The Italian capital Rome is among the world’s most renowned metropolises, having served as the seat of global power in antiquity and now boasting an abundance of historical sites, works of art, and cultural artifacts. There are no letdowns in Rome, the Eternal City. Rome is located in Central Italy, and you can find a lot of spots to travel around this area.
As one of the world’s best and oldest cities, Rome attracts many visitors and is frequently named one of Europe’s most popular tourist spots. More than 2500 years have passed since Rome’s founding. Still, the city has remained a major economic, political and cultural hub throughout that time.
The origins of the city are shrouded in folklore and legend, and several theories have been put forward to explain how such a gorgeous location came to be established. Mighty Rome was ruled by a succession of Roman emperors throughout its history, and it was from this city that the massive Roman Empire emerged.
The city is so packed with ancient and Christian landmarks that it can be overwhelming to decide where to begin. Naturally, your interests will determine the sites you visit, but there are some that are practically required, like the Colosseum and the Pantheon, which are both iconic icons of Italy and top attractions in the world.
Where should I begin looking for the most exciting activities in Rome? In the city’s restaurants, museums, and marketplaces, visitors are in for a real treat, as there is something exciting to see or do around every corner. The city of Rome more than lives up to its reputation, so we offer “Best Places to Chill Out and Relax in Rome” for your travel pocket list.
01Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre)
The Colosseum must be at the top of any list of recommended Rome attractions. The Colosseum, constructed between 70 and 80 AD, was the largest theater in existence at the time. It could accommodate as many as 80,000 people. It’s the giant amphitheater ever built, ancient or modern, and it’s still the biggest one in use.
Vespasian began construction in AD 72, and his son Titus completed it and added a fourth level in AD 80 when it was opened to the public with a series of spectacular games. The Colosseum, the largest building from ancient Rome, continues to serve as a template for sports stadiums. The modern football stadium takes its oval shape from the Colosseum.
It was built to perform bloody spectacles, including gladiator fights, animal hunting, and executions. The public can also access the 5th floor, which provides a breathtaking panorama of the entire theatre.
The Colosseum is located southwest of the major terminus train station, making it quite easy to get to. Additionally, there is a metro station located very close by.
Colosseum opening hours and ticket: www.il-colosseo.it
02Pantheon
The Pantheon in Rome, Italy, was once a Roman temple built at the request of Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus and has been a Catholic church since 609 AD. The Pantheon, a Roman temple dedicated to “All the Gods,” is one of the best-preserved structures from ancient Rome and a source of awe and wonder for modern tourists.
It has the biggest (unreinforced) dome in the world at 142 feet in diameter. It was constructed by Emperor Hadrian around 125 AD on the site of an earlier temple constructed by Marcus Agrippa.
After a fire destroyed the Pantheon in AD 80, it was reconstructed using bricks, demonstrating Roman builders’ extraordinary technical prowess. The building’s sole source of illumination is a central opening nine meters in diameter, and its 43-meter dome is the crowning achievement of Romans interior architecture.
In the foreground of the structure is a triangular pediment that features a dedication to Agrippa and a porch that is rectangular in plan and lined on all four sides with enormous columns. The interior is dominated by a spectacular dome adorned with various stone designs and a central coffer that allows light to circulate freely through it.
The Pantheon, which can be found in the heart of Rome on the Piazza della Rotonda, is another location you must not miss out on seeing and ought to be a highlight of your trip.
Pantheon opening hours and ticket: www.pantheonroma.com
03Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)
The largest fountain in Rome, Fontana di Trevi, receives its water from an aqueduct built by Agrippa, the renowned art patron of the 1 century BC, to supply water to his baths. The fountain, designed by Nicol Salvi and constructed from 1732 to 1751 for Pope Clement XII against the back wall of the Dukes’ Palace of Poli, is a prime example of the architect’s skill. Its dimensions are 161 ft in breadth and 86 ft in height.
The Trevi fountain is one of the most elaborately ornamented and sculpted fountains in the world. This 17th-century marvel has been immortalized in films to the point that it is virtually obligatory to visit the city just to see it. It is said that if you toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will be able to return to the Eternal City.
It shows the sea god Oceanus, often known as Neptune, on a horse and surrounded by tritons and shells. The water circulates around the figurines and the constructed rocks, eventually gathering in a big basin continuously stocked with coins.
Nicola Salvi built the fountain in 1762 as a monument to the Roman god Oceanus, who is seen riding a chariot that is pulled by Tritons and taming several Hippocamps. Salvi is credited with the construction of the fountain.
