24 Best Things to Do in Rome

Rome is not only eternal; it is infinite. Every trip leaves you wanting more, because it would be impossible to take in all of Rome's grandeur and history in a single visit. That's why this list of the best things to do in Rome is just an inventory of common places to start discovering the city, which you can use as a checklist on your trip.

This amphitheater is arguably the guardian of Rome. It is the most visited monument in the city, and its internal galleries are as eye-catching as its exterior walls, which are lined with Greek arches and columns. Tickets to the Colosseum are also tickets to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, so you can also buy them at the ticket office, although the queues can be endless, so I recommend booking your Colosseum tickets as far in advance as possible.

If you prefer to hear the story, choose a tour

Since its construction in 72 AD, the Colosseum has witnessed countless stories of gladiators and animal fights, but you can hear all about those on one of the many guided tours of the Colosseum. Here are the main ones:

• Colosseum tour with virtual reality, from $68
• Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, from $34
• Guided tour of the Colosseum with underground passages and the Roman Forum, from $147
• Guided tour of the Colosseum with access to the arena and the Roman Forum, from $61
• Guided night tour of the Colosseum, from $144

More interesting information about the Colosseum

To make the most of your visit to the Colosseum, here are some articles with everything you need to know about this essential Roman monument:

• Finding out how to get cheap tickets for the Colosseum will make the tourist crowds much more bearable.
• Arriving at the Colosseum for the first time is a wonderful feeling, but don't forget to stay calm in the face of the beauty of the place.
• Before you travel, make sure you know where to eat after your visit to the Colosseum to make your experience more enjoyable.
• To make the most of your visit, keep these tips in mind for your visit to the Colosseum and plan ahead.

St. Peter's Square, designed by Bernini, is the spiritual and architectural heart of the Vatican. In front of the majestic St. Peter's Basilica, it is one of the most emblematic places in Rome, attracting visitors from all over the world to admire its beauty, climb the dome, or experience unique moments such as the papal audience.

Booking a guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City is a must-do in Rome.

Along with the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica, which presides over the square, are the two landmarks of the world's smallest state. You have probably seen this oval-shaped square surrounded by two semicircles in more than one aerial photograph; I can tell you that this is the view you get when you climb the dome of St. Peter's ( admission to St. Peter's Basilica is free, but not the climb to the dome).

Listen to the Pope's blessing in St. Peter's Square

An unforgettable experience that you must have during your visit to Rome and Vatican City, whether you are religious or not, is to see the Vatican and the Holy Father up close during the Wednesday papal audience or the Angelus ceremony on Sundays.

If you want to know more about how you can hear the Pope's blessing during your trip to Rome, I recommend reading the article Papal Audience in Rome, where you will find all the details. And if you are religious, my advice is clear: visit Rome during Holy Week.

More information of interest about St. Peter's Square

If you want to better plan your visit to the Vatican and St. Peter's Square, you can consult the following articles:

• The area is one of the busiest in Rome, so it is useful to know how to get to the Vatican from the center of Rome before your visit.
• To enjoy a hassle-free meal, check out these places to eat near the Vatican and make your reservation in advance.
• There is so much to see and do in the Vatican, and after a morning of exploring, you will surely need a break.

The crown jewel for art lovers is in the Vatican Museums. Works by Da Vinci, Titian, Caravaggio, and Raphael are just a tiny sample of everything you'll find in Europe's largest art collection, presided over, of course, by the world-famous Sistine Chapel. The essential thing to know is that you can explore the museums at your own pace, buying skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums, or you can take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums. Here are the best options:

• Skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, from $59
• Guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica, from $34
• Skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, from $47
• Special offer: Tickets to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill + Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, starting at $121

More useful information about the Vatican Museums

If you are planning a visit to the Vatican, here is some useful information to make your experience more comfortable and economical:

• Find out the prices of tickets to the Vatican and learn how to get in for free or at a discount.
• We also offer these tips for visiting the Vatican, including dress code and other important details.
• Finally, you may be interested in knowing how to avoid the lines to enter the Vatican and make the most of your time.

