The 8 best tours in Rome to book now

Avoid the hordes and hordes of camera-wielding Vatican visitors by booking this tour, which gets you a queue jump and access to the UNESCO-listed complex an hour before it opens to the public. The small group means you won’t strain to hear the guide and you’ll have three whole hours to marvel at the Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, and Michelangelo’s masterpieces. And no trip to Rome is complete without setting eyes on that lot. 

Time Out tip: If you're looking for a cute, affordable restaurant for lunch, you need to try Perdinci Bisrò. It's just around the corner from the museum.

If classical art is your thing, don’t miss the beautifully sculpted works of Bernini housed in the Borghese Gallery. As you ogle all that marvellous marble, your guide will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the collection. And listen, they really know their stuff. 

Time Out tip: Fancy rowing along the Borghese Lake? Head to the little boathouse to take a boat out for 20 minutes which costs about €3 per adult.

Swap romantic cobbled streets for macabre skull-lined crypts on this tour of Rome’s ancient catacombs. It’s slightly gruesome, yes but totally fascinating – few of Rome's best tours will give you such an intriguing insight into the city's past.

Time Out tip: This tour is only an hour long and is designed for up to 10 people max, which makes for a more intimate, informative yet well-paced tour - funny too.

Delve into Rome’s Jewish past on this tour that's pretty much perfect for history buffs and culture vultures. As well as wandering around the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere neighbourhoods, you’ll visit the Synagogue and museum, while an art historian or religious expert (or both, if you're lucky!) fills you in on the important stuff. 

Time Out tip: This tour is typically 2.5 to 3 hours long, so we'd highly recommend wearing comfy trainers. 

Want to discover the secret to good wine-making? Head to the Lazio region to enjoy an afternoon of a LOT of glass-swishing accompanied by a meal. The setting? A medieval wine cellar surrounded the gorgeous rolling hills. In other words, you'll feel miles away from the usual hoards and immersed in your elegant surroundings instead. Along with enjoying a meal paired with assorted local wines, your sommelier will take you on a stroll through the private cellar where you'll get the lowdown on wine processing. 

Time Out tip: You'll also get the chance to buy a selection of wines and oils, so make sure you've got room in your luggage.

Make your trip to the Colosseum worth the journey it took to find it with this all-encompassing tour, which offers that all-important queue jump (believe us, you’ll be thankful you did once you see that snaking line) and access to the third, fourth and fifth tiers of the ancient ruin. Translation: pretty spectacular views of the arena and beyond. 

Time Out tip: Since this is a pretty lengthy tour, expect a lot of stopping for snaps. And, for the love of Rome, bring sunscreen and a sunhat. 

Foodies, this tour was created just for you. Go for a meander around a local market, where you’ll pick up fresh, seasonal produce before taking it back to the studio, where you’ll join profesh chefs in cooking up a proper Italian-flavoured storm. Bellisimo!

Time Out tip: Our only piece of advice is to savour every moment of this absolute food heaven.

Don’t you just wish you could squeeze all the best bits of a city into one super tour, that was also super cheap and conveniently quick? Well, you’re in luck as this tour takes you on a five-hour whizz around Rome’s sights: think, Saint Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum and Piazza Navona in the centre. Don’t worry about getting tour-hangry, you’ll stop off for culinary treats along the way, too.

Time Out tip: If you're looking for something a bit more flexible and spontaneous, this tour is for you. Your guides will customise the itinerary at your request.