Rome: Private Tour with a Local Guide

Trevi Fountain is the oldest fountain in Rome, famous for its magnificent Baroque design. It has made many appearances in movies and is mythically believed to be a magical fountain where tossing a coin ensures your return to Rome.

Admission: Free

The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) are the longest and widest steps in Europe, connecting the Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti church above. They are a popular gathering spot and offer a grand perspective of the city.

Admission: Free

Trastevere is an old working-class neighborhood characterized by its narrow, cobblestone alleyways, traditional trattorias, and lively atmosphere. It’s a charming district perfect for an evening stroll, offering a glimpse into authentic Roman life.

Admission: Free

The Altar of the Fatherland is a large national monument built to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy. This grand, white marble structure features panoramic terraces offering expansive views over Rome.

Time to visit: 1-1.5 hours (for exterior and basic interior; panoramic terrace has a fee)

Admission: N/A (Exterior/Grounds free; panoramic terrace and museum have fees)

Vatican City is the smallest independent city-state in the world and serves as the center of Christianity. It is also an important archaeological site of the Roman world, housing St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel.

Time to visit: Variable (can be a full day combined with Museums/Basilica)

Admission: N/A (Entry to the city-state is free; specific attractions like Vatican Museums have fees)

The Vatican Museums are renowned for their papal connotations, rich history, and extensive collection of art, capturing millennia of human creativity. They house countless masterpieces accumulated by popes throughout the centuries, including the breathtaking Sistine Chapel.

Admission: Ticket required

St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic tradition. It is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the world, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, and home to important artworks such as Michelangelo’s Pietà.

Admission: N/A (Entry to Basilica is free; dome climb has a fee)

The Capitoline Museums are a group of art and archaeological museums located on Capitoline Hill, capturing Rome’s rich history. Their layout was conceived by Michelangelo, and they house ancient Roman statues, including the famous Capitoline Wolf, and other classical and Renaissance artworks.

Admission: Ticket required

Circus Maximus is the oldest and largest stadium in ancient Rome, built for chariot races and mass entertainment. Although primarily an archaeological site today, its vast oval shape hints at its past grandeur and offers beautiful views of Palatine Hill.

Admission: Free

The Colosseum is a colossal amphitheater that hosted gladiatorial games and public spectacles. It is over 1900 years old and considered to be one of the 7 Wonders of the World, standing as an enduring symbol of ancient Rome’s power and engineering.

Admission: Yes (Ticket required, often combined with Roman Forum/Palatine Hill)

Palatine Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome and the most central of them. It offers beautiful views of the city, including the Colosseum and Circus Maximus, and is the site where ancient Roman emperors built their magnificent palaces.

Admission: Yes (Ticket required, often combined with Colosseum/Roman Forum)

The Roman Forum was the vibrant heart of ancient Rome, serving as the center of public life. It was the site where processions, elections, public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial marches took place, surrounded by the ruins of important government buildings and temples.

Admission: Ticket required, often combined with Colosseum/Palatine Hill

The Doria Pamphilj Gallery is a stunning private art gallery that contains one of the best art collections in Rome. Housed within the magnificent Doria Pamphilj Palace, it features masterpieces by artists such as Velázquez, Caravaggio, Bernini, and Titian, displayed in their original opulent settings.

Admission: Ticket required

Villa Torlonia is a historical villa that has been transformed into a public park, offering well-kept green spaces, unique architecture, and several museums. It’s most famous as Mussolini’s former residence and features quirky buildings like the Casina delle Civette (House of the Owls).

Admission: Park is free; museums inside have fees

Tiber Island, or Isola Tiberina, is a small boat-shaped island in the Tiber River, connected to the mainland by two ancient bridges. Also known as the “sacred island,” it has long been associated with medicine and healing in both pagan cults and Christian religion, featuring a basilica and a hospital.

Admission: Free

The Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano is the oldest public church in Rome and the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. It is the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) and holds immense religious and historical significance as one of the four Papal Major Basilicas.

Admission: N/A (Generally free entry; some areas/museums may have fees)

The Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) are a set of 28 marble steps believed to be the stairs that Jesus ascended to reach Pontius Pilate’s praetorium in Jerusalem. Pilgrims traditionally ascend these stairs on their knees. They are located in a building adjacent to the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano.

Admission: N/A (Free to ascend; chapel at top may have a small fee)

Villa Doria Pamphilj is the largest landscaped park in Rome, offering vast green spaces perfect for walking, jogging, and enjoying nature away from the city center’s hustle and bustle. It’s a tranquil oasis with historical ruins and beautiful vistas.

Admission: Free

Villa Medici is a superior villa situated on the Pincian Hill, housing the French Academy in Rome. It is a stunning example of Renaissance architecture and gardens, beautifully demonstrating the connection between classical design, lush gardens, and the surrounding environment, offering guided tours.

Time to visit: 1.5-2 hours (for guided tour of gardens/villa)

Admission: Yes (Ticket required for guided tours)

MAXXI is Rome’s national museum dedicated to contemporary art and architecture. Designed by the celebrated architect Zaha Hadid, its innovative structure houses rotating exhibitions of Italian and international contemporary works, making it a key destination for modern art enthusiasts.

Admission: Ticket required