Rome in a Day Tour with Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center

3416 reviews

7.5 hours

Max 18

Why take this tour?

Highlights

  • Visit the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and much more in a single day.
  • Enjoy transfers between the historic center of Rome and Vatican City in a private, air-conditioned bus with your guide and small group.
  • Save hours waiting in line with skip-the-line tickets to the Colosseum and Vatican Museums.
  • Learn about the history of the city from an expert guide who'll be with your small group for the full day.
  • Take the only group tour that combines tickets for the Colosseum and the Vatican with a private transfer to the latter.
  • Sites Visited
  • Colosseum
  • Vatican Museums
  • Sistine Chapel
  • Historic Center
  • Pantheon
  • Trevi Fountain
  • Piazza Navona
  • Campidoglio (view of the Roman Forum)
  • Gallery of Maps
  • Tour Includes
  • Express ticket access for Colosseum
  • Skip the line ticket for Vatican Museums
  • Transportation to Vatican Museums
  • Small group of 18 guests maximum
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Expertly guided walking tour
  • Headset (when needed)

Get ready to walk (a lot) and see all of Rome in just one day!

Book Now

Verified Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.8 /5
based on 3416 reviews
Rating summary by category
Guide
4.9/5
Guest Support
4.8/5
Latest reviews
Excellent
Our guide was Francesca and she was excellent. Our tour was Rome in a day and we saw a lot. Our guide was informative the entire tour including when we were in parts of the city that would seem to have less significance. If I could do it over again and I had more time I would break it into two tours. Our entire group was pretty tired. According to my app we walked about 7 miles in the tour. My wife and I did 12 in total that day. There is simply so much to see in Rome. 5 star tour
Peter · May 23, 2023 · United States · Male · 45 to 54 years
Excellent
We hit the jackpot with our tour guide Laura. She was informative and interesting. The tour hit the majority of the highlights in Rome. This tour is for anyone with a short period of time in Rome but it is a lot of walking so not for the faint of heart.
Lisa · May 21, 2023 · Canada · Female · 45 to 54 years
Great
This was a great tour to get a taste of the main Rome attractions. We had 2 days in Rome so this tour gave us the ability to see almost everything in about 8 hours. You could easily spend so much time at each place. Our tour guide Fabio was the best, he was fun, informative, friendly, and had a great attitude. He was our favorite part of the tour. As you walk around and see other tours, you get a sense that Fabio knew the best paths the walk, and the best timing of how to see popular places. Highly recommend.
Jonathan · May 21, 2023 · United States · Male · 25 to 34 years
Excellent
Excellent tour guide, gave good amount of history, fun, and help guide us on how to look at history at this time in history.
Thomas · May 20, 2023 · United States · Male · 55 to 64 years
Excellent
Great tour! Tour guide was excellent and was very informative.
Denise · May 17, 2023 · United States · Female · 65 to 74 years

Meeting Point

Meeting Point Map ⟶

Meeting Point

Via delle Terme di Tito, 72. Meet directly across the street from Oppio Caffè at the gated entrance to Colle Oppio Park. 

If arriving by metro, please note that there are two entrances/exits for the metro and the Park where we meet is located on the street above the metro station. You will need to take the stairs up from inside the metro station to reach the street above. Exiting the metro on the upper street level, turn to face the Colosseum and then walk to your left 150 meters and you will find the Oppio Caffe on the corner and the entrance to the Colle Oppio Park just opposite. Your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. 

Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.

