Best 20 skip-the-line tours in Italy

You’ve booked the time off, bought the flights and planned your dream trip to Italy.

All that’s left to do is book some top activities to fill up your travel itinerary. In a country with so much to see, booking a tour is a great way to see Italy’s top attractions.

What’s more, booking one with a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll learn much more than just about the attraction. These tours are trustworthy and reliable, and with no ticket touts in sight.

In this post, we’ll be cutting the lines together, at 20 of the best skip the line tours in Italy.

Ideal for whether you’re traveling with kids, your partner or solo, there will be no waiting around at these attractions.

A long-time fan

My love of booking tours goes way back. Several highlights include a secret food tour in New York City and a food tour of Chicago’s Old Town district.

The tours have also spilled over into visiting local food markets. From St Lawrence Market in Toronto to Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem, the experience has always been rewarding.

Divided by city and region, enjoy the same experience at one of the best skip the line tours in Italy.

Use this post to help plan your trip to Italy.

20 best skip the line tours in Italy

Rome, Lazio

The Eternal City attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. See the capital’s best sights and without having to endure the long lines.

1. The Colosseum and Roman Forum

Enjoy a hassle-free experience with this combined ticket for the Colosseum and Roman Forum guided tour with priority access.

Built in 72AD and completed in 80AD, the Colosseum was the largest amphitheater ever built. A short walk away is the Roman Forum. It was the center of political, social and economic life in Ancient Rome and significant to the republic.

A combined ticket that guarantees fast track entry, it’s your gateway to the greatest monuments of the Roman Republic.

Choose to extend your visit in this area, by booking into one of these Rome hotels with a Colosseum view.

2. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel entrance ticket

No visit to Rome is complete without stepping inside one of the most beautiful museums in the world.

This skip the line entry ticket for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel allows access to both attractions.

There’s more

The ticket also includes access to the Vatican gardens (if selected) and a 20% discount at the Vatican online shop. An audio guide is also available upon booking.

One important tip on visiting the Vatican is to bring some form of ID (e.g. passport). You may be asked to show some form at security.

3. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Official Guided Tour

While the above tour gets you fast track entrance to the site, this tour includes that plus an official guide.

They will take you around the Vatican Museums and Sistine chapel, giving an in-depth explanation of the art and architecture.

Find out more about sights like the Pio Clementino Museum, the Gallery of the Candelabras and the four Raphael Rooms. The finale will take you to Michelangelo's magnificent ‘The Creation of Adam’ in the Sistine Chapel.

4. Pantheon entrance with audio tour

Another of Rome’s most spectacular sights, the Pantheon is one of my all-time favorite attractions. One not to be missed, this tour provides entry to the Pantheon and a 35-minute audio tour.

Discover more about the temple and mausoleum and be wowed by its jaw-dropping dome. Like the Vatican Museums, bring a form of ID with you in case they ask for it.

5. St. Peter’s Basilica Dome and underground grottos tour

Get the best views across Rome from the top of the dome at St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro). This walking tour takes you to the dome, St. Peter’s Basilica, its square and the underground grottos.

Enjoy highlights such as the dome’s dazzling mosaics, the golden ceilings of the basilica and
St. Peter’s Tomb. Its last stop is St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro), where you’ll learn more about the architecture and landscape.

Things to know

When entering the basilica, it’s important to dress modestly, covering bare shoulders and knees.

Unlike our experience visiting Palermo Cathedral on our 2 days in Palermo, I didn’t remember anyone handing out ponchos to visitors. Saying that, come prepared for your visit by dressing appropriately.

Map of Italy

6. Castel Sant’Angelo

One of my favorite bridges in Rome, Ponte Sant’Angelo, leads to a building of great importance in the city.

Your skip-the-line ticket for Castel Sant’Angelo gets you into the 7-floor museum, housed within the ancient castle walls.

The fortress, built in 135AD for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, plays an important part of Rome’s architectural history. Several rooms of importance within the castle include the Chamber of Ashes and the Papal residences.

End your tour with a visit to the castle terrace to enjoy panoramic views of Rome and the River Tiber.

