Italy · HISTORICAL TOURS

15 History Tours in Italy, Priced and Compared

20 tours  ·  from $12

The good history tours go weeks ahead and the famous ones go months ahead. Below: the 15 to book before you fly, what each includes and where they differ.

Venice: St. Mark Basilica Ticket, Audioguide+History Gallery - Collecting your ticket near Piazza San Marco
Entry Tickets in Venice, Historical Tours, History Tours in Venice, 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

Visit St. Mark’s Basilica with priority entry, a downloadable audio guide, and a VR journey through Piazza San Marco. You’ll see the church’s gold mosaics, learn its legends, and may join a guided visit with guides such as Valentina, Elena, Andrea, or Francesco, depending on the option.

“The ticket office was easy to find and we got into the Basilica without waiting at all. Worked well for us.”

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Venice's Best: Basilica, Doge's Palace, Gondola & History Gallery - St. Mark’s Basilica and its golden interior
Doges Palace Tours, Gondola Rides, Historical Tours, History Tours in Venice, 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

Explore St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace with a guide such as Lucia, Valentina, or Giada, then share a gondola through Venice’s canals. You’ll also receive access to St. Mark’s museums and a Venice history VR experience. Expect about three and a half hours, plus possible waiting between activities.

“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 - Fifteen minutes with Leonardo
Entry Tickets in Milan, Historical Tours, Last Supper Tours, Milan Tours, Skip the Line, Skip-the-Line Tickets in Milan, 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

This English-language, small-group tour pairs a timed 15-minute visit to Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper with a guided walk through central Milan. Meet an art historian at Santa Maria delle Grazie, then see Sforza Castle, Via Dante, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala, and the Duomo from outside. Guides may include Silvia, Valentina, Jade, or Laura.

“This was a very informative tour and covered the heart of Milan. It was a great way to get tickets to The Last Supper and also get an overview of central Milan. Would recommend.”

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Venice: City Center Historical Guided Walking Tour - Calli and campi show the Venice between the sights
Guided, Guided Tours in Venice, Historical Tours, History Tours in Venice, 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 $14

Walk from St. Mark’s Square through quiet calli, past Teatro La Fenice, and on to Rialto Bridge with a live guide in English, Italian, French, German, or Spanish. A short VR gallery visit adds Venice through the centuries. Choose the gondola option, but allow extra time between the walk and boat ride.

“The weather was awful but they did a great job, very kind and we learned a lot!”

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Verona: History and Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour - The Arena, Roman walls, and the old route toward Corso
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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

Join Fabio Massimo Rapanà, a licensed guide born and raised in Verona, for a two-hour walk through the city’s famous sights and overlooked corners. In a group of up to 10, you’ll see the Arena, Roman gates, Piazza delle Erbe, medieval squares, the Adige River, and Juliet’s balcony while following the story of Verona from Ancient Rome to today.

“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 and the puppet theater
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

Join Fabrizio for a three-hour walking tour through Palermo’s old town and Capo Market. Taste sfincione, panelle, crocché, arancine, cannolo, and one drink while learning about Sicilian food, architecture, and local life. The route includes the Cathedral, Quattro Canti, Pretoria Fountain, and traditional puppet theater.

“The tour itself was the perfect mix of some historic locations and tasty street food. Fabrizio was an enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Glad we booked.”

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Rome: Ancient History and Colosseum Underground Tour - How the Colosseum Entry Works
Colosseum Tours, Historical Tours, History Tours in Rome, Rome Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Rome: Ancient History and Colosseum Underground Tour

7.Ancient History and Colosseum Underground Tour

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

Meet your Tours of Rome guide near the Colosseum, pass through a separate entrance, and explore the arena floor and underground chambers where animals and gladiators were held. Guides such as Christina, Laura, Elisabeth, and Mido have led engaging tours, but the underground section can close for repairs or sell out, so confirm the exact itinerary before booking.

“Was our tour guide provided by the colosseum. She was an Amazing speaker and deserves a raise. She made the tour feel like a movie!!”

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Rome: Forbidden History Walking Tour & Pub Crawl with Drinks - Meeting at Piazza della Madonna dei Monti
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Rome: Forbidden History Walking Tour & Pub Crawl with Drinks

8.Forbidden History Walking Tour & Pub Crawl with Drinks

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

Meet your English-speaking guide in Piazza della Madonna dei Monti for a three-hour walk through Monti’s darker past, with stops for wine, spritz, sambuca, limoncello, and more. Guides such as Michelle, Autumn, Ana, and Irene are known for mixing local stories with games and easy conversation. The evening ends near Piazza Venezia.

