Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women in Rome
Rome, Italy

Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women

Outty Ranking 82 5.0 · 69 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $32

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September 2026

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Outty Ranking

82/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 69 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women worth booking?

Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women is a 3-hour experience in Rome, Italy, from $32 per person. It scores 82 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional, based on a 5/5 rating across 69 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
82 / 100
Rating
5/5 (69)
Duration
3 hours
From
$32 per person

Welcome, to the most scandalous, jaw-dropping, and utterly fascinating walking tour you never knew you needed! Forget the dry history lectures—this is a tour about the women who made Renaissance Italy sizzle. We will di

What you get

  • Guided tour

About this experience

Welcome, to the most scandalous, jaw-dropping, and utterly fascinating walking tour you never knew you needed! Forget the dry history lectures—this is a tour about the women who made Renaissance Italy sizzle. We will dive deep into the world of Renaissance courtesans, scarlet ladies who played a significant role in the politics of Renaissance Europe. Think of them as muses who inspired some of the greatest artists in history. These women weren’t just beautiful; they were resourceful. You will meet seven unforgettable women, each immortalized in paintings by Caravaggio and Raphael. These weren’t just pretty faces—they were trendsetters, intellectuals, poets, and, in some cases, royal game-changers. Their lives were filled with passion, intrigue, and, of course, a little scandal (okay, a lot of scandal). Expect stories of dangerous ambition and a society that couldn’t decide whether to adore or condemn these women—so naturally, it did both. Trust me, history has never been this juicy.

What's included

Included

  • Guided tour

Not included

  • Snacks

What you'll see and do

  1. Basilica San Marco Evangelista

    The tour begins with a massive statue that in 1477 was named after a famous Courtesan. The statue nowadays is indeed known as "Lady Lucrezia". This XV century woman who lived an incredibly colorful life, is the first story of this storytelling tour

    20 minutes here

  2. Villa Doria Pamphilj

    We make a stop in the courtyard of the Doria Pamphilj, to talk about our second woman named Anna Bianchini, who modeled many times for a famous italian painter known as Caravaggio. Anna was indeed Caravaggio's first model and also the one who modeled for him most of the times

    20 minutes here

  3. Chiesa Di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

    We enter a this magnificent church which is full of important and beautiful artworks and tell we tell the story of the most successful courtesan in all of Europe, back in the early XVI Century

    25 minutes here

  4. Basilica S. Agostino

    Sant'Agostino church is another fantastic site included in this storytelling walking tour. This church is historically related to women, there's so many stories about the women in here and plus, there is the original "Virgin Mary and the Pilgrims" canvas painted by Caravaggio

    20 minutes here

  5. Via dei Coronari

    On this storytelling walking tour, we walk amongst original XVI and XV century building that back in the day, were owned by Courtesans. This is the Best Way to bing the stories to Life, since we are really able to eye-witness what their daily life was really like

    10 minutes here

  6. Campo De' Fiori

    Are you a Borgia Family fan? oh well, you will love the story of Vannozza Cattanei, mother of Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia. Her story is incredible and usually is people's favorite story in all of the tour.

    20 minutes here

  7. Piazza Farnese

    Here in Piazza Farnese, right by the beautiful Palazzo designed by Michelangelo which is the French Embassy today, the tour ends with the sad story of Giulia Farnese. We don't spoil anything but the finale of the tour is really moving...

    20 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Rome

The meeting point for this tour is adjacent to Piazza Venezia. In this piazza, you will see Rome's biggest monument. The locals call it the "Wedding Cake Monument," although its proper name is the "Victorian." Facing it, you will find our meeting point, Basilica San Marco, on your right.

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

The Scarlet Ladies walking tour ends in Piazza Farnese, a very central location adjacent to Campo de' Fiori square and very close to Piazza Navona too. Nearby the ending point of this tour there's a taxi stand, as well as many bus stops.

