Top 15 Unforgettable Tours in Rome for Tourists

Rome is a highly sought-after tourist destination, renowned for its historical, cultural, and culinary offerings. As the capital of Italy, it boasts a myriad of attractions appealing to travelers, from ancient Roman monuments to contemporary art galleries and innovative cuisine.

This widespread appeal, however, has made the city exceptionally crowded with tourists. To mitigate this issue, organizing a guided tour is an effective strategy. Such tours often facilitate quicker access to popular sites in Rome and provide valuable insights that may not be available otherwise.

Below are 15 exceptional tours to consider while visiting Rome.

1. Rome: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour

Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing buses are favored by visitors in cities worldwide, and Rome is no exception.

The city is extensive, so instead of suffering from fatigue due to excessive walking or grappling with a complicated public transport system, you can enjoy this open-topped double-decker bus that takes you to major sites—from the Colosseum to Piazza di Spagna, and even Vatican City.

This tour encompasses all the key attractions, making it an excellent choice for your first day exploring the city.

2. Crypts & Catacombs Tour with Bone Chapel Visit

Embark on an extraordinary underground exploration and discover the catacombs and crypts beneath the bustling streets of Rome.

This tour provides an in-depth understanding of the city’s lesser-known history and its inhabitants.

3. Skip the Line: Colosseum and Ancient Rome Walking Tour

Rome, once the center of the Roman Empire, is filled with captivating archaeological sites that date back thousands of years.

However, due to the high tourist interest in these locations, entry can often involve long waiting times. This tour allows you to bypass the line and enter the Colosseum at a designated time.

Although this may come at a slightly increased cost compared to regular entry tickets, it provides you with extra time to explore the rest of what Rome has to offer.

After visiting the Colosseum, you will have the opportunity to partake in a walking tour of Ancient Rome to delve deeper into its rich history.

4. Rome: 4 Hour Food Tour by Night

No trip to Italy is complete without savoring its culinary delights. Italians take great pride in their local ingredients and adhere to strict culinary customs regarding when and how certain dishes should be enjoyed.

This tour will take you on a nocturnal journey through some of the most intriguing culinary hotspots in the city, alongside established restaurants. You will enjoy tastings of food and wine, as well as locally-prepared specialties by local chefs.

With over 20 tastings, you will also gain insights into identifying the finest cuisine and understanding Italian dining traditions.

5. Rome: Pasta and Tiramisu Workshop with Dinner

If you are interested in acquiring the skills to prepare an authentic Italian feast to recreate at home, this workshop is ideal.

Italy is home to an abundance of reputable pasta-making workshops, and this is among the finest. You will learn to create pasta from scratch—mixing and cutting the freshest noodles imaginable—and master the art of preparing tiramisu.

Upon completion, you can select your preferred pasta sauce, which will be prepared by the restaurant, allowing you to relish your culinary creations paired with a carefully chosen wine that complements the sauce.

6. Rome: Pantheon Express Guided Tour

The Pantheon stands as one of the best-preserved monuments from Ancient Rome and is openly accessible to the public.

For a more comprehensive understanding of its historical significance and its role in modern Rome, you may opt for this forty-minute guided tour that encompasses the grounds as well as detailed insights once you enter the building.

Additionally, you will be shown the tombs of some of history’s most notable Romans, who are interred within the Pantheon.

7. Rome: Borghese Gallery with Optional Guided Tour

The Borghese Gallery is situated within the Villa Borghese Pinciana, a remarkable example of Renaissance architecture designed by the esteemed architect Flaminio Ponzio.

It contains some of Italy’s most esteemed artworks, featuring pieces by Caravaggio, Bernini, and Canova.

This tour offers you expedited entry into the gallery along with an informative guided experience to provide deeper insights into the artworks. Your entrance also includes access to a special Bernini exhibition.

8. 35-Minute Rome Pantheon Audio Guide Tour

If you prefer to explore the Pantheon at your leisure while still gaining additional information about the structure and its interior, this audio guide tour is an excellent alternative.

The guide covers the building’s ancient history, originally as a pagan temple and its later transformation into a Catholic church.

There are 15 designated listening points around the Pantheon, where you will be instructed to play your audio guide, allowing you to focus on parts of interest and spend extra time in areas that capture your attention.

9. Rome: Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition

Leonardo da Vinci is a quintessential artist recognized globally for his diverse talents across various mediums. This special exhibition aims to showcase his genius.

Attendees will not only have the opportunity to view some of his renowned works but also to interact with several of his inventions. Utilizing multimedia techniques, the exhibition offers a sensory experience while providing an in-depth understanding of da Vinci himself.

This experience allows for expedited entry, along with additional information on the exhibited pieces. Fully guided tours are also available.

10. Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Package

The vicinity surrounding the Colosseum comprises additional notable Ancient Roman sites, including the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

All these sites charge entry fees and generally attract considerable queues from visitors exiting the Colosseum, making a guided tour an advantageous way to bypass delays and acquire more information on these remarkable monuments.

This tour is particularly appealing for those whose primary interest in visiting Rome lies in exploring its ancient history.

11. Rome: Half Day Vespa Tour With Private Driver

Few experiences rival the romance of exploring the streets of Italy on a Vespa.

This tour provides each participant with a private Vespa driver as you navigate Rome while discovering the city’s history, culture, and cuisine. Your driver will arrange for your pickup and drop-off at your hotel.

You will have the chance to taste some of Rome’s finest gelato and take a brief coffee break. All tours are conducted by licensed professionals, and rain gear is provided in case of inclement weather.

12. Rome: Food and Wine Half Day Tour

This day tour is a wonderful opportunity to experience the best of Roman cuisine, with a particular focus on dishes that pair exquisitely with wine and the appropriate selections to accompany them.

The tour covers two of Rome’s vibrant food destinations: Campo de’Fiori and Trastevere. The initial segment concentrates on local street food, while the latter allows you to indulge in a traditional Italian dining experience with curated wine pairings.

This culinary adventure highlights local eateries—known as trattorias—ensuring authenticity in your dining experience. No food tour would be complete without enjoying some genuine Italian gelato.

13. Rome: Cooking Class in Mama’s Kitchen

In Italy, some of the finest cuisine is not found in restaurants but within the homes of authentic Italians.

In line with global trends, Italian mothers are renowned for their exceptional culinary skills; thus, this class is designed to impart the art of cooking like a true Italian Mama.

You will be taken to a traditional market, instructed on how to prepare ingredients based on recipes that have transcended generations, and ultimately enjoy your own creations at a leisurely pace. A glass of wine will accompany your meal.

14. Opera Serenades by Night in Rome

Italy is esteemed for its operatic traditions; this experience offers an opportunity to enjoy some of the finest examples of this classical music form. Notable works from Verdi, Rossini, and Puccini are included, alongside various composers whose features may vary from night to night.

Prior to the concert, a private tour of Palazzo Doria Pamphilj will be included.

This tour enables you to explore the palace’s private art collection while gaining insights into the life of the princess who resided there centuries ago.

15. Rome: Capuchin Crypt & Museum Tour with Choral Concert

Gain a deeper understanding of Rome’s history through a visit to the Capuchin Crypt. These intriguing burial sites are adorned with the bones of over 4,000 monks, creating a strikingly dramatic atmosphere.

This location also serves as a surprising venue to learn about the early history of Christianity, which was once deemed a cult.

Conclude the tour with a view of artworks by Caravaggio and Domenichino, followed by a breathtaking choral concert in the adjacent basilica.