Rome Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia
Book a private Rome tour and see the Colosseum, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and more in just one day!
Arranging tickets for the Colosseum and Vatican, managing transport, and navigating traffic make exploring Rome in a day from Civitavecchia nearly impossible. With luxury transport and a dedicated guide, our shore excursion takes care of everything. Skip the lines to marvel at the Colosseum, explore treasures in the Vatican Museums, and admire the Sistine Chapel. From tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain to exploring at your pace, this is the perfect one-day Roman adventure.
What You Get With This Tour
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Private, English-speaking guide
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Roundtrip transportation from Civitavechhia
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Skip the line tickets
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Vatican museums & Sistine Chapel
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Colosseum & Roman Forum
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Trevi Fountain
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Guide gratuity
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Meals
Tour Itinerary
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1
Meet your guide at Civitavecchia Port
Your private driver will pick you up from the port of Civitavecchia and bring you to Rome through one of the ancient city gates, and then you'll meet your expert guide for a day of fun and exploring! -
2
Colosseum
Your Roman adventure will start as you walk into the Colosseum where the secrets of this epic venue will be revealed to you by your guide. -
3
1st & 2nd level
The first level of the Colosseum features towering arches and was reserved for Rome’s elite, while the second level offered a broader view of the arena for the general public. -
4
Roman Forum
Learn all about how this was the heart of ancient Rome, once bustling with temples, markets, and political life. -
5
Trevi Fountain
You only have a day to spare in Rome, so make sure you throw a coin into the fountain! Legend has it that you are guaranteed to return to Rome one day. -
6
Piazza Navona
You'll see a myriad of picturesque squares and piazzas, but few can rival the beauty of Piazza Navona! -
7
Lunch break
The Popes have spent centuries collecting these precious works. We will make sure to show you the most important ones. -
8
Vatican Museums
You can't possibly leave Rome before seeing the ceiling decorated by Michelangelo! This is also the place where the popes get elected, so you're in a pretty important room.. -
9
Sistine Chapel
Before your driver brings you back to the port, you'll say goodbye to your guide after visiting the Vatican's grand cathedral! -
10
Return to Civitavecchia port
After a day's excitement on your Shore Excursion in Rome, your driver will deliver you back to the port to catch your ship in time.
Additional Information
In reality, you'd need a month for us to show you all of the treasures of Rome. But since you're on vacation, leave reality at home and let us show you the famous sites and hidden gems the Eternal City has to offer in a day! Your Roman day trip begins in the morning when our driver picks you up from your cruise ship at Civitavecchia port. With luxury, air-conditioned transportation, you'll drive into the city with your expert local guide. We've planned a great itinerary for you, but as a private tour you can have your say on the pace of things and any special places you want to see.
Today, your private guide will give you a tour of the mighty Colosseum before taking to the streets of Rome for a walking tour. You'll see famous landmarks including the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, and the ancient Pantheon, and you'll also have free time to enjoy an authentic Roman lunch at one of the city's incredible restaurants (not included). Before returning to your ship, you'll skip the line to enter the Vatican for a guided tour. Your guide will show you the best of the museums, as well as the Sistine Chapel.
Rome Private Shore Excursion Description
Your 8-hour private Rome shore excursion includes:
Luxury, air-conditioned private transportation from Civitavecchia (return)
Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of the Colosseum
Guided walking tour of Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more
Lunch break in central Rome (lunch not included)
Skip-the-line tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel
Entry to St. Peter's Basilica
Engaging, English-speaking private guide for the entire tour
Please note that the Basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings due to the Papal Audience and will not be included in tours.
Luxury Transportation Around Rome
To make this private tour in Rome super-easy for you, you'll be picked up from your cruise ship in Civitavecchia port and driven around Rome in luxury, climate-controlled vehicle. And don't worry, we'll make sure you get back to the ship in time too! Just relax and let your expert local guide take care of you, while sharing fascinating facts and stories of Rome.
Skip-the-Line Private Colosseum Tour
There are few more awe-inspiring places than the mighty Roman Colosseum, and there's no better way to explore than on a private tour! Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, you'll have skip-the-line access to avoid the crowds of tourists waiting to enter. Your expert guide will set the scene for what it felt like to attend the thrilling events that took place inside the arena from epic gladiator fights to public executions held in front of eager crowds of more than 60,000 Romans.
