Rome Attractions
St. Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum are Rome’s most famous and important landmarks.
The Basilica in Vatican City is the largest church in the world. It features stunning architecture and art, such as Michelangelo’s Pietà.
It’s a major pilgrimage site for Catholics from all over the world.
In contrast, the Colosseum is an ancient amphitheater that once played host gladiator games and other public events.
Although built nearly two thousand years apart, both sites keep visitors enthralled with Rome’s rich history and unique charm.
Tickets for the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica
To explore Rome’s most iconic sites, you can buy a ticket for a guided tour of the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica.
This ticket includes skip-the-line access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, plus a 2.5-hour guided tour of these sites.
You’ll also get skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museum and a guided tour of the Museum, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica.
The tour also includes access to the reserved passage from the Chapel to St. Peter’s, making your visit easy and efficient.
The Vatican Pass ticket includes a 3-day OMNIA Vatican Card and Roma Pass combo. These two passes include everything you’ll want to do in Rome: historic attractions, top museums, a sightseeing bus tour, and public transportation to help you get around the city.
Related: Everything you need to know about the Colosseum before booking your tickets!
Distance between St. Peter’s Basilica and Colosseum
The Colosseum and Basilica are roughly 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) from each other in a straight line.
The actual travel distance may vary depending on your route and how you choose to travel.
You will see ancient ruins, Baroque fountains, and charming cobblestone streets through the route you take from either attraction.
Go beyond: Check out the best guided tours and underground tours of the Colosseum for exclusive access to restricted areas.
How to reach the attractions
If you’re near the Colosseum, you can walk or take a bus to the Colosseo station on Line B of the Rome Metro.
Board Line B (direction Laurentina) at the Colosseo station until you reach Termini station.
At Termini station, transfer to Line A (direction Battistini) and reach the Ottaviano-San Pietro station, the closest station to the Basilica.
Once you exit Ottaviano-San Pietro station, it’s a short walk to St. Peter’s.
The same route can be taken from St. Peter’s to reach the Colosseum.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi or ride-sharing service for a more direct route from the Colosseum to St. Peter’s.
Just be aware that traffic in Rome is notoriously congested during peak hours.
If you want to travel by bus from the Colosseum to the Basilica or vice versa and witness the main sights along the way, opt for the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour of Rome.
Note: The Hop-on Hop-off bus tour ticket doesn’t include access to both attractions. You must buy separate tickets to enter the Colosseum or St. Peter’s.
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Which to visit first – the Colosseum or St. Peter’s Basilica?
St. Peter’s Basilica operates from 7 am to 7 pm; the Colosseum opens at 8.30 am but has varying closing times according to the season.
You can visit the Colosseum first during its opening hours before the crowds arrive, and later, go to St. Peter’s in the afternoon.
Explore more in a day
Best time to visit both attractions
If you visit St. Peter’s Basilica early in the morning, you can enjoy the experience with fewer crowds.
Otherwise, you can visit the Basilica on weekdays, like Tuesday or Thursday, as weekends are less crowded.
The Basilica can get extremely crowded during holidays, religious events, and papal audiences.
To avoid the crowds at the Colosseum, you can opt for an early morning or late afternoon tour.
To skip the ticket lines at the Colosseum, consider booking your tickets in advance online. This allows you to enter through a separate entrance and save time.
To sum up, planning your visit to the Basilica and the Colosseum during non-peak hours and avoiding busy periods will enhance your overall experience.
Recommended reading:
– Colosseum tickets in advance
– Best Guided Tours of the Colosseum
– Sunset tours of the Colosseum
– Colosseum Night Tours
– Colosseum Underground Tours
Continue Reading: When is the best time to visit St. Peter’s Basilica
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