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Self-Guided Rome Walking Tours

free walking tours of rome italy

In this post, we provide you with free, self-guided central Rome walking tours with a printable sightseeing map as well as an audio tour option for smartphones.

You can use these to discover the city at your own pace (or) as a preview for what you will see on a live-guided tour.

Check out our free walking tours of Rome .

We have 4 other self-guided tours that we hope you will consider.

  • Vatican City + St. Peter's Basilica
  • Jewish Ghetto

SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF ROME'S CENTRE

This self-guided tour will lead you through some of Rome’s main attractions, from the Spanish Steps through Trevi Fountain to Campo de’ Fiori.

All in all, there are lots of sights along the way covering more than two thousand years of history.

Self Guided Tour Rome

Here are a few of the sites you can expect to see on this tour:

  • Piazza Navona
  • The Pantheon
  • Trevi Fountain
  • Spanish Steps
  • Venice Square
  • Campo de’ Fiori

free walking tours of rome italy

We also have our own audio tour where you can find a more in-depth GPS-led audio tour version. Here's a sample.

Purchase an audio tour here

There are also daily guided free tours both day and night that really operate on the pay-what-you-like model. 

Tours listed below are run through us. More guided tours are available here .

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This 15-stop, self-guided tour will lead you through some of Rome’s main attractions, from the Spanish Steps through Trevi Fountain to Campo de’ Fiori, with lots of sights along the way covering more than two thousand years of history.

It’s best to set aside 2-3 hours for walking this route.

You’ll be seeing plenty of both tourists and Romans as you walk, and both groups make good people-watching, not to mention plenty of chances for photos, coffee, gelato, and historical color.

Walking Map of Central Rome

Click on the map to enlarge or download it to a smartphone.

If you haven’t done much walking in the older parts of Rome yet, the ancient layout of these streets can be confusing.

Streets are winding, pedestrians and cars often share space, and you’ll regularly find your way into piazzas, the large open squares Rome is organized around.

You can get this tour with directions in 3 ways:

  • Download this tour to the Google Maps App ( link ).
  • Download a PDF version .
  • Purchase an Audio Tour

We will be orienting you relative to buildings and with the help of street names, which you’ll see on signs up above eye level.

As far as timing, this tour can be enjoyed any time the sun is up, and some of the piazzas are lively even after dark.

Crowds can be a limiting factor throughout this walk; if you want to start things off on a quiet note, the Spanish Steps, one of our first stops, tend to be at their quietest early in the morning, briefly during lunch, and around sunset.

free walking tours of rome italy

The tour begins at the Spagna metro station.

As you emerge from the western side of the building, you can look to your right and get a full view of the Villa Medici, not far down the street.

Rome Travel Tips Facebook Group

1. VILLA MEDICI

The Villa Medici, along with the Villa Borghese (which houses the Galleria Borghese) beyond it, stands on the site of the Gardens of Lucullus, created more than two thousand years ago, back when Romans saw gardening as a strange new hobby imported from Persia.

But the house you see today is built in 1576 after the land had been a quiet vineyard for centuries.

Villa Medici Rear

Villa Medici Rear

Houses like the Villa Medici were designed with ancient styles in mind, and inside, they often displayed the ancient relics found in the earth dug up to lay foundations.

The Medicis and Borgheses were some of Italy’s most powerful families during the Renaissance and beyond.

The Medici clan included bankers, nobility, and popes. But they’re remembered mostly for their support for the arts and sciences.

The Villa Medici offers guided tours daily, lasting about 90 minutes and available in different languages at different times.

It’s open every day but Monday and standard admission is 12 Euros.

Villa Borghese is home to the third-largest public park in Rome; admission is free and it’s accessible from dawn to dusk daily.

There are several things to see and do here in the park.

free walking tours of rome italy

Most notably, it’s home to the Galleria Borghese , where you can see plenty of art and artifacts from both the Classical and Renaissance eras, plus several other museums and galleries.

The Villa Giulia contains a museum to the Etruscans, a rival culture of the early Romans.

In addition to the museums, there’s a zoo and a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater on the grounds.

2. SPANISH STEPS

For many foreigners, the Spanish Steps are visual shorthand for Rome; they’re used in lots of movies and TV shows, starting with Roman Holiday back in 1953.

This was a natural hillside as recently as 1723. Before the steps were built, this was the slope of the Pincio Hill, one of many hills around Rome.

The 138 steps were built in the 18th century and got their name due to the adjacent Spanish Embassy.

Unfortunately as of 2019, you can no longer sit on the Spanish Steps. Violaters can receive a fine as high as €400.

Eating on the steps is also banned.

At the bottom of the steps sits the Piazza di Spagna and the Fontana della Barcaccia , which means “Fountain of the Long Boat.”

The legend goes that the design of the fountain comes from a boat washed into this piazza by a flood of the Tiber River.

SPANISH STEPS

This is the first of many fountains that we’ll see, and it’s designed by Pietro Bernini in the 17 th century, before the steps.

Pietro Bernini is the father of famous architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, whose work we’ll also see plenty of.

When you get to the bottom, look up the stairs for a view of that French church at the top, called Trinita dei Monti.

If you look to the right side of the steps from the bottom, you’ll see a peach-colored building, the Keats-Shelley Museum. English poet John Keats arrived to live here in 1820.

If a café stop is in order before you go any further, the Antico Caffe Greco near the bottom of the stairs was one of his hangouts.

When you’re done here, walk away from the steps and past the fountain. Turn left and you’ll see the piazza narrowing toward a freestanding column, the Column of the Immaculate Conception.

3. COLUMN OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION AND PIAZZA MIGNANELLI

The Column of the Immaculate Conception is the centerpiece of the small Piazza Mignanelli that opens from the corner of the Piazza di Spagna.

COLUMN OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

The statue on top of the column is a bronze Virgin Mary. Mary, the mother of Jesus, occupies a central place in Catholic belief.

And this statue of her was built in 1857 to commemorate the Pope’s recent declaration of the Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception: the idea that Mary, uniquely among human beings, was born without original sin.

Original sin is visible in the monument in the form of the snake Mary is stepping on.

Below her are the authors of the four Biblical gospels, and still further down are four prophets said to have foretold her birth, with reliefs depicting four phases of her story below them.

Depending on when you’re here, there’s a small chance you’ll see a wreath of flowers on the statue.

December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception; each year on that day, the Pope visits this spot along with the head of the fire department, which originally erected the column, and they leave the wreath behind.

The building beyond the column is the Palazzo di Propaganda Fide – the Palace of the Propagation of the Faith.

This is a Vatican property – you can tell from the yellow flag on the front – and for a long time, it was the home of a church division responsible for missionary work and evangelism.

4. AQUEDUCT RUINS

Looking down at this spot, you can see something that an ancient Roman would have had to look up at.

The aqueducts – imperial Rome’s famous system for bringing clean water into the city – relied on gravity to work.

So, water was sometimes flowing over the heads of the people who were going to consume it, with roads passing under the arches you can see the top of from here.

Being by a river, Rome has flooded many times through the millennia, piling sediment each time, hiding but also preserving the ancient city.

The fence here limits the view, but above the arch, you can maybe see an inscription with the word “Germanicus” just readable at the near end.

This is one of the names of the emperor Claudius, who the inscription credits with rebuilding this stretch of the Aqua Virgo, the system of aqueducts built to bring water to the newly urbanizing Campus Martius after it was incorporated into the city.

AQUEDUCT RUINS

To achieve this, Roman engineers had to build a system of gentle slopes across long distances of irregular terrain, including crossing rivers, bringing convenience, comfort, and health within reach of Rome’s residents.

This knowledge was lost with the fall of Rome; with the Renaissance, writings about the aqueducts were rediscovered.

Across Via del Nazareno from these ruins is a tiny door, used to enter the rebuilt Acqua Vergine, the Renaissance replacement for the ancient system.

And in a moment, you’ll see another piece of that system: a fountain meant to put this reborn marvel of engineering on display.

5. TREVI FOUNTAIN

There’s likely to be a crowd around when you reach the Trevi Fountain, and even in the absence of people, the water can make it a loud spot. Find a view of the fountain from the front.

free walking tours of rome italy

The main statue in the fountain depicts the god Oceanus. Below him, you can see his retinue of tritons, men mixed with fish.

The one on the right is blowing a shell to announce their arrival. And the wild creature each of them is struggling with is called a hippocampus, a horse mixed with a fish.

In this case, they also have wings. Greco-Roman mythology tells that horses were the creation of the god of the ocean.

The fountain is the end of the Acqua Vergine aqueduct, the recreation of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct. And the design of the fountain tells that story.

Above the statues, on either side, you can see reliefs – the one on the left is a man with a scroll, showing plans for the aqueducts, and on the right, a woman points out a flow of freshwater to a group of men.

She’s the Virgo, the young woman, in Aqua Virgo – the legend is that when Roman surveyors looked for a source of water, a young woman led them to a spring, and the resulting aqueduct was named for her.

The statue on the left of Oceanus represents Abundance – she has a cornucopia full of fruit, and on the ground beside her is an urn spilling water.

On the right is Health, who’s holding a bowl with a snake drinking from it – snakes were ancient symbols of medicine.

Overall, the story is of the power of Rome to tame the forces of nature and bring them to the benefit of the city’s people.

As you see it, the fountain dates from 1762, and it started as a showpiece for the Renaissance project of rebuilding the aqueducts.

But it was such a massive endeavor that it took more than a century, plus many financiers and designers, to make it happen.

And it takes steady renovations to keep it looking sharp – as of the latest one in 2015, the fountain is lit at night.

Like the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain owes some of its fame to a film – in this case, La Dolce Vita by Federico Fellini (see the video above).

