24 Best Things To Do in Rome

Eternal City, an open-air museum, cradle of Western civilisation, the city of the seven hills... Rome has received many nicknames throughout its history, but none describe the sensation of walking through its streets, discovering its most romantic corners, enjoying its gastronomy or marvelling at its architecture.

Rome is not only eternal; it is infinite. Every trip leaves you wanting more, because it would be impossible to cover the grandeur and history of Rome in a single visit. Therefore, 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 for your trip.

This amphitheatre is arguably the guardian of Rome. It is the most visited monument in the city and its internal galleries catch the eye in the same way as its outer walls are drawn by Greek arches and columns. Since it was built in 72 AD, the Colosseum has witnessed countless stories of gladiators and animal fights, but those will be told on one of the many guided tours of the Colosseum. Here are the main ones:

• Colosseum tour with virtual reality, from RM301.
• Tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with virtual reality, from RM283.
• Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, from RM193.
• Guided tour of the Colosseum by night, from RM666.
• Guided tour of the Colosseum with underground and the Roman Forum, from RM372.
• Guided tour of the Colosseum with access to the arena and the Roman Forum, from RM386.
• Guided tour of the Colosseum and the arena with tickets to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, from RM372.
• Guided tour with priority access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, from RM250.
• Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon and Piazza Navona, from RM301.
• Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for small groups, from RM345

Arriving at the Colosseumfor the first time is a wonderful feeling, but don't let yourself get too intoxicated by the beauty of this enclave and take into account these tips for your visit to the Colosseum. Like you, there are thousands of tourists who want to access this monument and if before you start your trip you know where to eat when you finish your visit to the Colosseum or how to get cheap tickets to the Colosseum the influx of tourists will be much more bearable

Remember that tickets to the Colosseum are also tickets to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill and, therefore, you can also buy them at the ticket offices, although the queues can be endless, so I recommend you book your tickets to the Colosseum as far in advance as possible.

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 that presides over the square are the two landmarks of the smallest state in the world. You've probably seen this oval-shaped square surrounded by two semicircles in more than one aerial photograph; this is the view you get when you climb St Peter's Dome ( entry to St Peter's Basilica is free, but the dome is not).

When visiting the area (see here for information on how to get to the Vatican from the centre of Rome ), keep in mind that it is one of the busiest areas of Rome, so I recommend you make a note of these places to eat near the Vatican so you can book ahead. There are so many things to see and do in the Vatican that after a morning there you'll end up hungry.

Hear the Pope's blessing in St. Peter's Square

An unforgettable experience you must have during your visit to Rome and the Vatican City, whether you are a religious person or not, is to see the Vatican and the Holy Father up close during the papal audience on Wednesdays 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 advise you to read 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.

The Forum was the place where all the judicial, political and commercial life of Ancient Rome was concentrated and, to this day, it is an impressive display of archaeological remains through which you can guess the essence of that golden age of the city.

If you book a visit to the Roman Forum you will also see the Palatine Hill: the most central of Rome' s seven hills from which you can see extraordinary archaeological remains. Both Colosseum guided tours and Colosseum tickets usually include access to this area, but if you are planning to visit the Vatican, I recommend you explore the joint visit to the Vatican and the Colosseum. It's well worth it and you'll save on entrance fees!

A word of advice: if you're visiting Rome in summer try to get there early in the morning, especially if you're visiting the Roman Forum with children as the heat could play tricks on you.

Booking a guided tour of Rome is one of the best ideas for getting around the city and understanding what you see.

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

Especially in Rome, where tradition and art are around every corner, a specialised guide will teach 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 emblematic of them all. It will appear by surprise as you turn a corner while strolling through the historic centre of the city and the first thing that will surprise you is its size. This baroque fountain represents Neptune and two tritons and is known for the legend that if you throw a coin in 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 will be given all the details or by tasting a delicious Italian gelato on the steps. I warn you that this will be practically impossible to do during the central hours of the day, but if you accept my advice, do it after dinner, at the end of the day and before going to sleep in your hotel.

With almost no tourists and much more space to sit down, it will be much more relaxing and you will remember this moment forever. I'll tell you everything you need to know to get the most out of it here: Fontana Di Trevi Tickets And Tours and here's a list of the best gelato in Rome.

The jewel in the crown for art lovers is in the Vatican Museums. Works by Da Vinci, Titian, Caravaggio and Raphael are just a tiny sample of what you can find in Europe's largest art collection, presided over, of course, by the 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. You have several options:

• Early guided tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, from RM426
• Guided night tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, from RM1,072.
• Guided tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel for children, from RM918.
• Private guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, from RM1,446.
• Guided tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel for small groups, from RM414.

In any case, I recommend you book your ticket in advance. And if you are thinking that the price of tickets to the Vatican, tickets to the Sistine Chapel and so many other museums and places of interest may be an expense you didn't count on, I recommend you consider getting a Roma Explorer Pass or the Omnia Card. These are Rome and Vatican sightseeing cards that will give you access to all the attractions for a better price than buying them separately.

