Things to do in Rome: attractions & landmarks

Top 25 Rome tourist attractions, sightseeing, what to do & highlights

Start your journey on Rome’s legendary cobblestones. Sunlight streams through ancient piazzas, promising gelato after exploring magnificent domes. The city is a living story. This guide presents the top 25 things to do in Rome, including must-see landmarks, museums, monuments, and vibrant neighborhoods. Discover the well-known highlights and hidden corners of the Eternal City.

Things to do in Rome, Day trips from Rome, Map of attractions

Rome brims with fascinating museums, bustling squares, delicious food, and iconic landmarks. Beyond essentials like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and St. Peter’s Basilica, countless treasures await. This guide lists 25 essential sights and memorable experiences. Click on a highlight for more about each monument, museum, or attraction.

Best things to do in Rome, Italy – Top 25 Rome attractions

1. Visit the Colosseum: Rome’s Top Landmark

The Colosseum, Rome’s most iconic landmark, is a vast anciens. Here, gladiators battled each other and wild animals in dramatic contests. Recognised as one of the seven modern wonders, visitors can explore the stands, arena, and underground areas for an immersive look into Roman history. Find more information on visiting the Colosseum.

📌 Tip: To save time at the Colosseum, book your tickets online in advance. Choose a combination ticket with the Roman Forum, join a guided tour, or compare Rome City Pass options to find the best fit. Booking online guarantees your preferred entry time and lets you skip long ticket lines at the entrance.

2. Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain, Rome’s most famous baroque fountain, has been a city highlight since the 18th century. Tradition says that tossing a coin ensures your return to Rome. Take in the intricate sculptures and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

3. Must see: Pantheon

The Pantheon, one of Rome’s best-preserved ancient sites, is famous for its grand dome and oculus. Although its original use is debated, it now serves as a tomb for notable figures. Book tickets in advance to stand under the oculus and connect with 2,000 years of history.

4. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica, the spiritual center of Catholicism, is rich with artistic masterpieces such as Bernini’s baldachin and Michelangelo’s La Pietà. The basilica also contains 148 papal tombs. Plan your visit in advance, as there are often long queues.

5. Explore the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums house a world-class collection of art and relics assembled by popes throughout history. Highlights include ancient sculptures, Renaissance paintings, and the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Expect large crowds and plan ahead for entry.

📌 Important: To avoid missing out, book Vatican Museum tickets online for a specific time slot. During busy months, tickets often sell out in advance. Booking early ensures you visit when you want and bypass long on-site ticket lines. (Find more booking details for Vatican Museums.)

6. Roman sights of Forum Romanum & Palatine

The Forum Romanum was the bustling heart of ancient Rome, surrounded by important government buildings and temples. Stroll among its evocative ruins and head to nearby Palatine Hill for panoramic views and stories of imperial life. A combined ticket with the Colosseum is available.

7. Famous places: Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona, once a Roman stadium, is known for Bernini’s ‘Fountain of the Four Rivers’, lively cafés, and street performers.

8. Castel Sant’Angelo

Book Castel Sant’Angelo tickets online to guarantee your preferred entry time and avoid long ticket lines at the entrance. Especially during peak season, booking in advance ensures a smooth visit.

Rome sightseeing, activities & landmarks

9. Galleria & Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese’s Galleria Borghese requires advance ticket reservation for a two-hour entry slot. Tickets are in high demand, so select your visit time early online to guarantee admission and avoid missing out.

11. Sights of Trastevere

Trastevere is a charming neighborhood across the Tiber River, known for its narrow medieval streets, historic houses, and lively mix of restaurants and bars. Stroll through this area to enjoy authentic Roman atmosphere and vibrant nightlife.

📌 For foodies: A special way to discover Rome and especially the Trastevere neighbourhood is on this Trastevere street food tour, where you will visit Trastevere via various culinary stops.

12. Spanish Steps– Rome’s Famous Staircase

The 18th-century Spanish Steps connect the church of Trinita dei Monti with Piazza di Spagna. These iconic steps are a popular gathering spot and offer excellent photo opportunities, especially at golden hour.

Best deal: Rome City Pass

Rome’s top attractions, such as the Colosseum and Vatican Museums, have high demand. Tickets can sell out weeks ahead, especially during peak seasons. Instead of buying separate entry tickets, consider the Rome Tourist Card or City Turbopass, which bundle key attractions into a digital pass and sometimes include public transport and guided tours. Purchasing a pass in advance guarantees entry to popular sites and eliminates the need to collect physical tickets. Compare passes to see which aligns with your sightseeing plans and secure your tickets early.