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
en
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Thu
Group size
Up to 10 travelers per booking
Operated by
Storytelling Rome Tours & Walks

Know before you go

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The itinerary of the tour is 95% accessible to wheelchairs. There's only 2 churches which are hard to get in with a wheelchair but that doesn't manage the content of the tour, since in that case we just tell the story outside of the church

Photos

4 Friends standing by an original XV CenturyCourtesan's homeTwo women holding images of famous Renaissance CourtesansA big group of friends, enjoying the stories of Historical WomenThis young couple of the Scarlet Ladies tour for their honeymoonHearing the story of Giulia Farnese, finale of the Scarlet Ladies tourHaving a lot of fun with the stories of the Borgia Family

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 69 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

Knowledge and storytelling

8 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

The guide

3 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Traveler reviews

69 verified traveler reviews for Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
69
4 star
0
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
0
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ilariapN1309MV · March 2026

Tour Courtesans

Massimo is a guarantee. It's not the first time we've taken a tour with him, but he always manages to entertain and amuse us. This tour on the Courtesans in particular is definitely the most exciting, and you experience Rome through the most beautiful alleys in an atmosphere that takes us back to that era. I highly recommend it; you'll learn a lot and have a blast.

via Tripadvisor

jacunag · January 2026

Fun, informative, engaging.

Massimo is a great tour guide. Very entertaining and knowledgeable of the history of Rome and the city. Recommended 100%!

via Tripadvisor

401desireej · January 2026

One of the Most Interesting Tours I’ve Done in Rome: Renaissance Stories You Won’t Hear Elsewhere

Yesterday I did the Scarles Ladies tour with Massimo! It exceeded all of my expectations! I absolutely loved it. It’s such a refreshing way to experience Rom,e and that says something coming from a local for 10 years now! It focuses on the women behind the art, power, and scandals of the Renaissance rather than the usual historical narrative of the still fabulous sites in Rome. Massimo's storytelling is so engaging and easy to follow that it really brought the women connected to Caravaggio and the Borgias to life in a way that felt human and memorable. Even though I know Rome well, I learned so many new details and saw familiar places from a completely different perspective. The pace was relaxed, the route was beautiful, and time flew by. If you’re looking for something a bit different from the standard Rome tours, but at the same time thoughtful, well-researched, and genuinely interesting, I highly recommend this one. Bravo Massimo, this will certainly not be my last tour with you :)

via Tripadvisor

Mara T · January 2026

Great tour, thank you Massimo!

I live in Rome, but I spent many years in the United States, so I often have friends coming to visit. After exploring the usual tourist attractions like the Colosseum and the Vatican, I used to wonder what else I could show them. Even though I was born and raised in Rome, I thought my city had little more to offer beyond those highlights. Oh, how wrong I was. Through friends, I heard about Massimo’s storytelling walking tours and decided to give one a try. What a mesmerizing experience! Massimo’s tours are thoughtfully crafted, unique, fun, and deeply engaging. He truly brings history to life. The Renaissance Women tour is pure genius. It explores the lives of seven women who lived between the 1400s and the 1600s—many of whom modeled for great artists such as Raphael and Caravaggio. The tour leads you through churches, historic buildings, and both iconic and lesser-known corners of Rome. It felt like being transported back in time. It was a truly wonderful experience, and I highly recommend this tour to anyone. It’s perfect for both first-time visitors and seasoned Rome lovers. Let Massimo take you on a journey and prepare to be amazed by the city of Rome and its extraordinary historical figures—especially the women.

via Tripadvisor

Michelle_E · November 2025

Massimo Brings History Alive

Massimo uses knowledge and humor to share what life was like for women. This was an enjoyable way to learn about aspects of economic reality of the time while seeing sights often overlooked by tourists,

via Viator

Good to know

Duration
3 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
All ages
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Thu
Price range
$32 to $39
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
24
Verdict
Exceptional

Why this scores 82

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)94
Review evidence (18% weight)58
Booking momentum (14% weight)51
Value for money (12% weight)100
Listing quality (10% weight)90
Local standing (8% weight)86
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rome.

How much does Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women cost?

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Prices start at $32 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rome usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women take?

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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rome is not rushed.

Is Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 82 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 69 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Rome, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women?

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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women suitable for kids and families?

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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

How far in advance should I book Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women?

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Around 24 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rome can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rome and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rome within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Rome?

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Rome runs on skip-the-line access. The Colosseum underground, the Vatican before opening, and the catacombs south of the walls all require a licensed operator, and the price gap between the good ones and the rest is smaller than you would expect. We rank by guide credentials, group size and how reliably the promised access actually materialises. On Outty we rank every Rome experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Rome Pasta and Tiramisu Class: Ravioli, Fettuccine & Fine Wine 5*, Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome, Rome: Pizza & Tiramisu or Gelato Class with Flowing Fine Wine 5*. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Rome?

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April, May, September and October. August is hot and half the city is shut. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Rome?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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