Private Rome City Driving Tour
See the best of Rome with the comfort of your own private vehicle and a dedicated local tour guide
Want to visit Rome’s iconic sites without the hours of walking? This VIP private driving tour makes exploring the Eternal City a breeze! Whether you’re a family with young kids, have reduced mobility, or just want the comfort and ease of your own private air-conditioned car or minivan, it’s the easiest way to see Rome like a VIP. Join your private Roman guide to see the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Aventine Hill, and more, plus a few of Rome’s hidden gems that many tourists miss.
- Pantheon
- Aventine Hill
- Campidoglio
- Authentic Roman gelato
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
- Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva
- Piazza Venezia
- Piazza Navona
- The "Greek Ghetto"
- Views from the Orange Garden
- Circus Maximus
- Campo de' Fiori
Your VIP Rome driving tour begins in the easiest possible way, as your professional Roman driver picks you up from your Rome accommodation in a comfortable, air-conditioned private car or minivan. You'll be joined by your own expert guide as you set off on a whistle-stop city tour of some of Rome's most famous sites, with your driver parking up and waiting nearby while you visit the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Capitoline Hill, and so much more!
As a private tour you'll have the flexibility to make it your own, so just speak to your guide if there's anywhere you'd like more time or any hidden gems that you simply can't miss! Each car or minivan can carry up to 7 travelers and drop-off back at your hotel or even the airport can be arranged, so just let us know your plans!
VIP Private Rome Driving Tour Description
Your 3-hour private driving tour includes:
Door-to-door transport in an air-conditioned luxury vehicle (from central Rome accommodation)
Your own personal English-speaking tour guide
Stops at the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Aventine Hill, and more
Visit some of Rome’s best hidden gems
Flexible tour that can be tailored to you
Up to 7 people per vehicle (multiple vehicles available)
Because some sites on this small group tour are religious, knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. We know that Rome is hot in summer, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders only when necessary.
Rome Hotel Pick-Up
Don’t worry about figuring out transportation, your private driver will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation in the center of Rome. If your accommodation is located outside the center of the city, another meeting point in the center will be organized for your convenience. After you book, we'll reach out to you and organize the specifics, but feel free to contact us first. Not sure where whether your hotel in Rome is central? Contact our Travel Experts by email or online chat to be sure.
Highlights of the Historic Center
One of the early stops on your private city tour is a true hidden gem of Rome. The Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva is built on the site of a temple built by Pompey the Great around 50 B.C., and stands as Rome's only Gothic church, bursting with fantastic Italian art.
Your driver will park as near as possible while your private guide leads you on a short walking tour of the historic city center, where many of Rome's most famous sites are clustered close together.
Rome’s Architectural Marvel: The Pantheon
The best-preserved building from ancient Rome, the Pantheon and was completed in 125 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. In particular, its dome reveals the genius of the architects who lived and worked so long ago. A rare opportunity to step back in time 2,000 years, seeing the Pantheon is not to be overlooked on a trip to Rome.
Piazza Navona and Authentic Roman Gelato
One of the main squares in Rome, Piazza Navona is a delightful hub of food, culture and charming architecture. One of the first things you’ll notice when entering this piazza is the Egyptian Obelisk, towering over the surrounding buildings of the open square. You'll also visit the beautiful Fountain of Four Rivers in the center of the piazza, known for its intricate sculptures. Your expert guide will delve into the story behind the Stadium of Domitian, the ancient arena that lies beneath today’s piazza.
Near to Piazza Navona is one of our favorite gelato shops in Rome. Many gelaterias use artificial flavors, but this one is as authentic as they come! Cool down and enjoy gelato the Roman way on as you stroll around this beautiful part of Rome.
Gelato is optional and not included in the price of the tour, so bring a little cash with you if you'd like to try one.
See More of Rome by Car
To make sure you see as much of Rome as possible in a few hours, you'll hop back into your private vehicle. For the next portion of your tour of Rome, You'll drive by Piazza Venezia and the ruins of Largo Argentina. It’s here that Emperor Julius Caesar met his end, and a trio of ancient temples protrudes from the grass. Fun fact: this is also where the largest colony of stray cats live. It’s said that the cats play host for ancient Roman spirits. Plus, pass through the Greek Ghetto on the way to the Aventine Hill.
Aventine Hill - The Best Views of Rome
After departing from the city center, you'll drive up Aventine Hill to witness one of the most scenic views of all of Rome. From the top, you'll be able to look over large parts of the city, and you'll have the chance to take photos at some of the hill's most beloved spots: the Rose Garden, Orange Garden, and Rome’s Aventine keyhole.
The southernmost of Rome’s seven hills, the Aventine Hill is home to the the oldest Roman Basilica in Rome, the Basilica of Santa Sabina. Your private guide will make sure you see all the best spots on the hill while explaining the history of this famous site.
