Colosseum vs Vatican Museums: which should you do first?
If you only have time for one, do Colosseum first. Its top ten experiences average an Outty Ranking of 88 against 86 for Vatican Museums, and it has 1,671 ranked ways to see it versus 941. Vatican Museums is the cheaper entry at $20, so it is the better pick on a tight budget. With a full day in Rome, pair them: plan Vatican Museums in the morning, as it is the shorter visit on average.
Side by side
| Colosseum | Vatican Museums | |
|---|---|---|
| Ranked experiences | 1,671 | 941 |
| Top Outty Ranking | 90 | 89 |
| Average ranking (top 10) | 88 | 86 |
| Cheapest experience | $26 | $20 |
| Average time needed | 2.8h | 2.6h |
| Free cancellation | 100% of options | 100% of options |
| Free to visit | No | No |
Best ways to see Colosseum
- 1. Rome Golf Cart Tour Half-Day Private or Small Group Sightseeing
Outty Ranking 90 · from $132 · 3h
- 2. Explore Rome on a Golf Cart: Private Tour
Outty Ranking 90 · from $34 · 3h
- 3. Rome Tour on Quality E-bikes, Small Groups and Local Guide!
Outty Ranking 89 · from $56 · 3h
- 4. Rome Highlights by E-Bicycle Small group
Outty Ranking 89 · from $51 · 2.5h
- 5. Ancient Rome Discovery: Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Guided Tour
Outty Ranking 89 · from $158 · 3h
Best ways to see Vatican Museums
- 1. Skip the line Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peters Tour
Outty Ranking 89 · from $20 · 3h
- 2. Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter Small Group
Outty Ranking 88 · from $147 · 3.3h
- 3. Rome: The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter's Dome Climb
Outty Ranking 88 · from $139 · 4.5h
- 4. Skip the Line: Small Group Vatican Museums & Sistine + St. Peter
Outty Ranking 87 · from $86 · 2.5h
- 5. Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica VIP Guided Tour
Outty Ranking 87 · from $85 · 2.5h
Frequently asked questions
Colosseum or Vatican Museums: which is better?
If you only have time for one, do Colosseum first. Its top ten experiences average an Outty Ranking of 88 against 86 for Vatican Museums, and it has 1,671 ranked ways to see it versus 941. Vatican Museums is the cheaper entry at $20, so it is the better pick on a tight budget. With a full day in Rome, pair them: plan Vatican Museums in the morning, as it is the shorter visit on average.
Which is cheaper, Colosseum or Vatican Museums?
Ranked experiences at Colosseum start from $26 and at Vatican Museums from $20 per person.
How long do you need at Colosseum and Vatican Museums?
Experiences at Colosseum run 2.8 hours on average and at Vatican Museums 2.6 hours, so both fit in one day in Rome with a break in between.
Can you do Colosseum and Vatican Museums on the same day?
Yes. Book the longer visit for the morning when crowds are lighter, and keep the afternoon for the other. 100% of Colosseum options and 100% of Vatican Museums options offer free cancellation, which makes it easy to adjust.
What is the best tour of each?
For Colosseum: Rome Golf Cart Tour Half-Day Private or Small Group Sightseeing (Outty Ranking 90, from $132). For Vatican Museums: Skip the line Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peters Tour (Outty Ranking 89, from $20).