Rome In a Day: Vatican, Colosseum and Ancient Rome Tour
Rome, Italy
- 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Overview
Experience Rome’s must-see attractions in one day with skip-the-line access. Begin with a comprehensive Vatican tour, including the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica (when it's open). In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the iconic Colosseum, Roman Forum, and other sites to learn about life during ancient Rome and gladiator battles.
- Great for time-pressed travelers who want to see Rome's highlights
- Explore Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon with a guide
- Visit Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's
- Skip-the-line entrance fees for Vatican and Colosseum included
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Entrance fees for Vatican Museums, Colosseum and Roman Forum
- Children 5 and younger are complimentary
- Head sets when needed
- Colosseum entrance ticket (valued at €18 per person)
- Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
- Please note: Colosseum fees as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport from the Vatican tour to the Colosseum & Ancient Rome tour
- St. Peter's Basilica might be closed on Wednesday mornings due to weekly Papal Audience.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End points
This activity ends in a different location. See details below:
Itinerary
1
Vatican Museums
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Sistine Chapel
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Saint Peter’s Basilica
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Colosseum
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
5
Palatine Hill
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
6
Roman Forum
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- 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.
- Customers must bring with them an identity document (passport, driving license, etc.)
- 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.
- THE SECOND MEETING POINT FOR THE "Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour" IS LOCATED IN: Via del Colosseo, 31, 00184 Roma RM, Italy The meeting point for the second part of the tour (Colosseum Tour) is outside the Colosseo metro station the upper level in front of Caffè Roma (Via del Colosseo 31). Please look for a tour leader with "Rome Your Way" sign. The tour will start at 1.45pm, please arrive 15 min. before the tour starts.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
3.4
based on 50 reviews
Ginger_a, Oct 2025
This tour operator was a total scammer. They texted me a day before the trip saying there wasn't enough interest and told me to cancel the trip on Viator so I could get my money back. I went to Viator and the trip was non-refundable. I texted them back to tell them I can't cancel and they ghosted me completely and never responded back to me. Then I kept getting automated messages about the trip happening. No one showed up and I'm out $350 bucks. They were also still advertising the trip on Viator for the same time slots they told me it was cancelled. Complete scam. I will never book another trip through Viator if they aren't going to vet their tour companies better. I had to scramble to get tours for the ones they scammed me on and never saw the Vatican because it then sold out!
wqbtcw9jk2, Sep 2025
We had booked this tour months before our tour date and it was cancelled two days before the tour. It made it extremely difficult to find another tour and because of this we missed seeing the Colosseum and the Roman Ruins. I am not very happy.
Jennifer_C, Sep 2025
The Viator site gave us a meeting spot 30 minutes from where the guide wanted to meet. We were told that morning. Seeing the basilica was supposed to be included in the tour but we were not brought to the basilica and did not see it. We were supposed to have a guided tour of the Collisseum. They messaged us and told us that this part had to be cancelled. We have still not received our refund as they promised. I will be disputing the charges. Very unhappy. Terrible experience
Beth_g, Aug 2025
Horrendous rip off £268 paid 2 months in advance.
Messaged on WhatsApp at 2pm the day before the tour to say cancelled due to a lack of tickets for attractions (plenty available online)
Messaged back to ask about refund and was instantly blocked.
Manage booking and contact customer service nonexistent on the app
Don't waste your time or money booking via this service
My credit card provide is going to recover the money on my behalf, they said this isn't the first time they have had to recover money from this company
Rockerville_G, Sep 2024
The length of these tours was perfect for us. Having a tour guide at both attractions was nice because we learned so much about the history of the attractions as well as about Rome. Had we toured the attractions on our own we would have missed out on so much of the history of ancient Rome.
Although the tour came with skip-the-line tickets, we still had to wait in line to get into both attractions. However, the skip-the-line tour lines were much shorter than the regular admission lines.
joanne_t, Feb 2024
Missed the tour, wrong information on meeting point on voucher. Gave us the second meeting point. Viator and tour operator no help what so ever. No refund. Tour operator would not answer phone in the morning. Had to book another tour instead.
