famous tourist spot in rome

23 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Rome

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

In a city so filled with icons of antiquity and the Christian faith, it's hard to know where to go first. Of course, your own interests will govern your choices, but there are certain sites that are almost obligatory landmarks of Italy and top attractions in the world , such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon.

A word of caution: try to vary your experiences as you explore Rome, so that you don't visit too many ancient sites or churches in a row. And intersperse these more serious attractions with a few that are simply tourist icons: the Spanish Steps and that place all tourists must go to toss in their coin, the Trevi Fountain.

Rome is so big that it can overwhelm you, so even the most devoted sightseer needs to take some time to kick back and enjoy la dolce vita in a park or sidewalk café.

You'll be able to choose the best places to visit with this handy list of the top attractions in Rome.

1. The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine

2. vatican city, 3. the pantheon, 4. roman forum, 5. trevi fountain, 6. vittorio emanuele ii monument, 7. centro storico & the spanish steps, 8. via del corso, rome's shopping street, 9. santa maria maggiore, 10. piazza navona, 11. piazza del popolo & santa maria del popolo, 12. palatine hill, 13. villa borghese gallery and gardens, 14. castel sant'angelo national museum, 15. trastevere, 16. capitoline museum, 17. baths of caracalla, 18. san giovanni in laterano (basilica of st. john lateran), 19. the catacombs and via appia antica (appian way), 20. palazzo doria pamphilj, 21. basilica of san clemente, 22. domus aurea: nero's golden house, 23. terme di diocleziano (baths of diocletian national museum), where to stay in rome for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to rome, rome, italy - climate chart, more things to see and do in rome.

As the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, the silhouette of the Flavian Amphitheatre is to Rome. The largest structure left to us by Roman antiquity , the Colosseum still provides the model for sports arenas - present-day football stadium design is clearly based on this oval Roman plan.

The building was begun by Vespasian in AD 72, and after his son Titus enlarged it by adding the fourth story, it was inaugurated in the year AD 80 with a series of splendid games. The Colosseum was large enough for theatrical performances, festivals, circuses, or games, which the Imperial Court and high officials watched from the lowest level, aristocratic Roman families on the second, the populace on the third and fourth.

Beside the Colosseum stands the Arch of Constantine , a triumphal arch erected by the Senate to honor the emperor as "liberator of the city and bringer of peace" after his victory in the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312.

Lines are long and move slowly, so you can save time by joining the Skip the Line: Ancient Rome and Colosseum Half-Day Walking Tour and have a knowledgeable guide, as well.

Author's Tip: For an unforgettable experience, especially in the heat of mid-summer, visit the Colosseum on a special night tour. Not only is it cooler then, but the monument is magical with its interior bathed in golden light.

• Read More: Visiting the Colosseum: Highlights, Tips & Tours

The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world , with an area of less than half a square kilometer, most of it enclosed by the Vatican walls.

Inside are the Vatican palace and gardens, St. Peter's Basilica , and St. Peter's Square , an area ruled by the Pope, supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church. This compact space offers a lot of things to see, between its museums and the great basilica itself.

Inside St. Peter's Basilica is Michelangelo's masterpiece, Pieta , along with statuary and altars by Bernini and others.

The unquestioned highlight of the Vatican museums is the Sistine Chapel , whose magnificent frescoed ceiling is Michelangelo's most famous work.

In the Vatican Palace are the Raphael Rooms ; the Borgia Apartments ; the Vatican Library , and a number of museums that include the Picture Gallery, Museum of Secular Art, Etruscan Museum, and others. The collections you can see in these cover everything from papal coaches to 20th-century art reflecting religious themes.

Ticket lines for the Vatican's attractions are incredibly long, and you can spend several hours waiting in line. To save time, purchase a Skip the Line: Vatican Museums with St. Peter's, Sistine Chapel, and Small-Group Upgrade tour in advance. This three-hour tour allows you to bypass the long lines and walk straight into the museums with a knowledgeable guide. Headsets are provided, and you can choose from several different departure times or upgrade to an evening or small-group tour.

The Pantheon - the best-preserved monument of Roman antiquity - is remarkably intact for its 2000 years. This is despite the fact that Pope Gregory III removed the gilded bronze roof tiles, and Pope Urban VIII ordered its bronze roof stripped and melted down to cast the canopy over the altar in St. Peter's and cannons for Castel Sant'Angelo.

The Pantheon was rebuilt after damage by fire in AD 80, and the resulting brickwork shows the extraordinarily high technical mastery of Roman builders. Its 43-meter dome, the supreme achievement of Roman interior architecture , hangs suspended without visible supports – these are well hidden inside the walls – and its nine-meter central opening is the building's only light source.

The harmonious effect of the interior is a result of its proportions: the height is the same as the diameter.

Although the first Christian emperors forbade using this pagan temple for worship, in 609 Pope Boniface IV dedicated it to the Virgin and all the Christian martyrs, and since then, it has become the burial place of Italian kings (Victor Emmanuel II is in the second niche on the right) and other famous Italians, including the painter, Raphael.

Author's Tip: If you visit the Pantheon on a rainy day, be careful of the floor in the center. There is no umbrella over the hole in the roof, and the floor can get very slippery when wet.

• Read More: Visiting the Pantheon in Rome: Highlights, Tips & Tours

Walking through the forum, now in the middle of a throbbing modern city, is like stepping back two millennia into the heart of ancient Rome. Although what survives of this center of Roman life and government shows only a small fraction of its original splendor, the standing and fallen columns, its triumphal arches, and the remains of its walls still impress, especially when you consider that for centuries, the history of the Forum was the history of the Roman Empire and of the Western world.

Roman political and religious life was centered here, along with the courts, markets, and meeting places. After the seventh century, the buildings fell into ruin, and churches and fortresses were built amid the ancient remains. Its stones were quarried for other buildings and it was not until the 18th and 19th centuries that systematic excavations brought the ancient buildings to light from under a 10-meter layer of earth and rubble.

Highlights of the Roman Forum are the Temple of Antoninus Pius, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Septimus Severus, the Curia, the Temple of Vesta, and the Arch of Titus.

Tip for Parents: If you're traveling in Rome with children, unless they are fascinated by the Romans, the Forum might be a place best seen from above, instead of by walking through its five acres of largely ruined buildings. It is one of Rome's most popular and important tourist attractions, but it's a lot for kids to take in and it doesn't have the lure of the Colosseum's tales of lions and gladiators.

One of the city's most popular tourist attractions, this 17th-century masterpiece has been immortalized in films until it is almost a required visit. Throwing a coin (not three) into the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is a tradition that is supposed to assure your return to Rome.

Rome's largest fountain, Fontana di Trevi is supplied by an aqueduct originally constructed by Agrippa, the great art patron of the first century BC, to bring water to his baths. The fountain was created for Pope Clement XII between 1732 and 1751 by Nicolò Salvi, and built against the rear wall of the palace of the Dukes of Poli.

It depicts the sea god Oceanus (Neptune), with horses, tritons, and shells. The water swirls around the figures and the artificial rocks and collects in a large basin, always filled with coins.

What happens to all that money? Twice a year it is gathered using long-handled brushes, and donated to Caritas, Rome's Catholic charity.

It's ironic that this grandiose monument, considered one of the national symbols of Italy, is rarely admired by Romans, who liken it to a wedding cake or a giant typewriter. Like it or not, the vast neo-classical structure crowns Capitoline Hill, the symbolic center of ancient Rome, overlooking the later city across Piazza Venezia.

Built between 1885 and 1935, it is a monument to King Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of the unified Italy, represented here in an equestrian statue. Italy's tomb of the unknown soldier is here, along with a museum of the Italian unification. A lift will take you to the topmost terrace for 360-degree views of Rome.

Address: Piazza Venezia, Rome

Take a look at a Rome tourist map, and you'll see one area so filled with things to do that it's hard to read the street names. This is the Centro Storico, the historic center of Rome , with so many art-filled churches, resplendent palaces, and lively squares that you could spend your whole vacation strolling its ancient streets and lanes.

Spend some time just to absorb the neighborhood's atmosphere instead of going from one of its must-see sights to the next. Along with Piazza Navona , the Trevi Fountain , and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore , stop in less well-known churches, such as Santa Maria del Popolo, where you'll find works by Bernini and Caravaggio.

Pause at the Spanish Steps, the flight of irregular stairs and landings that lead up to the French church of Trinità dei Monti. The stairs take their name from Piazza di Spagna , the plaza at their base and one of Rome's most typical squares. The stairs have long been a favorite haunt of tourists.

You can no longer channel your inner Audrey Hepburn and eat gelato on the steps as she did in Roman Holiday . Sitting or eating on the steps is banned to protect them after a complete cleaning and restoration, and the ban is enforced.

The boat-shaped fountain at the foot of the Spanish Steps is known as the Barcaccia and was created by Pietro Bernini, father of the great Baroque architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Via Condotti , leading southwest from Piazza di Spagna, is Rome's most fashionable shopping street , where the Caffè Greco is famous for the artists, writers, and musicians who have frequented it.

Address: Piazza di Spagna, Rome

Marking a straight line from Piazza the Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo, Via del Corso is Rome's Main Street . Lined with shops and places to eat, and a few palaces housing art museums, including the magnificent Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. Work is underway to restore and re-design the century-old landmark Alberto Sordi Gallery, which will reopen as Agorà, with fewer shops and more public space for arts and entertainment.

While the shops are mostly name brands, you'll find some designer boutiques here and on the radiating side streets. Not all of Italy's fashion comes from Milan's catwalks, and fashionistas will find more high-end boutiques and prestigious names on streets around Piazza di Spagna, especially Via Venizia and Via dei Condotti .

Between Piazza del Popolo, at the end of Via del Corso, and Piazza di Spagna, look for antique shops and art galleries on Via del Babuino . To mix charm and cinema history with shopping, and find small shops and galleries on the parallel Via Margutta .

Note to Movie Fans: Federico Fellini lived on Via Margutta and Gregory Peck's apartment scenes in Roman Holiday were filmed at No. 51.

One of the most majestic of the churches in Rome , Santa Maria Maggiore has stood here since the fourth-century Pope Liberius had a vision of the Virgin directing him to build a church where snow fell the following day. Although it was August, snow did fall on the Esquiline hill the next morning, so here the great basilica was built.

Mass has been celebrated here every day since the fifth century. The three aisles of its 86-meter-long interior are separated by 40 columns of marble and four of granite, and the apse added in the 13th century is lined with mosaics of Old and New Testament themes, masterpieces of Rome's famous mosaic artists.

Rome's oldest mosaics, as old as the fourth century, decorate the upper walls, and the floor is inlaid with colored stone in the style of the expert 12th-century artisans of the Lake Como region. The first gold to reach Italy from the Americas shines on the coffered ceiling. Two popes are buried here; it's one of Rome's four papal basilicas, an important place of pilgrimage.

Author's Tip: Although admission to Rome's churches is free, you may need to put a euro in the meter to illuminate some artworks or chapels. Keep some coins handy for a better look at the mosaics in Santa Maria Maggiore. It is also a nice gesture to put a few coins in the offering boxes to help the churches maintain their priceless treasures.

Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome

One of Rome's most characteristic Baroque squares, Piazza Navona still has the outline of the Roman stadium built here by Emperor Domitian. It was still used for festivals and horse races during the Middle Ages, and was rebuilt in the Baroque style by Borromini, who also designed the magnificent series of palaces and the church of Sant'Agnese, on its west side.

Its facade, campanile, and dome highlight the way Baroque architecture weaves convex and concave surfaces, gables, windows, columns, and piers into a unified design. In the crypt of Sant'Agnese are Alessandro Algardi's 1653 The Miracle of St. Agnes and the remains of a Roman mosaic floor. Sant'Agnese provided a model for Baroque and Rococo churches in Italy and elsewhere.

Although Borromini designed the square and its surrounding facades, it was his archrival, Bernini, who created its centerpiece, the beautiful Baroque fountain, Fontana dei Fiumi . The spirited fountain represents the four rivers then thought to be the largest on each of the known continents, with figures personifying the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la Plata around the large basin, each accompanied by plants and animals of their respective regions.

The two other fountains in the square are the 16th-century Fontana del Moro in front of the Palazzo Pamphili, erected by Giacomo della Porta, and the 19th-century Fontana del Nettuno with its figure of Neptune. Today, the square is filled with Romans, tourists, street artists, musicians, souvenir kiosks, cafés, and during December, one of Rome's best Christmas markets.

Nearby, between the Piazza and the Pantheon, the church of San Luigi dei Francesi contains three major paintings by Caravaggio from the late 16th century, including one of his most famous, The Calling of St. Matthew. No information about the paintings is available in the church, but you can download an audio guide in English on the San Luigi dei Francesi website. The church itself is worth seeing for its elaborate ceiling and inlaid marble floors. Like others in Rome, the church is free to enter

Symmetrically situated at the apex of a triangle of streets that include Via Corso, Rome's main shopping street, Piazza del Popolo was designed in the early 19 th century as the northern entrance to the city center. At its center, the Egyptian obelisk, called Flaminio, rises above a fountain, where four white marble lions spout fans of water into four round travertine pools.

Facing one side like mirror images at either side of Via della Corso are the twin churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, and at the opposite side of the grand piazza is the Augustinian Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo.

Inside, you'll find Pinturicchio frescoes and two tombs by Andrea Sansovino in the choir, and two beautiful chapels. The Chigi Chapel was designed by Raphael in 1515, and the Cesari Chapel holds two important Caravaggio paintings.

Next to the basilica, climb the steps to the Pincio Terrace for views down onto the piazza and across the city of Rome.

Strategically set 50 meters above the Tiber, the Palatine Hill shows evidence of Rome's earliest settlement: rock cuttings found in front of the Temple of Cybele show human activity as long ago as the ninth century BC. Later, this was the site chosen by the emperors and great aristocratic families for their palaces.

The Farnese Gardens were laid out on the hill in the 16th century for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, a pleasure park of terraces, pavilions, lawns, flowerbeds, trees, and fountains designed as a kind of stage-setting for social gatherings.

Highlights of the Palatine Hill are the House of Livia (Augustus' wife), the semi-subterranean Cryptoporticus , Domus Flavia , Domus Augustana, and most imposing of all, the Baths of Septimius Severus. The Palatine Hill is a lovely place to explore, combining a park with magnificent and impressive ruins of ancient Rome.

One of Rome's largest parks, the Borghese Gardens contain multiple attractions that include two museums, the most prominent of which is the Villa Borghese. Built as a party villa and to house the Borghese art collection, the gallery contains paintings, sculptures, mosaics, and reliefs, most from the 15th to the 18th century, and include works by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Bernini, Dürer, and Rubens .

Elsewhere in the park, Villa Giulia was built as a summer residence for the 16th-century Pope Julius III and houses the Etruscan Museum . More villas are from the world exposition that was held in Rome in 1911.

The park is an English-style landscape garden, with walking paths and ponds where you can rent row boats. You can also rent bikes or a surrey to explore the park. There is a good zoo, Bioparco di Roma , with naturalized enclosures and a miniature trail connecting its various sections. A number of its attractions will appeal to children, including playgrounds, weekend pony rides, and occasional puppet shows.

Many of its attractions will appeal to children , including playgrounds, weekend pony rides, and occasional puppet shows, making it one of the most popular things to do in Rome for families .

One of the secrets of the Borghese Gardens is the replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, where you can watch opera performances or Shakespeare plays. Plays are always in Italian, but an occasional opera is in English. You can rent a cushion and sit on the floor or you can sit in the balconies that ring the interior.

Address: Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5

Begun in AD 135 as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian and his family, Castel Sant'Angelo is a massive drum-shaped structure overlooking the Tiber near the Vatican. Over the millennia of its existence, Castel Sant'Angelo has been used as a papal residence and a fortress, and more recently as a National Museum.

In AD 271, Emperor Aurelian took advantage of its position guarding the northern approaches to the city and incorporated it into his new system of walls surrounding the city. As a bastion, it protected the city from barbarian attacks, and by the Middle Ages had become a substantial fortress. In times of peril, popes fled here across a secret elevated corridor, the Passetto di Borgo , and stored their most precious riches in the castle's treasury.

Visitors reach the castle across a pedestrian bridge lined with statues of angels (by Bernini), and ascend to its five floors on a spiral ramp. At its various levels are prison cells, a large collection of weapons, and splendidly decorated papal apartments covered in Renaissance frescoes. At the top is a terrace with stunning views of the city.

Address: Lungotevere Castello 50, Rome

Across the Tiber River and off the most popular tourist routes, Trastevere feels like an earlier Rome, with its medieval lanes and narrow alleys . You'll find bits of Roman stonework in its old buildings, and occasional inscriptions that remind you that this was for three centuries the Jewish Ghetto, its gates closed and guarded at night.

Today it is a charming neighborhood with two outstanding churches that are rarely on tourist itineraries. In the third century, before Rome's Jewish population gravitated to this side of the river, Santa Maria in Trastevere was one of the first places where Christians could worship except in secret.

Renovated several times, the last in the Baroque period, the church interior is decorated with patterned marble floors, a gold-washed coffered ceiling, and exceptional medieval mosaics. Also with good mosaics, and a fine 13 th -century fresco, Santa Cecilia in Trastevere hides the foundations of a Roman home.

Author's Tip: It's no secret that Trastevere is a good place to find restaurants serving authentic Roman dishes, but you'll find them less crowded than those in the popular tourist areas.

Two palaces on Piazza del Campidoglio house Europe's oldest public collection of art, founded in 1471. Primarily devoted to sculptures from across the ancient world, the highlights of the Capitoline Museum treasures include the realistic Hellenistic bronze Boy with a Thorn ; Capitoline Venus , from a 4 th -century BC original by Praxiteles; a 4.24-meter-tall Roman equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius; a Roman sculpture of the Dying Gaul ; and the Capitoline She-Wolf , an Etruscan work from the 6th century BC.

More "modern" sculptures include a head of Medusa, by the 17 th -century Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Although the Capitoline Museum is best known for its outstanding collection of classical sculptures, its Capitoline Picture Gallery exhibits paintings by Titian, Veronese, and Rubens, along with Caravaggio's compelling John the Baptist.

Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome

Completed by Caracalla in 216, these were much more than public baths. They were a complete sports center, with hot and cold baths, a swimming pool, dry and steam saunas, gymnastics and sports facilities, social rooms, gardens, libraries, hairdressers, and shops.

The massive and imposing structure covered an area of 300 square meters, a complex of gigantic halls whose domes and vaulting were supported by huge columns and piers. It could accommodate 1,500 people at a time. The floors and walls were covered with marble, mosaics, and frescoes; even in ruin, their splendor is still evident.

Address: Via delle Terme di Caracalla 52, Rome

As you might expect for the episcopal church of the Pope, St. John Lateran is one of Rome's most impressive churches. After centuries of alterations, it still retains its original form from the age of Constantine, when it was built.

Its façade, by contrast, is a purely Baroque embellishment and a fine example of that period. Along with the mosaics in the apse, be sure to notice the beautiful 16th-century wooden ceiling. If the octagonal baptistery, San Giovanni in Fonte , looks a bit familiar, it's because it provided the model for later ones throughout Europe.

Built by Constantine, it is the world's oldest Christian baptistery. Across the piazza, in the church of the Scala Santa, is the Holy Staircase, 28 steps believed to have been brought to Rome in the fourth century by St. Helen, from Pilate's palace in Jerusalem.

The Catacombs of San Callisto (St. Calixtus) and San Sebastiano , both underground burial places in the Via Appia Antica, are extensive — the San Callista Catacomb fills an area of 300 by 400 meters — with intricate multi-layered networks of passages and chambers carved into the soft tufa. In addition to the tombs, St. Calixtus has six sacramental chapels, constructed between 290 and 310, with both pagan and early Christian wall paintings.

In the Papal Crypt are the tombs of most of the martyred Popes of the third century identified by Greek inscriptions. San Sebastiano, one of Rome's seven pilgrimage churches, was built in the fourth century on the site of old cemeteries and catacombs that, along with the foundations of a Constantinian basilica, can be explored.

Tomb chambers are on several levels with fine paintings, stucco decorations, and inscriptions dating to the first century AD. Although venerated remains are thought to have been brought here for safekeeping during persecutions, these were cemeteries, not hiding places for Christians.

A little west of the Via Appia Antica, not far from the catacombs of San Callisto, the Catacombs of Domitilla are the largest and among the most impressive in Rome, with 15 kilometers of underground chambers and passages and a complete subterranean basilica.

Dedicated to the martyred saints entombed there, Nereus and Achilleus, the basilica was a major pilgrimage destination until the Middle Ages. More than 80 painted tombs and a second-century fresco of The Last Supper survive in its galleries.

Outside the Porta San Sebastiano, the Arch of Drusus is near the beginning of the Via Appia Antica, one of the oldest and most important of the Roman highways, built around 300 BC and extended to the port of Brindisi about 190 BC.

Running parallel with the road are the ruins of some of the aqueducts that supplied the city with water, and among the cypresses along its sides are remains of tombs belonging to aristocratic Roman families. The most prominent of these is the first-century tomb of Caecilia Metella and her husband.

Address: Via Appia Antica, Rome

Rome's finest private collection of art is displayed in the magnificent Baroque galleries, state rooms, and chapel of the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. Representing works by European masters from the 15 th through the 18 th centuries, the collections include paintings by Filippo Lippi, Brueghel the Elder, Correggio, and Raphael, along with major works by Caravaggio ( Rest in the Flight into Egypt) and Titian ( Salome with the Head of John the Baptist).

Velázquez's Portrait of Innocent X is one of the collection's highlights. Another image of the same Pope is a sculpture by Bernini. The palace itself almost outshines its contents, with frescoed ceilings and Baroque decoration; a good audio guide in English enlivens the tour. The gardens are beautiful, with an intricately patterned parterre with labyrinth elements.

Address: Via del Corso 305, Rome

One of Rome's oldest churches and with the city's most beautifully decorated apse, covered in mosaics of Old and New Testament scenes, San Clemente has a further fascination: the multiple layers of its history as each era built upon the last.

You can descend from the 12 th -century church into a previous church, a 4 th -century basilica with Romanesque frescoes of New Testament scenes. Below that are the excavated foundations of a Roman home from the 2 nd century AD, with a shrine to the sun god Mithra, with a carved relief on the altar. From the foundations of the house, you can walk on the ancient streets of this former Roman neighborhood.

But do take time to look around the upper church, to see the mosaics, the inlaid marble floors, and the early Renaissance frescoes by Masolino in the St. Catherine's Chapel.

Address: Via San Giovanni in Laterano 108, Rome

In July of 64 CE, a six-day fire destroyed almost three-fourths of the city. The cruel and unpopular emperor Nero took advantage of the cleared land to build a palace of unheard-of proportions, the Domus Aurea, or Golden House. Rooms were lined in rare marble and elaborately decorated in gold and precious stones.

The palace was never finished, and Nero's successors, attempting to erase all memory of the hated ruler and his reign, buried it, and Rome grew over it. Excavations continue to disclose more of its splendors, and you can tour the active archaeological site to see the halls and rooms that have been uncovered, some with excellent frescoes.

With the help of a video outlining the history and virtual reality technology that recreates the atrium and one hall , you can get a sense of what the palace looked like in Nero's time. Both are included in tours.

Tip: Even on the hottest days, bring something with long sleeves, as the underground excavations site is quite cold year-round.

Historical Note: Did Nero really fiddle while Rome burned? Although he took advantage of the destroyed city to build his extravagant villa, and there was disgruntled mumbling at the time that he had ordered the fire set to clear the land, no historical evidence or contemporary account mentions his playing any musical instrument.

Address: Via della Domus Aurea, Rome

Diocletian's baths were so enormous that today, they contain two churches, large parts of a Carthusian monastery and a major museum. Michelangelo used the vast tepidarium (hot baths) as the shell for his church of Santa Maria degli Angeli , and the Museo Nazionale Romano , Rome's National Museum, fills another section with treasures of antiquity: Greek and Roman sculpture, pre-Christian and later sarcophagi, and beautiful mosaics and frescoes.

The late-16th-century church of San Bernardo alle Terme was built in a rotunda at the corner of the baths; its dome is like that of the Pantheon, but only half its size.

While Rome's main tourist attractions don't exactly cluster, most of the major ones are within a 20- to 30-minute walk of each other, so several areas are convenient for sightseeing. The Monti neighborhood is perhaps the most central to the Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and even the Spanish Steps and Borghese Gardens. Here are some highly rated hotels in Rome's best locations for sightseeing:

Luxury Hotels :

• Palazzo Manfredi - Relais & Chateaux is next to the Colosseum, and you can overlook it while enjoying breakfast in the rooftop restaurant.
• Boutique Hotel Campo de Fiori has a rooftop garden overlooking the colorful daily market in one of Rome's most traditional neighborhoods, near the Pantheon and an easy walk from Palatine Hill and the Vatican.
• Two blocks from the Colosseum, Hotel Capo d'Africa is in a neighborhood filled with small restaurants.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• The four-star Mercure Roma Centro Colosseo is an easy walk from the Colosseum, which you can see from the hotel's rooftop swimming pool and from some of the guest rooms.
• In Monti, close to both the Colosseum and Forum, Hotel Fori Imperiali Cavalieri is surrounded by restaurants and shopping.
• Opposite the Opera House in Monti, iQ Hotel Roma has a covered rooftop terrace and modern décor.

Budget Hotels:

• Amid restaurants and shops in Monti, between the Forum and opera house, Hotel Artorius is not adjacent to any major attractions, but lies within a 20- to 30-minute walk from the Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Vittoriano, and museums.
• Also in the lively Monte neighborhood, and an easy walk from the Colosseum and other attractions of ancient Rome, Hotel Grifo offers a rooftop terrace and free breakfast.
• On the west bank of the Tiber, south of Vatican City, Trastevere is one of the city's most colorful neighborhoods. Although Trastevere has several small B&Bs, Cassiodoro is one of its few hotels, surrounded by traditional restaurants and shops.
• Sightseeing Tour by Bus : For maximum flexibility while you're seeing all the top attractions, sign up for the Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour on an open-air double-decker bus. Accompanied by audio commentary, this convenient ticket covers all the top sights, with eight different stops, and you can hop on and off at your favorite attractions. You can choose a tour that's valid for either 24 or 48 hours and upgrade to packages that include time-saving skip-the-line admission to attractions like Palatine Hill, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum.
• Segway Tour: Another way to see the top sights without worrying about navigating your way around the city is on the Rome Segway Tour . Included in this three-hour excursion are a brief orientation session, helmets, wet weather jackets (if needed), and audio commentary. Meet your guide near Piazza Venezia and see the sights of Ancient Rome, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Circus Maximus, learning all about them as you zoom around the city.
• Gladiator Experience : If you've always wondered what it's like to brandish a sword like Spartacus, consider signing up for the Roman Gladiator School: Learn How to Become a Gladiator experience on the Appian Way, near the Colosseum. This two-hour private lesson is suitable for anyone aged six years and older and includes entrance to the Gladiator School of Rome Museum as well as clothing and weapon hire.
• Tivoli Day Trip : Organized tours are a great way to explore the attractions in the beautiful countryside around Rome. You can relax and let a professional guide do the work without the hassle of driving, finding your way, and parking. On the Tivoli Day Trips from Rome: Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa tour, you can explore two World Heritage-listed historic villas, built as vacation homes for the Roman elite, as well as their gorgeous gardens. The tour includes transportation in a comfortable coach, villa admission, and headsets so you can easily hear the guide.
• Pompeii Day Trip : Another popular excursion is the Pompeii Day Trip from Rome . On this full-day tour, you can hike to the crater of Mt. Vesuvius (in summer) or visit the National Archeological Museum of Pompeii (November 16 through March 31), as well as see the sights of Pompeii. Entrance fees and lunch are included.

Where to Go near Rome: When you have seen Rome's ancient sites, you'll want to explore some of the city's surroundings. The town of Tivoli lies 30 kilometers east of Rome, with Hadrian's Villa and one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy .

Places to Visit from Rome: In just over an hour by train, you can step into the exuberant street life of the vibrant city of Naples . From here, you are only a short ferry ride from the idyllic island of Capri , across the Bay of Naples. Or take a train the short distance to the ancient city of Pompeii , under the still smoldering cone of Mt. Vesuvius.

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25 Top Tourist Attractions in Rome

Ah, Rome. The city where hope springs eternal. It is a city that is proud of its ancient glorious heritage, a city that once expanded its empire throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. Rome is a city drenched in history and Christianity. First-time visitors may be easily overwhelmed by all this magnificent city has to offer. After all, one can find history and art on almost every street corner. That’s why visitors may want to do their homework to narrow down what they want to see and do before they get on a plane or train bound for the Italian capital.

Rome is divided into several districts with its center, the Colosseo district, containing the most ancient attractions like the Colosseum, Capitoline Hill and the Roman Forum. On the outskirts of the center is Old Rome, featuring the Pantheon, stunning cathedrals, plazas and Renaissance architecture.

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to see all the top tourist attractions in Rome in a few days or even a few months. Wise travelers won’t even attempt to see everything in one trip. To ensure they’ll return to Rome, they’ll toss a coin into the Fountain of Trevi. Legend has it that those who do will return to Rome again.

Map of Rome

25. Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla, the second largest public baths in Rome, were built by Emperor Caracalla in the third century for political propaganda purposes: The emperor simply wanted people to like him.

The baths were functional for over three hundred years. Negligence, looting and an earthquake turned the complex into ruins but their sheer size and ingenuity continues to impress visitors.

24. Villa Farnesina

Visitors who want a peek at how the wealthy lived during the Renaissance may want to visit Villa Farnesina , a villa located in the Trastevere district. The Villa Farnesina is well known for the frescoes depicting the myths of Cupid and Psyche that were painted by Raphael.

Works by various other artists were commissioned by a banker who was also a papal treasurer, and who had the villa built in 1506.

23. Appian Way

The Appian Way is the most famous ancient road in Rome, connecting the city with Brindisi in southeastern Italy. Named after Appius Claudius Caecus, a Roman censor, it was originally a military road.

Many historical monuments can be found along the first 8 km (5 miles) of the 560 km (350-mile) stone road today. This old highway has heavy vehicle traffic at the beginning, but is safe for pedestrians after a couple of miles.

22. National Roman Museum

If you want to soak in as much of Rome’s history, heritage and culture as possible, then don’t miss the National Roman Museum, or the Museo Nazionale Romano .

This Roman museum does not house its entire collection in one spot. Instead, exhibits are located in multiple destinations throughout the city. Find amber, Roman artifacts and jewelry within the incredible Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, admire breathtaking use of marble and stunning sculptures within the Palazzo Altemps and get an up-close look at Roman baths at the restored historic site of the Baths of Diocletian.

21. Victor Emmanuel II Monument

Built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy, this bombastic monument may appear to be solid white marble but actually contains many rooms inside. It was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1885 and completed in 1925.

There are two permanent museums, one on Italian Reunification and one on emigration from Italy, as well as other spaces that host rotating exhibitions. The Victor Emmanuel Monument is not exactly known as one of Rome’s most beautiful structures but it is nevertheless well worth the visit, even if only for the great views from the top.

20. Piazza del Popolo

The Piazza del Popolo is a large oval square in northern Rome that has been around since the days of the Roman Empire. At one time, it was the start of the most important road north.

Three churches border the square but the eye-catcher is an obelisk from ancient Egypt. On the north side the square is dominated by the Porta del Popolo, which leads to the Via Flaminia, a road connecting Rome with the Adriatic coast.

19. Santa Maria in Trastevere

Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches in Rome, with most historians believing it was first built in the 4th century. The church has impressive mosaics from the 12th and 13th centuries; it has been enlarged and restored over the years.

Located in the popular Trastevere neighborhood, its atmospheric piazza is enhanced by the mosaics on the façade, especially at night when the church and its tower are illuminated.

18. Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica is an important archeological site that once was the seaport for Rome. It is located less than 20 miles from Rome at the mouth of the River Tiber. The site has well-preserved ancient buildings, some of which date back to the fourth century BC.

Ostia Antica is known for the outstanding frescoes and mosaics on these old buildings, as well as ancient public toilets that turned bathrooms into a social setting.

17. Basilica of San Clemente

Located just a few blocks from the Coliseum, the 12th century Basilica of San Clemente is built on top of a 4th century Church and older Roman temple. The present church is noted for its fabulous frescoes and mosaics.

For an admission fee, it is possible to explore the excavations of the lower two levels, which is a fascinating journey into the history of Rome.

16. Capitoline Museums

It may have taken the Romans 400 years to build the Capitoline Museums , after they were designed in 1536 by Michelangelo, but the wait was worth it. This outstanding collection of art and archeological museums, which started with a papal donation in the 15th century, can be found at Piazza del Campidoglio atop Capitoline Hill. The collections include medieval and Renaissance art, old Roman statues and jewels.

15. Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome, has links to Roman mythology, as it was here a wolf allegedly found the twin boys Romulus and Remus, and cared for them until a shepherd rescued them.

Even if this legend is not true, Palatine Hill is still the place where Rome was founded. Today only ruins remain but during the Imperial era, the hill was completely built up with large palaces.

14. San Giovanni in Laterano

San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John Lateran) is one of four major basilicas in Rome. Dedicated to John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, it is the home cathedral for both the archbishop of Rome and the pope.

It is believed to be the first Catholic church built in Rome. Its exterior doesn’t seem as ornate as other churches, but inside it’s beautiful decorated, with wall ornaments, columns, mosaics and paintings.

13. Galleria Borghese

The Galleria Borghese is an art gallery that was built as a party house by Cardinal Sciopione Borghese in the 17th century. A nephew of Pope Paul V, the cardinal also was a patron of the arts.

The galleria today houses many pieces of paintings, sculptures and other antiquities from his collection. Paintings by Titian, sculptures by Bernini, and the National Museum of Musical Instruments can be seen here.

12. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

Founded in the 4th century, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major) is considered one of the most important Catholic churches in Rome. Its 18th-century exterior conceals one of the best-preserved Byzantine interiors in the city.

Travelers who are in Rome on August 5 may want to attend the Miracle of the Snows celebration when thousands of white petals are dropped from the ceiling.

11. Saint Peter’s Square

Located in Vatican City, St. Peter’s Square is the most famous square in Rome. Hundreds of thousands of people gather here to hear messages from the pope. Created in the 17th century by Bernini, the square has an elliptic shape, surrounded on two sides by colonnades before St. Peter’s Basilica.

Statues sit atop the colonnades. At the center of the ellipse stands an Egyptian obelisk that was transported from Egypt to Rome during the reign of Emperor Augustus.

10. Campo de’ Fiori

Campo de’ Fiori is a rectangular square south of Piazza Navona used as a marketplace during the day, and party central for college students and tourists at night. The name means “field of flowers” and was first given during the Middle Ages when the area was actually a meadow.

Today the market is a lively place, especially when the daily vegetable market is held here (every morning except Sundays). Visitors can buy fresh produce at the market, as well as fish, meat, flowers and spices. The square is surrounded by cafes and restaurants, making it a good place to eat after shopping or just wile away the afternoon.

9. Piazza Navona

One of the most famous of Rome’s many squares, Piazza Navona was established towards the end of the 15th century, and preserves the shape of the Stadium of Domitian that once stood here.

Built by Emperor Domitian in 86 AD, the stadium, which had a larger arena than the Colosseum was mainly used for festivals and sporting events. The buildings surrounding the square stand where the spectators once sat.

Today, the square features no less than three magnificent fountains and is an immensely popular place to sip a cappuccino, shop, and watch street performers.

8. Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo was built to be a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian and his family. Built in 123 BC, it later was turned into a fortress and castle by the popes. It was once Rome’s tallest building.

The ashes of other emperors were buried there, but scattered when the Visigoths invaded in 410. It also served as a prison, but today the castel is a museum. Among the most well known sights in Rome, film buffs will recognize it as a setting from “Angels and Demons”.

7. Roman Forum

Located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, The Roman Forum (or Forum Romanum in Latin) was for centuries the teeming heart of ancient Rome: the site of triumphal processions and elections, venue for public speeches, and nucleus of commercial affairs.

The Forum today is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and includes the Arches of Septimius Severus and Titus, the Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina and the Temple of Saturn.

6. Spanish Steps

A truly monumental stairway of 135 steps, the Spanish Steps were built with French funds between 1721‑1725 in order to link the Bourbon Spanish embassy to the Holy See with the French church, Trinità dei Monti.

The steps are usually very crowded attracting tourists as well as locals who use it as a gathering place. Each year in May the steps are decorated with pink azaleas. At the foot of the Spanish Steps is the Piazza di Spagna (Spanish square) and the Fontana della Barcaccia, a sober fountain designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

5. Trevi Fountain

Completed in 1762 to a design by Nicola Salvi, this world famous Baroque fountain features a mythological sculptural composition of Neptune, god of the sea, flanked by two Tritons.

The location of the Trevi fountain marks the terminus of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct and is so named on account of its position at the junction of three roads (tre vie).

The fountain was the setting for an iconic scene in Fellini’s film Dolce Vita starring Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni. Since than, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome. The legend says that one who throws a coin in the fountain shall one day return to Rome.

4. Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums began in the 16th century with a collection of sculptures by Pope Julius II. Today, they encompass several museums inside the Vatican City and include some of the world’s most important relics. Attractions of the museums include the spiral staircase, the Raphael Rooms and the exquisitely decorated Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo painted the chapel ceiling between 1508 and 1512.

Today the ceiling, and especially The Last Judgment, are widely believed to be Michelangelo’s crowning achievements in painting. To keep the massive crowds under control, the museums have 4 itineraries that range from one and a half hours to more than 5 hours. All itineraries end in the Sistine Chapel.

3. Pantheon

One of the best preserved Roman buildings, The Pantheon was built in 126 AD as a temple for all the Roman gods. The temple has served as a Roman Catholic Church since the 7th century. Eight graceful granite Corinthian columns extend across the front of this circular building, with lesser columns in back.

Though it is 2,000 years old, the Pantheon’s famous dome remains the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. It is believed Marcus Agrippa built the Pantheon to be his private temple. The current building was reconstructed by Emperor Hadrian in the second century.

2. St. Peter’s Basilica

The center of the Catholic world and a major tourist attraction, the Basilica of St. Peter is a huge church: with an interior height of 120 meter (400 feet), the space shuttle, together with its booster rockets, could fit inside, as could the Statue of Liberty.

The basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter, the apostle who is considered the first pope, was crucified and buried. Construction on the current building began in 1506 and was completed in 1615. Many famous artists worked on the complex and its surroundings: Michelangelo designed the dome while Bernini designed the great St. Peter’s Square.

1. Colosseum

The Colosseum is another of Rome’s major tourist attractions. Its construction was started by emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty in 72 AD and was finished by his son Titus in 80 AD.

The elliptical amphitheater could hold up to 50,000 people who turned out to watch gladiators do battle, people be publicly executed and enjoy other forms of entertainment. This stone and concrete structure, built in the first century, was the largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the Romans’ greatest architectural and engineering feats.

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Reader interactions.

October 1, 2017 at 5:15 am

Rome is really majestic! I would love to see these beautiful architectures soon.

May 22, 2014 at 10:50 am

this is so nice

February 1, 2014 at 2:29 am

it is very nice to see Italy, the famous pantheon, koloseum and a lot of other places to see. When i visit it i saw a lot. Bravoo Italy, the most beautiful place in the world.

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Things to do in Rome: attractions & landmarks

Top 25 rome tourist attractions, sightseeing, what to do & highlights.

Top 25 Best things to do in Rome Italy, sightseeing and all must-see sites, tourist attractions, famous museums, Roman monuments, travel guide and historic landmarks. What to do, highlights and best attractions to see in Rome?

Best things to do in Rome Italy - Top 25 Rome attractions

Rome is a city full of museums, historic squares, rich food culture, Roman landmarks and other highlights. The Italian city has more to offer than just the main Rome tourist attractions like the Colosseum , the Pantheon and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. To prepare your visit to this city, our travel guides shows you the top 25 of the most famous sightseeing and most beautiful Rome attractions . Click one of the must-see highlights, places to visit or Roman landmarks for more information on this unique monuments, museums , tourist attractions and best things to do in Rome Italy :

Rome sightseeing partnerlinks: Things to do in Seville , Barcelona tourist attractions , Florence tourist attractions and Dubai

Most visited landmarks

Top 25 Things to do in Rome

Colosseum & Tickets

Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums

St.Peter's Basilica & Tickets

Rome   Travel Guide

Courtesy of joe daniel price | Getty Images

24 Best Things to Do in Rome

Take time to enjoy  la dolce vita  – even a week isn't long enough to experience everything Rome has to offer. From historic tours through ancient Rome to admiring art-filled institutions to climbing the Spanish Steps or  St. Peter's Basilica ,

• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
• 2-Day Itinerary
• 3-Day Itinerary

Colosseum (Colosseo) Colosseum (Colosseo)

U.S. News Insider Tip: A normal ticket includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (valid for 24 hours) and you can visit all three in one day. It doesn't include a visit to the Colosseum's underground tunnels. For that, you'll have to book a guided tour. – Laura Itzkowitz

The site of many bloody gladiatorial fights, the Colosseum, which was opened in A.D. 80, could then hold about 50,000 spectators. With a circumference of 573 yards and sitting on marshland, experts say the Colosseum is an engineering wonder… not to mention an animal and human rights atrocity. Not only were gladiators pitted against each other, but gladiators fighting animals and animal-on-animal fights were common as well. Today, it's considered one of the world's most famous landmarks .

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

U.S. News Insider Tip: The Vatican Museums contain some of the greatest artworks ever made, but it's also one of Rome's most crowded spots. Consider paying a bit extra to join an early morning tour before the museum opens or check for late opening hours. – Laura Itzkowitz

While Vatican City is home to both the Roman Catholic Church's governing body and its leader, the pope, this small nation within Rome offers a wealth of attractions open to visitors of any faith.

St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) free

The epicenter of Roman Catholicism, St. Peter's Basilica is centered in Vatican City and is renowned for its stunning architecture. What's more, it's open daily for free. (Though it's closed on Wednesday mornings for pope appearances.) Many visitors enjoy trekking to the top of the dome. For a fee of 8 euros (about $8.65), you can climb the 551 steps to the summit; for a fee of 10 euros (about $10.80), you can take an elevator to a terrace where you'll climb just 320. Regardless, you'll take in a panorama of Rome's spectacular landscape. If you've come hoping to catch a glimpse of the pope, you should consider attending the Wednesday General Audience, when he addresses the crowd in St. Peter's Square with prayers and songs. It's free to attend, but tickets are required ; you should request them well in advance of your visit. You'll also want to make sure he is in residence; check the Vatican website to view the schedule. No ticket is required to see the pope on Sundays, when he usually address the crowd in St. Peter's Square at noon.

Keep in mind that this is an active church with daily Mass services. Likewise, a stringent dress code is enforced: No short skirts, low-cut tops, hats or bare shoulders, and be sure to cover any tattoos. Because St. Peter's Basilica is one of the area's major attractions, there is almost always a long queue – though it tends to go fast. Recent travelers recommend you spring for a tour guide ; the depth of insight they bring to the basilica really makes the experience. For more information on tours, read our tips for visiting the Vatican and its attractions.

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Roman Forum Roman Forum

Though it's not as popular as the  Colosseum  (but located nearby), the Roman Forum is more interesting, according to some reviewers. The Roman Forum comprises much of the Ancient Rome's most important structures, from shrines to government houses to monuments. Although much of the complex is in ruins, you can see the remains and imagine the former glory of the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus and the House of the Vestal Virgins, among other structures.

Recent travelers called a visit to the Roman Forum a "must," but they do advise future visitors to rent or stream an audio guide or sign up for one of the best Rome tours (according to reviewers, little is written on the informational plaques). Past visitors also suggest allotting plenty of time to see the ruins and wearing weather-appropriate attire as there is little to no shade at the site.  

Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) free

A must-see on many travelers' itineraries, the Trevi Fountain is situated amongst a high concentration of hotels , shopping and nightlife in the Trevi district. Finished in the mid-1700s, the Trevi is a powerful example of a baroque design with a distinctly mythological character. The god of the sea, Oceanus, emerges from the pool, flanked by his trusty Tritons. 

According to Roman lore, throwing one, two or three coins into the Trevi, with your right hand over your left shoulder ensures you'll return to Rome; you'll fall in love with an attractive Roman; and you'll marry that same Roman. An added bonus? The city collets the money tossed into the fountain and donates it to a local charity.

Pantheon Pantheon

U.S. News Insider Tip: After visiting the Pantheon, stop for an espresso at the historic Tazza d'Oro Caffè or walk a few blocks to the old-school gelateria, Giolitti, for a cone of the good stuff. – Laura Itzkowitz

The Pantheon, a former Roman temple and now a present-day church, is known for its perfect proportions, which is amazing, seeing as it was raised in A.D. 120. While you're there, you can also pay your respects to Raphael, as well as Italian kings Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I, who are all buried there.

Piazza Navona Piazza Navona free

U.S. News Insider Tip: To enjoy a coffee or Aperol spritz on the piazza, grab a table at Camillo, but if you want to eat, it's best to avoid the tourist trap restaurants on the piazza and explore the side streets instead. – Laura Itzkowitz

The centuries-old Piazza Navona is perhaps one of the best-known public squares in Rome. People sipping coffees while watching street performers and artists fill the square. Cafes abound, and there are a number of shops, too, although recent visitors said both tend to be expensive. You'll also find a number of impressive monuments, including one by Gian Lorenzo Bernini ( Fountain of the Four Rivers ) and another by Francesco Borromini (Sant'Agnese in Agone). 

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi free

Much like Piazza del Popolo , Piazza Navona 's centerpiece features an obelisk. However, in this case, the obelisk is surrounded by one of Bernini's masterpieces: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. The four figures at each corner of the statue are a personification of the four rivers best known to Europe in the 1600s. The rivers are the Ganges (Asia), the Danube (Europe), the Nile (Africa) and Río de la Plata (Americas). Animals, plants and other iconography help to further differentiate the four nudes.

Travelers invariably have high praise for the fountain's artistry, saying that it is a must-see.

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Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) free

U.S. News Insider Tip: During the era of the Grand Tour, the area around the Spanish Steps earned the nickname of the English Ghetto. Immerse yourself in the area's English past with a visit to the Keats-Shelley House or afternoon tea at Babington's. – Laura Itzkowitz

Found at the Piazza di Spagna, the Spanish Steps (which get their name from the nearby Embassy of Spain among the Holy See) are another must-do for many travelers. Here, visitors can tread the same stairs that writers and artists have climbed for centuries. The steps are especially alluring come spring when they're flanked by blooming azaleas.

Piazza del Popolo Piazza del Popolo free

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you want to do some people-watching on the piazza, skip the expensive and overrated Rosati and go to Canova across the piazza instead. It was frequented by famed filmmaker Federico Fellini, whose drawings decorate the halls inside. – Laura Itzkowitz

Piazza del Popolo is yet another Roman square where you can take in phenomenal architecture and magnificent sculpture. The square dates back to the mid-1500s and is the historic center of Rome. In fact, three major roads intersect here: Via di Ripetta, Via del Corso and Via del Babuino.

Galleria Borghese Galleria Borghese

U.S. News Insider Tip: Don't forget to purchase your timed ticket in advance. Afterward, spend some time strolling through the Villa Borghese park, which has attractions like a little lake, a replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and a few small museums. – Laura Itzkowitz

A favorite among travelers to Rome, the Galleria Borghese is half-villa/half-museum, and it has some resplendent gardens, too. Originally commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the 17th century to shelter his massive art collection, it's now considered one of the premier art galleries in the city. The villa's extravagant rooms, spread across two floors, are filled with famous works, including Canova's Venus Victrix, Bernini's sculptures David and Apollo and Daphne, and Caravaggio's "Boy with a Basket of Fruit" and "David with the Head of Goliath," among other masterpieces.

Campo de' Fiori Campo de' Fiori free

The Campo de' Fiori is worth visiting twice in a trip – once during the day for its bustling market, and again as the sun sets for its convivial nightlife. According to historians, the Campo de' Fiori looks much the same as it did in the early 1800s, except for the numerous pizzerias, cafes and gelaterias that line the periphery.

Recent travelers raved about the people-watching throughout the day; the fresh veggies and fruits at the market and the hopping bar scene at night. Some warned that the market is overrun with tourists and not the most authentic market experience in Rome. Even if you don't plan on eating or buying anything within the area, the architecture alone may be enough of a draw, as it was for some.

Church of St. Louis of the French Church of St. Louis of the French free

If you're a fan of Caravaggio, you'll want to visit the San Luigi dei Francesi, or the Church of St. Louis of the French. Inside this church near  Piazza Navona are three of the baroque artist's works, including the "The Calling of St. Matthew" (one of his most famous paintings), "Saint Matthew and the Angel" and "The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew."

Recent visitors recommend stopping in the church, especially if want to get a glimpse of some of Caravaggio's most famous works. Several reviewers recommended reading up on the works before visiting as there is no information within the church. However, you can access a prerecorded audio tour by downloading it to your smartphone from a QR code available on-site.

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Capitoline Museums (Musei Capitolini) Capitoline Museums (Musei Capitolini)

The  Musei Capitolini  (Capitoline Museums) dates back to the 1400s, and it holds Rome's symbol, the bronze Capitoline She-wolf. According to lore, the wolf nursed the half-wolf, half-god founders of the city, twins Romulus and Remus. Its namesake museum contains busts of Roman emperors, statues – including a famous one of Marcus Aurelius – and paintings by Caravaggio and Battista, among others. It also offers spectacular views of the Roman Forum .

Several travelers mention that though the Capitoline Museums wasn't high on their list of things to do or see, they're very happy they did see it. Reviewers also urge visitors to look up at the magnificent ceilings. Some note that the museum has a bit of an odd layout with little information about the paintings. Others say the staff can be rude.

Trastevere Trastevere free

If you want a look at the real Rome, experts and travelers strongly recommend you visit Trastevere. Located southeast of Vatican City, this neighborhood is home to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, as well as numerous restaurants and neighborhood shops (it's often compared to New York City 's Greenwich Village or Paris 's Left Bank thanks to its charming cobblestone streets and narrow roads). 

Although a little farther from the city center, Trastevere is a hit with visitors who appreciated the distance, noting that after so many days weaving through crowds and getting stuck in tourist traps, it's nice to explore a quieter neighborhood (with cheaper, more authentic food). Travelers also said they felt like they experienced a genuine look into life as a Roman after having visited Trastevere.

Santa Maria della Vittoria Santa Maria della Vittoria free

This featured chapel from Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons" is now heavily trafficked by Robert Langdon wannabes. But baroque art fans might want to brave the crowds for a look at Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Cornaro Chapel, which features the Ecstasy of St. Teresa statue.

Recent visitors can't stop gushing about Santa Maria della Vittoria. Many said the church is nothing short of stunning, noting that the detail of Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa is truly incredible. However, travelers also noted that the church is relatively small compared to some of the city's other masterpieces, so prepare for a tight space during peak tourist season (summer). Others warn of odd opening times.

Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo

The Castel Sant'Angelo has had many purposes over its lifetime. Originally built as a mausoleum for Roman emperor Hadrian, the castle has also been a place of protection for popes during invasions, papal residences, military barracks and a prison. Today, it's a museum showcasing not only the site's military history but also incredible frescoes (which were added to the building when the castle became a residence).

For many visitors, admiring the frescoes and learning the history of the site made for a pleasant stop. However, the top draw for many are the views. The top floor terrace (Terrace of the Angel) provides outstanding vistas of Rome.

Basilica di San Clemente Basilica di San Clemente free

Archaeology buffs might find the Basilica di San Clemente interesting as it's a veritable nesting doll of churches. It's a second century pagan temple, underneath a fourth-century church, which is underneath a 12th-century church. Enter the 12th-century church from the street level, take stairs down to the fourth-century one and finally end up at a shrine for Mithras, the god whom was known to gain popularity in the second and third centuries. The oldest structure is believed to have been an ancient mint.

Travelers are fascinated by the story of the church and recommend visiting for the history lesson that it provides. Past travelers also said you should ignore the panhandlers who linger around the church, as some pretend to be affiliated with the church and tell visitors they can't enter unless they give a donation. The church is free to enter, but there is a fee to go down to the lower levels, which people say is worth the cost. To visit the lower levels, you'll pay 10 euros (about $11) for adults and 5 euros (about $5) for students up to age 26. Children younger than 16 explore for free.

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Ancient Appian Way Ancient Appian Way free

The Ancient Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) has a history that dates back to 312 B.C. and includes the site of Spartacus' execution (in 71 B.C.), the tomb of Caecilia Metella, and many a Roman military march. These days, it stretches for 38.5 miles, though several monuments and historic sites are centered around an approximately 2-mile stretch along Parco dell'Appia Antica. The park sits roughly 2 miles south of the Colosseum . 

Recent visitors said the Appian Way is worth the long trek. Some even recommend hiring a tour guide to tag along with you, as even the smallest details along the walk provide a lot of insight into days past. Many agreed that visitors should come prepared with good walking shoes and water. Other advised visiting during the day as some areas can be seedy at night. 

Colle del Gianicolo Colle del Gianicolo free

To the west of the Tiber River (near another top attraction,  Trastevere ), Colle del Gianicolo, or the Janiculum Hill, is just waiting to be climbed. Although a hike, the site provides unobstructed, panoramic views of the Eternal City. Once at the top, visitors will be able to spot some of Rome's most famous buildings, including  St. Peter's Basilica  and the Altare della Patria. Interestingly, since it sits outside the ancient city, it's not considered one of the seven hills of Rome. Along with the spectacular views, you'll also spot a few monuments, including the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola, or Il Fontanone, which was originally built in the early 1600s.

Travelers report being impressed by the views of Janiculum Hill, with many recommending a visit at sunrise or sunset for a truly breathtaking experience. Though many don't consider it a "must-see," especially for first-time visitors, reviewers did concede that a trek here offers a nice respite from the city's crowded tourist spots.

Palazzo Doria Pamphilj Palazzo Doria Pamphilj

Rome is full of aristocratic palaces whose splendors are hidden behind closed doors. One such place is the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj right on the bustling Via del Corso. Enter and you'll find yourself in a quiet courtyard that feels a world away from the crowds. Upstairs, spend some time marveling at the hall of mirrors, which looks like a smaller version of the one at Versailles , with gold-framed Venetian mirrors, antique statues and chandeliers. The palazzo dates all the way back to the 16th century and the gallery that encircles the courtyard was renovated in the 18th century, with the paintings that form the family's private art collection still displayed as they were in the 1700s. Among them are paintings by Raphael and Caravaggio. In the Velázquez Cabinet at the end of one of the halls is a marble bust of Pope Innocent X by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and a portrait of the pope by Velázquez.

For a few extra euros, you can also visit the "secret apartment," which is supposedly still used sometimes by the princess. Inside it, you'll see the family's furniture and personal objects, like a desk with writing implements, hairbrushes and beds. It's far more intimate than the typical museum experience and might just make you feel like you've stepped into a scene from the Oscar-winning film "La Grande Bellezza," director Paolo Sorrentino's modern-day take on "La Dolce Vita."

Jewish Ghetto Jewish Ghetto free

Sandwiched between the Tiber River and Campo de' Fiori is a neighborhood that was historically home to Rome's Jewish population, the oldest Jewish community in Europe. A papal edict in 1555 created the ghetto, which was walled off from the rest of the city until 1888. It also established laws about what professions Jews could and couldn't hold. To learn more about the neighborhood, you should visit the Jewish Museum of Rome attached to the Great Synagogue, which displays religious artifacts and explains the area's history in a series of panels. A guided tour of the Great Synagogue is included in the museum's admission price and is the only way to see the ornately decorated synagogue without attending religious services.

Recent visitors praised the beautiful synagogue and said the neighborhood is a "hidden gem" in Rome. Travelers say the neighborhood is worth a few hours of your time.

Mercato di Testaccio Mercato di Testaccio free

For a less touristy alternative to the market at Campo de' Fiori , venture beyond the historic center to the Mercato di Testaccio. The large covered market is filled with stalls selling fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat, where Romans do their daily shopping. It's also home to a handful of stalls where you can purchase prepared food, like sandwiches and pizza. Take a number and wait your turn for delicious pizza al taglio at Casa Manco. Ask for a few small slices so you can try more than one topping.

For sandwiches, the place to go is Mordi e Vai, a hole-in-the-wall stall serving sandwiches made with the offcuts that form the backbone of Roman cuisine. Indeed, the quinto quarto tradition of Roman cooking was born in right here in Testaccio. The neighborhood was once home to the city's slaughterhouse and the working-class families who lived here created recipes using the less prized cuts of meat, including the organs, that were cheaper. Many restaurants in the neighborhood are known for this type of cooking, with signature dishes like trippa alla romana (Roman-style tripe with tomato sauce, pecorino and mint) and coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew). If you're not into that kind of stuff, Mordi e Vai always has a vegetarian option available.

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MAXXI MAXXI

If you've had enough of ancient and Baroque art, consider visiting one of Rome's modern and contemporary art museums. MAXXI – an acronym for the National Museum of 21st Century Art – is located in the residential Flaminio neighborhood north of Piazza del Popolo and was designed by the late Iraqi-British starchitect Zaha Hadid. The building itself is a masterpiece of modern architecture, with dramatic sweeping lines, steel staircases that seem to float in the air, and galleries with glass ceilings. The collection comprises more than 400 works of art by Italian and international artists, including Andy Warhol, Francesco Clemente and Gerhard Richter, as well as a collection of material related to architecture. It ranges from photography and film to art installations and performance art.

Before you go, check to see what's on display. Past exhibitions have featured Bob Dylan's videos, the work of Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini, and the architecture of Lina Bo Bardi, a midcentury modern trailblazer and one of the few female architects working at that time. MAXXI has also hosted special off-site exhibitions and events, including guided tours of Casa Balla, the apartment of futurist artist Giacomo Balla.

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11 unmissable attractions in Rome

Take a look at the best of the best attractions in Rome, from magnificent churches and ancient ruins to world-famous artworks

Rome sells itself; we all know that. An unmissable attraction in Rome is about as unmissable as you are going to find, and this famous old city is packed with iconic spots that most cities would give their right arm for. Okay, cities don’t have arms, but you get the point. The Eternal City stands head and shoulders above most for historical and cultural might, and the best attractions in Rome are seriously impressive. You’d be forgiven for thinking Rome can’t possibly deliver on all its hype. Well, prepare yourself because it hits all the notes and then some. It has world-beating restaurants , fabulous bars , genre-defining galleries and all the history you could hope for. These are the most essential attractions in Rome, your ultimate Eternal City bucket list.

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our   affiliate   guidelines .

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Best Rome attractions

1.  Colosseum

• Attractions
• Historic buildings and sites

The Colosseum is a monument of epic proportions dating from AD 72. Stories of gory battles between gladiators, slaves, prisoners and wild animals have emerged from this Flavian amphitheatre with a seating capacity of over 50,000 people; nowhere in the world was there a larger or more glorious setting for mass slaughter. This is a necessary pilgrimage for history buffs and the ideal starting point to take in the Roman remains of the city: the jaw-dropping Forum, the Domus Aurea and the Pantheon.

Where? Piazza del Colosseo. 

Time Out tip: The best time to visit the Colosseum is early in the morning, or if you prefer, in the late afternoon before closing to avoid the sun. 

2.  Roman Forum and Palatine

The oldest of Rome’s fora, the Foro Romano (Roman Forum), was once the centre of state ceremony, commerce, law and bureaucracy. Above the Colosseum to the west (and visited on a cumulative ticket with the Foro Romano and the Colosseum) is Rome’s birthplace, the Palatine. Later, the Palatine became the home of the movers and shakers of both the Republic and the Empire as sumptuous palaces were built. The choice of location was understandable: the Palatine overlooks the Foro Romano yet is a comfortable distance from the disturbances and riff-raff down in the valley.

Where is it?  Via della Salara Vecchia.

Time Out tip? Since there are no gift shops or cafes on the grounds, it's the perfect excuse to pay a visit to the vegan-friendly Grezzo Raw Chocolate serving a delectable range of chocolate desserts. 

3.  Musei Vaticani and Cappella Sistina

• Art and design

If you met the Pope, what would you say? Well, you probably won't, but you can join an audience with him on Wednesday mornings. If the weather is fine, he'll hold this general audience in St Peter's Square; otherwise, it takes place in the Sala Nervi audience hall. Expect to join clusters of Catholic devotees and flocks of camera-waving tourists. Afterwards, you can take the opportunity to wander through St Peter's Basilica, admire Michelangelo's stunning frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and visit the famous 'Belvedere Apollo' and 'Laocoön' at the Museo Pio-Clementino among the Vatican Museums.

Where is it?  Vatican City - close to San Pietro Metro. 

Time Out tip: Look out for the moving tapestry Supper at  Emmaus. 

4.  Pantheon

The Pantheon is the best-preserved ancient building in Rome. Hadrian built it in AD 119-128 as a temple to the 12 most critical classical deities. The simplicity of the building’s exterior remains largely unchanged, and it retains its original Roman bronze doors. Inside, the Pantheon’s glory lies in the dimensions, which follow the rules written by the top Roman architect Vitruvius. The diameter of the hemispherical dome is equal to the height of the whole building; it could potentially accommodate a perfect sphere. At the centre of the dome is the oculus, a circular hole 9 metres (30 feet) in diameter, the only light source and a symbolic link between the temple and the heavens. 

Where is it?  Piazza della Rotonda.

Time Out tip: When in Rome, avoid queues by arriving early. On the way, you can stop for a traditional breakfast at the very classic and quaint Caffe Novecento.

5.  MAXXI

Even from a distance, it’s pretty clear that the Museum of the Arts of the 21st Century (or MAXXI, for short) is a celebration of all things modern. Designed by cutting-edge architecture firm Zaha Hadid and opened in 2009, the MAXXI is a dramatic, impression-leaving work of art. Not forgetting, of course, that it houses the works of some of Italy’s most exciting and boundary-pushing contemporary artists.

Where is it?  Via Guido Reni.

Time Out tip: If you have a bit of an eye for architecture, don't miss out on Environments by Women Artists, running until October. 

6.  Musei Capitolini

This is the city that has nurtured the art of Michelangelo. Housed in twin palaces on opposite sides of his piazza del Campidoglio are the Capitoline Museums, the oldest public gallery in the world, having opened their collection to the public in 1734. Once inside, you can admire breathtaking paintings by Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and Caravaggio and beautifully crafted statues by the Baroque genius Bernini. While on the art trail, don't miss the Borghese Gallery and the Palazzo Barberini Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica.

Time Out tip: If required, remember to print out your tickets ready for entry.

7.  Santa Maria in Via

• Religious buildings and sites

Perk yourself up with a cupful of miraculous water in the church of Santa Maria in Via. In 1286 a stone bearing an image of the Virgin’s face floated to the surface of a well, over which this church was later built, and locals and visitors alike are still going crazy for the water.

Where is it?  Largo Chigi. 

Time Out tip:  Just moments away from Fontana de Trevi, we recommend visiting both sites before rounding off the afternoon with a woodfire pizza at Piccolo Buco.

8.  Fontana di Trevi

• Monuments and memorials

Worm your way through the heaving crowds of its tiny piazza, and you’ll see why everyone makes such a fuss about the Fontana di Trevi. Basking in the glow of constant camera flashes, Trevi’s gleaming travertine looks stark beneath the roaring washes of water. The sculpture itself is a fantastical scene of conch-blowing tritons, sharp rocks and flimsy trees, all bursting from in front of the wall of the Palazzo Poli. No one knows why people started chucking coins in the water, but you probably should – it gets drained once a week, with all the money going to the Italian Red Cross. Our top tip? Avoid the crowds by going as late or early in the day as possible.

Where is it?  Piazza di Trevi.

Time Out tip: With such a high footfall, the fountain can be a hotspot for pickpockets, so take extra care when requesting a photo from a fellow tourist. To be on the safe side, we'd recommend investing in a selfie stick.

9.  Piazza di Spagna

Piazza di Spagna takes its name from the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican but is chiefly celebrated for the elegant cascade of stairs down from the church of Trinità dei Monti. Known in Italian as the Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, the English Grand Tourists referred to them as the Spanish Steps. At the foot of the stairs is a delightful boat-shaped fountain, the Barcaccia; it’s ingeniously sunk below ground level to compensate for the low pressure of the delicious Acqua Vergine that feeds it. The steps are best seen first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive.

Where is it?  Piazza di Spagna.

Time Out tip: After climbing all those steps a scoop of gelato from Venchi is a must.

10.  Pincio

• Parks and gardens

Overlooking Piazza del Popolo, and now an integral part of the Villa Borghese, is one of the oldest gardens in Rome: the Pincio. The Pinci family commissioned the first gardens here in the fourth century. Pincio is best known for its view of the Vatican at sunset, with the dome of St Peter’s silhouetted in gold. The paved area behind the viewpoint is popular with cyclists (bikes can be hired nearby) and skaters. To the southeast of the Pincio is the Casina Valadier, now a pricey restaurant with a to-die-for view.

Where is it?  Viale Gabriele D'Annunzio.

Time Out tip: Once you're at the top, don't rush off after your snaps, instead take in the gorgeous views – you could even set up a picnic spot in the gardens of Villa Borghese for a relaxing afternoon. Just make sure it's a shaded area and always have an umbrella to hand. Trust us. 

11.  Central Lake Park (Laghetto dell’E.U.R)

As Rome is one of the best cities to get lost in, I took a little detour on my way to Euroma 2, swapping the swarms of busy shoppers for the tranquil footpaths, sweeping views and manicured hedgerows of  Central Lake Park. Situated in the EUR neighbourhood in southern Rome EUR neighbourhood, the lake is a great place to come if you want to avoid the overcrowded centre, relax, and bask in the gorgeous summer sun for a few hours.  Originally designed by Marcello Piacentini  and completed in 1959 ahead of the 1960 Rome Olympics, this manmade lake is a prime spot for cycling, canoeing, and, of course, a picnic. 

Where is it?  Laghetto dell’E.U.R

Time Out tip: Find a place to perch under the cherry blossoms facing the water, grab a frisbee, and you're all set.

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The 26 Best Things to Do in Rome

By Maresa Manara and Katie Parla

In such an ancient and dense place, prioritizing which corners to see can be an overwhelming task. How do you even start to figure out what to do in Rome? To shed some light on that impenetrable question, we've pulled together a list of world-famous sites and lesser-known destinations—museums, markets, archeological and architectural marvels—that will provide you with the full spectrum of outstanding experiences the Italian capital has to offer. Whether you have only a day in the city or a couple weeks (or return visits) to explore every detail, this list will help you pull together an itinerary you won't forget.

Read our complete Rome travel guide here .

Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Palazzo Spada Arrow

Near Campo dei Fiori yet blissfully uncrowded, Palazzo Spada is a striking historic palace built in the 16 th century and redesigned by Roman architect Borromini in the 17th century. Inside there’s a rich art collection with Renaissance and Baroque masters, and outside there’s a peaceful courtyard where eight impressive colonnades create a mesmerising optical illusion. The palace itself is exquisitely Baroque, with elegant, perfect symmetry and ornate decorations. Inside, there are walls plastered in frescoes, immaculate stucco work, and grand halls of opulent, gilded marble. Palazzo Spada houses an incredible art collection, with paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts by artists including Titian and Caravaggio. Don’t miss the Borromini Perspective Gallery, a masterclass in optical illusion where a corridor appears to be much longer than it actually is.

Monte Mario Nature Reserve Arrow

A hike through this huge nature reserve—the highest of Rome’s ‘seven hills’—makes for a great alternative to Villa Borghese, with a fraction of the crowds, and fantastic views over the city. The Monte Mario Natural Reserve spans around 100 hectares, with nature trails wending through canopies of oak trees, pines and cypress trees. There’s a rich array of wildlife, including hawks, kestrels, foxes and hedgehogs. It couldn’t feel farther from one of the world’s biggest cities. There’s a number of different walking trails throughout the reserve, some more difficult (and steep) than others. Take a taxi there from the historical centre—it’s a seven minute drive away.

Case Romane del Celio in Rome Arrow

Underground beneath the Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo, this heritage museum shows how Roman daily life has changed over the years. There are 20 rooms showing ancient Roman homes, shops and shrines. It’s cheap to get into and relatively quiet, even on weekends. This is one of the best preserved examples of ancient Roman domestic architecture. The houses date back to the second and third centuries AD. They were part of a larger residential complex, possibly belonging to a single aristocratic Roman family. One of the most remarkable features is the underground area known as the hypogeum —a subterranean complex of chambers and passageways. Visitors can explore several interconnected rooms, including reception areas (atria), living quarters (cubicula), kitchens, and courtyards. The houses are decorated with colorful frescoes, intricate mosaics, and marble floors, showcasing the opulence and artistic sophistication of the Roman elite.

Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza Arrow

Most artists and architects working in the characteristically ornate and emotional Baroque style leaned heavily on color and materials to create strong visual impressions. Not Borromini, in this magnificent church originally designed for the Università di Roma. Using simply molded stucco forms and daylight, the maestro created an interior space that's at once intimate and infinite, simple and complex. If you've seen Bernini's interior design at St. Peter's Basilica, this is a great place to see how his rival achieves absolute architectural perfection without using scale and color as a crutch. There's no guide. Walk in, take a seat, and take it in.

Levi Mandel

Hannah Towey

Charlie Hobbs

Maresa Manara

Galleria Doria Pamphilj Arrow

This museum houses Rome's largest private collection, a trove assembled by the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi, and Aldobrandini families and brought together through marriage. It’s set in a noble palace still owned by the Doria Pamphilj family and the ornate halls provide a grand setting for such an overwhelming amount of art. The collection is acclaimed among 16th and 17th-century art aficionados but is off the average visitor’s radar even though it's located just off Piazza Venezia and close to the Forum.

Villa Doria Pamphilj Arrow

Rome's largest public park is divided into manicured gardens, stretches of forest, pine groves, and bits of wild vegetation. There are wide open fields, as well as intimate nooks for romantic picnics. It's a perfect destination for runners or cyclists who want to get in a few miles without the nuisances of car traffic and smog. Whether you visit for a stroll, a meal, or a workout, be sure to have a map. The place is huge and some exits spit you out into residential neighborhoods.

Colosseum Arrow

If you know the background of the building, a visit to the Colosseum will be truly amazing and totally live up to the hype. The place was used for wild beast hunts, public executions, and gladiator fights for several hundred years, then became a condo of sorts as medieval Romans made their homes in the hulking ruins. Spend a little time on the second story exhibition area, check out the artists' renderings of the building's ancient and medieval incarnations, and you'll be anxious to learn more.

Ancient Pharmacy of Santa Maria della Scala Arrow

Entering this ancient apothecary, the oldest in Europe, feels a little like stepping back in time. You enter through the ground floor of the building, which is now a functioning, modern pharmacy, before heading upstairs to the ancient iteration. Visitors are welcomed by a friar, who talks you through the various herbs, potions, unguents, balms, and oils that they used to heal the ancient Romans. He knows his stuff. Ask him to show you some of the original wooden furniture from the 18th century, and the instruments they used for weighing ingredients and making the medicines. Look out for the teriaca, a potion created and used by Romans as an antidote—ingredients include viper meat.

MAXXI Rome Arrow

MAXXI is the kind of place you go to spend half a day, with no plans other than to take the entire place in. Designed by Zaha Hadid, this is Rome’s museum for all things contemporary, with exhibitions spanning modern fashion, cinema, art, and architecture. Heck, it’s worth visiting just to check out the building, a piece of art in itself. The labyrinthine space at MAXXI is astounding. It gets busy, but there's so much space that you wouldn't notice. Big, wide halls give way to rooms of different themes and sizes, resulting in five floors of non-stop, incredible artwork. Spaces range from performing arts to galleries with modern artworks to open cinemas. For some, this might feel a little incoherent, but it helps if you take it in as a whole rather than different spaces.

Capitoline Museums Arrow

Home to one of the finest collections of ancient sculpture in Rome (and therefore the world), the Capitoline Museums are—weirdly—rarely crowded. They attract school groups, local history and art buffs, and travelers, all of whom tend to meander through the museums' various buildings, two of which were designed by none other than Michelangelo. Thanks to its collection and its proximity to Rome's main archeological attractions, it's a logical place to stop after visiting the Roman Forum and Colosseum.

Palatine Hill Arrow

The Palatine Hill is a big, sprawling open-air museum. There are emperors' palaces, manicured gardens, medieval churches, and a terrace overlooking the Forum and beyond. The admission fee is about $18 and covers the Roman Forum and Colosseum, too, making it a pretty great deal. Although the Palatine has monuments from every major era in Rome's history, the real draw is a first-century palace built by Domitian, a mad emperor with a very serious architecture addiction.

Jubilee Church Arrow

Chiesa di Dio Padre Misericordioso, also known as the Jubilee Church, was designed by American architect Richard Meier as part of the Vatican's grand church-building and city revival program leading up to the Millennium Jubilee, a Catholic pilgrimage year held in 2000. The church is free, though getting there may cost you. It's about six miles from central Rome, so a taxi could easily cost more than €25 ($28). Alternatively, you can reach the church via public transport for €3 ($4) round trip.

San Zeno Chapel at Santa Prassede Arrow

The San Zeno Chapel is a small chapel and major pilgrimage destination inside the church of Santa Prassede (aka Saint Praxedes). The church, chapel, and mosaics all backdate to the 9th century when Pope Paschal I built the chapel and its Byzantine mosaics for his mother. Because the chapel houses the remains of a pillar believed by many Catholics to be from the Flagellation of Christ, it draws some pilgrims. Other visitors are travelers specifically there to see the Byzantine mosaics.

Domus Aurea Arrow

A sprawling palatial pavilion built by emperor Nero in the 1st century that will blow you away with the design taste and command of concrete and space on display. You can only visit on weekends—the site's under restoration during the week—but admission includes a guided tour. Ours was led by an archeologist who not only worked on the site but was totally obsessed with it; the passion made for a terrific tour. Try your luck.

