Rome is considered one of the world’s best places to visit. And for good reason: The Eternal City offers countless attractions from every era and one of the world’s most popular cuisines. But given the overwhelming crowds and restricted access to ancient sites, it can be difficult to fully enjoy all that Italy’s capital has to offer. Circumvent these obstacles with a guided tour. Using both traveler sentiment and expert opinion, U.S. News selected the top tours in Rome. Whether you’re gliding past the Colosseum on a Segway or savoring Italian wine in the countryside, you’ll have the benefit of fun and informative guides leading the way.
Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.
Fat Tire Tours Rome — Rome Day Segway Tour
Hop on a Segway if you’re feeling like the Eternal City has an eternal number of sights to see. After receiving your helmet and a quick training session, you’ll be given a headset so you can follow the lively commentary from the experienced Fat Tire Tours guide. Along the three-hour ride, you’ll glide past sights like Trajan’s Forum, Capitoline Hill and more. Plus, you’ll don a virtual reality headset during your stop outside the Colosseum that reconstructs the famous arena’s past grandeur. Travelers appreciate that Segways make getting around and seeing Rome’s many sights easier and more fun, especially for families with older teens. Reviewers also appreciate the engaging local guides. Participants must be at least 16 years old and weigh between 100 and 260 pounds.
Tickets cost approximately 70 euros (around $75) per participant. Tours run daily at 9:30 a.m. The company also leads a night tour, which visits the city’s illuminated monuments after sundown, among a variety of other options.
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LivItaly Tours — Colosseum Underground Tour with Arena, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
Enjoy swift entry to the Colosseum underground and see the arena floor, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum on this small-group tour. LivItaly leads up to six travelers to the restricted lower level of the Colosseum, where dungeons confined gladiators and their opponents. In three hours, learn about ancient Rome’s social order on Palatine Hill and everyday life at the forum. Travelers, especially those with children, agree that having a passionate guide with a deep knowledge of Roman history enriched the experience. Reviewers also appreciate the small size of the tour group.
Tours depart daily at multiple times beginning at 12:15 p.m. Tickets start at approximately 120 euros (around $130) for adults and around 105 euros (about $113) for children and teens ages 17 and younger. If you’re short on time, book the company’s 90-minute Express Colosseum Underground & Arena Tour.
TopBike Rental and Tours — Ancient Appian Way, Catacombs and Aqueducts Park
Reviewers agree this electric bike tour is an ideal excursion if you want to experience Rome’s natural beauty in a fun, active way. Plus, thanks to the ease of the electric bikes, tourgoers say you might not even break a sweat. Travelers have been using the Ancient Appian Way for 2,300 years and you’ll traverse it with a friendly, knowledgeable local. Along the ride, you’ll pass archeological sites, Christian catacombs and picturesque Roman aqueducts framing the unspoiled countryside. The tour covers roughly 17 miles, 70% of which requires off-road cycling, so TopBike recommends this tour for intermediate riders.
Tourgoers can opt for a 4 1/2-hour tour starting at 69 euros (around $74) per person. A longer six-hour tour follows the same path as the short tour and also includes a guided tour of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus (or Saint Sebastian) and a stop at the Baths of Caracalla. Longer tours cost approximately 90 euros (around $95) per rider. Exact tour departure times vary by season, but you can expect to start around 9 a.m. TopBike also leads cycling tours within the city center.
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Gourmetaly — Campo de’ Fiori, Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Rome Food Tour
Tantalize your taste buds on this 3 1/2-hour tour of three distinct foodie neighborhoods. As your local guide leads you through the Jewish ghetto, Campo de’ Fiori and Trastevere, you’ll stop by top-rated food markets, grocery stores, coffee shops, gelaterias and restaurants. Among the food samples included in the tour are fried artichokes, pizza, mozzarella, fresh pasta and gelato. Tours are capped at 12 participants. Reviewers call this a delightful experience thanks to the informative guides who offer an interesting lesson on Roman history, food and culture. They also recommend taking this tour on your first day in Rome to make the most of the guides’ recommendations.