If you’ve seen the movie, you won’t be surprised to hear that dancing in the fountain, or entering it in any way, is illegal.

And as for drinking: yes, these fountains were once the source for public drinking water, but for your own sake, wait for one of Rome’s other great works of water infrastructure, the nasoni – little drinking fountains located all over town.

Trevi Fountain is home to lots and lots of coins - visitors observe a tradition of throwing change into the fountain, hoping for good luck and the promise of a return to Rome.

Usually, coins are thrown backward over your shoulder, so make sure the coast is clear before you participate in this tradition, and watch out for other coin-tossers nearby.

And the money, totaling more than three thousand Euros per day, goes to Caritas Roma, a Catholic charity supporting the poor and homeless.

6. GALLERIA ALBERTO SORDI

All that’s columned is not ancient, as evidenced by this shopping mall, opened in 1922 and built in a style of Art Nouveau that borrows from multiple phases of Rome’s historic architecture.

free walking tours of rome italy

That design continues into the inside, where you can find a stained glass ceiling above stores selling plenty of Rome’s signature high-end fashion.

It’s an easy place to step inside if you need to cool off or to use the restrooms. 

You can also find several places serving the classic cappuccino and cornetto - Italian croissants, which locals eat in the morning, and tourists are allowed any time of day.

The mall got its current name in 2003 after the death of Alberto Sordi, a classic actor of Italian comedy films.

When you’re ready to move on, go back outside the way you came in and cross the street toward the Marcus Aurelius Column.

7. MARCUS AURELIUS COLUMN

The Marcus Aurelius column is much thicker than many similar monuments you’ll see around the city.

That’s because it’s hollow, with a spiral stairway inside that once allowed a climb to the top.

MARCUS AURELIUS COLUMN

The spiral is also on the outside – you can see an unbelievably detailed relief up and down the length of the column. It shows battles led by Marcus Aurelius against the barbarians.

“Barbarian” is a broad term today, and it was broad for the Romans, too. These particular wars were against Germanic and Persian groups.

But the collective term “barbarian” could apply to almost any culture, and the word comes from “barbar,” meaning “blah blah” – so “barbarian” just meant “people who talk languages that don’t make sense.”

And the sculpture does not spare the details of the barbarian experience – towns are burning, women and children are running, and surviving soldiers are bent and horrified at the power of the empire.

MARCUS AURELIUS COLUMN

The column was probably finished after Marcus Aurelius’ death, and at that time, it would have been the least of his honors in this area – near here stood the Temple of Marcus Aurelius.

After their deaths, most Roman emperors were declared gods and worshipped.

Nothing remains of that temple now, but temples to other Roman emperors do still remain.

Like all the ancient structures in the area, this column has been affected by floods and rising sediment, so several meters of it are below ground.

The statue on top is not Marcus Aurelius, but the Christian St. Paul, added when this monument received its own Renaissance restoration.

8. PALAZZO MONTECITORIO AND OBELISK OF MONTECITORIO

This obelisk is genuinely Egyptian, made in the 6 th century BC and brought here five centuries later.

Earlier we mentioned that obelisks represented the divinity of Egyptian pharaohs.

The head of the Egyptian gods was Ra, the god of the sun, and this obelisk was used in Rome as part of an enormous sundial.

PALAZZO MONTECITORIO

Like the others, it fell, was buried, and then was rediscovered, and like the others, it doesn’t stand at its original location

Today, there’s a meridian on the ground, pointing toward the piazza’s largest building, to nod at its former use.

The building that meridian points toward is the Palazzo Montecitorio. This palace is the home of the Chamber of Deputies, one of Italy’s two houses of Parliament.

Rome has been Italy’s capital since 1870, shortly after the Italian unification, when the many small, conflicting states in the region, separate since the fall of the Roman Empire, first joined into a single country.

The building itself, at least the part you can see, is much older – it’s another Renaissance creation.

And it’s originally the work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a Baroque architect, and sculptor we’ve mentioned, who also had a hand in the Trevi Fountain.

I also mentioned his father, who was another sculptor and who saw talent in Gian Lorenzo from a young age, giving him the benefit of early study and a long, prolific career.

Bernini’s sculptures are around the world, and his architecture is all over Rome.

He’s responsible for parts of St. Peter’s Basilica, the piazza outside of it, and a fountain in the Piazza Navona, which we’ll see soon, just to name a few.

This building shows the style he cultivated and which many others imitated, but if you got past the front door, everything you’d see is 20 th -century Art Nouveau.

Apart from the façade, the building was completely remade to suit the needs of parliament.

9. PANTHEON

The name “Pantheon” is Greek, not Latin, meaning “for all the gods.”

The source of the name is uncertain – most temples were dedicated just to one god, not all of them together.

And there’s no record of how it was used in the 2 nd century AD when it was finished under Emperor Hadrian.

PANTHEON

And Hadrian was rebuilding an earlier temple, and the inscription above the entrance still dates from that nearly 2,000-year-old version.

You can still read the name of Agrippa, who ordered the original temple built.

You can also tell its age because it sits below the level of most of the ground around it, whereas originally it was elevated.

There are a couple of reasons why it’s lasted so long.

First, in the 7 th century, when many ancient buildings were being abandoned or destroyed, the Pantheon became a Christian church, dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs; for a while it even had bell towers on the outside.

Even then, its refitting as a church meant the removal and destruction of many objects its new users considered unholy.

The other factor in its preservation is that the structure itself is built to last.

The dome on top is made of concrete, with thicker layers of heavier materials near the bottom, then gradually thinner and lighter going up.

It’s still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.

PANTHEON

You can’t see it from outside, but at the very top of the dome is an opening, called the oculus or the eye.

Besides lightening the weight of the structure, it also means that from inside, you can see the sky and whatever the sky is doing.

Around noon, a dramatic beam of light becomes the centerpiece, assuming the sky is clear.

If the sky is not clear, then the weather comes in.

Standing inside during rain or snow can be magical ( video ), and also relatively peaceful since many visitors to town won’t want to make the trek to the Pantheon on foot during a storm.

If you go inside, you’ll see the altar, apses, and other markers of an active Catholic church.

Among the statues are markers of burial places, including the artist Raphael and the first two kings of unified Italy: Vittorio Emmanuele II and his son, Umberto I.

You can get lots more detail on the many features of the interior by taking a tour.

Live tours are plentiful, and just inside, you can get access to an official audio tour that’s affordable and detailed. There’s also an excellent free audio tour from Rick Steves .

If you just want to absorb the visuals, you can go in on your own. Regardless, you’re asked to keep silent while you’re inside.

It’s open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 am - 19:30 (7:30 pm), and Sunday 9:00 am - 18:00 (6 pm), and as of July 2020, it’s free to enter.

The Pantheon also hosts mass twice a week, at 17:00 (5 pm) on Saturday and 10:30 am on Sunday.

Outside the Pantheon is another obelisk, this one originally standing at a Temple of Ra in Heliopolis, Egypt, then at a temple to the Egyptian goddess Isis here in Rome, and then, finally, here in the Piazza della Rotonda.

10. CHURCH OF ST. LOUIS OF THE FRENCH

The Church of San Luigi delle Francese is dedicated to several saints, but the name refers to Louis IX, the sainted king of France.

It’s another beneficiary of the Medici family’s donations and one of many cases of European powers creating and having an honorary connection to major buildings in Rome.

CHURCH OF ST. LOUIS OF THE FRENCH

Among the many separate states that used to make up present-day Italy, there were the Papal States.

These were territories ruled by the pope in a non-religious capacity, on top of his role as a religious leader across the whole Catholic world.

Rome was the center of the Papal States, and today, it still contains the church’s political territory, Vatican City.

But when the Holy See was the main power here, churches like these represented a kind of embassy from other Catholic countries.

The church you see today dates from 1589, but it’s on a site used for the same purpose for possibly centuries before.

At ground level on the left, you can see a statue of Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor.

11. PIAZZA NAVONA

As you enter Piazza Navona, there are lots of possible first impressions, but I’ll suggest starting with the big picture.

You’ve seen piazzas in plenty of irregular shapes, but this one has the form of a long, narrow oval.

In the first century AD, this was a racecourse, part of the Stadium of Domitian, Rome’s first permanent stadium for athletic competitions.

If you go a block out of the piazza to the north – to your right – from the smaller Piazza di Tor Sanguigna, looking south, you can see some ruins of the stadium under a modern building. There is also a museum .

Besides those ruins, the oldest thing you can see is the Palazzo Pamphilj, the building on the opposite side from where you arrived on the far left.

This was the family home of 17 th -century Pope Innocent X, and most of what you see in the piazza came from him improving his stomping grounds.

His work benefitted the general public in a way since this piazza was the city’s official public market.

But on the other hand, famines in that era meant that as these buildings were under construction, there wasn’t always food in those markets. Innocent’s home is now the Brazilian Embassy.

free walking tours of rome italy

Sant’ Agnese in Agone (center) Palazzo Pamphilj (left)

He’s also responsible for the church to the right of his home, Sant’ Agnese in Agone. The Saint Agnes in the name of the church has a legendary connection with the Stadium of Domitian.

The Stadium contained brothels, and in the early years of Christianity, when the religion was still illegal in the Roman empire.

Agnes is said to have been punished for her religion by being sent there, only to have her hair miraculously grow to cover her body when she was stripped. 

PIAZZA NAVONA

Fontana del Nettuno

The other famous feature of the Piazza Navona is its fountains.

At your right is the Fontana del Nettuno or the Fountain of Neptune, which shows the god of the ocean wrestling a sea monster, along with our old friend the hippocampus, and other water creatures.

The fountain itself is part of that 17 th -century burst of improvements, but the statues are added much later.

On your left is the Fontana del Moro or Fountain of the Moor, added at the same time, again with later statuary.

