A
Not too spooky but very insightful.
A fun insight into the dark side of Roman history. Our guide Alethia was excellent. Great stories and well told.
Rome travel guide: tickets, best time & real costs
Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Legends & Dark History Night Tour
+8 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $28 / person
- Location
- Rome, Italy
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 132 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 15
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Dark Side City Tours
- Meeting point
- Your guide will be waiting in front of the statue in the middle of Campo De'Fiori, holding a sign saying "Rome's Dark Side - Ghosts & Legends"
Description
When daylight fades, postcard Rome clocks off, and a far older, stranger city takes its place. Join the city’s original and award-winning Rome ghost tour through lamplit piazzas, twisting lanes and quiet corners where the past has an inconvenient habit of lingering. Led by an expert storyteller, you’ll enter a world of forbidden magic, papal scandal, public executions, deadly ambition and restless spirits. Behind grand façades lie stories Rome would probably prefer you didn’t hear: crimes that became legends, legends that may contain more truth than anyone expected, and several people who took death rather badly. In a small group of no more than 15, lose yourself in the atmosphere as familiar streets become darker, stranger and far more interesting. Expect suspense, vivid storytelling and sharp humour as haunted Rome slowly reveals itself. Come curious. Leave looking over your shoulder, and wondering what else may be walking home with you.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 8:00 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 15
- Adult (ages 17+)
- $28
- Child (ages 6–16)
- $17
- Infant (ages 0–5)
- Free
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 14.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Campo De' Fiori
Our guide will meet you and begin the tour here with our first story - be prepared!
Piazza Farnese
Learn the history of this renaissance palace and its surroundings, with some hidden tales not usually told
On Rome's dark backstreets, hear a tale of an 18th Century magician, who is it said still haunts the area today
Ponte Sisto
Discover the tale of the woman who ruled Rome, her rise to power, and why it's said that she haunts the bridge to this day
Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Orazione e Morte
Hear tales of a mysterious order of monks with a rather macabre task
Discover one of history's worst prisons, as well as the history of the most notorious Pope - and his family - as well as how he haunts the area now.
Via dei Banchi Vecchi
See the modern gelato shop that was once a very different business, run by one of history's most prolific poisoners.
Discover the story of Rome's most famous executioner, at his house.
Castel Sant'Angelo
At our last stop, we discover the history of Castel Sant'Angelo, from its origins as an Emperor's tomb to being the site of executions. Hear one of Rome's most tragic tales that happened right here.
What's included
Included
Storytelling from professional guides (no gimmicks, no ghost-hunting apps)
Stops at execution sites, cursed alleys, and churches with unsettling décor choices
A 2-hour guided tour of Rome’s most haunted, scandalous, and death-adjacent spots
Chilling history, ghost stories, and moments of “Wait... that really happened?”
Small group (max 15 guests) so you don’t disappear in the crowd - or the dark
Not included
Food and drinks, though we do make a stop where you can grab both
Mercy for historical reputations. If they did it, we say it
Costumes, theatrics, or ghost-hunting nonsense - just storytelling, the way it should be
Transport to the meeting point or from the final destination. We couldn't hire a hearse.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
132 reviews
How it compares in Rome
- Starting price $28 is 75% below the typical $113 for tours of similar length in Rome
Excurgo comparison of 8,083 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Legends & Dark History Night Tour take?
Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Legends & Dark History Night Tour lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 9 stops.
How much does Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Legends & Dark History Night Tour cost?
Prices start at $28 per person for this Rome experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Legends & Dark History Night Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 PM.
How much does Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Legends & Dark History Night Tour cost for children?
Children aged 6–16 pay from $17, adults from $28. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Legends & Dark History Night Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Your guide will be waiting in front of the statue in the middle of Campo De'Fiori, holding a sign saying "Rome's Dark Side - Ghosts & Legends". Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Legends & Dark History Night Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Legends & Dark History Night Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 132 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Dark Side City Tours.
Reviews(132)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
P
So interesting!
The stories he told were so interesting. It was nice to see another side of Rome with so much history. Ben was awesome! We would have walked by so many things never having known what was inside.
1
Fun experience
Fun experience seeing parts of the city you might not normally visit Alethe was a wonderful guide with a great sense of humour
S
Romes dark side tour
Absolutely loved it the guide was very informative and interesting. We really enjoyed it and there wasn’t to many people in the tour.
T
Great experience!
Excellent tour! We did a different ghost tour a couple years ago and loved it. This one was even better! The young lady, whose name I can't remember, was very knowledgeable and kept things very interesting. I highly recommend booking this tour!
S
When in Rome a must do.
Mariam was an excellent host with such great knowledge. Would highly recommend !!
A
Lovely dark history tour
Easy to find and meet our guide. Elena (sp?) was knowledgeable, funny, and accommodating of water, photo, and bathroom breaks and gave great local food recommendations. Good dark history with a few ghosts thrown in. Some very historic spots seen, and some hidden Rome gems pointed out. Fun to do with a drink in hand from a local establishment.
C
Amazing guide and tour
Miriam was an amazing guide ! Very fun and knowledgeable.
T
History can be this entertaining
Alethea, our guide, provides exciting insights into the dark life of past times in Rome – from executions, torture, and murders to ghosts, poison, and prisons, all the way to the interplay between church and politics. In an amusing and lively way, she lets us dive into the dark sides of the past. In doing so, you get a completely new view of Rome and discover the city with different eyes in the following days as well. Alethea is extremely well-versed in history and knows how to convey her knowledge in a relaxed, vivid, and captivating way. An all-around recommended tour!
F
María is awesome!!
María is awesome. She is very charismatic , and tells stories like nobody else. Loved the experiencie!!
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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from$28
4.9(132) Free cancellation