What You NEED to Book in Advance for Rome (And How to Book!)

Many of the most iconic sites in Rome require advance reservations, but if you’re visiting Rome for the first time, figuring out exactly how and when to make these reservations can be quite confusing!

And since tickets to the Vatican and Colosseum often sell out weeks—sometimes months—in advance, you might assume you’re out of luck if you’re reading this article last minute… but don’t worry! After visiting Rome three times, I know a few tricks that I’ll happily share!

Quick overview—the main attractions you’ll need reservations for in Rome are the Vatican Museum (and Sistine Chapel), the Colosseum (which also includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill), and the Pantheon.

But I also have a few other Rome favorites that are lesser known and also require reservations. In this article I share all about these spots, how to reserve tickets, and how long in advance you need to book!

⏰ Booking last minute? ⏰

Even if tickets for the Vatican and Colosseum aren’t available, you should be able to find a spot on a skip-the-line guided tour! It’ll cost more, but you’ll be guaranteed expedited entry and get to explore with a local guide who knows all the history—a win-win!

🎟️ Vatican Skip-the-Line Tours: Try this this affordable Vatican skip-the-line tour, or this highly-rated small group tour for an more intimate experience.
🎟️ Colosseum VIP Tour: Check out this favorite small group Colosseum tour, it includes a tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which are also must-visit spots!

The Vatican City drone shot with a view of St Peter's Square

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is stunning, but one of the most important things to know before visiting the Vatican is that you cannot take pictures here

☀️🌺🌿 Article Outline (Jump Ahead)

The Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

⏰ Make reservations for the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel 60 days in advance

Purchase tickets on MuseoVaticani.va (€20.00 per person, plus €5.00 for skip-the-line entry, or FREE on the last Sunday of the month)
To tour the Vatican with a guide, consider this affordable Vatican skip-the-line tour, or this pricier but highly-rated small group tour

Landlocked within the city of Rome, the Vatican is the world’s smallest country and the spiritual heart of Catholicism. It’s home to over 70,000 pieces of art that depict thousands of years of art history—from statues that once adorned the homes of Roman emperors to Michelangelo’s famed frescoes painted across the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

It’s worth mentioning that your ticket to the Vatican Museums will include entry to the Sistine Chapel, but St. Peter’s Basilica (which is also worth visiting) is completely separate. Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free and you can’t make reservations, but it’s best to arrive early because the line can get quite long.

✈️ Responsible travel tip: It’s best to dress modestly when visiting the Vatican—cover your shoulders and avoid wearing shorts. More Vatican tips.

Woman smiles, standing in front of the Colosseum in Rome

Couple standing in front of the Roman Forum in Rome

The Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

⏰ Make reservations 30 days in advance

Purchase tickets on Colosseo.it (€18.00 per person)
To tour the Colosseum (including the arena floor), check out this small group Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tour

Although you can see the Colosseum from outside, it’s absolutely worth making a reservation to explore inside—which is why I’ve toured the Colosseum on all three of my trips to Rome.

Your entry to the Colosseum also includes access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Wandering along the well-worn streets of the Forum gives you a glimpse into ancient Roman life as you pass private residences, temples, and basilicas. Palatine Hill is both picturesque and historically significant—it’s where Romulus founded Rome in 753 BCE!

Keep in mind that the regular Colosseum entry ticket does not include access to the arena floor, if you want to see this area, either book a special ticket or go with a tour guide.

📷 Best Colosseum views & photos spots: Snap some photos at Giardinetto del Monte Oppio across the street from the Colosseum, and order a coffee with a view at the hidden cafe inside of Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II, all pinned on my free Rome map!

The Pantheon

⏰ Make reservations 2 months in advance

Purchase tickets on museiitaliani.it (€5.00 per person, free on the first Sunday of the month)
This one hour guided tour is great way to get a deeper understanding of the Pantheon’s complicated history and architectural significance

This Roman-temple-turned-Christian-basilica was once free and easy to visit, but now requires advance reservations. Besides being one of the few ancient temples still standing, the Pantheon is famous for its 142 foot dome and 30-foot-wide oculus (opening) that shines sunlight on mosaiced marble floors below.

🗺️ What to see nearby: The Pantheon is a 9 minute walk from the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps are about 9 minutes further. Visit all three spots, then walk up the hill to Terrazza del Belvedere for a lovely view of the city! All of these spots are pinned on my free Rome map!

