Hop on Hop off Bus Tours in Rome

Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world and has a vast historical and cultural heritage. Enjoying the many treasures it has on foot can be exhausting, especially in summer. So how to cover them all in a short visit without being exhausting? With the Rome sightseeing bus!

Before your trip you can book your ticket online and activate it once you are in the city, when you get on the bus on the day you want to do the activity. Depending on the option you have chosen**(24, 48 or 72 hours**) you will be able to use it unlimited for the selected time from the time of its first use.

The most economical option

Rome Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Bus Tour

Tour Rome by bus at the best price for 1, 2 or 3 days.

If you feel like discovering the Eternal City without the long walks or the summer heat, with this option you can choose the duration of your ticket (24, 48 or 72 hours). It also includes audio commentary during the tour explaining the most important points of interest.

From £23 at Hellotickets

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The City Sightseeing tourist bus can be used in two ways. On the one hand, you can use it as a means of transport to get to the tourist attractions you want to visit quickly and easily. With the system of free stops you can get off at the stops you want to explore the area at your leisure and then get back on to continue your tour of Rome.

Another interesting way is to do the whole route at least once: it will allow you to discover the city of Rome from another perspective and enjoy the panoramic views of the landscape while you travel comfortably seated listening to the audio guide's commentary on the different monuments of the city.

Why I like this option: besides being the cheapest, it is a flexible option.

Recommended if... you are thinking of booking your tickets in advance for the tourist bus at the best price.

A very interesting option

Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour

Discover Rome comfortably and flexibly

With your 24, 48 or 72 hour Big Bus ticket you can discover the Italian capital in a very comfortable way, being able to make free stops at all the places of interest along the route while you discover all the history of the city with the recorded commentary.

From £30 at Hellotickets

With Rome's Big Bus tourist bus you can make free stops at all the sights along the route and get back on whenever you want. Plus, while you're on the bus you can listen to recorded commentary to keep you up to date with all the city's sights and history.

The buses run from morning to evening and a bus leaves every 20 minutes, covering the most important monuments in the city such as the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, Castel San Angelo, the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore and Piazza Venezia, among others. In addition, this option gives you the possibility to ride the City Sightseeing Rome and Vatican&Rome Open Bus buses, as well as the Big Bus.

Why I like this option: it is a very comfortable and flexible option to get to know the city and includes many options because you can ride the City Sightseeing Rome and Vatican&Rome Open Bus buses, as well as the Big Bus.

Recommended if... you want to get a general idea of the city and then want to go deeper into each of the points and monuments of interest.

With your ticket for the City Sightseeing Bus or the Big Bus of Rome you can buy 24, 48 or 72 hour passes.

First of all, because I think it is the most practical way to see Rome if you have little time or if it is the first time you visit the Italian capital, since on board the tourist bus you will be able to admire in a complete tour several of the main attractions of the city such as the Vatican City, the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain (one of the most beautiful fountains in Rome) among others.

Secondly, because you can use the bus for transportation. It is a very comfortable and fun way to explore Rome, especially if you are travelling with children. They won't get tired walking from one monument to another because with this tourist bus you can get off at any stop on the itinerary to explore an area and then get back on to continue the tour to the next attraction.

Thirdly, because with the tourist bus you can download the free mobile app that shows you an interactive map with the position of the buses in real time and the waiting time at each stop so you can better plan your route. Also, this app includes a free walking route, which I think is a great idea if you don't know where to start your visit. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Rome's classic open-top double-decker sightseeing bus awaits you for a fun, comfortable and dynamic tour of the Eternal City lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Stops

Trevi Fountain

The most beautiful baroque fountain in the world. Its origins date back to 19 BC although the actual monument dates back to the 18th century.

It is a marvellous open-air work of art attached to the façade of the Palazzo Poli, depicting the god Neptune taming the waters. Legend has it that if you want to return to Rome you must throw a coin into its waters.

To find out more about the beautiful Trevi Fountain, don't miss the article Trevi Fountain: stories, curiosities and what to see near the fountain in Rome.

Circus Maximus in Rome

Today there are hardly any remains of what was once the Circus Maximus, the largest in the city, so you have to imagine what it was like in its heyday. This is where the public games were held, consisting of horse-drawn chariot races, foot races, equestrian exhibitions and mock battles.

Piazza Venezia

One of Rome's most important squares, it takes its name from the Palazzo Venezia, the first Renaissance-style palace built in the city. In the centre of the square stands the national monument to King Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the architects of the unification of Italy along with Giuseppe Garibaldi.

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

It is considered the largest of the churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome. It dates back to the 4th century AD and legend has it that the Virgin Mary herself appeared to Pope Liberius to give him instructions for its construction. The basilica presents very diverse architectural styles that reflect the stages of Christian art in Rome. It is one of the four Major Basilicas of Rome that you should not miss.

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is the emblem of Rome and one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. Almost 2,000 years old, it is the largest amphitheatre built during the Roman Empire which hosted gladiatorial games, naval battles, animal fights and even executions of prisoners.

Want to see it in person without having to wait in line for hours at the door, then take a look at the post Colosseum Tickets Rome!

Piazza Barberini

This is one of the most iconic squares in Rome, famous for the fountains of the Triton and of the Bees by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Nearby is Palazzo Barberini, which houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II

Also known as Piazza Vittorio, it was one of Rome's main food markets. In the centre is a garden where you will see the remains of Alexander's nymphaeum and the so-called Magic Gate, the entrance to the ancient Villa Palombara, which was the residence of the alchemist Massimiliano Palombara.

Vatican City

It is a city-state located in the heart of Rome and the headquarters of the Catholic Church.

There are three must-see sights on a trip here: St. Peter's Square and Basilica and the Vatican Museums where the Sistine Chapel is located.

If you're wondering how to get your tickets to see this gem, click on Where to buy tickets for the Vatican or The best guided tours of the Vatican.

Opening hours are Monday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm.

Rome is an open-air museum with a lot to offer. In every corner there is a fountain, a palace or an ancient monument with a fascinating history. If after riding the Rome sightseeing bus you want to know more about the capital of Italy, its culture, its gastronomy and its customs, I recommend you to take a guided tour.

The offer is super varied, especially in the summer: on foot, by bike, by day, by night, in small groups, in private groups, gastronomic tours... Take a look at the article The best tours of Rome to choose the one you like the most.

And if you have enough time to get out of the city during your trip to Rome, then don't forget to visit the surrounding areas, there are wonderful places that you'll love! Check out the article The best excursions from Rome for some of the coolest suggestions.