Vatican and Colosseum Tour: Explore Rome's Historic Gems

Experience the best of Rome with a private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, and Roman Forum. Explore ancient ruins and iconic landmarks with a knowledgeable guide.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Piazza del Colosseo - You will walk along this Piazza in order to access the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

Nothing was added from the time of the Roman Empire, what you see, is more or less the view that the romans had in the past.

  • Colosseum - Visit the Colosseum, one of the largest structures of the ancient world, where Romans once gathered to watch the gladiator games, battles with wild beasts, and according to legend, sea battles. Discover how the Colosseum, a massive stone amphitheater which seated an estimated 60,000 spectators, was built in only 8 years. Your guide will unlock fascinating stories of the design and construction, the political benefit, the fighters, and the eventual end of the games at the Colosseum.
  • Roman Forum - At the Roman Forum, your guide will bring to life the mythology, the popular celebrations of the time, and the gods of ancient Rome, which are reflected in the star signs in contemporary astrology. Learn how the pagan holiday Saturnalia influenced the unfolding of Christmas on the 25th of December today. Listen to the story of the Lapis Niger (Latin for ‘black stone’), the most ancient Latin text ever discovered in the world - which is housed in the foundation of a column in the Forum.

Discover the Temple of the Vestal Virgins. They worked in the temple for a period of 30 years under different emperors and were regarded almost as goddesses in status. Their foremost duty was maintaining the sacred fire of Vesta which represented the heart of Rome. As legend has it - as long as the sacred flame burned, Rome would endure and be victorious.

  • Arch of Constantine - Admire the view of the most important Triumphal Arch of Rome dedicated to the Famous Emperor Costantine.

This Arch represents a turning point of the Roman History and Art, a dividing line between the rise of the Christians and the decline of the Roman Empire.

  • Vatican Museums - Treat yourself with a customized private tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. Visit some hidden gems of the museums and explore rooms closed to the general public at all times. Meet your guide at your hotel where you will be picked-up and travel together to the Vatican Museums. Skip the line for fast-track entry to the world famous Vatican museum complex, made up of galleries with an impressive number of artwork and masterpieces from antiquity to present day.

During your visit you will have a chance to see one of the world’s finest collections of sculptures, carvings, frescoes and paintings. Enjoy the impressive Belvedere Courtyard and then stroll through the most interesting rooms and galleries of the museum complex. Marvel at the famous Lacoon and the Belvedere Torso at the sculpture museum, deeply revered by Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists.

