There's no shortage of things to do in Rome, Italy, since the city is filled with historical and architectural beauties. Few other cities have been able to build around old ruins and evocative palaces as well as Rome, and you'll discover live history pretty much anywhere you turn. One day isn't enough to visit it all, but we've picked some of the finest Rome, Italy sites and attractions for you to check out first.
Get a feel of the splendor and pulsing energy of this medieval city at Piazza Navona, then meander down cobblestone lanes that link merchants and old buildings. What is Rome known for if not its historic gladiatorial arena, the Colosseum. You may also travel across the Tiber river to visit the wonders of the Vatican, such as St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, home of Michelangelo's famed frescos.
1. Colosseum
The Colosseum (Colosseo) is a historic amphitheater erected in AD 72 and is regarded one of the world's 7 wonders. Standing in the same area where strong Roman gladiators once clashed 2,000 years ago is a fantastic experience.
A feature of the famed archeological site is the hypogeum - the amphitheater's magnificent underground maze with rooms and corridors. You may expect very lengthy queues at the Colosseum. Save time by visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Even better, buy your tickets online and join fewer waits.
2 Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain is one of the world's most stunning fountains, about 50 meters across and richly ornamented with statues of Roman gods, tritons and horses. Before customarily tossing in your money for luck or snapping photographs with the gorgeous Palazzo Poli palace in the background, meander down its small lanes, which are among of the most charming in Rome.
Some of these streets are lined with wonderful eating locations and gelaterias. Via di San Vincenzo and Via della Dataria brings you to the Quirinal Palace, as well as the Piazza del Quirinale with its obelisk and fountain of Castor and Pollux.
3 The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of Ancient Rome's most iconic landmarks that remains a functional church today. This granite-domed temple holds the tombs of some of Italy's most prominent individuals, including High Renaissance painter, Raphael. Check out the Fontana del Pantheon marble fountain with its six-meter high obelisk in the Piazza della Rotonda.
The plaza is a terrific area to hang out, with street music filling the air often. Just wary of pickpockets. It's roughly a 10-minute walk from Campo de'Fiori via the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.
4 Roman Forum
The Roman Forum (Foro Romano) was the heart and spirit of Ancient Rome, crammed with basilicas, temples, vibrant marketplaces, and government buildings. Today, the enormous remains are just as spectacular and draw more than 4.5 million people annually who come to envision what life was like under the Roman Empire.
Tempio di Saturno, Aro di Tito, and the Curia are notable landmarks here. Plan to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to escape the daytime throng. The Roman Forum is within walking distance from the metro Line B stop Colosseo.
5 Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is a lovely square that has been a venue for Romans to mingle for over 2,000 years. The reason for its oblong shape is the 30,000-seat stadium that was erected here in AD 86 to hold athletic and gladiatorial bouts, horse races, and other events. Ancient Romans also flooded the arena to perform fake naval battles.
You may catch a peek of the remnants of the ancient stadium on the northern end of the plaza — it's now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, the plaza has Baroque architecture, 3 stunning fountains, and a vibrant outdoor café scene. The greatest time to visit is at night, when the crowds have diminished and the fountains become more magnificent.
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6 Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) are a royal stone stairway erected in 1725 that connects the Piazza di Spagna – Spanish Square – with the Trinità dei Monti church at the summit. As you meander through the tight and picturesque alleyways in the center of Rome, you'll eventually fall across these iconic stairs.
After climbing the 138 steps, regain your breath as you take in breathtaking views over the old roofs of Rome. If the church is open, have a peep inside and enjoy a quiet getaway from the people outside. The stairs are a popular attraction, especially in spring when the staircase is decorated with pots of azaleas. Be prepared for enormous crowds.
7 Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums located inside the Vatican City and comprises of 54 galleries showing 20,000 items of art that the Catholic Church has gathered throughout the years. Art and history enthusiasts will be in delight here. You may easily spend a couple of days viewing the Renaissance paintings, religious art, Roman sculptures and antiques, and inscriptions from old catacombs.
Top features include the Sistine Chapel, Niccoline Chapel, the Borgia Apartment, and the Gallery of Maps showcasing maps developed by Roman topographers in the 16th century. You should expect big lines no matter when you arrive, so reserve skip-the-line tickets online to assure a significantly quicker wait.
8 St Peter's Basilica
St Peter's Basilica is the biggest cathedral in the world and one of the Catholic cathedral's holiest sites of worship. The spectacular church was erected between 1506 and 1626 on the burial place of St Peter, one of Jesus' 12 apostles, and displays Renaissance architecture.
Inside, you'll find a plethora of stunning artworks, including the Pietà statue by Michelangelo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini's enormous statue of St Longinus and the bronze Chair of Saint Peter. Entrance to the Basilica is free, but be prepared to wait as long as 4 hours to get in. Alternatively you may book a guided tour and bypass the lines. For a bird's-eye view over Rome, you may ascend to the top of the dome for a charge.Read more
9 Piazza Venezia
Piazza Venezia is one of Rome's greatest squares and situated at the crossroads of 4 important highways. Surrounding the area are various historical sites worth visiting. These include St Mark's Basilica, the House of Bonaparte, and the 15th-century Palace of Venice, now a museum displaying medieval and Renaissance art.
On the southern side stands the Vittoriano, a large, 81-metre-tall edifice built of white marble. Buy a ticket to ride the elevator up to the panoramic platform to experience spectacular views of Rome and its most renowned boulevard - Via del Corso – stretching far into the distance. At the foot of the structure is an amazing statue of a knight in armor riding a horse dedicated to the first King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II.
10 Castel Sant'Angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo is a historic fortress located on the Tiber River, only a short distance from Vatican City. The huge castle was first erected as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 130 and then subsequently turned into a papal fortification and private house. The castle was once utilized as a military headquarters and a prison.
Today, the castle is a museum and allows tourists the option to learn Roman history at their own speed. You may visit the corridors and penitentiaries, the papal residences and halls, and witness a remarkable collection of sculptures, medieval guns, and intact murals from the Renaissance era. Be sure to visit the castle's terrace to enjoy a spectacular vista across Rome.
Ola Hansen
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