Piazza del Popolo and Historical Sights Walking Tour in Rome

4.9 (188 reviews) 2 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

188 reviews

4.9

At the Pantheon — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

at piazza Navona — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

This tour takes you on a journey through the history of the Eternal City. It explores the sites and structures that marked Rome's rise to becoming a superpower of the Mediterranean .

You will hear about the Republic of Rome, one of the first versions of democracy in human history, and then its transformation into the Roman Empire through a series of civil wars. Unquestionably the most enduring empire in western history, this tour will try to explain why that system eventually failed, leading to the fall of Rome, and a succession of new powers controlling the Italian peninsula.

You will witness the works of great masters such as Bernini in the pinnacacle of Italian Baroque. Starting the tour where a pilgrim would enter the city, you will finish where their pilgrimage would end, close to the largest Christian church in the world, St Peter's.

By the end of your tour, we are certain Rome will feel like a very different place.

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At a glance

Duration: 2 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–5
Guide: English
Operated by: Rome's Ultimate Free Walking Tours

Ages: Adults (0–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: The booking fee for your spot on the tour, this tour is tip based at the end of the tour..

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Porta del Popolo

10 min

Introduction to the tour and the gate of piazza del Popolo also known as Porta Flaminia
Piazza del Popolo

15 min

Our guides will walk you through the majestic Piazza del Popolo with the famous twin churches designed by Bernini and obelisk of Ramses II
Stop 3

15 min

Our tour passes by the tomb of Octavian Augustus - the first Roman Emperor and the settler of the Julio Claudian dynasty
Palazzo Borghese

10 min

The tour passes through the 16th century palace of the powerful Borghese family.
Stop 5

15 min

We stop for a gelato (bathroom) break at Gelateria della Palma - one of the most famous gelato shops in Rome offering over 150 different flavours of ice cream
Stop 6

15 min

One of our major stops is the Pantheon aka the Temple of all the gods, where the bodies of Raphael and the first Italian royalties are buried.
Piazza Navona

20 min

Our itinerary then goes through Piazza Navona orignally known and still in the shape of the Stadium of Domitian
Via dei Coronari

15 min

After Piazza Navona the tour proceeds through the famous Via dei Coronari, untouched from the days of the Renaissance we will through the steps of the original pilgrims
St. Angelo Bridge

15 min

We will go through the Bridge of Angels that will tell us the story of the martyrdom of Christ
Castel Sant'Angelo

5 min

After we cross the Tiber river through the famous Ponte Sant'Angelo we will stop by the medieval Castel Sant'Angelo originally built to host the ashes of Emperor Hadrian.
Via Della Conciliazione

15 min

The tour will be concluded at the premises of Castel Sant'Angelo with a stunning view of St. Peter's Basilica through the masterpiece of Mussolini's architects - Via della Conciliazione. This will be also our brief introduction to Vatican.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet the guide at Porta del Popolo, the gate to Piazza del Popolo. On the outside are two sculptures. The sculpture on the left, of a man holding a book is where you will find your guide.