Rome, the city that dominated the world and that is full of Places to visit in Rome with great history and beauty, being able to say that it is a great open-air museum. Its churches, monuments, squares, and fountains together with great gastronomy make it one of the most fascinating and visited cities in the world. There are many places to visit in Rome; we have made a selection of 20 that we think you should not miss, especially if it is your first time in Rome. To make the list we have based on the two trips we have made to the Eternal City: Rome in 6 days and Rome in a weekend. We started!
Places to visit in Rome
- The Trevi Fountain
After a few years in which you could only see between scaffolding for the restoration work, today we can say that the Trevi Fountain now looks at its best. They say it is the most beautiful source in the world and although we will not confirm or deny, what we do have is that one of the places to visit in Rome is essential.
Although usually always overflowing with tourists, if you go early in the morning or late at night, you can take good pictures and enjoy it more calmly, although we should also consider that seeing her surrounded by people is also part of her attractive. By the way, do not forget to throw a coin if you want to go back to Rome.
- Circus Maximus
It is in the Circus Maximus that the chariot races of Ancient Rome were disputed. Taking into account that it could hold up to 300 thousand fans to see up to 12 cars trying to get the victory, you can imagine the greatness of the place, right? Right now there are few ruins that remember what it was, although we are sure that with a little imagination you can recreate its history by seeing the huge esplanade that can be seen today. Free entry and not too visited, the Circus Maximus is one of those places to see in Rome to which you can go at any time of the day.
- The Colosseum
The Colosseum in Rome is the most spectacular and well-known monument in the city and one of the most visited in the world. To see and enter this incredible place is to go back 2000 years, to one of the periods of maximum splendor of the Roman Empire. Once served as a distraction to the people of Rome, formerly called Flavian Amphitheater and performed all kinds of gladiator fights, executions … and today is one of the most visited tourist attractions and how could it be otherwise, you cannot get lost in Rome.
To visit it you must take into account the large queues that form at the entrance, especially on weekends or holidays. A good option to not waste time is to book the guided tour of the Colosseum, Forum and Palatino or this offer that includes the Vatican, both with a guide in Spanish with which you can skip the queues as well as having first-hand knowledge of the history and a multitude of curiosities.
A good option if you are going to visit its main monuments and buildings is to book the OMMIA Vatican and the Roma Card; you will save time and money.
The Coliseum opens every day at 8:30 in the morning and the closing time is at 4:30 in the winter and at 7:30 in the summer. More information in this article of the Colosseum, tickets without queues and guided tour.
- Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful squares and one of the most essential places to visit in Rome.In this great square, its three Baroque fountains stand out: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Fontana del Moro and Fontana del Nettuno. Always under our opinion, the source of the 4 rivers is the most spectacular representing the 4 most famous rivers of that time: the Danube, the Nile, the Ganges, and the River Plate.
- The Pantheon of Agrippa
The Pantheon of Agrippa is one of the best things to see and do in Rome. It is also the best-preserved building of the Roman Empire, with an impressive dome that has remained unchanged for almost 2000 years in which, at the highest part, there is a circular window that illuminates the entire building with natural light. Inside you can find Rafael’s tomb and a vision that we assure you is totally addictive. Prepare to return several times during your trip as it is one of the must-see places in Rome.
Admission is free and open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every day, except Sunday that closes at 6:00 p.m.
- Roman Forum
The Forum is next to the Roman Colosseum, the place that will take you most to ancient Rome, once the center of social life. In the Forum there are many buildings and corners that are worth visiting with a guided tour if you do not want to miss much of their history and curiosities. To highlight the Via Sacra, the Arch of Titus and Severe Seventh, the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the Temple of Castor and Pollux … and we stopped as we would continue for months and that is why not you have noticed, this is one of our favorite places in Rome.
To have good views and a good photo of the Roman Forum, we recommend you to go to the Palatino and the Plaza del Campidoglio, from where we assure you, we have unique perspectives.
The visiting hours are the same as those of the Colosseum, every day at 8:30 and the closing varies according to the time of the year. More information in this article of the Roman Forum, tickets without queues and guided tour.
- St. Peter’s Basilica
The Basilica of St. Peter, one of the places to visit in the Vatican, is the largest and most important temple of Catholicism. Just to see the Pieta by Michelangelo or the Baldachin by Bernini, it’s worth the entrance. Its dome is also impressive and the climb to it will allow you to have stunning views of St. Mark’s Square with all of Rome in the background. Your visit to the Vatican Museums is one of the best tours you can do in Rome.
Visiting hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the climb to the dome from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission included with the OMMIA Vatican and the Roma Card, you will skip the queues.
- The Trastevere
The Trastevere is one of the most famous and beautiful neighborhoods in the city, full of charming places, craft shops and bohemian taverns, and another place to see in Rome. A walk in the afternoon, after the visits of the day, to end the day dining in some of the many good restaurants, is one of the essentials of a visit to Rome. In the center of the neighborhood is the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, another place you should not miss.
A good option to try delicious Italian food is to book a gastronomic tour of the neighborhood, where you will enjoy some of the best restaurants to eat in Trastevere
9. Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums is another of the best places to visit in Rome and in the Vatican. It has one of the most important collections in the world, although we would highlight above all the Map Maps Gallery, the Bramante Staircase and the Raphael Stays. Although nothing can compare with the visit to the Sistine Chapel of Michelangelo, The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment can lead you to have an overdose of beauty.
To better know all the details of the museum and avoid the big queues you can book this co-guided tour of the Vatican in Spanish or this offer that includes the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatino.
The opening hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday it is closed except the last of each month, in which admission is free. Admission included with the OMNIA Vatican and the Roma Card, you will skip the queues.
- Castel Sant’Angelo
The Castel Sant’Angelo located on the banks of the Tiber River was built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and is another place to see in Rome that you cannot miss. The best photo of the castle can be done from the beautiful Sant’Angelo Bridge with its beautiful statues on each side. We recommend you to come by the area both day and night, at which time the city is illuminated and this area looks especially beautiful.
As a curiosity, we will tell you that there is a corridor that connects the castle with the Vatican City so that in case of danger, the Pope could escape.
