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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781
Temples Hidden gem
Church of St. Mary Immaculate of Lourdes
The Church of St. Mary Immaculate of Lourdes is a Roman Catholic parish and titular church located on Via Santa Bernadet...
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782
Venues Hidden gem
Teatro Flaiano
Teatro Flaiano is a historic, compact theater located in the heart of Rome's Pigna district. Named after the famed Itali...
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783
Places of interest Hidden gem
Fontana di Campo de' Fiori
The Fontana di Campo de' Fiori is a functional public fountain located in the center of one of Rome's most historic mark...
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784
Places of interest Hidden gem
Fontana della Terrina
The Fontana della Terrina is a distinctive 17th-century fountain located in Piazza dell'Orologio. Commissioned by Pope P...
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785
Venues Hidden gem
Opera da Camera di Roma
Opera da Camera di Roma is a specialized chamber opera venue located on Via Quattro Novembre in Rome, Italy. The organiz...
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786
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Catherine of Siena
The Church of Saint Catherine of Siena is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the Appio-Latino district of Rome al...
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787
Historical places Hidden gem
Sedia del Diavolo (Sepolcro di Elio Callistio)
The Sedia del Diavolo, or Sepolcro di Elio Callistio, is a distinctive second-century Roman funerary monument located in...
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788
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Anthony of Padua
The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, located on the Circonvallazione Appia, serves as an active Roman Catholic parish c...
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789
Parks Hidden gem
Parco Sannazzaro
Parco Sannazzaro is a neighborhood green space located in the Monte Sacro Alto district of northeastern Rome. It serves...
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790
Historical places Hidden gem
Terme di Caracalla
The Terme di Caracalla comprise the ruins of Rome's second-largest imperial public bath complex, inaugurated around 216...
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791
Parks Hidden gem
Parco Aqua Virgo
Parco Aqua Virgo is a neighborhood park located in the Pietralata district of northeastern Rome, situated along Via dei...
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792
Museums Hidden gem
L'Image
L'Image is a specialized gallery and museum-like shop located on Via della Scrofa in Rome, dedicated to original histori...
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793
Museums Hidden gem
Museo di Storia della Medicina
The Museo di Storia della Medicina is housed within the historic Sapienza University of Rome medical complex on Viale de...
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794
Temples Hidden gem
Parrocchia S. Francesco d'Assisi a Montemario
Parrocchia S. Francesco d'Assisi a Montemario is a Catholic parish church located in the residential Monte Mario distric...
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795
Temples Hidden gem
Associazione Culturale Islamicaمسجد الهدى
Associazione Culturale Islamica Masjid al-Huda is a community-focused mosque and cultural center located in the Centocel...
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796
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Paola Romana
Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Paola Romana is a parish church located in the Trionfale area of Rome, situated along Via D...
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797
Zoos Hidden gem
Rettilario
The Rettilario is the historic reptile house located within the Bioparco di Roma zoological garden in Rome's Villa Borgh...
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798
Museums Hidden gem
Central Museum of the Risorgimento
The Central Museum of the Risorgimento is housed within the Vittoriano monument complex in Rome, focusing on the 19th-ce...
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799
Places of interest Hidden gem
Monument to St Francis of Assisi
The Monument to St Francis of Assisi in Rome stands prominently in Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, honoring the reve...
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800
Temples Hidden gem
Church of the Roman Protomartyrs a Via Aurelia Antica
The Church of the Roman Protomartyrs a Via Aurelia Antica is a parish church dedicated to the first martyrs of the Roman...
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801
Parks Hidden gem
Parco Beata Elena Aiello
Parco Beata Elena Aiello is a neighborhood green space situated in the Trionfale area of Rome. The park is named after B...
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802
Parks Hidden gem
Ciclopedonabile - Monte Mario
The Ciclopedonabile Monte Mario is a 5-kilometer linear park built on the decommissioned railway tracks that formerly co...
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803
Parks Hidden gem
Parco Camillo Prampolini
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804
Temples Hidden gem
Basilica of Saints Celsus and Julian
The Basilica of Saints Celsus and Julian is a minor basilica located near the Tiber River in Rome. The current structure...
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805
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Our Lady of La Salette
The Church of Our Lady of La Salette in Rome is a striking parish church and titular title church located in the Gianico...
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806
Historical places Hidden gem
Piazza di Pietra
Piazza di Pietra is defined by the massive, preserved columns of the 2nd-century Temple of Hadrian, which are embedded i...
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807
Museums Hidden gem
Musei di San Salvatore in Lauro
The Musei di San Salvatore in Lauro is located within the historic complex of the Pio Sodalizio dei Piceni, a charitable...
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808
Museums Hidden gem
Braccio Nuovo
The Braccio Nuovo, or New Wing, is a monumental neoclassical gallery within the Vatican Museums in Vatican City. Designe...
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809
Temples Hidden gem
Cappella della Madonna del Pozzo
The Cappella della Madonna del Pozzo is a small, hidden sanctuary located in a narrow passage near Via del Corso, known...
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810
Venues Hidden gem
Teatro San Gaspare
Teatro San Gaspare is a neighborhood cultural venue and theatre located in the Appio-Latino / Colli Albani district of R...
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.
