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Oculo del Pantheon a Roma visto dall’interno della cupola

Rome’s must-sees — and how to enjoy them at their best

Planning Your Visits in Advance

Rome offers an endless number of wonders to discover, but to fully enjoy your experience, it is important to plan ahead what to see and do. Especially during high season (but not only!), tickets for major attractions—such as the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, or the Galleria Borghese—sell out quickly.

To avoid inflated prices or possible scams, it is essential to purchase tickets only through the official websites of the individual cultural institutions.

Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Domus Aurea

The Colosseum is undoubtedly a must on your Rome itinerary. So why not plan your visit in advance by booking tickets online? You’ll avoid long lines under the sun!
For updated information on opening hours, temporary exhibitions, prices, and events, visit the official Colosseum Archaeological Park website.
For your Colosseum Archaeological Area ticket, use only the official online ticket office!

Things to Keep in Mind
Colosseum tickets are released online 30 days in advance, gradually throughout the day. The only exception is the Colosseum Full Experience Arena tickets, which go on sale one week prior.
When purchasing your ticket, pay attention to the entry time selected, as this is when you must present yourself at the Colosseum entrance. The same ticket also allows entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, usually within 24 hours of the scheduled Colosseum entry time.
Kids under 18 enter free, but a reservation is still required to guarantee access.
To prevent secondary ticketing (unauthorized resale at higher prices), the names of all participants must be entered at the time of booking. On the day of the visit, staff will verify names against valid ID, required for Colosseum access.

The Colosseum Archaeological Park offers various ticket types: from standard skip-the-line tickets to Full Experience tickets that allow access to special areas of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Some ticket types, such as Arena, Underground, or Colosseum Attic tickets, are extremely difficult to book due to high demand and limited availability.

Sold out tickets? Alternatives and tips

Don’t lose heart: Rome offers plenty of less mainstream but equally fascinating experiences, perfect to enrich your stay! A good option is to buy a regular skip-the-line Colosseum ticket and combine it with a visit to the Basilica of San Clemente’s underground, one of the city’s most surprising sites.
Alternatively, you can explore some of Rome’s best viewpoints, many of which are free:

  • Pincio Terrace, perfect at sunset
  • Gianicolo Hill, offering one of the city’s most iconic views
  • Capitoline Hill overlooking the Roman Forum
  • Caffarelli Terrace, ideal for an aperitif with a view of the historic center domes

Among the paid viewpoints, our favorite is Castel Sant’Angelo’s panoramic terrace, often less crowded and offering spectacular views of the Tiber and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: useful visit tips

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are must-sees for first-time visitors to Rome. Famous for their astounding collections and treasures, and unfortunately, for long lines. Planning ahead is essential!

For updated hours, prices, and events, always check the official Vatican Museums website.
To purchase tickets, visit the official Vatican Museums ticket office page.

Ticket Types and Practical Tips

The official website offers different ticket types and combinations with internal guided tours. The most requested is the skip-the-line ticket (“Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Tickets”), ideal for avoiding long waits.

Pay attention to the entry time:
It is very strict. Arriving too early won’t allow early access. Aim to arrive on time! Your online ticket will show:

  • Visitor’s full name
  • Entry corridor number (1, 2, or 3)

Once at your corridor, simply join the line. Corridors 1 and 2 also require valid ID.

Even if the line seems long (and sometimes it is!), the skip-the-line ticket remains the fastest way to enter the Vatican Museums and reach the Sistine Chapel.

Exiting the Vatican Museums

If you booked a guided tour with an authorized guide, after the Sistine Chapel you can access St. Peter’s Square directly through the group exit.
If visiting independently, the exit leads outside the Vatican Museums, from where you can walk to St. Peter’s Basilica along the Vatican walls.

St. Peter’s Basilica

During the Jubilee Year, an entry ticket was introduced to access St. Peter’s Basilica. Free access is still possible: simply join the line along Via di Porta Sant’Anna and pass through security checks.
Queue length (with or without a ticket) is unpredictable, varying by day, religious events, and season. The best times to avoid crowds are early morning or late afternoon.

