Where to Start: the 10 Best Old Town and Historic Centre Walks in Italy

1.Rome in a Day Tour with Vatican, Colosseum and Historic Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,042 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $192Our pick

This 7.5-hour English tour links Rome’s historic center, Colosseum and Vatican Museums for up to 18 people. Guides such as Sev, Marco, Vita and Kylie bring the monuments to life, while a private transfer saves time between the Colosseum and Vatican.

“21,000 steps. If you can’t walk that then book the golf cart tour. Wonderful tour, our guide was very knowledgeable and I felt like I saw everything.”

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2.Rome Food Tour in the Historic Centre with 8+ Food Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,000 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $118Top rated

Join a small English-speaking group of up to 12 for three hours of Roman food and history. Guides such as Massimiliano, Rocio, Luda, and Federico lead tastings of pizza, pasta, supplì, cheeses, cannoli, gelato, and a secret dish between Piazza Navona and Largo di Torre Argentina.

“We had such a wonderful experience . Our guide was so knowledgeable about our surroundings and gave us such great information about the historical buildinggs. He also took us to the yummiest little eateries. We would never know about the meats and cheeses and wine that is offered. Also excellent pizza and breads to homemade pasta at the oldest Restaurant. We sat and ate with a great group of people. We also had espresso and Gelato to die for. We loved our guide. A young man with a lot of passion for what he does.Viator has amazing staff and great adventures. Thank you❤️❤️❤️🍋🍋”

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3.Genoa: 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 605 reviews · 2 hours · from $16Best value

Walk Genoa’s narrow caruggi with an English and Italian guide, passing San Lorenzo Cathedral, San Matteo Square, Doge’s Palace, the Opera House, and UNESCO-listed Via Garibaldi. The tour ends with free same-day entry to the Strada Nuova and Sant’Agostino museums for independent visits.

“Very good way to discover Genova and its city center. This city is full of little place hard to find when you don't know where to go and the City Guide was a perfect way to get more familiar with these littles streets and places. I strongly recomand :)”

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4.Guided Tour, Historic Center Sassi Rock Churches and Cave House

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 461 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $26

Spend about two hours walking Matera’s old center, Sasso Barisano, and Sasso Caveoso with an English-speaking local guide. You’ll enter Santa Maria de Idris and a traditional cave house, hear how families lived in the Sassi, and finish near Piazzetta Pascoli.

“Matera was a magical place and our guide Patrizzia was very knowledgeable, she explain all the history and was very patient answering all questions. 100% recommended!”

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5.Naples: Historic Center and Sansevero Chapel Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 208 reviews · from $55

Walk Naples with a live guide in English, French, or Italian, from the Duomo through Via dei Tribunali, San Gregorio Armeno, and Spaccanapoli. The 2.5-hour tour ends inside Sansevero Chapel, where you see Sanmartino’s Veiled Christ. Ana is one guide associated with this experience.

“Our guide was so engaging and asked what we were interested in seeing in the area of tour.”

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6.Private Rome Food Tour in the Historic Centre with 8+Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 135 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $405

Spend about three and a half hours tasting eight or more Roman specialties with a private English-speaking guide. Walk from Piazza Navona through Campo de’ Fiori, the Jewish Ghetto, and Largo di Torre Argentina while trying pizza, supplì, pasta, cheese, cold cuts, cannoli, gelato, and a secret dish.

“Rocio could not have been a better guide. With excellent English sense of humour and wonderful knowledge it was a pleasure to spend the time with her and a bonus to be the only one on the tour.”

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7.Naples: Historic Center Tour & Veiled Christ Entry Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 97 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $70

Meet in Piazza Dante or Piazza San Domenico Maggiore for a 1.5 to 2-hour walk through old Naples, ending at the Sansevero Chapel and its astonishing Veiled Christ. Guide Angela, also listed as Angelina, adds personal stories, hidden corners, Renaissance gardens, and local craft stops. English and Italian tours are available.

“The tour was fantastic. Angela was the most wonderful guide & I highly recommend this tour.”

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8.360 ° Naples. THE historic center of the city

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 2 hours 20 minutes (approx.)

Walk through Naples’ old center with Fabio, an English-speaking private guide who explains churches, symbols, local stories, and Sansevero Chapel’s esoteric art. The 2-hour-20-minute route ends near Via dei Presepi, with pickup available close to Piazza del Gesù Nuovo.

“Fabio was a great tour guide. Very knowledgeable and knowledgeable. Fabio provided information and insights at the Chapel that my wife and I otherwise would not have known. Made the visit much more interesting and worthwhile. Fabio maintained a very nice tour pace; we never felt rushed. We highly recommend Fabio and the Tour.”

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9.Naples Walking tour of the Historical Center

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $120

Walk Naples’ old center with a local guide such as Valentino, tracing Spaccanapoli, Via San Gregorio Armeno, Via dei Tribunali, and historic churches. The two-hour route includes Neapolitan coffee and sfogliatella, with the Fontanelle Cemetery listed as a highlight to confirm before booking.

“Valentino was amazing. He took us on a great and we saw places we would have never found on our own. Highly recommended.”

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10.Rome: Ultimate Street Food Tour in the Old Town by Do Eat Better

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60

Walk Rome’s old town with a local English or Italian speaking guide, stopping for scrocchiarella pizza, supplì, cured meats, cheese, wine, tiramisù or gelato, and coffee. The three-and-a-half-hour route visits Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon, with groups capped at 12.

“Delicious food, in places we might not necessarily have visited (although the queues outside those eateries spoke for themselves about the quality of the products.). Our group was great fun, very friendly and chatty, which made the whole experience even better. There is a fair bit of walking involved (but that makes you feel less guilty about everything you're sampling!) Come hungry! Our guide Martina was great; friendly, efficient and knowledgeable.”

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