Is a private tour guide the best way to go? I have been quoted 200 euros for 4.

Good grief. The Jewish Ghetto is really very small. I mean, very very small. As far as I know, the only kind of tour you can take of the synagogue is a tour conducted by the synagogue, I doubt it is overcrowded.

A good guide book and/or internet research should be sufficient I would think.

Or send one in your party on the tour for 50 euros, and then can come back and repeat it to the other 3.

Yep, I gotta agree. Having spent time in the area on several trips, I can't imagine that you could get 200 Euros worth out of a tour.

I actually went through the ghetto with a tour guide once, during my daughter's school trip, and we were in and out in an hour. Now that was part of a full day tour in that part of Rome, but a couple of hours will suffice, I think.

You can do the research or possibly hire someone for less. I am pretty sure that you need not spend so much.

I spent a lovely afternoon stolling through the ghetto in Rome with my guidebook ....visiting shops and galleries, and ended my stroll at Galleria Spada to see the paintings of Artemisia Gentileschi and others. I can't imagine it being more enjoyable with a guide. It is a magical area.

Hi debmc, if you don't know you don't know, right? But I agree, you will not need to spend money for a guide. Do enjoy this special section of Rome.

Good food, by the way. Definetly plan to have a meal while you there. Do not miss the Carciofi Giudea (sp?). These fried artichokes are, in a word, sublime.

Go in the evening and dine there. Piperno is of course the most famous ghetto/ Jewish restaurant but there are many others -- we enjoyed Da Giggetto.

I enjoy Da Giggetto too and find the adjacent ruin of the Portico d'Ottavia marvelous, and especially magical at night.

Been there several times. Do not need tour guide. Go to synogogue and they will give you tour for about 10E.

As another post states, the ghetto is very small, several nice places to eat and fun to see.

Context Rome has a (small)group walk that combines the Ghetto with Trastevere.It includes time in the Synagogue.

We took this tour a few years ago and were pleased with the introduction/overview it offered; price is quite moderate. You might use it to get overall flavor before doing some exploring on your own.

http://www.enjoyrome.com/walking/jewish.html

Al Pompiere is a great place for some tradiditonal Roman dishes.

I've had good meals at both Al Pompiere and Da Gigetto. Great views around the latter.

Thank you all for the information. WE leave for Rome tomorrow and are very excited!!