13. Landmarks: Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II

The white monument to Vittorio Emanuele II celebrates Italy’s unification and houses a museum and the tomb of the unknown soldier.

14. San Giovanni in Laterano

San Giovanni in Laterano, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, is Rome’s most important church as the cathedral of the Roman diocese. This baroque basilica has evolved through many modifications, including its distinctive façade with statues by Alessandro Galilei. It is one of four papal basilicas in Rome.

15. See the Via Appiaand Catacombs

Via Appia Antica, or the Appian Way, is one of Rome’s oldest roads, once crucial for trade and military transport. Lined with cypress trees, it is famous for its many funerary monuments and underground catacombs, such as the Catacombs of San Callisto, just outside the city walls.

📌 Personal favourite: The best way to visit the Via Appia and its tourist attractions is with this guided bike tour.

16. Piazza del Popolo– Iconic Square

Piazza del Popolo – Iconic Square

Piazza del Popolo is a large, neo-classical square originally designed to welcome visitors entering from the north. Highlights include two matching churches, the Porta del Popolo city gate, and a soaring Egyptian obelisk. Climb the nearby steps to Pincio Hill for sweeping views of Rome’s domes and rooftops lit by the evening sun.

Domus Aurea – Nero’s Golden House

The Domus Aurea, or Golden House of Nero, reveals the remains of the emperor’s legendary palace atop the Palatine Hill. Closed for restoration for decades, it recently reopened to reveal its impressive frescoes and architectural innovations. Advance reservations are essential for entry.

Explore Rome by Bike

Exploring Rome by bike is a dynamic way to see the city’s landmarks. Rent your own or join an English-guided bike or E-bike tour to hear fascinating stories about Rome’s history. These tours cover many highlights efficiently and are extremely popular—book your spot in advance.

19. Palazzo Colonnaor Palazzo Doria Pamphilj

Rome’s historic palaces, such as Palazzo Colonna and Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, feature opulent halls and impressive private art collections. The Colonna Gallery opens on Saturday mornings, while the Doria Pamphilj Gallery welcomes visitors on other days. Both offer a treasure trove of paintings and frescoes.

20. Basilica di San Clemente

San Clemente is a unique church built over several historic layers, revealing Rome’s evolution through the centuries. Though its exterior is modest, the basilica sits atop the remains of 4th-century and 1st-century churches, with Roman foundations visible below. Visitors can explore all levels to experience this rare architectural time capsule.

The Capuchin crypt, beneath Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, is a memorable site featuring the bones and skulls of nearly 3,600 monks arranged into decorative patterns across five chapels. The museum above provides context about Capuchin life, enhancing understanding of these thought-provoking displays.

Domus Romane, beneath Palazzo Valentini near Trajan’s Forum, showcases ancient Roman houses and baths with interactive tours using visual effects to bring the past to life. Space is limited, so early booking is recommended to experience this unique attraction.

24. Baths of Caracalla– Ancient Ruins

The Baths of Caracalla are expansive 3rd-century ruins that once accommodated up to 2,500 Romans at a time. Despite earthquakes and looting, the site’s vastness provides an impressive glimpse into ancient Roman leisure and architecture.

25. Campo de’ Fiori & Food Tours: Looking for things to do in central Rome? Campo de’ Fiori is a lively square in the old city centre, known for its daily market selling flowers, vegetables, fruit, and herbs. In the evening, the square stays busy with bars and terraces. Try a street food tour here to sample Italian flavours around Campo de’ Fiori and the Jewish Quarter—it’s a great way to experience Rome’s food culture.

26. Capitoline Museums: Perched atop Piazza del Campidoglio, the Capitoline Museums house one of Rome’s finest collections of classical sculpture and art. Wander through grand halls filled with ancient treasures and masterpieces.

27. Museo Nazionale Romano: This museum is actually four archaeological museums, including one in the Baths of Diocleziano. Other locations are Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, and Crypta Balbi.

28. Vatican Gardens: behind the Vatican Museums lie 23 hectares of Vatican Gardens, which make up more than fifty per cent of the surface of Vatican City. It is possible to visit these gardens on theofficial Vatican tour.

29. Circus Maximus: unfortunately, there is not much left of Circus Maximus,29. Circus Maximus: While little remains of this colossal chariot racing stadium, standing on its grounds still evokes the thrill and scale of ancient Roman spectacles.imus

30. Colle del Gianicolo: This hill near Trastevere rewards you with sweeping views over Rome. Stroll up from Trastevere, passing the elegant Fontana dell’Acqua Paola and Garibaldi’s equestrian statue, and enjoy one of the city’s most scenic routes toward the Vatican.

