One of the best audio tours we’ve come across recently is by New Found Tours. Each guide fully covers the history and stories that surround the most fascinating areas of Rome. It’s a great way to bring the city’s history to life.

As you’d expect, the famous Rome attractions like the Vatican & St. Peter’s, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Piazza Navona, etc. – are all covered but it’s great to see less well-known areas of the city featured like Castle St. Angelo, Campo dei Fiori and the amazing Largo Argentina.

The New Found Tours collection is split across four separate audio tours covering fourteen historic sites with a combined running time of just under an hour and a half. Taking the tour itself in Rome will take about four hours – allowing for a leisurely stroll between each of the attractions featured in the tour – so it’s perfect for an afternoon of getting totally immersed in the history of Rome.

The complete tour costs $9.99 and is an immediate MP3 download so it’s compatible with any phone, computer or tablet with an audio player. You can hear audio samples on the New Found Tours order page.

The park has three secret gardens – secluded areas originally meant for privileged visitors. The first is the Giardino dei Melangoli with its distinctive eagle fountain, the second is the formally laid out Flower Garden and the third secret garden is in front of the Aviary with its famous sundial.

Hotel Villa Borghese in Central Rome

If that’s not enough there are very often festivals, concerts and other events held in Villa Borghese making it great place to spend an hour or two. You’ll find the park in the area above Piazza del Popolo stretching towards Via Veneto. Getting to it from central Rome is easy, you can stroll in to it from the top of the Spanish Steps or walk up to it from Piazza del Popolo.

Entrance to the Villa is free but you need to buy tickets to enter the museums and art gallery. These can be bought on the day or online in advance to save waiting in what is often a long line. Options include a simple skip the line ticket or entrance tickets with guided tour through the gardens, museums and the Borghese Gallery. Both are run by Viator one of the biggest tour operators in Rome.

If you’re planning on doing a lot of rail travel in Italy a Eurail Italy rail pass from Rail Europe will save you waiting in line at Italian rail stations and could save you quite a bit of money. It’s not a worthwhile option you’re only planning a short journey or two but if you’re city hopping it’s worth checking out, especially as it guarantees you getting a seat. Rail Europe also have pre-bookable passes for traveling around the rest of Europe.

When in Rome
The main Rome rail station is called Roma Termini and it’s right in the heart of the city. If you’re arriving from or going to another major Italian city like Florence, Venice or Naples or coming to Rome from outside of Italy (many people take the train from Paris to Rome, for example), you’ll be passing through Termini.

From here you can take the underground train network (the Metro), the bus or a taxi to any part of the city. The taxi rank is right outside the main entrance and there’s rarely a wait for a taxi.

If you’re flying into Rome Fiumcino Airport there’s a regular express train service direct to Roma Termini that takes about 30 minutes. The airport train station is a short walk from the arrival and departure halls. If you’re arriving at Rome’s other airport, Ciampino, there’s no rail station at the airport so the easiest way into town is by bus or taxi. The taxi ride in particular is well worth it – although you’ll pass some concrete jungle, you’ll also be whizzed down some ancient roads too.

Trastevere probably has the highest concentration of expats in the city – partly because there are two American universities in the area and partly because it’s picture postcard beautiful.

Sightseeing in Trastevere
There’s a lot to see and do in this part of Rome. One of the most famous – and certainly one of the oldest churches in Rome – Santa Maria in Trastevere is a popular draw. The basic structure of the church dates back to the mid 4th century but there’s been a church on the site since 220 AD. Most of what you’ll see today dates from from 12th century.

Inside you can see beautiful mosaics of the Virgin Mary, the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah and many other biblical characters that were added to the interior during restoration work in the 12th and 13th century. Most experts agree these are among the finest mosaics in Rome.

The church is also the burial place of a number of Popes and has an interesting collection of ancient relics including a piece of the Holy Sponge which is said to have been dipped in vinegar and offered as a drink to Jesus Christ while he hung on the cross on Good Friday.

