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Rome · 2026 Guide

Things to do in Rome

The Colosseum, the Vatican and three thousand years of streets in a centre you can walk around. You look up at the sky through the open eye of the Pantheon, eat a supplì in Trastevere at dusk, and raise your eyes under the vault of the Sistine Chapel.

  • Official 2026 prices
  • The rules you need to know
  • Tours with free cancellation
Choose what to do Compare the options

Tickets and experiences hand-picked by our editors.

Experiences from$8per person ↓
Official 2026 pricesColosseum, Vatican, Pantheon and Borghese, alongside prices on GetYourGuide
Winter hoursFrom 25 October the Colosseum closes at 16:30, last entry 15:30
Free cancellationOn all the experiences on this page
The meeting point, on every listingYou know where to go before you book

Tickets and tours

Choose what to do in Rome

At the centre is the Colosseum with a guide, the most chosen visit in Rome. On the left is the Vatican in three hours, on the right is street food between Campo de' Fiori and Trastevere. Each listing opens the full page.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Vatican ★ 4.63 hoursFree cancellation

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's
GuideReserved entriesHeadsets

Meeting point: Via Santamaura 28

Three hours with a guide from the Vatican Museums to the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. The entries are already reserved; security checks remain for everyone.

What's included
  • Reserved entry to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
  • Entry to St Peter's Basilica
  • Official guide and headsets
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
All tour details
From$64per person Book now
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine with a guide The most chosen ★ 4.82.5 hoursFree cancellation

Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine with a guide
GuideTicket includedArena floor on request

Meeting point: Depending on the option chosen

The guided tour of ancient Rome: the Colosseum, then the Roman Forum and the Palatine with the same ticket. The official 18 euro ticket is included, the Arena floor is an option.

What's included
  • Ticket for the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine
  • Guide and headsets
  • Access to the Arena if you choose the option
  • Free cancellation up to 3 days before
All tour details
From$55per person Book now

Vatican, Pantheon, cooking and underground Rome

All tours
Vatican with early entry Before the crowd ★ 4.93-3.5 hoursFree cancellation

Vatican with early entry

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's with the first entry of the morning and a guideMeeting point: Via Santamaura 14B From$122Tour details → St Peter's and the papal tombs, dome optional St Peter's ★ 4.81.5-2.5 hoursFree cancellation

St Peter's and the papal tombs, dome optional

The basilica and the papal tombs with a guide, and the dome if you choose itMeeting point: Piazza della Città Leonina 2 From$33Tour details → Pantheon, ticket and audio guide The cheapest ★ 4.41-3 hoursFree cancellation

Pantheon, ticket and audio guide

The fixed-time ticket with the official audio guideMeeting point: Via dei Bergamaschi 49 From$8Tour details → Pantheon, Trevi and Navona on foot On foot ★ 4.92 hoursFree cancellation

Pantheon, Trevi and Navona on foot

The historic center in two hours with a local guideMeeting point: Piazza d'Aracoeli From$28Tour details → Handmade pasta and tiramisù, with wine Cooking ★ 4.92.5-3 hoursFree cancellation

Handmade pasta and tiramisù, with wine

Make pasta and tiramisù, then eat them with wineMeeting point: According to the option chosen From$27Tour details → Capuchin Crypt and catacombs Under Rome ★ 4.62.5-3.5 hoursFree cancellation

Capuchin Crypt and catacombs

Underground Rome, with a coach to the catacombsMeeting point: Piazza Barberini, at the Triton Fountain From$55Tour details → Galleria Borghese, audio guide or guided tour Art ★ 4.52 hoursFree cancellation

Galleria Borghese, audio guide or guided tour

Bernini and Caravaggio, with accompanied entryMeeting point: Piazzale Scipione Borghese 5 From$90Tour details →

Compare

Which one is right for you

Three questions are enough. Do you want a guide or is the ticket enough? Do you have half a day or three hours? And do you want to eat Rome, as well as see it?

