One of my favorite cities in Europe is Rome. It is one of the most powerful and important cities in all of history. Our tour guide said that Rome is like a good lasagna – there are so many different layers of history throughout the city!
It is an incredible feeling walking through millennia of history – from the ancient Roman ruins, to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel masterpiece, to the modern day cafes and restaurants. Plus, Rome is home to one of the 7 wonders of the world: the Colosseum. In addition to the major tourist attractions, the city is full of character, charm, and of course amazing Italian food!
These are 10 of our favorite, must-see attractions in this beautiful capital city of Italy.
1. Colosseum
If there is only one thing you can see in Rome, it should be the Roman Colosseum. There aren’t too many chances to see one of the 7 modern day wonders of the world! The Roman Colosseum is one of the most incredible, intact ruins that I have ever seen. It is hard to imagine how the Romans were able to build such an impressive arena almost 2000 years ago that seated nearly 70,000 spectators!
Wanting to experience as much of these amazing ruins as possible, Emily and I booked the Colosseum Underground Tour through TheTourGuy.com. This tour was worth every minute as we got special access to go into the lower area on the Colosseum’s arena floor. Not only do you escape the Colosseum crowds, you also get access to exclusive parts of the ancient world wonders. We saw the intricate elevators that the Romans used for animals and some gladiators to enter the arena. This area was also responsible for turning the Colosseum floor into a miniature lake where mock naval battles were held! After the Colosseum, our tour guide led us through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. It was one of the most interesting tours we have ever taken!
2. Vatican City
One of the most incredible sights to see in Rome, technically isn’t even in Italy. The Vatican City is technically the smallest country in the world. In addition to being the most important location for the Catholic faith and home to the Pope, the Vatican is also home to some of the most impressive art and architecture in the world!
St Peter’s Basilica is worth a visit by itself. Its incredible, beautiful dome is an architectural phenomenon designed by Michelangelo himself. The Vatican museum is full of priceless artwork from artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio, and Bernini. It is one of my favorite museums that I have ever visited. It was incredible to see Michelangelo’s world renowned Pieta and massive Sistine Chapel masterpieces in person. The Vatican can be very crowded, so it may be worth booking a special tour to skip the long lines.
3. Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Traveling through Europe, it is incredible to see just how powerful and technologically advanced the Romans were nearly 2000 years ago! We saw ancient Roman ruins from France to Greece and everywhere else in-between!
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill were once the heart of one of the greatest civilizations in ancient history. Although today most of the once magnificent structures are in ruins, there is still enough standing to get a glimpse of the forum’s historic grandeur.
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill were a part of our Colosseum Underground Tour that we booked through TheTourGuy.com. Some of our favorite highlights of this area were: The Arch of Titus, the Temple of Antoninus Pius, and the Temple of Saturn. There is even a small museum in honor of the prison where the Apostle Paul from the Bible was imprisoned and wrote part of the New Testament.
4. Pantheon
If the Pantheon were built today, it would be an architectural phenomenon. However, this incredible masterpiece was constructed nearly 2000 years ago without the use of modern day equipment! The Pantheon is a masterpiece of symmetry. I’s 43.3 meter dome is as wide as it is tall. The 8.7 meter hole in the roof is the only source of natural light inside. This Roman monument is in incredible shape for standing nearly 2000 years! It is hard to imagine that it was once even more impressive with its bronze dome and portico.
The inside of the Pantheon is nearly as impressive as the outside. It serves as the burial place of prominent Italians such as Italy’s first king and the famous artist Raphael. Be sure to get there early as it is one of the most popular tourist attractions and sure to be crowded later in the day.
5. Rome Food Tour in Trastevere Neighborhood
Italian cuisine is some of the most well-known, and in my opinion, tastiest food in the entire world. The country has refined and improved their recipes over several millennia. I love to eat, but I’m far from an expert on food. So we decided that there was no better way to experience this amazing cuisine than with a food tour.
We booked the Trastevere Food Tour through TheTourGuy.com. Trastevere is a charming neighborhood on the other side of the Tiber River, next to Vatican City. It is overflowing with cobblestone streets, charming cafes, and very delicious restaurants! On our food tour, we tried many of the most recognized Italian dishes such as carbonara and gelato. One of my favorite stops was tasting fresh meats and cheeses. Each main dish on the tour was paired with house wine or Italian espresso. Tasting amazing food along the tour is definitely my favorite way to experience a city!
