Rome in a Day Tour Including Colosseum and Vatican Museums
Experience the top things to do in Rome
If you're only in the Eternal City for a few days, this Rome in a day tour includes the Vatican Museums, the Roman Colosseum, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain & more. See Rome off the beaten path, the highlights and more on this full day excursion.
Included
What you get with this tour
Itinerary
What you will see on this tour
- Skip the Line Tickets!
- Colosseum Tour
- Gladiators, Emperors and Spectators
- Arch of Constantine
- Roman Forum
- Arch of Titus
- The Eternal Flame
- Julius Caesar's Temple
- Senate House
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Vatican Museums Tour
- 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 *
At The Roman Guy, we believe in maximizing your precious and limited time on vacation in Italy. Even if you don't have a month to spend in Italy's capital city, it's still important you get to experience all the best things to do in Rome. 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.
Skip the Line Colosseum Tour
One of the highlights of this Rome in a day tour is the 2,000-year-old Roman Colosseum. We provide your skip the line Colosseum tickets, so there’s no need to wait around in long lines. This is your opportunity to learn about the Flavian Amphitheater (Colosseum) in dramatic detail from your expert guide.
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. 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. Just like in modern times, those with the highest status sat closest to the games. This way, they could see every (bloody) detail up close.
The Streets of Downtown Ancient Rome
Have you ever wondered what the fuss about the Roman Forum is? Nowadays, this area next to the Colosseum is full of sprawling ruins. However, back in the day, the Forum served as the political and commercial hub of the powerful Roman Empire. After skipping the line, breeze right on in and take a short walk through these important ruins and buildings.
Rome City Tour on Foot
After visiting the Colosseum, your Rome in a day 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 oh-so-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. The perfect way to end your Rome in a Day tour, let us curate the best galleries and works of art among the nine miles of priceless treasures housed at the Vatican Museums. 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.
A Masterpiece of Breathtaking Proportions
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. If you weren’t aware, a visit to the Sistine Chapel is included with your Skip the line Vatican tickets. It’s true, you’ve probably seen pictures of these stunning frescoes. However, without actually standing beneath these paintings and taking it all in, there’s no way to fully appreciate Michelangelo’s world-famous accomplishment. With more than 600 figures in all, these frescoes depict stories from the Old Testament.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
Check your voucher after booking for the meeting point. Most tours start with the Colosseum and others start at the Vatican ending at the opposite monument.
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.
Q: Is lunch included in the price of the tour?
A: 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!
Q: Does this tour include pick up at your hotel?
A: We do not pick you up at your hotel. You will meet your guide at the Colosseum 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).
Q: How comprehensive are the Colosseum and Vatican sections of this tour?
A: In the spirit of seeing as much of Rome as possible, the Colosseum and Vatican sections of this tour are abbreviated.
Q: I have some doubts about my mobility. Is this tour right for me?
A: 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.
Q: Due tours always follow this exact itinerary?
A: Some tours start at the Vatican. Others at Colosseum. By rule of thumb, most tours that start at 7:30 begin at Vatican and all others at the Colosseum. Check your voucher after booking for exact meeting point location.
See what people are saying
23 total reviews
Leave a reviewCarmen
Rome in a day
Maura was an exceptional tour guide, very knowledgeable! She was funny, efficient, easy to understand & just a pleasure to be around. This tour was perfect, covered so many important sites that you wouldn’t want to miss on your trip in Rome. I’d have to say the only downfall was the heat but other than that it was a great experience!!! Would totally recommend!
Tricia S
Comprehensive tour of Rome
Maria is such a knowledgeable tour guide! The depth of her understanding of Roman Empire and the Vatican is impressive. We fully enjoyed our tour and would love to take another with her should we have the opportunity to tour Rome in the future. Thank you!
Sandra
Perfect Rome tour - Raffa T
Raffa T was a dream guide. Very knowledgeable. I was sad to leave her at the end of the day, she treated us like we her friends. I wish I could post the picture my son and I took with her. The is my 4th trip to Rome, and this tour is ideal to cover the best highlights of Rome in one day, lots of good information and no waiting in line. Wear comfy shoes, bring water, and a coin to throw in the Fountain of Trevi.
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