The Roman Forum is an essential place to immerse yourself in the history of Ancient Rome. This space, which was the judicial, political, and commercial center of the city, is now a fascinating collection of archaeological remains that allow us to imagine the grandeur of that golden age. In addition, the Palatine Hill, the most central of the seven hills of Rome, offers extraordinary views and a unique tour among its ruins.

More interesting information about the Roman Forum

If you want to learn more about the Forum and Palatine Hill, here are some useful articles:

• Guided tours of the Colosseum and tickets to the Colosseum usually include the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, but check carefully before buying.
• Opt for a combined visit to the Vatican and the Colosseum to save time and money.
• If you are going to Rome in the summer, visit the Forum first thing in the morning to avoid the heat.
• Finally, here are some tips on how to make your visit to the Roman Forum with children more enjoyable.

Booking a guided tour of Rome is one of the best ways to explore the city and understand what you are seeing.

This would be the experience I would choose in most of the cities I travel to because, far from the boring visits that overwhelmed you with endless dates and historical facts, today's tours are increasingly authentic and varied, such as night tours of Rome, photo tours of Rome, or guided tours of Rome's historic center.

Especially in Rome, where tradition and art can be found on every corner, a specialized guide teaches you to appreciate not only the history of the city but also its essence.

Rome is known for its fountains, and this is undoubtedly the most iconic of them all. It will appear by surprise as you turn a corner while strolling through the historic center of the city, and the first thing that will surprise you is its size. This Baroque fountain depicts Neptune and two tritons and is known for the legend that if you throw one coin into it, you will return to Rome, and if you throw two, you will find love in Italy.

For me, the most authentic way to enjoy it is by booking a tour of Rome's fountains and squares, where you'll be given all the details, or by enjoying a delicious Italian ice cream on its steps. I should warn you that this will be practically impossible to do during the middle of the day, but if you'll take my advice, do it after dinner, at the end of the day and before you go to sleep at the hotel.

With almost no tourists and plenty of space to sit, it will be much more relaxing, and you'll remember that moment forever. Here's everything you need to know to enjoy it to the fullest: Everything You Need to Know About the Trevi Fountain in Rome: History, Legends & Tips and here's a list of the best ice creams in Rome.

The enormous steps of Piazza di Spagna are another must-see sight in Rome. These steps connect the church of Trinità dei Monti with the Fontana della Barcaccia.

While in ancient times they were a meeting place for different artists, today they are a gathering spot for tourists visiting Rome who stop along the way to contemplate the beauty of this location. It takes its name from the Spanish embassy and is one of the liveliest places you'll see when walking around the center of Rome.

My personal advice is to book the tour of Rome's fountains and squares to learn all the details. And if you visit on your own, don't just look at the square from below. Climb the steps and take in the views of Rome from above. And if you're thinking of exploring the city in depth and discovering all its magical squares, take note of this article on Top 10 Squares in Rome

This unique oval-shaped square is undoubtedly a favorite among many Romans and tourists. If you want to get to know it in detail, you can book a tour of Rome's fountains and squares. The four fountains you can see in the Baroque Piazza Navona represent Rome's main rivers. In the center of them all is the gigantic Fountain of the Four Rivers designed by Bernini, a true architectural marvel.

During the day, the square is full of small groups visiting the center of Rome on a tour and making a mandatory stop to talk about the history of these fountains. At night, especially in summer, street artists liven up this square, which becomes one of the social hubs of the city center. If the weather is nice, buying a pizza to go and enjoying it on one of the benches while admiring the fountains is simply a great plan.

Don't miss the details of each of the fountains and sculptures, as well as the imposing facade of the church in the square. Personally, I love each and every one of Rome's fountains: in every square, alleyway, or corner, there is a work of art in the form of a fountain. That's why I recommend reading this article on the best fountains in Rome, where you'll find out which ones are the most beautiful and where they are located. Once you've seen all the details, you can book tickets for the underground passages of Piazza Navona.

