Rome isn’t called the Eternal City for nothing. Beyond the Colosseum and ancient forums, there’s another side to Rome that will absolutely take your breath away: it’s churches.
Here’s the thing about churches in Rome Italy that nobody tells you before you visit: they’re not just places of worship. They’re living museums, architectural marvels, and time capsules all rolled into one. Where else can you stand inside a 1,700-year-old Roman bathhouse that Michelangelo transformed into a church? Or see three Caravaggio masterpieces in their original location?
The best part? Most are completely free to enter, making them accessible treasures hiding in plain sight throughout the city.
Rome has over 900 churches. Yes, you read that right. Whether you’re an art history buff, a spiritual seeker, an architecture enthusiast, or just someone who wants to experience Rome beyond the crowded tourist traps, I’ve got you covered. We’ll explore the churches that made me fall in love with Rome, from the famous basilicas to hidden gems tucked away in quiet piazzas.
What to be aware of before visiting the churches in Rome Italy
Before we dive into the stunning churches in Rome Italy, we have to talk about etiquette. Churches are holy places and therefore have lots of unwritten (and very written) rules!
Opening times: Remember to always check opening hours. Most churches in Rome open around 7-9am and close between 12-1pm for a midday break. Some churches close entirely on Mondays, and Sunday and holiday hours may also be more limited.
Mass times: which brings us to the topic of mass. Tourists should NOT enter or wander around during Mass unless participating in the service. Anyone can attend mass, but that also means being respectful; sit quietly, stand/sit/kneel when congregants do, and dress appropriately. Photography is generally not allowed during services.
Morning Masses are typically around 7-9am and evening Masses are usually around 6-7pm. Sunday Masses are the biggest and often around 10-11am but major basilicas may have multiple Masses throughout the day.
Dress code: Remember that churches require shoulders to be covered to enter. While there isn’t usually anyone there monitoring this, it is a sign of respect to dress appropriately. Tops that expose your chest or stomach are not forbidden but not very respectful either, so avoid those.
This applies year-round, even in summer heat, which can be quite intense in Rome, so a good tip is to carry a light scarf to cover your shoulders if needed.
Map of churches in Rome Italy
Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli
One of the most historically significant churches in Rome Italy
The church sits at the highest point of the Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio), adjacent to the Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo. You can reach it by climbing a steep staircase of 124 marble steps built in 1348.
Though the facade of the church is relatively plain, its interior is richly decorated with 22 ancient Roman columns (no two alike), all from various classical buildings. This church truly combines ancient Roman history, medieval legend, Renaissance art, and living religious tradition in the very heart of Rome.
Opening hours: 9am-12pm; 3pm-6.30pm
Address: Scala dell’Arce Capitolina, 12, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Entry: free
Religious order: Franciscan
Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels (and the Martyrs)
One of the most unusual churches in Rome Italy
The church was created in 1563-1566 by Michelangelo (one of his final works when he was in his 80’s) by converting the frigidarium (cold bath hall) of the ancient Baths of Diocletian. This makes it one of the most remarkable examples of Renaissance architecture adapting ancient Roman ruins – you’re literally standing inside a 1,700-year-old bathhouse!
I only got here just before closing time, so I had a rushed visited, but it’s a must-visit for anyone interested in Rome’s layered history and how the city constantly reinvented itself by building upon its past.
Opening hours: 8am-1pm; 4pm-7pm
Address: Piazza della Trinità dei Pellegrini, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Entry: free
Religious order: Carthusian
Santissima trinità dei pellegrini (Most Holy Trinity of the Pilgrims)
One of the most charitable churches in Rome Italy
The church is located in the heart of Rome’s historic center, near Campo de’ Fiori and was founded in 1548 by St. Philip Neri (the same saint associated with Chiesa Nuova). The church’s defining characteristic was its charitable mission as it was specifically built to house and care for pilgrims visiting Rome.
The church represents the spirit of Counter-Reformation Rome, and is a reminder that Rome’s churches weren’t just about grand architecture and art, but also about practical Christian service.
Opening hours: 7am – 7.30pm
Address: Piazza della Trinità dei Pellegrini, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Entry: free
Religious order: Oratorians
Basilica of Saint Mary Sopra Minerva
One of the most significant churches in Rome Italy
Located near the Pantheon in Rome’s historic center, this church gets its unusual name from being built over the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. “Sopra Minerva” literally means “above Minerva.”
The Basilica of Saint Mary Sopra Minerva was built in the 13th century and is one of the rare examples of Gothic architecture in Rome, a city dominated by Baroque and Renaissance styles, but is particularly known for its blue, star-painted ceiling.
