Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore Guided Tour, Rome

Nora, with her passion for her work and extensive knowledge of everything surrounding Rome, lovingly shares her knowledg...

Carlos Jarreta

Can you imagine visiting one of Rome's most iconic churches? On this tour, you'll discover the hidden corners of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, whose architecture blends early Christian style, a Romanesque bell tower, and a Baroque facade.

Details

Duration

1 hour 20 minutes.

Language

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

Included

Admission to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
English–speaking guide

Supporting documents

Electronic voucher. Have it on your phone.

Sustainability

All services meet our

Pets

Not allowed.

Frequently asked questions

If you have other questions, contact us

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. Any cancellations after this or no-shows on the day will not be refunded.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour

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Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour

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Civitavecchia to Fiumicino Airport Shuttle

Free cancellation

Meeting point

Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore

Reviews of our customers

9.7

Exceptional 166 Travelers·18 reviews

June 29, 2026
Carlos Jarreta Perales
Zaragoza, Spain
Nora, with her passion for her work and extensive knowledge of everything surrounding Rome, lovingly shares her knowledge, not only about the Basilica...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
October 9, 2026
Miguel Angel
Mexico
Yolanda is very knowledgeable about the history and details of the basilica, and she communicated with great patience and kindness.
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 12, 2026
Salvador Roberto Di Domenico
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Lots of information. Very comprehensive.
As a couple
Is this useful?
June 23, 2026
Cristina
Spain
It went very well, thanks to Laura, an excellent guide. A true professional. We really enjoyed the activity. Thank you very much.
As a couple
Is this useful?
June 11, 2026
Jose David Rivero Sanchez
Las-palmas-provincia, Spain
The explanation was very thorough. The tour guide was very professional and friendly.
As a couple
Is this useful?
June 11, 2026
Luis David Mastrogiacomo
Argentina
The fantastic guide took us through the basilica, the archaeological area, and the museums. It was an incredible experience because she explained ever...
Is this useful?
June 5, 2026
Manuel Carlos Félix García
Huelva, Spain
The basilica is beautiful and has a fascinating history. The tour also includes a museum and a Roman house in the basement. The guide was very friendl...
As a couple
Is this useful?
May 18, 2026
Fuensanta Lopez Bernal
Málaga, Spain
Amazing! The basilica is breathtaking and the guide was excellent. She was very knowledgeable and a great communicator.
With friends
Is this useful?
May 4, 2026
Enrique Suriñach
Rosario, Argentina
El guía, excepcional, con conocimientos muy profundos y docente eficaz.
As a couple
Is this useful?
April 10, 2026
Rafael Pérez
Santa Rosa, Argentina
Gracias a nuestro guia LUCA aprendimos mucho dado sus profundos conocimientos históricos sobre la Basílica y en general. Excelente para Luca !!!
As a couple
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Tour Details

We'll meet at the designated time at Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, where we'll be waiting for you to discover what's hidden behind the walls of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Over the course of between 1 hour and 1 hour and 20 minutes, we'll walk through the interior of the temple as the first rays of sunlight illuminate it, revealing the beauty of its most iconic corners, as well as its most hidden ones. You'll fall in love with this magnificent basilica!

Once inside the basilica, we'll discover the legend of the Miracle of the Snow, an event that inspired its foundation, and we'll admire the 5th-century mosaics that adorn the chapels.

As well as that, we'll admire the fascinating symbolic details hidden in the ceilings and explore normally lesser-known areas, such as the Loggia of Blessings and the Hall of the Popes.

Our tour will continue as we descend into the underground archaeological area, where the remains of Christian antiquity and medieval chapels reveal the oldest layers of its history—an experience that few are lucky enough to witness!

Pope Francis' Tomb

During the tour, we'll have the opportunity to see the final resting place of Pope Francis. The pontiff expressed his wish to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore because of his deep devotion to the Virgin Salus Populi Romani. Did you know that he is the first Pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican? For this reason, his tomb in this basilica has become a new pilgrimage point in Rome.

9.7

Exceptional 166 Travelers·18 reviews

June 29, 2026
Carlos Jarreta Perales
Zaragoza, Spain
Nora, with her passion for her work and extensive knowledge of everything surrounding Rome, lovingly shares her knowledge, not only about the Basilica...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
October 9, 2026
Miguel Angel
Mexico
Yolanda is very knowledgeable about the history and details of the basilica, and she communicated with great patience and kindness.
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 12, 2026
Salvador Roberto Di Domenico
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Lots of information. Very comprehensive.
As a couple
Is this useful?
June 23, 2026
Cristina
Spain
It went very well, thanks to Laura, an excellent guide. A true professional. We really enjoyed the activity. Thank you very much.
As a couple
Is this useful?
June 11, 2026
Jose David Rivero Sanchez
Las-palmas-provincia, Spain
The explanation was very thorough. The tour guide was very professional and friendly.
As a couple
Is this useful?
June 11, 2026
Luis David Mastrogiacomo
Argentina
The fantastic guide took us through the basilica, the archaeological area, and the museums. It was an incredible experience because she explained ever...
Is this useful?
June 5, 2026
Manuel Carlos Félix García
Huelva, Spain
The basilica is beautiful and has a fascinating history. The tour also includes a museum and a Roman house in the basement. The guide was very friendl...
As a couple
Is this useful?
May 18, 2026
Fuensanta Lopez Bernal
Málaga, Spain
Amazing! The basilica is breathtaking and the guide was excellent. She was very knowledgeable and a great communicator.
With friends
Is this useful?
May 4, 2026
Enrique Suriñach
Rosario, Argentina
El guía, excepcional, con conocimientos muy profundos y docente eficaz.
As a couple
Is this useful?
April 10, 2026
Rafael Pérez
Santa Rosa, Argentina
Gracias a nuestro guia LUCA aprendimos mucho dado sus profundos conocimientos históricos sobre la Basílica y en general. Excelente para Luca !!!
As a couple
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Points of interest in Rome

The Pantheon Piazza Navona Piazza di Spagna Trevi Fountain Vatican Museums Vatican Museums Colosseum Roman Forum Castel Sant'Angelo Campo de' Fiori Trastevere Capitoline Museums Baths of Caracalla

Types of activities in Rome

Guided tours and free tours Airport Shuttle Busses in Rome Sightseeing Bus Tours in Rome Day Trips from Rome Food & Wine Experiences in Rome Opera Performances in Rome Amusement parks

Other activities in Rome

Civitavecchia to Fiumicino Airport Shuttle Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour Rome Free Walking Tour Colosseum Tour + Gladiator's Gate Rome Underground Tour St Peter's Basilica Guided Tour Mamertine Prison Ticket + Audio Guide Galleria Borghese Guided Tour Rome: Angels and Demons, the Illuminati Adventure Quest Audience With Pope Leo XIV

Tour Details

We'll meet at the designated time at Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, where we'll be waiting for you to discover what's hidden behind the walls of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Once inside the basilica, we'll discover the legend of the Miracle of the Snow, an event that inspired its foundation, and we'll admire the 5th-century mosaics that adorn the chapels.

As well as that, we'll admire the fascinating symbolic details hidden in the ceilings and explore normally lesser-known areas, such as the Loggia of Blessings and the Hall of the Popes.

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore Guided Tour