From Civitavecchia: Private Rome Shore Excursion with Colosseum & Vatican
Experience the city’s greatest with luxury transport, your own guide, and timed-entry tickets
There are ways to see Rome in a day from Civitavecchia, and then there is this. A private guide, a luxury vehicle, and timed entry to the Colosseum and Vatican Museums mean you lose nothing to general queues or group schedules. Stand where emperors watched gladiators fight, walk the Roman Forum, toss a coin at the Trevi Fountain, then enter the Sistine Chapel with someone who decodes Michelangelo's ceiling before you step inside. This is what a day in Rome looks like when it's done properly.
What You Get With This Tour
-
Step inside the world's greatest stories
-
Expert English-speaking private guide
-
Luxury round-trip transport
-
Timed entry to the Colosseum
-
Guided tour of first and second Colosseum tiers
-
Guided tour of the Roman Forum
-
Timed entry and tour of the Vatican Museums
-
Entry to the Sistine Chapel
-
Entry to St. Peter's Basilica
-
Private experience for your group
-
Guide tips
-
Food and drink
Tour Itinerary
-
1
Your tour begins at Civitavecchia Port
Your private driver meets you dockside and sweeps you toward Rome in a luxury, air-conditioned vehicle. No need to wait for others or squeeze onto a crowded coach, this is Rome your way. -
2
Step inside the Colosseum
With timed entry tickets in hand, you walk straight past the ticket window, through security, and into the world's most storied arena. Your private guide conjures the roar of 60,000 Romans as you stand on the same tiers that once held emperors. -
3
Walk through the Roman Forum
The Roman Forum stretches before you like an open-air museum of power and ambition. Tune in as your guide points out where Julius Caesar was cremated and where senators once traded empires. -
4
Visit Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona
Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, a Baroque masterpiece completed in 1762, before crossing to the theatrical oval of Piazza Navona, where Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers commands center stage. -
5
Take a lunch break in central Rome
Settle into a Roman lunch at your own pace, with your guide on hand to point you toward the best trattorias near the Trevi Fountain. It's the perfect chance to sit, eat well, and absorb the city at street level. -
6
Explore the Vatican Museums
Your timed entry takes you past the general admission crowds and into one of the greatest art collections on earth. Move through the Gallery of Maps, Candelabra Gallery, and centuries of papal treasures. -
7
Enter the Sistine Chapel
Nothing prepares you for the scale of Michelangelo's ceiling fresco, which spans more than 500 square meters above you. Your guide decodes the iconography before you enter, as speaking inside the chapel is not permitted. -
8
Visit St. Peter's Basilica
Step beneath Michelangelo's soaring dome and stand before Bernini's towering bronze Baldachin in the world's most significant church. Note that the basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings due to the Papal Audience. -
9
Your tour ends at Civitavecchia Port
Your private driver collects you at the Vatican and sweeps you back to the port in time to rejoin your ship. The 90-minute drive is yours to unwind in, with the full weight of Rome's history behind you.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Dress code: As the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are deeply religious sites, everyone must cover their knees, shoulders, and toes. Guests who do not meet the dress code may be refused entry by security officials. No hats please.
Accessibility: As this is a private tour, the itinerary can be accommodated to be wheelchair or mobility accessible. Please contact us in advance, after making the booking, to make the proper arrangements.
Tour changes: St. Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesday mornings until 1:30 pm due to the Papal Audience. Tours during this time will not include basilica entry. Tours during special Jubilee events may also experience a closure of St. Peter's Basilica.
Bag policy: Camera tripods and large backpacks are not allowed in the Vatican Museums, so please leave them at your hotel. The Colosseum allows small to medium-sized bags, but large backpacks, suitcases, and wheeled bags are prohibited. All bags are subject to security screening.
Please note: While timed entry allows you to bypass the general admission queue, a shorter security line is still required for entrance to the Vatican. Short delays at the security check may occur during the busiest months of June and July. The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so visitors are not allowed to speak inside. Your guide will explain what you'll see before you enter.
ID requirement: Please bring a valid government-issued ID for entrance into the Colosseum. The name on your tickets must match the name listed on your government-issued ID or you may be refused entry.
Please note: The itinerary of this private tour can be adjusted to your needs. Please reach out if you do not see a start time that fits your party. We would be happy to check with our ticketing team to see if we can accommodate you.
Check-in: Your driver will meet you directly at your cruise ship at Civitavecchia port. Please contact us in advance with your ship's arrival time so your driver can be there.
Your 9.5-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking private guide for the full day
Luxury, air-conditioned round-trip transport from Civitavecchia port
Timed entry to the Colosseum with guided tour of the first and second levels
Guided tour of the Roman Forum
Timed entry to the Vatican Museums with guided tour
Entry to the Sistine Chapel
Entry to St. Peter's Basilica (subject to Wednesday morning closure)
Lunch break in central Rome (lunch not included)
Private experience for your group
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Government-issued ID
Water bottle
Clothing that covers knees, shoulders, and toes
Camera
You might also like...
Private Tour Transportation Included
Colosseum, Roman Forum & Trevi Fountain Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia
Free Cancellation Private Tour
Private Catacombs and Crypts Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia
Private Tour Transportation Included
Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia
Free Cancellation Skip the Line
Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
Likely to Sell Out
Private Tour Transportation Included
Colosseum, Roman Forum & Trastevere Lunch Shore Excursion
Private Tour Transportation Included
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & Trastevere Lunch Shore Excursion
Free Cancellation Skip the Line
Private Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Vatican Museums
Guided Tour Skip the Line
Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums
Guided Tour Transportation
Rome Half-Day Tour with Colosseum and St. Peter's Basilica
Free Cancellation New Tour
Colosseum and Roman Forum Treasure Hunt for Kids in Rome
Free Cancellation Skip the Line
Private Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica Tour
Customer Reviews
As first-time visitors, we couldn’t have asked for better. Clear explanations, helpful tips, and unforgettable sights made Rome welcoming and exciting.
All the arrangements were perfectly organized - guides, tickets, and the return times were in perfect sync.
You could feel the care put into this tour. It felt personal, thoughtful, and full of genuine love for Rome’s history and culture.
This tour respected our time and energy while delivering unforgettable sights, rich context, and a warm, human connection throughout the day.
Transportation, tickets, timing everything worked seamlessly. We could simply enjoy Rome while the logistics were handled perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
Is this tour family friendly?
Yes, this is a private tour so the pace and itinerary can be adjusted to suit your group, including families with children. Keep in mind the day involves significant walking across multiple sites, so comfortable shoes and plenty of water are recommended for younger travelers.
Do I still need to wait in line at the Vatican?
Timed entry allows you to bypass the general admission queue at the Vatican Museums. A shorter security line is still required for entrance, and short delays at the security check may occur during the busiest months of June and July.