Fontana del Moro

And in the middle is the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi or the Fountain of the Four Rivers.  Here we’re in Bernini’s hands again, and we get to see him as both architect and sculptor.

The Four Rivers in the name are the four corners of the monument, each representing a river in what Romans of the 17 th century considered the four parts of the world: the Danube in Europe, the Nile in Africa, the Ganges in Asia, and the Rio de la Plata in South America.

Italian explorers were very much in demand for expeditions to the New World, even if they sailed under other flags.

The details around each statue give a hint of which is which, and you can also see the expressiveness and sense of movement that Bernini’s sculptures are famous for.

All four are in submission, more or less willingly, to the obelisk at the center, which, like others we’ve seen, has a cross on top and so symbolizes the divine authority of the Church in Rome.

If you’d like a view of Piazza Navona from on high, the Brazilian Embassy has a rooftop bar that’s open to the public, and there’s also an optional view from our next stop.

When you’re ready, we’ll leave the piazza from the southern end, by the Fontana del Moro.

Once you have all three fountains behind you, turn right and leave the piazza on the Via di Pasquino, along the edge of the Brazilian Embassy.

When you reach an intersection, look on your left for a damaged statue behind a small chained barricade.

Pasquino

This is Pasquino, the namesake of the street. He’s older than any building you’ve seen, dug up and put on display in the 15 th century.

He’s one of Rome’s “talking statues” – several places where it’s popular to post statements of protest, often in poetic form, and to get attention for your thoughts while remaining anonymous.

12. MUSEO DI ROMA – PALAZZO BRASCHI

The Palazzo Braschi was built as a home for the nephew of Pope Pius IX.

Along with the Piazza Navona, this was an example of popes exercising their political power to the benefit of their own family, and in this case, unlike the piazza, it was a purely private benefit.

PALAZZO BRASCHI

Uses of power like this were part of what drove the wave of revolutions across Europe in the late 18 th century and onward.

And that laid the groundwork for the Italian unification, which took some material power away from the popes. But the chance to abuse power fell into other hands.

In the early 20 th century, this building was the headquarters of Benito Mussolini, the head of Italy’s fascist government.

During that time, the building had a massive image of Mussolini’s face on the side.

When that government fell after World War II, the city of Rome took over this property, and today it’s part of the Museum of Rome.

If you’re thinking about entering the museum, one of the attractions is a view over Piazza Navona from the second and third floors. You can also get a view of the piazza’s past from here.

PALAZZO BRASCHI

The museum’s modest collection includes documentation of many bygone Roman scenes, including what Piazza Navona looked like before Pope Innocent, as well as what many historic sites looked like before a burst of demolitions in the early 20 th century.

If your interest in Rome is at all to do with the layers of its history and how a modern city lives alongside the relics of its own past, this museum is worth your time, and the interior of the building itself is a beautiful bonus.

Information is available in English as well as Italian. It’s open 10:00 am - 19:00 (7 pm) every day but Monday and costs 11 Euros to enter.

13. LARGO DI TORRE ARGENTINA

Innocuous as it is, this spot is one of the most read-about places in Rome, if not the most visited.

The ruins here include part of the Portico of Pompey, the place where Julius Caesar was stabbed to death in 44 BC.

Pompey, the building’s namesake, who you’ll hear more about soon, was Julius Caesar’s rival in a civil war, and after Caesar’s victory, Caesar was declared dictator.

LARGO DI TORRE ARGENTINA

Just a few years later, he was murdered, leading to a period of war that ended Rome’s time as a republic.

If you’re familiar with the story, you may remember that Julius Caesar was stabbed on the steps of the Senate.

At the time, the senate was temporarily meeting here, since the usual senate building was under a renovation that Caesar had ordered.

The spot was lost until 1929 when a demolition uncovered it. It also contains the remains of four temples, devoted to Roman gods that are less famous today.

But emperors and gods aside, people usually show up for the main attraction – cats!

As soon as the site was unearthed, a horde of homeless cats moved in, and today, it’s a shelter for mostly the injured and abused. Volunteers take care of feeding, healthcare, and spaying and neutering.

There’s a stairway that leads down into a gift shop and adoption area , where you can donate, meet volunteers, or hang out with the cats themselves.

14. THEATER OF POMPEY

You have to use your imagination for this part. Ancient Roman theaters were semicircular, with dozens of tiers of seats looking down toward a central half-circle stage.

An actor walking the lip of the stage could look at all the thousands of people in the theater in just a few steps.

Most theaters were temporary, but the first permanent one was the Theater of Pompey, and you’re walking the edge of its stage. That shape is the only remnant of the theater visible from here.

THEATER OF POMPEY

We mentioned Pompey at our last stop – his name was on the building where Julius Caesar was stabbed.

Pompey was a contemporary of Caesar’s, also a war hero to the Romans. After one of his victories, he announced he would build a theater for the public.

Theaters were popular but regarded as centers of vice, so permanent theater buildings were illegal within the city.

But Pompey built his in the Campus Martius, outside the city, and combined in a single facility a theater, a temple to Venus, a garden, and a sort of museum, with art representing great Roman works of the past and the many places Pompey had helped conquer for Rome.

So the place was also sort of a temple to Pompey himself. You’ll be able to see a tiny vestige from our next stop.

15. CAMPO DE’ FIORI

As you emerge into Campo de’ Fiori, look over your right shoulder at the short side of the piazza.

From the short buildings nearest to you, they get gradually taller to the left, and the walls meet at odd angles.

At one spot, you can see exposed, corroded brick – that’s a fragment of the Temple of Venus that once stood at the top of the Theater of Pompey.

The name Campo de’ Fiori is also ancient – before the theater was built, this area was a campo, meaning a field, of fiori, meaning flowers.

From there, we jump to the 16 th century, which is the era of the shrouded figure you see standing on a pedestal halfway along the piazza.

That’s Giordano Bruno, a Dominican priest who was schooled in Naples, but became a wanderer of Europe after he found out the Inquisition was investigating him.

As a student, he had read forbidden works and argued unpopular positions, and his vagabond life sent him further down that road.

He claimed that the earth revolved around the sun, that the universe was infinite and contained many little systems like ours, and that everything big and small was made of tiny, similar particles arranged in different ways, with an invisible force holding them together – which in his eyes was God.

After years on the road, he returned home, and the Inquisition imprisoned him for seven years, tried him as a heretic, and burned him at the stake where the statue stands now.

The statue dates from soon after the unification and therefore secularization of Italy, and it was arranged by a group of Roman students, who sought out the help of a few famous writers in bringing attention to the cause.

They positioned it facing toward Vatican City. The inscription in Latin reads, “To Bruno, from the era he predicted, here where the fire burned.”

It’s still a rallying point for all kinds of nonconformist groups and causes today.

The beauty of an Italian piazza is that a story like that can be commemorated in the middle and a million other things are going on all around it.

Campo de’ Fiori is an eventful marketplace with cafes, restaurants, and people-watching galore. After all this exploring, maybe it’s time for those things, in which case you have lots of choices within view.

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About The Author

free walking tours of rome italy

Stephen Pickhardt

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New Rome Free Tour

Welcome to the first and oldest FREE WALKING TOUR in Rome and Italy

Walking tours & activities in, private, group and free tours in the eternal city, more than 10 tours daily, showing you the eternal city   enjoy authentic local experiences .

Since 2009 NEW ROME FREE TOUR , with over 10 tours (free, private and customized tours in english and other languages) offered daily, the oldest and the most reviewed free tour of the Eternal City and in Italy, with the best local freelance and licensed tour guides, who passionately share the city’s history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style.

WALKING TOURS IN ROME

free walking tours of rome italy

Ancient Rome Free Guided Tour Daily at 10.00 AM

Visit with a licensed and professional guide, the archeological areas of the Roman and Imperial Fora, the Colosseum and more, on a 2-hour tour.

free walking tours of rome italy

Sunset City Centre Free Guided Tour Daily at 5.00 pm

Explore the Fountains and Squares of Rome as Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Navona square, idden jems and more, on a 2-hour tour.

Recorrido gratuito en Espanol Diariamente à la 5.00 de la tarde

Exploring Vatican CityFree Guided Tour

Exploring Vatican City Free Guided Tour Daily

Coming soon

free walking tours of rome italy

Monti and Trastevere Free Food Tours Daily

Street Food Free Tours and Cooking Classes in the Eternal City From the first and original free tour, the most affordable food tours in Rome.

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Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Small Group Tours

Be astounded as you discover the masterpieces and secrets that for millennia have been secured within the fortified walls of Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel.

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Skip-the-Line Colosseum Small Group Tour & Entry to Roman Forum More

Travel back to the days of the Roman Empire on a 2-hour. Hear stories of the gladiator fights and Roman emperors.

free walking tours of rome italy

Fun Guided Tours for Families with Kids

We craft engaging tours using guides who know how to open young people’s eyes, ears and hearts so they can fully appreciate Roman history, art and culture

PRIVATE, SCHOOL GROUP AND EDUCATIONAL TOURS

free walking tours of rome italy

Colosseum Underground

The Colosseum will have no more secrets for you after this tour that includes all the levels from the dungeons to the top.

free walking tours of rome italy

Colosseum and Rome Underground

Visit the Colosseum and the underground Rome 20 meters below the modern City. This is one of the most spectacular tour.

free walking tours of rome italy

Private Vatican Tour

Visit wings and collections where usually groups never go. Explore, in a private tour, the Museums, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s.

free walking tours of rome italy

Secret Rome

Closed doors are opened, locked gates are magically unlocked. With our guides discover the secret beauty of Rome.

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Augustus House

This our is an high tailored experience to let you explore the House of Emperor Augustus with its wonderful frescos.