Mercato di Campagna Amica del Circo Massimo Arrow

Despite being Rome's largest farmers market, the Mercato di Campagna Amica remains down to earth and not at all corporate—as demonstrated by the fact it's only open on weekends. The stalls adhere to the "0 km" philosophy, shorthand for products made or grown within 100 kilometers from the point of sale; and vendors come mostly from Lazio, Rome's home region. It's a crash course in the local leafy greens, amusing in their number and variety, especially to visitors from northern climates. Both the olives and the olive oil you'll find here are worth a splurge, but one of the market's best uses is as a source of super-fresh (and super-cheap) picnic material. Grab some bread, a little fresh pecorino, a few slices of prosciutto, some fruit, and make yourself a lunch.

Villa Farnesina Arrow

The Villa was the private residence of Agostino Chigi, one of the Renaissance's richest men; he liked to showcase his wealth by hiring artists to paint elaborate frescoes on the walls and ceilings in his palace. That makes this a great place for Renaissance fans who want to take their time and see the art in-situ without the crowds. Thanks to Raphael's emphasis on mythological themes, it's also a great place for kids who know about the Roman gods—or want to!

Janiculum Hill Arrow

This is a leisurely stroll beginning in Trastevere and winding up via Garibaldi to the top of Janiculum Hill. The mood changes from urban at the beginning to monumental at the end; it's a bit of work, but rewards those willing to do it with a unique perspective on Roman history and some of the best views of the city. Best to do the walk during the day, or early in the morning if it's summer. If you're on a tight schedule, don't want to brave the hill in the heat, or just want to get a view, skip the hike and take a taxi directly to Piazzale Garibaldi.

Vicus Caprarius Arrow

This museum takes you beneath the Trevi district, through an intricate maze of ancient vestiges to the archaeological ruins of Vicus Caprarius (which roughly translates to “City of Water”), an old Roman apartment complex dating back to the first-century A.D.. You get to see first-hand how the rich Romans lived, using their very own aqueduct–the same one that feeds the Trevi fountain–for their running water. The entrance is unassuming, and if you hadn’t been told it was there it would be easy to walk right past. There’s a fairly comprehensive website but all bookings are made (and confirmed) via a Whatsapp chat. Skip the guided tour—there were 8 of us in the tour group, but we shared the same (small) space with  self-guided individuals, many of whom had just showed up and booked on the day. If you're keen on a post-museum cocktail, head upstairs to Harry's Bar.

Santa Maria del Popolo Arrow

Santa Maria del Popolo is a Renaissance church at the edge of Piazza del Popolo and just within Rome's 3rd-century walls. It was decorated during Rome's most recent artistic peak, the 15th to 17th centuries, and is packed with masterpieces. The church is free, though some coins will come in handy for turning lights on in chapels. The place mostly draws visitors on the Caravaggio trail. Two canvases painted by that controversial and innovative artist hang in the chapel next to the main altar.

Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini Arrow

The Domus Romane are ancient Roman villas and other structures that were abandoned in antiquity, filled in with debris, and inadvertently used as foundations for Palazzo Valentini, a Renaissance palace turned government office building. They are now underground, obscured by buildings and pavement just beside Piazza Venezia. Booking is required and must be done online.

Santa Maria in Trastevere Arrow

There are hundreds of churches in Rome, but Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the most breathtaking. Not only are the mosaics and gilded ceiling spectacular, the very skeletal structure of the church is mind-boggling. The columns that support the nave and separate the aisles are single, solid pieces of granite that were lugged across the river in the 12th century after being plundered from the 3rd-century Baths of Caracalla. The church will help you develop a taste for medieval Rome, a period often outshined by the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

Palazzo Massimo Arrow

The Palazzo Massimo's building itself was built by Jesuits in the late 19th century and was only turned into a state-owned museum in 1980. It's next to Stazione Termini, Rome's busiest station, yet few travelers make the trip to see the museum's masterpiece-packed halls. The collection is a mix of Classical sculpture, Imperial frescoes, and Hellenistic baroque-style statuary. After the Vatican Museums and Capitoline Museums, the Palazzo Massimo is a must for ancient art lovers.

Testaccio Market Arrow

This market in one of Rome's most bustling central neighborhoods has all the usual suspects: bread bakeries, produce stalls, fishmongers, butchers, and delis. You'll also find seasonal vegetables like artichokes or zucchini, cuts typical of the local cuisine like tripe and liver, and little chewy pizzas common to Roman bakeries. If you're looking for lunch (or to stock a picnic), hunt down takeaway stalls like the stellar Mordi e Vai, which serves Roman sandwiches near the Via B. Franklin exit. The stalls on the eastern side of the market mainly sell clothes, shoes, and housewares. There's even a hair salon, in case you're needing a touchup.

Pigneto Arrow

Pigneto is popular with Italian college students and twenty- and thirty-somethings who frequent the bars on the "Isola," a pedestrianized stretch of Via del Pigneto, the neighborhood's central artery. It's also a destination for Pasolini fans who visit the streets that were the backdrop for his Neorealist films. It's an acquired taste and may feel too rough-around-the-edges for some, but anyone interested in urbanism and street art, or just thirsty to explore neighborhood's outside of Rome's historic center, will enjoy it.

Baths of Caracalla Arrow

The Baths of Caracalla were a massive public bathing complex built in the third century. Throughout the year, the site is open during the day for visitors to stroll through ruins that were so magnificent they inspired the Main Concourse at Grand Central Terminal. Each summer, the city of Rome's Opera company performs at the Baths, using the towering brick ruins as a backdrop. The contrast of the ancient buildings, celebrated operas, and modern acoustics and lighting is stunning.

Quartiere San Lorenzo Arrow

This working-class neighborhood near Termini station first gained international prominence when Soho House opened their Rome outpost a few years back. Since then, it’s evolved from a rough-around-the-edges student hangout into a decidedly bohemian district, with street art, street food, lively bars, and cool fashion boutiques. To get the most out of the neighborhood, visit in the late afternoon, when fashion boutiques like L’Anatra all’Arancia and La Maison de la Mode will still be open. Refuel with a coffee at the diminutive Giufà Libreria Caffè bookstore-bar, then check out the street art around Via dei Sabelli and Scalo San Lorenzo. Stop by Blackmarket San Lorenzo for a pre-dinner cocktail and vegetarian small plates, or pop into Sanlollo for pizzas, bruschetta, and salted cod. Gelato San Lorenzo does some of the best ice cream in town, all of it organic. Still, don't bring your parents or your fussiest friends here; rather, come with someone who’s up for a cheap-ish night out in a gritty but very cool neighborhood.

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10 top things to do in Rome in 2024

Feb 29, 2024 • 13 min read

Here are the best things to see and do on visit to Rome © RossHelen / Getty Images

One thing every Roman and visitor can agree on is that there is no shortage of things to do in Italy's charismatic capital.

The biggest challenge on a trip to Rome will be discerning your must-see sights, while also accepting it's impossible to fit everything into one vacation. There may be historical monuments, museums and ancient sites around every corner but there's more to this city than standing in the long lines often required to view them up close.

The Eternal City is massive, endlessly entertaining and some of your best times will involve wandering down random streets and watching the world go by with an espresso in hand. Get planning now with our ten favorite experiences in Rome.

1. Lose yourself in Ancient Rome (but not all in one day) 

Any Italian will tell you how downright anarchic Rome is and immediately after, every one of them will say, “but Rome is Rome.” There is simply no place like it in the world, and the only thing to do is abandon yourself to all of its chaotic charms. Even though you are extremely likely to meet hordes of people at any moment, how could you possibly skip the very sites that make the city extraordinary?

It would be bananas to visit Rome and not stand in front of the Colosseum , even though you’ll be one in a sea of gladiators-in-training. You must stand underneath the dome of the Pantheon  even though you’ll wait in a considerable line ( one you’ll now pay for , fyi). And though you’ll be surrounded by cameras, souvenir sellers and tour groups, it would be almost unthinkable not to witness the singular beauty of the Trevi Fountain .

So don’t. Take it all in and let the experience find you. Touch the walls of ancient buildings and think about how they’ve been standing for millennia, or fix your eyes on the impossibly intricate carvings of marble and statues. Wander around the major sights, stumble across the minor ones and remember that you only have to move one or two streets over to find yourself in a calm corner of the capital.

Planning tip: When you make your plans in Rome, space out the heavy hitters and give yourself time to soak everything in at a pace that suits you. If you’re only in Rome for three days, think about dedicating a half day to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Forum , and then leave yourself the rest of the afternoon or evening to stroll through other parts of town that are a little less trafficked. Plus, that leaves you plenty of time to… 

2. Learn the subtle art of the aperitivo

Don’t call it happy hour, because the aperitivo is so much more than a discount drink after a day at the office. And trust me, there is a science to doing it right: the aperitivo is a pre-dinner drinks ritual meant to whet the appetite, not satiate or drown it in cheap booze. Though one can probably find evidence of such imbibing throughout human history, the modern aperitivo dates back only a couple of centuries to the popularization of vermouth and other herbal drinks in the late 1700s.

Since then, Italians have been unwinding with friends and beverages before settling in for dinner and doing so in ever more creative ways. These days, the aperitivo is increasingly varied and always accompanied by snacks, which have also become more elaborately prepared for pairing. Just don’t fill up on any of it – after all, it is but a prelude of what is to come at dinner. 

Local tip: Rome is one of the best cities in Italy to sample a wide range of aperitivi , as every bar does things slightly differently and there are far worse ways to spend one’s time than sampling them all. If you’re in the market for luxury, try snagging a spot on the coveted rooftop of Terrazzo Borromini overlooking Piazza Navona . If your tastes run trendier, check out the mixology at Freni i Frizioni in Trastevere . For a classic Roman moment, head over to Ai Tre Scalini in Monti, where the vine-covered streets provide a beautiful backdrop for the most poetic of  aperitivi .

3. Spend a day in the Vatican City

Whether you go as a tourist or a pilgrim, the impact of seeing the Vatican for the first time is hard to overstate. From the outside, this half-kilometer-square city-state is dwarfed by the imposing dome of St Peter’s Basilica and framed by the long embrace of Bernini’s square: this alone is enough to make it worth the trip, but once you step inside the Vatican buildings you cannot help but be taken aback.

Start at the Vatican Museums , a complex of 26 structures that spans 7km (4.3 miles) of halls and galleries. While you could spend an eternity craning your neck to see it all, a few hours is enough to get a sense of the unparalleled catalog that the Museums contain. Finish by heading through the claustrophobic staircase (you’ve been warned, but it’s worth it) to the Sistine Chapel , still breathtaking no matter how many people are there sharing the view.

After you’ve hopefully stopped for lunch and a refresh, the Dome awaits. St Peter’s Basilica is a marvel of engineering, architecture, and sheer will: after all, it took more than a century to bring into being and it passed through the hands of many of Italy's most iconic figures along the way. Everything about the Basilica is imposing, so don’t be surprised if the sheer scale of it is overwhelming on the first visit. That’s just another reason to come back. 

Planning tip: A dress code is still enforced pretty strenuously. To be safe, wear pants or skirts that cover your knees and tops that cover your shoulders. When in doubt, bring a light scarf with you (it's always worth having a scarf in Rome !).

4. Work your way through Rome’s museums 

Although the Vatican Museums are amongst the largest in the world, they are far from the only ones to visit in Rome. What’s more, many of the city’s most interesting museums are slightly off-piste for most visitors, so you may find yourself enjoying an unexpectedly peaceful afternoon in even the busiest periods of the year. In a city overflowing with history and culture, there’s a museum for everyone.

If you can’t get enough of Ancient Rome, the Capitoline Museums on the Campidoglio offer that and more, with works dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 17th century. For an even deeper dive into historical artifacts, the National Roman Museum houses a priceless collection in four separate buildings around the city, each a work of art in its own right.

Classical art lovers are spoilt for choice as well: from the Galleria Borghese to Palazzo Colonna , there are majestic collections around just about every corner. But there’s always space for more, and modern art has a well-established place in Rome. The National Gallery and MAXXI have incredible collections from contemporary artists, all of which are worth seeing. 

Local tip: If you like to hunt around, go on the lookout for Rome’s eight “ small museums ”, each of which is located around the city and some in the strangest places. Oh and bonus, they’re all free to enter ! 

5. Head underground to discover hidden history

Hiding in (almost) plain sight next to the Colosseum, the Domus Aurea is one of the most enigmatic and least explored remnants of Ancient Rome. The sprawling complex was built sometime after the fire of 64CE that destroyed much of the city, under the order of Emperor Nero.

Over time it was buried and remained undiscovered until the Renaissance when intrepid artists like Ghirlandaio and Raphael did their version of urban spelunking to witness the painted “underground grottoes”. You don’t have to be nearly as athletic to get there today: the Domus Aurea underground tour offers an incredible chance to tour some of the ancient palace. It maintains a cool and constant underground temperature, making it the perfect place to escape the Roman sun. 

Local tip: The Domus Aurea is also home to a cat sanctuary – if you’re a cat lover, try to spot the friendly felines hanging out among the complex.

6. Take in the views from the city's hills

It’s easy to forget the sheer scope of the city when you’re shuffling through jampacked cobblestone alleys, and it makes all the difference to remind yourself of it now and then. Greater Rome covers nearly 500 sq miles, though the vast majority of its most well-known sites are located within a much smaller area of about five sq miles. Luckily, there are a few key points around the city center where you can get a sense of where you are and admire the beauty of this ever-expanding metropolis.

Climb up the Janiculum Hill for one of the most impressive panoramas you’re likely to see and if you time it right, you may be there for the cannon shot that fires every day at noon (don’t worry, they’re blanks). If you’re wandering during the golden hour (right before sunset), make your way to the Giardini degli Aranci on the Aventine Hill for a perfectly framed picture that no camera could ever capture. Enjoy the walk back down through the frequently overlooked Rose Garden , which offers its own unique perspective on the neighboring Palatine Hill.

Detour: If you’ve got the time and a bus map, head to Parco Mellini in Monte Mario outside of the city center for a dramatic view that stretches far beyond the Aurelian walls. 

7. Shop sustainably in Rome's secondhand stores 

Though you’ll find every designer in the world has a shop somewhere in the city, Rome has a fabulous thrift shop and market culture where you can find clothing, antiques and just about anything else you could imagine. The Mercatino dell’Usato chain has stores all over the city, and many are an adventure in themselves for people who love scouting out finds. If you’re near the Aventino, check out tiny Affare Fatto , a thrift store that often has eclectic furnishings left behind by diplomats leaving for their next mission. 

But the open-air markets are an entity unto themselves, and if you are soothed by the chaos of commerce, this could be the itinerary for you. The market at Via Sannio near San Giovanni has a bustling vibe and is open almost all week with antiques, jewelry, clothing and small independent producers alongside vintage sellers. Time it right to find the ecosolidale market open on Via del Porto Fluviale in Ostiense and you may just get the couture purchase of a lifetime.

If you’re in town on Sunday you cannot miss the mind-boggling Porta Portese market, which takes over the district just south of Trastevere with kilometers of curios. Don’t be surprised if you find a famous designer rummaging along next to you. If you need to keep up on secondhand Rome, black-belt-level thrift shopper Desirée at the Pewter Thimble has you covered. 

8. Experience the best of Rome’s many parks 

Rome has a lot of parks. In fact, Rome has the most hectares of greenery in Europe and each of its parks serves an important historical, cultural and natural purpose for citizens and travelers alike. Though it may not be the first thing that you think of when you start filling out your wishlist of things to do in the city, you don’t want to miss the chance to wander through some of the most beautiful urban oases in the world. 

The most famous park in Rome is undoubtedly Villa Borghese , and with good reason. Covering 80 hectares (197 acres) of the Pinciano district in the city center, the park has boating, tons of trails, theaters, and of course the Galleria Borghese Museum. But other green spaces abound in the city, and each one provides a refuge from the heat of the summer or the occasional winter gray. Check out the intimate Villa Celimontana near the Colosseum or the Parco del Colle Oppio for a different view of the iconic stadium (that also includes a skate park).

Detour: For those looking for less manicured nature, sign up for a bike tour of the Parco della Caffarella , one of the most untouched areas in the city. And while you’re there, take a walk back in time along the Appia Antica , a site so inspiring that it will put to rest any rumors of Rome’s impending demise.

9. Taste local produce at Rome's incredible markets 

It wouldn’t be a Roman holiday without copious amounts of food, the quality of which will leave you pining for its equal once you’ve returned home. And while you could spend a lot of time (and money) sampling restaurants around the city, make better use of both by getting to know the food markets all over Rome.

If you’re coming and going from Termini station, you’ll be spoilt for choice at the Mercato Centrale , which brings together chefs and producers from all over Italy under one postwar roof. Steps away, the  Nuovo Mercato Esquilino is a feast for cooks looking for more niche fruits, vegetables, and proteins; you’ll find halal butchers selling alongside pig farmers from the Roman countryside, and fresh fish from the Adriatic. 

If you start to get peckish as you head towards the Tiber, make a detour to the Mercato Testaccio for local cheeses, cured meats, veggies, and wines that would make any picnic rival a fine dining experience. Should you be further north near the Vatican, the Mercato Trionfale is the largest in Rome and guaranteed to have something for everyone. For weekend warriors braving the crowds at the Circo Massimo , the nearby Campagna Amica market is a fantastic place to test out your Italian, since you won’t go wrong with whatever you wind up buying. 

Local tip: Aperitivo starts at lunchtime on Saturdays and Sundays, meaning you should too. 

10. Eat out at Rome's best restaurants

For every majestic monument or glittering tribute reaching up to the heavens, everyone knows that the real reason we come to Rome is to eat. But Roman food, once religiously tethered to the traditional “quinto quarto” philosophy of using every part of an animal, has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years.

Young chefs are reinterpreting the classics, resulting in the explosive flavors of Santo Palato in San Giovanni and the home-style goodness of Romanè in Prati. Vegetarians and vegans are also well served in the capital: from the picturesque Mater Terrae in Piazza Navona and the stealthily innovative Rifugio Romano near Termini Station to the irrepressibly lovable Romeow Cat Bistrot in Ostiense, there is no shortage of meatless options in the Eternal City. 

Of course, if you’re in search of the classics, they’re right there too. Reserve early and often at Armando al Pantheon , and hope that someone cancels at Felice a Testaccio so that you can get your cacio e pepe  (pasta dish with cheese and pepper) done just the way you dreamt of it. Nothing will ever taste quite like the bread from Antico Forno Roscioli , and no one will ever be able to convince you that the slabs of pizza from Gabriele Bonci’s Pizzarium aren’t crumbs sent to lead you straight to heaven.

Local tip: Ever wondered why Italians gasp when you order a cappuccino after a meal? They normally drink coffee after eating as a tool for digestion, as the acidity and caffeine help to speed up the process. By now they’re pretty used to non-Italians asking for milky beverages after a meal but if you want to do like the Romans, skip the dairy (or try a macchiato).

This article was first published September 2015 and updated February 2024

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101 Top Things To Do In Rome

You can spend an eternity exploring the Eternal City and still find something new to do every day. Here’s a list of the best things to do in Rome to get you started –  don’t worry, there’s something for everyone.

Walk in The Footsteps of Gladiators at the Colosseum

Can a trip to Rome really be complete without a visit to the Colosseum ? This 2,000-year-old amphitheater is not only the most famous symbol of Rome but has also been declared one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Step inside and be transported back into a time of epic gladiator fights, roaring crowds, and bloodthirsty emperors. You’ll be able to walk around the tiers, which once held up to 50,000 spectators. See the arena floor from above, and, with a special access ticket, even visit the Hypogeum, the underground labyrinth where gladiators would prepare for battle.

Panem et circenses , anyone?

Stroll Among the Ruins at the Roman Forum

Ever wonder what it was like to live in Ancient Rome? As you walk amongst the ruins of the Roman Forum , you’ll soon find out. This ancient square was once the epicenter of religious, political, and social life in the Roman Republic. 

To get a better appreciation for what you’re looking at, we recommend listening to an audioguide or hiring a tour guide. You’ll learn about the temples, churches, and government buildings that populate the area, and you’ll experience the glory of Rome at the height of its power.

Discover the Legendary Birthplace of Rome on Palatine Hill

Legend has it that Palatine Hill , the most famous of Rome’s seven hills, was the location of the Lupercal Cave – the cave where Romulus and Remus were raised by the she-wolf.

Because of its mythical history and its panoramic views over the city center of Rome, the hill later became known as the most prestigious and desirable neighborhood of ancient Rome, home to emperors and patricians.

Today, you can explore the ruins of ancient palaces belonging to Emperors Augustus and Domitian, learn more in the museum, and visit the Farnese Gardens, one of the first botanical gardens in Europe.

Explore the Smallest Country in the World: Vatican City

Vatican City may be a tiny enclave with an area of less than 0.20 square miles, but it’s packed with stuff to do. Home to the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and the holiest of bishops, the pope, this microstate was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Whether you’re viewing art in the extensive galleries of the Vatican Museums , exploring a ginormous church, or simply laughing at the Swiss Guards’ funny uniforms, one thing’s for sure: you’ll never be bored.

Though it might sound contradictory, you can’t leave Rome without first stepping foot in another country.

Visit the Largest Church in the World: St. Peter’s Basilica

Ironically enough, the world’s largest church happens to be located in the world’s smallest country. St. Peter’s Basilica is not only extremely holy but also extraordinarily beautiful.

Designed and decorated by some of the greatest artists that ever lived, Michelangelo and Bernini , among others, this church is definitely one attraction you just can’t miss.

Though one of the free things to do in Rome, try to get there early as the lines are very long.

View World-Famous Masterpieces at the Vatican Museums

Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael, Da Vinci. Whether or not you’re a fan of art, you’ve almost certainly heard these names. Their masterpieces adorn the galleries of the Vatican Museums , but that’s not all. The museums have everything from Egyptian mummies to modern art, so there’s definitely something for everyone.

With 54 galleries and over 70,000 works of art, it’s impossible to see everything in one day, so make sure you plan your trip well and remember to book your tickets in advance.

Gaze up at Michelangelo’s Frescoes in the Sistine Chapel

Though part of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel is so crazily famous that it deserves its own number on the list.

The chapel is most known for the nine ceiling panels frescoed by Michelangelo, particularly the central one featuring the creation of Adam , which is one of the most recognizable images in Western art.

However, the chapel walls are also very impressive, especially the enormous fresco of the Last Judgement also painted by Michelangelo. See if you can spot the artist’s alleged self-portrait among the over 300 figures depicted in the scene.

Peel Back the Layers of History at Castel Sant’Angelo

Mausoleum, castle, fortress, refuge, prison: these are the numerous terms used to describe Castel Sant’Angelo over the course of its long and turbulent history. Its various functions over time led to the unique appearance it has today.

Now, it’s a museum where you can learn about its history and explore some of the rooms. Don’t forget to head up to the Angel Terrace to get stunning views of the city of Rome and the Ponte Sant’Angelo below, the beautiful bridge of angels.

Marvel at the World’s Largest Concrete Dome at the Pantheon

The Pantheon , meaning the temple of all gods, is the world’s best-preserved ancient Roman monument. Constructed nearly 2,000 years ago, the fact that the unreinforced concrete dome is still intact is an architectural wonder.

The church is also the final resting place of the famous Renaissance artist Raphael and the first two kings of a unified Italy: Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I.

Insider tip: To see something truly magical, head there when it’s raining. There’s something about seeing water pouring freely through the oculus into this sacred space that almost feels divine.

See Baroque Fountains at Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of Rome’s most beautiful squares. Known for its elongated oval shape, it’s also famous for having one of Bernini’s most famous fountains as its centerpiece. The Fountain of the Four Rivers is a Baroque masterpiece featuring four personified rivers and topped by an Egyptian obelisk.

Directly in front of the fountain is the Baroque church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, designed by daring architect Francesco Borromini. Legend has it that there was a rivalry between the two artists.

If you are in Rome at Christmas time, don’t miss the annual Christmas market held here at the piazza.

Toss a Coin (or Two or Three) into the Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is arguably the most beautiful and famous fountain in the world and one of Rome’s most popular tourist sites. To see the fountain without the hordes of tourists, then go there at the crack of dawn. Trust me, it’s worth it.

According to legend, if you toss one coin into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome; if you toss two in, you’ll meet your true love; if you throw in three, you’ll get married to your true love in Rome.

Enjoy your Roman Holiday at Piazza di Spagna

Piazza di Spagna was put on the map during the 18th and 19th centuries when travelers doing the Grand Tour would stay there. The English influence is certainly felt here, as it’s the location of the Keats-Shelley House museum and Babington’s Tea Room, where you can enjoy an authentic high tea experience.

Piazza di Spagna is also the site of the Spanish Steps, made famous in the 1950s Hollywood film starring Audrey Hepburn.

See the Iconic She-Wolf Statue at the Capitoline Museums

The Capitoline Museums is said to be the world’s first public museum. Housed in two buildings connected by an underground tunnel, the museum contains an incredible collection of ancient statues and other art linked to the city of Rome.

Don’t miss the symbol of Rome, the she-wolf suckling the twins; the gigantic remains of the Colossus of Constantine; or the Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, the only intact bronze statue of antiquity.

Marvel at Michelangelo’s Piazza del Campidoglio

Atop Capitoline Hill is one of the most beautiful squares known to man. Head up there to see the masterpiece known as Piazza del Campidoglio , designed by none other than Michelangelo himself.

The centerpiece of the square is a towering equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius looking down over the city of Rome, and on either side are the buildings belonging to the Capitoline Museums, but the square is also known for being one of the best places to get a view of the Roman Forum from above.

Ride a Bike Through Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is one of the largest urban parks in Europe. Situated on Pincian Hill, it’s the perfect combination between lush greenery and romantic Roman sculptures and architecture.

There are many things to see in the park, such as the 19th-century water clock – a feat of engineering – or the Silvano Toti Globe Theatre – a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe, but one of our favorite activities is to rent a bike or rollerskates and zoom through the park on wheels.

Don’t miss the Pincio Terrace for breathtaking panoramic views of Rome. Count the cupolas and see if you can spot St. Peter’s Basilica.

See Bernini Masterpieces at the Galleria Borghese

The Galleria Borghese is one of the most magnificent private art galleries in the world. Not only does it contain paintings by exceptional artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio, and Titian, but it also has one of the finest Baroque sculpture collections in Rome.

The Rape of Proserpina and Apollo and Daphne, both by Bernini, are two great examples of how movement can be immortalized in marble.

If you only have time to see one gallery during your stay in Rome, make sure it’s this one. It is one of the top 10 things to do in Rome.

Explore an Archeological Site at Ostia Antica

Just 19 miles (30 km) outside of Rome’s city center is a large archeological site known as Ostia Antica . What was once a prospering harbor city during the Roman Empire is now a magnificently preserved ancient city in ruins.

Spend an afternoon exploring the remains of taverns, shops, public baths, and even a large theatre, and imagine what life must have been like millennia ago.

Tour an Underground Cemetery at the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus

Known as the most famous of Rome’s Christian catacombs, the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus are also one of the oldest official cemeteries belonging to the Church of Rome, dating back to a time of Christian persecution when they had to bury their dead in secret.

Join a tour to explore the Crypt of the Nine Popes, admire the preserved mosaics, and decode the mysterious Christian symbols carved into the walls.

Spend a day at an Ancient Spa at the Baths of Caracalla

The Romans were well-known for their penchant for taking baths. Spend an afternoon exploring the ruins of Baths of Caracalla , ancient Rome’s second-largest public thermae. Discover its different structures like the natatio, tepidarium, frigidarium, and caldarium.

Then head underground to the exhibition area to learn more about the history of this complex and visit the biggest Mithraeum ever documented.

Monkey Around With Marmosets at the Bioparco

Seeing beautiful churches or ancient ruins is not the only thing to do in Rome. Located on the grounds of one of Rome’s most famous parks, Villa Borghese, is Bioparco , Italy’s oldest and largest zoo.

Whether you’re picnicking with the flamingos by the Oasis of the Lake, gazing at the grizzlies in the Valley of the Bears, or trying to spot the pygmy marmoset, the world’s smallest monkey, Bioparco is great fun for everyone, young or old. Definitely on a list of cool things to do in Rome.

Trot Across the Tiber into Trendy Trastevere

Crossing the Tiber River brings you into Trastevere , one of Rome’s most vibrant neighborhoods. What was once a very local and working-class district has transformed into a funky and bohemian area complete with narrow cobblestone streets, tasty trattorias, and some of the best nightlife in the city.

Insider tip: For a truly local experience and some of the cheapest booze in Rome, grab a drink at Bar San Calisto and people-watch the quirky locals who have been coming here for decades.

Chow down on a Tasty Sandwich at Testaccio Market

Located in the down-to-earth neighborhood of Testaccio, still largely undiscovered by tourists, is one of the best local markets in Rome : Testaccio Market. This airy, glass-roofed structure hosts over a hundred mostly family-run stalls. Though most of them sell fresh and seasonal fruit and vegetables, you can also find homemade clothing and used books as well, but it’s also one of the best places to grab a quick lunch.

For a truly tasty experience, head to Mordi e Vai, a popular stall selling sandwiches with classic Roman ingredients such as ‘ allesso di scottona ’ – slow-cooked beef or, for the more adventurous: tripe or tongue.

Visit the Unusual Landmark Known as the Pyramid of Cestius

Ancient Egypt or ancient Rome? Though many have never even heard of it, this well-preserved structure, located near Porta S. Paolo, is Rome’s version of a pyramid. It was built between 18 and 12 BCE to serve as the burial place for Roman magistrate Gaius Cestius, who demanded that his tomb be constructed in the style of the pharaohs.

Though the inside is temporarily closed, it’s still worth taking a look at from the outside.

Have a Gastronomical Experience at Eataly

Since its opening in 2012, this multi-level superstore has been considered a fundamental stop for all foodies coming to Rome. Inside you’ll find a market selling the highest-quality Italian products, a range of delicious restaurants, and even the opportunity to take cooking classes in situ.

If you’re looking to have a gourmet gastronomical experience in Rome, then Eataly (the fusion of EAT and ITALY) is unmissable.

Enjoy Contemporary Art in an Unusual Setting at the Mattatoio

Located in the heart of Testaccio is Il Mattatoio, a museum in Rome that hosts art exhibitions and events relating to contemporary art. What’s truly special about this place is that it’s been converted into a museum from what was once one of the largest slaughterhouses in Europe.

Talking about unique things to do in Rome.

If you can stomach its macabre past, it’s a great place to discover what’s up and coming in Roman art today.

Insider tip: Where the animals used to be kept in pens is an open area known as the ‘Città dell’Altra Economia’, an alternative space that hosts an organic market, a cafe, and a series of ever-changing events such as vintage markets and beer festivals.

See Past and Present Converge at Piazza Venezia

Located right in the heart of the city center, Piazza Venezia is one of Rome’s busiest hubs in which several thoroughfares intersect. What was once a vast Medieval and Renaissance quarter sitting at the base of Capitoline Hill is now a relatively modern square that hosts an array of impressive buildings, an infamously iconic modern monument, and even a talking statue.

Discover a Darker Chapter of Rome’s Recent History at Palazzo Venezia

Located on the piazza it gives its name to is Rome’s first great Renaissance palace and the oldest remaining building on the square. What started out as a residential palace for a pope and what later became the headquarters of a dictator is now a fantastic museum that displays an eclectic collection of Byzantine and Renaissance art.

Don’t miss the interior secret garden, an oasis of peace and greenery in the middle of Rome’s busy city center.

Visit the “People’s Square” Known as Piazza del Popolo

This large and popular Piazza del Popolo is a great place to hang out or meet up with a friend, but it’s also rife with interesting things to see. To enter the piazza from Via del Corso, you must pass between the twin Baroque churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, a wonderful display of symmetry in architecture, and at its very center stands a 3500-year-old ancient Egyptian obelisk.

The square is also a popular starting point for protests and demonstrations, living up to its name.

See a Buzzing Apian Fountain at Piazza Barberini

Piazza Barberini might not be as popular as many other Roman squares, but it’s still worth a look at just for Bernini’s Baroque fountains alone. The piazza has two of them: the more ostentatious Fountain of the Triton, which is the centerpiece of the square, and the more modest (but equally impressive) Fountain of the Bees, designed for a pope belonging to the Barberini family, whose heraldic symbol was a bee.

The piazza is also a great place to grab a drink or catch a screening at the local cinema.

Interpret a 2000-Year-Old Victory Column at Piazza Colonna

Piazza Colonna is quite fittingly named after the ancient column placed in the center of the square, but that’s not its only attraction. Surrounded by an array of beautiful historical and political palaces (and even the home of the prime minister) and located on a busy shopping street, the piazza has become a symbol of the merging of social, political, and cultural values so deeply embedded in Rome.

While you’re there, try and decipher the war story depicted in relief form on emperor Marcus Aurelius’ victory column.

View Secret Raphael Frescoes at Villa Farnesina

It’s not easy these days to view artwork by the great Renaissance artist Raphael without having to elbow people out of the way, but Villa Farnesina is one of the few places today where this is possible.

This opulent and beautiful mansion, built for a wealthy 16th-century banker, not only contains a whole room of frescoes depicting the story of Cupid and Psyche by Raphael and his workshop but the other rooms in the villa are also intricately decorated by a score of impressive artists.

Haggle at Rome’s Biggest Flea Market: Porta Portese

If you find yourself free on a Sunday morning, then head over to Porta Portese, one of the oldest and most popular flea markets in Rome . This labyrinthine market contains hundreds of stalls selling everything from used and vintage clothing to antique objects and anything in between.

There have been some worries in recent years that the market has been saturated with cheap imported junk, but that just might mean that you have to dig deeper.

Get your Modern Art Fix at the National Gallery of Modern Art

Not all the art in Rome is ancient. The National Gallery of Modern Art is home to the largest collection of modern art in Italy, displaying works from the 19th to the 21st centuries by artists such as Monet, Klimt, Van Gogh, and Pollock.

A must-see for art fans who need a break from the Baroque.

Uncover Three Layers of History at St. Clement Basilica

This hidden gem, located close to the Colosseum, might seem like an ordinary church on the outside, but it’s hiding three levels of history within.

The current St. Clement Basilica , on level one, is a beautiful Romanesque church renovated in the Baroque style, but the real treasure lies below. Head underground to explore level two, which contains the remains of the first basilica built in the 4th century. If that’s not enough, descend deeper to explore the Mithraeum, an ancient temple from the 3rd century.

Admire Hidden Masterpieces at Palazzo Barberini

Palazzo Barberini may be one of Rome’s more underrated museums, but that just makes it more worth your visit because there’ll be fewer people. Its collection alone features masterpieces by artists Raphael, Caravaggio, and Titian, among others, but the palace itself is also stunning. 

Check out the two unique staircases designed by rival artists Bernini and Borromini, and gaze up at the flamboyant grand salon ceiling fresco featuring the Barberini family in all its propagandist glory.

Get Creeped Out at the Capuchin Crypt

This unique and fascinating crypt is definitely not for the faint-hearted, as it contains the bones and mummified remains of nearly 4,000 individuals.

The museum above the crypt, devoted to the history of the Capuchin Order, is normal enough, but most people skim through it on their way downstairs to the main attraction. The bones are contained in a series of five rooms with suggestive names, such as the Crypt of Skulls and the Crypt of Pelvises, and they’re pretty accurate as far as names go.

Although the Catholic order insists it’s not meant to be macabre but a space in which a visitor can reflect on their own mortality, I beg to differ.

View the Portrait of a Pope at Doria Pamphilj Gallery

The Doria Pamphilj Gallery is arguably the best private gallery in Rome (though if you’ve read the whole list, you’ll know that Galleria Borghese gets my vote) and has an impressive collection boasting masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio. 

The crowning jewel in the gallery’s cap, however, is Velázquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X which depicted the pope with such realism that it was considered controversial upon its unveiling.

Explore The City with Ease Using a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Getting around Rome has never been easier now that there are not one but five different Ho-Ho tour companies to choose from. Spend up to three days hopping around the city on a double-decker bus with 360° views and learning about the different sites with the informative audio commentary provided.

Experience Two Different Versions of Campo de’ Fiori

Campo de’ Fiori takes its name from the field of flowers that it used to be, though today, it is a paved and lively square in the city center of Rome.

Visit in the morning to enjoy the fruit, vegetable, and flower market that fills the square almost daily, and come back in the evening to grab a drink at one of the many bars lining the piazza and experience a completely different square.

Don’t forget to gaze up at the statue of the heretical philosopher Giordano Bruno, who was burned at the stake on the very spot he is now commemorated.

Explore the Excavation Site Known as Crypta Balbi

Crypta Balbi and the surrounding area is an excavation site dedicated to the preservation of an entire Roman city block, which consisted of a theater with a crypt, a block of four apartments, and a patio. Visitors to this unique site have the chance to poke around an archeological dig and see the different layers of 2,000 years of history uncovered with their own eyes.

View an Architectural Optical Illusion at Galleria Spada

Though small in size Galleria Spada packs a punch. The collection, hung frame-to-frame in its original 17th-century format, contains beautiful works of art by the likes of Titian and Artemisia Gentileschi.

