Italy · HISTORICAL TOURS

The 15 Historical Tours in Italy We Would Book First

27 tours  ·  from $12

The 15 best historical tours on sale today, with what each one costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is first for a reason, so start there.

Venice: St. Mark Basilica Ticket, Audioguide+History Gallery - Collecting your ticket beside St. Mark’s Square
Historical Tours, Museum Tours in Venice, Museums, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Venice Tours

Venice: St. Mark Basilica Ticket, Audioguide+History Gallery

1.St. Mark Basilica Ticket, Audioguide+History Gallery

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 4,780 reviews · from $23Our pick

Collect your ticket and audio-guide code near St. Mark’s Square, then explore the Basilica’s golden mosaics and five domes. Depending on your option, you may join a guide such as Valentina, Elena, Andrea, or Francesco. A VR journey and Venice History Gallery circuit add context before or after your visit.

“Skip the queue was fantastic especially with the 32 degree heat on the day.”

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Venice's Best: Basilica, Doge's Palace, Gondola & History Gallery - Doge’s Palace, the center of Venetian power
Doge's Palace Tours, Gondola Rides, Historical Tours, Museum Tours in Venice, Museums, Tour Reviews, Venice Tours

Venice’s Best: Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Gondola & History Gallery

2.Venice’s Best: Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Gondola & History Gallery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,478 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129

Spend about three and a half hours around St. Mark’s Square with guided visits to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, access to nearby museums, a VR history gallery, and a shared gondola ride. Guides such as Lucia, Valentina, Giada, and Alexander have earned praise for clear, lively storytelling.

“You need to run to the gondolas. Good luck you can not make it. Pick a different tour. You can't even give a bad review”

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Historic Milan Tour with Skip-the-Line Last Supper Ticket - Finding the guide at Santa Maria delle Grazie
Historical Tours, Last Supper Tours, Milan Tours, Skip the Line, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

Historic Milan Tour with Skip-the-Line Last Supper Ticket

3.Historic Milan Tour with Skip-the-Line Last Supper Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,976 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $111

Meet your English-speaking art historian at Santa Maria delle Grazie for a timed 15-minute visit to Leonardo’s Last Supper. Then walk through Milan to Sforza Castle, Via Dante, the Galleria, La Scala, and the Duomo. Guides such as Silvia, Valentina, Laura, and Jade have led this tour.

“Our tour guide - Rose, I believe, but sadly my memory can't recall, was outstanding. Her art knowledge of the Last Supper and its artist, his technique, and the story it depicts was informative and thought provoking. As our tour continued through the streets of Milan to the Sforza Castle, she helped to provide our group with insights and details that gave history and context to our visit in Milan. The learning will continue beyond our tour as our granddaughter continues to research the sights and work of da Vinci. Thank you for an amazing experience!”

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Venice: City Center Historical Guided Walking Tour - St. Mark’s Square, Venice’s grand front room
City Tours, Guided, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Venice Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Venice

Venice: City Center Historical Guided Walking Tour

4.City Center Historical Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,873 reviews · 1 - 2.5 hours · from $14Best value

Follow a live guide through St. Mark’s Square, San Marco, Teatro La Fenice, Rialto Bridge, and quieter calli. The tour includes a short VR journey through old Venice. Choose the gondola option for a separate ride, with a gap between activities.

“Ana is very knowledgeable and we learned so much about Venice in one hour (and for such a reasonable cost) that we were rather blown away. It was a great time and we highly recommend.”

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Verona: History and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour - From Roman walls to Porta Borsari
Guided, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Verona & Lake Garda Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Verona

Verona: History and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour

5.History and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,379 reviews · 2 hours · from $41Top rated

Meet Fabio, a licensed Veronese guide, beneath the Italian flag in Piazza Bra. In two hours, you’ll connect Verona’s Roman and medieval past with its famous sights, quiet lanes, river views, and lesser-noticed details. Groups are limited to 10 and headsets keep every story clear.

“Our tour with Fabio was really enjoyable, he was warm, knowledgeable, very witty and made a real connection with the group. We would thoroughly recommend Fabio.”