7. The Catacombs of St. Callixtus

Get up close on a guided tour of the impressive Catacombs of St. Callixtus. The underground cemetery was excavated by the Christians of Rome from the 3rd to the 5th century AD.

The tour includes a history — from start to decline — of the catacombs, plus the crypts of popes and patron saints. A fascinating site and one steeped in history, it’s one to add to your Rome must-see attractions.

Getting around Rome

As the capital of Italy, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to transportation. It can be overwhelming for first-time visitors, especially if you don’t speak Italian.

Below are some simple transport options for getting to/from and around Rome.

• Shuttle bus between Rome Fiumicino Airport and 3 locations in central Rome
• Shuttle bus between Ciampino Airport and Rome Termini Train Station (Roma Termini)
• Private transfer to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport or Ciampino Airport
• Leonardo Express train to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport
• Rome City Pass (includes unlimited public transport and free admission to top attractions (Colosseum etc))
• Hop-on hop-off bus in Rome

Venice, Veneto

The island city and capital of Veneto, there’s truly no other city in the world like Venice. Beautiful in summer or in winter, discover the most magical sights at some of these best skip the line tours in Italy.

8. Doge Palace reserved ticket

Jump the lines and head straight inside the exquisite Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) with a reserved entry admission ticket.

The ornate Gothic palace in St Mark’s Square served as the seat of Venetian political power for centuries. Be dazzled by the opulent gold staircase and the attention-grabbing art and architecture.

The ticket also includes entry to the Correr Museum on St. Mark's Square. A building originally designed for Napoleon Bonaparte, it later became the Venetian residence of the King of Italy.

9. Doge Palace, St Mark’s Basilica and terrace access

Get more Venice attractions for one price with this skip-the-line ticket for Doge Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica including terrace access.

Like above, your ticket includes a tour of the Doge’s Palace, after which you’ll visit the basilica.

Inside, are some of the finest examples of Byzantine art, alongside golden mosaics and marble flooring. The last stop will be the basilica’s terrace. Here, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of St. Mark’s Square and beyond.

10. Murano, Burano and Torcello day trip

Escape the crowds of St. Mark’s Square for an unforgettable day trip to Murano, Burano and Torcello. One of the best day trips from Venice, you really don't want to miss visiting while here.

While technically there’s no need to skip any lines here, it’s a tour I highly recommend. We booked it during our visit of the islands and enjoyed it immensely.

The tour includes a visit to Murano and one of its many glass factories. You’ll learn how they create the iconic pieces with a glass-blowing demonstration. After this, it’s onto the colorful houses of Burano and its calm residential canals.

The last stop is the peaceful island of Torcello. Home to the first settlement in Venice, it’s home to the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. Dating to 639, it’s in remarkably good shape given the many, many years since it was built.

11. Peggy Guggenheim collection ticket

Spend time in the company of artistic greats by booking tickets for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Your skip-the-line ticket provides access to the likes of Picasso, Pollock and Calder along with many other avant-garde artists.

One of the most respected modern art museums in Europe, it’s a must-see attraction for any art enthusiast.

How to get around Venice

Given Venice’s unique location, I always advise first-time visitors to try to book their transport in advance.

Venice Marco Polo airport is around 20 minutes’ drive to Piazzale Roma (the central hub of Venice). An express bus service runs between the airport and Piazzale Roma, offering WiFi and air conditioning. We’ve taken it several times and have never been disappointed.

For something a little fancier but memorable, consider booking a water taxi directly from the airport to your hotel. A stylish way to arrive in Venice, you’ll have all the views of the lagoon and canals to yourself.

For getting around Venice, the waterbuses (vaporetto) are the best, and most budget-friendly mode of transportation. See my guide on how to use the vaporetto for more.

The bus pass is valid for 75 minutes meaning that you can hop off and on the vaporetto. Use it on any day and not necessarily the one selected in the calendar. The ticket is valid from the first day of use.

Verona Arena, Veneto

12. Verona Arena tickets

Say addio to the long lines at one of Verona’s most beloved landmarks with this skip-the-line tour of Verona Arena.

Built in the 1st century AD, learn about the history of gladiator fights and the most famous opera performances.

