The Best Things to do in Rome: Plan Your Eternal City Itinerary
Few cities in the world compare to the history, culture, and sights of Rome. From ancient ruins and Renaissance masterpieces to the lively piazzas and incredible food, the Eternal City is a must visit and deserves plenty of time to explore.
While on my trip to Rome, I realized that while there are countless things to do, there are a few iconic attractions and landmarks that truly stand out.
In this guide, I am sharing the must-see attractions and top things to do in Rome, including world-famous sites like the Colosseum but I’ll also cover food, tips, and so much more to help plan your Rome itinerary.
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✅ Book Major Attractions Well in Advance
Rome is one of the most popular tourist destinations and its famous landmarks do sell out quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. If you plan to visit places like the Vatican or Colosseum, it’s best to book skip-the-line tickets in advance. Check available tours on Viator, Get Your Guide, or Klook.
✅ Start Sightseeing Early
Rome’s top attractions become extremely crowded as the day goes on. Arriving early at places like the Trevi Fountain or Colosseum allows you to enjoy the attractions before the crowds arrive. Plus, earlier in the day or in the evening are great times of day to take photos.
✅ Plan Your Attractions by Area
Rome is huge and spread out. Many attractions are located in different parts of the city yet other attractions are grouped in specific areas. For instance, the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill can easily be seen in one day. The Vatican is in a different area and can be toured along with sites like Castel Sant’Angelo.
✅ Take a Day Tour
If you are visiting Rome more for multiple days, don’t be afraid to get out and see more of Italy. I took a tour to see Hadrian’s Villa and learned even more about Roman history.
✅Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothes
Exploring Rome means a lot of walking. Not just walking but the surface can consist of cobblestone streets and uneven surfaces. Some of the attractions like the Vatican involve a lot of walking around as well. Make sure to wear clothing that is suitable for the weather as well and is comfortable.
✅Keep Dress Codes in Mind for Religious Attractions
Your Rome Itinerary probably includes a day tour to the Vatican or possibly venturing into other churches. Always keep in mind that religious sites do require shoulders and knees to be covered.
✅ Allow Enough Time
In all honesty, you won’t see all of Rome in one trip. Don’t underestimate how much there is to see and do in Rome. Major attractions can take several hours to explore and Rome is a massive city. Take your time and plan wisely without exhausting yourself.
✅ Beware of Pickpockets
It’s a thing! I saw several warning signs at businesses and popular attractions to be aware of petty crime including pickpockets. I had no issues and never felt in danger. But like anywhere else in the world, be mindful of your belongings and use common sense.
Must-See Attractions in Rome
I spent about five days in Rome, including a few day trips. It’s safe to say that you can’t see all of Rome in a few days or even weeks.
We all know or at least heard of famous landmarks like the Colosseum or the Vatican City in Rome. These are absolute must visit attractions in Rome but there is so much more to the Eternal City.
To better help you plan your Rome itinerary, I have a few must-see attractions and things to do in Rome that I personally recommend. Below are in my opinion must-see attractions in Rome.
The Colosseum
No visit to Rome is complete without visiting the Colosseum. Built in 80AD, the Colosseum is a massive amphitheater that once hosted gladiator battles and public spectacles for tens of thousands of people.
If you get a chance, I highly recommend visiting the Colosseum underground. Visiting the underground portion of the Colosseum is a guided experience that gives visitors exclusive access to restricted areas beneath the arena.
👉 If looking for tours of the Colosseum Underground, I highly recommend this Roman and Colosseum Underground Exclusive Tour.
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Located next to the famous Colosseum are the ruins of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Here you get a fascinating look into the political and social center of ancient Rome.
You can spend an entire day at the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum. Here you can explore ancient ruins of temples, basilicas, government buildings, all while enjoying panoramic views over the city.
To get the most out of a trip to visiting the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, I recommend a guided tour.
I booked this Roman Forum and Colosseum Underground Exclusive Tour, it combined the Forum, Palatine Hill, and the underground portion of the Colosseum.
