30 essential things to do in Rome

Once the centre of the ancient world, now the thriving cultural capital of Italy, Rome never loses its charm. The Eternal City has some of the most iconic landmarks in the world, exceptional food, art masterpieces and ancient remains. You can see Rome's history on practically every street corner - so much so that the entire city centre is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a place of pilgrimage for Catholics, as the Pope lives there in his own enclave. And it’s easily one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There’s always something new to explore: a district you haven’t perused, an ancient site you haven’t seen, a gelato flavour you haven’t sampled – there’s no getting bored here. So, we’ve gathered the best things to do in Rome, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth. 

1. Start with the Roman Forum

If it’s your first visit to the Eternal City, seeing these historical spots is undisputedly one of the best things to do in Rome. You simply can’t contemplate the scale of the ruins – the sheer amount of ancient city hidden beneath the modern metropolis – until you’ve explored them. The Forum was rediscovered in 1803. After a century of excavation it was reopened to the public and you can wander right through this open-air museum, which dates back to 6th century BC. Wandering through the remains of what was once the heart of Roman public life, you'll find well-preserved temples and monuments, free audio guides, and plenty of information explaining what everything once was.

2. Walk through history at Circus Maximus and Palatine Hill

The former chariot-racing arena Circus Maximus is an atmospheric venue, with the ruins on Palatine Hill creating a stunning skyline behind. You can traverse the outside of the Circus for free or take a VR experience tour to bring history to life before your eyes. Palatine Hill is home to some of the most stunning and extensive ruins in the city. This is where Rome was born. Romulus is said to have killed his brother Remus on Palatine Hill, and excavations have also found evidence of Iron Age settlements. Now a beautiful park, this is where the Roman aristocrats and emperors had their palaces. From the top, you get a fabulous view of the layered remnants of the ancient city alongside the beautiful terracotta roofs of the (slightly) more modern buildings. For an alternative skyline vista that’s free, head to the Giardino degli Aranci opposite.

3. Imagine gladiatorial combat at the Colosseum

The 2,000-year-old Flavian Amphitheatre is the biggest ever built. Being among the ruins is like visiting another world, whether you’re imagining poor civilians facing the lions, picturing the sword-on-sword clashes of gladiators, or peering into the spot where Romulus and Remus once played, these places are so atmospheric that adults and kids alike will be enthralled. The best news? Restoration was completed in 2016, so you can now see the building in all its glory.

4. See inside the Pantheon

Originally built by Emperor Hadrian in 125AD, the Pantheon is very well preserved. The star of the show here is the “oculus”,  a 9m-round aperture (a hole where light travels through) in the ceiling. Visit when the sun is shining to see the whole interior illuminated with shafts of light. Equally, it's fun to go when it rains, as you can see the falling water "disappear" into 22 tiny holes.

5. Explore the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel

Walking through the huge halls of the Vatican, you’ll be overwhelmed by the sheer scale and beauty of the art, from glorious statues to gold-leaf mappa mundi to enormous oil paintings. The queues for the Vatican museums can be quite large - so it's worth buying your tickets online in advance. You can wander through the sprawling city, from building to building and gallery to gallery, and see how it has evolved throughout each Pontiffs' time in office. There are paintings, tapestries, plates and sculptures among other fine works - as well as some gardens. Here inside the Vatican’s museum, you can admire the Sistine Chapel: note that you're not allowed to take photographs inside so this is one wonder for your eyes only. In any case, photos of the ceiling masterpiece - the Last Judgement by Michelangelo - don't do the 16th century artwork justice.

6. Join the Papal Audience

While the Pope does live here, he is often travelling, so if you want to try and see him you should check his calendar on the website. Papal Audiences are free and held on Wednesdays and usually start at 10am in St Peter's Square (get there for 8am when the gates open if you want to get a good seat).

7. Step inside St Peter's Basilica

Michelangelo's dome dominates the skyline here, and has inspired the designs of St Paul's Cathedral in London and the Capitol Building in Washington. It took more than 150 years to complete the Basilica. Inside, there are outstanding mosaics and artwork, including Bernini’s baldachin and Michelangelo’s Pietà. The interior can hold 20,000 people, so even if there's a queue to get in, once you're inside it isn't too crowded.

8. Be surprised by Basilica San Paolo

Much less well known among tourists and less crowded than the city’s crowning basilica (St Peter’s), Basilica San Paolo is certainly worth a visit. If you’ve already ticked off Rome’s most famous sites, put this one straight to the top of your list. You enter via an immaculate courtyard of palms that stretch heavenward, encircled by columns and crowned with a gold fresco. When you step into the cavernous interior, you’ll find almost every inch of ceiling and wall embellished with intricate artworks. You certainly don’t have to be religious to appreciate the majesty and beauty of this place and its architecture.

