Rome Papal Basilicas Tour: Private Access to St. Mary Major

Walk through centuries of papal Rome, from golden Byzantine mosaics to the tomb of Saint Paul.

A private tour of Rome's three papal basilicas, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls, with an expert guide and exclusive access to the Papal Loggia at St. Mary Major. You visit the 5th-century basilica famous for its 13th-century golden mosaics and the relic of the Holy Manger, then move to St. John Lateran, the seat of the Pope and the world's first legal Christian church, and finally to St. Paul Outside the Walls, built atop the tomb of Saint Paul with its 80-column nave and 13th-century marble Easter candle.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Basilica of St. John LateranEntry included45m
2. Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the WallsEntry included45m

Tour three papal basilicas in Rome

• Meet guide at Santa Maria Maggiore
• Explore golden Byzantine mosaics
• Visit Papal Loggia with exclusive access
• Visit Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
• See cloister and mosaics
• Rest at café and souvenir shop
• Visit Basilica of St John Lateran
• View statues, mosaics, and Holy Staircase

The experience

The tour centers on three of Rome's most significant basilicas, each with its own spiritual and architectural identity. St. Mary Major opens the morning with its 13th-century golden Byzantine mosaics and the tallest bell-tower in Rome. Your guide leads you to the Papal Loggia, a ticketed space not open to general visitors. The basilica also holds a relic of the Holy Manger beneath the altar and the tombs of Paulina Borghese, sister of Napoleon, and Bernini, the Baroque architect. The ceiling is said to be Inca gold, donated by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain.

St. John Lateran follows, designed by the 17th-century architect Borromini. It holds the title "Head and Mother of all Churches" because it was the site of the first-ever legal Christian church in the world and remains the seat of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. The nave is lined with statues of the apostles and golden mosaics decorate the apse. Outside stands the world's largest and oldest Egyptian obelisk, and the bronze doors at the entrance are the original doors of the Roman Senate. Across the street, the Holy Staircase (brought from the Holy Land by Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine) can be climbed on your knees. It is said to have been climbed by Christ himself.

St. Paul Outside the Walls concludes the tour at the basilica built atop the tomb of Saint Paul of Tarsus. A fire destroyed 90 percent of the marble basilica in the 1800s, but it was rebuilt to its original dimensions with donations of marble from Egypt, Russia, and Greece. A peaceful cloister sits before the nave, which is lined with 80 columns and portraits of every pope since St. Peter. The Baldachin of porphyry stone covers the altar and the grave of Saint Paul below, and a 13th-century marble Easter candle, which survived the fire, stands in the basilica. A massive solid gold mosaic of Christ crowns the interior. The basilica has a Vatican post office, café, and souvenir shop on the grounds.

What’s included

• Private transportation.
• expert private guide speaking English.
• special ticketed access to the Papal Loggia at St. Mary Major.
• entry to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

Information

Lasts 3h, runs Monday to Saturday, 8 start times, from € 325 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Friday: 07:45, 08:45, 09:45, 10:45, 11:45, 12:45, 13:45 and 14:45Saturday: 07:45, 08:45, 09:45, 10:45, 11:45, 12:45 and 13:45Another day? ›

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by LivTours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a couple or small group and want a private guide to walk you through Rome's papal history without the crowds at major sites. The exclusive access to the Papal Loggia at St. Mary Major and the three-hour pace give you time to absorb the art and history at each basilica without rushing.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★Exceptional63 verified traveler reviews

5 ★63

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Papal Loggia at St. Mary Major and why is it special?

The Papal Loggia is a ticketed area within St. Mary Major that is not open to general visitors. This tour includes exclusive access to it as part of the private experience. It is a reserved space within the basilica where papal ceremonies have taken place historically.

Can I climb the Holy Staircase at St. John Lateran?

The Holy Staircase is accessible and pilgrims do climb it, but only on their knees. It is now protected by wood and is considered sacred because it is said to have been climbed by Christ. Climbing it is optional and part of the spiritual experience at the basilica.

What happened to St. Paul Outside the Walls and how was it rebuilt?

St. Paul Outside the Walls was severely damaged by fire in the 1800s, which destroyed 90 percent of the vast marble basilica. It was rebuilt along its original dimensions with donations of marble and money from Egypt, Russia, and Greece, so the structure you see today follows the original design.

What relics and artworks are housed in these three basilicas?

St. Mary Major holds a relic of the Holy Manger beneath the altar and houses the tombs of Paulina Borghese and Bernini. Its ceiling is said to be Inca gold. St. John Lateran features statues of the apostles and golden mosaics in the apse. St. Paul Outside the Walls contains the tomb of Saint Paul, a 13th-century marble Easter candle, and a massive solid gold mosaic of Christ.

What dress code applies when visiting these basilicas?

All three basilicas require that shoulders and knees be covered. Tank tops and short dresses are not permitted. This is a strict requirement for entry to places of worship in Rome, so plan your clothing accordingly.

Does this tour include St. Peter's Basilica?

No, this tour focuses on the three papal basilicas, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. St. Peter's Basilica is not included in this itinerary.