26 Epic Things to Do in Rome for an Unforgettable Vacation

The Aventine Hill rises above the Testaccio district, full of ochre buildings and shaded by the distinctive Mediterranean pine trees of Rome. Walk through its shady avenues and you’ll find the Priorato di Malta, where the walls are decorated with symbolic carvings. Designed by the architect and artist Piranesi, it also serves as the base for the religious group, the Order of Malta. Its large bronze doorway is always shut, but has a tiny keyhole; lean down, put your eye to it and you’ll be rewarded with the sight of St Peter’s Basilica, framed by an avenue of trees.

One of the most recognisable landmarks in Rome, the Pantheon is a temple around 2,300 years old. It retains the original Latin inscription across the front of the building, which translates to: “Built by Marco Agrippa, son of Lucio, consulate for the third time.” It was later rebuilt by Hadrian in around 126CE. Pantheon means all the gods, as all the Roman deities were worshipped within this incredible building. The two bell towers were added during the Baroque Period, and were loathed by the Romans, who called them donkey’s ears. Walk inside (it’s free to enter) and emerge into a vast space, made all the more spectacular as the roof is open to the sky through a 9m (30ft) oculus. This entrance was supposed to enhance the connection between humans and the gods; today, during the Catholic festival Pentecost, rose petals are showered through it.

Wander along the banks of the river during summer and you’ll be able to try a sweet treat with a difference. Grattachecca, which literally means scratchy, is like a much rougher version of a granita that originates in Rome. The ice is scratched by hand, then flavoured with syrup or juice and topped by fresh fruit.

Villa Borghese is the most beautiful park in Rome, spreading across almost 200 acres (80ha) just north of the Spanish Steps. Once the estate of the most powerful family in the city, these grounds were first laid in the 17th century. Dotted with classical sculptures, its tree-lined avenues offer incredible views over Rome from Pincio Hill. There’s even a lake and beautiful buildings, including the art-filled Galleria Borghese and a reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe. The best way to see the park is by bike – there are rental places dotted across the park, such as Ascol Bike and Bici Pincio, offering a range of regular, electric and four-person bikes.

This ancient stadium still stands in the centre of Rome, dominating every postcard and itinerary. This is where gladiators fought and wild beasts were unleashed: the fierce, bloody competitions were the reality shows of their day. Roman citizens attended for free and were allocated seats according to their importance – the closer you were to the stage, the more significant a figure you were. It’s only recently that the third tier of the stadium has re-opened to visitors. This was once the lowliest seating, but today offers the most amazing views. You must book a guided tour in advance to visit, but it’s well worth the cost to gaze down at the arena and imagine the battles fought in this space.

Rome’s pizza is distinctive; it’s wood-fired, laden with toppings and has a thin crust. The city is filled with classic pizzerias; look for the places that are permanently packed, with paper tablecloths, delicious fresh pizza slammed down by waiters on a mission, and reasonable prices. You can’t go wrong with pizza in Rome, but the best places include Da Remo in Testaccio, Da Ivo and Ai Marmi in Trastevere, and Li Rioni near the Colosseum.

To the east of the central city, Pigneto has a history as a working-class suburb. With low-rise apartments and a central market street, this is still a neighbourhood with an authentic Roman residential vibe during the day; but the night is when things really come alive. Around 10 years ago, artists and students moved into this inexpensive area, and it morphed into the most interesting nightlife district in Rome. Craft beer shops, such as Birra Più, and cocktail bars, such as Co.So, line the streets, and there are a scattering of artsy venues where you can find events such as poetry slams and live jazz.

There are many astounding ancient Roman remains in the city, but to see something a little different, head to the National Rome Museum in Palazzo Massimo alle Terme. Near the Termini station, this museum gives a glimpse of the colour which would have decorated the stone ruins. These are roomfuls of ancient Roman imperial interior decoration; check out the beautiful paintings from Villa di Livia that depict a paradisiacal garden, with blue-green walls, naturalistic plants, fruit and birds.

