Destinations · Rome

Rome private tours

The Vatican, the Colosseum and three thousand years of history, with private guides, reserved entries and the trattorias Romans love.

St Peter’s Basilica in Rome at dusk

Tailor-made in Rome

The world’s greatest open-air museum

Rome is overwhelming without a plan: some of the world’s most visited sites, long queues and summer heat. With the right guides and timing, it becomes unforgettable.

We arrange private art historian guides, early or exclusive entries, food tours through Trastevere and Testaccio, and experiences families love, from the Colosseum arena floor to a pizza masterclass.

The portico of the Pantheon in Rome

Getting around

Every entry, handled

Rome’s top sites need timed tickets booked well ahead, and the historic centre is a restricted traffic zone. We take care of entries, guides and drivers.

Reserved entries

The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s and the Colosseum, booked for you.

Private guides

Art historians who bring the Vatican, the Forum and the Pantheon to life.

Private drivers

Transfers from Fiumicino and the station, and day trips to Tivoli, Ostia Antica or Orvieto.

Unique experiences

A vintage Fiat 500 tour, food tours and a Roman pizza masterclass with tiramisù.

Inside the Colosseum in Rome

Sample itinerary

Four days in Rome

4 days · Vatican · Colosseum · Trastevere · Appian Way

From our most-booked experiences: the Vatican, the Colosseum and Rome at its most delicious.

  • Day 1 · Centro storicoA private transfer, then the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain in the evening light.
  • Day 2 · The VaticanA private tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica.
  • Day 3 · Ancient RomeThe Colosseum through the Gladiators’ Gate onto the arena floor, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
  • Day 4 · Rome like a localHidden corners in a vintage Fiat 500 and a Roman pizza masterclass with tiramisù.

Private Vatican tourColosseum arena floorVintage Fiat 500

When to go

Rome through the year

Rome is a year-round city with mild winters.

Spring

Warm days and blossom, the most popular season. Book early.

Summer

Hot, so we plan early starts and evening visits.

Autumn

Golden light and comfortable temperatures, a favourite time.

Winter

Mild, festive and much quieter, with lower prices.

Beyond Rome

Combining Rome

Rome is a natural start or finish for Florence and Tuscany, Umbria, the Amalfi Coast and Sicily, all reachable by high-speed train or private driver.

Tuscany and Florence · Amalfi Coast · Rome, Florence and Venice, unhurried

Good to know

Rome questions

Can’t find your answer? WhatsApp us or send us a message.

How many days do you need in Rome?

We recommend three to four days for a first visit. This gives you time for the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon and the beautiful piazzas of the historic centre.

With more time, you can add hidden corners such as the Appian Way, the Jewish Quarter and Trastevere, or a day trip outside the city.

What are the best things to do in Rome?

Rome holds nearly three thousand years of history in one city, and the right plan makes all the difference. These are the experiences we most often include in our clients’ journeys:

The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Explore ancient Rome with a private guide, including the arena floor and underground areas where available.

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. See Michelangelo’s masterpieces with a private guide, ideally at the quietest time of day.

St Peter’s Basilica. Admire Michelangelo’s Pietà and climb the dome for one of the best views over the city.

The Pantheon. Step inside the best-preserved monument of ancient Rome, with its extraordinary dome.

Rome’s great piazzas. Wander from Piazza Navona to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, best enjoyed early in the morning or in the evening.

The Borghese Gallery. Admire Bernini’s sculptures and Caravaggio’s paintings in this jewel of a museum, where visits must be booked in advance.

Trastevere and the Jewish Quarter. Discover Rome’s most charming neighbourhoods on a food tour, tasting supplì, carciofi alla giudia and pizza al taglio.

The Appian Way and the catacombs. Explore the ancient road by e-bike or golf cart and visit the early Christian catacombs.

A vintage Fiat 500 tour. Discover Rome’s hidden corners from behind the wheel of a classic Italian car, with no long walks.

A pizza-making class with a local chef. A favourite with families and couples alike.

Hidden gems. Peek through the keyhole on the Aventine Hill, visit Castel Sant’Angelo and watch the sunset from the Gianicolo terrace.

Where is the best area to stay in Rome?

The historic centre around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona places you within walking distance of most sights. The area around the Spanish Steps is elegant and ideal for shopping, while Monti offers a village-like atmosphere close to the Colosseum.

Trastevere is charming and lively in the evening, and Prati, near the Vatican, is calmer and residential. We recommend the right area based on your style and how you like to spend your days.

How can I avoid long queues at the Vatican and the Colosseum?

The best way is to book timed tickets well in advance and visit with a private guide, who also brings the history to life. We can arrange early-morning visits and special access where available, such as the Colosseum arena floor and underground areas, which have limited availability.

What is the best time to visit Rome?

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer the most pleasant weather. Summer is hot, so we plan early starts and quieter afternoons, while August is quieter as many Romans go on holiday.

Winter is mild and much calmer, ideal for museums, and December brings Christmas markets and festive lights.

Is there a dress code for the Vatican and churches?

Yes. To enter St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and most churches in Rome, shoulders and knees must be covered. A light scarf or shawl is a practical solution in summer.

Is Rome good for families with kids?

Very much so. Children love walking through the Colosseum and the Roman Forum with a guide who tells stories of gladiators and emperors, as well as a pizza-making class with a local chef, gelato tastings and cycling in the Villa Borghese gardens.

We plan family days with breaks, short distances and private transfers, so everyone enjoys the city.

What are the best day trips from Rome?

Pompeii is easily reached by high-speed train to Naples followed by a private transfer, and it can be combined with the Amalfi Coast. Closer to the city, Tivoli is home to the gardens of Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa, while Ostia Antica offers remarkably preserved Roman ruins.

The hill town of Orvieto, in Umbria, is a little over an hour away by train.

Are your Rome tours private?

Yes. Every Rome journey we design is private and tailor-made. We do not sell fixed packages or join you to large groups: your itinerary is built from scratch around your dates, interests and pace.

In Rome, that means private guides for the Colosseum and the Vatican with timed entries booked in advance, private drivers instead of long walks, and experiences like a vintage Fiat 500 tour arranged just for you.

Your journey includes hand-picked hotels, private transfers and 24/7 assistance in the Italian time zone throughout your trip. If you would like a shared experience, such as a small-group masterclass, we will always tell you in advance.

To start, tell us about your trip for a free, no-obligation proposal, or book a free 30-minute call with our team.

“A tailor made itinerary just perfect for me and my family.”

Leilanie G. · Google review

★★★★★ 5.0 on Google · ★★★★★ 5.0 on WeTravel

Ready to plan Rome?

Tell us your dates and what you love, and we will reply personally with a free, no-obligation proposal.