Combine a trip to two of Rome’s greatest sites in one day. Take advantage of special no-wait entry at the Vatican and skip-the-line access to the Colosseum during this full-day tour. While others wait in line, you experience the majesty of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel followed by the ancient glory of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum, all with an expert guide.

Full-day Rome combo with skip-the-line walking tours of the Vatican Museums, and Colosseum
Combine two best-selling Rome tours in one memorable day, led by expert guides
Avoid the lines at the Colosseum and explore its first and second tiers
Enjoy free time between the Vatican and Colosseum visits

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Skip-the-line passes to the Vatican Museums and Colosseum mean you can save hours of waiting-in-line time during high season. Although not all areas require special clothing, be sure shoulders and knees are covered for when you explore holy sites.

What's Included

Professional English-speaking guide
Reserved Skip-the-Line Accessn to Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica
Reserved Skip-the-Line Access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Audio headset so you can always hear your guide at the Colosseum

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Transfers between the two tours

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting points

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End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Start the day with a border crossing into Vatican City, where you breeze 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.

Once inside, you and your small group 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 frescoes. Throughout the tour, your expert, English-speaking guide shares fascinating insights only a local could know.

After your Vatican tour, enjoy free time to sample some authentic Italian cuisine (own expense) before meeting your next expert guide for a tour of the historical heart of ancient Rome. Begin by skipping yet another line to enter the Colosseum immediately. Dominating the center of the Eternal City, this ancient arena puts modern stadiums to shame.

Then your tour continues to the Palatine Hill, where Rome originated in a battle between two brothers. You are then taken from the origin of ancient Rome to its hub: The Forum, that bustling marketplace where business, politics, and religion mixed. No other tour takes you so close to so much of the history, significance, and fabulous riches of Rome.

Please note: During the low season, the itinerary described operates in reverse. Tour the Colosseum and Roman Forum in the morning, followed by the Vatican Museums.

Vatican City (Pass By)

Start the day with a border crossing into Vatican City, where you’ll breeze past the long lines and through an exclusive partner entrance into the ornate Vatican Museums.

Vatican Museums

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.

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Only very small bags are allowed.
Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women to enter to the venue

Near public transportation
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

Take pictures when possible, so you can look at details later.

Travellers be aware though that the two tours involve a lot of walking, so pack your most comfortable shoes!

Bring sunscreen and a hat, and possibly a parasol, but mind your belongings.

Reviews

4.5

1,061 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 1,061 reviews

Awesome

Sherry_B, Mar 2023

My tour guide was Excellent! Very animated, passionate; beautiful curly black hair in furry, stylish black coat, leggings and boots. She made the tour Very enjoyable and helped me to gat to vatCity afterwards. Thank you.

Knowledgeable Guides

Patrick_S, Mar 2023

Both tour guides were very informative and extremely knowledgeable about the locations they shared with us. While the groups were large (24 people), the guides did a good job navigating through crowded spaces and answering individual questions.

Highlight of trip

Peter_S, Mar 2023

The coliseum with Nick and the Vatican with the other guide was extremely well done. They were both informative and well spoken.

The guides were very...

Lynette_R, Mar 2023

The guides were very knowledgable, helpful and friendly. The tour to palentine hill was amazing with the terrace views!

Rome is everything you imagine it to be

Lynn_W, Mar 2023

Seeing the colosseum for the first time what an amazing structure that brings to life all those films you have seen in your life. The Vatican experience was rushed with little time to truly appreciate its greatness

Great tour for short 1 day visit

Brinnet_P, Feb 2023

Colosseum was our first part and Emilio our guide was great! He was so passionate about the topics and provided so much great information. Wow he was super! These are 2 different tours and you must get a taxi at the end of the first to the other. They are about 5km away from each other. Elena our tour guide for the Vatican was very nice . She knew a lot of the information. Great tours to see a lot. Does take the entire day.

Very nice tour and good...

Luciano_V, Feb 2023

Very nice tour and good guides. We loved being able to see both things same day. Definitely recommend

Excellent tour guides

Dawn_W, Jan 2023

There are two tour guides - one for the Colosseum and another for the Vatican. Both did an exceptional job and we learned a lot. With this tour, you’ll need to walk on your own between the two locations. There was plenty of time to stop for a quick lunch. The Vatican tour did not include the second floor.

Absolutely fantastic

Una_C, Jan 2023

The two tours were fabulous and the guides were brilliant would definitely do it again the colosseum was breathtaking and very interesting and the Vatican was amazing 100/100

Super fast pace

Michael_S, Jan 2023

The guides were great. The tours were done at a breakneck speed. I wish we could have spent more time reading the informational signs.

Absolutely beautiful and amazing.

Jane_M, Dec 2022

Both of these tours were fantastic, the guides that I had for both of them were amazing and really knew their stuff. I would really recommend both of them, however there is a lot of walking involved. But if you went to Rome and didn't visit these, you would definitely regret it.

