12 Best Tours in Rome That Stole Our Hearts — From Local Eats to Iconic Landmarks
Wondering what the best tours in Rome are?
There are so many of them—from those exploring the iconic Colosseum from bottom to top, to tours showcasing the famous artworks in the Vatican Museums, to those taking guests around Rome to see the highlights in just one day, and even food tours where you can taste the best of Roman cuisine.
Rome tours are very varied: some are on foot (good shoes are a must), others are by Vespa or golf cart, making it easier to get around and see a lot in a short time.
This page is our personal diary of the best Roman tours we’ve taken so far—plus the ones we’re planning to try soon.
Keep an eye on it for more great finds!
Below, you'll find our selection of:
- 👉 Best Rome tours for first-timers
- 👉 Best tours in Rome for food lovers
- 👉 Best family-friendly tours in Rome
- 👉 Best Golf cart / Fiat / Vespa tours
- 👉 Best night tours
- 👉 Best private tours
- 👉 Best tours for cruise visitors
👉 Insider tip! Be sure to book your desired Rome tour months in advance, as the best ones sell out quickly.
Best tours in Rome for first-timers
When someone visit Rome, he/she want to see as much as possible in a short time. They want to walk along the Colosseum, wander through the Jewish Ghetto, see the art in the Vatican Museums, enjoy the views from the Roman hills...
Top Roman tours are the best ways to do all of these. Some are dedicated to one sight - for example the Colosseum, while others cover many sights. Below, we selected the best tours in Rome for those visiting first-time.
Some tourists want to go deeper and explore the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, while other want a more relaxed experience, walking through Trastevere and see local squares and hidden corners.
Especially popular among travellers are golf cart tours, bike or vespa rides as well as night tours.
Tours like the Rome in a Day Tour are a great way to see the city’s top highlights in one day, with attraction tickets and a guide included.
The Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour focuses on Ancient Rome and gives you skip-the-line access to famous ruins, while the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour helps you explore the Vatican’s incredible art and history without feeling overwhelmed.
You can also join a Historic Center Walking Tour to stroll through beautiful areas like Piazza Navona, the Jewish Ghetto, and Trastevere while learning about the city from a local guide.
1. The Best of Colosseum & Ancient Rome with Arena Floor Option I Max 6 People
This 3-hour Liv Tours experience offers a deep dive into ancient Rome with priority access to the Colosseum.
Enter through the Gladiators’ Gate to step onto the arena floor and see the underground dungeons below, then continue to the second level for expert stories about Rome’s history.
One of the top tours in Rome also visits Palatine Hill for panoramic views over Circus Maximus and ends at the Roman Forum, exploring the heart of ancient Roman life.
Available daily, this small-group tour combines expert storytelling with exclusive access to Rome’s most iconic sites. Travellers can choose from multiple starting times (between 11:20 AM and 4:15 PM) throughout the day, and the tour lasts 3 hours.
2. Semi-Private Rome Golf Cart Tour with LivTours
Ideal for first-time visitors to Rome (and not only for them), this golf cart tour takes you all across the city.
One moment you're near the Colosseum, the next you're enjoying stunning views over Rome from Janiculum Hill, and later you're exploring the charming streets of Trastevere. And all this without any hassle—comfortably seated in a golf cart, with a gentle breeze on your face as you explore the city.
We recently took this Rome tour (May 2026) and must admit that we loved it. We learned a lot about Roman history, modern-day Rome, and received great tips on what to visit and where to dine.
This tour is ideal even for families with small-kids!
To get an overview of this amazing Rome highlights tour, read our review.
👉 If you decide to book, we recommend doing so through the LivTours website.
Private options, as well as an evening golf cart tour with drinks, are also available.
Best tours in Rome for food lovers
There’s no better way to experience Rome than on a food walking tour filled with classic dishes like pasta carbonara, or street-food staple supplì, and gelato.
Perfect for travellers interested in Roman cuisine and local culture, these tours take you through lively neighbourhoods such as Trastevere, Testaccio, and Prati, with stops at traditional restaurants, local markets, and family-run eateries along the way.
Group food tours are a great option for solo travellers looking to meet others while tasting a variety of Roman specialties, while private tours offer a more personalized experience with flexible pacing and easier access to popular local dining spots.
1. The Roman Food Tour in Prati (20 Tastings + Wine)
We can confidently say this foodie walk is one of the best tours in Rome. We chose the Roman Food Tour in Prati to experience a more local, less touristy side of the city, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.
This 4-hour tour was fantastic from start to finish, with a friendly guide leading us through nonstop tastings of pizza, local cheeses, cured meats, bruschetta, Roman pasta, gelato, and wine. We especially loved trying classic Roman flavors while learning about the city’s food culture along the way. Tours start near the Vatican at La Nicchia Cafè and are family-friendly, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available on request.
2. The Roman Food Tour in Trastevere (20+ Tastings and Free-Flowing Wine)
This relaxed, family-friendly food tour through Trastevere feels more like exploring Rome with local friends than a formal tour.
Starting at Piazza Trilussa (meet outside Trapizzino), you’ll wander charming streets while sampling generous bites—think trapizzino, wood-fired pizza, pasta, bruschette with pesto, truffle and balsamic tastings, cheeses, cured meats, local wines, and artisanal gelato to finish.
Tours run at 12 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM, 5 PM, 6 PM, and 7 PM (private at 12 PM & 6 PM), last about 4 hours, and cater to vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary needs with advance notice. One of Rome’s most popular food tours!
3. Rome Food Tour in Campo de' Fiori, Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere by Gourmetaly
Discover Rome through its flavours on this laid-back, family-friendly food tour across Campo de’ Fiori, the Jewish Ghetto, and Trastevere.
