Rome Travel Guide: Things to do in Rome

Exploring Rome: Things to do in Rome, Italy

Explore things to do in Rome, must-see attractions and landmarks with Rome travel guide.
Discover the top 34 tourist attractions in Rome, including sightseeing, must-see spots, and highlights.

Discover the top 34 attractions in Rome, Italy!

Rome offers a plethora of museums, squares, Roman landmarks, and other notable attractions. There is a lot more to explore in the Italian city beyond the popular tourist spots such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. When exploring this city, you won’t want to miss these 35 renowned landmarks and must-see attractions in Rome. Explore the top attractions, landmarks, and museums in Rome for a unique experience in Italy.

1. Must-see spot: Colosseum
   Rome’s top attraction is the Colosseum, a massive amphitheatre that accommodated 65,000 spectators during ancient Roman times. Gladiators fought against each other and wild animals in the Colosseum’s arena, a renowned modern wonder of the world. Explore the expansive ‘ruins’ of the Colosseum, where you can tour the stands, the arena, and the underground areas of the largest Roman amphitheatre. Additional details on exploring the renowned site ‘Colosseum’.

🚨 Important: Due to the high volume of tourists, it’s crucial to reserve Colosseum tickets ahead of time.

2. Top attraction: Pantheon
   The Pantheon is one of the most well-preserved structures from ancient Rome. The purpose of the building during that time remains uncertain, however, the Pantheon was gifted to the pope by Emperor Hadrian in 608. The present church features various distinctive funerary monuments, including those of painter Raphael and a few Italian kings, along with an impressively large and open dome (oculus). For some time now, purchasing tickets is necessary to explore the Roman Pantheon.
3. The Trevi Fountain in Rome
   One of the most iconic landmarks in the capital of Italy and possibly worldwide is the ‘Fontana di Trevi’, also known as Trevi Fountain. This baroque fountain, situated on the Piazza di Trevi, was constructed in the 18th century and is a must-visit on the list of top attractions in Rome. This iconic structure showcases the deity of the sea, Neptune, riding his chariot. Any trip to Rome would not be the same without throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, as it is believed to ensure a return to the city.
4. St. Peter’s Basilica
   St. Peter’s Basilica, also known as the Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano, serves as the spiritual hub of the Catholic Church and the official residence of the pope. Located in the independent state of Vatican City and next to St Peter’s Square, the enormous basilica was constructed on what is believed to be the grave of Peter. St. Peter’s Basilica is home to incredible works like Bernini’s baldachin and ‘La Pieta’ by Michelangelo, as well as the opportunity to explore the crypts housing 148 papal tombs. Make sure to plan your trip to St. Peter’s in advance to avoid long wait times.
5. Explore the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
   Throughout the years, the popes gathered a vast art collection that included a variety of Roman artifacts, religious relics, and numerous paintings. Exploring the Vatican Museums allows you to tour 54 lavishly adorned rooms and admire the art treasures of the Catholic church. One of the main attractions for most tourists is the renowned Sistine Chapel. Highlighting the chapel with beautiful frescoes by Michelangelo, famous as the location of the conclave for electing a new pope. Due to the high number of visitors, this attraction consistently has the longest queues.

📌 Remember: It’s essential to purchase skip-the-line tickets to ensure you can visit the museum when you want.

6. Explore the Roman sights of Forum Romanum & Palatine
   At the heart of the ancient Roman Empire stood the Forum Romanum. While exploring the Forum Romanum, you’ll stroll by Roman excavations and the archaeological park filled with ancient temples, arches, market halls, and other significant structures constructed by various emperors. Adjacent to the forum is Palatine Hill, where visitors can explore the excavations of imperial residences. Additional details about ‘Forum Romanum’

📍 Top tip: Enhance your experience at the Roman Forum by joining a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the historical significance of the archaeological site. Many tours typically include a visit to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. You can explore various guided tour options.