“Ana was an amazing guide and party host. Highly recommend!!”

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Genoa: 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Center - Meeting at Via Garibaldi 12red
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Genoa: 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Center

9.2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Center

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

Walk Genoa’s medieval center with an English and Italian guide, passing San Matteo Square, San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Doge Palace, Opera House, and Rolli palaces. The two-hour route ends with free same-day entry to the Strada Nuova and Sant’Agostino museums, which you visit independently.

“Hi there, I found the tour excellent, and thanks for waiting for us at the beginning. It was a great way to see Genoa but it's up to you to go back in more detail to explore further. We did this with the galleries that we got free tickets for on Via Garibaldi. It is a beautiful city and this is a great way of finding out, and deciding which places you want to see in more detail. Like any walking tour always check the end of the tour and directions from there back to the metro. Also, the tour might have multiple languages so respect this, you can always…”

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Palermo: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Guided Walking Tour - Teatro Massimo sets the scale
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Palermo: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Guided Walking Tour

10.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, passing Teatro Massimo, Vucciria Market, Piazza Pretoria, Quattro Canti, and the Norman Palace. Enter Palermo Cathedral, admire Martorana’s mosaics from outside, and enjoy a Sicilian sweet. Add the separate Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel visit for a longer experience.

“Peter did a great job explaining Sicily’s history!”

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Naples: Street Art & History Tour in the Spanish Quarters - Starting at Piazzetta Matilde Serao
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Naples: Street Art & History Tour in the Spanish Quarters

11.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, Pasquale, or Valentina. In two hours, you’ll see street art, tucked-away churches, artisan corners, and the famous Maradona murals while learning how war, football, faith, and daily life shaped the neighborhood. The walk is offered in English, Italian, Spanish, and French.

“My Guide, Simone was great and was able to answer all my questions :) Thank You”

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

Palermo: Walking Tour of Historic Markets and Monuments

12.Walking Tour of Historic Markets and Monuments

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

Spend three hours walking Palermo’s historic center with an Italian-speaking guide such as Claudio or Fabrizio. Enter the Cathedral, see Teatro Massimo, Quattro Canti, and Fontana Pretoria, then browse Capo market and sample Sicilian street food. Expect local legends, architecture, and plenty of walking.

“Grazie a Fabrizio abbiamo trascorso una bella mattinata in giro per Palermo, scoprendo storia e curiosità di una città che merita di essere conosciuta. Un’esperienza che consiglierei e che ci ha dato tanti spunti anche su cosa fare nei prossimi giorni di vacanza qui.”

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Matera's Sassi Walking Tour - History & Culture - Sasso Barisano: Seeing the Sassi as a Neighborhood
Historical Tours, Matera Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Matera’s Sassi Walking Tour – History & Culture

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

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

Walk through Matera’s Sasso Barisano, Civita, and Sasso Caveoso with local guides such as Antonio or Giorgia. In about two hours, you’ll connect cave homes, rock churches, poverty, migration, and Matera’s modern revival. The small English-speaking group is limited to 16 people and ends at Palazzo Lanfranchi.

“Interesting info that brought the tour to life. We liked the bonus of the sese of humour. Would highly recommend”

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Guided Tour, Historic Center Sassi Rock Churches and Cave House - Seeing Sasso Barisano from above
Guided, Historical Tours, Matera Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Guided Tour, Historic Center Sassi Rock Churches and Cave House

14.Guided Tour, Historic Center Sassi Rock Churches and Cave House

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 461 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $26

Explore Matera’s historic center, Sasso Barisano, Sasso Caveoso, Santa Maria de Idris, and a traditional cave house on a two-hour English walking tour. Guides such as Patrizia, Lorena, and Anna Maria explain local life, rock churches, courtyards, and the city’s past. Expect steps, uneven ground, and a group of up to 20 people.

“Patricia our guide was very knowledgeable. Really learnt a lot about the history of Matera, particularly the Sassi.”

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Tipsy Tour: Guided Bar Crawl In Florence with Dark History - Via de’ Neri and the first cocktail
Drinking Tours, Florence Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tipsy Tour: Guided Bar Crawl In Florence with Dark History

15.Tipsy Tour: Guided Bar Crawl In Florence with Dark History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 271 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $78

Meet at 8 pm for a three-hour Florence bar crawl with a local guide, wine by the river, two cocktails, and a limoncello or amaro shot. You’ll hear scandalous Medici-era tales, visit a traditional wine window, and finish near Santa Croce. Guides including Zofia, Juliette, Anna, and Didar are known for games, warm hosting, and practical drink tips.

“Anna is a great choice for a guide. She was friendly, knowledgeable, fun, and a good problem solver.”

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