This suburb close to the Colosseum is one of the most charming areas in the city; it’s filled with small boutiques, cosy bars and chic restaurants, with a scattering of hotels and Airbnbs. You could spend a whole day wandering these pretty streets; start with a morning coffee, enjoy a lazy lunch in one of the street-side cafes, and return for evening cocktails as the sun sinks. The shops are excellent for browsing; Monti is the best place in Rome for affordable fashion by independent designers, vintage clothing and unique accessories.

The Vatican Museums are one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions, and as such they’re frequently packed, especially during the peak summer months. For your best chance to miss the crowds, consider bypassing a daytime visit altogether. From April to October, the Vatican Museums open late on Friday evenings; not only will you skip the queues, but you’ll also get to enjoy the classical concerts performed during these opening evenings, as well as a welcome aperitivo (an evening drink and snack). A happy hour ticket will get you early entry at 5.30pm; choose this for the opportunity to visit the Sistine Chapel and gaze upon the magnificence of Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam fresco without being jostled.

Climbing up the dome of St Peter’s Basilica is an experience in itself – especially if you take the stairs. If you don’t choose to tackle the 231 steps, there’s a lift to the first floor, where you’ll be rewarded by views over the gilded interior. You’ll also be able to gaze down over the baldachin (canopy) created by Bernini – the artist and architect used bronze melted from the tiles that used to cover the Pantheon. From here you can then climb another 320 steps up a narrow spiralling staircase to view the panoramas across the piazza and the Vatican City.

Trajan’s Markets is a remarkable complex of ancient stores, administrative offices and alleyways that dates back to around 110CE. While historians debate whether or not it was actually a market, there’s no doubting that the covered area was the model for today’s shopping malls. Constructed by Emperor Trajan, one of Rome’s most industrious rulers, the ancient alleyways and multi-level offices at the complex give visitors a chance to step into the everyday life of ancient Romans. This tour also grants access to the onsite Imperial Forum Museum. Recommended by James Taylor.

Once the centre of public life in ancient Rome, the Roman Forum is an impressive set of ruins and among the most important archaeological areas in the world. Dating back to the seventh century BCE, the site is filled with crumbling remains of Roman temples and government buildings. Most important among the ruins are the Temple of Caesar, the Arch of Titus and the Sacred Way, the road down which the Roman centurions would march when returning home from battle. Recommended by James Taylor.

If you know only one thing about Emperor Nero, know this: the man was famed for incredible acts of self-indulgence. Domus Aurea is his golden imperial estate, the most aesthetically overwhelming buildings at the time and a testament to his gaudy reputation. Now an active archaeological site, digital re-creations of what the estate would have looked like in its heyday (think intricate mosaics, resplendent artificial lakes and colourful frescoes) allow you to catch a glimpse into the mind of the opulent Emperor Nero. Recommended by James Taylor.

The Castel Sant’Angelo is an instantly recognisable fortress on the banks of the Tiber River, constructed by Emperor Hadrian in the second century as a mausoleum for himself and his family. In the sixth century, it was used as a castle by Pope Gregory the Great and provided a secure refuge to a number of different popes over the centuries in times of strife; there’s even a secret tunnel that connects the fortress directly to the Vatican. Visitors are treated to the building’s rich history through exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and Medieval weapons. Recommended by James Taylor.

Home of chariot racing in the sixth century, Circo Massimo once held up to 250,000 spectators and was among the most important public spaces in Rome. On top of the races, it also hosted classic gladiator battles in front of the roaring crowds. Today, the city still holds large outdoor concerts in the space, which lies at the base of the Palatine and Aventine Hills, both of which provide panoramic views over the ancient city. Recommended by James Taylor.

In a city that once had hundreds of public bath complexes, Terme di Caracalla is among the most important and impressive ones that remain. Constructed in the third century, the original bath complex covered up to 25ha (62 acres), the second largest in the whole of Rome. Today, the central bathhouse makes up most of the remains. The Rome Opera even hosts impressive musical and ballet performances inside the ruins. Recommended by James Taylor.

