The Vatican Necropolis remains closed on Sundays.
Entrance
Vatican Grottoes: There are two ways to access the Papal Grottoes inside the Basilica. Once you enter the edifice, head toward the aisle leading to the statues of St. Helen and St. Andrew. Here, you will find a door opening to the Grottoes.
You can also access the Grottoes from the right of the Basilica’s portico.
Necropolis: Unlike the church’s other entrances, the entrance to the Necropolis is marked by columns and is located on the left side of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Tips for visiting the Grottoes and Necropolis
- The Necropolis is always kept at 95% humidity control to preserve the excavation site. So wear breathable cotton clothes during your tour
- Opt for comfortable or sports shoes with a firm grip as you need to climb stairs inside the Necropolis
- Visit the Basilica first and then head to the Grottoes, as their exit is situated outside the Church
- Any form of photography inside the Necropolis is strictly prohibited. Flash photography is not allowed in the Grottoes
- The Vatican Grottoes contain the tombs of popes and other significant figures of the Catholic Church, so maintain a respectful demeanor during your visit
- It is best to read about St. Peter’s tomb, Papal Grottoes, and the Necropolis. Before your actual visit. This helps enhance the experience and appreciation of what you’ll see once you are at the attraction
Did You Know?
- St. Peter is buried in the Necropolis and not the Vatican Grottoes. His place of interment is marked by a ‘P’ behind the red wall
- The Trophy of Gaius was the first primitive chapel raised over St. Peter’s tomb
- There are a total of 15 chapels and Mausoleums among the Vatican Grottoes
- The central space of the Grottoes resembles a lower basilica with three naves
- The Grottoes also house some remnants of the Old Basilica dating to the Constantine-era
- The Necropolis is so vast it contains 22 tomb buildings and can accommodate nearly 1000 burials!
- The Necropolis was first discovered in 1956 during the construction of the Vatican Autoparco
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FAQs About the Vatican Grottoes and Necropolis
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Vatican Grottoes and Necropolis:
Are the Vatican Grottoes and Vatican Necropolis the same thing?
No, they are separate attractions. While the Grottoes house numerous chapels and the tombs of around 90 popes, the Necropolis houses the graves of early Christians and pagans.
Where is St. Peter’s tomb?
St. Peter’s tomb is believed to be located in the Vatican Necropolis, a level below the Vatican Grottoes
Do I need to reserve tickets to visit the Necropolis?
Yes, you need to reserve tickets to visit the Necropolis on account of its archaeological sensitivity and the fact that only 250 visitors are allowed here per day.
What are the main attractions inside the Vatican Grottoes?
The Vatican Grottoes contain the tombs of many popes throughout history, including Pope John Paul II and other significant figures of the Catholic Church.
What will I see inside the Necropolis?
The Necropolis houses ancient Roman burial grounds, statues and figurines of pagan gods, and a close view of what is believed to be St. Peter’s tomb (red wall).
Are there any age restrictions for visiting the Necropolis?
Yes, due to the nature of the tour and the environment, visitors must be at least 15 years old to participate in this tour.
Can I take photographs inside the Grottoes and Necropolis?
Due to preservation concerns, photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside the Vatican Grottoes and Necropolis.
Is there a dress code for visiting these attractions?
Yes, visitors must dress appropriately when visiting these religious and archaeological sites. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and hats should be removed.
