Colosseum, Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel in One Day Guided Tour | Fast Track Entrance
Colosseum, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel in One Day
Maximize your time and experience the best of Rome with this action-packed, full-day tour. Designed for those with limited time, this tour seamlessly combines the iconic Colosseum and Vatican City highlights, offering exclusive skip-the-line access and expert professional guides. Step back in time as you explore the legendary site where Rome is believed to have been founded, marvel at some of the world’s most impressive ancient ruins, and uncover fascinating tales of the thrilling gladiatorial games held within the Colosseum’s walls. After a short break, we’ll head to the Vatican, home to one of the most significant art collections in the world.
Here, you’ll be in awe of masterpieces by Italy’s finest artists, including Michelangelo’s renowned “Last Judgment” in the Sistine Chapel. Your tour will come to an unforgettable close, leaving you with lasting memories of Rome’s rich history and artistry. Please note that the standard itinerary may vary due to availability or special events.
This tour can be customized for small groups, large groups, or special/business events. For tailored requests, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our booking department.
What’s included?
- Colosseum and Roman Forum guided tour
- Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel guided tour
- Licensed and professional tour guides
- Headsets
- All Fees and Taxes
- Colosseum/Roman Forum entrance ticket
Exclusions
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities (recommended)
- St. Peter Basilica entrance and tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transportation to/from attractions
Please note
- Public transportation nearby
Important Information:
- Not wheelchair and stroller-accessible.
- The order of site visits may vary.
- Mandatory meeting time: Please arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure for organizational reasons. Late arrivals will not be permitted to join the tour and will not be eligible for a refund.
- Group tickets are used for monument entries; individual tickets cannot be requested separately.
- An adult must accompany children.
- Pets are not allowed.
- A valid photo ID (e.g., student ID, driver’s license, passport) is required for entry to the monuments. You may also need to provide your name, last name, and date of birth at the start of the tour (if not provided beforehand). Security may deny access if the information does not match your ID.
- Child discounts apply only with a valid ID card.
- Security checks may delay access, even for pre-booked visitors. Expect a 20-30 minute wait to clear security.
- Forbidden items: Bottles, glass containers, alcoholic beverages, aerosols, large backpacks, camping gear, bulky bags, luggage/trolleys, and selfie sticks. Only small shoulder bags are permitted, which must be inspected by security personnel.
- The Colosseum or the Sistine Chapelmay be closed without notice for events, strikes, or weather. An alternative itinerary will be offered in this case, along with a partial refund.
- The tour will not operate on religious holidays.
- No changes can be made within 24 hours of the tour start time.
- Intoxicated passengers will be refused service, and no refund will be provided.
Meeting points:
Colosseum: Piazza di San Clemente, next to the Basilica San Clemente, at 9:30 am or 11:00 am (depending on your booking). The guide will hold a sign reading “Tour in the City.”
Vatican Tour: Via Sebastiano Veniero 21, meeting at 2:15 pm for a 2:30 pm departure.
Other Notes:
- Dress code: Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women in the Vatican Museums.
- Saint Peter’s Basilica is not included in this tour.
- Even with skip-the-line tickets, access to archaeological areas or museums may face delays beyond our control.
What do I need to bring?
- A valid document (such as an ID card, passport, or driver’s license) for entry to the museums and monuments.
- In summer, we recommend bringing water, a hat, and sunglasses for sun protection.
- Comfortable shoes: The tour involves walking on uneven surfaces, so it’s important to wear comfortable footwear.
- Sunscreen for protection from the sun, especially during the warmer months.
- Camera: Don’t forget your camera to capture the beautiful sights and memories of your tour!
Make sure to bring everything necessary for a comfortable and safe experience throughout your tour.
Cancellation policy
- Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.
Colosseum tour
Colosseum tour meeting point directions:Via Delle Terme di Tito, 72 at 9:30 am or 11:00 am (be there 15 minutes before), in front of Oppio Park which is on the opposite side of Oppio Cafe. The staff will wait for you in front of the park with a sign with “Tour in the City” written on it.