It has become a practice to cast pennies into the river over one’s shoulder for good luck. However, doing so in the presence of hundreds of other tourists could prove challenging. When strolling through the streets of Rome, you should make it a point not to miss this fountain because it is close to the Quirinale palace and the Pantheon.
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04Vatican City
The Vatican is the world’s smallest autonomous state, covering an area of less than half a square km, the majority of which is contained behind the walls of the Vatican City State. The Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, resides in this palace and its surrounding gardens, which include St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square. With its impressive church and collection of museums, this small area packs a lot of sightseeing potential.
Michelangelo’s Pieta, along with works by Bernini and other artists, adorns the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Sistine Chapel, with its spectacular frescoed ceiling by Michelangelo, is the most famous part of the Vatican Museums.
The Vatican Museums and Galleries can be found in the Vatican Palace, together with the Raphael Rooms, Vatican Library, Borgia Apartments, Picture Gallery, Secular Art Museum, and Etruscan Museum, among others. Among the many displays here are papal carriages and religiously themed 20th-century art.
Getting tickets to see the most popular attractions at the Vatican might take hours. Get a jump on your sightseeing by booking a Skip the Line: Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums with St. Peter’s, and a Small-Group Upgrade in advance, and you can avoid the long lines.
In just three hours, you and your guide will breeze past the ticket counters and into the galleries of many different museums. You can pick from many alternative departure times or pay extra for a nighttime or small-group experience.
St Peter’s Square
The Piazza, which serves as the entrance to the Vatican City State, is circular and surrounded by massive colonnades that stand stunning statues of various holy luminaries and former popes. This impressive obelisk was originally located in Nero’s Circus, despite its more Egyptian than Roman appearance.
St. Peter’s Basilica dominates one end of the plaza. In front of it, a veranda and chairs are typically arranged during papal festivities.
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the holiest sites for Catholics. It may be the most famous and admired religious structure in the world. It is a triumph of the catholic church’s power and decadence.
The Basilica, which can be found at the farthest end of St. Peter’s square, has an exquisitely designed front facade and is adorned with statues of both Jesus and the Apostles.
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The interior of the Basilica is renowned for its exquisite architecture and design, contributing to the structure’s status as one of the most stunning structures in the world.
You will be astounded by the sheer quantity of ornamentation and intricacy and how the light falls in breathtaking rays at particular times during the day.
Michelangelo and Bernini were both involved in the design process. Their contributions may be seen in the enormous dome and the breathtaking Gloria sculpture.
Don’t miss the opportunity to obtain a birds-ey perspective of St. Peter’s Square by ascending to the dome’s summit. As part of your guided tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, you will first climb to the dome’s upper level to take in the sweeping vistas of Rome. Afterward, you will descend into the Basilica’s medieval grottoes to enjoy their beauty.
05 Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is a historic monument in Italy comprised of many ruins and was once the epicenter of Roman public and political life. The Roman Forum may be one of Italy’s most significant Roman ruins.
This was where the Roman government, religion, commerce, and public gatherings all came together. The structures collapsed after the seventh century, and churches and fortifications were erected on top of the ruins. Stones from the structures were taken to construct other structures. It was not until the 18th and 19th centuries that methodical excavations uncovered the ruins, which had been buried under 10 meters of dirt and debris.
There are tickets available to enter the Forum and the Colosseum. Visitors are encouraged to give themselves time to explore the remains and learn about the area’s rich history.
Things to view in Roman Forum
- Temple of Saturn
- Temple of Antoninus Pius
- Temple of Castor and Pollux
- Arch of Titus
- Arch of Septimus Severus
- Curia
- Temple of Vesta
Within this, we present the top five wonders of Rome. There are also many other places to visit in Rome. We list all the must-see places and things to do in Rome for easy selection and to update your travel pocket list.
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Send to Your Travel Pocket List
- Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre)
- Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)
- Vatican
- Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
- Palatine Hill (Palatino)
- Altar of the Fatherland (Vittorio Emanuele II Monument)
- Piazza Navona
- Piazza del Popolo
- Basilica Parrocchiale Santa Maria del Popolo (Santa Maria del Popolo)
- Castel Sant’Angelo (Castel Sant’Angelo National Museum)
- Spanish Steps
- Villa Borghese Gallery and Gardens
- Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore)
- Capitoline Museum (Musei Capitolini)
- Baths of Caracalla
- Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano (Basilica of St. John Lateran)
- Catacombs
- Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)
- Doria Pamphili Gallery
- St. Clement Basilica (Church of San Clemente)
- Museo Nacional Romano, Termas de Diocleciano
- Museo dell’Ara Pacis
- MAXXI (National Museum of 21st Century Art)
- Passeggiata del Pincio