ExperienceMeeting pointWhat's includedIdeal forDurationFrom
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine with a guideDepending on the option chosenTicket €18, guide, headsetsAncient Rome in one morning, with someone who tells its story2.5 hours$55Book now
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter'sVia Santamaura 28, near the Vatican MuseumsReserved entries, guide, headsetsMuseums, Sistine Chapel and basilica in a single tour3 hours$64Book now
Street food in Trastevere and Campo de' FioriPiazza San Simeone, at the fountainTastings and guide, drinks not includedEat Rome while walking2.5 hours$49Book now
Vatican with early entryVia Santamaura 14BEntries, booking, guideVatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's with the first entry of the morning and a guide3-3.5 hours$122Book now
St Peter's and the papal tombs, dome optionalPiazza della Città Leonina 2Guide, headsets, optional domeThe basilica and the papal tombs with a guide, and the dome if you choose it1.5-2.5 hours$33Book now
Pantheon, ticket and audio guideOhMyGuide, Via dei Bergamaschi 49, near the PantheonTicket, audio guideThe fixed-time ticket with the official audio guide1-3 hours$8Book now
Pantheon, Trevi and Navona on footPiazza d'AracoeliLocal walking guideThe historic center in two hours with a local guide2 hours$28Book now
Handmade pasta and tiramisù, with wineNear the VaticanLesson, meal, wineMake pasta and tiramisù, then eat them with wine2.5-3 hours$27Book now
Capuchin Crypt and catacombsPiazza BarberiniEntries, guide, coachUnderground Rome, with a coach to the catacombs2.5-3.5 hours$55Book now
Galleria Borghese, audio guide or guided tourPiazzale Scipione Borghese 5Ticket, audio guide or guided tourBernini and Caravaggio, with accompanied entry2 hours$90Book now

All experiences on this page can be cancelled for free: up to 24 hours before, the Colosseum up to 3 days before. In the Vatican and St Peter's, security checks apply to everyone, even with a reserved entry.

Before you leave

Rome's rules.

Rome is best explored on foot, but not everything can be improvised. At the Colosseum tickets are named and booked for a specific time; at the Galleria Borghese booking is required even for free entry. In the Vatican and churches, clothing matters.

Sunday changes everything: the Vatican Museums are closed, except for the last Sunday of the month, which is free; on the first Sunday of the month, state museums and sites are free, as are the civic museums of Rome.

€2

From 2 February 2026, the area in front of the Trevi Fountain basin is chargeable for non-residents of Rome, from 9:00 to 22:00.

Colosseum €18Vatican €20Pantheon €7Borghese €16
A cobblestone alley with ivy on the ochre-colored walls, lanterns and the empty tables of a trattoria
A Rome alley in the late afternoon: an illustrative image.
01

Book two things

The Colosseum, at a set time and with your name on the ticket, and the Galleria Borghese, where you cannot enter without a reservation.

02

The dress code

In the Vatican, no sleeveless tops, low-cut clothing, shorts above the knee, miniskirts or hats are allowed.

03

Sundays

The Vatican is closed, except on the last Sunday of the month. On the first Sunday, state sites and civic museums are free.

04

Fines

Sitting on the Spanish Steps is prohibited: according to the press, the fine is €250. For bathing in a fountain, according to reports, it ranges from €160 to €450.

The day

A day in Rome

From early morning to evening: four moments, with winter hours in effect from late October.

01

The morning

The Colosseum opens at 8:30. From late October it closes at 16:30, with last entry at 15:30: it is the visit to do first.

Colosseum from 8:30
02

Lunch

One of the four Roman pastas, or a supplì and a slice of pizza al taglio standing up. The nasoni provide free drinking water.

Carbonara or cacio e pepe
03

The afternoon

The Pantheon is open every day until 19:00, with last entry at 18:30. From there, you can walk to Piazza Navona and Trevi.

Pantheon until 19:00
04

The evening

After the time change, the sun sets around 17:15: the perfect time for a terrace or for Trastevere.

Sunset around 17:15
A large Baroque fountain lit at sunset in a square surrounded by palacesTrevi Fountain The arches of an ancient aqueduct in the countryside at sunset, with some cyclists backlitAppian Way An underground corridor carved into tuff, with niches and warm lightingThe catacombs Terracotta rooftops, chimneys and a dome seen from above at golden hourThe rooftops of Rome A cup of pistachio and stracciatella gelato on a cobblestone street in the sunGelato

Plan your visit

The four Romes

Ancient Rome, the Vatican, the historic center and the underground: one listing each, with official prices.

  • Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine: €18, valid for 24 hours; with the Arena or the underground, the Full Experience costs €24.
  • EU citizens aged 18 to 25 pay €2; under 18 is free, but must be booked.
  • From 25 October to 28 February, closing at 16:30, last entry at 15:30. Closed on 25 December and 1 January.
  • On the first Sunday of the month, entry is free, without booking: tickets are collected on site.
  • Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: €20, reduced €10; online booking adds €5.
  • Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00, last entry at 18:00; on the last Sunday of the month, free from 9:00 to 14:00.
  • In the Sistine Chapel, no photos or videos are allowed, and silence must be maintained.
  • St Peter's Basilica is free; in winter, the dome opens from 7:30 to 17:00.
  • Pantheon: €7 from 1 July 2026, €2 for ages 18-25, free under 18. Open daily 9:00-19:00.
  • Trevi Fountain: €2 for the fountain area from 9:00 to 22:00, free for residents and children up to 5 years old.
  • You must not sit on the Spanish Steps: it is prohibited by city police regulations and, according to the press, the fine is €250, €400 if you litter or cause damage.
  • Galleria Borghese: €16 plus a mandatory €2 booking fee; visits last two hours, closed on Mondays.
  • San Callisto Catacombs: €10 with a guided tour; closed on Wednesdays and from 13 January to 10 February 2027.
  • Domitilla Catacombs: €10, closed on Tuesdays; San Sebastiano €10, closed on Mondays.
  • The Appia Antica Park has a ticket of €12 for six sites over seven days; it is closed on Mondays.
  • The tour of the Capuchin Crypt and the catacombs departs from Piazza Barberini, on metro line A.
Colosseum€18With the Roman Forum and Palatine, 24 hours.
Vatican Museums€20Plus €5 online.
Pantheon€7From 1 July 2026.
Galleria Borghese€16Plus €2, booking required.
Trevi Fountain€2For non-residents of Rome.
On GetYourGuideFrom $8The Pantheon with audio guide.

Official 2026 prices for an adult, from the websites of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, the Vatican Museums, the Italian Ministry of Culture and Roma Capitale.

Getting around

Rome on foot, and by metro

Rome's transport

ATAC: metro, bus and tram

The historic centre is best explored on foot: from the Colosseum to the Pantheon, to Trevi and Piazza Navona are all walking distance. For the Vatican and the catacombs you need the metro or a bus.

  • BIT ticket: €1.50, valid for 100 minutes
  • Passes: 24 hours €8.50, 48 hours €15, 72 hours €22
  • On the metro you can also pay by tapping the turnstile with a contactless card
  • Roma Pass: 48 hours €38, 72 hours €62.90, with transport included
The 3-day plan

Around the trip

Everything else you need to know

When to go, money and tips, safety and some city rules.

  • October has average temperatures between 13 and 22°C; November is the rainiest month.
  • July and August are the hottest, with average highs of 31°C.
  • The Jubilee ended on 6 January 2026.
  • At Christmas the Vatican Museums close on 8, 25 and 26 December, the Colosseum on 25 December and 1 January.
  • Cards are accepted almost everywhere: according to law 233/2021, anyone who refuses them risks a fine of €30 plus 4% of the amount.
  • The coperto (cover charge) is paid at restaurants; if the bill includes service, a tip is not necessary.
  • The tourist tax is paid at hotels for the first 10 nights: according to the published rates, for example €6 per night in a 3-star hotel, €10 in a 5-star hotel.
  • Under 10s do not pay the tourist tax.
  • The US State Department keeps Italy at level 2, 'exercise increased caution', confirmed on 10 September 2026.
  • In tourist areas and on public transport pickpocketing is common: keep your backpack in front and your phone in your pocket.
  • At the Vatican Museums and in St Peter's there are security checks for everyone.
  • Knives, scissors and metal tools must be left in the cloakroom at the Vatican Museums.
  • You cannot swim in historic fountains: according to reports, fines range from €160 to €450.
  • You can throw coins into the Trevi Fountain; collecting them is forbidden.
  • Rome’s nearly 2,500 nasoni fountains provide free drinking water.
  • No food or drinks are allowed in the exhibition rooms of the Vatican Museums.

Rome

Three days, three thousand years.

Choose what to see, then the date.

Check availability

Reviews

What travelers say

4.8 ★★★★★
93,170 reviews · Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine with a guide
Rating on GetYourGuide
★★★★★

An excellent visit, and our guide Rafaela was an expert. What better way to visit the Colosseum and the Forum than with an archaeologist!

Andrea · Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine with a guide, Oct 2026 · originally in English
★★★★★

Our guide, Jan, was excellent. She explained things clearly and interestingly. We went at the right pace, without rushing, and we also saw other areas.

