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The Best Churches in Rome Private Tour with Guide

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$180.85 /person
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About the activity

Follow the path of the apostle Paul and the early Christians through ancient Rome and visit the Church of St. Clement and San Pietro in Vincoli.

  • Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
  • Instant confirmation & Mobile tickets
    Receive your ticket right away. Use your phone or print your voucher.
  • Private tour
    Avoid crowds with an exclusive experience.
  • Live guiding
    English, French, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish
  • Duration
    2-4 hours
  • Includes
    • Private Walking Tour of Top-ranked Churches of Rome (number of attractions depends on the option selected)
    • 5-Star Licensed Guide who is fluent in the language of your choice
    • Free entry to the Basilica of St. Clement and San Pietro in Vincoli (all options)
    • Free entry to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (3 and 4-hour options only)
    • Free entry to the Archbasilica of St. John in Lateran (4-hour option only)
    • Free entry to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (in 2-hour option)
    • Free entry to the Archbasilica of St. John in Lateran (in 2 and 3-hour options)
    • Tickets to the archeological site of St. Clement
Highlights & Description

Highlights

  • Explore Rome’s Old Town with a 5-Star Expert Guide
  • See ancient churches and learn the history of early Christianity
  • Visit the Church of St. Clement and San Pietro in Vincoli
  • Admire sacred art in the Pontifical Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore(3- and 4-h)
  • Discover the secrets of the Archbasilica of St. John in Lateran (4-hour tour)

Description

Rome is home to more than 900 churches, including the 4 highest-ranking Catholic churches in the world. On this exclusive church tour you will visit the most beautiful and historically significant places of worship and pilgrimage in the Eternal City. Immerse yourself in the history of early Christianity with an Expert Guide!

Book a 2-hour tour to explore the Old Town and visit 2 ancient Roman churches. Your Private Guide will meet you in front of the magnificent Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s 4 major papal basilicas. Immerse yourself in the history of the Roman Catholic Church as you explore the historic center of Rome. You will visit San Pietro in Vincoli, a minor basilica built in the 5th century, where you will see the famous sculpture of Moses by Michelangelo and hear the legend of the chains that bound Saint Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem.

The tour will pass by the remains of Emperor Nero’s grand villa and the monumental Colosseum, where about 3000 Christian martyrs were killed during the Great Persecution. The guide will take you inside the Basilica of St. Clement, which is one of the most richly adorned churches in town. You will admire its medieval mosaics with Byzantine motifs, wooden ceiling, frescos, antique columns and more as you listen to the history of the ancient church that was built here on the site of a private home that was used for clandestine Christian worship in the 1st century. Enjoy this unique experience and discover how Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire!

Book a 3-hour tour to visit the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, St, Clement and Santa Maria Maggiore. The Major Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, so it’s a must-see, especially if you’re interested in the topic of Catholic Mariology. Inside this magnificent church you will see Salus Populi Romani - the oldest Marian image in Rome, stunning 5th century mosaics depicting Old Testament events, and other works of art.

Book a 4-hour tour to visit 4 churches in Rome: the Archbasilica of St. John in Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Pietro in Vincoli and St, Clement. The Lateran Basilica is the oldest and highest ranking of the four major papal basilicas, outranking even the larger and more famous St. Peter's Basilica. Inside, you will discover rare paintings that reflect the ancient mysteries of the Paleo-christian tradition, 12 statues of the Apostles, 6 papal tombs, and a wood fragment that belongs to the table where Jesus had the Last Supper. You will also hear the legend about the ancient Holy Stairs and the Lateranense Palace, which served as the papal home from the 4th to 14th centuries.

Good to know before you go
  • Please check your email the day before the tour for important information.
  • Please note that the admission to Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Archbasilica of St. John in Lateran is not included in a 2-hour tour.
  • Admission to churches during masses and scheduled events are limited, therefore the guide may provide all the information outside.
  • The Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli is open every day from 8 AM to 12:30 PM, 3PM to 7PM.
  • The Basilica of St. Clement is open every day from 9:45 AM to 12:30 PM, 3 PM to 5:30 PM. Free admission is only for the main church, entrance fee to other parts is not included.
  • Whispers will be provided for groups larger than 8 inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
  • 2- and 3-hour tours: For the best experience, we will limit the group size to 1-25 guests per guide.
  • 4-hour tour: Due to regulations inside the Archbasilica of St. John in Lateran, 1 can lead 1-9 people. We can arrange additional guides for larger groups.
Meeting point

2-hour: San Pietro & St. Clement

3-hour: San Pietro, St. Clement & Santa Maria Maggiore

4-hour: San Pietro, St. Clement, Santa Maria & St. John

Reviews & Ratings

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cancellation policy for this activity?
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
2. When will I receive the confirmation of my booking?
You will receive an email notification right after your successful payment. If you don't see it in your inbox, check your spam or junk mail folder. When the payment is completed you have the option to download your ticket directly.
3. What is a private tour?
Private tours offer more advantages and benefits than regular tours. You will have your own private guide for the duration of the tour. You can also customize the itinerary to your specific interests and needs.
4. Are mobile tickets enough or do I have to print them?
Tickets don't need to be printed. You can show your ticket from your smartphone as a PDF.
  • Participant
    0-99 years
December 2025
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