Rome—the Eternal City—is a place filled with breathtaking architecture, captivating history, and vibrant culture. While there's no wrong way to explore its enchanting treasures, imagine a mode of sightseeing that blends convenience, fun, and unique access to hidden gems. Enter the golf cart tour! A rising trend amongst savvy travelers, golf cart tours in Rome offer a fresh and engaging way to experience the city’s charm—whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer.
Having recently gone on a golf cart tour of Rome myself, I’m here to share why this experience stole my heart and why it should be on your itinerary when visiting Rome.
Exploring Rome in a Unique Way
If you've been to Rome or are planning a visit, you might already know that traditional walking tours and hop-on-hop-off buses dominate the city's sightseeing scene. While both options are valid, they have their downfalls.
A Walking tour can offer immersive experiences but can be tiring and slow, with limited ground covered in a single day. On the other hand, buses are efficient for getting from point A to B but lack the intimacy and flexibility you often want as a traveler.
This is where golf cart tours shine. These small, zippy, electric carts strike the perfect balance between comfort and efficiency. You can explore far more of the city than you would on foot and still enjoy the freedom to get up close and personal with landmarks, thanks to the cart’s ability to maneuver through narrow streets and ancient neighborhoods.
Top 8 Reasons to Choose a Golf Cart Tour
Still on the fence about trying one? Here are my top reasons why golf cart tours are a must:
1. Scenic Routes and Hidden Gems
Rome is a city best explored at ground level, and a golf cart grants access to parts of the historic center that are off-limits to larger vehicles. From cozy cobblestone alleys to charming piazzas, these tours allow you to uncover hidden gems while also covering iconic attractions like the Colosseum and the Pantheon.
2. Make the Most of Your Time
With a golf cart tour, you’ll make the most of limited time. Within just three hours, you can visit more sites than you’d typically accomplish on foot in a whole day. You will cover a lot of ground. Whether you're there for a weekend getaway or a longer trip, these tours pack tons of sightseeing into a fun, efficient outing.
I was only in Rome for 3 days before I left on a cruise. I wanted to see as much as possible and thought this was the perfect way to do it.
3. Comfort for Everyone
Have knee problems? Travel with kids? Just not in the mood for endless walking on uneven cobblestone streets? Golf cart tours are accessible and perfect for travelers of all ages and mobility levels. It’s care-free comfort, taking the stress out of navigating Rome's bustling streets. This is the best way for people that are handicapped, disabled or limited mobility to tour the city. Wheelchair users are able to take the tour as it is accessible, as they can tow the wheelchair in the cart if need be.
Also, for those with kids, strollers can be stored on the golf cart. Infants must be held on the lap of the parents. As for safety, golf carts are safer than driving cars in Rome.
4. Eco-Friendly Exploration
Golf carts are electric, making them a sustainable option for exploring a historic city where respecting cultural heritage is essential. Low emissions and quiet operation make this a great way for the eco-conscious travelers to see the city that cares about minimizing their environmental footprint.
5. Customizable and Convenient
Whether you’re traveling solo, in a couple, or with a group, golf cart tours cater to everyone. Book a private English-Speaking guide to tailor stops to your needs or join like-minded explorers for a fun shared experience. If you are traveling in a small group or group’s size of 8, golf cart tours can accommodate. Many tours offer hotel pick-up and drop-off within central Rome, so starting and ending your tour couldn’t be easier. Bonus? Some packages even include complimentary bottled water, and a gelato stop at an old-school gelateria.
One note, though—ensure your accommodation is within the pick-up zones. Central locations work best, (historic city center, inside the ancient walls) while places like the airport are too far out for this service. Use this as a private transfer at the end of your tour. For example, if you are going to eat near Campo de Flori, they can drop you there instead of your hotel.
