Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum Arena Floor and Vatican Museums
Experience the top things to do in Rome
This tour includes the Vatican Museums, the Roman Colosseum with access to the Arena Floor, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain & more. See Rome off the beaten path, the highlights and more on this full-day excursion.
Tour Details
- Gallery of the Candelabra
- Gallery of the Tapestries
- Sistine Chapel Tour
- Michelangelo's Masterpieces
- St. Peter's Basilica *
- La Pietà by Michelangelo *
- "Baldacchino" by Bernini *
- Skip the Line Tickets!
- Colosseum Arena Floor
- Julius Caesar's Temple
- The Eternal Flame
- Gladiators, Emperors and Spectators
- Arch of Constantine
- Senate House
- Arch of Titus
- Vatican Museums Tour
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Trevi Fountain
- Roman Forum
If you're only in the Eternal City for a few days, consider doing a Rome in a day tour that includes the Vatican Museums, Roman Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Hit all these bucket list destinations with a friendly and professional English-speaking guide, transportation and skip the line tickets included. This 7-hour full day tour includes:
- Professional, English-speaking guide for entire tour
- Comfortable, climate-controlled transfer to the Vatican
- Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica guided tour*
- Guided Colosseum Tour*
- Guided tour to Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona*
*The order of the itinerary may change, depending on the time of year, site openings and ticket availability.
Colosseum Arena Floor Tour
Stand where gladiators and wild animals once fought. Your guide will go into detail about the highly competitive and gruesome games that were fought right where you are standing, on the newly reconstructed Colosseum Arena Floor. Then, look up to the stands and imagine what it must’ve felt like here when it was filled with up to 60,000 screaming spectators. Before moving onto the Roman Forum, see the first and second tiers.
The Streets of Downtown Ancient Rome
The area next to the Colosseum, the ancient Roman Forum, is full of sprawling ruins. However, back in the day, the Forum served as the political and commercial hub of the powerful Roman Empire. Admire the ruins from outside as your guide explains the most interesting details surrounding the Forum.
Rome City Tour on Foot
After visiting the Colosseum, your tour continues with a Rome city tour of the most iconic piazzas, fountains and places in this awe-inspiring city. Stroll through the classic beautiful Piazza Navona, Pantheon and the famous Trevi Fountain. Plus, you’ll see plenty of Rome off the beaten path because you’re under the wing of a local guide.
Guided Vatican Museums Tour
After a break for lunch (lunch is not included in the price of the tour), we drive you directly to the Vatican in a private, luxury vehicle. 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, June and July.
Sistine Chapel
Want to skip the line at the Vatican without having a guided tour? Click here for skip the line Vatican tickets.
Experience the wonders of the Sistine Chapel in person. Perhaps even beyond the Roman Colosseum, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is the focal point of this Rome in a day tour. A visit to the Sistine Chapel is included with your skip the line Vatican tickets. Without actually standing beneath the Chapel's frescoes, there’s no way to fully appreciate Michelangelo’s world-famous accomplishment.
The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so speaking inside is prohibited. We provide you with a map/handout for reference before entering the chapel, while your guide explains the significance of Michelangelo’s artwork. Use the map when you are inside for orientation.
Please 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 - a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
The Palatial St. Peter’s Basilica
Except on Wednesday Mornings
Designed by Renaissance architects that include Bernini, Bramante and Michelangelo, St. Peter’s Basilica is the size of two American football fields and took 120 years to build. Skip the regular entrance and use a special door to continue your comprehensive tour of Rome. Among other things, see the statue of St. Peter's, La Pieta and of course the famed Baldacchino. Standing 95 feet tall, Bernini's Baldacchino sits right above the papal altar and beneath St. Peter's dome.
Remember, it isn’t possible to return to the Vatican Museums from St. Peter’s Basilica. If you want more time inside the museums, you must forgo the guided tour of the basilica. Also, if you’d like to stay in St. Peter's Basilica longer, don't leave with the guide to take photos in the piazza. Because the security line is long and re-entry on your own is not recommended, we suggest you stay inside St. Peter’s and explore on your own after the tour concludes.
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
126 total reviews
Leave a reviewAverage customer rating
4.98 / 5 based on 126 total reviews
Excellent
My guide ( Loretta) brought to life the amazing art and antiquities that I was shown on this tour with colorful facts and antecdotes that you couldn't get without reading dozens of books on the subjects. I truly appreciate the time she spent with me, and I'll always smile every time I look at the murals of the Sistine Chapel (Cardinal Donkey Ears, Gods butt, etc.). Highly recommend!.
Robert Dvorak
Exceptional Tour! Monica is simply the best.
My husband and I had the pleasure of taking this tour yesterday with our guide Monica Carosi, we spent a day walking, talking, laughing and learning so much about this magnificent city. Every corner we turned Monica opened our eyes to things we would have missed on our own. The sites we visited were fabulous, the ease of entry and freedom to make the tour personal to us was perfect. We are excited to see what is in store for us on our next adventure with The Roman Guy - they have provided service second to none at a price that is certainly worth every euro. Don’t hesitate book with these guys and if you are lucky enough to get Monica as your guide then you have won the lottery!
Nicola Fitzell
Assem Said El Shamly
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
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, an archeological site with uneven terrain, wear comfortable shoes.
Where to meet?
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, an archeological site with uneven terrain, wear comfortable shoes.
Is lunch included in the price of the tour?
It does not, but we're happy to recommend one of our favorite spots. Get in touch with one of our Travel Experts at [email protected] ahead of time or just ask your guide on the day of your tour!
Do tours always follow this exact itinerary?
Most tours start at the Vatican, others at Colosseum. Check your voucher after booking for exact meeting point location. If you have any questions on the itinerary feel free to reach out to us by email or give us a call at +1 888 290 5595
I have some doubts about my mobility. Is this tour right for me?
If you have any doubts about your mobility, you're better off choosing one of our 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 pick up at your hotel?
We do not pick you up at your hotel. 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, reach out to us by email or give us a call at +1 888 290 5595. (an extra fee applies).
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