Ah, Rome: the Eternal City filled to the brim with iconic architecture, legends, stories of victory and failure, vibrant piazzas, and so much more.
It’s certainly a great time just strolling casually over the ancient cobblestone streets, but it can be a bit more challenging to see everything this way. If you really want to explore Rome perhaps the most “Italian” way possible, you need to hop on a Vespa.
I’ve decided to carefully curate a comprehensive guide of the 7 top Rome Vespa tours this year, uncovering local treasures that the majority of tourists miss. Let’s get started!
Be sure to see our reviews of Tours of the Vatican, Colosseum Tours and Tuscany Day Trips.
Best Vespa Tours in Rome
| Vespa Sidecar Tour with Gelato and Pickup | Vespa Sidecar Tour in Rome with Cappuccino | Vespa Scooter Tour in Rome with Professional Photographer | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
 |  |  | |
| Location: | Piazza di S. Marco, 48, 00186 Roma RM | P.za della Repubblica, 41, 00184 Roma RM | Via del Colosseo, 31, 00184 Roma RM |
| Start: | 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM | 9:00 AM | Between 7:00 AM & 11:00 PM |
| Duration: | 3 hours | 3.5 hours | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Includes: | Driver/guide, Use of helmet, Local Taxes, Gelato, Coffee and/or Tea | Breakfast with traditional Cappuccino & Cornetto, Guide, Professional Driver, Headsets to hear the guide | Helmet, 25 photos, Vespa scooter with Driver |
Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Rome Vespa Tours For 2024
- Vespa Sidecar Tour with Gelato and Pickup
- Vespa Sidecar Tour in Rome with Cappuccino
- Vespa Scooter Tour in Rome with Professional Photographer
- Rome by Vespa: Classic Rome Tour with Pick-Up
- Highlights of Rome Vespa Sidecar Tour in the Afternoon with Gourmet Gelato stop
- Vespa Sidecar Tour at Day/Night
- Vespa Tour Through Rome’s Charms with Photography
Best Rome Vespa Tour Reviews
1. Vespa Sidecar Tour with Gelato and Pickup
- Duration: 3 hours
- Departure: Piazza di S. Marco, 48, 00186 Roma RM
- Departure Time: 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM
- Includes: Driver/guide, Use of helmet, Local Taxes, Gelato, Coffee and/or Tea
I can’t think of anything more stereotypically “Italian” than some gelato and a Vespa somehow involved. With this first tour, you’ll get plenty of both while learning about the history of this incredible city up to present day.
The Vespa Sidecar Tour with Gelato and Pickup is one of the first tours I ever did in Rome, and is one of the best ways to get the “lay of the land” quickly so you can go back and explore those that caught your attention more.
We met up with our guide in central Rome, which was very easy to access and more convenient than having to book separate transportation.
Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, and also did a fantastic job of driving us around (you’ll be either behind the driver or in a sidecar) without dealing with traffic and crazy tourist crowds.
As we drove around, we told us fascinating tales about the history and culture of Rome and how certain events shaped it.
Navigating Rome in this way was thrilling, being able to see how the centuries have developed until this point, with the contrast of new and old buildings everywhere around it.
Expand To See More
We of course had to make a stop at the imposing Colosseum, where we actually parked our Vespas and took a little stroll to a breathtaking vista perfect for taking some photos and videos.
After this, we got to zip away to the Baths of Caracalla, where I got insight into the history of these huge public baths, and what their role was in society.
I had no idea that Rome had a pyramid, but we were able to see the Piramide Cestia located right in the center of Rome before heading to the beautiful Aventine Hill.
This is known as one of the “rich” neighborhoods, allowing us for time to gain some peace at the Orange Tree Garden. One of my favorite spots to see was the Circus Maximus, which is where the grand stadium that held exciting chariot races took place!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Other Experiences You May Enjoy:
2. Vespa Sidecar Tour in Rome with Cappuccino
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Departure: P.za della Repubblica, 41, 00184 Roma RM
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Includes: Breakfast with traditional Cappuccino & Cornetto, Professional Licensed Guide, Professional Drivers, Headsets to hear the guide, Live commentary on board, Homologated CE Helmets with sterilized disposable head covers, Seat belt for the Sidecar’s passenger
I don’t know about you, but I love starting off my day early and just being able to have the city to “myself” and avoid the majority of tourist crowds.
With the Vespa Sidecar Tour in Rome with Cappuccino excursion, that’s exactly what happened, starting off early in the morning and ending right after lunch. With a knowledgeable, fun guide to lead the way, you can soak everything in knowing you’re in good hands!
We met up with our guide, who gave us a briefing and found a configuration that suited us well, with each motorcycle and sidecar fitting two people plus your driver!
This is a great activity for couples who would like to go on a more exhilarating tour where they can both sit back and relax while the guide drives around.
Thanks to the handy little headphones, we always heard what our guide was saying, even when we were traveling through particularly crowded areas.
