The 7 best tours of Rome's Pantheon
Located in the famous "Piazza della Rotonda", in the historic heart of the Italian capital stands the famous Roman Pantheon. One of the best preserved monuments of Ancient Rome, built in 27 BC and then rebuilt in 125 AD.
Pantheon of Rome | ©Antonello Tanteri
It is impossible to talk about Rome and not go back to the time of the Roman apogee and the fascinating history that this city has in every corner. Rome exudes culture, art and magnificence. The Pantheon is a great proof of this. It is visited annually by thousands of tourists eager for knowledge and eager to portray the incredible architecture of the place.
Without a doubt it is a must-see in Rome, and I will tell you why and how you can discover it in the different types of tours available for you to choose from. Additionally, I invite you to visit this post to find out everything you can see and do in Rome.
1. Express tour to the Pantheon for small groups
This tour is perfect if you do not have much time to visit the most emblematic places in Rome, but you still want to know firsthand the cultural richness of the best historical sites
The tour is always guided and you can take advantage of every minute!
All the history behind the Pantheon, its secrets, curiosities and legends. You can also add to the tour the guided visit of the most important nearby churches and the surrounding squares.
The tour lasts about 35 minutes from the agreed starting point to the end of the tour.
2. Guided tour of the Pantheon and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva of Rome
If you are a lover of exploring historical sites and great monuments that saw the history of modern civilization pass by then this tour is ideal.
What will you see?
A particular tour of the most religious Rome with the Pantheon of Agrippa and the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva at the center of the excursion.
You will be able to observe ancient tombs, learn about the architecture of the time and admire exquisite works of art.
The duration of the tour is approximately 1:30 hours.
3. Complete tour of the Pantheon of Rome
This tour is perfect for those who want to learn in a deeper way all the details of the Pantheon of Rome.
What will you see?
With specialized guides who will tell the greatest mysteries of the construction of the monument, the incredible story of the famous brothers Romulus and Remus, the court against heretics and witches called Dominican and many more details.
The tour is personalized and the groups will never exceed 15 people, which is why it is advisable to book in advance.
The duration of the tour is 1 hour of pure Roman history.
4. Wine and food tour of the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Campo Dei Fiori Market
This half day tour will allow you to combine the pleasure of good typical Italian food, the best wines and the most important historical sites of the Trevi district.
What will you see?
Nothing better than tasting a careful selection of cheeses and prosciutto, accompanied by Italian signature wines in front of the most iconic places of the Italian capital such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon of the second century, and Piazza Navona.
The tour includes a visit to the Campo de Fiori farmers' market where you can buy local delicacies and fresh artisan products.
It is certainly a different and fun excursion that creatively invites you to enjoy the best of the city. I recommend you to continue reading this article if you are looking for other activities to enjoy in Rome.
Other food tours near the Pantheon
The main tourist route that starts at the famous Trevi Fountain and goes directly to the Pantheon of Rome is a must to do on a sunny spring afternoon. You will be able to get lost in the cobblestone alleys and discover new and attractive places at your own pace.
If your accommodation is close to the area you can start your day by having breakfast at a table on the street in one of the many bars in the area and then start your tour with all your energy.
The restaurants and food stalls are great to get to know the typical Italian food such as Neapolitan pizza!
5. Sightseeing bus tour of Rome with stop at the Pantheon of Agrippa
The large panoramic buses with convertible roofs are a classic in big cities all over the world, and Rome is no exception! They are perfect if you want to make the most of your time on a long stopover, if you only have a few days in Rome, or if you simply enjoy being taken to the best attractions.
The buses have many hop-on hop-off stops, meaning you can hop on and off at your leisure.
You can buy single or multi-day tickets depending on your itinerary. I recommend these Rome tour buses
6. Walking tour of Rome with the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain
Rome has a variety of activities and tours to do and every tourist can choose according to their tastes and budgets so this time I tell you about an excellent and economical walking tour of the most emblematic places of the city.
What will you see?
You can discover in a fun way the different historical sites of the city such as the Pantheon of Rome, the Trevi Fountain, the popular Piazza Navona and Piazza Barberini.
You will have the opportunity to discover the history of the church of Sant'Ignazio and experience the local culture from the hand of a specialized guide who will tell you all the details.
This tour ends near the Vatican Square and is ideal if you plan to tour this area in the afternoon.
7. Tour to enjoy the Pantheon of Rome with family and kids
Who said you can't visit museums and historical sites with small children?
What will you see?
While it is true that the concentration of a small child is less than that of adults and that some details may not interest all ages, there are creative and innovative ways to make the most of your trip to Rome as a family.
In this case, the tour is customizable and designed for kids and adults alike to have fun with treasure hunts, trivia and colorful facts for all ages.
The guides are specialists in telling anecdotes and information to children to capture their interest. And since the tour is for families only, it's easy to meet other kids along the way.
The best part? You can all enjoy a delicious tasting of authentic Italian gelato together.
The tour lasts approximately 2:30 hours and ends at the previously agreed meeting point. I take this opportunity to recommend this article if you want to know 10 things you can do in Rome with children.
Structure of the Pantheon
From the outside, the Pantheon is imposing and can already be seen from the Place de la Rotonde, a famous square in Rome located in the Trevi district.
Right next to it you can glimpse an Egyptian obelisk and a very beautiful fountain. But all the beauty of the place is undoubtedly inside - it's great!
The shape of the Pantheon is quite surprising and differs from all the temples of Rome realized so far. In fact, it mixes 3 different shapes:
- Its structure is rectangular
- Its entrance is enhanced by a triangular pediment
- Its interior is a cylinder topped by a dome.
A little bit of history and curiosities of the famous monument
As I mentioned, the Pantheon was built around -27 B.C. It was carried out by Agrippa, a general and politician, under the command of Augustus, the first great Roman emperor.
The monument was built with stones, bricks and mortar. This temple is dedicated to all the gods regardless of their origin, and in particular to Mars and Venus. Hence the meaning of the word "Pantheon": "pan" means "all" and "theos" means "gods".
The Pantheon of Agrippa burned down during the Great Fire of Rome in the year 80 but was later rebuilt between 118 and 125 under Emperor Hadrian.
It is a true architectural feat! Its dome has long been the largest in the world at 43 meters in diameter.
In fact Michelangelo himself has said that the building has an angelic and not human appearance.
In 609, the Pantheon became a Christian church after being given to Pope Boniface IV. It also served as a mausoleum for some of Italy's kings such as Victor Emmanuel II and other great men of the nation such as the painter Raphael.
Curious facts about the Roman Pantheon
- The famous oculus was designed, from the beginning, so that the light penetrates the pantheon perpendicularly both in the autumn and spring equinoxes.
- When you look at the ceiling you will notice five levels, each one symbolizing the celestial spheres of the ancient planetary system.
- On the nave of the Pantheon you will find 7 altars destined to the astral gods: The Moon, the Sun, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter
- Both the height of the pantheon and its diameter are exactly the same. That is 43.4 meters
- Although the pantheon is a great monument of incalculable historical value, it still continues to function as a church and even some ceremonies and weddings are held there.
Incredible, isn't it?
Where is the Pantheon?
The Pantheon of Agrippa is located in Piazza Rotonda, in the narrow streets of the Centro Storico district, very close to Piazza Navona.
The Pantheon of Rome is a 7-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and 15 minutes from Piazza di Spagna.
You can reach it by subway taking line A and getting off at "Barberini" station or by bus you have several lines that leave you nearby.
The history of the Pantheon is so rich and hides so many mysteries that it would be a shame to miss it!