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

3365 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!

Book Now

Verified Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.8 /5
based on 3365 reviews
Rating summary by category
Guide
4.8/5
Value for money
4.7/5
Latest reviews
Good
I attempted to cancel this tour well in advance as I had a change in plans. The website did not allow a cancellation as it repeatedly returned some kind of server error. I wrote to citywalks technical support and got no response. So, in the end, I paid a lot of money for a tour that I did not attend. I am unhappy about the lack of support for those who might need to cancel their tour.
Andrew · Mar 26, 2023 · United States · Male · 55 to 64 years
Great
Julia our tour guide was the best part of the tour. We did a whole day tour with her and we’re not bored even for a minutes. She was informative and knowledgeable , kept us intrigued through the tour. Overall experience from booking to completion of the tour was seamless and truly enjoyable ! Grazie
Pallavi · Mar 26, 2023 · United Kingdom · Female · 35 to 44 years
Great
Great tour- you really see the main attractions with an awesome guide who is very informative. Make sure you read all info carefully. We missed the part about having to return on your own from the Vatican. I would have looked up options to our hotel if I’d been more careful! The sites are wonderful and so much history. It is a lot of walking and standing so consider that when booking. We are in our late 60’s and had no problem but we walk 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day at home. Stopping point for lunch is nice because you have a large number of choices! Highly recommend this tour.
Jina · Mar 22, 2023 · United States · Female · 65 to 74 years
Excellent
Excellent tour - I thoroughly enjoyed. Our guide was fantastic. She was so helpful.
Catherine · Mar 19, 2023 · Ireland · Female · 45 to 54 years
Excellent
This was an amazing tour and really gave us a taste of Rome in a day. Our tour guide Magdalena was so knowledgeable and funny. The day flew by and we really loved it.
Alisa · Mar 18, 2023 · United States · Female · 45 to 54 years

Meeting Point

Meeting Point Map ⟶

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 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

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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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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