Few cities in the world offer as much in the way of history and religious significance as Rome. The city has so much to see and do that it can be hard to know where to start, luckily we’re here to give you our list of 15 things to do when in Rome.
Colosseum
Possibly the most iconic landmark not just in Rome, but in all of Italy, the Colosseum stands as the largest standing amphitheater in the world to this day.
Once used to host gladiatorial shows and other such forms of entertainment, the Colosseum now serves as one of the must-see tourist spots in Rome. Besides touring the ancient building and its attached subterranean tunnels you can also visit the museum dedicated to the Greek God of love, Eros, atop the outer wall.
Pantheon
One of the best-preserved buildings in all of ancient Rome, the Pantheon has served many uses throughout its long and storied history.
These days, the Pantheon is still used as a catholic church where you can attend mass each Sunday. Even if you are not a religious person however the majesty of the ancient building cannot be overstated and is truly a must-visit while exploring Rome.
Trevi Fountain
Designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi, Trevi Fountain stands as the largest baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.
A beautiful sight to see while exploring a beautiful city, Trevi Fountain is filled with stunning sculptures that watch over the majestic fountain.
A famous activity is to throw a coin into the fountain and make a wish and though we can’t confirm your wish will come true, we can confirm that your money will be collected and used to help Rome’s more needy citizens so maybe it’s worth giving it a shot.
St Peter’s Basilica
A renaissance-style church built in Vatican City, St Peter’s Basilica, is the largest church in the world by interior measure and has been referred to as “the greatest of all churches in Christendom”.
Besides its size and religious significance, St Peter’s Basilica is a stunning sight to behold both inside and out. From the artwork to the sculptures there’s a lot to admire about the world’s largest church. If you wish to avoid the two-hour-long queue then consider getting a skip the line tickets with the audio tour.
Piazza Navona
Once known as the “competition arena” where ancient Romans went to watch games, Piazza Navona is now a city square that has some stunning architecture and beautiful fountains you really need to admire during your visit.
As a public space, the Piazza Navona is free to visit and is usually filled with street vendors and artists peddling their wares so you can find some really unique souvenirs to remember your visit.
Villa and Galleria Borghese
These are two in one as you can’t really visit one without visiting the other. The Galleria Borghese is an incredible art museum located within the gardens of Villa Borghese.
The museum features fine artwork from a variety of famous Italian artists such as Caravaggio, Raphael, and Leonardo Da Vinci. Though the museum is incredible and absolutely deserves your time it’s not the only thing within the villa that is filled with stunning beauty. The gardens that surround the museum are a public park that is filled with beautiful sights.
Capuchin Crypt
This is perhaps the strangest suggestion on this list and though strange the Capuchin Crypt is still one of the best and most unique places you can visit in the city.
In five chapels under the church, the bones and skulls of 3,600 Capuchin brothers have been constructed into many works of art. Visiting the museum will teach you the history of the Capuchin brothers and you will then be allowed to visit the very unique crypts themselves. This is a destination that is not necessarily for everyone but extremely interesting if you are up for it.
Bicycle Tour
Rome is a beautiful city full of landmarks and incredible architecture and one of the best ways to explore the city is by taking a bicycle tour.
You can either rent a bike yourself or book in advance to get an English-speaking guided tour that will take you on a ride to show you the very best that Rome has to offer. Tours last a few hours and are very popular so we highly recommend booking in advance if you fancy getting a guided tour.
Piazza Del Popolo
Literally translated as “The square of the people”, Piazza Del Popolo was originally constructed to welcome visitors from the north and now is a beautiful square filled with a lot of sights to see.
From the Egyptian obelisk to the pair of identical churches built facing each other there’s a wide variety of structures well worth your time. All this makes Piazza Del Popolo one of the best places in Rome for relaxing and taking in the scenery.
Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
Though there is a lot to see within the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel we don’t think it can be argued that the most iconic Last Judgement fresco was painted by Michaelangelo and the artwork that adorns the ceiling.
That being said, the museums allow you to visit over fifty incredibly decorated rooms as well as the treasures of the Catholic church. Due to the immense popularity and significance of the Sistine Chapel, the wait times here are some of the longest you can expect to endure making skip-the-line tickets basically required.
Italian Food
Though not a specific place to visit there are few things that Italy is as famous for as its variety of food.
Though you can certainly get Italian food outside of Italy, none of it compares to trying the variety of gelatos, kinds of pasta, and pizzas freshly made in the country that invented them. If you manage to visit Rome without trying some of the delicious cuisines you are certainly missing out, both on some delicious food and on the culture and history that comes with it.
Spanish Steps
As with a lot of the must-see sights in Rome, the Spanish Steps are a tourist hotspot surrounded by beautiful architecture, intricate fountains, and stunning views.
As well as the sights to see there’s a wide variety of cafes and shops where you can spend some time and try some delightful foods and buy some souvenirs.
Roman Forum
Among some of the most important ruins in Roman history, the Roman Forum was once the center of political life.
The forum has ruins of temples to Titus, Vesta, and Saturn as well as still standing arches and foundations of ancient buildings. This is one of the most unique attractions throughout all of Rome and feels as though you’re walking directly through Italian history.
Palatine Hill
Following on from the Roman Forum we have Palatine Hill which stands around forty meters above the Roman Forum.
In Roman mythology, Palatine Hill Is where Romulus and Remus were found and then went on to Build the entire city of Rome. In modern-day, however, Palatine Hill is one of the absolute best spots in Rome for taking in some incredible views.
Domus Aurea
The extravagant “Golden House” of Emperor Nero, Domus Aurea was built around 65 AD and offers a unique look into the Roman underground.
One of the best things about visiting this site is that you can take a virtual reality tour in which you will be given VR glasses that will show you what the site would’ve looked like in its prime. Due to the nature of this site visits must be booked in advance so be sure to do that before you visit.