7. Well-known spots: Piazza Navona
   One of the most remarkable squares and best places to visit in Rome is Piazza Navona. The well-known square’s elongated shape is a result of its initial function as a Roman athletics stadium. Exciting attractions in the area feature several fountains, like the famous ‘La Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi’ by Bernini, a captivating obelisk, and the opportunity to explore the excavations of the old stadium of Domitianus. Furthermore, Piazza Navona is a vibrant square filled with street performers, cafes, and terraces.
8. Explore Castel Sant’Angelo
   Back in the 2nd century, Castel Sant’Angelo, also known as the Castle of the Holy Angel, served as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian. Following the appearance of archangel Michael in 590 and the subsequent end of a plague, pope Pius II decided to have a large bronze statue of the angels placed on top of the castle. The Castle of the Holy Angel played a crucial role in Rome’s defense system and provided a secure refuge for popes, with a secret tunnel connecting it to the Vatican.
9. Explore Galleria & Villa Borghese
   Referring to the largest and most beautiful park in Rome, ‘Villa Borghese’ is a must-visit. Once upon a time, this property was owned by the affluent cardinal Scipione Borghese and was constructed around the villa bearing the same name. Since 1903, the municipality of Rome has owned it, and it functions as a public park. One can also find the ‘Galleria Borghese’ in the park, showcasing the extensive private art collection of Borghese. The gallery showcases a variety of sculptures and paintings created by renowned artists like Caravaggio, Rubens, Bernini, and Leonardo da Vinci.
10. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
    The Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore is a significant church in Rome, Italy, known for its size and importance. The church located on the Esquiline hill dates back to the 5th century and is home to numerous original mosaics. Additionally, there is a unique golden ceiling. There are rumors that pieces of wood from the crib of Jesus can be found under the altar.
11. Exploring Trastevere’s Attractions
    Across the river Tiber is the historic working-class district of Rome. Trastevere is a quintessential Italian district with winding streets, historic buildings, and a vibrant nightlife scene with numerous dining and drinking options. Activities to enjoy in Trastevere?
12. Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna)
    Located at the base of the French church ‘Trinita dei Monti’ are the 135 steps of the Spanish Steps. Descending from the Spanish Steps, you’ll come across a unique fountain by Pietro Bernini at Piazza di Spagna. The Spanish Steps, dating back to the 18th century, have become a popular destination for tourists, providing a stunning view of the city from the top.
13. Must-See in Rome: Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II
    One of the standout landmarks in Rome is the monument of the first Italian king Vittorio Emanuelle II, situated next to the Piazza Venezia square. Also known as the ‘Altare della Patria’ – the altar of the fatherland – the building commemorates the unification of Italy. Locals in Rome also refer to it with nicknames like ‘typewriter’ and ‘wedding cake’. The massive white structure also houses a museum and the tomb of the unknown soldier, protected by two soldiers.
14. Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
    One fascinating aspect of the archbasilica of St John Lateran is that the ‘San Giovanni in Laterano’ holds the prestigious title of the most significant church in Rome, Italy. This location is considered one of the four papal basilicas and serves as the cathedral of the Roman diocese. Throughout the years, the church’s appearance has been altered multiple times, with notable changes like the unique façade adorned with statues by Alessandro Galilei.
15. Explore Via Appia Antica and the Catacombs
    The Via Appia Antica (or Roman Appian Way) stands as one of the ancient routes leading into Rome from the Roman era. The pathway, adorned with massive cables and flanked by numerous cypress trees, was initially designed for facilitating trade and speeding up the movement of military forces. The Via Appia road was situated just beyond the city walls, leading to numerous funerary monuments and catacombs such as the Catacombs of San Callisto.
16. Piazza del Popolo
    One of the highlights of Rome is the Piazza del Popolo, a grand neo-classical square built in the 19th century to greet travelers arriving from the north. There are some remarkable sights on the square, including two identical churches facing each other, the city gate ‘Porta del Popolo’, a massive Egyptian obelisk, and the steps that lead up Pincio Hill for a fantastic view.
17. Domus Aurea
    Exploring the Domus Aurea means discovering the remains of Nero’s opulent “Golden House”. Since 2014, there has been an opportunity to explore the remains of this grand palace through a guided tour, offering a glimpse into its former glory. This tour is exclusively offered on Saturdays and Sundays due to ongoing restoration work throughout the rest of the week. An underrated gem in Rome that I absolutely love. Booking in advance is essential, especially for Domus Aurea.
18. Explore Rome through a bike tour of its sights
