The 7 best tours of Rome's Pantheon
Situated in the famous "Piazza della Rotonda", in the historic heart of the Italian capital stands the famous Roman Pantheon. One of the best preserved monuments of Ancient Rome, built in 27 BC and then rebuilt in 125 AD.
Pantheon of Rome | ©Antonello Tanteri
It is impossible to talk about Rome and not go back to the time of the Roman heyday and the fascinating history that this city possesses in every corner. Rome exudes culture, art and magnificence. The Pantheon is a great proof of this. It is visited annually by thousands of tourists eager for knowledge and eager to portray the incredible architecture of the place.
It is undoubtedly a must-see in Rome, and I will tell you why and how you can discover it in the different types of tours available for you to choose from. Additionally, I invite you to visit this post to find out everything you can see and do in Rome.
1. Express tour to the Pantheon for small groups
This tour is perfect if you don't have much time to visit the most emblematic places in Rome, but you still want to know first hand the cultural richness of the best historical sites
The tour is always guided and you will be able to enjoy every minute of it!
All the history of the Pantheon, its secrets, curiosities and legends. You can also add to the tour the guided visit of the most important nearby churches and the surrounding squares.
The tour lasts approximately 35 minutes from the agreed starting point to the end of the tour.
2. Guided tour of the Pantheon and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva of Rome
If you love exploring historical sites and great monuments that have seen the history of modern civilisation then this tour is ideal.
What will you see?
A unique tour of religious Rome with the Pantheon of Agrippa and the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva at the centre of the excursion.
You will be able to see ancient tombs, learn about the architecture of the time and admire exquisite works of art.
The duration of the tour is approximately 1:30 hours.
3. Complete tour of the Pantheon of Rome
This tour is perfect for those who want to learn more about the details of the Pantheon in Rome.
What will you see?
With specialized guides who will tell the greatest mysteries of the construction of the monument, the incredible story of the famous brothers Romulus and Remus, the court against heretics and witches called Dominican and many other details.
The tour is tailor-made and the groups will never exceed 15 people, which is why it is advisable to book in advance.
The duration of the tour is 1 hour of pure Roman history.
4. Food and wine tour of the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Campo Dei Fiori Market
This half-day tour will allow you to combine the pleasure of good Italian food, the best wines and the most important historical sites of the Trevi district.
What will you see?
Nothing better than tasting a fine selection of cheeses and prosciutto, accompanied by Italian signature wines in front of the most iconic places of the Italian capital such as the Trevi Fountain, the 2nd century Pantheon, and the Piazza Navona.
The tour includes a visit to the Campo de Fiori farmers' market where you can buy local delicacies and fresh, artisanal produce.
It is definitely a different and fun excursion that creatively invites you to enjoy the best of the city. I recommend you continue reading this article if you are looking for other activities to enjoy in Rome.
Other food tours near the Pantheon
The main tourist route that starts at the famous Trevi Fountain and goes directly to Rome's Pantheon is a must-do on a sunny spring afternoon, where you can lose yourself in the cobblestone alleys and discover new and attractive sights at your own pace.
If your accommodation is close to the area you can start your day by having breakfast at a table on the street in one of the many bars in the area and then set off on your tour with all your energy.
The restaurants and food stalls are great for getting a taste of typical Italian food such as Neapolitan pizza!
5. Sightseeing bus tour of Rome with a stop at the Pantheon of Agrippa
The large open-top panoramic buses are a classic in big cities all over the world, and Rome is no exception! They are perfect if you want to make the most of your time on a long layover, if you only have a few days in Rome or if you simply enjoy being taken to the best attractions.
The buses have many hop-on hop-off stops, meaning you can hop on and off at your leisure.
You can buy single or multi-day tickets depending on your itinerary. I recommend these Rome Sightseeing Buses
6. Walking Tour of Rome with Pantheon and Trevi Fountain
Rome has a variety of activities and tours to do and every tourist can choose according to their tastes and budgets, so this time I will tell you about an excellent and inexpensive walking tour of the most emblematic places of the city.
What will you see?
You will be able to discover in a fun way the different historical sites of the city such as the Pantheon of Rome, the Trevi Fountain, the popular Piazza Navona and Piazza Barberini.
You will be able to discover the history of the church of Sant'Ignazio and experience the local culture from the hand of a specialised guide who will tell you all the details.
This tour ends near the Vatican Square and is ideal if you plan to visit this area in the afternoon.
7. Enjoy the Pantheon in Rome with your family and children
Who said you can't visit museums and historical sites with young children?
What will you see?
While it is true that a child's concentration is less than an adult's and that some details may not interest all ages, there are creative and innovative ways to make the most of your trip to Rome as a family.
In this case, the tour is customisable and designed for kids and adults alike to have fun with treasure hunts, trivia and colourful facts for all ages.
The guides are specialists in telling anecdotes and information to children to capture their interest. And because the tour is family-friendly, it's easy to meet other children on the tour.
The best part? You can all enjoy a delicious tasting of authentic Italian gelato together.
The tour lasts approximately 2:30 hours and ends at the previously agreed meeting point. I would also like to recommend this article if you want to know 10 things you can do in Rome with children.
Structure of the Pantheon
From the outside, the Pantheon is imposing and can already be seen from the Place de la Rotonde, a famous square in Rome located in the Trevi district.
Right next to it you can see an Egyptian obelisk and a beautiful fountain. But all the beauty of the place is undoubtedly inside - it's great!
The shape of the Pantheon is quite surprising and differs from all the temples in Rome so far. In fact, it mixes 3 different shapes:
- Its structure is rectangular
- Its entrance is enhanced by a triangular pediment
- Its interior is a cylinder topped by a dome.
A bit of history and curiosities of the famous monument
As I mentioned, the Pantheon was built around -27 BC. It was carried out by Agrippa, a general and politician, under the command of Augustus, the first great Roman emperor.
The monument was built with stones, bricks and mortar and is dedicated to all the gods regardless of their origin, and in particular to Mars and Venus. Hence the meaning of the word "Pantheon": "pan" means "all" and "theos" means "gods".
The Pantheon of Agrippa burned down during the Great Fire of Rome in the year 80 but was later rebuilt between 118 and 125 under Emperor Hadrian.
It is a true architectural feat! Its dome has long been the largest in the world at 43 metres in diameter.
In fact Michelangelo himself has said that the building looks angelic and not human.
In 609, the Pantheon became a Christian church after it was given to Pope Boniface IV. It also served as a mausoleum for some of Italy's kings such as Victor Emmanuel II and other great men of the nation such as the painter Raphael.
Curious facts about the Roman Pantheon
- The famous oculus was designed from the outset to allow light to penetrate the pantheon perpendicularly at both the autumn and spring equinoxes.
- When you look at the ceiling you will notice five levels, each of which symbolises the celestial spheres of the ancient planetary system.
- Above the nave of the Pantheon you will find 7 altars dedicated to the astral gods: The Moon, the Sun, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter
- Both the height of the Pantheon and its diameter are exactly the same. That is to say 43.4 metres
- Although the pantheon is a great monument of incalculable historical value, it still functions as a church and even holds certain ceremonies and weddings.
Incredible, isn't it?
Where is the Pantheon?
The Pantheon of Agrippa is located in Piazza Rotonda, in the narrow streets of the Centro Storico district, very close to Piazza Navona.
The Pantheon of Rome is a 7-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and 15 minutes from Piazza di Spagna.
It can be reached by metro taking line A and getting off at "Barberini" station or by bus with several lines that leave you nearby.
The history of the Pantheon is so rich and hides so many mysteries that it would be a shame to miss it!