A tour for a day if short on time

Sharon_S, Dec 2022

Simon (colosseum tour guide) and Amil (Vatican tour guide) were both wonderful, kind and funny. They kept the tour interesting.

Excellent experience

Caroline_D, Dec 2022

I highly recommend this tour, it was extremely informative and the tour guides were excellent. If your going to Rome you should definitely sign up to these tours

Combo tour

Lesa_W, Dec 2022

We were unable to find the meeting place and instead of helping us find the location, they just left us. We did catch up with the second part of the tour and we tried to get directions again and they left us again. However, we were able to find and catch up with them. We were 7 minutes late and asked if they could wait until we found them. They waited 4 minutes and left. I would never recommend them to anyone. The only reason I gave them a 3 is because the tour was nice, regardless of the company we used. Also, the tour guide that we were with the second time had the never to talk about us being late in our face. I had to remind her that we were late because of them, not is.

Response from Host, Dec 2022

Hello Lesa_W, We are very saddened to hear that you were unable to find our meeting point for your Vatican and Colosseum Combo tour. On your booking voucher, we send you GPS coordinates in order to make it as easy as possible to find your meeting point. Unfortunately, we are unable to wait for late arrivals as it delays the rest of the group. Apologies for any inconvenience caused on your travels. We wish you could have been able to meet with us as originally scheduled. Kind regards, Edgar J. City Wonders

Vatican Tour. Bad experience.

Sivanesan_A, Dec 2022

I was delayed for the Vatican trip for 5 mins. I messaged the tour operator early as I was transitioning from the Colosseum tour. However, they just got me the museum tickets and told me I missed the tour and didn't make any other arrangements. Wasted my money for the 2nd half of the tour package.

Response from Host, Dec 2022

Hello Sivanesan_A, We are very sorry to hear that you were unable to join our Vatican portion of your combo tour. Unfortunately, in this scenario, all we can do is provide you with the entry ticket and have you explore the Vatican museums on your own. Our groups cannot wait for late arrivals as it delays the entirety of the group. Apologies for any inconveniences caused. Kind regards, Edgar J. City Wonders

The guides made all the difference.

Tammy_A, Dec 2022

This was a great way to experience the Colosseum and Vatican. Our guides (Amil for the Flavian Amphitheatre and Sabrina for the Vatican). They were very informative and made the experience so much richer. Was a lot to see in one day. Next time I would split these into two days.

Fascinating Tour

Kathleen_B, Dec 2022

Excellent guides were well informed and had lots of fun interesting extra stories and history. Also very caring about group members special needs.

Response from Host, Dec 2022

Hey Kathleen_B, We really appreciate you taking the time to leave us an amazing review! Everyone at City Wonders is thrilled to hear that you loved your combo tour of the Vatican and Colosseum with us. On behalf of our entire team, thank you for choosing City Wonders. We hope to see you again on some of our other unique tours in the future. All the best, Edgar J. from City Wonders

Great and fun

JULIANA_C, Nov 2022

We had a great experience! Micaela (colosseum) and Mariana (Vatican) were absolutely great! They were super fun and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend! I suggest for morning portion to have a big breakfast as the tour was longer than I expected.

Response from Host, Dec 2022

Hey there! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us an amazing review. Everyone at City Wonders is delighted to hear that you loved your tour with us. It was our pleasure having you for this memorable experience. We hope to see you again on some of our other unique tours in the future. On behalf of our entire team, thank you for choosing City Wonders. Feel free to follow us on our social media pages such as Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook to keep up with our exclusive content. Instagram: citywonderstours Twitter: @City_Wonders Facebook: City Wonders Kind regards, Edgar J. City Wonders

Fabulous Vatican Tour

Yvonne_B, Nov 2022

St Peter's Bascillica, simply stunning. Sistine Chapel was magnificent, if overcrowded. tour guide was excellent

Only provided half what was promised

Todd_T, Nov 2022

The tour was half good. I don't know about the other half. I arrived early at the location indicated in the information provided from Viator and City Wonders. The tour coordinators told me I needed to be at the opposite location and was too late to do so. I was then told that they would not be able to accommodate me for their afternoon tour so I didn't get to see the coliseum that day. I requested a half refund due to the incorrect information that was sent to me and verified by the tour operator. I was also denied any compensation from either company. I would avoid any "combo" tours advertised by Viator. I was able to see as much as I wanted to see of the Vatican and could have seen both in one day if the information I was provided was correct. Neither City Wonders (tour operator) nor Viator were willing to provide what was promised or refund what was not provided. I'd think twice before booking a combo tour with Viator or City Wonders in Rome again.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Hello Todd_T, We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that was caused on your tour of the Vatican and Colosseum with us. We are surprised to hear that you were sent wrong information via email and would like to request some more details regarding your case so that we may be able to accomodate you for the half refunded you originally requested. Please email us at edgar.chavero@citywonders.com with your full name, booking reference number and some added details to the ones you listed here regarding the meeting point. If we were at fault, we will set things right with you. We take your comments very seriously and apologize that you could not see the Colosseum as you had originally planned. We look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Edgar J. City Wonders

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