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Are you 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 so much more to do in Rome than that, and choosing what to visit and what to skip can be overwhelming…
Top Ten Places To Visit In Rome
So, to help you figure out where to go and what to do in Rome, in this guide we share the VERY BEST experiences, TOP VIEWS and MOST POPULAR tourist attractions in Rome that you really shouldn’t miss.
Rome’s Top 10 Attractions
For each location, we also include tips based on our experience and useful information for your visit. We have also created a map of Rome’s attractions to help you plan your sightseeing itinerary. Find it!
The capital of Italy, Rome is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Europe. It’s a place where you’ll find so much history everywhere you look. I often call Rome a city museum because it really feels like it. Every building, every monument and every stone you come across has an interesting story behind it.
There is SO MUCH to see and do in Rome that a “top things to do” list would never be complete, and quite partial at that. On the other hand, there are also some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks and unique experiences that everyone would agree are must-sees in Rome.
So, in this article, we share all the top Rome tours and unique experiences you should try in the Eternal City. We also include some of our favorite things to do in Rome based on our personal travels and experiences in the city.
Top 10 Must See Places In Rome
These are the places and activities we enjoyed the most, and we’re sure they’ll make your visit to Rome much more special and memorable than ticking off a standard must-see list.
This is our latest Rome list, with lots of photos, of what to see and do in Rome. Check it out!
How to use this guide: We start our list of the best things to see and do in Rome with musts. So, the first 16 sights and attractions on our list are considered must-sees, and the ones you should pay attention to if you’re short on time.
However, it is those additional experiences listed from #17 onwards that will make your trip to Rome that much more special. So I highly recommend you try to include some of them in your sightseeing itinerary as well.
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To help you organize your time, at the bottom of this article you can find a map that shows all the main places we mention in this guide. We also share some sample Rome itineraries for different trip lengths.
But first, here are some of the VERY BEST places to see and do in Rome:
The Colosseum is one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, and it’s a must-see. No matter how long you’ve been in the city, it should be on every Rome tour!
Built around 70 AD as an entertainment venue, this impressive stone amphitheater still stands today, giving you a unique glimpse into its 2,000-year-old past.
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There are many things you can do in the Colosseum and many levels you can visit. For the full experience I recommend: discovering the secrets of the Colosseum Underground, taking advantage of the unique opportunity to stand on the floor of the partially restored Arenas, to soaking in the most spectacular views from the upper levels.
Of course: The Colosseum is one of the most visited places in Rome and booking tickets (or a guided tour) in advance is a must! If you’re going on your own, you can get regular priority tickets or, slightly more expensive, priority tickets that also include a visit to the Arena Floor.
However, the crowds here are huge and it’s not always clear where to go… So we recommend visiting the Colosseo with a local guide! That way, you don’t have to worry about any practicality and what you’re seeing is a much better understanding of how this arena worked and life in Rome during the glory days of the Roman Empire. There are plenty of options when it comes to guided tours, but be sure to read up on them.
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 in one tour and it was a great choice. Priority entry sure helps, but having the guide with us made the visit that much more enjoyable. We didn’t have to stress about exactly where to go, which entrance to take, how to get from one level to another or what to see in the entire 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 AD. It was built around 125-127, on top of an even older temple. The Pantheon is the oldest building in the world still in use today.
While most of Rome’s ancient temples and ancient landmarks have suffered looters and looting, the Pantheon VII. It was saved because it became a church at the beginning of the century.
Known for its impressive dome with an oculus in the middle, the Pantheon is also one of Rome’s most fascinating buildings. The construction of this dome by an unknown ancient architect has been the inspiration for St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, and subsequently all other domes in the world.
Of course: The Pantheon is still a working church and everyone can visit it for free. However, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome, so the line to get inside is very long. Also, they do not allow visitors during mass. But it’s one of the things to do in Rome, so you can’t skip the Pantheon. So be patient and definitely see the inside of this unique building!
Top 10 Attractions In Rome
TIP: Almost 2000 years old, the Pantheon is a fascinating place with so much history, so be sure to do some reading before you go. Alternatively, if you want to know more about the Pantheon and everything you see inside, you can get an audio guide, or visit here with one of the guided tours of the historic city center.
No trip to Rome would be complete without seeing the famous Trevi Fountain. And, as legend has it, you also have to throw a coin into the fountain if you ever want to return to the Eternal City. Having tossed quite a few coins over the years, I have to say it definitely works: we always go back to Rome. 😉
There are two other reasons to throw a coin into 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 coin and you can’t throw them all together.
Also, before you throw a coin in the water, you should know that there is a whole “only right way” instruction to do it. You must 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 a picture of you without too many other people around…
Best 13 Things To Do In Rome
TIP: If you want to see the Trevi Fountain without the crowds, you should come very early in the morning, probably at sunrise. During the rest of the day and in the evening, it is always crowded here.
Of course: if you have more time and are looking for something more unique to do in Rome, you want to explore the Trevi district underground. It is truly fascinating to discover the remains of the ancient city of Rome, which most tourists do not even realize are beneath their feet.
MUST DO: Admire the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, visit the Raphael Rooms, the Vatican Gardens and see the Momo Staircase.
Seeing the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Museums is another ‘must do’ that should be at the top of any Rome bucket list! Sistine Chapel (
Top 10 Things To Do In Rome — Acanela Expeditions
Century Originally called ‘Cappella Magna’, it was later built by Pope Sixtus IV.
This is where the papal conclave takes place when a new pope is to be chosen.
