from
$707
Rome's 4 Sacred Basilicas: Private Guided Tour with Premium Transport
See Michelangelo's Moses, the Holy Stairs, and St. Peter's chains with an expert historian
What's included
Trace ancient papal history effortlessly
Expert English-speaking guide
Hotel pickup & drop-off in central Rome
Premium round-trip vehicle transport
Timed entry tickets to the basilicas
Historic St. Paul basilica entry and tour
Iconic St. John Lateran entry and tour
Santa Maria Maggiore entry and tour
St. Peter in Chains entry and tour
Private group experience
Guide tips
St. Peter's Basilica
Itinerary
Transportation Included
Skip the Line
Your tour begins at your accommodation
Meet your professional driver and expert guide at your central Rome hotel lobby in a luxury climate-controlled vehicle to begin a seamless, personalized journey through Christian history.
Uncover the legacy of St. Paul
The first stop brings you to the fourth-century Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the second largest church in Rome. Stand over the burial site of the apostle and admire the stunning thirteenth-century altar mosaics while your guide explains the medieval architecture.
Stand before the seat of the Pope
Next, visit the Arch-Basilica of St. John Lateran, the highest-ranked Catholic church in the world. Explore the grand nave, see the fourteenth-century baldacchino by Arnolfo di Cambio, and view the monumental 300-ton Lateran Obelisk standing just outside.
Ascend the sacred Holy Stairs
Then, step inside the building opposite the arch-basilica to view the Scala Sancta. Learn the history of these ancient marble steps, which were brought from Jerusalem in 1589, and view the exclusive Sancta Sanctorum papal chapel.
Explore the largest Marian church
Your tour continues to the fourth-century Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, an architectural marvel built on the Esquiline Hill. View the oldest surviving Byzantine icons of the Virgin Mary, the legendary Holy Crib relics, and the final resting place of the sculptor Bernini.
Behold masterpieces in stone
Finally, drive to the fifth-century minor Basilica of St. Peter in Chains. View the historic iron links that bound the apostle during his imprisonment and stand before the monumental Moses sculpture carved by Michelangelo.
Your tour finishes at St. Peter in Chains
The experience concludes inside this historic sanctuary in central Rome. Your driver can return you directly to your hotel or your guide can recommend excellent nearby local restaurants for lunch depending on your preference.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Select participants and date
Start times are in the product’s local time
Free cancellation up to 7 days in advance!
Wed, 23 Sep 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
Important Details
Discover what to expect, what’s included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Dress Code: Since the basilicas on this tour are sacred places, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be refused entry. We understand that summers in Rome are hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
Accessibility: As this is a private tour, the itinerary can be accommodated to be wheelchair or mobility accessible. Please reach out to us after making the booking, to make the proper arrangements.
Tour adjustments: The itinerary of a private tour can be adjusted to your needs. Please reach out if you do not see a start time that fits for your party. We would be happy to check with our ticketing team to see if we can accommodate you.
Please note: This tour does not include St. Peter’s Basilica
Check-in: Please be ready 10 minutes early before pick-up, so your group can enter sites on time.
Your tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Private round-trip transport in a climate-controlled vehicle
Chauffeur service with hotel pickup and drop-off in central Rome
Timed entry tickets to the basilicas
Guided visits to St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore, and St. Peter in Chains
Private group experience
What to bring:
Government-issued ID
Modest attire (shoulders and knees covered)
Comfortable walking shoes
Water bottle
Camera
See what people are saying
4.97
116 Ratings
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Awesome experience!
Bill W.
May 23, 2026
My wife and I booked the 4 Sacred Badilica tour because we saw St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican on a previous trip to Rome. We had an incredible experience visiting the other three main Basilicas and viewing the awe inspiring relics at each one! Our driver Marco was on time and was very friendly and helpful and our tour guide Sylvia had a vast understanding of all of the Basilicas and made our trip special with her ability to bring the tour to life! We would highly recommend this tour and The Tour Guy if you are looking for a unique experience in Rome!