FAQs

Do we always see the sights in the same order that you have listed in the description?
No. Sometimes the order of our visits change due to logistical issues or your guide make a snap decision to avoid crowds in order to increase the quality of your visit.
Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs, strollers or for those with mobility impairments?
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments, or for wheelchairs or strollers. Please contact the Guest Experience team at [email protected] or call +39 068-596-0143 (Italy) or 888-683-8670 (USA) to make alternative arrangements.
Does the order of the itinerary on this tour ever change?
Occasionally the sights on this tour are visited in a different order. This happens due to logistical changes and snap decisions made by our guides to avoid crowds and thus improve your visit.
Is there much walking on this tour?
This tour does involve walking. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty and comfortable walking shoes are a must!
I am in a wheelchair/have a mobility impairment. Can I take this tour?
The Vatican Museums are equipped with elevators for wheelchair access, but they are not located on the group tour route. If you have a mobility impairment and/or use a wheelchair please contact our customer service department at [email protected] and we will be happy to work out a suitable alternative.
Does Skip the Line Access mean no waiting?
During busy periods (May - October) there is sometimes a short wait to get inside the Colosseum. This is because the Colosseum has changed its admission policy to ensure that only 3,000 people are allowed within the amphitheater at any given time, meaning much less crowding during busy periods. Although our tickets are pre-booked with Skip the Line access, this may mean a slight delay on entering if capacity has already been reached. It's rare that we have to wait for more than a few minutes but if we do, it's unavoidable.
Is lunch included on this tour?
No. But your guide is always happy to offer you plenty of recommendations for great places to eat in the vicinity that will suit any price point.
What if the weather is bad (rain, snow, hail, etc.) on the day of my tour?
Our tours run rain or shine so please dress for the elements. We also ask you to please remember hats and sunscreen if you are taking this tour in the summer as it might be very hot.
Does the Colosseum ever close without warning?
Unfortunately, Yes. The Colosseum is subject to unforeseen closures due to weather conditions and worker strikes, as well as last minute changes in reservations, all of which are out of Walks of Italy (or any other tour operator's) control. If for any reason we cannot run the tour as described, we will contact you immediately, offering the best alternatives. Depending on the situation this might result in a modification of the itinerary or a change in the tour start time. Our aim is to offer you the highest level of service and in the rare occasion in which circumstances outside of our control mean that you cannot participate in a variation of this tour we will offer you a full refund.
Do I need to bring a photo identification with me?
Yes! This is especially important if you have purchased a student ticket because some sights will check when we arrive.
What items can I NOT take into the Vatican Museums
Knives, scissors, and other cutting tools must also be deposited in the cloakroom as a precaution against harming the artwork inside. No hammers, either, as one was once used to smash Michelangelo's Pietá. This probably goes without saying, but firearms are also strictly prohibited for visitors within the Vatican Museums and you can't check them in the cloakroom.
I've heard the Vatican has a strict dress code. What should I wear?
It does, but it isn't anything too formal. The big rule is to make sure your shoulders and knees are covered - that applies to both men and women. Also remember that shorts of any length are not allowed at all in St. Peter's Basilica so if you are visiting both the Vatican Musuems and the Basilica, wear trousers or a long skirt. Occasionally visitors get away with wearing a bit less but it’s best not to risk it. Hats are also not allowed. Walks cannot be held responsible for guests who are refused entrance due to inappropriate dress so please remember to cover up.
IMPORTANT: Can I bring a bag into the Vatican Museums?
Yes, as long as it's within a certain size. You cannot bring any bag, backpack suitcase or container larger that 40cm x 35cm x 15cm into the Vatican Museums. In fact, size limits apply to all items; because of the sheer number of people that visit the Museums, space is at a premium. You can’t enter with medium to large umbrellas, any umbrellas with spiked tips, camera tripods, signage (apart from signs used by certified guides) or walking sticks – except those required by disabled visitors. All of these items can be left in the cloakroom, which is located at the entrance to the Museums. This means that you will need to walk 15 - 20 minutes back here after you finish your tour at St Peter's Basilica. On our afternoon tours you may need to leave the tour early to collect your bag before the cloakroom closes.
I'd like to climb to the top of the Dome of St. Peter's. Anything I should know?
The St. Peter's Dome climb requires separate tickets, one allows you to take the elevator up part of the way then climb a further 320 steps, while another permits you to climb the entire 551 steps. Either way the view from the top is worth it!
Why can't I take photos inside the Sistine Chapel?
When the chapel was restored in 1990 the biggest donors to the project (donating a whopping $4.2 million) were a Japanese television network. In return, they received exclusive rights to photograph and film inside and quickly banned any professional photographers from taking pictures. Although they didn't mind if tourists took photos, the Vatican guards decided to enforce the rule on everyone because it was impractical to differentiate between a normal visitor and who was a professional photographer. The Japanese network's exclusive contract has expired now but the rule persists. If you try to take any images in the Chapel Vatican, security is authorized to make you delete them.

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