6. Trevi Fountain
Possibly the most famous fountain in the world, the Trevi Fountain is definitely worth a visit. Its massive marble statue of the sea god Neptune seems almost lifelike. The fountain is supplied by water from the ancient Roman aqueducts.
Legend says that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you will be assured to return to Rome. Although I’m not sure if that is true for everyone, it did come true for Emily and I! If you visit early in the morning, you are likely to share the fountain with only a few other tourists. However, if you come at mid-day, be prepared to be shoulder-to shoulder with hundreds of other visitors.
7. Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is one of the most popular plazas in Rome. It is located right around the corner from the Pantheon and is the perfect place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Rome. (We may have eaten a gelato or two in Piazza Navona!) The square is built in the same outline as the Roman Stadium that was built by Emperor Domitian around 80AD. The piazza includes the impressive church of Sant’Agnese and Fontana dei Fiumi. Our tour guide told us that the four statues on the fountain represent the four largest rivers in the known continents at the time. Piazza Navona is just another example of the symbolism and history that make up Rome!
8. Spanish Steps
Possibly the most famous steps in Rome are the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna. The 135 steps lead up to the gothic style Trinità dei Monti church. The top of the steps provide a breathtaking view of Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica. The steps rest at the end of Via dei Condotti, the Rodeo Drive of Rome. So not only are they beautiful, but they are the perfect place to take a gelato break after shopping! (Although sitting on the steps has been banned since 2019 due to the amount of tourists.)
The big question is why are some of the most famous steps in Rome called the Spanish Steps? The steps were commissioned by a French diplomat and designed by Italian architects. The steps got their nickname after the Spanish Embassy located in Piazza di Spagna.
9. Castel Sant’Angelo
Guarding the ancient Roman Ponte Sant’Angelo bridge and the Tiber River, Castel Sant’Angelo is another can’t miss attraction. This ancient mausoleum was originally built in 139 AD and later repurposed as a fortress in the 1400s. The structure gets its name from a vision by Pope Gregory the Great of the angel Michael ending a plague while standing over the fortress. Castel Sant’Angelo served many different purposes over the centuries. Several Popes stayed in the castle during times of war. Today, it is a museum of Rome’s military history.
10. Victor Emmanuel II National Monument (Altar of the Fatherland)
Although some Italians call this massive memorial “new” and “unsightly,” I think The Victor Emmanuel II National Monument is very impressive! If you are walking from the center of Rome to the Colosseum, there is no missing this gigantic monument dedicated to the first king of unified Italy. If this monument were located in Washington D.C. it would be one of the most impressive monuments in the capital city. However, located less than a kilometer away from the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the monument does seem a little out of place. Our taxi driver described it as a gaudy wedding cake topper that is out of place in the ancient city of Rome. The monument also serves as the home to Italy’s tomb of the unknown soldier, honoring Italy’s fallen soldiers.
In my opinion, the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument is testament to how many amazing things there are to see in Rome. This impressive monument would be at the top of the list to visit in most cities, yet is usually mentioned as an afterthought in the alluring city of Rome. Whether you are a fan of the monument or not, it is still in my opinion definitely worth a visit! It has some of the best views of the beautiful city of Rome.
Tips and Suggestions
Rome is definitely a popular city with narrow streets full of other tourists. It can feel a little overwhelming at times if you try to pack too much in at one time. We found the most helpful thing was to start early before the crowds. The Colosseum Underground Tour is also a great way to escape the crowds and get exclusive access to some areas of one of the 7 wonders of the world. A tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum is a great place to start when visiting the city. It helped us picture ancient Rome in its grandeur and better understand the historic importance of Italy’s capital city.
Another great way to experience Rome is through a food tour. After all, who doesn’t love authentic Italian food (especially some real Italian gelato!) We booked both of these tours through TheTourGuy.com. They offer tours all around Europe (as well as some in the USA) and are our go-to resource for European tours. If you are visiting Rome, or another European city, check out the tours that they offer here.