Tours are offered several times each day in the morning and afternoon. Note that the afternoon tour does not visit the Campo de’ Fiori market (a highlight for many recent tourgoers). Tickets cost approximately 90 euros (around $96) for adults and around 60 euros (about $65) for children ages 4 to 8. In addition to food tours, Gourmetaly also hosts cooking classes.
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Eyes of Rome — Colosseum and Roman Forum Tour
With your private guide leading the way, you’ll visit the Colosseum, explore the ancient city along paths that served the Roman Senate and learn the legends of the House of the Vestal Virgins. Tourgoers value the attentive guides who share history and lore in an entertaining way. They also say the tour is well-paced.
Tickets for the three-hour tour start at 285 euros (about $305) for one adult participant, plus approximately 35 euros (around $40) per additional adult and 20 euros (roughly $20) extra per child ages 2 to 17. Tickets cover pick up at centrally located hotels and skip-the-line admission. The company also conducts private walking tours of the Vatican.
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Private Tours of Rome — Vatican & Sistine Chapel Private Tour
This private Vatican tour includes skip-the-line access to the complex and a guide who shares the Vatican Museums’ top attractions in just three hours. See the artistic highlights in the Gallery of Ancient Roman Sculptures, the Gallery of Tapestries and famous works painted by Raphael. You’ll then experience Michelangelo’s masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel. Your guide will make sure you see the Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Apostolic Palace and the famous balcony where the pope delivers his blessings. Travelers praise the excellent guides who tailor the tour to groups’ interests and keep children engaged.
Tours operate Monday through Saturday in the morning and afternoon. Ticket prices vary depending on your itinerary and group size, but you can expect adult prices to start around $230 per person. The company suggests you book at least one month in advance to ensure a specialist authorized by the Vatican is available. Private Tours of Rome also offers tours of the Colosseum and the Borghese Gallery, among others.
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The Roman Food Tour — Prati By Sunset
Devoted foodies skip lunch for the more than 20 food and wine pairings on this four-hour evening tour of some of Rome’s top eateries. Throughout the tour, you’ll feast on gourmet delights, such as homemade pasta, pizza, fresh cheeses and gelato. More importantly, you’ll learn tips to enhance your knowledge and pleasure in Italian cuisine. Travelers praise the expertise of the fun guides who explain each dish’s origin and quality with gusto.
Tours, which are offered daily multiple times starting at 3:30 p.m., cost approximately 100 euros (roughly $107) for adults, 85 euros (about $90) for teens ages 13 to 17 and 70 euros (around $75) for children ages 6 to 12. The Roman Food Tour also offers day tours and cooking classes.
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Rex-Tours — Rome City Segway Tour
Roll in comfort past many of ancient Rome’s major sights on this three-hour Segway tour. Rex-Tours’ expert guides lead up to six travelers around for an effortless overview of must-see landmarks, such as Capitoline Hill and the Colosseum. Reviewers applaud the knowledgeable guides who offer a wealth of information without overwhelming travelers. What’s more, guides provide restaurant recommendations and tips for making the most of your visit to Rome, according to tourgoers.
The Rome City Segway Tour departs twice daily at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and costs approximately 80 euros (around $85) for participants 14 and older. Travelers also recommend enjoying the company’s evening Segway tour if you’re visiting during the summer and need a break from the peak daytime heat.
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Eating Europe — Twilight Trastevere Rome Food Tour
Travelers suggest you skip lunch before this easygoing, four-hour evening walking tour of Trastevere, so you can savor the street food and sweet treats served at each stop. As you meander through the neighborhood (which is often compared to New York City‘s Greenwich Village), you’ll enjoy mouthwatering bites of everything from classic supplì, or fried risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella, to porchetta, homemade pasta and gelato. Foodie guides share each chef’s story and culinary traditions, along with tips on how to find and make the best Roman cuisine on your own. Reviewers praise the guides for their insider knowledge and gush about the quality of the food and wine featured on the tour.
Tours run daily at multiple times; the first tour begins at 5 p.m. Ticket prices start at approximately 110 euros (around $118) for adults, 85 euros (around $90) for teens ages 13 to 17 and 70 euros (about $75) for children ages 4 to 12. Eating Europe also operates a tour that explores Testaccio, considered Rome’s “original foodie neighborhood.”
