Rome's Basilicas Tour: Santa Maria Maggiore

Take a deep dive into Rome’s spiritual and artistic heritage as you explore some of the city's most significant churches, including the breathtaking Santa Maria Maggiore Papal Basilica, in this 3-hour tour led by an expert guide.

Your tour will begin at the magnificent Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s four papal basilicas. Your expert guide, an experienced art historian or archeologist, will point out the stunning mosaics, and beautifully adorned chapels, explaining its rich history, and its centuries-old spiritual and artistic legacy.

Then, you’ll make your way to San Pietro in Vincoli, home to Michelangelo’s famous statue of Moses. This church, often overlooked by visitors, holds the relic of Saint Peter’s chains and boasts an atmosphere of deep reverence and artistic brilliance.

Along the way, you may visit another hidden gem of Roman spirituality: possibly Santa Prassede, known for its dazzling Byzantine mosaics, San Cosma e Damiano, a historic church built within an ancient Roman temple, or another remarkable site chosen by your guide to best fit your interests.

Throughout the tour, your guide will share insights into the cultural, artistic, and religious significance of these landmarks, weaving together the stories of devotion, history, and craftsmanship that have shaped the Eternal City over the centuries.

This tour includes the Santa Maggiore Basilica Ticket. Note that there may be nominal site entrance costs or other fees that are not included in the price of the tour. It is a good idea to have some local currency on hand for these.

The venues you are visiting are religious sites and therefore have strict dress code requirements. Please dress modestly for your tour, covering shoulders and knees. You may be asked to remove hats inside churches.

For additional information on planning your visit to Italy, explore our Context Stories. 

Is this tour suitable for children? Yes, although the tour isn’t part of our family program, it can be adjusted to accommodate families with children. Please be sure to include the ages of children when booking and we will assign a family-friendly guide.

Does the tour include any underground visits?
No, the Basilicas tour (Santa Maria Maggiore and San Pietro in Vincoli) is not an underground tour. Some underground areas may be accessible depending on site availability. Our guides, depending on their expertise and your interest, may include these visits, with tickets purchased on-site if needed, if the areas are open during the tour. Please inform your guide during the tour if you are interested in visiting the excavations.

We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.

Is this tour accessible for those with mobility issues?
This tour involves moderate walking of around 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) and along uneven cobbled streets. Clients with mobility concerns should contact us and we can create a custom tour adapted to their mobility concerns.

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.