The 17 essential things to do in Rome

Visit Rome: what are the best things to do and see in Rome, the capital of Italy and romance in a pure state!

Capital of the Italy Rome is one of these cities full of history and adventures, which could easily take a whole life to visit and explore. If you don’t have all this time in front of you and plan to visit Rome on only two, three or four days, you will need to know the best things to do in Rome. Among the thousands of activities and visits to Rome, we present our top 17 of the must-sees!

This non-exhaustive selection lets you know what to do in Rome if you come here for the first time.

1. The Colosseum (Colosseo)

Extraordinary monument that once welcomed the gladiator battles, the Colosseum dates back to the year 72. The Flavian amphitheatre (this is also what we call it) was built to accommodate a public of up to 50,000 people. The site, which was the scene of many horrific deaths, is a historic place and an unmissable stage for any lovers of history and architecture.

Very popular with tourists, the Colosseum defies time and inspired the film Gladiator . It is also considered the greatest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire in the world: no doubt it is a reference to visit Rome.

2. The Pantheon of Rome (piazza della Rotonda)

Built by Emperor Hadrian between 119 and 128 AD, the Pantheon of Rome is an architectural wonder! The temple was originally built as a monument for ancient deities and today serves as a place of rest for artist Raphaël and the first president of Italy among others.

Inside, you will be impressed by its dome and the paved floor of colored marble. The building has retained its original bronze doors. Although the entry is free, you can opt for one guided tour of the Pantheon to know all the secrets of the place!

3. The Vatican City

How do I consider visiting Rome without discovering the Vatican? Even if you are not believers, take a look at Place Saint-Pierre to admire the columns and Basilica San Pietro (Basilique Saint-Pierre). Inside, you can admire the Sixtine Chapel and above all the fresco of the ceiling of the chapel, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. You'll notice the scene The Creation of Adam has acquired a universal scope. ♪ Vatican Museums are also worth visiting.

Attention, for this visit it is advised to book your ticket in advance not to be taken in long queues, especially during school holidays!

4. Les Jardins de la Villa Borghese

To visit Rome in good shape, it is appreciable to take a break from time to time, both to get away from the excitement of the city and to enjoy a relaxing walk. In the gardens of Villa Borghese, which is the largest park in Rome, children and adults can walk, make pony, and feed the many turtles in the pond.

You can also admire monuments like the temple of Esculape. The Borghese Gallery, with its 20 exhibition rooms, is also very well known, and will appeal to those fascinated by art and history.

5. La Fontaine de Trevi

Whether by admiring the beauty of the fountain or throwing a coin while making a wish, everyone will find something to appreciate at the Trevi Fountain. Directed between 1732 and 1762, it is the largest fountain in Rome! Nestled on a small modest square, the beautiful fountain and magnificent architecture will delight you for sure.

If you're gonna throw a room in it, you'll probably ask what the pieces of the fountain become .

6. The Forum Romain (Foro Romano)

If you liked the Colosseum, the Roman Forum is undoubtedly a must to do when you come to visit Rome. Located in the heart of the city, the Forum has many ancient buildings and temples of the government of Rome such as the Curia (Senate House), the Temple of Saturn, and the Arch of Septime Severe. The Forum served as a political, commercial and religious centre in ancient Rome.

If you can, take one guided tour of the Roman Forum to better enjoy all the important history that took place in these same places.

7. Bocca della Verità

The mouth of truth, in French, is located outside the Church of Santa Maria. The man face you see was carved in antique sewer pad.

The legend says that the liars will have their hand bitten if they insert it into the mouth, a myth that is tested in the iconic film « Roman Holidays » .

8. Il Gelato di San Crispino

Enjoy one gelato (an Italian ice) is a tradition for any traveller who comes to visit Rome. Many agree that the best ice creams in the city are at Il Gelato di San Crispino . The flavours change with the seasons to ensure that each visitor tastes new flavours.

9. Via Condotti

One of the most famous shopping streets to visit in Rome, Via Condotti, has many historic buildings and shops. You can start from the famous walks of the Place of Spain and continue on the street and enjoy the growing.

10. The Pont Saint-Ange (Ponte Sant’Angelo) and the Château Saint-Ange

This magnificent bridge that spans the Tiber, adorned with ten picturesque angels designed by Bernini , provides not only to tourists a breathtaking view of the city and the river, but is also a wonderful testimony of the last work of a truly remarkable artist.

He opens the way as you doubt about it Château Saint-Ange (Castel Sant’Angelo) which is no other than the mausoleum of the Hadrian Emperor . This fortress of round shape is used by the popes to flee the fortress in case of danger.

11. The Campo de’Fiori

Considered as the oldest market, the Campo de’Fiori, is full of flowers, vegetables and fruit during the day and is a restaurant and a lively bar in the evening. The charming environment makes us totally forget that many people were put to death in this very place!

12. Piazza Navona

The Place where the Fontaine des Quatre Fleuves (de Bernini) is a great place to enjoy a good meal and a delicious Tartufo ice cream. For the most gourmet, why not choose a cooking class in Rome? As the city is conducive to sweet treats as salty, you will return to France with new recipes to make your guests savour!

