Alexander Meddings
Verified Writer4.912527 reviews
Verified Writer
4.97(2485)
15 Guests Max
2 hrs
Flexible TravelUpdated January 2025
One of the most frequently asked questions in our Facebook Travel Group is whether Rome is safe. The answer, in short, is yes — or at least as safe as you might expect from a city of 4.3 million residents.
Let's look at what the statistics say.
The 2024 Global Peace Index Report ranks Italy as the 33rd safest country in the world, ahead of the UK (34th) and USA (132nd). Italy comes 40th out of 193 countries in the Global Organised Crime Index (OC Index). But this measures organised crime, and Italy is historically notorious as the heartland of the Mafia.
Thankfully, Italy's mafioso reputation no longer reflects reality, at least in terms of public gang warfare or leaving horses' heads in beds. Political and judicial efforts from the 1970s onwards have purged the poison that once infiltrated Italian society and its body politic. But some criminal gangs remain, most notably the Camorra in Campania and the 'Ndrangheta in Calabria.
According to the latest figures from Statista, Rome has Italy's 2nd highest crime rate, with 6,074 felonies per 100,000 inhabitants. That puts it behind Milan (in 1st place) and just in front of Florence (3rd place) and the coastal city of Rimini (4th).
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Statista: Leading Provinces for Crime Rates in Italy (2023)
While petty crime is common (in Italy's capital as in any other), violent crime is rare, and there's nowhere in Rome's centre where you won't feel safe. The city does have its dangerous areas, especially the 1km-long residential project known as the Serpentone situated far to the southwest of the centre. But unless you're into adrenaline-fuelled parkour or graffiti, there's no reason any tourist—or local—would go there.
Here are some of the most common crimes in the capital and which measures you should take to ensure your trip to Rome goes smoothly.
In the event of an emergency, call the police on 113. To claim on your insurance, you must file a report with the local police (a process known in Italian as a denuncia) and receive a denuncia di furto or denuncia di smarrimento (theft/loss report).
This can be done in person at your closest police station (questura).
Yes, as long as you keep your wits about you.
Italians don't binge drink like young Brits or Americans, so fights outside bars or clubs are as rare as pineapple pizza in the city centre. So as long as you don't go mouthing off about how Roma or Lazio are getting relegated from football's first division (something a friend learned from personal experience) you'll be just fine on a night out in Rome.
Female travellers should be alert to the use of GHB (the so-called 'date-rape drug') in some of Rome's bars and clubs. Cases are rare and the statistics are patchy, but over the last few years, the number of people charged with possession has increased incrementally. Because of this, we suggest that the safest way to explore Rome's nightlife is through a fun evening tour with fully trained staff. Also, be aware that unaccompanied women taking taxis between 10pm and 6am are also entitled to a 10% discount.
Some areas are best avoided late at night, especially around Termini Train Station and Piazza San Lorenzo. Having said that, in January 2025 Rome's police announced plans to boost security around Termini Station in a move that coincides with the Jubilee Year.
Stick to well-illuminated streets and you'll find Rome's centre is very safe.
Unfortunately, Rome's reputation for dreadful driving is backed up by the data.
According to ISTAT, the National Institute for Statistics, Rome was the Italian city with the most road accidents and deaths in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, Rome recorded 11,798 accidents and 124 deaths — more than second-place Milan, which recorded 7,527 accidents and 38 deaths — and in 2023 the capital recorded 11,320 accidents and 121 deaths — ahead of Milan's 7,472 accidents and 42 deaths.
The best way to get around Rome is by walking, taking advantage of its cheap, well-connected public transport system, or — if you're happy to shell out — taking a taxi. If you decide to walk (which really is the best way to see this beautiful city) just remain vigilant when stepping out into the road.
If you do decide to rent your own wheels, you should be aware of the risks that come with it.
E-scooters are fast becoming one of the leading causes of accidents and deaths in Italy. ISTAT recorded more than 2,000 accidents resulting in death or injury involving e-scooters in 2021 with most accidents occurring in the high season—between June and September. If you ride one, only ever ride solo and consider buying a cheap helmet (casco) for the duration of your stay.
Here are some emergency contacts, in case the worst should happen:
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Make sure to also check out our Rome tours for skip-the-line entry and immersive itineraries around Rome's most popular attractions!
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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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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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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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Join us on a journey through Roman history on our immersive Rome by Night Walking Tour. Your expert guide will share the city’s secrets, history, and fascinating tales—from antiquity through to the modern day, and at a pace to suit you.
Our tour starts in Rome’s most picturesque square, Piazza Navona, where the ancient Romans used to watch athletic contests (agones). Today’s piazza sits above the ancient stadium and boasts Gian Lorenzo Bernini‘s stunning Fountain of the Four Rivers as its centrepiece.
A five-minute walk from Piazza Navona takes us to the world-famous Pantheon. Constructed more than two-thousand years ago by the eccentric emperor Hadrian, the Pantheon was consecrated as a monument to all the pagan gods (pan theos, in Greek meaning all the gods). This second-century temple is one of the best-preserved monuments in the Roman Empire and its unreinforced concrete dome still perplexes architects.
Our next stop is the iconic Trevi Fountain. Immortalised by Anita Ekberg wading through its water in Federico Fellini’s iconic film La Dolce Vita, the Trevi Fountain one of the most romantic spots in the Eternal City. Snap your photos of the monument in the moonlight, listen to your guide decipher its symbols, and toss a coin over your shoulder to guarantee your return to Rome.
We emerge from Rome’s winding backstreets onto Piazza Venezia. Stretching from the foot of the Capitoline Hill, against the backdrop of the Altar of the Fatherland, Piazza Venezia is Rome’s most recognisable square, and a repository of history involving figures from Napoleon to Mussolini.
Your guide will lead you down the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the boulevard that cuts through ancient Rome, past Trajan’s Column and alongside the forums of Trajan, Augustus and Nerva. Your guide will feed your curiosity and nourish you with knowledge about ancient Rome and its empire as you make your way towards the most famous monument of all: the Colosseum.
The Colosseum is one of the most awe-inspiring attractions that has survived from antiquity. As a colossal feat of architecture and engineering, its form has been replicated throughout the ages, manifested in stadiums and sports venues around the world. But while its form is familiar to us, the spectacles it accommodated are entirely alien, and remind us of the violent nature of Roman culture.
Group sizes are 15 people maximum.
Book your spot now to avoid missing out!
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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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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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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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