Walking is one of the best ways to discover the Italian capital from your city hotel. Rome has plenty to see and do, and there are many different guided and self guided walking tours that you can do to see the very best that it has to offer.

The City within a City

The Vatican is the home of the Roman Catholic Church. It is actually an independent state and the world’s smallest country - in the middle of Rome itself. You can get to the Vatican from your city hotel in Rome by taking the Metro or a city bus. There are two choices of tour that you can choose between: a guided tour with the official Vatican tour guides, or an audio tour. These tend to take in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pio Clementino Museum, the Sistine Chapel, the Map Rooms, the Gallery of Candelabras and the Raphael Rooms. Additional tours are available to the Necropolis and the archaeological excavations of St. John Lateran, but you will have to book these well in advance.

Walk the Appian Way

So if all roads lead to Rome, then they probably led to the Appian Way, which was one of the most strategically important roads in all of Rome. Construction began in 312 B.B and it was often referred to as the "queen of all roads". Today it is one of the most fascinating walking tours in the entire city, with the inclusion of many important ancient Roman ruins. Get to the beginning of the walking tour by taking bus 118 or 218 from your city hotel. Rome’s Republic constructed the road to allow their armies easier access to, and departure from, the city. It fell out of favour when the Western Roman Empire fell and was then restored during the Great Jubilee celebrations as a tourist attraction. You can walk or cycle the route and take in ancient catacombs, the Baths of Caracalla, the gate of the Aurelian Walls, the Church of Domine Quo Vadis, the Circus of Maxentius, the Baths of Capo di Bove, the Villa dei Quintili, with its theatre and nympheum, and the Torre Selce. Devote a whole day to this tour in order to really see and experience all the fascinating ancient Roman sites along the road.

Wandering Rome by Night

After a busy day out and about exploring Rome, head back for a little rest at your city hotel. Rome night walking tours are an amazing way to experience the city and its sites from a totally different perspective, and shouldn’t be missed. One of the classic evening guided walking tours takes in the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, an external visit of the Colosseum, the Piazza Navona and Capitoline Hill. This tour is an excellent choice in the summer in order to avoid the warm sunshine and the crowds. Don’t forget to bring your camera, as the lighting of these attractions by night is simply magical.

There is so much to see and do in Rome that it can be hard to pick and choose. Taking a walking tour is an excellent way to discover many of the Italian capital’s attractions, but also gives you the chance to explore at your own pace and find interesting local hidden spots at the same time.