The real draw to the museum, however, has got to be Borromini’s incredible perspective corridor, a feat of architectural ingenuity that will have you mistrusting your own eyes as you look down an 8-meter-long corridor that looks more like its 40-meters long.

See a Controversial Sculpture at Santa Maria della Vittoria

Santa Maria della Vittoria is a beautifully ornate example of a High Baroque church and is well worth a visit for that reason alone, but it has become famous for Bernini’s controversial sculpture of the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa that resides within.

Saint Teresa leans back with an expression of pure ecstasy as an angel stands over her, ready to pierce her with a golden arrow. What shocks viewers is the sexually charged nature of the scene, which many don’t expect to find in a Catholic setting. Cheeky Bernini got away with it.

Discover an Unusual Tomb at Santa Maria del Popolo

Santa Maria del Popolo’s modest exterior belies the extravagant chapels within, the most famous of which is the Chigi Chapel, designed by Raphael and completed by Bernini. What’s unique about it is the strange pyramidal tomb where Agostino Chigi is interred.

Don’t forget to check out the Cerasi Chapel as well to admire the two dramatic Caravaggio paintings adorning the chapel walls. 

See a Double Facade at Santa Maria Maggiore

Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four major papal basilicas, one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, and the biggest church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome.

If those impressive titles were not enough to make you want to visit it, the stunning mosaics on the 13th-century facade, partially hidden behind the 18th-century Baroque facade, certainly will be.

Visit the “Mother of all Churches”, the Basilica of St. John Lateran

Not only is the Basilica of St. John in Lateran the oldest basilica in the world, but it’s also the highest-ranking of Rome’s four papal basilicas, even surpassing St. Peter’s in the Vatican.

Step inside its grandiose interior and be welcomed by the twelve imposing statues of the apostles, a highlight of the church. 

Don’t miss out on the Cosmatesque Cloister or the octagonal Baptistery either, both located near the basilica.

Complete a Lap at the Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus was ancient Rome’s first and largest stadium, built in the 6th century BCE. This long, oval arena was principally used for chariot racing, and today, though not much else is left, you can still see the well-worn tracks of the circuit.

It’s a great place to walk around, have a picnic, and gaze up at the ruins over on Palatine Hill across the road. It’s also used as a venue for concerts and other events as well.

Discover a Michelangelo-Designed Cloister Amidst the Ruins of the Baths of Diocletian

The Baths of Diocletian were once the largest baths in Ancient Rome and could hold up to roughly 3,000 people at a time. One thousand years after they were first constructed, Michelangelo was commissioned to build a church and charterhouse on their ruins.

Today, the complex also contains two museums where you can learn about the protohistory of the Latin peoples and see one of the richest collections of ancient inscriptions in the world.

Visit Rome’s Largest Collection of Etruscan Art at Villa Giulia

Housed inside a peaceful and beautiful Renaissance villa on the outskirts of the city center is the National Etruscan Museum , Rome’s only dedicated museum of Etruscan art.

After you’ve explored the pre-Roman collection and learned about the mysterious Etruscans, head outside to the villa’s lush gardens and check out the Nymphaeum, a monument dedicated to the nymphs set in a water garden.

Explore the World’s Largest Collection of Greco-Roman Art at the National Roman Museum

The National Roman Museum actually contains four museums in one: the Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Altemps, Palazzo Massimo, and Crypta Balbi. Each branch displays its own unique collection and has its own location, but together they make up the world’s largest collection of Greco-Roman art.

Seeing at least one of the branches is highly recommended, though why not buy a combined ticket and see all four?

Pose with an Imperial monument, the Arch of Constantine

Situated right next to the Colosseum on what was once Rome’s Via Triumphalis (the victory road) is what is considered the last great monument of Imperial Rome: the Arch of Constantine .

Constantine’s arch was unique because, as well as showing friezes that celebrated his military victories, it also contains recycled elements from even older Roman monuments.

Posing in front of the arch with the Colosseum as a backdrop makes for a very ‘Imperial’ photo.

See Ancient Propagandist Art at the Ara Pacis

The Ara Pacis , or altar of peace, was a piece of propagandist art erected by Augustus, Rome’s first emperor, to illustrate the peace and prosperity that he claimed he brought to the Roman Republic. Ironically, the altar itself was used to make blood sacrifices in honor of the goddess Pax.

Today, the altar is housed inside a sleek and modern glass pavilion that is a work of art in itself.

View Ancient Sculptures Inside a Former Power Plant

What was once the city’s first electrical power station is now a quirky museum displaying ancient Greek and Roman sculptures in an unusual setting.

Located in the Ostiense neighborhood, Centrale Montemartini is a perfect fusion of Classical antiquity and modern industrialism. It’s a great place to visit for people who want to see some of the unique things to do in Rome.

Risk Your Hand at the Mouth of Truth

The Mouth of Truth may just well be the world’s oldest lie detector. Legend has it that if you stick your hand inside the gaping wide mouth of this ginormous medallion, it will be bitten off if you’re a liar.

Though I can neither confirm nor deny the veracity of these claims, I can guarantee that it makes for a fun photo opportunity for anyone who decides to risk it.

Visit the World’s Oldest Shopping Mall at Trajan’s Market

Walk through the ruins of Trajan’s Market , a 2,000-year-old market complex that once accommodated 150 different shops and vendors. It also contains one of the few remaining examples of a Roman high-rise building with three floors.

Who knew that visiting a shopping mall could be considered a cultural experience?

Get 360° Views of Rome From the Top of the ‘Vittoriano’

Hop inside a glass elevator and ride to the top of the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument, commonly referred to as the Vittoriano or the Altar of the Fatherland, to get panoramic views of the Eternal City below.

The stark white monument itself is also well worth a visit, though, since its unveiling, it has been regarded as a controversial addition to Rome’s monuments by many locals who consider it gaudy and pompous. Whatever you think, it’s certainly imposing.

Shop Till You Drop at Via del Corso and Via Condotti

Italy has always been considered a top destination for fashionistas, and although Milan takes the crown as a world fashion capital, Rome is also highly regarded. 

Two of the most popular shopping streets in Rome run right through the city center. They are Via del Corso for more high-street shopping (though Fendi has a Flagship store here) and a street that runs perpendicular to it, known as Via Condotti, for more luxury brands.

See Shimmering Gold Mosaics at Santa Maria in Trastevere

Located in the heart of Trastevere, this Romanesque church has its origins in the third century, during a time when Christianity was not yet accepted, making it one of the oldest churches in Rome.

It’s most notable for the shimmering golden mosaics on its facade and in the apse and for its 12th-century bell tower. If you’re in Trastevere, you can’t miss it.

Chill out in the District of Monti, Rome’s Hipster Hotspot 

Brimming with vintage stores, artisan boutiques, and trendy bars serving wine and craft beers, Monti has made a name for itself as one of the hippest and most arty districts in Rome.

Mingle with the Roman hipsters on the steps of the fountain in Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, or head to Mercato Monti on the weekends to do some serious vintage shopping.

See Fascist Architecture in EUR

Although originally designed by order of fascist dictator Mussolini to host the World Expo Fair of 1942 and to celebrate 20 years of Fascism, the planned exhibition never took place due to the outbreak of World War II.

Today, the district has evolved into a business and residential area, but it’s still a fascinating stop for tourists who want to have a look at the austere fascist architecture – in particular, the building known as the “Square Colosseum”.

Forget the Bustle of the City at Villa Doria Pamphili

Walking through Villa Doria Pamphili, Rome’s largest urban public park, it’s easy to forget that you’re inside a big and bustling city.

Located on a hill in the Monteverde district, this peaceful park offers a total immersion into nature – apart from the Baroque villa known as the Casino del Bel Respiro (“small villa of good breath”) and the presence of beautiful statues and fountains. You’re still in Rome, after all.

Eat Pizza al Taglio – Rome’s Favorite Street Food

Dotted throughout the city are thousands of pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) places serving, you guessed it, pizza by the slice. Baked in rectangular trays and with a variety of different toppings, the pizza is then sold by weight depending on how much of it you want, and sliced into a square or rectangular shape.

Many Italians grab a slice for lunch or for a snack when they’re too busy to have a two-hour lunch, and it’s the perfect option for when you’re sightseeing too.

Roma’s insider tip: For the best pizza al taglio in Rome, check out “I Suppli” in the Trastevere district and order a suppli (fried tomato rice ball) to go with your pizza slice.

Spend a Night at the Opera at the Baths of Caracalla

Every summer, from June to August, the ancient ruins of the Baths of Caracalla become the setting for an open-air opera festival. This has been a yearly tradition dating back to 1937, only moving briefly to Circus Maximus for two years since 2020 because of covid social distancing rules.

Now they’re back at the baths, and you can enjoy listening to arias and arpeggios in one of the most jaw-droppingly dramatic settings you’ve ever seen.

Pay your Respects to Percy at the Protestant Cemetery

The Cimitero Acattolico (Non-Catholic or Protestant Cemetery) is also often referred to as the English Cemetery because not only does it look like it was plucked straight out of an English storybook, but it also holds the graves of two very famous English poets: John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, both of who died while sojourning in Rome.

If you’re feeling particularly ‘Romantic’, have a wander through the graves as you contemplate the meaning of life and the sublimity of nature.

Bask in The Sun at a Beach Near Rome

A day at the beach may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Rome, but when those temperatures start to soar, you might find that it’s exactly what you need. Many visitors to Rome don’t know that there are a lot of beautiful beaches only a short train ride away. 

The best beaches within an hour of Rome are: Fregene, Lido di Ostia, Anzio, and Santa Marinella

So slap on your sunscreen, borrow a beach read, and get ready to sunbathe on the sand.

Watch a Movie at an Open-Air Cinema on a Roman Piazza

During the hot summer months, Rome is most alive after the sun sets when people no longer need to seek refuge from the hot midday heat. One of the most pleasant ways to enjoy a balmy summer evening is to attend a screening at one of the open-air cinemas that pop up in piazzas and parks during this time of year.

Check out “Il Cinema in Piazza” at Piazza San Cosimato for free screenings in their original languages and “L’Isola del Cinema” on Tiber island for their annual international festival of cinema and culture.

Walk Along an Ancient Aqueduct at Parco delle Aquedotti

Just a short metro ride away from the city center lies Parco delle Aquedotti, a giant suburban park that holds the remains of two ancient Roman aqueducts . Visitors to the park have the chance to get up close and personal with these incredible structures that used to carry water from mountains in the east of Lazio to the center of Rome as they hike, jog, or cycle beside them.

See Movie Magic at Cinecitta Studios

Take a tour of the iconic film studios at Cinecitta, which were used to film many Oscar-winning Italian and international movies. First opened in 1937, the studios now contain many impressive sets and exhibitions. Here you can walk through ancient Rome or 16th-century Florence, learn all about auteur Federico Fellini, and discover the magic behind movie-making.

Step Foot on Tiber Island, Rome’s Only Island

The legendary river island known as Tiber Island was once the site of a temple dedicated to Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. Today, this boat-shaped isle continues its legacy of healing by being home to a working hospital first established in 1585.

Although the hospital should only be visited if you’re a patient, there’s still plenty to do: visit the Basilica of St Bartholomew, which stands on the site of the old temple, admire the “Infamous Column”, or descend to the base of the island to look at the Pons Aemilius, the remains of the oldest stone bridge in Rome.

Do a Double Take at the Theatre of Marcellus

No, that’s not the Colosseum you’re looking at. Although they look similar, the Theatre of Marcellus is an ancient open-air theater that actually predates the Colosseum by nearly 100 years.

Although you can’t go inside, you can walk around the grounds amidst the ruins of ancient columns haphazardly piled around or even walk right up to the arches of the theatre itself. And while the Colosseum itself is always teeming with tourists, this mini version is much more quiet.

Eat Fried artichokes in the Jewish Ghetto

The Roman Ghetto, constructed in 1555, is the oldest ghetto in the Western world. Today, it’s considered one of Rome’s most beautiful lesser-known neighborhoods, with plenty to see and do.

Walk through the ancient ruins of the Portico D’Ottavia, dating back to the 2cd century BCE; have a look at Bernini’s famous turtle fountain; visit the iconic Synagogue, the largest in Rome; or, if you happen to be there on the right season, eat carciofi alla giudia , Jewish-style artichokes that have been fried to perfection.

Eat a Roman Pasta Dish at a Local Trattoria

Though pasta is eaten throughout the whole of Italy, there are four pasta dishes that are considered classics in Rome and are the top things to do in Rome on your visit to the city. They are: Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe, Gricia, and Amatriciana. All four recipes use pecorino romano, a sheep’s milk cheese considered fundamental to the dishes. 

A true Roman will argue that the only place in the world to get a ‘real’ Carbonara is in Rome. Order one in one of the many local trattorias dotted around Rome. Just don’t ask for parmesan on your pasta, that’s considered culinary heresy.

Bask in the opulence of Nero’s Golden House

After the great fire of Rome in 64 CE, the notorious Emperor Nero ordered the construction of his new residence, the Domus Aurea. It was a ginormous complex decorated sumptuously with gold, precious gems, and marble and is considered the most extravagant construction in the history of Rome.

Today, only some of the areas of Oppian Hill are open to visitors, but even though they no longer contain any gold, they are still definitely worth a visit.

See the Sunset From the Orange Garden on Aventine Hill

Aventine Hill might not get as much love as some of Rome’s other hills, but that just makes it nicer because it’s less crowded to visit.

For a stunning view of St. Peter’s Basilica and the city of Rome, climb up to the viewing point located in the Orange Garden, a spectacular public garden covered in pretty (though inedible) orange trees and Rome’s iconic stone pine trees. For added romance, head up there at sunset and then walk back down through the Rome Rose Garden, which contains more than a thousand varieties of Roses.

Peep at St. Peter’s Through the Aventine Keyhole

What was once one of Rome’s best-kept secrets is now a fairly well-known attraction, though there are still not too many tourists who come here.

Through the tiny keyhole of a nondescript green door (leading to the priory of the Knights of Malta) lies the most stunning and unique view in Rome. Peek through it, and you’ll see St. Peter’s iconic cupola perfectly centered and framed by the manicured hedges of the Maltese garden.

No one knows whether this viewpoint was planned or just a happy coincidence.

See funky Street Art in Ostiense

Roman art tends to be of the more ancient or baroque variety, but there is one neighborhood making a name for itself as Rome’s leading street art district: Ostiense.

What was once a crumbling industrial district is now an up-and-coming trendy area thanks to an urban art project launched in 2015.

Walk around this colorful quarter to see some of the coolest murals and street art in Rome.

Escape the Bustling City in the Botanical Garden

Between the neighborhood of Trastevere and Janiculum Hill lies a serene green oasis not much visited by tourists. The Botanical Garden of Rome covers an area of about 12 hectares and has around 400 species of trees and plants.

Some of the highlights include the Corsini Greenhouse, which contains varieties of succulents and cacti, the Greenhouse of Orchids, some of which are incredibly rare, and the Japanese Garden, which comes alive with color in the Spring.

See Spectacular Views of Rome From its ‘Eighth Hill’

The Janiculum Hill, sometimes referred to as the “Balcony of Rome”, offers one of the most stunning panoramas of the city, with a completely different viewpoint from many of the others. Some say it’s the best in Rome.

Though sunset and sunrise are the most recommended times to head up there, the view is still spectacular from any time of day. Just don’t get startled by the blast of the cannon that goes off every day at midday.

Visit a Local Cat Sanctuary With a Very Dramatic Setting

Smack bang in the center of a busy traffic hub lies Largo di Torre Argentina, an archeological site featuring four temples and the Theatre and Curia of Pompey – now turned into a cat sanctuary.

This once tragic location, the setting of Julius Caesar’s betrayal and assassination, is now a popular area for cat-spotting. Many come here to snap a picture of the furry felines living their best lives amidst the ruins. Honestly, some of the most unique and fun things to do in Rome.

Contemplate Caravaggio Paintings in the Church of St. Louis of the French

Rome has over 900 churches, and it’s virtually impossible to see them all, so it’s important to make a well-chosen selection upon your visit to Rome. The Church of St. Louis of the French should definitely be on your list. 

While it might just seem like any other church from the outside, it’s anything but on the inside. This church is home to an incredible trio of Caravaggio paintings known as the St. Matthew cycle. It’s some of Caravaggio’s most celebrated work and a fabulous example of his chiaroscuro technique, made all the more dramatic by the setting of the church.

Discover an Architectural Fantasyland – the Quartiere Coppedè

In the northern part of the city lies a fantastical and frankly a bit bizarre area known as the Quartiere Coppedè. This mishmash of architectural styles: Ancient Greek, Baroque, Medieval, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau, was dreamt up by architect Gino Coppedè, who worked on it until his death in 1927.

This whimsical neighborhood is perfect for visitors who want to get off the beaten track. Look out for all the fantastical floral and mythological details that adorn the buildings.

Be Deceived by a Trompe L’oeil at the Church of St. Ignatius

The Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola is one of Rome’s most important Jesuit churches and is often visited by pilgrims. But one of its main draws for the more secular visitor is the cleverly-depicted fake dome frescoed by Andrea Pozzo.

Apparently, funds to build an actual dome were lacking, so Pozzo was hired to use his skills to create an illusion of a bigger space. The effect is surprisingly realistic. Use the conveniently-placed mirror to get a better look at the details.

Go Shopping in (Art Nouveau) Style at the Galleria Alberto Sordi

Located on Via del Corso, in the heart of the city center, is the Galleria Alberto Sordi, named after one of Rome’s best-loved actors.

This beautiful shopping arcade with its gorgeous glass ceiling is one of the few examples of Art Nouveau architecture in the city center.

Today it’s home to around 15 stores, including a famous bookshop and a coffee shop, but it’s also just nice to stroll through on your way through the city center.

See Prize-Winning Modern Architecture at MAXXI

MAXXI is Italy’s first national museum of contemporary art and architecture. It’s a great place to visit when you need a break from all the ruins, and you want to learn more about Italy’s future in art. 

One of the main draws, however, is the architecture of the museum itself. Designed by Zaha Hadid in 2010, this prize-winning building manages to hold its own among all of Rome’s ancient monuments.

Admire a Cute Elephant at Piazza della Minerva

Right behind the Pantheon is a small and mostly-ignored square known as Piazza della Minerva. There are two reasons why you should pay it a visit. 

One is to see the adorable sculpture of a little elephant holding an obelisk, designed by none other than Bernini. The other reason is to check out the star-studded ceiling of the church of Santa Maria sotto Minerva located on the piazza. It’s different from many other church ceilings.

Visit the Tomb of Rome’s First Emperor at the Mausoleum of Augustus

Back in March 2021, after 14 years of closure, Emperor Augustus’ Mausoleum had finally been reopened to the public. 

Now, visitors get a chance to explore the burial ground of Rome’s first emperor in the largest circular tomb in the world and learn all about the history behind this fascinating structure.

Eat Breakfast Italian Style at Your Local ‘Bar’

If you want to enjoy colazione (breakfast) as an Italian would, head down to your nearest local cafe, which Italians call bars, and order a cappuccino and a cornetto (croissant) standing up at the counter. 

Not only will you pay less than if you got table service, but you might even be mistaken for a local. Just remember not to order a cappuccino after midday, as Italians believe you’ll get indigestion from the milk when it’s later in the day. Only ‘caffès’ after twelve, and whatever you do, don’t call it an espresso.

Party in San Lorenzo, Rome’s Student District

Once upon a time, the district of San Lorenzo was largely snubbed in favor of more tourist-friendly districts, but nowadays, it’s considered an up-and-coming neighborhood thanks to its bohemian vibe and thriving student population.

Head there in the evening to check out the street art and grab a drink in one of the many new bars popping up.

Visit Livia’s Garden at Palazzo Massimo

One of my favorite hidden gems in Rome is Livia’s paradisiacal garden, a delightfully frescoed room discovered in Emperor Augustus’ wife’s house, the Villa of Livia, in 1863. Now it can be found in a purpose-built room at the Palazzo Massimo.

The walls were frescoed in the years 30-20 BCE, but the Eden-like scene it depicts is still vivid to this day. Gazing at the lush garden filled with ripe trees and delicate birds feels like stepping into a dream, one shared with a Roman empress over 2000 years ago.

See a Unique Floor Plan at Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio

This round church, constructed in 483, was the first in Rome to have a circular plan. In the 15th century, the church came under the care of the Pauline Father, a Catholic order founded by Hungarians, and today the church is considered Hungary’s national church in Rome.

What makes it special is its unique round form, a shape often used when constructing Roman mausoleums. It’s said that the famous architect Leon Battista Alberti himself helped restore it. Architectural buffs will be delighted by this hidden gem.

Savor an Italian Coffee at Antigua Tazza D’Oro

Located just a stone’s throw away from the Pantheon , La Casa del Caffè Tazza D’Oro is one of Rome’s favorite cafès. Loved by tourists and locals alike for its cheap and delicious coffee, it’s the only craft antique coffee company located in the historic center.

Try their famous granita di caffè, an iced coffee with whipped cream on top perfect for the summer months. Otherwise, just ask for a caffè and have it standing at the bar before heading back into sightseeing.

Bike or Stroll Along the Appian Way

Via Appia Antica, or the Appian Way , is one of the oldest and most strategically important roads to the ancient Roman Republic. It used to connect Rome all the way to Brindisi, located in the heel of Italy. 

Today, it’s one of the most beautiful roads to walk or bike along, traversing idyllic landscapes and ancient catacombs. Some stretches of the road even have ancient paving stones with visible carriage tracks.

Galleria Sciarra

Located just a few steps away from the Trevi fountain, this hidden Art Nouveau courtyard contains opulent frescoes and a glass and iron ceiling that will transport you right back to the turn of the 20th century.

Built for the wealthy Sciarra family, the elegant floral designs and the colorful frescoes of women in various phases of life, which make this building so different from the surrounding ones, are well worth a quick visit.

Catch a Game at the Stadio Olimpico

With seating for over 70,000 people, Stadio Olimpico is the largest sports facility in Rome. Called the Olympic Stadium because it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1960 Summer Olympics, the stadium is now mostly known for being the home stadium of the Roma and Lazio football clubs.

For any football fan, watching a game at the Stadio Olimpico makes for a perfect break in between sightseeing.

Take Part in an Italian Tradition: The Aperitivo

It’s common knowledge that Italians love to eat… and that they love to eat late. For some visitors accustomed to a different schedule, this could mean waiting a long time before the restaurants open.

The solution is to partake in one of Italy’s favorite traditions: the aperitivo . Designed to whet your appetite before dinner, the aperitivo is a pre-meal drink (think negroni) and snack that occurs between 6 and 8 after the working day has ended. 

You know what they say: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Insider tip: Check out Freni e Frizioni in Trastevere for one of the best aperitivos in Rome.

Go for a Passeggiata along the Tiber River

Take part in the Italian rite known as the passeggiata a leisurely stroll usually taken after meals. But, instead of walking through town, why not head down to the banks of river Tiber at sunset and take in the view?

The Tiber banks are a favorite of joggers and cyclists, but it’s also just a wonderful and usually quiet area to stroll. The stretch between Tiber Island and Castel Sant’Angelo is a favorite.

Get off the Beaten track in Garbatella

Often overlooked by tourists, Garbatella is younger and quite different from other Roman neighborhoods. Established in 1920 as part of a planned community for workers, it was modeled on the garden city suburbs popular in England at the time.

Walking around Garbatella’s serene green spaces and brightly colored streets gives you the opportunity to see a completely different side of Rome.

Spend a Night out in Edgy Pigneto

Often compared to Brooklyn or Shoreditch, Pigneto is fastly becoming Rome’s coolest area to get a drink, listen to live music, or simply just hang out.

Located behind Termini train station, Pigneto was once considered a little rough around the edges, but it’s now known for its alternative and edgy vibe. Head there for things to do in Rome at night or when you want to grab a cheap drink and party with the locals.

Leave the City Center to see St. Paul Outside the Walls

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is often passed over by tourists because of its location far outside the historic center, but missing out on this magnificent basilica would be a mistake.

Founded on the burial ground of St. Paul, it’s one of the four major papal basilicas in Rome and the second largest after St. Peters. The beautiful golden mosaics alone are worth leaving the city center for.

Eat a Gelato (Fatamorgana)

Ge-la-to. Is any other combination of syllables so beautiful?

Whether you’re looking for something more traditional (Giolitti) or want to taste something more avant-garde (Fatamorgana), there’s something for everyone. 

But everyone has a different opinion on what’s the best gelateria in Rome, so the only possible solution to finding your favorite is to eat as much gelato as possible as many times a day as possible. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Break up Your Roman Holiday With a Day-Trip

One of the greatest things about Rome is its close proximity to so many other outstanding places. If you want to take a brief trip outside of Rome, the options are endless.

Head to Pompeii to see an archeological site; Florence for a Renaissance city; Bolsena to spend a day at a lake. Or simply close your eyes and point your finger at the map at random, you’re bound to end up somewhere spectacular.

And Lastly, Throw Away This List and Follow Your Feet

Rome has been standing for over 2,000 years, and it is still evolving today. No matter how many times you go there, there will always be something new to discover. It’s impossible for one list, to sum up all the beauty and wonder that makes up Rome – you just need to see it for yourself.

So, close your guidebook, put away your phone, and let your feet guide you and explore memorable things to do in Rome. Peek inside every open doorway you pass and wander down every cobblestoned side street. And remember to drink it all in. 

Happy exploring.

• Top Attractions

Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Rome

Find out about Rome’s world-renowned landmarks, numerous ruins, trendy neighborhoods and dramatic churches before embarking on a journey to this unique city.

Top-Rated Tourist Attractions

Roman forum, trevi fountain, palatine hill, villa borghese, trajan's column, arch of constantine, trajan's market, baths of caracalla, mouth of truth, circus maximus, castel sant'angelo, altare della patria, janiculum hill, area sacra di largo argentina, forum boarium, with or without a guide.

If you would like to learn about the history of Rome, discover its legends and most important events, while you explore the most-visited attractions, we recommend you book an English-speaking guided tour . Begin by visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour to get an idea of ancient Rome .  

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The 25 Top Attractions in Rome, Italy

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Rome, Italy is one of the great cities of the world. With its history spanning thousands of years, the city features monumental architecture, fabulous piazzas (squares), colorful mercatos (markets), and character-filled streets. It is truly dazzling at every turn. Rome's top tourist attractions include famous ruins as well as majestic churches, high-caliber art museums, charming piazzas, amazing food and shopping, and more.

Those going to the Eternal City will need a strategy to avoid being overwhelmed by the huge number of things to see. Tourists may need several visits to see everything in Rome, but even one trip will bring a lifetime of memories. 

Savor Italian Flavors

Laurie Chamberlain / Getty Images

Many people go to Italy to try the remarkable food, which is well-known around the world. So when in Rome, do as the Romans do: dine on the delicious pizza, pasta, gelato (Italian ice cream), and more. Grab something to eat at the mercatos, full of colorful, fresh produce. Sip on an espresso or a cappuccino at a local café. Some of the best-known cafés in Rome are Tazza d’Oro near Pantheon—started in 1946 and known for the granita , a partially frozen coffee with whipped cream—and Sant 'Eustachio Il Caffè, dating back to 1938 and located near Piazza Navona.

Head to MAXXI—National Museum of 21st Century Art

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MAXXI—National Museum of 21st Century Art is located in the Flaminio neighborhood of northern Rome. The museum designed by architect Zaha Hadid opened in 2010. Known Italian and international artists display their photography, paintings, and multimedia installations. Guests can also view conferences, workshops, screenings, shows, and more. Also, check out the Mediterranean Ristorante e Giardino, The Palombini Cafeteria for some coffee and chocolate, and the Museum Bookshop.

Go on a Great Day Trip

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The ancient city of Ostia Antica , around 35 minutes southwest of Rome, makes an exciting day trip. See well-preserved apartment buildings, a bakery, and even public toilets from this community that was abandoned by the fifth century.

Naples , a vibrant city just over an hour from Rome on the high-speed train, is a worthwhile destination. History buffs love the old markets, churches, castles, and more. Plus, it's the birthplace of pizza and a wonderful chance to eat a delicious one made in a wood-burning oven.

Lovely beaches aren't far from Rome, either. If you'd enjoy partying along with many young Romans, check out Fregene, about a 40-minute drive from Rome. Santa Marinella, around one hour by car, offers pleasant beaches, along with seafood restaurants and bars. An attractive town an approximately two-hour drive from Rome, Sperlonga is one of the best day trips. Expect clean water and sand along with a great place to relax and enjoy cafés, eateries, and shops.

Shop for Italian Goods

Leonid Andronov / Getty Images

Italy is famous for its fashion, and Rome has some of the country's best designer shops to explore. Via del Corso, one of Rome’s main shopping streets, has plenty of reputable clothing stores. Stroll down Via Condotti and the surrounding streets or Via Veneto for designer boutiques. If you are seeking antiques or art, try Via del Babuino, which connects Piazza di Spagna to Piazza del Popolo. 

Dating back to 1922, the Galleria Alberto Sordi, a mall with skylights made of stained-glass and mosaic floors, is among the most beautiful places to shop in Europe. You'll find everything from clothing and accessories to books and cosmetics in the mall.

Enjoy the Roman Nightlife

Izzet Keribar / Getty Images

If you would like an early evening aperitivo (drink before your meal) or some after-dark explorations of Roman nightlife, the city offers plenty of options. The colorful Trastevere neighborhood, about 15 minutes from the city center, is one of the top areas, offering craft beer in various creative bars, some featuring live entertainment. Pigneto , a trendy neighborhood around 15 minutes east of the Colosseum, has pubs and live music venues, LGBTQ+ clubs, and places to see modern dance and theater. Dance clubs and bars can also be found just outside of the city center, in neighborhoods such as Ostiense.

Gaze at The Colosseum

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre 

Dedicated by Emperor Vespasian in A.D. 80, the Colosseum (so-named for a colossal statue of Emperor Nero that once stood on the site) once held up to 50,000 people and was the scene of countless deadly gladiatorial and wild animal fights. The ancient amphitheater—located in the city center a bit east of the Roman Forum—is now the symbol of Rome and a requisite stop on most tourist itineraries.

Buy your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in a long, slow-moving line to see one of the largest arenas in the world.

Learn About The Roman Forum

Adjacent to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum is a huge complex of ruined temples, basilicas, and arches. One of the  top ancient sites in the city, the Roman Forum was the ceremonial, legal, social, and business center of ancient Rome. Wandering its iconic ruins dating back to as early as the seventh century B.C. is an essential part of any Rome visit.

Your ticket to the Colosseum includes entry at the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, and tours of all three sites are available.

Climb The Palatine Hill

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson 

Many visitors to the Colosseum and Forum don't make the climb up to the adjacent Palatine Hill, and they're missing out. One of the famous Seven Hills of Rome near the Tiber River, this was the high-rent district of ancient Rome, where emperors, senators, and other wealthy nobles built their homes. Though it's difficult to make sense of the many layers of ruins, it's rarely very crowded, and there is plenty of shade.

Get Inspired at St. Peter's Basilica

One of the most important churches in all Christendom and one of the largest in the world, St. Peter's Basilica is majestic and awe-inspiring, from its grand exterior to the soaring ceiling and ornate decoration of its interiors. You can limit your visit to the inside, or see the underground tombs of the popes. An alternative is to climb the dome (or take the elevator part-way) for an unforgettable view of Rome.

Experience the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

The vastness of the art and antiquities collection of the popes, coupled with the volume of people who visit every day means you'll need to devote at least half a day just to hit the highlights at the Vatican Museums in the Vatican City. From ancient Roman and Egyptian sculptures and artifacts to works by some of the greatest painters in Western art, the collections are mind-boggling. The Raphael Rooms in the Papal apartments are a must-see as is the Sistine Chapel, with its ceiling and wall frescoes by Michelangelo depicting stories from the Old Testament. 

Stroll Around Piazza Navona

TripSavvy / Stella Levantesi 

Even though it's often overrun with tourists and souvenir vendors, Piazza Navona is one of Rome's most stunning squares (though this one is an oval shape). It's also one of the city's largest. The entire piazza is a pedestrian area, lined with touristy restaurants and shops, plus the 17th-century church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. In the center of the piazza is Gian Lorenzo Bernini's famous Fountain of the Four Rivers. 

Note that while Piazza Navona is beautiful for a daytime or evening stroll, we don't recommend dining here—instead, find someplace more authentic off the piazza.

Delve Into History at The Pantheon

There's nothing quite like exiting the narrow medieval streets of Rome's centro storico (historic district) and stumbling upon the Pantheon , one of the world's best-preserved ancient buildings. The round structure was the "temple to all gods" for the ancient Romans. It's been a church since the 7th century A.D., which is one reason why it has managed to stay standing all these years. The only source of natural light in the cylinder-shaped, domed building is the 7.8-meter oculus (round skylight) at the top. One of the prettiest piazzas in Rome is the Piazza della Rotunda on which the Pantheon sits.

Take a Photo at The Spanish Steps

Built by the French in the 1720s, the Spanish Steps are not particularly important historically, but the elegant site draws visitors to Rome. Many people photograph and climb the 138 shallow steps, take a drink of water from the 18th century Fontana della Barcaccia ,  and enjoy a gelato while window shopping—or dropping some serious cash—in the designer shops lining the streets around the steps. In the springtime, the steps are decked out with colorful azaleas, and make for an even better photo op.

Look at the Beautiful Trevi Fountain

Rome's most famous fountain was completed in 1762 in the historic city center and is a grand example of high baroque public sculpture. The gleaming white marble Trevi Fountain depicts sea god Neptune surrounded by mermen, seahorses, and cascading pools. In an effort to control the dense crowds gathered in front of the fountain,​ guards keep people moving along. You'll still have time to toss a coin over your should (said to guarantee a return trip to Rome) and take a picture, but don't expect to sit and eat a gelato in front of the rushing waters.

Visit The Capitoline Museums

Set on top of the Capitoline Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome, the Capitoline Museums in the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo buildings house archaeological treasures from antiquity, as well as paintings from the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

Established by Pope Clement XII in 1734, the Capitoline Museums were the first in the world opened to the public. Some of the most famous pieces include fragments and a bust from a colossal statue of Constantine, a gigantic equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, and an ancient sculpture of twins Romulus and Remus suckling the she-wolf. 

View World-Class Art at Galleria Borghese

Galleria Borghese , one of Rome's top museums for art lovers, requires advance reservations, as attendance is limited via timed entry. So plan ahead to visit this world-class collection of art and antiquities, including masterful sculptures from Bernini, and paintings from Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Rubens, and other giants of the Renaissance and Baroque.

The Galleria Borghese is within the grounds of the Villa Borghese, a vast public park that was once the private gardens of the popes. Tourists enjoy the lake with boat rentals, plus playgrounds, and picnic areas. In the summertime, kids love the amusement rides and pony rides.

Imagine the Past at Baths of Caracalla

Completed in 216 A.D., the massive complex of the Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla) could hold up to 1,600 bathers simultaneously, who soaked in hot, cold, and tepid pools, and exercised in the gymnasium. Nobles, freemen, and slaves mingled at the baths. The Baths of Caracalla were richly decorated with mosaics, sculptures, and frescoes though today only fragments of the mosaics remain. The site impresses visitors with its sheer size and the genius of the engineering and design that kept the giant bathing complex operating for hundreds of years. 

Check Out Coins and Sculptures at National Roman Museum

The Museo Nazionale, or National Museum of Rome , is actually four different museums run by the same entity: The Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, the Palazzo Altemps, Baths of Diocletian, and the Crypta Balbi. A huge collection of Roman sculpture, coins, frescoes, and inscriptions can be found at The Palazzo Massimo, while the Palazzo Altemps is a more intimate collection of Roman works. The Baths of Diocletian were once Rome's largest—the Renaissance church built on top of them was designed by Michelangelo. Finally, the Crypta Balbi museum examines the development of a city block, from ancient Roman to medieval times.

Your admission ticket gains you entrance to all four museums within a three-day period.

Take in the Ornate Basilica di San Clemente

Like the majority of churches in Rome, the Basilica di San Clemente was built on top of a pagan site of worship. It's one of the best places in the city for understanding the complex "layering" of Rome, and of how buildings developed on top of other buildings. While the church itself is ornately beautiful, the real attraction here is the underground, self-guided tour, which includes a second-century Mithraeum, where worshipers would ritually slaughter bulls, an early Roman house. an underground river, and some of the oldest Christian frescoes in Rome.  

See the Ancient Trajan's Markets/Museum

This highly-recommended site often falls off many tourists' radar, and that's too bad. Trajan's Markets were a multi-level, arcaded shopping complex—basically the world's first mall—with individual stores that sold everything from food to clothing to housewares. The Museum of the Imperial Forums presents the history and development of the businesses and adjacent forums, and you can walk through the ancient market arcades, which are usually free of crowds. 

Catch City Views at Piazza del Popolo

One of Italy's largest piazzas, this grand space centers around an Egyptian obelisk and is anchored by three churches. The most important one, Santa Maria del Popolo, is on the north end of the square and contains works by Bernini, Raphael, and Caravaggio. Above the piazza, the Pincio Hill offers sweeping views of the city and behind it, elegant Villa Borghese park spreads out for acres. Piazza del Popolo is a rare Roman piazza in that it is not lined with cafés and restaurants, though there are many in the vicinity.

