5 Wonderful Wheelchair Accessible Activities to Enjoy in the City of Rome

Rome. The Eternal City. A sprawling cosmopolitan city scape that effortlessly blends the old with the new. One moment you’re thrown back into the arms of the past, courtesy of the ruins of the colossal Roman Empire and the next you’re enjoying the buzz and exhilaration of one of the most populated cities in Europe. 

As a city with over 3,000 years of history under its belt, positively bursting with culture and influential art, you’d be forgiven if you assumed that this ancient city wasn’t exactly wheelchair friendly. But Rome is a city that’s full of surprises; with many of its most famous attractions and activities easily accessed – especially ones that are over 2,000 years old! Read on for my top 5 wheelchair accessible activities to enjoy when you visit Rome. 

The opera

Opera originated at the end of the 16th Century, with its birthplace firmly recognised as Italy. Therefore, experiencing an opera concert in Rome is an absolute must. Do a little research and you’ll find that many of the famous opera houses in Rome are wheelchair accessible and also provide room for our travel companions. Head online to pre-book the latest tickets and find relevant show information!

The Colosseum

Dating back to 70AD, the Colosseum is a remarkable structure that symbolises the power and even barbarity of the Roman Empire. Despite its impressive age this ancient building is accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities. Whether you prefer to view it from the outside, or head inside the Colosseum itself, it’s difficult not to feel awed by this incredible feat of engineering and of course wonder at the tournaments that once took place there. Wheelchair users are often given the opportunity to skip long lines and if you’re visiting from Europe then admission is usually free too.

The Vatican City

Of course The Vatican is actually it’s own City State, however, no trip to Rome should be complete without heading to the HQ of the Roman Catholic Church. Home of course to the Pope, stunning and world renown architecture as well as the beautiful Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and St Peter’s Square. All of which are wheelchair accessible, so you won’t miss a single thing. 

The Pantheon

Again, another incredible feat of Roman construction. This temple was once a dedication to various Roman Gods, however once Christianity was adopted here those relics were removed and replaced with Christian ones. This beautiful building has an accessible ramp and is completely flat inside, allowing you to enjoy the architecture and the history uninterrupted. 

Try some authentic Italian cuisine!

You can’t possibly head to Italy without sampling a slice of the world’s favourite dish. They say that pizza originated from Naples, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do! As far as eateries and pizzerias are concerned, you’ll be completely spoilt for choice – the hardest part is choosing what topping you want to try first! You might even discover a new favourite!