get your guide rome tour

Protect Your Trip »

11 best rome tours of 2024: food, the vatican & more.

These top-rated Rome tours are led by experts who bring the city's history to life.

The Best Rome Tours

Getty Images

Considered one of the world's best places to visit , Rome offers countless things to do and an endless selection of delicious cuisine. But given the overwhelming crowds and restricted access to ancient sites, it can be difficult to fully enjoy all that Italy's capital has to offer on your own. That's where a guided tour can help.

Based on recent traveler reviews and expert opinion, we've selected the best tours in Rome. Whether you're gliding past the Colosseum on a Segway or savoring Italian wine in the countryside, you'll benefit from fun and informative guides leading the way.

• Best Overall: Through Eternity Tours – Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Sistine Chapel: Essential Experience

Best Vatican: What a Life Tours – Skip-the-line Vatican Small Group Tour

• Best Colosseum: City Wonders – Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Best Food: Eating Europe – Twilight Trastevere Rome Food Tour

Best private: the roman guy – private rome city driving tour, best segway: fat tire tours rome – rome day segway tour, best bike: topbike rental and tours – ancient appian way, catacombs and aqueducts park.

• Best Golf Cart: Rolling Rome – Rome Squares & Fountains Golf Cart Tour

Best Free: Rome's Ultimate Free Walking Tour

Best kids: gruppo storico romano – gladiator school.

• Best Tuscany Day Tour: City Wonders – Tuscan Countryside Day Trip from Rome with 3-Course Lunch & Wine Tasting

Best Overall: Through Eternity Tours – Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Sistine Chapel: Essential Experience

Price: From 1,345 euros (about $1,494) per person Duration: 7 hours

Conquer Rome in seven hours with Through Eternity Tours. With your skip-the-line tickets, you'll be able to cover the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Vatican Museums , including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica . Professional, engaging guides – all fluent English speakers – allow you to set the pace, absorbing as much history and archeology as you want at each stop.

Travelers say you'll see much more on this half-day tour than you would if you were to visit each site on your own, especially since guides point out unexpected gems along the way. Rates can vary considerably depending on the number in your party; the company offers discounts for students and children. Bring stamina, a water bottle and wear comfortable walking shoes .

When you're ready for more, try one of Through Eternity's other tours, such as its evening tour of Rome's piazzas and fountains.

Check prices & availability on:

Price: Adults from 99 euros (about $110); kids from 94 euros (around $104) Duration: 3 hours

U.S. News independently paid to send Laura Itzkowitz , a freelance journalist based in Rome, on this tour to provide readers with an unbiased, first-hand perspective of what to expect. What a Life Tours – Skip-the-line Vatican Small Group Tour was selected by our team thanks to its popularity and favorable user reviews.

One of the largest – and most crowded – landmarks in the world, the Vatican Museums actually comprises 26 museums, plus various chapels and galleries, so while it’s a must-see attraction, it can be an overwhelming place to visit.

On this skip-the-line excursion from What a Life Tours, the engaging guide brought us straight to the highlights, starting with the Pinecone Courtyard and ending in St. Peter’s Basilica, where she showed us Michelangelo’s Pietà and explained why it’s the only work the artist actually signed.

Along the tour, you’ll see masterpieces from the Vatican Museums’ collection, including the ancient statue of Laocoön and his sons; the Belvedere Torso, which inspired Michelangelo; Greek Cross Hall; and the Round Hall, which contains a monumental bronze statue of Hercules. Other highlights include the Gallery of Candelabra; the Gallery of Tapestries; the Gallery of Maps, where the guide pointed out some fun facts about Italy in the 1600s; and the Sistine Chapel.

Talking isn’t allowed in the Sistine Chapel, so the guide explained Michelangelo’s frescoes at the beginning of the tour. Our guide shared a deep knowledge of the artworks, and delivered her commentary with a sense of humor. However, the guide didn’t bring us to the Raphael Rooms; if this is a priority for you, you may want to book a different tour.

Tours generally operate Monday through Saturday; the first tour begins at 9:30 a.m. In addition to its variety of Vatican tours, the company also offers tours of the Colosseum and daylong tours of Rome.

Laura Itzkowitz

Good to know:

• Groups are capped at 12 or fewer participants. 
• After the tour, stroll down Via della Conciliazione to capture the best photos of St. Peter’s Basilica.
• For a nice lunch nearby, book a table at Ristorante Arlù, a family-run eatery that’s been open since 1959. If the weather is nice, ask for a table outside on the charming cobblestone street.
• Prati, the neighborhood surrounding the Vatican, is popular for shopping, especially along Via Cola di Rienzo. Stop by il Sellaio di Serafini for a handmade leather bag, or Castroni for espresso and other gourmet foods to bring home.

Best Colosseum: City Wonders – Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Price: From $42.86 per person Duration: 3 hours

Our top choice for the best Colosseum tours , this excursion covers the famous landmark – once known as the Flavian Amphitheatre – as well as the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Expert English-speaking guides bring the history of the Colosseum to life, with recent visitors noting the guides are excellent storytellers. Plus, audio headsets ensure you won't miss any of the important details they provide.

When booking, you can choose to join up to 10, 15 or 24 participants; tour rates fluctuate accordingly. Note that this tour does not include the Colosseum underground.

City Wonders offers a variety of other tours in Rome as well as day trips from the city.

Price: Adults from 133 euros (about $148); kids from 92 euros (about $102) Duration: 4 hours

Past travelers recommend skipping lunch before this evening walking tour of Trastevere , where you'll have a chance to savor some of the best food in Rome. As you meander through the neighborhood (often compared to New York City's Greenwich Village), you'll enjoy mouthwatering bites of everything from classic supplì , or fried risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella, to porchetta, homemade pasta and gelato.

Foodie guides share each chef's story and culinary traditions, along with tips on how to find and make the best Roman cuisine on your own. Reviewers praise the guides for their insider knowledge and gush about the quality of the food and wine featured on the tour.

Tours run at multiple times each evening, and there is a maximum of 12 people per tour. Eating Europe also operates a tour that explores Testaccio, considered Rome's "original foodie neighborhood."

Price: From $716 per person Duration: 3 hours

Let an expert guide teach you about Rome – and navigate the city for you – so you can take in all the beauty and history without any distractions. On this private tour provided by The Roman Guy, you'll ride around town in an air-conditioned car or van, stopping off at iconic landmarks including the Pantheon , Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona . You'll also have a chance to stop for some authentic gelato along the way.

Tours are limited to seven people, and the tour cost fluctuates by the number of people in your group. Both hotel pickup and dropoff are available.

Previous tourgoers highly recommend this excursion, noting they discovered so many places they would have never found on their own. They also say this is the best way to explore Rome on a hot summer day.

The Roman Guy offers a variety of specialized tours in Rome, including evening tours of the Vatican and explorations of the Rome Catacombs.

Price: From 75 euros per person (about $83) Duration: 3 hours

Hop on a Segway to see the Eternal City's many sights. After receiving your helmet and tuning in to a quick training session, you'll put on a headset to listen to the lively commentary from your experienced Fat Tire Tours guide. Along the ride, you'll glide past sights like Trajan's Forum, Capitoline Hill and more. Plus, you'll don a virtual reality headset during your stop outside the Colosseum that reconstructs the famous arena's past grandeur.

Travelers appreciate that Segways make getting around and seeing Rome's sights easier and more fun, especially for families with older teens. Reviewers also appreciate the engaging local guides.