9. Stumble upon some incredible artworks

The majority of churches across Rome are free to enter, and its well worth wandering into one, as many of them contain masterpieces. If you're a fan of Caravaggio, San Luigi Francesi, Sant Agostino and Santa Maria del Popolo churches all contain one of his canvases. The Gothic Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva also has a Michelangelo sculpture. And outside in the Piazza della Minerva you can see the famous statue of an elephant holding up an Egyptian obelisk.

10. Walk around Castel Sant'Angelo

Emperor Hadrian originally built the fortress as a mausoleum, before it was converted into a military outpost. It's now home to the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo, with several levels of exhibits to explore. At certain times in the summer the Passetto di Borgo is open to the public. This elevated route linking the castle to the Vatican was created as an escape route for the Pope.

11. Marvel at the beautiful Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is a glorious park in the heart of the city, boasting temples, piazzas, lakes and fountains all pleasantly shaded by Rome’s iconic umbrella pines and cypresses. There's around 200 acres of gardens in this hillside park, and you get great views of Rome. This green oasis is the perfect place to escape the heat of the afternoon, and you’ll find many locals doing just that at the weekends. Hire bikes or buggies and explore the fountains, follies and buildings, including a replica of Shakespeare's The Globe in the middle of the park. The jewel in the crown is the Galleria Borghese, which is open six days a week, housing an impressive collection of ancient sculptures, reliefs and mosaics, as well as paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian and more. Booking is essential, but it’s worth it to wander open-mouthed through room after glorious room of splendid art.

12. Find a fresco in the Villa Farnesina

The Villa Farnesina in the lovely Trastevere quarter is a riverside villa once owned by a banker, then by a cardinal. On the ground and top floors, there are fantastic frescos by Raphael (Raffaello). You pay a little extra for a guided tour of the house and gardens - if you've visited The Vatican in the same week, show your ticket for a reduced entry fee.

13. Explore antiquities after dark

There are myriad reasons to explore Rome after dark (besides the food and nightlife). Particularly if you’re travelling in the warmer months, slipping out after sundown means you can view treasures like the awe-inspiring Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and its stunning “little” sister in Piazza Navona, all in relatively cool temperatures and beautifully illuminated. Depending on how late you wander past, the crowds will have all but dispersed. You’ll find young and old gathering on the Spanish Steps too. Tucked unassumingly between busy roads is Largo di Torre Argentina, the site where Caesar was stabbed by Brutus. You can’t venture down into the ruins after dark, but you can get a great bird’s-eye view without even breaking a sweat.

14. Try a local delicacy

No trip to Rome is complete without a veritable foodie bucket list. Rome has its own local specialities that might be worth trying, such as Roman artichokes. Now protected, the Ancient Romans considered artichokes a delicacy (and used it as an aphrodisiac). Grown to the north west of the city, the best time to try them is between February and May. Carbonara and Amatriciana pasta dishes also originated nearby and are both equally unpretentious and delicious, emphasising the Romans’ less-is-more approach to food. Other local specialities are Cacio e Pepe - which basically translates as cheese and pepper - a basic but attractive pasta dish, and Roman-style tripe - Trippa alla Romana - which is cooked in a tomato-based sauce. Lots of companies offer food tours in Rome, especially around the Testaccio neighbourhood.

15. Cool down with gelato

Gelato is usually lower in fat than ice cream but has a higher sugar content. There are hundreds of gelato places in Rome, selling a selection of traditional and more experimental flavours. Add crema gelato from Gelateria La Romana to your list. Several branches sell this ice-cream flavour, so creamy and delicious it’ll start dripping before you can get your tongue on it. 

16. Have a lazy lunch

Head away from the busy Piazza Navona, down the Via Arco della Pace. The street in front of the church is very romantic, with lots of bars and restaurants. Try authentic rustic Roman food at Maccheroni - book ahead if you want to sit outside. Or to eat somewhere with a intriguing history, Hostaria Costanza is a good place to go - you'll find it in the walls of Pompey's theatre. Lunchtime pizza cravings are best satisfied by a trapizzino from the original store in Testaccio – this pizza-turned-sandwich is perfect for eating on the go.

17. Indulge in the art of aperitivo

Looking for somewhere buzzing with an authentic vibe? Stray over the river into hip and bustling Trastevere with its winding cobbled streets, lined with orange and peach buildings and tons of graffiti. As the sun sets, it really starts to come to life. It’s packed with petite eateries, tables spilling onto the streets, cool hangouts with artfully designed cocktails, and hole-in-the-wall craft beer spots. The indoors and outdoors blur into one and the pavements are thronging with young and old enjoying a drink. 

18. Enjoy your drink with a view

The Hotel Forum's rooftop American Bar and Rooftop Restaurant both have superb views across Rome. Guests at the hotel have included film star Gregory Peck, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and the Dalai Lama. There are also wonderful views across Rome's rooftops from the Raphael Hotel's sun-trap Terrace Restaurant and bar. There are also plenty of places to get a free view, like Gianicolo Hill.

