Rome: Fiat 500 Vintage Tour of 7 Secret Spots & Photos

Summary

Classic Fiat 500 drive through Rome’s quirky history and quiet views

You’ll ride through Rome in a vintage Fiat 500 with a local guide who feels more like an old friend than a chauffeur. Expect secret hills made of ancient pottery, panoramic gardens scented with oranges, and spontaneous photo stops at places you’d never find on your own. It’s lively, imperfect fun — you might even fall for Rome all over again.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely made it past Termini when our driver, Paolo, leaned out the window to chat with a fruit vendor — just a quick “buongiorno” but somehow it set the mood. The Fiat 500 felt tiny, like wearing someone else’s jacket, but in a good way. You can hear the engine humming under your feet. I kept laughing at how everyone stared at us (one kid actually waved with both hands). Our little convoy zipped through streets I’d never have found alone — honestly, I still don’t know how Paolo squeezed us past that delivery truck in Trastevere.

The first stop was this hill built from broken pottery — Monte Testaccio. Paolo called it “the hill of Roman leftovers,” which made me smile. There was this earthy smell, like old clay after rain. He told us about olive oil jars stacked for centuries. Then we rolled up to the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci), where couples sat on benches and you could see St. Peter’s dome through the trees. The air smelled sweet and sharp at once — maybe from the oranges? I tried to take a photo but my hands were shaky from excitement or maybe too much espresso.

I didn’t expect to care about a keyhole, but peeking through that famous one near Aventine Hill really got me — three countries lined up in one view, all framed by this tiny circle. Paolo joked that he’s seen people cry there (I wasn’t far off). Later we stopped at Circus Maximus and he pointed out where chariots once raced — now just grass and echoes, but if you close your eyes you can almost hear the crowd. At some point he grabbed my phone and snapped photos of us in front of the Colosseum; I look ridiculous but happy.

The whole tour was like being let in on Rome’s inside jokes — not just monuments but odd stories, weird hills, hidden gardens. It ended with a last climb up to Piazzale Garibaldi for that wild panoramic view: domes everywhere, late sun bouncing off rooftops. I thought we’d be tired but honestly I felt lighter than when we started. Maybe it was the car or maybe just seeing Rome from a different seat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Rome's hidden gems by Fiat 500

• Visit ancient Roman baths ruins
• See St. Peter’s keyhole view
• Enjoy panoramic view at Orange Garden
• Drive through Trastevere streets
• Admire view from Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi
• Stop at Circus Maximus
• Visit the ancient Egyptian Pyramid
• Tour the Colosseum
• Discover the hill of broken vases

Top questions

How many people fit in each Fiat 500 car?

A maximum of 3 people per booking are allowed in each car.

Is hotel pickup included on this tour?

The tour includes pickup from an agreed meeting point near Termini station.

Are child seats or infant seats available?

Infant seats are not available on request for this tour.

Is this Fiat 500 tour suitable for travelers with back problems?

No, it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.

Does the car have seat belts or airbags?

No safety belts are installed in the back seats and there are no airbags in these vintage cars.

What attractions do we see during the tour?

You’ll visit places like Monte Testaccio, Aventine Keyhole, Orange Garden, Trastevere, Circus Maximus, Colosseum, and Piazzale Garibaldi.

Is food or drink included?

Light refreshments are included during the day trip.

Can tours be guided in languages other than English?

The tour may be operated by a multi-lingual guide depending on availability.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup near Termini station before climbing into your vintage Fiat 500 with an expert local driver-guide at the wheel. You’ll get light refreshments along the way plus free photo shooting using your own phone or camera at every stop—no need to worry about missing those candid moments as you explore Rome’s quirkiest sights together.