Loreto, in Italy’s Marche region, is home to one of the Catholic world’s most revered Marian shrines: the Basilica of the Holy House, which encloses a small stone dwelling venerated as the home of the Virgin Mary. A place of pilgrimage for over seven centuries, it combines deep devotion with remarkable Renaissance art. This guide gathers everything you need to plan a visit.

In This Series

Our Loreto collection covers the shrine and the practical side of a trip:

More Loreto Guides

• The Basilica of the Holy House in Loreto
• Visiting Loreto: Pilgrimage in Italy’s Marche
• Where to Stay in Loreto: A Budget Pilgrim Guide

Who Comes Here

Catholic pilgrims devoted to the Virgin Mary form the heart of Loreto’s visitors, joined by travellers drawn to its art and history and those exploring the quieter Marche region.

When to Visit

Spring and autumn offer mild weather and lighter crowds. The feast of Our Lady of Loreto in December is a special time, while summer brings warmer weather and nearby beach visitors. The basilica is open year-round.

Getting There

Loreto has its own railway station on the Adriatic coast line, with connections from Ancona and Bologna. The nearest airport is Ancona; the station sits below the hill town, a short bus ride or walk from the basilica.

Explore More Sacred Sites

• The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
• The Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
• The Vatican & St. Peter’s Basilica
• The Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth
• Santiago de Compostela
• Lourdes
• Fatima
• Mont-Saint-Michel
• Ephesus & the House of the Virgin Mary
• Assisi
• Guadalupe
• Saint Catherine’s Monastery & Mount Sinai
• Meteora
• Częstochowa
• Knock, Ireland
• Etchmiadzin, Armenia
• Canterbury, England
• Lalibela, Ethiopia
• Sergiev Posad, Russia
• Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine
• San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome
• Mount Athos, Greece
• All Christian Holy Sites – Complete Guide