Combos

Combo (Save 5%): Santa Maria Maggiore + Vatican Museum Entry Tickets

Aerial view of Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore and Piazza Esquilino in Rome.

Visitors at the altar of Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, with ornate ceiling and columns.

Sphere sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro at Vatican Museum, Vatican City.

Vatican Museums gallery with classical statues and ornate ceiling.

Open today

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Select an option

Santa Maria Maggiore + Vatican Museum Entry Tickets

€43.38

€41.21

5% off

For a double-dose of art and history
Experience the serene beauty of Santa Maria Maggiore at your own pace
Audio guide in English, Italian, Spanish, French, or German (for Santa Maria Maggiore)
Drift through iconic Vatican halls alive with colour, detail, and imagination

Santa Maria Maggiore English Guided Tour + Vatican Museums English Guided Tour

from €127.13

€73.14

42% off

For curated expert-led experiences across Rome’s finest
Experience Santa Maria Maggiore through vivid storytelling and carefully chosen highlights
Journey through the Vatican Museums with a guide who connects every artwork to its past

4.3/5

(38,771)

Charlyn

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Booking a hosted skip the line ticket made it so easy for us to get into the Vatican Museums. After receiving detailed instructions on where to meet, we met our host,Jonathan, at the Inside Out office, which was very close to the main entrance of the museum. I think without a host, we would have waited in the very long line and maybe even the wrong one. Jonathan got us to the front of the line, through security, and escorted us right up to the 2nd entrance where we got in quickly. We spent about 2 hours exploring until we reached the Sistine Chapel. It was a wonderful experience, and yes, we would book it again. Tip: Bring headphones so you can listen to their provided audio tour on your phone or on the MP3 device you can rent at the museum for 8€.

Maria

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Visiting the Vatican was truly an unforgettable experience. Before going, I could not have imagined the size and beauty of the buildings — they were far beyond what any photo could show. The guide contacted us beforehand with clear instructions about when and where to arrive, which made everything easy and well-organized. Once we got there, the guide helped us find the right line and explained everything in a friendly and professional way. Although there were many people, it never felt too crowded or stressful. The atmosphere was calm and respectful. The paintings and decorations were simply indescribable — their detail and colors left me speechless. It was an inspiring and breathtaking visit that I would highly recommend to anyone.

Ketevan

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

On November 18th, my daughter and I had the pleasure of visiting the Vatican accompanied by our guide, Francesca (name to be confirmed). From the outset, she conducted the tour with a high level of professionalism and courtesy, immediately putting me at ease despite my initial nervousness about the meeting. Her knowledge of the Vatican Museums was truly impressive. The way she presented the history, context, and significance of the artworks was both eloquent and engaging. Her explanations transformed the visit into a captivating and memorable experience. The entire tour proceeded flawlessly, and we felt well cared for throughout. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone seeking a well-organised and enriching Vatican visit.

Experience two of Rome’s most iconic sites in one seamless visit, skipping long lines while exploring the basilica’s sacred treasures and the Vatican’s masterpieces.

Access Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome’s oldest Marian basilica, featuring stunning 5th-century mosaics, Bernini’s tomb, and the revered Holy Cradle relic.

Enjoy fast-track entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, marvel at masterpieces by Michelangelo and Raphael, and stroll through the historic Patrizi Montoro Palace.

Upgrade to guided tours at both sites to uncover hidden corners, gain expert insights, and enjoy a richer, more immersive experience.

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)

Transfers

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

4.3
38,771 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, United Kingdom, France and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Massimo
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
A visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel is an experience that goes far beyond a simple walk among works of art: it is a true journey into history, beauty, and human genius. From the moment you enter, the Vatican Museums are striking for the vastness and richness of the collections. Each room recounts a different era, including classical sculptures, tapestries, maps and breathtaking Renaissance masterpieces. The tour is long and often crowded, but the organization still allows you to fully enjoy the works, especially if you take the time to observe the details and let your curiosity guide you. The most anticipated moment comes with the entrance to the Sistine Chapel. Here, time seems to stand still. Looking up and admiring Michelangelo's frescoes is an emotion that is hard to describe: the power of the figures, the harmony of the colors, and the drama of the scenes create a unique and solemn atmosphere. The silence required inside helps make the experience even more intense and respectful of the sacred place. In conclusion, a visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel is not to be missed, not only for art enthusiasts, but for anyone who wants to get in touch with one of the highest expressions of world culture. An experience that enriches, excites and remains etched in the memory.
Antoinette
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The Tour Guide was helpful and informative. She spoke in detail on the history of the Bascilica. We went into arreas of the Bascilica that are not known to the general public. The history of the Popes in the Bascilica was very intereting and the display of artifacts was fascinating and fun to discover. The Guide made the tour educational and fun. I recommend the tour. The Bascilica is most fascinating.
Husein
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Visiting the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel was one of the highlights of our trip to Rome — and the Skip-the-Line ticket definitely made the experience smoother compared to joining the huge general queue. We were able to go straight to the ticket collection point, avoid the hours-long purchase queue, and enter the museum in much less time, which was a huge relief on such a busy day.
Ozcorta
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
lots of people but optimal organization of time slots, same for security control and only downside, 1 hour before the visit we learned that the person who was supposed to manage the group would not be available, which in the end was not a bad thing because we were able to manage our visit at our own pace and that visit must be done at least once.
Clara
Dec 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I had the best experience booking with headout! I missed my train in the morning and was worried i wouldn't be able to keep my skip the line reservation due to being late. But my guide was very kind and texted me to get my ETA and assured me she'd wait for me with my ticket. The day was truly a dream come true! I am so grateful I booked with headout ahead of time!