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Squares of Rome Small Group Tour With Street Food, Tiramisù and Gelato

Explore the Baroque squares and fountains of Rome on a 2-hour walking tour, with the best pizza, gelato and tiramisu in town.

free walking tours of rome italy

Monti Street Food & Ancient Rome Small Group Guided Tour

Join a guided 2-hour walking and eating tour in the historical neighborhood renowned for its local scene and travel back to the days of the Roman Empire.

free walking tours of rome italy

School Groups and Educational Tours

We do not claim to be the market leader specialising in School and Educational Tours. We are the market leader. We also have the most experienced team.

TICKETS & ACTIVITIES

Discover the many faces of rome with a passionate local guide.

If it’s romantic fountains, wide piazzas, shopping, culture and culinary masterpieces you’re after, Rome is the place for you.

You’ll be a Roman in no time no matter which of our tours you choose. Step back in time as you walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators. Our guides will bring Ancient Rome’s past to life for you as they share stories and interpretations of this fascinating city. Discover Rome with a “local” you’ll wander along the city’s endlessly charming streets and a wealth of landmarks that have stood for more than a thousand years. Whether it’s history, food or art that draws you to Rome, when you take part to one of our day tours, you can be sure that you will experience the absolute best that the city has to offer.

Best of all, you can discover Rome the way you want to, when you explore it with us. We have two daily free tours and  a choice of customized and  private tours to choose from so that you can ensure your Roman experience will be exactly what you dreamed it would be.

Our guides love their job! They will share their passion and enthusiasm with you! and will help you as well  to orientate yourself   when you want to discover more  of the Eternal city.

A must-do when in Rome

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Free Walking Tour of Rome

  • 9.30 / 10 1,608 reviews | 10,214 travellers Competent and very knowledgeable guide. 10 Anonimo

The city of the Caesars, of Baroque and, of course, The Eternal City. Discover Rome with this free walking tour of the Italian capital .

The Trevi Fountain

Description

We'll meet in the central  Piazza di Spagna . We'll learn of the history of this mythical place, internationally known as the backdrop to numerous cinematic scenes, such as Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday .

Our free tour of Rome continues, visiting some of the best-known artistic sites. If Florence is the city of the Renaissance, then the Italian capital is the city of Baroque . We'll learn the characteristics of this art style alongside the Trevi Fountain , the masterwork of sculptor Nicola Salvi. It became all the more famous with its appearance in the Fellini film 'La Dolce Vita' , in which Anita Ekberg bathes in its waters.

On our guided tour of the Eternal City, we'll also get to admire the exterior of one of the best-preserved monuments from Imperial Rome:  Agrippa's Pantheon .

Having taken in some of the other highlighted monuments in the historic centre of the Italian capital, we'll culminate our free tour in Piazza Navona . Which rivers do the fountains of this square represent? Is it true that mock naval battles were celebrated here in the Imperial era? As a final flourish on our tour, we'll reveal the answer to all these questions.

  • Groups of more than 6 people are not allowed on this free tour of Rome. If you're a larger group, please reserve our  private tour  instead.
  • Minors must be accompanied by a parent.
  • Schools and groups of students are not permitted on this free tour.

More Information

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

English–speaking guide

Headphones for participants over 10 years old

Not included

When to book.

You can book up to the start time, as long as there are places remaining. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

  • Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle.
  • Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
  • Uphold fair employment standards.
  • Foster the growth of local communities.
  • Preserve the integrity of local culture.
  • Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
  • Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
  • Operate with honesty and transparency.
  • Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

  • No printing of documentation required.

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Corporate name: Filippo Calabria

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

Q - Is a minimum number of participants required?

A - This activity requires a minimum of 4 participants. Should this number not be reached, we'll get in touch with you to offer alternatives.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

Meeting point.

Piazza di Spagna, on the corner of Via di San Sebastianello

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Join us on the free walking tours of the city - Rome

Discover Rome on our free walking tours provided by our passionate and knowledgeable guides.

Wide range of tours offered every day , with FreeTourRome!

Explore the beautiful and historic city of Rome with our expert and passionate tour guides. Our free walking tour is the perfect way to discover the best of Rome, from ancient ruins to vibrant piazzas.

You will be led through the winding streets and hidden gems of the city, learning about the rich history and culture of Rome along the way. Our knowledgeable guides are dedicated to providing an unforgettable experience, and will be happy to answer all your questions you have about Rome's past and present.

Join us for an experience that you'll never forget and make sure to bring your cameras and a smile. Book now and discover the Eternal City like never before!

This tour includes: The Trevi fountain - Temple of Hadrian - Amazing paintings in the Sant'Ignazio church - Inside the oldest temple of Rome "the Pantheon" - The biggest square in Rome "Piazza Navona" - and much more...

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Discover with peace of mind - Book today and enjoy the flexibility to cancel or modify your plans for FREE.

**The colored ''book now'' buttons explained:

Green = Tour is Available  /  Orange = Only few places Available  /  Red = Tour Not Available  /  Purple = Discounted price

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Rome Free Walking

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Daily Free Walking Tours of Rome

Quick Details

  • Hour Glass Duration: 2 hours
  • User Ages: All ages
  • Info Group size: Up to 20 people
  • Checkmark What to bring: There is a moderate amount of walking involved so please wear comfortable shoes.
  • Info Important to know: It is not possible to book the free walking tour for more than 4 people in the same group. For bigger groups please book the Best of Rome City Tour.

Join our daily Rome walking tour

Discover Rome with our expert tour guides, all licensed and graduated in history of art or archeology.

This is a free tour, the booking cost allows you to secure a spot and to show commitment to our tour, while also covering our online service costs.

Morning Tour

The Morning Free Walking City Tour starts in Piazza di Spagna by the Spanish Steps and ends at Castel Sant’Angelo, overlooking Saint Peter’s Square and Saint Peter’s Dome in the Vatican State.

Our expert tour guides, all licensed and graduated in history of art or archeology, will show you how the places of the Roman Empire have been transformed over the centuries into Papal properties and became symbols of the Pope’s power.

During our free morning tour, you will have the opportunity to see some of the major tourist highlights in Rome. You can admire first of all the “Barcaccia” Fountain and then other memorable sites such as the Victory Column of Marcus Aurelius, Palazzo Chigi and the Temple of Hadrian, a time temple dedicated to the deified Emperor Hadrian and where the remains of the temple have been incorporated into a late Baroque building.

Major highlights

  • Spanish Square
  • The column of Marcus Aurelius
  • Temple of Hadrian
  • Piazza Navona
  • Castel Sant’Angelo with Vatican View

Afternoon City Tour

Our Afternoon Free City Tour starts in Piazza di Spagna by the Spanish Steps and ends at the Colosseum. Along the way, you will see the most beautiful monuments of ancient Rome surrounded by a modern context. Our tour guides will make you discover and follow with your eyes Rome’s transformation over the centuries.

During the afternoon free walking tour, you can admire first of all the famous and monumental Spanish Steps, one of the most fantastic masterpieces you can see in Rome.

In front of the Spanish Steps, you can see one of the marvelous fountains of the Eternal City fed by the Virgin Aqueduct. During this free tour, you will be walking through the historic city center of Rome and see the Ancient Roman Aqueduct built during the 1st Century BC and still working today, while discovering streets and squares with monuments and palaces built during different ages.

Major highlights:

  • Spanish Steps
  • Ancient Roman Aqueduct
  • Trevi Fountain
  • Roman Forum
  • Imperial Forums
  • Tour outside the Colosseum

Meeting point

Can’t miss it! The meeting point is just in front of the Pharmacy. Address: Piazza di Spagna, 30 To the right of the Spanish Steps. Look for the green cross of the Pharmacy. You can find your guide there!  See on Google Maps

Note: *if you need to cancel the tour or move the reservation to another date or time, please send us an e-mail to [email protected] , so we can free your spot for someone else and we can re-book for you so you don’t have to pay again.

Related Tours

  • Info Up to 13 people
  • User All ages
  • Hour Glass 3 hours

Ancient Rome & Colosseum Gladiators Group Tours

Our small-group tour of Ancient Rome with arena access lets you enjoy the wonders of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum, with a rare glimpse at life in Ancient Rome.

  • Info Up to 10 people

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Group Tour

Visit the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums with one of our passionate, knowledgeable guides. Enjoy this must-do tour in Rome with skip-the-line access.

Strawberry Tours

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Which are the best Free walking tours in Rome, Italy?

There’s few places on the planet with such a tactile and rich sense of history and ancient significance as Rome; the many markers of the Roman Empire which still stand today are just some of the breath-taking symbols of Rome’s ancient legacy and reminders of the city’s historical importance. To really get to grips with Rome and its history, heritage, and modern cultural pulse, you simply cannot miss the opportunity to connect with a professional local city guide and taking a walking tour. As in any busy tourist city, there are a number of city tours to choose from here; but in Rome walking tours are the best option, and more specifically free walking tours, as you can roam (sorry) through the Italian capital and soak it all in without the worry of over-paying. So, which are the best free walking tours in Rome? Below, we share our top picks.

Rome Free Walking Tour for introduction, overview & essentials

Rome takes its history seriously, and as such there is strict control around tour guide licenses, so there is always a risk that tours will be interrupted by inspectors and halting tours that are run by non-licensed guides. With New Rome Free Tour that isn’t something to worry about as they are all fully licensed and compliant professional tour guides.

Despite the name, this tour isn’t so new at all, in fact they have been offering daily free city tours in Rome since 2009 and you really get a sense of pride and passion for Rome from these local guides. This tour covers all of the essential must see sights, including Spanish Square, the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, the Temple of Hadrian, the Tomb of the Kings and much more, while revealing the remarkable history and stories, from bloody Gladiator battles in the Colosseum right up to the present cultural metropolis that Rome is today.

