
VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 27 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option worth booking?
VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option is a 1-hour experience in Rome, Italy, from $129 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 27 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (27)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $129 per person
Experience an exclusive after-hours journey through Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome's cherished papal basilicas. Enjoy rare access to areas typically closed to the public, including Bernini's spiral staircase, the Logg
What you get
About this experience
Experience an exclusive after-hours journey through Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome's cherished papal basilicas. Enjoy rare access to areas typically closed to the public, including Bernini's spiral staircase, the Loggia with shimmering golden mosaics, the Hall of the Popes, and rooftop terraces offering panoramic views of Rome's skyline and the basilica's towering 275-foot bell tower. Inside, discover the sacred Holy Door, the revered Manger relics in a crystal reliquary beneath the altar, papal tombs, and a gilded ceiling crafted with gold from the New World. Admire breathtaking mosaics from the 5th and 14th centuries, portraying Mary as Queen of Heaven. This intimate tour provides a rare opportunity to explore one of Rome's most iconic churches, free from crowds and illuminated in serene, nighttime splendor.
What's included
Included
- Bernini’s Tomb
- Mosaics and Ceiling
- Exclusive Small Group of 6 people
- Loggia Mosaics
- Special Access after public closure
- Highlights of the Basilica
- Hall of the Popes
- Relics of the Manger and Saint Jerome
- Sistine Chapel
- Bernini’s Staircase
- Rooftop Terraces
- Paulina Bonaparte’s Tomb
- Top rated Expert Guide
- Icon of the Salus Populi Romani
- Borghese Chapel
What you'll see and do
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Loggia Mosaics Hall of the Popes Rooftop Terraces Bernini’s Staircase Icon of the Salus Populi Romani Paulina Bonaparte’s Tomb Bernini’s Tomb Relics of the Manger and Saint Jerome
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Rome
In front of the fountain beneath the “Column of Peace,” in Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
In front of the fountain beneath the “Column of Peace,” in Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore.
Options you can book
Semi-Private Option
Private Tour UPGRADE
Private Tour: An expert guide for your group only
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
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- LivTours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour is wheelchair accessible, but not for all places during the tour. There is an elevator to the Loggia level but nothing to the Terrace level. There is partial accessibility—a person in a wheelchair could visit the Basilica main level, the Loggia, and the Room of the Popes but could not access the terrace level at all. They would experience the "alone" feeling of the Basilica but would have to wait while the rest of the tour went to the terrace level.
- 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.
- Please note: For safety reasons, children under 7 years old are not permitted on the terraces, and therefore, we are unable to accept bookings for guests with children under 7 years old. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
- The minimum number required is 2 travelers.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 27 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
27 verified traveler reviews for VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fabulous private tour!
Such an amazing tour to be in this incredible basilica with no one else. Chiara (Whisky) was an excellent guide - so knowledgeable and personable and pointed out all the important things. I highly recommend this tour!
via Tripadvisor
A highlight of our trip
We took this tour with Valentina, combined with the catacomb tour. Valentina was wonderful. It was our favorite basilica visit in Rome. Being nearly alone there was indescribable, as was looking out over the city from the roof and the terrace. 10/10 recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic tour
Thank you so much Tiffany for a fantastic tour. We appreciated your knowledge and insights and it was great to have the experience of SM Maggiore after hours. Grazie mille
via Tripadvisor
A big yes!
I absolutely loved the experience! Santa Maria Maggiore is breathtaking and Chiara was knowledgeable, fun and patient.
via Tripadvisor
Brando was very...
Brando was very knowledgeable. Meeting place was easy and convenient. Very interesting and beautiful church. Was able to pay respect to Pope Francis.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat
- Price range
- $129 to $160
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rome.
How much does VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option cost?
+
Prices start at $129 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 VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option take?
+
Plan for about 1 hour 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 VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 27 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 VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option?
+
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 VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option?
+
Around 9 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 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option 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 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?
+
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.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for VIP After-hours Tour of Santa Maria Maggiore with Private Option.
Pick your date