Finally, don't forget to take into account the dress code required to visit these museums. I talk about this and other tips for visiting the Vatican in this article, such as how to avoid the queues to enter the Vatican. Here are also some tips on how to get free or discounted Vatican tickets.

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

While they were once a meeting place for artists, they are now a meeting place for tourists who visit Rome and stop to take in the beauty of this location. It takes its name from the seat of the Spanish embassy and is one of the liveliest places you will see walking around the centre of Rome.

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

This peculiar oval-shaped square is undoubtedly the favourite of many Romans and tourists. If you want to see it in detail, you can book a tour of Rome's fountains and squares. The four fountains that you can see in the baroque Piazza Navona represent the main rivers of Rome. At the centre of them all is the gigantic Fountain of the Four Rivers designed by Bernini, a true marvel of architecture.

During the day, the square is full of small groups touring the centre of Rome and making a stop to talk about the history of these fountains. During the evening, especially in summer, street performers animate this square which becomes one of the centres of social life in the city centre. If the weather is good, buying a pizza to take away and enjoying it on one of the benches overlooking the fountains is simply a great plan.

Don't miss the details of each of its fountains and sculptures, as well as the imposing façade of the church in the square. Personally, I am a lover of each and every fountain in Rome: in every square, alley or corner there is a work of art in the form of a fountain. That's why I recommend you to read this article about the best fountains in Rome, where you'll find the most beautiful ones and where they are. Once you've seen all the details, you can book tickets for the Piazza Navona underground

Rome's art doesn't end at the Vatican. I recommend you to book tickets for the Capitoline Museums which, located in the Capitoline Hill, are another must-see to see mythical works of art such as the Capitoline She-wolf, the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, Bernini's Medusa, the Colossus of Constantine or the Wounded Galata. Here is a post for you to know the essentials of the Capitoline Museums.

The Pantheon of Agrippa, located in the historic centre of Rome, is one of the finest monuments in all of Rome. It is well worth booking a guided tour of the Pantheon, entering what is now a church and in the past was a Roman temple erected during the rule of Aurelius and also seeing it illuminated at dusk. Here is 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 Rome's finest art galleries and beautiful classical sculptures, but also a walk through the lungs of Rome, the impressive gardens of Villa Borghese which are undoubtedly one of Rome's finest parks.

I personally love to see cities from "above"; an overview of their rooftops and gardens is for me a moment to breathe in the fresh air and think about how lucky you are to be there at that very moment enjoying your trip.

There are many places in Rome with wonderful views, but I recommend the one you get if you book a tour of Trastevere. From the eighth hill of Rome: the Gianicolo, located in this neighbourhood, you will have incredible views. But in addition to the views, you will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere away from the usual hustle and bustle of Rome, with street performances such as puppet theatres.

Local food is an attraction in every country, but more so in Italy than almost anywhere else in Europe. A trip to Rome just for the pizza, pasta and gelato is a trip well spent, so remember: eat.

Don't do it in a hurry or in the street while queuing to enter a monument; sit in a restaurant and spend two hours eating, tasting every dish, asking the chef for his specialities and, if you have time, join a gastronomic tour to discover Rome's best pizzas and excellent pastas.

However, if you want to go out on your own to find a good place to eat, here is a list of my favourite places to eat and dine in Rome to encourage you to try some of them and, above all, to avoid falling into the traps that (sometimes) the city has prepared for tourists. Another option to make the most of the culinary culture without worrying about it is to book a food tour of Rome.

A city is also its neighbourhoods and without a doubt, Trastevere is one of the most charming neighbourhoods 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 the most authentic of them all. The best way to see all it has to offer is to take a guided tour of Trastevere. Also take note of the best places to eat in Trastevere and all that the neighbourhood of Trastevere has to offer after dark.

When we go on a trip, we often get up early to make the time last; we spend all day sightseeing and when the evening falls we are exhausted and just want to go back to the hotel to rest before facing the next marathon day of sightseeing.

Don't be tempted. Set aside time during your visit not only to see Rome by night, but to enjoy it, walk around it and contemplate the illumination of its monuments without the rush or the pressure to take a photograph. And for that, I recommend you book a night tour of Rome illuminated. It will be worth it.

Speaking of a different kind of Rome, so is the one you can find underground away from tourists and monuments. Beneath the beauty of Rome lies a labyrinth of Roman Catacombs that you can visit if you book a tour and that will certainly give you a different feeling.

Be careful not to confuse the Roman Catacombs with a visit to the Vatican Catacombs. They are two different things. If either of these two visits leave you wanting more, I invite you to consult this article about the Catacombs of St. Callixtus and the Catacombs of the Capuchins.

Rome has a lot to offer the traveller, but it also has a privileged position within the Italian geography. This means that from Rome you can comfortably visit other interesting cities, among others, without spending too much time travelling:

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 all of Italy and its streets breathe a medieval and classical air that enchants all visitors. Sound familiar?

I 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 an excursion to Pompeii and Naples from Rome. South of Rome, closer to Naples and at the foot of Mount Vesuvius is the city that was once buried by the lava of its neighbouring 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 visit them all 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.