In the historic buildings, we find the Domitian Stadium in which the incredible ancient Roman races took place. Place is also a wonderful place to look at people.

13. The Capitole (Campidoglio)

♪ Capitol Museums are in two twin palaces and are the oldest public art exhibition in the world. The collection was opened to the public in 1734 and contains famous works of Titien ( Tiziano Vecellio ), Le Caravage, Tintoret ( Tintoretto Bernini, and Veronese ( Paolo Caliari ). The Capitol is one of the seven hills of Rome.

14. ♪ Thermes of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla in Rome (Terme di Caracalla) are among the most important Roman vestiges. Visit the Caracalla Baths allows us to learn a little more about how the Romans took baths, one of the most luxurious leisure activities of the time.

15. ♪ Studios Cinecitta

If you are a fan of cinema and you ask yourself to do in Rome in terms of 7th art, this place is for you! Indeed, the visit of the Studios Cinecitta allows, among other things, to discover filming plateaus and several exhibitions!

16. The Mont Palatin

A true open-air museum, Mont Palatin is one of the oldest parts of the city that overlooks the Roman Forum! Among other things, you can admire the remains of the old houses built for the emperors, such as the Villa Livie or the Domus Flavia, or discover the Domitian Stadium and the Farnese Gardens.

In addition, your entry ticket will be combined with the Colosseum, Forum and Mount Palatin, so why do you deprive yourself?

17. To do and see also in Rome

• The catacombs of Rome : Visiting the catacombs of Rome allows to explore the underground excavations of Rome in the ancient and Christian era
• Ostia Antica : Located 45 min from Rome, this archaeological site is no other than the ancient port of Rome! The visit of Ostia Antica allows you to discover another facet of Rome but also to get away from the tourist areas
• Monument to Victor – Emmanuel II : Also known as Vittoriano, it is located in Piazza Venezia next to the Capitole
• Circus Maximus: It is the largest and oldest racecourse in Rome

How do I go to Rome?

• By plane

First of all, if you arrive at Fiumicino Airport, the ideal to reach the city is to take the Airport shuttle .

You will have no trouble finding a flight to Rome given the large number of companies that serve the Italian capital all year round. To find cheap flights to Rome, you can use on our partner's website Ulysses .

• By car

You can either come with your car or rent a car directly on site. You will find all our tips to park in Rome in our article « Cheap car park in Rome: where to park in Rome? »

• By bus

More and more bus companies offer routes to the bus station of Rome (Autostazione Tiburtina), direct or indirect.

• By train

The Stazione Termini is the main train station of Rome and connects Rome to many European countries and Italian cities. Rendez-vous on the official website for more information. You also have the Roma Tiburtina train station in the northeast, which hosts the high speed line (LGV) of Trenitalia Turin-Milan-Rome-Naples-Salerne.

You can also opt for a night trip with a night train to Rome. You will not find it difficult to reach the centre of Rome with public transport!

Where to sleep in Rome?

Visiting Rome is always a good plan because there are so many hotels that you will find without problem what you are looking for: cheap hotel, hostel, small bed cozy in love, charming hotel, etc... Still need to know where to sleep. For this you can read our guide to find out in which district house in Rome . To find the ideal hotel for your weekend or holidays in Rome, search this Compare hotels .

How to move to Rome?

Composed of 3 lines (A, B, C) that cross in a single stop (Termini) the Rome metro runs every day from 5:30 to 23:30 and on Friday and Saturday it closes at 0:30. There are 240 bus lines, including a few nights. To access the places of interest in Rome, you can take lines 118 and 910.

With regard to public transport prices in Rome, the tickets are valid for all the transport of the city (bus, tram and metro), and the prices range from 1,50€ the single ticket, 6€ the ticket for the day (16,50€ for 3 days), to 24€ the card for a whole week. If you come to Rome by car and as mentioned in the previous paragraph, you will have to read our article on the parking in Rome .

Visit Rome with the Roma CityPass

If you have planned to visit Rome on several must-see sites in the city, you may want to save on your activities in Rome. For that, you can opt for one Pass Rome & Vatican .

The principle is simple, it is a Pass that gives you the right to cut-file tickets and entries for most of the attractions of the city and around. Valid for 3 days (don’t activate it at night otherwise you will lose a day), the Pass Rome and Vatican allows you to discover the greatest monuments of the Italian capital and the Holy See and also offers you the possibility to move freely in the city (free access to public transport).

It gives access to:

• ♪ Vatican Museums (billet cut-file)
• Sixtine Chapel
• A visit to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatin (billet cut-file)
• A visit with audio-guide of St Jean de Latran Basilica
• La Prison St Pierre (visit with video presentation)
• Multiple bus pass
• A skip-line ticket for the basilica Saint-Pierre OR an entrance to the Vatican gardens
• Access to the entire public transport network of Rome (bus, metro, tram)
• Free entry to a museum or attraction in Rome (billet cut-file)

In addition, your Rome and Vatican Pass allows you to benefit from up to 50% discount on museums, theatres and other attractions in Rome.