Italy, Vatican City · City Tours

6-Hour Rome and Vatican Tour with Colosseum and Sistine Chapel

6 Hours Round trip from Rome Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the Colosseum, one of the 7 new wonders of the world
02 Walk through the Roman Forum, the center of public life in ancient Rome
03 Admire Michelangelo's extraordinary Sistine Chapel in its entirety
04 Discover Vatican treasures including the Candelabra Gallery and Gallery of Maps

Discover two of Italy's most important attractions in one tour: the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums. Learn about ancient Rome through the stories of gladiator fights, animal hunts, emperors, and legends as you explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Imperial Palace, and views over Circus Maximus. Continue to the Vatican Museums to admire remarkable galleries such as the Candelabra Gallery, the Tapestry Gallery, and the Gallery of Maps, before seeing Michelangelo's extraordinary Sistine Chapel and accessing St. Peter's Basilica.

Admire the extraordinary Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's masterpiece, in its entirety.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Rome, Vatican City

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Ancient Rome and Vatican Highlights

For the first part of the tour, see one of the 7 new wonders of the world: the Colosseum. A recognizable symbol of the power and scale of the old empire, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, it was built between 70 and 80 A.D. and hosted shows of many kinds. Learn how it served as a stage for gladiator fights, public executions, animal hunts, and less bloody performances by acrobats and magicians.
Then visit the spectacular Roman Forum, the center of Roman public life, which contained the most important structures of daily life, such as temples, sanctuaries, markets, royal residences, and basilicas. Visualize what Roman life was like and how the current ruins would have appeared thousands of years ago.
Walk to the Palatine Hill, where the Imperial Palace is located. From one side, appreciate the Forum and, from the other, the Circus Maximus, where the chariot races once took place.
Listen to the legend of how the hill gave birth to the founders of Rome, Romulus and his brother Remus.
Learn about the tragic end of its history and the event that led to the creation of the Eternal City. Knowing the history and legends of ancient Rome and following in the footsteps of the emperors will make this experience an unforgettable cultural trip that you will treasure forever.
Head afterwards to the Vatican Museums. With more than 1,400 galleries, they are among the most important and largest museums in the world. They contain a great variety of splendid galleries, excellent Roman and Etruscan collections, and much more.
This fantastic group tour is designed to be entertaining while you discover the fascinating history and works of art preserved in the Vatican.
Explore the highlights of the Museums, such as the Candelabra Gallery, where you can admire a rich collection of Roman sculptures, the Tapestry Gallery, and the Gallery of Maps, along with many other art treasures, including sculptures, paintings, and architecture.
Admire the extraordinary Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's masterpiece, in its entirety. Access St. Peter's Basilica through a special entrance reserved exclusively for official guides and their groups.

Where this trip takes you

Colosseum, Roman Forum, Sistine Chapel

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Rome 2 cities · 6 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill in a small group.
Skip-the-line admission and entrance to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, with skip-the-line access to St. Peter's Basilica.
Skip-the-line admission and entrance to the Vatican Museums.
Live tour commentary.
English-speaking Italian tour guide.

What's Not Included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Lunch.
Transfer from the Colosseum to the Vatican.
Gratuities.

What to bring

Valid ID for children with proof of age and a copy of it
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunscreen
Hat for hot summer days
Modest clothing covering knees and shoulders for entry to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica
Light belongings only; avoid heavy backpacks or bags

Know before you go

Visitors with walking disabilities cannot opt for a group tour, as it is virtually impossible to keep up with the tour guide. In this case, we highly recommend choosing the option of a private and more personalized tour. The tour guide can adapt to your circumstances and choose a more comfortable route by avoiding stairs and going at a pace best suited to your needs.
Discounts apply for children from 6 to 17 years old. Children under the age of 6 are free and do not need to be mentioned when booking a tour online. All children need to be in possession of a valid ID with proof of age and a copy of it to present at the counter.
There is no dress code for the Colosseum. We generally recommend wearing comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a hat on hot summer days.
A modest dress code is required to enter the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. If you fail to comply with these dress requirements, you may be denied entry. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is recommended for Rome in general.
Please note that there is no storage room at the Colosseum. We recommend not bringing heavy items such as backpacks or bags. The lighter, the better.

Logistics