This free tour of Rome runs every day at 9:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. and lasts approximately two hours, starting at the Spanish steps.

Other Free walking Tours in Rome

If you want to delve a little further into Rome than a thorough overview, then you might consider joining the provider Free Tour Rome to explore the Jewish district and Trastvere which takes an in depth look at the Jewish ghetto and the vastly important legacy of Jews in Rome, as well as visiting key sights like Piazza Venezia, Theatre of Marcello, and much more. The same company also offer a free Vatican tour at night, which I guess can be an interesting way to spend an evening in Rome. In both cases, you can only join with an online booking which incurs a fee of €2.50, and you only receive notification of the meeting point after booking. Why all the mystery? I’m not certain, but they have been operating for many years, are run by top-notch tour guides, and have many satisfied customers’ reviews.

You can also consider booking a private tour in Rome should you prefer a bespoke tour for you or your group. This would incur a cost but you would be able to cater the tour time, length and content to suit your specific schedule and preferences.

If you have enough time, you could even consider doing day trips or organised day tours from Rome to surrounding regions and get an even wider view of beautiful Italy. We recommend asking your Rome free tour guide about different places worth visiting on day trips from Rome, such as Tuscany or Pompeii.

Do I need to book a free tour in Rome?

As we have seen in the above example, some providers may only accept participants with advanced booking. The first free tour we recommended does not have such a requirement, however, Rome being such a high profile and busy tourist destination, booking is absolutely recommended to ensure your spot on a tour. Booking via the tour provider’s own website is usually best practise, but you can find and book top quality walking tours on Freetour.com or the Freetour app without booking fees or charges. Always be aware of any ‘no-show’ or cancellation policies that a particular free tour provider might have in place when booking online.

Some tipping tips

Free tours are a fantastic concept and the best way to see a new city on fair terms. It relies on participants valuing the city tour at the end and tipping the guide accordingly. The local city tour guides need to be top quality and they work hard to earn a good evaluation of their walking tour and good tips while bearing the risk of being ripped-off, rather than you – so do be genuine and value the tour in relation to what a paid tour equivalent would cost you, how enjoyable the experience was, if your expectations were met, and of course what your budget can afford.

So, how much should you tip free tour guides in Rome?

This will all depend on how you valued the city tour experience in Rome, the quality of the tour guide and, of course, on your budget. A good rule of thumb is to take all those factors into account and then gauge it against what the same walking tour would have cost as a conventional paid fee city tour. The cost of a general paid walking tour in Rome, depending on the type of tour, can be anywhere from €20 to €56 per person at the lower to mid-range, and as high as €85 to €110+ per person at the higher-end of the tour market. Our research with local Rome free tour guides shows the average tip is usually between €15 and €35 per person.

There you have our recommendations and advice for joining the best free walking tours in Rome. As the saying goes, “when in Rome…” so don’t forget to ask your city tour guide for local tips and things to do after your tour, they can mark everything for you on your free Rome walking tour map.

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Home » Free Itineraries » Free Walking Tour of Trastevere Rome

Free Walking Tour of Trastevere Rome

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Tickets: not needed
  • Accessibility: Partially Accessible to people on wheelchairs
  • Kid-friendly: Yes
  • Best time to visit: Winter: 10.30 pm – 4.00 pm / Summer: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Itinerary Highlights

1 piazza trilussa in trastevere.

– Statue of the Roman Poet; – Carlo Fontana’s Fountain;

2 PIAZZA SANTA MARIA IN TRASTEVERE

– Santa Maria in Trastevere Church; – Fountain of Santa Maria in Trastevere;

3 VIA DELLA LUNGARETTA

4 vicolo dell’atleta, 5 church of santa cecilia.

– Stefano Moderno’s sculpture of St. Cecilia;

6 TIBERINA ISLAND

7 the great synagogue of rome, 8 teatro di marcello, do you like this itinerary.

Discover the neighbourhood of Trastevere in Rome by following a free walking tour designed by official, local tour guides! Enjoy a pleasant stroll through the picturesque, cobblestone alleys of one of the most charming areas in Rome at a leisurely pace. Discover masterpieces of art, fountains, squares, churches and spots where locals usually go.

1. PIAZZA TRILUSSA

This free walking tour to discover the district of Trastevere in Rome starts in Piazza Trilussa . The square is named after the great Roman poet Carlo Alberto Salustri, better known with the nickname “Trilussa”, born in Rome in 1871 and died in 1950. On the left side of the square there’s a small garden with a commemorative monument, a marble statue of the poet reciting a poem.

“IN THE SHADE While reading the usual newspaper, snuggling in the shade of a haystack I see a hog, and I say: – hello, pig! – I see a donkey and I say: – hello, jackass! –

Maybe these animals won’t understand me, but at least I feel satisfied for being able to say how things are for real without the fear of landing in jail.”

With the fountain in front of you take the street on your left called Vicolo del Moro. At the end of the street, turn right and stop at the stunning “Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere”.

2. ST. MARY IN TRASTEVERE

The Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere overlooks the homonymous square, the beating heart of this neighbourhood in Rome. Dating back to 337, this is the oldest Basilica in Rome . Beside the facade stands a lovely Romanic bell tower from the 12th century. The interior of the apse is decorated with a mosaic dating back to 1143. Inside, the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere features impressive mosaics by Pietro Cavallini.

In the middle of the square rises a beautiful fountain , work of Donato Bramante, Bernini and Carlo Fontana which has always been regarded as quite interesting due to its mysterious origins. Indeed, according to tradition, this is the oldest fountain in Rome dating back to the 8th century, but the exact date of its construction is still unknown. According to legend, on the night of the birth of Christ a fountain of oil miraculously appeared from the ground right on the spot where today stands the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, hence it was given the name of “Santa Maria in Fontibus”.

At sunset the Fountain of Santa Maria in Trastevere is particularly lovely.

Sit down and rest for a while on the steps as locals do. Listen to the sound of the bells ringing as the bars in the square fill up for aperitif hour.

Leave the square and the Church behind, and walk ahead down Via della Lungaretta.

3. VIA DELLA LUNGARETTA

Dive into the night life of the Eternal City! Via della Lungaretta in Trastevere will set your senses alive with its cafes, restaurants, gelato shops, cocktail bars, which all stay open until late in the evening!

Cross the big avenue called “Viale Trastevere” and continue along Via della Lungaretta until you find on your right a little street known as “Vicolo della Luce”. Walking down this cobblestone, picturesque alley you will encounter another street “Via dei Genovesi”.

At your right stands a big brown building that houses a famous chef school! Keep walking for about 5 minutes until you cross “Vicolo dell’Atleta”. You will find it on your right.

4. VICOLO DELL’ATLETA

This narrow street is named after a famous statue depicting an Athlete, found in this exact spot by chance in the 19th century. Today the statue is housed inside the Vatican Museums .

At the end of the street, on the right side stands a building, which according to several sources could have been one of the oldest Synagogues in Rome. The site is no longer used for ritual functions, and houses today several apartments and a fine restaurant.

At the end of the street, turn left and then take the first street on your right called “via Santa Cecilia”.

5. CHURCH OF SANTA CECILIA IN TRASTEVERE

The Church of St. Cecilia in Trastevere dates back to the 5th century and is especially interesting for its history which links the church to the martyr’s life. According to tradition, the church rises on the remains of Cecilia’s house.

Legend seems to have roots in history though. Indeed digging activities under the church have brought to light a group of ancient buildings and houses dating back to the Roman times when St. Cecilia lived.

Enter the church and don’t miss the sculpture located in front of the altar by Stefano Maderno, depicting St. Cecilia in the same position she was found in her tomb. Looking at the statue up-close and personal you will see that the position of the fingers of the right hand symbolize the Holy Trinity.

Exit the Church, take via Santa Cecilia once again! Walk toward the river and reach the Tiberina Island.

6. TIBERINA ISLAND

Two bridges join the Isola Tiberina or Tiberina Island to the mainland: the Cestio bridge (46 b.C.) and Ponte Fabricius, also known as Quattro Capi, because of the four headed statue at the bridge entrance on the side of the Jewish Ghetto built in 62 B.C.

At Springtime and Summertime, you may see locals sunbathing here in the afternoon, while in the evening and the little square close to the river bank is usually crowded by people heading to restaurants and cocktail bars. The Church of Saint Bartholomew stands on the ruins of the ancient Temple of Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine, once a pilgrimage site for the diseased.

7. THE ROMAN JEWISH GHETTO & THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE OF ROME

Cross the small bridge and reach the Jewish Ghetto of Rome. Across the river you can clearly spot among the trees the beautiful facade of the Great Synagogue of Rome .

Inaugurated in 1904, today the Synagogue is home to the Jewish Museum in Rome, which houses an impressive collection of artwork and documents, all evidence of the historic importance of the Jewish community in the city of Rome, as well as the fascinating history of Roman Judaism.

Taken all together, the surrounding streets form what was known as the historical “ghetto” – which was established in the middle of the 1500’s until the 19th century – the area where all Roman Jews were forced to live.

We strongly suggest you to taste some of the Roman Jewish snacks at the patisserie shop in front of the school on via del Portico d’Ottavia. Don’t miss lip-liking hot biscotti and chocolate-ricotta tart.

Behind the area, in via del Portico d’Ottavia , rises the homonymous porticus dedicated to Emperor Augustus’s sister, Octavia, in I century a.D.

8. TEATRO DI MARCELLO

Inaugurated by Augustus around the 17 b.C., Marecellus Theatre – also known as Teatro di Marcello – was dedicated to the memory of his nephew. The original building reached 33 meters in height and could accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. Teatro Marcello was one of the biggest theatres in ancient Rome. Later in years, the building was used as a quarry to extract precious materials, folling the same destiny of other monuments in Rome.

