Rome in a Day Tour With Colosseum and Vatican Museums
Explore the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and more with a passionate 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 Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon—and much more. Your jam-packed day is stress free since tickets and transportation are included, so you can just enjoy your guide's fascinating narrative of these iconic places in Rome.
Tour Details
- See the best of Rome
- Skip the line to the Vatican
- 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 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. You'll follow your local guide into the Vatican with your skip-the-line tickets and see some of the most incredible art and statues in the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Next you'll get to see the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica and learn about its history, the art, and who is buried there. Then you'll hop in a climate-controlled van and head to downtown Rome for your walking tour.
Get to know the city of Rome and its history as your guide shares about the ancient buildings you pass on your way to the more well-known monuments. You'll go inside the Pantheon for an unforgettable view of this magnificent dome and its oculus, wander through Piazza Navona and snap pics of the gorgeous fountain, and stop at Trevi Fountain for pictures and a lunch break (on your own). After your break, you'll head to the crown jewel of Rome: the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Your tour will end either in the Colosseum or the Roman Forum, depending on your ticket time.
Rome in a Day Tour Description
Your 7-hour Rome in a day tour includes:
Skip-the-line tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
Comfortable, climate-controlled transportation between the Vatican and city center
Guided walking tour to Piazza Navona, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain
Lunch break near Trevi Fountain (on your own)
Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of the Colosseum
Guided tour of the Roman Forum
Professional English-speaking guide for the entire tour
Guided Vatican Museums Tour
Next you'll get to see the impressive art collection at the Vatican Museums after skipping the longer lines* for general admittance. You'll follow your passionate guide to the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries, Gallery of the Maps on the way to the Sistine Chapel, and feel the art come to life while listening to your guide share amazing facts and stories.
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. Until you stand beneath the chapel's frescoes, there’s no way to fully appreciate Michelangelo’s world-famous accomplishment. But 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. Your guide will explain the significance of Michelangelo’s artwork before entering.
Please note that 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.
St. Peter's Basilica
After you exit the Sistine Chapel, follow your guide directly to St. Peter's Basilica. They'll guide you past the re-entry lines so you can quickly enter this monumental church that attracts millions of visitors each year. Listen to your guide share the history of the construction of this basilica as you walk inside and see the grandeur. Look for Michelangelo's La Pietà, Bernini's Baldacchino, and much more inside this ornate church.
Please note that St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays for the Papal Audience and can occasionally experience other unexpected closures. If this happens, your guide will make up the time at other areas within the Vatican.
Rome Walking Tour on Foot
A trip through Rome wouldn't be complete without seeing some of the most famous fountains and piazzas. This walking tour is where you'll follow your guide to the beautiful Piazza Navona to see the Fountain of Four Rivers. Next is a stop to go inside the Pantheon, Rome's iconic dome with an open oculus.
Finally, head to the famous Trevi Fountain to see what is likely the world's most famous fountain. Remember to bring some coins to make a wish here! Your guide will make sure you know how to do it just right. Plus, you’ll see plenty of off-the-beaten-path Rome since you’re under the wing of a local guide.
Colosseum Tour
Enjoy skip-the-line entry at the Colosseum, which makes your Rome in a Day tour even better since you're not wasting time standing in line. Your local guide will go into detail about the highly competitive and gruesome games that were fought in the Colosseum. Here you'll explore the first and second tiers of the Colosseum.
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. It's the best way to get to know what Roman life really was like.
Please note that depending on the assigned entry time for the Colosseum, your tour might enter the Roman Forum first and end in the Colosseum.
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
314 total reviews
Leave a reviewJennifer Winters
Vanessa Sawyer
Best Tour for highlights of Rome
Casey Mitchell
We had Carolina for a tour guide for this one. She was unbelievable. The knowledge she has of Rome, the architecture, the history, the culture, etc. is amazing. She is so kind and funny. Very helpful with local things to experience while in Rome also. This tour was great if you only have a day or two in Rome and want to see the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Basilica, Trevi fountain, and the Colosseum (which is absolutely amazing). Pick the Tour, you won’t be disappointed.
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). You'll find our friendly welcome staff there holding The Tour Guy signs.
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), please also 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). You'll find our friendly welcome staff there holding The Tour Guy signs.
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), please also wear comfortable shoes.
Is lunch included in the price of the tour?
Lunch is not included but rest assured that your guide will point out several places to eat.
Do tours always follow this exact itinerary?
Not necessarily. Guided tours of major attractions are dependent on ticket assignments. Most of our Rome in a Day Tours start at the Vatican, but you might enter the Colosseum before or after the Roman Forum.
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 especially on heavy walking tours that include sets of stairs and extremely uneven terrain.
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 a little shorter than some tours. But don't worry, you'll see all the most important things at each location!
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.
What happens if it rains?
We run our tours rain or shine. If rainfall is extremely heavy, the Colosseum management sometimes closes the certain areas for safety reasons.
Where does this tour end?
The tour usually begins at the Vatican Museums, so it ends at either the Colosseum or the Roman Forum. The order is dependent on the entry times provided by Colosseum management.
Does this tour go to the Arena Floor?
No, since this is a little shorter tour to see as much of Rome as possible, you'll visit the first and second floors of the Colosseum. You can also book a Colosseum Arena Floor tour if you want to experience that opportunity!
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