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Palermo: Street Food and History Walking Tour - Starting near Teatro Massimo
Food, Food & Drink, Food Tours in Sicily, Historical Tours, Sicily Tours, Street Food Tours, Street Food Tours in Sicily, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Palermo: Street Food and History Walking Tour

6.Street Food and History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,294 reviews · from $54

Follow local guide Fabrizio through Palermo’s old town, Capo Market and landmark squares while tasting sfincione, panelle, crocché, arancine and cannoli. The three-hour tour combines food, architecture and local stories, with a drink included and the Cathedral on the route.

“Tour was absolutely wonderfully and despite the rain, our guide made sure we all had a wonderful experience!”

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Rome in a Day Tour with Vatican, Colosseum and Historic Center - Piazza Navona begins the historic-center walk
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Rome, Rome Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

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

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

This 7.5-hour English tour links Rome’s historic center, Colosseum, Roman Forum overlook, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel. Guides such as Sev, Kylie, Marco, Ambra, and Vita bring history and art to life, while a private transfer saves time between ancient Rome and Vatican City. Expect a full day on foot.

“Our guide was amazing. She was very knowledgeable about all the subjects. She was there to answer your questions. She kept us on time and engaged. Nick overall it was a very delightful experience for us.”

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Rome Food Tour in the Historic Centre with 8+ Food Tastings - Pizza, supplì, and the first taste of Rome
Food, Food & Drink, Food Tours in Rome, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Rome, Rome Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

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

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

Spend about three hours tasting five courses and 8+ Roman specialties with an English-speaking guide such as Massimiliano, Rocio, or Luda. Walk from Piazza Navona through the Jewish Ghetto and Campo de’ Fiori, finishing near Largo di Torre Argentina. Expect plenty of food, local stories, and a flexible menu.

“This was an awesome intro to popular foods in Rome. We did this tour with 2 small kids (4, 6) and I was 6 months pregnant also! It’s a lot of walking, but nothing too bad. The foods were great and our tour guide was fabulous! He was very engaging and overall made the experience very fun. Would highly recommend!”

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Rome: Ancient History and Colosseum Underground Tour - Walking across the arena floor
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Rome, Rome Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Rome: Ancient History and Colosseum Underground Tour

9.Ancient History and Colosseum Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 996 reviews · from $104

Enter the Colosseum through a separate entrance, visit its underground chambers, and walk across the arena floor with an English-speaking guide. Afterward, explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill at your own pace. Small-group and private options are available, though underground access can be limited.

“The original tour of the underground was canceled but the new tour was very informative and excellent.”

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Rome: Forbidden History Walking Tour & Pub Crawl with Drinks - Drinks that make the history easier to remember
Drinking Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Rome, Nightlife, Pub Crawls, Rome Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Rome

Rome: Forbidden History Walking Tour & Pub Crawl with Drinks

10.Forbidden History Walking Tour & Pub Crawl with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 688 reviews · 3 hours · from $61

Join an English-speaking guide such as Michelle, Autumn, Ana, Michal, or Irene for a three-hour walk through Monti, with local wine, spritz, sambuca, and other drinks at selected bars. Expect dark Roman stories, social games, pre-booked tables, and non-alcoholic options.

“Absolutely fantastic tour, it was informative, fun, and worth every penny. Autumn was a fantastic guide who was extremely friendly knowledgeable and made our experiences in Rome memorable. * my mum felt it was suitable for all age group đź’ś”

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Genoa: 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Center - Starting at Via Garibaldi and the Rolli palaces
2-Hour Experiences, Genoa & Cinque Terre Tours, Guided, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

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

11.2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Center

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

Start on Via Garibaldi with an English and Italian guide, then follow Genoa’s narrow caruggi past Rolli palaces, San Matteo Square, San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Doge Palace, and the Opera House. Your ticket also allows same-day independent visits to the Strada Nuova and Sant’Agostino museums.