19. Browse the oldest market in Rome

Once a place for public executions, Campo dei Fiori is now a market by day, with side streets full of independent businesses and small shops. Pop back in the evening, when the square becomes a party place - it's also the only Roman piazza without a church on it.

20. Peak through the keyhole at St Maria del Priorato

Look carefully and you can see the Dome of St Peter from this doorway on Aventine Hill. You'll have to make an appointment if you want to head through into the private gardens of the Santa Maria del Priorato.

21. Walk along the original Roman Road

The ancient Appian Way is possibly one of the most historically significant routes in the world. Built in 321BC to enable the march of the Roman Army south, you walk along what is essentially an open-air museum.

22. Stumble upon some unusual architecture

Visit the Quartiere Coppedé neighbourhood and you'll find examples of nearly every architectural style, including some Baroque, Art Deco and Italian Art Nouveau. Keep an eye out for the fantasy-style ornamental fountains, too. The Via dei Coronari is a beautiful old street too, with antiquity shops along it. Dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, the current road follows the ancient Roman Road that connected the area to the Tiber.

23. Find a different vibe in EUR

If you’ve been to the capital a few times and are looking for new things to do in Rome, head to the EUR district. The vibe is totally different from the higgledy-piggledy old town; here you’ll find tree-lined boulevards, elegant, modern architecture and lush parks with impressive water features. Especially if you’re looking for non-Italian cuisine, there are swathes of trendy restaurants with pretty terraces lining the Parco del Lago dell'EUR. The district is home to several fascinating museums and the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, a striking example of neoclassical fascist architecture that’s now owned by the fashion house Fendi. It’s especially stunning when illuminated at night.

24. Get some fresh air at Park of the Aqueducts

Anyone who’s been to Rome multiple times will know the antiquities don’t stop at the old city limits – they stretch far into the Lazio countryside. If you’re wondering what to do in Rome that’s a little different, head out to Parco degli Acquedotti and hire a bike or stroll around the parkland while marvelling at ancient Roman engineering. It’s a very atmospheric location, and there’s nothing quite like it for understanding the size and scale of Ancient Rome. If you want to feel small in the face of history, stand on the site of the Appian Way (an ancient wonder) and take glorious photos, this is your spot.

25. Live La Dolce Vita on your Roman Holiday

Rome has been the location for many famous films over the last century. In Roman Holiday (1953), Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck visit La Bocca della Verità, the Mouth of Truth in one of the most iconic scenes. Join the queue in the portico of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and for a small donation put your hand in the gap, which legend has it, will snap off your hand if you tell a lie. Much of Federico Fellini's masterpiece La Dolce Vita (1960) is set on the streets surrounding  Via Vittorio Veneto, In one famous scene, Anita Ekberg frolicks in the Trevi Fountain with Marcello Mastroianni - but don't try it now, the local police don't look kindly on it. But you can also throw some loose change into it for luck (and the chance to return to the city) - as shown in Three Coins in the Fountain (1954).

26. See a Serie A game

Rome's two major football clubs, Associazione Sportiva Roma and Lazio, both play their home games at the Stadio Olimpico (Olympic Stadium) in Serie A (Italy's premier league). How to tell the difference between these two teams? Lazio's sky blue colours were inspired by Greek Olympians and their emblem, the Eagle, was picked as it was originally the symbol of the Roman legions. Local rivals AS Roma wear red and yellow with the Capitoline Wolf symbol on their crest. Unfortunately you can't do tours of the Olympic Stadium, you can only visit by going to a match.

27. Place a bet on the Cavalli

You won't see chariot racing anymore in Rome, but you can still visit their racecourse (check website for race fixtures). The Hippodrome Capannelle first held horse races in 1881 and now the facilities are some of the best in Italy.

28. Sunbathe on the nearest beach

When the weather is baking hot, Roman's jump on the train and head west to the coast and the Ostia Lido. It only takes around half an hour by Metro to access the free public beaches, or pay a small fee for a bit more privacy.

29. Visit Ostia Antica, Rome's ancient sea port

This vast ruin spans around 10,000 acres, so you might want to book a guided tour or pick up a guide book to make the most of it. Time it right and visit on the first Sunday of the month - entrance is free then.

30. Venture outside of the city

Half an hour from Rome is Tivoli, where the great and the good of ancient Rome built villas to escape the city. Two very well-preserved villas (now World Heritage Sites) are Villa Adriana, which belonged to Emperor Hadrian (he of the wall) and the Villa d'Este, built during the Renaissance and famous for its formal gardens. Meanwhile, head north-west of the city to see Necropoli di Banditaccia, in Cerveteri, where there are thousands of tombs built like a city. They're the only remaining examples of Etruscan residential architecture in the world.

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