12 Best Things to Do in Rome

The Colosseum is an iconic amphitheatre built in AD 72 and is considered one of the world's 7 wonders. Standing in the same place as the mighty Roman gladiators once battled 2,000 years ago is a thrilling experience.

A highlight of the famous archaeological site is the hypogeum – the amphitheatre's incredible underground labyrinth with chambers and passageways. You can expect very long queues at the Colosseum. Save time by visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Even better, buy tickets online and join shorter queues. 

Trevi Fountain is one of the world’s most gorgeous fountains, almost 50 metres across and heavily adorned with sculptures of Roman gods, tritons and horses. Before traditionally tossing in your coins for luck or taking selfies with the magnificent Palazzo Poli palace in the background, stroll along its narrow streets, which are some of Rome’s quaintest. 

Some of these streets are lined with great dining spots and gelaterias. Via di San Vincenzo and Via della Dataria leads you to the Quirinal Palace, as well as the Piazza del Quirinale with its obelisk and fountain of Castor and Pollux.

The Pantheon is one of Ancient Rome’s most famous icons, which remains a functional chapel today. This granite-domed temple houses the tombs of among Italy’s most important figures, including High Renaissance painter, Raphael. Check out the Fontana del Pantheon marble fountain with its six-metre towering obelisk in Piazza della Rotonda up front. 

The piazza is a great place to hang out, with street music filling the air regularly. Beware of pickpockets, though. It’s around a 10-minute walk from Campo de’Fiori via the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.

The Roman Forum was the heart and soul of Ancient Rome, packed with basilicas, temples, lively marketplaces, and government buildings. Today, the sprawling ruins are just as impressive and attract more than 4.5 million visitors annually who come to imagine what life was like during the Roman Empire.

Tempio di Saturno, Aro di Tito, and the Curia are top landmarks here. Plan to visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday crowds. The Roman Forum is within walking distance from the metro Line B stop Colosseo.

Piazza Navona is a beautiful plaza that has been a place for Romans to socialise for over 2,000 years. The reason for its oblong shape is that a 30,000-seat stadium was built here in AD 86 to host athletic and gladiatorial competitions, horse races, and other events. Ancient Romans even flooded the stadium to hold mock naval battles.

You can see a glimpse of the ruins of the original stadium on the northern end of the plaza – it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, the plaza features Baroque architecture, 3 impressive fountains, and a lively outdoor café atmosphere. The best time to visit is at night, when the crowds have lessened and the fountains become especially magical.

The Spanish Steps is a regal stone staircase built in 1725 that connects the Piazza di Spagna – Spanish Square – with the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. As you wander through the narrow and charming streets in the centre of Rome, you’ll inevitably stumble upon these famous steps.

After climbing the 138 steps, catch your breath as you take in lovely views over the ancient rooftops of Rome. If the church is open, take a peek inside and enjoy a quiet escape from the crowds outside. The steps are a popular attraction, especially in spring when the staircase is covered with pots of azaleas. Be prepared for big crowds.

The Vatican Museums lie inside the Vatican City and consists of 54 galleries displaying 20,000 works of art that the Catholic Church has collected throughout the centuries. Art and history lovers will be in heaven here. You can easily spend a couple of days exploring the Renaissance paintings, religious art, Roman sculptures and antiquities, and inscriptions from ancient catacombs.

Top highlights include the Sistine Chapel, Niccoline Chapel, the Borgia Apartment, and the Gallery of Maps displaying maps created by Roman topographers in the 16th century. You can expect long queues no matter when you visit, so book skip-the-line tickets online to ensure a much shorter wait.

St Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world and one of the Catholic Church's holiest sites to worship. The magnificent church was built between 1506 and 1626 on the burial site of St Peter, one of Jesus' 12 disciples, and features Renaissance architecture.

Inside, you'll find a host of impressive sculptures, including the Pietà statue by Michelangelo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini's massive 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, buy a guided tour and skip the queues. For a bird's-eye view over Rome, you can climb to the top of the dome for a reasonable fee.

Piazza Venezia is one of Rome's largest squares and sits at the intersection of 4 major roads. Surrounding the square are several historical sites worth visiting. These include St Mark’s Basilica, the House of Bonaparte, and the 15^th-century Palace of Venice, now a museum housing medieval and Renaissance art.

On the southern side looms the Vittoriano, a massive, 81-metre-tall building made of white marble. Pay a couple of euros to take the elevator up to the panoramic platform to enjoy stunning views of Rome and its most famous street – Via del Corso – stretching far into the distance. At the foot of the building is an impressive monument of a knight in armour riding a horse dedicated to the first King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II.

Castel Sant'Angelo is a famous castle located on the Tiber River, only a short stroll from Vatican City. The massive fortress was initially built as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian in AD 130 but later converted into a papal fortress and private residence. The castle was also used as a military headquarters and horrific prison.

Today, the castle is a museum and offers visitors the chance to discover Roman history at their own pace. You can explore the passages and prisons, the papal apartments and halls, and see an impressive collection of sculptures, medieval firearms, and preserved frescoes from the Renaissance period. Be sure to visit the Castle's Terrace to enjoy a stunning panoramic view across Rome.

Campo de’ Fiori (Field of Flowers) is one of Rome’s great marketplaces, around a 5-minute walk from Piazza Navona along Via dei Baullari. The bustling streets around it are lined with a diverse array of shops, cafes and bakeries. Enter the piazza and you’ll be surrounded by neo-classical architecture. 

Sellers set up tents throughout the square, with the statue of Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno looming in the centre. There are all sorts of souvenirs at great bargains, but most tenants sell fresh produce. Fruit stalls offer readily cut fruits; a classic sightseeing snack. 

Testaccio has a rich history in the trade of fresh produce from all over Italy. It’s great food culture followed suit, being home to great home-style cuisine, including most of Italy’s traditional offal dishes. Check out the 19th-century Checchino dal 1887 for some of Testaccio’s authentic fare. 

The neighbourhood has a local party scene, featuring live music and packed dance floors. You can try hopping from one disco to another. Resident DJs at Radio Londra spin funky house music until late. Expect a cover charge in most places of around €10.