Things To Do In Rome, Italy
Rome, the capital of Italy, is rich in artistic heritage has a divine culinary quotient and an everlasting history.
History Of Rome
Rome is a confluence of the political, economic and cultural hub of the most refined countries in the world. It is the place where the colossal Roman Empire grew from. The Eternal City has given birth to most renowned artists like Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini. Rome’s history spans over 3000 years which means the best things to do in Rome, Italy are some of the very best all across the world.
Travel Like A Local
To experience Rome tourism, you must travel like a local. Buses run 24 hrs. a day. Cover all of Rome’s landmarks through public transport. Bus tickets and subway metro tickets are interchangeable within the time validity of the ticket.
When Should You Visit Rome?
The best time for visiting the capital of Italy is from October to April. Summer is the best time to see Rome’s attractions. Day trips, picnics in the park, lunch by the sea are some of the best things to do in Rome with kids. Most visited destinations from Italy are Rome, Florance and Venice.
Popular Places To Visit
In Rome city, the best places to stay is near the historic centre (Il Centro Storico). The area around the Pantheon, Campo Fiori and Piazza Navona are most recommended on your trip to Rome, Italy.
The modern city of Rome seamlessly blends into its ancient ruins. Overload your senses with decadent pasta. Take a lazy stroll through handicraft markets and haute couture.
Experience La Dolce Vita
Indulge in gelato. Enjoy aperitivo (i.e the Italian traditional pre-meal drink) as the sun goes down. There are enough things to do, see, and explore to keep busy in this eternal city.
Make informed decisions on what to see in Rome and what to do in Rome with our comprehensive list of the top things to do in Rome.
1.
Visit The Roman Colosseum
A list dedicated to the things to do in Italy, Rome, remains incomplete without a mention of the Colosseum, Rome (or “Flavian Amphitheater”). The Roman Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre. It can hold up to 80,000 spectators.
Located to the south west of the main terminus train station, the Colosseum is easily accessible and has a metro station in close proximity. Go on a Rome Colosseum tour and get an essence of the interiors. The Colosseum tickets for adults are 12 euros and 18 euros for children.
Take A Colosseum Tour
The Roman Colosseum underground tours will help to explore different wing of the ancient amphitheatre. Walk through the 5th level to get a 360-degree view of the theatre. The Colosseum Rome has been part of movies across the world including the Gladiator.
2.
Uncover Ancient Ruins At The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum has ruins of beautiful structures and Roman designs of ancient buildings. The Roman Forum is one of the best Rome tourist attractions as it was home to various ancient Roman buildings including temples of Saturn, Titus and Vesta, Arch of Severus.
Nothing To Pay
Located next to the Colosseum and Altar of the Fatherland, the Roman Forum really is an important site for your consideration. The tickets for the Roman Colosseum and the Roman Forum are the same.
3.
Make A Wish At The Trevi Fountain In Rome
The Spanish fountain pays a tribute to the Roman God Oceanus. A visit to the Trevi Fountain (Fontana de Trevi) is the best thing to do in Rome. Some legends and Italy facts state that anyone who throws a coin in the fountain will return to Rome. Located near the Pantheon and Quirinale palace, visit the fountain statue early in the morning or late at night.
4.
Be Amused At The Sistine Chapel In Rome
The world famous Sistine Chapel with it’s stunning, detailing and iconography is a must see in Italy. As part of the Vatican museum complex, it is located in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City.
Michelangelo’s Masterpieces
The Sistine Chapel ceiling is famous for its extensive and detailed artwork. Michelangelo paintings are most popular here. Explore the hidden wonders inside the Vatican museum. Take a three-hour tour of the Sistine Chapel. The tickets cost 17.00 euros.
Explore Vatican City
Spend a day at Vatican City in Italy. Popular Italy attractions like the Piazza di San Pietro, Raphael Rooms, old master paintings, and antique sculptures are found in the 1,400-room palace.
Castel Sant’Angelo lies to the South of Vatican City, climb to the top for splendid views of Vatican City and the Tiber. Spot the exquisitely carved marble angels at the base of Ponte Sant’Angelo. Tickets to the Vatican City are priced at € 17.00.
