3h 30m
Guided in English
Private tour
Mobile ticket

Highlights

This private tour offers a well-paced exploration of Milan's rich Roman history, giving you time at each stop to absorb the significance of each landmark. With three and a half hours dedicated to the tour, you'll engage with Milan’s evolution from its Roman roots to its present-day significance. At each site, you’ll have the chance to explore, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of how these landmarks shaped the city’s identity. Whether you're admiring the remnants of the Circus or standing at the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, each stop offers a mix of historical context and personal reflection. The pacing ensures you won’t feel rushed, allowing you to appreciate the grandeur of these sites and Milan’s fascinating past. By the end of the tour, you’ll have gained a comprehensive understanding of Milan’s ancient heritage, leaving with lasting memories of the city’s remarkable Roman legacy.

Inclusions

What's included

Admission Ticket
Private Walking Tour
Expert Local Guide

What's not

Gratuities

Itinerary

The Circus ruins, located near the city center, are a fascinating starting point for the tour. Visitors typically spend around 20-25 minutes here, taking in the remnants of the grand arena that once hosted chariot races. The site is open-air, so visitors can freely explore the ancient foundations and learn about the Circus's historical significance. Informative plaques and exhibits on-site provide essential context about the role of this structure in Roman Milan. The time spent here allows you to reflect on how crucial public spectacles like chariot races were for Roman culture.
20 min
The Imperial Palace ruins offer a deeper look into the Roman administrative and political heart of Milan. Here, you'll spend approximately 30 minutes, where you can explore the remnants of the palace's walls, courtyards, and baths. Although much of the original structure is lost, the foundations, combined with informative plaques, help visitors imagine the grandeur of the palace and its role in the governance of the Western Roman Empire. You’ll have the chance to reflect on how this site once housed emperors and their courts, providing a significant insight into ancient Milan.
25 min
Porta Ticinese is one of the most iconic ancient gates of Milan, dating back to the 1st century BC. You'll spend about 20-25 minutes at this significant historical monument. The gate served as an entrance to the city and remains a tangible connection to Milan's Roman past. Visitors can stand at the base of the gate and admire its structure, reflecting on its importance in the context of Roman military and trade activities. The surrounding area also offers an opportunity to explore Milan’s modern vibrancy, providing a striking contrast with the ancient past.
20 min
The Basilica di San Lorenzo, built on the site of a Roman structure, is one of Milan's most beautiful and historically significant churches. Visitors typically spend around 30-40 minutes here. The church features remarkable Roman columns, which are the main attraction for those interested in ancient Milan. You can explore the basilica’s interior, with its early Christian mosaics and frescoes, while also reflecting on the evolution of Milan from Roman paganism to Christianity. The time spent here allows for a deeper appreciation of the architectural and religious significance of the site.
30 min
The Archaeological Museum is the final stop on the tour and an essential place for understanding Milan's Roman and medieval past. You’ll typically spend 45-50 minutes here, allowing you time to explore the extensive collection of Roman artifacts, including statues, pottery, and inscriptions. The museum’s exhibits offer a detailed overview of Milan’s history, providing context to the sites you’ve visited earlier. The museum’s highlights include a series of Roman statues, and its collection of everyday items from ancient Milan allows for a unique insight into life during the Roman Empire. Visitors also have the chance to see medieval artifacts, which help to complete the historical narrative.
45 minAdmission included

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Know before you go

Meeting point: meet your guide in front of Camparino Cafè in Galleria, Piazza Duomo
Pickup: Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
Ticket type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operated by: Archeo Tours

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

How it compares in Milan

Its from-price is 74% above the median of the 1339 experiences we list in Milan.
Its length is typical for the group.

About Milan

Milan is Italy's stylish northern powerhouse of fashion and design, with a soaring Gothic cathedral, Leonardo's Last Supper and canal-side evenings.

The Duomo, a forest of white marble spires and statues that took centuries to complete, dominates the city centre, and its roof terraces put you among the pinnacles. Beside it, the glass-roofed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II leads to La Scala opera house, and the Sforza Castle holds museums including Michelangelo's final sculpture, the Rondanini Pietà.

Top-ranked sights in Milan: Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), Da Vinci's Last Supper (Il Cenacolo), La Scala (Teatro alla Scala).

See all 1339 experiences in Milan