More about: The 6 best night tours in Rome
The antiquity of Rome gives this city an irresistible charm and beauty. In every corner there is a palace, a temple or an ancient monument that envelops the city with a special atmosphere. And although this uniqueness is already evident in the morning, at sunset Rome is transformed into a magical and exciting city.
At dusk, when the lights that adorn the city are illuminated, it is a perfect time to take a leisurely stroll through the monumental streets of Rome and discover the most romantic side of the Eternal City. Below, I show you the 5 best night tours in Rome to do during your vacation.
1. Take a night walking tour of Rome
Taking a night walking tour of Rome is the best way to admire the monuments of the city in all their splendor.
Accompanied by a guide you can take a pleasant walk through the streets of the historic center and see some of the most emblematic places of the city with a different atmosphere and as you have never seen them before (the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, etc.).
It is a fantastic plan that I recommend you to do if it is the first time you visit the city because besides enjoying the views and the scenery you will also learn a lot about the history of Rome.
The guide will accompany you during the tour through some of the sites with the best views of Rome (Terrazza del Pincio, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza del Popolo, etc.) so you can take some fantastic souvenir photos of the experience. Besides, he knows a lot of curiosities and will give the cultural tour a very enjoyable touch so that you will have a great time.
2. Join the adventure of a night tour of Rome on wheels
If you feel like discovering Rome by night in a fun and different way... have you ever thought about taking a night tour by segway or by bike? It's a fantastic plan to do in the city, especially if you are traveling with your family - the kids will love the idea!
Besides, by going on wheels you will cover much more ground than if you were on foot, with the advantage that you will see much more without ending up with sore feet after a long walk.
Accompanied by a guide along the route, you will learn many anecdotes and stories of the monuments you will see along the way (the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum...) and enjoy the beautiful illuminated Roman landscape from iconic places such as Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona or the Capitoline Hill, among others.
In just one night you will get a sensational photographic report of Rome while touring the city in a very original and exciting way. Do you dare to try it? It will be a plan you will not forget!
3. Dare to discover the most enigmatic side of Rome with a ghost tour by night
An ancient city like Rome has forged a wealth of surprising and interesting stories over time. If it is not the first time you visit Rome and you feel like doing something different to explore other facets of the city, a night tour of legends of Rome is a very entertaining option. You also have some more specific ones like the Angels and Demons tour of Rome based on the work of Dan Brown.
With this kind of activities you can admire several of the most emblematic monuments and places of the city like Castel Sant'Angelo, Palazzo Farnese, the Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle or Ponte Sisto under the light of the stars and under a new perspective while listening to amazing stories, legends and myths that have happened in Rome for centuries.
Usually, the night tours of legends about Rome don't last too long (about 1 hour and 30 minutes) so they are pretty cool activities to do if you don't have much time in the city but don't want to give up seeing it illuminated at night and with a touch of mystery. You will have a great time!
4. Eat the Roman night in bites with a night tour with gastronomic touches
If two of your greatest passions are art and gastronomy, Rome is the right place for you to enjoy both. And taking a night tour of Rome with gastronomic touches is the best way.
It is customary to have pizzas in Rome at night, so you will start the evening with a delicious thin crust pizza at an Italian restaurant. Then you will take a moonlit tour through the streets of the city to get to know the most enigmatic side of the city and its beautiful monuments such as the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, St. Peter's Square and Basilica, the Capitoline Hill or Piazza Navona.
The finishing touch to an unforgettable evening will be an authentic Italian gelato. In this country this delicacy was invented and the gelato has a special flavor, and when you try it you will surely want to repeat! That's why in this post I leave you a list of the best gelato shops in Rome to come back whenever you want.
The night tours of this kind usually last a little longer than the other night tours in Rome**(just over 3 hours**) but they are well worth it because in addition to enjoying the illuminated landscape of the Eternal City you will also have a small and fun gastronomic experience that always cheers up the spirits.
5. Enjoy an intimate evening with a private night tour of Rome.
In case you prefer to get to know Rome by night in a more intimate way, without being part of a large group of tourists, or you want to surprise your companion with a romantic plan just for two through the streets of the Eternal City watching its beautiful monuments illuminated under the stars, another interesting option to consider are the private night tours in Rome.
With this type of tours you will have the opportunity to explore Rome by night in a private vehicle with driver and to customize your own itinerary around the city visiting the monuments you like the most: the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Vatican, St. Peter's Square, the Circus Maximus or Piazza Navona, among others.
In addition, private night tours of Rome are an excellent option to enjoy the special charm that the city gives off at nightfall if you do not have much time or if you do not want to get too tired, since they only last about 2 hours and 30 minutes and usually include the transfer to the hotel.
6. Let yourself be captivated by the illuminated Rome with a minibus tour
Imagine contemplating the illumination of Roman monuments and streets from the comfort of a minibus. In a two-hour tour of the most emblematic places of the city you can enjoy the best views without getting tired and letting yourself be carried away by the driver who will leave nothing to improvisation.
Throughout this tour you will see the most representative squares of Rome such as Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza Venezia or Piazza Navona, without forgetting of course the spectacular St. Peter's Square that illuminated is, if possible, even more imposing.
But on the route of this comfortable minibus will not miss the Colosseum or the Circus Maximus, whose illumination will not leave anyone indifferent, as well as Mount Gianicolo, the place considered the most romantic of Rome.
Is it worth taking a night tour in Rome?
Of course it is! If the beauty of Rome is striking in daylight, at nightfall the Eternal City shines with a special charm.
Moreover, compared to the mornings, at night there are usually not so many tourists and the walk through the center of Rome is quieter. For example, you can enjoy much more some monuments such as the Trevi Fountain or the Sant'Angelo Bridge that are always crowded with people.
Although these tours take place during the night, the monuments you will visit are very well illuminated to enhance all their charm and that will allow you to appreciate their architectural and ornamental elements from a different point of view than that provided by daytime visits.
Therefore, if you are a photography enthusiast I recommend you to take a night tour in Rome because during the route you will get to take some of the best pictures of your trip. It will be an activity that you will enjoy a lot!
And without forgetting that a night walk through the monumental Rome is a very romantic and intimate experience, especially if you choose a private night tour of the Eternal City. A great plan to surprise your partner during your vacation.
How much does it cost to take a night tour in Rome?
From 24 € you can find options in Hellotickets to make a night tour in Rome to suit all tastes and budgets.
The price of the tours will depend on factors such as the duration of the activity and the number of tourist attractions to be visited, whether it is a standard or private tour, if it is done on foot or on wheels, if it includes a gastronomic experience during the tour or the transfer to and from the hotel, to name a few.
How long are the night tours in Rome?
Rome night tours usually last about 3 hours, which makes them a great activity to do before dinner.
Some of the night tours in Rome even include a small dining experience along the way, so once the tour is over you can skip that time to continue exploring the city at night on your own.
Can I take a night tour in Rome with children?
Absolutely! Most night tours in Rome usually start around 6 or 7 PM, so it's a great thing to do in Rome with kids before dinner. The guides are always very friendly with the kids and the guided tours are well suited for families.
In any case, the parents are the ones who know the kids best to know if a tour like this is something they might like. In my opinion I think so because during a night tour they will not only enjoy beautiful views of the center of Rome and its monuments but they will also learn things in a fun and entertaining way.
In addition, there are night tours of Rome that can be done by bike or Segway to give them an extra touch of originality and adventure. A plan that teenagers will surely love to do during their stay in the Eternal City!