The art of Rome does not end at the Vatican. I recommend booking tickets for the Capitoline Museums, located on the Campidoglio, which are another must-see for essential and legendary works of art such as the Capitoline Wolf, the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, Bernini's Medusa, the Colossus of Constantine, and the Wounded Galatian. Here is a post so you can learn about the essentials of the Capitoline Museums.

The Pantheon of Agrippa, located in the historic center of Rome, is one of the best monuments in all of Rome. It is well worth booking a guided tour of the Pantheon, entering what is now a church and was once a Roman temple built during the reign of Aurelius, and seeing it lit up at dusk. In this article, I'll tell you everything you need to know about the Pantheon in Rome.

In a privileged location lies the great hidden treasure of the Roman city: the Borghese Gallery.

If you book a guided tour of the Borghese Gallery, you will not only enjoy one of the best art galleries in Rome and classical sculptures of great beauty, but also a stroll through the green lung of Rome, the impressive gardens of Villa Borghese, which are undoubtedly one of the best parks in Rome.

Personally, I love seeing cities from "above"; a panoramic view of their rooftops and gardens is a chance for me to breathe fresh air and think about how lucky I am to be there at that precise moment, enjoying the trip.

There are many places in Rome with wonderful views, but I recommend booking a tour of Trastevere. From Rome's eighth hill, the Gianicolo, located in this neighborhood, you'll have incredible views. But in addition to the views, you'll enjoy a relaxed atmosphere away from the usual hustle and bustle of Rome, enlivened by street performances such as puppet theaters.

In every country, the local food is a draw, but in Italy it is more so than in almost anywhere else in Europe. A trip to Rome just to try its pizza, pasta, and gelato is a trip well spent, so don't forget: eat.

Don't rush or eat on the street while waiting in line to enter a monument; sit down in a restaurant and spend two hours eating, savoring each dish, asking the chef about their specialties, and, if you have time, join a food tour to discover the best pizzas in Rome and their excellent pastas.

Of course, if you want to go out on your own in search of a good place to eat, here is a list of my favorite places for lunch and dinner in Rome to encourage you to try some of them and, above all, to avoid falling into the traps that the city (sometimes) has in store for tourists. Another option for enjoying the culinary culture to the fullest without any worries is to book a food tour of Rome.

A city is also its neighborhoods, and Trastevere is undoubtedly one of the most charming neighborhoods in Rome (for me it's the best, but they say there's no accounting for taste...).

Stroll through its cobbled streets adorned with ivy, visit its quirky gift shops, dine in one of its restaurants, sit down for an ice cream in its squares, and discover some of the best places to have an aperitif in Rome.

Trastevere is a different Rome, and many say it is the most authentic of all. The best way to discover everything it has to offer is to take a guided tour of Trastevere. Also, take note of the best places to eat in Trastevere and everything the Trastevere neighborhood has to offer when night falls.

When we go on a trip, we often get up early to make the most of our time; we spend the whole day going from one sight to another and by the evening we are exhausted and just want to go back to the hotel to rest before facing the next marathon day of sightseeing.

Don't fall into the trap. Set aside time during your visit not only to see Rome at night, but to enjoy it, stroll around and admire the lighting of its monuments without the rush or pressure of taking a photo. To do this, I recommend booking a night tour of illuminated Rome. It will be worth it.

Speaking of a different Rome, you can also find it underground, far from tourists and monuments. Beneath the beauty of Rome lies a labyrinth of Roman catacombs that you can visit if you book a tour, which will undoubtedly give you a different feeling.

Be careful! Don't confuse the Roman catacombs with a visit to the Vatican catacombs. They are two different things. If either of these two visits leaves you wanting more, I invite you to read this article on the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus and the Capuchin Catacombs.