This tour takes you to the first and second tiers of the Colosseum—areas reserved for seating Rome’s most elite classes during the Colosseum’s gladiator games. As you look around and picture what life must have been like here, your guide will enlighten you with intriguing stories of some of the Colosseum’s most gruesome events.
Private Rome City Tour
A trip to Rome wouldn't be complete without seeing some of the most famous fountains and piazzas. After being driven into Rome's historic center, it's time to set off on a tour of the city's historic sites. While some central Rome sites can only be reached on foot, your driver will also be nearby if needed! You'll follow your guide to the beautiful Piazza Navona to see the Fountain of Four Rivers, before seeing the outside of the Pantheon (entry inside not included), Rome's iconic dome with an open oculus.
Finally, you'll head to the 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. Along the way, your super-knowledgeable local guide will show you some of Rome's hidden gems to help you get to know the city better.
Free Time for Lunch
You'll have some free time in central Rome to grab a delicious Roman lunch, usually near the Trevi Fountain where there's a good selection of eateries. Lunch isn't included, but your guide can point out some of the best places to eat, depending on your tastes.
Guided Vatican Museums Tour
After driving to the Vatican, you'll skip the long general admission line and start exploring the impressive art collection at the Vatican Museums. Your guide will lead you on through the Vatican Museums, visiting the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries, and Gallery of Maps. Admire the ancient Roman and Greek statues, the Flemish tapestries created by Raphael's students, and the gorgeous topographical depictions of Italy.
At the height of the Roman Empire, pontiffs rarely left Rome. In order to understand the Italian peninsula without endangering his life, Pope Gregory XIII commissioned 40 huge and meticulous maps to be created for his use. Most of these maps measure more than 15 by 16 feet, and the end result is nothing short of spectacular.
You'll hear the stories behind these treasures from your expert guide as the Vatican secrets are slowly unveiled to you.
While you don't 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.
Experience Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel likely rivals the Colosseum as the focal point of this Rome in a day private tour. Until you stand beneath the chapel's frescoes, there’s no way to fully appreciate Michelangelo’s astonishing accomplishment.
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 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
Inside St. Peter’s Basilica, your private guide will bring centuries of art, faith, and power to life—explaining everything from Michelangelo’s majestic dome to Bernini’s towering Baldachin. With personalized insight, you’ll understand the meaning behind every marble detail in the world’s most important church.
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Customer Reviews
My family and I had a wonderful experience with this company from start to finish! It was such a relief to have scheduled with the right company for such a special international trip, where we were hoping we made the right decision. Our driver, Gianluca was very prompt and so polite and accommodating. He kept in communication prior to and throughout our tour, and he was so patient and helpful throughout the entire day. We never felt rushed and he was so kind. He got us to every location safely and on time, and the vehicle was very clean and comfortable. Even water bottles were thoughtfully provided for us in the back seat. He opened our doors and held umbrellas for us, and he drove safely to each location. A true professional. Our tour guide, Paola, was incredible! She was so friendly and charismatic, and extremely knowledgeable. We learned so much from her at each stop and she also made the best recommendations. As well educated as she is personable and fun, she was such a wonderful person to spend the day with. She spoke perfect English as well which was so helpful for us! We felt so blessed and fortunate to have her as our tour guide! Both Gianluca and Paola were so kind to our family and daughters and went out of their way to help us make our tour day run smoothly for us. It was raining all day which could have prevented our tour day that we were so looking forward to, but they made sure to do everything they could to make it enjoyable and make it happen for us! They timed the tour perfectly, ensuring we made it back in time to our port as well. Paola had our tickets printed and ready for us at each stop, prepared us for security protocols and any restrictions so we were never frantic or unprepared. With her as our tour guide we walked right past the long lines. Amazing! She took family photos for us, recommended a restaurant for lunch, and even allowed time for a souvenir shop. It was incredible to be able to experience so much within a few hours, and it was only possible because of Paola and Gianluca from the Tour Guy. They took the stress and confusion out of traveling for the day and allowed us to experience and make memories. If you want to enjoy your vacation, experience Rome with intention, and save yourself the stress… Book book book! They are the best!
