Rome, the cosmopolitan city that is only every person’s travel list. There is so much to do in Rome, that even a whole week isn’t enough in that city! The beautiful architecture, the globally influential art displays, the culture and the people, Rome is a city worth living in. There is so much to see and do in Rome, from the ancient Colosseum to St. Peter’s Basilica, from visiting the Trevi fountain to climbing the Spanish steps. If you’re planning a trip to Rome, then you’re going to need an itinerary. Here is a curated list of the places to visit, sights to see and basically the mandatory things to do in Rome!
1. Delve into Villa Sciarra's fascinating history - contributed by Tour Guide, Jamie
Villa Sciarra is a park in Rome located between the neighborhoods of Trastevere, Gianicolo, and Monteverde Vecchio.
The history of Villa Sciarra begins in the pre-Roman era when a sanctuary consecrated to the nymph Furrina was located in that area. It is also said here that Cleopatra, during her visit to Rome, enjoyed Julius Caesar‘s hospitality in his gardens, the Horti Caesari, which was once located here. Eventually after many ownership changes and even destruction from the war, the villa and park were left to Benito Mussolini by Henrietta Wurts on the condition that it be opened up as a public park for the Roman people.
2. Visit Villa Doria Pamphili - contributed by Tour Guide, Jamie
Looking for a cool place to escape to in Rome? Consider visiting Villa Pamphili. It’s a park in the city of Rome which, like many other city parks, was the country estate of a noble Roman family.
Villa Doria Pamphili extends over a total area of 184 hectares (454.7 acres) and is considered one of the most important Roman villas because it is one of the best-preserved ones of the 17th century.
The villa is divided into three parts: the palace and gardens (pars urbana), the pine forest (pars fructuaria), and the agricultural estate (pars rustica), offering a good amount of exploration to curious visitors!
3. Honor a goddess at Vestalia - contributed by Tour Guide, Jamie
‘Vestalia’ was a festival held in the days leading up to the summer solstice to honor Vesta, the goddess of the hearth, home, and family.
During this festival, married women would bring offerings to the Temple of Vesta, which is found in the Roman Forum. By doing so, they believed the goddess would bestow blessings on their families.
Only women were allowed to enter the temple and only during this celebration. Besides this, only the Vestal Virgins entered the temple. Inside, there was no statue but a sacred flame that was kept burning constantly and was tended to by the Vestal Virgins.
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4. Light a candle at Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano - contributed by Tour Guide, Jamie
Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano (Basilica of St. John in Lateran) is the very first Christian basilica in Rome and the highest-ranking Roman Catholic church in the world. One of the four major papal basilicas of Rome, it was commissioned by Emperor Constantine in 324 AD and was the pope’s original place of worship until the 14th century.
It hosts various treasures, such as a papal throne and a special papal altar that only the current pope may preside. You’ll also find the Altar of the Holy Sacrament, which is supposedly the very table used by Jesus and his disciples during the Last Supper. The church also has 12 niches, which were designed by architect Francesco Borromeo, that are filled with Baroque sculptures of the Apostles.
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. Learn about the ancient Roman culture (from USD 65.0)
When in Rome, your trip isn’t complete till you’ve taken a tour of the beautiful Colosseum. The best way to go back in time and get an idea of ancient Rome is by taking a walking tour of the Colosseum. This tour is guided by an expert in ancient Roman history, and since the tour is only limited to 18 people it is a personalised and fun tour. You’ll even get to hear stories about bloody gladiator battles and visit the Palatine Hill to see where the Chariot races took place.
Rome: Skip-the-line Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
6. Stroll around the famous Piazza Navona (from USD 32.0)
Piazza Navona is the most famous and most visited square in all of Rome. This is the home of the Palazzo Pamphili and the Baroque Church, as well as the world famous Fountain of the Four Rivers. This is a great place to go with your family or even young kids because this square is like a world of its own. It’s a pedestrian-only square, with lots of gelato shops and cafes at every corner.
Pantheon, Piazza Navona and, Trevi Fountain Tour of Rome
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
7. Climb to the top of the dome at the St. Peter's Basilica
The St. Peter’s Basilica is an Italian Renaissance church which is a must visit monument during your trip to Rome. One of the holiest and largest churches in the world, you will see some beautiful art pieces, intricate sculptures like the famous The Pietà, a sculpture by Michelangelo and ornate walls. You must also climb to the top of the dome because that is a once in a lifetime experience. Definitely one of the most interesting things to do in Rome.