While in Verona, you may also be interested in purchasing the Verona Card. Available for 24 or 48 hours, it gets you into several Verona attractions including the arena and Torre dei Lamberti.

The card also entitles you to unlimited use of Verona’s ATV transport network and entry to many museums.

Milan, Lombardy

A city known as a global capital of fashion, culture and design, Milan is Italian bucket list royalty. Boasting several essential skip the line tours in Italy, grab a pen and make a note of these.

13. Milan Cathedral and rooftop

There’s no better place to start your visit in Milan than by visiting its iconic cathedral. This skip-the-line ticket gets you access to all areas of the Duomo di Milano including its rooftop terrace. We did this tour in Milan and thoroughly enjoyed every second.

Dating over 600 years, highlights of the cathedral include its 14th century stained glass windows and its marble rooftop terrace. Offering panoramic views across Milan, you can also see the Alps and Appenine Mountains on a clear day.

14. Da Vinci’s The Last Supper

A painting that should need no introduction, this guided tour takes you to the location of Da Vinci’s the Last Supper.

Located inside an ancient monastery, it’s a great opportunity to see one of Da Vinci’s most famous masterpieces.

A form of ID is required for your visit, and no flash photography is allowed.

15. La Scala Theater and Museum

Step inside one of the most famous opera theaters in the world at the exquisite Teatro alla Scala. Built in 1778, marvel at its famous stage that has hosted some of the greatest opera singers and performers.

Your skip-the-line ticket allows for entry to La Scala Theater as well as the museum. Inside is a collection of paintings and original costumes, plus a library containing more than 150,000 volumes of complete works.

Florence, Tuscany

Home to masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, there’s beauty to be discovered in every corner in Florence. A city that attracts visitors in their masses, these skip the line tours in Italy are a godsend.

16. Uffizi Gallery entrance ticket

Home to works like Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ and Da Vinci’s ‘Annunciation’, Florence’s Uffizi Gallery is art mecca.

Your reserved entrance ticket for the Uffizi Gallery lets you skip the lines to admire some of the world’s greatest artists. Make sure to bring a form of ID and don’t be late for your timed entrance.

17. Michelangelo’s David timed ticket

Get priority entry to Michelangelo’s David in Florence by booking a reserved entrance ticket.

Located in the city’s Accademia Gallery, the gallery also features Michelangelo’s the Prisoners and St. Matthew.

The 5.17m marble statue of David represents more than just art. It was a symbol of the defense of civil liberties in the Republic of Florence during a time of rivalry with other states.

18. Brunelleschi’s Dome

Revel in some of the best panoramic views of Florence from the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome.

Sitting atop the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, your fast-track ticket gets you inside one of Europe’s biggest domes.

Comfortable walking shoes are required to climb the 463 steps; not a small number, but an activity totally worth it.

Naples, Campania

A city of color, coastal landscapes, pizza and Mount Vesuvius, Naples is a Mediterranean fairytale. It also happens to be one of the cheapest places to visit in Italy. And, with many attractions to see, it’s worth considering one of these skip the line tours in Italy.

19. Pompeii reserved entry ticket

Explore the fascinating UNESCO heritage archaeological site of the Roman city of Pompeii with a reserved entry ticket.

Buried beneath the ash after Vesuvius erupted, the incident killed all of its inhabitants, leaving behind just its structures.

Your ticket provides access to all of the sites, including the amphitheater, the Villa of Mysteries and Porta Marina. What’s not included, however, is a tour guide.

If you prefer to visit Pompeii and want a tour, this ticket provides fast-track entry and a tour with an archaeologist.

20. Catacombs of San Genaro

Go underground in Naples and explore the Catacombs of San Gennaro. We missed seeing it on our one day in Naples and highly regretted it.

The most important patron saint of Naples, he was persecuted for being a Christian and ultimately beheaded in 305AD.

Within the site is an underground basilica as well as some of the earliest Christian paintings in southern Italy. Admire the frescoes and Byzantine paintings from the 9th to the 10th century AD as you journey through the catacombs.

Which of these skip the line tours in Italy would you most want to try? Let me know in the comments below.

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