Top 8 Small-Group History Tours in Italy

1.VIP Colosseum Underground and Ancient Rome Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 332 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $107Our pick

Meet your coordinator at Via dei Fori Imperiali, then visit the Colosseum Arena and Underground, followed by the Roman Forum. A licensed English-speaking guide, headsets, reserved entry, and a group of up to 15 are included. Guides may include Julia, Isabel, Carmelo, or Federico, depending on the date.

“We did the skip line small group tour - worth it! Great guide and very informative- lots of stairs and uneven walk ways - wear most comfortable shoes”

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2.Lecce History and Street Food Tasting Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 288 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65Top rated

Walk Lecce’s old town with a guide such as Antonella or Mona, stopping for local snacks at small shops along the way. In 2.5 hours, you’ll see Roman ruins, Baroque churches, city gates, and Piazza Sant’Oronzo. The tour is capped at 12 people and can accommodate vegetarians with advance notice.

“Very enjoyable walking tour with Moana who shared her passion and knowledge of Lecce history together with samples of Lecce food from places we would not have ordinarily found. Highly recommend”

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3.Small-Group Rome to Pompeii & Amalfi: Day of History & Sea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 239 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $144

Leave Rome at 7:30 AM for Pompeii, where a licensed guide explains the ancient city before you get free time to explore. Then ride the scenic coast to Amalfi, or possibly Maiori, for lunch, shopping, beach time, and a complimentary drink. Desiree may coordinate your day, with return to Rome around 9:30 PM.

“Great experience. The host made the trip enjoyable. Pompeii is a must see. Would recommend this trip to anyone visiting Italy.”

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4.Colosseum Forum Ancient Rome Small Group Tour for Kids Families

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 198 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $180

Explore the Colosseum and Roman Forum in a group of up to 15, led by an English-speaking Blue Badge art historian guide. Expect gladiator stories, visual aids, family games, and a pace designed for children aged 6 and up. Guides such as Martina, Donato, Roberta, and Valeria have been praised for making ancient Rome fun for both children and adults.

“Valeria did a great job of making the Colosseum and Roman Forum interesting and understandable for our kids (aged 7 and 5), keeping them engaged throughout which is no easy feat, especially in the August heat. Extremely knowledgeable and highly recommended.”

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5.Secrets of Rome: Historical True Crime Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 85 reviews · 2 hours · from $29Best value

Follow an English-speaking storyteller through Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Farnese, Via Giulia, Ponte Sisto, and Castel Sant’Angelo. Hear about Giordano Bruno, the Borgias, Giulia Tofana, Beatrice Cenci, and other notorious figures. Guides such as Ben, Ivana, and Ariel mix history, humor, and grim detail in a group of no more than 15.

“Absolutely fantastic tour, full of interesting stories from the infamous side of Rome's past.”

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6.Colosseum and Ancient Rome Small Group Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $63

Walk through the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill with an English, Spanish, or French-speaking guide. You’ll hear how gladiators, exotic animals, emperors, and political ambition shaped these ancient sites. Admission, headsets, and taxes are included. Bring official ID and arrive 30 minutes early.

“La visite du forme et d’une partie du mont palatin”

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7.Trastevere street food and history tour – small group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66

Spend about 2.5 hours walking from Rome’s Jewish Ghetto to Trastevere, sampling fried artichoke, pizza, supplì, gelato, and other local bites. Guides such as Virginia, Christian, Daniel, and Serena mix food with neighborhood stories. The group is capped at 12, with vegetarian options planned in advance.

“Wonderful tour full of interesting facts and stories to go with the food. Marco, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and excited to share the history and food of the area. We had samples of several items, and tried things I wouldn’t order off a menu (that I loved!).”

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8.Bologna: Small-Group Tour with the Historic Archiginnasio

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 30 reviews · 2 hours · from $45

Begin in Piazza Maggiore with an English-speaking guide, then enter the Archiginnasio’s Teatro Anatomico, once used for medical lessons. Continue through the Quadrilatero food market, the Due Torri, Santo Stefano, and Bologna’s covered porticos. Sofia is one named guide associated with the tour. Entry and a licensed guide are included.

“Unser Guide Sofia hat uns mit ihrem Wissen und ihrer grossartigen Erzählkunst total überzeugt!”

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