A 16th-century villa located in Trastevere, Villa Farnesina was built for the banker Agostino Chigi and is among the finest buildings in Rome from the Italian Renaissance period. The interior dazzles visitors with its beautiful frescoes from the Italian masters Raphael, Sebastiano del Piombo and Baldassare Peruzzi. After exploring the impressive villa, the guided tour, which is led by an art historian, delves into the surrounding Trastevere, among the city’s most charming neighbourhoods and a favourite spot for noble Roman families to build their summer villas. Recommended by James Taylor.

Dating back to 1471, the Capitoline Museums are the oldest public museums in the world. The collection contains Italy’s finest ancient sculptures, bronze statues and busts, all of which were amassed by Pope Sixtus IV during the 15th century. There is also a gallery displaying an impressive collection of Medieval and Renaissance art. Small-group tours put the entire complex into context as they explain how Michelangelo came to design the entire area. Recommended by James Taylor.

The Ara Pacis (Altar of Peace) is a large marble sculpture built in the year 9BCE during the reign of Emperor Augustus. As Rome’s first emperor, Augustus led its transition from a republic to an empire after the assassination of his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, ushering in one of the longest eras of relative peace in Roman history. The altar is now housed inside the Ara Pacis Museum, a contemporary glass building (the only one built in Rome’s historic centre since World War II) designed by American architect Richard Meier. Recommended by James Taylor.

Showcasing Rome in all of its splendour and glory, the Piazza Navona is an enormous open-air square with baroque fountains, street artists and a healthy dose of gawking tourists. The impressive baroque church Sant’Agnese in Agone dominates one side of the piazza, while Bernini’s famous Fountain of Four Riversis in the centre. There’s also a treasure buried beneath this busy spot. Delve underneath to find the Stadium of Domitian, part of a Unesco World Heritage site and an athletics venue of ancient Rome, where sportsmen competed in running, gymnastics and other sports, while slaves battled as gladiators. Recommended by James Taylor.

Connecting Piazza di Spagna with the impressive Chiesa della Trinità dei Monti, the Spanish Steps are one of the busiest tourist hotspots in Rome. Financed by a French diplomat to connect the church to the piazza, the steps were constructed in 1725 and became a popular spot for English travellers on their Grand Tours in the late 18th century. That popularity endures, and, today, the steps are among the best locations in Rome where you can people-watch. Recommended by James Taylor.

Another of the most important squares in Rome, the Piazza Venezia lies in the heart of the city, with important historical buildings, museums and art galleries surrounding it. At its centre is the eye-catching Vittoriano Memorial, honouring Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of a united Italy. Most impressive of the buildings is the Palazzo Venezia, where Mussolini would famously make his speeches from the balcony of the Globe Room to roaring crowds below. The palazzo is now a museum dedicated to Renaissance art, ancient bronze statues and Medieval weaponry. Recommended by James Taylor.

For those looking to experience everyday Roman life, visiting Campo de’ Fiori is a must. During the day, this piazza hosts one of the most popular markets in the city, where residents go to stock up on fresh produce from the surrounding countryside. Campo de’ Fiori translates to “field of flowers”, referencing the time before the market’s development in the 15th century when it was simply a field where public executions took place. Among those who were executed was the Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno, a statue of whom now stands in the centre of the square. Recommended by James Taylor.

Among the most majestic piazzas in Rome, the Piazza del Popolo is almost perfectly symmetrical. With fountains on either side, twin churches at its southern base and an Egyptian obelisk rising from the centre, it’s incredibly photogenic – especially as you climb the steps to the Pincio Terrace, where the views of the square and surrounding cityscape are some of the most coveted in Rome. Its size makes it a popular spot for concerts on balmy summer evenings. Recommended by James Taylor.

An impressive example of baroque architecture, the Trevi Fountain is among the most famous fountains in the world. It contains sculptures of many different fabled figures and wild horses, made from white travertine stone. Don’t forget to toss a coin into the water before you leave; this ensures that you’ll return to Rome in the future. Recommended by James Taylor.