aventuro
Italy
Things to do in Rome
1,759 attractions · Italy
Photo: FeaturedPics, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lazio, Italy · 41.900, 12.500
About Rome
Rome serves as a living laboratory of Western history, defined by its concentration of ancient ruins and its role as the seat of the Catholic Church. The city center is a dense architectural narrative where the Colosseum [1] stands as the iconic remains of imperial spectacle alongside the Pantheon [16], which features the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. Visitors can traverse centuries of artistic evolution within the Vatican Museums [202] and the Sistine Chapel [31300]. Its urban layout reflects layers of development, from the Roman Forum [9] to the Renaissance influence seen near the Spanish Steps [32881].
Good to know
- 1
Rome is the only city in the world to contain an entire sovereign state, Vatican City, within its administrative borders.
- 2
The city's 'Fontanelle' provide free, constant-flow drinking water from ancient aqueducts, a practice dating back to the 19th century.
- 3
Rome contains over 900 churches, the highest concentration of religious buildings per capita in the world.
- 4
Underground Rome, or 'Sotterraneo', features a vast network of subterranean ruins, ancient pagan temples, and early Christian burial chambers beneath modern street levels.
- 5
The city was built on seven hills, which historically served as defensive fortifications for the nascent settlement.
Plan your visit to Rome
Best time to visit
April to May or late September to October, when temperatures are mild and the city avoids the peak summer humidity and tourist density.
How many days
4-5 days, which provides sufficient time to cover major archaeological sites, Vatican City, and the primary public squares without extreme haste.
Getting around
The historic center is largely walkable, supplemented by an extensive bus network, trams, and two primary metro lines (A and B).
Where to stay
Stay in Trastevere for a traditional atmosphere with narrow alleys, or near the Pantheon for proximity to major landmarks.
Budget
Mid-to-high; while attractions are numerous, lodging and dining in the historic core command premium pricing.
Highlights of Rome
The places our editors single out - and why they're worth your time.
Colosseum
Explore the massive amphitheater that once hosted gladiatorial combat and public spectacles.
Trevi Fountain
Visit the city's largest Baroque fountain, traditionally believed to ensure a return to Rome if you toss a coin over your shoulder.
Pantheon
Stand beneath the oculus of the world's oldest functional concrete dome, constructed during the reign of Hadrian.
Vatican Museums
View an immense collection of classical sculptures and Renaissance masterpieces gathered by successive popes.
Sistine Chapel
Observe Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling frescoes inside this active site of papal conclaves.
Spanish Steps
Climb the monumental staircase that links the Piazza di Spagna at the base to the Trinità dei Monti church at the summit.
Castel Sant'Angelo
Tour the fortress originally built as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum before its conversion into a papal residence.
Roman Forum
Walk through the primary political and commercial center of the ancient Roman Empire.
Top things to do in Rome
The 1,759 most popular places in Rome.
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Historical places Known locally
Temple of Vespasian and Titus
The Temple of Vespasian and Titus is a ruined Roman temple situated at the western end of the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy...
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692
Temples Known locally
Church of the Most Holy Stigmata of St Francis
The Church of the Most Holy Stigmata of St Francis, known in Italian as Chiesa delle Santissime Stimmate di San Francesc...
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693
Temples Known locally
Church of Saint Eusebius 'all'Esquilino'
The Church of Saint Eusebius all'Esquilino is an ancient Roman titular church located on the Esquiline Hill, dedicated t...
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694
Temples Known locally
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare alle Terme
The Basilica di Sant'Apollinare alle Terme is a titular church located near the ruins of the Baths of Nero in Rome. The...
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695
Museums Known locally
Museo Storico dell'Arma dei Carabinieri a Roma
The Museo Storico dell'Arma dei Carabinieri is dedicated to the history of Italy's national military police force, cover...
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696
Temples Known locally
Cappella Paolina
The Cappella Paolina, also known as the Borghese Chapel, is a 17th-century architectural masterpiece located within the...
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697
Historical places Known locally
Domus Flavia
The Domus Flavia is the public wing of the vast Flavian Palace constructed on the Palatine Hill for Emperor Domitian in...
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698
Temples Known locally
St. Patrick's Church
St. Patrick's Church, located on Via Boncompagni, serves as the primary parish for the English-speaking Catholic communi...
