Tour of the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Cathedral and the Colosseum

Enter the Roman most famous gems with skip the line access

Description

Take an incredible journey to the capital of the Catholic world and discover the history, mysteries and masterpieces of the small and powerful city-state located in the very heart of Rome. You will visit the Vatican museums, the famous Sistine Chapel and the magnificent St Peter's Basilica. That's not all! Rome is also the hub of an empire that dominated the West and of which it still preserves incredible works such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. All tickets guarantee priority access and early entrance, this way you have the rare chance to get in before the many daily travellers do.

With this small group tour you will visit some of the most iconic sites of Christianity and the enormous Roman Empire. In the company of a licensed professional guide and a selected group of travellers admire the Capital's iconic monuments in peace and tranquillity. 

 

You will begin your adventure when you meet your authorised and dedicated guide as well as the small group of travellers who will accompany you. The presence of a few people will make the atmosphere more intimate and informal. Thanks to the skip-the-line option already included with your tickets you will have early and priority access to the monuments and the Vatican Museums. You will thus avoid long and tiring queues and gain immediate access to the iconic sites of Christianity. Being the burial place of St. Peter, in fact, the Vatican has always been considered a kind of holy “city within a city”, a second Jerusalem. Over the centuries then, the Catholic Church has collected, catalogued and preserved wonders of all sorts and origins. Today its museums are a treasure trove of countless masterpieces: the astonishing Gallery of Statues, the fascinating Gallery of Tapestries and the Raphael Rooms. Take a leisurely stroll through the different rooms while listening to the detailed and passionate narration of your professional local guide. During your visit you will have the opportunity to get to know the great artists who embellished one of the world's most fascinating sovereign states. Prepare yourself for the side effects of Stendhal syndrome as you enter the Sistine Chapel, a pearl of the Italian Renaissance produced by the mastery of Michelangelo, and lift your head to probably the most famous and admired ceiling in the world. Immerse yourself in the Last Judgement: the seemingly infinite fresco magnificently adorned with the realistic and powerful figures of God, Adam and all the Saints. Don't forget to try to spot the artist's self-portrait among the various figures depicted! In this sacred place, defined by Pope Giovanni Paolo II as the place of action of the Holy Spirit, the conclaves of cardinals have been meeting cyclically for centuries to elect a new pope! 

 

A tour of the Vatican cannot be considered complete without a visit inside St Peter’s Basilica. You can admire the incredible mosaics inside as well as Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's Baldacchino in all their splendour. The enormous Church, crowned by the homonymous square, is the largest of the four papal basilicas in Rome. It is the main seat of Catholic worship and has a millennial history that made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Let yourself be moved by the immensity of the space, close your eyes and take a deep breath: you are in the most powerful religious heart of history, surrounded by masterpieces.

 Following a morning at the Vatican, deepen your journey with a relaxed stroll through the Roman Forum, the former heart of public life in ancient Rome. Walking through this historical center, you’ll discover the Forum of Augustus, a grand tribunal and a stately gallery of sculptures portraying Rome's mythological and historical icons. Then, venture into the Forum of Trajan, where the remnants of the Basilica Ulpia, dedicated to Emperor Trajan, still stand. This monumental basilica, once a hub for judicial activities, reflects the architectural and civic pride of Rome’s golden age. Let the fascinating stories and architectural wonders of ancient Rome transport you back in time as you explore these magnificent ruins.

The adventure continues with a visit to Rome’s legendary Colosseum, known for its place in Roman history as a hub for gladiatorial games and grand public events. With the guidance of an expert, you'll gain insights into its brilliant architecture and historical importance. Learn about the lives of gladiators and the spectacles that captivated ancient audiences, and capture memorable photos of this enduring icon of Roman culture.

Inclusions

• Licensed English speaking guide
• Skip-the-line access tickets to the Vatican Museums
• Access ticket to St Peter's Basilica
• Only in English for the highest quality
• Guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum

Meeting Point

9:15AM: VATICAN MUSEUMS, entrance viale Vaticano, meet your guide on top of the stairs next to Caffè Vaticano, find us holding a white sign with the "Towns of Italy" logo. - SEE ON MAP

3:00PM: COLOSSEUM, meet our tour leader in front of the “Arco di Costantino” looking at the Colosseum from the short side of the arch - SEE ON MAP

Notes

Please note that the departure time of these two tours is subjected to change, awaiting further information from the Colosseum management. All the bookings made from 15th December 2023 until further notice are considered as not refundable!

We regret to inform you that this tour is not suitable for guests with wheelchairs or reduced mobility.

Entry to the Vatican Museums is based on strictly timed tickets. For this reason, late arrivals cannot be guaranteed access.
All visitors must have a photo ID for the security check.
The Vatican Museums imposes a mandatory dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered otherwise you will not be able to enter.
Due to exceptional religious events, St. Peter's Basilica might be closed without any notice.

Rain Policy

The tour runs rain or shine.