Access: Free
Admire the oldest mosaics in the basilica, depicting scenes from Christ’s infancy and early Christian iconography, showcasing the skill and devotion of medieval artists.
| Ticket type | Lines skipped | Includes | Guide | Why pick this | Price from | Recommended experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Skip-the-line entry (with audio guide) | ✅ Ticket queues | Basilica entry + multilingual audio guide | Audio guide | Explore at your own pace with rich commentary, ideal for independent visitors. | €13.50 | Skip-the-line + Audio guide |
Skip-the-line entry (with museum access) | ✅ Ticket queues | Basilica entry + Liberian Historical Museum | Self-guided | Great for visitors who want to dive deeper into the basilica’s history and relics. | €14 | Skip-the-line + Museum |
Skip-the-line entry (with museum + terrace access) | ✅ Ticket queues | Basilica entry + Museum + Panoramic terrace | Self-guided | Best value for full access to special areas, including rooftop views over Rome. | €14.50 | Skip-the-line + Terrace |
Guided tour | ✅ Ticket queues | Guided visit of the basilica + museum and/or terrace (varies by option) | Expert English or Italian guide | Perfect for understanding the art, architecture, and hidden stories with expert insight. | €15.50 | Guided tour |
Underground tour | ✅ Ticket queues | Guided tour of the archaeological areas beneath the basilica | Expert English or Italian guide | A unique experience revealing ancient ruins, layers of history, and spaces not open to general visitors. | €15.50 | Underground guided tour |
Take a guided tour of Santa Maria Maggiore and discover its unique bond with Pope Francis, including the site connected to his burial and lifelong devotion to the Virgin Mary.

Entry to the basilica is free. However, areas like the museum, terraces, dome, or underground require specific tickets or guided tours.
Depending on the type of ticket, your visit may include basilica entry, access to the Liberian Historical Museum, the panoramic terrace, or an underground archaeological tour. Audio guides are available for self-paced exploration, while guided tours provide expert insights into art, history, and hidden areas.
Most paid tickets, especially terrace or underground tours, require a timed entry. Standard skip-the-line tickets for the basilica and museum offer more flexibility but still recommend arriving 10–15 minutes early.
A guided tour provides in-depth context on the basilica’s art, chapels, mosaics, and historical legends, including the Miracle of the Snow. Tours often include areas not accessible to self-guided visitors, such as the terrace, museum, or underground spaces.
Yes. Museum access, terrace entry, and underground tours are separate from general basilica entry and must be booked individually or as part of a combined ticket.
The basilica’s main areas are wheelchair-accessible. Ramps are available at the main entrance. Terraces and underground tours may not be suitable for visitors with reduced mobility.
Cancellation policies vary by ticket type. Check the specific policy before booking, as most paid tickets are non-refundable.
The underground tour is not recommended for children under 7 or visitors with mobility issues due to stairs and uneven paths.
No. Each ticket, whether for the museum, terrace, or underground tour, is valid for one entry only. Separate tickets are needed for additional visits.
Step inside one of Rome’s oldest Marian sanctuaries, where early-Christian mosaics, gilded coffered ceilings, and chapels blend art and devotion into an atmosphere of timeless wonder.
Begin your visit beneath Bernini’s tomb and the Holy Cradle relic, two of the most spiritually significant elements of the basilica.
Explore spaces like the Hall of Popes and historic manuscripts (included with most standard tickets), offering a deeper look at papal tradition.
Guided tours bring the basilica’s miracles—like the summer snowfall legend—to life, with expert context on every mosaic, relic, and architectural detail.
Some tickets include access to restricted areas, such as the active archaeological site beneath the basilica or the panoramic rooftop terraces.













Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.

Explore Rome’s oldest Marian basilica, home to radiant mosaics, ancient relics, and beautifully crafted chapels.
Inclusions #
Access to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Access to Liberian Museum (as per option selected)
Access to 360° panoramic terraces (as per option selected)
Guided tour of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica (as per option selected)
Audio guide in 5 languages (as per option selected)
Exclusions #
What to bring
What’s not allowed
Accessibility
Additional information
Descend beneath the grand Roman basilica, where centuries-old artwork and archaeological secrets lie preserved in silence.
Inclusions #
Access to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Guided tour of Underground Archaeological Area
English or Italian-speaking guide (as per option selected)
Exclusions #
What to bring
What’s not allowed
Accessibility
Additional information
Explore the essence of Rome’s heritage through two major basilicas, each a treasure trove of art, history, and spirituality.
Inclusions #
Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Access to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Audio guide in English, Italian, Spanish, French, or German
St. Peter's Basilica
Access to Basilica and Papal Tombs
Digital audio guide
Digital guidebook
Exclusions #
What to bring
What’s not allowed
Accessibility
Additional information
Discover Rome’s majestic Marian basilica with an expert guide, discovering ancient mosaics, sacred relics, and the Liberian Museum.
Inclusions #
1-hour guided tour of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica with skip-the-line entry
Art & historian expert English or Italian-speaking guide (as per option selected)
Access to panoramic terraces (as per option selected)
Exclusions #
What to bring
What’s not allowed
Accessibility
Additional information
What to bring
What’s not allowed
Accessibility
Additional information
Inclusions #
Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Access to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Audio guide in English, Italian, Spanish, French or German
English guided tour of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica (as per option selected)
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
English guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (as per option selected)
Exclusions #
Enjoy a unique Rome combo with a visit to a grand basilica and a guided stroll through Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and vibrant squares.
Inclusions #
Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Access to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
Audio guide in English, Italian, Spanish, French or German
English guided tour of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica (as per option selected)
Trevi Fountain & Piazza Navona Guided Walking Tour
Expert, English-speaking guide
Groups no larger than 25 people
A gelato in summer / a hot chocolate or cappuccino in winter
Exclusions #
Transfers
Gratuities
What to bring
What’s not allowed
Accessibility
Additional information