Vatican City
Visiting the Vatican City is an obvious must when you are in Rome and honestly, I’d prepare for a fully day at the Vatican City. It’s small, but there is so much to see and learn here you really need to take your time.
When visiting Vatican City, I highly recommend booking a tour that includes the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
A lot of Vatican City tours include a skip-the-line option which really saves time where you can maximize your day in Rome.
The Vatican Museums are full of galleries, famous sculptures and paintings, and historical artifacts. Visit the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s legendary ceiling, and St. Peter’s Basilica once of the most important religious sites in the world.
👉 Booking tours to the Vatican City in advanced is recommended. I booked this Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, & St. Peter’s Basilica Tour, and highly recommend it!
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved buildings from Ancient Rome and a highlight of any Rome bucket list itinerary.
The Pantheon was originally built as a Roman temple, and the original dome and structure still stand nearly 2,000 years later.
The Pantheon is located in Rome’s historic center, it’s an easy stop while exploring the city. I visited The Pantheon at night, although it was closed, the structure was lit up and looking stunning!
👉 If interested in visiting the interior of the Pantheon, I recommend booking this Guided Tour with Entry Ticket and Skip-the-Line access.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most beautiful fountains in the world and a must-visit attraction in Rome.
Trevi Fountain is truly impressive measuring nearly 50 meters wide and 26 meters high. It was completed by the architect Giuseppe Pannini in 1762.
Because of its popularity, this baroque masterpiece can be incredibly crowded. I visited the Trevi Fountain twice, once during the day and once at night, it was shoulder to shoulder traffic both times.
It is recommended to visit the Trevi Fountain early in the morning or late at night. Perhaps start your Rome itinerary at the Trevi Fountain to avoid the crowds.
Spanish Steps
I read an article recently that said to skip the Spanish Steps, because you can’t eat here and it’s crowded but I highly disagree. I stayed near the Spanish Steps and went up and down the steps numerous times.
The Spanish Steps connect Piazza di Spagna with the Trinita dei Monti Church and they are absolutely stunning not to mention the views are incredible from the top.
Of course, the Spanish Steps can get crowded, but I never felt overwhelmed. I recommend visiting the Spanish Steps first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Castel Sant'Angelo
I walked from the Spanish Steps to the Vatican City and passed the Castel Sant’Angelo along the way.
Castel Sant’Angelo was originally built as a mausoleum or Emperor Hadrian but later became a fortress and papal residence.
You can visit Castel Sant’Angelo but I just walked across Ponte Sant’Angelo (bridge build in 134 AD) and enjoyed Castel Sant’Angelo from the outside.
Santa Maria Della Concezione dei Cappuccini
If you like dark tourism sites and have a little bit of morbid curiosity like me, then I highly recommend visiting the Catacombs at Santa Maria Della Concezione dei Cappuccini.
Santa Maria Della Concezione dei Cappuccini is the site of the Museum and Crypt of the Capuchin Friars.
The crypt is decorated with the skeletal remains of 4,000 Capuchin Friars. Interestingly enough, the whole crypt is full of bones from the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to the wall decorations.
👉 Interested in Dark Tourism? I have a whole post on Dark Tourist sites around the World.
Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo was my favorite Piazza in Rome. It’s located at the northern entrance to the historic center of Rome.
Known for its grand architecture, twin churches, and Egyptian obelisk, Piazza del Popolo is often a gathering spot for day tours from Rome.
Largo di Torre Argentina
Largo di Torre Argentina is a sunken square that contains the ruins of Ancient Roman temples and is famous because it is the location where Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44BC.
Today, visitors can view the ruins from above or walk along the designated paths amongst the ruins.
Largo di Torre Argentina is also a cat sanctuary which is the main reason for our visit. We visited in the evening and unfortunately only saw one cat. Maybe you’ll have better luck then we did spotting kitties.
Other Things to do in Rome
I covered must-visit attractions in Rome. I stated earlier, Rome needs a lot of attention, you simply can’t do it all in one go.