Tours run daily at 9:30 a.m. Participants must be at least 16 years old and weigh between 100 and 260 pounds. Pregnant women are not permitted on this tour.

The company also leads a night tour, which visits the city's illuminated monuments after sundown, among other outings.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Price: Adults from 99 euros (about $110); kids from 89 euros (about $99) Duration: 6 hours

Travelers have been using the Ancient Appian Way for 2,300 years, and you'll get to traverse it with a friendly, knowledgeable local on this electric bike excursion. Along the ride, you'll pass archeological sites, Christian catacombs and picturesque Roman aqueducts framing the unspoiled countryside. The tour covers roughly 17 miles, 60% of which requires off-road cycling, so TopBike recommends this tour for intermediate riders. Some tourgoers say you might not even break a sweat, though, thanks to the ease of the electric bikes.

Tourgoers can opt for the Short Tour (four hours) or the Plus Tour (six hours), the latter of which follows the same path as the shorter excursion and also includes a guided tour of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus (or Saint Sebastian) and a stop at the Baths of Caracalla. Exact tour departure times vary by season, but you can expect to start around 9 a.m.

TopBike also leads cycling tours within the city center.

Best Golf Cart: Rolling Rome – Rome Squares & Fountains Golf Cart Tour

Price: From 350 euros (about $398) per person Duration: 3 hours

Avoid Rome's congested traffic and keep the family entertained on this golf cart tour – a popular way to get around town . Whizz past major sights in the historical center and piazzas Venezia, Navona and del Popolo, plus the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and more.

Since the tour is customizable, you can also ask the guide to take you to lesser-known spots in the city – a highlight for recent reviewers. Along with the knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, reviewers appreciate the golf cart's ability to avoid traffic using Rome's narrow back lanes.

Tours, which can accommodate up to seven participants, depart daily at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. One week's advance reservation is recommended.

Rolling Rome also offers daylong golf cart tours, as well as a variety of Segway and electric bike tours.

Price: Free Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours

According to reviewers, this free walking tour is a great way to start your visit in Rome. During the nearly three-hour stroll, you'll visit several photo-worthy piazzas, the Pantheon, Ponte Sant'Angelo and Castel Sant'Angelo, among other sights. Guides, who have backgrounds in subjects like history and architecture, earn praise from reviewers for their entertaining storytelling and thoughtful restaurant and activity recommendations.

Tours, which are limited to 15 participants, operate twice daily at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. In total, you'll walk less than 2 miles. According to the company, the tour is suitable for travel strollers and wheelchairs.

Though the tour is free, it's recommended that you reserve your spot in advance via the company's website – guides do not wait at the departure point unless reservations are booked. At the end of the tour, you can tip your guide based on your experience.

Check availability on:

Price: From $134 per person Duration: 2 hours

This immersive experience allows kids and adults alike to learn the basic techniques of gladiator sword fighting before putting their new skills into action (with foam swoards) at the on-site arena. The tour also includes a visit to the Gladiator Museum.

The experience is so popular that many celebrities, including Blippi, have trained to be a gladiator here, and recent reviewers say this was their children's favorite activity in Rome. They also say the trainers are passionate about teaching visitors the art of gladiator fighting.

Best Tuscany Day Tour: City Wonders – Tuscan Countryside Day Trip from Rome with 3-Course Lunch & Wine Tasting

Price: Adults from $121; kids from $110 Duration: 12 hours

If you want to visit Tuscany while in Rome, but don't want to drive the approximately 175-mile journey yourself, consider this 12-hour excursion from City Wonders. You'll depart from Rome at 7:30 a.m. via an air-conditioned coach bus to see famous hilltop towns, such as Montepulciano and Pienza. You'll also visit the Renaissance church of St. Biagio before enjoying a three-course lunch and wine pairing in the famed Montalcino.

Travelers say guides are informative and thoughtful, giving tourists ample time to explore the towns and take pictures. All agree that leaving the driving to a professional made the trip worthwhile.

Tours are offered daily. City Wonders also offers a variety of tours in Rome, including tours of the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Borghese Gallery.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Hotels in Rome
• The Best Places to Visit in Italy
• The Best Small Group Tours of Italy (+ Day Trips)
• The Best International Travel Insurance

Tags: Italy , Tours , Travel , Vacations , food and drink , Europe Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

Fun things to do in minnesota.

Rachael Hood Sept. 27, 2024

The 8 Best Hollywood Tours

Gwen Pratesi and Ann Henson Sept. 26, 2024

The 10 Best Snowmobile Tours in Colorado

John Rodwan Sept. 26, 2024

What Is Allowed in a Carry-on Bag?

Erin Vasta and Timothy J. Forster Sept. 26, 2024

The Top Everglades Airboat Swamp Tours

Holly Johnson and Ann Henson Sept. 26, 2024

The Best Road to Hana Tours in Maui

Ashley Probst Sept. 25, 2024

The Best Solo Cruises

Gwen Pratesi Sept. 25, 2024

The Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Teens

Holly Johnson Sept. 23, 2024

All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Mexico

Sharael Kolberg Sept. 20, 2024

The Best Pearl Harbor Tours

Amanda Norcross Sept. 19, 2024

An Honest GetYourGuide Review: Should You Book A GetYourGuide Tour?

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that for any qualifying purchase you make through one of my links, I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. For more information, check out my disclosure .

Don’t know if you can trust GetYourGuide? Are you looking for a honest GetYourGuide review?

If you’ve come here looking for the answer to questions such as “is GetYourGuide legit?”, “how does GetYourGuide work?” or even more simply “what is GetYourGuide?” you are in the right place: I am a frequent traveler, I love planning trips, and I am a regular user of GetYourGuide and other third-party booking platforms.

This GetYourGuide review will tell you everything you must know before booking a ticket, an activity or a tour on this third-party booking site. 

Disclaimer: I have not been paid to write this GetYourGuide review. I regularly use GetYourGuide (and other third-party booking sites, if necessary) as a traveler, I like it and trust it and this GetYourGuide review is 100% based on my personal experience. 

The idea of this post is to explain how GetYourGuide – as well as other third-party booking sites – works. I will do my best to highlight all the pros and cons of booking a tour, activity, or ticket through them. 

Throughout this post, I will be referring to GetYourGuide as well as GYG. All these names and acronyms refer to the same booking engine – this one .

Table of Contents

An In Depth GetYourGuide Review 

What is getyourguide how does getyourguide work.

Your first questions are likely going to be “What is GetYourGuide?” and “How does GetYourGuide work?”

Get Your Guide is a third-party booking site. That is, a website and app through which you can book skip-the-line tickets and guided tours to a variety of attractions around the world, as well as activities such as cooking classes (but not only).

Until 10 years ago or so, whenever we traveled we had to rely on guidebooks to find information about tours and activities. Let alone the fact that carrying around a large paper book made our luggage heavy, more often than not the information in these guidebooks was inaccurate – at times old, with outdated prices for example.

The whole idea of GetYourGuide is to make the process of planning a trip much easier. You can book a ticket to an attraction or a tour without having to spend hours researching online, and it saves you from the trouble of having to shop for tickets and tours while at the destination (thus wasting precious time).

Thanks to GetYourGuide and other third-party booking sites, we can now book tours from the comfort of our homes.

