Landmarks

Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica Entry Tickets

Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome with its ornate facade and bell tower.

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

Dome and ceiling artwork of Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

Dormition of the Virgin Mary mosaic in Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, depicting apostles and angels.

Duration

45 min

Open today

07:00am - 07:00am

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

3.9/5

(85)

Manuela

Oct 2025

Verified booking

5/5

The Basilica is disarmingly beautiful! The staff very friendly, from the terrace there is a beautiful view of Rome. I will definitely come back to also enjoy some spaces that unfortunately in conjunction with the masses were not accessible.

Rosanna

Oct 2025

Verified booking

5/5

The view from the terrace is something spectacular, you can see a good part of Rome and its monuments and then Bernini's staircase and the tomb of Pope Francis. Those who love art cannot fail to visit this cathedral.

Maria

Sep 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Easy as claiming ticket when we reached basilica. The extra museum visit was amazing- very small group and able to go up onto the roof. We also saw a staircase by Bernini.

Step inside Rome’s oldest Marian basilica and take in its architectural grandeur, centuries of history, spiritual significance, and artistic beauty.

Admire the breathtaking gilded ceiling, the Virgin Mary apse mosaic, the Borghese and Pauline Chapels, and the Crypt of the Nativity, exploring each at your own pace.

Let the audio guide bring every corner to life, sharing stories, historical insights, and fascinating details about the basilica.

Enhance your visit with upgrades like panoramic terrace access, entry to the Liberian Museum, or a guided tour for deeper exploration.

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)

Access through the Holy Door

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

3.9
85 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.
39
22
6
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Guests from United States, Spain, Romania and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Manuela
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The Basilica is disarmingly beautiful! The staff very friendly, from the terrace there is a beautiful view of Rome. I will definitely come back to also enjoy some spaces that unfortunately in conjunction with the masses were not accessible.
Rosanna
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The view from the terrace is something spectacular, you can see a good part of Rome and its monuments and then Bernini's staircase and the tomb of Pope Francis. Those who love art cannot fail to visit this cathedral.
Ingrid
Oct 2025
Verified booking
3/5
I thought it was a guided tour. Instead, we were able to see everything on our own. There wasn't even an audio guide for the price of 27€. That's really cheeky :-((
Loriana
Oct 2025
Verified booking
3/5
The Tomb of Pope Francis On the bihietyo the information was not entirely clear and I thought there was an audio guide which I purchased separately instead
Mary
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Small group of 8 people.Guide was knowledgable and nice. Lovely dry day which helped as it was outside.

Enjoy access to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, including its dome, museum, and panoramic terrace, in a concise visit.

Getting started

Begin at the entrance near the main doors, where your ticket is validated for access. After a brief security check, proceed directly into the basilica to start your self-guided exploration.

What to expect

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

This landmark is one of Rome’s four major basilicas, renowned for its centuries-old mosaics and religious significance. Founded in the 5th century, it houses sacred relics and showcases a blend of architectural styles.

Features

Iconic architecture: Admire the basilica’s impressive exterior, its towering bell tower, and the blessing loggia where papal blessings are given.

Masterpieces of art: Marvel at the stunning gilded ceiling and intricate mosaics that showcase centuries of artistry and devotion.

Sacred spaces: Explore the beautifully crafted chapels, visit the Crypt of the Nativity, and discover historical artifacts and art in the Liberian Museum.

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 footwear as the visit involves walking and standing for extended periods.

Dress appropriately for a religious site, ensuring shoulders and knees are covered.

Have your smartphone ready with your booking voucher to show at the entrance.

Carry a valid photo ID if it is requested at entry.

What’s not allowed

Large bags, suitcases, or oversized luggage are not permitted inside the Basilica or through the reserved entrance.

Entry through the Holy Door is not included with any ticket.

Pets are not allowed, except for registered service animals.

Accessibility

Wheelchair access is limited, as some areas include stairs and narrow passages.

Additional information

General admission to the Basilica is free, but this ticket provides added benefits such as the audio guide, terrace access, museum entry, and guided tours, depending on the option chosen.

Certain areas of the Basilica and Museum may be closed without notice due to unforeseen events, celebrations, or special functions. Such closures do not qualify for a refund.

Audio guides are offered in five languages: Italian, English, Spanish, French, and German.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Please arrive at the redemption point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.

Ticket redemption point

Show your ticket at the reception desk inside Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

Address: P.za di Santa Maria Maggiore, 00100 Roma RM, Italy.

Get directions to the redemption point