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Rolling Rome — Rome Squares & Fountains Golf Cart Tour
Avoid Rome’s congested traffic and keep the family entertained on this three-hour, private golf cart tour of the city. Whizz past major sights in the historical center and piazzas Venezia, Navona and del Popolo, plus the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and more. Since the tour is customizable, you can also ask the guide to take you to lesser-known spots in the city — a highlight for reviewers. Along with the knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, reviewers appreciate the golf cart’s ability to avoid traffic using Rome’s narrow back lanes.
Tours, which can accommodate up to seven participants, depart daily at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tours cost approximately 250 euros (roughly $270) for up to three people and an additional 75 euros (about $80) per person for groups of four or more. One week’s advance reservation is recommended. Rolling Rome also offers daylong golf cart tours, as well as a variety of Segway and electric bike tours.
Food Tours of Rome — Jewish Ghetto and Campo de’ Fiori by Night Food Tour
Combine sightseeing with snacking and drinking on this approximately four-hour evening tour of the Jewish ghetto and the Campo Marzio area. Fun, knowledgeable guides make seven stops for food and wine between explaining major historic attractions like Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori. Stop in delis, family-run shops and restaurants to sample gourmet cheeses and hams, pasta, espresso, and gelato. First-time visitors especially appreciate this informative introduction to the city and the family-run vendors featured on the tour.
Tours depart nightly at 6 p.m. Rates start at approximately 90 euros (around $97) for adults and 75 euros (about $80) for children ages 6 to 12; children 5 and younger can join for free. Food Tours of Rome can accommodate some special diets with advance notice. The company also offers a dessert and sightseeing tour of Rome, among a variety of other options.
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What A Life Tours — Skip-the-line Vatican Small Group Tour
Travelers say this tour is worthwhile thanks to the personable guides, who bring the history of the Vatican Museums to life. Reviewers also appreciate that groups are capped at 12 participants, which they say creates an intimate experience that fosters engagement between guides and tourgoers. You’ll start the three-hour tour with skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums to admire highlights like the Gallery of Maps and the Pinecone Courtyard. Then, you’ll head to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica to marvel at Michelangelo’s Pietà. Along the way, your guide will share commentary that you’ll be able to hear via an audio headset.
Tours generally operate Monday through Saturday at 8:45 a.m.; tours depart at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Tickets cost approximately $90 for adults and around $80 for children ages 6 to 17. In addition to its variety of Vatican tours, the company also offers tours of the Colosseum and daylong tours of Rome.
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Rome’s Ultimate Free Walking Tours
According to reviewers, this free walking tour is a great way to start your visit in Rome. During the nearly three-hour stroll, you’ll visit several photo-worthy piazzas, the Pantheon, Ponte Sant’Angelo and Castel Sant’Angelo, among other sights. Guides, who have backgrounds in subjects like history and architecture, earn praise from reviewers for their entertaining storytelling and thoughtful restaurant and activity recommendations.
Tours, which are limited to 15 participants, operate twice daily at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. In total, you’ll walk less than 2 miles. According to the company, the tour is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Though the tour is free, it’s recommended that you reserve your spot in advance via the company’s website (guides do not wait at the departure point unless reservations are booked). At the end of the tour, you can tip your guide based on your experience.
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Secret Food Tours — Historical Center Rome Food Tour
Dine your way through the historical center of Rome visiting cafes, markets and shops for a total of up to seven stops. During the approximately 3 1/2-hour tour, you’ll walk through neighborhoods like the Campo de’ Fiori and the Jewish quarter with an enthusiastic guide who ties together history and insights about traditional dishes. The focus is on Italian-style dining: savoring the perfect cappuccino, sampling fresh pizzas and homemade pastas, pairing wines with a variety of cheeses, gelato and more. Travelers praise the guides’ knowledge of Roman cuisine and the amount and quality of the food.
Tours depart daily at 11 a.m.; an additional 5 p.m. tour may be available depending on the day. Tour prices start at approximately 80 euros (about $85) per adult and around 70 euros (around $75) for children ages 3 to 12. Private tours are also an option.
