Rome, the Eternal City, the City of Love, a city filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of amazing things to do.
There are arguably too many things to do in Rome. Finding the must-dos is easier said than done.
To save you time, here are the 15 best and must-do things to do in Rome.
Rome Table of Contents
- 1. Visit the Colosseum
- 2. Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain
- 3. Enjoy some delicious authentic Italian Cuisine
- 4. Explore the Roman Forum
- 5. Walk up the Spanish Steps
- 6. Go into the Pantheon
- 7. Tour the Vatican Museums
- 8. See the Sistine Chapel
- 9. Relax in Piazza Navona
- 10. Visit Castel Sant’Angelo
- 11. Treat yourself to some gelato
- 12. Look over Rome from St. Peter’s Basilica Dome
- 13. Take photos at the Villa Borghese
- 14. Tour the Stadio Olimpico
- 15. Walk the streets of Rome
But FIRST, let’s start with where to stay in Rome!
Our preference is to stay near the Termini train station for easy access to the airport bus, metro, and attractions. Calculated Traveller Mary’s most recent stay was at Hotel Milani on the Via Marsala side of Termini Station (much nicer and quieter). She raved about the location, which is just a couple of blocks from Termini, and the buffet breakfast was great, too.
1. Visit the Colosseum
How could any list of things to do in Rome exist without including the Colosseum? Seeing the Colosseum for the first time is a moment you will never forget. It’s outstanding, and it’s clear to see why the Colosseum is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Words nor pictures will ever truly do it justice – you have to see it for yourself to understand its beauty. You can also take tours of the Colosseum to go inside the 2000-year-old amphitheatre.
2. Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the world’s most famous and popular fountains. It’s impossible to take a trip to Rome without visiting the Trevi Fountain. Rome locals believe this is the only fountain in the city where making a wish actually counts. The tradition says you face away from the fountain and throw a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand.
3. Enjoy some delicious authentic Italian Cuisine
Italian food is tasty worldwide, but eating authentic Italian food in Rome is unbeatable – you’ll never want to leave! Italy is famous for its delicious foods like pizza and pasta, and Rome is home to hundreds of fantastic restaurants. The area of Trastevere, in particular, has lots of great food options.
4. Explore the Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is the old centre of Ancient Rome. It’s a fascinating place, and walking around the streets is an unforgettable experience. You really feel like you are stepping back into a time machine. Access to the Roman Forum is also included in your Colosseum tickets, so it’s great if you are visiting Rome on a budget and what to find cheap or free things to do in Rome.
5. Walk up the Spanish Steps
Another famous sight in Rome is the Spanish Steps. It’s a beautiful part of Rome, and the steps make a great picture. The scene is set beautifully, with the fountain at the bottom and the church at the top. It’s impossible to take a bad picture here.
6. Go into the Pantheon
The Pantheon is a stunning building; it’s extraordinary. Many people admire the outside and its beauty, but many people do not know that you can go inside too. The inside of the Pantheon is as beautiful as the outside. The roof, in particular, is spectacular, and there are lots of artifacts, too, which you can look at. It’s sort of a museum inside, but it’s technically a church.
7. Tour the Vatican Museums
Within Rome is Vatican City, an independent state within Italy. Vatican City is home to the infamous Vatican Museums, some of the most impressive in the world. You could easily spend half a day walking around the museums and taking everything in. There is an abundance of art, tapestries, statues and monuments and more. This leads nicely onto number 8…
8. See the Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is indescribable. As the cliche goes, “photos will never do it justice,” although you aren’t actually allowed to take photos in there. You need to see it for yourself to truly comprehend and understand how impressive it actually is. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime sight, and it’s something that you will never forget seeing. Wow.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Book a Small-Group Vatican Tour and skip the lineups and crowds.
Read about Calculated Traveller’s experience here.
9. Relax in Piazza Navona
Another thing to do in Rome is to relax in Piazza Navona. Piazza Navona is probably the most well-known piazza (square) in Rome. You can find the Fountain of the Four Rivers here, along with plenty of restaurants and shops. At Christmas time, you can also find Christmas markets in Piazza Navona. It’s a lovely little part of Rome.
10. Visit Castel Sant’Angelo
One of the best buildings to see in Rome at night is Castel Sant’Angelo, the lights create a breathtaking orange-glowing effect on the castle, but it is just as nice to visit during the day. It’s a unique castle and you can step inside and explore the museums and exhibitions too. It offers a good insight into how Rome has progressed over thousands of years.
11. Treat yourself to some gelato
Rome locals enjoy gelato throughout the course of the day. As the phrase goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”, so treat yourself to a gelato no matter what time of day it is. The gelatos in Rome are delicious, and there is a wide variety of flavours available. Similarly to finding good restaurants, Trastevere is home to a number of gelatos too.
12. Look over Rome from St. Peter’s Basilica Dome
St. Peter’s Basilica itself is extraordinary; it’s one of the most beautiful churches in the world. But the view from the top of the Dome can’t be put into words. Looking over Rome and trying to spot the Colosseum is incredible. The best time to climb to the Dome’s top is sunset. The view is absolutely amazing
PRO-TRAVEL TIP: It’s over 500 stairs and costs €8 each. If you wish to combine the climb with the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, this is a highly recommended tour.
13. Take photos at the Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese is one of the most picturesque buildings in Rome. There’s a reason it’s so popular for proposals! You are able to take great photos here, and the surrounding area also makes for some lovely walks. Not to mention the Borghese Museum and Gallery, as well as the Bioparco di Roma, Rome’s zoo, within the park’s boundaries.
14. Tour the Stadio Olimpico
If you are a sports fan, you will know about the Statio Olimpico. It’s one of the world’s most famous football (soccer) stadiums, and it’s the ground for both AS Roma and Lazio. And, of course, the Italian National Football Team. The Stadio Olimpico has also hosted numerous other sporting events, such as the Rugby Six Nations. You are able to take a tour of the Stadio Olimpico, which allows behind-the-scenes access to the changing rooms, museum, etc.
15. Walk the streets of Rome
Last but by no means least is to walk the streets of Rome. In fact, this is one of the best things to do in Rome. Rome is full of endless hidden gems, and the city has many fountains and statues, all of which are very impressive. Simply walking the streets and seeing what you can find is a great way to spend time in Rome.
Things to do in Rome: Conclusion
And that’s a wrap! 15 amazing things to do in Rome for you to do. Rome is a city where you will never get bored. No matter what you choose to do, you are guaranteed to have a great time and a great trip overall. There are so many more things to do that this list could last forever, but these 15 things are essential in Rome. Please have a great trip to Rome; it’ll be the trip of a lifetime!
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Guest Author Josh Band from A Backpacker’s World loves to write about backpacking worldwide. From Southeast Asia to Europe and everything in between, Josh loves to explore and spend as little as possible while doing so. Who doesn’t love budget travelling, right?