Tour Castel Sant'Angelo

Built as the mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, this massive, round building near St. Peter's was subsequently used as a fortress, a prison, and as private apartments for the popes—its history is especially entwined with the infamous Borgia family. The Castel Sant'Angelo tour begins on the sixth-floor terrace, which is famous from Puccini's opera, "Tosca," and offers terrific views of Rome, then winds on a circular route down to the lower levels of the castle.

Sample Roman-Jewish Food in The Jewish Ghetto

Though it is now a charming neighborhood and a great place to sample traditional Roman-Jewish fare, the Roman Ghetto has a grim past. The walled neighborhood was established by a papal bull (a public decree) in 1555, and all Rome's Jewish population were required to live in the swampy, disease-prone district near the Tiber. While the ghetto was abolished in 1882, in the waning years of WWII, Nazis deported most of the area's Jews to concentration camps—and only a handful returned to Rome. 

Appreciate the Catacombs & the Appian Way

Plan at least a half-day of exploring this fascinating area on the outskirts of Rome. The Via Appia Antica is the most famous of Rome's roads. It is lined with the tombs of ancient Romans, from the massive Tomb of Cecilia Metella, a Roman Consul's daughter, to those with humble portrait busts of their occupants. There are miles of Christian catacombs along the Appian Way, but only three areas are open to the public: the catacombs of Saint Domitilla, Saint Callixtus, and Saint Sebastian. Some people only see one set of catacombs, so choose the one that works best for your interests and schedule.

Glance at Ancient Art at Palazzo Barberini

Despite its name, this art museum in the magnificent Barberini palace has mostly works from the Renaissance onwards, including important paintings from Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio and other names you'd recognize from art history class. The palace itself, as well as the famous fountain out front, were designed by Bernini.

Admission to Palazzo Barberini also includes entrance to its sister museum, Galleria Corsini, housed in a handsome 16th-century palace.

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There are so many things to do in Rome that a lifetime would barely be enough to explore it all. We drew the most complete and detailed Rome bucket list you can find online including several sections to help you navigate and choose what type of trip you want to plan.

So we have the things to do for first-time visitors, what to see in Rome if it’s not your first trip, secret spots to discover, the best churches often lesser-known and also what to do in Rome if you are a food lover.

This is meant to be an exhaustive list of Rome’s highlights that we continually update, but if you are spending only three days in Rome , you will need to narrow down your options depending on the area you want to visit, your preferences, whether you like art, history or go on a foodie jaunt.

Of course, if you can stay longer, all the better. We have included so many places to visit that even if you have a week in Rome , you will never get bored and run out of things to do. Our list includes something for everybody, whether it’s your first trip to Rome, or second, or your fifth. Enjoy the ride and start planning!

Table of Contents

Unmissable things to do in Rome for first-time visitors

Impossible not to include it in your Italy itinerary , especially if it’s your first time in the country, Rome has something for everyone. Whether you are into ancient history, Renaissance aesthetics, contemporary art, or even industrial archaeology, rest assured that in Rome, you will have a great time.

See the Colosseum, one of the first places to visit in Rome

An iconic symbol of the city, no first trip to Rome is complete without a stop at the Colosseum . Flavium Amphitheatre was one of the main places where Romans spent their leisure time. Shows where gladiators fought with other gladiators or wild animals were some of the favorites in ancient Rome.

Today you can visit the Colosseum by yourself or, if you want to access also the arena and the dungeons, you can do so only by booking a private tour .

Walk around the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, one of the must-see places in Rome

With the same ticket to the Colosseum valid for two days, you can also access the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. This is the heart of the ancient city of Rome. You will see where public life took place, important temples, markets, emperors’ villas, and the altar where Julius Ceasar was cremated.

The Forum is very big and there are many things to see, so if you want to visit the most important places, book a tour to be sure you don’t skip any.

Discover the Domus Aurea

The urban villa was built by Emperor Nero after the fire that devastated Rome in 64 AD and was destroyed after Nero’s death to give back the land to the Roman people. After years of digging and renovation work, today we can visit the surviving areas, which reveal the opulence and luxury Nero lived with.

With gardens, pavilions for feasts and relaxation, woods, vineyards, and a little lake, the villa occupied a huge part of today’s city center, including the Palatine Hill, part of the Esquilino Hill, and where now is the Colosseum.

Walk along the Imperial Fora

Started by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, it was the center of political life. It was built in about 150 years and shows the fora of several emperors including Augustus and Trajan, as well as several pagan Roman temples.

This is one of those places where you will almost certainly end up walking past even if you are staying for only one day in Rome as it’s the long road that goes from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum.

Check out the best hotels near the Colosseum to start bright and early in the morning!

The Baths of Caracalla among the best things to see in Rome

The Caracalla Baths are one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Rome. A large complex of ancient thermal baths, you can see the mosaic floor, the structure where the different areas were organized as well as the original statues and decorations. In summer, the Baths of Caracalla are used for opera shows.

Visit the Circus Maximus

With a size of 600 mt in length and 140 mt wide, the Circus Maximus was the largest building devoted to public shows. Here they used to run competitions with the biga chariots and now it’s an archaeological area possible to visit. It’s also often used for concerts (always for New Year’s Eve) and cultural events like Rome’s birthday on April 21st. Check out the official website for more info.

St. Peter’s Basilica one of the most popular Rome tourist attractions

Built on the site of Caligula’s Circus, the basilica we see today is not the original, which was much bigger. Later expanded by Nero, the ancient Roman circus is where Saint Peter was martyred. Today you can see his tomb by booking your entrance to the necropolis underneath the church.

Packed with amazing artwork, some of the most important things to see inside St. Peter’s Basilica are Michelangelo’s statue La Pietà, the dome (cupola) and the Baroque-style St. Peter’s Baldachin.

Visit the Vatican Museums

Among the unmissable things to see in Rome are the Vatican Museums. A large gallery displaying some seven centuries of artwork donated by world leaders or commissioned by the popes, some of the most important parts are the Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s Rooms, the Gallery of the Tapestries, of the Maps, and of the Candelabra.

TIP: Want to make the most out of your visit and avoid the crowds? Check out some of the best tours to the Vatican Museums: Pristine Sistine Early Entrance and Night Tour with Sistine Chapel .

Explore more of the Vatican City

To make your first trip to Rome complete, do devote at least one day to the Vatican City . Here there are many things to see, and if you want to explore it all, one day is not enough. However, you will still need to start somewhere. If you have more time than just visiting St. Peter’s Square and Basilica and the Vatican Museums, there are so many more places to see in the Vatican . To delve deeper, you can explore the Vatican Gardens and the Roman cemetery below the Basilica .

TIP: To skip the lines in the Vatican’s attractions such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, the only way is to book a private Vatican tour .

Climb the Spanish Steps, one of the most famous Rome attractions

Taken as a bench to sit, eat and drink by many, the Spanish Steps is actually an important historical Roman landmark and one of the top Rome attractions.

Built between 1723 and 1726 from a project by Roman architect Francesco De Sanctis, they lead to the Trinità dei Monti church on top of the stairs. While on the bottom, Piazza di Spagna, you can see the beautiful Barcaccia fountain by Pietro Bernini (Gian Lorenzo’s father), and a huge array of exclusive and expensive boutique stores.

Visit the Pantheon, one of the first places to visit in Rome

Temple devoted to all gods, the Pantheon is a true masterpiece of ancient architecture impossible not to include in your Rome bucket list.

Founded by Marco Vipsanio Agrippa in 27 BC, it was rebuilt between 120 and 124 AD during the rule of Emperor Augustus after a fire damaged the original construction. Its famous cupola, with a hole in the middle to allow the light in, is still now one of the biggest in the world.

Piazza Navona, one of the top Rome tourist attractions

One of the most famous squares and Rome highlights, Piazza Navona has the elliptical shape of the Domitian Stadium on top of which it was built. In the middle is one of the most beautiful fountains in Rome, the Four Rivers Fountain by architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, standing in front of Sant’Agnese in Agone church by Francesco Borromini.

Campo de’ Fiori, one of the main things to do in Rome

Home to a daily morning market, Piazza Campo de’ Fiori is one of the most famous Rome tourist attractions popular day and night. In the middle of the square is the tall statue of Giordano Bruno, the Dominican friar burnt at the stake early 17th century. All around the piazza are bars, restaurants, bakeries, and shops.

Largo Argentina

This is where Julius Ceasar was killed and now there is one of Rome’s largest and most famous cat colonies. Visit this ancient sacred area and explore one of the most underestimated tourist attractions in Rome. This is such as busy and central hub that whether you are staying 2 days in Rome or one week , chances are you are going to visit or even only walk across Largo Argentina more than once.

Discover the Hadrian Mausoleum

Built as the funerary mausoleum of emperor Hadrian, Castel Sant’Angelo has served several purposes throughout the centuries. From residence to papal stronghold to prison, it’s one of those Rome attractions that are impossible to miss.

Explore the Jewish Quarter

A stone’s throw from Largo Argentina is the Jewish Quarter. While you will probably end up here for its many great restaurants, it’s also worth wandering around its alleys, seeing the Turtle Fountain and the archaeological site of the Portico di Ottavia , a porch built under the rule of Augustus and devoted to his sister Ottavia.

Definitely one of the top things to do in Rome, whether it’s summer or winter, is to enjoy an artisan gelato. Romans have become very demanding when it comes to gelato, and my suggestion is to prefer all-natural, authentic artisan gelaterias. How to tell them apart from fake, low-quality products? Read everything in my complete guide to the best gelato in Rome .

Wander around Trastevere, one of the places to see in Rome for food and trendy nightlife

One of the most famous Rome neighborhoods among tourists, gentrified Trastevere was once the place of the working class. Narrow alleys, quaint shops and restaurants (some traditional many touristy), lovely piazzas. Here, don’t miss Santa Maria in Trastevere Basilica, Santa Cecilia Basilica and Villa Farnesina.

Santa Maria in Trastevere Basilica

Possibly the most famous basilica in the Trastevere neighborhood, Santa Maria in Trastevere is thought to be the oldest official Catholic church in Rome, and for sure the first one officially devoted to the Holy Mary. On its outside facade, you can admire beautiful mosaics.

Santa Cecilia in Trastevere Basilica

This is not just a church. Like many other places to see in Rome, the undergrounds of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere Basilica hide another world. Once you visit the modern church, go down to see the gorgeous crypt and down again to visit an ancient Roman domus and insula.

Visit the Tiber Island, what to do in Rome for history and food

An ancient man-made island in the middle of the Tiber river in Rome city center, the ship-shaped Isola Tiberina is one of the top places to visit in Rome for first-timers. You can get to the Tiber island on foot from either Trastevere or the Jewish Ghetto. Today is home to the San Bartolomeo church, the 16th-century hospital Fatebenefratelli and several bars and restaurants. In summer, it becomes the island of the cinema, a popular hangout to watch movies outdoors.

Walk across Rome’s oldest bridge

What to do in Rome if, like me, stepping over ancient history excites you. Ponte Fabricio bridge connects the Jewish Ghetto right from in front of Rome’s synagogue to the Tiber island. Built in 62 BC by street keeper Lucius Fabricius, it’s Rome’s oldest operative bridge that kept its original structure.

Explore Rome’s history at the Capitoline Museums

This is Rome’s main museum, where you will discover the history of the city, how it was founded, both myth and reality. Displaying a rich collection of artwork from ancient Roman times, there is also a fascinating section on Etruscan art and daily life.

Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain

Hands-off the most impressive among Rome’s many fountains, this Baroque masterpiece stands in all its huge glory and has been the setting of movies, videos, countless pictures and also polemics when people just can’t resist and take a dip in its waters. Do you want to be sure to come back to Rome? Throw a coin backward in the Trevi Fountain and you will.

Take a picture of Piazza Venezia and Vittoriano Complex

The Vittoriano Complex is the national monument in Piazza Venezia named after the first king of unified Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II. It hosts the permanent exhibition devoted to the Italian Risorgimento , a term indicating the series of wars, battles, intrigues, and clashes that ended with the unification of the country under one rule, Piedmont’s Savoia royal dynasty.

Also called “Homeland Altar”, it was built between 1885 and 1911 and since 1923 it hosts the body of the “Unknown Soldier”. Today they often organize several exhibitions on different topics, be it social, cultural, or historic.

Test yourself at the Mouth of Truth

This is a big sculpture with a man’s face located in the courtyard of Santa Maria in Cosmedin church. Probably an ancient manhole, it became one of the top things to do in Rome because of the movie Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck and the legend according to which the mouth would bite the hand of those who don’t speak the truth.

Saint John Lateran Basilica

The most important among the papal basilicas, Saint John in Lateran is one of the top places to see in Rome. The first official Catholic, it’s Rome’s cathedral and where the pope exerts his duties as the city’s bishop. Located in the Caelian Hill on the land of the Lateran Roman family, it was confiscated by Nero because of a conspiracy against him. Of stunning beauty and rich in artwork, it’s one of Rome points of interest whether you are religious or not.

Go underground in San Clemente Basilica

One of the best places to visit in Rome to travel through the historical layers of the city. San Clemente Basilica, near the Colosseum, includes a medieval church on modern street level, an early-Christian basilica underneath, and a Mithraic temple and school as well as the Roman mint in the lowest underground level.

Take a peek through the keyhole of Knights of Malta headquarters

This is one of the most famous pictures of Rome. Watching from the keyhole of the Knights of Malta headquarters on the Aventine Hill is one of the fun things to do in Rome. It used to be a hidden gem, but now it’s very popular and you will likely find a bit of a queue. Nevertheless, the view is worth the wait.

Explore the Aventine Hill

Romantic and incredibly rich in history, Aventine Hill is a treasure trove of places to visit in Rome. The early-Christian Santa Sabina Basilica, the old Santa Prisca Basilica with a Mithra temple in its underground, and the orange-scented Parco Savello, better known as the Garden of the Oranges, are all sights that will keep you busy for a good morning or even the whole day.

Marvel at three Caravaggio paintings at San Luigi dei Francesi

This church is located between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon and it’s worth visiting even only for the being home to three of the Caravaggio paintings in Rome : The Calling of St Matthew (on the left wall), The Inspiration of Saint Matthew (above the altar), and The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew (on the right wall).

Apart from Saint Louis of the French church, you can find some of his most famous masterpieces in Palazzo Barberini, Galleria Borghese, Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Sant’Agostino Basilica, and the beautiful Santa Maria del Popolo Basilica.

Enjoy the view from the Janiculum Hill

The Janiculum Hill is a favorite spot for a scenic walk surrounded by nature and art. A perfect place to take a break from the city traffic, here you can visit the Aqua Paola Fountain, San Pietro in Mntorio church and see the monument devoted to Garibaldi, active military leader during the battles that brought the Italian unification.

Palazzo Quirinale, what to visit in Rome to combine art and institutions

In the Palace of the President of the Italian Republic, it’s possible to visit the Quirinale palace only by booking at least five days in advance through the official website . Former papal residence, it’s located in the Quirinale Hill and enshrines a huge wealth of artwork.

Take a stroll in Villa Borghese Park

One of the largest and possibly the most famous among Rome’s urban parks, the gorgeous Villa Borghese was the residence of the powerful Borghese family. A green oasis in the city center, it’s packed with attractions and landmarks to visit such as the Galleria Borghese museum (not free entrance), the Lake Garden, several temples, and the beautiful Orangery area. You can also book a Villa Borghese bike tour to visit more of this huge park.

TIP: Make the most of your visit to the park with an expert tour to the Borghese Gallery to view the masterpieces of artists like Caravaggio, Bernini, Raffaello and Canova.

Just like gelato, enjoying a great pizza is one of the best things to do in Rome. By the slice, by the pie, as street food or comfortably sitting for dinner. Napoli-style or Roman pinsa, if you are looking for pizza in Rome you can find just about everything.

Take a food tour

The best way to explore Roman cuisine, its traditional dishes and try great restaurants, especially if it’s your first time in the city, it’s with a Rome food tour , such as Taste of Testaccio or Twilight Trastevere with Eating Europe. There are so many food tours of Rome that you will be spoilt for choice.

We recently took a fantastic food tour in Testaccio with Devour Tours and we had plenty of tastings from breakfast all the way to lunch stopping at Mercato Testaccio for scrumptious nibbles.

Try the best historic restaurants

If you are into tradition, some of the top historic restaurants to try in Rome are by all means Armando Al Pantheon , close to the Pantheon, and Felice a Testaccio , both famous for their tonnarelli cacio e pepe pasta and other traditional Roman dishes . Some other names? Checchino dal 1887 and Cesare al Casaletto .

Learn to make pasta and pizza

We all love Rome food, but what if we want to make pasta and pizza for our friends and family back home? Easy, take one of the many pasta-making or pizza-making food tours and you will learn the basics for creating your own delicious dishes.

There are many cooking classes in Rome where you can learn how to make some of the most famous Roman and Italian dishes for your friends and family back home. We recently took a fantastic pasta-making class with Devour Tours and learned to make egg-based fettuccine and a hearty amatriciana sauce from scratch.

Go for a coffee Italian-style

So you are in Italy and want a coffee . Keep in mind that if you simply ask for a coffee ( un caffè, per favore! ), they will deliver a short espresso shot, because this is what Italians expect.

If you ask for a “long coffee” ( un caffè lungo ), you will have the same single espresso with a bit more water in it. If you want the huge cup American style you should just order that, an American coffee ( un caffè americano ), so the barista will understand.

A tip? Have on the counter to pay the basic fee. If you grab a table they can charge whatever is their fee.

Go for an aperitif

Aperitif in Rome is a pre-dinner meal, but since the formula is often 10/15 euro for a drink and unlimited buffet starting from 6.30 pm until around 8 pm, you can totally take it for an early dinner.

Go for a street food tour

Pizza by the slice, supplì, cured meat, gelato, or the famous Trapizzino . Try some of Rome’s street food delicacies in its famous central neighborhoods such as the Jewish Ghetto, Campo de’ Fiori, or Prati area. The best way to do that? With a street food tour led by a local expert , of course.

Enjoy Rome city center by segway…

Explore the city center by segway to see as much as you can without getting tired on board of your segway. I’ve been seeing groups of segway always more often in Rome. If you are short on time and still don’t want to miss the main landmarks, this is a great and eco-friendly way to do it. Click here for more info and the price .

…Or by electric bike

Comfortable, eco-friendly, and time-efficient, you can either rent an electric bike to tour around the top things to see in Rome by yourself or book one of the many tours with a local guide.

Some of the best electric bike tours? An e-bike tour around Rome’s tourist attractions or a tour by night around the best places to see in Rome at twilight. If you are into more hidden gems and less touristy areas, book a fascinating bike tour of the ancient Appian Way with its aqueducts and catacombs.

What to do in Rome if you have already seen the most famous landmarks

Discover ancient roman aqueducts.

The ancient aqueducts are possibly the architectural and engineering feat Rome is most famous for . While many have been destroyed by the vandals and during the several sacks of Rome, we can still see and appreciate great vestiges from these important pipelines.

Some of the best places to see the ruins of ancient aqueducts are Parco degli Acquedotti in the Appian Way south of Rome and Porta Maggiore in the Esquilino neighborhood where many of these pipelines meet.

The ruins of the important Aqua Virgo aqueduct that supplies water to the Trevi Fountain can be seen in a few places around the fountain. These include Vicus Caprarius where is the cistern and the undergrounds of La Rinascente shopping mall in Via del Tritone where multimedia installations explain everything about the ruins and the neighborhood.

Villa Farnesina with Raphael’s frescoes

If you are still wondering what to do in Rome, located in Trastevere is Villa Farnesina, a historical villa today seat of the prestigious Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. A former noble residence, you can visit Villa Farnesina for the wonderful frescoes by great Italian artists, the most famous of which is Raphael. Check out their website for more info.

Go on a foodie adventure

If you have already tried Romand traditional dishes and want something lighter to your digestive system without giving up on taste, go on a foodie adventure. Rome is a fantastic city for foodies, with new restaurants springing up literally every day. Around the city, you will find anything you are looking for, no matter what are your preferences or dietary needs.

Are you vegan? Rome offers a great choice of wonderful vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Do you want to try traditional dishes prepared with a contemporary twist? Do you like the casual atmosphere of a bistro? Rome has something for every palate.

St. Paul Outside the Walls

Located in the Garbatella neighborhood close to Ostiense, the huge St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica gets fewer visitors than it would deserve. Imposing both outside and inside, here is kept the tomb of Saint Paul. In the underground, you can visit a great Roman archaeological site from the oldest complex dating back to the 5th century.

Centrale Montemartini

This is one of the best things to do in Rome if you have already visited the main museums and are looking for more offbeat attractions. The former main power plant in the city, Centrale Montemartini in the Ostiense neighborhood has been turned into a fascinating museum where the machinery that was used to produce electricity stands side by side with ancient Roman statues, mosaics, sarcophagi, and tools.

Museo Nazionale Romano

After the Musei Capitolini, this is the most important museum and one of the best places to visit in Rome to dig deep into its imperial times, art, and history. Located near Termini Station in the Diocletian Baths, it displays a huge collection of objects, tools, and artwork from Ancient Rome.

Palazzo-Galleria Doria Pamphilj, one of the best places to see in Rome to soak in centuries of art

The gorgeous residence of the Doria Pamphilj noble family is a true treasure trove of artwork, majestic beauty, and history of the Roman aristocracy. Conveniently located in Via del Corso, it’s easy to reach and one of the best things to do in Rome to soak in art, luxury, and history.

Rome’s Rose Garden (Roseto Comunale)

Open only for a couple of months a year in Spring, the Roseto Comunale is located between the Circus Maximus and the foot of the Aventine Hill. When it’s in its full blossoming, with its thousands of rose species it makes for a truly heady and scented walk near Rome city center.

See an optical illusion of St. Peter’s dome

It only happens in Via Piccolomini, off Via Aurelia Antica. As soon as you enter, you will find a giant St. Peter’s dome right in front of you. Keep walking and you will notice that the closer you get, the smaller the dome will become.

Go to the Opera

At Rome’s Teatro dell’Opera you can enjoy operas and ballets from the most famous musicians, such as Mozart, Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Tchaikovsky, Georges Bizet, and more. Check out their official website for more info on shows and the current season.

Quartiere Coppedè

One of the hidden gems in Rome is the quirky Quartiere Coppedè in the Trieste neighborhood. This Liberty-style quarter was designed by visionary Gino Coppedè and shows clear influences from Roman and Greek mythology, shapes of animals, monsters, and fairy tales. You won’t even feel you are in Rome.

Visit the wonderful Sant’Agnese Fuori le Mura complex

Not far from Quartiere Coppedè, in the elegant Nomentano neighborhood is a beautiful religious and historical landmark from the 4th century that shows that the art and history in Rome are not limited to inside the Aurelian Walls.

The complex of Sant’Agnese Fuori Le Mura (outside the walls) is worth your time out of the historic center because it includes early-Christian catacombs, the ruins of an ancient Basilica, a more modern church, and the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza, the daughter of emperor Constantine the Great, with the ceiling coated with wonderful mosaics.

John Keats’ House

Located in Piazza di Spagna on the right corner of the Spanish Steps, here is where English poet John Keats spent his last months before dying of tuberculosis at the age of 25. Today his house is a museum that displays sculptures, paintings, objects, and manuscripts of important English intellectuals like Keats, Shelley, and Lord Byron.

Protestant Cemetery

A collection of beautiful statues, Rome’s Non-Catholic Cemetery in the Testaccio area hosts the tombs of many notables like Italian politician and philosopher Antonio Gramsci, Italian writer Andrea Camilleri, and English poet John Keats among others.

Explore Rome underground

One of the most fascinating things to do in Rome is to explore the many layers of the city. Underneath modern churches, you can find early-Christian basilicas, ancient Roman houses, and Mithra temples. Underneath Piazza Navona, you can visit the ruins of Domitian Stadium. Thankfully there are many Rome underground guided tours that show you and explain these hidden sites.

Do a catacombs tour, one of the best things to do in Rome for history lovers

One of the best things to do in Rome if you are after a history and cultural holiday is a catacombs tour. There are so many catacombs in different parts of the city that it’s difficult to visit them all. Some of the most famous are the ones in the ancient Appian Way St. Callixtus and St. Domitilla, the ones in Villa Ada park of Priscilla, and the ones of St. Sebastian. Check out Take Walks underground tour to Rome’s catacombs and crypts .

Discover the Trajan’s Markets

Unlike the name might suggest, Trajan’s Markets were probably not markets as we intend them today. This complex of buildings was adjacent to the Roman Forum and especially linked to the Trajan Forum.

It consisted of different areas, some areas where political “forum” activities took place, others where they managed administrative duties. Located in Via Quattro Novembre, today you can visit the archaeological area, the Museum of the Imperial Fora, and always different temporary exhibitions.

Santa Maria della Scala ancient pharmacy

Located in the trendy and very touristy Trastevere neighborhood is a beautiful hidden gem. The ancient pharmacy of Santa Maria della Scala was founded in the 16th century. Here, the Discalced Carmelite friars create potions, oils, and remedies until 1954. Today it’s open to the public but you need to book.

Visit Rome food markets

There are so many food markets in Rome that during your sightseeing you are most likely to stumble on one or more of them. Some of my favorites? Mercato Testaccio, Mercato Trionfale in Via Andrea Doria, the daily market in Campo de’ Fiori, even though quite touristy, and the smaller farmers’ market in Piazza San Cosimato in Trastevere.

Explore Rome’s street art

There are several neighborhoods spruced up and made colorful by local and international street artists. Some of these are Ostiense , Quadraro and Tor Marancia. Also look for Popstairs, a project by Roman street artist Diavù who painted the face of famous Italian and European actresses on stairwells around Rome. Here is something cool and free to do in Rome .

Visit the Botanic Garden

A magical place between Trastevere and Janiculum Hill, the Botanic Garden is managed by La Sapienza university. Hosting plants from all over the world and areas such as the Japanese garden, the tropical greenhouse and the Mediterranean wood, it’s one of the most fascinating things to see in Rome.

Villa Doria Pamphilj

The beautiful summer residence of the Pamphilj family, here you can walk, do jogging, use the gym equipment to do some exercise, rent a bike, take your kids to the playground, and have a nice casual lunch in the local bistro.

They often organize cultural events such as the Oriental Festival, the Yoga Festival and more. This is among the Rome activities your kids will love also because there is the lovely Vivi Bistrot where you can order a picnic and spend a whole day relaxing, jogging, and having fun.

Enter a movie set in Cinecittà

Many movies have been shot in Cinecittà, south Rome, and not only Italian ones. I even visited the set of Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York. Obviously, in Cinecittà cinema studios, you will see documents, pictures, objects and memorabilia related mainly to Italian movie production with big names like Fellini, Zeffirelli, Luchino Visconti and actors like Totò and Claudia Cardinale. But also other international names, especially actors who have worked here like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton. Check the official website to know how to visit.

Take a day trip

There are many day trips you can take from Rome . Starting from the medieval towns of Viterbo and Bracciano to the Castelli Romani, in towns like Castel Gandolfo and Rocca di Papa, you can either go by public transport or book a guided tour.

Not to miss if you have the time is a day in Tivoli , home to two UNESCO sites, the Villa of Hadrian and the Villa d’Este.

A little farther but still possible to do in one day is visit Terni and its beautiful Cascate delle Marmore waterfalls.

If you are going around to explore the surroundings, here are some cool road trip games for couples .

Explore Rome’s most international neighborhood

Walking around the Esquilino area next to Termini station you will feel anywhere but Rome. From the Esquilino market selling anything international, from food to clothes, to international restaurants and fast foods to shops displaying products from literally every corner of the planet, here you can find pretty much anything. Afghan jewelry, Chinese tea sets, and blends, Caribbean foods, Indian/Pakistani restaurants. You name it, you will find it.

See the biggest park of Ancient Rome

Unfortunately today you can only see a small piece because without prior booking a private tour because it’s private property, but Horti Sallustiani (Piazza Sallustio 21) was the largest park of ancient Rome. Once a lush garden populated by fountains, thermal baths and temples devoted to nymphs, Horti Sallustiani was a favorite place for Roman leaders such as Julius Ceasar and Vespasian and it’s where emperor Nerva died.

Go to the beach

This is probably best in summer, but also Spring is a nice season for a walk on the beach. You will get to the coast better if you rent a car but some are possible to reach also with public transport, either train or coach. Some of the favorite beaches near Rome? Fregene, Ostia Lido, Fiumicino, Ladispoli, Torvaianica and, a bit further away, Circeo, Sperlonga, Sabaudia and Anzio.

See the Roman town of Ostia Antica

Very easy to reach with a train ride from Ostiense/Porta San Paolo and with a single Atac ticket of 1.50 euro, Ostia Antica is a great sight to include in your Rome sightseeing. An important Roman city for trades and commerce, several diggings have been done recently that brought about new discoveries, including the fact that the city was much bigger even than the famous Pompeii.

Quirky and more unusual things to see in Rome

One of the truly unusual places to see in Rome, the magic door in Piazza Vittorio bears a mysterious past. Also called Porta Alchemica, “Alchemical Door,” it was built in the 17th century by a nobleman who got close to the world of alchemy and science. According to the legend, the mysterious inscriptions decorating the door are the formula to turn a plant into gold. This is definitely what to see in Rome if you are into esoteric history and culture.

Capuchins’ Crypt

The Capuchin Friars’ Crypt displays the bones of some 4,000 friars who died between 1528 and 1870 and is located in the undergrounds of Santa Maria della Concezione church in Via Veneto.

Along with bones, you can also see some mummified friars as well as the skeletons of three nephews of Pope Urbano VIII and Princess Barberini who died very young.

Casina delle Civette (House of the Owls) in Villa Torlonia

Casina delle Civette , “House of the Owls,” earned its moniker for the presence of two owls on the glass window at the entrance and the obsessive recurring of owl-themed decorations. Worth visiting both inside and outside.

Explore more of Villa Torlonia Park

The Roman residence of Fascist leader Benito Mussolini, Villa Torlonia is a relatively small but lovely park in the Nomentano area. You can have a nice walk and visit the Casino Nobile , where Mussolini lived and where he built his bunker for extra security, that today you can visit with a guided tour. Enter the Casino Nobile mansion also for its antiques and neo-classic and contemporary artwork.

Play and learn at the Museum of Light

The games of lights and shades, colorful reflections, optical illusions, and playful mirrors and shadows of the Museum of Light are only some of the things to do in Rome whether you are traveling with your family or in a group of friends.

Located in the city center next to Piazza Venezia, it’s easy to reach and fantastic to keep the whole family entertained for a couple of hours.

Try Rome’s foreign restaurants

Rome offers also a great choice of foreign restaurants. Chinese, Indian, Ethiopian, Japanese, Lebanese , French, Vietnamese, or Persian if you want to give Roman food a break, you can explore the new flavors found aplenty in the city.

Visit MACRO Museum

Located in Via Nizza in the Salario quarter, MACRO is Rome’s museum of contemporary art. Exhibitions, workshops, seminars and events of all kinds are organized here, so if you are a fan of contemporary artistic expressions, this is one of the Rome activities you will love.

Walk along the beautiful Galleria Sciarra

This is one of the unique places to visit in Rome’s city center. A Liberty-style covered gallery near the Trevi Fountain (entrance through Via Marco Minghetti) built at the end of the 19th century. Decorated with a main woman-focused theme, this is a private courtyard but open to the public during office hours.

See the relics of Rome’s industrial archaeology

Take a stroll around the Ostiense neighborhood and discover the relics of Rome’s industrial archaeology starting from the huge gasometer, carrying on to places like the old warehouse and the former main power plant in Centrale Montemartini museum.

See the Fascist Lots in the traditional Garbatella neighborhood

Garbatella is next to Ostiense and was created during the Fascist rule. Inspired by the English urban planning idea of “garden cities” of Ebenezer Howard as a response to the need for sprawling cities for a better quality of life, take a walk around Garbatella Lots and explore a truly traditional Roman neighborhood.

Visit the square Colosseum

For sure one of the unique things to do in Rome is a visit to the Palace of Italian Civilisation, called by the locals “square Colosseum” ( Colosseo quadrato ) for its resemblance to the more famous landmark and its square shape. Located in the modern EUR neighborhood, it was inaugurated in 1940 under Mussolini’s rule. Managed by the Fendi family, its ground floor is now devoted to a permanent exhibition showing the excellence of Italian craftsmanship and creativity.

Get your sweetness overload at a cat colony

There are several cat sanctuaries in Rome, where our furry friends live and are taken care of. The largest is the one at the monumental cemetery of the Verano, but probably the easiest to reach are the one at Largo Argentina and the one living around the Pyramid in the Testaccio neighborhood . The beautiful cats are used to people and don’t mind posing for a nice photo.

See Rubens’ powered painting

The large painting by Flemish artist Rubens is located on the main altar of Chiesa Nuova Church (Piazza della Chiesa Nuova 1) and features a Madonna that disappears once a week. This is a motor-powered painting and if you want to see the Virgin Mary disappearing, you need to go on Saturday when the priest activates the device at the end of the afternoon function.

Be amazed at the anamorphoses of Trinità dei Monti

One of the unique places to visit in Rome is inside Trinità dei Monti church on top of the Spanish Steps. Along a corridor of the convent, the walls are decorated with anamorphic frescoes that change depending on your position. So the more you walk, the more images you will see. It’s open to the public but visits must be booked. Check their website for more info.

Visit the Museum of the Souls in Purgatory, one of the unusual things to see in Rome

In the sacristy of the Gothic-style Sacro Cuore del Suffragio church near Piazza Cavour (Lungotevere Prati 12) is a one-of-a-kind museum. One of the unusual things to do in Rome, here on display is a collection of documents and evidence that would prove the existence of Purgatory and signs from the souls of the deceased.

Visit the dolls’ hospital, one of the unique things to do in Rome

The owner of this quirky and slightly creepy workshop is quite grumpy and unless you have a doll to treat, you can’t enter. This is a true dolls’ hospital and even though you can only view it from the outside, its very central location in Via Ripetta makes it very easy to visit.

Visit San Pietro in Vincoli

Much less visited than many other famous churches, San Pietro in Vincoli Basilica is located in its namesake piazza in the Monti neighborhood. Alongside the chains that held Saint Peter prisoner in Rome and Jerusalem, here you can also see the beautiful Moses sculpture by Michelangelo.

Explore Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

This important church is one of the four papal basilicas. Located in the Esquilino neighborhood, it’s the only one that kept its early-Christian structure. It’s decorated with beautiful mosaics and you can also visit the undergrounds (booking required, more info on the Vatican website ).

TIP: To know more about this important worship place in Rome, you can book a full tour of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica .

Admire the mosaics of Santa Prassede Basilica

The church of Santa Prassede is located in the Esquilino neighborhood. As history goes, St. Pudenziana was martyred together with her sister St. Prassede because they were giving a Christian burial to the martyrs in the land of their father, a Roman senator. The apse of this church is decorated with beautiful mosaics .

Duck into Santa Pudenziana Basilica

A very old Christian church, Pudenziana was Prassede’s sister. Here you can see both stunning mosaics and also go underground from the garden to visit a two-story insula and an ancient thermal bath. This church, too, is in the Esquilino area not far from Santa Prassede and Santa Maria Maggiore.

Visit Santi Cosma and Damiano Basilica for great mosaics

This is also a church famous for its mosaics, and even though located a stone’s throw from the Colosseum, it’s pretty unknown. Built in the 6th century on the site of former pagan temples, it can be easily accessed from Via dei Fori Imperiali.

Duck into Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Basilica

Close to the Pantheon, in this church, the remains of St. Catherine of Siena and the Italian painter Beato Angelico are kept. One of the few Gothic-style churches in Rome, it was built in the 13th century on the site of three pagan temples. While it’s not too big, it has a great deal of artwork by names of the likes of Michelangelo, Bernini and Filippino Lippi.

Admire a 3D fresco in Sant’Ignazio di Loyola Church

For sure there’s no lack of churches in Rome, but Sant’Ignazio di Loyola is not your average Catholic temple. At the moment of construction, in the 17th century, the money ran out, so the originally planned dome couldn’t be properly built anymore.

But thankfully, the talent and creativity of artist-priest Andrea Pozzo made up for the lack of funds. Thanks to a finely conceived perspective, you will have the impression of looking at a real dome supported by pillars while you will be standing underneath a fresco.

Explore the notable mansion of Palazzo Barberini

A fantastic place to learn more about the glamorous life of Rome’s noble families is Palazzo Barberini , the beautiful, majestic mansion that opens in Via delle Quattro Fontane near Via Veneto, Via del Tritone, and Fontana di Trevi.

Visit this palace for a glimpse of the Barberinis’ past and the rich collection of artwork that gathers masterpieces from Caravaggio, Bernini, Borromini, Pietro da Cortona, and Guido Reni. Make sure you don’t miss the spectacular staircases by Bernini at the entrance and by Borromini at the exit.

