Rome: Fiat 500 Self-Drive Tour Past Colosseum & Secret Views

Summary

Vintage Fiats winding Rome’s backstreets to hidden gardens

You’ll squeeze into a vintage Fiat 500 and wind through Rome’s secret corners—from roaring past the Colosseum to sipping espresso with locals and peeking through the Aventine Keyhole. Expect laughter, odd looks from Romans, and stories you’ll remember every time you see an old Fiat again.

What’s the experience like?

I never thought I’d drive a car that felt smaller than my suitcase, but there we were—my partner and I squeezed into this bright red Fiat 500, engine humming like an old Vespa. Our guide Marco had already cracked a joke about “becoming Roman for three hours,” then handed us the keys with a grin. The first few minutes were honestly nerve-wracking (stick shift plus Roman traffic is not for the faint-hearted), but once we got moving through those narrow lanes near the Colosseum, it was impossible not to smile. Locals waved or snapped photos—one old man even shouted “Bella macchina!” as we chugged by. That’s when I realized: this isn’t just sightseeing, it’s sort of performance art.

The route took us past places I’d only seen in textbooks—Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla (which are massive, by the way; you can almost hear echoes if you roll down the window). At one point, Marco pulled us over for espresso—standing at a bar with that sharp coffee smell mixing with exhaust and orange blossoms from somewhere nearby. We stopped at the Aventine Keyhole too; I didn’t expect much, but peeking through and seeing St. Peter’s dome perfectly framed was weirdly moving. My partner tried to get a selfie with both of us and the car in it—didn’t really work, but we laughed so hard people stared.

Driving up to Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi for that panoramic view—I still think about that moment. Rome looked endless from up there, domes and rooftops tumbling away under this hazy sun. The whole tour felt like time traveling: one minute you’re dodging Vespas in Trastevere, next you’re on ancient cobbles of Appian Way with your teeth rattling (in a good way?). There was no script or rush; Marco told stories about emperors and modern Romans in the same breath, sometimes stopping mid-sentence because he spotted something he wanted us to see—a street artist here, a cat perched on broken pottery there.

If you’re even slightly nostalgic or just want to see Rome from behind a tiny steering wheel instead of behind glass, this day trip is worth every awkward gear change. You’ll probably butcher some Italian along the way—I did—but somehow that makes it better.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Vintage Fiat 500 Rome driving tour

• Drive vintage Fiat 500 car
• Pass by the Colosseum
• Visit Baths of Caracalla ruins
• Look through Aventine Keyhole
• See the Orange Garden
• Stop at Circus Maximus
• Enjoy Janiculum terrace panoramic view
• Visit the Pyramid of Cestius
• Discover the hill of broken vases
• Drive through Trastevere streets
• Pass by Appian Way and Aurelian Walls

Top questions

Do I need experience driving manual cars for this Fiat 500 tour?

Yes, drivers must be comfortable with manual stick/clutch transmission; automatic isn’t available.

Is pickup included in this Rome Fiat 500 self-drive tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; participants meet at the starting point in Rome.

Can kids join this vintage Fiat tour in Rome?

Children aged 5+ can join; infants must sit on an adult's lap. Minimum driver age is 18 with valid license.

What main sights do we pass during the tour?

You’ll drive past the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, Aventine Keyhole/Orange Garden, Trastevere, Appian Way & more.

How long does the self-drive Fiat tour last?

The experience lasts around three hours total.

Is lunch included on this day trip from Rome?

No lunch is included; however, one espresso or cappuccino per person is provided during a stop.

Are there any weight or height restrictions for passengers?

This tour isn’t suitable for passengers over 220 lbs (100 kg) or taller than 6.2 feet (1.9 meters).

Can I bring my service animal on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a classic vintage Fiat 500 (manual transmission), guidance from a professional local guide throughout your drive around Rome’s landmarks and hidden corners, plus a free photo shoot using your own camera or phone—and an espresso or cappuccino break along the way before returning to your starting point.