Rome, Italy, is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. This town, which has been the epicentre of power, politics, religion, and culture, preserves some of the world’s richest history. Anywhere you turn in Rome, Italy, there is something worth beholding.
My boyfriend and I made a trip to Rome, Italy, and Florence, this past summer and to say we didn’t see it all is an understatement. We need two more months to see half of what we would love to see. We maxed out on all the days we had and saw as much as possible.
Was it worth the money and the whole process? Absolutely! If you plan to go to Italy, you first need to check whether you need a visa to travel. Some people may not require a visa, depending on their travel passport.
Check whether your country’s citizens require a visa to travel to Rome, and then start applying. Once you get the visa, you can use this itinerary to move around Rome.
Read the step-by-step guide to applying for a Schengen visa.
Before I get into the list of the things to see in Rome, Italy, let me share one of the most important things my boyfriend’s colleague shared with me when we first arrived in Italy. He told me that the best way to see Rome is by walking. It is tiring for sure, but it is worth it.
Streets in Rome are very narrow, and sometimes the tour buses won’t go through the streets; therefore, you might miss out on the small yet beautiful attractions in the middle of the streets. Also, you don’t need to be in a rush in Rome, Italy; there is a lot to see, and I stopped countless times to take pictures.
Read: 16 Things You should Know Before Going To Rome, Italy.
10 Best Places to visit in Rome, Italy.
Colosseum.
I went to the Colosseum twice and will return the next time I travel to Italy. It was one of my favorite places.
The Colosseum is an oval amphitheater located at the center of the city of Rome, Italy. The Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheater that was ever built. Despite its age, it is also one of the largest world standings amphitheatre. The Colosseum was constructed between A.D. 70 and A.D. 72 and was opened nearly a decade later.
The sight of the Colosseum is so captivating, especially if you think back on how hard it must have been to construct such a huge structure without any modern building equipment. In the following years, the Colosseum was modified a few times.
The Colosseum today shows the Roman empire’s engineering and architectural prowess. It is also famous because it was the origin of the gladiator battles that happened during the roman empire.
Modern amphitheaters resemble the Colosseum in terms of structure and functions but the games played in the modern amphitheaters are not as dangerous as the ones played at the Colosseum during the Roman empire.The Colosseum is easily accessible using a metro since there is a metro station just close to the Colosseum.
Spanish steps .
The Spanish steps are one of the most instagrammable places in Rome, Italy. The 135 stairs are one of the most visited spots in Rome, Italy. The stairs are not only beautiful, but they also hold both culture and history.
The staircase was designed in 1723 and completed in 1725. A French diplomat funded the Spanish stairs. They were constructed to connect the Bourbon Spanish embassy with the Trinita Dei Monti church, both located above, to the Holy See and the Spanish square below.
You can access Spanish square anytime, day and night, and you do not need tickets to get to the Spanish steps. It is completely free. However, do not be tempted to sit on the stairs; it is not allowed. There are police manning the steps ensuring people don’t sit on them.
Sitting on the Spanish Steps can now result in a 400€ fine, so ensure you abide by Rome’s new policies when visiting this iconic monument. From the top of the steps, you can also see the rest of Rome, Italy, and get a beautiful panoramic view. Accessing the Spanish steps is also easy since there is a metro station nearby of the steps.
Trevi fountain.
A five minutes walk from the beautiful Spanish stairs lies the Trevi fountain. The Trevi Fountain is the most iconic fountain in Rome, Italy. The fountain stands 26m tall and 49m wide, and it is one of the most visited sites in Rome.
The fountain was constructed in 1762 by Nicola Salvi. The fountain pays tribute to the roman God Oceanus, who is seen at the fountain riding on his chariot pulled by Tritons and taming several hippocampus.
While visiting the Trevi fountain, it has become a tradition to toss a coin over your shoulder as a sign of good luck and return to Rome, Italy. However, it might be hard to do so due to the multitude of people surrounding the fountain.
The fountain is free, you do not need tickets to see it, and it is accessible via metro or bus. There is a metro station next to the Spanish steps.
St Peter’s Square
Which is the smallest country in the world? You probably know the answer, right? It is the Vatican city!
Can you even say you have been to Rome, Italy, if you didn’t visit the Vatican? Well, for me, this was a must-visit place! The Vatican is a small country held within the larger city of Rome, Italy. The Vatican is one of the most important religious sites in the world, and st peters square is where some of the most significant religious ceremonies have taken place.
St Peter’s square is circular in the real sense and has two huge columns with beautiful statues of the various religious figures and the previous popes.
At the end of the square stands the St. Peter’s basilica and a bunch of chairs in the middle where many religious ceremonies occur. The queue at St Peter’s square is usually long and crowded as people wait to start their exploration of the Vatican.
St. Peter’s Basilica
This has to be the most celebrated, well-designed, and decorated building in the world. Standing at the far end of St Peter’s square, this basilica holds the history of the catholic church and the holiest shrines for its followers.
The basilica is crowned with the statues of Jesus and the apostles. The amount of decoration and detail that went into designing the St Peter’s basilica is breathtaking. At certain points during the day, the light falls on certain points of the basilica to form the best view of the basilica.
While at st peter’s basilica, remember to climb to the top of the dome to see an aerial view of st peter’s square and panoramic views of Rome, Italy. Then descend underground to admire the historic grottoes.
The Vatican Museums.
The Vatican museum was built by different popes spanning over a long period. The Vatican museum preserves the history of the catholic church and houses some of the world’s most iconic pieces of art.
The Vatican museum is located in the Vatican state and houses over 70,000 pieces of artwork. You need a ticket to the Vatican museum. It is advisable to purchase the tickets in advance and get there early enough so you can dedicate some time walking through the museum.
You can get a dual ticket to see both the Vatican museum and the Sistine chapel.
The Vatican is split into several sections including the Museo Pio-Clementino, The museum Chiaramonti, the Museo Gregoriano Etrusco and museo Gregoriano Egiziano. Each of these museums has different artwork and themes; therefore, you should spend some time going through each.
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is a part of the Vatican museum complex, so you can get a dual ticket to visit both places. The Sistine chapel is one of the most renowned chapels in the world and hosts a lot of artwork and beauty in its detail.
The Sistine chapel was restored in the 1400s, and this is where a new catholic pope was selected. The last judgment fresco and the ceiling are some of the chapel’s most beautiful and extensive decorations.
The Palatine Hill.
The Palatine hill stands just 40m above the Roman Forum. The hill offers a fantastic view of the rest of Rome, Italy.
On palatine hill, some structures are still standing to date, including the Temple of Cybele and Flavian Palace.To visit palatine hill, you need a ticket, but they include accessing the Roman forum.
The Roman Forum.
Located next to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum is also worth your time. The roman forum is one of the most significant ruins in Rome, Italy. It preserves the ruins of what was once the epicenter of Roman public and political life.
The roman forum houses various temples, squares, and arches like the temples of Saturn, Titus, and Vesta and the arch of Severus. Some of the structures can be seen to date; you need to pay more attention and dedicate a little time to see them all.
The pantheon
Last but not least of our ten best places to visit in Rome, Italy, is the pantheon. This is one of the most preserved Roman buildings and one of Rome’s most famous attractions.
The interior of the pantheon features a huge dome with a series of stone patterns and a central coffer that allows light to spill into the pantheon.
Finally…
I hope this list gives you a glimpse of where to go while in Rome, Italy! I wish you the most beautiful stay in Rome. Also, do not forget to check out my comprehensive guide on things to know before travelling to Rome, Italy. Also, write any questions you might have in the comments section below, and I will be more than glad to help.