Top Rome Literary Tours

Save time and explore the grand mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian with prebooked skip-the-line entrance tickets to Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome. Learn how the magnificent monument was built around AD 123 and used over the years as a fortress, prison, and papal residence. Enjoy access to the National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo, home to a fascinating collection of fine art, antique furniture, military memorabilia, and medieval weapons.

Step away from the crowds in Rome's historic center, and explore the lesser-known neighborhood of Prati, on this group walking and tasting tour. Discover locals-only gourmet shops and eateries you're unlikely to uncover on your own, and sample a wide variety of specialties. Feast on artisan charcuterie and cheeses, pizza by the slice, pasta dishes, and Italian wine as you learn about the city's culinary culture.

The Vatican Museums cover plenty of ground in galleries before visitors reach the Sistine Chapel—without a route, you tend to either rush past the significant works or lose time backtracking. A private guided tour covers the Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica on a set route, with skip-the-line entry saving precious vacation time.

Visit three of Rome's ancient highlights, all in a single tour—and enjoy the most personalized way to explore the city—on this private tour. Enjoy an itinerary that includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, as your guide provides deep insight into the history and cultural significance of these ruins. Perfect for first-timers and history lovers seeking an immersive experience in discovering Rome's ancient legacy.

Make the most of limited time in Rome on a private tour that covers all must-see attractions in a single day. From ancient marvels such as the Colosseum and Pantheon to the Baroque Trevi Fountain, your art historian guide get you there in speed and comfort, and provides informative commentary. The grand finale is a walk through the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

Save valuable vacation time by skipping the long lines for entry into the Borghese Gallery and Villa Borghese Gardens on this private tour. Explore the gallery and gardens with an art historian guide to see works by Titian, Bernini and Caravaggio across two floors and a stroll through the peaceful gardens with views of the city.

This family-friendly tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel is perfect for groups with young children. With skip-the-line access, you can bypass long waits—ideal for restless kids. Your art historian-guide engages with children through interactive games and puzzles, all while you take in artistic wonders by Michelangelo, Raphael, and other Renaissance masters.

Visit the historic vacation homes of Rome's elite on a Rome-to-Tivoli day trip—no need to navigate buses or trains. Tours Tivoli’s two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites: Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este. Hear Renaissance and Ancient Roman history and scandal, admire archaeological ruins, and explore some of Italy’s most extravagant private gardens.

The Vatican Museums are among the world's largest museums, and with over five million annual visitors, they can get incredibly crowded. This self-guided tour is ideal for those who want to take their time without the constraints of a guided tour. Save time with fast-track, skip-the-line entrance tickets, browse the galleries at your own pace, and visit the magnificent Sistine Chapel on your schedule.

Rome’s ancient ruins can be overwhelming and hard to interpret on your own. This guided tour brings them to life, giving historical context and fascinating stories behind each site. In just a few hours, explore the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum with insights that make history vivid and easy to understand.

Knowing where to start when visiting Rome's archaeological sites can be daunting, especially for first-time visitors. This group tour handles the planning, with an itinerary that includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Step onto the amphitheater's restricted Arena Floor, something the majority of travelers aren't able to access. Gain deeper insights through your guide's commentary, which goes beyond what you'll find on the information panels.

Reaching Pompeii from Rome on your own means sorting trains and connections, and the ruins are vast enough to lose your bearings once you arrive. Join a guided tour to handle both, with transportation from Rome and a route straight to the site's highlights. From there, you can shape the day: add a crater hike, a walk at Mt. Vesuvius, extend your time in Pompeii, or upgrade to include lunch.

Specially suited for travelers short on time, this private tour of the Vatican covers key highlights in the papal collections in just a few hours. With a vast collection of religious artefacts and Renaissance masterpieces, deciding where to begin exploring the Vatican can be overwhelming. Relax and let your guide handle the route planning, who'll take you to the Sistine Chapel's painted ceiling, the Raphael Rooms, and more.

Go beyond the guidebooks and immerse yourself in the Vatican's expansive history on this private tour. Follow your guide as they lead you around the collection's highlights, streamlining your experience. Explore the Museum's vast collections of Renaissance artworks and religious artefacts, getting insight into them that you might miss if touring solo. Take in Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps and more.

Set on the bank of the Tiber River, Castel Sant’Angelo is one of Rome’s most impressive sights. With this entry ticket, enjoy more time to explore the interiors with the insights of an audio tour via your smartphone. Learn about the history and architecture of Emperor Hadrian’s Mausoleum and the legend behind its name as you visit at your own pace.

Home to highlights such as the Gallery of Maps, Raphael Rooms, and fresco-painted Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums shouldn’t be missed when visiting Rome—but it can be tough to navigate the sprawling space alone, without a guide to point out details and usher you to the highlights. On this half-day guided tour, listen to explanations from an art historian as you take in the many masterpieces on display.

Not all tours offer access to the Colosseum's Arena Floor, but this one does. Stand where gladiators once fought and hear stories of Rome's ruthless games and battles, then explore the Colosseum's first and second levels with your guide. Finish with a visit to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum to complete your journey through ancient Rome.

Explore the Vatican and its vast collections of religious artifacts and Renaissance artworks, without missing any of the highlights, on this guided tour. Don't worry about navigating the large complex yourself; your guide leads you through the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, offering insider commentary along the way.

Instead of juggling multiple bookings, make your visit to Rome easier with a combination tour that checks off three historic sites in one seamless experience. Begin with a guided tour of the Colosseum—once the stage for epic gladiator battles—before heading to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to learn about ancient politics and daily Roman life.

The Colosseum and Roman Forum have significant accessibility infrastructure, including elevators, accessible routes, and step-free paths, but the routing isn't obvious to wheelchair users without prior knowledge. This private tour takes you across both sites using the accessible routes and elevators with a guide planning the path through the Colosseum and the Forum's step-free sections.

Zip through the bustling streets of Rome as the Romans do — on a Vespa! Hang on for the ride as your private driver and guide whisks you around on a vintage scooter for an exciting half-day tour of Eternal City highlights. Wind through traffic circles and mazelike streets, easily hopping off for a closer look at Imperial monuments and baroque piazzas. Learn about the history of Rome, from ancient emperors to the modern metropolis, and get an insider’s glimpse at some of the city’s best-kept secrets.

The vast size of the Vatican Museums can be overwhelming for young visitors. On this family-friendly tour, zip past the long line and head directly inside the galleries. Learn about the most important works with an art historian guide who will keep kids engaged. Walk through the Raphael Rooms, see the stunning frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, and enjoy an experience tailored to your family.

Immerse yourself in the art and architecture of 16th-century Rome on a private tour of Villa Farnesina, a beautiful Italian Renaissance residence and museum. With a guide, walk through rooms decorated with original paintings by Raphael and his artistic disciples, learning the symbolism and history behind each work from a dedicated guide. Modern multimedia from an electronic tablet and other aids help enhance the rich viewing experience.

If you're looking for in-depth historical insight into ancient Rome, a private tour is the perfect alternative to shared excursions—many of which only skim the surface. With an archaeologist guide exclusive to your group, explore the Colosseum—including the arena floor—Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum, with plenty of time to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the Eternal City's storied past.