Essentially, Get Your Guide is a massive online travel agency through which you can book skip-the-line tickets, tours, activities in a multitude of destinations across the world. It acts as a middleman between you and local travel companies and operators you would otherwise have trouble finding online.

So instead of browsing the web for a company that sells exactly the tour you are looking for, you just go on Get Your Guide and use their search button and filters to find what you are looking for. 

Is GetYourGuide legit? Is GetYourGuide reliable?

Many people read my posts and when they find out I recommend GYG to book tickets and tours they ask me “Is GetYourGuide legit?” or wonder “is GetYourGuide reliable?” or even “is GetYourGuide safe?”

Yes, even almost 15 years after their creation, I often see travelers are reluctant to book tickets and tours via third-party reseller sites such as GetYourGuide, generally claiming that tours are more expensive and that they’d rather use local providers.

I use GetYourGuide all the time and I am definitely the right person to write a GetYourGuide review. In my experience, they are legit and they are my favorite third-party booking sites to book tours.

Yes, at times tours can be slightly more expensive than what you’d pay locally. But GYG clearly states that if you manage to find the same activity or tour cheaper elsewhere, they will cover the difference. It happened to me once when I took a Mekong Delta tour from Saigon : it was much cheaper locally, but when I emailed GYG about it they refunded me the price difference.

The major bonus for me is that on GetYourGuide you have the benefit of having a bunch of tours and ticket options all in one place so that you can compare and do your homework before you hit the “pay” button.

Besides, the small extra amount you are paying for an activity spares you the enormous hassle of having to shop locally, or to show up at a destination and find that the tour you wanted to do, or the attraction you wanted to see are sold out.

Get Your Guide usually allows you to modify or cancel the booking of a tour or activity as long as you do it 24 hours before it is scheduled. In the case of a cancellation, you will receive a full refund that usually shows up in your bank account within a few days. Make sure to read the cancellation policy before booking, to make sure!

What does GetYourGuide offer?

GetYourGuide offer can be roughly broken down into a few categories:

ATTRACTION TICKETS – On GYG you will find tickets to museums, galleries, archeological sites, theme parks, etc. These would be skip-the-line tickets, perfect for popular tourist attractions that require advanced bookings such as the Colosseum , the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre . The price is usually the same or slightly more expensive than on the official site, and there often is availability for last-minute tickets thanks to more flexible cancellation policies.

CITY PASSES – A very popular thing you can buy on GYG is city passes. These are bundles of tickets to access a variety of attractions in a destination.

GUIDED TOURS – GetYourGuide also sells guided tours (they can also be small or private tours) and activities. For example, you can use it to book a walking tour of Montmartre , a whale-watching trip from Marino Ballena in Costa Rica , a guided tour of Versailles Palace , and even a guided hike or an adventure activity such as rafting. There also is a wide range of children-friendly tours.

DAY TRIPS – Among the best sellers on GetYourGuide and perfect for travelers who don’t wish to rent a car for their trip but want to explore beyond a city’s limits, there are guided day trips – to wineries, national parks, smaller villages etc. These trips include round-trip transportation.

TRANSPORT – GYG inventory also includes public transportation passes and airport transfers.

Who runs GetYourGuide tours?

Understanding who runs GetYourGuide tours is key to building your trust, so I want to make sure you get this fact right and decided to tackle this issue immediately in this GetYourGuide review.

Local companies

One of the biggest objections I see by travelers against big third-party booking sites such as GetYourGuide is that they prefer using local provides.

What’s important to understand here – and one of the reasons that prompted me to write this GetYourGuide review – is that GYG is just a reseller: GYG tours are run by local companies, who use GYG to promote their offer. You can rest assured that your money is ultimately going to support local companies. 

Yes, these small local companies pay a fee for their tours to be sold on GetYourGuide, but that’s a small investment they make to get more customers than they normally would otherwise.

GetYourGuide

Some GetYourGuide tours are run by GetYour Guide itself. These are called GetYourGuide Originals and are usually great. I have done a bunch of these GetYourGuide Original Tours in various cities and was impressed with the quality.

It’s important to point out that even in this case, GYG employs local guides.

My Experience Using GetYourGuide

This GetYourGuide review wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t talk about my personal experience.

In my travel experience, I have bought tickets to many attractions on GetYourGuide – for example, during a recent trip to Amsterdam and pretty much for every trip to Rome (and there have been many in the last 3 years).

Every time, things went extremely smoothly. My most recent experience was a guided day trip to Poas Volcano during a trip to Costa Rica with my sister, and we couldn’t have been happier with the choice.

The driver was very punctual in picking us up, the guide was extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and the overall tour experience was great. There were also some children and locals on the tour, and the vibe was great: everyone was having a good time.

What I love about GYG is that everything I need is in one place: the site lists all the available tours for the specific place I want to visit, so I can read a very accurate description of the tour and what it includes, I can compare the prices, and I can read reviews by other travelers.

I am going to use GYG for a trip I am currently planning with a blogger friend of mine (she is also a fan) and for any other trip I am taking in the future.

How To Book GetYourGuide Tours

Booking GetYourGuide tours is super easy. You can do it on the website, or on the app you can download on your smartphone. The app gives you access to mobile vouchers.

Here is a step-by-step guide to what you have to do.

Go to GetYourGuide website .

Use the search bar to look for the tour, ticket or activity you want to book. Use the filter to narrow down your search. You can select the price range, the language, the duration and even the services you need (for example, a wheelchair-friendly tour).

Sort the selection by either price, recommended, or rating. You will notice that some tours will be labeled as best sellers, new, or likely to sell out.

The “Likely To Sell Out” label is used for activities that are very popular and for which advanced booking is mandatory. The “Best Seller” label is used for activities that have the best reviews. The “New Activity” label is applied to activities that have just been added to the listing – they have very few reviews, if any. 

Once you click on a tour, a new page opens up and then you can read the tour description carefully: make sure to look for the cancellation policy, the inclusions and exclusions (some tours may not include tickets to specific attractions, others may include lunch, etc), and the reviews by other travelers).

This is also where you will find information about the meeting point, the tour highlights, and even what to wear and pack for the tour.

At the very end of the page you will also be able to read the tour reviews. You can totally trust these reviews, as only people who have bought a GetYourGuide tour can review it. You will receive an email too a day after the activity has ended, asking you to leave GetYourGuide reviews for the tours you have taken.

Once you have picked the tour you want, input the exact date (and if relevant, also the time) for your tour or ticket. You will also need to select the number of tours or tickets you wish to book. You will have to input your full name and email address.

Once you pay via credit or debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal you will receive a confirmation via email. The email will include your Booking Reference, as well as the contact number or email of the local tour provider.

You can download the GYG app on your phone to use the mobile voucher. It also works offline.

The day before the activity, GYG will send you an email reminder that will include the meeting point and the meeting time. Make a note of it and try to look for the best route to get to the meeting point, because at times it can be confusing. Remember to be punctual!

If you need to cancel or modify a booking, look for the confirmation email and scroll down the message until you get to the bit that says “manage my booking” and select whichever option suits you best.

GetYourGuide Cons

This GetYourGuide review wouldn’t be complete (and honest) if I did not tell you about its main shortcomings. So, here they are – again, based on my experience.

Information about the activity can be confusing

One of the main shortcomings of GetYourGuide is that in order to fully understand what you are getting you really need to read the description – it is not immediately clear whether the option you may be selecting is a guided tour or just a plain skip-the-line ticket.

