Discover the mesmerising Colosseum and Palatine Hill as you wander around more than 2000 years of history on these self-guided walking tours.
Visit the key spots that were once the political, cultural and religious heart of one of the greatest Empires in human history. Imagine where gladiators and exotic animals once fought, crowds cheered and Emperors decided the fate of fighters!
On these private tours narrated by local historians, wander around the Colosseum and discover the history of the Ancient Roman Empire, Vestal Virgins, the odd naval battle, and then admire the views of Palatine Hill.
Experience the beautiful architecture, secret stories, authentic street food, the best photo stops and unforgettable iconic sights as you transport yourselves in this engaging, quirky and captivating adventure!
Explore Rome and listen to our tours of Ancient Roman sites in the heart of the city, beginning with the Colosseum, and then Palatine Hill.
Wander around the 2000-year-old Colosseum and imagine where gladiators once fought, crowds cheered and Emperors decided the fate of fighters. From its ancient origins to its legacy through the Roman Empire, Middle Ages and its place in Italy today. Completed in 80 AD, this was the largest amphitheatre of its kind at the time!
Get an amazing view of the Colosseum’s structure and hear about ancient art and graffiti. The Colosseum was covered in marble depicting hunting scenes, vegetation carvings and wild animals. At the top of the Colosseum, great pillars stood tall and one of them was even found to depict the head of the Gorgon Medusa.
Enjoy a day at the games and hear what an event at the Colosseum would have been like. Learn how Gladiators would have been armed according to their categories which included Murmillo, Thraxes, Retiarius and. The emperor Commodus maybe even fought in the arena, styling himself after the Greek hero Hercules.
Enjoy a walk around Palatine Hill. With the dawning of the Imperial age, the emperors came and started to build lavish Palaces on this plateau. Head into Farnesie Gardens, created by Cardinal Allesandro Farnese in 1550 and was one of the first private botanical gardens in the world. Touch on Renaissance culture and how it was connected to ancient Roman history.
Discover the Temple of Cybele, a mother goddess who sat alongside the maternal deities of Rhea and Demeter. Learn about how Ancient Mediterranean religion was complex. Key deities were replicated with regional differences, often when Greeks find other gods they equate them with their own and thus they end up merging.
Founded in the 1800s, destroyed and rebuilt, the Palatine Museum now houses collections directly related to Palatine Hill. The museum traces objects from the earliest occupations of the Palatine, which go back thousands of years to the 7th and 9th B.C. We would absolutely recommend exploring room 5 to check out the Apollo Citadero, a stunning fresco. Then head to the Stadium of Domitian, an area that could have been used for horse riding, private foot races and wrestling.
Finish the tour at the Circus Maximus, a hippodrome that would have primarily been for chariot races. This structure dates back to the 1st Century AD. Its estimated 150,000 fans could have attended, making it the largest stadium of ancient Rome, at a whopping 621 by 118 meters. It would have been incredible to visit back in Ancient Rome!
The Vidi Guides experience is enriched with on-screen photos and videos. We also point out where to take the perfect Instagram photos during the tour, and include recommendations for food, drinks, and local attractions. Don't worry, none of our recommendations is sponsored - they are simply favourites of the locals who helped craft the experience.
Vidi Guides creates immersive audio experiences that are like podcasts. This is a self-guided audio tour that can be started or stopped at your own convenience. Download the Vidi Guides app & your tour to explore the area independently and safely! Make sure to download your tour before your visit to streamline your trip!
