Seeing St. Peter's Basilica and the Colosseum on the same day is probably the most popular day plan in Rome. It sounds easy, but Kim and I have watched so many travelers make small mistakes that turn a wonderful day into a long, tiring one. I have visited St. Peter's dozens of times, so here are the tips that keep this day calm and enjoyable.
Morning at St. Peter's Basilica
Arrive at 7:00 when the doors open
St. Peter's Basilica opens at 7:00 every day and closes at 20:00. Entry is free. If you arrive right at opening, security usually takes 5 or 10 minutes. Arrive at 9:00 or 10:00 and you can spend an hour or two in line, with a far more crowded basilica inside.
Everyone goes through security, which is run by the Italian State Police in St. Peter's Square. Knives and other sharp objects are not allowed. There is no cloakroom right now, so bring only a small bag.
Dress for a church
The basilica has a dress code. Shoulders must be covered for everyone. Men need long trousers, and women need trousers or a skirt below the knee. Hats and sleeveless tops are not allowed inside.
Go up the dome first
This is my favorite tip. Once you are through security, head to the dome before you visit the basilica. Early in the morning the dome line is short. If you tour the basilica first and then try the dome, you may wait another hour or two, and it is far more crowded at the top.
Mosaics at St Peter’s Dome
Even if you do not want to climb all the way, take the elevator up to the terrace level. From the inner ring you can see the mosaics up close and look straight down on the altar.
If you continue to the top, there are 320 more steps after the elevator. The stairway is narrow, and it takes about 15 minutes.
On price: in the video I said about €15. The official site now lists the dome with elevator at €22 per person when booked online, and that ticket includes basilica entry and a digital audio guide. You can still buy dome tickets on site, but same day spots are limited. The dome opens at 7:00 until October 25, then at 7:30 through the winter.
Inside the basilica, do not miss these
The Pietà, which Michelangelo carved in his twenties, sits behind glass, so it can be hard to see well. If you visit the Vatican Museums on another day, there is a replica you can see up close.
La Pieta
The bronze statue of St. Peter has a foot worn almost smooth by centuries of pilgrims. Many days it is roped off now, but it is still worth a look.
St. Peter's is also home to one of Rome's four Holy Doors. It was sealed at the end of the 2025 Jubilee and is expected to reopen in 2033.
If you would like a guided visit, we keep our favorite Vatican tours on our [recommended tours page](https://www.rometravelguida.com/rome-tours).
A look at St Peter’s Dome
Skip the street sellers
On the walk toward Vatican City, people will offer you skip the line tickets. Those are for the Vatican Museums, not the basilica, and they run around €100. The guides attached to them are often not very good. The basilica and dome are completely separate from the Vatican Museums, so I suggest doing the museums on another day.
Lunch in Prati
You will probably finish around 10:30 or 11:00, and you will be hungry. Eat in the Prati neighborhood near the Vatican rather than waiting until you reach the Colosseum. Many nicer restaurants do not open until 12:00 or 12:30, so I share four spots that are open by 11:00 in the video:
* A small pasta place with just a few tables and pastas around €10. Go close to 11:00.
* A larger, inexpensive trattoria that can usually seat you if you arrive after 11:00.
* A pizzeria where every pizza is under €10. Seating is limited, so later in the day you may stand or take it to go.
* A fine dining option at about €30 per person if you want to sit and relax.
Getting from the Vatican to the Colosseum
Walking takes about an hour, and you have a lot of walking ahead. I would skip the bus because the routes can be confusing.
By metro
Ottaviano station is about a five minute walk from Vatican City. Take Line A to Termini, change to Line B, and ride two stops to Colosseo. You come out right at the Colosseum. For another day, see our [Metro C guide](https://www.rometravelguida.com/blog/riding-rome-metro-c-stop-by-stop-markets-pastry-and-pizza).
By taxi
After a morning on your feet, I recommend a taxi. Use the FreeNow app to call a taxi right to your restaurant. You can ask for a larger car for bigger groups at the same price. Expect around €20 from the Vatican to the Colosseum.
If you are using the Rome Travel Guida, this is a nice moment to open the interactive maps. The Guida is a video guide with interactive maps of our favorite hotels, gelato, panini and more, plus a helpful PDF, to help you make the most of Rome while you are there. Watch only what you need.
The Colosseum and Roman Forum
Book tickets on the official site
The Colosseum
Buy your tickets before this day, on the official site, ticketing.colosseo.it. Tickets go on sale 30 days before your visit, and anything further out will look unavailable. Good times sell quickly, so book close to that 30 day mark.
Every ticket is nominative, meaning it carries the visitor's name. Keep your ID in hand at the entrance.
Here are the popular options:
* Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine, €18. One timed entry to the Colosseum, plus one entry to the Forum and Palatine within 24 hours before or after your Colosseum time.
* Only Arena, €18. A 20 minute visit standing on the arena floor itself, with the same Forum flexibility. It is a level entry with few stairs, and you look up at the Colosseum instead of down.
* Full Experience tickets with the underground, €24. These are very hard to find. If you really want the underground, a tour is usually the better way. You will find options on our [recommended tours page](https://www.rometravelguida.com/rome-tours).
Pick an afternoon time slot
For this day, I like a Colosseum slot around 15:00 or 16:00, so the morning never feels rushed. Watch the season, though. From October 25 through February, last entry is 15:30 and the park closes at 16:30, so choose an earlier slot in those months.
If you arrive with time to spare, see the Forum first. If not, save it for the next morning, since your ticket allows Forum entry up to 24 hours after your Colosseum time.
Use a quieter Forum entrance
Everyone entering the Forum goes through security. Skip the entrance right across from the Colosseum, where you can wait over an hour, and the one on Via dei Fori Imperiali, which can also be slow. The Forum has other entrances that are rarely busy, and one is about a five minute walk from the Colosseum. I show it on screen in the video.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a ticket for St. Peter's Basilica?
No. Entry is free. Only the dome, an optional timed slot, and guided visits cost money.
Are St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums the same visit?
No. They are separate, and most museum tours do not include the basilica. I suggest separate days.
How far ahead can I book Colosseum tickets?
Up to 30 days ahead on the official site. Tickets carry your name, so bring ID.
Can I see the Forum the next day?
Yes. Standard tickets allow one Forum entry within 24 hours before or after your Colosseum time.
For more ways to slow down, read [Rome without the stress], our [27 Rome tips, advice and warnings]and our [free things to do in Rome]. You can also browse all the [sites of Rome]. For daily events, join our Facebook group, Today in Rome.
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