For example, I once bought what I thought would be a tour of the Eiffel Tower, and only once I got there I realized it was just an escorted entrance.

Few GetYourGuide tours for nature-centered activities

As I have said at the very beginning of this GetYourGuide review, GYG is an excellent booking platform for skip-the-line tickets, tours and activities in major tourist destinations.

GetYourGuide is always working on its inventory, but unfortunately the choice is very limited in some destinations, and simply non-existing in others.

Likewise, GYG has a more limited choice of nature-related activities such as hikes, but there is a push to improve the inventory even in this case.

GetYourGuide Contacts

You can contact GetYourGuide via email directly through the website or the app. 

If you would rather call, there are several numbers you can reach out to 24/7. Among them, there are:

USA +1 844-326-5840 Canada +1 844-326-5840  Australia  +61-2-4708-9546 UK +44-20-3962-0237 Italy  +39-6-9480-0677

Support is available in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

You can also send messages on WhatsApp at +49-151-23457858 – this is the number for English messages. The chat is available also in other language, on other numbers. 

Other Third-Party Booking Sites

For this GetYourGuide review to be complete, I should compare it to a few other popular third-party booking sites. Below are a few ones I have used and you may have come across too. 

I often debate whether I should use Tiqets vs GetYourGuide to book activities and tours, as I really like this booking site too.

Tiqets is very similar to GetYourGuide, but has a slightly smaller inventory. Tours sold on Tiqets are offered in a variety of languages.

Like with GetYourGuide, all tours and tickets sold on Tiqets come in the form of mobile vouchers, so you don’t need to print them. It’s an overall reliable company with a good customer service in a variety of languages. 

The site has improved a lot in recent times, so you can now filter your search by tour, tickets and even city cards. In fact, I prefer Tiqets vs. GetYourGuide to buy city passes as they have great options that allow you to select the attractions (and time slots) you want to visit directly on the site.  

In terms of cancellation policy, they are similar to GetYourGuide but again you always need to read the small print.

I am a huge fan of Take Walks . Compared to GetYourGuide, the offer is much smaller: they only focus on a handful of cities in Europe and in the United States, and only sell guided tours, food tours and cooking classes.

Tours sold on Take Walks are only in English. They are excellent quality tours run by the best local companies.

The cancellation policy is similar to that of other companies: as long as you cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled activity, you will get a full refund.

The Tour Guy

The Tour Guy (or The Rome Guy for tours in Rome) is one of the best tour booking sites around. Many travelers swear that the tours of Rome taken with The Rome Guy are absolutely the best. Tours are in English only. 

The website is very easy to use and once you select the tour the short description will pop up right under the name of the tour, giving you an idea of what you will see and do during the tour. 

My main concern is that anybody can leave a review on the website – whether they have taken a tour or not. So in terms of reviews it’s not as reliable as GetYourGuide reviews.

I will pick Get Your Guide over Viator any time. Viator (which is owned by TripAdvisor) is the largest third-party booking site, with a massive inventory.

You can find the tour you need by using the many filters and then listing them according to your preference. The tour description is very accurate too.

After a disastrous tour of the Asian side of Istanbul that I bought on Civitatis, I decided never to use them again. The issue with them is that they are mainly targeting the Spanish speaking market, so they don’t have many good English-speaking guides.

Civitatis runs tours in many countries, but the inventory is small.

Final Considerations

In case it was not clear when reading this GetYourGuide review, I love GetYourGuide. I find it the most reliable, trustworthy third-party booking site. It is simple to use and visually appealing.

There is a huge range of activities and tours, so I am pretty sure you will be able to find just what you need. 

Whether you have a great experience or a complaint, GetYourGuide will listen to your feedback. And you won’t have any issue in canceling a tour, or changing a reservation. 

Do you have anything to add to this GetYourGuide review?

Pin It For Later!

Claudia Tavani

Claudia Tavani was born and raised in Italy, but she also lived in New York, Denver, and London. She's a professional travel blogger and certified travel designer who loves planning trips, sharing travel hacks, and packing lists so that you don't have to. Owner of My Adventures Across The World, solo traveler, cat mom to Minnie. Claudia has been featured by the Lonely Planet and the Huffington Post. She has visited more than 80 countries.

29 thoughts on “An Honest GetYourGuide Review: Should You Book A GetYourGuide Tour?”

Super helpful information on Get Your guide.

I called 2 days ago to try to cancel my reservation for the Chicago Fireworks Buffet Dinner Cruise which is scheduled for September 3, 2022. Which was 19 days away giving anyone plenty of time to allow any arrangements needed to fill the spot. I was told that it cannot be cancelled. It is pretty said that a company, like yours, is unable to accommodate this request. I am very disappointed in your company and I am never going to schedule another cruise with you in the future, if this is the way you do business. I lived in Chicago when I oversaw the construction and opening of the newly renovated Midway Airport. Everyone at that time was very accommodating with everyone’s needs. Obviously Chicago has changed. My confirmation number is GYG998W7B7F5

First of all, GetYourGuide is not my company and I don’t work for them. I use it, much like you or any other tourist does, and recommend it as I have had mostly great experiences with them. Secondly, whenever you book something – on GetYourGuide or any other site – you need to read the exact term and conditions, including the cancellation policy, and get a clear understanding of what they say. Thirdly, there is a customer service for GetYourGuide that you can also reach via whatsapp – the number you need to contact changes by country so make sure you send them a message at the right number. Fourthly, you should find out the reasons why the booking cannot be cancelled and refunded – most of the time, it has to do with the local dealer which in this case would be the company that is running the dinner cruise. In the vast majority of cases, they are the ones that set the conditions that you find on GetYourGuide, which is a third party reseller as clearly explained in this post. I can’t say what happened in your case as I can’t see your booking, but it is very likely that it’s the local dealer that does not allow you to cancel the reservation. If I were you, I’d contact GetYourGuide again and ask for a precise explanation, and once they give you the reasons as to why the booking can’t be cancelled, I’d contact the local company (you can find the name and contact details in the confirmation of your reservation). I really hope this helps.

Excellent review. We’re travelling to Rome in May 2023 for the first time and before reading this review I was very confused on how to plan for the trip. Appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences.

Of course. As all third party booking sites, GetYourGuide is not perfect but I think it’s the most reliable out there. It’s what I use the most!

I really appreciate this reassurance! I am booking several tours for this spring. I found the Help page inadequate, made a call but could not get an answer. Am working via email now…credit card questions. And questions about the Paris Museum Pass they offer…when can I reserve tickets using that Pass? Must it be paid for first? I have it on delayed pay option…

I do not see how to sort for Original tours…surely there are some for Madrid? How do I narrow to Original?? Thanks.

Hello! GYG has actually stopped offering “original tours” so that’s why you can’t find them now. To book any attraction with the museum pass, you first have to buy the pass.

I seem to have been able to secure the Louvre tickets even before actually paying for the Paris Museum Pass. Clicked that option the Louvre ticket site and have the printed and mobile tickets already. Of course, if I decide not to buy the Pass, those tickets are useless. Still, I can move forward, book more tours and be sure they fall into good time slots, and pay for the Pass closer to my trip…

Thanks again for your article. Diane

That’s great!