The Roman Guy — Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel
Hoping to see the Vatican sans enormous crowds? This 3 1/2-hour tour from The Roman Guy convenes at 7:30 a.m., allowing you to enter the Vatican Museums an hour before they open to the general public. First, relish the tranquil Sistine Chapel, which welcomes upward of 25,000 visitors a day during the summer. Afterward, follow your guide to museum highlights, including Raphael’s paintings, the Borgia Apartments and the Gallery of the Maps. Travelers rave about the knowledgeable guides and say the opportunity to see the Sistine Chapel without the crowds is worth the tour price (though reviewers do warn that you will still encounter quite a few other tour groups enjoying early access to the site).
Tours are available Monday through Saturday. Tickets costs approximately $100 per adult and around $80 for children ages 6 to 17. Groups are capped at 14 people. If you’re short on time, consider The Roman Guy’s abridged Vatican Highlights tour, which last two hours.
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City Wonders — Tuscan Countryside Day Trip from Rome with 3-Course Lunch & Wine Tasting
If you want to visit Tuscany while in Rome, but don’t want to drive the approximately 175-mile journey yourself, consider this 12-hour excursion from City Wonders. You’ll depart from Rome at 7:30 a.m. via an air-conditioned coach bus to see famous hilltop towns, such as Montepulciano and Pienza. You’ll also visit the Renaissance church of St. Biagio before enjoying a three-course lunch and wine pairing in famed Montalcino. Travelers say guides are informative and thoughtful, giving tourists plenty of time to explore the towns and take pictures. All agree that leaving the driving to a professional made the trip worthwhile.
Tours are offered daily. Tickets for the full-day experience start at approximately $140 for adults and around $130 for children ages 2 to 14. City Wonders also offers a variety of tours in Rome, including tours of the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Borghese Gallery.
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Through Eternity Tours — Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Sistine Chapel: Essential Experience
Conquer Rome in just seven hours with Through Eternity Tours. With your skip-the-line tickets, you’ll visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Professional, engaging guides — all fluent English speakers — allow you to set the pace, absorbing as much history and archeology as you want at each stop. Travelers say you’ll see much more on this half-day tour than you would if you were to visit each site on your own as guides point out unexpected gems along the way.
Rates vary depending on the number in your party, but expect to pay approximately 585 euros (around $630) for two adults, plus taxi fares. The company offers discounts for students and children. Bring stamina, a water bottle and wear comfortable shoes. When you’re ready for more, try one of Through Eternity’s other tours, such as its evening tour of Rome’s piazzas and fountains.
Walks of Italy — Gladiator’s Gate: Special Access Colosseum Tour with Arena Floor
On this three-hour tour, you’ll enter the Colosseum through the “Gladiator’s Gate” — the entrance that was once used exclusively for gladiators 2,000 years ago. Once inside, you’ll enjoy 360-degree views of the Colosseum on the reconstructed arena floor as your guide shares the gory history of this famous landmark. Then, you’ll bypass the lines to tour the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Highlights include the cremation point of Julius Caesar, senate buildings and the Temple of the Vestal Virgins. Guides win kudos from travelers for their ability to discuss dense history topics in an engaging manner. Reviewers say the tour flies by thanks to guides’ entertaining storytelling. They also appreciate the skip-the-line access to these must-see sights.
Tours, which are capped at 25 participants, are offered twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tickets cost approximately $65 for adults and $60 for children ages 2 to 14, and include all entrance tickets and the use of audio headsets during the tour. Walks of Italy also hosts cooking classes in Rome and organizes daytrips to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.
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Maya Tours — Skip-the-Line Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Group Tour
If you’re interested in visiting the Vatican Museums, but don’t want to devote more than a couple hours of your Rome vacation to the experience, consider this 2 1/2-hour kid-friendly tour. In addition to skip-the-line access, your guide will show you the must-see artworks, several courtyards and galleries, and the Sistine Chapel. Reviewers praise guides for their interesting and informed commentary (which tourgoers can hear via audio headsets). Parents are particularly impressed with guides’ ability to engage children.
Tours are offered Monday through Saturday multiple times in the morning and afternoon. Tickets cost approximately 45 euros (around $50) for adults and about 35 euros (about $37) for children ages 6 to 17. Maya Tours also operates longer, semiprivate tours of the Vatican.
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You may also be interested in:
— The Best Things to Do in Rome
Update 06/10/22: This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