Now, I did notice that our guide tailored our guide according to our preferences and specific interests, but everyone will get to visit 12 different attractions that cover thousands of years of Roman history!
Expand To See More
The attractions were all so impressive, and I loved the fact that we were able to see so much more with a compact Vespa, seeing things that aren’t possible with a car.
We learned about the importance behind various places, such as the Quirinal Palace, which is 1 of 3 official residences of Italy’s president.
We couldn’t go on our tour without seeing the iconic, intricate Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps which are both favorites of locals and tourists, alike! We also passed through many different squares, learning about why each one was so special!
Seeing St. Peter’s Basilica was frankly intimidating, though featured that iconic Bernini style that I love so much. I’d choose this tour any day over watching a documentary or reading a history book, making it great for families with teenagers!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Search For Other Top Rated Rome Experiences You May Enjoy:
3. Vespa Scooter Tour in Rome with Professional Photographer
- Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Departure: Via del Colosseo, 31, 00184 Roma RM
- Departure Time: Between 7:00 AM & 11:00 PM
- Includes: Helmet, 25 photos, Vespa scooter with Driver
I’m someone who absolutely loves having photo memories of the places that I visit, experiences I have, and dishes that I’ve tried, whenever possible.
I love going back to those photos later on and reminiscing, though there are times when photos just don’t turn out well. This is where the Vespa Scooter Tour in Rome with Professional Photographer comes in, with a pro there to make sure you get wonderful snaps of your time in the Eternal City.
This tour starts off right in front of the fabled Colosseum, where you’ll meet your guide and discuss where you’d like photos, your specific interests, and answer any questions you may have.
I feel like this excursion is the perfect balance between taking photos and cruising through the city learning about its history while on a cute little Vespa! You don’t have to even worry about driving it (which can be intimidating), as your guide will be there to lead the way!
These were hands-down the best photos I’ve ever had in front of the Colosseum, and we took a few with my vintage Vespa, making it look like I’d really fit right into the Italian background.
We also got to visit the Giardino degli Aranci, which is a serene, gorgeous public park on the rich Aventine Hill with some of the best viewpoints of the entire city (note the St. Peter’s dome which stands out above the rest).
Expand To See More
Another fun stop we made was to take photos with the “Mouth of Truth” marble mask, where tourists take photos sticking their hand into the mouth (legend says the hands of those who dare will be bitten off).
Some of the favorite photos we took was at the stunning Piazza Venezia, which is filled with mindblowing architecture that is so quintessentially Roman. The Pantheon is aptly-named the “Temple of All the Gods”, used as a church but also served as the background for our photoshoot.
Overall, this is a wonderful way to see the city in a short amount of time while gaining some of the most wonderful mementos to take home and show off.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Rome by Vespa: Classic Rome Tour with Pick-up
- Duration: 3 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM
- Includes: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Use of a helmet, Private driver, Live commentary on board, Water, Coffee, Gelato or Snack, Professional guide
This next tour is one of the most convenient of its kind, offering a hotel pickup, a private driver, and guide who knows the city like the back of their hand.
Navigating the labyrinthine streets of Rome is no easy feat, and our guide did a fantastic job making it look like a piece of cake while keeping us all safe.
The Rome by Vespa: Classic Rome Tour with Pick Up is a thrilling tour that combines adventure and nostalgia, transporting you back to a simpler time while retaining the charm in the modern world.
After being picked up at our hotel by a private driver, we chatted about our specific interests so they could customize a tour based around them.
The guide was clearly very passionate about their city, sharing all kinds of interesting facts about the local culture and heritage, including the classic Vespa’s background!
Don’t miss out on this chance to experience Rome from a very unique perspective, zooming through the bustling streets with the smell of delicious pastas and fresh produce wafting through the air.
I thought that I had a pretty good concept of Roman history, but our guide shared fun facts and anecdotes about art, artists, emperors, and so much more that I’d never even heard of!
Expand To See More
From the opulent Vatican to the charming Trevi Fountain, they managed to bring every landmark to life with backstories and intrigue. I liked how often we got to get off of our Vespas to walk around and really appreciate the important monuments, taking photos and taking in all the details.
Admittedly, my favorite portion of the tour was taking a break in the foodie neighborhood of Testaccio, where I reveled in a delicious espresso and gelato (please do yourself a favor and have at least one!).
After fueling up, we hiked up to the top of Aventine Hill to take in the vista over the top of Rome. The only complaint I had was that the 3 hours were so much fun, that they just passed by too fast!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Highlights of Rome Vespa Sidecar Tour in the Afternoon with Gourmet Gelato Stop
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure: P.za della Repubblica, 41, 00184 Roma RM
- Departure Time: 2:30 PM
- Includes: Headsets, Homologated CE Helmets with sterilized head covers, live and interactive commentary, Gelato Gourmet stop, Licensed Guide, Professional Drivers
I’d say this is one of the best tours to take if you have an afternoon free and would like to partake in an excursion that teaches you about Rome while sprinkling in a bit of adventure and style while doing it!
