Private Tour of Castel Sant’Angelo

Explore the mighty and historic edifice that is the Castel St Angelo, with your expert English-speaking private guide. This unique round fortress was built in the 2nd Century AD to be the epic funeral monument for the Emperor Hadrian. Centuries later in the middle ages, it was fortified to become a Papal castle and refuge, and a prison. Walk in the footsteps of popes and prisoners through the haunting corridors and chambers of this ancient castle. Atop the ramparts, admire the stunning views of Rome and the colossal statue of the Angel, sheathing its sword as protector of the city.

• Experience a private tour with an expert English-speaking guide
• Skip-the-line admission to Castel Sant'Angelo (valued at €16) is included in the tour
• Explore the mausoleum of Hadrian, the Papal apartments and torture chambers
• Hear about the popes who lived in the castle & the prisoners in the dungeons
• Climb to the top of the castle for breathtaking panoramic views of Rome

On this private guided tour, you will meet your expert, English-speaking guide in front of the entrance to the Castel Sant’ Angelo, at the end of Bernini’s famous Bridge of Angels. The magnificent castle with the angel is one of Rome’s most recognizable buildings, and like the city itself has a multi-layered history. 

Enjoy skip the line entrance tickets, and begin by exploring the life and mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian who reigned from 117-138 AD. Enter the Treasury Room deep inside the castle, where it is believed his ashes were originally placed, before the sacking of Rome by the Visigoths in the 5th century. 

Wander up the wide ramp that winds its way through the castle, and visit the frescoed Papal Apartments. Walking in their footsteps, hear about the lives of the popes and cardinals who lived here, like the Borgia, and those who sought refuge in times of crisis like Clement VII in 1527 during the Sack of Rome. 

Stand in the haunting torture chambers and the inner courtyard, the site of innumerable executions, and hear about the less fortunate visitors to the castle: those who were held prisoner and put to death, like the heretic academic Giordano Bruno and the magician Cagliostro. 

You will see the famous Passeto Secreto, a passageway that connects the castle with the Vatican, that inspired Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons, and the courtyard that inspired Puccini’s opera Tosca.

Finally, you will emerge triumphant onto the Belvedere Terrace. Standing on the castle ramparts beneath the enormous bronze statue of Archangel Michael, enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Rome’s epic skyline. 

• Skip the line tickets to the Castel Sant' Angelo
• Castel Sant' Angelo entry valued at €16, included
• Fully guided visit inside
• Hadrian’s tomb & Torture chamber
• Treasury Hall & Borgia Courtyard of the theatre
• Belvedere terrace with panoramic views
• Courtyard of the Shooting
• Chapel of the Condemned
• Papal apartments

When you book a LivTours Private Tour or Experience, you are guaranteed a dedicated, expert guide that allows you the flexibility to start your tour at a time which is convenient for you, making planning easy. Our private tours ensure that you will get a tailored experience to meet all your needs so we go at your pace, perfect for families with younger children, elderly, or individuals with accessibility needs. Please be advised that all private tours begin at a base price starting at two people*. Prices are inclusive of entry tickets where applicable. *Some Ferrari private experiences are inclusive of one person only.

Make your experience even more unique by upgrading your LivTours experience. Please note: add-ons are non refundable.

By selecting Choose Dates Later / Buy as Gift at booking, any tour can be purchased without fixed dates. This is the perfect option if you want to purchase your tour as a gift for a loved one, or if you are in the pre-planning phase of your vacation. After booking, you will receive a Travel Voucher Code and full instructions on how to schedule your tours when ready. Once your travel plans are confirmed, you can easily use the Travel Voucher Code on the LivTours website to formally schedule your tours. You can find out more here.