The Best Free Walking Tour in Rome

If you’re planning a trip to Rome and looking for a great way to explore the city and learn about its history, a walking tour is an excellent option. One of the best free walking tours in Rome is the “All Roads Lead to Rome” tour offered by Guruwalk.com, which we had the pleasure of experiencing on our recent visit.


Our guide, Marcello from Great Times Tours, met us at Palatine Hill, one of the most ancient parts of the city, and from there we began our journey through some of Rome’s most iconic sites. Marcello’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the city’s history made for an engaging and informative tour.

We visited many fascinating landmarks, including the Aventine Hill, the Circus Maximus, and the Basilica S.Maria in Cosmedin, which is home to the famous Mouth of Truth, a marble disc that is said to bite off the hands of liars. Another highlight of the tour was the Forum Boarium, an ancient marketplace filled with stunning ruins and artifacts.

The Mouth of Truth
The Mouth of Truth

Throughout the tour, Marcello shared interesting stories and insights about the city’s past, and we were impressed by his passion for Rome’s rich history and culture. The Janus Arch, an impressive double archway that once served as a gateway to the ancient city, was another highlight of the tour, as was the Hercules Temple, with its impressive columns and arches.

Crossing the Tiber River, we arrived at Tiberina Island, a small and charming island that is said to be one of the oldest sites in Rome. Here we learned about its fascinating history and how it was once believed to be a sacred site.

We also visited the Jewish Ghetto and the Synagogue of Rome, two important landmarks that represent the history and culture of the Jewish community in Rome. Octavia’s Porticus, a stunning colonnade that dates back to ancient Roman times, and the Temple of Apollo, a beautiful ancient temple dedicated to the god of music and poetry, were also among the sites we visited.

Temple of Hercules Victor
Temple of Hercules Victor

The tour ended at the Marcellus Theater, an ancient theater that was once used for plays, games, and other events. It was a fitting end to a tour that had taken us through the history of Rome, from its ancient beginnings to its more recent past.

Overall, we highly recommend the “All Roads Lead to Rome” tour to anyone visiting the city. Marcello was an excellent guide, and we learned so much about Rome’s rich history and culture. And with the tour being completely free, we only needed to give him a tip at the end thanks to Guruwalk.com, it’s an excellent option for budget-conscious travelers.

If you have never heard of GuruWalk it is an international community for pay-what-you-please walking tours that connects tourists with tour guides all around the world. Their mission is for you to be able to enjoy this type of tour in any place you can imagine.

About the author

An adventurer and theme park enthusiast at heart, Mark specialises in family travel content creation, and is a passionate and award-winning travel writer and videographer.