On a lighter note, the 17th century fountain right outside the church always makes a great photo opportunity, though you’ll have to squeeze past a few tourists and locals to find a spot near the water. At night this piazza really comes alive with street performers, diners in the various restaurants that line the square and people just passing by soaking up the atmosphere.

Most of the shops stay open until late making this part of town a great place to spend an evening.

Other places to explore

Trastevere is a great base from which to explore some of the more unusual attractions of Rome.

Tiber Island / Isola Tiberina
In the middle of the River Tiber, which separates Trastevere from central Rome, you’ll find this tiny island that is home to a major hospital, a small secret synagogue used during the Second World War when the main synagogue of Rome was closed as well as a pretty good gelateria. It’s also a nice way to get back across the River Tiber if you’re walking or cycling back into central Rome.

Botanical Gardens / Orto Botanico
If you need a little respite from the noise and chaos, spend a quiet hour or two in the Botanical Gardens. First created in 1883 the gardens are now home to over 3,500 species of plants. There’s also a Scent and Touch garden for visually impaired visitors. You’ll find the gardens at Largo Cristina di Svezia on the side of the Janiculum Hill / Il Gianicolo. Open times are all day Tues-Sat, closed for all of August.

Janiculum Hill / Il Gianicolo
From Trastevere walk up Via Garibaldi for one of the best views of the Vatican and St.Peter’s one on side and the rest of Rome on the other. The second highest hill in Rome, after Monte Mario to the north, the Janiculum is also home to a number of commemorative statues as well as probably the smallest lighthouse in Italy, not to mention the one furthest from the sea.

Take a Tour

Looking for ideas of things to do in Trastevere? Try a taking a walking or night tour with a fun and knowledgeable expert guide from Rome tour company Viator.

The piazza is a great place to spend an hour or two taking in the fountains and the market stalls selling everything from Rome souvenirs, books and art to food, drink and clothing. You’ll also find plenty of outdoor cafes and restaurants in and around Piazza Navona for refreshments.

One unusual thing you may notice about this square is that it’s neither square or rectangular. The strange long, oval shape of Piazza Navona is because it lies on the site of an ancient Roman stadium built by Emperor Domitian in AD 86. Some remains of the stadium are still visible but most of it was paved over in the 15th century to create the piazza we see today. Almost forgotten now, in its day, the stadium was even bigger than the Colosseum.

The Famous Fountains of Piazza Navona
There are three large fountains in the piazza. The main one, Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) was built in the 1600s by Pope Innocent X. Designed by Bernini, each of the four figures in the fountain represent a river from a different continent – the Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio della Plata. The obelisk the figures surround was originally located near Via Appia Antica.

The two other fountains you’ll find in the square are Fontana del Moro (Moor Fountain) at the southern opening to the piazza and the famous Fontana del Nettuno (Neptune Fountain), featuring Neptune and various sea nymphs, near the northern end of the piazza.

Navona is also the home of the baroque church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, commissioned in 1652 by Pope Innocent X and built on the spot where according to legend St. Agnes life was miraculously saved. The front of the church has a facade built by Borromini, the less well known rival to Bernini.

Given how old the Colosseum is, it’s remarkably well-preserved. Standing inside you can still imagine the gladiator sports of Ancient Rome taking place inside the amphitheater. The most important citizens viewed the games from the the lower levels, while the lower classes and women had to make do with viewing the games from the fourth level.

Roman Emperors often stage free games in the Colosseum to boost their popularity. Like all games, there were fights to the death between animals and gladiators or gladiator and gladiator.

The Colosseum is located very close to the Roman Forums and central Rome and it goes without saying it’s a must-see attraction. Admission is €12 (around $8) but because it’s a year round attraction there’s almost always a long line of people buying tickets. Luckily, you can skip the line (and the heat!) by booking a tour before you go. One of the best ways to book a Colosseum tour with Viator – a relaxing an informative half day walking tour of the Ancient Roman Forums and Colosseum with expert guide and all admission tickets included.

The tour includes access to the highest surviving level of the building, the third level, and for the first time in a decade the underground level which has only just been re-opened.

Group numbers are limited so it’s best to book early.