Our day began with Tiziano, our driver, early morning on Friday October 10, 2025. Tiziano was very kind and a great driver, tou can tell he took his job seriously and provided a fantastic drive from and back to the port. Raffa, our personal tour guide managed to be Amazing, even when a small complication came about due to one of the names not matching for either the Colosseum or The sistine Chapel, she handled everything with surgical precision and our entire party was able to stay together and share both experiences together. Raffa was incredibly knowledgeable about all of the sites and historical questions we made, she even offered to take some of our pictures together and guided us through the maze of the streets of Rome. Raffa asked us some questions to determine our needs and wants and suggested a nice little hidden gem of a place to have our lunch before completing the rest of the tour. The Tour Guy not only met but surpassed all my expectations. I can't imagine visiting Rome again and not reaching out to them for my private tours. Thank you for making our One Day in Rome, a day we will cherish for the rest of our lives! Leonardo
The tour to Rome with Daniele and his driver was a once in a lifetime experience. There were just five of us and we had about an hour’s drive from the Civitavecchia port to Rome so, the on-the-ground tine was just 7 hours. Once we all sat in the van, Daniele started to prep us for what we would see. Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Pantheon, and Vatican to name a few. And we never waited in line. We even bypassed the exit line at the Vatican. With all of the time savings, we had to experience a lunch in Rome. Well, Daniele arranged that too. We had fantastic table waiting for us at st small restaurant located on a carless street full of people walking. The restaurant was situated next to open glass doors which gave us the perfect view. The food was to die for. The lasagne was impeccable as was the tiramisu and a limoncello capped off the meal. Daniele’s knowledge as an archeologist really made a difference with this tour. If you book with “The Tour Guy” I recommend Daniele. PS I’ll also be using The Tour Guy on future excursions. No more large group tours for me.
We were met at the pier by our driver then we immediately met Paola our guide for the day. She gave us over view of our day and then we drove to Rome. Since it was a Saturday it only took us an hour to reach Rome the traffic was light. We visited the Spanish steps first and then off to the Colosseum. It was breath taking, the size and the age. Then off to see Trevi fountain. It was crazy crowded but she got us close enough for some great pictures. We traveled past the Pantheon and then to a place for a great lunch. After lunch we went to the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. Both were very crowded but we had skip the line tickets which were provided by "The Tour Guy" and we walked past hundreds of people waiting in line. We did not get to see St Peter's Basilica but were informed prior that it would not open due to a concert. Over all a great day and would highly recommend this company. Great communication. Caio, Gary
Manuela was a phenomenal guide. She was extremely knowledgeable friendly and very efficient. Her sparkling personality and warm smile made our trip. I highly recommend this tour. Icing on the top was our funny charismatic driver John Franco.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Bring a water bottle, sunscreen in the summer months, and some coins for making wishes in the Trevi Fountain. Since many sites on this tour can only be explored on foot and there will be some uneven terrain, please also wear comfortable shoes. Please be prepared to cover your knees and shoulders in places of worship such as the Sistine Chapel.
What if I don't see availability on the day I want to go?
Just reach out to us and we'll try our best to accommodate your scheduling needs.
Is lunch included in the price of the tour?
No, lunch is not included but we will carve out time for you to grab a bowl of carbonara!
How many people can I bring?
If there are more than seven people in your group, please contact us prior to booking so we can make sure of getting the right transport and arrangements in place.
How do we arrange the timing of this shore excursion?
Please reach out to us upon booking to provide the exact time you'll disembark from your ship and we'll take care of the details. ***Since the Vatican is closed on Sundays, if you need to do the Shore Excursion on this day, we will contact you for a substitute site.
What to bring?
Bring a water bottle, sunscreen in the summer months, and some coins for making wishes in the Trevi Fountain. Since many sites on this tour can only be explored on foot and there will be some uneven terrain, please also wear comfortable shoes. Please be prepared to cover your knees and shoulders in places of worship such as the Sistine Chapel.
Is there a dress code to enter the religious sites on this tour?
We ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise you might be refused entry to religious sites and miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Rome can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
This private tour is your best bet if you have concerns about navigating the areas on this tour. Our private tours offer more flexibility in terms of pace and special accommodations.
Does this tour enter St. Peter's Basilica?
Please note that the Basilica is closed on Wednesday & Saturday mornings due to the Papal Audience and will not be included in tours. Afternoon tours will still include St. Peter's Basilica entry.