The Trevi Fountain, an essential spot to add to your Rome itinerary

Rome Highlights & Hidden Gems E-Bike Tour

⏰ Make reservations at least 1-2 weeks in advance

Book on Viator ($97 per person)

If it’s your first trip to Rome, start off your trip with a half-day guided tour of the ancient city—your guide will help you understand Rome’s rich history and show you some hidden gems to explore later on in the trip.

This fun e-bike tour starts at the Colosseum and hits all the main spots like the Pantheon and Spanish Steps, plus hidden gems of known neighborhoods like Trastevere and Villa Borghese. This is one of the most popular historic tours of Rome, so be sure to snag your spot by booking as soon as possible!

Castel Sant’Angelo

⏰ Make reservations at least 1-2 weeks in advance

Book on coopculture.it (€14.00 per person, free on the first Sunday of the month)
Consider this skip-the-line tour

Originally a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, Castel Sant’Angelo has lived many lives—it’s been a fortress, a papal residence, a prison, and now it’s a museum with some of the best panoramic views of Rome!

And there’s more to Castel Sant’Angelo than meets the eye—including secret tunnels that connect the fortress to the Vatican, which was built so that the pope could flee in times of danger.

Although reservations aren’t as difficult to get compared to the Vatican Museums and Colosseum, it’s still worth making a reservation in advance as you’re planning your Rome adventures!

🇮🇹 Rome itinerary suggestion: The castle is a 10 minute walk from the Vatican, so visit both in the same day!

Galleria Borghese

⏰ Make reservations at least 1-2 weeks in advance

Book on beniculturali.it (€13.00–€18.00 per person)
Consider this skip-the-line tour to maximize your 2-hour time slot!

Nestled in the vibrant Villa Borghese, this 17th-century villa is home to Rome’s most popular art museum—and for good reason! It’s compact and intimate—and feels more like walking through a private palace than a traditional art museum.

And Galleria Borghese is another one of those places in Rome that you really need a reservation for—even though it’s not as well-known as the Vatican and Colosseum, tickets often sell out weeks in advance.

Tickets are issued for strict 2-hour time slots—so I recommend going with a local guide to maximize the limited time you have!

🖼️ Galleria Borghese tip: The park surrounding Galleria Borghese is one of my favorite places in Rome, with tranquil gardens and some of the best views of the city. Dedicate some time before or after the museum to chill in the park—and maybe even have a picnic lunch here!

Man walking up to the ruins of aqueducts at Parco degli Acquedotti in Rome

Appian Way, Catacombs, and Roman Aqueducts E-Bike Tour

⏰ Make reservations at least 1-2 weeks in advance

Book on Viator ($97 per person)

If you want to immerse in the history of ancient Rome beyond the Colosseum, you have to book this e-bike tour, which takes you along the Appian Way, a tranquil ancient road that few tourists ever see!

You’ll get to see the Circus of Maximus (where Romans did chariot races), ruins of the ancient aqueducts that once supplied Rome with water, and visit the underground catacombs where half a million early Christians were buried under the height of Roman persecution. You’ll also visit the Terme di Caracalla, one of the best-preserved Roman bathhouses—and honestly, one of my favorite archaeological sites in the city!

Rome Reservations FAQs

Do I really need to book TICKETS IN advance for Rome?

Yes—especially for the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, and Galleria Borghese. These tickets often sell out weeks (or even months) in advance, particularly during spring and summer. Walk-up availability is limited or nonexistent for many of these attractions.

Can I still get in if everything is sold out?

Most of the time, yes! Look for skip-the-line guided tours offered on Viator instead. Tours cost more than tickets, but often still have availability when regular tickets are gone—and you get a lot more context with a local guide, so it’s honestly worth it for places like the Vatican and Colosseum!

Do you need a reservation for St. Peter’s Basilica?

No. You cannot make a reservation for St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s free to enter, but you’ll need to wait in line to enter. It’s best to arrive early to beat the crowds!

Is it worth doing a guided tour, or should I explore the Vatican & Colosseum by myself?

If you’re into history or visiting Rome for the first time, a guided tour is 100% worth it. Places like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican are so layered with stories that you’ll get way more out of your visit with a guide.