Opening hours: 10:30 am–1 pm; 2pm–7:30 pm
Address: Piazza della Minerva, 42, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Entry: free
Religious order: Dominican order
Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle
One of the most magnificent Baroque churches in Rome Italy
Known for its impressive dome (which is the third-largest dome in Rome after St. Peter’s and the Pantheon), this is one of the most impressive churches in Rome italy.
Construction started in 1591 but the impressive two-story Baroque facade wasn’t complete until 1665.
Hidden gem: many visit Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola because of the famous mirror picture, but did you know that Basilica of Sant’Andrea Della Valle also have a mirror? The best part… it’s free to use!
Opening hours: 8:30 am–7 pm
Address: Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Entry: free
Religious order: Theatine order
Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola
The most instagram famous of the churches in Rome Italy
Located on Piazza di Sant’Ignazio, between the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. The piazza itself is a beautiful Rococo space designed to showcase the Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola‘s facade.
The church is famous for its breathtaking illusionistic ceiling fresco “Apotheosis of St. Ignatius” (1685-1694). There’s a mirror on the floor beneath the fresco, and by paying €2, you can turn on a spotlight illuminating the fresco and creating a beautiful picture.
Another noticeable feature is its fake dome which appears completely real from the correct viewing point below.
Opening hours: 9 am–11:30 pm
Address: Piazza S. Ignazio, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Entry: free (a picture in the mirror cost €2)
Religious order: Jesuits
San Luigi dei Francesi
The French national church in Rome
This Church was completed in 1589 and is one of the city’s most important artistic destinations, primarily because it houses three paintings depicting the life of St. Matthew (1599-1600) by Caravaggio.
Be aware that it’s a small church with a lot of visitors, so it may feel very crowded at times.
Opening hours: 11:30 am–12:45 pm; 2:30pm–6:30 pm
Address: Piazza di S. Luigi de’ Francesi, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Entry: free
Religious order: French national church
Santa Maria in Vallicella
One of the pink churches in Rome Italy
This is one of the most beautiful churches in Rome in my opinion. Unfortunately a mass just started when I went to visit, so I didn’t get to spend very much time here, but you can easily stay for a long time, enjoying all the art and frescoes.
The church is closely associated with St. Philip Neri, a beloved Roman saint known for his joyful spirituality and founding of the Oratorian order. His rooms and personal quarters adjacent to the church can sometimes be visited, and he is also buried in the church.
Opening hours: 9 am–1 pm; 5pm–8 pm
Address: V. del Governo Vecchio, 134, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Entry: free
Religious order: Oratorians
St. Peter’s Basilica
The home of all churches in Rome Italy
The home of the catholic church and the largest church in the world is to be found at Vatican City in Rome. No less than five different architects worked on the design, of which Michelangelo is the best known.
The Original St. Peter’s Basilica was built in the 4th century on the burial site of St. Peter. The current Papal Altar is located directly above the Saint’s tomb.There are more than 100 tombs in the St. Peter’s Basilica, of which 91 belong to former popes. If you want to see the relics of Saint Peter, you have to access the crypt! (Anyone can visit the tomb through the Basilica, during its opening hours between 7am – 6.30 pm).
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica
Just as every other church in Rome, it’s completely free to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. However, if you have limited time in Rome I’d recommend you book a priority ticket with a fast track access to enter the basilica, as it’s one of the world’s most famous churches, which comes with a long wait. The same goes for the Vatican Museum.
Access to the dome
One of the first things you notice when looking at St. Peter’s Basilica is its huge dome with a height of 136 meters and an internal diameter of 42 meters. If you’d like, you can climb 550 steps into the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica for stunning views of St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City and Rome. However the passageways are very narrow and very crowded, so you need a little stamina and a lot of patience, but it’s definitely worth it.
You do need to buy a ticket in order to climb the dome. There’s two options: with or without elevator access. Read more here
Tips for visiting St. Peter’s Basilica
- Make sure you wear appropriate clothing. This includes covering your shoulders and knees. Tops that expose your chest or stomach are strictly forbidden.
- Don’t take pictures in the crypt
- You’ll have to pass security checks including metal detectors and x-ray scanners to get into either St. Peter’s Basilica or the Vatican Museums. So obviously don’t bring sharp objects etc.
- It is customary for pilgrims visiting the church to touch (or kiss) the bronze statue of Saint Peter’s feet. This tradition is so ancient that millions of people must have touched the statue over the course of at least 800 years – that’s why Saint Peter’s foot seems strangely flat and thin. You don’t have to be religious to touch the foot, but you do have to be patient as there’s lot of people waiting to do the same thing.
- Set aside a minimum of 2 hours to visit the Basilica (ex. Queue time)
Opening hours: 7am to 7pm
Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Entry: free
Religious order: catholic
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