My experience with Get Your Guide and maybe even more with Ultimate Italy was not a positive one. I booked the underground colosseum tour set for 10:45 am. Ticket did say to arrive 30 minutes early. We arrived at 10:21 and were told the tour already left and through many e-mails and get your guide policies received no refund. Folks at ultimate Italy also stated that the admission time was set for 10:15 not 10:45 as advertised in the ticket. This in my opinion is terribly deceptive and is not consistent with any other tour company I have used over the years. Buyer be very aware that get your guide follows their policy and statements to the letter. They are not customer focused. For example I had a tour for the Vatican later on my trip who waited for 10 minutes after the exact time on the ticket for folks that were running late. Much better company to deal with and typical of my experience in the past. I will never utilize get your guide or ultimate Italy again nor would I recommend them to anyone.

GetYourGuide is a third party reseller that you can use to buy tours and tickets run by local companies. You should probably raise your complaint to Ultimate Italy as it sounds that was the company that was running the tour – I’d definitely be annoyed too if that had happened to me. If you still have the ticket with you, send them screenshots. I’d also cc GetYourGuide in the conversation, show them screenshots / proof of what you are saying, and take it from there. You may not get a refund in the end, but maybe a voucher to use towards another attraction or tour. I really hope this helps!

Very helpful. Thank you.

I plan to use them for private tours and also transport between cities in Portugal next month. Do you have any experience with them or other similar companies in Portugal?

Not for Portugal specifically, actually.

I would suggest being cautious using Getyourguide – we recently had pre-booked tickets for Rome weeks ahead and had them cancelled with no legitimate excuse Les than 24 hours before the tours. Tickets were sold out and we had no way of seeing the attractions we had travelled so far to see. there was no apology or nothing we could do.

That’t NOT GetYourGuide doing that, but the local provider. GYG is only a third party reseller.

Do not use this company I booked a tour for the Palace in Madrid eight weeks in advance, then one day before the tour I received an email notification that my tour was cancelled because of a political event I learned that the palace was closed that morning due to the change of the guard which happens every month at this time, this time slot should have been blocked out for sales, at the least it should have been rescheduled NOT cancelled, unsatisfactory will not use them again and do not recommend!

That is NOT GetYourGuide fault though. That’s the attractions being closed. GetYourGuide can’t do anything about it.

Hi Claudia, thanks very much for the details. I want use GYG for activities in cinque terre. Are you able to tell me if 3 days is enough for cinque terre we ran into a time issue and we cut back from 4 to 3 days. I read your article on cinque terre , wow, thnaks for the info but i want to use GYG for those tours and others , the reviews are good. Is there a place I can email you to ask you questions?

Thanks again

My email is available via the contact me page. But to be fair, whatever I know about the Cinque Terre is all in the posts already! When I visited, I spent 5 days there. But even 3 is ok to get a good feel for it 🙂

How do the self guided tours work, and why do they ask how many guests? Since you download the app and self guided tour info, to your phone? Doing a self guided tour in a Natl park as a couple.

Normally, it would be one audio-guide per person.

Doe get your guide require internet service to use the app?

I actually don’t know that – you may want to contact them. What you can do, however, is download your voucher to your wallet when you have wifi. That’s super easy!

Thanks for the review – wondering why they need my full passport details when I book? Not comfortable providing this information. I cant find any reference to this in the help screen. Did you have to provide your passport information to book tours? I’m looking at an activity in Vietnam.

Yes, this depends on the country.

My experiences were very mixed. While some of the guides were knowledgable, others were just babbling. At one occasion I booked a private tour and without prior notice the partner agency added two other persons to the tour. On another occasion the partner agency messed up the booking of a ticket for a tour event; I was refused to join and left behind at a shopping mall… Neither the partner agency nor GYG was reachable to assist. Refunding was unsatisfactory too; they offered just a fraction of the amount I paid. After these two negative experiences I stopped booking GYG.

Hello Claire, thank you for leaving a comment. I take tons of tours every year and most of them are really good. I have also had some “blah” experiences and rest assured I left a negative review when that happened. I am sorry that you had a bad experience with the event. I am surprised that GetYourGuide did not fully refund you. Oftentimes the local companies are terrible to deal with!

Hello – thanks for your interesting & valuable article. I wonder if you can help guide me about an issue I’m having with GYG.

I booked my wife and I an expensive GYG tour for an “NYE luxury yacht cruise” in Lisbon to see the NYE fireworks. At the venue, we searvhed for our yacht but quickly realized we were misled and ended up getting on a regular sailboat. What made matters worse was the provider wasn’t even able to get the boat into a decent position to experience Lisbon’s NYE fireworks.

My wife and I were both devastated because this was supposed to be the highlight of our Lisbon trip. My wife even got glammed up for the occasion thinking it was a luxury cruise but it was nothing like the ad we saw. She could’ve gone in jeans and sneakers and fit right in.

After the tour, I contacted GYG via their chat line and lodged a complaint. 10 days later – when I still hadn’t heard from them – I contacted them again. This time their rep agreed to refund 50% of the tour only because we’d “already participated on the tour”.

I don’t think that was a reasonable resolution to our problem as we feel we’d been deceived by the marketing and description of the event. If I’d known it was a regular sailboat, I wouldn’t have opted for this experience, as we were looking for something special for NYE and, from the description, thought this was it.

My question is, what recourse do I have to get the full refund from GYG?

Thanks so much

Hello Hisham,

I’d definitely be as disappointed as you and your wife were if that had happened to me. First of all, if you haven’t done it already you should leave a review of the tour on GYG – you would normally receive an email asking you to leave a review. I’d also ask to escalate the matter to someone in the management position suggesting that the resolution you have been offered is not a satisfactory one. If you have them, send photos of the experience as they can be really helpful in the evaluation: it will help you prove that what’s being sold as luxury is not an actual luxury experience and that the marketing is misleading.

As I have explained, GYG is a third-party site so the responsibility usually falls on the local provider. But GYG needs to know what’s happening on the ground.

This is all the advice I have, as a customer – it’s what I would do myself. I hope this helps!

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview

Europe Chevron

Italy Chevron

Rome Chevron

19 Best Tours in Rome

Vacation tours can be a divisive topic, particularly for people who feel passionately about exploring a city independently. But the truth of the matter is that exploring it with a local by your side will bring you to parts of it you might never find on your own. And no locals have as many stories to tell their city as the Romans. You'll find the most intellectual and personable tour guides to take you around vineyards, through olive groves, on vespa rides, through film studios, food markets, cemeteries, medieval churches, and the most iconic ancient sites. Without further delay, these are our picks for the very best Rome tours.

Click the link to read our complete Rome travel guide.

City Wonders: Ostia Antica Half-Day Tour from Rome Arrow

Ostia Antica is a historic seaside village an hour from Rome and these half-day tours of the coastal archaeological site are well-planned. Groups visit Ostia’s amphitheater, temples, historic baths, and ancient market. Guides seem to have real passion for the subject, talking visitors through the entire tour, peppering their commentary with anecdotes and fun facts. This is a slam-dunk for true history buffs who want to get deeper into the greater Rome area.

Elizabeth Lev: Rome's Historical Center, An All-You-Can-See Smorgasbord of Art Arrow

Elizabeth Lev is something else. Rome is her city, and this tour is her work of art. She has an incredible way of engaging with the history, the art, the monuments, and the stories. You'll find yourself wanting to spend all your time with her. The tour explores the ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque art periods; and it visits sites like 13th century frescos above the church of Santa Cecilia and art collections behind the facades of the Spada palace. You'll be wowed by all of the layers of the city and how it feels like Rome has been hitting a string of never-ending home runs since antiquity.

