Castel Sant'Angelo Guided Tours

Explore 1900 years of evolution and history of the mausoleum-turned-museum with a licensed expert.

• Everything you get: Gain priority entry for an expert-led tour of the fortress. Explore the funerary chambers to uncover its original purpose, trace its military past through defense artifacts, hear tales of forbidden affairs in the papal apartments, and end on the terrace with the legend of the deadly plague beside the Archangel Michael statue.
• Why choose this: This experience turns a simple visit into a walk through history, understanding the museum's strategic and spiritual significance from a local guide, in a hassle-free way with no waiting in ticket queues.
• Upgrades: Prefer in-depth yet quick visit? Choose a 1-hour express guided tour covering key highlights of the castle.

Inclusions #

• Guided tour of Caste Sant'Angelo with fast-track entry

• English or Italian speaking guide

• Express tour of 1 hour (as per option selected)

• Group of 20

• Headsets, if needed

What to bring

• Bring a valid photo ID and your booking confirmation (ticket or voucher) for entry.
• Comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended, as the tour involves walking and standing.

What’s not allowed

• Large bags, suitcases, and oversized luggage are not permitted inside the venue.
• Pets are not allowed inside.

Accessibility

• This experience is not accessible to wheelchair users.

Additional information

• Your ticket is inclusive of a €16 booking fee.

Castel Sant’Angelo

• Only some areas of the castle are suitable for the use of prams/strollers and wheelchairs.
• If you are visiting with a baby or a toddler, get a carrier.
• Keep in mind that your ticket is nominative, and you must present a valid ID matching your full name on the ticket for entry.
• Spot the Passetto di Borgo, the secret passage used by Popes to flee from Castel Sant’Angelo to Vatican City.

St. Peter’s Basilica

• Strict dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered for all guests.
• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible. The right semicircle of Saint Peter’s Square is equipped with ramp access into the Basilica. For any special requirements, contact accoglienza@fsp.va in advance.
• Sign language guided tours are available at the Basilica. This service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance at the following email address: visiteguidate@fsp.va.
• Expect mandatory security screening. The wait at St. Peter’s Basilica may take up to an hour during peak times.
• St. Peter’s Basilica is wheelchair and stroller-friendly (ramps available in the right semicircle of the square). Only some areas of Castel Sant’Angelo are accessible.
• Papal Tombs access may be restricted during religious events. In such cases, extra time will be spent inside the Basilica.

Inclusions #

Castel Sant’Angelo

• Guided tour of Castel Sant'Angelo with entry

• Expert English-speaking guide

• Group of up to 20 guests

St. Peter’s Basilica

• Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal Tombs

• Expert English-speaking guide

Enter at your reserved time slot to explore the museum’s layered past at your own pace.

• Everything you get: Enjoy priority access with timed-entry to leisurely experience this ancient monument. Climb its spiral ramp to see 16th-century frescoes in the papal apartments, then explore Roman tombs and military passages below. Conclude on the terrace crowned by the Archangel Michael statue, the monument’s legendary namesake.
• Why choose this: This is the most straightforward & relaxed way to explore the monument. With priority access you save up to 30-60 minutes in queues and self-paced exploration gives you a no-rush experience.
• Upgrades: Enhance your visit with a self-guided audio tour, an English-speaking guide for a deeper dive, or a handy guidebook for independent exploration.

Inclusions #

• Timed entry to Castel Sant’Angelo

• Audio guide available in English, Spanish, Italian, German and Chinese (as per option selected)

• Digital guidebook for self-guided visit (as per option selected)

• Live guide (as per option selected)

Exclusions #

• Live guide

• Printed copy of the guidebook

What to bring

• Bring a valid photo ID, especially if you have booked discounted tickets.

What’s not allowed

• Bulky luggage, large bags, and suitcases are not permitted inside the venue.

Accessibility

• Remember certain areas such as the spiral ramp and terrace are not accessible to wheelchair users.

Additional information

• EU citizens get reduced entry tickets (between ages 18 and 25).
• The digital guidebook (if availed) is in English only.

Step into a centuries-old escape route once used by popes, then head straight into the fortress with no queues.

• Everything you get: Enter the hidden corridor once used by popes to flee the Vatican, then step into Castel Sant’Angelo with skip-the-line access, exploring both sites at your own pace amid centuries of history and striking architecture.
• Why choose this: This experience lets you trace the lesser-known parts of Rome's medieval past. You can explore two iconic symbols of papal authority and protection at one go.
• Upgrades: Add a guided tour to Passetto di Borgo and learn about papal escapades, shadowy prisoner transfers, assassination plots and many more controversies associated with the corridor.

Inclusions #

• Timed entry to Passetto di Borgo

• Fast-track entry to Castel Sant’Angelo

• Expert guide to Passetto di Borgo (as per option selected)

• English or Spanish speaking guide (as per option selected)

What to bring

• Bring a valid photo ID to match the name on your booking if requested at the entrance.

What’s not allowed

• Large bags, suitcases, and oversized luggage are not allowed inside the venue for security reasons.
• Pets are not permitted, except for registered service animals.

Accessibility

• This experience is not accessible to wheelchair users.

Additional information

• Tickets are mandatory for all visitors to the Passetto di Borgo, including children, and must be booked in advance to avoid entry issues.