Enjoy fast-track entry to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel plus full access to Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, with this hassle-free combo

Getting started

Begin at the designated meeting point near each site’s main entrance. Present your mobile ticket for validation and follow security procedures before entering. For guided options, your expert guide will introduce the experience and outline the highlights before you set off.

What to expect

Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

Dating to the 5th century, this major papal basilica is a cornerstone of Rome’s religious and artistic heritage, offering access to its terrace, museum, and sacred relics.

Features:

Mosaics and frescoes: Admire early Christian mosaics and frescoes depicting biblical stories and artistic mastery.

Crypt of the Nativity: Visit the site believed to house a relic from Jesus’ manger, a focal point for pilgrims.

Architectural highlights: Experience the basilica’s grand nave, ornate chapels, and architectural details spanning multiple eras.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Home to one of the world’s largest Renaissance art collections, the Vatican Museums span 54 galleries and include the renowned Sistine Chapel, celebrated for Michelangelo’s frescoes and its ongoing religious significance.

Features:

Sistine Chapel: Stand beneath Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling and view The Last Judgment, masterpieces central to Western art.

Raphael’s Rooms: Explore rooms adorned with frescoes like The School of Athens, illustrating the height of Renaissance creativity.

Galleries of Maps & Tapestries: Walk through corridors filled with vibrant cartography and woven narratives from the Renaissance era.

Pigna Courtyard & Vatican Walls: Discover outdoor and architectural highlights that frame the museum’s vast collections.

Vatican Museums

Monday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Tuesday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Wednesday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Thursday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Friday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Saturday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Sunday	Closed

Sistine Chapel

Monday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Tuesday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Wednesday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Thursday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Friday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Saturday	08:00am - 07:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Sunday	Closed

Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

Monday	07:00am - 07:00am	last entry 06:30am
Tuesday	07:00am - 07:00am	last entry 06:30am
Wednesday	07:00am - 07:00am	last entry 06:30am
Thursday	07:00am - 07:00am	last entry 06:30am
Friday	07:00am - 07:00am	last entry 06:30am
Saturday	07:00am - 07:00am	last entry 06:30am
Sunday	07:00am - 07:00am	last entry 06:30am

What to bring

Wear comfortable shoes, as both experiences involve walking and climbing stairs.

Dress respectfully for religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered; short skirts, sleeveless tops, and see-through clothing are not allowed. A shawl or scarf can be handy for head coverage if needed.

Carry a valid photo ID or passport that matches your booking details.

Keep your smartphone voucher ready to present at the entrance or to reception staff.

You may bring a camera for non-flash photography at the basilica.

What’s not allowed

Large bags, suitcases, or oversized luggage; lockers are available on site for storage.

Food and drinks, including water, are not permitted inside sacred areas.

Flash photography, tripods, filming equipment, and mobile phones in the Sistine Chapel are strictly prohibited.

Power banks are not allowed inside the Vatican Museums.

Pets are not permitted except for registered service animals.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are forbidden on the premises.

Access through the Holy Door is not included.

Children under 7 cannot enter certain areas of the basilica, such as the Dome or underground sections.

Using external guides or leaving the assigned guide in the Vatican Museums is not permitted.

Accessibility

These experiences are not suitable for wheelchair users, those with mobility difficulties, prams/strollers, or visitors with heart conditions, walking difficulties, claustrophobia, dizziness, disabilities, anxiety disorders, or pregnancy.

Some sections involve stairs, narrow passageways, or other areas that may be difficult to access.

Additional information

General entry to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica is free. This ticket provides skip-the-line access for convenience.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time for a smooth check-in.

Entry is only permitted through the reserved entrance.

Vatican Museums guests will pass through airport-style security; during peak times, waits can be up to 30 minutes.

Both sites strictly enforce dress codes; non-compliance may result in denied entry.

Management may close certain sections due to force majeure, religious ceremonies, or weather; such closures do not qualify for refunds.

During Jubilee years or special ceremonies, some areas, including St. Peter’s Basilica, may be temporarily inaccessible.