Ticket Purchase

Organize your visit and purchase the Basilica ticket through the official website.
Prices:

  • Adults: €7
  • Kids (7–17 years): €4

An upgraded ticket including St. Peter’s Dome is also available, one of Rome’s most scenic panoramic experiences.
The Dome ticket can also be purchased on-site: after entering the Basilica, join the separate line at the dedicated ticket office.

Can you visit the Basilica from the Vatican Musems?

If you booked a guided Vatican Museums tour and wish to visit St. Peter’s Basilica immediately after, you must purchase a Basilica ticket online, valid for both you and your guide. This is the only way to access directly without exiting and queuing outside again.

Galleria Borghese: one of Rome’s most exciting art experiences

If you have time during your stay, we strongly recommend visiting the Galleria Borghese. Entering here is like stepping into a 17th-century princely residence, housing masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian, Bernini, and many other Renaissance and Baroque masters. A unique, unmissable experience for art lovers.Due to the delicate nature of the rooms, a maximum of 180 visitors per time slot is allowed, with hourly entries and a maximum stay of 2 hours. Advance booking is essential, as tickets sell out quickly, especially on weekends and during high season.

Official Information and Booking:

For updated opening hours, temporary exhibitions, prices, and events, consult the official Galleria Borghese website.
Tickets are available through the authorized sales channel, accessible via the official website’s ticket page.
Keep in mind:Kids under 18 enter free, but areservation is required.
If you wish to be accompanied by an authorized tour guide, you must include the guide in the booking (free ticket) to allow access with the group.

Pantheon: one of Rome’s most iconic symbols

For Welcome to Rhome, the Pantheon holds special significance—it even inspired our logo! Built as a pagan temple in the 2nd century AD and later converted into a Christian basilica, it is a unique example of historical and artistic continuity, central to Roman life.
Since July 2023, a €5 entry ticket is required to visit the interior and admire the famous dome, the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.

Official information and ticket purchase:

For updated opening hours, access, and pricing, visit the Pantheon official website.
Tickets can be purchased in advance through the online ticketing system Musei Italiani, accessible from the dedicated page on the official site. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased on-site, with two separate lines for credit card and cash payments.

Keep in mind:
Kids under 18 enter free, but reservation is required.
If visiting with an authorized guide, select the “Group Ticket” option and include the guide (free ticket).
The Pantheon is closed during liturgical celebrations, typically Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.

If the Pantheon or other attractions are sold out…

Rome is inexhaustible. If major attractions are sold out, don’t worry: the city is full of hidden treasures, historic gardens, churches, and charming neighborhoods, off the beaten path but equally extraordinary. Let yourself be surprised—every corner of Rome tells a story, even the lesser-known ones!

Tourist Passes

Roma Pass

The official fully digital Rome city card: museums, archaeological areas, unlimited public transport, itineraries, and more.

  • Roma Pass 48h: €38 (includes 1 free entry + discounts at other museums)
  • Roma Pass 72h: €62.90 (includes 2 free entries + discounts at other museums)

For the complete list of included museums, archaeological sites, and experiences, visit the official Roma Pass website.

Things to know before buying Roma Pass:

  • Most museums and archaeological sites are free for under-18s.
  • Children up to 10 years travel free on public transport.
  • Colosseum and Galleria Borghese require an additional reservation on their official websites. If tickets are sold out, the Roma Pass does not guarantee access to sites with mandatory reservation.
  • Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are not included.
  • Most Welcome to R-home apartments are in the historic center, so you may not need public transport during your stay.

Tip: Compare skip-the-line ticket prices for museums/sites you plan to visit first!

Omnia Card for Vatican & Rome

This card includes priority entry to the Vatican Museums, access to iconic sites like the Colosseum and Galleria Borghese, or hop-on hop-off panoramic bus tours. Available online at the Omnia Vatican & Rome official website.

  • Omnia 24h: €69 Includes Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel entry, panoramic bus tour, entry to Mamertine Prison, and St. John Lateran Basilica
  • Omnia 72h: €149 Combines Roma Pass 72h and Omnia 24h. Includes 72h public transport, free booking for one museum/site (e.g., Colosseum, subject to availability), and Vatican Museums entry
  • Omnia Smart: €99 Includes Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Colosseum and Roman Forum entry

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