St. Peter's Basilica
Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Website: St. Peter’s Basilicana
Opening hours: 7am – 7pm (daily)
Price: Free entry
8. Take a walk up the famous Spanish Steps
The Spanish steps in Rome have been around since 1723. The 138 steps are a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti. At the top of the stairs is the breathtaking Chiesa della Trinità dei Monti church. Usually, you will see a lot of tourists and locals just relaxing and lounging by the steps. And of course, the steps are beautiful to look at so its also a great photo opportunity. The best time to visit the Spanish steps is either in the morning after sunrise or in the evening to watch the sunset.
Spanish Steps
Address: Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Website: Spanish Steps
Opening hours: 24 hours
Price: Free
9. Walk across the St. Angelo Bridge
The St. Angelo Bridge was built in 134 AD, so you cannot even fathom how old this bridge actually is. This bridge is an architectural delight, so if you planned your trip to Rome to take in all the beautiful architecture then you must walk across this bridge. If that isn’t your idea of fun, you should walk across this beautiful bridge regardless, even if it’s just to get a good picture. Make sure to notice all 10 statues of the holy angles when you walk across.
St. Angelo Bridge
Address: Ponte Sant'Angelo, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Opening hours: 24 hours
Price: Free
10. Cycle around the largest public park in Rome, Villa Borghese (from USD 43.0)
Villa Borghese is basically the largest public park in Rome. The best way to actually cover the whole park and take in the beauty of the park and its nature is by taking a bike tour around the Villa Borghese. This public park is not just any public park; at the Villa Borghese, you will see ornate monuments, beautiful fountains, statues, sculptures and temples and even ancient ruins! This is a guided tour, so your tour guide will be there to give you detailed information on everything you see.
Villa Borghese Bike Tour in Rome
Duration: 3 hours
11. Take a deeper look into the Renaissance and Baroque period (from USD 153.0)
The Borghese Gallery in Rome houses masterpieces and beautiful art sculptures by some of the most famous Italian artists like Caravaggio, Bernini and Canova. This is a guided tour, so your guide will be able to share interesting facts and the history behind the art and the artists. Here, you get to see some of the best works of art by Renaissance and Baroque artists. There is no better way to understand the Renaissance and Baroque period after all a picture says it all.
Rome: Borghese Gallery-Baroque and Renaissance Art-Group Tour
Duration: 2 hours
12. Discover the historic past of the Roman Empire (from USD 65.0)
This is one of the must-do and have-to-do things in Rome. This three-hour tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum is to learn the 2000-year-old Roman history. This is a guided tour, so you will get to know about the architectural design, the rulers and culture of that time, the ancient rituals and more. You will also get to hear about the history of the ancient monuments and visit the Palatine Hill (where the Chariot races took place).
Colosseum & Roman Forum
Duration: 3 hours
13. Get an Instagram-worthy picture at the Trevi Fountain (from USD 45.0)
The Trevi Fountain is probably the most famous fountains in all of Italy! In the centre of the fountain, you will see a sculpture of the Greek sea god Oceanus who is surrounded figures from Greek mythology. This fountain is indeed a sight to behold, and getting a picture here is a must. After all, have you ever been to Rome if you don’t have a picture in front of the Trevi Fountain?
Classical Rome City Tour with Trevi Fountain and Pantheon
Duration: 3 hours
14. Explore the Vatican Museums at night in all its glory (from USD 67.0)
Again, this should definitely be on your list of things to do in Rome. Your Rome vacation obviously isn’t complete till you have taken a proper tour of the Vatican. What makes this tour better than any other Vatican tour is that this is a night tour, so you get to see the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel all lit up looking absolutely breathtaking. This two-hour tour is usually only on Fridays, so make sure to book in advance before it fills up.
Night tour Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Duration: 2 hours
Roam about in beautiful Rome
All set for your vacation to Rome? Well, the list above mentions some of the best and most famous things to do in Rome. After all, your Rome vacation isn’t complete until you have seen some of these popular tourist attractions and breathtaking monuments that Rome has to offer.
Tip from Content Creator
I spent my time in Rome strolling aimlessly, getting lost in history, art, and culture, captivated by details and every nuance, and observing unfamiliar faces amidst sun, rain, and hail, with the honor of admiring the city in all its forms. It's truly a feast for the senses!
Admire the beautiful Basilica Sant'Andrea delle Fratte
Contributed by Content Creator, Teema
The beautiful Basilica Sant'Andrea delle Fratte in Rome is a 5-minute walk away from the Trevi Fountain. It was originally at the northernmost boundary of Rome when it was built in the 1100s. It’s also the site of two sculptures created by the great Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who once lived across the church.
History
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