How do you find a gay tour guide for Rome, Italy, for your next trip

Explore Rome's unique blend of modernity and history for LGBT travelers.
Written By: Andrea Spallanzani
Reviewed by: Rick Orford
How & Why We Created This Article

This article has been written, reviewed, and fact-checked by Rick and I. We live in Italy and travel throughout the country to help you make the best choices for your trip. We wrote this piece to help you have the best trip possible on your next trip to Italy. Portions of this article have been written using assistive AI tools to help with tasks like research, spell-checking, grammar, and translation.

Last Updated March 22, 2024

In this article, you'll learn how:

  • Rome, Italy, is a popular destination for tourists, offering a blend of modernity and history.
  • LGBT travelers can find dedicated tour options in Rome, such as Roman Gay Tour and Gaily Tour.
  • Rome has a diverse range of accommodations, including budget-friendly options in the Termini neighborhood.

Do you have plans on visiting Rome, Italy? Wondering how to find a gay tour guide in the city? Rome is one of those destinations that nearly every tourist wants to visit at least once. In fact, 35 million tourists visited Rome in 2023. Among the world’s cities, Rome is one of the few that combines modernity with history.

The city’s diverse landscapes offer something for everyone, whether you are interested in history or culture. With companies like the Roman Gay Tour or the Gaily Tour, you can experience the magic of Rome with a group dedicated to LGBT travelers.

Explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and the Vatican on a group tour or with a private guide. You can visit Rome in a day, or take an evening walking tour.

Rome Gay Pride 2022

Discover the Eternal City, which is considered to be Italy’s most important tourist destination and has several World Heritage Sites, including ancient ruins, grand palaces, and famous churches. It’s a major metropolitan city, and with that comes countless LGBT residents.

Rome’s Termini neighborhood is a bit grungier than some other parts of the city, but it’s close to central Rome and costs less. However, it is possible to find reasonably priced accommodations in Rome.

You can begin your tour of ancient Rome at the Colosseum, one of the largest amphitheaters ever built by the Roman Empire. It could seat fifty thousand spectators, where gladiator contests and other public events were held.

Rome Gay Tour Guides – A Different Way To Experience Rome

There are options for tours of Rome, so visitors can decide what they want to see and choose a tour that suits their needs. Below are some of our favorites.

Tour NameHighlights
Vatican Museums Untold (Gay) History TourExplore Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica with a focus on LGBT history and personalities.
Rainbow Tour: the Secret Gay History of RomeDiscover Rome’s hidden gay history landmarks and cultural insights with a private tour guide.
Colosseum TourVisit Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, including Rome’s gay nightlife and historical sites.
Cinema TourExplore famous movie locations in Rome’s Eternal City, perfect for movie enthusiasts.
Classic Walking TourStroll through Rome’s neighborhoods, including the Jewish Ghetto, Piazza Venezia, and Piazza Navona.
Eating Italy Food ToursEnjoy culinary experiences, cooking classes, and wine tastings guided by a gay tour guide in Rome.

Vatican Museums Untold (Gay) History Tour

Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica are the main attractions in Rome—it can be less crowded if you go during the afternoon tours.

Generally, most regular tours don’t tell the whole history or leave out some parts when dealing with gay and lesbian travelers.

The Untold History Tours are designed to give the LGBT community a view of gay and lesbian personalities from the past—stories that make us aware that we’re not alone in our struggle for acceptance.

Many tourists enjoy seeing the sculpture Laocoön, housed in the Vatican Museum.

Rainbow Tour: the Secret Gay History of Rome

During the private tour, your tour guide will take you through Rome’s secret gay history.

If you explore Rome alone, you may see the city’s major attractions but miss its gay history and contemporary culture. Through guided commentary, the tour will illuminate little-known facts and figures about Rome’s gay history.

The tour guide will take you to the spot where Julius Caesar was killed, the Imperial Forum, the Basilica of Santa Maria, Opium Hill, and Rome’s Gay Street, where you’ll stop at a famous gay pub. The cost of the Rainbow Tour starts at around $54

Colosseum Tour

The tour will pass through di San Giovanni in Laterano, the cult route of Rome’s gay nightlife and home to the Ludus Magnus (The School of Gladiators). From there, you’ll begin your adventure in Ancient Rome. Your first stop could be the Colosseum—one of the seven wonders of the world and the largest amphitheater ever built.

Rome the Colosseum

After seeing the Colosseum, you will continue your tour of Ancient Rome with a visit to the Roman Forum. To finish your trip to Rome, you will climb one of the seven hills of ancient Rome and what may be its most famous panoramic location—Palatine Hill.

Cinema tour

Rome has been a popular location for movie shoots. The streets, piazzas, and corners of Rome’s Eternal City have played host to many famous film sets—from Angels and Demons to The Great Beauty and Roman Holiday. Their Cinema Tour is a must if you’re interested in visiting some of the city’s movie locations.

Classic Walking Tour

For a walk through the Eternal City, we recommend you book the Classic Walking Tour. You will explore the best neighborhood in Rome—from the Jewish Ghetto to Piazza Venezia and Piazza Navona.

Eating Italy Food Tours

Thousands of restaurants exist in Rome, but it’s not always easy to sift the culinary gems from the tourist traps. A gay tour guide in Rome will help you with where to go.

