History Walking Tours in Rome: 7 Guides Who Know the Back Streets

1.Rome Food Tour in the Historic Centre with 8+ Food Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,000 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $118Our pick

Begin at Piazza Navona and walk through Rome’s old center and former Jewish Ghetto, stopping for pizza, supplì, cold cuts, cheeses, two Roman pastas, cannoli, gelato, and a secret dish. Guides such as Massimiliano, Rocio, Luda, Federico, and Eduardo add food knowledge and Roman history. Expect a small group of up to 12 people and plenty to eat.

“One of the best tours we’ve had. Massi was fantastic. Gave history of the area and each restaurant. Great food, totally delicious. Including dessert”

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2.Forbidden History Walking Tour & Pub Crawl with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 688 reviews · 3 hours · from $61

Spend three hours with an English-speaking guide in Rome’s Monti district, hearing tales of gamblers, gangsters, sex workers, and bloody power struggles while enjoying wine, spritz, Carpano Classico, sambuca, and limoncello. Guides including Michelle, Autumn, Ana, Michal, and Irene lead the social evening, with non-alcoholic drinks available.

“I had so much fun and our tour Guide Michelle was excellent”

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3.Ancient Rome Guided Walking Tour: Colosseum, Forum and Palatine

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 455 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $71

Spend about three hours exploring the Palatine Hill, Colosseum, and Roman Forum with a guide and wireless headset. Guides such as Alessandra, Alicia, and Vanya are praised for clear history, photo stops, and care with the group. Expect hills, stairs, hard walking surfaces, crowds, and a meeting point that requires careful checking.

“Great descriptions of the historical sites! I would recommend this day tour for the benefits of skipping the long admission lines and for learning about the sites.”

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4.Colosseum & Ancient Rome Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 332 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $65

Walk through the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum with a live English-speaking guide. Expect ancient ruins, crowded paths, stairs, headsets, and plenty of Roman history in a maximum group of 25. Guides such as David, Radu, Lumi, and Giuseppe are praised for clear storytelling and humor.

“Radu, the most unassuming tour guide, made our tour unforgettable! He was hilarious yet passionate about the history of Ancient Rome. My two teen boys were engaged the entire tour as he explained historical facts in a way that was easy to understand through his gift of story telling. We wish Radu was our tour guide for every Italian tour!”

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5.Colosseum and Ancient Rome Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 237 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $58

Spend about 2.5 hours with a live English, Spanish, German, or French guide at Rome’s Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Guides such as David, Radu, Alessandra, and Adrian are praised for clear storytelling, humor, and time for questions. Expect security screening, plenty of walking, and superb views from the Palatine Hill Terrace.

“Very good and informatve tour. Our guide, David, explained everything in a very entertaining way, highly recommend.”

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6.Colosseum and Ancient Rome Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 95 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $41Best value

Walk through the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill with a live guide in English, Italian, French, German, or Spanish. Hear stories of gladiators, emperors, temples, and Roman daily life while taking in city views from the hill. Past guides have included Maria, Joseph, and archaeologist Stefania De Majo.

“The guide was full of knowledge. Clear English. Well organized. I will surely recommend this tour.”

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7.Colosseum and Ancient Rome Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 93 reviews · 2h 30m · from $55

Spend 150 minutes exploring Rome’s Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill with a live English, Spanish, or French-speaking guide. You’ll enter through a group entrance, use headsets, hear about gladiators and emperors, and reach a panoramic terrace above the Forum. Guides such as Andy, Sylvia, and Alessandra have earned especially warm praise.

“The first time I went to Rome I had the worst tour guide ever so I had to redo during my 2nd Rome trip. Thankfully this company has superstar tour guides who know their stuff and kept us engaged on a sweltering August day. I want to say our guides name was Nick but I’m not 100% sure sorry (he’s really tall😅) He was so knowledgeable and happily answered all questions with eye opening information. Definitely recommend this company”

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