Unusual things to do in Rome mostly change how you travel or where you go: a scooter, an electric cart, an e-bike on Roman paving, the catacombs. Here is who each suits and what to expect.
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Why we picked it: A 2.5-hour electric golf-cart tour passing Trevi, the Pantheon and Navona, with short stops for photos. Driver-guide and water are included, for up to 6 passengers. Listed as accessible. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before.
Best for: Families and first-timers with tired legs or limited mobility.
Why we picked it: A 4-hour morning e-bike ride on the Appian Way, including original Roman paving, the aqueduct park and the Tomb of Cecilia Metella. E-bike, helmet, guide and water are included, for groups of up to 10 from age 10. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before.
Best for: Families with older children and history fans who like to move outdoors.
Why we picked it: A 3-hour scooter tour of panoramic viewpoints with a safety briefing first, for groups of up to 6. Scooter, helmet, guide and fuel are included, with hotel pickup listed. Free cancellation applies up to 48 hours before.
Best for: Couples and photographers who would rather ride between viewpoints than walk.
Fuel included in the price
Small group, max 6
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
Hotel pickup listed
Minimum age 18
A driving licence deposit is listed as not included
Why we picked it: A 2.5-hour guided visit to a catacomb site on the Via Appia Antica, with early Christian frescoes and symbols and headsets. Entry is included and hotel pickup is listed. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before.
Best for: Couples and history fans who want a cooler, quieter side of Rome.
Entry ticket and guide included
Cool underground, a break from summer heat
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Underground passages can mean steps and uneven floors
Why we picked it: A 2.5-hour morning treasure hunt for families around ancient Rome, with a family guide, an activity pack and small prizes included. Groups are capped at 12 and the minimum age is 5. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before.
Best for: Families with young children who want history turned into a game.
Why we picked it: A 2.5-hour morning scooter outing around Monti with espresso stops, limited to 6 people. Scooter, helmet, espresso and a guide are included, and hotel pickup is listed. Free cancellation applies up to 48 hours before. Riders must be 18 or over.
Best for: Couples and solo travellers who want a short, social way to see one neighbourhood.
Why we picked it: A 2-hour evening tasting of five wines from Lazio and beyond, with a cheese and cured meats platter, led by a sommelier in Testaccio. Groups are capped at 12 and the minimum age is 18. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before.
Best for: Couples and food lovers who want a relaxed evening in one place.
Why we picked it: A 3-hour late-afternoon walk starting at the Spanish Steps, focused on golden-hour light, composition tips and less obvious corners. Open to any camera or phone, in a group of up to 8, from age 12. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before.
Best for: Photographers and solo travellers who want guidance on light and framing.
The most unusual tours in Rome change how you move or where you go: an electric golf cart through the historic centre, an e-bike along the Appian Way, a Vespa across the city or a guided visit underground in the catacombs. For most travellers we rank the golf-cart highlights tour first because it is the easiest unusual option: it needs no riding skill, suits all ages and covers Trevi, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona without tiring walks.
The Appian Way e-bike tour follows, because riding on original Roman paving past aqueducts and the tomb of Cecilia Metella gives a sense of the ancient road that a bus never can. The Vespa classic sights tour comes next, for confident riders.
What this list covers, and what it does not
This is a ranked list of unusual tours in our current catalogue, not every offbeat activity in Rome. Rome has plenty of unusual things to do that fall outside bookable tours, such as quiet churches and hidden gardens. Placement follows the criteria on How we rank. Per-tour pros and cons are on the cards.
What makes a tour unusual?
We use three tests: a different mode of transport, a place off the standard route, or a format that is more playful than a lecture. Many unusual tours are not substitutes for the big sights. They work best as the second or third thing you do, once you have seen the Colosseum and Vatican. If you are still working out the basics, start with the best tours in Rome.
Vehicle-based tours
Golf cart
An electric cart with a driver-guide, short photo stops and a route through the centre. It is accessible, family-friendly and kind to tired legs. Groups are capped at six, so it feels more like a private ride than a coach tour. This is the best alternative to a bus for travellers who do not want to walk far; compare with the hop-on hop-off bus.
Vespa
Small groups of up to six ride scooters with a guide. A safety briefing comes first, riders must be adults and the pace is moderate. The classic sights version covers viewpoints and landmarks; a morning version stops for espresso in Monti. See our Vespa tours in Rome hub.
