The 23 best things to do in Rome

Of course, if you’re in Rome, you have to see the Colosseum. This magnificent building is Rome’s shining glory (you know, the kind of stuff you see on postcards), and it’s even better in person than you can imagine. Built between 72-80 AD, it is the largest amphitheatre in the world and could hold up to 80,000 people. Local Romans used to come to see violent gladiator battles or animal hunts, but now it’s a lot more peaceful. We recommend buying tickets in advance, as the queues here can be crazy. But it is one hundred percent worth it once you get to the 5th level for that 360-degree view over the theatre.

Founded by Pope Julius II in the 16th century, the Vatican Museums house one of the largest and most important art collections in the world and is set across 54 galleries, courtyards and hallways. You’ll find thousands of ancient sculptures, works by Raphael and, of course, Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. If you have time and plan well in advance, book tickets to descend into the Vatican Necropolis, located beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Gardens filled with fountains, flora and a replica of the Grotto devoted to Our Lady of Lourdes.

Built in 125 AD by Emperor Hadrian, the Pantheon is one of the best preserved buildings from ancient times. Its dome, measuring 142 feet in diameter, is the largest in the whole world. Meanwhile the Pantheon's oculus, the central opening at the top of the dome, not only provides a unique source of natural light but also serves as a symbolic connection between the temple and the heavens, enhancing the spiritual and architectural significance of this ancient marvel. This is a must-see in Rome, and if you’re heading to the city during Pentecost weekend, you’re in for a treat – during Sunday Mass, tons of rose petals get dropped from the oculus to mark the occasion, and the sight is really something.

Castel Sant’Angelo, ‘The Castle of Angels,’ is an eye-catching cylindrical fortification built on the banks of the Tiber River by Roman Emperor Hadrian in the second century AD. Originally commissioned as a mausoleum for Hadrian and his family, it was later used as a fortress and castle by the popes. It even includes a secret escape passageway that links the structure to the Vatican City. Today, it is a museum with frescoed rooms, a collection of medieval weaponry and sweeping views of the city of Rome and nearby St Peter’s Basilica. There’s a little cafe inside where you can enjoy snacks or a drink with a view of the Vatican.

Rome is known as the city of fountains – there are over 2,000 throughout the city, both big and small – but none is grander than the Trevi Fountain. Commissioned by Pope Clement XII in the 18th century, this majestic work of Baroque art was carved out of Carrara marble and took 30 years to complete. It was built on the site of an ancient aqueduct which dates back to 19 BC and features Oceanus, the god of the sea, sitting triumphantly atop a chariot pulled by seahorses at the center. On either side are Tritons, mythical sea creatures that resemble mermen, blowing into conch shells. According to local legend, if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain, you'll return to Rome again in your lifetime. Each year, millions of coins are tossed into the fountain: they're regularly collected and donated to charitable causes. 

Commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the 16th century to house his impressive art collection, Galleria Borghese remains one of the premier museums in Rome. An avid art collector, the Cardinal was one of Gian Lorenzo Bernini's early patrons and a huge fan of Caravaggio’s works, so expect to find exceptional creations inside. Some of the museum's highlights include Apollo and Daphne by Bernini, Paolina Bonaparte by Canova and Boy with a Basket of Fruit by Caravaggio. The “pleasure palace” was originally built as a suburban villa and it remains immersed in Villa Borghese’s extensive gardens, so be sure to take a stroll around the park after your visit.

Fondly referred to as the city of Seven Hills, Rome is known for its scenic vantage points and numerous terraces that give way to stunning views of the city skyline. Located above the Trastevere neighbourhood, Gianicolo isn’t technically one of the fabled hills, but it is worth the trek because it’s the highest point in Rome and offers an expansive vista over the Eternal City. The elegant Fontana dell’Acqua Paola, a fountain featured in the opening scene of La Grande Bellezza, is located just nearby, and its majesty will surely take your breath away.

The Capitoline Museums are set across three buildings in Piazza del Campidoglio, a trapezoidal piazza designed by Michelangelo in the 16th century. Considered the first public museums in the world, they are home to Renaissance marble statues and Roman bronzes such as the Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius and the Capitoline Wolf, which symbolizes the founding of Rome. The museum also provides an excellent view of the Roman Forum from the Galleria Lapidaria, an underground tunnel that connects the two main buildings. Plan to spend a few hours exploring the collection and don’t miss a visit to the secret garden in Piazzale Caffarelli, tucked just behind the piazza.

Emperor Nero’s extravagant Domus Aurea (Golden House) was considered one of the most impressive residences of its time and offers a unique glimpse into subterranean Rome. Built between 64-68 AD as a grand place of entertainment near the Colosseum, it spanned across many of Rome’s ancient hills before it was destroyed by the great fire of Rome in 64 AD. Visitors can join guided tours every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and a virtual reality tour is also offered that helps bring the villa’s former glory to life.

Rome’s culinary traditions are rooted in the Testaccio neighbourhood, making it an essential stop for gourmands and intrepid diners. The area once housed the largest slaughterhouse in Europe, and employees were usually paid in leftover animal parts (affectionately referred to as the “quinto quarto,” or fifth quarter). One of the best places to sample Rome’s diverse cuisine and excellent street food is at the Testaccio Market, a luminous and contemporary building filled with tantalizing stands that serve everything from artichoke sandwiches and tripe stews to freshly-cooked pasta and craft beers.

Once a state-of-the-art power station, the early 20th-century Centrale Montemartini was chosen in the late 1990s to house part of the collection of the Capitoline Museums. Ancient statues are juxtaposed with vintage machinery in the industrial setting; fauns and Minervas, Bacchus revellers and Apollos are all surprisingly at home against the thermoelectric equipment. Highlights include incredibly detailed mosaics depicting marine themes, a spectacular early fourth-century mosaic depicting a hunting scene and the giant head and foot of a goddess found at Largo Argentina.

