12 must-see experiences in Rome

Top activities in Rome range from iconic sites like the Colosseum and Vatican Museums to local favorites such as Testaccio Market and authentic Roman trattorias.

Throughout various pivotal moments in my life—during college, on my honeymoon, and with family—I have returned to Rome, the Eternal City that never fails to fascinate. Here’s my selection of the best activities to embrace the city’s timeless charm.

Locals gather at an outdoor bar next to a quaint street filled with traditional townhouses.

A lively public square where people relax on steps surrounding a fountain and wander past al fresco cafes.

Visitors dressed for winter stroll alongside the iconic Roman Colosseum.

What inspired this guide?

Rome is one of my all-time favorite cities. My husband holds Italian citizenship, and we've made several trips there. This guide was crafted from my personal experiences, enriched by local insights and online research.

Essential attractions in Rome

As the heart of the Roman Empire, the epicenter of Catholicism for centuries, and the cradle of the High Renaissance, Rome boasts a wealth of historic sites worth exploring. Here’s a look at what to see in the city.

Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

Visitors elegantly navigate a stunning spiral staircase within the Vatican Museum.

Vatican City, the world's smallest sovereign state, is entirely surrounded by Rome and has served as the residence of the Catholic Pope since the 14th century. The Vatican Museums showcase one of the globe's most remarkable art collections across 50 galleries, courtyards, and passageways, featuring thousands of white marble sculptures, contemporary paintings, and masterpieces from the Renaissance by artists such as Caravaggio, da Vinci, and Raphael.

Raphael’s fresco of the School of Athens, located in the Room of the Segnatura, illustrates renowned Greek philosophers and stands as a true Renaissance gem. Be sure to look for Raphael’s self-portrait; here’s a hint: he’s wearing a black beret.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the museum is Michelangelo’s magnificent frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, painted between 1508 and 1512. While you might find yourself straining your neck to fully take in the breathtaking scenes on the ceiling, the images will leave a lasting impression long after your visit.

St. Peter’s Basilica

The elegant colonnade and the basilica in St. Peter's Square bathed in bright sunlight.

Experiencing all that Vatican City offers in a single visit is nearly impossible. I recommend exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site on a different day than the Vatican Museums. To avoid large crowds, try not to visit on Wednesdays and Sundays when the Pope is present. Built atop the tomb of Saint Peter, St. Peter’s Basilica is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Even non-Catholics can feel the profound history while standing beneath the magnificent gold-coffered ceilings and soaring dome that reaches over 400 feet high.

Entry to the basilica is free, but if you want to climb to the top of the dome, there’s a fee of about €8. The effort is worthwhile for breathtaking views of St. Peter’s Square and the city. Keep in mind that some stairways and passages can be quite narrow, so if you're prone to claustrophobia, you might want to skip this.

Borghese Gallery

An exquisite baroque building showcases a symmetrical design embellished with columns, pilasters, and ornate details.

In the 17th century, Cardinal Scipione Borghese constructed an opulent 'pleasure palace' to display his remarkable art collection. The Galleria Borghese is a must-visit in Rome, featuring a compact yet powerful assortment of paintings and sculptures by masters like Caravaggio, Canova, and Bernini.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a sculpture enthusiast, seeing Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne will change your perspective. Crafted in his mid-20s, it perfectly captures the moment Daphne’s father, Peneus, transforms her into a laurel tree in a bid to save her from Apollo, her fingers morphing into delicate leaves as she struggles to escape.

Visitors to the Galleria Borghese are limited to two hours, making it a race to appreciate each exquisite piece. The villa is nestled within Rome’s third-largest public park, adorned with manicured gardens and tranquil water features.

The Pantheon

A woman stands within a building featuring a coffered dome, illuminated by light streaming through the central oculus.

Constructed by Emperor Hadrian in 125 AD, the Pantheon is among the best-preserved ancient Roman edifices. This grand structure, with its 16 Corinthian columns made of Egyptian granite, presents a stunning sight at the end of Piazza della Rotonda.

Entering through the massive bronze doors, I’m always taken aback by the bright and airy interior—the expansive coffered dome topped with an oculus that allows sunlight to pour in during the day and offers a glimpse of the moonlit sky at night. Primarily, the Pantheon serves as a chapel and a burial place for several Italian monarchs and the renowned artist Raphael.

While entry was free for many years, it now costs around €5. As one of the top attractions in Rome, the Pantheon draws large crowds, so visiting early in the morning is advisable.

The Colosseum

Few structures capture the imagination quite like the iconic Colosseum, a symbol of the might of the Roman Empire. Featured in literature and films like Gladiator, it once hosted more than 50,000 spectators. Today, it's hard not to feel a little uneasy thinking about the brutal gladiatorial battles and simulated naval fights that began in 80 AD.

It's highly advisable to book tickets in advance, particularly for the guided Underground Experience. This option allows visitors to bypass the lines, explore the third tier, and venture into the underground chambers where gladiators and wild animals awaited their turn in the arena. A replica elevator installed in 2015 demonstrates how a system of ropes, pulleys, and counterweights was employed to raise creatures like tigers, lions, and bears to the arena through trap doors.

Palatine Hill

The Roman Forum showcases the remnants of significant ancient buildings, enveloped by a dense cluster of compact structures.

Palatine Hill, regarded as the legendary birthplace of Rome according to mythology, is a rich repository of archaeological findings, including the remnants of imperial palaces once belonging to emperors like Augustus, Tiberius, and Domitian. Notable structures such as the House of Livia and the Palatine Museum display artifacts and artworks from this historic site.

