Guided Tours

Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica Underground Guided Tour

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

Close-up of Holy Gates relief in Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, depicting religious figures.

Intricate interior details of Santa Maria Maggiore basilica dome in Rome.

Interior of the Sistine Chapel in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy, featuring ornate altar.

Duration

50 min

Open today

07:00am - 07:00am

Guided tour

4.3/5

(12)

Margaret

Oct 2025

Verified booking

5/5

This is a short tour but is packed with information and explanations of the building of the basilica. Viewing the ancient history of the basilica was amazing but also having the explanation of where, how and what was it you were actually seeing was very interesting. Our guide was brilliant. The only issue was gathering together at the beginning and solely because of all the attention that was focused by people who wanted to enter the holy door

Vanessa

Sep 2025

Verified booking

4/5

The visit was disappointing.. started early and finished early. It was only about 25/30 minutes long. We felt rushed. We were walked through the chambers containing Papel Robes and other amazing items without stopping or given any historical information. Definitely would not recommend.

Nancy

Jul 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Ticketing experience good. Tour was 30 minutes , guide was knowledgeable but seemed rushed, no opportunity for questions. At the end of the, said he had to get back to work. Was a little disappointed as i had teally loomed forward to it.

Explore the underground chambers of a grand Roman basilica, where centuries-old mosaics, frescoes, and archaeological remains have been preserved for millennia.

Discover exclusive subterranean areas, including the Treasure Room, ancient mosaics, unique fresco cycles, and historic thermal healing spaces, accessible only with a guided tour.

Go through intricate details such as original tilework, geometric frescoes, and early architectural elements, explained by an expert English or Italian-speaking guide.

Choose this experience to uncover rarely seen Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque layers beneath one of Rome’s most iconic religious sites.

Access to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

Guided tour of Underground Archaeological Area

English or Italian-speaking guide (as per option selected)

Access through the Holy Door

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

4.3
12 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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What our guests say
Margaret
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
This is a short tour but is packed with information and explanations of the building of the basilica. Viewing the ancient history of the basilica was amazing but also having the explanation of where, how and what was it you were actually seeing was very interesting. Our guide was brilliant. The only issue was gathering together at the beginning and solely because of all the attention that was focused by people who wanted to enter the holy door
Kathleen
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
So nice to skip the line and the audio tour was really helpful to fully understand the site.
Vanessa
Sep 2025
Verified booking
4/5
The visit was disappointing.. started early and finished early. It was only about 25/30 minutes long. We felt rushed. We were walked through the chambers containing Papel Robes and other amazing items without stopping or given any historical information. Definitely would not recommend.
Radtke
Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We enjoyed this tour very much. We learned about the history of Basilica and the museum.
Nancy
Jul 2025
Verified booking
4/5
Ticketing experience good. Tour was 30 minutes , guide was knowledgeable but seemed rushed, no opportunity for questions. At the end of the, said he had to get back to work. Was a little disappointed as i had teally loomed forward to it.

Step beneath the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore on this 50-minute guided tour, exploring hidden archaeological treasures and rare frescoes.

Getting started

Meet your guide at the entrance of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. After a quick ticket check, your guide will introduce the tour and lead you into the underground areas. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Please note that the tour is not accessible for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues.

What to expect

Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore Underground

This guided tour reveals the lesser-seen archaeological spaces beneath one of Rome’s most significant basilicas, blending Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque influences. The Basilica is renowned for its towering campanile and beautifully crafted coffered ceiling.

Features

Treasure room and archaeological chambers: Explore ancient artifacts, preserved tilework, geometric frescoes, and centuries-old architectural remains hidden beneath the basilica.

Rare underground artworks: Discover unique highlights such as the frescoed agricultural calendar and intricate mosaic floors from historic thermal healing rooms.

Subterranean thermal spaces: Walk through chambers featuring original heating systems, detailed mosaics, and well-preserved fresco cycles that reveal the site’s layered past.

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

Have your smartphone voucher ready to show the reception staff at the Portico at least 15 minutes before your scheduled entry.

Keep a valid photo ID with you in case it is requested at the entrance.

What’s not allowed

Large bags, suitcases, and bulky luggage cannot be taken through the reserved access point.

Audio guides are not included as part of this experience.

Entry via the Holy Door is not part of this tour.

Children under 7 years of age are not permitted to join the tour.

Accessibility

This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with significant mobility limitations.

It is also not advised for those who may struggle with extensive walking or uneven surfaces.

Additional information

General admission to the basilica is free. This ticket provides entry to restricted areas along with a guided visit.

Exhibition spaces may be closed without notice due to force majeure events, and such closures do not qualify for refunds.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

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

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

Meeting point

Meet your guide at the entrance of Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

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

Get directions to the meeting point