Rome Half-Day Highlights Tour with Colosseum and St. Peter's Basilica
Visit the amphitheater and Forum, stroll historic Rome, then transfer by private van to the Vatican
Squeezing the Colosseum, Forum, Piazza Navona, and St. Peter's Basilica into one morning sounds great until you're stuck coordinating tickets, figuring out transport, and racing the clock. This tour takes care of everything with pre-arranged tickets, a private van, and a guide who knows exactly how to pace the day. You'll stand on the Colosseum's second floor, stroll past Bernini's iconic fountain, and visit the world's most stunning basilica. It's Rome's greatest hits made ridiculously easy.
What You Get With This Tour
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Expert, English-speaking guide
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Colosseum and Roman Forum tickets and guided tour
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Walking tour of historic Rome
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Private van transfer to Vatican City
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Entry to St. Peter's Basilica
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Guide tips
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Entry to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Tour Itinerary
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1
Meet your guide near the Colosseum
Your tour begins near Rome's iconic amphitheater. Exact meeting point details are on your voucher after booking. Your guide welcomes you with skip-the-line tickets and sets the stage for a morning exploring ancient ruins and sacred basilicas. -
2
Colosseum entry and 2nd floor access
Step inside the towering arena where gladiators once battled for their lives. From the second floor, you'll see the underground chambers where wild animals waited and hear how 50,000 spectators filled the marble tiers above. -
3
Walk through the Roman Forum
Next, enter the sprawling ruins where senators debated, emperors celebrated triumphs, and markets bustled with daily life. You'll pass Julius Caesar's temple, the Arch of Septimius Severus, and the ancient Senate house where laws shaped an empire. -
4
Stroll to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon
After a 20-minute walk through narrow Roman streets, you arrive at Piazza Navona to see Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers. Then it's on to the Pantheon, where your guide explains how its massive concrete dome has stood for nearly 2,000 years. -
5
Transfer to Vatican City by private van
Climb into your private vehicle for an easy 15-minute ride across the Tiber River. Sit back as Rome's terracotta rooftops and Renaissance palazzos roll past your window. -
6
Tour St. Peter's Basilica
Your final stop brings you inside the world's largest church. Marvel at Michelangelo's tender Pietà, carved when he was just 24, and Bernini's bronze canopy soaring above the papal altar. -
7
Your tour finishes inside St. Peter's Basilica
The tour wraps up inside the basilica, leaving you free to explore at your own pace. If you’d like to visit the Vatican Museums during your trip to Rome, use the coupon provided after booking to secure your spot!
Additional Information
Good to know:
Dress Code: Both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders for entry to St. Peter's Basilica. Guests who do not meet the dress code may be refused entry and miss out on a portion of the tour. No hats please.
Accessibility: This tour involves extensive walking over ancient, uneven ground at the Colosseum and Roman Forum. It is unfortunately not wheelchair or stroller accessible. A soft baby carrier is recommended.
ID Requirement: Please bring a valid government-issued ID for entrance into the Colosseum. The name on your tickets (entered at check-out) must match the name listed on your government-issued ID or you will be refused entry.
Bag Policy: The Colosseum allows small to medium-sized bags, but large backpacks, suitcases, and wheeled bags are prohibited and must be left behind. All bags are subject to security screening, similar to an airport.
Vatican Museums Coupon: This tour does not include entry to the Vatican Museums or Sistine Chapel. After booking, you'll receive a special coupon to use toward our Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica or Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets.
St. Peter's Basilica Entry: This tour includes standard security entry to St. Peter's Basilica. During peak seasons, there may be a brief wait at the security checkpoint.
Tour Changes: This tour may run in reverse order based on ticket availability. St. Peter's Basilica closes on Wednesday mornings for the Papal Audience and may occasionally close without notice. If this affects your booking, we will reach out to assist you.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 4-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum
Exterior visit of the Pantheon and Piazza Navona
Headsets for clear audio throughout the tour
Private transportation from central Rome to Vatican City
Entry and guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
Maximum group size of 15
What to bring:
Government-issued ID
Comfortable shoes
Covering for knees and shoulders
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour include the Vatican Museums?
No, this tour does not include entry to the Vatican Museums or the Sistine Chapel. However, if you'd like to see them during your trip to Rome, use the special coupon provided after booking to secure your spot on our Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica or Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets.
Is this tour family-friendly?
Yes, this tour is family-friendly and welcomes children of all ages. However, please note that the tour involves about four hours of walking and standing, including uneven ancient ground at the Colosseum and Roman Forum. A soft baby carrier is recommended, as strollers are not practical for this tour.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible due to the extensive walking and uneven terrain at ancient sites like the Colosseum and Roman Forum. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us at support@thetourguy.com before booking to discuss alternatives or our private tour options, which can be more easily tailored to your needs.
What happens if St. Peter's Basilica is closed?
St. Peter's Basilica is occasionally closed on Wednesday mornings for the Papal Audience, and during the Jubilee year, there are sometimes last-minute closures on Friday and Saturday mornings. If this occurs, we will reach out as soon as possible to assist you in rescheduling or adjusting your tour.
How much walking is involved?
This tour includes approximately four hours of walking and standing, with extended time on your feet at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and during the stroll to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Comfortable sneakers are strongly recommended.
Is lunch included?
No, lunch is not included on this tour. However, after the tour ends at St. Peter's Basilica, you'll have plenty of time to explore nearby cafés and restaurants in Vatican City or back in central Rome.