Before leaving the site, look at the remains of the Temple of Apollo Sosiano. There are three beautiful columns standing. Other remains of this ancient temple can be admired today at the Centrale Montemartini Museum.

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The Best Walking Tours in Rome

The famous and historic Trevi fountain in Rome, Italy

Rome is a city with layers. Literally. Stretching back thousands of years, the ancient Italian capital has been built and rebuilt, sieged and sacked, and rebuilt some more. Its history is linked to countless world-changing events over the past 2,500 years, intricately connecting it to the entirety of Western civilization. (They don’t call it the Eternal City for nothing.)

Wandering through Rome, everywhere you go as there’s some ancient column or area that was built around historic ruins.

But most of these ruins don’t have signs. There’s no story.

If you want to peel back the layers of Rome, taking a walking tour is a must. It will give you the context and story of what you’re seeing so you can better understand how the city grew, came to be, and its culture. Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, or culture junkie, Rome boasts countless walking tours to help you peek beneath the layers and see beyond the cacophonous and overtouristed exterior.

To help you deepen your experience and learn about Rome’s history and culture, here’s my list of what I think are the best walking tours:

Best Overall Tour

The Take Walks walking tour company logo

Take Walks is my favorite walking tour company in the city. They offer over two dozen excellent and insightful tours and provide insider access to many of the best sights. For example, Take Walks is the only company that allows you to accompany the key master of the Vatican Museums . They also have an exclusive Colosseum tour with VIP access to the arena floor.

Best Free Tour

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New Europe offers three free tours that cover all the basics in Rome, introducing you to the city’s highlights, including the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, and more. With tours covering ancient Rome, the city center, and Rome at night, you can easily get the lay of the land on a budget with New Europe. Just remember to tip your guide!

  While the two tours above are my top favorites, there are still a bunch of other great companies to consider when you visit Rome. Here are some more of my favorite walking tour companies in Rome:  

1. Devour Tours

Devour is my favorite food tour company in the city. They currently have five different food tours around the city, including a guided tour through the atmospheric food market in Testaccio , where Roman cuisine was born, as well as a food and wine tour through the narrow, cobbled, trattoria-flanked streets of Trastevere. Both these tours will leave you really full. I was so stuffed at the end.

They also offer an in-depth three-hour pasta-making class with a local chef if you want to hone your culinary skills.

Tours from 65 EUR.

2. City Wonders

If you have a proclivity for the morbid and the mysterious, this is the company for you. They run chilling 3.5-hour tour around Romes crypts and catacombs . On the tour, you’ll visit the eerie Capuchin Crypt where the bones of over 4,000 monks rest, and explore the Basilica San Martino ai Monti. You’ll also get to visit Rome’s famous catacombs, where early Christians practiced their faith in secret some 2,000 years ago. The tour includes skip-the-line access so you never have to wait, as well as a coach to take you from site to site.

Tours from 59 EUR.

3. Elizabeth Lev

This American-born guide and published art historian has been a Rome resident for 20 years. She hosts in-depth theme-based walking tours ( I love traveling with a theme ). So, if you’ve ever daydreamed of having an actual art historian accompany you to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, give Elizabeth a call. Love Baroque sculptor Bernini? Go down a 17th-century rabbit hole with her. Want to fully indulge yourself in the intriguing history of Christian Rome? Elizabeth will take you there. No matter what your interests, Elizabeth can design a tour to suit your thematic needs.

Inquire via the website for tour pricing.

4. Fat Tire Tours

This is the best bike tour in the city. Fat Tire Tours offers a three-hour bike tour of the city center, covering all the highlights, from the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain to the Circus Maximus and the Jewish Ghetto. The tours are perfect for the busy budget traveler who wants to cram in a lot of activity in a short time — without skipping out on the details in the process. And, while these tours pack a lot in, they run at a leisurely pace so you won’t feel rushed (or exhausted) as you explore.

Tours from 39 EUR.

5. Stefano Rome Tours

Founded by tour guide Stefano Costantini, this company offers private tours in and around Rome. While they say that Rome wasn’t built in a day, Stefano can help you see it in a day. In fact, the most popular tour is Rome in a Day, though there are also special tours like Rome by Night, Christian Rome, or Angels and Demons (which focuses on the filming locations of Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons ).

Stefano also offers day trips to the countryside surrounding Rome, such as to the medieval hill town of Calcata, 40 miles to the north. This bewitching village is inhabited by artists and hippies and is famed for its…curious Christian relic (featured in the excellent travel book An Irreverent Curiosity ).

Tours from 370 EUR.

6. The Roman Guy

The Roman Guy isn’t just one guy anymore, but whoever your tour guide is, you’ll walk away feeling like you know Rome much better. A large number of quality tours are on offer, including all the standard hits like the Vatican, the Colosseum, the catacombs at night, Rome in a Day, and various skip-the-line options. There is also a cocktail bar–themed tour on which you can get acquainted with the city’s burgeoning booze scene, hitting some major sites while weaving from one bar to the next.

Tours from 27 EUR.

Regardless of your budget or interests, connecting with a local guide to show you around is a great way to learn about a city. Rome is a big city, making walking tours one of the best ways to explore it. Whether you’re a first-time visitor on a budget or a veteran traveler looking to deepen your knowledge with an in-depth experience, walking tours in Rome won’t disappoint. And, while Take Walks is my favorite company, you can’t go wrong with any tours on this list!

Book Your Trip to Rome: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

  • Safety Wing (best for everyone)
  • Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
  • Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Need a Guide? Rome has some really interesting tours. My favorite company is Take Walks . They have expert guides and can get you behind the scenes at the city’s best attractions.

Want More Information on Rome? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Rome for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Free Tour Rome - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Free Walking Tour of The City Center: The Families Who Made Rome

Free Walking Tour of The City Center: The Families Who Made Rome Italy — #1

Overview of the tour in Rome

You need to be fluent in English Italy has changed. But Rome is Rome. Rome is the city of echoes, the city of illusions, and the city of yearning. Rome wasn’t built in a day, it was built to be Eternal. But who's responsible? Romulus, Cesar, the Pope, which popes? What's the secret behind the rise of the Eternal City? Where does its power lie? Why so many churches and where’s the best pizza? How many fountains are there in Rome? How many coins are tossed into the most beautiful of them? Why are the Egyptian obelisks everywhere, and who would have invented a basil-flavored gelato? The questions about Rome, its heroes, and its history are infinite, and there’s an answer to each of them. Let us guide you through these ancient streets, and you’ll find out what sets Rome apart from any other city. Get ready for a journey through ambitions and dreams, envy and hatred, pride and love of the families who made Rome. Itinerary: -Piazza Venezia -Palazzo Colonna -Basilica dei Santi Apostoli -Papal Palace, and its Secret Gardens -Trevi Fountain -Pantheon -Piazza Navona Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the churches.

This activity includes:

  • Trevi Fountain
  • Basilica dei Santi XII Apostoli
  • Roman Forum
  • Piazza Navona
  • Piazza Venezia
  • Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola

Meeting point

Church Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano

The meeting point is on the steps of the church Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano. It's right by the Trajan Column and Trajan Forum. I'll have a sign with the name of the tour.

Things to note

Remember to arrive 15 minutes in advance. Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the churches.

Free Cancellation

You are free to cancel a booking anytime. We kindly remind you to cancel bookings you cannot arrive for. Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy.

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free walking tours of rome italy

After a day of sightseeing, Roman nightlife is the perfect way to experience the city. This is a great way to explore the city when it's less crowded and explore different venues and restaurants that you may not have had the chance to visit during your day tours of Rome. And to really get a feel for the nightlife of the Eternal City, there's nothing better than a Free Tour like the ones we offer at GuruWalk. Rome's Colosseum Square is the most incredible place to visit in the city. Firstly, the Colosseum is one of the most iconic buildings in Rome and secondly, it is one of the largest amphitheatres ever built by any culture. The surrounding square has many beautiful fountains that provide shade from the sun on hot summer days and many different cafes and restaurants for you to enjoy your food or drink. This square also has many beautiful sculptures on display, as well as a large obelisk that sits near one edge. At night its illumination gives it a new aura. All these things combine to make this space a great place to relax or have a picnic with friends or family at any time during the day or evening. From here we can set off to the Aventine Hill, which was originally used for religious purposes and was built on top of an older settlement dating back to the Roman monarchy. The importance of the hill in ancient Rome can be seen by the fact that it houses some of Rome's most important temples, such as Diana, Minerva and Ceres. In addition, one of the staples of Roman life, "the gladiator-style fight between man and beast", originated here. And at night it is an unrivalled vantage point from which to enjoy one of the most imposing panoramas over the city of Rome. You can also visit the Foro Boarium in Rome at night, when it is illuminated and the monuments are covered with light. There are many buildings from different periods that are located inside it. There are also some structures that were built during the 20th century, such as the Palazzo delle Aquile (home of Roma FC) and the Palazzetto dello Sport (home of AS Roma). The Foro Boario is a complex place to visit, as there is always something new to see. But with the help of an experienced guide you won't miss a thing.

Free walking tour near Rome

Others cities to visit after rome, find other guruwalks in rome, where are you traveling to.

Walking Tours in Rome

Rome isn’t a big city, and walking is by far the best way to see it. Finding ancient remains nestled between shops, pieces of ancient statues decorating the sidewalk, and churches filled with mosaics and artistic masterpieces is part of the Rome experience that can only be enjoyed walking through the Eternal City.

Is Rome a Walkable City?

Rome wasn’t designed for cars, but it’s perfect for walking. From Piazza Venezia , the Colosseum , Pantheon , Spanish Steps , Trevi Fountain , Piazza Navona , Campo dè Fiori , and the Jewish Ghetto are all less than 20 minutes away on foot, meaning you can see a lot in a day at a leisurely pace.