Murray · Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine with a guide, Oct 2026 · originally in English
★★★★★

Our guide was very knowledgeable and kind. We are elderly and the pace of the tour was just right. I would recommend this tour.

Allen · Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's, Oct 2026 · originally in English
★★★★★

Alexandra, our guide, was fantastic: her passion for the district and for food was extraordinary. We tried many local dishes [...] a wonderful way to discover Rome.

Neil · Street food in Trastevere and Campo de' Fiori, Oct 2026 · originally in English
★★★★★

Our guide Michele was exceptional! Knowledgeable, passionate and engaging, he brought the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's to life. It was worth getting up early to beat the crowds.

Ragnar Ulrich · Vatican with early entry, Oct 2026 · originally in English
★★★★★

Sophia was an engaging and knowledgeable guide. She told interesting stories and entertained us at every stop. It was our favorite tour!

Kimberly · St Peter's and the papal tombs, Oct 2026 · originally in English
★★★★★

A fantastic experience! I had so much fun with good wine and good food. Paola, our teacher, made everything easy, relaxed and enjoyable.

Fernanda · Handmade pasta and tiramisù, with wine, Oct 2026 · originally in English
★★★★★

I really enjoyed this unusual tour. Our guide Paula was kind, very knowledgeable and passionate about the topics.

Charlotte · Capuchin Crypt and catacombs, Oct 2026 · originally in English
★★★★★

Relaxed and full of information! The two hours flew by! I highly recommend Tzi!

A day out

Pompeii, from Rome

A long but comfortable day: Pompeii with an archaeologist, the Amalfi Coast from the coach and Sorrento.

Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Sorrento from Rome

Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Sorrento from Rome

★ 4.6 · 11,146 reviews · 12-13 hours

A full day by coach from Rome: a visit to Pompeii with an archaeologist and entry to the park, then the scenic road of the Amalfi Coast and free time in Sorrento. Departure from Piazza del Popolo.

Free cancellationArchaeologist in PompeiiCoachSorrento

From$94per personBook now

The guide

Rome, explained

You cannot see all of Rome, not even in a week. You choose: ancient Rome, the Vatican, the Baroque center, and the city you eat. This guide lines up the choices, with the official 2026 prices.

The Colosseum, first of all

The €18 ticket is valid for 24 hours and includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine; with the Full Experience, at €24, you also get the Arena or the underground. Tickets are named and must be bought on the official Park website, for a specific time slot. From late October the Colosseum closes at 16:30: book a morning slot. With the guided tour the ticket is included and someone tells you what you are looking at.

The ruins of the Roman Forum with columns and arches among the pines, at golden hour
Roman ruins at golden hour: an illustrative image.

The Vatican, with the right dress

The Vatican Museums cost €20, €25 with online booking, and the visit ends in the Sistine Chapel, where photography is not allowed. They are open Monday to Saturday; on Sundays they are closed, except the last Sunday of the month, which is free from 9:00 to 14:00. St Peter's Basilica is free, but you still have to queue for security checks. A single tour, museums, Sistine Chapel and basilica, is the three-hour guided tour.

The thing to know: in the Vatican, sleeveless or low-cut clothing, shorts above the knee, miniskirts and hats are not allowed. A light scarf in your bag solves almost everything.

The center on foot

From the Pantheon, €7 from 1 July 2026, you can walk to Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain. From February 2026 the area in front of the Trevi basin costs €2 from 9:00 to 22:00 for non-residents of Rome: early in the morning or late in the evening you can see it for free. The two-hour walk combines the squares with a guide.

A trattoria table seen from above with four plates of Roman pasta, a carafe of wine and bread
The four Roman pastas: an illustrative image.

Eating Rome

Carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana and gricia are the four pasta dishes to try; supplì and pizza al taglio are eaten standing up. Carciofi alla giudia are in season from January to May. To taste everything in one evening there is the street food in Campo de' Fiori and Trastevere; to learn how to make them, the pasta and tiramisù cooking class.

Compare the experiences

Guides

Plan it well

In-depth guides to the questions everyone asks before leaving. All guides.

