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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751
Places of interest Hidden gem
Palazzo San Macuto
Palazzo San Macuto is a historic building in Rome located on Via del Seminario, managed as part of the Italian Chamber o...
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752
Historical places Hidden gem
Palazzo Falconieri
Palazzo Falconieri is a historic Renaissance and Baroque palace located on Via Giulia in Rome, Italy, distinguished by i...
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753
Historical places Hidden gem
Palazzo Pamphili
Palazzo Pamphili is a 17th-century Roman palace serving as the Embassy of Brazil, situated prominently on the western si...
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754
Temples Hidden gem
Basilica del Sacro Cuore di Cristo Re
The Basilica del Sacro Cuore di Cristo Re is a prominent Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica located in the...
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755
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Pantaleon and Saint Joseph Calasanz
The Church of Saint Pantaleon and Saint Joseph Calasanz, known in Italian as San Pantaleo, is located on the piazza of t...
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756
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Emerentiana at Tor Fiorenza
The Church of Saint Emerentiana is a titular church located in the Trieste district of Rome, established as a parish in...
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757
Temples Hidden gem
Church of St Bridget
The Church of St Bridget in Rome is a historic sanctuary dedicated to Saint Bridget of Sweden, located right on the vibr...
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758
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Jerome of Charity
The Church of Saint Jerome of Charity, known in Italian as San Girolamo della Carità, is located on Via di Monserrato in...
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759
Temples Hidden gem
Casa per Ferie "Immacolata di Lourdes"
Casa per Ferie Immacolata di Lourdes is a religious guesthouse and spiritual retreat center located along the Via Aureli...
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760
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Rita of Cascia
The Church of Saint Rita of Cascia is a contemporary parish church situated in the Casalotti district on the western out...
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761
Temples Hidden gem
San Nicola da Tolentino agli Orti Sallustiani
San Nicola da Tolentino agli Orti Sallustiani is a 16th-century church situated atop the historic site of the ancient Ga...
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762
Museums Hidden gem
Museo Mario Praz
The Museo Mario Praz is a house museum located in Palazzo Primoli, preserving the eclectic collection of the English lit...
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763
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Matthias
The Church of Saint Matthias is a modern parish located in the Talenti district of northeastern Rome. Established in the...
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764
Historical places Hidden gem
Largo Romolo e Remo
Largo Romolo e Remo is a small public square located in the heart of Rome, situated at the base of the Palatine Hill. It...
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765
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Julie Billiart
The Church of Saint Julie Billiart is a modern parish church located in the Torpignattara district of Rome, consecrated...
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766
Historical places Hidden gem
Acquedotti romani
The Acquedotti romani near Largo Bastia in Rome preserve a rare urban segment of ancient Roman water infrastructure inte...
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767
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint John Chrysostom
The Church of Saint John Chrysostom is a modern parish church located in the Monte Sacro Alto district of Rome. Establis...
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768
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Our Lady of Suffrage and Saint Augustine of Canterbury
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769
Temples Hidden gem
Church of the Assumption of Mary
The Church of the Assumption of Mary, known locally as Parrocchia Assunzione di Maria, is a Catholic parish church locat...
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770
Temples Hidden gem
Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, known locally as San Giacomo degli Spagnoli, is a 15th-century church loc...
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771
Historical places Hidden gem
Monumento di Santa Caterina da Siena
The Monumento di Santa Caterina da Siena in Rome is a sculptural tribute dedicated to Saint Catherine of Siena, one of I...
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772
Parks Hidden gem
Giancarlo Sbragia Park
Giancarlo Sbragia Park is a neighborhood green space located in the Garbatella district of Rome. It is named in honor of...
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773
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa Parrocchiale della Sacra Famiglia a Villa Troili
Chiesa Parrocchiale della Sacra Famiglia a Villa Troili is a modern parish church located in the western residential out...
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774
Temples Hidden gem
Parrocchia SS. Trinità a Villa Chigi
Parrocchia SS. Trinità a Villa Chigi is a modern parish church located in the Trieste-Salario district of northern Rome....
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775
Places of interest Hidden gem
Fontana dell'Adriatico
The Fontana dell'Adriatico is a symbolic sculptural fountain located at the base of the Altare della Patria in Piazza Ve...
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776
Historical places Hidden gem
Tomba di Antonio Gramsci
The Tomba di Antonio Gramsci is the final resting place of the prominent Italian philosopher, politician, and co-founder...
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777
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Tommaso d'Aquino-Don Domenico Vitulli
Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Tommaso d'Aquino-Don Domenico Vitulli is a modern parish church located in the eastern reside...
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778
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa Parrocchiale di Sant'Igino Papa
Chiesa Parrocchiale di Sant'Igino Papa is a modern Roman Catholic parish church situated in the Colli Aniene residential...
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779
Temples Hidden gem
Church Jesus of Nazareth
Church Jesus of Nazareth (Chiesa Gesù di Nazareth) is a modern parish church located in the Colli Aniene residential dis...
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780
Parks Hidden gem
Piazza Giovanni Winckelmann
Piazza Giovanni Winckelmann is a residential neighborhood park located in the Nomentano district of Rome. It serves as a...
Around Rome
Worth the short trip out of the city.
Explore by category
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.