“She new all there is to no about Genova, great way to get around with all the narrow alleys. Really enjoyed and would recommend to anyone”

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Palermo: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Guided Walking Tour - Church of Saint Dominic and Palermo’s Grand Streets
Guided, Historical Tours, Sicily Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Palermo: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Guided Walking Tour

12.UNESCO World Heritage Sites Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 548 reviews · 3 - 5.5 hours · from $41

Walk Palermo’s historic center with a licensed English or Spanish speaking guide, visiting the Cathedral and seeing Teatro Massimo, Martorana Church, Piazza Pretoria, Quattro Canti, and more. Guides such as Renata, Simone, and Stefania add local stories, practical tips, and a Sicilian pastry stop.

“Simone was an excellent guide. As a history teacher, he spoke so captivatingly that it felt as if he himself were a living textbook, guiding us through the pages of Palermo’s history. His knowledge was incredible, everything was fascinating, and the time flew by without us even noticing because it was so engaging. A truly amazing experience — we recommend him with both hands!”

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Naples: Street Art & History Tour in the Spanish Quarters - Walking the Spanish Quarters for 100 minutes
Historical Tours, Naples & Pompeii Tours, Street Art, Tour Reviews, Tours

Naples: Street Art & History Tour in the Spanish Quarters

13.Street Art & History Tour in the Spanish Quarters

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 540 reviews · from $24

Walk Naples’ Spanish Quarters with a local guide such as Manuela, Simone, or Pasquale. Expect colorful murals, Maradona tributes, tucked-away churches, artisan corners, wartime stories, and lively neighborhood scenes. The two-hour small-group tour is offered in four languages and costs $24 per person.

“Simone was great and gave us alot of information. He didn't rush us and we were very happy. I felt really bad because I had no cash on me because he deserved a good tip. It was lovely to have someone local who knew the history of the neighbourhood. I highly recommend this tour. đź‘Ś”

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Palermo: Walking Tour of Historic Markets and Monuments - Starting at Palermo Cathedral
Historical Tours, Sicily Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Palermo: Walking Tour of Historic Markets and Monuments

14.Walking Tour of Historic Markets and Monuments

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 478 reviews · 3 hours · from $35

Follow an Italian-speaking guide through Palermo’s historic center, from the Cathedral and Teatro Massimo to Quattro Canti, Fontana Pretoria, and the Capo market. Guides such as Claudio and Fabrizio bring local legends, Santa Rosalia, the Beati Paoli, and Sicilian street food into a three-hour walk.

“Esperienza interessante e piena di fascino!!La nostra guida Claudio davvero professionale , piena di entusiasmo , ironica e divertente . Tre ore sono volate tra le strade e i monumenti principali di Palermo!! CONSIGLIATISSIMO!!”

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Matera's Sassi Walking Tour - History & Culture - Starting at Via Lucana and entering the Sassi
Historical Tours, Matera Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Matera’s Sassi Walking Tour – History & Culture

15.Matera’s Sassi Walking Tour – History & Culture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 476 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Spend about two hours walking Matera’s Sassi, Civita, and Sasso Caveoso with an English-speaking local guide such as Antonio or Giorgia. Expect clear history, family stories, city views, narrow lanes, and an ancient cave church, with a small extra fee possible for entry.

“Giorgia was a very knowledgeable and engaging guide. She was able to answer all questions and was able to speak to all aspects of Matera. This is one of the best tours we’ve experienced.”

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New in Historical Tours

★ 5.0Genoa Food, Wine Tasting & History Walking TourFrom $71212 reviews
★ 4.7Colosseum, Vatican Museums & Historic Center in a Day228 reviews
★ 4.8Historic Center and Sansevero Chapel Walking TourFrom $55208 reviews
★ 4.9Fresh Pasta and TiramisĂą Class in A Historical HomeFrom $84195 reviews
★ 4.6History Walking TourFrom $40223 reviews
★ 4.4Historic Guided Tour of Christopher Columbus’ HouseFrom $12186 reviews

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Colosseum & Roman Forum Tours158Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tours105Borghese Gallery Tours16Museum Tours in Rome86Walking Tours in Rome26Skip the Line143
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