Overview
Experience Rome's top attractions—the Vatican and the Colosseum—on this full-day guided tour. With an expert guide, enjoy exclusive, reserved entry to the Vatican Museums and explore its magnificent artistic treasures, including Michelangelo’s extraordinary frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.
After some free time for lunch (at your own expense), continue to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Take a guided tour of the stunning amphitheater and explore the evocative ruins of the Forum.
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Free cancellation up to 7 days before
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Professional English-speaking guide
Colosseum entrance ticket (valued at €18 per person)
Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
Audio headset so you can always hear your guide at the Colosseum
Reserved Access to Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica
Please note: Colosseum fees as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services.
Access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Transfers between the two tours
Meeting and pickup
Travelers meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
Vatican Tour - meet at the bottom of the steps across the street from the Entrance of the Vatican Museums.
Colosseum Tour - meet at Largo Gaetana Agnesi, above the 2nd floor of the metro line B (blue line) stop "Colosseo".
* For further information, please review the 'Before you go' section.
Good to know
Meetin Point Details:
• 1ST PORTION - VATICAN TOUR:
Meet at the bottom of the steps across the street from the Entrance of the Vatican Museums. The steps are located right next to Caffè Vaticano on the corner of Viale Vaticano and Via Tunisi.
The closest Metro stop is Line A (Ottaviano – Musei Vaticani).
• 2ND PORTION - COLOSSEUM TOUR:
Meet at At Largo Gaetana Agnesi, above the 2nd floor of the metro line B (blue line) stop "Colosseo".
• Please note there will be approximately 2 hours free time between the two tours:
- If your Vatican tour starts at 8.00 AM, please be at the Colosseum meeting point at 12.55 PM
- If your Vatican tour starts at 9.00 AM, please be at the Colosseum meeting point at 1.40 PM
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• Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. It is your responsibility to be on time for both parts of the combo tour.
• Our City Wonders representative will be wearing blue City Wonders polo shirts/jackets to be easily recognizable at the meeting point.
• Only very small bags are allowed.
• At the Vatican appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites. Knees, shoulders, and backs must be covered.
• Every customer on this tour is required to present a valid government issued ID or Passport at the Colosseum, that matches their name on the reservation, or entry will be refused. Name changes are not permitted once the booking is confirmed.
• Please note that the itinerary for our tours may differ from the advertised order of destinations. We assure you that any changes made to the tour itinerary are carefully planned and intended to enhance your overall experience.
• On this tour, some of the venues or parts of the venue may be subject to last-minute, unpredictable closures. When this occurs, we are happy to offer customers an extended tour in keeping with the advertised total length of the tour.
• Due to heightened security measures, you may experience delays in clearing security checks when entering the venue.
What to expect
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Vatican Museums
2 hours
With your friendly guide, whizz past the long lines and through an exclusive partner entrance into the ornate Vatican Museums. More than 200 tour operators have “Skip the Line” entry to the Vatican, but this Official Partner Tour grants you special access through the Private Partner Entrance, which allows you to enter immediately, saving up to four hours during peak season and giving you even more time to explore the beauty of the Museums.
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Sistine Chapel
20 min
Once inside, you and your small group will enjoy all the highlights of the Vatican with an expert guide by your side. The tour takes in a treasure trove of artistic wonders, from masterworks such as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescos and La Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica to the precious relics, paintings, and tapestries adorning the museums’ gilded galleries. Throughout the tour, your expert, English-speaking guide will share fascinating insights only a local could know.
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St. Peter's Basilica
50 min
After your Sistine Chapel visit, continue with your guide to St Peter’s Basilica to explore the symbolic heart of the Catholic church. Learn about its history and see more Vatican art including Michelangelo’s La Pietà, which was sculpted when the maestro was only 24 years old. Gaze at the baldachino by Bernini, and then say goodbye to your guide in St Peter’s Square.
Keep in mind that St Peter's Basilica and St Peter's Square might be unavailable on Wednesdays due to the weekly Papal Audience. As an alternative, you'll be offered an extended itinerary within the Vatican Museums. -
Vatican City
2 hours
After your Vatican tour, enjoy some free time to sample authentic Italian cuisine (at your own expense) before crossing the border from Vatican City back into Rome for the second part of your tour.
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Colosseum
1 hour 30 min
Meet your English speaking expert guide for a tour of the historical heart of Ancient Rome. Dominating the center of the Eternal City, this ancient arena puts modern stadiums to shame.
As you stroll through the vast walls of the Colosseum your guide will recount the gruesome spectacles, battles, and politics that played out here. -
Foro Romano
30 min
The heart of the Roman Republic that inspired many modern democracies. The Roman Forum was once home to a bustling marketplace and was viewed as the pinnacle of the city.
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Palatine Hill
45 min
Then your tour continues to the Palatine Hill, where Rome originated in a battle between two brothers. You’ll be taken from the origin of ancient Rome to its hub. In the continued company of our expert guides, you'll traverse the slopes of Palatine Hill, listening to tales of myth and history that echo through the ages.
No other tour takes you so close to so much of the history, significance, and fabulous riches of Rome.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at least 7 full days before the start time: 100% refund.
Cancel within 7 days of the start time: 0% refund.
Times are local to the experience (Europe/Rome).
Additional Information
- Please note that the itinerary for our tours may differ from the advertised order of destinations. We assure you that any changes made to the tour itinerary are carefully planned and intended to enhance your overall experience.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Each booking must include at least one adult.
FAQs about Rome Tour With Reserved Vatican Access and Palatine Hill
Where does the tour start?
The Vatican portion meets at the bottom of the steps across the street from the Vatican Museums entrance, next to Caffè Vaticano on the corner of Viale Vaticano and Via Tunisi. The Colosseum portion meets at Largo Gaetana Agnesi, above the 2nd floor of the Colosseo metro stop.
Which places does the tour visit?
The seven listed stops are Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Colosseum, Foro Romano and Palatine Hill, in that order. The itinerary may differ from the advertised order.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts 8 hours.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. All travellers meet at the Vatican meeting point and at Largo Gaetana Agnesi for the Colosseum portion.
Operated by City Wonders Ltd
