Rome Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore Tour 2 hr - Image 1
Rome Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore Tour 2 hr - Image 2
Rome Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore Tour 2 hr - Image 3
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Rome Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore Tour 2 hr

TourTruth score 6.8 out of 10

Average

10 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • Rome, Italy
  • 2 hrs
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Explore fifth-century mosaics, sacred relics, and historic tombs on a guided small-group visit to Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

About this tour

Step inside one of Rome’s oldest churches and encounter layers of history beneath its grand interior. On this 120-minute Rome Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore Tour, a live guide leads a small group of up to 14 people through a basilica that preserves much of its original fifth-century structure despite later enlargements and renovations.

Admire the celebrated fifth-century mosaics, then see a reliquary said to contain a piece of the crib that once held the infant Jesus and an ancient icon of the Virgin Mary. The visit also brings you to the tombs of St. Jerome and artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, as well as the Sistine Chapel dedicated to Pope Sixtus V. Along the way, learn how the church briefly served as a papal residence after the papacy returned to Rome from Avignon.

Meet your guide in front of Palazzo Naiadi hotel and explore this remarkable landmark in a small-group setting. Choose the Rome Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore Tour for a close look at the art, faith, and history held within its walls.

Highlights

  • Admire fifth-century mosaics inside the basilica
  • See a reliquary said to hold a piece of Jesus’ crib
  • Discover an ancient icon of the Virgin Mary
  • Visit the tombs of St. Jerome and Gian Lorenzo Bernini
  • Explore the Sistine Chapel dedicated to Pope Sixtus V

What's included

Included

  • Small group limited to a maximum of 14 people
  • Pick-up
  • Live guide

Not included

  • Tips
  • Drop off

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Comfortable shoes are recommended
  • Knees and shoulders must be covered for all visitors; shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed, and entry may be refused if the dress code is not followed
  • Meeting point: in front of Palazzo Naiadi hotel

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.60 from 10 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in Rome
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.8.

Provider rating distribution in Rome

How many tours in Rome have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • Viator

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