Summer in Rome can be hot, so be careful, especially in July and August when temperatures are often around 100°F/38°C. Rome has a lot of wide streets, open squares, and archaeological parks that offer little shade during the heat of the day.

Try to start early, stay inside during the hottest part of the day, and come out again in the evening when the city is cooling down like the locals do. 

Conclusion: Rome is a walkable city if you are used to walking and avoid walking when the sun is hot.

Is it Worth Doing Guided Walking Tours in Rome?

With more than 2000 years of emperors and popes to get your head around, not to mention the artists and aristocracy who have lived in Rome, taking a guided tour can help you make sense of what you are seeing and prevent information overload.

Tour operators also have access to exciting options that are not available to the general public, like the chance to be the first to enter the Sistine Chapel in the morning or visit the Vatican Museums after hours.

But you don’t need a guide for every place. Rome is beautiful even if you don’t know the history of what you are seeing, and some places, like the catacombs and the Domus Aurea, can only be visited with their guides, so the tour is included in the ticket price.

Conclusion: Guided tours can give you exclusive access to some locations and help you to focus on the most important details at the most popular sites, but there’s also a lot you can see on your own.

How do Guided Tours Compare to Self-Guided or Free Walking Tours?

If you want to keep costs low, many places in Rome are easy to visit on your own with a guidebook. Get a map and plan a themed route, for example:

  • The squares and fountains of Rome
  • Bernini sculptures (minus Galleria Borghese )
  • Churches with Caravaggio paintings
  • Medieval mosaics
  • Ancient monuments

Or create your own street food tour by picking the best places to try supplì , pizza al taglio , trappizzino , tiramisu, and gelato , passing beautiful monuments on the way.

Free walking tours are another option if you don’t want to break the bank. These kinds of tours will show you a small part of the city. They usually last a couple of hours at the beginning or end of the day and don’t include any entrance fees, and are tip-based at your discretion. 

Conclusion: If you’re on a budget, guided tours aren’t your only option. There are some excellent resources you can use to explore on your own and free tours that can offer an introduction to some of the monuments in the city center.

What Should I Look for to Find the Right Walking Tour for Me?

Do you want a group tour? A small group tour? A private tour? Consider your budget and the kind of experience you want to find the right tour .

Group Tours

While a group walking tour might cost you €50 per person, you could be with 30+ other people, with little chance of interacting with the guide, who is hooked up to a radio system. However, these tours can be great if you just want to hear a little information about a place, to know what’s important to look at and don’t feel like reading a guidebook.

Small Group Tours

Walking tours with fewer than 10 people in a group will cost more (think around €100 per person), but you can ask questions and talk to other people in the group. The guide will have some flexibility to adapt the tour to the ages and interests of the group, offering you a more personalized type of tour.

Private Tours

Private guides offer maximum flexibility and, for families traveling together, may not be the more expensive option. Some guides specialize in history, art history, or archaeology, and some offer tours for younger travelers. Private guides will arrange your tickets and transportation or start the tour at your hotel, so you don’t have to worry about meeting points.

Tips for Choosing a Walking Tour in Rome:

  • Check the list of places visited carefully and whether the tour includes entrance to a site or just an external view. 
  • The Colosseum , Forum , and Palatine are on a single ticket. If a tour includes the Colosseum and Forum, you won’t be able to go back in on your own to visit the Palatine without buying another ticket.
  • The basic Colosseum tickets do not include entrance to the underground. If seeing that is important to you, make sure you’re booking the right tour.
  • Most walking tours last about 3 hrs, and (group tours) won’t include stops. Walking is usually at a leisurely pace, but if you don’t think you’ll be able to stand for so long, consider a golf cart tour instead.

Conclusion: Take time to compare different tours and see what each one offers. Doublecheck if entrance to the sites you want to visit is included on the tour and in the price before booking.

Can You Walk Rome in a Day?

The historic center of Rome isn’t big, but there’s a lot to see. The Colosseum to the Vatican Museums would take you about an hour on foot and wouldn’t be the best use of your time. 

If you only have a day in Rome , I suggest choosing either the Colosseum or the Vatican Museums. A tour of either site will take about 3 hours. Then you can enjoy the rest of the day walking around the center where Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain are easy to walk between.

Conclusion: You can’t walk Rome in a day if you plan to visit the Vatican Museum and the Colosseum. Two days would be the minimum to do walking tours of both sites and to visit the most important monuments of the city center.

Are Night Walking Tours Worth Doing?

Rome is another kind of beautiful at night, with lights on many of the monuments, cooler temperatures, and no crowds. If you arrive in the afternoon and are ready to start exploring Rome, a night tour is a wonderful introduction to the Eternal City.

Most night tours will include the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, and possibly Castel Sant’Angelo and St. Peter’s on the other side of the river. However, some focus on darker parts of Rome’s history, like stories of the Inquisition.

Conclusion: Rome is worth seeing at night, and some companies offer tours that include some of the city’s most famous monuments. This is also an easy self-guided option with GoogleMaps.

Tips for a Great Walking Tour Experience

  • Don’t book a walking tour if you can’t walk at a leisurely pace for 3 hours. Think about doing a bus or golf cart tour instead.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. If you’re visiting any ancient sites, it’s best to wear closed shoes.
  • If your tour includes any churches, remember to respect the dress code and cover your shoulders and knees. Carry a light scarf in your bag so you’re ready any time you pass an interesting-looking church. 
  • In the summer, bring sun cream, a sun hat or umbrella, and a water bottle with you. Rome has many water fountains where you can refill your bottle for free.
  • Avoid outdoor tours during the middle of the day in summer. Try and book tours at the beginning or end of the day when the weather is cooler.
  • In winter, bring an umbrella. Rome doesn’t have a lot of heavy rain, and tours will go ahead as long as the sites remain open.
  • Book tours in advance, especially if you want hard-to-get tickets, like Galleria Borghese or the Colosseum Underground, and make sure you understand the cancellation policy. 
  • Finally, always check what other travelers have said in online reviews to know what to expect before you book.

TravelAwaits

My 7 Favorite Walking Tours In Rome And Why They’re Great For Solo Travelers

A nyone who has read Eat Pray Love will understand the mystique of Rome. There’s the appeal of the food, the history, the “dolce vita” lifestyle, and of course, the beauty of the people and the country. Like the author of the book, I ventured to Italy on my own but to a yoga retreat instead of an Italian language immersion. Not far from Rome in the tiny medieval town of Pitigliano, I enjoyed the camaraderie of a small group of like-minded “friends,” all eager to explore Tuscany’s small towns and venture to the thermal waters of Terme di Montecatini to slather in mud as part of the wellness experience.

This wonderful week left me refreshed and ready to travel sans a group. Spending a few days in Rome before I flew home was what I had my heart set on. I booked a room at the beautiful and centrally located Hotel Locarno and set out on my adventure. To make the most of my time and profit from the knowledge of local experts, I signed up for a range of walking tours that provided a safe, educational, and welcoming experience for solo travelers like me.

Here are my seven favorite walking tours that I took in Rome:

Walks Of Italy

1. welcome to rome twilight city & gelato tasting .

I’m a strong believer in getting the lay of the land before setting off on your own. You’ll see the “footprint” of a place, glean knowledge about its history, and profit from the experience of locals who can share their insights and answer questions. Then, you’re free to efficiently explore in more depth those places that have piqued your curiosity. This type of tour also builds confidence, especially if you’re not used to traveling by yourself. You’ll visit well-known sites like Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, the Roman Forum, and the Colosseum — all giving you good reason to return for a deeper dive on your own, at your own speed.

The tour that I took with Walks of Italy was my first introduction to Rome as a solo traveler. I picked the “Welcome to Rome: Twilight City Stroll & Gelato Tasting,” as the 6:30 p.m. start best fit with my hotel check-in time and I knew that the tour would show me some good eats as well as great sites.

There’s a magic to experiencing an ancient city like Rome in the dusk hours when there are fewer cars and fewer people in the streets. You can almost imagine what it was like during Nero’s days or during the building of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. When darkness falls and lights come on, and fountains and buildings are illuminated with a romantic glow, you can truly bond with the city. The Trevi Fountain was enchanting at this hour, as was the Pantheon, while breaks for pizza and ice cream added to the almost spiritual feeling.

2. Pristine Sistine

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Vatican, an independent state within the city. But as everyone knows, the crowds there can be overwhelming. Lines queue up for hours to enter the Vatican Museum and view sacred rooms and Leonardo da Vinci’s Sistine Chapel. If you arrive pretty much any time during the day, no matter what the weather, you’ll find that you need a huge dose of patience.

My suggestion to avoid this is to take a very-early private tour to unlock the doors. The number of entrants is limited and you’ll find you have the Sistine Chapel largely to yourself, as remarkable as that sounds. 

Led by Walks of Italy , I met my guide at an entrance marked ingresso gruppi at 7:15 a.m. for a “Pristine Sistine” small group tour. I was able to experience the Vatican in near silence before most people were even awake. A stiff espresso or two will motivate you to rise at the early hour required for this tour. But, even I, a committed night owl, found that the reward was worth it. I appreciated the one-on-one attention, the unhurried explanations of what was inside, and the quiet while in the chapel. After climbing the 551 stairs to the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, I happily walked past the long lines that had formed during my time indoors. 

Pro Tip: There is an elevator to the rooftop of St. Peter’s Basilica that will save you 330 steps. However, you will still need to climb the rest to the top. To avoid crowds here as well, plan a separate visit and arrive at the dome before 8 a.m. 

3. VIP Colosseum Underground Tour 

The Colosseum is a must-visit when in Rome. And now that the lower level is open for tourists, there’s even more of a demand to spend time at this well-preserved Roman amphitheater.