Very disappointed. Sent copies of my voucher still they said nothing they could do!
Kari_H, Jul 2023
Viator cancelling the 2nd part of our tour their was 12 of us. You could have at least gave us enough time to find another tour insterad of the day of. SHAME ON YOU
Kelly_M, Jul 2023
I was pleased with the ability to skip the line. However, our guide, while knowledgeable, talked way too much while the group stood in the hot sun. Members had walked away and she continued to talk excessively, not taking cues from the guests. She was unaware of the second part of the tour and kept us in the church too long. For the Colluseum tour, the guide did not show up. We were left with tickets and to explore on our own with two others who we did not even know. We were promised a 50% refund. Hopefully, Viator will deliver because we have more tours scheduled.
Paras_S, May 2023
If you want to experience Rome in a good way I would skip this tour company
We reached the meeting point at 8:15AM. The guide showed up late and then we were told with an another party of 3 that the tour is overbooked and we will have to go and join the colosseum tour which begins at 9:45AM. We had to rush and buy train tickets to get to colosseum. The tour started and we were told that the Vatican tour starts at 2 PM so if you want to grab a bite leave the tour and rush back to Vatican City we have the possibility to leave the tour early.
We reached Vatican city at 1:30 PM and then we’re told that tour will begin at 3 PM instead of promise time at 2 pm (our names were not on the list). and that our tour guide for the colosseum should’ve relayed this information to us however she didn’t and instead encouraged us to leave early if we felt we might miss the tour of the Vatican.
So then we were forced to wait another hour for the tour and when 3 pm came we were informed that we would not have a tour guide. He is sick and cannot make it so now won’t get a guided tour. If we want we can have tickets to museum and visit on our own. Being on crunch time we were okay with an audio tour and continued on to find out that there were not enough tickets for each of us who had prepaid and signed up for this tour. After about another hour or so of waiting in the heat a couple decided to opt out of the tour and I think 2 ladies were left out high and dry without any information. finally able to start the tour but we weren’t given headphone and had to carry the radio like a mobile phone. to our dismay the musei would close in around an hour so we had limited time and we’re not able to cover everything we would like to.
Honestly it was overall a very horrible experience and I would advice anyone to use this kind of tour agency. Other tour agency who operate from same location were very well organized.
LADISLAO_C, May 2023
Guide was very knowledgeable on the Vatican but because the tour company rescheduled twice, we missed the Forum and Coliseum
Mark_V, Apr 2023
I was not notified that the afternoon portion of the tour was canceled until I arrived the day of the tour. Additionally the tour guide was hard to see and follow. I lost sight of her within the first 15 minutes of the tour and as a reslult was left on my owne and did not receive a guided tour.
Kaci_B, Apr 2023
This is a WHOPPING full day tour! You’ll see SO MUCH in one day and it’s all pretty unmissable. There is a lot of walking between the two 3.5 hour tours. Comfy shoes are a must. The first part is mostly indoors and the second part is mostly outdoors. Make sure to eat a big breakfast and lunch, bring water and small snacks you can shove into your mouth for sustenance as this is not a simple stroll you’ll be taking.
The guides for both parts were absolutely **excellent** and the tours included headsets so it was easy to hear even in a group.
The Sistine Chapel is more amazing than you can even believe in person (and I say this as an artist and lover of art history). I just couldn’t believe how alive it was in person and the tour guide’s explanations of potential hidden meanings and backstory brought it to life even more.
They also purchase all the entrance tickets for you so it makes touring SO MUCH easier.
My 78 year old dad wasn’t feeling up for the first tour and joined us only for the second part (the coliseum and pantheon, etc). He walks every day at home but the full day would’ve been too much for him. We walked about 6 miles total (15,000 steps) between both tours but I have no regrets. We pretty much saw it all in one day and we’re only here for 2.5 days!
People wandering through these experiences without guides are really missing out. Worth every penny.