Elizabeth Lev: Borrowed but Never Baroque, Bernini & 17th Century Rome Arrow

This tour of Elizabeth Lev's meets up outside the beautiful Piazza della Repubblica . Our group was tiny, but Liz will accommodate larger private groups. She is both an incredible academic brain and a witty storyteller. And her tour shows of the dramatic  range of Baroque art and architecture within Rome. This tour is great for anyone who wants a deep dive into the city's Baroque history, and anyone who wants to appreciate Rome in an experience that's not quite in the guide books.

LivItaly Tours: Vespa Sidecar Tour Arrow

The Vespa Sidecar tour is entirely private and can be customized for return visitors who may have already seen the highlights. It is not, though, a show-up-when-you-want activity. It can be organized for up to six participants, but you'll only be in a group if you choose to be. My tour was perfect because it was just me and the driver/guide Luca.  As a licensed guide, he knows his history, is easy to understand, and is very friendly. He always has a plan, but is quick to change it at the first request. We talked Rome and food and went to all the right places, from big names to more under the radar finds. 

Rome 500 Experience: The 7 Hidden Gems of Rome Tour in an Antique FIAT 500 Arrow

There's a lot of reasons to sign up for this tour through greater Rome, not least is that you get to drive yourself with the top down in a vintage Fiat 500. Another nice perk: Rome's traffic is seriously easier to deal with when traveling in convoy (the group can have up to 50 cars in it). And, as you will get your own car to drive, it can feel like a private tour, although groups are also organized by language, so communication shouldn't be a problem for anyone.  But most importantly, you just look so much better behind the wheel of a classic Italian car.

Top Bike Rental & Tours: Ancient Appian Way, Catacombs, and Aqueducts Park Tour Arrow

This tour will take the better part of your day (it's six hours start to finish). But going by bike to these outer city sites —the old Appian Way via the ancient aqueduct—is the easiest and most entertaining way to see them. Plus you won't want to cut out early: it ends with wine and some nibbles in Caffarella Park, which is so expansive it feels like you're in the countryside even though it's smack in the middle of the greater city. Bikes feel brand new and the confidence of the tour guides will put any nervous riders at ease.

Rome Tram Tracks Tour Arrow

This tour is a rocking dance  party on a vintage tram that rumbles through Rome. It lasts two hours, during which you'll cut up the dance floor, drink, and cheer as you roll past some of Rome's most iconic sites . This is really an evening activity for those who don't just want to go get dinner somewhere in town. The greatest part, however, may have been how the senior citizens on our ride managed to upstage all the thirty- and forty-year olds on the dance floor.

Casa Mia Tours: Rome Cinema & Food Arrow

Rome has a rich history of cinema, and while you could take any tour with any guide, there is nothing quite like seeing its cinematic history with Eleonora Baldwin, Cinecittà Studios veteran and granddaughter of famed director Vittorio de Sica, four-time Academy Award winner and father of Italian cinema. This tour is both Rome's history and Eleonora's story, and she is so passionate that it will make you want to spend all day with her, and all night watching films. There are only three requirements—a pair of comfy shoes, an empty stomach, and a reservation.

Non-Catholic Cemetery Tour Arrow

You should always visit the truly Roman neighborhood of Testaccio when in Rome, but this tour of its historic non-Catholic Cemetery gives you reason to stay in the area after you've hit its prime trattorias. It's a beautiful, unusually tranquil space, filled with bougainvillea and museum-worthy sculptures in the middle of the city. The informative guides will school you on the cemetery's 400-year history as you amble past the tombstones of Keats, Percy Shelly, and other famous expats.

Context Travel: Fall and Rise of Rome Arrow

This historical tour starts at a medieval church in San Clemente and ends at the church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo. Its chronology spans from the Roman Empire's fall to the Renaissance's beginnings. The guide Philip was total pro. He's an archaeologist with a great sense of humor and passion for every site. He knew exactly what to show me and could even point out where to stand so I had the best understanding of the sights. People who enjoy Roman, religious, and art histories will  love this tour. It's also a great opportunity for people who have already seen the main tourist attractions to see some gems off the beaten path.

The Roman Guy: Cocktail Bars in Rome, Evening Walking Tour Arrow

This English-speaking tour will take you to some of Rome's most popular bars, including Trastevere's Freni e Frizioni , with stop offs to major attractions along the way. Plus, company founders Sean and Brandon are always quick to offer tips on the best spots for gelato or pizza in the city as you pass by for that next negroni. It’s actually a fantastic way to experience life in Rome with locals—far more relaxing that spending time trying to avoid tourist traps. 

Katie Parla: Vineyard Visit to Cantina Ribelà Arrow

Sommelier Maurizio di Franco meets you at your hotel and accompanies you via hired car to Cantina Ribelà while enchanting you with a bit of Lazio history and winemaking background on Ribelà. Maurizio is a certificated sommelier, and it doesn't hurt that he's also super charming. His love of wine is contagious, he tells great stories, and his patience is wonderful. At the winery you'll be struck be the natural beauty of the landscape, close as it is to a city as big as Rome. 

LivItaly Tours: Virtual Reality Tour of the Colosseum and Domus Aurea Arrow

Imagine if you could physically see the sites, monuments, and reference points that tour guides bring up when ushering you around a city as ancient as Rome. This virtual reality tour lets you, by creating enhanced versions of the way the Eternal City appeared during the days of the empire, all visible through the glasses you'll wear as you make your way through the Roman Forum and Colosseum .

Vatican Museums: “Out of Hours” Guided Tour, Good Morning Vatican Museums Arrow

There is nothing like opening the doors to an empty Sistine Chapel . The exclusive private Out of Hours Good Morning Vatican tour must be booked months in advance and is subject to permission of the Vatican. You will be greeted by Vatican personnel and escorted through the complex by the Clavigero, holder of the 300 keys of the Vatican Museums. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it does begin quite early in the morning. At 6 a.m. you and no more than 19 others will accompany the Clavigero to open the doors of the Vatican Museums.  

Johnny Madge: Olive Oil Tours Arrow

You'll have to trek well outside the city (close to an hour) to reach the olive groves in the Sabina country, but it's well worth the trip. Johnny Madge is an olive oil authority , judging competitions all over the world and this is his backyard. He clearly loves it, and that love is contagious. Tourees will learn to distinguish extra virgin olive oil from everything else and importantly that you do not drizzle oil on your food. You pour it. This  is best for foodies who want to get out of the city and deep dive in Roman food. 

Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini: Multimedia Tour Arrow

The Domus Romane are ancient Roman villas and other structures, abandoned in antiquity, filled in with debris, and inadvertently used as foundations for Palazzo Valentini, a Renaissance palace turned government office building. They are now underground, obscured by buildings and pavement just beside Piazza Venezia. On this tour, in situ multimedia renderings recreate an Imperial Rome domus, as well as some aspects of Roman life. The guides are actual archaeologists, and the fact-checked audio is delivered cleanly. These language-specific multimedia tours are popular though, and must be booked in advance.

Tavole Romane Food Tours: The Rome Food Walking Tour Arrow

Think of Tavole Romane, the food-and-wine-focused walking tour of Rome, as getting access to the little black book of those who know the city's food scene best. Owners Gabriele and Silvia customize the tours based on the interests of each intimate group, which could mean wine bars in Trastevere or an aperitivo-heavy hop through the centro storico, led by somms, chefs, or another tapped in member of Rome's food scene.

