Rome
3 hours
9:00 am
15

Highlights

  • Explore Castel Sant’Angelo, an integral part of the Roman cityscape since ancient times, from top to bottom with skip-the-line tickets and an expert guide.
  • Get the context you need to fully appreciate the Pantheon on one of the only tours that explores the inside of this ancient gem.
  • Be struck breathless by the panoramic views over all of Rome from a viewpoint not on many visitors’ radar.
  • Meet some of the most colorful characters in Roman history—from emperors and executioners to popes and prisoners—through stories that will make them come alive.

Tour description

Journey through time on this in-depth tour of Castel Sant’Angelo and the Pantheon.

Of all the unmissable sights in Rome, Castel Sant’Angelo and the Pantheon are perhaps the two that encompass the city’s history more fully than any other. This comprehensive tour takes you straight to the heart of the action as you make your way from one spectacular monument to the next. You’ll walk in the footsteps of emperors, popes, and everyday Roman citizens from ancient times to the Renaissance while getting to know both of these eye-opening attractions with an expert storyteller to lead the way.

Enjoy views of Rome fit for an emperor atop Castel Sant’Angelo.

Begin your adventure at Castel Sant’Angelo, the imposing fortress standing guard on the banks of the Tiber. Your guide will lead your small group straight inside with reserved access for a complete Castel Sant’Angelo tour. Explore the ancient structure from bottom to top, learning how it evolved from a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian to a papal fortress and even a prison.

The highlight of your time at Castel Sant’Angelo comes when you arrive at the very top of the monument. Step out onto a panoramic terrace offering sweeping views over central Rome and the Vatican (this is one of the best places to get a picture of St. Peter’s Dome). Your guide will point out monuments and hidden gems alike from this special vantage point to set the scene for the rest of your exploration.

See a different side of Rome’s Centro Storico.

Once back on ground level, you’ll stroll across the Sant’Angelo Bridge—itself a wonderful spot for photos—and into the heart of Rome. Make your way down one of the most atmospheric streets in the historic center as your guide shares stories of the colorful characters who once lived and worked here: rosary bead makers, courtesans, executioners and more. You’ll also make a brief stop at the magnificent Piazza Navona and discover a lesser-known side to Rome’s most popular square.

Marvel at the ancient world’s most spectacular feat of engineering: the Pantheon.

We’ll wrap up at the Pantheon, one of the most jaw-dropping structures in all of Rome. Your guide will re-introduce you to our old friend Hadrian and share his connection to the Pantheon as you make your way inside the stunning monument. The incredible dome overhead is a testament to the skill of the ancient Romans, who were able to bring it to life without any of the modern construction technology we have today. You’ll hear exactly how they did it—and learn how long it took for another Italian marvel to beat it out as the largest dome in the world.

In just one morning, you’ll have done so much more than simply checked two famous Roman monuments off your list. You’ll travel back in time, from the glory days of ancient Rome to the heart of the Italian Renaissance, and experience the story of the Eternal City firsthand.

Sites visited

  • Castel Sant’Angelo
  • Ponte Sant’Angelo
  • Via dei Coronari
  • Piazza Navona
  • Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers
  • Pantheon

Included

Verified guest reviews

4.6 / 5
15 Customer Reviews
  1. Excellent

    11

  2. Great

    2

  3. Good

    2

  4. Average

    0

  5. Poor

    0

Fred

Oct 09, 2023

The tour started at least 30 minutes late because the radios didn't arrive on time. Our guide Fabrizio was very knowledgeable and considerate but spent too much time telling us about stonework and Leif Ericsson. Future tours should add a break at the caffe in the Castel Sant'Angelo, which has terrific views.

Andrew

Oct 08, 2023

Tour guide was fantastic! Support was trash. Stood outside waiting for a guy with radios for 45 min. Otherwise the tour was great.

Matthew

Sep 03, 2023

Our tour guide was amazing. Very happy that we did this tour. Please send along our gratitude to him.

Gheorghe

Jun 23, 2023

Niccolo is extremely knowledgeable and conveys his passion of history to the tour participants. An excellent Roman guide.

Elizabeth

May 18, 2023

Very worthwhile.

Know before you book

From $54
Free Cancellation