How to Book a Pantheon Tour That Covers Raphael’s Tomb and the Royal Tombs
Every Pantheon ticket already gets you in to see the tombs — but to understand who’s buried here and why, book a guided tour or a ticket with the official audio guide, both of which cover Raphael’s tomb and the royal tombs of Italy’s first kings. There’s no separate “tombs ticket”; the tombs are inside the rotunda, included with entry. Here’s how to book the version that tells their stories.
Who is buried in the Pantheon
The Pantheon is the resting place of some remarkable figures. The Renaissance master Raphael lies here, as do Italy’s first two kings — Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I — along with Queen Margherita of Savoy. These tombs sit within the main rotunda, so you pass them on any visit; the question is simply whether you’ll know their significance as you do.
The tombs are included with entry
There’s no extra ticket for the tombs — they’re part of the building you’re already entering. That means the cheapest way to see them is a standard ticket. But because the Pantheon has almost no signage, a plain ticket leaves you to find and interpret the tombs yourself, which is where a guide or audio guide makes the difference.
Raphael’s tomb
Raphael, who died in 1520 at just 37, asked to be buried in the Pantheon, and his tomb is marked by a Latin epitaph and a sculpture of the Madonna. A guide can explain why the great painter chose this spot, what the inscription means, and how his burial here cemented the building’s status as a shrine to genius — context that turns a quiet niche into one of the visit’s highlights.
The royal tombs
The tombs of Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, with Queen Margherita, make the Pantheon a monument to modern Italy as well as ancient Rome. Honour guards have traditionally watched over the royal tombs, and a guide can explain how a 2,000-year-old temple became the burial place of a newly unified nation’s kings — a story most visitors never hear on their own.
Audio guide or guided tour?
- Ticket with audio guide: affordable and self-paced, with commentary on the tombs as you reach them — the best-value way to learn their stories.
- Live guided tour: an expert points out each tomb and answers your questions in person — the richest option.
- Private tour: a guide tailors the depth, ideal if the tombs and history are your main interest.
How to book
- Choose a ticket with audio guide, or a guided tour, for your date.
- Select your time slot and, for a tour, your language.
- Enter visitor names (tickets are nominal) and pay.
- Save your e-ticket or note the meeting point.
- Look for the tombs inside — or let your guide lead you to them.
Make the most of the tombs
To appreciate the tombs properly, give yourself a few unhurried minutes at each, read or listen to the background, and remember you’re in a working church — observe quietly and respectfully. Photography is allowed for personal use without flash, so you can capture the epitaphs, but be mindful of other visitors paying their respects.
Is a guided tour worth it for the tombs?
If the people buried here are a key reason for your visit, then yes — the stories of Raphael and the kings are exactly the kind of context the building itself withholds. A guide or audio guide transforms the tombs from anonymous marble into a vivid chapter of Italian art and history, for only a little more than the bare ticket.
What else to look for inside
The tombs aren’t the only treasures within. As your guide or audio guide leads you round, look up at the great high altar and the apse, the side chapels with their paintings and sculptures, the venerated icon of the Madonna, and the coffered dome soaring overhead. Seen together with the tombs, these turn the rotunda into a layered gallery of art and faith spanning two thousand years — far more than a single famous grave.
Book your tomb-focused Pantheon visit
To see Raphael’s tomb and the royal tombs with their full stories, book a ticket with the official audio guide or a guided tour online in advance. Choose your slot, skip the queue, and walk in ready to meet the remarkable figures who chose the Pantheon as their final resting place.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a separate ticket to see the tombs?
No — the tombs are inside the rotunda and included with any entry ticket.
Who is buried in the Pantheon?
Raphael, kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, and Queen Margherita of Savoy.
How do I learn the tombs’ stories?
Book a ticket with the official audio guide or a guided tour.
Can I photograph the tombs?
Yes, for personal use without flash; be respectful, as it’s a working church.
Where is Raphael’s tomb?
Inside the main rotunda, marked by a Latin epitaph and a Madonna sculpture.
Is a guided tour worth it for the tombs?
If the tombs and history are a priority, yes — it adds context the building itself doesn’t provide.