What to see in RomeThe 20 main stops in order of importance, with the 2026 price and what to book.Rome in 3 daysOne day for ancient Rome, one for the Vatican, one for the center: the plan with times and costs.When to go to RomeThe climate month by month, the worst periods, the free Sundays and the golden hour.What to eat in RomeThe four pastas, the supplì, the artichokes in season, the coperto (cover charge) and the tip.Mistakes to avoid in RomeDress code, fines, named tickets, pickpockets: the mistakes that cost the most.2026 ticket prices for attractionsThe official prices of every attraction, who gets in free, the Roma Pass and where to buy.

From the blog

What's new in Rome

What changes in 2026, free museums and Rome at Christmas. All articles.

What changes in Rome in 2026Trevi Fountain now paid, the Pantheon and Castel Sant'Angelo more expensive, the civic museums and the new Colosseum hours.Free museums in Rome 2026The first Sundays of the month, the last ones at the Vatican Museums, November 4 at the Colosseum and the rules for those under 18.Christmas in Rome 2026The closures of the Vatican Museums, Colosseum and Pantheon between December 8 and Epiphany, the winter hours and the daylight hours.

FAQ

Questions before leaving

Direct answers to the most frequent questions about things to do in Rome.

What not to miss in Rome?

The Colosseum with the Roman Forum and the Palatine, the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica and the Pantheon. Then the squares on foot, from the Trevi Fountain to Piazza Navona, and an evening in Trastevere. The full list, with the price of each entrance, is in the guide to what to see.

Are 3 days enough to visit Rome?

For the essentials, yes: one day for ancient Rome, one for the Vatican and one for the historic centre and Trastevere. From late October the Colosseum closes at 16:30, so it's best to start early. The day-by-day plan is in the guide to Rome in 3 days.

How much do Rome attraction tickets cost in 2026?

The Colosseum with the Forum and Palatine costs €18, the Vatican Museums €20, plus €5 if you book online, the Pantheon €7 and the Galleria Borghese €16 plus a compulsory €2 booking fee. From 2 February 2026 the Trevi Fountain basin also costs €2 for non-residents of Rome. Everything in the guide to tickets.

What to avoid when visiting Rome?

Turning up at the Galleria Borghese without a booking, where it is compulsory; entering the Vatican in a sleeveless top or shorts above the knee; sitting on the Spanish Steps, forbidden by the city police regulations: according to the press the fine is €250, €400 if you are dirty or cause damage; bathing in the fountains. The other common mistakes are in the guide to mistakes to avoid.

Is it rude not to leave a tip in Rome?

No. The cover charge on the bill goes to the restaurant, and if the bill includes service, nothing else is needed. The tip remains a choice: a few euros for good service is enough.

Can you wear jeans in Rome?

Yes, even for dinner. What matters is the dress code in churches and in the Vatican: the Vatican Museums do not admit sleeveless or low-cut clothing, shorts that do not cover the knee, miniskirts and hats. In St Peter's, very short clothing, tank tops or hats are not allowed.

What is the best month to go to Rome?

October and spring: in October average temperatures range from 13 to 22 degrees. November is the rainiest month, July and August the hottest, with average highs of 31°C. The details month by month in the guide to when to go.

What should you eat in Rome?

The four Roman pasta dishes: carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana and gricia. Then supplì, pizza al taglio, maritozzo with cream and, from January to May, carciofi alla giudia. Where and how in the guide to what to eat.

When is the golden hour in Rome?

More or less in the last hour before sunset. After the clock change on 25 October the sun sets around 17:15, mid-November around 16:50 and late November around 16:40.

Cash or card in Rome?

Card works almost everywhere: according to law 233/2021, from 30 June 2022 anyone refusing a card payment risks a €30 fine plus 4% of the amount. In the metro you can also pay by tapping the turnstile with a contactless card.

Is Rome expensive?

Less than you think: the transport ticket costs €1.50 for 100 minutes, under 18s enter free at state sites and on the first Sunday of the month many museums are free. The water from the nasoni, the public drinking fountains, is drinkable and free.

Is it safe to go to Rome now?

Yes, with normal precautions. The US State Department keeps Italy at level 2, 'exercise increased caution', for terrorism risk, confirmed on 10 September 2026, and warns that pickpocketing is common in tourist areas and on public transport.

Ready to leave

Choose what to see, then the date.

All the experiences on this page can be cancelled for free: up to 24 hours before, the Colosseum up to 3 days before.

Colosseum with a guide · from $55 Vatican · from $64

More: street food in Trastevere · the Pantheon · Pompeii from Rome

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