Go on a Bernini-themed tour

Gian Lorenzo Bernini has been one of the most prolific artists in Rome’s Baroque period, often regarded as the creator of Baroque sculpture and one of the leading architects, sculptors, and painters.

You can find Bernini’s Roman masterpieces scattered all around the city. Churches, fountains, sculptures, paintings, you name it, he did it. From the Four Rivers fountain in the heart of Piazza Navona to Palazzo Barberini to the world-famous colonnade of Saint Peter’s Square, you can find the touch of this incredible artist in many of the artwork that makes Rome so beautiful.

Seek out Borromini’s genius

Contemporary and eternal rival of Bernini, Borromini was an architectural genius. Unlike his peer, he was an introvert and quite bad-tempered, and this is mainly why he gained fewer commissions than Bernini who, on the other hand, was more talented in cultivating and nurturing relationships with the influential people of his time.

Some of Borromini’s masterpieces in Rome you shouldn’t miss include the gorgeous Sant’Agnese in Agone church in Piazza Navona and Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza in Corso del Rinascimento near the Pantheon.

What to do in Rome for a romantic trip

One of the best destinations for your honeymoon in Italy, there are many romantic things to do in Rome .

Evening walk along the Tiber

There is hardly anything more romantic in Rome than a night stroll along the Tiber river. The city lights and the landmarks you visited during the day reflect on the calm waters creating a beautiful view.

Enjoy a couple spa treatment

Many hotels offer spa treatments in Rome, but some are really romantic, especially those set in ancient Roman ruins. Such as the wellness center of Hotel Lunetta near Campo de’ Fiori where you can do a sauna, enter the steam room, and do a couple massage.

Enjoy a beautiful view

Thankfully, there is no shortage of such a thing in Rome. Go to the Garden of the Oranges in the Aventine Hill, enjoy the view from the Pincio Terrace in Villa Borghese, climb the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica or take a stroll on the Monte Mario hill for a scenic view from the Astronomical Observatory. From wherever you look, the landscape will be stunning.

Reserve a romantic dinner

No shortage of romantic restaurants in Rome. Candle-lit tables, alfresco options, beautiful views, and historical locations contribute to making the ambiance romantic and perfect for a date. Some of my favorite restaurants? Settimo in the Sofitel Villa Borghese Hotel for a fantastic view, Aroma in the 5-star Palazzo Manfredi hotel, Perpetual gourmet restaurant near the Colosseum.

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About The Author: Angela Corrias

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22 Best Places to Visit in Rome | 2024 (with Photos)

Mary Adelana - Travel Writer

Last Updated: March 25, 2024

Hey there! I'm Mary, sharing my top recommendations for exploring the beauty and charm of Rome through captivating photos and insightful travel tips. Let's embark on a journey of discovery and make unforgettable memories in the Eternal City!

Rome, the Eternal City, is a must-visit destination for any traveler. The Italian capital city is known for its rich history, art, and delicious cuisine.

While the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the famous churches are essential attractions in Rome, there is so much more to explore.

In this guide, we take you on a journey to discover 22 of the best places to visit in Rome, from ancient ruins to squares filled with cafes and street performers.

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, there is always something new to discover during your Roman holiday.

Most Recommended Thing to Do

Top Choice Hotel

Our Top Choice Restaurant

Our Top Choice Bar for Nightlife

Freni e Frizioni

Best Time to Visit

Spring or fall; avoid summer and winter crowds.

Average Temperature

The average temperature in Rome, Italy is mild.

Transportation Options

Buses, trams, metro, taxis, bikes, scooters, walking, rideshare.

Average Cost ($, $$, $$$)

My Top Recommendation

Start your day with a leisurely stroll along the Tiber River, where the gentle breeze carries the whispers of centuries-old tales. Make sure to visit the Vatican City, where the majestic St. Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's breathtaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel will leave you in awe.

Indulge in delectable Italian cuisine at local trattorias, savoring every bite of homemade pasta and gelato. As dusk falls, climb the Spanish Steps to the Piazza Trinità dei Monti for a panoramic view of the city bathed in a golden glow.

What You'll Need to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Travel adapter

What Not to Miss

• Vatican City
• Trevi Fountain
• Roman Forum

What to Avoid

• Pickpocketing and petty theft
• Eating near major tourist attractions
• Using unlicensed taxis

Table of Contents

1. The Colosseum

The Colosseum is an iconic symbol of the ancient Roman Empire. It was built over 2,000 years ago and could hold up to 50,000 spectators. 

It was used for public spectacles, such as gladiator fights, animal hunts, and mock sea battles.

The Colosseum is a testament to the incredible engineering skills of the ancient Romans and their love for entertainment. 

Visiting the Colosseum is a great way to experience a piece of ancient history firsthand.

2. The Pantheon

Emperor Hadrian commissioned the construction of the Pantheon in 118 AD. Originally built as a place of worship for the Roman gods, it is probably the best-preserved ancient building in Rome.

The temple has been used as a Christian church since the 7th century and is home to numerous tombs of famous Italian kings, as well as the painter Raphael. 

The Pantheon embodies the greatness of the Roman Empire and is a testament to the ingenuity of the ancient Romans.

3. The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is also one of the top sights in Rome. This sprawling plaza used to be the center of political and social life in ancient Rome. 

Today, the Roman Forum is home to some of the most impressive ruins in the city.

The Roman Forum is home to numerous ancient ruins and historical landmarks, including the Temple of Caesar, the Arch of Titus, and the Temple of Vesta. 

Visitors to the Roman Forum can explore the ancient ruins, marvel at the stunning architecture, and learn about the history of ancient Rome.

4. Vatican City

Vatican City is the smallest sovereign state in the world and is home to some of the most important cultural landmarks in the world. 

The city-state is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and home to St Peter's Square.

Visitors to Vatican City can explore the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica, the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums, which are home to a vast collection of art and artifacts from throughout history, including works by artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli.

5. The Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most famous cultural landmarks in the world, located within the Vatican City in Rome. 

It was built in the 15th century and is known for its stunning Renaissance art and architecture, including the famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo.

The Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums and offers visitors a unique opportunity to see some of the most famous works of art in the world. 

Visitors can marvel at the incredible ceiling of the chapel, including Michelangelo's iconic "Creation of Adam" and "The Last Judgment."

6. Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are a treasure trove of art and culture located within the walls of Vatican City. 

The museums contain an impressive collection of art and artifacts that have been collected by the Catholic Church over the centuries.

One of the highlights of the museum is the Raphael Rooms, a series of four rooms painted by the famous Italian artist Raphael in the early 16th century. 

The Raphael Rooms are considered some of the most important works of art from the High Renaissance period.

7. Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain)

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome and probably the most famous fountain in the world.

Built in the 18th century, the fountain on the Piazza di Trevi features a magnificent sculpture of the god of the sea, Neptune, flanked by two tritons.

Visitors can toss a coin into the famous Trevi fountain, which is said to ensure a return trip to Rome, as well as good luck and prosperity. 

The fountain is a true masterpiece of Baroque art, with its intricate carvings, glistening waters, and stunning sculptures.

8. Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna

The Spanish Steps are a grand staircase of 135 steps that connect the Piazza di Spagna with the French Church Trinità dei Monti at the top. 

The steps were built in the 18th century and are a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike.

The Piazza di Spagna, at the base of the steps, is a bustling square that is home to several cafes, restaurants, and designer shops. 

Visitors to the Piazza di Spagna can enjoy the stunning Baroque architecture and soak up the atmosphere of one of Rome's liveliest neighborhoods.

9. Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. It was built in the 1st century AD and is known for its stunning Baroque architecture, including the famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) designed by Bernini.

Piazza Navona is also home to several other fountains, beautiful buildings, and a lively atmosphere that draws visitors from all over the world. 

Piazza Navona is a great place to enjoy some Italian gelato, watch the street performers, and take in stunning architecture.

10. Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is a beautiful and expansive public park located in the heart of Rome. 

Villa Borghese covers an area of over 80 hectares and is home to a variety of attractions, including museums, galleries, fountains, and gardens.

One of the most popular attractions in the park is the Galleria Borghese, which houses an impressive collection of art, including works by Caravaggio, Rubens, and Leonardo da Vinci. 

Visitors to Villa Borghese Gardens can take a stroll, relax by the lake, or enjoy a picnic on the grass.

11. Piazza del Popolo and Santa Maria del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo is one of the most famous public squares in Rome, known for its grandeur and historical significance. 

At the heart of the square is the Egyptian obelisk, which dates back to the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC.

Surrounding the square are several important landmarks, including the city gate ‘Porta del Popolo' and the Santa Maria del Popolo church, which features beautiful artwork by Caravaggio and Raphael. 

The church has a fascinating history, having been built on the site of an ancient Roman temple, and later associated with the legendary Emperor Nero.

12. Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome and is considered the birthplace of the city. 

It is located in the central part of Rome and is known for its stunning views of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.

Visitors to Palatine Hill can explore the ruins of several ancient palaces, including the Palace of Domitian and the Palace of Augustus, as well as the remains of the Hippodrome, which was once used for chariot races. 

The hill is also home to the Farnese Gardens, a stunning botanical garden.

13. St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square

St. Peter's Basilica, located within the Vatican City, is one of the most famous churches in the world and is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Rome. 

The Basilica is known for its stunning Renaissance and Baroque architecture, including the famous dome designed by Michelangelo.

Visitors to St. Peter's Basilica can marvel at Michelangelo's "Pieta" sculpture and Bernini's "Baldacchino" canopy. 

St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world and home to the tomb of St. Peter. Another highlight is the Egyptian obelisk in the center of St. Peter's Square.

14. Via Appia Antica

Via Appia Antica, or the Appian Way, is one of the oldest and most famous roads in Rome. 

Originally built in 312 BC, the road stretches for over 350 miles. It was located just outside the city walls and was an important transportation route in ancient Rome.

Some of the highlights of a visit to the Appian Way include the Catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano, where early Christians were buried, the Villa of the Quintilii, a sprawling estate once owned by wealthy Roman nobles, and the Circus of Maxentius.

15. The Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium located in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills in Rome, Italy. 

It was originally built in the 6th century BC and was expanded over the centuries to become the largest stadium in the Roman Empire.

The site hosted various types of events, including chariot races, gladiatorial contests, and other Roman games, which were an important part of the city's culture and entertainment. 

With its grand size and historical importance, the Circus Maximus offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman life and the ancient world.

16. Piazza Venezia

Piazza Venezia is a famous square located in the heart of Rome, Italy. 

The square is home to some of the most important landmarks in the city, including the Altare della Patria (the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II), the Palazzo Venezia, and the Trajan's Column.

Piazza Venezia is a bustling hub of activity. Visitors can admire the stunning architecture and monuments, take a stroll through the square's beautiful gardens, or enjoy a coffee or gelato in one of the many cafes and restaurants in the area.

17. Campo dei Fiori Market

Campo dei Fiori market is one of the most lively outdoor markets in Rome. 

Located in the heart of the historic city center, it offers a colorful array of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, flowers, and other local products.

The market's history dates back to the 19th century and it was once a gathering place for local farmers and traders. 

Today, it is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, who come to soak up the lively atmosphere and experience the authentic flavors of Rome.

18. Capitoline Hill and the Capitoline Museums

Capitoline Hill, or Campidoglio in Italian, is one of the seven hills of Rome and an important historical site. 

It was the political and religious center of ancient Rome and is now home to many of the city's most important museums and monuments.

Visitors can admire the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius in the center of Piazza del Campidoglio, as well as the famous Capitoline Museums, which house a vast collection of ancient artifacts, including the famous Capitoline Wolf sculpture.

19. Vittoriano

The Vittoriano, also known as the Altare della Patria, is a monument located in Piazza Venezia. It was built in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy, and is one of the most important landmarks in the city.

The massive white marble structure features a grand staircase, numerous sculptures, and an equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II. 

The Vittoriano is a symbol of Italy's national identity and a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Rome.

20. Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant'Angelo is a towering cylindrical fortress located on the banks of the Tiber River in Rome. 

Originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman emperor Hadrian, it was later converted into a castle and used as a papal residence and a prison.

Visitors to the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian can explore the castle's many levels and take in stunning views of Rome from the castle's ramparts and terraces. 

A visit to Castel Sant'Angelo offers a unique opportunity to experience the city's ancient architecture and engineering up close.

21. Largo di Torre Argentina

Largo di Torre Argentina is a square located in the heart of Rome, famous for being the site of the remains of four ancient Roman temples, and the spot where Julius Caesar was assassinated.

Today, the square is home to a sanctuary for cats, where hundreds of cats roam free among the ruins. 

The place offers a unique opportunity to interact with Rome's famous feline residents, making it a must-visit destination for cat lovers and history buffs alike.

22. Rome's National Museum

Rome's National Museum is a must-visit destination for history buffs and art lovers alike. 

It boasts an impressive collection of ancient Roman artifacts and works of art, including sculptures, mosaics, frescoes, and other decorative objects.

The museum's exhibits span over 1,000 years of Roman history, from the Republic to the Empire, including the iconic Farnese Hercules statue, the Hellenistic-era Boxer at Rest, and the beautiful frescoes from the Villa of Livia.

FAQs: The Best Places to Visit in Rome

In this section, we provide answers to common questions relating to the best places to visit in this city.

What is the most visited place in Rome?

The most visited place in Rome is undoubtedly the Colosseum. This ancient amphitheater was completed in AD 80. Millions of tourists flock to the Colosseum every year to marvel at its architecture, learn about its bloody history, and take in the stunning views of the surrounding area.

What you shouldn't miss in Rome?

There are so many incredible sights to see in Rome, but some of the things you definitely shouldn't miss include the historic center, the Vatican Museums, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, St. Peter's Basilica at St. Peter's Square, the Roman Forum, Piazza del Popolo, the Mausoleum of Roman Emperor Hadrian, and the Roman houses and baths in the Forum of Trajan.

You should also make sure to visit Rome's National Museum, try some of the local cuisine, and explore some of the charming neighborhoods like Trastevere and Monti.

What should be visited in Rome?

You should visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican Museums (especially the Sistine Chapel), St. Peter's Basilica at St. Peter's Square, the Spanish Steps, the Capitoline Museums at Piazza del Campidoglio, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the church of San Luigi dei Francesi, Basilica di San Clemente, and the Piazza Navona.

You should also make time to stroll around the charming streets of the historic center, watch the street artists, take in the views from Gianicolo Hill, and enjoy the best ice cream when you visit Rome.

What is the most beautiful area of Rome?

Rome is full of beautiful areas, but one of the most picturesque places to see in Rome is the Trastevere neighborhood. This bohemian area on the west bank of the Tiber River is known for its narrow streets, colorful buildings, and lively nightlife.

The Pincio, one of Rome's oldest gardens commissioned by the Pinci family in the fourth century, is another lovely area. It is part of Villa Borghese and is famous for its Vatican view at sunset from overlooking Piazza del Popolo. You can also easily undertake a number of day trips from Rome and explore more beautiful areas.

Summing Up: 22 Best Places to Visit in Rome

Rome is a city that offers a wealth of attractions that make a Rome tourist map hard to read. From the Roman Forum to the stunning art of the Vatican Museums, the 22 exciting Rome attractions will leave you breathless.

Whether you're strolling through the beautiful Piazza Navona or climbing the Spanish Steps, every corner of Rome is filled with history and beautiful architecture.

Don't forget to visit St Peter's Square, the Villa Borghese Gardens, Piazza Venezia, Piazza del Campidoglio, and other top sights during your city trip to fully experience the beauty and grandeur of Rome's main tourist attractions.

So book your tickets and visit Rome to experience these wonders for yourself and create memories of the Eternal City that will last a lifetime.

The Colosseum

The pantheon.

St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square

The sistine chapel.

Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain)

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What to See in Rome – TOP 30 Tourist Attractions & Places

Written by: Kate Zusmann

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During an Italian vacation, the main question that comes up in your mind is usually: “What to see in Rome.”

There are many must-see places, and here you will find the top 30 tourist attractions you can visit in the Eternal City even if you have only one day.

If you have 2-3 days, you can repeat this itinerary and add visit to the Vatican Museums and Borghese Gallery .

You will see many impressive and fascinating landmarks with rich history, and this travel guide can help you plan your route. If you have only one day in Rome, be ready for long walks. However, this city’s attractions and worldwide known spots are worth it. Most of the places listed below are also reachable by night and surrounded by visitors 24/7. Moreover, there is a list of options for day trips from Rome for travelers who stay in the Eternal City for a longer time.

A bit of inspiration before your Roman holiday? Watch movies as “Roman holiday” (1953) and “The Great Beauty” (2013) to admire Rome highlights and top sights.

A city with more than 2000 years in existence won’t leave anyone indifferent. So while exploring its main sites, don’t forget to try famous Italian gelato , eat pasta and pizza in the Trastevere area , and visit churches located in almost every corner of Rome.

I also advise you to watch this video on YouTube about the main attractions described in this article.

The Spanish Steps located in Spanish square (Piazza di Spagna) is an unusual architectural construction, considered one of Rome’s must-see attractions. This is a famous piazza in the historical center of the Eternal City, which owes its name to Palazzo di Spagna, the seat of the Embassy of Spain among the Holy See.

Moreover, Pope Benedict XIII inaugurated the 135-step staircase located in this square. Another notable feature of Piazza di Spagna is the Fountain of the Boat (Fontana della Baraccia), commissioned by Pope Urban VIII to Pietro Bernini in 1623.

The Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome, known worldwide. Its construction lasted 30 years: from 1732 to 1762. Throwing coins into the fountain is a popular ritual that tourists from all over the globe love to participate in. The tradition of throwing coins into the fountain comes from a couple of legends. The first is that throwing a coin from the right hand over the left shoulder ensures that you will return to Rome in the future. The second legend was the inspiration behind the film “Three Coins in the Trevi Fountain,” where the legend claims that you should throw three coins into the fountain.

The first coin guarantees your return to Rome, the second ensures new romance, while the third ensures a marriage in the near future

The municipality of Rome has created a fund to finance a supermarket for the poor people of Rome with the help of Italy’s Red Cross charity.

Piazza Venezia and Altar of the Fatherland

Explore Rome in the most comfortable way!

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The Venice square (Piazza Venezia) is located in the center of four major roads in Rome. It was named after Cardinal Venezia, who ordered the construction of his place, Palazzo Venezia, in 1455. The building later became the seat of “Serenissima” (Republic of Venice). The most notable landmark of the square is Vittoriano ( The Altar of the Fatherland or Altare della Patria), a white marble monument inaugurated in 1911. The memorial is known among locals as “The Wedding Cak” or “The Giant Typewriter” It features a military museum, frescoes, columns, and reliefs inside with a giant bronze statue of Victor Emmanuel II, the eternal flame outside. On the top of the massive monument is a charming panorama.

The Roman Forum (Foro Romano) is a forum surrounded by the ruins of the most important ancient government buildings of the Roman Empire located in Rome’s city center. For several centuries, the Forum was the main center of everyday life in the Eternal City: all triumphal processions, elections, most important public speeches, criminal trials, gladiator matches, and commercial affairs took place there. It is located between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills and contains archaeological excavations that attract around 5 million visitors annually.

Piazza del Campidoglio on Capitoline Hill

Capitoline Wolf

The Forum of Caesar

Among the main things to see in Rome is the Forum of   Gaius Julius Caesar,  which was built in 46 B.C. It was initially meant as an expansion of the Roman Forum. However, the Forum evolved and started to serve two additional objectives. As Caesar became more involved in this project, the landmark turned into a place for public business related to the Senate.

Trajan’s Forum

The Trajan’s Forum consists of ruins of several notable landmarks. One of the most important is the world’s oldest shopping mall .

Trajan’s Market had shops and apartments. Today, the remains of its multi-level structure include delicate marble floors and a library—another feature of the Forum is Trajan’s column depicting his battles over the Dacians. There is a belief that the establishment of triumphal columns in ancient Rome began at the time of Emperor Trajan .

The Forum of Augustus

The Colosseum

What to see in Rome? Undoubtedly, the Colosseum is one of the essential options. You can buy a ticket online, book via smartphone, or in a ticket office. The full ticket to the Coliseum costs 16 euros. This price also includes a visit to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. The ticket is active for 48 hours.

Also, you can take a private guided tour over the ancient Rome and the Colosseum to see the most interesting things and skip the line

The Arch of Constantine

The arch is 21 meters high and 25 meters wide!

Useful to know  how many days do you need in Rome to see everything .

Aqua Claudia – Ancient Roman aqueduct

The Circus Maximus

The Knights of Malta Keyhole View of St. Peter’s in Rome

This famous keyhole allows you to see territories of the three governments at the same time: Malta , Italy, and Vatican City .

Read also about what to see in 3 days .

The Orange Garden

The Mouth of Truth

The Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità) is an ancient image carved in a round Pavonazzo marble slab. The statue has existed for about 2200 years. The gloomy face of an unknown god is set in the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin . Moreover, the Romans are convinced that it is impossible to tell a lie under the stern gaze of the mask.

The Temple of Hercules Victor and Temple of Portunus

• The Temple of Portunus is one of the best-preserved among all Roman temples. It is dedicated to Portunus, the god of keys, doors, and livestock. The temple stands in the historic center of the Eternal City, right by the Mouth of Truth and the Temple of Hercules.
• The Temple of Hercules is the only surviving sacred structure in ancient Rome made of Greek marble. According to the legend, this is the place where Hercules rested after his tenth labor . The building became associated with Christianity in 1140 when Innocent III converted it into a church dedicated to San Stefano.

Arch of Janus

The Theater of Marcellus

Julius Caesar started the Theater of Marcellus as his dream was to build the biggest stone theater of the Roman Empire. However, it was finished by Augustus, who decided to dedicate it to his favorite nephew Marcellus. The building is one of the ancient examples of entertainment venues important for Romans. It appeared before the Colosseum in 1 B.C., and about 20 thousand visitors could fit inside.

The Church of Santa Maria in Araceli

Ancient Insula Romana

In Roman architecture, an insula was a kind of apartment building that housed most of the urban citizen population of ancient Rome. The term was also used to mean a city block.  Remains of the ancient Roman insula are located near Venice square.

Palazzo Mattei di Giove

The Turtle Fountain

Taddeo Landini built the Turtle Fountain between 1581 and 1588. It is considered one of Rome’s first finest fountains. It is world-acclaimed, and four replicas were made in the USA . Four bronze ephebes hold a circular basin with one hand while they help a turtle climb the basin with another. This is one of the most famous Roman fountains .

Largo di Torre Argentina

Elephant and Obelisk, designed by Bernini

In the center of the square, you can find the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi), built-in 1648-51 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. An impressive baroque fountain enhanced by the statues of the river Gods and Goddesses that favor:

• Nile  – a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa.
• Danube  – the second-longest river in Europe.
• Ganges – a trans-boundary river of Asia which flows through Bangladesh and India. 
• Río de la Plata  – the estuary formed by the confluence of the Uruguay River and the Paraná River at Punta Gorda.

Palace of Justice

Read about where to travel from Rome .

The Vatican City

You can visit the gem of the Christian world with us during the private guided tour to the St. Peter’s basilica at sunrise

What is your favorite landmark to see in the Eternal City? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

Author: Kate Zusmann

For the last 10 years, I live in the Eternal City. Traveling, exploring new things, writing blogs, and shooting vlogs are my main hobbies, but the thing that I like even more is sharing my experience and thoughts with you! Explore Rome with Us :)

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23 TOP Sights & BEST Things to Do in Rome, Italy (+Map, Photos & Info)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: September 28, 2023

Looking for the best things to do in Rome, Italy, and wondering what’s worth your time the most? Of course, you have to see the most famous places in Rome, such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Vatican, or the Colosseum! But there’s so much more to do in Rome than that, and the choice of what to visit and what to skip can get overwhelming…

So to help you figure out where to go and what to do when in Rome, in this guide we share the  VERY BEST experiences, TOP sights, and MOST POPULAR tourist attractions in Rome that you really shouldn’t miss .

For each place, we also include our experience-based tips and useful info for your visit. In addition, we also created a  map of Rome attractions  that should help you plan your sightseeing itinerary. Find out!

The capital city of Italy, Rome is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Europe. It’s a place where you’ll find so much history everywhere you look. I often call Rome a city–museum because it truly feels like it. Every building, every monument, and every stone you come across has an interesting story behind it.

There is SO MUCH to see and do in Rome that any list of ‘the best things to do‘ would never be complete and also quite biased. On the other hand, there are also the most iconic landmarks and the most special experiences in Rome that everyone would agree are the absolute must-do’s in Rome.

So in this article, we share all of the ‘musts’ the main sights and most unique experiences in Rome that you really should try to do in the Eternal City. In addition, we also include some of our personal favorite things to do in Rome based on our various trips and personal experiences in the city.

These are all places and activities that we enjoyed the most, and we are confident that they’ll make your visit to Rome so much more special and more memorable than just ticking off the standard list of the must-sees.

This is our ultimate Rome bucket list, with lots of pictures , to give you a better idea of what exactly there is to see and do in Rome. Take a look!

How to use this guide: We start our list of the best places to visit and things to do in Rome with the musts. So the first 16 sights and attractions on our list are really considered a must, and the ones you should focus on if you have little time.

However, it’s those additional experiences listed from #17 on that will make your trip to Rome so much more special. So I highly recommend that you try to include a few of those in your sightseeing itinerary as well.

To help you plan your time, at the bottom of this article, you can find the map indicating all the main places we mention in this guide. Plus, we share some sample Rome itineraries for various trip durations.

But first, here are some of the VERY BEST places to see and things to do in Rome:

1. Colosseum

MUST DO: Visit the Colosseum Underground, Arena Floor & Upper Levels.

The Colosseum is one of the most iconic landmarks in Rome, and an absolute must-see. No matter how much time you have in the city, it should be on every Rome itinerary!

Built as an entertainment arena at around 70 AD, this impressive stone amphitheater still stands today, giving you a unique opportunity to get a glimpse into its 2000-year-old past.

There are several things that you can do at the Colosseum and various levels that you can visit. I recommend going for the full experience – from discovering the secrets of the Colosseum Underground to taking the unique opportunity to stand on the partially restored Arena Floor, to soaking in the most impressive views from the upper levels.

Good to know: The Colosseum is one of the most-visited places in Rome and booking tickets (or a guided tour) in advance is essential! If you go on your own, you can get regular priority tickets (often unavailable) or – a bit more expensive – priority tickets that also include a visit to Arena Floor .

However, the crowds here are overwhelming and it’s not always clear where to go… So we highly recommend that you visit the Colosseum with a local guide! That way, you don’t have to worry about any practicalities and have a much better idea of what you are seeing, how this arena functioned, and what life looked like in Rome during the glory days of the Roman Empire.

There are countless options when it comes to guided tours, but be sure to read carefully what they include.

TIP: We recommend this amazing tour that includes ALL the levels of the Colosseum + a guided visit to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. We visited all these places on a tour and it was a great choice. The priority entrance surely helps but having the guide with us made the visit so much more enjoyable. We didn’t have to stress about where exactly to go, which entrance to take, how to get from one level to another, or what to see at the overwhelmingly huge Roman Forum – Palatine Hill site.

READ ALSO: How to Visit Colosseum (all levels, tickets, and tours explained in detail)

2. Pantheon

MUST DO: See the oculus of the Pantheon.

The Pantheon , located on the beautiful Piazza della Rotonda , is another place everyone should see in Rome!

Originally built as a temple to all gods, the Pantheon dates from before Christianity. The building as we know it today was built around 125-127 AD on the site of an even older temple. The Pantheon is the world’s oldest building that is still in use today .

While most old temples and ancient landmarks in Rome have suffered from looters and plundering, the Pantheon was saved by the fact that it was converted into a church at the beginning of the 7th century.

Best known for its impressive dome with an oculus in the middle, the Pantheon is also one of the most fascinating buildings in Rome. The construction of this dome by an unknown ancient architect has been an inspiration to Michelangelo’s dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, and – subsequently – all the other domes in the world.

Good to know: The Pantheon is still a working church, but it’s also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome so there’s always a very long queue to get inside. Nowadays, you need an entry ticket to visit the Pantheon. While you can just wait in line and get a ticket on the spot, we highly recommend booking a timed-entry slot in advance or you’ll waste way too much time queuing (often for over an hour in the heat with no shade).

Visiting the Pantheon is one of the absolute must-do things in Rome, so you really cannot skip seeing the interior of this unique building. But booking upfront is definitely the best way to visit. If you rather not worry about tickets and all the practicalities, you can also visit here with a guided tour .

TIP: Almost 2000 years old, the Pantheon is a fascinating place with so much history, so be sure to read a bit about it before you go. Online tickets usually include an audio guide so you can learn more about the Pantheon and everything you see inside.

3. Trevi Fountain

MUST DO: Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain.

No trip to Rome would be complete without seeing the famous Trevi Fountain . And, as the legend goes, you also have to throw a coin in the fountain, if you ever want to return to the Eternal City. Having thrown quite some coins in here over the years, I have to say that it definitely works – we always go back to Rome. 😉

There are two more reasons to throw a coin in the Trevi fountain – one is to find love in Rome, and the other one – to get married in Rome. Each of these ‘wishes’ requires a separate coin and you can’t throw them all together.

In addition, before you simply toss a coin in the water, you should know that there is a whole instruction on ‘the only right way’ to do it . You should stand with your back towards the fountain and toss the coin with your right hand over your left shoulder. Oh, and try to have someone take a picture of you without too many other people around…

TIP: If you want to see the Trevi Fountain without the crowds, you’ll have to come very early in the morning, probably at around sunrise. For the rest of the day and in the evening, it’s always crowded here.

Good to know: If you have more time and are looking for something a bit more unique to do in Rome, you may want to explore the Trevi district underground . It’s truly fascinating to discover the remains of the old city of Rome that most tourists don’t even realize are right under their feet.

4. Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums

MUST DO: Admire the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, visit Raphael Rooms, Vatican gardens, and see Momo Staircase.

Seeing the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Museums is another ‘must’ that should be at the top of any Rome bucket list! The Sistine Chapel ( Cappella Sistina ) is the papal chapel built at the end of the 15 th century. Originally called ‘Cappella Magna’, it was later renamed after the Pope that built it, Pope Sixtus IV.

It’s here that the papal conclave takes place when the new Pope has to be elected. But don’t look for the famous chimney where the black or the white smoke comes out during the conclave – it’s only installed at that time and is not something you can see when you visit.

The Sistine Chapel is best known for its incredible ceiling painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. It’s one of the most important works of High Renaissance art and a true masterpiece! But you have to take your time to really appreciate it – all the details and the perspectives.

If you spend some time looking at the frescoes above you, some of the figures almost look three-dimensional. It’s an incredible piece of art and once you see it, it’s easy to understand why it’s considered one of the most important pieces of art of all time.

But there’s more to the Vatican Museums than just this famous chapel! Some of our favorites include the four Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, a stroll through the gardens (some parts are accessible from the museum, while some others can only be seen with an extra tour), and the famous Momo Staircase.

TIP: The Vatican Museums are always busy and the tickets usually sell out days in advance. So it’s essential to book the entrance tickets upfront . However, I highly recommend visiting here with a tour instead of just going on your own. That’s if you want to be sure that you see all the musts; otherwise, just stroll around and you’ll eventually get to the Sistine Chapel by following the signs. Keep in mind that the Vatican Museums are really overwhelming for a first-time visitor.

Our recommendation: Check out this amazing early-morning tour of the Vatican . It gives you unique access to the Sistine Chapel before anyone else arrives! Of course, it includes all the musts of the Vatican too.

5. St. Peter’s Basilica

M UST DO: See Michelangelo’s Pietà, visit Papal Tombs & climb the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. And don’t miss the famous Swiss Guard!

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest and most important Catholic church in the world. The building is massive and it’s difficult to imagine its scale by seeing it in the pictures or even when standing outside. You really have to see it from the inside to try to comprehend the sheer scale of this church!

Built at the site of St. Peter’s tomb, this is also the place where many Popes are buried. So in addition to seeing the church itself, I also highly recommend visiting the underground crypts .

But one of the most unique experiences in the Vatican is climbing to the top of St. Peter’s Dome . Not only do you have some of the best views in the city (and over the Vatican itself), but you can also walk on the interior gallery at the top of the dome itself. Seeing the church and the people below from here gives you a better idea of how huge the church really is.

On your way out of the church, on your right and just before the post office, you’ll be able to see the famous Swiss Guard in their colorful uniforms, guarding the official entrance gate to the Vatican.

Good to know: St. Peter’s Basilica can be visited free of charge and there are no tickets or reservations, but there is usually a very long queue with an airport-style security check in order to get inside. If you want to climb the Dome, you’ll have to wait in yet another line and get a ticket on the spot. We highly recommend taking the elevator for the first part, because you still have 330 steps to do inside the Dome itself afterwards.

TIP: Some Vatican Museum tours ( like this one ) include a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica and use a separate corridor between the two, which saves you lots of time (not having to queue twice). Or you can also take a separate tour of the Basilica if you have more time and rather visit the two places separately and also take your time to climb the dome.

We did this St. Peter’s tour that included a tour of the church itself, the underground crypts, as well as the Dome climb.

6. Roman Forum

MUST DO: Walk on Via Sacra and see the (ruins of) some of the oldest buildings in Rome.

If you want to get a better idea of what the city of Rome looked like two 2000 years ago, there’s no better place to be than the Roman Forum ( Forum Romanum ). This is a huge archeological site right next to the Colosseum (and included with the same ticket ).

For centuries, this place was the heart and soul of public life in ancient Rome. As you walk on the main street of ancient Rome, Via Sacra , it’s easy to imagine that this road was the main route where the triumphal parades were held. Here, you can see the ruins of so many buildings dating from the times of the Roman Empire.

This is also the best place in the city to understand what people mean by the ‘dust of centuries’. The entire site lies much deeper than the current street level. Note the famous ‘hanging’ door of The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, with no steps leading to it. This shows how the street level has changed during the centuries.

TIP: While you could spend at least half a day at the Roman Forum alone, it’s best visited together with the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill (mentioned below). All three sites are included with the Colosseum ticket. Many Colosseum tours also come here and I highly recommend visiting the Roman Forum with a local guide . It gives you a much better understanding of all the places and ancient landmarks that you see around you.

We took this tour that included the Colosseum underground and all the other levels, as well as Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, and we were really glad we did. This was not the first time we visited these places, but we learned so much and saw so much more than on the previous individual (unguided) visits. Highly recommended.

There are many other tours that come here as well , so pick one that best suits your itinerary and interests. We really recommend going with a guide.

7. Palatine Hill

MUST DO: Admire the views from Terraza Belvedere del Palatino, see the old palaces, gardens, and fountains.

Palatine Hill is the most famous of the seven hills of Rome and one of the oldest parts of the city. In ancient times, this was the chicest and most desirable neighborhood of Rome, the place-to-be for the rich and the famous.

Nowadays, Palatine Hill is an open-air museum/ archeological site, where you can see the remains of some grand palaces of the Roman empire. It also offers some of the best views in the city, with the Roman Forum and Colosseum on one side and Circus Maximus on the other side.

There are several viewpoints on Palatine Hill. By far the best view is from the terrace overlooking the Roman Forum and the city center, Terrazza Belvedere del Palatino .

Good to know: An entrance ticket to the Palatine Hill is included with your Colosseum/ Forum Romanum ticket, and a visit here is not to be missed. You could spend hours exploring all the ruins, but in all honesty, going without a tour guide, it will be difficult to understand what you are seeing.

TIP: Just as with the Colosseum and Forum Romanum, we highly recommend that you visit the Palatine with a guided tour . There are so many great tours that include all these places in just a few hours, so you’ll definitely find one that will suit your interests. No matter which one you choose, it will be a hundred times better than trying to make sense of all the ruins on your own.

As already mentioned, we did and recommend this highly-rated tour that includes the Colosseum underground, Arena Floor, and Roman Forum + Palatine Hill. Even though it’s quite rushed, we saw (and learned) so much more in 3 hours than we did on any of our previous visits to Rome without a guide.

8. St. Angel’s Bridge

MUST DO: Admire the angels of St. Angel’s Bridge .

Probably the best-known and definitely the most photographed bridge in the Eternal City, St. Angel’s Bridge ( Ponte Sant’ Angelo ) is another landmark not to be missed in Rome.

The bridge was built in 134 AD by Emperor Hadrianus in order to connect his mausoleum (that is now known as Castelo Sant’ Angelo) to the city. This beautiful bridge and its surroundings have a long history and it’s been improved a lot over the centuries.

If you walk to the Vatican from the historic center of Rome, be sure to walk over St. Angel’s Bridge. It’s so impressive! This pedestrian bridge is lined with the statues of 10 angels (5 on each side) and right in front of you, stands Castello Sant’Angelo. The angels were commissioned by Pope Clement IX and made by the pupils of Bernini (17th century).

Interesting fact: Bernini himself made two angels for this bridge as well, but the Pope found them too beautiful and too valuable to be placed on the bridge. So the originals were replaced by the copies. If you want to see the two original angels, you can admire them at the Sant’ Andrea delle Fratte church in Rome.