Walk Up Capitoline Hill
On the way to Capitoline Hill, get a glimpse of Circus Maximus from the car. Then, follow your guide to Capitoline Hill by foot. If you’re looking for that postcard view looking down into ancient Rome - this is it. At the best view point on the hill, admire the Roman Forum from an amazing vantage point. Then, head back down the hill to visit the Trevi Fountain.
Trevi Fountain
As you continue your exploration of the center of Rome, you'll stop off at the beautiful Trevi Fountain. This 18th-century treasure is the most famous fountain in Rome, and possibly the world. Depicting the Greek god Oceanus, the fountain portrays the changing tides of the ocean. If you toss a coin into the fountain over your left shoulder with your right hand, it's believed that you'll be certain to return to the Eternal City. Your guide will explain the construction and restoration of this Roman icon and allow you to toss your own coin into the fountain.
Rome’s Iconic Spanish Steps
Located in the middle of Rome’s high-end shopping scene, the 18th-century Spanish Steps lead to the Trinità dei Monti church. At the base of the steps, you’ll find another one of Rome’s beautiful fountains, Fontana della Barcaccia, or “Fountain of the Longboat." If you're ambitious enough to climb the Spanish Steps later in your trip, you’ll find the Borghese Gardens, a beautiful park with stunning panoramic views of the city.
Once you've seen the best of Rome by car and on foot, your driver will be ready to take you back to your accommodation. If you'd rather stay out to explore more of the city by yourself, then no problem! We can even arrange transport to the airport or elsewhere in Rome, so just get in touch with our team for any special arrangements.
What you get with this tour

See what people are saying
30 total reviews
Leave a reviewMateo provided a fabulous tour!
Kristina Fallon
Mateo provided a fabulous tour of Rome. His knowledge of the history was amazing and he shared so many interesting stories. He was very accommodating with our group. The private tour was the perfect way to see so many of the sites. It was very hot on the day we visited so the van saved us! We saw so many sites that we would have missed or not had time to view if we had tried to manage this on our own! Would highly recommend the tour and request Mateo! You won’t be sorry!
Private Rome, City Drive with Paline
Sally Huth
She was a very personable and informative guide. We really appreciated all her knowledge and love for the city. We definitely give her high markings for the work she does! Excellent
Fantastic first day in Rome!
Mary Ellen
We just travelled to Italy and had only a few days in Rome. We booked this engaging driving tour for our first day. Federica was a delightful, knowledgeable and thoughtful guide. To hear this rich history from a native Roman who spoke english beautifully gave life to all we saw. She is such an enthusiastic person, showing us broad strokes of Rome with an insider’s touch. She went above and beyond expectations by giving us advice for the rest of our trip. We highly recommend Federica- she is a 10 out of a 10! Thank you @theromanguy !
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Bring a water bottle, sunscreen in the summer months, and some coins for making wishes in the Trevi Fountain. Since many sites on this tour can only be explored on foot and there will be some uneven terrain, please also wear comfortable shoes. Please be prepared to cover your knees and shoulders in places of worship.
I have some doubts about my mobility. Is this tour right for me?
If you have any doubts about your mobility, this is a good tour for you. Our private tours offer more flexibility in terms of pace and special accommodations.
What are the chances my tour will be canceled or stops on this driving tour will be shut down?
Our expert guide will do everything possible to follow the full itinerary. However, due to events and street closures that sometimes occur in Rome, it may be necessary to change the route slightly. As a private tour, you'll also have the flexibility to tailor the itierary to your wants and needs.
I'm not sure if I'm staying in the city center. How do I know?
After you book, we'll reach out to you and determine if your accommodations are located in the city center, but feel free to contact us first. Contact our Travel Experts by email or online chat to be sure.
I'm traveling with children, is this tour suitable for them?
Yes, absolutely! Child car seats available upon request, they must be requested at least 72 hours in advance. Due to traffic regulations, all kids must be seated during the tour.
Is gelato included in the cost of the tour?
Gelato isn't included in the tour price but your guide will show you our favorite authentic spot to purchase one.
Is there a dress code to enter the religious sites on this tour?
We ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise you may be refused entry to religious sites and miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Rome can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way, you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.
What to bring?
Bring a water bottle, sunscreen in the summer months, and some coins for making wishes in the Trevi Fountain. Since many sites on this tour can only be explored on foot and there will be some uneven terrain, please also wear comfortable shoes. Please be prepared to cover your knees and shoulders in places of worship.
What is the maximum group size on this tour?
Our private vehicles can take groups of up to 7 people, but it's possible to arrange tours for larger groups too. Just get in touch with our team!
I don't see any availability. Can I still book a private tour?
Just get in touch with us, we'll do our best to accommodate your group. Our contact information is at the bottom of this page.