
Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour worth booking?
Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour is a 2.3-hour experience in Rome, Italy, from €12 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- From
- €12 per person
Discover the Museum of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a unique journey through art, faith, and centuries of Roman history. The Standard Museum Ticket gives access to an extraordinary collection of sacred art and papal treasures, including the Hall of the Popes, the Loggia of Blessings, Bernini’s works, and the Crypt of the Nativity, supported by a multilingual audio guide. Upgrade your visit with the Panoramic Terraces, offering breathtaking 360° views over Rome’s skyline. This experience includes museum access plus accompanied entry to the terraces for one of the city’s most stunning viewpoints. Go deeper with the Underground Experience, an official guided tour beneath the basilica. Explore Roman Imperial-era remains, ancient baths, centuries-old frescoes, and a rare agricultural calendar fresco that reveals daily life in ancient Rome. Three options, one iconic site—choose your ideal way to experience Santa Maria Maggiore.
What you get
About this experience
Discover the Museum of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a unique journey through art, faith, and centuries of Roman history. The Standard Museum Ticket gives access to an extraordinary collection of sacred art and papal treasures, including the Hall of the Popes, the Loggia of Blessings, Bernini’s works, and the Crypt of the Nativity, supported by a multilingual audio guide. Upgrade your visit with the Panoramic Terraces, offering breathtaking 360° views over Rome’s skyline. This experience includes museum access plus accompanied entry to the terraces for one of the city’s most stunning viewpoints. Go deeper with the Underground Experience, an official guided tour beneath the basilica. Explore Roman Imperial-era remains, ancient baths, centuries-old frescoes, and a rare agricultural calendar fresco that reveals daily life in ancient Rome. Three options, one iconic site—choose your ideal way to experience Santa Maria Maggiore.
What's included
Included
- Reserved entrance for pre-booked visitors
- Entry to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
- Access to special areas normally closed to the public
- Audio headset during the Underground Experience (Underground option)
- Accompanied visit to the 360° Panoramic Terraces (Terraces option)
- Entry to the Sala dei Papi
- Entry to the Loggia delle Benedizioni
- Official guided Underground Experience (Underground option)
- Entry to the Museo Liberiano
- Audioguide for Santa Maria Maggiore
- Entry to the Scala del Bernini
Not included
- Meeting point to redeem the tickets
- Children under 7 years old are not permitted to participate (FOR UNDERGROUND AND TERRACE OPTIONS)
What you'll see and do
On the day of your visit, please make your way to the entrance of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, 00185 Rome. Present your booking voucher, either printed or on your smartphone/tablet, to the staff at the Portico reception desk at least 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time. Guests with a valid reservation will benefit from access through the dedicated entrance reserved for booked visitors.
15 minutes here
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four major papal basilicas of Rome. Located on the Esquiline Hill, it preserves an extraordinary artistic and religious heritage, including early Christian mosaics, Renaissance and Baroque chapels and significant relics linked to Catholic tradition. Choose between the Museum Areas, breathtaking 360° Terraces, or a guided Underground Experience
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Rome
There is no meeting point. You will receive your voucher before the visit. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time at the PORTICO, the reserved entrance for pre-booked visitors at the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, and present your voucher to the reception staff.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
There is no meeting point. You will receive your voucher before the visit. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time at the PORTICO, the reserved entrance for pre-booked visitors at the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, and present your voucher to the reception staff.
Options you can book
Museum & Underground Tour
Underground Guided Tour
Museum & Panoramic Terraces
360° Panoramic Terrace Access
Santa Maria Maggiore Museum
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Golden Ticket
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Headphones – please bring your own to use with your phone (FOR THE AUDIOGUIDE OPTION)
Photos





Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Hidden Gem!
Hidden gem that more people should see! We booked the audio guide for self tour and it was wonderful!
Response from the operator: We sincerely appreciate your fantastic feedback! It is always a pleasure to hear that our guests enjoyed their experience. Providing excellent service and making your visit as enjoyable as possible is our priority. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to see you again in beautiful Rome!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- €12 to €40
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Golden Ticket, who run 22 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 51.7.
See everything Golden Ticket runsWhy this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rome.
How much does Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour cost?
+
Prices start at €12 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 Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour take?
+
Plan for about 2.3 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 Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 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 Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour?
+
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 Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour?
+
Around 0 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?
+
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 2.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
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 Pizza & Gelato Class with Wine by Cooking Italy, Rome [4in1] Pasta Making_Tiramisù_Wine Tasting_Secret Cellar, Rome Pasta and Tiramisu Class: Ravioli, Fettuccine & 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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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.
What is included in Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour?
+
Included: Reserved entrance for pre-booked visitors; Entry to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore; Access to special areas normally closed to the public; Audio headset during the Underground Experience (Underground option); and Accompanied visit to the 360° Panoramic Terraces (Terraces option). Not included: Meeting point to redeem the tickets; and Children under 7 years old are not permitted to participate (FOR UNDERGROUND AND TERRACE O. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour?
+
There is no meeting point. You will receive your voucher before the visit. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time at the PORTICO. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour offered in?
+
It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour if the weather is bad?
+
It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Rome. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What booking options are available for Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour?
+
There are 3 options to choose from, including Museum & Underground Tour, Museum & Panoramic Terraces, Santa Maria Maggiore Museum. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Santa Maria Maggiore Museum Terraces and Underground Rome Tour.
Pick your date
![Rome [4in1] Pasta Making_Tiramisù_Wine Tasting_Secret Cellar](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/09/a9/d9/fc.jpg)



