Rome is La Città Eterna, the most visited city in all of Italy, and known for many, many things. From historical buildings to mouthwatering food, fascinating (with a side of gory) history… But you probably know all of that already, if you’re planning a trip there!
Did you know, however, that you can also enjoy delightful boat excursions in the city? This is probably one of the most underrated, lesser-known activities in Rome, but one I highly recommend adding to your itinerary.
A boat tour will allow you to glide along the Tiber River, the waterway where gladiators and emperors once sailed, cruising past magnificent landmarks, such as Castel Sant’Angelo, and learning about the city from a completely new perspective.
If you feel daring, you can even sail into the open sea, all from the landlocked capital of Italy. How cool is that?
In this post, I have selected the top Rome boat tours to help you choose the right excursion for you, knowing they’re all top-notch activities, led by professionals, and highly-rated by other travelers. Read on, and take your pick!
Why should you trust me? I’m Italian, born and raised in the city of Bologna. I’ve had the chance to travel around Italy extensively, and I’ve strolled the streets of the Eternal City more times than I care to count!
Besides having first-hand knowledge about the city, I’ve been curating travel guides and tour lists for ten years now. I know exactly what makes a tour worthwhile, and those are the only ones you’ll find in my articles.
I generally use Viator and Get Your Guide to book activities around the world. I especially recommend them for their fantastic cancellation policy. If your travel plans change, you can cancel most tours up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
In a rush? These are the top tours:
| THE BEST TOUR | Rome Squares Tour & River Boat Hop On Hop Off |
| RAFTING TOUR | Urban Rafting Tour with Roman Pizza |
| AMALFI COAST TOUR | Boat-Hopping On The Amalfi Coast |
| CAPRI BOAT TRIP | Capri Island Boat Tour from Rome |
OUR PICK: The Best Boat Tour in Rome
Sail peacefully in the Eternal City on this Rome Squares and Fountains Tour & River Boat Hop On Hop Off.
The experience combines a scenic cruise along the Tiber River, sailing past some iconic attractions, and a walking tour of Rome that allows you to get closer to its main landmarks and learn about the city’s history and culture from a local.
The walking tour will take you around the historic city, checking out the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, the Fountain of the Four Rivers, and Ponte Sant’Angelo. Your guide, an expert in art, history, and archaeology, will provide very interesting insights about each location, and be able to answer all your questions.
The tour ends in Ponte Sant’Angelo, where you can board the hop-on hop-off boat, to which you’ll have access for 24 hours from the first use. Relax as you enjoy the panoramic cruise, sailing past the locations you now know the stories for.
Why is this the best tour? I can’t imagine a better way of exploring the city than on land and on water! You’ll learn about the history of Rome while checking out its most important monuments, which is also a great way to explore the city for first-time visitors, and then get to sail along the famous river while soaking up the views of a city you’re now better acquainted with. It’s a super complete experience!
Read what the reviews say:
“Perfect!! Our guide, Sabrina, was amazing! She was so knowledgeable with lots of details about what we viewed. Definitely my favorite tour in Rome!! The boat trip was a nice extra.”
Kelly – Read more reviews
This tour includes: A guided walking tour and a 24-hour valid hop-on hop-off boat access. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Sightseeing Boat Tours in Rome
▶️ Catch a breezy ride with the Rome River Cruise, a hop-on, hop-off boat ride. With your 24-hour ticket, freedom’s just a step away – jump on and off wherever you fancy, getting to explore the city at your own pace.
You can pick from four docks, which include popular spots like Isla Tiberina and Piazza del Popolo, and travel from 10 AM to 6.30 PM.
While onboard, feast your eyes on Rome’s stunners like Castel Sant’Angelo and Mausoleum of Augustus from the boat’s deck. An English audio guide is included.
This tour includes: Hop-on hop-off boat tickets, and an audio guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Rome: Food Tasting and Wine Pairing & Tiber River Boat Ride offers you a 24-hour ticket for a hop-on hop-off river cruise.
