Ghosts Legends and Mysteries of Rome Walking Tour
Description
Explore a different side of the Eternal City on this Rome ghost tour at night, blending dark history, macabre legends, and true crime stories. Led by an expert local guide, you’ll stroll through atmospheric streets while learning about haunted locations, ruthless popes, assassinations, and secret poison plots that shaped Rome’s past. Discover the sinister history of Castel Sant’Angelo, once a fortress and prison, and uncover the shocking truth about Giulia Tofana, whose poison empire changed the lives of countless Romans. Perfect for visitors seeking unique things to do in Rome, this evening walking tour combines history with suspense, dark humor, and dramatic storytelling — all in the refreshing night air of the historic city center. For adults & teens (12+ only) It's a tip-based tour. The guides work on the ‘Pay-What-You-Want’ tour model which means they work for your tips alone. At the end of the experience you can give your guide what you think the tour was worth.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, originally built as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum, later served as a fortress, papal residence, and prison. Its striking cylindrical structure and rooftop statue of the Archangel Michael make it one of Rome's most iconic landmarks along the Tiber River.
Ponte Sant'Angelo looms over the Tiber like a bridge between worlds, its ten angelic statues carved by Bernini and his students standing sentinel, each bearing symbols of Christ's suffering. By night, shadows shroud the angels’ faces, their expressions both solemn and haunting, as if guarding secrets of the souls that once crossed into the fortress beyond—Castel Sant'Angelo, a place of refuge, power, and whispered mysteries.
The house of the kindest executioner in Rome.
The Haunted Arch, and the place of prayer for the most controversial exorcist in Rome.
The house of the 16th-century artistic genius Benvenuto Cellini, who, unfortunately, was more notorious as a rapist and murderer.
The haunted house of the witch Giulia Tofana, and the stories of the holy inquisition.
Corte Savella, the only prison in Rome authorized to execute convicts inside its walls - the place where Beatrice Cenci was tortured before her execution.
Via Giulia is a picturesque, historic street in Rome, designed by Bramante in the early 16th century for Pope Julius II, and lined with Renaissance palaces, ivy-covered facades, and hidden courtyards. Known for its quiet elegance, it embodies the charm of old Rome and was once a central artery of the city’s aristocratic life.
Santa Maria dell'Orazione e Morte is a chilling Baroque church in Rome, built by a secretive confraternity dedicated to retrieving and burying abandoned corpses. Its shadowed interior brims with skulls, bones, and eerie symbols of death, evoking an atmosphere where the line between the living and the dead feels unsettlingly thin.
Fontana del Mascherone is an eerie Baroque fountain on Via Giulia in Rome, featuring a massive stone mask that mysteriously spouts water from its grimacing mouth. This is a crime scene where John Paul Getty III was kidnapped.
Campo de' Fiori is a lively, historic square in Rome, renowned for its bustling morning market filled with vibrant produce, flowers, and local goods. By night, the piazza transforms, surrounded by bars and restaurants, while the shadow of Giordano Bruno’s statue serves as a reminder of the square’s darker past as a site of executions during the Inquisition.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour includes CSA topics, graphic information. Not recommended for children under 12 years old.
Reviews(190)
We had a great time learning about the dark history of Rome. Our tour guide Tamara was great! Thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had an amazing experience with Iris on the Ghosts, Legends and Mysteries tour in Rome! Iris was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about the stories she shared. She brought Rome’s history to life with fascinating legends, mysteries, and spooky tales that made the whole experience unforgettable. Iris has a wonderful personality and made the tour fun and interesting from start to finish. If you’re looking for something different from the usual sightseeing tours, I highly recommend joining one of Iris’s tours. We had a fantastic time!
This tour was an awesome way to spend an evening. The host was knowledgeable, charming, funny and great at (true!) story-telling. It was engaging and I learned a lot about the darker historical people and places of Rome!
Awesome information, skilled storyteller, fun experience. We all (7) agreed that this was the best tour. No stupid headsets, just a skilled guide, who knew how to use his voice. If you like the darker side of history this is a must.
We were told a few interesting tales along our walk and enjoyed our guide very much. We learned some things we would not have otherwise and it made for a neat experience at night. Our guide Ivan/Evan, apologies for the misspelling, was very thorough and entertaining. This was well worth it, but remember to bring some Euros with you as he works on tips, not on the admission price. I'd rather have just paid it upfront, but if that's my only concern, it's a good problem to have.
Andrea guided us in Spanish. There were only Spanish and English as options. The tour was very informative and exciting; even if you think of scarier stories when it comes to ghosts, it wasn't very scary. From Castel St. Angelis, it goes in different stages to the Mercato dei Fiori. Tip: anyone who has time should go see the castle beforehand.
Iris is a phenomenon. The tour is worth it just for her, it is enjoyable and she is a pro. I would 100% do the tour again if it is with her. With passionate people like that, it is a pleasure to visit the city
A very entertaining tour. Iris told it to us super well. We loved it, highly recommended!
Andrea is a wonderful guide. Book this tour in Spanish. It is a very lovely experience and at sunset in Rome. We learned so much and that it ends in the field if Fiori is unique
Tamara has been a very kind and entertaining guide. She knew how to keep the group's attention by telling very interesting stories about Rome and asking questions to involve us. We did the activity as a family and we all left happy. Thank you!
