Whether you’re journeying to the Eternal City to see the sacred Vatican Museums, explore the Colosseum, or try some incredible cuisine, Rome has tons of attractions for all visitors. But with so much to see, what’s the best way to do it all? In this guide, we cover the best Rome tours we offer so you not only see it all but get the most out of your vacation.
Pro Tip:
- Dive into our ultimate Rome guide for juicy insider tips.
- Don’t skip the Vatican—it’s a must-see when you’re in Rome! Have a look at our BEST Vatican tours.
- Explore top Rome tours for a memorable experience
- Discover how to see Rome in a day
- Bookmark this post for Rome trip planning!
Are Guided Tours in Rome Worth It?
Short answer: Absolutely! Guided tours of Rome are definitely worth it.
Why? Guided tours a depth of insight and context that you might miss out on when exploring alone. We hire amazing guides who are passionate about giving you the best possible experience—both educational and fun! Plus you can enjoy skip-the-line access to top attractions, saving you time and hassle during your exploration.
Not ready to book a tour? Find out if Rome tours are worth it.
Our 5 Best Vatican Tours
The Vatican Museums, Rome’s largest museum, can host up to 19,000 visitors daily, leading to crowds and long queues. Yikes! Here’s why you should choose our Vatican tours:
- Skip-the-line access allows you to bypass the crowds and queues.
- Enjoy exclusive entry during off-peak hours for a more serene visit.
- Choose between morning or afternoon tours to fit your schedule.
- All tours grant entry to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
1. Vatican Museums VIP Private Tour (3 hours)
$$$$ | Skip- the-lines | Private | Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica
Get ready to feel like a Vatican VIP! On this private Vatican tour, join an engaging local guide for a journey through the Renaissance art, fascinating history, and grand architecture of the Vatican. Skip the line for more time exploring the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and more!
Perfect for private groups, families, or if you’d like a more intimate Vatican tour that moves at your ideal pace and gives you more say in what you see.
2. Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour (3 hours)
$$ | Skip- the-lines | Semi-Private | Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica
This tour combines our best-selling classic Vatican experience with the added privilege of early access to the Vatican. Getting in early is an advantage to help beat the crowds and the summer heat. You’ll see all the highlights before touring St. Peter’s Basilica.
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3. Skip-The-Line Vatican Tour (3 hours)
$ | Skip- the-lines | Flexible | Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica
This tour has flexible start times throughout the day and is the least expensive. So, you’ll still be able to skip the line, see all the top attractions including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, and have the flexibility of visiting whenever is best for your schedule.
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4. Vatican Night Tour with Sistine Chapel (2 hours)
$$ | Skip- the-lines | Unique Experience | Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
What’s more exclusive than visiting Vatican City at night? With a small group and a passionate guide, your tour of the Vatican Museums will be a forever memory as you explore after hours without the crowds. You’ll wander through the main galleries and courtyards without worrying about the heat of the day too.
And of course, a stop in the world-famous Sistine Chapel is a must. Stand beneath the crowning jewel of Michelangelo’s works after hearing your guide explain in detail what’s so magnificent about this creation.
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5. St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour (5.5 hours)
$$ | Skip- the-lines | Stunning Views | Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Dome
If you want to see and do it all, then don’t skip this tour. You’ll start with an elevator ride to the dome and upper terrace of St. Peter’s, then have a chance to climb the rest of the way to the top of the dome! The views of St. Peter’s Square and Rome are breathtaking!
A guided tour of St. Peter’s and the Papal Crypts will make your time here even more memorable. But you’re not done yet! Follow your guide to the Vatican to explore the main highlights before stepping into the Sistine Chapel. You’ll be well prepared for what you see thanks to your guide’s fascinating stories.
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Not ready to book a tour? See if a Vatican tour is worth it.
Our 5 Best Colosseum Tours
Right up there with the Vatican Museums, visiting the Colosseum is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Rome. At the Colosseum, you can witness the grandeur of the world’s largest amphitheater, where historic gladiatorial matches unfolded, sometimes with brutal outcomes.
Choose our Colosseum tours for an unparalleled experience:
- Skip the lines: Access the monument via the back entrance, minimizing wait times.
- Streamlined security: Enjoy a shorter security line for hassle-free entry.
- Expert guides: Our guides ensure an exceptional experience with their passion and dedication.
Here are our top recommended Colosseum tours:
1. Colosseum Underground Tour (3.5 hours)
$$$ | Skip-the-line | Exclusive Underground Access | Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
This is our most exclusive Colosseum tour and few visitors get the chance to explore the Underground area before heading to the Arena Floor. This is because it’s an active archeological site with extremely limited access. Don’t miss your chance, tickets sell out fast since access is tightly limited here.
2. Enter the Colosseum Arena Through the Gladiator’s Gate (3 hours)
$$ | Skip-the-line | Unique Experience | Arena, 1st & 2nd Levels
This tour is for the budget traveler that wants exclusive access and great value. Step through the gladiator’s gate onto the reconstructed Arena Floor, where warriors once battled, and explore the Colosseum’s first and second tiers for unique perspectives on its storied history.
With skip-the-line access and exclusive entry to three areas of the Colosseum, unavailable to regular ticket holders, you’ll enjoy perks that enhance your experience.
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3. Privileged Entrance Colosseum Tour (3 hours)
$ | Skip-the-line | Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
For no-frills travelers who want a great guide and great value, this is a great option. This complete Colosseum tour provides a concise and engaging overview of ancient Rome. You’ll explore the Colosseum’s first and second floors and get to know where the elites of Rome lived during the peak of the Roman era.