This bridge serves as a gateway to the Vatican and is often extremely busy, especially during the opening hours of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. But if you can come here early in the morning before the crowds arrive, it’s absolutely magical!

TIP: If you want to see some nice views of Rome’s cityscapes, visit Castel Sant’Angelo and go to the rooftop. If you are short on time, this museum is not an absolute must in Rome. But if you decide to visit, be sure to get fast-track tickets in advance !

9. Piazza Navona

MUST DO: See the fountains .

Probably the best-known of all the town squares in Rome, Piazza Navona is the biggest and also the most beautiful one. And no trip to Rome would be complete without at least a quick visit here.

Piazza Navona has a rather unique – very long – shape. This is because it was built on the site of the ancient Roman Stadium of Domitian and follows its form.

In the center of Piazza Navona, stands a big obelisk and the 17th-century Fountain of the Four Rivers ( Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi ). It was designed by Bernini and is one of the most beautiful fountains in Rome. In addition, don’t miss two other impressive fountains – the Fountain of Neptune ( Fontana del Nettuno ) on the northern side of the square and the Moor Fountain ( Fontana del Moro ) on the southern end.

In addition, check out the impressive 17th-century Baroque church of Sant’Agnese in Agone . The church is dedicated to St Agnes, an early Christian martyr, who was executed at the Stadium of Domitian at this location.

Nowadays, Piazza Navona is a bustling meeting place, with lots of cafes and restaurants lining its sides. Just beware that a cup of coffee here costs 2-3 times the price of other cafés nearby, and the quality of the food isn’t amazing. But if you want to sit down and do some people-watching, it’s a beautiful place for that!

TIP: While the early morning is the best time to take pictures of Piazza Navona without the crowds, be sure to come here in the evening as well. It’s such a lively and bustling place and it feels totally different than during the day.

Interesting to know: Piazza Navona was built over the ancient Roman site of the Stadium of Domitian. It is now possible to visit this fascinating archeological site underneath the square. You can find more info and get tickets here .

10. Campo de’Fiori market

MUST DO: See the statue of Giordano Bruno and buy some local delicacies at the market.

Campo de’ Fiori is one of the nicest town squares in Rome. As its name suggests, in the past, it was a field of flowers and was only developed in the 15th century. It quickly became a popular gathering and trading place, but also a site for many religiously-tinted executions.

In the center of the square, stands the statue of martyr Giordano Bruno. He was a 16th-century philosopher who was burned alive for his progressive thinking (supporting Copernic’s idea that the Earth is rotating around the sun and not the other way around).

Nowadays, Campo de’ Fiori is the site of a bustling market where you can buy all kinds of local produce, exotic fruit, flowers, etc. While some market stalls are catering mainly to tourists with all kinds of Italian pasta, colorful liquors, etc., the market is also popular with the locals who come here for fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, and meat.

Good to know: The market is open daily except on Sundays, between 7 AM and 2 PM. In the evening, Campo de Fiori is a popular gathering place, and there are lots of nice restaurants and cafes in this area. But – as it usually is with places to eat in Rome – the restaurants on the square itself are quite expensive and don’t always have the best reputation. So check out the ones a bit further away.  

11. Piazza Venezia

MUST DO: See the huge, temple-like Altar of the Fatherland monument.

Piazza Venezia is a big and very busy square squeezed in between the city center on one side and the Roman Forum on the other. It’s one of the must-see places in Rome that you’ll inevitably pass on your way to/from the Colosseum.

Piazza Venezia is best known for the colossal monument – Altar of the Fatherland ( Altare della Patria ) – and the equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II . But – just as everywhere in Rome – there’s so much more to see and do here, including ancient ruins, several churches, the nearby Capitoline Hill and Museums, etc.

TIP: If you have some time to spare, you can also  take an elevator to the top of the monument for panoramic views of Rome. It’s well worth it. You can find more info and get tickets here .

12. Trajan Forum & Via dei Fori Imperiali

MUST DO: Walk Via dei Fori Imperiali.

One of the must-see streets of Rome – Via dei Fori Imperiali  – links Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum. This wide avenue lined with statues of the Roman emperors is like a museum in itself.

On one side, you have the earlier-mentioned Roman Forum, and on the other – the archeological sites of the Forum of Augustus , Trajan Forum , and many other historic places.

You can see a lot from the street and there are some information panels here and there. So you can just walk around a bit and try to imagine what Rome must have looked like more than 2000 years ago. If you have some extra time, you can also visit several museums here. Trajan’s Market, a 2nd-century Roman market, is quite interesting to see. For more info and tickets, see here .

13. Capitoline Hill

MUST DO: See the Capitoline She-wolf, the symbol of Rome.

Capitoline Hill  ( Campidoglio ) sits right next to Piazza Venezia. This beautiful square and the impressive staircase leading to it were designed by Michelangelo. Here, you’ll also find the City Hall of Rome and Capitoline Museums , which house a big collection of Roman, Greek, and Egyptian antiques.

This is also where you can see the statue of the  Capitoline Wolf ( Lupa Capitolina ), the symbol of Rome.

This statue depicts an old legend, according to which a she-wolf saved and cared for Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers who later founded the city of Rome. The original statue can be found inside the museum , but you can also see its replica outside.

TIP: Behind the city hall, you can also find a panoramic terrace with nice views of the Roman Forum. This is one of the best viewpoints of Rome that is really easy to visit.

14. Spanish Steps & Piazza di Spagna

MUST DO: Explore Piazza di Spagna and walk to the top of the stairs.

Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps is another of the must-see places in Rome.

Built in the early 18th century, these stairs connect Piazza di Spagna in the historic city center to Piazza Trinità dei Monti on top of the hill. It’s an impressive staircase that has been featured in various movies and is also often depicted on many postcards and travel guides. Every spring, the staircase is decorated with beautiful flowers, and it looks even more beautiful!

At the bottom of the stairs, you’ll see the Fountain of the Boat ( Fontana della Barcaccia ), just one of the many of Bernini’s masterpieces in Rome. Piazza di Spagna is also lined with colorful buildings and surrounded by the most luxury boutique shopping area in Rome. Here, you’ll also find some nice cafes and restaurants. If you like cakes or the English tea experience (and don’t mind the high price tag), check out the famous Babington’s tea room at the bottom left of the stairs.

At the top of Spanish Steps stands Trinità dei Monti church . The church is nice, but not an absolute must, but it’s worth going up the stairs just to say that you’ve done it and also for the nice views of the city. For even better views, don’t go back the same way you came, but continue to the left in the direction of Pincio Terrace and Piazza del Popolo (more info below).

Good to know: It is forbidden to sit or eat on the Spanish Steps. It’s a beautiful monument and the city tries to preserve it that way.

15. Villa Borghese Gardens & Gallery

MUST DO: See the art masterpieces at Villa Borghese Gallery and also be sure to explore the park.

Villa Borghese  is one of the biggest and most beautiful parks in Rome. It’s best known for the Borghese Gallery , a beautiful villa-museum that houses some of the most beautiful artworks by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, Canova, and others. Art lovers consider this as one of the best museums to visit in Rome !

While the Gallery only requires an hour or two, the park itself is huge and you could spend an entire day walking around. There are several other museums here, fountains, walkways lined with sculptures and art, flower gardens, playgrounds for kids, and even a zoo. In summer, you can also rent a boat on the small lake, rent bikes, etc.

Good to know:  If you want to visit the Borghese Gallery, you have to book in advance! Also, the tickets are timed, so be sure to arrive on time. You can opt for  a regular entrance ticket , or join this amazing guided tour that covers the museum as well as the beautiful gardens. If you want to see the best of the museum and the gardens in just a few hours, we recommend going with a tour. If you are short on time, just get a ticket and walk through the museum on your own.

16. Piazza del Popolo

MUST DO: See the obelisk and the fountains.

Piazza del Popolo  (literally ‘the People’s Square’) is another large and impressive town square that deserves a quick visit. It’s located at the Aurelian city walls, right at one of the old city gates of Rome, Porta Flaminia .

Piazza del Popolo is a huge square, a place where several big streets meet. One of the streets leads in the direction of the Vatican, the other – towards the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. The famous Via del Corso leads towards Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum, and Via del Babuino – towards Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps.

In the center of Piazza del Popolo, stands an  Egyptian Obelisk  and the  Fountain of the Lions . There are two other fountains – Fontana del Nettuno and Fontana della Dea di Roma – at the western and eastern sides of the square. And it’s also flanked by two impressive churches  Santa Maria dei Miracoli  and  Santa Maria di Montesanto .

TIP: If you want to experience the ‘wow’ effect that Rome’s first-time visitors must have had upon arrival, be sure to enter the square via the city gate.

Now that we covered the absolute must-see places in Rome, I really want to add a few more places and experiences to this list. It’s these additional sights and activities that will make your trip to the Eternal City so much more special!

These are worth it just as much as the ‘musts’ listed above!

Here are some more amazing things to do in Rome that we highly recommend :

17. Check out some of Rome’s best viewpoints

The city of seven hills, Rome has quite a few places from where you can admire some panoramic views of the city and its surroundings.

We already mentioned the views from St. Peter’s Dome, Palatine Hill, or from the top of the monument at Piazza Venezia . In addition, don’t miss the views from Pincian Hill, Gianicollo Hill, and potentially also from Aventine Hill. We indicated all of these on our map of Rome attractions at the bottom of this post.

Pincian Hill is located between Piazza del Popolo and Villa Borghese gardens. Some of the best views can be found at Terrazza del Pincio and a smaller terrace to the east of it. These are very popular sunset viewpoints in Rome offering stunning views of the city center with St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance.

Belvedere del Gianicolo viewpoint on Gianicollo Hill is located on the other side of the river, and almost on the opposite side from Pinician Hill. It gives a great view of the city center as well.

Orange Garden ( Giardino degli Aranci ) on Aventine Hill is another beautiful place for stunning cityscapes and panoramas.

LEARN MORE: Best Views in Rome (+ photos & a map with exact locations)

18. Bicycle on the Ancient Appian Way

If you are looking for more unique things to do in Rome, then I can highly recommend a visit to the ancient Appian Way . Walking or driving over a road that’s been there for over 2300 years is such a unique experience. I can’t even try to describe the feeling this place gives you – it’s something you just have to experience.

Built around 312-264 BC, the Appian Way connected Rome to Brindisi in Southern Italy. It was mainly used for military purposes in order to facilitate the expansion of the Roman Empire. Once completed, the road spanned for over 563 km (350 miles).

Since it was forbidden to bury people inside the city in the past, Appian Way is also lined with many mausoleums and ancient family graves. You can still see (parts of) some of them today.

While you can discover the Appian Way on foot, I highly recommend that you come here by bike. The nicest sections near Rome are quite far from the city center, so you’d need to take a bus otherwise. And you can’t walk that far if you need to take the bus back to the city center. Whereas if you come by bike, you can easily explore a much bigger section of the Appian Way and get a much better feeling of what this road was about.

TIP: Appian Way is quite bumpy and coming here with a regular bike won’t be that much fun either. Ideally, you have a sturdy electric mountain bike. We visited the Appian Way on this amazing e-bike tour and it was one of the most memorable experiences in Rome. In addition to driving on the Appian Way, we also explored the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, visited the ancient aqueducts, walked on the city walls, and so much more. Highly recommended!

To me, and also to my teenage son, this was one of the absolute favorites of our recent 4-day trip to Rome . Hands-down, one of the most special things you can do in Rome.

Good to know: There are various tours that include a visit to the Appian Way in their itinerary (by bus, bike, etc.). No matter which tour you choose, it’s well worth it. Going with a guide, you don’t have to worry about getting there (and back), and you can be sure to visit the most impressive parts of this centuries-old road and learn more about its fascinating history.

19. Take a food tour

While there are so many incredible landmarks that you must-see in Rome, as far as ‘things to do’, taking a food tour is definitely one of the VERY BEST things to do in Rome!

There is probably no better way to get to know the real Rome than by taking a food tour with a local guide! In the past, I always thought that you can just ‘organize’ your own food tasting by checking out some local shops, markets, or researching the better restaurants, and that food tours weren’t really worth it… But it’s really not even comparable…

Recently, we did a few food tours in various places, and it has become one of my favorite ways to explore a place. It’s such a great way to get to know the city just a bit better, hear some local anecdotes, learn various new dishes, and visit some cool places that most tourists don’t know about.

Anyway, back to food tours in Rome. There’s such a big variety of food tours that it might be difficult to choose. I’d say just pick one that suits your itinerary best (in terms of starting times, but also the area they visit).

Here are some of our hand-picked recommendations for some of the best food tours in Rome:

• Street food tour . This is the tour that we did on our recent visit in Rome and it was excellent. It runs twice a day (lunch or dinner), and starts and ends in the heart of the historic city center, making it quite easy to include it in any itinerary. It also includes a visit to the Jewish Ghetto (and a delicious cake there!).
• Food tour in the city center + Trastevere . This is a nice food tour for those who are looking to try a bigger variety of local dishes and wines. It’s more expensive because it also includes a 3-course dinner.
• Food tour near the Vatican . This is an excellent dinner tour that takes you to some very local places, far from the areas frequented by tourists. If you’re looking for a more authentic experience, you can’t go wrong with this highly-rated tour.
• And there are many others, or you can opt for various cooking classes as well.

No matter which tour you choose, I’m sure it will make your visit to the Eternal City so much more special. For us, it was one of the best experiences in Rome, and the only regret we had was that we didn’t think to foresee more time and do several food tours instead of just going for lunch or dinner.

Next time we’re in Rome, we’re going for a different food tour every day!

READ ALSO: Rome Street Food Tour: Review & Tips

20. Explore the fascinating underground sites

With a rich, centuries-long history, Rome is full of unique underground sites where you can literally take a trip back in time. So no list of the best things to do in Rome would be complete without mentioning some of the best underground experiences in the city.

There are so many interesting underground sites to see in Rome and quite a few of them are open to the public and can be easily visited (albeit, often only with a guide). It can be overwhelming to even know where to start or which ones are worth it the most. So to help you out, we made a small selection of some of the best ones.

Here are a few of our favorite underground places to visit in Rome and how to see them:

• Colosseum Underground . Easy to visit with a guided tour of the Colosseum. Just be sure that the tour you book actually includes the underground level (standard tickets don’t). Here you can find a selection of tours that visit the Underground . And this is the tour that we did (and highly recommend).
• Papal Tombs . Right under St. Peter’s Basilica and can be visited free of charge, but do expect a queue. We went with this guided tour of the Basilica that also included the dome climb, and somehow just entered the crypts without having to wait. So I’m not exactly sure if they have some kind of priority. But you can also visit this level and see where many Popes are buried on your own. The actual St. Peter’s tomb is located even deeper and that level is not easy to visit (requires a special Vatican tour).
• Capuchin Crypts . Located close to Piazza Barberini and quite easy to visit on your own. Many underground tours include a visit here , some in addition to some interesting places that are located much further away from the city center.
• Domus Aurea – the ‘Golden House’ of Emperor Nero. It’s located close to the Colosseum, and you can join one of the guided tours if you want to visit inside.
• St. Clement Basilica. Located just a few minutes walk from the Colosseum, this is a truly unique place. Under the 12th-century church, there’s a 4th-century basilica, and yet another level deeper, a 1st-century pagan temple. You can easily visit on your own. Tickets are available online , but you can also just get a ticket on the spot.
• Catacombs . There are many ancient catacombs in Rome, and they’re all located outside the historic city walls. So you’ll need some kind of transportation for them. The most famous are the Catacombs of St. Callixtus , and entrance tickets include a guided tour (you can only visit with one of their guides). We recommend visiting the catacombs with organized tours – that way, your transport is taken care of, and these tours usually include a few other sites. We visited the catacombs with this wonderful e-bike tour that included the Appian Way, ancient aqueducts, and more.

These are just a few examples of the best underground sites that you can easily see in Rome. Even if you just visit a few of these places, it will make your trip to the Eternal City so much more memorable. Well worth it!

LEARN MORE: Rome Underground (Best Sites + Map & Info)

21. Get off the beaten path

In addition to all the famous landmarks and popular tourist attractions in Rome, one of the best ways to get to know the real Rome is to get a bit off the beaten path .

We already mentioned the underground sites that are totally worth your time. But there’s more, so much more to see in Rome! So if you have some time to spare, check out some local neighborhoods and lesser-known sights as well!

Discover the colorful streets of Trastevere , try some local restaurants in the Jewish Ghetto , or check out the quirky architecture of Quartiere Coppede . Visit some lesser-known archeological sites, admire the stunning art at one of the many museums, or spend some time at a local market… There’s so much more to see and do in Rome than just visiting its main sights!

This is not only a great way to escape the crowds, but you also get to know the city a bit better and get a better idea of what Rome is truly like. If you are not sure where to start, through the link below, you can check out our guide to some of the nicest lesser-known places that we recommend to see in Rome.

  LEARN MORE: Rome Hidden Gems

22. Go (window) shopping at luxury boutiques

Among many other things, Italy is also famous for its fashion. And while Rome isn’t as famous for fashion as Milan , you’ll find all the big names in the fashion industry represented here. So no trip to Rome would be complete without doing some (window) shopping at some of the most famous luxury boutiques !

One of the best areas to go shopping in Rome is the neighborhood around the Spanish Steps – Piazza del Popolo . Here, you’ll find some of the most expensive fashion retailers in the world. In addition, there are also lots of main-street brands too.

One of the best-known luxury shopping streets is Via dei Condotti . Here, you’ll find brands like Gucci, Prada, BVLGARI, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, and many others. For (much) more affordable fashion, head to Via del Corso . Here you’ll find stores like GAP, Levi’s, Nike, and similar.

And even if you aren’t planning to buy anything, you really can’t say you’ve been to Rome and not walked on Via dei Condotti…

Good to know:  Most stores are open daily from 10-11 AM to 7.30-8 PM.

23. Have some of the best gelatos in the world

No list of the best things to do in Rome would be complete without mentioning its gelatos . Rome has some of the best ice cream in the world! And even if you are only visiting Rome for a day , you should make some time for at least one or two gelatos.

There are so many really good gelaterias in Rome that it would be difficult to mention even a small part of them. Here are some of the most famous: Giolitti and Della Palma (both very centrally located), and also Venchi (with multiple stores in the city).

TIP: Don’t just assume that every gelateria you come across is just as good, however. There are quite some places (especially close to the main tourist attractions) that sell mediocre ice cream. It’s usually still quite ok, but can’t even compare to the best artisanal ice cream, so make a bit of effort and locate a really good one!

We also indicated these and some other really good gelaterias in Rome on our map of Rome attractions below.

Map of Rome Attractions & Sightseeing Itinerary Suggestions

To help you get a better idea of where all the main Rome attractions are located, we created a  map  indicating all the main points of interest and top sights mentioned in this article.

This should help you plan your time a bit better. Just please keep in mind that you can only visit a few of the main tourist attractions in a day. It’s busy everywhere, distances between some sights are quite big, and even with the skip-the-line tickets, you’ll need several hours for each place (if you visit inside). So plan your time well!

TIP:  If you are not sure where to start, we have some sample sightseeing itineraries that can help you plan your time in Rome:

• 1 Day in Rome
• 2 Days in Rome
• 4 Days in Rome

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

So, this is our guide to the best of Rome. Of course, there’s SO MUCH more to see and do in Rome than we covered here. Much more than you could ever see in one short visit…

But if you want to experience the VERY BEST that Rome has to offer, this list should help you do just that.

We also highly recommend that – in addition to the ‘musts’ – you try to add to your itinerary a few extra places and activities that we included in this guide. Take a food tour, bike the Appian Way, or visit an underground crypt… – it’s these more unique experiences that will make your visit to Rome even more memorable and more special.

For more information and useful tips for your visit, please also see our guide with top travel tips for Rome via the link below. It’s an essential read when planning your trip!

LEARN MORE: Tips for Visiting Rome & Rome Airport Transfers (from Fiumicino or Ciampino)

Where to Stay for Sightseeing in Rome

PRO TIP:  In order to make the most of your visit to Rome, we recommend staying in the heart of the city.  Our favorite area to stay for sightseeing in Rome  is close to the Pantheon – Piazza Navona.

It’s so conveniently located that you’ll be able to visit most of the main sights of Rome on foot. Plus, there are lots of good restaurants here too.

Here are some hotel recommendations in the heart of the historic city center of Rome, for all budgets:

• €€€€€  Eitch Borromini Palazzo Pamphilj  – a very popular luxury 4* hotel overlooking Piazza Navona.
• €€€€  9HotelCesari  – a nice, recently renovated 4* hotel with the most beautiful rooftop bar/ restaurant.  This is where we stayed on one of the recent trips. Would go back, even if just for their terrace where we had so many amazing breakfasts and cocktails.
• €€€  Albergo Abruzzi  – a popular 3* hotel close to the Pantheon.
• €€  Navona Theatre Hotel  – 3* hotel with a very good price/ quality/ location ratio. One of the bestsellers.
• €+  Hotel Primavera  – a popular 2* hotel offering good value for the location.

LEARN MORE: Where to Stay in Rome: the BEST Area for Sightseeing

READ ALSO: Where to Eat in Rome (tips for finding the best food and some restaurant recommendations)

More travel inspiration for your trip to Italy:

• Where to go: Best places to visit in Italy
• Cities: Best Italian cities to see
• How to plan your time: Italy itinerary for 2 weeks
• Florence: Best things to do in Florence + 1 day in Florence + Florence rooftop bars
• Siena: Best things to do in Siena + Siena Cathedral
• Bologna: Best things to do in Bologna
• Venice: Top sights & attractions in Venice + Tips for Venice gondola + 1 day in Venice + 3 days in Venice
• Milan: Top sights & attractions in Milan + How to see the best of Milan in 1 day
• Naples: Best things to do in Naples + 1 day in Naples + Best day trips from Naples
• Lakes: Best of Lake Garda + Best Towns of Lake Como + Bellagio + Where to stay at Lake Como
• Mountains: Best places in the Dolomites + Hiking in the Dolomites + Trentino
• Coastal areas: Amalfi Coast itinerary + Capri Island + Cinque Terre + Italian Riviera + Amalfi Coast Travel Tips
• More… for more information and inspiration for a big variety of destinations, please check our Italy travel guide .

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Monday 24th of January 2022

Information on Rome is excellent. No words to say thank you for interesting suggestions, valuable tips and lot more. My salute. Great information

KIRAN OZA BHAVNAGAR INDIA

Thank you for the kind feedback, Kiran. Happy travels!

Top 48 Tourist Attractions in Rome (with Map)

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It’s hard not to fall in love with Italy, and in particular with its capital. From the Vatican city to the Colosseum, there are so many tourist attractions in Rome !

To help you visit the best attractions and top sights for your next trip to Rome, TourScanner has published the ultimate list of top tourist attractions.

It’s time to get all geared up and explore our 48 exciting suggestions of places to visit in Rome!

1 – Colosseum

The Colosseum was the most extensive amphitheater in the Roman Empire, begun by Vespasian in 72 AD. It was used to show gladiator fights and hunting scenes with exotic and ferocious animals.

Nowadays it is possible to visit the Colosseum and understand how the underground theater system worked, with freight elevators, ramps, and traps that served to bring animals, gladiators and scenic machinery in front of an excited audience. Discover the Rome most iconic attraction!

2 – Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is an extraordinary work of art , much more than a simply fountain: it is the triumph of Baroque aesthetics that is embodied in natural forms.

Before leaving, do not forget to throw a coin in the fountain, in fact, the most famous popular legend connected to the fountain ensures that you bring luck throwing a coin from your shoulders and in this way you will also ensure the return to the eternal city. A walking tour in this area will allow you to discover the best of Rome’s city center. It often includes other attractions as the Pantheon and Spanish stairs.

3 – Pantheon

Visiting the Pantheon is a unique experience! A merely magnificent work that contains beauty, technique, and harmony. It’s a masterpiece of architecture and engineering. An obligatory stop that can’t miss during your visit to the Eternal City. If you have a way, enter the temple at noon, when the rays of the sun coming from the oculus become extraordinarily intense and create a truly unique effect!

4 – Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Museums located inside the Vatican City State, represent one of the most important museums in the world serving an extraordinary collection of timeless masterpieces displayed in the fabulous Vatican palaces.

This vast collection of works of art has been accumulated over the centuries by the Popes. Inside the Vatican Museum, there is the Sistine Chapel, that deserves to be one of the most famous places to visit in the world thanks to the Michelangelo’s works.

If you want to discover all its secrets and beauties, there are many tours of the Vatican Gardens that include a guided visit of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums.

5 – Galleria Borghese

The collection of the Galleria Borghese , defined as one of the best museums in Rome , consists in sculptures, bas-reliefs, and ancient mosaics, as well as statues and paintings from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century.

In addition to being exceptional for its splendid collection, the museum is perfect in the coherence of its beautiful ensemble that implies marbles, inlays, mosaics, stuccoes, and inserts of the antique.

6 – Roman Forum

The Roman Forum was the monumental center of ancient Rome where there were the most important public and religious buildings of the city.

You can join a tour of the Roman Forum , it usually includes also a visit to the Colosseum. Nowadays it is possible to visit the remains of the old Piazza del Foro (Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, Basilica Emilia, Curia, Temple of Vesta, Ara of Caesar, Arch of Titus and Septimius Severus).

7 – Castel Sant’Angelo

Planned by Hadrian as a tomb for himself and his successors, it was initially designed by the architect Demetriano around 123 and completed a year after the death of the emperor by Antoninus Pius.

Castel Sant’Angelo is the perfect representation of the solemn Roman spaces, massive walls, and luxurious frescoed rooms and the ideal Rome attraction. Since 1925 it has housed the National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo and houses collections of art and history as well as relics of the Italian Army in a great setting restored for the occasion.

8 – Vittoriano

The Vittoriano , also called Altare della Patria, is a monumental complex inaugurated by Vittorio Emanuele III in 1911, on the occasion of the International Exposition for the 50th anniversary of the Unification of Italy.

This attraction was designed and built to provide a tribute to the memory of the first king of Italy. After some restoration and redevelopment operations today the Vittoriano Complex hosts exhibitions and conferences and is one of the most appreciated Rome attractions.

9 – St. Peter’s Basilica

One of the biggest churches in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is also one of the holiest temples in the world. Besides, it is where the Pope presides many liturgies all year round. The construction of the was finished in 1626.

Several renowned architects designed the temple, highlighting the works of Bramante, Michelangelo, and Carlo Maderno. It’s a must-see Rome attraction, best enjoyed with a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica !

10 – Mouth of Truth

Under the porch of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, there is the Mouth of Truth , one of the most famous Rome attraction. The Mouth of Truth keeps its celebrity standing in the world thanks practically only to the legend that accompanies it.

His fame is due to popular tradition, for the belief that the mouth could bite the hand of someone who had not affirmed the truth.

11 – Caracalla Baths

The Roman empire has started the construction of impressive and monumental public baths, an essential center of community life for all strata of the population. In fact, the baths were not just a building for bathing, sports, and body care, but also a place for walking and studying.

There are many different kinds of  Caracalla baths tours , private, skip the line, and walking tours of this magnificent baths. The vast extension of the Baths of Caracalla is a clear example of it, being one of the most extensive and most impressive monumental complexes of ancient Rome.

12 – Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls , with its impressive Byzantine structure, is the largest of the patriarchal ones in Rome after St. Peter’s in the Vatican.

The emperor Constantine had built it at the beginning of the fourth century on the burial place of St. Paul, already a destination for pilgrimages. Rebuilt and enlarged less than a century later, over time it was enriched with chapels, mosaics, and precious furnishings.

13 – Trastevere

Trastevere is undoubtedly one of the most characteristic neighborhoods of all Rome, where between narrow colored alleys, Roman trattorias, markets, shops and artisan shops, it is still possible to get lost to rediscover the essence of the most authentic and genuine Rome.

Discover this enchanting neighborhood with one of the many tours of Trastevere . From Santa Maria in Trastevere to Piazza Trilussa you can still breath the typical Rome products of the past, and at nightfall, the young get together to have a chat or to drink something with friends in one of the many pubs and nightclubs.

Read more: 18 Best Food Tours in Rome for a Delicious Journey Through Italian Cuisine

14 – Piazza Navona

It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Roman attractions, built on the ashes of the Stadium of Domitian, was used in ancient times for athletic competitions. Today the Piazza Navona  hosts street artists and painters and is a meeting point for tourist and Romans people.

Do not miss the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone and the Fountain of the Rivers, where four statues are representing the four rivers considered at the time the most important: the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges and the Rio de la Plata.

15 – Quartiere Coppedè

Designed by the Florentine architect and sculptor Gino Coppedè, the homonymous district Quartiere Coppedè has been defined by many as a fairytale experiment. This extravagant corner built between 1915 and 1927, was conceived by Coppedè as a real village.

Appears today as a mix of styles, where Renaissance symbologies, sacred aedicules, neo-Gothic chandeliers, Baroque coats of arms, triumphal Roman arches, liberty cues, Gothic towers and so on, live together to perfection.

16 – Villa Doria Pamphili

The Villa Doria Pamphili  is the most extensive public park in the city of Rome, which like many other city parks originates from the country estate of a noble Roman family.

It was conceived as a country residence of the Pamphilj family, under the pontificate of Innocent X and gradually became a magnificent villa with a splendid park.

17 – Giardino degli Aranci

On top of one of the Aventino hills of Rome, between the medieval walls, remains of the ancient fort of the Savelli family stands Savello park, most commonly called Giardino Degli Aranci .

From here you can enjoy a splendid view of Rome that goes from the Tiber to the Basilica of San Pietro. The trees that give it its name were planted in memory of St. Dominic who founded his convent here.

Continuing after the Giardino Degli Aranci there is the door of Villa del Priorato di Malta. There is possible look through the keyhole, where you can admire a splendid view of the Dome of St. Peter, which appears along the avenue of the Gardens of the Order, bordered by trees.

18 – Cinecittà Studios

One of the most famous Rome attractions, where some of the masterpieces of the cinema were filmed. Cinecittà Film Studio  in Rome, located approximately 9 kilometers from the center of the capital, boasts large spaces and state-of-the-art equipment.

Today it is possible to visit Cinecittà and discover the secrets of cinema and each phase of the realization of a film: from the script to the post-production, through the discovery of stage costumes, shooting techniques, the creations of the first-rate scenographers.

19 – MAXXI

The MAXXI National Museum of the XXI Century Arts is the first national institution dedicated to contemporary creatività and is the great architectural work of Zaha Hadid.

The planning of the activities reflects the vocation of MAXXI to be not only a place of conservation and exhibition but also a laboratory of experimentation and cultural innovation.

The MAXXI is famous for its complexity of the volumes, its curvilinear walls and visitors can walk inside this Rome attraction following different and unexpected paths.

20 – Piazza di Spagna

The square is today a cultural heritage of inestimable value. Located near Pincio hill, Piazza di Spagna has always been the center of the cultural and tourist life of the city of Rome.

Elegance is undoubtedly the principal characteristic of the square: the frame offered by the colored buildings, the Bernini mountain of Barcaccia and the stairway on which the Trinità dei Monti church stands, contribute to creating a refined and eighteenth-century atmosphere.

21 – Campidoglio

Since ancient times it has been an essential place for the life of the city, first as a religious place and then as a place of power when the Senate of Rome took its place.

The Campidoglio , today the seat of the municipality of Rome, is the smallest among the seven Rome’s hills, but also the most important because the first nucleus of the city was born in this point.

22 – Villa Adriana

It is the villa that the emperor Hadrian built for himself and his court in the Tiburtina countryside. It is a unique testimony for breadth, architectural and decorative features.

You can visit this villa joining one of the half or full day trips from Rome to Tivoli that often include a tour of Villa Hadrian and Villa d’Este . Today it appears as an extraordinary, immense park, spread over 80 hectares, dotted with Roman ruins, spas, and eighteenth-century farmhouses, in an atmosphere that still retains much of the ancient charm.

23 – Capitoline Museum

The oldest public museum in the world, the Capitoline Museum founded in 1471 by Sixtus IV, is divided into the two buildings that together with the Palazzo Senatorio delimitate the Campidoglio square, Palazzo dei Conservatori, and Palazzo Nuovo.

24 – San Callisto’s catacombs

The Catacombs of S. Callisto are among the largest and most important in Rome. They arose in the middle of the second century and formed part of a cemetery complex that occupies an area of 15 hectares of land, with a network of tunnels that are almost 20 kilometers long, on different levels.

In them were buried dozens of martyrs, 16 pontiffs, and many Christians. Make sure you don’t miss a catacombs tour  to discover this incredible attraction.

25 – Ara Pacis

The Ara Pacis is a Roman sacrificial altar enclosed in marble with beautifully carved in high reliefs with allegorical and ceremonial scenes and adorned with plant motifs.

This monument represents one of the most important testimonies received from the Augustan art and intends to symbolize the peace and prosperity reached as a result of the Pax Romana.

26 – Arco di Costantino

Constantine, after having assembled most of the imperial power in his hands, built the last of the great triumphal arches of Rome.

The Arch of Constantine is the most extensive honorary arch that has come down to us, and this structure celebrates Constantine’s triumph over Maxentius after the battle of Ponte Milvio occurred on October 28, 312 AD.

27 – Santa Maria Maggiore

Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest of the churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome and is one of the four major basilicas of the Italian capital.

The legend said that after the explicit request of the Virgin Mary, who appeared in a dream to Pope Liberius (352-366), was built the church. It was made a century later by Pope Sixtus III on the site of a previous church.

28 – Casina delle Civette

The Casina delle Civette is located inside the park of Villa Torlonia in Rome and is one of the hidden Rome attractions of the capital. Its name derives from the fact that the owls are a recurrent decoration in stained glass and majolica.

Until 1938 the Casina delle Civette had been the home of Prince Giovanni Torlonia junior. Today it is a museum that seems to come out of a book of fables.

29 – Villa Medici

Located on the Pincio hill in Rome, Villa Medici is an architectural complex that houses the French Academy in Rome since 1803.

This splendid villa was bought in 1576 by Ferdinando de Medici, and then enlarged and equipped with a gallery of statues. Its structure with side turrets is simple and richly decorated on the back by the Florentine Bartolomeo Ammannati with stuccowork, bas-reliefs, and sculptures.

30 – Column of Marco Aurelio

Made by Commodus during his reign (180-192), the Column of Marcus Aurelius still stands out today in its original position. The monument was erected to celebrate the victorious campaigns of Marcus Aurelius on the Germanic populations of the Marcomanni and the Quadi. The column is almost 30 meters high and today gives its name to the square that houses it.

31 – Jewish Ghetto

Rome’s Jewish ghetto is one of the most important hidden treasures of the entire capital.

Visiting this small neighborhood, bordered by the Tiber on one side and Piazza Venezia on the other, represents an experience not only cultural and religious, because of the Synagogue and the Jewish Museum, but also gastronomic, thanks to the many typical restaurants scattered throughout the ghetto.

32 – Rainbow MagicLand

Rainbow MagicLand , the most extensive amusement park in central and southern Italy, is located in the municipality of Valmontone, a few kilometers from Rome.

Extending over an area of 60 hectares, this Rome’s attraction is developed around a central lake and offers its guests 38 attractions for all tastes.

33 – Via Condotti

It is one of the most elegant streets in Europe and if we wanted to give it an adjective is sophisticated. In fact, it is famous for its chic high fashion shops, a real destination for pilgrimages Made in Italy and beyond.

Via Condotti is the walk for you, if you want to immerse yourself in its atmosphere of big names like Versace, Cavalli, Armani, Bulgari, Cartier, Luis Vuitton, are just some of the names you can find there.

34 – Quirinal Palace

The Quirinal Palace is one of the symbols of the Italian State. In fact, since 1870 has been the official residence of the King of Italy and since 1946 is the residence of the President of the Italian Republic.

The visit of the Palace allows you to the discover a heritage of art, history, and culture of inestimable value. It also lets us know the location where the President of the Republic performs his functions.

35 – The National Etruscan Museum in Villa Giulia

Built between 1550 and 1555, Villa Giulia is a splendid example of a Renaissance villa built as a suburban residence.

Since 1889 it hosts the Villa Giulia Museum, the most representative museum of Etruscan civilization and welcomes not only some of the most important creations of this civilization but also Greek products.

36 – Imperial Forum

The Imperial Forum of Rome collects a series of great plazas built between 46 and 113 a.C. They were considered the center of political activity in ancient Rome, a place that over the centuries has been enriched with structures and buildings. It contains the Foro of Augusto, Foro of Cesar, Tempio della Pace, Foro di Nerva and Foro of Traiano.

37 – Trajan’s Markets

The Trajan’s Markets , built in the early second century, were destined for commercial and administrative functions due to the presence of warehouses, shops, and offices of the imperial administration.

The monumental complex, rediscovered between 1926 and 1934, is characterized by buildings that rise on several levels along the slopes of the Quirinale. The Museum of Imperial Forum was inaugurated inside in 2007, in which it is possible to admire recompositions of scores of architectural and sculptural decoration.

38 – Palatine Hill

The Palatine Hill between the second and the first century became the residential district of the Roman aristocracy. Emperor Augustus made the Palatine the official seat of power and began the construction of the imperial palaces, restructured and expanded later by Nero, Domitian, Hadrian and Septimius Severus.

