Private Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Vatican Museums
Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more with a private, licensed 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 the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and much more. Your jam-packed day is stress-free since tickets and transportation are included, so you can just enjoy your private guide's compelling narratives.
Tour Details
- Colosseum
- Gladiators, Emperors and Spectators
- Arch of Constantine
- Arch of Titus
- Rome's Eternal Flame
- Basilica of Antoninus and Faustina
- Senate House
- Julius Caesar's Temple
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Largo Argentina
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
- Vatican Museums
- Gallery of the Candelabra
- Gallery of the Tapestries
- Sistine Chapel
- Michelangelo's Masterpieces
- St. Peter's Basilica
- La Pietà by Michelangelo
- Baldacchino by Bernini
At The Tour Guy, we believe in maximizing your limited vacation time in Italy. Even if you don't have a month to spend in Rome, you'll want to hit all the best bucket list attractions in Rome. This tour is the best way to see Rome in a day with a private guide who can make the trip comfortable and unbelievably memorable. This 7-hour, full-day tour includes:
Private English-speaking guide and driver
Comfortable, air-conditioned luxury transportation
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Tour
Colosseum Tour
Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona
* As of June 23rd, 2021, the Vatican has closed the "licensed guide entrance" to St Peter’s Basilica for all tour companies and tour guides. Therefore, a guided visit to the Basilica won’t be possible at this time. Not to worry! Your awesome guide will give you a detailed introduction of the church and explain how to visit on your own at the conclusion of the tour. Hopefully, this changes very soon!
Please note: the order of the itinerary below may change, depending on time of year, site openings, and ticket availability.
Luxury Transportation Around Rome (Drop-Off Included)
To make this private tour in Rome even better, you'll be driven around Rome in luxury, climate-controlled vehicle. While a hotel pickup is not included, we can arrange a private transfer in the morning for an additional fee. Otherwise, meet your guide at the designated meeting spot (Caffè Vaticano on Viale Vaticano, 100). Then, after your Rome driving tour, you'll be dropped off at your city center hotel. Not sure if you're staying in central Rome? Contact our Travel Experts by email or online chat to find out if your hotel is located within the drop off area.
Guided Vatican Museums Tour
Kick off your private Rome in a Day Tour with the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Skip the regular ticket line with your private guide who will lead the way. As an accredited tour operator, we do not have to wait in the ticket line—we get in right after the security check (during the busier months there may be a longer-than-usual line at security). Once inside, visit the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries, and our personal favorite, the Gallery of the Maps.
Experience Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel
Since the Sistine Chapel is located inside the Vatican Museums, it’s included in your Vatican tour tickets. Experience Michelangelo’s masterpiece the way it was meant to be: in person. Photos and video just don't do his work justice; only when you enter the Sistine Chapel is it clear how high the ceiling is and how many frescos there are. 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, after your guide explains the significance of Michelangelo’s artwork. The map will help you understand what you're seeing while standing under the most popular ceiling in the world.
To enter the 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 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 Wednesdays
St. Peter's Basilica is a monumental, ornate church filled with works by some of the most celebrated artists in history. Enter through a special door reserved for visitors accompanied by guides, and go straight inside the palatial Renaissance church. Once inside, admire the Baldacchino, La Pieta, the statue of St. Peter and much more. St. Peter's holds the rank of Major Basilica. Only four exist in the world and all four are located in Rome!
After your first dose of culture, chances are, you’ll have worked up quite an appetite. You'll have a break for lunch so you can sample some typical Roman delicacies and high-quality Italian vino. While lunch isn't included in the price of the tour, you can count on your tour guide to suggest some ideal spots.
Private Rome City Tour
Rome is full of historically significant buildings, impressive works of art, fountains, and hilltops with panoramic views. It often takes people two or three visits to check off the must-see sites in Rome, but with your personal guide and a driver, it’s not hard to do in one day. For this portion of the tour, you'll visit Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Largo Argentina, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. In addition to these famous places, your expert guide will show you several hidden gems along the way.
Skip-the-Line Private Colosseum Tour
After a refreshing gelato at our favorite artisanal gelato shop in Rome (gelato must be purchased separately), we'll drive you directly to Rome's most iconic site: the Colosseum. This must-see attraction in Rome was used for gladiator fights, mock sea battles, animal hunts and fights, drama shows, and even public executions. Witness the incredible history of this 2,000-year-old structure up close on a private, skip-the-line Colosseum tour.
If there is time after your visit to the Colosseum, your guide will escort you to the nearby Roman Forum. The ruins here are what remains of ancient Rome's downtown area. Visit some of the most famous Roman Forum buildings, including the Temple of Julius Caesar, Arch of Titus, the Temple of Vesta, and the Roman Senate House. Here you'll walk down the same roads taken by famous Roman Emperors and philosophers. Finally, you'll be dropped off at your central hotel where you can enjoy a well-needed rest.
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
17 total reviews
Leave a reviewAmazing experience
Anuja rose francis
We had a wonderful full day tour with Roberta who is incredibly knowledgeable about Rome. We would highly recommend her. Thank you very much for the amazing experience.
Great Tour!
Trevor Hall
This was an amazing tour with incredible staff, very helpful and knowledgeable guides. There was a bit more walking than I expected, but this was great because of how much of the city we saw. For the dress code, there are only 2 times when you will need to have shoulders / knees covered: briefly in the Sistine Chapel and then later again when entering Pantheon. I was fine in shorts and and short sleeve button up shirt, my wife had to cover her shoulders at the two attractions as she wore something sleeveless. If you forget, there will be plenty of pushy sidewalk vendors trying to sell scarfs to tourists outside the Vatican Museum.
Awesome Tour with Franco
Joe Sugiyama
We had a fantastic time on our full day Rome tour with Franco. It was a packed agenda for the day seeing so much of the city, but everything felt well-paced and we had plenty of time to enjoy each part of the tour. Franco is incredibly knowledgable and also made everything really approachable - we would recommend him to anyone visiting Rome for the first time. The weather didn't always cooperate but he was completely undeterred, and trekked all around in the rain with us. Highly recommend!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
Meet us 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, and some coins for making a wish in the Trevi Fountain. Since this is a walking (and driving) tour that includes a visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum (an archeological site with uneven terrain), we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. In addition, some sites on this tour are religious, so knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. We know that Rome is hot in the summer, so bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
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.
How comprehensive are the Colosseum and Vatican portions of this tour?
In the spirit of seeing as much of Rome in one day as possible, the Colosseum and Vatican sections of this tour are abbreviated more than our dedicated Colosseum and Vatican tours. You'll still get to witness all the most important elements of these impressive attractions though.
Does this tour include hotel pickup?
No hotel pickup is included. Please meet your guide at Caffè Vaticano across from the Vatican Museums. After a guided Vatican Museums tour, you'll meet your driver for a private driving tour of Rome before walking into the Colosseum. Afterwards, you'll get back in the vehicle and be dropped off at your hotel (as long as it's in the city center of Rome). If you're interested in adding on a private transfer to the meeting point, please reach out to us by email or give us a call at one of the toll-free numbers at the bottom of this page.
Is lunch included in the price of the tour?
No, but you'll have a 1-hour break to find delicious food. We're happy to recommend one of our favorite spots, but your guide is sure to point you in the right direction too.
What to bring?
Bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and some coins for making a wish in the Trevi Fountain. Since this is a walking (and driving) tour that includes a visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum (an archeological site with uneven terrain), we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. In addition, some sites on this tour are religious, so knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. We know that Rome is hot in the summer, so bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
Where to meet?
Meet us 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.
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