Ancient Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Murders & Imperial Blood
At a glance
Ancient Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Murders & Imperial Blood is a 2h small-group experience in Rome, Italy, operated by Dark Side City Tours. Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 25 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $22.91 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Expert English-speaking storyteller guide, Small group experience (max 15 guests) for a more personal atmosphere, Guided 2-hour walking tour of Ancient Rome’s dark history and ghost stories.
Highlights
- Small group of up to 15 people for a more personal experience
- Free cancellation for flexible planning
- 8 stops in one well-planned itinerary
Quick facts
- Duration
- 2h
- Group
- Small group, up to 15 travellers
- Languages
- English
- Pickup
- Meet at the start point
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (see policy)
Overview
Uncover the darker side of Ancient Rome on this ghost-filled walking tour through the city’s bloodstained past.
From the assassination of Julius Caesar to haunted imperial palaces and cursed streets, you’ll explore the stories history books prefer to forget.
Hear of emperors murdered by their own guards, empresses executed in scandal, and traitors left to rot on the Gemonian Steps.
Walk through the old Suburra — once home to brothels and riots — and end with a chilling view of the Colosseum, where death became public entertainment.
Led by expert storytellers, this tour blends real history with eerie legends from Roman writers and ancient accounts. It’s not about costumes or gimmicks — just strange tales, violent ends, and the lingering presence of the past.
If you’re looking for a Rome ghost tour that’s smart, spooky, and steeped in truth, this is it.
What's included
What's included
- Expert English-speaking storyteller guide
- Small group experience (max 15 guests) for a more personal atmosphere
- Guided 2-hour walking tour of Ancient Rome’s dark history and ghost stories
Not included
- Entry to archaeological sites or museums (the tour takes place outdoors)
- A stop will be made for optional snacks and drinks
- Optional
Itinerary
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Stop 1 · 10m
Stand above the very site where Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE. Hear the story of his brutal murder, the chaos that followed, and the chilling legends of his ghost returning to haunt the men who betrayed him.
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Stop 2 · 10m
View the ruins of Rome’s oldest surviving theatre and learn about Livia, the empress accused of eliminating rivals — including her own stepson — to secure the throne for her son. Discover how imperial ambition may have been laced with poison.
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Stop 3 · 10m
Look out over the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, once home to emperors like Caligula. Hear how his descent into madness ended in assassination — and how his ghost was said to haunt the palace halls long after his death.
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Stop 4 · 10m
Stand beside the infamous steps where traitors and enemies of the state were executed and left to rot. Visit the entrance to the Tullianum prison, where powerful prisoners were strangled underground and denied a proper burial.
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Stop 5 · 10m
Walk through the area of Domitian’s forum and hear how he tried to escape a prophecy about his death — only to be murdered at the predicted hour. Discover how his name was erased from history and his ghost feared by the servants who survived him.
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Stop 6 · 15m
Enter what was once Rome’s seediest district, the Suburra. Hear the scandalous story of Messalina, the emperor’s wife who allegedly walked these streets at night — and whose ghost is still said to linger in the shadows.
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Stop 7 · 10m
Visit the staircase near the ancient Vicus Sceleratus, where a Roman princess drove her chariot over her murdered father’s body. Learn how the Romans believed acts of violence could curse entire streets.
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Stop 8 · 10m
Finish the tour with a dramatic view over the Colosseum. Hear how this arena was built from conquest, filled with blood, and possibly haunted by the countless gladiators and prisoners denied burial and peace.
Meeting point
Please meet your guide at the Largo Di Torre Argentina. They will be waiting in front of “L'Antica Enoteca”, holding a sign saying "Ancient Rome's Dark Side"
PLEASE ARRIVE 10 MINUTES BEFORE TOUR START TIME - WE CANNOT GUARANTEE WAITING FOR LATE ARRIVALS
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Ancient Rome's Dark Side: Ghosts, Murders & Imperial Blood take?
The experience lasts about 2h.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $22.91 per person. The final price depends on the date, time and number of travellers, and is confirmed on Viator before you pay.
What's included?
Expert English-speaking storyteller guide; Small group experience (max 15 guests) for a more personal atmosphere; Guided 2-hour walking tour of Ancient Rome’s dark history and ghost stories.
Where does it start?
Please meet your guide at the Largo Di Torre Argentina. They will be waiting in front of “L'Antica Enoteca”, holding a sign saying "Ancient Rome's Dark Side" PLEASE ARRIVE 10 MINUTES BEFORE TOUR START TIME - WE CANNOT GUARANTEE WAITING FOR LATE ARRIVALS
Can I cancel?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is guided in English.
Is it worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 25 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, which places it among the top-rated experiences in Rome.
