St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket
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September 2026
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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
3.0/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket worth booking?
St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket is a 2-hour experience in Rome, Italy, from $52 per person. It scores 46 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 46 / 100
- Rating
- 3/5 (6)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $52 per person
The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore has dominated the city of Rome for sixteen centuries: an excellent Marian temple and cradle of artistic civilization. Located on the top of the Esquiline Hill, it is one of the
What you get
About this experience
The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore has dominated the city of Rome for sixteen centuries: an excellent Marian temple and cradle of artistic civilization. Located on the top of the Esquiline Hill, it is one of the four Papal Basilicas of Rome. According to tradition, the Virgin indicated and inspired the construction of her home on the Esquiline. The numerous treasures it contains make Santa Maria Maggiore a place where art and spirituality come together in a perfect union. Admire the tomb of the Bernini family, the Baptistery, the Holy Door and many other masterpieces. Discover number of facts about the pontiffs: Pope Francis places his apostolic journeys under the protection of the Salus Populi Romani, which he usually visits before departure and after his return. Discover the astonishing treasures of the Basilica: the visit to the archaeological area reveals the fascinating underground world of the most important Marian shrine in the West.
What's included
Included
- Admission fees
- Official audioguide of the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major (ITA; ENG; SPA; FR; GER)
- Admission fees
- Assistance from Touristation staff at the meeting point, in front of Basilica entrance near fountain
- Entry to the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major (free entrance)
Not included
- Private transportation
- Guided tour of the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major
What you'll see and do
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore has stood on Rome’s Esquiline Hill for sixteen centuries. A major Marian shrine and cradle of art, it’s one of the city’s four Papal Basilicas. Tradition says the Virgin Mary inspired its location. Inside, art and faith merge: admire the Bernini family tomb, the Baptistery, the Holy Door, and more. Pope Francis entrusts his travels to the icon of Salus Populi Romani, praying here before and after each journey. On a guided tour, explore the archaeological area beneath the Basilica—Imperial-era halls, mosaics, frescoes, ancient tiles, and a rare agricultural calendar painting reveal a hidden past.
Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore 42, Rome, 00185, Italy
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore · Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore 42, Rome, 00185, Italy
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 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- TOURISTATION
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For safety reasons, this activity cannot be booked for children under the age of 7.
- Please note that the meeting point is located right in front of the Basilica entrance, near the fountain.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A must-visit
I was there this afternoon with my family, and it is impressive, free of charge, you don't have to go through access controls, and you need to have your shoulders covered, although at the entrance, there are reusable shawl-type scarves available for you to use. There you will find the tomb of Pope Francis, where he wished to be buried, and the relic of the manger of baby Jesus. It is definitely worth visiting.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
St maria Maggiore tour
Not sure who viator used for this tour but when we got to meeting point, guide offered a different tour. Said my tour was sold out, even though I booked months in advance. Awful customer service, customer be ware.
via Viator
Incredible
The visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was really impressive. I went alone because I had so much curiosity and above all to leave a flower to Father Francis. We had booked with Touristation and didn't think of anything as we were greeted by a very nice staff girl who. I waited outside the Basilica to accompany us inside and help us with access to the dome and the collection of the audio guide. He explained with great courtesy how the audio guide service works and guided us to the starting point of the visit to the dome. The interior of the Basilica is magnificent — The audio guide is clear and well made, perfect for understanding every artistic and architectural detail. The ascent to the dome is one of the most beautiful moments: a little effort, but the view of Rome pays off completely. We then left a flower at the Tomb of Pope Francis. In summary, a must-see place, made even more pleasant by the organization and courtesy of the staff.
Response from the operator: Gentile Cliente, Grazie per aver dedicato del tempo a condividere la tua esperienza con noi. La soddisfazione del cliente è la massima priorità di Touristation e apprezziamo profondamente il tuo feedback costruttivo, che ci aiuta a migliorare i nostri servizi. Speriamo di poterti assistere nuovamente in futuro. Cordiali saluti, Touristation Customer Service
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Between Faith and Wonder
I brought foreign guests to visit this Basilica made even more impressive by the presence of the tomb of Pope Francis. A unique place in Rome also for visiting the dome. The tour operator assisted perfectly. Council to the Outside the usual itinerary
Response from the operator: Gentile Cliente, La ringraziamo sinceramente per aver condiviso il suo feedback con noi! Siamo lieti di sapere che ha avuto un'esperienza positiva e non vediamo l'ora di accoglierla di nuovo in futuro. Cordiali saluti, Touristation Customer Service
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Go without tour
I would not book a tour for this. The gal that met us for the tour was working above and beyond for us but it was a sloppy mess. Beautiful church. Go spend time. Don't need a headset tour. Things r marked. Get ticket for downstairs.
Response from the operator: Dear Mark, Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced and want to assure you that we are committed to resolving the issue. To assist you further, please feel free to contact us via email at info@touristation.it . At Touristation, customer satisfaction is our highest priority, and we are confident that your next experience with us will be a fully positive one. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and look forward to assisting you again in the future. Best regards, Touristation Customer Service
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 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
- $52 to $65
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 46
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rome.
How much does St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket cost?
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Prices start at $52 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 St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket take?
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Plan for about 2 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 St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 46 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3/5 across 6 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 St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket?
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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 St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket?
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Around 2 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does St Mary’s Basilica: Pope Francis Tomb, Dome and Crypt Ticket 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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