The city of Rome is the capital of Italy and is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Many people refer to it as the Eternal City perhaps because it can take you ages to visit all its marvelous architecture, tourist attractions, art, and other masterpieces. On one hand it is a bustling cosmopolitan city and on the other hand, it has retained its old-world charm. It is precisely for this reason that visiting a city like Rome can be quite overwhelming as you would not know what to see and what to skip. Hence, we have made a concise list of these top 10 historical places in Rome so that you have a memorable vacation in the city.
1. Rome Gladiator School (from USD 130.12)
There is hardly anyone who is not aware of the saying “When in Rome do as the Romans do” and it is apt for this famous attraction of the city. Located just about 2.5 km (1.55 mi) from the Colosseum, here is a golden opportunity for you to come to the Roman Gladiator School and become a Gladiator albeit for a short time. The historic group of Rome conducts these lessons for two hours. The participants are given drinks, weapons, certificate, and proper clothing. They can also get a chance to enter the Gladiator School of Rome Museum.
Rome: 2-Hour Gladiator School
Duration: 2.0 hour
2. Trevi Fountain
Regarded by many as the most beautiful fountain of the city, The Trevi Fountain is situated in Rome’s Trevi district. It also has the distinction of being the city’s largest fountain and was designed by an Italian architecture called Nicola Salvi. The fountain has its origin in the ancient Roman times and is one of the city’s oldest sources of water. You will always find visitors throwing their coins in the fountain’s water, as well as, clicking pictures of themselves. There are several myths attached to throwing coins into the waters. One of them is that if a single coin is thrown by a visitor, he/she will return to the city of Rome.
Trevi Fountain
Address: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Website: Trevi Fountain
3. The Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums house some of the most culturally rich and historic collection of artwork and artifacts. Hence, make sure that they feature on your travel itinerary while vacationing in Rome. There are exhibits from different historical periods that make the tour even more interesting. While there are so many things that are impossible to cover in a single trip, some of the must-see items are Da Vinci’s Saint Jerome, the Sistine Chapel, and the Trinity Sarcophagus.
The Vatican Museums
Address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma RM, Italy
Website: The Vatican Museums
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sun)
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4. Palatine Hill
Many people believed that the Palatine Hill is the birthplace of Rome, the capital of Italy. It is the middlemost of the Seven Hills of Rome and has a strong connection to Roman mythology. It also happens to be one of the city’s most ancient parts and was regarded as one of the most happening neighborhoods in Ancient Rome. Emperors and the aristocrats built their homes on the Palatine Hills. Many Roman citizens who belonged to the society’s upper class built majestic palaces and houses in the Palatine Hill. Even today, visitors can see the remnants of those magnificent structures, which are preserved with great care.
Palatine Hill
Address: 00186 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy
Website: Palatine Hill
Opening hours: 8.30am - 7pm (daily)
Rome Tour Guide
Jamie
A historian and fearless leader, James studied classics at Leeds University in England and has been a tour guide in Rome for more than 13 years. James has a passion for ancient history, concentrating in the late Roman Republic. If you have a spark of interest in anything Roman, James is the best source of information. A dual citizen of Great Britain and Italy, James was born and raised in Rome ... Read more
Tours by Jamie
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5. The Colosseum (from USD 87.0)
The Colosseum is undoubtedly the city’s most prominent attraction. If you are dying to visit the Colosseum and the Vatican but skip the long queues in the sun, this is an excellent combo package for you. You do not have to stand in a line and can visit both these popular attractions at one go. The tour starts with a visit to the holy city of Vatican including a chance to see the famous Sistine Chapel. You will be then taken to the Colosseum where you can get a special and quick entry through the arena entrance of the Gladiator.
Vatican and Colosseum with Arena Entrance Skip-the-Line Ticket
Duration: 5 to 10 hours
6. The Pantheon
If you are visiting the city of Rome, the Pantheon is a must-see for you. There is no entry fee to get inside, which is an added perk to come here. Initially constructed as a temple, the Pantheon was dedicated to the pagan gods of Rome. Today, it is one of the most well-preserved structures of Ancient Rome. In case you are curious to see how your reflection looks like, you should not miss the pews located in proximity to the altar. Though you can avail of a paid guided tour, a great alternative would be to download the audio guide on your mobile device free of cost.
The Pantheon
Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Website: The Pantheon
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8.30am - 7.30pm; Sun: 9am - 6am
Tip from tour guide
The Pantheon is widely regarded as the best-preserved building from Ancient Rome. It was completed by Emperor Hadrian on the site of an earlier temple (from the reign of Augustus) that had burned down.
The 16 granite columns of the portico were brought to Rome from Egypt and they each weigh 60 tons! To put that into perspective, each column weighs about the same as one of the following: half an adult blue whale, 5 cruise ship anchors, or 8.5 Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Imagine 136 T-Rex stacked into 16 piles!
7. Saint Peter‘s Basilica
One of the prime sites in Christianity, Saint Peter’s Basilica is truly mesmerizing and should feature in your bucket list whenever you go to Rome. While the entrance is free in most of its parts, you may have to pay to see the treasury or for climbing the dome. We recommend you to book one of the guided tours so that you do not have to stand in a queue and grasp what you are seeing in a better manner.
Saint Peter‘s Basilica
Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Website: Saint Peter‘s Basilica
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
8. Roman Forum
Impressive and majestic, Roman Forum in Rome houses innumerable prominent buildings like The Temple of Saturn. It was a hub of the mighty Roman Empire for more than a thousand years. This rectangular forum boasts the remains of many ancient government buildings. It has witnessed countless changes reflecting the continuous shift in the political, military, as well as, religious dimensions over the centuries in the city of Rome.
Roman Forum
Address: Via della Salara Vecchia, 5/6, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Website: Roman Forum
Opening hours: 8.30am - 7.15pm (daily)
9. The Baths of Caracalla
You will love this historical site called the Baths of Caracalla, which used to be a favorite place for the Romans in the past. These baths were constructed in the southern part of Rome and are extremely well preserved and huge. Some of the mosaics here are still undamaged and unscathed. The baths host some of the finest ballets and operas during the summers, which should not be missed at any cost. There is an on-site bookshop and audio guides are also available so that you can enjoy the entire experience.
The Baths of Caracalla
Address: Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Website: The Baths of Caracalla
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6.15pm (closed on Sun)
10. The Spanish Steps
One of the most notable tourist attractions of Rome, the Spanish Steps are an absolute visual treat. This grand staircase has 138 steps in total that leads to the Piazza di Spagna. It was an Italian architect called Francesco de Sanctis who designed the Spanish Steps in the early eighteenth century. It took six long years to complete its construction in 1726. Food has been banned here by the local bodies so make sure that you do not carry any eatables during your visit.
The Spanish Steps
Address: Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Website: The Spanish Steps
Tip from tour guide
In April, the Spanish Steps come alive with enchanting pink azaleas, providing a perfect backdrop for capturing beautiful photographs. The annual "Infiorata Capitolina" transforms the Spanish Steps into a vibrant display of azaleas, a tradition originating in the early 1930s at the grounds of Villa Aldobrandini. Since 1952, it has become a permanent spectacle in Piazza di Spagna, delighting visitors every year.
Enjoy an exotic vacation in Rome
The city of Rome has innumerable tourist attractions to offer and boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage. To make sure that you plan your stay well, check out these top 10 historical places in Rome, and enjoy an experience of a lifetime with your loved ones.
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