Vatican Basilicas & Pope Francis Tomb Semi-Private Guided Tour

About this experience

Book the Vatican Basilicas and Pope Francis Tomb tour in Rome This semi-private guided tour takes you to three of Rome's four major papal basilicas in about three hours: Santa Maria Maggiore, Saint Paul Outside the Walls and Saint John in Lateran, ending with a visit to the Scala Sancta. Groups are capped at 7 guests, an English-speaking guide leads every stop, and a private vehicle carries you between basilicas that sit far apart across the city, so you spend your time inside the churches rather than in traffic. Skip-the-line entry is included at all three basilicas, and there is free time at each stop to pray, reflect or look around on your own. The name can be confusing, so it helps to know what you are booking. These basilicas are extraterritorial properties of the Holy See, but they stand in Rome itself, not inside Vatican City. The tour does not include St. Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums. If you also want those, look at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel skip-the-line tour or the St. Peter's Basilica and necropolis tour. What you see on the tour Santa Maria Maggiore: one of the oldest churches in Rome dedicated to Mary, with fifth-century mosaics along the nave and on the triumphal arch. Pope Francis chose to be buried here, and his simple tomb, marked with the single word Franciscus, is the reason many visitors book this tour. Saint Paul Outside the Walls: a vast basilica built over the tomb of Saint Paul the Apostle. Look up at the long row of mosaic portrait medallions of the popes that runs around the church. Saint John in Lateran: the cathedral of Rome and the seat of the Pope as Bishop of Rome. Your guide points out the Cosmatesque marble floor and the Gothic baldachin above the papal altar. Scala Sancta: the Holy Stairs across the square from Saint John in Lateran. Tradition holds that Christ climbed these 28 steps before his trial, and pilgrims still climb them on their knees. The order of the stops can change on the day because of services and religious events, but the tour still covers all four sites. Good to know before you go The tour meets in front of Santa Maria Maggiore on Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your start time and show your voucher on your phone together with a valid photo ID that matches the booking name. All three basilicas are working churches with security screening at the entrance, so allow a few extra minutes at each stop and leave large luggage at your hotel, as big bags may be refused. A strict dress code applies: shoulders and knees must be covered, and sleeveless tops, short skirts and revealing clothing are not allowed inside. A light scarf is an easy fix on warm days. Some areas have limited access for wheelchair users because of the historic buildings. Hotel pick-up and drop-off, food and drinks are not included. How to buy tickets and cancellation Choose your date and start time on VervTrip, book your tickets and your voucher arrives by email with the meeting point details. Free cancellation is available up to 48 hours before the start time, with a full refund. After that, the booking cannot be cancelled. If you are planning more of the city, browse other Rome attractions and tours on VervTrip.

Highlights

• Visit three of Rome's four major papal basilicas on one semi-private tour, with no more than 7 guests
• See the tomb of Pope Francis in Santa Maria Maggiore
• Skip the line at Santa Maria Maggiore, Saint Paul Outside the Walls and Saint John in Lateran
• Travel between the basilicas by private vehicle, with free time at each stop
• Finish at the Scala Sancta, the Holy Stairs opposite Saint John in Lateran

What is included

• Guided tour with skip-the-line entry to Santa Maria Maggiore
• Guided tour with skip-the-line entry to Saint Paul Outside the Walls
• Guided tour with skip-the-line entry to Saint John in Lateran
• Access to Scala Sancta
• Group of up to 7 guests (max)
• Expert English-speaking guide
• Luxury vehicle transfers between sites
• Free time for reflection

Not included

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Food and beverages

Before you go

Meeting point and arrival Meet your guide in front of Santa Maria Maggiore on Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your start time and bring your voucher on your phone and a valid photo ID that matches the booking name. Inside the basilicas Security screening takes place at each basilica, so allow a few extra minutes at every entrance. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Sleeveless tops, short skirts and revealing clothing are not allowed. Large luggage and oversized bags may be refused at the entrance. Some areas have limited wheelchair access because of the historic buildings. The order of the stops may change because of services and religious events.

Cancellation terms

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time, with a full refund. After that, the booking cannot be cancelled.