Can you tour the Colosseum and visit the Pantheon in one day?

Totally doable! We did exactly this last May. We had a pre-booked 9:00 AM tour of the Colosseum/Forum, finished around 1:00 PM, grabbed a pizza slice near the Forum entrance, and then jumped in a taxi. The distance is too far to just ‘pop over,’ but a cab will get you there in about 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. We were inside the Pantheon by 2:00 PM. Don’t walk it if you’re on a schedule. Save your steps for walking around the Pantheon area afterward.

You absolutely should combine them because they offer the most incredible contrast of Roman history. The Colosseum is a monument to brute power, entertainment, and engineering (pagan Rome), and the Pantheon is a beautiful testament to architectural perfection and religious continuity (pagan temple turned Christian church). When we did it, moving from the ruins of the amphitheater to the perfectly preserved dome of the Pantheon felt like time travel. It provides a much fuller picture of the city’s 2000-year evolution.

I actually disagree with the taxi advice—I think walking is the best part! We walked from the Colosseum, straight up the Via dei Fori Imperiali, past the Vittorio Emanuele Monument, and then wound through the smaller streets. It took us about 40 minutes, but it was essentially a free, beautiful walking tour! You get to see the Trajan’s Column, the Piazza Venezia chaos, and the start of the Renaissance district. If your morning Colosseum tour isn’t too tiring, I recommend the walk, but wear your most comfortable shoes.

Logistically, the Pantheon part is easy. It’s usually a quick visit unless you get stuck in a long line (which can happen, but it moves fast). It’s free to enter (though this can change, so check the official site before you go!) and you just walk in, stare at the incredible oculus in the roof, walk around, and walk out. We spent maybe 30 minutes inside, then relaxed in the Piazza della Rotonda outside with a coffee. It’s the perfect, low-stress, awe-inspiring afternoon stop after the high-stress, high-security Colosseum.

My biggest piece of advice on combining them is all about prioritizing your booking. Spend all your effort securing your morning Colosseum slot (especially if you want the Underground or Arena). The Pantheon is easy to get into in the afternoon. So, book your Colosseum tour first, then just build the rest of your day around it. Don’t worry about pre-booking the Pantheon unless you specifically need a guided tour inside. We just walked up and were inside in 5 minutes.

Here’s our exact successful itinerary from last year:
8:30 AM: Enter Colosseum (pre-booked tour).
1:00 PM: Finish Palatine Hill. Grab light lunch near Forum exit.
2:00 PM: Taxi to the Pantheon area.
2:30 PM: Pantheon visit.
3:30 PM: Walk to Trevi Fountain (very close!) and Piazza Navona (also very close!).
It makes for a long day, but it’s highly efficient and hits the major landmarks without feeling too rushed. I highly recommend wrapping it up in the Piazza Navona area for dinner—great vibe and close to both the Pantheon and Trevi.

If you want to avoid traffic/taxis and save some money, you can use the Metro! Take Line B from Colosseo to Termini, then Line A from Termini towards Flaminio. Get off at Spagna (Spanish Steps). From there, the walk to the Pantheon is only about 10 minutes and you pass a ton of nice shops and cafes. It’s less door-to-door than a taxi, but it’s cheap and reliable. We found it a nice way to decompress after the intense Colosseum experience.

To answer your question directly: Yes, it is extremely realistic and highly recommended. I consider the Colosseum (Ancient Rome’s power center) and the Pantheon (Rome’s architectural masterpiece and religious heart) to be the two pillars of any first-time Rome visit. You just need a great pair of shoes and a solid plan for that middle-of-the-day transport. Don’t try to squeeze in a big lunch; keep it light, and you’ll have an incredible and efficient day!