Rome at Sunset Private Walking Tour

Rome at Sunset  A fun walking tour of Rome that covers the city’s highlights is great for those who want to visit the must-see sites and learn some history while avoiding the mid-day sun. 

Piazza del Popolo This tour begins at Piazza del Popolo, a large elliptical square with three churches and an Ancient Egyptian obelisk, located at the end of Rome’s main shopping street, Via del Corso. The square was designed by the Roman architect Giuseppe Valadier and finished in 1822, taking just over 10 years to complete.[readmore]On the south side stand the twin churches completed by Bernini and Fontana and to the north the impressive Porta Flaminio. At its centre separating the two, is the second oldest obelisk in Rome, which was brought back from Egypt by the emperor Augustus and initially stood in the Circus Maximus. Hear all about the square including how it was used for public executions up until two hundred years ago and find out which church houses not one but two Caravaggio paintings. 

Piazza di Spagna The next stop on your tour is the Piazza di Spagna or the square of Spain, considered one of the most beautiful piazzas in Rome. Housing Rome’s fashion district and littered with high-end designer stores and boutiques, the square is a must-see for any aspiring fashionista. Its charm has drawn visitors for years and the location was once a literary hub as well, attracting a slew of international writers and poets who made it their home. 

Today, all that remains of this era are a few plaques marking where they lived, the Keats and Shelly memorial house and their old haunt, Antique Café Greco, the second oldest café in Italy. You’ll learn all about the world-famous Spanish Steps, who designed them, why they were built and what they are used for today. View the Column of the Immaculate Conception and fill up your water bottles at a fountain designed by Bernini and his dad, before moving on to the following site.

Fontana di Trevi This is undeniably one of the most famous fountains in the world, and one of the few in Rome not designed by Bernini. The Trevi Fountain was created by Nicola Salvi between 1732 and 1751. Unfortunately, he died before its completion and the work was entrusted to four other artists before it was finally inaugurated in 1762. Immortalized in movies like Roman Holiday, Three Coins in a Fountain and La Dolce Vita, it is something you must see in person to truly appreciate. Its beauty, the sheer size of it and the way the water sounds as you approach are things that just can’t be replicated, even on the big screen. Discover the interesting history surrounding the fountain, where its name comes from, who died during its construction, and the correct way to throw your coins in. 

The Pantheon This was Michelangelo’s favourite Roman building, as well as Raphael’s. In fact, the latter loved the building so much it is also his resting place. The word “Pantheon” takes its name from the Greek “Pan” meaning “all” and “theion” meaning “gods” and was the first temple in Rome dedicated to “all the Gods”. It has been rebuilt a few times over the years, but its current construction is the work of the great Emperor Hadrian. The structure is divided into two separate parts, the portico and the rotunda, which were masterfully formulated to look like one. Marvel at its dimensions, find out what its inscriptions mean, and look up at is ceiling, a mathematical triumph that inspired Brunelleschi to create his dome for the church of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. You’ll get to learn how the pantheon was built, why it’s so well preserved and who else is buried within its impressive walls. 

Piazza Navona The final stop on the tour is the picturesque Piazza Navona, built over the ancient Circus Aronalis, or “Stadium of Domitian”. In the 15th century, the former stadium was covered over, although it maintained its racetrack shape and became Rome’s central market place. Today it’s one of the city’s liveliest squares and frequently hosts local artists and street performers. Find out how they used to flood the square in the summer months to create an artificial lake, hear the story behind one of the art world’s greatest rivalries and discover whose ghost still lingers there.