13 best things to do in Rome

Check out the 13 best things to do in Rome and plan your travel itinerary. Here we show you the attractions and places that are unmissable for visitors.

1. Getting to know Rome’s Colosseum: one of the most famous sights in Rome is the Colosseum, which is almost an obligatory stop for anyone who visits the city. It was built in 72 AD and served as an arena for gladiator fights against ferocious animals.

As it is one of the most important, there is often a huge queue. Our tip for making the most of this tour is to go to the link at the end of the article and book the tour that includes a visit to the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill.

2. Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Rome: the famous Trevi Fountain has been the setting for several films and is a must-see tourist attraction, which is on the list of the 13 best things to do in Rome. The place is always very popular and legend has it that if you throw a coin into the fountain your wish will come true and you will return to the city.

3. Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill in Rome: on the same day as your visit to the Colosseum, you can also visit the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, as a ticket to the former guarantees entry to the latter two.

The Palatine Hill is one of Rome’s seven hills, which emanates history and shows a little of the city’s construction. The Roman Forum, also known as the “Cradle of Law”, is very interesting and recounts local myths.

In addition to these historical attractions, there is also the Arch of Titus, the Basilica Giulia and the Temple of Saturn, which are incredible sites and tell the story of Rome.

• Important tip: Rome is a city with many tourist attractions, such as museums and tours. That’s why our tip is to always buy your tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.

4. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome: The Vatican also has incredible places to visit, which is why the well-known St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica San Pietro) is on the list of the 13 best things to do in Rome.

The interior is home to several important works of art dating from the 11th, 17th and 12th centuries, as well as plenty of gold. And it’s worth noting that to enter the basilica, both men and women must have their shoulders and knees covered. It is also forbidden to enter with cleavage and the entrance has a metal detector.

5. Visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel in Rome: both places are very important and are Rome’s heritage sites. We highly recommend that you take this tour. Your reservation for the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel can also be made online on the website listed at the end of this article. This is a great option for avoiding stress and queues.

It’s worth noting that the museums are open every day, from Monday to Sunday, except on certain public holidays.

6. Enjoy Villa Borghese in Rome: for those looking to enjoy nature and add another place to their list of the 13 best things to do in Rome, a great option is to go to Villa Borghese. This is a beautiful park with many attractions, as well as green areas, gardens, fountains and lakes.

It is considered one of the largest urban parks in the city and has other attractions such as the Bioparco, a small zoo, and the Museo Carlo Bilotti, a modern art museum.

7. Gastronomic tour of the Trastevere district: this neighborhood has a bohemian, charming and peaceful atmosphere. It is a great option for those who want to get to know and try the local cuisine.

In Trastevere you’ll find charming stores, squares with artists, alleys and incredible restaurants. The food tour costs an average of €28 and deserves to be highlighted as one of the coolest tours in Rome.

8. Visit Rome’s Pantheon: also known as the Pantheon, this temple dedicated to the Roman gods is visited by countless tourists every day. It is here that several well-known personalities are buried, such as the painters Raffaello and Annibale Caracci, kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, and Queen Margherita.

The main tip is to take the tour of the site, which costs around €35, and return in the evening for dinner at one of the restaurants in the surrounding area.

9. Visit the Napoleonic Museum in Rome: the Napoleonic Museum has a large collection of paintings, documents, busts and many other objects dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte. It is very interesting and a good alternative to a free tour in Rome.

The museum has three divisions: the rise of Napoleon I, the fall and rise of Napoleon III and the era of the Second Empire.

• Important tip: to make the most of your trip to Rome, staying in the best areas is essential. So, if you want, check out our article explaining the main areas, the hotels and how you can save a lot on accommodation.

10. Visiting Piazza di Spagna in Rome: a beautiful square that should not be missing from your list of the 13 best things to do in Rome is Piazza di Spagna. It was built between 1723 and 1726 and has the Escalinata di Trinità dei Monti as a highlight of the visit, because the staircase is very beautiful and makes for great photographs.

The curiosity is that Pope Urban VIII was responsible for commissioning the Fontana della Barcaccia, a fountain in the shape of a boat, precisely because of a great flood that left a boat stranded in the middle of the square in mid-1598.

11. Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome: Castel Sant’Angelo began to be built on the orders of the Roman emperor Hadrian in 135, with the aim of becoming a family mausoleum. However, nowadays it has become a great place to visit and learn about the changes that have taken place over the years in its structure.

A curious fact is that the statue of the Archangel St. Michael was placed on top of the castle because of a dream Pope Gregory I had about the end of the great plague epidemic.

12. Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore: another place not to be missed on your itinerary is the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. It was built in the 4th century and is the largest church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in all of Rome.

The church’s architecture is very diverse, which makes the visit even more attractive. It is located in Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore and is open from 7am to 6.30pm.

13. Monument to Victor Emmanuel II in Rome: our last tip of the 13 best things to do in Rome is to visit the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. It was built as a tribute to Italy’s first king and is 70 meters high.

Inside is the Museum of the Resurgence, which recounts the history of Italian unification. There are various objects there, such as flags, weapons and other items from that period. This is one of the most imposing monuments in the city and is located in Piazza Venezia.

Save on tickets for paid attractions in Rome

To save time and money, buying travel tickets online is always the best option, in our opinion. We’ve traveled a lot and, after a lot of research, testing and getting to know each other, we discovered the company that offers the best tours in Rome, at very good prices.

So, the great tip is to go to the Tickets for Rome website and check out the best options for tours along with their prices, in the order of the best sellers. The platform is very safe and well known, and sells the main tickets so you don’t waste time on your trip with long queues, or run the risk of having tickets sold out.

Main tickets sold for Rome:

• Tickets for the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Arena of the gladiators
• Free tour of Rome
• Guided tour of the Vatican
• Underground Colosseum and Arena Forum and Palatine Hill
• Illuminated Rome night tour

Save money on your trip to Rome:

Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Rome cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!

Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!

Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.

Hotels: our article on where to stay in Rome. You will find out the best area and how to save a lot on the hotel.

Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.

Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!