With so many sites to visit it can be hard to know which are the best things to do in Rome; so here are 19 top things we believe any visitor needs to do on their trip to Rome. From the iconic Colosseum to the Pantheon and St Peter’s Basilica take in Rome’s rich history and piece together its past at these unforgettable attractions.
Colosseum
Attraction type: Ancient Ruin
The Colosseum is considered the world’s most famous amphitheater and was the scene of many gory and gruesome gladiator fights over two millennia ago. As the center of entertainment for the ancient Romans, it has seen many epic contests and its walls could tell a thousand stories. Explore this ancient ruin and walk through the tunnels around this impressive site, learning of both the ancient Roman Empire, it’s hierarchy system and the Rome they left in its legacy.
Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 00184 Rome
Nearest Metro: Colosseo (Metro B)
Visit duration: 2 hours
Roman Forum
Attraction type: Ancient Ruin
The Roman Forum is the ancient city of Rome and any visit to this historic site is a must-do on your trip. This breath-taking collection of ancient ruins used to be a busy marketplace bustling with traders, alongside fantastic churches and arches which made up the structure of their city. From the Palatine Hill, you can look down on this historic forum and walk around the grounds, aviaries, and Imperial Palace.
Address: Via di San Gregorio, 30 - 00184 Rome
Nearest Metro: Colosseo (Metro B)
Visit duration: 2 hours
Borghese Gallery
Attraction type: Art Gallery
The Borghese Gallery in the beautiful public park Villa Borghese is one of the best art galleries in Rome for the wealth of priceless pieces it has on show. The gallery features the art collection founded by Scipione Borghese and is the largest private collection of art in the world. See pieces from Caravaggio, Botticelli, and Raphael among other famous Renaissance paintings and sculptures by Bernini.
Address: Piazzale del Museo, Borghese, 5 - 00197 Rome
Nearest Bus: Pinciana- Museo Borghese (Bus 52, 53, 83, 92, 217, 360, 910)
Visit duration: 2 hours
Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums
Attraction type: Religious History & Museums
You cannot miss the Vatican Museums during your visit to Rome. This huge national attraction welcomes millions of visitors a year and has miles of art, sculptures, tapestries and mosaics on show by some of the most famous Italian artists in history. A must is the Sistine Chapel with its ceiling fresco, The Last Judgement. See the work of Michelangelo for yourself and learn about Papal history through this fascinating museum.
Address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma
Nearest Metro: Ottaviano-S.Pietro-Musei Vaticano (Metro A line)
Visit duration: 4 hours
St Peter's Basilica
Attraction type: Religious Historic Building
St Peter’s Basilica is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Rome for its huge dome and brilliant marble façade. This religious historic building is the largest church in Rome and has become a place of global pilgrimage. Step inside to admire the stunning sculptures and architecture of this vast church, from the famous baroque Baldacchino to the huge dome. You can also climb the steps up the dome for one of the most breath-taking views over Rome from right at the top.
Address: Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City
Nearest Metro: Ottaviano-S.Pietro-Musei Vaticano (Metro A line)
Visit duration: 2 hours
Museum of Rome
Attraction type: Art Gallery & Museum
The Museum of Rome champions the works of Italian artists from the medieval ages to the 20th century, including Roman baroque architecture, paintings, furniture, and ceramics. In the heart of Renaissance Rome, Palazzo Braschi couldn’t be better suited for a cultural visit to appreciate Rome’s ‘forgotten ages’. See medieval frescoes, to 10th-century mosaics – it’s a great place for any art aficionado.
Address: Piazza San Pantaleo, 10, 00186 Roma
Nearest Tram: Arenula/Cairoli (Tram 8)
Visit duration: 2 hours
Pantheon
Attraction type: Historic Building
The Pantheon, meaning ‘relating to the gods, is one of the most historic buildings in Rome, built in 118 AD on the request of Emperor Hadrian. The most iconic feature of the building is its circular portico or open ceiling. It is a feat of outstanding architectural engineering and considered the best preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings. It is a working church to this day so you can visit either to worship or to witness the impressive site for yourself.
Address: Piazza Della Rotonda, 00186 Roma
Nearest Bus/Tram: Largo Argentina
Visit duration: Less than 1 hour
Castel Sant'Angelo
Attraction type: Historic Attraction
Castel Sant'Angelo is Rome’s impressive fortress sat on the bank of the River Tiber. This ancient building, originally Hadrian’s mausoleum, dates back over 2,000 years and was later turned into a fortress also serving as a papal refuge in times of need. Now visitors can see the impressive statue of the archangel Michael on the roof, giving the fortress its name.
Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50 - 00186 Rome
Nearest Metro: Lepanto (Metro A) or Ottaviano (Metro A)
Visit duration: 2 hours
Capitoline Museums
Attraction type: Art Gallery & Museum
Founded by Pope Sixtus IV in the 15th century, The Capitoline Museums have become one of Rome’s best art galleries and museums of historic artifacts, art, and sculpture. A visit to this museum will give you a fascinating insight into Ancient Rome and some of the most important characters throughout the city’s history, such as the She-Wolf with Romulus and Remus. Many of the pieces are the originals donated by Pope Sixtus IV when he first opened the museum.
Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1, 00186 Rome
Nearest Metro: Colosseo (Metro B)
Visit duration: 3 hours
Ara Pacis
Attraction type: Historic Artefact
The Ara Pacis is a stunning historic alter dedicated to Pax, the Roman Goddess of Peace. Built in 13 BC, it was commissioned by the Roman Senate to honour the return of Augustus. If you look closely at the intricate engravings they symbolise an Augustan vision of Roman civil religion. The altar was originally located a Roman mile from the pomerium on the west side of Via Flaminia before undergoing restoration and recovery in the Renaissance times to 1938 when it was moved to its current location.
Address: Lungotevere in Augusta, 00186 Roma
Nearest Metro: Spagna (Metro line A)
Visit duration: less than 1 hour
Trevi Fountain
Attraction type: Historic landmark
The Trevi Fountain is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture and sculpture in all of Rome. Completed in 1762, it measures an impressive 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide making it one of the most famous fountains in the world. It’s custom to throw in a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder to ensure you’ll return to Rome!
Address: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma
Nearest Metro: Barberini (Metro line A)
Visit duration: less than 1 hour
The Spanish Steps
Attraction type: Historic Attraction
The Spanish Steps are some of the most renowned steps in the world, linking Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti. An impressive 135 steps to climb will give you an incredible terracotta coloured cityscape over the rooftops of Rome and down into the square with its baroque fountain, called ‘Fountain of the ugly boat’ – and you’ll see why! Designed by Francesco de Sanctis they were completed in 1725 and have been a must-see site in Rome ever since.
Address: Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma
Nearest Metro: Spagna (Metro line A)
Visit duration: less than 1 hour
Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica: Palazzo Barberini
Attraction type: Art Gallery & Museum
The National Museum of Ancient Art located in the former Palazzo Barberini was designed for Pope Urban VIII in the late 1620s. The former palazzo has since become a great art gallery and museum, thanks to the personal collection was donated to the state in the late 1800s. The collection showcases fine tapestries from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and works by Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio to name a few.
Address: Via Delle Quattro Fontane, 13, 00186 Roma
Nearest Metro: Barberini (Metro line A)
Visit duration: 2 hours
Mercati di Traiano
Attraction type: Ancient ruin
Trajan’s Market, or Mercati di Traiano, is located by the Foro Imperiali near the Colosseum and is a large complex of ruins that was once part of Trajan’s Forum. It’s believed to be the world’s oldest shopping mall and was part of the bustling city at the time – even acting as the administration office for Emperor Trajan. Parts of the building are so well preserved that you can even see the marble floors and remains of a library!
Address: Via IV Novembre, 94, 00187 Roma
Nearest Metro: Colosseo (Metro line B)
Visit duration: 2 hours
Circus Maxentius and Romulus Mausoleum
Attraction type: Ancient Ruin
Located just out of Rome on the Via Appia, the Circus Maxentius was built back in 306 AD and it’s now one of the best preserved of all circuses in Rome. A visit to the Circus Maxentius will involve a walk around the old race tracks where you can see the standing ruins, putlog holes, and the spina – a barrier running down the middle of the track. If you like ancient ruins and history this is a fascinating place to go to learn about old Roman traditions.
Address: Via Appia Antica, 153, 00179 Roma
Nearest Metro: Arco di Travertino (Metro line A)
Visit duration: 4 hours
MACRO - Contemporary Art Museum
Attraction type: Art Gallery
The MACRO, which stands for the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, is housed in an old Peroni factory and brewery. This quirky contemporary art gallery is famous for showcasing some priceless contemporary artworks of Italian artists, including works from the Italian art scene from the 1960s, Forma 1, such as the Scuola di Piazza del Popolo, Tano Festa, Mario Schifano, Daniele Gallia and Federico Guida.
Address: Via Nizza 138, 00198 Rome
Nearest Metro: Policlinico (Metro line B)
Visit duration: 3 hours
Piazza Navona
Attraction type: Historic Square
Piazza Navona is an iconic square in Rome built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian which held competitive games for the Roman’s entertainment. Now, it’s used as a public space and is one of the most popular squares in the city, lined with restaurants and bars, stalls and crafts. It’s also exemplary of the Baroque architecture thanks to its transformation in the mid-1600s. You can’t miss the Fountain of the Four Rivers, by Bernini, with its imposing obelisk at the other end of the square.
Address: Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma
Nearest Metro: Spagna (Metro line A)
Visit duration: less than 1 hour
St John in the Lateran
Attraction type: Religious Historic Building
St John in the Lateran is the official seat of the Pope and home to the Scala Sancta – where thousands make pilgrimage to every year. It’s the oldest and most important church in Rome, dating back to 324 AD. You can appreciate the stunning cosmatesque design and baroque style and architecture including great marble statues and mosaics.
Address: Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, 00184 Rome
Nearest Metro: San Giovanni (Metro line A)
Visit duration: 1 hour
Domus Romane
Attraction type: Ancient Ruin
Underneath the Palazzo Valentini you’ll find the ancient archaeological ruins of Roman houses belonging to wealthy and powerful families; the Domus of Imperial Rome. The ancient ruins are so well preserved you can see delicate mosaics, wall decorations and paving blocks which were expertly excavated to be revealed to the public to learn more about Rome’s rich history.
Address: Palazzo Valentini, Via IV Novembre, 119/A, Roma
Nearest Bus: Piazza Venezia
Visit duration: 2 hours
