Top Rome Historical Tours

Discover the Vatican on a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. Navigate the vast complex of rooms, artwork, and history with a guide, who brings the ancient collection to life. Skip all the entrance lines to explore halls such as the Gallery of the Maps and Raphael’s Rooms; step inside the Sistine Chapel to admire ‘The Creation of Adam’ by Michelangelo; and hear little-known tales about sacred St. Peter’s Basilica (when the option is selected). Choose from several departures, or upgrade to an evening experience or small-group tour with 10 people.

Skip the entrance line at the Colosseum so you won’t waste any time getting inside to marvel at this Roman icon. On this walking tour of Ancient Rome, you’ll explore the amphitheater’s first and second levels with a guide, who entertains you with tales of gruesome gladiator battles. Then visit the Roman Forum to see its ancient ruins like the Temple of Julius Caesar. This tour is limited to 18 people. If you want to enhance your experience, upgrade to a tour of the Colosseum’s restricted underground chambers, arena and upper tier.

On this Colosseum underground tour, you can experience this historic Rome icon to the fullest with access to areas that are typically closed to the public—the underground chambers. After skipping the main entrance line, explore the Colosseum with an informative guide, who shares stories about life in Ancient Rome. Get the rare chance to walk through the tunnels, stand where gladiators stood and enjoy a panoramic view. Then visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to complete your tour of Rome’s top ancient sites.

Take a day out of your Rome vacation to get acquainted with Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii. This day trip to Pompeii includes a steady-paced hike up Mt. Vesuvius (summer only) or a visit to Naples when Vesuvius is closed in winter and a tour of the UNESCO-listed digs at Pompeii. Hear the history from a local guide and admire artifacts that date back to the infamous Mt. Vesuvius eruption of AD 79.

See the secrets of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum on this small-group. With your knowledgeable guide, skip the long entrance lines at each attraction. Explore the Colosseum's underground chambers, which are off-limits to most of the public each day and discover Palatine Hill and the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum. Limited to just six people, this tour provides a more intimate experience.

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

Visit the Vatican without the crowds on a private early-bird tour and enter the Vatican Museums before the complex opens to the general public. Enjoy an exclusive exploration of world-renowned art by Renaissance masters, visit the Sistine Chapel, and enter St. Peter’s Basilica directly from the museums, without waiting in the main line. Upgrade for a prime version with even earlier priority access, including the Raphael Rooms.

Experience over 2,500 years of history on a private tour through one of the world’s most popular and influential regions—Rome’s beautiful historical district. Roam the streets of this city in a comfortable, covered, street-legal golf cart—providing access unavailable on foot. This family-friendly sightseeing tour offers a narrated journey of the palaces, monuments, churches, fountains, and statues that define the rich heritage of the capital and largest city in Italy.

Discover Vatican City including the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. Home to the world’s largest private portfolio of artwork, the Vatican is a must-see for visitors to Rome, and the best way to explore it is with a guide. Learn about Raphael’s Rooms, the Michelangelo frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, the ‘La Pietà' sculpture in St. Peter’s Basilica and more. Choose from several start times or upgrade to a small-group tour with just 12 people.

Go underground to see Rome’s ancient catacombs and crypts on a half-day tour. Visit the Domitilla Catacomb and Basilica of San Clemente with skip-the-line access, plus visit the Capuchin Crypt, where you’ll see a Caravaggio painting and marvel at a chapel made entirely out of human bones. Learn about past burial customs and secret Christian worship spots during this fascinating exploration into the history of Rome.

Check off two UNESCO-listed wonders on this full-day tour from Rome—the mighty ruins of Pompeii and the idyllic Amalfi Coast. First, discover the relics of one of ancient Rome’s most important cities as you walk around Pompeii and stand in awe before the world’s oldest surviving Roman amphitheater. Then, soak up the scenery along the Amalfi Coast and stop for lunch (own expense) in the picturesque fishing village of Positano. This small-group tour is limited to 18 people, ensuring a personalized experience.

Get a gladiator’s view of the Colosseum, then explore the Roman Forum on a walking tour of ancient Rome. With a skip-the-line ticket, avoid the long entrance lines and access the arena via the Gladiator’s Gate. Stand where gladiators once fought, hear tales of ruthless crowds and emperors, then explore the Colosseum’s first level with your guide. Finish with a tour of Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, with stories that bring the ruins to life.

