Tours/Rome/Rome's 12 Best Highlights Full Day Private Tour
Viator · Private tour

Rome's 12 Best Highlights Full Day Private Tour

4.9(296)Rome1 hour
VIATOR4.9(218)TRIPADVISOR5.0(78)

Description

Dear guests, my name is Alessandro Vagnoni, a professional driver and official local guide of Rome. I've designed this City Sightseeing tour for those with limited time who want to experience the essence of Rome in just one day. Over 7 hours, we’ll visit 12 key sites in an air-conditioned Mercedes, with stops for photos and informative insights on their exteriors. We are a team of driver-guides with expertise in art history and archaeology, offering recommendations for food, shopping, and more. This tour captures the spirit of the "Eternal City," ensuring you'll cherish your time here, and you will finally understand the meaning of "All roads lead to Rome."

Tour Options

Private Licensed Tour Guide
  • Private Licensed Tour Guide : This option includes a driver with a Mercedes vehicle, minivan or sedan, and a licensed tour guide. Duration: 7 hours Pickup included
English-Speaking Driver-Guide
  • English-Speaking Driver-Guide: You will be guided through Rome by an English-speaking local driver, but not necessarily a certified tour guide. Pickup included

Itinerary

15 min

The second largest of the three ancient Roman theaters, and the only one still standing, features impressive arches that have withstood the test of time. Built by Augustus in the 1st century BC, it was dedicated to his young nephew Marcellus, who died at the age of 20. In the 16th century, the theater was transformed into the foundation of a private residence. The second largest of the three ancient Roman theaters and the only one still standing, this impressive structure features arches that have withstood the test of time. Built by Augustus in the 1st century BC, it was dedicated to his young nephew Marcellus, who tragically died at the age of 20. In the 16th century, the theater was transformed into the foundation of a private residence. We take a few moments to stop our customers for photos and to provide an explanation about this remarkable historical site.We take a few minutes to stop our customers for photos and to provide an explanation about this remarkable historical site.

15 min

One of the seven hills of Rome, Palatine Hill is where the city was founded in the 8th century B.C. Later, Roman Emperors transformed it into their official and private residence. Visitors will only be able to view the site from the outside, but we will stop on the southern crest of the Circus Maximus. Here, the breathtaking views provide a perfect opportunity for pictures and explanations.

15 min

The site of the largest stadium ever built for chariot races, famously depicted in the film *Ben-Hur*, is now just a vast, flat, green area. Visitors will only be able to explore the site from the outside, specifically from the southern crest, which offers a fantastic panoramic view perfect for breathtaking photography. An informative explanation will also be provided.

Admission not included15 min

The monument is situated in the main square of the city center, Piazza Venezia. It honors Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy, as well as the unification of the country. At the top of the central staircase is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, marked by two standing soldiers and eternal flames. This site serves as a venue for many official ceremonies. Visitors can view the monument from outside, specifically from a corner of the main square. We take a moment to capture some pictures and explain its significance to our customers.

Admission not included30 min

The Roman Forum was the heart of ancient Rome, initially serving as a marketplace before evolving into a center of civic importance and a venue for public functions and ceremonies. Visitors can view the site of the Roman Forum from Capitol Hill or along the Imperial Forum Street. We stop our customers close to the site, allowing them time to visit and take pictures, while providing a clear explanation of its significance.

60 min

St. Peter's Square, located in the Vatican City, is a beautifully designed space that serves as a central hub of Christian culture. The square is named after the grand Church of St. Peter, which stands at its heart. This iconic location is where the Pope conducts meetings and audiences with the faithful, and on Sundays, he offers blessings to people around the world. The square is open to the public, except during special celebrations. Following a brief but informative explanation from the driver-guide, we allow our guests to take pictures and explore the area.

Admission not included30 min

The exhibition features a magnificent water display that showcases the water stage of a Roman aqueduct, which is one of Rome's most impressive attractions. Visitors can toss a coin into the fountain, making a wish in the process! Access to the fountain will be from street level, as entry to the lower level is restricted to ticketed guests. We will guide our customers as close to the fountain as possible. After providing a historical explanation, we allow time for photos and exploration.

30 min

Charming Spanish plaza, the stunning Spanish Steps, the renowned fashion district, and the local and international elite.

15 min

One of the most beautiful squares in Rome, this location retains the shape of an arena from a Roman stadium built in 86 AD. Following the wishes of the Popes, it has been transformed into a stunning example of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The site is open to the public with no restrictions. We drop our customers off near the square, provide a historical explanation, and then allow some free time for photographs and exploration.

Admission not included30 min

The site is a temple dedicated to all the gods, built over two thousand years ago. Its dome, considered a marvel of engineering, continues to impress art historians and architecture enthusiasts today. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy Italian espresso and gelato! Visitors will only be able to see the temple from the outside. After providing some historical background, we will allow time for photos and leisurely exploration. At the entrance, you will find ticket offices: cash payments are available on the left side, while credit card payments can be made on the right. If guests wish to enter the temple, we can offer them some extra time for their visit.

30 min

There is no better place for taking panoramic pictures of Rome than this location. It is a peaceful spot framed by a large fountain and a terrace that offers stunning views of the entire city. This is also the site where Rome's cannon fires at noon every day, an event that has become a popular tourist attraction. We take the time to stop with our customers for pictures and a stroll around the area.

Admission not included30 min

The Flavian Amphitheater, commonly known as the Colosseum of Rome, was built in the 1st century A.D. for gladiatorial contests and hunting games. During your visit, you will see the site from the outside, where your driver-guide will provide a detailed explanation. You will also have time to take pictures and explore the area.