Well worth it!
Ted P.
May 08, 2026
Atilla was a great guide and pointed out all the details that we would have missed if we were on our own. The walkthroughs were detailed. We saw Peter's chains, Paul's chains, and so much more. Our driver made a brief stop outside the Coliseum as we were driving and we took a few pictures. This was not part of the tour but we were passing by and Atilla said "why not take advantage of the view". If your interested is seeing Basilicas and their histories this is definitely worth it. Note: If you've been on a Vatican tour with the long lines and people packed elbow to elbow, this is much more relaxed with much smaller crowds.
Amazing tour!
Diana W.
January 31, 2026
Our tour guide, Lisa, was amazing! She was a wealth of knowledge and we learned so much! Highly recommend!
Incredible tour, once every 25 years! Delightful guide
Randy B.
January 12, 2026
Our Papal Basilicas tour was exceptional!! Our guide was so sweet and knowledgeable! She made the tour one of our favorite while visiting Rome. We thought we had signed up to see St. Peter's Basilica but it was my oversight and she felt bad and offered to take us to another site. Fortunately, we were able to make it to St. Peter's and pass through the holy door a couple of days later. We will never forget this experience!
Calm Spiritual Discovery
Vivaan K.
December 29, 2025
This was a gentle and enriching way to explore Rome’s religious history, offering insight without overwhelm and allowing space for reflection.
Spiritual Highlights
Vera J.
December 28, 2025
Each basilica offered something unique, from art to atmosphere to history.
Pilgrimage Traditions Explained
Ansel I.
December 25, 2025
The guide clearly explained pilgrimage routes, rituals, and traditions, helping us understand their importance and how pilgrims have experienced Rome for centuries.
Calm Contrast
Sia H.
December 21, 2025
A refreshing change from Rome’s busy streets. Peaceful and enriching.
Sacred Learning Experience
Mordecai G.
December 17, 2025
We learned an incredible amount, yet it never felt like a lecture. The guide kept things engaging, clear, and perfectly suited to the setting.
Guided Grace
Wallace D.
December 12, 2025
Our guide explained complex religious history in a clear, respectful way.
Rome with Reverence
Bowen C.
December 08, 2025
The tour was respectful and thoughtfully structured, honoring the sacred nature of each church while still providing engaging historical and cultural insight.
Winston O.
December 08, 2025
Sacred Spaces
Sutton A.
December 03, 2025
The churches felt alive with history and meaning, not just beautiful buildings.
Five Star experience
Santo F.
December 02, 2025
We considered a Jubilee private tour and couldn’t have been happier. Christiana was incredibly knowledgeable, patient and really made all the difference in our personal experiences. I cannot thank Christiana for sharing all of her knowledge and passion with us. Thank you…
Santo F.
December 01, 2025
True Spiritual Depth
Harvey K.
November 29, 2025
This tour went far beyond surface-level sightseeing. It explored belief, tradition, and purpose, making the experience feel meaningful rather than just informative.
Deep Tradition
Ophelia G.
November 24, 2025
Learning about centuries-old traditions made the visit far more meaningful.
Ruth W.
November 24, 2025
Jubilee Year Context
Atticus B.
November 20, 2025
Understanding the meaning of the Jubilee year added depth to everything we saw. The explanations helped connect traditions, rituals, and history in a clear way.
Quiet Majesty
Emery S.
November 15, 2025
The scale and beauty of the basilicas were breathtaking without feeling overwhelming.
Tour of the Papal Basilicas
Barbara M.
November 14, 2025
This tour is wonderful. Attilia is an exceptional tour guide. She is knowledgeable, fun and very accommodating. We thank her for this excellent experience.
Cosette N.
November 12, 2025
Faithful Footsteps
Calla B.
November 11, 2025
Walking the same paths as pilgrims throughout history was humbling and memorable.
Sharon L.
November 06, 2025
Personal Pilgrimage
Gaia L.
November 06, 2025
Even for non-religious visitors, the experience felt profound and moving.