Built at the end of the 19th century, the Teatro dell'Opera is a neo-classical opera house hosting around 200 performances each year, from opera and ballet to contemporary dance. The opera house has collaborated with several celebrity directors and fashion houses, including Sofia Coppola, Valentino and Dior, to create innovative shows. In the summer months, performances are held al fresco in the evocative Terme di Caracalla (Baths of Caracalla), an enormous archaeological complex built between 213-216 AD that was home to an open-air pool, saunas, a library, shops and more.

Although Rome’s four national museums have been overlooked for years, they are some of the most exciting cultural programming in the Eternal City at the moment, featuring contemporary works, interactive videos and more alongside ancient sculptures. The museums contain important archaeological relics discovered in Rome and are spread across four locations: Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, the Baths of Diocletian and Crypta Balbi. A €14 combination ticket allows entry into all four sights over one week.

Located near Circo Massimo, an ancient chariot racing stadium, Mercato Campagna Amica is heaven for foodies and a favorite with the locals. Open from 8am to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday, it brings together local farmers who sell quality, seasonal products — from fruits and vegetables to cheese, baked goods and specialty items. Created in 2008 by the Italian Farmers Confederation (CIA), the Mercato Campagna Amica is more than a farmer’s market: it’s a movement towards a sustainable and locally sourced food system. You can also come by for pop-up events, like cooking demonstrations, tastings, and seminars about composting, organic farming, and biodiversity.

Rome has two first-class football clubs, AS Roma and SS Lazio. Both play in the Stadio Olimpico, incidentally the largest sports facility in Rome. While only the most courageous visitors may want to attend a Roma-Lazio game (the rambunctious “derby”), a trip to the stadium promises to be a spectacle of flares and chanting and a touch of atmospheric drama a million miles away from the elegant centro storico. If you prefer a more low-key experience, you can also catch a rugby game here during the Six Nations Championship tournament held in the late winter months.

Although ancient architecture reigns supreme, Rome is increasingly recognized for its newer structures that have created a vivid juxtaposition between the old and the new. One of the most spectacular examples is the Museo dell’Ara Pacis designed by American architect Richard Meier. The 2,000-year-old altar dedicated to Pax, the goddess of peace, has been enclosed in a monumental glass structure, creating a unique display in the city centre. The museum also hosts rotating art exhibitions and a virtual reality tour that includes 3D binoculars.

It is worth climbing to the top of the “wedding cake” not only to appreciate the enormity of the structure but also to see the Art Nouveau mosaics in the colonnade and, most importantly, to enjoy the view from the only place where you can see the whole city centre without the panorama being interrupted by the Vittoriano itself. Even more impressive is the view from the very top level of the monument, reached by a glass elevator accessed from behind the structure, by the side of the Aracoeli church. And while it has had a mixed reception from tourists and locals alike, it is one of Rome's must-sees (honestly, it will be hard for you to miss it).

Galleria Colonna is one of the oldest and largest private palaces in Rome and one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Originally built as a fortress for the Colonna family, it was turned into a Baroque residence over time and now hosts a world-class art collection with masterpieces by Carracci, Tintoretto and Guercino. Step inside to discover the Great Hall, an enormous mirrored gallery lined with statues, paintings and chandeliers on-par with the beauty of Versailles. Galleria Colonna is open every Saturday. Be sure to visit Princess Isabelle’s apartment and the secret garden.

Step back in time, literally, as you walk (or bike) along one of the oldest roads in the Roman empire: the Appia Antica. This ancient road connected Rome to Brindisi and remains one of the most picturesque areas in the city. The surrounding park is also full of cultural heritage sites, including catacombs and mausoleums containing notable figures such as popes, martyrs, and nobility. Don’t miss exploring the catacombs of St. Callixtus, the catacombs of Domitilla and the catacombs of Saint Sebastian.

Villa Medici, home to the French Academy in Rome, supports research and creativity in the arts and humanities. The building was built in the sixteenth century by Cardinal Ferdinando de' Medici, who later became Grand Duke of Tuscany. It enjoys a privileged position above the Spanish Steps and is known for its vast, manicured gardens and views of the city skyline. Today, the academy offers residencies and fellowships to scholars, and hosts events and exhibitions throughout the year. Visitors can tour the gardens and some of the historic rooms in the villa, including the Grand Salon and the Chapel of Saint John the Baptist.

Located on the slopes of Gianicolo in the Trastevere neighborhood, the Botanical Garden of Rome is a verdant oasis nature lovers won't want to miss. It was established in 1883 in the gardens of Villa Corsini, an elegant 17th century villa commissioned by the Corsini family, one of the oldest noble families in Florence. The garden houses over 7,000 species of plants from around the world across 12 hectares. Some of the highlights are a vast bamboo collection, numerous Gymnosperms such as sequoias, cypresses and pines, and over 400 species of orchids. A small vineyard has recently been planted in the Botanical Garden with 155 autochthonous varietals from throughout Italy. 

This verdant oasis of calm tucked just behind Rome’s towering ancient pyramid has served as the city’s final resting place for non-Catholic foreigners since 1784. Unofficially known as the Protestant Cemetery, this charmingly old-world corner also hosts Buddhists, Russian Orthodox Christians and atheists: a sign points to the grave of Antonio Gramsci, founder of the Italian Communist Party. The larger, newer section is much more crowded and slopes up to the crenellations of the Aurelian Wall. If visiting, also be sure to look out for notable graves, such as those for literary icons John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley and Russian artist Karl Bryullov.