Early Bird: Exclusive Tour of Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore and its Underground Chambers
5/5
9 reviews
EXCLUSIVE
Highlights
Enjoy exclusive early access to Santa Maria Maggiore. Discover the legend of the August snowfall, admire 5th-century mosaics, visit the museum, Loggia, and Hall of the Popes, and explore the underground area with early Christian and medieval remains.
Details
Details
What to expect
This exclusive early morning tour of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore — the most beloved church of Pope Francis — grants you privileged access to its spiritual and architectural wonders before it opens to the public.
With the basilica bathed in soft morning light, you’ll explore its most iconic and hidden spaces: the Loggia of Blessings, the elegant Bernini staircase, the historic Hall of the Popes, and the intimate museum collections.
Then descend into the archaeological undergrounds, where centuries of buried Christian and medieval history await — a rare experience few get to witness.
As you move through this extraordinary space in near silence, you’ll come to understand why it meant so much to Pope Francis, and why this moment feels like a true Roman privilege.
Included
- Ticket to the Museum Areas, including the Loggia of Blessings, the Hall of the Popes, the Bernini staircase, and the museum
- Ticket to the Archaeological Area, with access to the undergrounds (sotterranei) showcasing early Christian remains and medieval crypts
- Exclusive entry at 7:30 AM, before regular opening hours — exclusive by Tourismotion
- Guided tour conducted by a professional, licensed guide
- Audio headsets to ensure you can hear the guide clearly at all times
- Check-in assistance on-site, with Tourismotion staff easily recognizable by branded T-shirts and signage
Not included
- Pick up and transfer
- Tips
Know before to go
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All visitors are required to pass through a mandatory metal detector check.
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Children aged 0–6 are not allowed in the underground archaeological area.
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A respectful dress code is required to enter the Basilica: no low necklines, skirts or shorts above the knee, and shoulders must be covered.
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Comfortable footwear is recommended.
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The underground area is not suitable for visitors with reduced mobility or those who suffer from claustrophobia. Participation in this part of the tour is optional, but the ticket price remains the same.
Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible.
- Animals not allowed (just guide dogs)
Booking
See availability
Gallery
Gallery
Reviews
Reviews
9 reviews 5/5
Showing 1-2 of 9 items.
Jaques V.
Couple tour
Beautiful Church and Surprising Undergrounds
We joined the tour with another couple and some solo travelers. Everyone was very friendly. The church is stunning, full of details and gold. I was impressed by how old the mosaics are. The undergrounds are a bit narrow but worth it. Bring a light jacket, it’s colder down there!
November 17, 2025
Heinz F.
Solo traveler
Nice Group, Great Guide
Our guide was amazing, she made everything interesting and funny at the same time. The group was around 8 people, and it felt very personal. We saw places that normally are closed to public. I liked that we were finished before 10 am, so we could continue exploring the city after.
November 17, 2025
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