Rome's Papal Basilicas Private Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore St. Peter's Basilica's grandeur
- Discover St. John Lateran's history
- Admire Santa Maria Maggiore's art
- Skip-the-line access to basilicas
- Expert guide sharing insights
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
- Visit to St. John Lateran Basilica
- Entry to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Lastly you’ll visit the majestic Basilica of St John in Lateran. Designed by the 17th-century architect Borromini, it is a vast, peaceful place with statues of the apostles lining the nave and golden mosaics decorating the apse. It is the most important cathedral in Rome for two reasons. It is the site of the first-ever legal Christian Church in the world and is also the seat of the Bishop of Rome – who is the Pope. It is called the ‘Head and Mother of all Churches’. The giant bronze doors were the original doors of the Roman Senate, and the world’s largest, oldest Egyptian obelisk stands outside. Opposite is the Holy Staircase, brought from the Holy Land by Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine who legalized Christianity. Once climbed by Christ, today it is protected by wood and pilgrims can only climb it on their knees.
Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls was built atop the tomb of Saint Paul of Tarsus who was martyred in that same area. A mighty fire destroyed 90% of the vast marble basilica in the 1800s so it was rebuilt along its original dimensions with donations of marble and money from Egypt, Russia, and Greece. It has a peaceful cloister for quiet contemplation before entering the nave, lined with 80 columns and the portraits of every pope since St. Peter. The Baldachin of porphyry stone covers the altar and the grave of Saint Paul below, and a giant marble Easter candle dating to the 13th century, which survived the fire stands in pride of place. A massive, solid gold mosaic of Christ crowns the basilica. Outside is a Vatican post office, souvenir shop, and a café for some refreshment before returning to the city center.
Meet your guide at Saint Mary Major, built in the 5th century, it is famous for its stunning 13th-century golden Byzantine mosaics, the tallest bell-tower in Rome, and housing the tombs of Paulina Borghese, sister of Napoleon and the Baroque genius Bernini. A relic of the Holy Manger is held in a porphyry casket beneath the altar, and the ceiling is reputedly Inca gold donated by the Spanish Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. You will also have exclusive ticketed access to the Papal Loggia.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour is conducted in English; other languages may be available upon request.
- Photography is allowed; however, flash may be restricted in certain areas.
- Appropriate attire is required for entry into religious sites.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for the tour.
- Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
- Ensure your camera is charged for photos.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- This tour does NOT include St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
- Access to certain parts of churches may be limited in the case of religious ceremonies.
Traveler reviews
Great tour and wonderful guide Andy!
Great tour with Andy! He was very knowledgeable about all of the details and the symbolism in the churches we visited and was very personable with a great sense of humor which made the tour fun. Highly recommend him and this tour!!
Amazing
Chiara (aka Whiskey) was amazing. She was so knowledgeable, a great communicator, very personable and very clearly loves what she does. You can feel how passionate she is. I learnt so much. The tour was fantastic but Chiara was the cherry on top. We were actually sad to leave her at the end. Can’t say enough
Mind-blowing churches and a brilliant guide who made history fascinating for the whole family.
We absolutely loved the Major Basilicas of Rome Private Jubilee Tour with Massimo. We were a bit worried that three hours of visiting churches might bore the teen and tween, but we couldn’t have been more wrong - the basilicas were genuinely mind-blowing and rich with both history and art. Massimo conveyed the stories, symbolism and significance in an accessible way that captivated the whole family from start to finish. His passion and knowledge brought everything to life, and we’re so glad we chose this tour as one of our final experiences in Rome. Highly recommended!
Wonderful tour of Rome’s Basilicas
The experience was wonderful. The guide was so knowledgeable about the churches and the city, and he was very personable as well. He always offered to take our pictures in all the churches and gave us ample time to pray in all of the chapels. I highly recommend him!
3 papal basilicas
Beautiful experience visiting these historic and holy basilicas. Our guide Barbara was marvelous. This tour exceeded our expectations!