Rome self-guided sightseeing walks linking main sights

Some gentle walks linking the major sightseeing icons of Rome

Skyline Rome: Trastevere walk

The first thing to point out is that these self-guided walks in Rome are not meant to be serious hikes for the enthusiast, all are really no more than gentle strolls that connect the main sights of Rome.

 

These pages focus on independent, self-guided walks around Rome. If you are interested in taking a professional tour we also have pages with information and booking details: Professional walking tours in ancient Rome

In Rome there is something of interest almost around every corner. Many churches hardy thought worth mentioning in a guide book for Rome, would be major attractions in most other cities.

In the City of Rome, walking is by far the best way to explore the city. Much of the city is made up of narrow lanes and alleys impenetrable to tourist coaches (or even public buses come to that) so you miss a lot by not walking.

The walks guide you between the major sightseeing icons most first time visitors will have on their “must see” lists. 95% of the time along pedestrian only paths and lanes.

The walks concentrate on the logistics with basic information on what you will see. Most guide books have detailed street maps and hotels will normally distribute street maps adequate for these walks free of charge. There are of course Rome city maps you can purchase at newstands and tourist offices. A good guide book dedicated to Rome will greatly enhance your enjoyment of these walks.

There is little in the way of consistent official signage for the tourist that you can rely on for pedestrians. These walks connect the main sights by direct routes, but still take routes where there is something of interest around every corner.

 

We would encourage you not to use these routes as a straitjacket that cannot be detoured from - part of the experience is to make your own personal discoveries.

At the height of the summer it can get very hot in Rome, this is the only time that the weather in the form of heat is a factor on these walks so do take care to take on lots of fluids at this time of year.

Walk 1 - A circuit of Villa Borghese

Walk 2 - Spanish Steps to Trevi Fountain

Walk 3 - Trevi Fountain to the Pantheon

Walk 4 - The Pantheon to Trastevere via Piazza Navona

Walk 5 - The Pantheon to Vatican City via Piazza Navona

Walk 6 - A walk above and around Trastevere

Walk 7 - Trastevere to Capitoline Hill & Museum

Walk 8 - The Pantheon to Colosseum via Roman Forum & Capitoline Hill

Walk 9 - The Appian Way (outside Rome City Centre)

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Walk 1 : Villa Borghese (Visiting the Spanish Steps & Borghese Gallery

Villa Borghese is the largest public park in Rome and a great safety valve to escape the noise and bustle of the city of Rome, just minutes from some major attractions in the centre of Rome.

 

Relaxing: Villa Borghese

The walk takes you on a comprehensive circuit of the best that Villa Borghese can offer. The walk is primarily for chilling out, but the Borghese Gallery is part of the walk and the park map lists 90 places worth noting, which means there is something to divert your interest all the way, including a full size replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in the middle of Rome used for staging the bards plays!

Walk 1 - Villa Borghese - full details

Walk 2 - Spanish Steps to Trevi Fountain

A short efficient way of walking between the two main tourist hotspots in the eastern part of the ancient city centre, avoiding traffic.

Walk 2 - Spanish Steps to Trivia Fountain - full details

Walk 3 - Trevi Fountain to The Pantheon

Again a direct short walk avoiding traffic between the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon in the heart of the ancient city centre. The Pantheon is a major hub of our sightseeing walks with four walks radiating out from it in all directions.

Walk 3 - Trevi Fountain to The Pantheon - full details

Walk 4 - The Pantheon to Trastevere via Piazza Navona

A great walk through ancient alleys and narrow lanes through a part of Rome much favoured in the evening for somewhere to eat. The walks pass through Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori market and no doubt you will make your own discoveries too.

Walk 4 - The Pantheon to Trastevere via Piazza Navona - full details

Walk 5 - The Pantheon to Vatican City via Piazza Navona

A quick efficient walking route avoiding traffic connecting Vatican City with the ancient city centre of Rome.

Walk 5 - The Pantheon to Vatican City via Piazza Navona - full details

Walk 6 - A walk above and around Trastevere

Trastevere is renowned as a restaurant district to head for in Rome and this walk is a great walk in the evening from the skyline above Trastevere with views all over Rome down to your restaurant table below.

