Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome Tickets and Tours

There are churches you visit for their frescoes, others for their views, and a few because history decided to write an important chapter there. Santa Maria Maggiore, in the heart of the Esquiline Hill, fits into all three categories: 5th-century mosaics that still shine brightly, a terrace with one of the most underrated panoramic views of the city and, from April 2025, the resting place of Pope Francis.

The best option

Santa Maria Maggiore Tickets with Audio Guide

Explore one of Rome's oldest basilicas at your own pace

Admire the early Christian mosaics, the High Altar and the crypt of the Holy Cradle with this ticket to Santa María la Mayor. Explore the temple with an audio guide and discover all the secrets of this spiritual gem at your own pace, without groups.

From €8 at Hellotickets

This experience is designed for those who prefer to explore at their own pace, stopping where each detail strikes them most. With admission to Santa Maria Maggiore and an audio guide, you can follow the tour at your own pace, soak up the history of the temple and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, without having to depend on groups or schedules.

Admission gives you full access to the interior of the basilica, from its impressive early Christian mosaics to the crypt where the Holy Crib is located and, now also, the tomb of Pope Francis. A place that has gained strength as a space for contemplation and remembrance, both for believers and travellers interested in the contemporary history of the Church.

Recommended if... you are looking for a peaceful, cultural and spiritual experience, guided by the official audio guide and with complete freedom of movement.

Climbing to the dome of Santa Maria Maggiore offers one of the best views of the Roman skyline. It is not as well known as other domes in the city, but that is precisely why it is even more surprising. From the top, the city unfolds at your feet with all its monumental character.

From this privileged position you can see:

• The layout of the historic districts in the centre
• The dome of St. Peter's Basilica in the background
• The Colosseum, almost within sight
• The Esquiline Hill in all its glory
• A succession of churches, towers and rooftops that define the soul of Rome

In addition to the views, access includes spaces such as the Loggia of the Blessing, the Hall of the Popes and Bernini's Staircase. From the dome, you can also see the main altar from above and locate the crypt where Pope Francis is buried, adding a new dimension to the visit.

Yes, if you prefer to discover the temple with context and a complete narrative, you can join a guided tour. Over the course of an hour and a quarter, a local guide will explain not only the architecture and works of art, but also the historical and spiritual evolution of this papal basilica.

The tour covers iconic sites such as the High Altar, the central nave, the Loggia delle Benedizioni, the Sala dei Papi, the Museo Storico Liberiano and, of course, the 5th-century mosaics depicting biblical scenes in astonishing detail.

One of the most significant moments of the tour is the visit to the crypt where Pope Francis now rests, a place that has taken on special significance since his burial. The guide will explain the context of this decision and how it has impacted the liturgical and tourist life of the place.

Buying tickets for Santa Maria Maggiore is easy and we recommend doing so in advance. This way you can choose the day and time and avoid unnecessary waiting at the ticket office, especially now that the temple has gained more prominence after the funeral of Pope Francis.

Access includes an audio guide in several languages (Spanish, English, Italian, French and German), ideal for those who prefer to explore at their own pace, with clear explanations at each point of the tour.

Tickets to Santa Maria Maggiore start at £8 per person for the most basic option with an audio guide, although the price may increase if you choose to go up to the dome, take a guided tour or participate in a private tour that visits several papal basilicas. Here is a summary to help you compare:

• Ticket with audio guide to Santa Maria Maggiore — from €8 Ideal if you want to explore the basilica at your own pace with clear explanations in several languages.
• Flexible skip-the-line ticket + upper areas — from €14 All-day pass: enter whenever you like and explore the Loggia delle Benedizioni, the Sala dei Papi and Bernini's spiral staircase without waiting.
• Entrance to the dome of Santa Maria Maggiore — from €11 Enjoy the most amazing views from the top of the Esquiline Hill.
• Guided tour of Santa Maria Maggiore — from €25 Recommended if you prefer to learn all about it from an expert guide.
• Private tour of the Papal Basilicas of Rome — from €462 A more exclusive experience that includes Santa Maria Maggiore and two other great basilicas with a guide and private transport.

This basilica has always been one of Rome's great monuments. In fact, it is one of the city's four major basilicas, but the news that Pope Francis will be buried in its crypt has sparked renewed interest among the faithful and the curious alike. The temple combines artistic value, spirituality and modernity in a single space.

• A living place: beyond its history, today it is the centre of attention due to the tomb of the last pontiff.
• Unique heritage: it houses some of the oldest and best-preserved mosaics in the city.
• Strategic location: very close to Termini, perfect for combining with the Colosseum or St. John Lateran.
• Liturgical dimension: it is an active parish, with daily celebrations in an imposing setting.

Keep the opening hours handy — the basilica opens at 7:00 a.m. — although the best time to enter is between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., when it is quiet and the morning light makes the mosaics shine.

• Basilica and chapels: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (the main nave is closed during Masses at 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for about 45 minutes).
• Crypt and tomb of Pope Francis: 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (last admission 15 minutes before closing).
• Ascent to the dome: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (partial lift; the last 50 steps are only accessible on foot).
• Museo Storico Liberiano: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., closed on Sundays.

If you book your flexible skip-the-line ticket to Santa Maria Maggiore, you will have to choose a time when purchasing your tickets, but you can go at the time you prefer and fit it into your plans for Rome.

Getting there is very easy. The basilica is located on the Esquiline Hill, just a few minutes' walk from Termini Station, making it a perfect stop at the beginning or end of the day.

By metro

• Line A: Vittorio Emanuele
• Line B: Cavour or Termini

By bus

• Several lines (16, 70, 75, 714, among others) will drop you off nearby

You can also walk from areas such as the Colosseum, Piazza Venezia or San Giovanni in Laterano.

During your visit, whether on your own or on a guided tour, be sure not to miss the following highlights of Santa Maria Maggiore:

• 5th-century mosaics in the nave and apse
• The majestic High Altar
• The elegant Baroque-style Pauline Chapel
• The Holy Cradle, under the altar, one of the most venerated relics
• The crypt with the papal tombs, including that of Pope Francis

A brief history of Santa Maria Maggiore

Built after the "miracle of the snow" in 358, the basilica took its current form under Pope Sixtus III (432-440) to celebrate the Council of Ephesus proclaiming Mary as Mother of God. Many of the mosaics you see today—in the nave and the triumphal arch—date from that time and are the best-preserved early Christian ensemble in Rome.

Over the centuries, the city's tallest bell tower (13th century), the gilded ceiling attributed to the first gold from America (16th century) and the Pauline Chapel with the icon Salus Populi Romani were added. Since April 2025, it has also housed the tomb of Pope Francis, which has brought this Marian temple back into the spotlight of the Catholic world.

Finally, here are some useful tips to help you make the most of your visit:

What to bring

• Appropriate clothing (shoulders and knees covered)
• Comfortable shoes: the floor is marble, and there is quite a lot of walking
• Personal headphones if you prefer to use them with the audio guide
• A reusable water bottle

Final recommendations

• Book in advance to avoid queues
• Check the liturgical calendar if you want to avoid mass times
• Make the most of the early hours of the day: there are fewer people and the light is better