Santa Maria Maggiore Tickets

Explore Rome’s oldest Marian basilica and the Liberian Museum Centre very few see.

• Everything you get: Access the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the first church in the West dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and its panoramic terraces for a rare view of Rome’s skyline. See 5th-century mosaics, Bernini’s tomb, and the Holy Cradle relic. Enter the exclusive Museum Area, closed to the general public, where centuries of papal vestments, liturgical objects, and sacred art await.
• Why choose this: Unlike free entry, this ticket unlocks restricted areas like the Liberian Museum (including the Hall of Popes, Loggia of Blessings, Bernini Staircase) for a more complete experience.

Inclusions

• Access to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

• Access to Terraces

• Access to Liberian Museum Centre

Exclusions

• Access to underground archaeological area

• Live guide

What to bring

• Wear comfortable shoes as there may be significant walking and stairs.
• Dress appropriately for a religious site: shoulders and knees must be covered; short skirts, sleeveless shirts, and see-through clothing are not permitted.
• Bring a valid photo ID matching the name on your booking if requested at the entrance.

What’s not allowed

• Large bags, suitcases, and oversized luggage are not allowed inside the basilica or museum areas.
• Pets are not permitted, except for registered service animals.
• Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are strictly prohibited on the premises.
• Access will not be granted to visitors with bags or luggage.
• Access through the Holy Door is not included.
• Live or guided tours and escorted entrances are not included with your ticket.

Accessibility

• The experience is not suitable for individuals with walking difficulties, heart conditions, claustrophobia, dizziness, disabilities, anxiety disorders, or those who are pregnant.
• Wheelchair access is not available for all areas; some sections involve stairs and narrow passages.

Additional information

• Entry to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica is free, while the ticket price covers the audio guide, guided tour, or other listed inclusions.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time for a smooth check-in.
• Entry is only permitted through the reserved entrance line.
• The basilica enforces a strict dress code; failure to comply will result in denied entry.
• Opening hours may vary, do check before your visit. Some areas may open later on Sundays after Holy Mass.
• The basilica reserves the right to close any section due to force majeure; this does not entitle visitors to a refund.
• Visitors with reduced-fee tickets or services without eligibility must pay the difference for full-price tickets or services.

Join an expert-led tour by the Basilica’s in-house art and history specialist, including exclusive museum access.

• Everything you get: Skip the lines and explore the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore with a Vatican-trained art historian. Discover 5th-century mosaics that survived invasions, descend Bernini’s spiral staircase, and view the Holy Cradle relic. Gain rare access to the Liberian Museum, home to sacred manuscripts, papal vestments, and the Hall of Popes.
• Why choose this: Dive into sacred legends (like the summer snowfall) at one of Rome’s major Papal Basilicas with a Vatican expert, and access museum-only zones in a small group setting.
• Upgrades: Extend your visit to include the panoramic terraces for beautiful 360° city views or the underground archaeological area.

Inclusions

• Guided tour of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore with skip-the-line entry

• Access to Liberian Museum center

• Art & historian expert English or Italian-speaking guide (as per option selected)

• Exclusive access to Terraces (as per option selected)

• Access to Underground Archeological Area (as per option selected)

What to bring

• Bring a valid photo ID or passport for entry if requested.
• Wear comfortable shoes as there is a significant amount of walking.
• Bring your smartphone voucher to show at the entrance or to reception staff.
• Consider bringing a camera (non-flash photography only).
• Appropriate attire is required; shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the basilica.

What’s not allowed

• Large bags, suitcases, and luggage are not permitted inside the basilica or through the reserved gate.
• Food and drinks, including water, are not allowed inside the museum and sacred areas.
• Flash photography, tripods, and filming equipment are not allowed inside the basilica.
• Pets are not permitted, except for registered service animals.
• Children under 7 years old are not allowed on certain areas of the tour, including the Dome and underground sections.
• Access through the Holy Door is not included.
• Panoramic terraces are not included in most variants.

Accessibility

• This experience is not accessible for wheelchair users or people with mobility issues.

Additional information

• Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure a smooth entry.
• Earphones are not included but can be rented on site for an additional fee.
• The management reserves the right to close certain areas due to force majeure or weather-related events; such closures do not entitle visitors to a refund.

Go beneath the Basilica into an active dig site with Roman villa ruins, Christian tombs, and a treasury, led by a guide.

• Everything you get: Skip the lines at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and descend into an off-limits Roman villa. Explore mosaics, frescoes, thermal rooms, a rare agricultural calendar, early Christian tombs, and an active dig site. A Vatican-trained expert guides you through the sacred Treasury Room and ends the tour in the basilica’s nave, beneath dazzling 5th-century mosaics.
• Why choose this: This is the only tour that takes you beneath Santa Maria Maggiore into active archeological ruins, hidden from the public. Discover 2,000 years of history under one of Rome’s holiest churches.

Inclusions

• Access to the Basilica of St. Mary Major

• Guided tour of Underground Archaeological Area

• English or Italian speaking guide

Exclusions

• Transfers

• Museum and Terrace access

What to bring

• A valid photo ID may be required to verify reduced tickets (e.g., student or child rates).
• Dress respectfully for a religious site. Shoulders and knees must be covered.

What’s not allowed

• Children under 7 are not permitted on this tour.
• Large bags, suitcases, and luggage are not allowed through the reserved access line.
• Entry via the Holy Door is not included in this experience.

Accessibility

• This experience is not accessible for wheelchair users or visitors with mobility issues.
• Not recommended for individuals with walking difficulties due to stairs and uneven surfaces.

Additional information

• Arrive at the Portico entrance at least 15 minutes before your tour starts.
• Entry is through a reserved access line; show your voucher (smartphone or printout).
• The basilica may close sections without notice due to force majeure; no refunds are provided in such cases.