Things to Do in Rome
Explore Rome's most impressive squares, fountains, monuments and attractions. Rome is a breath-taking open-air museum and these are its top sights.
Millennia of history, unbeatable cuisine, and much more, Rome is rightfully one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. With so many things to do and see in Rome, one of the most difficult parts of visiting the Eternal City can be crafting the perfect itinerary. Read on to discover our must-dos!
1. Visit the Colosseum
An ever-enduring symbol of the grandeur of Ancient Rome, the Colosseum is perhaps one of the most recognizable landmarks on the planet, as well as one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
This breathtaking amphitheater is right in the heart of the city, and once would have accommodated as many as 80,000 spectators. These giant crowds would watch on as the venue played host to everything from epic gladiator fights to public executions.
With Civitatis, there are lots of different ways of visiting this bucket list landmark. You don’t need a guide to visit the Colosseum. However, to get the full experience, and to gain a deeper insight into the landmark’s history, we recommend taking this guided tour of the Colosseum, which includes a pass for the gladiator's entrance, meaning you'll get to walk where so many gladiators would have emerged into the arena, to the roar of up to 80,000 Romans cheering. If you'd prefer to explore it at your own pace, the entrance is included with the OMNIA Rome & Vatican Card.
2. Stroll Through the Roman Forum
Just a stone's throw from the Colosseum, the Forum marked the heart of Ancient Rome's political, religious, and social spheres. It would have been in this very place that triumphal processions, public speeches, commercial affairs and much more would have taken place.
Today, this sprawling archaeological site is made up of different streets that were once bustling at the height of the Roman Empire, temples, the courts of justice, and halls of government. Here are some activities that you may find useful to explore this complex and delve into its fascinating history.
3. Explore the Vatican Museums & the Sistine Chapel
No trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to Vatican City. Due to its sovereign nature and limited size, it's considered the smallest country in the world. Despite this, it's home to impressive works of art and, of course, the Holy See, the central government of the Catholic Church.
Of course, we must highlight the Vatican Museums, one of the most extensive art collections in the world. Raphael, Caravaggio and Leonardo da Vinci are some of the painters present in this exhibition. But the Sistine Chapel is undoubtedly the highlight. This room, where the cardinals hold the Conclave to elect the new Pope, is famous for its impressive ceiling fresco and the mural painting of the Last Judgement, both painted by the legendary Michelangelo in the 16th century. Words cannot explain it, it's pure beauty!
There are multiple options when it comes to visiting this museum complex, as well as St. Peter's Basilica itself. To make your task easier, we have compiled the best tours of the Vatican for you:
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
- Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums + St Peter's Basilica
- St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour
- Papal Audience
4. Enter Rome's Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of Rome's best-preserved ancient structures. Originally, the Pantheon was built as a temple dedicated to Roman gods and was later converted to a Christian church. Built almost 2000 years ago, this massive structure is still considered an architectural masterpiece. Perhaps its most astounding element is its crowning dome, which still boasts the title of having the largest unsupported concrete dome on the planet.
You can visit the Pantheon by yourself for an entry fee of € 5 (US$ 5.74). However, on this Pantheon Guided Tour, you can explore this iconic structure, including legendary artist Raphael's tomb, accompanied by an expert guide, who will give you valuable insights into its rich history.
5. Stroll Down the Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps represent one of the finest urban examples of Baroque architecture in Rome. The famous steps of the Piazza di Spagna, built in the early 18th century, are one of its most emblematic spaces and one of the most photographed places in the city. These steps connect the base of the square with the Church of Trinità dei Monti.
Piazza di Spagna is a regular stop on a free tour of Rome, so we recommend taking this guided tour to learn a little more about this iconic landmark. In addition, the streets surrounding the square are home to a number of luxury shops and restaurants—what more could you ask for?
6. Throw a Coin into the Trevi Fountain
This stunning Baroque masterpiece is another unmissable stop in the Italian capital city. A ten-minute walk from the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain as it stands today was completed in 1762, though it is said that the water source dates back to 19BC. You can see the fountain as part of this Free Walking Tour of Rome, during which you can take the chance to follow the tradition of throwing a coin into the water. According to legend, this act will ensure one's return to the city!
7. Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is a must on this list of places to see in Rome. It's considered one of the most beautiful squares in the capital of Italy—and the world! Full of bars and restaurants, this area is perfect for a break between monuments.
However, the square is also impressive for its important historical heritage, including the Fountain of the Four Rivers or Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. This work by Gian Lorenzo Bernini is surprising for its sculptural ensemble, which represents the Nile, the River Plate, the Danube, and the Ganges.
8. Take a cruise on the Tiber River
Taking a cruise on the Tiber River is one of the best ways to discover this ancient city. You'll enjoy a different view of the Eternal City and be able to see places of great historical importance such as the Castle of Sant'Angelo, an ancient fortress that served as a refuge for Pope Clement VII during the sieges that took place in 1527.
Below, you can find some interesting activities to do along the Tiber and Sant'Angelo:
- Castel Sant'Angelo Ticket + Audio Guide
- Castel Sant'Angelo Tour + Terrace Access
- Rome Sightseeing Cruise on the Tiber River
- Tiber River Cruise with Appetizer
9. Learn to Make an Authentic Italian Pizza
Talking about pizza... if you're a foodie, we'd definitely recommend taking a look at taking a cooking class or two while you're in the home of Italian cuisine. At this Italian Pizza Workshop in Rome, you'll learn from a highly-skilled pizzaiolo about the high-quality ingredients and essential techniques necessary for constructing this beloved dish, taking you on a culinary and cultural adventure like no other! If pasta is more your speed, you might prefer this Italian Pasta & Tiramisu Workshop, during which you'll learn to make your very own fresh pasta and sauce, as well as the irresistible coffee dessert of tiramisu!
If you're on your holiday to relax, and simply want to indulge in the infinite delights that Italian cuisine has to offer, go on this Trastevere Food Tour and explore one of Rome's best areas for food and wine!
10. Go on a Wine Tasting
Italy is a wine-lovers paradise. The biggest wine-producing country, and home to some of the finest wines on the planet, Italy's capital city of Rome is as good a place as any to go on a wine tasting. Rome belongs to the region of Lazio, which is one of the most prominent wine-producing regions in Italy. However, as part of this Wine Tasting in Rome, you can taste glasses of fine red, rosé, white, and sparkling from all over Italy, accompanied by an expert, English-speaking sommelier. What's more, the wine is accompanied by delicious Italian snacks, including cured meats and cheeses from across the country.
11. Delve into Rome's Underbelly
One of the most fascinating attractions in Rome in fact lies underneath the city. Rome's ancient catacombs are underground tunnels that served as a Christian and Jewish place of burial during approximately the 2nd-5th centuries AD. Incredibly, these passageways stretch for miles underneath the city's bustling streets. On this Underground Tour of Rome, you can delve into these ancient passages yourself and, accompanied by an expert guide, gain an insight into the lives, beliefs, and burial practices of Romans at the turn of the millennium.
While these are our top things to do in the Eternal City of Rome, there is lots to do! For more travel inspiration, be sure to take a look at the rest of this Rome travel guide!