5.
Marvel At The Mighty Pantheon In Rome
One of the best things to do over a weekend in Rome, Italy is a visit to the Pantheon. A well preserved ancient Roman building with a magnificent dome, a central coffer that allows light to spill through and a series of stone patterns surrounding the interiors.
Free To Visit
The Roman Pantheon, constructed by Emperor Hadrian is located at the centre of Rome city.
There are no tickets to enter the Pantheon, Rome. It is a free public site that anyone can visit without admission. The most unique thing to do in Rome, Italy would be to admire the interiors of the Pantheon. Take a tour inside and look up—the oculus in the dome is open to the sky, letting rays of sunlight filter in.
Facts About The Pantheon:
– The Pantheon refers to the temple of God.
– It was the burial place of many Roman kings
– The world’s largest dome of Imperial Rome
6.
Find An Escape At Saint Angelo Castle In Rome
If you are contemplating on where to go in Italy, the Castle of Saint Angelo should be one among your list of ten things to do in Rome. Castel Sant’Angelo, “The Castle of Angels,” is a cylindrical fortification on the banks of the Tiber River.
Discover A Secret Passageway
Built by Roman Emperor Hadrian, Sant Angelo Italy has a secret escape passageway linking the structure with Vatican City. Today, Castel St Angelo is one of the best museums in Rome with frescoed rooms and a collection of medieval weaponry. Climb the top of the castle ramparts for fantastic views across St. Peter’s square and the city of Rome.
7.
Pick An Art Trail At Galleria Borghese
The Galleria Borghese houses an impressive collection of fine paintings, sculptures and antiques. Spread across twenty rooms, the Galleria Borghese is one of the best Rome museums.
Take A Tour
Take a Galleria Borghese tour and see the extensive Borghese collection including works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens and Titan. Apart from these masterpieces visit the magnificent Borghese Gardens. To purchase the Galleria Borghese tickets pay a sum of 11 euros for adults and 6,50 euros for youth.
8.
Stroll Around St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It is the world’s largest church in the world. The front facade of the Basilica is crowned with statues of Apostles and Jesus and is located at the end of the St.Peter’s square.
Many renowned artists like Michelangelo and Bernini have contributed to the design on the dome and the stunning Gloria sculpture. There are no tickets required to visit the St.Peter’s Basilica.
9.
Walk The Streets Of Piazza Navona In Rome
Picturesque streets of the Piazza Navona square seem straight out of a Hollywood set with ornate churches and magnificent monuments adorning every street. It has remained a popular attraction and is one of the fun things to do in Rome. Some Rome points of interest within the area include- Fontana del Moro, Fountain of Neptune with their fantastic sculptures, the Palazzo Braschi, the Palazzo Pamphilj and Saint Agnese in Agone church.
Lots To Eat
The magnificent, oval-shaped Piazza Navona is located close to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and has remained a popular attraction. The Piazza Navona square has a number of restaurants, gelaterias and souvenir shops.
Admire The Baroque Art
The city’s Baroque art is very popular here. Bermoini’s Fontana dei Quatro Fiumu has depicted the world’s four great rivers in his carved sculptures. Stop for lunch or dinner at the Ristorante Santa Lucia and enjoy fresh salads, pasta, and other Roman delicacies on the charming white portico terrace surrounded by greenery.
10.
Say Cheers To Italian Wine At Chianti In Italy
Wine tours in Rome are very popular amongst tourists. Tuscany stands in the centre for winemaking and is most recommended. Travelling from Rome to Tuscany is around three hours.
Day Tour To Chianti, Tuscany
In Tuscany, Chianti is where the world-famous Chianti Classico comes from and most day trips from Rome end here. The Chianti wine tour is a fun experience and one of the best things to see in Rome. These Rome tours include visiting vineyards and cellars, olive farms and cypress clad hills, tasting and sampling the best wines along with a scrumptious 4-course meal at one of the restaurants.
The intense charm of the lively Italian countryside will lure you into Cortona, one of those towns in Tuscany made famous by the Rome cinema and popular film ‘Under the Tuscan Sun.’