Also called The Holy See, the Vatican was once much larger – around 44,000 square miles in the mid 19th century – but has slowly been reduced by wars and the unification of Italy to its modern size.

Entrance to St. Peter’s Square – the area immediately in front of the main building with its famous columns and circle of statues of saints – is free, as is admission to the main Vatican building. It’s vital to stick to the dress code or you won’t be allowed inside the Vatican. Both men and women need to covers shoulders and knees.

Tickets are needed to view St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Both are well worth a visit. St. Peter’s Basilica is over 500 years old and includes priceless artwork from Bernini, Michelangelo and others. While you’re there, take the elevator to the roof, then the last 323 steps leading to a stunning view of Rome from the top of the famous Basilica dome.

The Vatican Museums are home to one of the most impressive art collections anywhere in the world. Among the priceless treasures you can see first hand are the ceiling and wall paintings of the Sistine Chapel, including the world famous Creation of Adam and La Pieta by Michelangelo.

While you can normally get into the free part of the Vatican quite quickly, there’s always a huge line to get into the Vatican Museums. By huge I mean wrapping round two streets so that the end of the line stretches almost back into St. Peter’s Square. That’s not much fun when it’s 9am and already in the nineties.

How To Avoid The Lines
The only way guaranteed way to skip the line is to book with an authorized Vatican tour company in advance. We recommend booking ahead of time with a reputable tour company like Viator. Not only do they have great deals on guided tours, you can also just pre-book tickets for the Vatican Museums if you’d prefer to visit without a guide and still beat the line.

Tour spaces are limited so early online booking is a good idea – details are here.

Not far from where the ordinary tourists are taking a leisurely stroll around the Colosseum and the Forums, you could be taking a crash course in the same combat techniques used by Roman gladiators.

The setting for each two-hour lesson is just off the ancient Appian Way, once one of the major roads into Rome. Not only will experts show you the secrets of using the weapons of Imperial Rome but you’ll also take the lesson in full Gladiator clothing.

Lessons take place throughout the day so it’s easy to fit them in around other sightseeing plans and are organized by the Historic Group of Rome who specialize in re-enacting Roman life and gladiatorial combat.

Anyone taking a lesson has the option to take part in a gladiator tournament with prizes for the best. Even if you don’t end up as the Russell Crowe of your team, every participant gets a certificate of accomplishment. The school also has a great viewing platform for family & friends who want to cheer you on without taking part in the action in the amphitheater. Entrance for spectators is free.

You can book a lesson at the Gladiator school exclusively through Rome tour specialists Viator. Each ticket includes everything needed for the lesson including clothing, weapons, free refreshments, and free entrance to the school’s own Rome Museum.

If you like the sound of an Ancient Rome themed tour but prefer walking to combat, be sure to take a look at Viator’s other Rome tour options.

Bus tours are a great way of seeing a number of Rome attractions in one day without walking between them or having to take the underground Metro or a taxi. Bus tours of Rome depart regularly from Rome’s main railway station, Rome Termini, every 15-20 minutes. You can also join or get off the bus at the Vatican or any of the other attractions visited by the bus. An entire tour of Rome takes from one and a half to two hours, depending on the famous Rome traffic.

The bus tour will take you to see all the main Rome attractions, including the Quirnale, Piazza Venezia, the Coliseum, Circo Massimo, Piazza Navona, The Vatican, Castel Sant’Angelo and the Trevi Fountain.

Rome walking tours, on the other hand, tend to focus on one tourist attraction per walking tour. Most tour companies provide groups, private and semi-private tours of the Pantheon, the Vatican, the Rome Catacombs, the Forums and more. Some tours operate at night too – and Rome is beautiful city at night.

Recently, bike tours of Rome having taken off so keep an eye out for those – Rome has an increasing number of cycle lanes to help around Rome. Or, if you want to enjoy a fun bike tour without the effort, try hiring a Segway at Piazza del Popolo just of Rome’s main street, Via del Corso.

Although walking tours of Rome can be arranged once you arrive, many people prefer to reserve their tour online through an established company like Viator – it saves spending precious vacation time in a sticky booking office.