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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871
Temples Hidden gem
Church of the Most Sacred Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The Church of the Most Sacred Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ is a modern ecclesiastical structure located on the Via Fla...
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872
Natural attractions Hidden gem
Bosco Sacro
Bosco Sacro is a protected wooded area located within the Parco Regionale dell'Appia Antica in Rome. The site is charact...
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873
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Mary of Succour
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874
Temples Hidden gem
Vittorio Central Mosque
The Vittorio Central Mosque, situated on Via Cairoli in the Esquilino district of Rome, serves as a vital community hub...
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875
Places of interest Hidden gem
Fontana dell'Orso
Fontana dell'Orso is a historic public fountain located on Via di Monte Brianzo in Rome, Italy. The fountain features a...
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876
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Fulgentius
The Church of Saint Fulgentius (Chiesa di San Fulgenzio) is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the Balduina distr...
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877
Places of interest Hidden gem
Sphere Within Sphere
Sphere Within Sphere, or Sfera con Sfera, is a famous bronze sculpture by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro located in the...
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878
Temples Hidden gem
Santa Maria Domenica Mazzarello titular church
Santa Maria Domenica Mazzarello is a modern titular church located in the eastern residential suburb of Don Bosco in Rom...
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879
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Gerard Majella
The Church of Saint Gerard Majella is a Roman Catholic parish and titular church located in the eastern residential dist...
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880
Temples Hidden gem
Parrocchia San Vincenzo Pallotti
Parrocchia San Vincenzo Pallotti is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the Pietralata district of Rome. Dedicated...
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881
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Helena
The Church of Saint Helena (Parrocchia Sant'Elena) is a distinctive example of 20th-century religious architecture locat...
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882
Venues Hidden gem
Teatro Studio Borgna
Teatro Studio Borgna is one of the three main concert halls located within the Parco della Musica, Rome’s premier contem...
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883
Temples Hidden gem
Parrocchia Santa Maria Immacolata a Grottarossa
Parrocchia Santa Maria Immacolata a Grottarossa is a Roman Catholic parish located on the Via Flaminia in the Grottaross...
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884
Places of interest Hidden gem
Casa dell'acqua di Acea
The Casa dell'acqua di Acea at Piazza Riccardo Balsamo Crivelli is a public water kiosk in Rome managed by the municipal...
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885
Historical places Hidden gem
Piazza Mignanelli
Piazza Mignanelli is a prominent historic square in central Rome, situated directly adjacent to the famous Piazza di Spa...
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886
Parks Hidden gem
Parco Nicolò Blois
Parco Nicolò Blois is a neighborhood green space located in the Appio Claudio / Cinecittà area of southeastern Rome, spe...
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887
Places of interest Hidden gem
Fontane dell'EUR
The Fontane dell'EUR consist of a monumental cascade and water feature located along the Passeggiata del Giappone within...
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888
Temples Hidden gem
San Benedetto Giuseppe Labre
San Benedetto Giuseppe Labre is a modern parish church located in the northeastern residential neighborhood of Casal Mon...
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889
Places of interest Hidden gem
Arco Romano di Settimio Severo
The Arco Romano di Settimio Severo is a late 19th-century architectural element located within the Villa Borghese garden...
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890
Places of interest Hidden gem
Ponte Testaccio
Ponte Testaccio is a reinforced concrete bridge in Rome connecting the Testaccio district to the Trastevere area across...
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891
Temples Hidden gem
Parrocchia dell'Ascensione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo
Parrocchia dell'Ascensione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the eastern reside...
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892
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Agapitus
The Church of Saint Agapitus is a modern parish church located in the Prenestino-Labicano district of Rome. It serves th...
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893
Parks Hidden gem
Villa Mazzanti
Villa Mazzanti is a historic park located on the slopes of Monte Mario in Rome, serving as the headquarters for the Roma...
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894
Temples Hidden gem
Passetto del Biscione
Passetto del Biscione is a hidden vaulted passageway in Rome that connects Via del Biscione and Campo de' Fiori to Piazz...
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895
Places of interest Hidden gem
The Giacomo Matteotti Bridge
The Giacomo Matteotti Bridge is a historic masonry and reinforced concrete bridge crossing the Tiber River in Rome, conn...
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896
Temples Hidden gem
Parrocchia San Giovanni Battista in Collatino
Parrocchia San Giovanni Battista in Collatino is a parish church located in the Collatino residential quarter of eastern...
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897
Parks Hidden gem
Parco Don Baldoni
Parco Don Baldoni is an urban neighborhood park located in the Trieste district of Rome, centered around Via Niccolò Pic...
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898
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa Spirito Santo dei Napoletani
Chiesa Spirito Santo dei Napoletani is the national church of Campania and the city of Naples located in Rome, situated...
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899
Venues Hidden gem
Sala Baldini
Sala Baldini is an intimate concert and event venue housed within the historic complex of the Church of Santa Maria in C...
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900
Temples Hidden gem
Parrocchia S. Maria Madre della Provvidenza
Parrocchia S. Maria Madre della Provvidenza is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the Monteverde district of Rome...
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.