They offer courses that teach you to cook a traditional meal or wine tasting, where you learn how to pair Italian wines with local cuisine. Enjoy delicious food and amazing wines during a day or night private tour in Rome.

Sightseeing & Activities in Rome

AttractionDescription
Roman ForumExplore ancient ruins, restaurants, taverns, shops, and markets dating back to the 7th century B.C.
Trevi FountainAdmire the Baroque art and stunning fantasy creatures in this iconic water feature.
The MaxxiExperience contemporary and bold Roman art at this impressive collection of galleries.
Piazza di SpagnaVisit the Spanish Steps, a famous square and architectural masterpiece with 137 steps.
Rome Gay SaunasRelax at gay saunas like Apollion and Adam Sauna, offering massages, jacuzzi, and more.
Gay Bars in RomeEnjoy drinks and socializing at gay bars like Coming Out, Colosseum Bar, and 101 Club.
Gay Hotels in RomeStay at gay-friendly hotels like G-Rough, The Independent Hotel, and iQ Hotel Roma with great amenities.
Gay Rome EventsDon’t miss Rome Pride, COX Gay Party, and other LGBTQ+ events that celebrate diversity in Rome.

Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is an important archaeological site. These ruins at the Roman Forum, built in the 7th century B.C., are a tribute to a bustling city created from marshland. At the time of Caesar, it contained restaurants, taverns, shops, and markets. The Roman Forum attracts an average of 4.5 million tourists every year.

Trevi Fountain

rick and andrea at the trevi fountain in rome

The fountain is a sculpture, but it also functions as a water feature. The fantasy creatures and soft natural lines of this attraction embody “the soul of the world”: these are magnificent examples of Baroque art.

A bit of history, the fountain took about 30 years to finish. Giuseppe Pannini made some changes and finished it in 1762, after the passing of Salvi. The fountain is 26 meters tall and about 49 meters wide.

The Maxxi

The architecture and art of the Romans display their contemporary and bold sides in this impressive collection of spacious galleries. This museum is a must-see for those who enjoy contemporary art.

Piazza di Spagna

The Spanish Steps, located at the bottom of a beautiful square and one of Rome’s best places, was built in 1723 with 12 flights of steps and 137 steps. This site is a favorite among tourists and professional photographers alike.

Rome Gay Saunas

Apollion

It is a small gay sauna open for business every day from 2 pm–11 pm and offers onsite massages.

Adam Sauna

The facilities at this sauna include a bar, lounge zone, jacuzzi, and spa. A pool and steam room are also available to members, along with massages. It’s open seven days per week throughout the year.

Gay Bars in Rome

Coming Out

For first-time travelers, gay bars are one of Rome’s best-known gay hangouts. Guests can enjoy the restaurant’s full menu from lunchtime until late at night. They serve a range of well-priced cocktails and offer a playlist that includes retro and modern pop hits.

Lunch at Coming Out

Colosseum Bar

It has more of a café feel than that of an actual bar. The restaurant is open from early morning until late night, so you don’t have to worry about missing it. Drinks are served in plastic cups; you can take them outside for fresh air.

101 Club

A new LGBT+ bar has opened in the heart of Rome, just steps from the Colosseum. It has a friendly staff and a cozy atmosphere—to get in, you must pay 7€ for a membership card upon entering.

Gay Hotels in Rome

G- Rough

This hotel has a stylish café bar, modern and vintage decor, exposed beam ceilings, and parquet floors—all in an amazing 17th-century building. The suites are equipped with balconies—perfect for enjoying the city’s skyline.

The Independent Hotel

The venue will feature a wine bar, rooftop terrace, and other amenities. This townhouse hotel offers suites with living rooms, sitting areas, and balconies.

iQ Hotel Roma

The facilities of this hotel include a fitness center, a children’s play area, and guest laundry. The dining room’s terrace offers a breathtaking view of the city.

Gay Rome Events You Don’t Want To Miss

Rome Pride

If you’re planning to visit Rome in June, make sure that during your trip, you’ll have time for the annual gay pride festival. Joining thousands of gay, lesbian, trans, and bisexual marchers during Pride week as they walk through the historical city of Rome is an unforgettable experience.

Rome Gay Pride

Pride Week is filled with parties, concerts, films, lectures, and other events. Each year the city of Rome holds a pride parade, in which thousands of people line the streets to watch as participants march by some of Rome’s most remarkable landmarks.

COX Gay Party

The COX parties are well-known circuit parties that alternate between Florence, Rome, and Milan. In Rome, it takes place at a large gay club space and features thousands of LGBTQIA people. The event is a must-do for many Italians, gay and straight alike.

FAQs

Is Rome good for singles?

Is Rome suitable for single or solo travelers? Answer is Yes. For those exploring alone and looking for a place rich in history, art, and delicious food, Rome is an excellent option.

What is the most gay city in Italy?

A lot of people believes that Milan has a bigger and more noticeable gay scene than Rome, which is somewhat hidden due to the influence of the Vatican.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a gay-friendly tour guide on your next trip to Rome, you’ll find that only will they help you explore the must-see attractions in Rome, but they’ll also point out the best restaurants, bars, and clubs.

Roman Gay Tours is proud to offer tours that are LGBT-friendly. These tour guides are knowledgeable and helpful and will show you all the best sights in this fantastic city. Whether traveling with friends or solo, they will ensure you enjoy your time here.

Are you excited about your next adventure in Rome? The Roman Gay Tours can help you plan your next trip!