Explore Rome's most famous sights in one incredible day of sightseeing and beat the crowds at the Colosseum and Vatican Museums.
Rome in a Day Tour with Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center
Summary Description
Highlights
- Enter the Colosseum with special express access.
- Explore Rome's can't-miss sights with an expert guide.
- Skip the lines waiting to enter the Vatican Museums.
- Maximize your time with a carefully planned itinerary.
- Take private transport from central Rome to the Vatican.
Description
This tour combines your must-do Rome experiences into one full day. Delve into the very essence of Roman history, culture, art, and architecture on this incredible walking tour, which introduces visitors to Rome’s best-known sights. Visit the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, and the historic center of ancient Rome. Skip-the-line into the Museums and the Sistine Chapel, all in the company of an expert local guide.
On this expertly guided walking tour, see it all— the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and more. With special access to help you get ahead of the crowds and one quick bus transfer from central Rome to the Vatican, get the most from every precious second.
Take to the streets of Rome for a walking tour of the historic center with your guide. You'll visit Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Venezia among other iconic spots. Take a one-hour break for lunch (not included in price) with recommendations from your guide.
Afterwards, follow your guide to the Colosseum and bypass the masses to enjoy a guided tour in small groups. Hear tales of gladiators and emperors as you learn what life was like in Rome 1,000 years ago during a 1-hour tour of one of the world's most iconic sites. You won't go inside the Roman Forum, opting instead for a special overlook from where you can see it all without the crowds.
From there, travel by private transfer to the Vatican Museums and skip the line to bypass long wait times. Enjoy a tour of the best of the Vatican Museums as you admire the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of the Maps, ancient Greek and Roman sculptures. Enter the world-famous Sistine Chapel, one of the most acclaimed interiors of all time, almost entirely due to Michelangelo's incredible frescoed ceiling.
A thoughtfully planned itinerary, skip-the-line tickets, and knowledgeable guide help you cover much more ground than you could on your own. Relax and enjoy an epic day of sightseeing in Rome knowing that all the details are taken care of. All you have to do is show up and prepare to do a lot of walking on this ultimate Rome In a Day tour.
Walks Tours is proud to be an Official Parco Archeologico del Colosseo Operator approved to lead guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill.
Included / Excluded
- Skip the line ticket for Vatican Museums
- Transportation to Vatican Museums
- Colosseum entrance ticket (24h – Colosseo, Foro Romano, Palatino Ticket, €18)
- Small group of 18 guests maximum
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Local English-speaking guide
- Headset (when needed)
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Start / End Locations
Start Location: 2 Piazza Navona, Piazza Navona, 2, Roma, IT
Start Location Notes: Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Piazza Navona 2, in front of Museo di Roma.
Start Location Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uba77GmULycw38Qj6
Commentary
Guide : English
Important Information
Know Before You Book
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- Please note that this is a walking tour with a quick bus transfer from Central Rome to the Vatican.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
- A government-issued ID or passport is required for all participants. Without an ID, security may deny entry to the monument. All guests, including children, must bring ID on tour day.
- This tour is fully refundable up to 4 days prior to the event. Within 4 days, this tour is 100% non-refundable.
- The sites are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
- Due to the religious nature of the Vatican Museums, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. You can bring extra covering (scarves, etc) to put on just before entering the Vatican.
- Walks is an Official Parco Archeologico del Colosse Operator approved to lead guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of courtesy to other guests, we’re unable to wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
- The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
- A government-issued ID or passport is required for all participants. Without an ID, security may deny entry to the monument. All guests, including children, must bring ID on tour day.
- This tour is fully refundable up to 4 days prior to the event. Within 4 days, this tour is 100% non-refundable.
- Due to the religious nature of the Vatican Museums, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. You can bring extra covering (scarves, etc) to put on just before entering the Vatican.
- All guests must pass through security. No weapons or large items will be permitted. Only small backpacks and handbags are allowed inside the Colosseum (no bag check) and Vatican Museums (bag check available). Please note if you check something at the Vatican Museums you must return (about a 20-minute walk) to the entrance to pick up your items at the end of the tour.
- Please note that this is a walking tour with a quick bus transfer from Central Rome to the Vatican.
- The sites are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.
Cancellation
Cancellation Cutoff: 4 days
Cancellation Notes: Cancellations received greater than 4 days prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 4 days of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive or arrives after tour departure
Options and Pricing
Rome in a Day Tour Pricing valid from April 1st, 2025 to October 31st, 2025
| Rome in a Day Tour Pricing valid from April 1st, 2025 to October 31st, 2025 | RETAIL PRICE |
|---|---|
| Adult (18 - 99 years) | €179.00 |
| Child (2 - 17 years) | €179.00 |
Points of interest
- Fontana di Trevi, Piazza di Trevi, Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy
- Colosseum, Piazza del Colosseo, Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy
- Vatican Museums, Vatican City
- Pantheon, Piazza della Rotonda, Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy
- Campidoglio, Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
- Piazza Navona, Piazza Navona, Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
Terms and Conditions
Before you travel, please read the "Know Before You Go" section for essential information, requirements, and possible disruptions regarding your tour.
Redemption Information
Tickets will be held at the box office
FAQ
Can I bring a stroller inside the Colosseum?
Strollers are allowed inside the Colosseum, as long as they are light and foldable. However, we always recommend clients to use baby carriers, instead of strollers, because there are many stairs in the site and the ground is very uneven. Particularly, the Forum & Palatine Hill areas can be especially challenging.
Can I bring my bag inside the Colosseum?
Due to a new set of rules, you may only carry a small backpack or handbag inside the Colosseum. As there is no bag storage at the Colosseum, guests who bring large bags on their tour may be unable to join their group. It is left to the discretion of the individual guard we encounter as to what is considered to be ‘small’ and ‘large’ All visitors also undertake a more thorough security check at the Colosseum, which can cause delays.
Dress code in the Vatican: what should I wear?
The Vatican Museums has a very strict dress code, requiring that all visitors cover their shoulders and knees. Men should be careful to wear long shorts, while women should wear skirts beneath the knee or trousers. If you are wearing a sleeveless top, please bring a cardigan with you. Guests who arrive at the Museums without the appropriate dress may be refused entry.
I would like to take the tour but I’m concerned it might be too difficult for members of my group.
Seeing all of Rome in a single day is pretty tiring. We do leave time for a lunch break during which you can rest and our guides are always very conscious to pace our tours to suit your group. For guests with a normal fitness level and good health, it won’t be too much but if someone in your party has issues with mobility or fitness, we would recommend that you take the Best of Rome and Vatican Highlights on separate days, to give you time to rest in between. If you really only have one day in Rome, consider a private tour where we can add in more breaks and cut a few sites to suit you.
Can I take photos inside the Sistine Chapel?
No, non, ne, nee, absolutely not. And the Sistine Chapel guards are scary, so we don’t recommend trying it.
About operator:
Walks (takewalks.com, walksofitaly.com) began over a decade ago (2008, to be exact) in Rome, Italy. We quickly became the premier walking tour company in 7 countries - Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Greece, and Portugal. Our US cities include San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans.
In 2021, we joined The Hornblower Group (cityexperiences.com) expanding our reach and working alongside this powerhouse travel brand.
Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...
Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.
Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...
Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.
Basic Information
- Duration: 7.5 hours
- Trip difficulty: Moderate
- Max Group Size: 18
- Category: Tours & Sightseeing
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