Rome has a lot to offer travelers, but it also has a privileged position within Italy. This means that from Rome you can easily visit other interesting cities without spending a lot of time traveling, including:

Florence

Florence is the capital of art: here you can visit Michelangelo's impressive David and delight in the Uffizi Gallery or the Accademia. The city's Duomo is one of the most spectacular in Italy, and its streets exude a medieval and classical atmosphere that enchants all visitors. Sound good?

I'll tell you more in this article about the best excursions to Florence from Rome, and if you prefer to go on your own, check out the different ways to get from Rome to Florence. But my recommendation is to book an excursion to Florence from Rome so you don't have to worry about the logistics.

Pompeii and Naples

Another option is to book a day trip to Pompeii and Naples from Rome. South of Rome, closer to Naples and at the foot of Vesuvius, lies the city that was once buried by lava from its neighboring volcano and is preserved in such a special way that it attracts millions of visitors every year.

If you want to take advantage of your trip to Rome to visit Naples or Pompeii and see them both in one day, take note of the best excursions to Pompeii and the best excursions to Naples.

Pompeii is a city worth visiting from Rome, but if you want to do it on your own, here is some information on how to get to Pompeii from Rome and how to get to Naples from Rome.

The surroundings of Rome

If you fancy a shorter getaway to the city's surroundings, you can, for example, take a trip to Assisi and Orvieto or to the spectacular Villa dell'Este. Here are my favorite getaways: 7 Places to Visit near Rome.

There are even day trips that will allow you to visit these cities and other points of interest near Rome, which will complete your travel experience in the Eternal City.

If you're still not sure which destination to choose, here's a list of the most popular ones: 8 Best Day Trips from Rome and three lesser-known recommendations: the Baths of Caracalla, a visit to Ostia Antica, and excursions to Tivoli and Villa Adriana from Rome.

Very close to the Vatican, Castel Sant'Angelo guards the river from one of the most beautiful bridges in Rome.

If you think it's magnificent from the outside, don't hesitate to book tickets for Castel Sant'Angelo because you'll like it even more inside: it's very well preserved and from the roof you'll probably get the best views (and the best photo) of both the city and the Vatican.

I think I've given you enough reasons to venture inside its walls, but if you still need more excuses, here's a link to an article on how and why to visit Castel Sant'Angelo

For those who haven't seen Roman Holiday: the Bocca della Verità is a marble mask located in the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin (near the Circus Maximus) which, according to legend, would bite the hand of anyone who lied.

It may seem like a tourist trap to take a photo with your hand inside this mask, but the worldwide fame of this ritual is such that it couldn't be left off the list of things to do in Rome. And it's an ideal plan once you've finished your tour of the thermal baths and the Circus Maximus.

Another opportunity to discover another side of the Eternal City, away from the monuments and tourist routes. The open-air market in Campo de Fiori Square retains the bohemian atmosphere of the medieval inns that once surrounded it.

In addition to mingling with the locals, at the Campo de Fiori market you'll find fresh fruit and vegetables, souvenirs, and a few other surprises, but my favorite plan is to book a food tour of Campo dei Fori to learn all about the local cuisine.

Peeking through a keyhole? Is that really something to do in Rome? When you see the beautiful view of St. Peter's Dome from there, I assure you that you will understand why. At first, this was a big secret in Rome, but more and more visitors are coming to these gardens to look for the famous keyhole and marvel at the view.

And this is just one of the many secret places hidden in the Eternal City that you'll have to discover little by little on your own or as part of a private tour of Rome if you want to fall in love with Rome. I'll give you a little help and leave you with a list of what I consider to be Rome's best-kept secrets.

Imagine this: it's your last day in the city and you have a couple of hours to visit the places you liked the most and take a look at your favorite spots. The problem is that Rome offers so many choices that you would like to see everything at once, to repeat the entire trip...