From Palatine Hill, visitors can take in sweeping views of Rome, including iconic attractions like the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Directly adjacent to the Roman Forum, which features the ruins of ancient governmental structures, admission tickets for both sites are approximately €22. While the Roman Forum tends to attract crowds, Palatine Hill offers a quieter and more serene atmosphere, allowing you to delve into ancient Roman history while escaping the city’s hustle and bustle—making it one of the top experiences in Rome.

Top things to do in Rome: Discovering hidden gems

While the city's major landmarks are certainly a major attraction, there are also some fantastic lesser-known experiences to enjoy in Rome.

Ancient Pharmacy of Santa Maria della Scala

A couple stands within a museum adorned with archways and a beautifully decorated vaulted ceiling in the backdrop.

For those intrigued by potions, visit the Ancient Pharmacy of Santa Maria della Scala located in Trastevere, near the Tiber River. This well-preserved medieval apothecary showcases intricately carved wooden shelves, ceramic jars, and stunning ceiling frescoes. Dating back to the 13th century, it ranks among the oldest pharmacies in Europe.

The ground floor houses a modern, operational pharmacy. By appointment, visitors can access the upper floor to explore the historical section, where a friar shares insights about various herbs, potions, unguents, balms, and oils once used to heal Romans, including teriaca, a concoction that featured viper meat.

Be sure not to miss the impressive collection of antique medical instruments, tools, and equipment that were utilized by pharmacists and physicians throughout history.

Piazza Navona

A vibrant town square flanked by buildings featuring two towers, with the stunning Fontana del Nettuno at its center.

Rome boasts an abundance of beautiful public spaces perfect for relaxation, but be sure to take the time to enjoy Piazza Navona. This elongated square was constructed on the site of Emperor Domitian’s former stadium, where significant athletic events once took place.

The square is home to three fountains, including Bernini’s Baroque masterpiece, the Fountain of the Four Rivers, which stands proudly in the center. Throughout December, the square hosts Rome’s historic Christmas market, complete with chocolate vendors and activities for children, all while being lined with cafes offering outdoor seating.

If you’re visiting during this time, be sure not to miss it. Order a Negroni or Aperol spritz and indulge in one of the most enjoyable experiences in Rome: pretending to be a local Roman.

Dining options in Rome

When in Rome, indulging in good food is a must. These beloved spots are favorites among both locals and tourists and are undoubtedly among the best experiences in Rome.

Bonci Pizzarium

A young boy with blonde hair enjoys pizza with a fork at an outdoor eatery.

Chef Gabriele Bonci, hailed as the Michelangelo of pizza, transformed the Roman slice into an art form when he opened Bonci Pizzarium in 2003. His airy, focaccia-like crust made from natural ingredients was groundbreaking.

Bonci's influence is so significant that he appeared in the 2022 season of Chef’s Table: Pizza. At his cozy shop near the Vatican Museums, he offers an array of rectangular slices topped with inventive seasonal ingredients, such as potato and mozzarella or zucchini with ricotta and lemon. Although there’s no table service, you can order beer and wine by the glass and gather at high-top tables for a quick lunch or dinner on the go.

Testaccio Market

A tent showcasing a variety of fruits for sale, next to a bicycle laden with baskets full of goods.

With so many historic sites and masterpieces to explore in Rome, you might find yourself feeling museum fatigue a few days into your trip. To refresh your holiday, I suggest a visit to the vibrant Testaccio Market. Once the site of Europe’s largest slaughterhouse, the Testaccio neighborhood is deeply rooted in Rome’s culinary heritage.

At this modern market, locals gather to enjoy delicious street food like roast pork sandwiches, tripe stews, and freshly made pasta. Anyone with an interest in Italian cuisine should stop by to browse locally sourced produce, herbs, and olive oil that contribute to what is arguably the world’s favorite cuisine.

Giolitti

A man enjoys his espresso at an outdoor café.

If you ask a Roman for the best gelato in the city, you’ll receive numerous suggestions, but only one place has been dishing out gelato since 1900: Giolitti. This family-run café and bakery, which even provided cream to the Italian royal family, remains at its original location on Via degli Uffici del Vicario. Inside the lavish Liberty-style décor, attentive staff serve generous scoops of stracciatella, hazelnut, and other delightful flavors. You can either take it to go or relax at a table under the chandeliers while enjoying coffee, pastries, and indulgent ice cream delights.

Trattoria da Cesare

A fork twirls strands of spaghetti noodles.

Are you a pasta enthusiast? Journey to Monteverde for a memorable meal featuring authentic Roman cuisine. Family-run Trattoria da Cesare offers delectable fritto misto, a dish of lightly fried seafood (like calamari and anchovies) or vegetables such as squash blossoms. While the meat dishes, including oxtail stew, are excellent, the pasta truly takes center stage.

Choose from a variety of dishes including pasta alla gricia, which features rigatoni coated in guanciale drippings, carbonara, porcini fettuccine, or classic cacio e pepe. The best dining experience can be found on the pergola-shaded patio.

Note: If you have specific dining spots in mind, it's wise to call ahead and make a reservation. For Trattoria da Cesare, aim to contact them a week or two in advance.

A woman wearing sunglasses smiles back while holding someone's hand.

Two women gaze towards the Pantheon, watching the passersby across the piazza.

An ancient fountain stands in front of the Spanish Steps and the Trinità dei Monti.

Eager to explore Italy? For additional vacation ideas, check out the top restaurants in Rome, and LGBTQ+ travelers should definitely take a look at this guide. If you have some time, consider planning a day trip from Rome.