
Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa worth booking?
Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa is a 3.8-hour experience in Rome, Italy, from $100 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (15)
- Duration
- 3.8 hours
- From
- $100 per person
Discover the spiritual treasures of the Eternal City on our Sacred Rome Private Tour: San Clemente, San Giovanni & Scala Santa. In 3.5 hours, explore iconic churches and holy sites with your private guide. Begin at the
What you get
- Professional licensed tour guide
- Admission tickets to Basilica of San Clemente
- Headsets (if needed for clarity)
- Private guided tour of San Clemente, San Giovanni in Laterano & Scala Santa
About this experience
Discover the spiritual treasures of the Eternal City on our Sacred Rome Private Tour: San Clemente, San Giovanni & Scala Santa. In 3.5 hours, explore iconic churches and holy sites with your private guide. Begin at the Basilica of San Clemente, where three layers of history unfold beneath your feet, from a 12th-century church to ancient Roman houses. Continue to the Archbasilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome’s oldest papal basilica, famous for its stunning interior and historic baptistery. End at the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs), a site of deep devotion believed to come from Pontius Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem. With your private guide, enjoy a flexible and personal journey through Rome’s sacred past. ✨ Book now to experience history, faith, and art on this unique Sacred Rome Private Tour.
What's included
Included
- Professional licensed tour guide
- Admission tickets to Basilica of San Clemente
- Headsets (if needed for clarity)
- Private guided tour of San Clemente, San Giovanni in Laterano & Scala Santa
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transportation between sites
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities (optional)
What you'll see and do
Basilica of San Clemente
The Basilica of San Clemente in Rome offers visitors a unique journey through history. The church is known for its three-tiered structure, with the current 12th-century basilica sitting above an earlier 4th-century church. Beneath that, visitors can explore a 1st-century Roman house and a Mithraic temple. The basilica is rich in medieval frescoes, mosaics, and stunning architectural details, offering a fascinating glimpse into Rome's layered past.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, one of Rome's four papal basilicas, is a major historical and religious landmark. Visitors can admire its grand architecture, including the impressive façade and the beautiful interior with its vast nave, adorned with stunning mosaics. The basilica houses the papal altar and the Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta), which are believed to have been climbed by Jesus during his trial before Pontius Pilate. The basilica also contains the tombs of several popes, making it a significant site for both art and history enthusiasts.
75 minutes here · Admission included
Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs
The Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) in Rome is a sacred site for Christian pilgrims. These 28 marble steps are believed to be the very stairs that Jesus ascended during his trial before Pontius Pilate. The stairs are located next to the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano and are traditionally climbed on the knees by visitors as an act of devotion. The steps are enclosed in a wooden structure to protect them, and visitors can also view beautiful frescoes that adorn the walls. The Scala Santa offers a deeply spiritual experience, rich in religious history.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano
Stroll through the square surrounding the basilica and take in the atmosphere of one of Rome’s most spiritual areas
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Rome
The meeting point will be in our office located in front of the Ludus Magnus site. .
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The end of the tour will be in the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs, P.za di San Giovanni in Laterano
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Gladiator Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wanna go? Just not with them!
Warning to everybody!! We book our trip via Viator around 2 weeks before we had to go. We planned our trip to Rome around going specific places, so every single day was on a schedule. The day before they cancel our booking with less the 24 hours before going. No reason, no explaination, no communication and no care
Response from the operator: Hi, I'm sorry to read these words because we always notify via email or WhatsApp, if the tour has been cancelled it is because for security reasons they closed the Colosseum, these facts do not depend on us and I repeat we always send communication via the channels you indicate when you book
via Tripadvisor
Most rewarding. My guide...
Most rewarding. My guide was the best. Very knowledgeable and happy to share and answer any question.
Response from the operator: thank you so much for your words
via Viator
Guide was very slow, very...
Guide was very slow, very boring and many people left the group. Also only saw min parts of the monument and no tour of the forum
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you experienced with your booking.
via Viator
Wonderful
I would recomend Radu Pislaru as the best guide at Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Thank you for this wonderful experience.
Response from the operator: Thanks for your feedback. Greetings
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Giovanna
Giovanna was amazing it was a Single Tour and i real learned a lot. She was explaining in detail the history of the colloseum even I knew about the other areas a lot after doing the tour. 5 stars thanks Giovanna might you be always so happy and bubbly.
Response from the operator: Thanks for the review. We're glad to hear that you liked our services. We're so happy that you enjoyed your tour with Giovanna, one of our best guides.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $100 to $300
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rome.
How much does Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa cost?
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Prices start at $100 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rome usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa take?
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Plan for about 3.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rome is not rushed.
Is Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Rome, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rome can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rome and add a light layer if any part of the 3.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Churches Tour San Clemente and San Giovanni & Scala Santa start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rome within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Rome?
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Rome runs on skip-the-line access. The Colosseum underground, the Vatican before opening, and the catacombs south of the walls all require a licensed operator, and the price gap between the good ones and the rest is smaller than you would expect. We rank by guide credentials, group size and how reliably the promised access actually materialises. On Outty we rank every Rome experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Rome Pasta and Tiramisu Class: Ravioli, Fettuccine & Fine Wine 5*, Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome, Rome: Pizza & Tiramisu or Gelato Class with Flowing Fine Wine 5*. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Rome?
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April, May, September and October. August is hot and half the city is shut. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Rome?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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