Piazza Navona Uncovered: A Self-Guided Walking Tour in Rome

one hour – 1 h 30 min Free cancellation Private tour

Piazza Navona Uncovered: A Self-Guided Walking Tour in Rome, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover the hidden history beneath one of Rome's most theatrical squares on this self-guided walking tour of Piazza Navona. Uncover the ancient Roman stadium buried beneath the Baroque square, and learn how papal ambition, artistic rivalry, and water politics shaped this iconic space.

Highlights include:

Explore the elongated shape of the square, tracing its origins to the Stadium of Domitian, built around 86 AD
Admire the Fountain of the Moro, Palazzo Pamphilj, and the concave façade of Sant'Agnese in Agone
Marvel at Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, symbolizing the continents beneath a soaring obelisk
Learn about the rivalry between architects Bernini and Borromini
Visit the statue of Pasquino, Rome's famous "talking statue"
Spot a hidden marble face with a legendary tale of power and betrayal

Please note: This outdoor tour uses the indoor tour interface - all locations must be played manually, when instructed.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Architecture Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: one hour – 1 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: VoiceMap Audio Tours

Ages: Adults (6–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Included: App for Android and iOS
Included: Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Included: Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Not included

Not included: Smartphone and headphones
Not included: Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Not included: Food and drink
Not included: Transportation

Itinerary

Piazza Navona

Passing by

Stroll past Piazza Navona, a Baroque square built over the ancient Stadium of Domitian. See its long, curved shape, Baroque fountains, and lively atmosphere once used for markets and public spectacle. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Stop 2

Passing by

Pass by Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, featuring four marble giants representing the Danube, Ganges, Nile, and Río de la Plata beneath a soaring ancient obelisk. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone

Passing by

Walk along Sant'Agnese in Agone, Borromini's concave Baroque façade honoring the young martyr Saint Agnes. Admire its curving design and twin towers framing the square. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Stop 4

Passing by

Pass by Palazzo Pamphilj, the grand residence built for Pope Innocent X's family, now home to Brazil's Embassy. Note its restrained, authoritative façade facing the piazza. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Stop 5

Passing by

Stroll past the Fountain of the Moor, where a muscular Triton wrestles a dolphin amid Bernini-designed marine figures. Learn how water and sculpture combine in Baroque theatre. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Stop 6

Passing by

Walk along the Fountain of Neptune, where the sea god battles an octopus amid nereids and dolphins, added in 1878 to balance the piazza's Baroque symmetry. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Statua di Pasquino

Passing by

Pass by the Statue of Pasquino, Rome's famous "talking statue," where anonymous satirical verses criticizing the powerful have been posted since the 1500s. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Pantheon

Passing by

Stroll past the Pantheon, an ancient Roman temple famed for its massive dome and oculus, best appreciated at night when the historic center feels quieter and more atmospheric. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Stop 9

Passing by

Walk along Campo de' Fiori, a lively square near Piazza Navona known for its daily market, restaurants, and intimate streets popular for dining. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Trevi Fountain

Passing by

Pass by the Trevi Fountain, Rome's most iconic Baroque fountain, where visitors traditionally toss a coin over their shoulder for good luck and a promised return to Rome. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

The tour begins inside Piazza Navona, near the end of the square closest to the Fountain of the Moro. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

The tour begins inside Piazza Navona, near the end of the square closest to the Fountain of the Moro. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking.

You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

Create an account

Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.

This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.

When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.

Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

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For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]