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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961
Places of interest Hidden gem
Fontana di Piazza Cairoli
Fontana di Piazza Cairoli is a historic fountain located in Piazza Benedetto Cairoli in central Rome. Designed and built...
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962
Temples Hidden gem
Suore Domenicane Dell'Annunziata
The Suore Domenicane Dell'Annunziata is a religious convent and institute located in the Trionfale area of Rome. This si...
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963
Parks Hidden gem
Parco della Torricella
Parco della Torricella is a neighborhood public park located in the Serpentara and Colle Salario areas of northern Rome....
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964
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Philip Neri 'in Eurosia'
The Church of Saint Philip Neri in Eurosia is a modest parish church located on the historic Via delle Sette Chiese, a k...
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965
Temples Hidden gem
San Bruno
Parrocchia San Bruno is a parish church located in the Pisana district of western Rome. The structure serves as a commun...
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966
Parks Hidden gem
Park Carlo Marzano
Park Carlo Marzano is a neighborhood green space situated in the Tufello-Jonio district of northern Rome. The park featu...
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967
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Saint Mary of the Rosary
The Church of Saint Mary of the Rosary, or Chiesa di Santa Maria del Rosario in Prati, is located on Monte Mario, one of...
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968
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesetta di San Leone Magno
Chiesetta di San Leone Magno is a compact neighborhood church situated along Via di Boccea in the western sector of Rome...
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969
Parks Hidden gem
Ingresso Caffarella Via Mondaini, bbq a dx
The Via Mondaini entrance provides direct access to the northern edge of Parco della Caffarella, a major protected green...
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970
Museums Hidden gem
Area Archeologica del Circo Massimo
The Area Archeologica del Circo Massimo is the site of Rome's largest ancient chariot-racing stadium, measuring approxim...
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971
Historical places Hidden gem
Fountain of Venus
The Fountain of Venus, located within the historic Villa Pamphili in Rome, is a notable water feature integrated into th...
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972
Parks Hidden gem
Orti Urbani Valle dei Casali
Orti Urbani Valle dei Casali is a community-managed agricultural space located within the larger Riserva Naturale della...
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973
Historical places Hidden gem
Arches of the Claudian Aqueduct
The Arches of the Claudian Aqueduct in Rome represent one of the most ambitious engineering feats of the ancient Roman E...
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974
Places of interest Hidden gem
Ugo Bassi Stairway
The Ugo Bassi Stairway is a picturesque public staircase located in the Monteverde district of Rome, connecting Via Fran...
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975
Parks Hidden gem
Giardino Vincenzo Parisi
Giardino Vincenzo Parisi is an urban public garden situated directly in Piazza Bologna within the Nomentano district of...
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976
Parks Hidden gem
Roseto di Roma Capitale | Area Concorso
The Roseto di Roma Capitale is a botanical garden located on the eastern slope of the Aventine Hill, specifically overlo...
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977
Parks Hidden gem
Piazza armando Armellini
Piazza Armando Armellini is a small, quiet residential park located in the Nomentano district of Rome. It serves as a ne...
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978
Venues Hidden gem
Municipio Roma VII
Municipio Roma VII serves as the administrative headquarters for the seventh subdivision of Rome, covering areas includi...
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979
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa di Santa Maria Regina Apostolorum
Chiesa di Santa Maria Regina Apostolorum serves as a central hub for the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in Rome. The c...
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980
Parks Hidden gem
Giardino di Piazza Bainsizza
Giardino di Piazza Bainsizza is a small, neighborhood public park located in the Prati district of Rome. The square is c...
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981
Historical places Hidden gem
Mausoleo di Annia Regilla
The Mausoleum of Annia Regilla, often mistakenly called the Temple of Rediculus, is a 2nd-century Roman brick tomb situa...
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982
Museums Hidden gem
Amministrazione Doria Pamphilj s.r.l.
The Doria Pamphilj Gallery is a privately owned art collection housed within the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, a historic resi...
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983
Playgrounds Hidden gem
Circle Bocciofilo Roma Nord
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984
Places of interest Hidden gem
Bunker Villa Ada Savoia
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985
Venues Hidden gem
Teatro Cassia
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986
Places of interest Hidden gem
Francesco Totti Giant Mural
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987
Historical places Hidden gem
Lapis Niger
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988
Historical places Hidden gem
Nymphaeum of Alexander Severus (Trophies of Marius)
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989
Temples Hidden gem
Chiesa di Santa Caterina dei Funari
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990
Venues Hidden gem
Teatro San Giustino in Roma
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.