Visit Rome’s symbolic monument with a tour that makes it easy and fun for all ages. Learn about the amphitheater’s history from a guide with an art and archaeology background. Learn about the spectacular games and bloody battles that were held inside. Hear about the techniques of construction invented by the Romans, the incredible ability of the gladiators, the violent fighting between exotic animals and the high level of technology achieved by Roman engineers to built the Colosseum. Walk around the first tiers and reach the arena to learn about the trapdoors and all the mechanisms used to animate the games. Your guide will keep you entertained with stories of sea-battles, the cages where lions were kept before the games started, the rooms in which gladiators were waiting before they reached the arena, the executions, and the excitement of the spectators attending the most spectacular, fantastic, and expensive games in human history.
Break
After the Colosseum tour, you can join a traditional lunch (not included in the offer) in one of the many reastaurant/bar in the centre of the city.
Vatican Museum
Vatican Museum tour meeting point directions:
Via dei Gracchi 17, at 15:00 (be there 15 minutes before)
Let’s get into the history and secrets of the Catholic Church and hear about the rivalry between the Renaissance artists. Discover the treasures hosted by one of the largest and most-visited museums of the world enriched by a huge number of masterpieces collected through time. Admire the best of the ancient world visiting the Greek and Roman sculpture section. A collection of classical art masterpieces where admire the beauty of several sculpture groups, as for example the statue of Laocoön and His Sons that is one of the most famous ancient sculptures.
You can start this experience at the following places.
Piazza di San Clemente, next to Basilica San Clemente
Piazza di San Clemente, 00184 Roma, IT
Via Sebastiano Veniero 21, Check&Go Office
Via Sebastiano Veniero 21, 00192 Roma, IT
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No Hidden Costs: All taxes and fees included.
25 years of experience
Tour in The City was founded in 1990 in response to the ever increasing demand for customized guided tours, in order to visit one of the most important art collections in the World, the eternal city Rome.
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Must-see attractions
Colosseum
The Colosseum, Rome’s legendary ancient arena, once echoed with gladiator battles and grand shows, and now stands as a powerful symbol of the city's eternal legacy.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is a masterpiece of Roman ingenuity, crowned by its iconic dome and central oculus, serving as a temple-turned-church for almost two millennia.
Roman Forum
Once the center of ancient Roman society, the Roman Forum is a vast archaeological park showcasing temples, civic buildings, and storied ruins.
Vatican City
Vatican City, the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church, holds a wealth of art, history, and faith, housing St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill, one of Rome’s famed seven hills, was the site of imperial palaces and offers breathtaking views over the city and its ancient ruins.
Galleria Borghese
The Galleria Borghese, set within the lush Villa Borghese gardens, showcases a stunning collection of sculptures and paintings by masters such as Bernini, Caravaggio, and Raphael.
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica, the crown jewel of Vatican City, is a majestic architectural marvel housing Michelangelo’s Pietà and the soaring dome he masterfully designed.
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel, famed for Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring ceiling frescoes, is both a masterpiece of Renaissance art and the sacred setting of the papal conclave.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo, once Emperor Hadrian’s grand mausoleum, now serves as a museum with sweeping views of Rome and a rich history as a fortress and papal stronghold.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain, Rome's largest and most iconic Baroque fountain, is famed for its stunning sculptures.
Testimonials
Hear From Our Happy Explorers!
Martin G
A hot visit to the Colosseum!
Had to collect tickets from a shop near to the Colosseum – lady there was most helpful in explaining where we needed to go and to download apps to our phones for the self audio guide (also gave us some free water with the heat!). Found the entrance easy and then enjoyed the tour – only issue was that the GPS signal wasnt great inside so it was difficult to sync the audio guide to what we were looking at. Took a break before doing the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum – we went on a very hot day and it was hard work walking around – make sure you have plenty of water!! Surfaces were very uneven – which is understandble considering its an ancient monument.
