The best things to do in Rome

1. Step back in time at the Roman Forum and Colosseum

Located beneath Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum was considered the heartland of social and political civilisation in ancient Rome. Take a trip back to 7th-century BC as you explore this colossal collection of temples, churches and monuments. Top sights to see include the Arco di Settimio Severo, a 23m-high triumphal marble arch; the Tempio di Saturno, a temple dedicated to Roman god Saturn; and the Curio, the Senate’s House.

To its east lies the Colosseum – the largest amphitheatre ever to be built. Once hosting gladiator games for some 50,000 spectators, it’s now a legacy of Roman architecture where you can admire its external arches and catch seasonal concerts.

A day ticket to both sites is well worth the €18 entrance fee – they are Rome’s pièce de résistance, after all.

2. Be enchanted by art and antiquities in Vatican City

History lover or not, you’ll find no better place in Italy to gaze in awe at ancient masterpieces than the Vatican Museums. Founded by Pope Julius II in the 16th century, the vast complex of 26 museums is housed within the Palazzo Apostolico – two palaces covering a staggering 5.5 hectares (13.6 acres).

But the museums’ exterior is just the tip of the iceberg. Head inside (general admission is €20) and you’ll discover jaw-dropping collections of sculptures and artefacts, rooms painted exquisitely by Rapheal and the Sistine Chapel.

The chapel’s famed ceiling, covered entirely by Michelangelo’s series of Renaissance frescoes, will leave a lasting impression. His ‘Last Judgement’ composition takes centre stage behind the altar, and equally epic works painted by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and others surround the side walls.

Don’t leave without visiting the Vatican’s most important religious site, St Peter’s Basilica. Accommodating up to 20,000 people and with a 136m-high (448ft) dome, it’s one of the largest churches in the world. Visit early in the morning for a better chance of skipping the queues (entry is free), and marvel at its ornately decorated ceiling and notable works of art from Michelangelo and Bernini.

3. Explore gardens and galleries at Villa Borghese

With a wealth of sculptures, monuments and fountains covering almost 80 hectares (197 acres) of land, the allure of Rome’s glorious green heart is hard to resist.

Originally the 17th-century estate of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the Villa Borghese became a public garden in 1903, and you can now enjoy the wooded walkways and open-air artwork at your leisure. Don’t miss the sweeping panorama of Rome’s rooftops from the Terrazza del Pincio viewpoint.

It’s also the location of one of the city’s most famous art galleries, the Borghese Gallery and Museum. Home to a revered collection of private art, it boasts works by Caravaggio and Titian, as well as magnificent sculptures by Bernini.

As it's high on most tourists’ itineraries, you'll need to pre-book tickets. Adult admission costs €15 (€13 ticket, €2 service fee).

4. Shop like a local at Testaccio Market

Get a taste of local life in Rome at the city’s oldest community market.

With close to 100 stalls, you’ll find everything from fresh produce and street food to clothes, shoes and homeware. Expect heaped piles of artichokes and tomatoes neighboured by fishmongers and butchers, all perfumed by the aromas of freshly baked pizzas and grilled meats served at the ready-to-go food vendors.

Open from 7am to 2.30pm between Monday and Saturday (until 3.30pm on Saturdays), it's the perfect spot to pick up local ingredients and knick-knacks before enjoying some lunch – get in line for one of Rome’s best sandwiches at Mordi e Vai.

5. See some of Italy’s finest sculptures at the Capitoline Museums

Dating back to 1471, the Capitoline Museums are the world's oldest public museums and house some of the most renowned sculptures in Italian history.

Sat atop of the Capitoline Hill, the museums are made up of two palaces, the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo. In the former, you’ll find classical sculptures iconic to Rome such as the ‘Capitoline Wolf’ – the she-wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus. The latter is dedicated primarily to statues, busts and mosaics, including the ‘Dying Gaul’.

Throw in masterpieces by Caravaggio, Van Dyck and Rubens and you’ll find yourself in an artist's heaven. An adult exhibition-only ticket costs €13 online.

6. Whet your appetite with an aperitivo in trendy Trastevere

For a taste of bohemian Rome, head across the Tiber River to Trastevere. Formerly a working class district, this hip neighbourhood is a heady mix of cobbled lanes and medieval buildings, bustling with lively trattorias, boho pubs and artisan shops. It’s also a top spot to enjoy an aperitivo, Italy’s sophisticated take on happy hour.

