It’s difficult to know where to begin in a city that is crammed with symbols of antiquity and Christian religion. Here are some suggestions. Of course, your own preferences will guide your choices, but there are certain places that are nearly mandatory monuments of Italy and Europe, such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon, that you should see regardless of your interests.
Did you know that over 95 million visitors flocked to Italy in the year 2019? Rome was visited by around 10 million visitors out of the total of 95 million tourists. Rome is the capital city of Italy, and it is a fascinating city with a rich history and cultural heritage.
Rome, Italy, has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years, and as a result, it has an abundance of intriguing history and architecture. If you are searching for a vacation filled with exploration, delicious cuisine, and educational opportunities, Rome is the place to go.
While seeing Rome, try to mix up your experiences so that you don’t see too many historical ruins or cathedrals in one day. Combine these more important monuments with a couple that are just tourist attractions, such as the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, which is a must-see for every visitor to Rome who wants to throw in their coin.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer size of Rome, so even the most dedicated tourist should take some time to relax and take in the views at a park or sidewalk café. With this handy list of the most popular sites in Rome, you’ll be able to pick and choose which ones to see and which ones to skip.
Are there any must-see destinations in Rome that I should know about? Continue reading to find out places to go in Rome.
Colosseum
If you are planning a trip to Rome, the Colosseum is one of the most important attractions to see. The Roman Colosseum is one of the most well-known sites in the whole world, and for good reason.
The Colosseum is yet another prominent tourist destination in the city of Rome. Its construction began in 72 AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty and was completed under the reign of his son Titus in 80 AD.
Animals, criminals, and sacrifice were all used in the gladiator games, which were very brutal. The Colosseum had a capacity of up to 80,000 people at a given time.
St. Peter’s Basilica
After you’ve finished exploring the Colosseum, you should pay a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, which are also worth seeing. The Basilica of St. Peter is one of the most significant shrines in the Catholic Church, and it is located in the Vatican City.
The Basilica of St. Peter, the spiritual heart of the Catholic world and a prominent tourist destination, is a massive basilica with an internal height of 120 meters (400 feet), large enough to accommodate the space shuttle and its booster rockets, as well as the Statue of Liberty.
The inside and exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica are both stunning, and you could easily spend hours admiring the structure’s beauty. Famous painters, such as Michelangelo, contributed to the construction of a portion of the structure.
The Pantheon
If you like history and gorgeous architecture, the Pantheon should be on your list of places to see in Rome. It is a must-see for every history buff. The Pantheon is one of Rome’s most well-preserved structures, and it is worth a visit.
Over 2000 years after it was built, the Pantheon, the best-preserved monument of Roman antiquity, remains remarkable undamaged. This is despite the fact that Pope Gregory III ordered the removal of the gilded bronze roof tiles, and Pope Urban VIII ordered the removal of the bronze roof tiles, which were melted down and used to cast the canopy over the altar in St. Peter’s and cannons for Castel Sant’Angelo.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain, which is also one of the most popular attractions in Rome, is another must-see. In the globe, this fountain is one of the most beautiful and famous structures on the planet. The Trevi Fountain, dedicated to the Roman Gods, was completed and consecrated in 1762.
Many visitors to the Trevi Fountain believe that throwing a penny into the fountain would bring them good luck. Due to their proximity to one another, you may see the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon on the same day.
This 17th-century masterpiece has been immortalized in films to the point that it is virtually a need to see it. It is one of the city’s most prominent tourist attractions. Tradition has it that throwing a coin (but not three) into the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) will ensure your safe return to Rome.
The Fontana di Trevi, Rome’s greatest fountain, is fed by an aqueduct that was initially built by Agrippa, the famous art patron of the first century BC, to provide water to his baths. The fountain, which was erected against the back wall of the Palace of the Dukes of Poli between 1732 and 1751 for Pope Clement XII, was designed by Nicol Salvi and completed between 1732 and 1751.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are a staircase of irregularly shaped steps and landings that lead up to the French church of Trinità dei Monti in the heart of the city’s historic center. The Piazza di Spagna, the plaza at their foot and one of Rome’s most characteristic squares, is the inspiration for the name of the stairs. For years, travelers have congregated on the stairwell to enjoy a gelato in the summer or to wrap their hands around cones of hot roasted chestnuts in the winter, respectively.
