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Looking for the best things to do in Rome, Italy and wondering what is most worth your time? Of course, you must see the most famous places in Rome, such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Vatican or the Colosseum! But there is much more to Rome than that, and choosing what to visit and what to skip can be difficult…
Top Places To Visit In Rome Italy
So, to help you decide where to go and what to do in Rome, in this guide we share the BEST experiences in Rome, the BEST places to visit and the MOST POPULAR tourist attractions that you really shouldn’t miss.
Roaming In Rome
For each location, we’ll add our experience-based tips and useful information for your trip. In addition, we have created a list of Rome attractions that will help you plan your sightseeing itinerary. Find out!
Rome, the capital of Italy, is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Europe. Here you can find history everywhere. I often refer to Rome as a museum city because it really feels that way. Every building, every monument, every stone has an interesting story behind it.
There is SO MUCH to see and do in Rome that a list of “best things to do” will never be exhaustive or biased. On the other hand, there are some of the most iconic sights and most unique experiences in Rome that everyone can agree are must-do’s in Rome.
So, in this article, we’re going to share all the “must-see” places in Rome and the most unique experiences that you really have to try in the Eternal City. In addition, we also include our personal favorite things to do in Rome based on our various visits and personal experiences in the city.
Of The Best Places To Visit In Italy
These are all our favorite places and activities, and we’re sure they’ll make your visit to Rome more special and memorable than ticking off a standard must-see list.
This is our latest Rome bucket list with lots of photos to give you a better idea of what to see and do in Rome. Check it out!
How to use this guide: We start with a list of the best places to visit in Rome and the essentials. So, the first 16 sights and attractions on our list are truly must-sees, and you should pay attention to them if you’re short on time.
However, these additional experiences listed in #17 will make your visit to Rome extra special. So I recommend you to include some of them in your sightseeing itinerary.
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To help you plan your time, at the bottom of this article you’ll find a map showing all the main locations we’ve covered in this guide. In addition, we share some sample Rome itineraries for different trip durations.
But first, here are some of the BEST things to see and do in Rome:
The Colosseum is one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks and a must-see. It’s a must on every Rome itinerary, no matter how long you’re in town!
Built as an entertainment arena in the 70s AD, this impressive stone amphitheater still stands today, giving you a unique glimpse into its 2,000-year history.
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The Colosseum has several things you can do and different levels you can go to. I recommend going for the full experience – from uncovering the secrets of the Colosseum underground, taking advantage of the unique opportunity to stand on the partially restored Arena Floor, to soaking up the most impressive views from the top level.
Good to know: The Colosseum is one of the most visited places in Rome and booking tickets (or a tour) in advance is essential! If you’re going on your own, you can get regular priority tickets or, a little more expensive, priority tickets that include access to the Arena Floor.
However, it is very crowded and it is not always clear where to go… So we recommend visiting the Colosseum with a local guide! That way, you won’t have to worry about any of the practical stuff and you’ll have a better understanding of what you’re seeing, how the arena worked, and what it was like to live in Rome during the glory days of the Roman Empire. There are countless options when it comes to tours, but be sure to read carefully what they include.
TIP: We recommend this amazing tour that includes ALL levels of the Colosseum + a guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. We visited all these places and this was a great choice. Priority entry certainly helps, but having a guide with us made the trip so much more enjoyable. We didn’t have to stress about exactly where to go, which entrance to go to, how to get from one level to another, or what to see at the Roman Forum – Palatine Hill site.
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Originally built as a temple to all the gods, the Pantheon predates Christianity. The building we know today was built in 125-127 AD on the site of an even older temple. The Pantheon is the oldest building in the world still in use.
While most of Rome’s old temples and monuments have suffered from looting and looting, the Pantheon has survived because it was converted into a church in the early 7th century.
Known for its impressive dome with an oculus in the middle, the Pantheon is also one of the most interesting buildings in Rome. The construction of this dome by an unknown ancient architect was inspired by Michelangelo’s dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, and subsequently all other domes in the world.
Good to know: The Pantheon is still a working church and everyone is allowed to visit it for free. However, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome, so there will be long queues to get inside. Also, they do not allow visitors during Mass. However, this is one of the must-do things in Rome, so you can’t miss the Pantheon. So be patient and be sure to check out this unique building!
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TIP: Almost 2,000 years old, the Pantheon is an interesting place with a lot of history, so do some reading about it before you go. Alternatively, if you want to learn more about the Pantheon and what you see inside, you can get an audio guide or go on one of the historic city center tours.
No trip to Rome is complete without seeing the famous Trevi Fountain. And as legend has it, if you want to return to the Eternal City, you must throw a coin into the fountain. Having thrown a lot of coin here over the years, I have to say it definitely works – we always come back to Rome. 😉
There are two other reasons to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain – one is to find love in Rome and the other is to get married in Rome. Each of these “wishes” requires a separate coin and you cannot throw them all together.
Plus, before you just toss the coin in the water, you should know that there is a complete guide to the “only right way” to do it. Stand with your back to the fountain and throw the coin over your left shoulder with your right hand. Oh, and try to get someone to take your picture without too many people around you…
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TIP: If you want to see the Trevi Fountain without the crowds, you should come early in the morning, perhaps at sunrise. The rest of the day and evening are always crowded here.
Good to know: If you have more time and are looking for something a little unique in Rome, you’ll want to explore the Trevi district underground. Discovering the ruins of an ancient Roman city is really exciting, but most tourists don’t know what lies beneath their feet.
MUST: Admire the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, visit the Raphael Rooms, the Vatican Gardens and see the Staircase of Momo.
Seeing the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Museums is another ‘must do’ at the top of your Rome bucket list! Sistine Chapel (
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Century. At first it was called “Cappella Magna” and later it was named after Pope Sixtus IV, who built it.
A papal conclave is held here when a new Pope is to be elected.
