Start with an overview of ancient Rome from terraces that highlight its political and institutional center. Then,visit the Colosseum with a guide and learn about its history. The tour also includes access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Explore the Forum’s historical structures and see the grand palaces on Palatine Hill where Roman emperors lived.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Colosseum, covering gladiator battles and Roman architecture. Afterward, you have 24 hours to explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on your own.
What Makes This Tour Special
This guided tour provides in-depth historical insights and narrative from knowledgeable guides, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the significance of each site. The 24-hour access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill allows for a leisurely exploration.
Expert guides provide detailed historical context and stories.
Combination ticket allows for flexible exploration of the Forum and Palatine Hill.
Access to areas of the Colosseum not available to general admission ticket holders.
Stunning views from Palatine Hill enhance the overall experience.
Opportunity to learn about ancient Roman culture and architecture through immersive storytelling.
Historical Background
The Colosseum, built between 70-80 AD, is an iconic symbol of ancient Rome, serving as an amphitheater for public spectacles, including gladiatorial contests and animal hunts. The Roman Forum was the heart of Roman public life, housing important government buildings and temples, while Palatine Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome and is believed to be the birthplace of the city.
Visit the most popular attractions in Rome on a guided walking tour of Vatican City. Visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica with your guide, and admire the ornate interiors and the famed artworks housed here. Meet your guide close to the entrance to the Vatican Museums and follow them as you set out to explore the most interesting galleries within the museum. See the Rotunda, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Gallery of Maps. Take in the ornate ceilings in each room and see the ancient statues, frescoes, and tapestries that adorn the walls. Follow your guide and enter the Sistine Chapel and the Saint Peter's Basilica and listen to your guide for their magnificent history.
This tour provides access to St. Peter's Basilica and the ascent of its well-known dome, accompanied by a handheld audio guide that enables a personalized and informative visit. Starting at the entrance of the basilica in Vatican City, visitors ascend 136 meters to the top of the dome, passing narrow stairways and viewing platforms. The audio guide provides detailed commentary on the architectural features, the mosaics that adorn the interior, and the panoramic views of Rome’s skyline, including St. Peter's Square and the Vatican Gardens. After descending the dome, the tour continues inside the basilica where the audio guide directs you through a series of 27 specific listening points highlighting notable artworks and religious relics. Key sites include Michelangelo's Pietà, a marble masterpiece located near the entrance, and Bernini's Baldacchino, the large bronze canopy over Saint Peter's tomb. The guide also provides historical context about the basilica's construction, its role in Catholicism, and details about the popes buried within. The tour is self-paced and designed for individual or small group visits, allowing flexibility without the constraints of a scheduled group tour. There is no physical guide present; instead, the audio guide and digital map provide clear directions and commentary. Visitors should be prepared for a moderate physical effort, especially climbing the dome stairs. The basilica is accessible via public transport, with the Ottaviano metro station nearby. This tour is suited for those interested in Renaissance architecture, religious art, and panoramic city views. It appeals to travelers comfortable with some physical exertion and who prefer an independent but well-structured visit. It also suits visitors who appreciate detailed historical and artistic information delivered at their own pace.
Explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel without waiting in line by using skip-the-line tickets. Experience a journey through the awe-inspiring museums, discovering a treasure trove of Roman statues, Renaissance paintings, and Italian artworks. Marvel at the Belvedere and Pinecone Courtyards, the Gallery of Maps, and the Pio Clementino Museum's Greek Cross Hall, Gallery of Statues, and Hall of the Muses. Admire the Raphael Rooms with their famous frescoes by Raphael, including "The School of Athens." Finally, witness the beauty of the Sistine Chapel, adorned with frescoes by Botticelli, Rosselli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio, and of course, Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Secure admission for a guided tour of the Colosseum and the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel. Begin at the local partner’s office, where you pick up your vouchers and watch a 25-minute multimedia video on ancient Rome. A knowledgeable guide will explain key aspects of Roman life and history, then lead you along cobblestone streets to the Colosseum, one of the most intact ancient arenas. Hear about the emperors influential in its history and the public events that took place there, including gladiator contests. The tour then continues at the Vatican, where you will visit important landmarks. In the Sistine Chapel, view Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes and learn about their significance and artistry.
With so much to see in Rome, why would you want to go underground on the metro? With hop-on hop-off bus tickets for Rome and the Vatican, you can take a whistle stop tour of the city with 16 stops. See Rome's famous ancient architecture and get off at convenient spots located throughout the city, including the Vatican and Castel Sant'Angelo, San Giovanni in Laterano, the Circus Maximus, and plenty of others throughout the city. During the tour, learn a thing or two about the city with the on-board audioguide – it's available in eight languages.
Explore the Eternal City with Big Bus Tours Rome, and soak up ancient wonders and ambient culture aboard of a Rome sightseeing tour, choosing between 24, 48 or 72-hour bus tickets. Immerse yourself in the city's remarkable beauty and heritage with over eight stops, conveniently located close to major landmarks and attractions around Rome, You can hop on and hop off the bus as much as you like! Hop on the top deck for beautiful panoramic views and snap the perfect photo of Rome’s beautiful landmarks from the Colosseum to St. Peter’s Basilica. While enjoying the sights, learn the city’s secrets thanks to the multilingual audio commentary. Hop off to sight-see on foot at your own pace with included self-guided walking tours or stay on board to explore for hours - the choice is yours with Big Bus Tours.