The Spanish Steps, a 135-step staircase that was erected with French finances between 1721 and 1725 to connect the Bourbon Spanish embassy to the Holy See with the French church, Trinità dei Monti, are a true architectural marvel in their own right.
The stairs are frequently highly packed, drawing both visitors and residents who utilize it as a social meeting spot throughout the day. Every year in May, azaleas are planted along the stairwell’s railing. The Piazza di Spagna (Spanish plaza) is located at the foot of the Spanish Steps, and the Fontana della Barcaccia, a modest fountain constructed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, can be seen there.
Roman Forum
Location: Located in a small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the Roman Forum (also known as the Forum Romanum in Latin) was the pulsating heart of ancient Rome for centuries, serving as the site of triumphal processions and elections, a forum for public speeches, and the focal point of commercial activity.
The hub of Roman political and religious life, as well as the courts, marketplaces, and meeting places, were all located here. Buildings fell into ruin after the seventh century, and new structures like as churches and fortifications were constructed among the old ruins. Although the ancient structures were discovered beneath a 10-meter layer of soil and debris during methodical excavations in the 18th and 19th centuries, they were not fully revealed until the 18th and 19th centuries.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo, a large drum-shaped edifice overlooking the Tiber near the Vatican, was built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family in AD 135 as a mausoleum for Hadrian and his family. With almost 2,000 years of history, Castel Sant’Angelo has served as a papal palace, fortification, and more recently, as a National Museum of Art and History.
As a result of its strategic location defending the northern entrances to the city, Emperor Aurelian integrated it within his new system of walls around the city in AD 271 to protect the northern accesses. It served as a bulwark for the city, protecting it from barbarian raids, and by the Middle Ages, it had grown into a significant fortification. In times of danger, popes retreated to this location by a hidden elevated tunnel known as the Passetto di Borgo, where they deposited their most valuable possessions in the castle’s treasury.
There were other ashes of previous emperors buried there, but they were dispersed when the Visigoths conquered the city in 410. Aside from its service as a jail, the castel now serves as an educational and cultural center. One of the most well-known landmarks in Rome, it is also well-known to film aficionados as the scene for the film “Angels and Demons.”
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona, one of the most renowned of Rome’s numerous squares, was constructed around the end of the 15th century and still retains the form of the Stadium of Domitian, which originally existed on this location.
When the Middle Ages came around, it was still being used for festivals and horse races, and it was restored in the Baroque style by Borromini, who also planned the splendid series of palaces and the church of Sant’Agnese, which are located on the west side of the building.
With no less than three stunning fountains, the area has become a very popular spot for people to have a coffee, shop, and enjoy the entertainment provided by street performers.
Palatine Hill
Known as one of the Seven Hills of Rome, Palatine Hill has connections to Roman mythology, since it was here that an orphaned pair of twin boys, Romulus and Remus, were reputedly discovered and cared for by a wolf until a shepherd saved them.
The Palatine Hill, which is strategically located 50 meters above the Tiber, has evidence of Rome’s early settlement: rock-cuttings discovered in front of the Temple of Cybele date back to the ninth century BC and indicate signs of human activity as far back as the ninth century BC. Later on, this was the location selected by the emperors and prominent aristocratic families for the construction of their palaces.
Villa Borghese Gallery and Gardens
The Borghese Gardens, one of Rome’s biggest gardens, is home to a variety of attractions, the most notable of which is the Villa Borghese Museum, which is the more well-known of the two museums. In addition to serving as a party villa and museum for the Borghese art collection, the gallery houses artworks ranging in date from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Artists such as Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, and Rubens are represented among the collection’s highlights.
Villa Giulia, which was constructed as a summer palace for Pope Julius III in the 16th century and now serves as the home of the Etruscan Museum, is located further in the park. More villas were built for the 1911 World’s Fair in Rome, which was the first of its kind.
Santa Maria in Trastevere
Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches in Rome, with most historians assuming it was initially erected in the 4th century. It is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the city. The church, which dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries and has been extended and rebuilt throughout the years, has remarkable mosaics.
Its picturesque plaza, which is located in the famed Trastevere area, is accentuated by the mosaics on the façade, which are particularly visible at night when the church and its tower are lighted.
