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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901
Museums Hidden gem
Museo del Foro Romano
The Museo del Foro Romano is located within the Santa Maria Nova complex, housed in the monumental spaces of the former...
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902
Historical places Hidden gem
Villa Geta
Villa Geta is an event venue and historic estate located directly on the Appian Way, one of the oldest and most signific...
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903
Natural attractions Hidden gem
Lago dell'EUR
Lago dell'EUR, also known as the Laghetto dell'EUR, is an artificial body of water created in the 1930s as a central fea...
-
904
Historical places Hidden gem
keyhole on aventine hill
The Keyhole on Aventine Hill offers a precise, perfectly framed view of St. Peter's Basilica dome through the keyhole of...
-
905
Parks Hidden gem
Villa Ada
Villa Ada Savoia is Rome's second-largest public park, covering 180 hectares of mixed woodland, meadows, and lakes. It f...
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906
Historical places Hidden gem
Forte Bravetta
Forte Bravetta is a 19th-century military fortification on the outskirts of Rome, historically significant as the primar...
-
907
Venues Hidden gem
Roma Capitale - Hall V
Roma Capitale - Hall V is an administrative venue located on Via Torre Annunziata in the eastern sector of Rome, specifi...
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908
Places of interest Hidden gem
Domus Severiana
The Domus Severiana represents the final major imperial expansion of the Palatine Hill palace complex in Rome, commissio...
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909
Places of interest Hidden gem
Tower of the Monkey
The Tower of the Monkey, known locally as Torre della Scimmia, is a 14th-century medieval structure integrated into the...
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910
Parks Hidden gem
Il Cucuzzolo di Parco Talenti
Il Cucuzzolo di Parco Talenti is a neighborhood park located in the northeastern residential district of Rome along Via...
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911
Historical places Hidden gem
Church of San Nicola in Capo di Bove
The Church of San Nicola in Capo di Bove is a 13th-century religious structure integrated into the medieval fortificatio...
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912
Museums Hidden gem
Goethe House
Goethe House is the only German museum in Rome, located in the former apartment on Via del Corso where Johann Wolfgang v...
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913
Playgrounds Hidden gem
Area Giochi Per Bambini
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914
Temples Hidden gem
Monastero Mater Ecclesiæ
Monastero Mater Ecclesiæ is a cloistered monastery located within the walls of Vatican City. Commissioned by Pope John P...
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915
Historical places Hidden gem
Arch of Dolabella and Silanus
The Arch of Dolabella and Silanus is a monumental travertine gate integrated into the remains of the Aqua Claudia aquedu...
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916
Temples Hidden gem
Oratorio dei Filippini (Oratory of St Philip Neri)
The Oratorio dei Filippini is a masterpiece of Roman Baroque architecture designed by Francesco Borromini between 1637 a...
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917
Historical places Hidden gem
Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker
The Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker is a unique late-Republican funerary monument constructed around 30 BC for Marcus Vergil...
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918
Venues Hidden gem
the workshop of the artists
La Bottega degli Artisti is a specialized arts venue located in the Prati district of Rome. It functions primarily as a...
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919
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa San Cesareo de Appia
Chiesa di San Cesareo de Appia is a small, significant basilica located near the ancient Appian Way. The current structu...
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920
Historical places Hidden gem
Arcus Argentariorum
The Arcus Argentariorum is an ornate, monumental gate situated against the side wall of the Church of San Giorgio in Vel...
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921
Temples Hidden gem
Basilica of Saint Balbina of Rome Virgin and Martyr
The Basilica of Saint Balbina is an ancient titulus church located on the Piccolo Aventino hill in Rome. It is one of th...
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922
Places of interest Hidden gem
Fountain of the Porter
The Fountain of the Porter, or Fontana del Facchino, is one of Rome's historic speaking statues and the only one not car...
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923
Temples Hidden gem
Cappella di Santa Maria Regina della Famiglia
The Cappella di Santa Maria Regina della Famiglia is a sacred chapel located within the territory of Vatican City, dedic...
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924
Venues Hidden gem
Teatro Piccolo di Pietralata
Teatro Piccolo di Pietralata is an intimate cultural venue located in the Pietralata district of eastern Rome. Situated...
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925
Museums Hidden gem
Varsi Art&Lab
Varsi Art&Lab is a contemporary art gallery and cultural laboratory located in Rome's Trastevere district, specifically...
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926
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Mary of the Presentation
The Church of Saint Mary of the Presentation is a modern parish located in the Torrevecchia area of northwestern Rome. I...
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927
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa di San Giovanni Calibita
The Chiesa di San Giovanni Calibita is a historic church located on Tiber Island in Rome. It stands on the site of an ea...
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928
Places of interest Hidden gem
Statua Il Pensiero di Giulio Monteverde
Statua Il Pensiero di Giulio Monteverde is a notable sculptural work located within the Vittoriano complex in Rome. Craf...
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929
Parks Hidden gem
Monte Mario
Monte Mario is the highest point in Rome, rising 139 meters above sea level and providing an expansive vantage point ove...
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930
Temples Hidden gem
Kingdom Hall Of Jehovah's Witnesses
The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses located on Via Pietro Frattini in Rome serves as a local place of worship and re...
Around Rome
Worth the short trip out of the city.
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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.
