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.

Flexible cancellation

Get full refund for a small fee if you cancel 24 hours before the experience start time.

Open today

7:00am - 7:00am

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

3.8/5

(197)

Georgina

Dec 2025

Verified booking

Beautiful Basilica. Very impressed with the beauty and ornate decoration throughout. Very busy but doable . Lines moved quite nicely. Tour was an extra learning experience and took me to the rooftop for awesome sights. Will relive this experience for the rest of my life.

Manuela

Oct 2025

Verified booking

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.

Alyson

Feb 2026

Verified booking

So easy to order , had a lovely time , it's definitely worth paying to go up and see the view plus the little museum had some lovely thing in , did this in my first afternoon and it didn't disappoint ❤️

Sabine

Dec 2025

Verified booking

Everything worked well If you want to visit St. Peter's Basilica during the day without long queues, you should get a ticket for fast track entry, the queue at the free entrance for the security checks was very long.

Darell

Dec 2025

Verified booking

The whole process was efficient, allowing us to enjoy the sights without hassle or worry. The best thing is that we didn't have to exchange voucher for tickets as the tickets were directly given to us. What a time-saver!

Francesco

Dec 2025

Verified booking

I was thrilled I did not know about the fragment of Jesus' cradle I prayed over the relic . In the adoration chapel I said the rosary andhi followed the Mass in the other chapel.

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.

197 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.
96
43
12
17
29
Guests from Brazil, United States, Spain and over 29 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Alyson
Feb 2026
Verified booking
So easy to order , had a lovely time , it's definitely worth paying to go up and see the view plus the little museum had some lovely thing in , did this in my first afternoon and it didn't disappoint ❤️
Gáspár
Feb 2026
Verified booking
There was no line to skip, the security check must be done by free entry visitors as well, so there was no separate line. However, there was some kind of mass in the church so we couldn't visit every section of the free area. There was no indication of that. Also, the entry to the museum section is not straightforward, it takes a bit of asking around at the info desk.
Alice
Feb 2026
Verified booking
Easy ticket purchase, choice of time, and quick entry
Marzena
Jan 2026
Verified booking
The beauty of baroc art , and really good work organisation and service of museums' staff, considering thousands of tourists . CONGRATULAZIONI 🇮🇹❤️
Fozzi
Jan 2026
Verified booking
Beautiful experience, exciting to see the tomb of Father Francis

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	7:00am - 7:00am	last entry 6:30am
Tuesday	7:00am - 7:00am	last entry 6:30am
Wednesday	7:00am - 7:00am	last entry 6:30am
Thursday	7:00am - 7:00am	last entry 6:30am
Friday	7:00am - 7:00am	last entry 6:30am
Saturday	7:00am - 7:00am	last entry 6:30am
Sunday	7:00am - 7:00am	last entry 6:30am

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