10 Must See Attractions In Rome, Italy april 1, 2022 – Posted in: Italy, Travel – Tags: Attractions, Holiday, Italy, Rome, Vacation
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Must see sights in Rome
There are just too many must see sights in Rome! So, what do you just have to see if you are only here for a few days? The Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon are a must see – but Rome has so many other wonderful attractions that it can be difficult to choose.
Rome offers an abundance of history and culture, exciting museums and also lovely green oases. The history of the city is dominated by Roman times and the Catholic Church, but to get a glimpse of the true essence of Rome, you have to take the tme to stroll around the city and visit the beautiful squares and parks.
If you are only in Rome on a weekend getaway, it can be difficult to choose what to see, so here is a list of the sights in Rome that you definitely have to visit when on a holiday here. You can see all the other sights in the city and plan your own visit to: Rome Tourism and Travel Guide. And please do pack your walking shoes! Rome is a city best seen on foot and you quickly walk 10-15 kilometers in one day.
Top 10 major tourist attractions in Rome
The Spanish Steps and The Trevi Fountain
The Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain are not necessarily attractions that give the greatest impressions, but still they should definitely be visited on a holiday in Rome.
From the top of the Spanish Steps, there is a nice view of the bustling life of Piazza di Spagna. Please note that you are not allowed to sit on the stairs. A 10-minute walk away you will find the Trevi Fountain, another of Rome’s iconic sights. The Trevi Fountain was immortalized in the Fellini film “La Dolce Vita,” in which Anita Ekberg takes the famous bath in the Trevi Fountain. According to myth, you should throw a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand – then you will return to Rome.
Our best advice is to visit both attractions early in the morning or at night. The Trevi Fountain in particular is absolutely stunning after midnight. At this time you’re likely to be the only tourist and you’ll get the most amaxing photos in front of the beautifully lit fountain.
Pantheon
In Piazza della Rotonda you will find the Pantheon, built in the year 126 AD. The ancient temple of the Roman gods is one of the best preserved buildings in Rome, due to the fact that it has been in use as a church since the 7th century. The Pantheon is best known for the large dome with the giant hole facing the sky. It is also here in the Pantheon that Professor Langdon in the book “Angels and Demons” looks for clues from the Illuminati.
Colosseum
The Colosseum is also a must when visiting Rome. The old amphitheater impresses with both its size and the intriguing history that has always followed it. The construction of what was from the start known as Flavius’ Theater, began in the year 72 AD. Take a walk around the large amphitheater and sense the grandeur of the past. Buy a ticket so you can see the theater from the inside or one of the guided tours where you can hear about the bloody gladiator fights and get to see the great arena.
Forum Romanum and The Palatine Hill
Your ticket to the Colosseum also gives you access to the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. On the Palatine Hill, the emperors lived in the great palaces, and on the Roman Forum, the inhabitants met in the town square of ancient Rome. According to the myth, Rome’s founder, Romelus, built his home on the Palatine Hill, but during excavations, traces of even older settlements have been found. As you move around between the ruins, close your eyes for a moment and linger at the thought, that also all the great emperors used to tread these paths.
Circus Maximus
Where the Palatine Hill ends to the south lies Circus Maximus. There is not much to see of the old racetrack, but it is easy to imagine the historic horse races that took place in the central square of buildings as impressive as the Colosseum. Today, the large space is used for concerts and festivals.
Via Appia Antica
One of the sights in Rome that you just have to experience is The Appian Road. From Circus Maximus it is about a half hour walk to Porta San Sebastiano, where Via Appia Antica begins. On the ancient Roman road you get a sense of the buzz of history, and also how ancient Rome was planned as a modern city with a well-thought-out infrastructure. It is recommended to visit Via Appia Antica on Sundays, when there are fewer cars. Remember water and packed lunches – and your best walking shoes!
If you are only in Rome on a short weekend break, take bus 118 to the San Sebastino catacombs and go for a walk on the regina viarum, “Queen of the Roads”. The impressive Roman road is surrounded by cypresses, catacombs and ancient ruins, and it is wonderful to escape the noise of Rome’s bustling streets.
If you are in good shape and have plenty of time, you can walk all the way from Porta San Sebastiano and out via Via Appia Antica until you reach the Via del Casale Rotondo road. If you turn towards the small suburb of Capannelle, you will find a regional train station that can take you to Termini. NB! There is no ticket machine at the station. You have to buy a ticket in the app for Trenitalia.
Read more about Via Appia Antica here: Hidden Gems and Unusual Sights in Rome, Italy
St. Peter’s Basilika and The Vatican Museum
Where the Roman Empire met its downfall, the church took over. Rome is today the capital of the Roman Catholic Church, with St. Peter’s Basilica as the largest basilika in the world. St. Peter’s Basilica is built over the tomb of the Saint Peter, and it is free to enter and gaze at the insides of the impressive Basilica Church. There are often long queues with touritsts waiting an hour or more, and if you don’t want to wait, you can buy a ticket to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum, where you skip the queue. In the Vatican Museum you can see the Sistine Chapel with the famous painting by Michelangelo.
Campo de’ Fiori
At Campo de ‘Fiori you will find one of Rome’s most popular markets. At the old flower market you can buy vegetables, cheeses and lots of Italian specialties.
Find a great hotel in Rome
On Booking.com you get thousands of hotels to choose from when you search for accomodation in Rome. It can be difficult to choose – which hotel is actually the best hotel in Rome? Rome offers hotels in all price ranges, and here you get recommendations for good hotels in Rome, all of which can be booked through Booking.com. See more hotels by doing your own search here:
The view from our apartment, St Peter’s View Apartment in Rome – SittingUnderAPalmTree
An apartment in Rome for a family
On our last visit to Rome, we stayed in a beautiful apartment with the most amazing view of St. Peter’s Church. St Peter’s View Apartment is located a 10 minute walk from St. Peter’s Square. The apartment consists of two rooms, a living room, shower & toilet and a small kitchen.
However, we never got to use the kitchen! Just around the corner from the apartment is the small café Capitan Cono. Here we had our morning coffee every day and the crispiest croissants, and dinner was eaten at some of all the lovely restaurants in Rome. Read more about the apartment here: St Peter’s View Apartment
A holiday in a medieval defence tower
If you want a completely unique hotel experience, book a room in Residenza Torre Colonna. The tower was built in 1247 to protect the distinguished Colonna family and today houses an exclusive boutique hotel. The old medieval defense tower has five spacious rooms and is located right in the center right next to all the major sights.
Bring your breakfast up on the small roof terrace and enjoy the view of the very oldest part of the city. Residenza Torre Colonna is a hotel for those who want to be in the middle of history, but with a spa and air conditioning.
An affordable hotel in quirky Trastevere
On the other side of the Tiber lies Trastevere, an area that offers plenty of good restaurants and bars. Within walking distance of Campo de ‘Fiori you will find an affordable guest house, Relais Le Clarisse. The small and charming B&B was formerly a convent belonging to the Order of Le Clarisse.
For a small fee, you can have breakfast in the old herb garden of the nunnery, under the shady olive and citrus trees. Right in front of the hotel there are both buses and trams, ready to transport you right to the city center. Relais Le Clarisse is for you who want to stay on a budget in the middle of the historic city life of Trastevere.
See more great hotels in Rome here on Booking.com!
How do you get to Rome?
Rome has two airports: Ciampino and Fiumicino. Ciampino is the oldest and smallest and is mainly used by the low cost airlines. Fiumicino is the largest, with more than 25 million passangers every year. Both airports are located south of the city, but at different ends, so remember to take the location of the airport into account when booking your hotel in Rome.