Begin your tour with a visit to the Colosseum through a special group entrance. Walk the path of ancient gladiators and enjoy a unique 360° view of the monument. Feel the atmosphere of ancient Rome as the guide describes the past events that were witnessed by over 50,000 spectators. Visit the Roman Forum, where old governmental buildings stand as silent witnesses to history. Explore the Forum Magnum, once a lively marketplace, and discover the everyday life of ancient Romans. End your tour at Palatine Hill and look at panoramic views of the Circus Maximus, where chariots once raced.
Visit the most popular attractions in Rome on a guided walking tour of Vatican City. Visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica with your guide, and admire the ornate interiors and the famed artworks housed here. Meet your guide close to the entrance to the Vatican Museums and follow them as you set out to explore the most interesting galleries within the museum. See the Rotunda, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Gallery of Maps. Take in the ornate ceilings in each room and see the ancient statues, frescoes, and tapestries that adorn the walls. Follow your guide and enter the Sistine Chapel and the Saint Peter's Basilica and listen to your guide for their magnificent history.
This tour provides access to St. Peter's Basilica and the ascent of its well-known dome, accompanied by a handheld audio guide that enables a personalized and informative visit. Starting at the entrance of the basilica in Vatican City, visitors ascend 136 meters to the top of the dome, passing narrow stairways and viewing platforms. The audio guide provides detailed commentary on the architectural features, the mosaics that adorn the interior, and the panoramic views of Rome’s skyline, including St. Peter's Square and the Vatican Gardens. After descending the dome, the tour continues inside the basilica where the audio guide directs you through a series of 27 specific listening points highlighting notable artworks and religious relics. Key sites include Michelangelo's Pietà, a marble masterpiece located near the entrance, and Bernini's Baldacchino, the large bronze canopy over Saint Peter's tomb. The guide also provides historical context about the basilica's construction, its role in Catholicism, and details about the popes buried within. The tour is self-paced and designed for individual or small group visits, allowing flexibility without the constraints of a scheduled group tour. There is no physical guide present; instead, the audio guide and digital map provide clear directions and commentary. Visitors should be prepared for a moderate physical effort, especially climbing the dome stairs. The basilica is accessible via public transport, with the Ottaviano metro station nearby. This tour is suited for those interested in Renaissance architecture, religious art, and panoramic city views. It appeals to travelers comfortable with some physical exertion and who prefer an independent but well-structured visit. It also suits visitors who appreciate detailed historical and artistic information delivered at their own pace.
Explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel without waiting in line by using skip-the-line tickets. Experience a journey through the awe-inspiring museums, discovering a treasure trove of Roman statues, Renaissance paintings, and Italian artworks. Marvel at the Belvedere and Pinecone Courtyards, the Gallery of Maps, and the Pio Clementino Museum's Greek Cross Hall, Gallery of Statues, and Hall of the Muses. Admire the Raphael Rooms with their famous frescoes by Raphael, including "The School of Athens." Finally, witness the beauty of the Sistine Chapel, adorned with frescoes by Botticelli, Rosselli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio, and of course, Michelangelo's masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Secure admission for a guided tour of the Colosseum and the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel. Begin at the local partner’s office, where you pick up your vouchers and watch a 25-minute multimedia video on ancient Rome. A knowledgeable guide will explain key aspects of Roman life and history, then lead you along cobblestone streets to the Colosseum, one of the most intact ancient arenas. Hear about the emperors influential in its history and the public events that took place there, including gladiator contests. The tour then continues at the Vatican, where you will visit important landmarks. In the Sistine Chapel, view Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes and learn about their significance and artistry.
With so much to see in Rome, why would you want to go underground on the metro? With hop-on hop-off bus tickets for Rome and the Vatican, you can take a whistle stop tour of the city with 16 stops. See Rome's famous ancient architecture and get off at convenient spots located throughout the city, including the Vatican and Castel Sant'Angelo, San Giovanni in Laterano, the Circus Maximus, and plenty of others throughout the city. During the tour, learn a thing or two about the city with the on-board audioguide – it's available in eight languages.
Explore the Eternal City with Big Bus Tours Rome, and soak up ancient wonders and ambient culture aboard of a Rome sightseeing tour, choosing between 24, 48 or 72-hour bus tickets. Immerse yourself in the city's remarkable beauty and heritage with over eight stops, conveniently located close to major landmarks and attractions around Rome, You can hop on and hop off the bus as much as you like! Hop on the top deck for beautiful panoramic views and snap the perfect photo of Rome’s beautiful landmarks from the Colosseum to St. Peter’s Basilica. While enjoying the sights, learn the city’s secrets thanks to the multilingual audio commentary. Hop off to sight-see on foot at your own pace with included self-guided walking tours or stay on board to explore for hours - the choice is yours with Big Bus Tours.
Begin your tour with a visit to the Colosseum through a special group entrance. Walk the path of ancient gladiators and enjoy a unique 360° view of the monument. Feel the atmosphere of ancient Rome as the guide describes the past events that were witnessed by over 50,000 spectators. Visit the Roman Forum, where old governmental buildings stand as silent witnesses to history. Explore the Forum Magnum, once a lively marketplace, and discover the everyday life of ancient Romans. End your tour at Palatine Hill and look at panoramic views of the Circus Maximus, where chariots once raced.
