The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major is one of Rome’s four papal basilicas, in the Esquilino area near Termini station. Its free-entry basilica and ticketed Polo Museale offer different ways to visit, so check the details before you set out.
- Location: Via Liberiana 27, 00185 Rome.
- Area: Esquilino, near Termini station.
- Basilica admission: Free.
- Polo Museale: Ticket required.
Where is the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major?
The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major is at Via Liberiana 27 in Rome’s Esquilino area, close to Termini station. Its location makes it possible to include a basilica visit while spending time around the station district.
The Diocese of Rome also displays Piazza S. Giovanni in Laterano 6 under a separate address heading. If you plan to use that address, confirm the intended visitor entrance first.
A one-day Rome route from Termini to the historic centre can help you place the basilica within a wider day on foot.
What can you visit at the basilica?
The basilica’s visitor offerings include the church and the separate Polo Museale. The museum area brings together the Liberian Historical Museum, Loggia delle Benedizioni, Hall of Popes, Bernini’s staircase and an archaeological area.
Entry to the basilica is free, while visits to the Polo Museale require a ticket. You can buy Polo Museale tickets at the reception desk beneath the portico or reserve by emailing visitemuseo.smm@basilica.va.
How do you plan a visit near Termini?
Start by deciding whether you want to see the basilica alone or add the ticketed museum area. The Esquilino location near Termini makes the visit easy to fit into time spent around the station district, and the basilica is about an eight-minute walk from Toffa Place In Rome.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 7:00–18:30
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Audio guides are available at the reception desk in Italian, English, Spanish, German and French. Guided visits of the basilica or archaeological area with an official Vatican Museums guide can be reserved through the basilica’s visitor page.
If you are planning time around the station as well, this guide to Termini and its neighbourhood covers the area.
What are the opening times and access rules?
The basilica is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with last entry between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The Polo Museale is open Monday–Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with last entry between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Sunday hours are 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with last entry at 5:00 p.m. Check the official site before you go, as the published hours differ.
Groups of eight or more receiving a guided explanation inside the basilica or Polo Museale must use radio headsets supplied through the basilica’s operator. The published rental cost is €1.50 per device; confirm the current arrangements before your visit.
How can you fit the basilica into a Rome itinerary?
Because the basilica is near Termini, you can pair the visit with time in the station neighbourhood. If your plans include another museum stop, Palazzo Massimo’s museum collections offer a separate focus in Rome.
FAQs
Is entry to the basilica free?
Yes. Entry to the basilica is free. The Polo Museale requires a ticket.
Where is the basilica?
Its address is Via Liberiana 27, 00185 Rome, in the Esquilino area near Termini station.
Can you take an audio guide?
Audio guides are available at the reception desk in Italian, English, Spanish, German and French.
Do the published opening hours agree?
Open daily. No. The published hours differ, so check the official site before visiting.