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Complete Rome: free self-guided audio tour of Rome
Complete Rome is a free self-guided audio walking tour of Rome, Italy: 7 stops in about 2 h 20. The Itinerarly app walks you from one stop to the next and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
| Stops | 7 |
|---|---|
| Duration | about 2 h 20, including time at each stop |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Distance | about 5.3 km in straight lines between the stops (a little more on foot) |
| Start | Colosseum |
| Finish | Janiculum & Trastevere |
| Price | Free (some sights charge their own entry ticket) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
The ultimate Eternal City tour
The stops, in order
- ColosseumWelcome to the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built and the absolute icon of Imperial Rome. Inaugurated in 80 AD under the reign of Titus, it could hold over 50,000 spectators who came to witness gladiator fights, wild animal hunts, and even mock naval battles. Observe its ingenious architecture: the 80 outer arches use superimposed Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders.
- Roman ForumYou are gazing at the Roman Forum, the true political, religious, and commercial heart of ancient Rome for over a thousand years. Wandering through these majestic ruins, you walk in the footsteps of history's greatest figures, from Augustus to Cicero. Admire the surviving columns of the Temple of Saturn, the imposing Arch of Septimius Severus, and the Curia, seat of the Roman Senate.
- Palatine HillYou are admiring the Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace and most exclusive district of ancient Rome. It is here that Romulus is said to have founded the city in 753 BC after being saved by the legendary she-wolf. During the Empire, this hill became the site of the lavish imperial palaces of the Caesars, whose colossal ruins still overlook the Forum on one side and the Circus Maximus on the other.
- PantheonYou are entering the Pantheon, Rome's best-preserved ancient monument and one of history's most extraordinary architectural feats. Rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century, it was dedicated to all gods. Its monumental dome remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, a testament to Roman engineering genius.
- Piazza NavonaWelcome to Piazza Navona, the most elegant and lively square in Rome's historic center. Its unique elliptical shape stems from the Stadium of Domitian that stood here in ancient times, used for athletic games. At its center stands Bernini's masterpiece, the Fountain of the Four Rivers, topped by an Egyptian obelisk.
- St. Peter's SquareYou are standing in St. Peter's Square, the beating heart of world Catholicism and a masterpiece of Baroque urban design. The two monumental arms of Bernini's colonnade, with their 284 columns, seem to embrace the faithful from all over the world.
- Janiculum & TrastevereWelcome to the Janiculum Hill, which offers arguably the most spectacular and comprehensive panorama over Rome. From here, your gaze can encompass the entire Eternal City, from Baroque domes to ancient ruins, reaching as far as the distant Apennine peaks. It is from this spot that a cannon has fired every day at noon since 1847—a tradition established to synchronize all the city's bells.
How to take this tour
- Install the free Itinerarly app on iPhone or Android and create a free account.
- Open Guided tours, choose Rome, then Complete Rome.
- Start whenever you like: the app guides you to Colosseum and the story plays when you arrive at each stop.
Other audio tours of Rome
Planning a whole day? See one day in Rome.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Complete Rome tour in Rome free?
- Yes. It is one of 3 free self-guided audio tours of Rome in the Itinerarly app. Some sights charge their own entry ticket.
- How long does the Complete Rome tour take?
- About 2 h 20 for 7 stops, including time at each stop.
- Where does the Complete Rome tour start and finish?
- It starts at Colosseum and finishes at Janiculum & Trastevere.
- Which languages is the narration in?
- English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, with natural-sounding synthetic voices.