Walk 6 - A walk above and around Trastevere - full details

Walk 7 - Trastevere to Capitoline Hill & Museum

A short but sweet connector walk connecting Trastevere to the Roman ruins of the Roman Forum and Capitoline Hill.

Walk 7 - Trastevere to Capitoline Hill & Museum - full details

Walk 8 - The Pantheon to Colosseum via Roman Forum & Capitoline Hill

A short connector walk linking the ancient city centre of the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona with Capitoline Hill, Roman Forum and Colosseum..

Walk 8 - The Pantheon to Colosseum via Roman Forum & Capitoline Hill - full details

Walk 9 : The Appian Way

The Via Appia Antica is the old Roman Appian Way, which ran from Rome down to Brindisi. The stretch close to Rome, the Via Appia Antica, is now part of a nature and archaeological park, the Parco Regionale dell'Appia Antica, and makes a lovely half day out, particularly on Sundays when the area is closed to traffic. You too can walk along the Appian way, just like Romans did 2,000 years ago.

Walk 9 - The Appian way - full details

Popular tours & tickets in Rome

Vatican Museums Tours & Fast Track Tickets

Vatican Museums Fast Track Tickets   €27.00 Fast track admission to Vatican Museum

Vatican Museums Fast Track Tickets + Audio Guide  €39.90 Fast track admission to Vatican Museum with Audio Guide

Vatican Museums Fast Track Tickets + Early Entrance    €56.00 Fast track admission to Vatican Museum before public opening

Vatican Museums Fast Track Access With Coach Transfers    €60.00 Tour in English plus hotel pickups

Vatican Museums Private Tours With Fast Track Access    Prices vary on numbers Your own personal guide for your own grouo of 1 to 9 people

St Peter's Basilica Tours & Fast Track Tickets

St Peter's Basilica Fastrack with audio guide    €19.50 Fast track access to St Peter's together with audio guide in choice of languages

St Peter's Basilica guided tour    €27.00 Small group tour maximum 20 people

St Peter's Basilica guided tour with access to cupola (Dome)    €49.00 includes lift access to the dome of St Peter's with far reaching views

St Peter's & Vatican Museums Combined Tours

Vatican Museums + St Peter's (With Fast Track Access) Tour 1    From €57.00 Guided 3 hour walking tour with Fast Track Access + early/evening entrance options

Vatican Museums + St Peter's (With Fast Track Access) Tour 2    From €61.00 Guided 3 hour walking tour with Fast Track Access + early/evening entrance options

Early Access Vatican Museums Small-Group Tour with St Peter’s    €92.50 Entry when doors open to Vatican Museums + St Peter's Basilicas

Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens & St Peter’s guided tour with breakfast    €139 Complete tour of the Vatican with American breakfast in the Vatican Cafeteria

Vatican Gardens Tours

Vatican Gardens Walking Tour    €38.00 Includes admission to Vatican Museums

Vatican Gardens Bus Tour    €85.00 Includes admission to Vatican Museums

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Colosseum & Roman Forum fast track tickets    from €23.50 2 Day fast track admission ticket to: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Colosseum & Roman Forum Walking Tour   from  €45 Fast Track Admission & 3 Hour Guided Tour

Walking tours (Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi...)

Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon,Trevi    €35.90 3 hour walking tour with admissions. Afternoon tour

Spanish Steps, Pantheon,Trevi,Navona    €39.00 3 hour afternoon walking tour

Villa Borghese Gallery

Villa Borghese Fast Track Tickets    €24.00 Fast track admission ticket for a 2 hour slot

Villa Borghese Fast Track Tickets+ Guided Tour    €79.00 Fast track admission ticket for a 2 hour slot

Villa Borghese & Gardens    €69.00 2 hour tour of gallery + 1 hour gardens tour

Other popular City of Rome tours

Best of Rome by bike    €49 3 hr tour of Rome's highlights by bike

Best of Rome Coach Tour    €33/€91 Half or Full Day coach tour of main sights

Roman Gladiator Lesson    from €88 2 hour lesson in becoming a Roman Gladiator

Night Tours of Rome    €54.00 Choice - walking or coach tour of Rome by night

Private tours of Rome

Flexible customised private tours of Rome by car    Luxury executive vehicles (1 to 8 passengers)

Private sightseeing tour of Rome by golf cart  A novel, fun way to see Rome (1 to 3 passengers)