6. Time of day for tour
Also available to book morning or afternoon tours. Convenient for those that are not morning people. Morning tours start at 9:30 AM, afternoon tours start at 3PM, night tours start at 7PM but are an hour shorter than daytime tours. The evening golf cart tour is great to see the city with its lights and gives a whole different perspective. They also do all day tours if interested. The tour I took was the 9:30 AM tour. Which left time for afterwards to take a Taxi to places I wanted to spend more time in from the tour. I loved getting the feel of the city layout, it's better than just looking at a map.
7. Cancelation Policy
This is the best cancellation policy I have ever seen. Fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance of tour. This tour is able to be booked on Viator, I love using Viator and have not had any problem with this 3rd party company with booking tours all around the world.
8. Safe Tour
Walking around Rome gives you more of an option to run into pickpockets. Also, pickpockets are common on the Metro here. The golf cart tour helps to eliminate time walking to places. Still be alert near the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain when walking around, but with more time in the cart on the tour means less likely to be the target of a pickpocket.
9. Knowledge driver/ tour guide
The drivers are familiar with the city of Rome, they know the streets and where to go. They are also very familiar with the history of this wonderful city. 2,500 years' worth of history with quirky side notes too that you would not expect to learn. This is like you are having your own private guide. Ask questions and they will answer. I learned so much from my tour guide.
The only additional cost of the tour for me was a tip at the end of the tour. I had to give one because of the personalized experience Tips and gratuities are not included in the price.
A Closer Look at Golf Cart Tours in Rome
During my own golf cart tour, I stopped at incredible spots and cruised through some of Rome’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Here are some highlights from the itinerary I experienced: This was not the typical tour, as I asked for specific requests. You can request certain places. For example, I was at Janiculum Hill the day before, so I did not need to go back up there on the golf cart tour. Plus, I needed a stop at a specific candy store for a quick stop.
Stops Where You Can Walk Around:
Pincio Overlook near Villa Borghese for stunning city views. One of the best views of the city. Located near Villa Borghese Gardens and Park. This was the perfect place for the first stop of the day, as there are coffee stands nearby, and you can grab a quick coffee while standing and looking at the beautiful views of the city. Spent 10 minutes here.
The Trident area (Piazza del Popolo) for an iconic welcome to historic Rome. I walked through the Aurelien Walls here; it gave you a sense of what people walking to Rome from the north would see as they walked inside the wall. With the obelisk, in the center, 2 identical buildings behind and to the side of the obelisk, and fountains on each of the Piazza. A Great place for people to watch. I was mesmerized. Spent 15 minutes walking here
Spanish Steps for a glamorous photo op. Notice the fountain, the French church at the top of the steps, the fancy shops behind you. The golf cart stops 2 blocks away as it is not allowed to be near the steps, but it's great to walk a little bit by all the fancy shops on the way to the steps. I spent 15 minutes here.
Trevi Fountain—yes, I tossed a coin and made a wish! Golf carts will park just around the corner, and you will have plenty of time to squeeze in the crowds to get some pictures. Look out for pickpockets here. And there is an amazing bakery located on the corner where I got a cannoli. Spent 10 minutes here
Pantheon- the golf cart stops at the top of the street, and you walk about 100 feet to be in front of the pantheon. I did not go inside because there was a line, and it was crowded, and you had to pay to visit. The Pantheon has started charging $5 to enter, except on the first Sunday of every month. Only spent 10 minutes out front
Piazza Navona, This Piazza used to be like the Olympic stadium for Rome back in the day. A great landmark to look at statues and see people doing street performances. Spent 15 minutes walking around
Saint Ignazio Church, a peaceful pause amidst the hustle. This church is a favorite for tourists, as the inside is painted to appear it has a domed roof, when it really doesn't because the church ran out of money to complete a dome roof about 500 years ago. When I visited there was tons of art to look at. Spent 15 minutes walking around
Plus, a much-needed stop for me, a stop at a candy shop where I picked up a charming gift. 10 minutes or less stop.
Passed or Briefly Stopped at:
The Colosseum (of course!).
The magnificence of the "Wedding Cake" building (Monument to Victor Emmanuel II).
Porta Pinciana, driving through the Aurelian Walls
Piazza della Repubblica, Diocletian Bathes, Saint Mary Church (which Michealangelo help to turn into a church back in his day.)
US Embassy.
Santa Maria Maggiore and Torre Argentina, among countless other sights.
And did I mention the gelato stop? Nothing tops off a morning of sightseeing like indulging in a creamy, flavorful treat. Divine!
You will tour different neighborhoods; in fact, my tour was on a Sunday and I saw people walking into an Ethiopian church service while driving to different neighborhoods. It was neat to see them and the singing that was going on outside the church. Rome’s Landmarks are scattered all across the historic city. I even spotted a shopping mall that was basically the same thing 2,000 years ago.
If some of these stops are not what you would like to have, let the guide know. Other famous stops in the city include Circus Maximus, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Piazza Venezia, Vatican City with the Sistine Chapel and so much more. They will make suggestions, for example, if you want to spend tons of time exploring the Vatican City, Vatican Museums or the Sistine Chapel, don't do it on a golf cart tour. You are paying for a tour of the city and if you want to spend an hour in Vatican City it is not making good use of your time on the golf cart tour.
Customer Testimonials
My tour wasn’t just a highlight of my trip to Rome—it was the highlight! I genuinely can’t recommend it enough for anyone who wants to maximize their experience of the Eternal City. An unforgettable experience! Past customers share similar sentiments:
"This was hands-down the most fun way to see Rome! Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, and the tour felt like the perfect mix of relaxation and discovery."
— Melissa, USA
"Amazing way to experience the city. The golf cart takes you places you’d never find on your own!"
— Jean-Luc, France
"The gelato stop alone was worth it!"
— Priya, India
Practical Tips for Planning Your Golf Cart Tour
To make the most of your experience, here are some quick tips:
When to Book: Morning tours are usually less crowded and come with cooler temperatures, especially in summer.
What to Wear: Comfortable shoes (for short walks) and layers for fluctuating weather. My December tour went from chilly to warm, so a hoodie over a T-shirt worked perfectly. The comfort of an open air golf cart will give you a breeze when it is hot outside like in the summer.
What to Bring: camera or smartphone, you will want to take tons of pictures. And a tip for the tour guide if you like.
Tour Operators: Popular companies include My Best Tours, Roma Explore Tours, and Eco Tour Rome—you can't go wrong with any of them! But my pick will always be Rolling Rome.
Discover Rome in Comfort and Style
Rome has an allure that’s impossible to describe until you’ve walked its ancient streets or stood before its grandiose monuments. Golf cart tours are a great option and redefine how you experience this magical city—combining accessibility, efficiency, and a whole lot of fun.
On your next Roman holiday, ditch the blisters and long queues. Opt for a golf cart tour and create memories that will last a lifetime. And don’t forget to share your own experience—I’d love to hear all about it!
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As a tour operator in Morocco, I find the concept of golf cart tours in Rome truly inspiring. It highlights the importance of offering convenient, immersive, and customizable experiences, which is something we prioritize in our Moroccan tours. From exploring hidden gems in the medinas to navigating the vast desert landscapes in comfort, the idea of blending accessibility with cultural immersion resonates perfectly with how we craft memorable journeys for our travelers
A golf cart tour of Italy is a great way to see the city!
I had not realised you could explore Rome on a golf cart, mind you. I visited the city a long time ago. Although I like walking, this is a good option when visiting with people who walk less. Plus, it allows you to explore more places without getting too tired. I love it!
That is indeed a comfortable way to explore around. I have booked a couple of tours from Viator before, and the bookings were smooth.
I have not seen golf cart tours when I visited Rome. But I do like the idea of heading around town in this open vehicles. We could certainly explore more than our tired feet would take us! And they are perfect for the narrow roads in Rome. We will certainly look into this on our next visit.