Perhaps the latter is not possible (although you can always return, remember), but the last look is indeed possible if you book your ticket for the Rome tourist bus. With air conditioning, it will take you to the main points of the city, either so you can "say goodbye" to them or so you can get a taste of everything you're going to see in the next few days after your arrival in Rome.

In addition, Rome's tourist buses are a good way to save on transportation, as they will help you get from one place to another without having to pay for a public transportation ticket for each trip.

Use the Rome metro

Wherever your hotel is, you will probably need to use the metro at some point during your trip. In general, it is very cheap and easy to use: there are very few lines that cross the city (it seems that digging up Roman soil is complicated, as more and more important relics, ruins, and archaeological remains appear every time they drill) and it is quite fast and reliable. It will be useful to follow this guide to the Rome metro. Keep it handy!

Other ways to get around Rome

Oh! And speaking of saving money, if you'll allow me to give you another tip to save time and money when you arrive at Rome airport, I recommend that you consider booking a transfer between Rome airport and the city center in advance. I'll also tell you about all the options available for getting to your hotel in Rome, whether you arrive at Ciampino or Fiumicino.

If you're on a Mediterranean cruise and disembarking at the port of Civitavecchia to head to Rome, the fastest and most convenient way to get to the Italian capital is to book a private or shared transfer. I'll tell you how in the article Transfers between the Port of Civitavecchia and Rome in Rome!

When you start imagining a trip to Rome for the first time, you may fall into the trap of thinking that Rome is "just churches." And it's true that there are many churches in Rome, but spending your entire trip discovering them one by one would certainly not be the best way to make the most of your time in the city.

That's why (and because, well, it's Rome, you're going to have to see some churches) I've put together a list of the most beautiful churches in Rome and another of the Major Basilicas of Rome (I'll tell you now that one of my favorites is the Basilica of St. John Lateran ). It's that quick and easy: I select the best ones for you so you can play it safe, and I tell you why they're worth visiting. You're welcome!

If there's one place that exudes tranquility, tradition, and authenticity, it's Rome's Jewish Quarter. You'll find it in the heart of the city, and although it's not very big, it's an ideal place to take a stroll, enjoy an ice cream, or sample a typical sweet treat at one of the local pastry shops.

You can learn all about the history of this place by booking a tour of the Jewish Ghetto. Oh, and take the opportunity to cross the bridge to Tiber Island, a beautiful spot to watch the sunset after a long day of walking around the most beautiful city in the world.

Once you land in Rome, there's no time to waste. The city has millions of places to discover, and it's a shame to spend your trip thinking about what you'll do the next day. That's why I'm giving you some tips for organizing your trip to Rome:

Choose your travel dates wisely

Are you traveling to Rome in winter? Would you prefer to visit Rome in autumn? Are you planning to discover the Eternal City in spring? Any time of year is good for this trip, but depending on when you go, the city will have different things to offer, so take note of the best time to travel to Rome and what to see and do month by month with this list:

• What to see in Rome in January.
• What to see in Rome in February.
• What to see in Rome in March.
• What to see in Rome in April.
• What to see in Rome in May.
• What to see in Rome in June.
• What to see in Rome in July.
• What to see in Rome in August.
• What to see in Rome in September.
• What to see in Rome in October.
• What to see in Rome in November.
• What to see in Rome in December.

Set yourself a daily itinerary

Boring, right? Well, I'll do it for you. I'll tell you exactly what you can (or should) do and see when you're in Rome, depending on the length of your trip. For example:

What if you're traveling with your family?

Well, I can help you too. Here's an article on what to see and do in Rome with children, where you'll find things to do to enjoy the city if you're traveling with your family and the little ones.

What if you're traveling with your partner?

If you're looking to surprise your partner on your trip to the Italian capital, be sure to discover the most romantic spots in Rome.

What if you're going at Christmas?

Then you're in luck, because Rome at Christmas is even more special. Although it may be cold, the lights, nativity scenes, decorated streets, and Christmas markets in Rome will make up for the low temperatures. Don't miss out on everything you can do in Rome at Christmas.