Guided Tour of Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore with Underground Access

5/5

9 reviews

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Activity

group tour

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Highlights

Guided tour of Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore: discover the August snow legend, admire 5th-century golden mosaics, explore the early Christian underground, and access the Benediction Loggia with an expert guide.

Details

Details

What to expect

Discover the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Pope Francis's most beloved church, through a comprehensive guided tour that unveils Rome's hidden treasures.

Your tour begins in the archaeological underground, where you'll explore ancient Roman and early Christian remains that tell the millennial origins of this sacred place. Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll uncover the foundations of Christian history beneath the soil of the Eternal City.

In the heart of the Basilica, you'll admire the magnificent 5th-century mosaics, among the oldest in Christianity, and the venerated relic of the Holy Crib. You'll hear the fascinating legend of the miraculous August snowfall that gave birth to the Basilica and visit the place Pope Francis has chosen for his eternal rest.

The tour culminates in the Basilica Museum, where you can admire the majestic Hall of the Popes, walk the famous Holy Staircase designed by Bernini, and step onto the historic Benediction Loggia, from which Popes blessed the faithful. A unique experience combining art, faith, and millennial history.

Book your guided tour now and live an unforgettable experience among sacred art, archaeology, and ancient history in the heart of Rome.

Included

  • Ticket to the Museum Areas, including the Loggia of Blessings, the Hall of the Popes, the Bernini staircase, and the museum
  • Ticket to the Archaeological Area, with access to the undergrounds (sotterranei) showcasing early Christian remains and medieval crypts
  • Expert guide
  • Audio headsets to ensure you can hear the guide clearly at all times
  • Check-in assistance on-site, with Tourismotion staff easily recognizable by branded T-shirts and signage

Not included

  • Pick up and transfer
  • Tips
  • Access to the terrace

Know before to go

  • All visitors are required to pass through a mandatory metal detector check.

  • Children aged 0–6 are not allowed in the underground archaeological area. 

  • Infants up to 5 years old have free entry, but they must be included in the reservation.

  • A respectful dress code is required to enter the Basilica: no low necklines, skirts or shorts above the knee, and shoulders must be covered.

  • Comfortable footwear is recommended.

  • The underground area is not suitable for visitors with reduced mobility or those who suffer from claustrophobia. Participation in this part of the tour is optional, but the ticket price remains the same.

Accessibility

  • Not wheelchair accessible.
  • Animals not allowed (just guide dogs)
  • Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

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Reviews

Reviews

9 reviews 5/5

Showing 7-8 of 9 items.

Brenda L.

Family group

Good with Kids, Not Too Crowded

We joined with our two kids and I was a bit worried they would get bored, but the guide was very kind and included them in the explanations. The group was not too big, so the children could see everything well.

October 28, 2025

Anna R.

Couples Tour

A Lovely Morning

We joined a group of around 20 people and it was a very pleasant experience. The basilica was almost empty at that time, which made everything feel calmer and more kinda intimate. The guide was friendly and easy to understand. The underground gave a special touch to the visit.

October 28, 2025

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