Is it necessary to book tickets for the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and Borghese Gallery in the summer? Tips to avoid lines and organize your first trip to Rome

Hey you two!

How exciting, your first trip together and it's to Rome in the summer! I went to Rome for my honeymoon—such great memories. Just a heads-up: Rome is marvelous, but if you don't plan wisely, the lines can wreck your trip. Let me share some tips on where you absolutely need to book tickets in Rome to avoid summer lines, drawn from my own experience, having endured sun-drenched queues and, frankly, overpaid on occasions 🥴. Hopefully, this will save you money, headaches, and help you make the most of your visit.

First things first, booking tickets for the Colosseum in the summer is a must. It saves you from wasting precious time in long lines since tickets run out quickly, especially in peak season like July or August. Ideally, buy them at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance on the Colosseum's official website. If you can, get the ticket that includes access to the underground—it’s spectacular.

On my first visit to Rome, I tried booking last minute and found the standard Colosseum tickets (which cost 18€ and include the Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill) were sold out. Luckily, I snagged the Full Experience Ticket (the most recommended). I paid 24€, which seemed steep but is worth every penny, as it offers the full experience, including access to the underground area beneath the arena, perfect for epic photos! You also get passageways where gladiators once walked, access to upper levels with the best views, and, of course, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill—both essential. Plus, a perk your legs will thank you for: the Full Experience is valid for 2 days from first admission, allowing you to spread the visit over two days. Although I couldn't save money on that occasion, the stunning photos I captured completely justified the extra 6 euros.

One thing to keep in mind: the Colosseum requires a set time slot, meaning you must book a specific time for your visit. We booked ours for 3 PM and nearly missed out by arriving 30 minutes late. My advice? Visit the Colosseum first, then explore the Forum at your leisure.

The Colosseum is beautiful at any time of day, but for crowd-free photos without melting away, book the earliest slot (around 8:30 AM). Another great option is after 3 PM when the light is golden and there are fewer tour groups.

Similar or even worse issues arise with the Vatican Museums. In the height of summer, entry lines without reservations can exceed 3 hours in the blazing sun, and trust me, in Rome, that’s a killer. To avoid summer lines, reserve your spot as soon as your travel dates are fixed—3 to 4 weeks ahead, on the Vatican Museums' official website. If possible, book the first time slot of the morning; it’s amazing because it's less crowded. There’s also the option to book tickets for the Friday night visits during the summer, letting you enjoy the Vatican Museums in a unique and different setting while skipping the summer lines.

If you miss out on reservations for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, another option is the official guided tours that include skip-the-line access. They are pricier (at least 50-60€ per person), but they save you from the misery of waiting.

For art lovers seeking a romantic outing, don’t miss the Borghese Gallery. Here, reservations are even more critical because only 360 people are allowed every 2 hours, and it fills up fast in summer. It's best to book 2 to 3 months in advance directly on the Borghese Gallery's official website. The limited capacity makes for a peaceful and special visit without the crowds. If you can, go for the 9 AM or the last 5 PM slot, which is usually less busy.

If for some reason you don’t book in advance (hopefully not!), you won’t be able to visit the Colosseum unless you pay for a last-minute express tour that can cost around 70€. At the Vatican, you’ll face a long line, and might not even get in due to limited entry. You won’t even set foot in the Borghese Gallery since there’s no physical ticket office. In short, without reservations in Rome, your summer trip could be a tourism nightmare.

Aside from these must-sees, other places don’t require reservations but it’s still advisable. For example, visiting the Dome in St. Peter's Basilica can be paid for on-site for around 17€ or online at the St. Peter’s Basilica's website. However, the Vatican Necropolis, where St. Peter’s tomb is located, must be reserved in advance either on the St. Peter’s Basilica's website or by emailing scavi@fsp.va. The Domus Aurea (Nero’s Golden House) requires booking a guided tour and is only open from Friday to Sunday. The intriguing Crypt of the Capuchins allows reservations on its website.

To save some money and, more importantly, time, avoid ticket resellers, as many websites inflate prices by 10€ or more per ticket. This is why I stress using official websites. When choosing your visit times, keep in mind that the Colosseum is less busy after 3 PM with fewer tour groups, and the Vatican Museums are more serene late in the day, but remember—last entry is at 4 PM.

To save money on your summer trip to Rome, consider investing in a Roma Pass. If you plan to visit places like the Castel Sant’Angelo or the Baths of Caracalla in addition to the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill, it's worthwhile. The Roma Pass offers different options (36€/48h or 58€/72h). I suggest you look over user reviews and which monuments it covers (I believe it doesn’t include the Vatican Museums) and only buy it if you’ll use its benefits such as:

• Free entry to 1-2 attractions depending on the choice.
• 10-50% discounts on other sites.
• Unlimited public transport (a must with Rome’s heat!).

If you’re interested in key sites in Rome without needing reservations, there are several options. The Pantheon is a must-see, with a 5 euro entry fee, 2€ for ages 18 to 25. Entry is free for those under 18 and on the first Sunday of each month. It has generous hours, open every day from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, but after 6:30 PM, they no longer permit entry. And if you're up for a unique escape, the Villas of Tivoli, just an hour from Rome, are a marvel and much less crowded.

To sum up, here are quick answers to common first-time Rome visitor questions:

• Are last-minute Colosseum tickets available? Only through private tours, which usually cost more.
• Can you enter the Vatican without a reservation? Yes, but with an endless wait.
• What if the Borghese Gallery is sold out? Check the website every morning; sometimes they release tickets.

And here’s a personal mistake you should avoid: on my first Rome trip, I thought I’d get in early at the Vatican. Spoiler: it closed due to full capacity after a never-ending queue. I lost a day and paid 65€ for a tour I didn’t even feel like at that point. The Borghese Gallery was all booked up. Since then, I learned that in summer, booking Rome tickets in advance pays off.

So, my final advice is: book weeks ahead, use official websites, and choose smart times to visit stress-free. Organizing your Rome trip well ensures you avoid lines, save money, save time, and most importantly, save stress.

If you have any more questions or want ideas for a romantic Rome itinerary, I’m here to help. Enjoy your couple’s getaway! ❤️🇮🇹