11.
Sit On The Spanish Steps At Piazza Di Spagna
The Spanish Steps Rome bridges Piazza Di Spagna square at the base with Piazza Trinita Dei Monti square on the top.
The base of the Spanish Steps in Rome has a baroque style fountain called Fontana della Barcaccia.
The Spanish Steps has also been featured in the famous Rome movie -Roman holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Built in the 17th century, there are 135 Spanish Steps. Each step has a large crucifix obelisk and many inscriptions carved in stone. With a variety of shops, market streets and cafes, some of the best restaurants in Rome, Italy are located here.
12.
Bake Pizza Like An Italian
Deep dive into Italian culture and learn to prepare a 4-course Italian meal. Just like art and history, food is an integral part of Italian heritage. Rome food tours are fun things to do in Italy. Indulge in the best pizza in Rome and get to know how to cook it as well.
Cooking sessions involve visiting local markets and buying fresh seasonal ingredients. Sessions involve making authentic Roman amatriciana sauce and ravioli with spinach and cheese.
13.
Climb The Palatine Hill in Rome
Palatine Hill Rome is located in the Tiber region. It is part of the seven hills which made the ancient city of Rome. This was the high-rent district of ancient Rome. A visit to the Palatine Hill should be on your things to do in Rome list.
This trip can take you through the memory lanes of Rome’s history, its emperors, wealthy nobles and senators. The Palatine Hill was the “temple to all gods” for the ancient Romans. The piazza on which the Pantheon resides is one of the prettiest in Rome.
14.
Pray At The Church Of Santa Maria
Santa Maria or Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest churches in Rome. If you are looking for things to do in Santa Maria, visiting this church should be on top of your list. The interiors are breathtaking with gold decoration, frescos and detailed paintings on the walls and ceilings.
15.
Walk Through The Villa Borghese Gardens In Rome
Villa Borghese Garden is one of the most popular walking tours in Rome. Take a trail through the Villa Borghese Gardens which is the largest park in Rome. The Borghese Gallery, Borghese Museum and the Gallery of National Modern Art are significant architectural structures located near the Villa Borghese Gardens.
16.
Live The Italian Lifestyle At Trastevere Area
Capture the true essence “La Dolce Vita” meaning, the good life at Rome’s Trastevere area. If you are in search of the best places to stay in Rome, Trastevere should be on top of your list.
Trastevere Italy is packed with traditional and innovative trattorias, craft beer pubs and artisan shops, as well as simple B&Bs and budget Trastevere hotels. Spend an evening at any Trastevere restaurant or dinners at the Piazza di San Calisto and Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere. The best things to do in Rome on a weekend is to explore the Trastevere food tour.
17.
Visit The Piazza Del Popolo
The Piazza Del Popolo refers to People’s Square. It’s the largest open square in the world! Piazza Del Popolo has an array of fountains, churches, marble statues, monuments and gardens that surround the premises.
There are many historical structures in Piazza in Rome, some of them include Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli, the Porta del Popolo’s Piazza gateway and the Basilica Parrocchiale. With many hotels near Piazza Del Popolo, this is a great place to relax and enjoy the views from the Pinico.
18.
Hunt For The Largest Stone Monument In Rome
The Altar of the Fatherland is one of the largest stone monuments in Rome. It lies between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill. This monument is dedicated to Victor Emmanuel who was the first king of Italy. The emperor Emmanuel’s church features a row of highly decorated ornate structures along with a museum.
19.
Find The Largest Arch In Rome
The Arch of Constantine is the largest of its kind in Rome. It was dedicated to Emperor Constantine for his victory of the Battle of Milivian Bridge.
20.
Visit The Lesser Known Churches Of Rome
Explore the San Clemente church in Rome. It has the same historical significance as the St. Peter’s Basilica. Rome’s Basilica of Saint Clement is dedicated to Pope Clement.
Say Addio at Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is a fountain depicting the four rivers located in Piazza Navona Rome, Italy. The Egyptian Obelisk lies in the center of the Roman fountain.
Enjoy your Roman holiday!