Ancient Rome Self Guided Walking Tour

Peer through the Aventine keyhole for an unforgettable view of St. Peter’s dome. Discover hidden Rome—layered stories, secret gardens, stunning sights—all waiting just beyond the crowds.

Step inside Basilica di Santa Sabina, Rome’s serene 5th-century treasure. Discover ancient columns, original doors, and the world’s oldest Crucifixion carving—a hidden gem echoing centuries of quiet history.

Step through an ancient gateway into the Orange Garden—Rome’s serene hilltop haven. Savor citrus scents, stunning city views, and cinematic history in this peaceful park above the rooftops.

Wander Rome’s Roseto Comunale, a stunning rose garden on the Aventine Hill. Discover over a thousand species, paths shaped like a menorah, and a peaceful escape from the city’s bustle.

Stand before the Bocca della Verità at Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Test the legend that this ancient Roman drain cover bites off the hands of liars. A classic Roman Holiday film location.

Explore the Forum Boarium, Rome’s ancient cattle market and a historic port. Admire the well-preserved Temple of Hercules Victor and the Temple of Portunus, and uncover the myth of Hercules battling a monster here.

Stroll through the Circus Maximus, Rome's largest ancient stadium, once home to thrilling chariot races. See the towering Baths of Caracalla nearby, a luxurious ruin that once hosted thousands and now stages operas.

Behold the Torre della Moletta, a medieval tower built by the powerful Frangipane family. Take in the breathtaking view of the Circus Maximus as you learn about this tower's history, mills, and saints.

Explore the Palatine Hill, Rome's birthplace and most prestigious address. Uncover the ruins of emperors' palaces, the homes of Augustus and Livia, and the legendary origins of the city in this historic, layered landscape.

Admire the Arch of Constantine, Rome’s largest surviving triumphal arch. Built in 315 AD, it celebrates Emperor Constantine’s victory with beautiful recycled sculptures from older monuments.

Marvel at the Colosseum, Rome's ancient arena for gladiators and spectacles. See the faint remains of the Meta Sudans fountain nearby, a turning point for imperial victory parades. A truly epic vista.

Opposite the Colosseum lies the Domus Aurea, Emperor Nero's buried "Golden House." This lavish, gold-adorned palace was buried by his successors, and its discovery centuries later inspired the term "grotesque."

Walk the Via dei Fori Imperiali, a grand avenue carved by Mussolini, and gaze upon the Roman Forum. See the Arch of Titus, the House of Vestal Virgins, and the ancient heart of an empire in stunning ruins.

Look up at Trajan's Column, an ancient Roman comic strip. This 30-meter-high monument tells the story of Emperor Trajan's victory in Dacia in over 150 detailed scenes carved in marble.

Uncover Rome’s Imperial Forums. Explore the ruins of Caesar's and Augustus's forums, stand before the Basilica Ulpia, and see Trajan’s Market—the world's first shopping mall—all in a single, awe-inspiring view.

Stand before the Altare della Patria, a massive monument to Italy's unification. Honor the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and ride an elevator for unbeatable 360-degree views of Rome from its panoramic rooftop.. 

Climb the 124 steps to the Basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli on Capitoline Hill, a church built on ancient ruins. See the medieval Insula Romana apartments and the historic Teatro di Marcello nearby.

Climb Michelangelo’s Cordonata staircase to Piazza del Campidoglio. Admire the harmonious square and statues, explore the Capitoline Museums, and take in stunning views of the Roman Forum.

Behold the Capitoline Wolf, a bronze statue of the she-wolf nursing Rome's founders, Romulus and Remus. This ancient Etruscan wolf with Renaissance-era twins stands on a hill steeped in myth.

Face the Palazzo Senatorio, Rome's city hall built on the ancient Tabularium. Admire Michelangelo's design, the Fountain of the Goddess Roma, and the blend of ancient history with modern governance.

On Capitoline Hill, discover the Sala della Protomoteca, a hall of fame for great Italians, and the Galleria Lapidaria, a corridor filled with ancient Roman inscriptions and sarcophagi from the city's past.

Look upon the Roman Forum and Colosseum from Via Monte Tarpeo. See the Temple of Veiove, the ancient Vicus Iugarius road, and the ruins of an empire from this stunning, elevated vantage point.