Martin G
FamilyOfFive
Amazing place to visit, weak audio guide
Such an amazing place to visit, it’s easy to understand why this is a must see! The sites were fantastic, but the audio tour was too generic. There were some interesting clips, but not enough about what we were looking at when we were at different points and too much generic history. In retrospect we would have got a lot more from a guide, but it was very nice to go at our own pace.
FamilyOfFive
Eva N
Unforgettable experience!
This tour was nothing short of amazing! From start to finish, everything was organized, engaging, and informative. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and brought the history of the Colosseum to life with fascinating stories, little-known facts, and a real passion for Ancient Rome.
The skip-the-line access was a huge plus—no waiting around in the hot sun! We also got upgraded for an Arena tour and got to explore areas that aren’t always open to the public, which made the experience feel exclusive and even more special.
Eva N
Poppy B
Very good customer service from Dolly
I was due to travel in August on this holiday however due to operational reasons, the tour may not have run and I was made aware straight away. I dealt with a women called Dolly and she offered me alternative options and we decided to refund the tour which was done promptly. Dolly gave me some brilliant advice and some useful insight to Rome.She was fab!
Poppy B
Tom P
Good day out
Really enjoyed the experience, can’t remember the tour guide’s name but he was very good. Very informative and detailed on the tour which kept me engaged about the history. It wasn’t as busy as usual which was also a pleasant experience. Highly enjoyable, many thanks.
Tom P
James C
Well worth it
Really well organised and our guide was great. Really informative and engaging. You wasn’t rushed and had a nice flow to it.
Would highly recommend this. Not sure you’d capture everything without the guide.
James C
Testimonials
Hear From Our Happy Explorers!
Martin G
A hot visit to the Colosseum!
Had to collect tickets from a shop near to the Colosseum – lady there was most helpful in explaining where we needed to go and to download apps to our phones for the self audio guide (also gave us some free water with the heat!). Found the entrance easy and then enjoyed the tour – only issue was that the GPS signal wasnt great inside so it was difficult to sync the audio guide to what we were looking at. Took a break before doing the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum – we went on a very hot day and it was hard work walking around – make sure you have plenty of water!! Surfaces were very uneven – which is understandble considering its an ancient monument.
Martin G
FamilyOfFive
Amazing place to visit, weak audio guide
Such an amazing place to visit, it’s easy to understand why this is a must see! The sites were fantastic, but the audio tour was too generic. There were some interesting clips, but not enough about what we were looking at when we were at different points and too much generic history. In retrospect we would have got a lot more from a guide, but it was very nice to go at our own pace.
FamilyOfFive
Eva N
Unforgettable experience!
This tour was nothing short of amazing! From start to finish, everything was organized, engaging, and informative. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and brought the history of the Colosseum to life with fascinating stories, little-known facts, and a real passion for Ancient Rome.
The skip-the-line access was a huge plus—no waiting around in the hot sun! We also got upgraded for an Arena tour and got to explore areas that aren’t always open to the public, which made the experience feel exclusive and even more special.
Eva N
Poppy B
Very good customer service from Dolly
I was due to travel in August on this holiday however due to operational reasons, the tour may not have run and I was made aware straight away. I dealt with a women called Dolly and she offered me alternative options and we decided to refund the tour which was done promptly. Dolly gave me some brilliant advice and some useful insight to Rome.She was fab!
Poppy B
Tom P
Good day out
Really enjoyed the experience, can’t remember the tour guide’s name but he was very good. Very informative and detailed on the tour which kept me engaged about the history. It wasn’t as busy as usual which was also a pleasant experience. Highly enjoyable, many thanks.
Tom P
James C
Well worth it
Really well organised and our guide was great. Really informative and engaging. You wasn’t rushed and had a nice flow to it.
Would highly recommend this. Not sure you’d capture everything without the guide.
James C
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