The 6 Rome Churches and Basilicas Tours That Earn Their Price

1.Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & 4 Papal Basilicas Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,068 reviews · 8 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $266Our pick

Spend about nine hours exploring the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Rome’s three other papal basilicas. The day runs in two parts, with separate morning and afternoon check-ins, English-speaking guides, priority Vatican entry, and air-conditioned minivan transport.

“I forget our tour guide name, but she was wonderful. This tour is in two parts with a two hour break between the morning and afternoon. The Skip the line was awesome. Everything was well planned. Only comment...we have read when booking this tour that no shorts or sleeveless shirts were allowed. Well this isn't entirely true. YES, sleeveless shirts are a NO NO, but shorts Even for men are allowed IF they touch the top of the knee. They suppose to cover the knee, but everyone had NO problem getting in with them just above. The museums and Basilicas are not air conditioned or if they were, they are…”

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2.Pope Francis Tomb and Papal Basilicas Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 340 reviews

In three hours, an English-speaking guide such as Rebecca, Emma, or Leo leads you through Santa Maria Maggiore, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Saint John Lateran, and the Holy Stairs. An air-conditioned van links the distant basilicas, with a maximum of eight people.

“Joan was a fantastic guide. He was very communicative, shared a lot of history, and made the tour very enjoyable. I highly recommend this tour and this tour company. We booked two tours with them and both guides were wonderful. The transportation was handled really well. The tour was much better than I anticipated.”

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3.Santa Maria Maggiore Upper Areas Skip-the-Line Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 223 reviews · 1 day · from $21Best value

Visit Santa Maria Maggiore’s Upper Areas at your own pace with a named, open-time ticket. See Filippo Rusuti’s medieval mosaics, the Popes’ Hall, Bernini’s travertine staircase, and the Liberian Historical Museum. This is self-guided access, not a guided tour.

“Basilica bella ma appuntamenti per visita ai piani superiori no rispettato. la prenotazione non e stara accettata dalla Basilica , no corrispondeva la prenotazione con i loro posti.qui di visita annullata”

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4.Pope Francis Tomb and Papal Basilicas Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $113

Visit Santa Maria Maggiore, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, and Saint John in Lateran in about three hours. Guides such as Emma, Rebecca, Leo, Joan, and Fabio explain relics, Holy Doors, papal history, and the Scala Santa. A van links the basilicas, but you finish away from the starting point.

“It was supposed to be 4 holy doors but 2 were closed earlier than guide new about. The guide had other options. Also we had to pay our own way back to our destination”

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5.Jubilee Year Papal Basilicas Tour by Private Car

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 57 reviews · from $134

Travel with driver-guide Luca in a private, air-conditioned car to Rome’s four papal basilicas: Santa Maria Maggiore, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Peter’s. You can set your own pace, hear stories between stops, and pass through the Jubilee Holy Doors.

“driver/guide had good communication in terms of pick-up and drop off. has given information about the places we're going to. luca is knowledgeable, patient as he waited for us whilst we not only tour but immerse ourselves in this religious experience in every church we went to. transport was good and comfortable.”

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6.Private Jubilee Tour: 3 Papal Basilicas with Santa Maria Maggiore

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $392Top rated

Spend about three hours with a private guide at Santa Maria Maggiore, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. You’ll see three Jubilee Holy Doors, enter Santa Maria’s Papal Loggia, and travel between basilicas by private vehicle. Guides have included Barbara, Chiara, Ribal, and Giulia.

“These three Papal Basilicas are a must see and incredibly beautiful and spiritual. Our tour guide Barbara was simply amazing and shared so much history and personal experiences with us. We were never rushed and will always cherish this experience.”

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