31. Trajan’s Markets: Next to Trajan’s Forum, these ancient multi-level markets once bustled with shops and offices. Today, they house the Museum of the Imperial Forums, offering a fascinating glimpse into daily life in imperial Rome.

32. Vespa Tour: Exploring Rome by Vespa is an exciting way to see the city. Rent a Vespa to ride through cobblestone streets and past famous landmarks like the Colosseum and the Vatican. You can explore on your own or join a guided tour for extra stories and local insights. Either way, it’s a fun and efficient way to experience Roman history and culture.

33. Cooking Classes: Take part in a cooking class to learn how to prepare Italian specialities. From handmade pasta and traditional sauces to classic desserts like tiramisu, local chefs will guide you every step of the way. These classes are a delicious and interactive way to immerse yourself in Roman culinary traditions (see the cooking class options).

34. Bioparco: Nestled in Villa Borghese, Bioparco is Rome’s historic 17-hectare zoo, delighting visitors for over a century with its diverse animal residents and lush surroundings.

35. Welcome to Rome: Kick off your adventure with this immersive multimedia show, whisking you through Rome’s ancient and modern history. It’s the perfect introduction to the city—be sure to reserve your time slot.

36. Palazzo Barberini: this 17th-century Barberini Palace near Piazza Barberini now houses the ‘Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica’, the most important national collection of older paintings in Rome, Italy.

37. Ara Pacis: The Ara Pacis Augusta is an intricately detailed altar dedicated to peace, dating back to 9 BC. At the time, it stood outside the city on Campus Martius, but can now be admired in its beautifully restored form.

38. Mamertine Prison: near the Forum Romanum is Carcere Mamertino, the dark place where, according to legend, the apostles Peter and Paul were imprisoned.

More unique activities

Things to do around Rome

40. Day trips from Rome: from the city center, you can easily undertake a number of day trips. In this article, you will find an extensive overview of the 12 best day trips from Rome. The best activities if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Rome city:

Roman sightseeing in Ostia Antica

If you want a break from the bustle of Rome, visit the archaeological site of the old Roman harbor town of Ostia Antica. This park is 30 kilometers west of Rome, easily reached by train, and offers 100 hectares of Roman excavations and attractions to explore at your own pace.

Day trip: Castel Gandolfo

Just 25 kilometers from Rome, Castel Gandolfo is a charming lakeside town famed for the Pope’s summer residence. Thanks to Pope Francis, the Apostolic Palace and its stunning Barberini Gardens are now open to the public—a rare chance to explore this historic retreat. Be sure to reserve your visit in advance.

Day trip Tivoli: Villa d’Este & Villa Adriana

Tivoli, just 29 kilometers east of Rome, is nestled in lush hills and boasts two UNESCO World Heritage villas. Marvel at the Renaissance splendor of Villa d’Este and its enchanting gardens, then explore the vast ruins of Emperor Hadrian’s Villa Adriana. Both make for an unforgettable day trip.

Map of places to visit in Rome

Frequently asked questions about places to visit in Rome

What are the best things to do in Rome?

The best things to do in Rome include visiting the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and St. Peter’s Basilica. Exploring Trastevere, food tours and day trips are also very popular.

How many days do you need to see Rome?

You need at least 3 days to see the main highlights of Rome. For museums, neighborhoods and day trips, 5 to 7 days is recommended.

What are the must-see attractions in Rome?

Must-see attractions in Rome are the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

Is Rome expensive for tourists?

Rome can be affordable if you plan ahead. Many attractions are free to visit, such as churches and squares. Booking tickets and city passes in advance helps save money.

What is the best time to visit Rome?

The best time to visit Rome is from April to June and September to October, when the weather is pleasant and crowds are smaller than in summer.

Are tickets required for Rome attractions?

Yes, tickets are required for major attractions like the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Borghese Gallery. It is strongly recommended to book tickets in advance.

What are the best things to do in Rome with kids?

Rome is very family-friendly, with many attractions suitable for children such as parks, interactive museums and food experiences.

References

(2024). Colosseum. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum

Espinoza, J. (July 8, 2007). It’s official: these are the seven wonders of the modern world. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/p/ghxx

(2017). Emperor Phokas (r. 602-610) Gave The Ancient Roman Pantheon To Pope Boniface IV. The Historian’s Hut. https://thehistorianshut.com/2017/09/10/emperor-phocas-r-602-610-gave-the-ancient-roman-pantheon-to-pope-boniface-iv/

(2024). Sistine Chapel ceiling. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistine_Chapel_ceiling