    Exploring many of Rome’s famous sites can be done effortlessly on a bicycle. Consider renting a bike or joining a bike tour led by an English-speaking guide to explore Rome’s famous landmarks and attractions. After a short time, you’ll encounter numerous attractions and learn captivating tales about the history of the Roman sites. Highly recommended! Our tours are in high demand, so we suggest making reservations ahead of time (further details & booking for bike tours).
19. Palazzo Colonna or Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
    Rome boasts several stunning city palaces dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. These palaces boast magnificent private collections of paintings and frescoes, exuding grandeur. While exploring the city, make sure to include a visit to at least one palace and its galleries. I have a preference for two palaces in Rome. If you happen to be in the city on a Saturday morning, I suggest visiting the Colonna Gallery. On other days, you can explore the Doria Pamphilj Gallery.
20. Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano
    The basilica, honoring pope Clement I, may not strike as one of the most remarkable churches in Rome upon first entering. The Basilica of San Clemente stands out due to the multiple church buildings constructed on top of each other throughout the centuries. While in Rome, you can explore the history of the church by visiting excavations of a 4th-century church, a secret church from the 1st century, and Roman foundations.
21. Domus Romane
    Located beneath Palazzo Valentini, near the Forum of Trajan, you can find the remnants of Roman houses and baths. After spending some time in the capital of Italy, you might be looking for a change from all the ancient ruins and historical sites. That’s why Domus Romane is a great option to explore. Experience the excavations through an engaging tour enhanced with visual animations and effects. During my last trip to Rome, I was pleasantly surprised. Booking in advance is advisable due to the limited group sizes allowed for the Domus Romane tour.
22. Explore the abundance of churches in Rome
    Rome boasts around 900 churches. Make sure to explore a church during your trip to Rome; even the lesser-known ones are usually stunning. Here you can find additional information about 15 unique churches in Rome.
23. Baths of Caracalla
    Explore the impressive ruins of the ‘Terme di Caracalla,’ a massive bathhouse from the 3rd century CE. At one point, it was the biggest bath complex in Rome, accommodating up to 2,500 visitors. Regrettably, the impact of earthquakes and the removal of building materials can still be seen. Yet, the archaeological excavations provide a fascinating glimpse into the immense size of Emperor Caracalla’s baths during that era.
24. Campo de’ Fiori: activities in the heart of Rome? Discover Campo de’ Fiori, a vibrant square in the historic center featuring a bustling daily market selling fresh flowers, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. During the evening, Campo de’ Fiori becomes a vibrant square thanks to the bars and terraces in the area.
25. Capitoline Museums: The ‘Musei Capitolini’ consist of several museums situated on Piazza del Campidoglio at the top of the Capitol. They are among the top museums in Rome, showcasing a wide array of classical sculptures.
26. Museo Nazionale Romano: comprises four archaeological museums, with one situated in the Baths of Diocleziano. Additional sites of Museo Nazionale Romano include the museums located at Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, and Crypta Balbi.
27. Explore the Vatican Gardens: located behind the Vatican Museums, these 23 hectares of greenery make up over half of the surface area of Vatican City. You can explore these gardens by joining the official Vatican tour.
28. Circus Maximus: Regrettably, there isn’t much remaining of Circus Maximus, the enormous chariot racing stadium. However, a quick look will provide a good sense of the immense size of this stadium.
29. Colle del Gianicolo: Enjoy a stunning view of Rome from this hill near the Trastevere district. When strolling from Trastevere, you’ll stumble upon the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola and the equestrian statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi. Discover a scenic route from Trastevere to the Vatican located at the end of the Trastevere page.
30. Trajan’s Markets: the Mercati di Traiano, situated next to Trajan’s Forum, was a five-storey semi-circular complex previously utilized for shops and offices. Part of it now hosts the Museum of the Imperial Forums.
31. Stadio Olimpico: this massive stadium was once an Olympic Stadium, but now you have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the stadium for both AS Roma and Lazio to discover more about these iconic clubs.
32. Enjoy a boat trip on the Tiber River: Experience the beauty of Rome from the water with a relaxing evening cruise complete with snacks and drinks.
33. Bioparco can be found in the vast city park Villa Borghese. It is Rome’s 17-hectare zoo, with a history spanning over a hundred years.
34. Palazzo Barberini is a 17th-century palace located near Piazza Barberini, now home to the ‘Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica’, which houses the most significant national collection of older paintings in Rome, Italy.