You’ll start the experience in Rome’s Trastevere district. Visit a cellar, and indulge in an exquisite food and wine-tasting session at a 1st-century Roman Cistern. You’ll savor delectable dishes such as focaccia and buffalo mozzarella, and learn how to perfectly pair food with fine wines.
Then, relax on a river cruise as you glide past major landmarks for an hour, or choose to hop off in different areas of the city to explore.
This tour includes: A 24-hour cruise ticket, and a guided food and wine tasting. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Urban Rafting Tour in Rome
Set sail from the heart of the city with this Rome: Tiber River Urban Rafting Tour with Roman Pizza. Enjoy a unique water rafting journey all the way to Trastevere, passing by landmarks such as Tiber Island and Castel Sant’Angelo.
Tackle the rapids near Ponte Garibaldi, and wrap up the adventure with a slice of authentic Roman pizza by Ponte Palatino. It’s the only rafting tour that will take you from the thrill of the water rapids to a relaxing pizza lunch by the river.
This tour includes: A water rafting trip, a guide, all equipment, and pizza. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Ponza Day Trip from Rome by Boat
Ditch the city’s buzz for utter bliss on this Ponza Island Day Trip with Boat Excursion From Rome. You’ll spend a day sailing in blue waters, diving into gorgeous grottoes, and lounging on sun-kissed decks.
Your adventure begins with a scenic ferry ride toward Ponza Island. Once there, you’ll board a stylish vessel and sail around the island, enjoying swimming spots and visits to natural formations.
You’ll hear the legends that surround Ponza from your captain, including stories of the grotto of Circe, where the sorceress from Homer’s The Odyssey lived.
On the boat’s deck you’ll be served a mariner’s pasta for lunch, paired with wine and beverages, and then spend some time strolling the island’s quaint alleys.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transfers, a boat tour, a captain, lunch, and drinks. Optional snorkel masks can be included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour from Rome
This Boat-Hopping On The Amalfi Coast: Day Trip from Rome takes you from the heart of the city to the sparkling coastline.
After a train ride to Salerno, catch a ferry and sail the azure waves to explore the picturesque towns of Positano and Amalfi.
There, stylish boutiques and quaint shops await, as well as drool-worthy cuisine. Learn about the lemon harvesting of the area, taste the typical limoncello, and enjoy a guided tour around the towns’ landmarks.
Bask in the charm of the seaside with a swim in the sea or a sunbathing session, and relish the local fare for lunch (own expense).
This tour includes: Transfers, ferry rides, limoncello tasting and demonstration, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Capri Boat Tours from Rome
▶️ Ever dreamed of visiting Italy’s most fashionable island? This Capri Island Boat Tour from Rome by Train offers you the chance to do it. You’ll take a speed train to Naples, and then cruise along the dreamy Sorrento coast before setting sail to Capri.
You’ll pass by the mystical white and green grottoes, and tour around the iconic Faraglionin rock formations. Swim in the crystal-clear waters and bask under the sun before it’s time to disembark on the island.
Enjoy 3 to 5 hours in Capri to explore at your leisure, and then hop back onboard and sail back to the mainland. Snacks and alcoholic drinks are included. The tour is capped at 12 people for a personalized experience.
This tour includes: Transfers, a boat tour, a skipper, drinks, and snacks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Kickstart a luxury adventure on this Capri Private Day Tour with Private Island boat tour from Rome. Skip the hassle of planning and booking transfers, and let the experts do it for you and your group of 7.
You’ll get to explore the most iconic highlights of Capri, with tickets to the Gardens of Augustus and the chairlift to Mount Solaro included.
Check out the towns of Capri and Anacapri, and embark on a wooden boat tour to the iconic Blue Grotto.
Hassle-free transportation around the island is also covered for, so all you need to do is enjoy. You’ll return to Rome in a luxury car at the end of the day.
This tour includes: All transfers, a boat trip, entrance tickets, an escort, and transportation on the island. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