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699
Venues Known locally
Teatro Testaccio
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700
Temples Known locally
Parish Saint Athanasius
Parish Saint Athanasius is a modern Catholic church located in the Colli Aniene residential district of Rome. Establishe...
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701
Temples Known locally
Church of Jesus The Good Shepherd
The Church of Jesus the Good Shepherd, located in the EUR district of Rome, serves as the parish seat for the local Cath...
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702
Venues Known locally
Scuola di teatro Kairos Teatro
Kairos Teatro is a specialized acting school and theater venue located in the Montesacro district of Rome. The venue ser...
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703
Venues Known locally
Centro Culturale Artemia
Centro Culturale Artemia is an intimate independent cultural venue and theater located in the Portuense district of Rome...
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704
Amusement parks Known locally
Il Pozzo dei Divertimenti
Il Pozzo dei Divertimenti is a compact, localized indoor entertainment facility located in the Monteverde district of Ro...
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705
Temples Known locally
Church of Saint Camillus de Lellis
The Church of Saint Camillus de Lellis is a Roman Catholic parish and titular church located on Via Piemonte in Rome. De...
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706
Places of interest Known locally
Ponte Pietro Nenni
Ponte Pietro Nenni is a modern steel bridge crossing the Tiber River in Rome, connecting the Prati district to the Flami...
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707
Museums Known locally
Istituto Storico e di Cultura dell'Arma del Genio
The Istituto Storico e di Cultura dell'Arma del Genio is a specialized military museum located in Rome dedicated to the...
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708
Venues Known locally
Teatro Argot Studio
Teatro Argot Studio is a prominent independent performance space located in the heart of Rome's Trastevere neighborhood....
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709
Places of interest Known locally
Palazzo Chigi
Palazzo Chigi serves as the official residence of the Italian Prime Minister and the seat of the Council of Ministers. L...
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710
Temples Known locally
Church of St Sylvester at the Quirinal
The Church of St Sylvester at the Quirinal (San Silvestro al Quirinale) is a 16th-century Roman Catholic titular church...
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711
Temples Known locally
Centro Culturale Islamico (Moschea)
The Centro Culturale Islamico located on Via Mocenigo in Rome is an intimate neighborhood Islamic cultural center and mo...
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712
Temples Known locally
Parrocchia Santissima Annunziata
Parrocchia Santissima Annunziata is a contemporary Roman Catholic parish church located in the southern residential neig...
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713
Venues Known locally
Municipio XIII Aurelio
Municipio XIII Aurelio serves as the administrative headquarters for the thirteenth district of Rome, Italy. Located on...
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714
Temples Known locally
Chiesa Santissimo Corpo e Sangue di Cristo
The Chiesa Santissimo Corpo e Sangue di Cristo is a parish church located in the Appio-Latino district of Rome. It serve...
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715
Temples Known locally
Chiesa di San Basilio
Chiesa di San Basilio is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the northeastern residential quarter of San Basilio i...
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716
Temples Known locally
Church of Pope Saint Linus
The Church of Pope Saint Linus is a modern Roman Catholic parish church located in the Primavalle district in the northw...
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717
Historical places Known locally
Octagonal Courtyard
The Octagonal Courtyard, also known as the Cortile del Belvedere, serves as the historic nucleus of the Vatican Museums...
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718
Temples Known locally
Church of the Holy Crucifix
The Church of the Holy Crucifix is a Catholic parish church located along Via di Bravetta in the western residential dis...
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719
Temples Known locally
Parrocchia Santa Maria Madre della Misericordia
Parrocchia Santa Maria Madre della Misericordia is a modern parish church located in the Tor de' Schiavi area of Rome. D...
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720
Historical places Known locally
Arch of the Palaces of the Ambassadors
Around Rome
Worth the short trip out of the city.
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Jump straight to what you're into.
Rome on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Frequently asked
How many attractions are there in Rome?
Aventuro lists 1,759 curated attractions in and around Rome, sorted by popularity.
What's the top attraction in Rome?
Colosseum is the most popular place to visit in Rome right now.
What kind of attractions does Rome have?
The largest category is temples, with 582 places to explore.
Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?
Travellers also explore Milan, Turin, Naples.