Again, I chose a small group, early-hour tour where I had personalized attention and no crowding. All of my questions — I had many as a travel writer — were answered without hesitation. With Walks of Italy’s skip-the-lines “VIP Colosseum Underground Tour,” I was able to roam freely, photograph without pushing people out of my way, and quietly absorb the incredible feat of construction that is the Colosseum. Starting at 8 a.m., the tour met outside the Colosseum and then continued to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. If you’re on a tight schedule, there’s a solo Colosseum-focused tour that will get you in and out with time to make an afternoon or evening flight.

Eating Europe

4. twilight trastevere timeless traditions.

Everyone knows that Italian cuisine is fabulous. But do you really understand the nuances of its preparation? Or the history behind some of the dishes? And have you met the people who put their heart and soul into the cooking? To truly appreciate this, I scheduled a “Twilight Trastevere Timeless Traditions” walking tour with Eating Europe . 

Trastevere, a medieval neighborhood across the Tiber River, has a history as a Jewish enclave and offers a blend of tradition and experimentation. This tour offered peeks into local bar favorites, street foods, and a variety of stops for snacks and bigger bites. We stuffed ourselves with prosciutto and melon, biscotti dipped in chocolate, porchetta, and suppli (traditional rice croquettes filled with mozzarella) before indulging in a pasta amatriciana and cacio e pepe dinner at a cozy trattoria. Beverages included wine (of course) at an extensive tasting in a cellar, birra, and limoncello, with a gelato stop to end. I was thankful that we were walking!

After this delicious introduction to Trastevere, I took the advice of my guide and confidently returned the next day to explore further on my own. In the Jewish Ghetto (also known as the Ghetto of Rome), I delved into the area’s culinary heritage, feasting on carciofi alla giudia at the small trattoria Nonna Betta , recommended by Anthony Bourdain in No Reservations . I also toured the Great Synagogue and wandered through the Sant’Angelo (rione of Rome) where I discovered intriguing shops selling religious and secular knickknacks. 

Archeological Tours

5. domus aurea .

I was so enamored with the magnitude of history surrounding me that I signed up for (and highly recommend) two in-progress excavations. The Domus Aurea exploration required me to wear a hard hat and took me to an active archeological dig at the site where a huge domed residence once stood across from the Colosseum. Called the “Golden House,” Domus Aurea was built by Nero to revitalize Rome after the fire of 64 A.D. 

Pro Tip: Advance reservations (including the Raphael art exhibit) are essential as the tours are only available on weekends.

6. Le Domus Romane Di Palazzo Valentini 

The fascinating story of Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini came to light because of Rome’s strict regulations regarding excavation and preservation. Whenever construction is contemplated, careful consideration of the location’s potential historical significance must be taken. And, indeed, that was the case here. While cleaning up an area designated for present-day use, the remains of ancient homes were discovered beneath Palazzo Valentini; a self-guided tour is now offered. Opposite Trajan’s Column, this underground site sheds light on the lives of several generations of inhabitants dating from the days of Emperor Hadrian.

Pro Tip: If you’re claustrophobic, the archeological tours may not be for you. Both involve being underground amid crumbling ruins and semi-darkness. Also, Domus Aurea is a bit tricky to find, so allow extra time if you go.

7. Borghese Gallery 

A look at some of the works from the country’s famous artists and sculptors is di rigore when visiting Rome. I opted for a self-guided tour of the famous Borghese Gallery where I had the opportunity to admire Bernini and Canova sculptures as well as paintings by Caravaggio and Raphael. As I was short on time and this was my last night in Rome, I reserved an evening entrance when the crowds were less intense, with a chance to also stroll through the villa gardens. Guided tours are available for those who prefer a more structured visit.

When you choose to travel solo, it helps to be somewhere where it’s considered “normal.” In Rome, I felt comfortable; comfortable enough that I could ask directions, dine by myself, and join small group tours without feeling lost in the crowd. It didn’t hurt that the shopping, dining, and overall magic of this historic city was enticing around every turn, nor that my efforts to speak Italian were appreciated.

Related Reading:

  • 5 Tips For Visiting Rome’s Iconic Trevi Fountain
  • Why This Unique Tour In Rome Was My Favorite Way To Explore The City
  • 7 Best Places To Indulge In Dolce Far Niente While Visiting Rome

This article originally appeared on TravelAwaits

Meryl Pearlstein

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    The city of the Caesars, of Baroque and, of course, The Eternal City. Discover Rome with this free walking tour of the Italian capital. Icono ayuda Help. search. Top destinations. Rome Italy; New York The United States; Paris France; London United Kingdom; ... Italy Rome. Activities in Rome Free Walking Tour of Rome. 9.30 / 10. 1,600 reviews ...

  9. Rome: Piazza del Popolo and City Sights Free Walking Tour

    Join a free walking trip starting at the Piazza del Popolo and discover the city sights in Rome. ... 13 Rome Walking tours. 14 Rome Museums & exhibitions. 15 Rome Art. 16 Rome ... 18 Rome Self-guided activities. 19 Rome Garden & park tours. 20 Rome Audio guides. Cities in Italy. 1 Venice. 2 Florence. 3 Milan. 4 Naples. 5 Pompei. 6 Genoa. 7 ...

  10. Free Walking Tour of Rome

    Discover the Best Free Things to Do in Rome with World Free Tours! 🤩 Experience the allure of this eternal city on our exceptional Free Walking Tours crafted for travelers like you. Not only are these tours informative and engaging, but they're also kind to your budget. Embark on a captivating journey through Rome's rich history, vibrant culture, and awe-inspiring architecture. 🏛️ ...

  11. The BEST Free Walking Tours through Roman Coliseum

    Enjoy an unforgettable experience with our Free Walking Tours through the Roman Coliseum free booking! × Home; Login Register Want to become a guide? Login ... Free walking tours Italy Free walking tours in Rome Colosseum and Forums 51,086 opinions from other walkers about Rome tours

  12. Free Tour Rome

    Discover Rome on the Free walking tour. Explore the beautiful and historic city of Rome with our expert and passionate tour guides. Our free walking tour is the perfect way to discover the best of Rome, from ancient ruins to vibrant piazzas. You will be led through the winding streets and hidden gems of the city, learning about the rich history ...

  13. Daily Walking Tours of Rome

    Afternoon City Tour. Our Afternoon Free City Tour starts in Piazza di Spagna by the Spanish Steps and ends at the Colosseum. Along the way, you will see the most beautiful monuments of ancient Rome surrounded by a modern context. Our tour guides will make you discover and follow with your eyes Rome's transformation over the centuries.

  14. Free Walking Tour Rome

    If you still have free time, there are more interesting walks worth booking, such as the Free Tour through the Trastevere neighborhood, and a Free Tour through the Squares of Rome and the Vatican. Finally, there are more Free Tours in Rome that will make you fall in love with this historic metropolis: a Free Tour of Rome by Night, and a Free ...

  15. Free Walking Tours through the Trastevere Quarter

    329 free tours in Italy. 126 free tours in Rome. The best guruwalks in Trastevere Quarter (11 / 126) Gastronomy. Trastevere district free food tour ... Free walking tour - Jewish Rome: Trastevere, Isola Tiberina and the Ghetto 519 ratings. 4.9 Duration: 2h and 30min Starts at: 09:30, 10:00 and 6 more sun 3. mon 4. tue 5. wed 6. thu 7.

  16. Free walking tours in Rome, Italy. Some tips for choosing

    The cost of a general paid walking tour in Rome, depending on the type of tour, can be anywhere from €20 to €56 per person at the lower to mid-range, and as high as €85 to €110+ per person at the higher-end of the tour market. Our research with local Rome free tour guides shows the average tip is usually between €15 and €35 per person.

  17. Free Walking Tour of Trastevere Rome

    1. PIAZZA TRILUSSA. This free walking tour to discover the district of Trastevere in Rome starts in Piazza Trilussa. The square is named after the great Roman poet Carlo Alberto Salustri, better known with the nickname "Trilussa", born in Rome in 1871 and died in 1950. On the left side of the square there's a small garden with a ...

  18. The 8 Best Walking Tours in Rome (Updated 2024)

    Book here! 4. Fat Tire Tours. This is the best bike tour in the city. Fat Tire Tours offers a three-hour bike tour of the city center, covering all the highlights, from the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain to the Circus Maximus and the Jewish Ghetto.

  19. Free Tour Rome

    Evening Walking Tour in Rome. 134. Walking Tours. 90-120 minutes. Discover the true beauty of Rome with our exciting evening walking tour. As the city comes to life at night, you'll see …. Free cancellation. from. $6.

  20. Free Walking Tour of The City Center: The Families Who Made Rome

    Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy. English | 11:00 AM. Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun. from €0 Tip based. Book a Free Walking Tour of The City Center: The Families Who Made Rome and discover memorable sights and rich culture of Rome, Italy.

  21. The BEST Free Walking Tours through nightly Rome

    The best guruwalks in Nightly (6 / 126) Nick's free night walking tour in Rome. 388 ratings. 4.9. Duration: 2h and 30min. Starts at: 18:45 and 19:45.

  22. Walking Tours In Rome: Rome Touring 101

    A tour of either site will take about 3 hours. Then you can enjoy the rest of the day walking around the center where Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain are easy to walk between. Conclusion: You can't walk Rome in a day if you plan to visit the Vatican Museum and the Colosseum.

  23. My 7 Favorite Walking Tours In Rome And Why They're Great For ...

    The tour that I took with Walks of Italy was my first introduction to Rome as a solo traveler. I picked the "Welcome to Rome: Twilight City Stroll & Gelato Tasting," as the 6:30 p.m. start ...