8 Rome tours for seniors to explore the city at a slower pace

Rome is an open-air museum brimming with attractions, from ancient ruins to impressive piazzas and fountains. You can discover Rome on a wide variety of tours. For older travelers, especially those with reduced mobility, we've compiled 8 tours in Rome that are senior-friendly, at a slower pace, shorter durations, skip-the-line entry, or wheelchair accessibility.

This private tour of Rome on a golf cart is a convenient way to tick off the city’s major attractions. It’s ideal for first-time visitors and wheelchair users who’d like to see the best of Rome with little walking. Book at least 24 hours in advance to arrange a free pick-up from your hotel in central Rome. Then, get on the golf cart to meet your driver and discuss the itinerary.

A typical ride will bring you to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Villa Borghese. You’ll also visit hidden gems such as the Marcello Theater, often described as the ‘mini Colosseum’, and Caelian Hill, where you’ll find Villa Celimontana. Along the way, the tour guide will share interesting tidbits that will bring the attractions to life. If you’re looking for the best photo spots or gelato in town, let the guide know so they can take you there.

Get a taste of ancient Rome in three hours on this semi-private tour of the Colosseum and more. Why semi-private, you ask? This tour promises a small group of six people or less to ensure that you’ll receive personalized attention from the tour guide.

The meeting point of the tour is the Colosseum. Skip the lines and descend into the Colosseum Underground, an area that is only accessible with guided tours. Here, you can glimpse into the corridors and labyrinth of tunnels under the Arena where gladiators roamed. Your guide will then take you to Palatine Hill, the neighborhood once home to Roman rulers and aristocrats. The final stop is the Roman Forum, where you’ll visit Julius Caesar’s Temple, the Basilica of Maxentius, and many other highlights.

While this tour is not wheelchair accessible, the guide will be happy to accommodate the needs of senior travelers. Upon booking, let them know if you have mobility issues.

Want to explore the Sistine Chapel without the crowds? With this semi-private tour of the Vatican, you can.

This tour takes you into the Vatican Museums at 7.30 a.m., which is one hour before it opens to the general public. In a small group of under six people, you’ll head straight for the Sistine Chapel to marvel at the frescoes by Michelangelo. Then, visit other highlights of the Museums, such as the Raphael Rooms and Gallery of Maps. The tour concludes at the largest church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica.

While this semi-private tour is not wheelchair accessible, LivItaly Tours has a private tour option with a barrier-free route for wheelchair-bound travelers. Alternatively, Tours of Rome offers wheelchair-accessible private tours of the Vatican Museums. Take note that the Vatican Museums provide free wheelchair hire, and they permit electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters in most areas.

Savor Italian delicacies on this four-hour walking tour of the Prati district in Rome. Don't worry if you have low stamina. This slow-paced tour includes just four main stops in eateries where you will pause to wine and dine. It's also wheelchair-friendly.

The first destination is La Nicchia Cafe which will whet your appetite with truffles, buffalo mozzarella, and aged balsamic vinegar. A two-minute walk away is Bonci Pizzarium, a pizzeria well-loved by the late Anthony Bourdain. The next stop, La Tradizione, is just a minute away. This gourmet shop has a massive selection of cheeses and cured meats for you to sample. Round up this gastronomic journey in Al Giardino del Gatto e la Volpe, a family-run restaurant that serves homemade pasta and tiramisu.

Still undecided? The free-flow wine throughout the tour should seal the deal.

This Rome street food tour combines food tastings with a dose of sightseeing. During the two-and-a-half-hour journey, you will sample delicious street food, such as zucchini flowers, gelato, salami, pizza, and suppli, a traditional rice ball snack stuffed with mozzarella and tomatoes.

Meet your guide at Campo de’ Fiori, a piazza that houses a bustling market where vendors sell cheeses, seasonal fruits, and cured meats. Then, walk into the heart of the Jewish Ghetto to indulge in deep-fried artichokes and visit ruins like Portico d'Ottavia. The walk continues to Pantheon and finishes at Largo di Torre Argentina, the assassination site of Julius Caesar.

Eat your way through Rome on this small-group walking tour with Gourmetaly. On this short 3-hour tour, a local food expert will lead you to historical markets, traditional restaurants, and specialty food shops.

Come hungry because you’ll tuck into fried codfish in the Jewish Ghetto and taste exceptional pasta in the Trastevere district. The morning session of the tour includes Campo de’ Fiori as part of the itinerary. The tour comes to a sweet end in Fiordiluna, known for its artisanal gelatos produced with fresh and seasonal ingredients.

The tour has multiple departures per day and comes with the option of group tours (maximum 12 people) or private tours.

Borghese Gallery is located on the grounds of Villa Borghese, the green lung of Rome. This museum is famous for its masterpieces that are significant in the art world—such as sculptures by Bernini and paintings by Titian, Raphael, and Caravaggio. Purchase skip-the-line tickets with Loving Rome to enter this museum without delay and explore it for two hours. It comes with the option to upgrade to a guided tour.

The museum can be visited comfortably by wheelchair users and seniors with reduced mobility. For example, you can use the back entrance to avoid the steps at the front of the building. There’s an elevator to access the second floor; and if your wheelchair is too large to fit, the museum provides small wheelchairs as a temporary replacement.

The museum also offers free guided tours for disabled visitors. You can make a reservation by reaching out to V.A.M.I. (Associated Volunteers for Italian Museums) at (39) 068-535-7564.

The town of Tivoli which lies northeast of Rome boasts historic villas that draw in travelers. While you can reach Tivoli by trains and buses, joining a day tour is more convenient for your explorations—especially since the well-known Hadrian’s Villa is tucked in the outskirts of Tivoli.

This day trip departs daily to Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d'Este. It begins with an 18-mile journey in an air-conditioned vehicle to Hadrian’s Villa. Also known as Villa Adriana, this complex was the holiday home of the great Roman emperor Hadrian. It comprises temples, baths, libraries, theatres, and gardens with pools. Even today, the opulence of this site is evident.

Then, enjoy a traditional Italian lunch in Tivoli before you step into Villa d'Este. This Renaissance-style mansion is worth exploring, but the star attractions here are the fountains in the surrounding gardens.

While the tour is not wheelchair accessible, Tours & Tours can customize the tour based on your needs if you book a private tour.