Admire Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel without the crowds and enjoy skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums on this small-group tour. Enter the Sistine Chapel before its opens to the public, and view the frescoes in a calm, crowd-free setting. Then, tour the Vatican Museums, seeing the highlights of the papal art collection, including the Raphael Rooms and Gallery of Maps, before checking out the treasures inside St. Peter’s Basilica.

Visit the historic vacation homes of the Roman elite on a Rome to Tivoli day trip. The full-day guided excursion includes tours of Tivoli’s two UNESCO-listed sites: Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este. Hear Renaissance and Ancient Roman history and scandal, admire archaeological ruins and explore some of Italy’s most extravagant private gardens.

Tens of thousands of people visit the Vatican Museums each day to see St. Peter’s Basilica, masterpieces by the likes of Michelangelo and Raphael, and the Sistine Chapel. Get inside the UNESCO-listed complex before it opens to the general public on this early access tour that’s limited to just 10 participants. Enter through a reserved doorway to skip the lines, and stay a step ahead of the large crowds on this carefully planned route that ensures you make the most of your time.

See the highlights of Vatican City ON this skip-the-line tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Join a knowledgeable guide for a visit to the incomparable Vatican Museums—home to one of the most extensive and impressive art collections in the world. Admire the Raphael Rooms and take in the incomparable frescos of the Sistine Chapel. Afterward embark on a guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica, a work of art in itself.

Combine two of the bestselling tours in Rome into one comprehensive sightseeing experience with this Rome Super Saver. Start at the Colosseum for a skip-the-line tour of this ancient amphitheater, followed by a look at the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Then spend the afternoon on a walking tour of Rome’s historic center to visit famous landmarks like the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon.

Tour the amphitheater and other sites of Ancient Rome under the atmospheric cover of darkness during this evening tour. Learn about the ruins of the Roman Forum seen from the Piazza del Campidoglio, and enter the Colosseum after the daytime crowds have disappeared and the temperature has dropped.

Make the most out of your trip to Rome and save time and money with the Roma Pass and Omnia Vatican Card. This sightseeing package grants you access to two top attractions, a 3-day hop-on hop-off open bus tour, and discounts at more than 30 attractions in the city. Receive fast-track admission to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Enjoy access to Rome's public transport system with a guidebook and map included. Please note: Your card is valid for one year from time of purchase date and can be collected and used anytime within that period

Visit the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the general public with this early-access ticket to the Vatican Museums complex. Explore at your own pace, stopping to admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling fresco and his other works in a tranquil, crowd-free atmosphere. See the Vatican museums, Vatican Crypts, and St. Peter's Basilica before your visit ends.

Explore the landmarks of ancient Rome on a Segway tour with an experienced guide. On your own electric Segway, cruise by major Rome attractions like the Roman Forum, Colosseum, and Circus Maximus. Learn about the Eternal City’s 2,000-year-old ruins while you zoom along the streets, and stop by the Mouth of Truth, Rome’s legendary ‘lie detector.’ Limited to just eight people, this tour provides a small-group experience.

Take a guided tour of the Colosseum, including skip-the-line admission, to get the most out of your visit. By exploring the amphitheater’s first and second tiers with an official Colosseum guide, who has a background in history, art, and archaeology, learn about the origins of this iconic Rome landmark. Hear stories about gladiator battles and Roman emperors, and marvel at the engineering of the ancient structure. Then visit Palatine Hill and the ruins of the Roman Forum.

Take a guided tour of the Colosseum, including skip-the-line admission, to get the most out of your visit. By exploring the amphitheater with an official Colosseum guide, learn all about the history of this iconic Rome landmark. Hear stories about gladiator battles and Roman emperors, and marvel at the engineering of the ancient structure. Suitable for children.

Get a comprehensive view of Rome's highlights and landmarks during this hop-on hop-off bus tour. Disembark at any of the eight stops to see iconic landmarks such as the Vatican City, Circus Maximus, the Pantheon, or the Colosseum. While on board the bus, listen to recorded commentary in nine languages that details the history, architecture, culture, and traditions of the Eternal City. Choose from a Classic, Premium, or Deluxe ticket, with a VOX digital walking tour included with each option.