AR city guide for Rome and Herculaneum
Experience ancient Rome and Herculaneum like never before with Portyl, the most innovative Augmented Reality application available.
Ever wondered how the iconic landmarks of Rome looked centuries or even millennia ago? Portyl is your time machine—an innovative Augmented Reality application that allows you to see historical sites as they appeared long before our existence. Witness the Colosseum in its full ancient glory, the Pantheon before modern restoration, or the Roman Forum as it stood during the height of the Empire.
With Portyl, you can explore historical sites from anywhere—at home on your couch, while visiting the actual locations, or during any tour you book through What About Tours. Simply point your smartphone at a landmark (or its location on a map), and watch as detailed 3D reconstructions overlay the real world or appear before you, bringing history to life with remarkable accuracy.
Portyl enhances any experience. Want to prepare for your Rome visit? Explore the Colosseum from home. Already in Rome? Use it at the actual site to see layers of history. On a guided tour with us? Use Portyl as the perfect companion to understand how these magnificent ruins once looked in their prime.
Smartphone AR
No VR headsets needed, just your phone.
Family friendly
Suitable for all ages and abilities.
Private tours
Customizable itineraries for your group.
17 languages
Full audio narration and text in 17 languages.
Why Portyl AR over VR?
Unlike Virtual Reality headsets, Portyl keeps you in the real place, shares the experience with the people next to you and suits all ages.
Real-world integration
AR overlays sit on actual Roman landmarks, not in a virtual environment. You see the real Colosseum with ancient reconstructions superimposed.
A shared experience
Everyone with you can see the same AR content while staying connected to the real world.
No heavy equipment
Just your smartphone. No bulky headsets or controllers, and it stays comfortable for hours.
GPS navigation
Walk real streets safely while using AR, and find your way outdoors without losing the route.
A side-by-side look at AR over the present-day location
Enhance your experience at home, on-site, or on our tours
At home
Explore Rome's landmarks before you arrive. Good for planning, and for building anticipation.
At the site
See historical layers over the real location. Watch the Colosseum change through time with just your phone.
On our tours
While our guides tell the stories, Portyl shows how these places once looked.
Rome at home
Available AR locations in Rome
- Lango di Torre Argentina
- Temple of Hadrian
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Forum of Trajan
- Colosseum District
- Theater of Marcellus
- Circus Maximus
Herculaneum at home
Available AR locations in Herculaneum
- Grand Tavern
- Pergola
- Shore View
- Entrance View
- Sacred Area
More AR experiences are coming soon from other countries: USA, Mexico, Germany, UK, Turkey, Peru, France, Romania, Greece, Czech Republic, Austria, Poland.
App screenshots
A closer look at the Portyl interface
Download Portyl for free
Explore ancient Rome and Herculaneum in Augmented Reality. Available for iOS and Android, with in-app purchases.
Scan to download