I've got 2 free days in Rome, what's my best strategy to get into the Vatican/Sistine Chapel & the Coloseum? Are the skip the line tix worthwhile?

L Neko Leung
Yes they are. I've been to the Vatican twice, recommend that you join one of the walking tours that can get you in early. Night and day between visiting Sistine Chapel packed with ppl or with just a handful of groups, actual serenity and place to sit to just look up.

For Vatican Museum / Sistine, do skip the line but book the earliest slot (it let’s you in before the doors open to everybody else in the regular line). Ideally go on wed bc mass is held in St.Peters and most of the crowd goes there. Then as soon as you get in go straight to the Sistine chapel. There will be barely anybody in there. Then come back out and do the regular circuit that will take you back through the Sistine on your way out.
The Vatican museum is huge so do some research ahead of time to figure out what you want to spend time seeing. Or Rick Steves app is a good self tour.
As for St.Peters, I found going near close on like a tues works out well.

I went through dark rome and for the vip early access the last time I went. So worth it! I see they only have the breakfast one now, but I would still think about it VIP Early Breakfast inside the Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica. If it's out if your budget. Buy tickets online for as early as possible to avoid the crowds.

Same with the colosseum. I like dark rome for tours. If budget is an issue, you can go on your own, but buy advance tickets through the colosseum website directly, for as early as possible. It is nice to have a good tour to help out really see, and picture how it was back in the day. The forum needs a tour I think. It's just to hard to know what everything is without. Although it is easy to wander around other tours to hear what the guides are saying

We booked the early morning Sistine Chapel and it also included the Vatican. Saw everything with hardly anyone around. It was amazing. St. Peter’s Carhedral we saw after 4:30 when the crowds had dispersed. Only 20 minutes in line and not crowded.

Also know that these sites close for National and Church holidays so booking a tour you will know they are open. One time we were in Rome sites were rotating closures because of striking workers.

Find a hop on / hop off city tour bus. It will take you by The Vatican. As well as most of the other architectually impressive sites around Rome.

Book skip the line tickets directly with the Vatican and the Colosseum. Way cheaper and faster. Use a free audio tour that you can download before you go. Or, if you really want a live guide there are ones standing outside of the Colosseum that can be hired on the spot.

Buy the ticket! I booked mass through viator. The guide had 8-10 of us. Got us in front row.
They really know what they are doing.
The Vatican tours are a steady stream and without a ticket you wait for hours in line to purchase.
Ho-ho bus is excellent way to see all the highlights in one day.

We booked a tour for all of this, with Walks of Italy, was a wonderful tour, took about 8 hours, and lots of walking. You may want to google this company. They have Man choices of one day and night tours.

agreed! We just came back from Europe, and the Walks of Italy were amazing with their knowledge, and of course, not waiting in line! Book ahead online!

We took a small private tour was in the vatican at 8 am no lines and only 10 of us enjoying the sistine!! Would only see the vatican and sistine this way

I would highly recommend Tasty Tours. We did that and it was fantastic. Starts around 5-6pm you get to try great food and learn about the cityas you walk from place to place. As for the others we did a private guided tour of the Coloseum. More money but totally worth it. You are still in the crowds but you have your guide all to yourself.

Worth it to book in advance and make sure you’re dressed appropriately so you can get in.

Trust me you need skip the line tickets. Unless your there to enjoy the blue sky

You can buy the tickets online for $20. The tours cost around $50+ per person.

I booked a tour with viator for outdoor mass with pope. Front row seat.

Book directly with the Vatican walk past all lines

Book the tour with the Vatican directly

Had great luck with viator for Rome tours.