E-bike
Electric bikes smooth out hills and distance, so you do not need to be a regular cyclist. The Appian Way route uses original paving and an aqueduct park, and takes around four hours.
Off the main route
Catacombs
The Roman catacombs are underground burial galleries, visited with a guide only. Expect cool, narrow passages and early Christian symbols, and a good escape from summer heat. Read more on the Rome catacombs tour page.
Treasure hunt for families
A game-style walk through ancient Rome for children aged five and up, with an activity pack and small prizes. See family tours in Rome for more.
Wine and photography
A seated sommelier-led tasting and a golden-hour photography walk both offer a quieter, more personal evening than the standard sights.
Compare the unusual options
Type
Skill needed
Group
Best for
Golf cart
None
Up to six
Families, tired legs, first visits
E-bike on the Appian Way
Basic cycling
Up to ten
Active travellers, history fans
Vespa
Confident riding, adults only
Up to six
Couples and thrill seekers
Catacombs
None; narrow stairs and passages
Up to twenty
History and early Christianity
Family treasure hunt
None
Up to twelve
Children from five
Safety, licence and fitness basics
Vehicle tours come with rules. Our scooter listings are for adults only, include a safety briefing and provide the scooter and helmet, but you should read the listing for licence requirements before you book and bring what the operator asks for. E-bike tours supply bikes and helmets; you need to be able to balance and ride at a gentle pace on mixed surfaces. Golf-cart tours need no skill, which is why they are the most inclusive choice. The catacombs involve steps and cool, narrow passages, so wear sturdy shoes and a light layer even in summer. If anyone in your party has mobility needs, check the listing’s accessibility notes and ask the operator before booking.
Going beyond the tours
Some of the most unusual things to do in Rome cost nothing and need no booking. Walk the quieter streets of Monti or Trastevere early in the morning, look for the small fountains found across the city, or step into a side church to see a painting you will have to yourself. Tours can open doors, but the city also rewards wandering. Our guide to Rome day trips is a useful next step if you want to go further from the centre, for example to Ostia Antica, Tivoli or Orvieto, all of which feel a world away from the busiest sights.
What is the best alternative to a bus tour in Rome?
If you want to see the sights without walking far, a golf cart is the closest alternative, with a driver-guide and a small group. If you want more activity, an e-bike or a walking tour gives more depth. Our comparison of hop-on hop-off versus a walking tour sets out the usual trade-offs.
Can you tour Rome by golf cart? Are e-bike tours good?
Yes to both, with caveats. Golf-cart tours are limited to the routes and areas the operator uses, and you stay in the cart for most of the ride. E-bike tours work well on the Appian Way because the route is mostly traffic-calm and scenic, but you need basic balance and comfort riding. Both are better as an addition to the major sights than a replacement.
Who should pick what
Families with young children: the treasure hunt or the golf cart.
History fans: the catacombs and the Appian Way together.
Anyone with limited mobility: the golf cart, subject to the operator’s access notes.
Mistakes to avoid
Choosing a unique tour instead of the big sights on a first visit.
Ignoring the age and licence rules for scooters.
Skipping weather checks for outdoor rides.
Wearing sandals on a Vespa or e-bike.
Free cancellation on our listings runs from 24 to 48 hours; check your confirmation. Check current details: catacomb opening rules and operator terms change, so confirm them before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What are unusual things to do in Rome?
Touring by golf cart, e-bike or Vespa, visiting the catacombs, joining a family treasure hunt or taking a golden-hour photography walk are all offbeat ways to see the city.
What is the best alternative to a bus tour in Rome?
A small-group golf-cart tour is the closest alternative to a bus for travellers who do not want to walk far. For more activity, try an e-bike ride or a guided walk.
Can you tour Rome by golf cart?
Yes. Our catalogue includes an electric golf-cart tour with a driver-guide, photo stops and a route past Trevi, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. The group size is capped at six.
Are there bike tours in Rome?
Yes. The Appian Way e-bike tour rides on original Roman paving, with e-bikes and helmets included, and is capped at ten guests.
Are e-bike tours good in Rome?
They work well for the Appian Way, where the electric assist handles distance and hills. You still need basic comfort on a bicycle.
What is the most unusual tour in Rome?
Opinions differ, but a guided visit to the underground catacombs and a Vespa ride across the city are among the most distinctive options in our catalogue.
Is this every unusual tour in Rome?
No. The list covers unusual tours in our current catalogue only, ranked by our published criteria.
