Rome is one of the most famous cities in the world and the current capital of Italy. It is the only city in the world with a separate independent nation located there and attractions in Rome will impress everyone.
Today, the city of Rome is a tourist attraction for its historical buildings and delicious cuisine. Rome is the 2nd most popular tourist destination in Europe.
Rome’s vibrant city life attracts many tourists. Any tourist walking the streets of Rome will be charmed by the traditional monuments. Ancient landmarks like Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Trevi Fountain will remind you of the golden age of this city.
Attractions In Rome
Apart from sightseeing, Roman cuisine is very popular with tourists. The best time to visit Rome is September-November. Rome receives so many tourists every year that if you go outside you will see more tourists than Romans. So let’s explore the Top 15 Attractions In Rome.
Also Read: 17 Must See In Venice, Italy 2023
1. Colosseum
It is one of the world’s most famous and iconic landmarks and no trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to the Colosseum. It is an oval amphitheater in the center of the megacity of Rome just east of the Roman Forum.
The “Flavian Amphitheatre” is another name for the Colosseum, whose construction started in 70 AD and ended in 80 AD. In 1980, UNESCO designated the Colosseum as a World Heritage Site.
The outside of the Colosseum is very impressive and looks like a large football stadium. Different types of games, gladiator tournaments, and other forms of entertainment, took place in the structure, and the Roman emperors regularly attended.
The Colosseum is the most popular attraction that delights you again and again. If you only want to visit one place in Rome, I think this is the place to visit.
2. Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill is the most central of the seven hills of Roman (Capitoline, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, and Aventine) hills. Palatine Hill is one of the most ancient parts of the city.
Since the Roman imperial times, it was the location of many Roman Emperor’s palaces. It stands approximately 40 meters above the Forum Romanum.
When purchasing combined tickets, you can visit both the Colosseum and this location.
Most of the people visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum and often skip Palatine Hill. But I recommend you must visit this place to know about the Roman Empires’ history. It is very easy to get here due to the good transport system close to Palatine Hill! It is vastly less crowded.
Remember one thing the Last admission is always one hour before closing time and The Palatine Hills are closed on January 1st, May 1st, and on the 25th of December.
3. Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is a place where Roman civilization began. The Latin name for the Roman Forum is Forum Romanum, while the Italian name is Foro Romano. It is located at the center of the ancient city of Rome near the Coliseum. It is a top attractions in Rome and fascinates everyone.
The Roman Forum contains some of the oldest buildings from ancient Rome and the Roman Empire where they conducted political, religious, and economic activities over the centuries. The structure of the Roman Forum is quite impressive and you have to see it with your own eyes.
You can visit Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine with one admission ticket. The ticket is valid for only one day. When you visit the Roman Forum, take enough time to explore it and learn about its history.
4. Trevi Fountain
One of the most iconic fountains in Italy, the Trevi Fountain was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and finished by Giuseppe Pannini and many others.
This fountain has an interesting history of its creation and also a lot of traditions like tossing a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain with your right hand and making a wish.
A must-see attractions in Rome is the Trevi Fountain. This fountain is very beautiful both day and night. But in my opinion, the beauty of the night is worth seeing.
You can get a bit crowded during summer but it is best to visit during this time.
Though it is crowded, this spot is perfect for taking pictures. The majority of the time, tourists are polite; they move away after taking their photos so you can take yours.
Be aware of scammers and pickpockets.
5. The Pantheon
It was built by Hadrian around 125 AD. This structure was constructed to worship the Roman Gods. Pantheon comes from the Greek words, Pan which means ALL, and Theon, which means GODS.
It became a Roman Catholic Church in 609 AD which makes it a historically significant building. This temple is about a 5 minutes walk from the Trevi Fountain.
The structure looks very impressive both outside and inside. The place is basically a church and therefore free to enter, so budget travelers and church-spotting people should visit the place at least once.
Useful Information:
- The Pantheon is free to enter.
- Reservations are necessary for entrance on Saturdays and during holidays.
- You can hire an audio guide, which costs a little bit
- Try to visit it in the early hours (before 10.00 AM) to avoid big lines
- Make sure to cover your shoulders and knees before entering.
6. Vatican City
The Vatican City State is an independent city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy. By population and area, it is the smallest sovereign nation-state in the entire world. In the 1929 Lateran Treaty, it broke away from Italy. It serves as the center of power for the Pope’s Roman Catholic Church (Bishop of Rome).
There are many exciting attractions such as St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Sq, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. The palace is free for all, but visitors must book tickets in advance.
Also Read: The Ultimate Rome Beaches Guide for 2023
7. St. Peter’s Basilica
It is one of the most interesting attractions in Vatican City. The Basilica is the most important and holiest place for Christendom and one of the largest churches in the world. It is located in the Vatican City west of the River Tiber and near Janiculum Hill.
St Peter’s Basilica is an important pilgrimage site, that’s why every year thousands of pilgrims visit this church. It has evolved into a destination for pilgrimages as well as a venue for Christians to commemorate and uphold their faith. St Peter’s Basilica is the burial site of Saint Peter, recognized by Catholics as the first pope – his grave lies under the main altar.
St. Peter’s is the tallest dome in the world. You can climb up to the top of the Dome to enjoy the amazing. You have to pay to go to the top of the dome which is well worth it for the amazing views.
Tips:
- The entrance to the Basilica is free.
- They have a strict dress code so be careful about it.
- If you are afraid of heights you can skip climbing up the Dome.