Starting at Piazza Farnese (outside VyNIQUE Farnese café), you’ll spend about 3.5 hours tasting your way through local favorites—fresh market produce, cheeses, and cured meats, antipasti with white wine, pizza rossa, Roman street food like supplì and carciofi alla giudia, and classic pasta dishes like cacio e pepe and amatriciana, all paired with curated wines.
Tours run multiple times between 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM, with vegetarian and dairy-free options available on request. Not wheelchair accessible.
Best Rome tours for families with kids
Rome’s ancient landmarks can be fascinating for adults, but they may feel overwhelming for kids. To keep younger travelers engaged while exploring the Colosseum and nearby ruins, it’s best to book a private family-friendly tour designed for all ages.
Instead of long lectures, these tours use games, stories, and small challenges to bring Roman history to life, helping kids stay interested while parents still get rich historical context. Most family tours are also shorter—usually under three hours—so you have plenty of time for breaks and other activities during your day in Rome.
For families in Rome, these are the tours most worth booking:
1. Private Family Experience | Colosseum Tour for Kids
The LivTours Colosseum tour for kids is an interactive, family-friendly way to explore ancient Rome.
With a private guide, you and your children discover the Colosseum and Roman Forum through stories, games, and fun activities designed to keep kids engaged throughout.
At the start, each child receives an activity bag with a booklet to guide the experience. Along the way, kids learn about gladiators and Roman history in a way that’s fun and easy to follow, making the tour both educational and entertaining for the whole family.
Fun & Unique: Best golf cart, Fiat & Vespa tours in Rome
1. The ORIGINAL Fiat 500 Tour - Roman 7 hidden gems
Starts at 9:30AM and 2PM, lasts for 3 hours
This might just be the most unexpected (and most fun) tour in Rome. Picture this: you're cruising through the Eternal City in a vintage Fiat 500, following a convoy of tiny, colourful cars, all led by the endlessly charming guide, Alvise. Whether you're a couple, a family, or just a fan of quirky adventures, this tour is as private or as social as you want it to be.
With seven stops around the city for chats, coffee breaks, and photo ops, it feels more like a rolling hangout than a traditional tour. Best of all? No stressing over traffic or parking—just pure, Italian joy on wheels. Booking ahead (at least 6 hours in advance) is a must, and if you’ve got special interests, just email in advance—they might tailor the route just for you. You'll begin the tour just steps away from the Colosseum.
Top private tours in Rome
Sometimes, it's better to explore only with your travel companions. Private Rome tours are ideal for this, as you'll free relaxed and sighsee on your own pace, with the people you know. These tours easily sell out so be sure to book them on time - a couple of months ahead.
1. Private Vespa Sidecar Tour by Liv Tours
The Vespa sidecar tour is a fully private experience that can be customized for returning visitors who may have already seen Rome’s main highlights. It is not a flexible, drop-in activity, but a curated experience designed to make the most of your time in the city.
Led by a licensed guide who is knowledgeable, friendly, and easy to understand, the tour can accommodate up to six participants, though you will only join a group if you choose to.
You’ll explore Rome by Vespa, covering an impressive amount in just a few hours—something that would be difficult on foot. Ride past iconic sights such as Circus Maximus, the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and St. Peter’s Basilica, along with unique landmarks like the Pyramid of Cestius and the Mouth of Truth. Stop for photos at Largo Argentina, where Julius Caesar was assassinated, and experience lively squares such as Campo de’ Fiori and Piazza Navona.
Your guide keeps a planned route but can easily adapt it on request, combining famous landmarks with hidden gems, local stories, and insights into Rome’s food and culture.
The Rome tour runs at 9:00 AM, 2:30 PM, and 7:00 PM, and lasts 3 hours
Best Rome tours for cruise ship visitors
Those who visit Rome on a cruise docking at Civitavecchia can also explore the best of Rome in one day. The best way is to take a good tour that takes you straight from the ship to Rome and covers sightseeing there.
1. Civitavecchia to Rome City: Private Tour of Rome Highlights
This Rome highlights tour has only 5-star reviews — which says a lot on its own. It’s an excellent choice for smooth, memorable, and stress-free sightseeing in Rome during your Mediterranean cruise.
Everything is included, from pickup directly in front of your ship in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle to a guided tour of Rome and timely return to the port.
The experience includes a guided visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, along with stops at other famous landmarks such as the Spanish Steps, Palatine Hill, Trevi Fountain, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Your guide will also recommend a great local spot for lunch, so you won’t have to spend time searching for where to eat.
This tour departs between 6:30 AM and 9:00 AM, whenever you want and lasts for 8 hours
So, what is the best tour to take in Rome?
With so many tours available in Rome, the best choice depends on your interests, budget, and travel style.
- If it’s your first visit, a highlights golf cart tour is a great way to see the main landmarks in a short time.
- Food lovers should opt for a foodie tour through Trastevere or the one in Prati to taste the best of Rome, in a company of a guide
- History-focused tours are ideal if you want deeper insight into ancient Rome
- Consider the pace of the tour as well — some include lots of walking, while others offer transport or small group formats for a more relaxed experience. Always check what’s included, such as entry tickets or meals, so there are no surprises.
- Finally, choose a guide or company with good reviews, as a great guide can make all the difference in bringing Rome’s history and culture to life
You might also like
- Day Trip from Rome to Florence - Pros, Cons & Tips
- Best Places to Stay in Rome in 2026
- Top Roman Cooking Classes
Within this webpage there are some affiliate links for products and services. For more details click here.