Rome in a Day Tour with Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center
3057 reviews
7.5 hours
Max 18
Why take this tour?
Highlights
- Visit the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, 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 private group transfers between sites
- 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
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Express ticket access for Colosseum
- Skip the line ticket for Vatican Museums
- Transportation to Vatican Museums
- Headset (when needed)
Get ready to walk (a lot) and see all of Rome in just one day!
$143.54
Free Cancellation
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Verified guest reviews
3057
5 star reviews 2803
4 star reviews 198
3 star reviews 56
2 star reviews 0
1 star reviews 0
Latest Reviews
Our guide was so fantastic! Very knowledgeable. Great sense of humour. Told very interesting stories. How he kept us all accounted for as we wandered through crowds of people was admirable! Excellent job and I highly recommend the tour.
Excellent way to see Rome in one day. Elena was a wonderful guide. I would highly recommend requesting her.
We did the Rome in a day tour with Sev and it was really good. He shared anecdotes and pictures and lively descriptions of what Ancient Rome must have been like. He hand picked the most important sights at the Vatican museum to explain and describe but did not overload us with information on every single art piece. My only request is to add one or two more bathroom breaks for a long trip in the fierce Italian sun.
Did not enjoy being dumped at the Vatican City when I thought we were to be transported back to the starting point
Sev was the best tour guide we have had in our whole three weeks in Italy.
Meeting Point
Meeting Point
Address: Via delle Terme di Tito, 72 (Oppio Caffè)
This tour meets opposite to the entrance to ""Oppio Caffè"" by the gate of access to the Park. The Park entrance is located on the corner of Via di Terme di Tito and Via Nicola Salvi.
If arriving by metro, please note that there are two entrances/exits for the metro. The Gate to access the Park is located on the street above the metro station. You can take the stairs up either inside the metro station or from outside. Once you arrive to the street above the metro, face the colosseum and then walk to your left 150 meters and you will find the Oppio Caffè and the Gate to the Park at the corner.
Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.
FAQs
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.
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 wheelchair please contact our customer service department and we will be happy to design a private tour for you. [email protected] We can then work out a suitable alternative.
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.
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.
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!
Can I use a wheelchair on this tour?
Yes, but we require advance notice in order to accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. After booking, please contact us so that we can organize a private tour for you. If we cannot find a guide to lead you that day we'll offer you the same tour on the next avaialbe date or give you credit for another tour anywhere else in the world.
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.