- Go early in the morning because you have to wait in a long security line.
- Bring a water bottle is a must.
8. The St. Peter’s Square
It is one of the largest squares in the world located in front of Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The area is huge and can hold almost 300,000- 400,000 people on special occasions.
The architecture of the Square is magnificent and the artwork is beautiful. There is an Egyptian obelisk in the middle of the square and two huge fountains on either side which attract tourists immensely.
From the square, you can see the windows of the Pope’s apartment as well as the smoke stacks from the Sistine Chapel, signaling when a new Pope has been appointed.
The main attraction of Vatican City is St. Peter’s Square. So when traveling to Vatican City, the beauty of Peter’s Square will comply to you visit its square.
9. Vatican Museums
When you visit Vatican City, don’t forget to visit the Vatican Museum. It is the public museum of Vatican City. Here you will find a huge collection collected by the Catholic Church and See the world’s most famous Roman sculptures and the most important masterpieces of Renaissance art. The museums contain 70,000 artworks, of which 20,000 artworks are on display.
The museum is full of art and history. when you explore the Museum you can learn about the combination of the growth of Christianity, The Roman Empire, Roman mythology, and the Renaissance.
10. Piazza Navona
It is a public space in Rome, located in an open area with three ornate fountains with a long history. This beautiful region has several fountains, historical structures, churches, restaurants, bars, and other attractions. Piazza Navona, one of the largest Gothic squares in the world, is well known for its numerous artworks by famed artists such as Bernini and Borromini.
It was a plaza in Rome that was constructed in the first century AD on the location of the Domitian Stadium and followed the stadium’s open-space design. The area is known as “Circus Agonalis” because the Agon was a popular attraction for ancient Romans.
It is another attractions in Rome that attracts tourists of all ages, from the young to the elderly. For family get-togethers, it is a great area.
11. The National Roman Museum
Museo Nazionale Romano, the Italian name for the National Roman Museum, is a collection of four buildings, including the Crypta Balbi, the Palazzo Altemps, the Diocletian Baths, and the Palazzo Massimo.
Due to its close vicinity to the Baths of Diocletian, the Palazzo Massimo also known as the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is home to one of the most significant collections of ancient art in the world, which spans four floors and includes sculptures, frescoes, mosaics, coins, and jewels from the late Republican until the end of the Roman empire.
The National Roman Museum is one of the top attractions in Rome. It’s a great place to spend a few hours learning about Rome’s important history.
Also Read: 10 Historic Churches In Rome To Visit In 2023
12. The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti)
The Spanish Steps (Italian: Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) One of the more famous tourist attractions in Rome, Located in the heart of Rome. It was built in the early eighteenth century to connect the Piazza di Spagna and the Church of Trinita di Monti.
There are 135 irregularly shaped steps on the Spanish Steps. They link the lower Piazza di Spagna to the upper Piazza Trinita dei Monti, which is dominated by the Church of the Trinita dei Monti. At the bottom of the steps, you can view the Fontana della Barcaccia, the Fountain of the Old Boat.
It is a beautiful location to take pictures. There is a fantastic view of the city from the top of the stairs. The Spanish Steps are a popular gathering spot, Spanish Steps are also a popular shopping destination for both high-end and mid-range stores.
Tips:
- Because the steps reflect a lot of light, wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Sunglasses would be helpful, too.
- Remember that the tourist police prohibit sitting on the steps.
- Spanish Steps are not that far from the Trevi Fountain, o you can plan to see them both.
13. Villa Borghese Gallery and Gardens
The Galleria Borghese, also known as the “Borghese Gallery,” is an art gallery housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana in Rome, Italy. It is a stunning structure that integrates gardens, architecture, and a museum, but nowadays, the Villa Borghese gardens are considered an independent tourist destination.
A wonderful park with hidden artwork, such as statues or fountains, surrounds the Villa Borghese. The atmosphere is pleasant and refreshing. You can go for a stroll, hire a bicycle, play football, ride some slides, visit a zoo, or take a boat excursion.
The museum is inside Villa Borghese. Its collection, which fills twenty rooms, contains several paintings, sculptures, and antiques. It is one of the most renowned tourist attractions in Rome.
14. Ostia Antica
The large archaeological site of Ostia Antica, also known as Ancient Ostia, is located about 25 kilometers southwest of Rome. Ostia, once Rome’s port of entry at the mouth of the River Tiber, is now three kilometers away from the water due to silting. The location is famous for its spectacular paintings, impressive mosaics, and excellent preservation of its historic structures.
The area is spacious and peaceful. There are some breathtaking sights to admire here, including Roman baths, mosaics, housing, streets, warehouses, shops, taverns, theaters, and temples.
You have a lot of freedom of movement in Ostia, which is one of its best features. Ostia Antica is mainly an outdoor location. So wear a hat, apply lots of sunscreens, and wear comfortable shoes if traveling during the summer.
15. The Appian Way
One of the first and most significant Roman roads in terms of strategic importance is the Appian Way (Latin and Italian: Via Appia). Appius Claudius Caecus built it around 312 B.C. It linked southeast Italian Brindisi to Rome.
It is a top-notch attraction with stunning scenery and space for peaceful, healthful strolling. You can Rent a bike or cycle and enjoy the open air while riding along the historic road. Be careful, if you are not an experienced rider, walking might be a safer option because the road is kind of rough.
The Appian Way is one of the top attractions in Rome that attracts every visitor.