21 Best Things To Do In Rome

If you’re heading to Italy, you need to experience “la dolce  vita” with a visit to Rome. No doubt your time is sadly  limited, so we’re here to help. Here are the 21 best things  to do in Rome.

1. Trevi Fountain

The famous Trevi Fountain is ensconced in the midst of a  hot spot for both shopping and nightlife. Completed in the  mid-1700s, it has been through an extensive expensive  restoration process that was completed in 2015. Take in  its baroque beauty and discover what happens if you toss  three coins into it too.

2. St. Peter’s Basilica

Admission to St. Peter’s Basilica is free. A landmark of  Catholicism, this place of worship is located in Vatican  City. Although closed on Wednesdays for regular papal  appearances, it’s otherwise open daily. Climb the 871  steps to the top of the dome and enjoy the spectacular  view of the local landscape.

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3. Pantheon 

This present-day church and former pagan temple was  built in 120 A.D. It is world-famous for its amazingly  perfect proportions. Visit the resting places of all those  buried here including King Umberto I, King Victor Emmanuel II and the legendary Raphael (the famous artist,  not the teenage mutant ninja turtle). Admission is free.

4. Colosseum 

Also known as Colosseo, this wonder of engineering was  completed and opened in 80. A.D. Located on  marshland, its circumference is 573 yards and could once  host nearly 50,000 people. Once a human-and  animal-rights atrocity, it was the site of gladiatorial fights  at least as gory as the “Saw” movie franchise.

5. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Veteran visitors highly recommend taking a tour of the  Vatican Museums as this provides you with access to  several sections of the palaces there. Here you can see  the famous Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s famous  artwork. You will also visit the spiral staircase, the Raphael  Rooms, and more.

6. Roman Forum

“Foro Romano” is close to the more popular Colosseum. It  is also free to visit. Although a lot of it is in ruins, the  complex is said by some to actually be more interesting.  It includes some of the most important structures of  legendary Ancient Rome from government house to  shrines and monuments.

7. Church of San Luigi dei Francesi 

Located in Piazza Navona, this church is also free to visit.  Additionally, this place of worship is home to some  impressive works of art including a trio of works by the  popular baroque artist Caravaggio: his most famous  “Calling of St. Matthew”, “Matthew and the Angel,” and  “Matthew’s Martyrdom.”

8. Santa Maria della Vittoria 

Featured in the motion picture “Angels and Demons”, here  you can spot numerous Robert Langdon wannabes as well  as several baroque artworks including the famous Ecstasy  of St. Teresa statue in Gianlorenzo Bernini’s Cornaro  Chapel. Some veteran visitors describe this comparatively  small church as both “incredible” and “stunning.”  Admission is free.

9. Trastevere 

If you really want to experience “the real Rome,” then  Trastevere is the place to do it. Found just south of  famous Vatican City, this popular, ivy-twined neighborhood  is often compared to the Left Bank of Paris. It’s  highlighted by cobblestone streets, the well-known Santa  Maria, local shops, microbreweries, and comparatively  inexpensive restaurants.

10. Basilica di San Clemente

The famous Basilica di San Clemente is especially  interesting to fans of archaeology. It is a church from the  1100s, over a fourth-century place of worship, over a  pagan temple, an actual shrine for the ancient god  Mithras, from the second century. Admission to this  architectural nesting doll is free.

11. Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is arguably one of Rome’s most famous  public squares. In fact, it harkens back to the late 1400s.  Today, you will find locals and tourists alike having a  coffee amidst various artists and street performers. You  will also find numerous cafes and shops. Finally, you will  also see several noteworthy monuments too.

12. Gianicolo Hill 

Passeggiata del Gianicolo, also known as the Janiculum,  is a “must see” tourist stop found in Trastevere, west of  the well-known Tiber River. It’s a nice place for hikers and  from the top, you can get a totally unobstructed view of  the entire city including such famous landmarks as the  Altare della Patria and St. Peter’s Basilica.

13. Campo de’ Fiori Free

Spend the day (and the night) in the popular Campo de’  Fiori. During the day it’s a busy marketplace. Once the  sun goes down it’s famous for its nightlife. Experts report  that it still looks like it did back in the 1800s. It just has  more cafes, gelaterias, and pizzerias on the outskirts.

14. Porta Portese 

Situated in Trastevere, Porta Portese is open from 6 am  until 2 pm every Sunday. According to those in the know,  this is a “must see” place for fashionistas. Although many  of the vendors there sell new and used clothing, it’s also a  great place to pick up other things including antiques,  books and more.

15. Spanish Steps

Located in Piazza di Spagna, this famous attraction is  named for the oldest embassy in the world the local  Embassy of Spain among the Holy See. Yes, you too can  climb the very same stairs as the famous writers Byron  and Balzac did back in the 1800s in search of inspiration.

16. Galleria Borghese

The popular Galleria Borghese is both a villa and a  museum. Cardinal Scipione Borghese commissioned this  place back in the 1600s as a place to store his huge  collection of artworks. Today it’s one of Rome’s top art galleries and includes such pieces as Canova’s Venus  Victrix, and Caravaggio’s “David and Goliath.”

17. Capitoline Museums

The Capitoline Museums or Musei Capitolini was the  world’s first public museum. Here you will see the official  symbol of Rome, the bronze Capitoline Wolf. Legend has  it that this wolf nursed the half-god, half-wolf founders of  Rome, the twins, known as Remus and Romulus. This trio  of buildings contain hundreds of remarkable sculptures.

18. Ancient Appian Way

The historical Ancient Appian Way actually goes back to  the year 312 B.C. This was not only the place where  Caecilia Metella was buried but also where Spartacus’  army was executed in 71 B.C. Follow in the footsteps of  numerous Roman soldiers and check out the monuments  too.

19. Cooking Classes 

Foodies and amateur chefs will not want to miss out on  this! Fly home with real Italian cooking techniques and  recipes that can be used in their own kitchens. Sign up for  this five-hour class and you will actually learn how to  create honest-to-God Italian dishes with Roman chef  Andrea Consoli.

20. Gruppo Storico Romano Gladiator School 

If you’re traveling with the whole family this is a great  family-friendly recreational activity. After your kids attend  gladiator class, you can stick around and enjoy a real  Roman meal with honeyed wine and see an exciting  reenactment of an armored gladiator fight as well.

21. Explora Museum

For more family fun don’t miss out on the Explora  Museum. Located in the center of the city, this is a  customized museum made especially for children. It’s  both a fun and educational place to spend a couple of  hours in Rome. They have special workshops and even  offer birthday parties.