I spent about 5 days in Rome and want to share more things to do in Rome outside of the typical attractions and must-visit sites.
Below you can find some of my recommended things to do in Rome from eating Gelato to day trips from Rome.
Try Gelato
In my opinion, no visit to Rome is complete without trying authentic Italian gelato. Gelato is abundant in Rome and you can find great gelaterias throughout the city.
No matter what time of day or my mood, I am always down for gelato and I found a few good places in Rome that served great gelato.
Here are a few of my recommended Gelaterias to try in Rome.
✅ Gelateria Della Palma
Via della Maddalena, 19-23, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
✅Gelateria Madame
Piazza del Viminale, 18, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
✅ Frigidarium
V. del Governo Vecchio, 112, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Trapizzino: Beloved Street Food
I’d hate to say it, but the most memorable food I had in Rome was a Trapizzino. I mean, not like that is a bad thing because a Trapizzino is absolutely delicious!
What is a Trapizzino?
It’s known as a street food in Rome but served in specific restaurants so I am not sure how it related to street food but that is beside the point. It’s a Triangular pocket of thick dough filled with classic dishes like chicken cacciatore or meatballs.
A Trapizzino is both cheap and delicious so it’s great if you are traveling Rome on a budget.
I would usually order three at a time and it would be quite filling. The Chicken Cacciatore was my favorite but you can’t go wrong with any of the flavors.
If you are looking to try an amazing Trapizzino and sample delicious local Italian beers, I highly recommend Be.Re. + Trapizzino, near the Vatican City.
✅ Be.Re. + Trapizzino
Piazza del Risorgimento, 7/A, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Roman Dishes
For food lovers, trying authentic Roman cuisine is one of the top things to do in Rome. For beginners, try carbonara, amatriciana, or even a pizza at a local restaurant.
Pop in to a local Trattoria or small local Italian eatery for some of the best Roman classic dishes.
I’ll be honest, not every restaurant I went to in Rome was great. When traveling to Italy, my mindset was that Italian food is some of the best cuisine in the world. My hopes were high!
Unfortunately, I was a bit let down with some of the dining experiences and food in Rome.
That being said, I did find some amazing restaurants in Rome and had great food. You just have to look beyond the touristy areas in Rome.
Below are a few of my recommended restaurants to try in Rome:
✅ Trattoria Polese
Piazza Sforza Cesarini, 40, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
✅ Melarancio Ristorante
Via del Vantaggio, 43, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
✅ Tonnarello, Paglia
V. della Paglia, 1/2/3, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
✅Trieste Pizza
Via Urbana, 112, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
👉 Do yourself a favor, don’t go to restaurants near major tourist attractions in Rome and avoid restaurants that have non-locals trying to get you to eat at their restaurant.
Instead, find a restaurant a few blocks from the major tourist attractions that is ran by locals. The quality is usually better, prices might be cheaper, and I guarantee you’ll have a more authentic experience.
Take a Day Trip
If you have extra time in your itinerary, taking a day trip from Rome is a great way to see more of Italy and learn about its history and culture.
Easy day trips from Rome include visiting Hadrian’s Villa, a Tuscany day Tour, or visiting Ostia, the ancient port city.
I took a Tuscany Day Tour from Rome and visited the towns of Montepulciano and Pienza.
I was also interested in learning more about Roman history and visited Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli.
I highly recommend a tour of Hadrian’s Villa and a Tuscany Tour. In case you are interested in other day tours from Rome, below are a few great options.
Conclusion
Rome is filled with incredible history, world-famous attractions, and delicious gelaterias. From exploring famous landmarks like the Colosseum to visiting the Vatican Museums, there are countless things to do in Rome.
If it is your first time visiting Rome, planning ahead and booking tours in advance can make your trip even more enjoyable. I hope my post is a great place to start for your Rome itinerary planning and you find it useful.
I have plans to visit Rome in the future, so if you have any other recommendations or must do, see, and eat, places please leave a comment and let me and others know. Safe Travels!
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Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇮🇹
Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖
For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com
Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁
Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.
In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘
I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
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