A tradition that started in Milan and Turin, the pre-dinner drink is now just as loved in Rome as it is anywhere in Italy, and is typically enjoyed with light snacks like arancini and bruschetta.

Grab a table in Trastevere’s central square, Piazza di Santa Maria, and order a classic such as an Aperol spritz or a negroni.

7. Admire ancient architecture at its best at the Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of Rome’s oldest and best preserved buildings. A Roman temple built in 126 AD by Emperor Hadrian, it’s now a Catholic church and burial place for important Italian kings, artists and architects, including Raphael.

Its architecture is a masterpiece in itself, with the diameter of the circular building exactly matching its height at 43.5m (142ft), and topped by a dome of the same diameter. A 9m (29ft) opening in its top floods the interior with natural light.

Entrance fees were introduced in July 2023, so you’ll need to buy a ticket to visit (€5 for adults, €3 for 18-25s).

8. Discover military memorabilia at Castel Sant’Angelo

It’s hard to miss Castel Sant’Angelo, the towering circular fortress that looms over the Tiber River, just east of Vatican City.

Originally a mausoleum, then a fortress with a secret passageway to the Vatican, Castel Sant’Angelo is now a museum housing a treasure trove of ancient weaponry and medieval artefacts.

The €16 entrance ticket allows access to all seven levels of the castle. On the lower floors, head to the underground prison and armoury to view extensive collections of medieval weapons and see Hadrian’s tomb.

On the upper floors, you’ll find rooms exquisitely decorated with Renaissance frescoes and the Terrace of the Angel, offering unparalleled views of Rome.

9. Have your fill of traditional Roman fare

As the saying goes: ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’. When it comes to food in Italy’s capital, you won’t find any better advice.

Feast on traditional staples such as carbonara and cacio e pepe (pasta with cheese and pepper), allesso di bollito (tender beef served in a bun), rich risottos and of course, pizza – made with a deliciously thin and crispy base. For afters, it has to be gelato or maritozzi (sweet pastry buns filled with cream).

Be sure to check out local food markets too, where you can pick up fresh breads, cheeses and cured hams that are sure to make restaurant-worthy picnics. Campo de Fiori is one of the city’s most famed.

Or, if you want to always eat like the Romans do, join a cooking class and take some Italian cooking skills home with you.

10. Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain and guarantee your return to Rome

Taking up the entire side wall of 17th-century Palazzo Poli, the Trevi is Rome’s largest and most visited fountain. Its world-famous sculpted scene depicts the sea-god Oceanus and was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732.

The ensemble of mythical figures aren’t the only myths associated with the Trevi Fountain, though. Originating from the 1954 film, Three Coins in the Fountain, myth has it that if you throw one coin into the fountain then you will return to Rome, two and you will fall in love, and three to marry the person that you met.

11. Soak up the views from Aventine Hill

Looking for a moment of calm during your Rome city break? Aventine, one of the seven hills the city was founded on, is a wonderful spot to step away from the city’s buzz.

Once the site on which Remus wanted to found his city, it’s now a haven of gardens and churches. Most make the trip up the hill to visit Giardino degli Aranci – a beautiful orange tree garden with a central avenue that leads to a spectacular viewpoint looking straight out to St. Peter’s Basilica and the city below.

On your way back down, don’t miss the Rose Garden. It sits on the hill’s slope overlooking Palatine Hill and is home to over a thousand species of roses. Late spring is a great time to catch them in bloom.

12. Discover hidden history at Domus Aurea

Considered one of the most extravagant constructions to ever be built in Rome, the vast imperial complex of the Domus Aurea is not one to miss – and miss it you well might, with the palace remnants being underground.

Built by Emperor Nero after the great fire in 64 AD, the Domus Aurea was to be his replacement of the Domus Transitoria – but far larger and grander. It held over 300 rooms, many covered in frescoes and with ceilings decorated with precious stones and ivory.

Today, you can take an underground guided tour of the ancient palace, which is part of an active archaeological restoration site. Wander down ancient corridors and marvel at the ancient mosaics and frescoes still on show.