Experience Off the Beaten Track in Rome with Withlocals

"Our tour of Garbatella with Valeria was a highlight. Off the beaten track for the average visitor to the city, this area’s working class history and incredibly rich “barocchetto” architecture is fascinating. Valeria brought Garbatella’s history to life for us; immersing us in its village feel with stories of the tight-knit local community. We saw various architectural gems typical to the area that draw on inspiration from the modern, the ancient and much in between. She also took us to a number of the most beautiful communal gardens the area is famous for as well as some of the impressive street art murals. Loved every minute of it and highly recommend to anyone interested in architecture, art, 20th century history or indeed just keen to spend some time in a real Roman neighbourhood. "

"We were so grateful we participated in this tour. It was so much more meaningful to have a private tour to ask questions. We were able to experience Ancient Rome but also World War Two history, see a part of Rome that you typically don’t visit and I had my favorite pasty in the Jewish Ghetto the Crostada DI Ricotta e Visciole. We also had a delicious lunch recommended by Valeria. We loved having the photos and maps to help us understand the history we were walking through that is still being written today. "

"We did this a private tour which I highly recommend...the personalization and the pace is what we were looking for. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and kept it interesting. "

"What a fabulous experience with Valeria. We loved it! We knew nothing about this hidden gem in Rome and she brought it to life. Her architectural expertise shione through, while being completely accessible to non-architects. Her grasp of the history of the area and how it links to ancient Rome, the fascist era and other eras was outstanding. She welcomed our many questions. Her tour was thoughtfully planned. And she's fun! Highly recommended!"

"Emanuele was such a wonderful host and guide—spending time with him honestly felt more like hanging out with a local friend than being on a tour. He even sent me the exact meeting spot with photos ahead of time (so even I couldn’t get lost 😅) He showed me some really fun spots, like the gelato stand where the Obamas once stopped (yes, that famous one!). We stopped in and had some ourselves. Along the way, he shared stories and explained little details—like why the statues in the fountains look so crisp and white—that really brought Rome to life. Where the Embassies were and where Julias Caesar was assassinated. I’d reached out before the tour to let him know I have celiac disease, and he went above and beyond: sending me a list of gluten-free resources and even checking in the next day to see if I had questions. That kind of thoughtfulness meant a lot. What I loved most is that he’s truly local to Rome! He knows the side streets, the history, and all the stories that make the city so special. The whole experience was relaxed, personal, and genuinely enjoyable. Highly recommend!"

"Our recent trip from Rome to Cancala with our tour guide, Matteo, was nothing short of spectacular. Mateo’s extensive passion for the region brought the rich history and vibrant culture of Cancala to life and gave as a nice brake from the big city. One of the highlights of our journey was a delightful stop for lovely cofe and pastries and lunch at a charming local restaurant later on the day. The culinary experience was unparalleled, offering the best food we had during our entire trip. Overall, Matteo’s guidance and the exquisite lunch made our trip to Cancala truly memorable."

" We spent a whole day together with the friendly Matteo. We started the day at a hidden gem of a café in Rome, then drove to Lago di Bracciano before arriving in the charming village of Calcata. Matteo was knowledgeable, and we learned a lot about the places we visited and about Rome in general. We had an exquisite lunch at IL Guazzabuglio. Before heading back to Rome, we visited the tearoom La Sala, which boasts 101 types of tea and over 500 teapots. Thank you so much, Matteo, for an unforgettable day. But be warned—if you don’t like cats, Calcata is teeming with them!"

"The tour was shortened by agreement but still very enjoyable. Cecilia has a great knowledge of what we were looking at and able to answer all questions. Really enjoyed it."

"We had an interesting day. We initially planned the Trajan markets but they were closed without notice. Irrespective, Lia Beatrice came up with a new and innovative program where she took me to other historical sites of interest and during the entire time she transferred valuable knowledge about the Roman history. I really enjoyed my tour and access to such a wealth of knowledge "

"Highly recommend. Thomas showed us areas of Rome we didn't know existed even after visiting 6 times. He is engaging and thoroughly enjoyable to talk too. Don't hesitate to book a tour with him. "