Join us on a journey through the oldest corners of Rome, where history blends with legend, and every stone has a story to tell. Discover enchanting sites, from the mysterious Tiber Island to the picturesque Aventine Hill, and experience the Eternal City from an entirely new perspective!
This tour is a deep dive into Rome’s oldest district. We’ll walk through ancient marshlands—where the mythical Aeneas first arrived and where the legendary basket carrying Romulus and Remus came to rest. Our journey begins where our 🔗 previous tour ended —tracing the path from the Vatican to the former Jewish Ghetto.
We’ll cross the Tiber over the oldest surviving bridge in its original form, the Fabricius Bridge. Our first stop is Tiber Island, a place renowned for its legendary medical heritage—where for centuries, people have been born, healed, and laid to rest.
From there, we’ll walk across the Cestius Bridge into Trastevere, a district that we explored in a 🔗 dedicated tour leading to the heart of Rome on the other side of the Tiber. But this time, we’ll return to the right bank, crossing back over the Palatine Bridge.
At the ancient Forum Boarium, a sacred site for the Romans, we’ll find the famous Mouth of Truth—where visitors still test an age-old legend by placing their trembling hands inside. We’ll then visit Rome’s oldest surviving temples before heading toward the Arch of Janus. Along the way, we’ll uncover traces of history at the Arch of the Moneychangers and inside the Church of St. George in Velabrum.
As we continue, we’ll take in views of the vast valley that once housed the legendary Circus Maximus before making our way up the Aventine Hill. Here, we’ll pause to relax among the roses in the city’s Rose Garden and stroll through an orange grove that leads to the Aventine Terrace—a breathtaking panoramic viewpoint.
Our walk includes a visit to the Basilica of St. Sabina and the neighboring Church of Saints Boniface and Alexius. We’ll then stop at one of the hill’s most famous hidden gems—a keyhole that offers a stunning, perfectly framed view stretching across three countries.
Descending from the Aventine, we’ll visit a beautiful and historic cemetery, the final resting place of great artists and foreigners who were once forbidden from being buried on ground sanctified by Christian martyrdom. Our journey will end at one of Rome’s most unexpected sights—an authentic Egyptian-style pyramid, the tomb of Gaius Cestius Epulo, a Roman official captivated by Egyptian culture.
This is a relaxed, easy walk, though parts of the route are uphill. It takes about half a day, making it a great addition to other tours. Another bonus? It ends right by a metro station for an easy return.
📽️ Don’t miss the full video tour on our YouTube channel!
