Rome in a Day Tour With Colosseum and Vatican Museums
Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more with a passionate, licensed guide
Is it possible to explore the best of Rome in one day? Well, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but you can see the most iconic places in a day with our experienced, local guides! In just 7 hours, you’ll be mesmerized under the Sistine Chapel, wowed at the Colosseum, and inspired at the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and much more. Your jam-packed day is stress free since tickets and transportation are included, so you can just enjoy your guide's compelling narratives.
Tour Details
- See everything
- View of St. Peters
- Gallery of Candelabra
- Gallery of Maps
- Sistine Chapel
- Creation of Man
- Last Judgement
- St Peter’s Basilica
- La Pietá
- Baldacchino By Bernini
- Piazza Navona
- Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
- The Flavian Amphitheater ( AKA Colosseum)
- 1st and 2nd Levels
- Learn the Secrets
- Roman Forum
- Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine:
- Vestal Virgins
- Temple of Julius Caesar
- Senate House
See the best of Rome in just one day with the help of your local guide who knows exactly what you should see and how to get there efficiently. Meet your guide between Hotel Alimandi and Caffé Vaticano with your group of no more than 15 people and learn the day's itinerary. Then head off on a walking tour of ancient Rome from the Colosseum to the Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain.
After a break for lunch (not included), you'll then travel in a climate-controlled van with your guide to the Vatican where your skip-the-line ticket gets you inside quickly to see the Sistine Chapel and much more. (Your exact itinerary could be different depending on ticket availability.) This 7-hour day tour includes:
Professional and engaging English-speaking guide for the entire tour
Colosseum and Roman Forum tour
Guided walking tour to Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona
Comfortable, climate-controlled transportation between the city center and the Vatican
Skip-the-line tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
* As of June 23rd, 2021, the Vatican has closed the licensed guide entrance to St Peter’s Basilica for all tour companies and tour guides. Therefore, a guided visit to the Basilica won’t be possible due to the distance between sites. Not to worry! Your awesome guide give you a detailed introduction of the church and will explain how you can visit on your own at the conclusion of the tour. Hopefully, this changes soon!
Colosseum Tour
Your Roman guide will go into detail about the highly competitive and gruesome games that were fought here in the Colosseum. Explore the first and second tiers of the Colosseum before moving on to the Roman Forum.
The Streets of Downtown Ancient Rome
The ancient Roman Forum is full of sprawling ruins that once served as the political and commercial hub of the powerful Roman Empire. On this jam-packed tour, you won't do a deep exploration of these ruins, but your guide will make sure you see the highlights as they explain the most interesting details about life in the Forum.
Rome City Tour on Foot
After visiting the Colosseum, your walking tour continues with a Rome city tour of the most iconic piazzas and fountains in this awe-inspiring city. Stroll through the classic beautiful Piazza Navona, Pantheon, and the famous Trevi Fountain. Plus, you’ll see plenty of off-the-beaten-path Rome since you’re under the wing of a local guide.
Guided Vatican Museums Tour
After a break for lunch (your guide will recommend some great spots!), you'll board a private, luxury vehicle with your guide and small group to head to the Vatican. After skipping the regular line,* visit the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries, Gallery of the Maps on the way to the Sistine Chapel.
*While you do not need to wait in the normal line, a shorter security line is still required for entrance. Short delays at the security check may occur during the busiest months of June and July.
Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel likely rivals the Colosseum as the focal point of this Rome day tour. Unless you stand beneath the Chapel's frescoes, there’s no way to fully appreciate Michelangelo’s world-famous accomplishment, and you'll be wowed by the vision before you after your guide has helped you understand the details of its creation.
The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so speaking inside is prohibited. We provide you with a map and handout for reference before entering the chapel, while your guide explains the significance of Michelangelo’s artwork before entering. Use the map when you are inside for orientation.
Please also note: To enter the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be refused entry to this portion of your Vatican tour. We understand the summers in Rome are hot, so a great idea is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
162 total reviews
Leave a reviewRecommend
Victoria Jimenez-Hernandez
Our tour guide was Raffa O. She made it fun, easy to understand and patient. Very knowledgeable. We had a great group with us. Definitely recommend this tour.
What a Fantastic Day!
Benjamin smith
Eleanor (I hope I spelled that right) was our tour guide, she was Fantastic!! She brought us all over Rome, has great recommendations and made the day easy. There is a lot of walking, but it’s all fairly easy walking and not fast paced. We were highly satisfied with our first day in Rome and with this tour and would do it again in a heartbeat! Thank you!
Amazing!
Faby was our guide and she was wonderful! She was so knowledgeable and pointed out so many things we wouldn’t have noticed on our own. Highly recommend!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
Meet your guide between Hotel Alimandi and Caffé Vaticano at the top of the big staircase (Viale Vaticano, 100). A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.
What to bring?
Bring a water bottle, sunscreen (in the summer months), and some coins for making wishes in the Trevi Fountain. Since this is a walking tour that includes a visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum (archeological sites with uneven terrain), wear comfortable shoes.
Where to meet?
Meet your guide between Hotel Alimandi and Caffé Vaticano at the top of the big staircase (Viale Vaticano, 100). A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.
What to bring?
Bring a water bottle, sunscreen (in the summer months), and some coins for making wishes in the Trevi Fountain. Since this is a walking tour that includes a visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum (archeological sites with uneven terrain), wear comfortable shoes.
Is lunch included in the price of the tour?
Lunch is not included, but rest assured that your guide will have great recommendations. Or you can get in touch with one of our Travel Experts at [email protected] ahead of time.
Do tours always follow this exact itinerary?
Not necessarily. Guided tours of major attractions are dependent on ticket assignments, so many tours start at the Vatican while others start at the Colosseum. Check your voucher after booking for the exact meeting point location. If you have any questions about the itinerary, feel free to reach out to us by email or give us a call at +1 888 290 5595
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
If you have any doubts about your mobility, you might prefer a more comfortable Private Vatican tours. Private tours offer more flexibility and the ability to accommodate your personal needs.
How comprehensive are the Colosseum and Vatican sections of this tour?
In the spirit of seeing as much of Rome as possible, the Colosseum and Vatican sections of this tour are abbreviated.
Does this tour include pickup at my hotel?
This tour does not offer pickup at any hotels. You will meet your guide at the meeting point listed on your confirmation voucher. If you're interested in a private transfer to the meeting point for an extra fee, reach out to us by email or give us a call at +1 888 290 5595.
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