Rome Walking Tour
The Pantheon
Explore the highlights of Rome, the Eternal City, with a walking tour of this historically rich city. With a guide leading the way, you’ll discover the famous “Speaking Statues” (Statue Parlanti) and can't-miss sites, perfect for first-time visitors or those who can’t stop returning!
We suggest starting in the Centro Storico (Rome's historic center) at the Spanish Steps. Established in 1723 CE, this high-profile staircase connects the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinita dei Monti. City officials planned the monument to create a link between the embassy of the Spanish Bourbon Dynasty and the Trinita dei Monti Church, whose twin belltowers still dominate the neighborhood’s skyline.
The next stop is Trevi Fountain, which might be the most famous in the world. The architect Nicola Salvi designed this Baroque masterpiece in 1732 CE and took 30 years to complete it. Join the 200-year-old tradition of throwing a coin into the fountain and make a wish. Doing so means you'll return to Rome one day and find true love!
Continue walking the labyrinthine streets until you reach Piazza Venezia. As the city’s beating heart, this junction is where all of Rome's major thoroughfares connect. You can't miss it, as it sits at the end of the Roman Forum and is home to the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, built in the 19th century to honor the first king of unified Italy. Its sheer size and scope are awe-inspiring, but to locals, it's known simply as the "wedding cake" due to its white-washed exterior and wide, colonnaded portico.
Next, you'll head over to the Pantheon, one of the major icons of the city. Although this giant domed structure is currently a Catholic church, it predates Christianity. While the official date of construction is around 120 CE, most historians agree that there was a temple on this site as far back as 27 BCE. Interestingly, it's the only intact pagan temple remaining in Rome.
After touring the Pantheon, take an espresso or gelato break in the monument’s buzzy square. Then make your way to Piazza Minerva, a small (by Roman standards) square near the Pantheon known for its Elephant and Obelisk statue. This monument is the smallest of Rome's 12 obelisks, designed by the legendary Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680).
The final stop is Piazza Navona. This plaza is home to another famous Roman fountain, the Fountain of the Four Rivers. Also designed by Bernini, it features four river gods gathered around a towering Egyptian obelisk. If you visit Rome during the Christmas season (mid-December to early January), you'll arrive at this plaza during the Mercatino di Natale. This special market is one of the most famous Christmas markets in Rome and all of Italy.
Read more about unique and interesting activities in Rome.
We suggest starting in the Centro Storico (Rome's historic center) at the Spanish Steps. Established in 1723 CE, this high-profile staircase connects the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinita dei Monti. City officials planned the monument to create a link between the embassy of the Spanish Bourbon Dynasty and the Trinita dei Monti Church, whose twin belltowers still dominate the neighborhood’s skyline.
The next stop is Trevi Fountain, which might be the most famous in the world. The architect Nicola Salvi designed this Baroque masterpiece in 1732 CE and took 30 years to complete it. Join the 200-year-old tradition of throwing a coin into the fountain and make a wish. Doing so means you'll return to Rome one day and find true love!
Continue walking the labyrinthine streets until you reach Piazza Venezia. As the city’s beating heart, this junction is where all of Rome's major thoroughfares connect. You can't miss it, as it sits at the end of the Roman Forum and is home to the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, built in the 19th century to honor the first king of unified Italy. Its sheer size and scope are awe-inspiring, but to locals, it's known simply as the "wedding cake" due to its white-washed exterior and wide, colonnaded portico.
Next, you'll head over to the Pantheon, one of the major icons of the city. Although this giant domed structure is currently a Catholic church, it predates Christianity. While the official date of construction is around 120 CE, most historians agree that there was a temple on this site as far back as 27 BCE. Interestingly, it's the only intact pagan temple remaining in Rome.
After touring the Pantheon, take an espresso or gelato break in the monument’s buzzy square. Then make your way to Piazza Minerva, a small (by Roman standards) square near the Pantheon known for its Elephant and Obelisk statue. This monument is the smallest of Rome's 12 obelisks, designed by the legendary Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680).
The final stop is Piazza Navona. This plaza is home to another famous Roman fountain, the Fountain of the Four Rivers. Also designed by Bernini, it features four river gods gathered around a towering Egyptian obelisk. If you visit Rome during the Christmas season (mid-December to early January), you'll arrive at this plaza during the Mercatino di Natale. This special market is one of the most famous Christmas markets in Rome and all of Italy.
Read more about unique and interesting activities in Rome.
