Rome is an open-air museum where 2,000-year-old ruins share street space with Renaissance palazzi and modern cafes. The city rewards those who wander, but its sheer depth can overwhelm without a plan. This guide covers the best things to do in Rome across every category, from the essential ancient sites to the local discoveries.
Ancient Rome
The Colosseum and Roman Forum
The Colosseum, Roman Forum
Palatine Hill form the ancient heart of the city. Book a combined ticket (18 euros, valid 24 hours) online at least a week ahead. The standard ticket includes all three sites. The arena floor and underground areas require a separate guided tour (book well in advance). Go first thing in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the worst crowds. Allow 3 to 4 hours for all three sites. The Palatine Hill offers the best views and the fewest crowds. Wear sturdy shoes; the Forum’s uneven stones are punishing on feet.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is Rome’s best-preserved ancient building and still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. Entry is 5 euros (free for Rome residents). The oculus, a 9-metre opening at the dome’s apex, lets in a shaft of light that moves across the interior throughout the day. Visit on a rainy day to see rain fall through the oculus and drain through the original Roman floor. Early morning is the quietest time. The surrounding piazza is excellent for a coffee or aperitivo.
Vatican City
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums house one of the world’s greatest art collections, culminating in Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling. Book tickets online (17 euros, plus 4 euro booking fee) at least a month ahead in peak season. Early-morning tours (before general opening) cost more but provide a less crowded Sistine Chapel experience.
Allow 3 hours minimum. The museums are vast and can be overwhelming; prioritize the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel if time is limited. The last Sunday of each month is free but extremely crowded. St. Peter’s Basilica is free to enter; the climb to the dome costs 8 to 10 euros (551 steps or elevator to the first level).
La Dolce Vita
Piazzas and Fountains
The Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Spanish Steps form Rome’s Baroque triumvirate. Visit the Trevi Fountain at dawn to have it almost to yourself; by 9 AM, it is shoulder-to-shoulder. Toss a coin over your left shoulder to ensure your return to Rome.
Piazza Navona’s Bernini fountains are best appreciated with a gelato from a nearby shop (walk a block away from the piazza for better prices). The Spanish Steps are at their most photogenic in April when azaleas cover them. All three sites are free and open 24 hours.