Latteria Studio: Market to Table Arrow

This market tour and cooking class began with a wonderful walk through the market to Latteria Studios, a functional cooking studio and photo set. Alice, Rachel, and Carla, who head up the activities, are real professionals. They know everyone at the market, and they know all about food. Sitting at the table at the end of day fosters a real sense of community with what may have been a group of strangers from different countries and continents. You'll immerse yourself in Rome and make new friends at the same time. 

Cinecittà Studios: VIP Tour Arrow

This is your chance to see the studio that was once home to Fellini and Leone. It's still a working studio though, so you'll need to follow the guide's itinerary to the letter. She will know about Cinecittà though: its history, and its film productions, and its famous alumni. Also, Cinecittà owns every set that was built on the lot. Master artisans created them all—ancient Rome, a 1940s submarine, and fantastical, imagined worlds. They perfectly accurate to their settings, as well as pristinely preserved.

Recommended

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill Access Plus Audio Guide

Take in rome’s magnificent ancient wonders at your own pace.

Max 25 Guests

Subscribe for New tours

All our destinations.

• Private tours

• Discover one of the most exclusive destinations recently opened to the public by Pope Francis
• Enjoy a full view of Lake Albano during the visit to the Apostolic Palace with your audioguide
• Explore the Pope’s Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo
• Admire Pope’s private gardens on an ecological golf car using your audioguide
• Have lunch inside the Papal gardens area at the Papal “Padiglione del riposo”

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Italy Travel Experts Tours and Vacations

Best Rome Tours To Take in 2024 and Why

Sean Finelli Last Updated: May 14, 2024

Whether you’re journeying to the Eternal City to see the sacred Vatican Museums, explore the Colosseum, or try some incredible cuisine, Rome has tons of attractions for all visitors. But with so much to see, what’s the best way to do it all? In this guide, we cover the best Rome tours we offer so you not only see it all but get the most out of your vacation.

• Dive into our ultimate Rome guide for juicy insider tips.
• Don’t skip the Vatican—it’s a must-see when you’re in Rome! Have a look at our BEST Vatican tours .
• Explore top Rome tours  for a memorable experience
• Discover how to see Rome in a day
• Bookmark this post for Rome trip planning!

Are Guided Tours in Rome Worth It?

Short answer : Absolutely! Guided tours of Rome are definitely worth it.

Why? Guided tours a depth of insight and context that you might miss out on when exploring alone. We hire amazing guides who are passionate about giving you the best possible experience—both educational and fun! Plus you can enjoy skip-the-line access to top attractions , saving you time and hassle during your exploration.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if Rome tours are worth it .

Our 5 Best Vatican Tours

The Vatican Museums, Rome’s largest museum, can host up to 19,000 visitors daily, leading to crowds and long queues. Yikes! Here’s why you should choose our Vatican tours:

• Skip-the-line access allows you to bypass the crowds and queues.
• Enjoy exclusive entry during off-peak hours for a more serene visit.
• Choose between morning or afternoon tours to fit your schedule.
• All tours grant entry to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.

1. Vatican Museums VIP Private Tour (3 hours)

$$$$ | Skip- the-lines | Private | Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica

Get ready to feel like a Vatican VIP! On this private Vatican tour, join an engaging local guide for a journey through the Renaissance art, fascinating history, and grand architecture of the Vatican. Skip the line for more time exploring the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and more!

Perfect for private groups, families, or if you’d like a more intimate Vatican tour that moves at your ideal pace and gives you more say in what you see.

See tour itinerary, price, and description

2. Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour (3 hours)

$$ | Skip- the-lines | Semi-Private | Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica

This tour combines our best-selling classic Vatican experience with the added privilege of early access to the Vatican. Getting in early is an advantage to help beat the crowds and the summer heat. You’ll see all the highlights before touring St. Peter’s Basilica.

3. Skip-The-Line Vatican Tour (3 hours)

$ | Skip- the-lines | Flexible | Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica

This tour has flexible start times throughout the day and is the least expensive. So, you’ll still be able to skip the line, see all the top attractions including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, and have the flexibility of visiting whenever is best for your schedule.

4. Vatican Night Tour with Sistine Chapel (2 hours)

$$ | Skip- the-lines | Unique Experience | Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

What’s more exclusive than visiting Vatican City at night? With a small group and a passionate guide, your tour of the Vatican Museums will be a forever memory as you explore after hours without the crowds. You’ll wander through the main galleries and courtyards without worrying about the heat of the day too.

And of course, a stop in the world-famous Sistine Chapel is a must. Stand beneath the crowning jewel of Michelangelo’s works after hearing your guide explain in detail what’s so magnificent about this creation.

5. St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour (5.5 hours)

$$ | Skip- the-lines | Stunning Views | Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Dome

If you want to see and do it all, then don’t skip this tour. You’ll start with an elevator ride to the dome and upper terrace of St. Peter’s, then have a chance to climb the rest of the way to the top of the dome! The views of St. Peter’s Square and Rome are breathtaking!

A guided tour of St. Peter’s and the Papal Crypts will make your time here even more memorable. But you’re not done yet! Follow your guide to the Vatican to explore the main highlights before stepping into the Sistine Chapel. You’ll be well prepared for what you see thanks to your guide’s fascinating stories.

Not ready to book a tour? See if a Vatican tour is worth it .

Our 5 Best Colosseum Tours

Right up there with the Vatican Museums, visiting the Colosseum is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Rome . At the Colosseum, you can witness the grandeur of the world’s largest amphitheater, where historic gladiatorial matches unfolded, sometimes with brutal outcomes.

Choose our Colosseum tours for an unparalleled experience:

• Skip the lines: Access the monument via the back entrance, minimizing wait times.
• Streamlined security : Enjoy a shorter security line for hassle-free entry.
• Expert guides : Our guides ensure an exceptional experience with their passion and dedication.

Here are our top recommended Colosseum tours:

1. Colosseum Underground Tour (3.5 hours) 

$$$ | Skip-the-line | Exclusive Underground Access | Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

This is our most exclusive Colosseum tour and few visitors get the chance to explore the Underground area before heading to the Arena Floor. This is because it’s an active archeological site with extremely limited access. Don’t miss your chance, tickets sell out fast since access is tightly limited here.

2. Enter the Colosseum Arena Through the Gladiator’s Gate (3 hours)

$$ | Skip-the-line | Unique Experience | Arena, 1st & 2nd Levels

This tour is f or the budget traveler that wants exclusive access and great value. Step through the gladiator’s gate onto the reconstructed Arena Floor, where warriors once battled, and explore the Colosseum’s first and second tiers for unique perspectives on its storied history.

With skip-the-line access and exclusive entry to three areas of the Colosseum, unavailable to regular ticket holders, you’ll enjoy perks that enhance your experience.

3. Privileged Entrance Colosseum Tour (3 hours)

$ | Skip-the-line | Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

For no-frills travelers who want a great guide and great value, this is a great option. This complete Colosseum tour provides a concise and engaging overview of ancient Rome. You’ll explore the Colosseum’s first and second floors and get to know where the elites of Rome lived during the peak of the Roman era.

4. Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums (7 hours)

$$$ | Skip-the-line | Lunch & Transportation Included | Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill & Vatican Museums

Want to see both the Vatican and the Colosseum? This combo tour gets you more bang for your buck by combining them! Our  Rome in a Day Tour  is one of our most popular tours to date. You get a comprehensive tour of the Vatican museums by an English-speaking guide. You’ll also get a full Colosseum tour that includes the Roman Forum. The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps are also on the itinerary.

