15 of the Best Things To Do in Rome Near the Pantheon

Stately Piazza Navona is among the most famous must-see attractions near the Pantheon in Rome. See it for yourself on this walking tour that starts at one of Rome’s most recognizable landmarks, Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s sumptuous Fountain of the Four Rivers in the middle of the piazza. Or, if you'd prefer, you can take a load off your feet and hop on a Vespa for the tour instead of exploring on foot.

Resembling a miniature Colosseum, the open-air Theater of Marcellus is one of Rome’s most striking lesser-known ruins—it’s older than the Colosseum and has an inhabited palazzo behind the ancient facade. Pass the beautiful structure in a vintage Fiat on this tour that also stops at Trajan's Column and the Mouth of Truth, and departs from the Piazza Venezia (just a 10-minute walk from the Pantheon).

Since at least the mid-18th century, the Campo de’Fiori—a spacious public plaza 10 minutes from the Pantheon—has hosted one of Rome’s best-known markets almost daily. Through the decades, some produce and flowers have given way to souvenir stands, but it's still a great place to sample local pizza, prosciutto, gelato, pasta, and other favorites.

Zip through Rome’s traffic on this electric golf cart tour—and quickly dash to one of the best attractions near the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, an extravagant depiction of the sea-god Oceanus and his giant seahorse-led chariot. Since you saved precious travel time by exploring on your own swift “wagon,” you’ll have enough time to linger by the water, snap a photo, and toss a coin over your shoulder, as custom demands. (Plus, the tour starts mere steps from the Pantheon.)

One-hundred and thirty-five steps made of Roman travertine marble rise from Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti Church. Once the haunt of musicians, poets, and intellectuals, the Spanish Steps offer some of the best people-watching Rome has to offer—but you have to get there first. Mingle and climb the stairs yourself on this walking tour that starts right at the steps themselves.

It would be remiss to explore near the Pantheon in Rome without visiting the Village Borghese, a lovely public park that’s also home to the Borghese Gallery art collections. If it’s a bit far to walk, you can make it easy on yourself by taking a customized golf cart tour through the park, which lies just under 20 minutes on foot from the Pantheon.

If you’re struggling to decide what to see near the Pantheon, you could hardly do better than settling for baroque art. Steps from the Pantheon, the Basilica of Sant'Agostino is a smaller church that’s home to the Madonna di Loreto, a painting by one of Italy’s most beloved baroque artists, Caravaggio. On this art-themed tour which departs from Piazzale Flaminio, you’ll also visit the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo in search of Rome’s few other Caravaggio paintings, as well as frescoes by Raphael.

Rome’s Jewish community—and neighborhood—is among the oldest in Europe, dating back to at least the 2nd century BC. Explore the historic area with a guide who gives special historical insights and points out features and off-the-beaten-path sights you might miss on your own—and visit nearby Tiber Island and Trastevere.

If you’re looking for fun activities near the Pantheon, you can look no further than walking food tours in Trastevere, long-considered Rome’s coolest neighborhood. Get insider food tips from your guide on this evening food tour through the lively area. On this particular experience, you’ll skip entrance lines like a VIP at popular restaurants, sample classic Roman street food, taste truly artisanal gelato, and more.

Among the Pantheon’s nearby attractions, the Colosseum (just a 25-minute walk away) is easily the most iconic. Get a different view of the ancient amphitheater on a tour that explores Rome’s historic center at night, when the temperatures drop and the daytime crowds head home. You’ll stroll past the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain before ending at the Colosseum—with everything dramatically (and romantically) lit up.

Fifteen minutes south of the Pantheon lies Capitoline Hill and the museums of the same name—by most accounts the oldest public museums in the world and home to some of Italy’s finest collections of classical sculptures, including Bernini’s Bust of Medusa and the famed Capitoline Wolf, a life-size bronze of Rome’s famous she-wolf. See the museum with a private guide who can help you navigate the massive collections.

If visiting the Capitoline Museums seems daunting, you can try the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, a smaller, more manageable collection of private art assembled by Roman noble families over the centuries. Visit on a private tour to see artworks by European masters such as Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio with a guide and learn about the sumptuous building and historic artworks.

An extravagant public space with an obelisk and fountains in the center, Piazza del Popolo is among the most beautiful squares in Rome, and one of the best places to visit near the Pantheon. Visit this square and others, such as Piazza Venezia, on this tour with a guide on hand to tell you about the piazza’s features, from the churches near the southern entrance to the obelisk brought from Egypt.

Just across the Umberto I Bridge over the Tiber River lies Castel Sant’Angelo, a fortress-turned-museum also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian. Visit the fortress—and other attractions such as St. Peter’s Square and Piazza Navona—as you search for secret messages from the Illuminati on this tour inspired by the Dan Brown novel Angels and Demons.

Move over Trastevere, Monti is Rome’s real trendiest neighborhood. Experience the hidden gem, once a neglected residential area, on a fun night out with a guided bar crawl. Sample wine, beer, liqueurs, and cocktails as you make your way through the neighborhood to the Vittorio Emmanuele II Monument, built to honor the first king of unified Italy.