BRIAN_K, Jan 2023
Vatican museum was impressive. The guide was very knowledgeable, friendly, and very accommodating. Recommend to anyone.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
HELLO,
Thanks a lot for your positive review . hope to see you again in ours tours.
Rochelle_D, Nov 2022
Vatican tour was amazing!!! Worth it. However, The Colosseum not so exciting. tour took too long that by the time we got to the Forum and Pantheon everyone was exhausted and feet were hurting. 3 couples cut short there tour by the time colosseum tour was over
Response from Host, Nov 2022
Dear sir , boththe tours are made like pro booking
there is written in the information this is a tour in one day 3 hors the first tour and 3 hours the second one .
pay attention when you did the reservation if you think was too much for you in one day.
hope to see you again
thanks
Joanne_S, Nov 2022
Good one day coverage of Rome. Lots of walking though. Good guides, very knowledgeable. You must get yourself to and from the starting/ending points of the tour though.
Response from Host, Nov 2022
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your positive review. We do appreciate it.
Best regards,
Rome Your Way
shannonmccluskey, Nov 2022
Inexperienced tour guide did NOT control the group and allowed an older lady to control the pace and monopolize the whole tour. Therefore, we did NOT get to the Forum before it CLOSED! We missed several attractions that were advertised for this tour.
Response from Host, Nov 2022
Hello!
We are sorry to hear that our tour was not what you expected and we apologies for this. Unfortunately the tour guide cannot leave behind anybody during the tour. Our tour guides have all many years experience and they have been leading our tours for a long time. I hope you would have contacted us directly, perhaps we could organize the entrance to the Forum the next day. I am sorry to hear the tour did not fill in all the expectations.
Best regards,
Rome Your Way
Betty_E, Nov 2022
Morning portion of tour was a good guide. Hotel pick up would have helped - Then we had to find the second meet location on our own- it was difficult. Recommend the afternoon portion always pick up the customer and the same place you left them from the morning portion at.. having less than 2 hours for lunch and to try to travel to the second meeting point was very frustrating and difficult. Our second guide for the Coliseum area was knowledgeable but her accent was very hard to understand. Several people left early throughout the afternoon - and we were trying to make sure we were done in time for our evening tour. Some of us did not have a chance to return the listening device because she had already walked away without saying goodbye!
Response from Host, Nov 2022
hello,
the choice of the combination tour is for persons who want to see in one day vatican and colosseum , is ovviuos is a lonfìg day tour.
about the pick up our tour do not include the pick up at the hotel but everything is well decribted in the informations , at the moment you do the reservation please pay attentions .
hope to see you again in our tours
Nancy_H, Nov 2022
Our tour guides for the Vatican and the Colosseum were excellent! Very knowledgeable and easy to understand.
Response from Host, Nov 2022
hallo,
we are really happy to ear from you this about tour guide, because we spemt a lot of time searching the best for our clients
Michael_K, Oct 2022
Vatican tour was excellent quite a bit of walking when doing both in one day. Would recommend if have time to do one per day
Response from Host, Oct 2022
thanks a lot for you positive review
hope to see you again in our tours
Michelle_G, Oct 2022
AWESOME! The first part of the tour (Vatican) was great! The guide knew a lot about the museum and the art! The guided tour was just a few hours, which left plenty of time to explore and get lunch! The second part was also fantastic! I ended up sadly having to leave after the colosseum part because I accidentally double-booked tours, but the guide was GREAT! This is a great way to see Rome! It really has a lot crammed into one day, but for short trips (like mine), 10/10 would recommend!