Getting around Rome

If you fancy a shorter trip to the outskirts of the city, you can, for example, take a trip to Assisi and Orvieto or to the spectacular Villa dell'Este. I'll tell you about my favourite getaways here: 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 that 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: The 9 best excursions from Rome And three lesser-known recommendations: the Baths of Caracalla, a visit to Ostia Antica and excursions to Tivoli and Hadrian's Villa from Rome.

Close to the Vatican, the Castel Sant'Angelo overlooks the river from one of Rome's most beautiful bridges.

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

I think I've already given you enough reasons to go inside its walls, but if you still need more excuses, I've linked here the article on how and why to visit the Castel Sant'Angelo

For those of you who haven't seen Vacation in Rome: the Bocca della Verità is a marble mask located in the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin (near the Circus Maximus) whose legend says that it bit the hand of the one who lied.

It may seem a bit touristy to have your photo taken 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 left the tour of the thermal baths and Circus Maximus.

A new opportunity to get to know another side of the eternal city away from the monuments and tourist routes. The open-air market in Campo de Fiori square preserves the bohemian atmosphere of the medieval inns that once surrounded it.

As well as mingling with the locals, the Campo dei Fiori market offers fresh fruit and vegetables, souvenirs and a few surprises, but my favourite plan is to book a food tour of Campo dei Fori to get a taste of the local cuisine.

Looking 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'm sure you'll 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 lock and marvel at its perspective.

And this is just one of the many secret places that the Eternal City hides and that you will have to discover little by little on your own or as part of a private tour of Rome if you want to end up falling in love with Rome. I'll help you out a little and leave you with a list of what are, for me, the best-kept secret places in Rome

Put yourself in the situation: your last day in the city and you have a couple of hours to visit what you liked the most and to take a look at your favourite spots. The problem is that in Rome it's so hard to choose that you'd like to see it all at a glance, do the whole trip again...

Maybe you can't do the latter (although you can always come back, remember), but the last look is possible if you book your ticket for the Rome sightseeing bus Air-conditioned, it will take you around the main sights of the city, either to "say goodbye" to them or to give you a taste of everything you're going to see in the next few days after your arrival in Rome.

Also, Rome' s tour buses are a great way to save on transportation, as they will help you get from one place to another without having to pay a public transport ticket for each trip.

Use Rome's metro

Wherever your hotel is, you will probably need to use the metro at some point during your trip. In general, it's very cheap and easy: it has very few lines criss-crossing the city (it seems that digging up Roman soil is tricky, as more and more relics, ruins and important archaeological remains appear every time they drill) and it's quite fast and reliable. You'll want to follow this guide to Rome's underground, so keep it handy!

Other ways to get around Rome

Oh, and speaking of saving money, if you allow me another tip to save time and money on your arrival at Rome airport, I recommend that you consider the option of booking a transfer between Rome airport and the city centre in advance. Also, I will tell you all the possibilities to get to your hotel in Rome whether you arrive at Ciampino or Fiumicino.

If you are on a Mediterranean cruise and you disembark at the Port of Civitavecchia to go to Rome, the fastest and most comfortable option to get to the Italian capital is to book a private or shared transfer. I tell you how in the article Transfers between the Port of Civitavecchia and Rome in Rome!

When you start to imagine a trip to Rome for the first time, you may fall into the trap of thinking that Rome is "all about churches". And it is true that there are many churches in Rome, but spending the whole trip discovering them one by one would certainly not be the best way to spend your time in the city.

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

If there is one place that conveys tranquillity, tradition and authenticity, it is Rome's Jewish Quarter. You will find it in the heart of the city and although it is not very large, it is an ideal place to take a walk, have an ice cream or taste a typical sweet in the local pastry shops.

You can learn all about the history of this place if you book a tour of the Jewish Ghetto, and take the opportunity to cross the bridge to Tiber Island, a beautiful spot to watch the sunset after a long day of sightseeing in the most beautiful city in the world.

Once you land in Rome there is no time to waste. The city hides millions of places to discover and spending time thinking about what you're going to do the next day is a shame. That's why I'm going to give you some tips on how to organise your trip to Rome:

Choose your travel dates wisely

Are you going to Rome in winter, would you prefer to visit Rome in autumn, or are you planning to discover the Eternal City in spring? Any time is a good time to make this trip, but depending on when you do it, the city will have to offer you some things or others, so take note of what is 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 an itinerary by days

Boring, isn't it? 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 how many days your trip will last. For example:

And if you are travelling with your family?

Well, I'm going to help you too. Here you have an article on what to see and do in Rome with children where you will be able to find out what to do to enjoy the city if you are travelling as a family with the youngest members of the family.

What if you're travelling 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.

And if you're going at Christmas?

Well, you're in luck, because Rome at Christmas is even more special. Although it may be cold days, the lights, the nativity scenes, the decorated streets and the Christmas markets in Rome will compensate for the low temperatures. Don't miss out on all there is to do in Rome at Christmas.