5. VIP Colosseum at Night Tour with Underground and Arena Floor (2.5 hours)

$$ | Night Visit | Colosseum, Arena & Underground

This exclusive experience is f or the night owls. The tour ends between 10 pm and midnight, depending on the start time. You’ll get the opportunity to experience the Colosseum and Arena Floor at night without the crowds. Tickets are extremely limited and only offered 30 days prior to the tour, so plan ahead!

Not ready to book a tour? See if a Colosseum tour is worth it .

Our 6 Absolute Best Rome Tours

Rome isn’t just about its captivating history; it’s a vibrant hub of culture and excitement! After checking out the Colosseum and Vatican, there’s still lots more to see and taste in Rome. Can you really visit Italy without experiencing a guided tour of its world-renowned cuisine?

That’s why we provide a range of distinctive tours, including exploring Rome by tuk-tuk or e-bike, as well as indulging in mouthwatering food tours.

1. Rome Sightseeing Tour by Golf Cart (3 hours)

$$$ $ | Fun Transport | Little Walking| Rome’s Highlights

Want to see the best of Rome without walking? This is the tour for you. Our private Rome sightseeing tour by golf cart (also called a tuk tuk) is a fantastic way for up to four people to enjoy the very best of Rome in 3 hours without breaking a sweat.

Sit back and relax as your driver-guide takes you to see the city’s top sites including ancient Roman landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, and the Pantheon. Your guide knows all the best viewpoints!

Depending on traffic and your interests, you could even explore Aventine Hill, the Spanish Steps, and more! Doing Rome by golf cart is an incredible way to see what the Eternal City is famous for while taking in the atmosphere of this vibrant city

2. Day Trip to Pompeii and Sorrento From Rome (12 hours)

$$$ | Unforgettable Day Trip | Transportation Included | Pompeii & Sorrento

Want to see the famous ruins of Pompeii while you’re in Rome? How about an afternoon enjoying the beautiful Amalfi Coast? You can do it all on this full day tour!

You’ll travel from Rome to explore the city’s remains of Mt. Vesuvius’ eruption with an archaeologist guide before spending a free afternoon in the charming coastal town of Sorrento. Along with a local tour leader, a small group, and comfortable private transportation, it’s the ideal way to spend a day away from Rome.

3. Trastevere Local Food Tour in Rome (3 hours)

$$ | Authentic Italian Food | Trastevere

This is our classic Rome food tour that we recommend to anyone who wants a true foodie experience in the Italian capital.

Expect to try some mouth-watering Roman pizza, classic street food such as filetto di baccala , and a sit-down Italian pasta dinner with refreshing gelato for dessert.

It’s a great way to learn the local way of doing things and find out why you’ll rarely find salt and pepper on the table will dining in Rome.

4. Half Day Electric Bike Tour of Rome (4 hours)

$ | E-Bike | Perfect for Sport Enthusiasts | Ancient Rome

What better way to cruise around the city? A battery-powered bike to get you over the seven hills of Rome and a pedal bike that allows you to take all the back streets and pedestrian routes.

This is a really cool way to get a ton of great photos and fully immerse yourself in the city. Your English-speaking guide will identify lots of great places to eat and drink along the way.  

Plus, with virtual reality (VR) headsets included, you’ll have a chance to witness the virtually reconstructed ancient Rome, ensuring an experience you’ll be bragging about for years

See tour itinerary, price, and desc r iption

5. Rome Catacombs Tour with Capuchin Crypt (3 hours)

$ | Eerie | For the Brave | Catacombs & Capuchin Crypts

The Roman Catacombs were used for hundreds of years to bury the dead. They were primarily used by Christians and in large numbers—some catacombs are home to half a million tombs and burial plots!  

Your English-speaking guide and small group will explore the Catacomb of Domitilla, which boasts frescoes over 1500 years old and an ancient chapel. You’ll go deep below ground and probably wonder why the graves were so small.

This experience also brings you to the Appian way where you’ll walk upon the very same stones as many Romans like Julius Caesar!

You’ll finish your journey through the dark history of the Roman dead with a visit to the Capuchin Crypts – decorated with the bones of some 3,700 friars!

6. Dough to Dessert: 3-in-1 Cooking Class Near Piazza Navona

$ | Cooking Classes | Pasta & Tiramisu | Piazza Navona

For the best value cooking class in Rome , look no further. You’ll learn how to create a tantalizing tiramisu dessert, the n you’ll get your hands dirty in some dough. The secrets of Italian pasta are made clear as you work that pasta into fettucine and ravioli.

After your hard work, sit back and sip some wine as you share some laughs about your pasta escapades with your fellow travelers. Your pasta will taste even better knowing how hard you worked on it!

Not ready to book a tour? See if Rome tours are worth it .

Here’s Where To Stay in Italy’s Most Popular Destinations

Rome , Florence , Venice , Amalfi Coast , and Capri

Best Hotels & Where to Stay

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• In The Press

POLICY & TERMS

• Cancellation Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Colosseum Express with Arena Floor and Vatican Tour

Piazza del Colosseo, Rome, Italy

TICKET PRICES STARTING FROM

Taxes and fees will be calculated at checkout

Enjoy your time in Rome and make the most of it by booking this Colosseum and Vatican combo experience. With your guide and the small group, you will access the Colosseum from the Gladiator’s gate and will enjoy the site helped by your headset. Our licensed guide will throw you back to the Gladiators and Roman Emperors time. After visiting the Colosseum you will have some free time to have lunch and get ready for the second part of the tour: after meeting the guide at 2 pm in front of the Vatican Museum entrance, you will visit the museums with your tickets (in the afternoon the museum is less crowded). In a small group tour, you will discover the museum and admire stunning masterpieces such as the Octagonal Courtyard and the Laocoon. Then, you will see the Sistine Chapel, admire "The Last Judgement" and "The Creation of the World" frescoes.

Ticket Options

4 Options Available

French: $45

Spanish: $45

Italian: $45

German: $45

Meeting Point

Piazza del Colosseo, Rome, undefined

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking

What's Included

• Headsets for both the tour
• Colosseum entrance ticket (valued at €17 per person)
• 3 hours Vatican Tour
• Licensed guide
• Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
• Please note: Colosseum fees as above. The remaining cost of this experience covers other services.

What's not Included

• Tips for the Guide
• Transportation

Cancellation Policy

• All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Additional Info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Please note: shorts above the knees are not permitted in the Vatican
• Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers' full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
• Big backpacks are not allowed
• Big umbrella are not permitted
• No pointed objects are allowed
• Please be aware that to enter the Colosseum it is necessary to pass a metal detector security check; although tickets are included, there may be some wait time to pass through security checks
• Departure timing may vary. Please check the timing on the tour option you booked to know at what time you have to be at the meeting place
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
• The meeting time might have a slight change. In this case we will inform you in advance
• This tour is not wheelchair accessible but may be adapted to an accessible itinerary if you contact us. Please note that, for disabled visitors with certified invalidity of more than 74%, the Vatican Museums offers free entry that is extended to a companion for visitors who are not self-sufficient. To benefit from this, make sure you mention it at the time of booking so that our staff may handle your request.
• Sleeveless t-shirts are not permitted

Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas

Get ideas from the pros.

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!