Response from Host, Oct 2022
hello,
thanks a lot for your positive review.
hope to see you again in another tour we organize
Winnie_F, Oct 2022
Our guide Ricardo was very Knowledgeable! Information provided on the art work in the Vatican Museum was interesting and even more informative than that provided by my History of Art teacher 👍🏻👍🏻
Response from Host, Oct 2022
hallo,
thanks for your positive review, we are happy to know the guide we choose for our clients are always well knowdlege.
thanks
Curtis_E, Aug 2022
Complete waste of money. She literally walked us around the vatican and then we had to find our own ride to the Colosseum and we got a tour there. better to just get your own tickets and go yourself.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Hi ,
Thanks for your review. I am truly sorry for what you wrote.
the tour you choose includes vatican in the morning and colosseum in the afternoon but is a tour where is not including the transfer, you should read at the moment of the reservation, anyway we have an excellent staff that provide to contact all the clients have problems to reach the meeting point or if they are lost somewhere.
best regards
Valetta_S, Aug 2022
I’m sure you don’t want my story shared. I got one thing I paid for, none of the other 2 tours. I paid for a van serviced Rome in a Day tour and got no van, and only a tour of the Vatican. I asked for the remainder of the tour money back and was flatly told NO I will neither use or recommend Viator again. I will be on social media telling my story as a warning to people about signing up and paying for Viator tours
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Hello,
I am sorry to hear that you were not satisfied with our Rome In a Day: Vatican, Colosseum and Ancient Rome Tour. Please note that this tour, which is a walking tour, does not include a van service. The tour consist of the Vatican tour in the morning and the Colosseum and Ancient Rome tour in the afternoon.
Best regards,
Rome Your Way Tours
FadiJoseph_B, Jul 2022
Cancelled still no refund , a lot of confusion for two different tours
On the same day try to call many times wax on hold for a long time ,then was told by the operator this number only for yours. As no no access to international calls
terrible service !
Please refund me my $ 375.00
Response from Host, Aug 2022
unfortunatly on this serious period is easy that at the last we have too cancel a tour for covid situation. we try to do our best but is not always easy find guide at the last minutes on high seasons.
about the refund ,we are not responsable on time needs to refund , because we start the refund process with the first company you booked and payed.
we are sincerly sorry .
Leslie_A, Jul 2022
Both tour guides were great! They were very knowledgeable and patient. They both understood the heat issue and still gave us a fantastic guided tour. Definitely a tour you want to take however, if it’s early hot then it’s best to do 1 day Vatican City and then another day the Colosseum. It’s a lot and definitely need to wear comfortable shoes!
Response from Host, Aug 2022
hallo
thanks a lot for your positive review.
Fernanda_c, Jul 2022
We had two amazing guide that were very knowledgeable. I love the tour! One thing to take into consideration when booking this tour is the weather we went in summer and the heat was brutal so make sure to wear something confortable. Ami one of our tour guide was so sweet and kind that she had a spray bottle to keep us cool.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
hallo,
really happy to know the tour was great and thanks to use so nice word for our guide Ami, she is nice
smurrah40, Jul 2022
First, let me say that the tour guides were great and we got to see a lot in one day, but what a day! Our family walked a total of 10 miles on our tour, so if there are members of your group that might not be physically able, I would book a tour for the Vatican and the one for the Colosseum separately on different days. Book with this company…the tours were great, but split it up.☺️
Response from Host, Aug 2022
hallo, thanks a lot for your positive review, yes choosing this tour is a long day walking , both the tours take almost 3 hours each. is possible to book also separated.
nathaniel_l, Jul 2022
Tour guide are exceptionally knowledgable and very patient. Tour were amazing. Roman grandeur is unmatched.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
thanks a lot for your positive review , hope to see you again in our tour next time in rome
Alicia_R, Jul 2022
This tour really was Rome in a day. We learned so much from Vatican City to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. We had such a great time with our group and tour guide. He was super detailed and knowledgeable about Roman history. I would highly recommend this tour if you have little time in Rome, it was such a great way to get the most out of our stay.
Response from Host, Sep 2022
hallo,
thanks a lot for your positive reply ,
we hope to see you next time in our tour
Tom_S, Jun 2022
Riccardo was fantastic, really informative in what was a jam packed day. Love the 2 hour break in the middle to wander off and have a relaxed lunch. Bring comfy shoes!
Response from Host, Sep 2022
Hello!
Thank you a lot for your positive review!
We hope to see you soon again in Rome !
Best regards,
Rome Your Way
From $191.33
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