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4. Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums (7 hours)
$$$ | Skip-the-line | Lunch & Transportation Included | Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill & Vatican Museums
Want to see both the Vatican and the Colosseum? This combo tour gets you more bang for your buck by combining them! Our Rome in a Day Tour is one of our most popular tours to date. You get a comprehensive tour of the Vatican museums by an English-speaking guide. You’ll also get a full Colosseum tour that includes the Roman Forum. The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps are also on the itinerary.
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5. VIP Colosseum at Night Tour with Underground and Arena Floor (2.5 hours)
$$ | Night Visit | Colosseum, Arena & Underground
This exclusive experience is for the night owls. The tour ends between 10 pm and midnight, depending on the start time. You’ll get the opportunity to experience the Colosseum and Arena Floor at night without the crowds. Tickets are extremely limited and only offered 30 days prior to the tour, so plan ahead!
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Not ready to book a tour? See if a Colosseum tour is worth it.
Our Absolute Best Rome Tours
Rome isn’t just about its captivating history; it’s a vibrant hub of culture and excitement! After checking out the Colosseum and Vatican, there’s still lots more to see and taste in Rome. Can you really visit Italy without experiencing a guided tour of its world-renowned cuisine?
That’s why we provide a range of distinctive tours, including exploring Rome by tuk-tuk or e-bike, as well as indulging in mouthwatering food tours.
1. Rome Sightseeing Tour by Golf Cart (3 hours)
$$$$ | Fun Transport | Little Walking| Rome’s Highlights
Want to see the best of Rome without walking? This is the tour for you. Our private Rome sightseeing tour by golf cart (also called a tuk tuk) is a fantastic way for up to four people to enjoy the very best of Rome in 3 hours without breaking a sweat.
Sit back and relax as your driver-guide takes you to see the city’s top sites including ancient Roman landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, and the Pantheon. Your guide knows all the best viewpoints!
Depending on traffic and your interests, you could even explore Aventine Hill, the Spanish Steps, and more! Doing Rome by golf cart is an incredible way to see what the Eternal City is famous for while taking in the atmosphere of this vibrant city
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2. Day Trip to Pompeii and Sorrento From Rome (12 hours)
$$$ | Unforgettable Day Trip | Transportation Included | Pompeii & Sorrento
Want to see the famous ruins of Pompeii while you’re in Rome? How about an afternoon enjoying the beautiful Amalfi Coast? You can do it all on this full day tour!
You’ll travel from Rome to explore the city’s remains of Mt. Vesuvius’ eruption with an archaeologist guide before spending a free afternoon in the charming coastal town of Sorrento. Along with a local tour leader, a small group, and comfortable private transportation, it’s the ideal way to spend a day away from Rome.
3. Private Castel Sant’Angelo Tour (2 hours)
$$$ | Mausoleum of Hadrian | Ponte Sant’Angelo | Passetto di Borgo
Embark on a personalized journey through the fascinating history of Castel Sant’Angelo with a private tour designed just for you.
Discover the Mausoleum of Hadrian, stroll across the iconic Ponte Sant’Angelo, and uncover hidden gems like the Passetto di Borgo and secret prison cells.
Enjoy exclusive access to the Papal Apartments, take in breathtaking panoramic views from the terrace, and benefit from the insights of an expert guide.
This tailored experience brings you closer to one of Rome’s most iconic and historic landmarks.
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4. Trastevere Local Food Tour in Rome (3 hours)
$$ | Authentic Italian Food | Trastevere
This is our classic Rome food tour that we recommend to anyone who wants a true foodie experience in the Italian capital.
Expect to try some mouth-watering Roman pizza, classic street food such as filetto di baccala, and a sit-down Italian pasta dinner with refreshing gelato for dessert.
It’s a great way to learn the local way of doing things and find out why you’ll rarely find salt and pepper on the table will dining in Rome.
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5. Half Day Electric Bike Tour of Rome (4 hours)
$ | E-Bike | Perfect for Sport Enthusiasts | Ancient Rome
What better way to cruise around the city? A battery-powered bike to get you over the seven hills of Rome and a pedal bike that allows you to take all the back streets and pedestrian routes.
This is a really cool way to get a ton of great photos and fully immerse yourself in the city. Your English-speaking guide will identify lots of great places to eat and drink along the way.
Plus, with virtual reality (VR) headsets included, you’ll have a chance to witness the virtually reconstructed ancient Rome, ensuring an experience you’ll be bragging about for years
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6. Rome Catacombs Tour with Capuchin Crypt (3 hours)
$ | Eerie | For the Brave | Catacombs & Capuchin Crypts
The Roman Catacombs were used for hundreds of years to bury the dead. They were primarily used by Christians and in large numbers—some catacombs are home to half a million tombs and burial plots!
Your English-speaking guide and small group will explore the Catacomb of Domitilla, which boasts frescoes over 1500 years old and an ancient chapel. You’ll go deep below ground and probably wonder why the graves were so small.
This experience also brings you to the Appian way where you’ll walk upon the very same stones as many Romans like Julius Caesar!
You’ll finish your journey through the dark history of the Roman dead with a visit to the Capuchin Crypts – decorated with the bones of some 3,700 friars!
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7. Dough to Dessert: 3-in-1 Cooking Class Near Piazza Navona
$ | Cooking Classes | Pasta & Tiramisu | Piazza Navona
For the best value cooking class in Rome, look no further. You’ll learn how to create a tantalizing tiramisu dessert, then you’ll get your hands dirty in some dough. The secrets of Italian pasta are made clear as you work that pasta into fettucine and ravioli.
After your hard work, sit back and sip some wine as you share some laughs about your pasta escapades with your fellow travelers. Your pasta will taste even better knowing how hard you worked on it!
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Not ready to book a tour? See if Rome tours are worth it.
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