  • Cortile della Pigna - The Cortile della Pigna, or “Court of the Pine Cone,” is a tranquil courtyard within the Vatican City, named after a colossal bronze pine cone that dates back to Ancient Rome. This pine cone, once a fountain, stands as the centerpiece of the courtyard, symbolizing enlightenment and eternal life. The courtyard, nestled between the Vatican Museums’ Belvedere Palace and the Apostolic Palace, is an embodiment of the Renaissance spirit, blending art, nature, and history in a serene setting.
  • Gallery of Tapestries - The Vatican Museums’ Gallery of Tapestries showcases stunning 15th and 16th-century tapestries, intricately woven with scenes from biblical and historical narratives. Inspired by designs from Raphael’s school, this gallery highlights the artistic sophistication and storytelling of the Renaissance.
  • Gallery Of The Maps - The Gallery of Maps, inside the Vatican Museums, displays a stunning collection of topographical maps of Italy. Created in the 16th century under Pope Gregory XIII, these beautifully painted maps span 120 meters, offering a unique geographical snapshot of the Italy of the past.
  • Gallery of the Candelabra - The Gallery of the Candelabra is a part of the Vatican Museums, showcasing a rich collection of Greek and Roman statues, sarcophagi, and reliefs. It is named for the grand marble candelabra that decorate it, dividing the gallery into thematic sections. Set up in the late 18th century, the gallery merges ancient art with stunning architectural details, providing visitors a journey through history and beauty.
  • Sistine Chapel - The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. It is known throughout the world both for being the place where the conclave and other official ceremonies of the Pope are held (in the past also some papal coronations), and for being decorated with one of the most famous and celebrated works of art of artistic civilization the frescoes by Michelangelo
  • St. Peter’s Basilica - St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is a renowned architectural masterpiece and an iconic symbol of the Catholic faith. Built over what is traditionally considered the tomb of Saint Peter, the first Pope, its construction involved legendary figures like Bramante, Michelangelo, and Bernini. The basilica is famous for its majestic dome, ornate interiors, and the significant role it plays in Catholic traditions.
  • St. Peter’s Baldachin - The Baldachin in St. Peter’s Basilica is a breathtaking masterpiece of art and architecture. Designed by the renowned Baroque sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, it stands as a magnificent bronze canopy over the high altar of the basilica. This ornate structure, adorned with intricate details and towering over 90 feet tall, serves as a symbol of the grandeur of the Catholic Church and a focal point of the basilica’s interior. It is a true marvel that captivates visitors with its beauty and historical significance.
  • La Pieta - The Pietà (1498–1499) is a work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
  • St. Peter’s Square - St. Peter’s Square, or Piazza San Pietro, is a large plaza located in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini from 1656 to 1667, the square embodies the grandeur and embrace of the Baroque style. The square features a double colonnade and a central obelisk flanked by two large fountains. As a religious and architectural symbol, the square often serves as the gathering point for thousands of Catholics during papal addresses.
What's Included
  • Reservation fees included
  • Expert Blue Badge guide
  • Exclusive Private Walking Tour
  • Priority skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums
  • Convenient hotel pick-up, drop-off, and transport with private vehicle
  • All admission fees covered for the Vatican Museums
  • Fast-track entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

A certified Blue Badge Guide will greet you at your downtown accommodation to commence your all-day tour by exploring the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

Following a short respite for lunch, you will venture into the city’s historical section to discover the might of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, traversing through the eternal remnants of their past.

