A visit to Rome can be daunting, with so much history, art and architecture that a week is barely enough time to scratch its surface . Guided tours can help to better organize your time and avoid a frenzied rush around town. Whether self-guided or professionally led, tours allow visitors to see more of what they are interested in, and to learn about what they see.
Rome by Bus
For an overview of Rome's major historic and artistic sites, Rome's transit system operates the 110 Open line, a double-decker bus with accompanying audio guide in eight languages. This handy bus line circulates every 20 minutes between 8:30 am and 8:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased on board for 20 Euros (free for kids under 5) and are good for a full 24 hours from the time of purchase; visitors can hop on or off the bus at any official bus stop. The Archeobus offers a similar 'hop on-hop off' audio tour, hitting Rome's most important archeological sites, including those along the Appian Way (15 Euros for a 24-hour ticket).
The Roma Cristiana bus offers visitors a two-hour audio tour of Rome's major Christian sites (16 Euros; kids under 10 free). The 'Vatican and Rome' card combines Roma Cristiana with city buses, trains, metros and trams for an entire day (19 Euros) or three days (25 Euros). You can also buy a Vatican Card that includes admission to the Vatican itself for further savings.
Private Tours of Rome
For a more in-depth look at Rome, walking tours are immensely popular, as the city's historical center is largely inaccessible to vehicles.
Rome Walks offers a range of group and private walking tours designed to help visitors to make the most out of their limited time in Rome.
Popular itineraries include the former Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere, a walk through Vatican City and the Twilight Rome Walk, an early evening stroll through some of Rome's most romantic sites at dusk.
Private guide Iris Carulli, art historian and food connoisseur, has been described as a 'Roman geisha'. She leads customized didactic excursions through Rome's little-known nooks and crannies, as well as exciting culinary jaunts through the city's oldest food markets.
Self-guided Itineraries
Armed with a good map and comfortable shoes, it is easy to design your own Rome itinerary. Whether you are interested in religious sites, the ancient world, baroque art or modern entertainment, Rome has a lot to offer travelers with a little patience and a keen sense of adventure. While it is impossible to take in all of Rome in a short stay, these easy self-guided walks provide a good base for further sightseeing.
A short hop: From Saint Peter's Basilica through Bernini's embracing piazza and down Via della Concilazione with its grand churches and palazzi to Castel Sant' Angelo.
Back in time: Follow the labyrinthine warren of streets from the ancient Trastevere quarter across the Ponte Sisto, a Renaissance walking bridge filled with local flavor, to the glorious Campo de' Fiori, Rome's quintessential square, which pulses with food, wine and laughter all night and day. Continue on to Piazza Navona, the ancient stadium of Domitian - now home to Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers. From there, wander through Caravaggio country (and see his work in the churches of San Luigi dei Francesi and Sant' Agostino), ending up at the Pantheon.
As the Romans do: For locals, no Sunday evening is complete without a sunset passeggiata up the Via del Corso, an ancient straight road now lined with fashionable shops. Start at the late 19th century Vittoriano, the monument to King Vittorio Emanuele II (also known as the 'wedding cake') in Piazza Venezia, and proceed north, stopping off at the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, Piazza Colonna and the recently restored Galleria Umberto I. Two blocks beyond the Galleria, throw some coins in the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to Rome, then head back to the Via Del Corso for a high-fashion stroll towards Piazza del Popolo with its twin churches and Egyptian obelisk.
Rome by Bus
For an overview of Rome's major historic and artistic sites, Rome's transit system operates the 110 Open line, a double-decker bus with accompanying audio guide in eight languages. This handy bus line circulates every 20 minutes between 8:30 am and 8:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased on board for 20 Euros (free for kids under 5) and are good for a full 24 hours from the time of purchase; visitors can hop on or off the bus at any official bus stop. The Archeobus offers a similar 'hop on-hop off' audio tour, hitting Rome's most important archeological sites, including those along the Appian Way (15 Euros for a 24-hour ticket).
The Roma Cristiana bus offers visitors a two-hour audio tour of Rome's major Christian sites (16 Euros; kids under 10 free). The 'Vatican and Rome' card combines Roma Cristiana with city buses, trains, metros and trams for an entire day (19 Euros) or three days (25 Euros). You can also buy a Vatican Card that includes admission to the Vatican itself for further savings.
Private Tours of Rome
For a more in-depth look at Rome, walking tours are immensely popular, as the city's historical center is largely inaccessible to vehicles.
Rome Walks offers a range of group and private walking tours designed to help visitors to make the most out of their limited time in Rome.
Popular itineraries include the former Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere, a walk through Vatican City and the Twilight Rome Walk, an early evening stroll through some of Rome's most romantic sites at dusk.
Private guide Iris Carulli, art historian and food connoisseur, has been described as a 'Roman geisha'. She leads customized didactic excursions through Rome's little-known nooks and crannies, as well as exciting culinary jaunts through the city's oldest food markets.
Self-guided Itineraries
Armed with a good map and comfortable shoes, it is easy to design your own Rome itinerary. Whether you are interested in religious sites, the ancient world, baroque art or modern entertainment, Rome has a lot to offer travelers with a little patience and a keen sense of adventure. While it is impossible to take in all of Rome in a short stay, these easy self-guided walks provide a good base for further sightseeing.
A short hop: From Saint Peter's Basilica through Bernini's embracing piazza and down Via della Concilazione with its grand churches and palazzi to Castel Sant' Angelo.
Back in time: Follow the labyrinthine warren of streets from the ancient Trastevere quarter across the Ponte Sisto, a Renaissance walking bridge filled with local flavor, to the glorious Campo de' Fiori, Rome's quintessential square, which pulses with food, wine and laughter all night and day. Continue on to Piazza Navona, the ancient stadium of Domitian - now home to Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers. From there, wander through Caravaggio country (and see his work in the churches of San Luigi dei Francesi and Sant' Agostino), ending up at the Pantheon.
As the Romans do: For locals, no Sunday evening is complete without a sunset passeggiata up the Via del Corso, an ancient straight road now lined with fashionable shops. Start at the late 19th century Vittoriano, the monument to King Vittorio Emanuele II (also known as the 'wedding cake') in Piazza Venezia, and proceed north, stopping off at the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, Piazza Colonna and the recently restored Galleria Umberto I. Two blocks beyond the Galleria, throw some coins in the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to Rome, then head back to the Via Del Corso for a high-fashion stroll towards Piazza del Popolo with its twin churches and Egyptian obelisk.
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