Highlights

Bottled water
Mercedes minivan or sedan
Air-conditioned vehicle
Parking Fees

What's included

Included
Bottled water
Mercedes minivan or sedan
Air-conditioned vehicle
Parking Fees
Not included
Lunch
Tickets (this tour does not require tickets, all the spots are visited from the outside)
Gratuities

Pickup Locations & Times

Please provide the correct pick-up address. We remind our customers that we offer free pick-up and drop-off services within downtown Rome. For locations outside Rome, we reserve the right to charge a transfer fee. Thank you!

Traveller Ratings

4.9
296 reviews
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290
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Important Information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • We remind our potential customers that the tour is led by a professional English-speaking driver-guide, one person only, and that it is based on driving and viewing all the highlights from outside with stops for pictures, explanations and time for a visit.
  • Please be aware that if your tour date coincides with events like marathons or strikes that close streets and squares in Rome, some of the 12 highlights may be replaced with other ticket-free attractions at the driver's discretion.
  • We can customize this tour at the driver's discretion with additional spots that do not require tickets.
  • We inform our customers that for option "Private Licensed Tour Guide", if customers have tickets for the Pantheon and/or Colosseum, our tour guide will guide them inside the monuments.

Reviews(296)

M
mv123
August 4, 2026
A must if you want to see most of Rome in a day!

Alessandro was amazing! It was the best way for our kids (16 and 13) to see the most of Rome on a short visit. Alessandro took us all over the city and provided so much interesting information and insights and tips for restaurants and places to see after. Great experience and great tour guide! Highly recommend for an awesome way to see all of the big landmarks and some of the out of the way gems. Thank you for a great day and beautiful sites!

L
Lethy_Y
July 28, 2026
The best way to see Rome

This has to be the absolute best way to see everything on your list and more.. all in a day! Our guide was Claudio and he was absolutely amazing! His knowledge of Rome was superb! I was hesitant at first due to the cost but I have absolutely no regrets. There is no way that we could have seen the sights that we did on our own! We plan to return to Rome and hopefully we can have Claudio as our guide again.

R
Robbie_C
July 27, 2026
Absolutely wonderful

Alexander was so informative, flexible and great with my grandson. Highly recommend him and this tour.

S
Sarah_T
July 20, 2026
Claudio was the best!...

Claudio was the best! What felt like the hottest day ever we were kept busy and entertained throughout. The tour was a good pace, we were able to skip things we’d already seen and got new things added, like the keyhole. We also had a great lunch in a shady area! If your time is limited in Rome, this is the best way to see the sights.

S
Shaun_M
July 13, 2026
What an amazing...

What an amazing experience!! Best way to experience Rome if you're only their a couple of days. Transportation was first class and drive. Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly . Highly recommended

S
st8cymcgarry
July 11, 2026
One day in Rome - 12 stops - perfect tour!

With only a day to spend in Rome we wanted to see and hear all we could about as much as we could. This tour was perfect! We were picked up at our hotel in the morning and away we went. Our driver was so helpful - at every stop and pickup he helped us out of and into the Mercedes van. Our tour guide was fun and had a great sense of humor but most of all was very knowledgeable at each location. He took us to a great location for lunch which we thoroughly enjoyed too! The things we saw and did were well worth the cost of the tour. Later that afternoon, we were dropped back at our hotel with more knowledge about Rome than we started with and memories to last a lifetime. It was a perfect day and we are all still talking about it!

R
Robin_B
June 30, 2026
Excellent Tour of Rome

Wonderful and very educational day. We visited many of Rome’s highlights, and the tour was customized to our wishes. We had already visited the Vatican and St. Peter’s basilica, so we saw some added attractions including St. Mary’s and St. John’s basilicas. Our guide, Claudio, was so kind and helpful. He took very good care of us, answered all our questions, and was a real gem to spend the day with.

Operator response

Grazie mille, Robin. Our "Rome's 12 best highlights tour" is really the best way to explore Rome in a day, and Claudio is really one of the best! Thank you

M
MAJEED_H
June 27, 2026
Excellent, great time Amazing, Angelo and ceaser were great my family had a great time.highly recommended everyone must

Amazing, Angelo and ceaser were great my family had a great time. Will recommend everyone to must try it.

Operator response

Grazie mille, we always take great care of all our customers, you are the fuel of our lives! And your reviews are the fuel of our business! Thank you

G
Getaway52748554741
June 22, 2026
Perfect day in Rome

We had the most fabulous tour in Rome with Alessandro. This is the perfect way to see the sights and get the most out it. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the history of Rome. It was a hot day when we toured and having a driver and air conditioning was essential. We couldn't have spent the day without it. The Mercedes van was new, clean and comfortable. I highly recommend this full day tour in Rome.

Operator response

Grazie, grazie grazie! My "Rome's 12 best highlights tour" is really the best way to explore Rome in a day! Thank you very much!

M
Maria_C
June 18, 2026
Our private “12...

Our private “12 Highlights of Rome” tour was an absolutely unforgettable experience, and Claudio was a truly wonderful guide. From the moment he picked us up, Claudio made us feel genuinely welcome and excited for the day ahead. He provided an excellent overview of the day while also giving us the flexibility to spend more time at the sites that interested us most. His passion for Rome, its history, and its culture shone through at every turn, and his knowledge was nothing short of remarkable. Claudio also recommended a lunch spot that exceeded our expectations and added even more enjoyment to the experience. From the breathtaking Trevi Fountain to the awe-inspiring Colosseum and so many incredible sites in between, every stop felt special and left a lasting impression. Thank you, Claudio, for sharing your knowledge, enthusiasm, and time with us. We had a truly wonderful day filled with memorable moments and highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Rome.

Operator response

Wow, Maria, you said everything! I can't add anything, but just thank you, thank you vry much!

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