  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
  • Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers’ full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
  • Please advise in case of mobility issues - wheelchair partly accessible
  • Be prepared to climb uneven steps and explore an archaeological site
  • Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved - comfortable shoes are recommended
Location
Piazza del Colosseo
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(29 Ratings)
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David_k
Jun 8, 2024
Loving the personal tour of experiencing Rome in a day! - Are you in Rome? Then, this is the tour for you! It begins by picking you up at your hotel and having a private transport to the Plaza to meet your tour guide Gianluca. He will walk you to the Colosseum and give you a short history of the outside and what you’re looking at. You get to skip all the lines and see a different perspective of how life was during those times. My husband loves history and I’m more a novice, but Gianluca was able to educate us both about the history we were walking. We took breaks and stopped in all the best shaded places to still see the sights. We had lunch at the best pizza place around too! We were then picked up and driven to the Vatican. Again, we skipped all of the long lines and walked into the city. Wow! It was amazing. Gianluca again, made sure to watch us and to see when we needed breaks and was able to answer all of our questions. He even made a picture book to go over what used to be in certain places or to help us understand the history behind each sight. After we finished visiting all of the sights, we were picked up and dropped off at our hotel. It was such a life changing experience to see all of the history without worrying about the small hassles of lines, transportation, questions about the history or art. You need to selected this tour and ask for Gianluca!
Review provided by Viator
Gekkot2024
May 17, 2024
Great way to see the highlights in one go - Eli brought every location and monument to life, and made me a fan of Michelangelo! I learned more in one day than my years of roman history in school.
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Louiseck303ee
May 9, 2024
Full family day in Rome- trying to fit it all in. - We had a fantastic day with Maria-Linda. After an early start we did Vatican museums, St Peters Basilica including climbing to the top. Stopped at an awesome local place for lunch. Then Colosseum and Roman Forum in the afternoon. Everything went smoothly. We would never have got through it all without help. She was really patient with the kids and went at a pace that we were happy with. Thank you for a great day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kellyce9803nr
Mar 11, 2024
Exceptional Vatican and Colosseum Tour - Our day tour with Eleonora was so much more than we expected! Eleonora's English was exceptional. Her knowledge of the Vatican, Colosseum and Roman Forum made our first visit easy. She was able to teach us and show us so many things we would have missed on our own. Our next time in Rome we will certainly be using Eleonora as our guide.
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Joemarley30
Sep 16, 2023
Best Tour Guide Ever - We recently took a full day tour in Rome…Colosseum and Forum in the morning and Vatican in the afternoon. Our tour guide, Rosie, was very simply the best tour guide we have ever had anywhere in the world. Her knowledge was near encyclopedic and she presented it as if a close friend was talking to you. The things we learned from her were amazing as she had the ability to make you feel the experience. By the end of the day we were a bit in awe over what we had seen and most importantly learned from Rosie. If you ever have the chance to join her as your tour guide you will be incredibly glad you did. Wow.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michellelz8745me
Sep 13, 2023
Vatican Museums and Colosseum Combo Tour - This was absolutely the best tour we took in our ten days in Italy!! Rosie was our guide and she was phenomenal! She was so fun and informative. She put us at ease from the moment we met her. She was an art history major and really knew how to explain the history to us in understandable terms. We were impressed with her ability to answer all of our questions and she kept the pace of the day moving so we didn't miss anything! It was an additional pleasure to have her join us for lunch!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D8245dbdavep
Sep 3, 2023
Informative - Very good and our guide Azzurra was very knowledgeable. 7hrs is a perfect amount of time for all of it. Good place to stop for lunch
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joannet193
Apr 5, 2023
Denis showed us a GREAT time in Rome! - Denis is the BEST! Punctual, knowledgeable, informative, passionate - a true pro! We only had a short time in Rome and wanted to hit the highlights - Denis was perfect! He answered every question with enthusiasm and great insight - he shared so many incredible tidbits about the locations we visited. He was amazing! I would HIGHLY recommend booking Denis for ANY tour in Rome - this man knows his stuff but shares it in a way that doesn't feel like a history lesson, but a walk in the steps of the people he talks about. A great experience and well worth the money spent!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Darianz4
Sep 12, 2022
Eleonora is the best!!! - During my time in Rome, I had a full-day tour with Eleonora, which was the highlight of my vacation in Italy. As a first-time solo traveler, I was nervous about having a tour alone, but Eleonora eased that concern immediately. We had a wonderful time exploring the Vatican Museums and Colosseum. Eleonora is highly knowledgeable about the symbolism of the various artworks in the Vatican Museums and their significance in history. Her knowledge of the Roman Forum and Colosseum was a dream for a former History major. I learned so much and had the most incredible time on my tour. My parents will be visiting Rome in the Spring and Eleonora is the only choice...you can't go wrong with her!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kyann2020
Sep 1, 2022
Trip of a Lifetime Thanks to Alessandro! - We just finished a full day of touring Rome, and we can't stop smiling all thanks to Alessandro. We never dreamed we'd be touring the eternal city with a real-life archaeologist who had first-hand experience excavating the ancient ruins. Nothing cooler than that! Not only was he extremely knowledgeable in all things Roman history, but he was absolutely hilarious and such a pleasure to spend the day with. We had limited time in Rome, so we chose to do 2 yours in one day. We did the 'Vatican Museums Early Morning Prime Tour: VIP Entrance' + the 'Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour' in the afternoon. Initially, we were worried we might get tired/bored after doing 2 full tours in one day. Quite the opposite! Alessandro was the most entertaining, hilarious, charming, charismatic AND knowledgeable tour guide we could've ever dreamed of having. He had us laughing from early morning till the end of the day, all the while giving us a PhD level education in Roman history. He really has a passion for Roman history and it shows! His heart is as big as his smile. If you don't book a tour with Alessandro, you'd be missing out on the best day with one of the jewels of Rome. He has left us with memories of a wonderful day that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. It was truly a privilege to spend the day in Rome with him, and we feel so fortunate to have gained a friend in Alessandro. Thank you Alessandro & Eyes of Rome!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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