Guided Tours

English Guided Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica interior with ornate ceiling during guided tour in Rome.

Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica interior with ornate ceiling during guided tour in Rome, Italy.

Visit Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica to discover the history of Christianity and relics possibly from the time of Christ under the expert’s guidance.

Highlights

Embark on an exploration of one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, the first dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Get hassle-free entrance to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica and learn about the relics from the birth and lifetime of Christ with an optional English-speaking guide.
Learn about the history of Christianity and the church, and experience the altar with 5 pieces of wood from Jesus' manger in Bethlehem.
Choose to upgrade your ticket to include the escorted entrance to the Loggia of Benedictions or to attain skip-the-line access to the Santa Prassede Church.
Fun Fact: Out of the four Patriarchal Basilicas in Rome, Santa Maria Maggiore is the only one to still preserve its original paleochristian design, albeit with considerable modifications.

Inclusions

Access to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Expert English speaking-guide (optional)
Entrance to Loggia of Benedictions (optional)
Escorted entrance to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica (optional)
Skip-the-line entry to Santa Prassede Church (optional)
Headsets (if needed)

Exclusions

Hotel transfers
Gratuities

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Your Experience

One of the first churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica is simply the most magnificent and beautiful church in the world as claimed by most philosophers around the world. Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica is a place where the roots of Christianity all the way back to 432 AD are preserved.

Find yourself in front of a lovely complex exterior and a spectacular bell tower when you arrive at Santa Maria Maggiore. The first gold brought back to Europe from the New World was used to embellish its ceiling. A triumphal arch that dominates the front side of the nave is decorated with beautiful mosaics organized in four rows that show episodes from Jesus' early life. The high altar is located over a relic that is supposed to include five pieces of wood from the manger where Christ was placed in Bethlehem beneath the triumphal arch.

Find out about the popular tales about the snow miracle, the gold coming from the New World, the mosaics, and the grave of Gian Lorenzo Bernini with the quote “Noble Bernini family waits here for Resurrection” on it. Also, choose to upgrade your ticket to include skip-the-line entry to the Santa Prassede Church or escorted entrance to the Loggia of Benedictions.

Know Before You Go

Timings

Guided Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

Daily: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, & 4pm

Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica & Loggia of Benedictions Guided Tour

Daily: 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm

**Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica Escorted Entrance + Access to Loggia of Benedictions **

Daily: 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm

Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica Guided Tour + Skip-the-line Tickets to Santa Prassede Church

Mon to Sat: 10am & 4pm
Sun: 4pm

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Meeting Point

Meet your guide at Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore.
Address: 00184 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy.
Landmark: Located in the between via Gioberti (Esquilino district) and via Merulana (Esquilino-Monti).
Your guide will be holding an orange “LOVING ROME” flag and will escort you through the main entrance.

Get Directions to the Meeting Point

Getting There

By Bus

The closest bus stop is S. Maria Maggiore. It is a quick 1-minute walk to the meeting point.
Board buses 16, 70, 71, 75, 117 and more to get you there.

By Subway