The Lateran Palace Guided Tour

Affordable guided tour of the Lateran Palace in Rome, offering skip-the-line access and a captivating exploration of the papal seat's rich history. Discover the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, Cloister, and Sancta Sanctorum.

The Lateran Palace Guided Tour offers a unique opportunity to explore one of Rome’s most significant historical sites. Priced affordably at $19.59 per person, this small group tour allows visitors to discover the rich heritage of the papal seat, including the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, Cloister, and Sancta Sanctorum. With convenient skip-the-line access, earphones, and wheelchair accessibility, the tour provides an engaging and informative experience for all. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply seeking to uncover the captivating story behind this iconic Roman landmark, this guided tour is sure to leave you intrigued and eager to learn more.

Key Points

  1. The Lateran Palace guided tour offers a 1-hour exploration of the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, Cloister, and Sancta Sanctorum.
  2. The tour costs $19.59 per person and provides skip-the-line access, earphones, and a small group size of up to 5 participants.
  3. The Lateran Palace is located adjacent to the St. John Lateran Basilica and has served as the papal seat for centuries.
  4. The tour is wheelchair accessible, with elevators, ramps, and dedicated areas for wheelchair users, ensuring a comfortable experience.
  5. The tour is available in English or Italian and has received an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from previous participants.
You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Details

The Lateran Palace guided tour offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the first residence of the Popes.

This 1-hour tour costs from $19.59 per person and allows guests to freely cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Visitors can reserve now and pay later.

The tour includes guided exploration of the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, Cloister, and Sancta Sanctorum. Earphones are provided, and guests can skip the ticket line with guaranteed access.

Guided tour of the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, Cloister, and Sancta Sanctorum, with earphones and skip-the-line access.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and the small group size – limited to 5 participants – ensures a personalized experience.

Location and Historical Significance

The Lateran Palace is located adjacent to the iconic St. John Lateran Basilica, known as the Mater et Caput of all churches in Rome.

This historic edifice served as the papal seat for centuries, weathering earthquakes, invasions, and a devastating fire in 1308.

After the Avignon exile, popes moved their residence to the Vatican in 1377, but the Lateran Palace remains significant as the House of the Bishop of Rome.

  • Served as the papal seat for centuries

  • Damaged by earthquakes, invasions, and a fire in 1308

  • Popes moved residence to the Vatican in 1377

  • Remains significant as the House of the Bishop of Rome

  • Located adjacent to St. John Lateran Basilica

Tour Highlights and Inclusions

A guided tour of the Lateran Palace includes entrance to the landmark and a tour in the visitor’s chosen language, either English or Italian. The tour highlights the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, the Cloister, and the Sancta Sanctorum. Earphones are provided for the duration of the visit, and guests can skip the ticket line with guaranteed access. The tour is designed for a small group, limited to 5 participants, ensuring a more personalized experience.

| Tour Highlights | Inclusions |

| ————– | ———- |

| Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano | Entrance and Guided Tour |

| Cloister | Language Options (English or Italian) |

| Sancta Sanctorum | Earphones Provided |

| Small Group Tours (max 5 participants) | Skip the Ticket Line |

| Personalized Experience | |

Accessibility and Group Size

Small group tours are limited to 5 participants, ensuring a more personalized experience.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, catering to visitors with mobility challenges. Key accessibility features include:

Tailored to visitors with mobility challenges, the tour features wheelchair-friendly elevators, ramps, and dedicated areas for comfortable exploration.

  • Elevators and ramps for easy navigation

  • Dedicated areas for wheelchair users

  • Assistance available from the tour guides

  • Flexibility to accommodate individual needs

  • Ample space for comfortable movement

This intimate group size allows the guide to engage more closely with participants, providing a tailored and enriching tour experience.

Whether you’re exploring the Lateran Palace’s history or admiring its architectural wonders, you’ll enjoy a well-paced and accessible journey.

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Customer Reviews and Ratings

Based on the provided information, the Lateran Palace Guided Tour has received an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews. Travelers have praised the tour’s interesting content and bilingual experience. The quality of information and engagement have been highlighted as key positives. The tour is recommended by customers for those seeking an informative and engaging visit to this historically significant site.

| Rating | Reviews |

|——–|———|

| 4.3/5 | 3 |

| Positive Feedback | Recommended |

| Interesting Content | Bilingual Tour |

Guided Tour Schedule

The Lateran Palace Guided Tour offers visitors several options for their tour schedule.

Guided tours in Italian are available Tuesday through Saturday at 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM. For those preferring English, tours are offered on Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30 AM.

The palace is closed on Mondays, Sundays, and religious holidays.

Visitors can:

  • Join an Italian-language tour Tuesday through Saturday at 10:00 AM or 11:30 AM.

  • Participate in an English-language tour on Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30 AM.

  • Avoid the palace on Mondays, Sundays, and religious holidays when it’s closed.

  • Use the provided meeting point on Google Maps to find the tour’s starting location.

  • Note that food and drinks aren’t allowed during the tour.

Meeting Point and Other Information

To visit the Lateran Palace, the meeting point is available on Google Maps. The tours operate Tuesday through Saturday, with Italian tours at 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM, and English tours on Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30 AM. Visitors should note that the palace is closed on Mondays, Sundays, and religious holidays.

| Opening Days | Tour Languages | Tour Times |

| — | — | — |

| Tuesday – Saturday | Italian | 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM |

| | English | Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30 AM |

| Closed on Mondays, Sundays, and religious holidays |

Food and drinks are not allowed during the tour for preservation purposes. The guided tour ensures a personalized experience, with small groups limited to 5 participants.

Booking and Cancellation Policy

Visitors can reserve their Lateran Palace guided tour in advance online and take advantage of a convenient "reserve now, pay later" option. The tour is priced at $19.59 per person, with the flexibility of free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to the start for a full refund.

Key details about the booking and cancellation policy include:

  • Advance reservations recommended to secure preferred tour time

  • Pay later option allows booking without immediate payment

  • Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the tour

  • Full refund provided for cancellations within the deadline

  • No-show or late cancellations may result in forfeiture of tour fee

Common Questions

Can I Take Photos During the Tour?

Photos are generally allowed during the tour, but visitors should check with the tour guide for any specific restrictions or areas where photography is prohibited. Some sites may have limited photo policies to preserve the delicate nature of the spaces.

Is the Tour Available in Other Languages Besides English and Italian?

The tour is offered only in English and Italian. While other languages aren’t available, the tour provides a personalized small-group experience and skips the ticket line for guaranteed access to the historical Lateran Palace.

Do I Need to Bring Any Special Documentation to Participate?

No special documentation is required to participate in the tour. The tour is open to the general public and only an admission ticket is needed to join the guided visit.

Are There Any Age Restrictions or Requirements for the Tour?

There are no age restrictions for the Lateran Palace guided tour. Children of all ages are welcome to participate. However, the tour may not be suitable for very young children due to the duration and nature of the content.

Can I Combine This Tour With a Visit to the Basilica of St. John Lateran?

Yes, you can combine the Lateran Palace guided tour with a visit to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, as the palace is located adjacent to the basilica. The tour includes access to both the palace and the basilica.

The Sum Up

The Lateran Palace Guided Tour offers an immersive 1-hour exploration of one of Rome’s most historically significant sites. With skip-the-line access, small group size, and wheelchair accessibility, the tour guarantees an informative and memorable experience. Visitors can discover the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, Cloister, and Sancta Sanctorum, learning about the papal seat’s rich heritage in English or Italian.

You can check availability for your dates here: