Alexander Meddings
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Verified Writer
5(452)
6 Guests Max
3 hrs
Flexible TravelPeople often ask why so much of Rome lies underground, peeking up from beneath the streets. We tell them that it helps to see Rome as a lasagne: with debris-encrusted layers of overlapping archaeological levels. The ancient city belies the medieval. The medieval city belies the modern. And today’s modern metropolis is just the latest in a long line of urban mazes exposed to the elements.
Underground Rome accounts for many of the city’s most famous sites. Some are household names, like the Colosseum Underground and Rome’s Catacombs. Others are barely known (but no less deserving of attention) like the multi-layered Basilica of San Clemente and the City of Water near the Trevi Fountain.
So much remains of the city beneath Rome’s streets that it can be difficult to know where to start. Modern Rome certainly showcases an impressive array of surface ruins, and no visit would be complete without making the obligatory pilgrimage to the Colosseum and the Pantheon. But with the right guide and some insider know-how, you'll find an entire underground realm just waiting to be discovered. A hidden city of subterranean structures, often perfectly preserved by their protective blankets of earth.
That’s why we have written this guide: to help you choose the best tours of underground Rome, telling what there is to see and how to visit.
Colosseum Underground
Mithraeum of San Clemente
Catacombs of Domitilla
Many of Rome’s underground sites are open all year, and can be visited by booking tickets and/or tours.
The Colosseum Underground is accessible only through booking a guided tour, and because tickets are limited, it’s best to book in advance. You also need a guide to visit the catacombs, as there is the real risk that without one you could lose yourself among their dozens of kilometres of tunnels. But you can visit sites like the Basilica of San Clemente only with a ticket (although it’s always worth booking a tour for the context and the content!)
Underground Rome’s lesser-known sites are open only on special request to the Soprintendenza di Roma. We’ll publish another post about Underground Rome’s lesser-known sites. For now, Carpe Diem has drawn up this list of easily accessible underground Rome sites you can visit through one of our tours!
Spanning more than 2,000 years of history, San Clemente Basilica is the most multi-layered and archaeologically intriguing church in Rome. Today’s basilica dates from the 12th century, and its golden mosaics and array of artworks make it worth visiting in itself. But this basilica is just the tip of the iceberg: for in 1857 excavations beneath the basilica brought to light a further three levels below it, dating as far back as the first century and descending to depths of 60 feet.
Venture beneath the Basilica of San Clemente and you’ll emerge among the beautifully preserved remains of the original fourth-century basilica. This basilica was filled in and used as the foundations of the modern basilica in the 11th century, following the Norman sack of the city.
Today, this archaeological site showcases a wealth of treasures and curiosities, including a fresco preserving one of the earliest examples of Latin’s transition to Italian with the line “Fili de le pute, traite!” - which translates as “Pull, you son of a bitch!”. Who said Latin wasn't a beautiful language... 😉
One of the earliest Italian inscriptions with the words: “Pull, you son of a bitch!”
Descend even further and you’ll find yourself among the streets of imperial Rome following Nero’s Great Fire in 64 AD. To understand the archaeology of this level requires a guide’s expertise, But put simply this section of underground Rome comprises the remains of a first-century insula (apartment building) and industrial building (perhaps one of the city’s mints), separated by a narrow alleyway.
In the courtyard of the apartment building is a temple to the Iranian sun god Mithra, identifiable by its sacrificial altar that has become one of the defining images of San Clemente’s underground. This wasn’t the site of the only mithraeum (Temple of Mithra) in Rome though.
You can find one beneath the Circus Maximus, one beneath the Baths of Caracalla, and another among the ruins of Ostia Antica. The Basilica of San Clemente is situated just a five-minute walk from the Colosseum, making it the ideal tour to take in the morning or afternoon if combined with one of our Colosseum tours.
Rome’s catacombs date back as early as the 2nd century BC. At least 40 catacombs are believed to run beneath, or around the outskirts of, the modern city, many of which have only recently been discovered.
These catacombs are mostly excavated from the local tuff (or volcanic rock). And while these burial places are predominantly Christian, we also have pagan catacombs and Jewish Catacombs of Vigna Randanini.
Learn more about Rome's Catacombs
Several catacombs line Rome's Via Appia. The three most impressive Christian catacombs are those of San Sebastiano, San Callisto, and Domitilla.
The Catacombs of Domitilla are particularly as they are named not after a saint but after Flavia Domitilla, granddaughter of the emperor Vespasian (the man responsible for building the Colosseum) and niece of the emperor Domitian (the man responsible for undoing all of Vespasian's good work).
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Joining Carpe Diem for a catacomb tour means learning how ancient Christian burial rites and rituals were performed in antiquity while exploring the hand-hewn tunnels that once contained the bodies of the ancients. During the course of this tour, you'll visit the tomb of Diogenes, the basilica to saints Achilleo and Nereo (the only basilica housed within a catacomb), and an array of crypts ornated with Pagan and Christian symbols and motifs - including the oldest known fresco of the last supper.
Situated a stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain, and 10 metres below the modern street level, is Rome’s very own waterworld. But you’ll find no Kevin Costner here. Instead, Rome’s City of Water comprises the remains of an ancient imperial house (domus) and castellum aquae (water basin) of the Virgin Aqueduct, which continues to feed the baroque fountain to this day.
Visiting the Vicus Caprarius means travelling back 2,000 years in time and witnessing Rome's evolution through the events that shaped the city: from the Great Fire of 64 AD to the sack of the ancient capital by Alaric the Goth.
The Vicus Caprarius showcases the mastery with which the Romans harnessed water. Taking a tour of the Vicus Caprarius offers insight into how the Romans transformed their city into one of history’s most powerful civilisations and exported engineering expertise that we still draw upon today.
For almost 450 years between 80 AD and 523 AD, Rome’s Colosseum played host to a gory ensemble of gladiatorial combats, wild-animal hunts, theatrical performances, and public executions.
The scale of these spectacles was staggering. Spectators were treated to performances involving celebrity gladiators, animals captured from across the Roman Empire, and full-scale scenery winched up on the sands of the arena. At the height of the Colosseum’s popularity, these spectacles were witnessed by between 50,000 and 70,000 spectators. When you consider that London’s Wembley Stadium accommodates 90,000 people, that truly is spectacular.
To set the stage for the scenes that played out above, the Romans constructed an enormous underground hypogeum beneath the Colosseum’s arena floor. It was from here that the Colosseum’s combatants emerged, from here scenery and props were winched onto the arena sands, and from here wild beasts appeared on the arena sands to devour their prey or flee their hunters.
The Colosseum Underground (hypogeum) was a ship-shaped structure spanning 525 feet of wooden walkways, animal cages, and ropes and pulleys. The niches in which the cages were kept are still visible, as is a reconstruction of the pulley system used to hoist props and participants onto the arena floor. Most strikingly, the Colosseum Underground has suffered less of the natural attrition that has affected the amphitheatre above, and so its travertine walls still retain their original white colour.
Following the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD, the arena and its underground fell into a state of disrepair. It was not until 2018 that experts started renovating the hypogeum in earnest, and not until 2021 that the Colosseum underground completely reopened to the public.
The modern city sits atop the debris and silt of the settlements that came before. As space within Rome’s ancient city walls became a premium, its inhabitants recycled what they had. Buildings levelled by earthquakes and fires were filled in with earth, their compact rubble becoming a future structure’s foundations. Excavate beneath the city today and, between the husks of its buildings, you’ll uncover a mass of organic and inorganic waste that wouldn’t seem out of place in a modern landfill.
It's no exaggeration to say that entire cities lie hidden beneath the Italian capital. If you consider that, by the first century AD, Rome's population exceeded 1 million people and that a fourth-century census claimed that Rome had 40,000 multi-storey apartment buildings (only one of which is visible today) you begin to get an idea of how much lies beneath. Even when Montaigne visited in 1580, he was struck by how little survived of the ancient city, and how its ancient streets were situated 30 feet below those on which he walked.
A Carpe Diem tour is the best way to experience the Eternal City. Perfected over years of experience, our tours are tried, tested, and trusted on TripAdvisor, which is why we rank among the top 1% of tour operators in Rome. We always include skip-the-line tickets to the Colosseum and Vatican (because why should you waste valuable time standing in line?). Most importantly, all our Rome tours are led by fluent professional guides who are happy to recommend how to make the most of your time in Italy!
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Explore the wonders of the Eternal City on our best of Rome walking tour. As you get your bearings around Rome’s cobbled historic centre, your expert storyteller will bring Rome’s most must-see sites to life, including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. Take photos, make memories, and most importantly, get the most out of your time in the Italian capital!
Your private guide will share the city’s secrets and narrate its story in a way that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time – from explaining how the stunningly intricate churches and palaces were erected, to how the grand fountains were used to channel water throughout the city.
We will start at Trajan’s Column, which portrays the bloody victory of the emperor during the Dacian wars in Eastern Europe. We’ll then head to the Piazza Venezia, the crossroads between the ancient city and the modern capital and one of the most scenic squares in Italy!
After taking a moment to marvel at the imposing Altar of the Fatherland, we’ll make our way to the iconic Trevi Fountain. Toss a coin into the fountain, spend a moment soaking in its sounds and scenery (metaphorically, not literally!), and uncover the fascinating stories behind the fountain’s statues and symbols.
After discovering the incredible frescoes within the church of Sant Ignazio, we’ll make our way to the Pantheon where the spectacle of the 2000-year-old dome will blow you away. Marvel at one of the best-preserved buildings of the ancient world, hear the story behind the man who built it, and discover the shocking architectural secret behind how the dome is (or isn’t) supported!
Your private walking tour of Rome finishes at Piazza Navona. The square is situated near some of Rome’s best and most vibrant bars and restaurants and your guide will be happy to recommend where to go.
This tour is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. You can expect this memorable experience to last about two hours, which leaves you with more than enough time to explore the city beyond.
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The best way to understand Rome is to take a look beneath it. Our Rome Catacombs Tour is perfect for travellers who want to get off the beaten track, unearth underground passageways, and discover the secrets of the largest catacombs in Rome.
Prepare to discover the deeper, darker, and more mysterious parts of Roman history with a small group of like-minded adventurers. By digging downwards into the ancient labyrinth of tunnels, we’ll uncover all the secrets and dark tales of the catacombs of Domitilla.
Your friendly expert guide will meet you outside and give you a quick overview of the tour before we make our descent. With our close guidance, you’ll have the chance to explore and discover ancient passageways in the largest, most famous catacombs in Rome. These tunnels are sacred and an integral part of the Christian and Roman faiths. Learn how ancient Christian rites and rituals were held underneath the bustling city streets.
These tunnels were not only a place of ritual, but are still a sacred place of rest for more than 150,000 bodies. These catacombs and the bodies they hold stretch for almost 20 km underground, some of which is yet to be seen by the public eye.
With a maximum of ten travellers per tour group, you’ll have the opportunity to ask plenty of questions. The price of the tour includes the tickets. If you’d like to join us on our Rome Catacombs Tour of the darkest, largest catacombs in Rome, book your spot now to make sure you don’t miss out!
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Join our expert guide in an adventure through ancient Rome. No Rome trip would be complete without exploring the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum — the three most immersive sites of the world’s mightiest ancient empire. So what can you expect from our Colosseum guided tour?
Our most complete three-hour tour of ancient Rome starts at the Colosseum, which you’ll step straight inside with your timed entry tickets. Your expert guide will help you uncover the mysteries and histories of the Colosseum and follow in the footsteps of the ancients. Any question you can think of, they’ve got the answer – so ask away!
What are the holes that pockmark the ancient amphitheatre? Why is one side shorter than the other? And how much do we really know about the gladiators—and even emperors—who battled on the arena sands? (We promise the answers will surprise you!)
After exploring the Colosseum, we’ll climb the Palatine Hill to discover the birthplace of the ancient city. Here, your storyteller guide will recount the mythical foundation of Rome, the legend of Romulus and Remus, and the stories of the emperors who resided on the Palatine, like Augustus, Tiberius, and Caligula. Next, we’ll explore the ruins of some of the most luxurious palaces in Roman history, the emperor’s residences on the Palatine Hill, from which we get our word ‘palace.’
Last but not least, we’ll head into the Roman Forum, the heart of the ancient city. Discover what life was really like for everyday Romans as we explore the social, religious, and political hub of the Roman Empire. Marvel at the remains of towering temples, triumphal arches, sprawling basilicas, and the ancient senate house as you walk on the very same stones that the likes of Caesar and Cicero once did.
This is one of our most popular tours, so be sure to book your slot ASAP!
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Rome may well be the world’s most beautiful city, but after dark a more sinister side emerges. The ghosts of popes, emperors, and artists lurk on every corner, their lives claimed by tragedy and conspiracy across more than 2,000 years of history. Our Rome Ghost Tour is not for the faint hearted — you’ll hear the ghastly tales of beheadings and murder that are sure to keep you up late at night.
Your Rome Ghost Tour starts at Campo de’ Fiori, a central square, where you’ll be treated to the tale of Giordano Bruno, one of Rome’s greatest minds who got on the wrong side of the church. After learning about his grisly end, you’ll begin to explore the city. Venture through medieval backstreets; visit an ancient church adorned with skulls; and step inside the home to a mysterious order of monks. Discover the childhood home of one of Rome’s most infamous executioners; see the site of one of Rome’s most infamous prisons; and pass by a poisonous perfumery where cosmetics killed.
Your tour ends at the imposing Castel Sant’Angelo, where your guide will reveal the horror of Rome’s most disturbing executions. If you’re (un)lucky, you might even encounter a ghost or two.
No matter what, you’ll never see Rome the same way again.
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People made a pilgrimage from all over the world to visit the spiritual home of Catholicism. Unfortunately, this means that getting into the Vatican is by no means easy. With our priority entrance, you’ll be able to skip the hours of waiting in line and walk right into one of the most historically rich places in the world.
Your private tour starts with the Vatican Museums. Don’t be overwhelmed by the never-ending rooms or twisting corridors – we’ll guide you through some of the thousands of rooms without missing their deepest secrets. Our route includes the Hall of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of Candelabra, The Raphael Rooms and much more. Your friendly expert guide will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
After our trip through the museums, you’ll make your way into the Sistine Chapel, one of the most fabled historical sites in the world. The Sistine Chapel houses the timeless masterpiece crafted by none other than Michelangelo himself. Marvel at the Last Judgement in all its glory.
The pace of this private tour is comfortable and can be adapted to suit you. It also includes all ticket prices for the areas that we’ll be visiting during our trip. Book your spot now to make sure you don’t miss out on the chance to visit one of the most sacred spaces on Earth!
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Feed your curiosity while pleasing your palate on this indulgent Rome Food Tour! This fun (and filling) food tour gives you and a small group of others insider access to Rome’s best delicatessens, pizzerias and restaurants as well as Rome’s tastiest traditional food the locals keep to themselves.
Our Rome food tour takes place in Trastevere, Rome’s most traditional medieval neighbourhood. The area is renowned for its buzzing nightlife and fantastic eateries with delightful aromas spilling out of them. However, it’s also known to have its fair share of tourists traps! Our team of expert foodies invite you, and your tastebuds, to try some of the finest flavours in the city! Vacations are too short to eat bad food, right?
During the experience, we will try at least 10 different tastings together with a selection of local wines. However, this experience is more than just simply trying different local foods while sipping on red wine. This is a journey inside the Roman kitchen—discovering the delicacies, the diet and the cultural dos and don’ts.
Not only will you experience the mouthwatering flavours of Rome, but you’ll also discover the process, meet the makers, and truly understand why Italian cuisine is considered the best in the world. So book your spot on our Rome Food Tour today and get ready for a true taste of the capital!
Please note: the places that we visit and the food that we try depends on the season.
This is a sustainable tour, meaning part of its profits goes towards reforestation and other sustainable projects. We also ask all of our guests to bring a reusable water bottle to refill at one of the water fountains along our route to stay hydrated and help us reduce waste.
**Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate a gluten-free or vegan diet but we hope to be able to in the future. While we can cater to vegetarians, we ask that you let us know about dietary requirements in advance so we can best suit your needs.**
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Although our Rome Golf Cart tour follows a tried-and-tested itinerary, upon special request it can be 100% customisable—so you can hone in on the attractions that interest you most.
Forget the fatigue of traipsing around the Eternal City. This tour saves you time and energy as you see all the capital’s must-see sites in half the time. Jump aboard your horseless chariot and let us chauffeur you around Rome in comfort and convenience. Enjoy exclusive access to traffic-limited areas, and enjoy hopping on and off your golf cart straight at the foot of your attraction of choice.
Visit the stunning Trevi Fountain, immortalized in Fellini’s classic film La Dolce Vita, and throw a coin over your shoulder to ensure your return to Rome! Admire the tumbling terraces and balustrades of the famous Spanish Steps, and discover what exactly it is that makes the monument Spanish!
Gaze up in awe at the Pantheon, Rome’s best-preserved ancient temple, and learn the fascinating history of how it was founded and how it has fared. Drive to the foot of Piazza Navona, Italy’s most stunning square, which was built above an ancient structure your guide will bring to life.
Your Rome Golf Cart tour takes you up the Aventine Hill, where Romulus’ brother Remus tried—but failed—to found his city. Pass by the Orange Garden, stopping off to enjoy its views, and check out the famous Keyhole View over Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Territory of the Order of the Knights of Malta.
Stop off at the famous Mouth of Truth situated right by the River Tiber in the area where Rome was founded. This stunning stretch of road around the most ancient part of the Eternal City also takes us past the Theatre of Marcellus (a building started by Julius Caesar and finished by the emperor Augustus) and the impressive Capitoline Hill.
You can choose where your tour finishes: in Rome’s centre, at your hotel, or wherever you want to explore next! If you’d like to visit the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo or the Vatican on your Golf Cart Tour of Rome, we can also arrange for this, depending the time and location of your departure or finish point.
For all special requests, please contact us directly.
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Descend into the depths of the Colosseum Underground and follow in the footsteps of gladiators and emperors. The area beneath the Colosseum is closed to the general public. But our Colosseum underground tour can get you exclusive access.
Step straight inside the amphitheatre, onto its arena floor, and down into the dark underbelly of the Colosseum. What’s more, as well as touring the Colosseum, we’ll be visiting the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum to discover where Rome’s history began.
Your storyteller guide will walk you and a small group of like-minded travellers through the rich history of the world’s most iconic amphitheatre. Discover which animals the Romans caged beneath the Colosseum and how they winched them up onto the arena sands. Recreate the architectural ingenuity of the Colosseum’s hypogeum (underground chamber) and retractable arena floor.
Emerging from the Colosseum Underground, we’ll climb the amphitheatre’s original steps, following in the footsteps of its ancient spectators as we make our way up to the Colosseum’s upper-tiers. Here you’ll hear all about the social status of its spectators, discover the gory details of ancient entertainment, and geek out on the gladiatorial fights and performances that thrilled the Colosseum’s crowds.
Once outside the Colosseum, we’ll cross the ancient cobbles, passing the triumphal Arch of Constantine and climbing the Palatine Hill. Home to the sprawling ruins of Rome’s imperial palaces, the Palatine is the most picturesque of Rome’s Seven Hills.
It was here where Romulus founded the city in the 8th century BC and here where Rome’s rich and famous settled throughout the Republic and Empire. Take in the Palatine’s sweeping views of the Circus Maximus, Roman Forum, and Colosseum as we explore the ruins of the emperors’ luxurious palaces.
At the end of the tour, we’ll make our way down the Palatine Hill into the Roman Forum. Starting off as swampland between the Palatine and Capitoline hills, this area was drained by Rome’s Etruscan kings, becoming the bustling hub of the ancient city.
Its temples, basilicas, military monuments, and residences were Rome’s main areas of activity (as most ancient Romans spent as little time at home as possible!) Your expert guide will be at hand the whole time to answer all your questions to make sure you get the most out of this exclusive tour of ancient Rome.
Our pace is comfortable and leisurely, which means that our Colosseum Underground Tour is appropriate for guests of all ages and fitness levels. The tour lasts about 3 hours, giving you more than enough time to explore.
Spaces fill up fast, so be sure to book as soon as you can!
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Tired of big-group tours that move from one attraction to the other before you’ve even had the chance to understand what your seeing?
This is the Vatican Tour for you.
Our VIP Vatican tour offers a more personal, intimate experience that doesn’t compromise on anything. See it all, learn it all, and feel it all.
With a maximum group size of 12, you can guarantee you’ll have more than enough time and privacy to soak up the stunning artworks and fascinating history of the Vatican City.
Our tour starts at the Vatican Museums, where more than four millennia’s rich history resides. Worried about getting lost in the labyrinth of corridors and galleries? Don’t be. Gain real-world insight into the stunning wonders of the museum’s 1000+ rooms thanks to the help of your friendly, expert guide. They’ll be excited to answer as many questions that you could possibly come up with, so feel free to ask away.
Afterwards, we’ll head over to the Pope’s private place of prayer, the Sistine Chapel. Home to two of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, The Last Judgement and its famous ceiling, the Sistine Chapel is just as awe-inspiring today as when it was unveiled in the 1500s. Marvel at world famous frescoes and discover how Popes are elected, here in this very room.
Our VIP Vatican tour runs at a comfortable, leisurely pace and includes all ticket prices for the different sites and areas we’ll be visiting. Remember, our VIP tours only accommodate a maximum of 12 people at a time, which means that spots fill up fast.
Book your VIP Vatican Tour now to avoid disappointment!
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Home to Rome’s most impressive collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings and sculpture, the Borghese Gallery is a must-visit for all art lovers. The 17th-century villa is an artwork in itself, furnished with frescoes by the Florentine-trained artist Ludovico Cigoli and situated in the midst of a vast landscaped garden. But the artworks it contains are unrivalled in Rome, featuring sculptures and paintings by the likes of Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Canova.
Tickets to the Borghese Gallery are had to find – and for good reason. Everyone wants to step inside, but few get the chance. Book your tour of the Borghese Gallery today and you can be among the lucky few. Simply turn up on time, and we’ll take care of the rest.
After meeting the rest of the tour group in the lush surroundings of Villa Borghese park, you and your expert art-historian guide will make your way into the gallery. This 17th-century villa is home to countless works of priceless art and is named after a passionate and wealthy cardinal, Scipione Borghese.
As an art enthusiast and nephew to the Pope himself, Borghese was known for going above and beyond to make sure he could own and display the masterpieces that caught his eye. You’ll have the chance to learn everything there is to know about the Cardinal, from how he hosted extravagant parties to the infamous threats he made to artists worldwide in an attempt to take their art for his own.
Unlike some of the other museums in Rome, the Borghese Gallery only allows a certain number of visitors at a time. Not only does that make for a more exclusive experience, but it also gives you the peace and quiet you need to really absorb the sheer beauty of its art.
Bernini’s sculpture of Apollo and Daphne and Raphael’s sensual depiction of La Fornarina are just a few of the masterpieces you’ll have the honour of seeing during this leisurely, private tour.
Book your spot now to avoid disappointment, skip the lines, and immerse in Roman history with Carpe Diem.
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One of the best ways to meet people in a new city is to grab a drink together, and few city serve up more iconic drinks than Rome. Whether you’re travelling solo or with a group, for a long vacation or a short city break – our Rome Tipsy Tour is for you!
This unique nightlife experience combines all our favourite elements of travel: discovering new places, being immersed in different cultures, meeting fun people, and trying out a range of delicious drinks! It’s not a run-of-the-mill bar crawl. It’s a sociable tour that gives you a real taste of with Rome’s sights, stories, and signature drinks in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with fun, local hosts. We also welcome sober travellers who want to join for a social experience but who want to forgo a hangover, so we’ll have non-alcoholic options available as well!
You’ll meet your guide and group at Piazza Madonna dei Monti, where we’ll break the ice with a warm Italian welcome – aka, a refreshing glass of local wine. After saying cheers—salute—we’ll head into Monti, an uber-trendy district filled with quirky bars and cobblestoned streets, and plenty to unpack. In ancient Rome, Monti was known as a suburra – the red-light district of Rome where prostitutes plied their trade and gangsters once roamed. As we wander through the cobblestone streets your guide will tell you scandalous stories of sex and bloodshed that you won’t hear on your typical walking tour.
After so much scandal, you’ll surely need a drink. So at our first stop on the Rome Tipsy Tour you’ll get an extra stiff one. The spotlight will be on Carpano Classico a venerable vermouth with a curious story! Unravel the history of the man who made it – Antonio Benedetto Carpano – back in 1786 whilst sharing some sips with your newfound friends.
We’ll keep the night going with some more saucy stories before trying a classic Italian Spritz. Indulge in the bitter flavours of Aperol or Campari Spritz while enjoying dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing—apart from getting tipsy of course!
Our final stop is Rome’s most iconic road, the Via dei Fori Imperiali, leading down to the Colosseum. The views of the ancient city are best enjoyed after dark with an ice-cold Limoncello – trust us. Sip away as your guide tells shocking stories of the power-hungry Roman emperors who once ruled the known world.
At 11 p.m., the Tipsy Tour officially ends, but the night out begins! We will continue drinking with our new friends at some of Rome’s most popular bars!
Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We promise to make your night in Rome one you’ll never forget! Skip a boring walking tour, and come get tipsy with us.
Book your spot now!
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Channel your inner-Maximus as you step out onto the Colosseum Arena floor and access this recently reopened area of the world famous amphitheatre. Then, explore the rest of the heart of ancient Rome, with a friendly, expert guide and a small group of like-minded travellers!
Unlike regular tours of the Colosseum, our Colosseum Arena Tour gets you straight inside the ancient amphitheatre and out onto the arena floor through the Gladiator’s Gate. This is the route the gladiators themselves took almost 2,000 years ago. Imagine the moment they left the gates, and were greeted by the cheers and jeers of 50,000 bloodthirsty spectators.
Your expert guide will transport you back in time to the height of the Roman Empire when the Colosseum was constructed. These were times when Rome was ruled by all-powerful emperors (sometimes wise, sometimes wacky), the city was flooded with exotic riches from around the world, and the Colosseum acted as the city’s main stage for showing off the animals and people that Rome had conquered and captured.
After a short 30-minute break, we’ll head off on the next part of the tour…
Next, we’ll climb the Palatine Hill, where the ancient city was founded. The Palatine Hill is a real archaeological wonder, home to settlements from the Iron Age to the 16th century. Gaze upon such sites as the Hut of Romulus, Rome’s legendary founder, and the Imperial Palace, where the emperors in their family engaged in ruling, politicking, and scheming. Get your camera at the ready – you really can’t beat these views!
The final destination on our Colosseum Arena Tour is the Roman Forum. As the beating heart of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum was once a bustling hub of markets, law courts, temples, and more. It was here that Julius Caesar was cremated, where victorious triumphs paraded with the spoils of Roman conquests, here where two disgraced emperors were murdered in 69 AD, and here where Cicero delivered the speeches that shaped western culture for centuries.
When our tour is over, feel free to stay and explore the Roman Forum at your own pace.
Book the complete ancient Roman experience today with our Colosseum Arena Tour!
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Learn to cook like an Italian in this small group pasta & tiramisù cooking class that gives you mastery over the country’s best-loved classics. Over the course of three-and-a-half-hour fun-filled hours, you’ll enjoy the expert guidance of our fluent professional chef and get hands on recreating real Roman recipes, culminating in a well-deserved dinner in which you feast on what you’ve made.
Situated in our centrally situated air-conditioned cooking school, your interactive class will give you the true sense of an Italian nonna’s loving kitchen. Led by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable English-speaking chef, our cooking masterclass is perfect for kids and adults, beginners and experts.
Savoiardi (ladyfingers) are gently dipped in rich coffee before being layered with dollops of delicately mixed eggs and panna (cream). Finished off with a sprinkle of cocoa, these delicious desserts are set aside to rest in time for an after-dinner energy boost. In fact, the espresso within a tiramisù is what gives it a name that translates literally as “pick me up”!
Rolling up our sleeves, here is where we channel our inner nonna. Mixing, kneading, rolling, and shaping our fresh pasta from scratch will work up a sweat but result in elegant end products. We will then combine these carefully crafted creations with the flavors of the season and locality; be it twangy cacio e pepe or creamy carbonara.
How else to conclude your cooking class than by fully indulging in your culinary creations! Celebrate your accomplishment with family-friendly company, a gorgeous setting, and a selection of red or white wines and soft drinks.
Whether returning a culinary maestro or a self-proclaimed novice, you’ll be sure to take the memories home with you and ruling your dinner parties back home!
5(1852)
Why is Rome home to the country’s most tight-knit and deep-rooted Jewish community? What’s so special about Trastevere, and why does everyone recommend visiting? Seize the day with Carpe Diem, and we’ll answer all your questions on this exclusive tour of the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere.
Rome’s Jewish community has been rooted here for thousands of years, even pre-dating the time of Julius Caesar. Through its ancient, medieval, and modern wonders – from the Theatre of Marcellus to the Great Synagogue – Rome’s Jewish Ghetto tells a fascinating story of segregation, persecution and resilience. To truly understand the city of Rome, you need to know how its various communities intersected with each other and how the City of the Caesars became the Rome of the Popes and then the Italian capital.
This tour fully immerses you in the history of the Jewish Ghetto. Discover the 1st-century remains of the Theatre of Marcellus and Portico of Octavia, the sister of the emperor Augustus. Experience the tight-knit community of Rome’s Jewish population, all centred around Ghetto’s Great Synagogue, Tempio Maggiore. And trace the outlines of the Ghetto’s medieval walls, which kept thousands of Jews in inhuman conditions until the Ghetto’s abolition in the 19th century.
After uncovering the secrets of Rome’s Jewish Ghetto, your expert, fluent guide will lead you across the River Tiber and into the artisan district of Trastevere. Your journey across the river takes you across the city’s oldest bridge, the Ponte Fabricio, which has connected the eastern bank of the city to Tiber Island since 62 BC.
As we explore Trastevere, your guide will lead you through the picture-perfect cobbled streets of this traditional medieval neighbourhood. Snap your photos and take your time to admire the unique architecture of this authentic neighbourhood (and hub of Roman nightlife).
Our final stop in Trastevere is Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches still standing in Rome. Incorporating columns retrieved from the nearby imperial Baths of Caracalla, this church is a masterpiece in Roman ingenuity and recycling. Here, you will have more than enough time to ask your expert guide everything you’d like to know about this ancient work of architectural and historical beauty.
5(75)
Channel your inner-Maximus as you emerge onto the Colosseum arena floor, enjoying exclusive access to this newly reopened section of the world most famous amphitheatre. Don’t settle for half-measures on your Roman holiday. Seize the moment—carpe diem—and treat yourself to an immersive tour of ancient Rome with a private expert guide!
Unlike most other tours, this private tour gets you straight inside the Colosseum and out onto the arena floor through the Gladiator’s Gate. This is the route Rome’s gladiators took almost 2,000 years ago. Imagine the scene of them being greeted by the cheers and jeers of 50,000 spectators.
Your expert private guide will transport you back in time to the height of the Roman Empire when Nero’s Golden Palace fell and the Colosseum was constructed in its place. These were times when Rome was ruled by all-powerful emperors (sometimes wise, sometimes wacky), the city was flooded with exotic riches from around the world, and the Colosseum acted as the city’s main stage for showing off the animals and people that Rome had conquered and captured.
Next, we’ll climb the Palatine Hill, where Romulus founded the city. The Palatine Hill is a real archaeological wonder, home to settlements from the Iron Age to the 16th century. Gaze upon such sites as the Hut of Romulus, the houses of Augustus and Livia, and the Imperial Palace, where the emperors in their family engaged in ruling, politicking, and scheming.
The final destination on your private Colosseum arena tour is the Roman Forum. As the beating heart of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum was once a bustling hub of markets, law courts, temples, and more. It was here that Julius Caesar was cremated, here where two disgraced emperors were murdered in 69 AD, and here where Cicero delivered the speeches that shaped western culture for centuries.
At the end of your private tour, feel free to stay and explore the Forum at your own pace.
4.96(1256)