The Highlights of Rome Vespa Sidecar Tour in the Afternoon with Gourmet Gelato Stop has all the ingredients for the making of a safe, scenic, entertaining outing!
While you’ll definitely get to see the most popular tourist attractions, the highlights are the spots off the beaten path that the vast majority of tourists don’t even know about – let alone get to see!
We met up with our guide at the Piazza della Repubblica, which was conveniently located in the center of the city. Not only did they help customize the tour around our specific interests, they shared plenty of insider anecdotes I would’ve never learned from a textbook.
The free audio headsets made listening to much easier, as we could cruise around and still hear them clearly. Each Vespa came with a sidecar and you get the option to either ride on the back of the Vespa or in the sidecar (I recommend the latter as it’s just more unique and comfy).
Expand To See More
I find the cold gelato to be the perfect complement to the warm Roman culture and ambiance, though in all honesty, not every gelato is made the same. I was grateful that our guide clearly knew where to take us, and we ended up at a gourmet gelato place with incredible flavor and texture!
We cruised through so many different neighborhoods, but for this trip, my favorite was the bohemian Trastevere, which is lined with traditional trattorias, and interesting architecture.
If you’re on the hunt for a great family outing or fun date night activity, look no further than this one! I’ll be sure to do this educational, exhilarating tour again in the very near future!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
6. Vespa Sidecar Tour at Day/Night
- Duration: 3 hours
- Departure: Piazza di S. Marco, 48, 00186 Roma RM
- Departure Time: 6:00 PM
- Includes: Driver/guide, coffee and/or tea, use of helmet
While perhaps places like New York City are more well-known as the cities that never sleep, it didn’t take me long on this tour to figure out that Rome was another one.
The Vespa Sidecar Tour at Day/Night is a 3-hour excursion that offers the opportunity to explore the city’s hidden corners while regaling you with stories about history, culture, and adrenaline.
As the title suggests, you even get to choose between the more popular day tours and the interesting night tours, where you get to see the beautiful views from a different perspective.
While I do live in a city, I am not a fan of driving around in foreign countries if I don’t have to, so the fact that we didn’t have to worry about driving ourselves was a big relief.
This allowed us to focus solely on appreciating our surroundings, the history of the city, and the people we were with. From the thrillseeker to the hesitant homebody, I promise you’ll finish this tour up with a smile on yourself?
We met up with our guide at the Piazza di San Marco 48, which was easy to find, exploring the bustling Piazza Venezia and hopping off to take photos of the massive Vittoriano Monument and impressive architecture!
Expand To See More
No trip to Rome is complete without seeing the Colosseum, though I also found the stories about the closeby Aventine Hill and Roman Forum particularly of interest. It felt like we had a close friend taking us everywhere, while sharing some fun and interesting stories along the way!
The Roman Baths were also a point of interest I wanted to see, and weirdly enough, I talked to friends who’d been to Rome and none of them had gone there. All in all it was a unique experience that I’d recommend to single travelers and families alike.
Our guide was even so nice that he offered to take photos of us throughout so we could have a nice souvenir afterward!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
7. Vespa Tour Through Rome’s Charms with Photography
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure: Via del Colosseo, 31, 00184 Roma RM
- Departure Time: Between 8:00 PM & 6:00 PM
- Includes: 25 raw and 5 edited photos (private tour only), 20 photos, Tiramisu, driver/guide, helmets and hygienic caps, local taxes
I’ve been to plenty of massive European cities, but no other can quite nail the charm of the smell of the espresso wafting through the air while strolling over the cobblestone streets as Vespas zip around you.
It’s quite a rush being able to see the city like this, and with the Vespa Tour Through Rome’s Charms with Photography, you get to cover even more ground. This is one of the shorter tours, but in 2 hours, you can certainly see a lot of Rome’s hidden treasures while still being easy to fit into a busy schedule.
I’ve been to Rome quite a few times, and what I didn’t have were some great photos that I felt did my time there justice. That’s where this tour comes in, highlighting some of the city’s most breathtaking places while snapping shots as you do so.
We met up with our guide, who asked us before the tour started what we were interested in seeing and what we’d already seen, so he could plan accordingly.
Thanks to the kindness and knowledge of our guide, this quickly became one of the best experiences I’d ever had in Rome, sharing with us interesting historical facts as we cruised along.
Expand To See More
We got to see plenty of places that are more difficult to get to, and that none of us tourists had seen before! Even though I’d obviously already seen landmarks like the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia, it was fun to go back with our guide this time around and take some magnificent photos.
Something that was a lifesaver for me and my photos, was our guide suggesting different poses and angles, which I had no idea about. We even got to enjoy a little “surprise” that consisted of a traditional dessert (I’ll let you find out for yourself) that was the perfect way to end our tour.
Overall, I’d say that this tour should be one of the top options, whether it’s your first or fiftieth time in Rome.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Sites Seen
Tour Guides
Value
The Vespa Sidecar Tour with Gelato and Pickup is our Editors Choice for the best Rome Vespa tour