39 – Lungotevere

Until the last century, the Tiber was an essential fluvial hub for the trade of Rome, thanks to the presence of the ports. Today a walk along the Lungotevere is a must.

The views that we can see in the Lungotevere are among the most beautiful in Rome. It’s a must-see Rome attraction! You can also cruise the Tiber river with an Italian aperitivo or a dinner.

40 – Domus Aurea

The Domus Aurea was the urban villa built by the Roman emperor Nero after the great fire that devastated Rome in 64 AD. The surviving part of the Domus Aurea was included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1980.

Nowadays it’s possible to visit the villa, and the virtual reality of the villa allows you to see the rooms, especially the Hall from the golden vault, as they were in the days of Nero.

41 – Pincio Terrace

The Pincio Terrace is a panoramic terrace on the top of one of the seven hills of Rome, the Pincio hill. From its terrace, the eyes are lost in one of the most beautiful views of the world, where you can see the magnificent “cupola” and all the main monuments of the eternal city in a breathtaking show.

42 – Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus was destined for various sports and athletic competitions but became famous above all for the chariot races. Recent excavations have brought to light the findings that allow us to delineate better the ancient fortitude of the circus, a myriad of shops, stalls, and taverns surrounding the racing area.

43 – Orti Farnesiani

This Botanical Garden takes its name from the Farnese family, which at the end of the 500 have bought almost the entire surface of the Palatine hill, transforming it into a splendid garden.

The Farnese garden or Orti Farnesiani , was the way of affirming the political and institutional position of the noble family. The garden was considered to be the oldest in the western world.

44 – Galleria Alberto Sordi

The Galleria Alberto Sordi was built at the beginning of the 20th century, in a period of a redevelopment of the center of Rome. Today the high part of the Galleria is destined to the lodging of some offices that belong to the Presidency of the Council of the Ministers.

The lower part, open to the public is an excellent shopping center, with brands for shopping, bookstore, and bars.

45 – Piazza del Popolo

Located at the top of a triangle of streets known as the Trident (via del Babuino – via del Corso – via di Ripetta), Piazza del Popolo constitutes the most grandiose access to the heart of Rome. The square is undoubtedly one of the most famous in the world.

The two twin churches Santa Maria di Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli, the Flaminio Obelisk (the oldest and second highest in Rome), and the two fountains of Valadier help to create the charming atmosphere of the Piazza.

46 – Terrazza del Gianicolo

Located on the Janiculum Hill, the Terrazza del Gianicolo offers one of the best views of the capital due to its strategic position overlooking the city. You can admire a breathtaking view of the entire city.

Every day at 12, three soldiers shoot a powerful cannon shot that resounds throughout the city! The tradition of the cannon dates back to Pope Pius IX who, to avoid confusion of time, established this service in 1846, for synchronizing all the bells of the Roman churches!

47 – Palazzo Montecitorio

The Palazzo Montecitorio is a historical Rome attraction where is located the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic. The history of the palace began in 1653 when Innocenzo X commissioned to Gian Lorenzo Bernini to build a residence for the Ludovisi family.

Nowadays it’s possible to visit the palace with an itinerary that touches the most famous and evocative places of the parliamentary life.

48 – Olympic Stadium

Completed in 1953 the stadium was renamed Olympic Stadium after the assignment to Rome of the games of the XVII Olympic Games in 1960.

The Olympic Stadium is located at the Foro Italico, on the slopes of Monte Mario, in the north-western sector of the capital. It is owned by CONi and, in addition to hosting the home football matches of Lazio and AS Roma , is home to the final of the Italian Cup, the Golden Gala, annual meeting of athletics and numerous concerts by Italian and international artists.

If this list was not enough, get even more inspiration from our article on the 76 best things to do in Rome !

Did you enjoy browsing through our recommended places to visit in Rome? Leave a comment below to suggest us your favorite sight in Rome!

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The top 30 things to do in Rome

With Rome’s history spanning at least 28 centuries, you can bet your travel booties that it’ll take longer than a couple of days to fully experience its majesty. If you're arriving into Rome by plane, you can hop on a train at Fiumicino Airport that will take you directly to Rome Termini train station . Once you get to Rome there are countless things to see, do, and eat. Here we highlight 30 things to do in Rome you can't miss. 

Things to do in Rome - the must-sees

These Rome tourist attractions are famous for a reason: they’re not only extraordinary feats of architecture and art but also a testament to the ingenuity and innovative spirit of the human mind. So lace up your sensible walking shoes and don your secure backpack with the requisite bottle of water and snacks, and brave the crowds. Trust me, it’s worth it.

1. Gone to ruins…

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are part of the same archeological area and count as one admission. According to Roman mythology, Palatine Hill is the spot where Romulus and Remus were found and kept alive by the she-wolf Lupa. Rome originated in this area – excavations on this site have found ruins going back to the 10 th Century. The Forum was the original marketplace in Rome and has ruins dating back to the 6 th Century B.C.

2. In the Colosseum…

Probably the most famous tourist attraction in Rome, the colosseum is the largest amphitheatre ever built and dates from around 80 AD. It was used for all sorts of entertainment, from plays based on classical mythologies to gorier spectacles such as gladiator contests, animal hunts and executions. Imagine: a crowd of around 65,000 all cheering someone on to their death. I don’t know about you, but I think I prefer the less blood-thirsty sightseeing crowds of modern Rome…

3. Temple of all the gods

The Pantheon , or temple of all the Gods, was a Roman Temple built between 113 to 125 AD. It’s one of the best-preserved buildings of Ancient Rome, probably because it has been in constant use; it’s now a Catholic church dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs. The Pantheon still sports the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome, with light filtering in through a central opening to the sky. If you’re visiting during the summer, chances are you’ll witness one of the frequent summer storms through the opening.

4. Visit the largest church in the world

St. Peter’s Basilica had all the big-name artists working on it at the time, including of course, Michelangelo and Bernini. Rumour has it that the tomb of St. Peter himself is directly below the high altar. When visiting take special note of Bernini’s colonnade outside as well as his exquisite canopy over the papal altar, or baldachin, inside. To see Michelangelo’s contribution, simply look up: he’s responsible for the eastern end of the Church with the huge dome in the center.

5. Relax in the Piazza Navona

Now it’s time to relax a minute along the edge of yet another one of Bernin i’s fabulous fountains. Stop, grab a drink at one of the cafés lining the squares and enjoy the hustle and bustle of one of the most iconic places to visit in Rome. Or, if you’re tired of the hot Italian sun, head underground to an archeological dig of the stadium of Domitian .

6. Climb the Spanish Steps!

The Spanish steps is a beautiful stair case of 138 steps built in 1723 to link the Piazza di Spagna below to the Piazza Trinità dei Monti above. Although it’s a destination in itself, take the opportunity to enjoy the shopping on the Via Condotti or if you are a fan of the romantics, visit the John Keats museum , located in the house where the poet lived and died in 1821.

7. Touch the hand of god…

Or at least look up and watch Michelangelo’s Adam do it! No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Vatican museums , which include the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. But don’t forget to take a look at all the other 54 galleries of amazing art collected by the Popes over the centuries.

8. The chiaroscuro of Caravaggio

After your rest in the Piazza Navona , why not talk a short walk over to San Luigi dei Francesi church and experience three masterpieces from the 16 th Century painter/provocateur himself. Caravaggio was known for his exquisite contrasting of shadows and light in his paintings. (He was also known as a violent, easily-provoked murderer, but that’s another story…) It’s truly an experience to see this paintings in their original setting. You can also check out his work in Santa Maria del Popolo off the Piazza del Popolo beside works by Raphael and Bernini, among others.

9. Need more art?

Look no further than the Galleria Borghese! Housed in the Villa Borghese and surrounded by beautiful gardens (now a separate attraction). It includes major collections of Caravaggio, Raphael, Titan, Bernini as well as many works of ancient Roman art.

10.  Nero’s Vision

The Domus Aurea is a huge, landscaped palatial pavilion designed by Emperor Nero in the 1 st Century near Palatine Hill and a testament to extraordinary taste and design. It’s only open on weekends as the site is still under excavation, but the price of admission comes with an excellent guided tour.

Things to do in Rome - the must-dos 

Now that you’ve seen Rome’s most famous tourist attractions, what else is there to do in Rome? Here are a few suggestions to help you get the most out of your trip!

1. Retrace your favorite Roman movie on a Vespa!

This is your chance to ride a Vespa through Rome while retracing the steps of some of the most iconic movies set in the Eternal City. Both Bici&Baci or Scooteroma Tours cinema-themed tours offer some good tours. Or, if you’re a movie buff but the idea of scootering around the crazy streets of Rome scares you silly, check out cultural project Cinecittà where you can visit some of the permanent Roman sets.

2. Porta Portese’s flea market and the Trastevere District

Every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Porta Portese in the Trastevere neighborhood is filled with stalls selling almost anything under the sun: from rare books and vintage vinyls to antiques, fabrics, clothes and home accessories, both secondhand or new. The best bargains are for early visitors so make sure to set your alarm! After the market, spend some time roaming the neighborhood’s cobblestoned streets which are filled with funky boutiques, eateries, bars, and clubs.

3. Walk Janiculum Hill

While in the Trastevere district, make sure to take the leisurely stroll up to Janiculum Hill. Although a bit of a hike, you’ll get an amazing view of the city as well as a unique lens on Roman history through the various monuments, including the equestrian statue of Garibaldi, the canon (which is shot every day at noon), and the promenade lined with 84 statues of Roman heroes.

4. Get thee to a gladiator fight!

Well, at least a re-enactment of one. The Gruppo Storico Romano (Roman History Group) performs amazing gladiator battles. Not happy sitting on the sidelines? Sign up for gladiator school! A two-hour workshop will allow you to fulfill all your Spartacus dreams!

5. Visit Pasquino, Rome’s talking statue

The Hellenistic statue dating from around 3 rd Century B.C. doesn’t actually talk (because  that would be really creepy) but its base has been used for centuries as a place to post pasquinate or pasquinades , political writings, poems or lampoons criticizing the government or the church. You can visit him in his very own square, the Piazza di Pasquino , not far from the Campo de’ Fiori .

6. Mouth of Truth

Head to Santa Maria di Cosmedin church , along the Tiber’s bank where the ancient Forum Boarium (cattle market) stood and stick your hand in the mouth of a huge round marble mask thought to be the sea god Oceanus. The Medieval version of a romantic lie detector, legend has it that if you stick your hand in its mouth it will be able to test your fidelity to your partner.

7. Throw a coin in the Trevi fountain

Yep. Wonderful, old Bernini again. Legend has it that if you throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain , it will guarantee your return to Rome in the future. Throw a second coin in the same way and it will bring romance your way, while a third will lead to marriage — so be careful what you wish for! Don’t forget to turn around and look at the fountain though; Bernini is always worth a stop and gaze.

8. Support local producers at the Campagna Amica market

Only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., this covered market near the Circus Maximus is a showcase for local Lazio farmers as well as the surrounding regions of Rome. Here you’ll get the most amazing seasonal produce, honey and olives the region has to offer. Not only will it be heaven for your taste buds, you also get to support the local economy and the environment.

9. Meander the Montì neighborhood

This is where you’ll find the Domus Aurea mentioned above as well as Trajan’s markets. It’s Rome’s most bohemian, eclectic neighborhood, with funky vintage boutiques, hip wine bars and lovely little trattorias. Take a break from the tourist throngs and window shop through its cozy streets.

10.  Picnic in the park

Phew. You must be getting tired, after all that walking. Why not pick up a few of the Roman delicacies below and head to one of Rome’s beautiful parks ? Some top choices would be the Villa Borghese, Villa Pamphili or Villa Ada . Or if you want a more deluxe experience, why not order a full picnic basket like the ones offered by Vivi Bistrot .

Things to do in Rome - the must-eats

You can’t go 28 centuries without building a rich and diverse culinary history. Out of Rome’s many attractions, its amazing Roman food ranks high on the list.

1. Pizza al taglio

How can you visit Rome without tasting its premier street food , Pizza al taglio? Pizza can means a lot of different things in Italy, but Pizza al taglio (or pizza by the slice) is distinctly Roman. It consists of large sheets of dough with different toppings that the vendor will either cut with a knife or scissors to your desired amount. It’s no frills, no gimmicks, pure deliciousness.

2. Trapizzino

Not content with the basic pizza? Need to fancy it up a little? Why not try a Trapizzino? A relatively new invention by Mister Pizza experimenter himself, Stefano Callegari, a trapizzino is thick triangle-shaped wedges of pizza stuffed with Roman culinary classics such as meatballs, tongue with green sauce or chicken cacciatore. A friendly suggestion: make sure you’re hungry before eating… and do not wear white.

3. Maritozzo

The staple of Roman pastries, a maritozzo is perfect for breaking the fast with an espresso, or soaking up the chianti after a late night. It’s a not-too-sweet, baked oval bun made from flour, eggs, butter, honey and salt. The name is rumored to come from marito — or husband in Italian. It’s an old local custom for young men to offer a pastry with a ring inside as an engagement vow. Get your Maritozzo at most bakeries (though you will have to supply the bling yourself).

4. Carbonara

It’s simply wrong to visit Rome without tasting an authentic carbonara. The ingredients are simple: egg yolks, guanciale (a cured meat made from pork jowls or cheeks), black pepper and pecorino cheese. To make sure you get the ‘real carbonara’ ( and not one that has been ‘polluted’ with cream or onion) head to Roscioli , Cesare al Casaletto or Armando al Pantheon .

5. Cacio e pepe

The Roscioli , also serves up an exceptional cacio de pepe , as does Da Felice . Let’s break this down, shall we? Cacio refers to Pecorino Romano, (an aged sheep’s milk cheese). Pepe simply means pepper. Mixed with some homemade pasta? Divine!

6. Alesso di Bollito

Head to Mordi E Vai in the Testaccio market to try one of Rome’s truest, local dishes: Alesso di Bollito , or a simmered beef dish. It’s served on bread, dipped in the meat’s juices.

Need I say more? Although Rome has many gelaterias , not all of them are excellent. Stick to the ones that use only natural ingredients (most shops post the ingredients). Good choices are places like Fior de Luna, Fatamorgana and Otaleg .

Feeling a little peckish? Need a pick-me-up to get you through your afternoon of sightseeing in Rome? Why not pick up a Supplì? A fried rice ball mixed with ragù and mozzarella, the Supplì might be the ultimate comfort food, not to mention the Roman version of the powerball for tourists.

9. Quinto Quarto (offal) – not for the faint of heart …or vegetarians

Head down to the Mercato Testaccio where for most of the 20 th Century you would find some of the city’s largest slaughterhouses. Quinto quarto refers to the ‘fifth quarter’ of the animal, or the offcuts, such as sheep intestines, tripe and tongue the workers used to be paid with in kind. Italians are nothing if not resourceful and over time came up with new and delicious ways to serve these cuts. Quinto quarto, such as tripa alla romana (tripe served with a tomato sauce and pecorino cheese) is still some of the most popular cuisine in Rome.

10.   Fiori di Zucca

Let us end our food section on a more floral note. Fiori di Zucca are zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies, wrapped in batter and then fried. Beautiful and delicious! Head over to Emma ’s for a sample — anchovies optional!

What are you waiting for? Book your tickets now !

Best Tourist Attractions In Rome Italy: Top Places (2024)

Table of Content

Rome, Italy’s capital, is a popular tourist attraction that draws millions of visitors each year. The city is well-known for its rich history, magnificent architecture, art, and culture. With so much to see and do, first-time visitors may find it difficult to choose which attractions to emphasize. From ancient ruins to stunning churches, art galleries to museums, and charming piazzas to recognizable monuments, Italy has it all.

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There’s something for everyone in the Eternal City. From the ancient ruins of the Colosseum and the Pantheon to the artistic masterpieces of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, indulge in some retail therapy at the designer boutiques of Via Condotti, or simply relax with a gelato in one of the city’s many piazzas .

Explore the Eternal City and Timeless Treasures, The Best Tourist Attractions In Rome Italy

Rome, Italy is a top tourist destination with rich history, stunning architecture, and world-class cuisine. Must-see attractions include ancient ruins, artistic masterpieces, charming neighborhoods, and designer boutiques. Relaxation comes in the form of gelato in the many piazzas. Rome will enchant visitors and leave them eager to return.

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Colosseum (Iconic ancient Roman gladiatorial arena)

The Colosseum, an iconic ancient Roman gladiatorial arena, is a must-visit destination in Rome, Italy. Steeped in history, this grand amphitheater offers visitors a glimpse into the past. Marvel at its impressive architecture and imagine the spectacles that once took place here. You can explore the various levels of the Colosseum and learn about its significance through informative displays.

Don’t miss the opportunity to capture breathtaking views of Rome from the top tier. After your visit, indulge in delicious Italian cuisine at nearby restaurants or cafes. The approximate trip cost, including entry fees and a guided tour, ranges from $12 to $20. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Roman culture as you witness the magnificent Colosseum.

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Trevi Fountain (Iconic 18th-century sculpted fountain)

The Trevi Fountain, an iconic 18th-century sculpted fountain, is a mesmerizing landmark in Rome, Italy. It is renowned for its striking beauty and is considered a symbol of good luck. Admire the intricate sculptures and the impressive central figure of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. Take part in the popular tradition of tossing a coin into the fountain while making a wish. Explore the charming streets surrounding the fountain and discover quaint shops and gelato parlors.

For a taste of authentic Italian cuisine, try traditional pasta dishes or indulge in mouthwatering gelato. The trip cost for visiting Trevi Fountain is minimal as it is free to visit. Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere and embrace the cultural significance of this remarkable fountain.

Also Read Best Tourist Attractions In Rome Italy: Top Places (2024)

Pantheon (Landmark Roman church & historic tombs)

The Pantheon, a landmark Roman church and historic tomb, is a must-see attraction in Rome, Italy. This ancient temple-turned-church boasts a remarkable architectural design and houses the tombs of notable figures, including Raphael. Step inside and be awestruck by the majestic dome and the interplay of light filtering through the oculus. Take a moment to appreciate the harmonious blend of Roman engineering and artistic brilliance.

Discover the nearby Piazza della Rotonda, lined with charming cafes and shops, offering a delightful culinary experience. The trip cost for visiting the Pantheon is minimal as there is no admission fee. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage and marvel at the magnificence of this historic landmark.

Vatican City (The smallest country in the world)

Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, is a must-visit destination for art, history, and spirituality enthusiasts. Home to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, it offers a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling. Explore the Vatican Museums, housing an extensive collection of art and historical artifacts. Marvel at the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica and climb to the top of the dome for panoramic views of the city.

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Attend a Papal audience or Mass for a truly unique experience. Taste traditional Italian delicacies in the numerous restaurants and cafes scattered around Vatican City. The trip cost for visiting Vatican City, including entry fees and a guided tour, ranges from $20 to $35. Immerse yourself in the religious and cultural heritage of this extraordinary destination.

Roman Forum (Excavated heart of the Roman Empire)

The Roman Forum, excavated heart of the Roman Empire, is a fascinating archaeological site located in Rome, Italy. Wander through the ruins of ancient structures and imagine the bustling political and social life that once thrived here. Explore the remnants of temples, basilicas, and government buildings that shaped the history of Rome. Engage in a guided tour to gain insights into the significance of each ruin.

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Nearby, you’ll find charming cafes and restaurants offering a range of Italian delicacies. The trip cost for visiting the Roman Forum, including entry fees and a guided tour, is approximately $12 to $20. Immerse yourself in

St. Peter’s Basilica (World’s largest basilica of Christianity)

St. Peter’s Basilica is the world’s largest basilica of Christianity and a must-visit destination in Vatican City, Rome. This architectural marvel is renowned for its grandeur and historical significance. Visitors can explore the magnificent interior adorned with stunning artworks, including Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture. Climbing to the top of the dome offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. The basilica also houses the Vatican Grottoes, where several popes are buried. When visiting, it’s important to dress appropriately and observe a respectful atmosphere.

Spanish Steps (Iconic baroque stairway & meeting place)

The Spanish Steps, located in the heart of Rome, are an iconic baroque stairway and a popular meeting place for both locals and tourists. The steps connect the Piazza di Spagna at the bottom to the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. Besides admiring the architectural beauty, visitors can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and people-watching opportunities. The area surrounding the Spanish Steps is known for its high-end shopping boutiques, trendy cafes, and luxurious hotels. It’s a great spot to relax, take memorable photos, and soak up the lively ambiance of Rome.

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Piazza Navona (Elegant square with a fountain & bars)

Piazza Navona is an elegant square in Rome known for its exquisite architecture, charming atmosphere, and vibrant street life. At the center of the square stands the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, designed by Bernini. This bustling piazza is surrounded by beautiful Baroque buildings, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants. Visitors can indulge in leisurely strolls, savor delicious Italian cuisine, and appreciate talented street performers. Piazza Navona is particularly enchanting during the Christmas season when it hosts a delightful Christmas market.

Sistine Chapel (Michelangelo’s iconic painted ceiling)

The Sistine Chapel is a renowned masterpiece located within the Vatican Museums in Vatican City. It features Michelangelo’s famous frescoes, including the iconic ceiling painting depicting scenes from the Book of Genesis. To fully appreciate its beauty and historical significance, it’s recommended to visit early in the day or during off-peak seasons due to potential crowding.

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Castel Sant’Angelo (2nd-century cylindrical castle & museum)

Castel Sant’Angelo is a cylindrical castle in Rome, originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century. It later became a fortress and papal residence. Visitors can explore its halls, courtyards, and underground passages to learn about its history. The castle offers panoramic views of Rome from its rooftop terrace. It houses a museum with medieval weapons, Renaissance artworks, and historical artifacts.

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What are 4 famous tourist attractions places in Rome?

Numerous well-known landmarks may be found in Rome, but the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon are four of the most visited. Each of these locations has a fascinating history and beautiful architecture that annually bring millions of tourists to Rome.

What is the number 1 attraction in Rome?

It’s challenging to single out just one top attraction in Rome, although many would contend that the Colosseum takes the cake. Gladiatorial fights and other public shows have previously taken place in this historic amphitheater, which was constructed between 70 and 80 AD. Today, tourists are able to see the Colosseum’s ruins and discover its interesting past.

What not to miss when visiting Rome?

Because there are so many sights and things to select from, tourists visiting Rome may feel overwhelmed. Some of the city’s must-see sights include the Sistine Chapel, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, and the Vatican Museums. Aside from these attractions, make sure to sample some of Rome’s wonderful cuisine and witness the city’s lively street life.

What is the #1 tourist attraction in Italy?

The Colosseum in Rome is undoubtedly Italy’s most popular tourist destination. However, there are numerous more popular destinations throughout Italy, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Venice’s canals, Pompeii, and the magnificent Amalfi Coast. It also has world-class museums, churches, and restaurants in towns such as Florence, Milan, and Naples.

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Hi there! My name is Sarah Gautam, a travel blogger, and digital nomad, currently living in the United States. I believe life is all about experiences, and what better way to gain them than by seeing the world that's exactly why I left my office job in England and escaped to the national parks of Utah, working remotely as I go, to earn my income. It's a fantastic lifestyle choice and I want to inspire others who are looking to do something similar as well. These are my free resources for future nomads.

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Explore Top Tourist Attractions in Rome – Must-See Sights!

R ome, the eternal city, is a treasure trove of historical and cultural wonders. From ancient ruins to magnificent churches and world-renowned artworks, this city has it all. Join me on a journey as we explore the top tourist attractions in Rome that are not to be missed on your visit. Prepare to be captivated by the richness of Rome’s history and beauty.

Key Takeaways: Tourist Attractions in Rome

• Rome offers an abundance of historical and cultural attractions.
• Must-see sights include the Colosseum , Trevi Fountain , and Vatican City .
• The Pantheon and Roman Forum provide insights into ancient Rome .
• Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo showcase the city’s Baroque splendor.
• Villa Borghese offers a tranquil retreat in the heart of Rome.

Colosseum – An Ancient Wonder

The Colosseum is undoubtedly one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Rome . This ancient Roman amphitheater , built in AD 72, once hosted gladiator battles, animal hunts, and other spectacles. With a seating capacity of over 50,000 people, it was the largest amphitheater in the world at the time. Today, visitors can explore the stands, the arena, and the underground spaces of this magnificent structure, immersing themselves in the history of ancient Rome .

The Colosseum , also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, stands as a testament to the grandeur and engineering prowess of ancient Rome . Its massive stone walls and imposing arches showcase the architectural genius of the time. Walking through the corridors and archways, visitors can envision the spectacles that once took place within its walls. From gladiators fighting for their lives to the roaring cheers of the crowds, the Colosseum holds the stories of a bygone era.

Key Features of the Colosseum:

• Seating capacity of over 50,000 spectators
• Four levels of seating, including vaulted corridors and stairways
• Arena floor where gladiators fought and wild animals were displayed
• Underground chambers for preparing spectacles and holding animals

“The Colosseum is not simply a monument of the past, but a living testament to the grandeur of ancient Rome.” – Roman historian

Visiting the Colosseum allows travelers to step back in time and experience the rich history and culture of ancient Rome. Exploring its vast corridors and imagining the cheers of the crowds gives a glimpse into the grandeur and spectacle of the past. The Colosseum remains a symbol of Rome’s enduring legacy as a center of power and entertainment.

Trevi Fountain – A Baroque Masterpiece

The Trevi Fountain is a must-see attraction in Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world. Located on the Piazza di Trevi, this stunning Baroque masterpiece was built in the 18th century. The fountain features the god of the sea, Neptune, on his chariot, surrounded by intricate sculptures and ornate details. It is said that tossing a coin into the fountain ensures a return trip to Rome, making it a popular spot for tourists to make a wish.

This monumental fountain stands at a height of 26 meters (85 feet) and spans a width of 49 meters (161 feet), making it the largest Baroque fountain in Rome. The exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail exhibited in every aspect of the fountain’s design and construction highlight the skill and talent of the artists involved in its creation. The Trevi Fountain serves as a timeless symbol of beauty and elegance, captivating visitors with its grandeur and splendor.

The Trevi Fountain is not only a magnificent work of art but also an important part of Roman landmarks . Its historical significance and breathtaking beauty make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Rome.

Surrounded by charming cobblestone streets and picturesque buildings, the Trevi Fountain offers a serene and enchanting atmosphere. As you approach the fountain, the soothing sound of cascading water fills the air, creating a sense of tranquility and serenity. Whether you visit during the day or at night, the Trevi Fountain is a sight to behold, with its shimmering water, captivating sculptures, and the play of light and shadows.

Table: Interesting Facts about the Trevi Fountain

Visiting the Trevi Fountain is an unforgettable experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty and history of Rome. Take a moment to make a wish, toss a coin into the fountain, and let the magic of this Baroque masterpiece enchant you.

Pantheon – Ancient Architectural Marvel

The Pantheon is an impressive Roman temple and architectural wonder that stands as a testament to the engineering prowess and grandeur of ancient Rome. Built by Emperor Hadrian in AD 119-128, the Pantheon has survived the test of time and remains one of the best-preserved buildings from antiquity. Its iconic dome, with a diameter of 43.3 meters, was the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world for over 1,300 years.

Inside the Pantheon, visitors are greeted by a breathtaking sight—the oculus. This circular opening in the center of the dome allows natural light to illuminate the expansive interior, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. As you walk through the ancient Roman building , you’ll marvel at the elegance of the design and the intricate details that adorn its walls.

The Pantheon’s harmonious blend of architectural elements and its monumental scale make it a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in ancient Roman history and architecture. Standing in this awe-inspiring space, you can’t help but feel a deep appreciation for the ingenuity and vision of the ancient Romans.

Table: Comparing the Pantheon with Other Ancient Roman Buildings

Visiting the Pantheon is like stepping back in time to ancient Rome. The sheer magnitude of the dome and the ingenuity of its construction leave a lasting impression. It’s a remarkable example of the architectural wonders that the Romans were able to achieve.

The Pantheon’s significance in the history of architectural engineering cannot be overstated. Its innovative use of concrete and the mastery of its dome construction continue to inspire architects and engineers to this day. As you explore the ancient Roman building , take a moment to stand beneath the oculus and let the natural light illuminate your surroundings. It’s a humbling experience that will leave you in awe of the ancient world’s achievements.

Vatican City – Spiritual and Artistic Haven

Vatican City , located within Rome, is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a spiritual and artistic experience. As the smallest independent state in the world, it holds significant cultural and religious importance. The crown jewel of Vatican City is undoubtedly St. Peter’s Basilica , an architectural masterpiece that showcases the finest works of Renaissance art and stands as a symbol of Christianity.

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica , visitors can marvel at its grandeur and beauty. The ornate interior houses remarkable sculptures, precious artworks, and intricate mosaics. One of the most famous artworks is Michelangelo’s “La Pieta” , a breathtaking sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus. It is a masterpiece that captures the essence of grace and sorrow.

Adjacent to St. Peter’s Basilica are the Vatican Museums , a treasure trove of artistic wonders spanning centuries. These museums house an extensive collection of priceless artworks and historical artifacts, including works by renowned artists like Raphael and Caravaggio. The highlight of the Vatican Museums is undoubtedly the Sistine Chapel , known for its remarkable frescoes painted by Michelangelo. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel , featuring scenes from the Book of Genesis, is a true marvel and a testament to the genius of Michelangelo.

A visit to Vatican City offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the spiritual and artistic heritage of Rome. Whether admiring the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica , exploring the vast Vatican Museums , or gazing in awe at the Sistine Chapel , you will be captivated by the cultural richness and historical significance of this remarkable destination.

Table: Highlights of Vatican City

Roman forum and palatine hill – discover ancient rome.

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are two of Rome’s most significant archaeological sites, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history and grandeur of ancient Rome. These ancient ruins are a testament to the city’s rich past and provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the remnants of a once-thriving civilization.

The Roman Forum , also known as the Forum Romanum, was the bustling center of ancient Rome, serving as the political, religious, and commercial hub of the city. Here, you can wander through the remnants of grand temples, basilicas, and public spaces that were integral to the daily life of the Romans. The Forum was home to important government buildings, such as the Senate House and the Rostra, where speeches were delivered to the citizens of Rome.

Adjacent to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill offers panoramic views of the city and showcases the opulent palaces that once belonged to Roman emperors. This hill was a prestigious residential area, and its ruins provide a glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of the ruling class. As you wander through the ancient gardens and courtyards, you can imagine what life was like for the wealthy elite of ancient Rome.

Exploring the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill allows visitors to immerse themselves in the stories of ancient Rome and gain a deeper understanding of its significance in shaping Western civilization. The architectural marvels, intricate sculptures, and historical artifacts found within these archaeological sites are a testament to the ingenuity and cultural richness of the Romans.

Table: Highlights of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Visiting the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill is like stepping back in time, providing a unique opportunity to explore the ruins of ancient Rome and witness the remnants of a once-thriving civilization. These archaeological sites offer a profound experience for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in unraveling the mysteries of the past.

Piazza Navona – Lively Square with Baroque Splendor

Piazza Navona is a vibrant square in Rome, renowned for its magnificent Baroque architecture and lively atmosphere . Located in the historic center of the city, this picturesque square attracts both locals and tourists alike. Piazza Navona is home to several beautiful fountains, street performers, cafes, and terraces, creating a bustling ambiance that captivates visitors.

The centerpiece of Piazza Navona is the famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) designed by the renowned sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. This impressive Baroque fountain features four statues representing different rivers – the Nile, Danube, Ganges, and Rio de la Plata – representing the four continents known at the time. The fountain is a true masterpiece, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of the Baroque era.

Surrounded by elegant palaces and historic buildings, Piazza Navona provides a perfect setting for leisurely strolls and people-watching. The square is also known for its lively market stalls, where visitors can find unique handmade crafts, artwork, and souvenirs. Whether you’re in search of a delicious gelato, a cup of coffee, or a traditional Italian meal, Piazza Navona offers a wide range of dining options to satisfy every palate.

With its rich history, stunning architecture, and lively atmosphere , Piazza Navona is a must-visit destination in Rome. Whether you’re exploring the city’s historical sites or simply soaking up its vibrant culture, this Baroque square is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Table: Top Fountains in Rome

“Piazza Navona, with its stunning fountains and lively atmosphere , is a true gem in the heart of Rome. The architectural beauty of the square combined with the bustling energy of the street performers and cafes make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the city.” – Traveler’s Magazine

Castel Sant’Angelo – The Mausoleum turned Fortress

One of the most intriguing historical monuments in Rome is Castel Sant’Angelo , also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian . Originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 139, it later served as a fortress and refuge for popes during times of danger. The castle’s strategic location along the Tiber River made it an important stronghold, protecting the city from external threats.

Inside the castle, visitors can explore its fascinating halls and chambers, which hold centuries of history within their walls. From the beautifully decorated papal apartments to the ancient prison cells, each room tells a story of the castle’s transformation over time. The rooftop terrace offers breathtaking panoramic views of Rome, providing a unique perspective of the city’s skyline.

As you wander through the corridors of Castel Sant’Angelo , you can’t help but feel the weight of history surrounding you. From its original purpose as a mausoleum to its role as a defensive fortress, this historical monument stands as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Roman people. It is a must-visit attraction for history enthusiasts and those seeking to immerse themselves in Rome’s rich past.

Villa Borghese – A Tranquil Oasis

When visiting Rome, don’t miss the opportunity to escape the bustling city streets and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Villa Borghese , Rome’s largest park . This vast green oasis offers a peaceful retreat where you can unwind and reconnect with nature.

Exploring the Park

Villa Borghese is a haven for nature lovers, with its expansive gardens, tranquil lakes, and winding walking paths. Take a leisurely stroll through the lush greenery, enjoy a picnic on the grass, or simply find a quiet spot to relax and soak up the peaceful atmosphere. The park’s well-maintained pathways make it easy to explore, and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Rome from various vantage points.

A World of Art at Galleria Borghese

Within the park, you’ll also find the renowned Galleria Borghese , a must-visit museum for art enthusiasts. Housed in a stunning villa, the gallery showcases an extensive collection of artworks by famous artists such as Caravaggio, Bernini, and Raphael. From exquisite sculptures to breathtaking paintings, the masterpieces on display truly captivate the imagination and offer a unique insight into the world of art.

A Perfect Combination of Art and Nature

Villa Borghese offers a delightful combination of art and nature, making it a must-see attraction in Rome. Lose yourself in the tranquility of the park, admire the beauty of the gardens, and then immerse yourself in the world of art at the Galleria Borghese . Whether you’re a nature lover, an art enthusiast, or simply seeking a moment of peace in the heart of the city, Villa Borghese is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Q: Are there guided tours available for the Colosseum?

A: Yes, there are guided tours available for the Colosseum. These tours provide informative insights into the history and significance of this ancient Roman amphitheater . You can choose from various options, including group tours and private tours, to enhance your experience and make the most out of your visit.

Q: Is there an entrance fee for the Trevi Fountain?

A: No, there is no entrance fee for the Trevi Fountain. It is a public attraction, and you can visit it freely at any time. However, keep in mind that the area can get crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons. It is recommended to visit early in the morning or late at night to avoid crowds and fully appreciate the fountain’s beauty.

Q: Can I go inside the Pantheon?

A: Yes, visitors are allowed to enter the Pantheon free of charge. Once inside, you can explore the stunning interior of this ancient Roman building , marvel at its impressive dome, and learn about its historical significance. Remember to dress respectfully as it is a religious site, and be prepared for possible queues, especially during peak hours.

Q: Is there an entrance fee for Vatican City?

A: Vatican City itself does not require an entrance fee, as it is a sovereign state. However, there are entrance fees for certain attractions within Vatican City, such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. It is recommended to check the official websites for up-to-date information on ticket prices and reservations to ensure a smooth visit.

Q: Can I visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill together?

A: Yes, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are located adjacent to each other, and a combined ticket allows you to visit both sites. Exploring these archaeological sites together provides a comprehensive understanding of the ancient Roman civilization, as the Roman Forum was the heart of political and social life, while Palatine Hill was the home of emperors.

Q: Are there any restrictions in Piazza Navona?

A: There are generally no specific restrictions in Piazza Navona, as it is a public square open to all. However, it is important to respect the surrounding buildings and monuments, as well as the rules and regulations set by local authorities. Additionally, be mindful of your belongings and avoid street vendors selling unauthorized goods.

Q: Can I climb to the top of Castel Sant’Angelo?

A: Yes, visitors are allowed to climb to the top of Castel Sant’Angelo and enjoy panoramic views of Rome from the rooftop terrace. The castle’s halls also offer fascinating insights into its historical significance and the role it played as a fortress and refuge for popes. Please note that there may be stairs to climb, so it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes.

Q: Is there an entrance fee for Villa Borghese?

A: Yes, there is an entrance fee for the Galleria Borghese , which is located within Villa Borghese. The gallery houses a remarkable collection of artworks by renowned artists and requires prior reservation due to limited availability. However, access to the park itself is generally free, allowing you to enjoy the tranquil oasis and beautiful landscapes without a charge.

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