Attraction
Colosseum
The Flavian Amphitheatre, completed in AD 80 under Titus, is Rome's defining ancient monument and the centrepiece of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo.
Much of the appeal of the things to do in Rome lies in how much history sits within walking distance: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain are all in or near the historic centre. Vatican City, an independent state within Rome, holds St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel. The Centro Storico around Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori is the busiest area for visitors, while Trastevere, across the Tiber, is known for its narrow streets and evening atmosphere. Monti, near the Colosseum, and Testaccio are quieter and more local.
Roman food is simple and based on a few classic dishes, including carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana and supplì, along with pizza al taglio and gelato. Testaccio and Trastevere are good areas for traditional trattorias. Three to four days is enough to see the major ancient sites, the Vatican and the main squares. With five days or more, you can add a day trip to Ostia Antica, Tivoli or the Castelli Romani hill towns.
Attraction
The Flavian Amphitheatre, completed in AD 80 under Titus, is Rome's defining ancient monument and the centrepiece of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo.
Attraction
Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the Vatican Museums hold the papal collections, the Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.
Attraction
Rebuilt between 1506 and 1626 to designs by Bramante, Michelangelo and Maderno, St Peter's is the vast papal basilica at the heart of Vatican City.
Attraction
Rebuilt under Hadrian around AD 126, the Pantheon still has the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome and has served as a church since 609.
Attraction
The drained valley between the Palatine and Capitoline hills, the Roman Forum was the centre of public life in ancient Rome for more than a thousand…
Attraction
Nicola Salvi's Baroque fountain, completed in 1762, is Rome's most famous; since February 2026 non-residents pay a small fee to reach the basin.
Café
Founded in 1938 near the Pantheon, Sant'Eustachio roasts its beans over wood and is famous for its sweet, creamy Gran Caffè.
Café
A historic coffee roaster and bar beside the Pantheon, La Casa del Caffè Tazza d'Oro dates from 1944 and is known for its coffee granita.
Café
The Roscioli family's café and pasticceria on Piazza Cairoli serves coffee and pastries from early morning, a few minutes from Campo de' Fiori.
Hotel
Open since 1893 at the top of the Spanish Steps, the five-star Hassler has 82 individually designed rooms and the Michelin-starred Imàgo restaurant.
Hotel
A Rocco Forte five-star hotel between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, set around a terraced Secret Garden beneath the Pincio.
Hotel
Opened in 1889 and now part of Dorchester Collection, the five-star Hotel Eden sits a short walk from the Spanish Steps, with rooftop dining.
Hotel
Opened in 1925 near Piazza del Popolo, Hotel Locarno is a characterful five-star hotel with a well-known bar and a rooftop terrace.
Hotel
A boutique hotel on Via Nazionale a few minutes from Termini, Hotel Artemide has a spa and the Ambrosia rooftop restaurant and bar.
Hotel
A four-star hotel by Ponte Sisto, between Campo de' Fiori and Trastevere, with a leafy inner garden, rooftop terrace and breakfast included.
Bar
A celebrated cocktail bar in Monti that features on the World's 50 Best Bars list, open nightly with creative drinks and a smart casual dress code.
Bar
Opened in 2010 by a group of bartenders, this hidden speakeasy off Corso Vittorio Emanuele revives forgotten styles of mixing classic cocktails.
Bar
A popular Trastevere cocktail bar near Piazza Trilussa, Freni e Frizioni opens every day until late and draws a crowd for aperitivo.
Bar
Open since 1996 near the top of the Spanish Steps, Gregory's hosts live jazz every evening, with two sets drawn from the classic songbook.
Bar
Rooftop terraces above Piazza Navona combining a fourth-floor restaurant with La Grande Bellezza, a cocktail and tapas rooftop facing Sant'Agnese.
Restaurant
Heinz Beck's rooftop restaurant at the Rome Cavalieri was the first in the city to earn three Michelin stars and remains its only three-star table.
Restaurant
Part delicatessen, part restaurant, Roscioli near Campo de' Fiori serves Roman pasta classics among shelves of cured meats, cheeses and wines.
Restaurant
A family-run trattoria steps from the Pantheon since 1961, Armando serves classic Roman cooking under the Gargioli family's care.
Restaurant
A small, no-reservations trattoria in the quieter eastern part of Trastevere, Da Enzo al 29 serves the full canon of Roman pastas and secondi.
Restaurant
Founded by Felice Trivelloni in 1936, this Testaccio institution is best known for cacio e pepe tossed at the table.
Restaurant
At the foot of Monte Testaccio, Flavio al Velavevodetto is a busy trattoria serving quinto quarto offal dishes, fresh pasta and classic Roman sauces.
Thing to do
Rome's 13th rione, across the Tiber from the centre, is a web of cobbled lanes, ancient churches and trattorias that comes alive in the evening.
Thing to do
Testaccio's covered neighbourhood market gathers around 100 stalls of produce, fish, street food and household goods above the remains of a Roman warehouse.
Thing to do
Established in 1988, this regional park protects more than 16 km of the ancient Appian Way along with catacombs, aqueducts and the Caffarella valley.
Thing to do
Officially Parco Savello, this small orange-tree garden on the Aventine Hill was laid out in 1932 and offers one of Rome's best free panoramas.
Thing to do
This lively square near Piazza Navona has hosted a daily market since 1869, watched over by the hooded statue of the philosopher Giordano Bruno.
Tour operator
A Rome-based tour company running small-group and private tours of the Vatican, the Colosseum and the city's underground sites.
Tour operator
Running food tours in Rome for more than 15 years, Eating Europe leads small groups through Testaccio, Trastevere, Monti and the Jewish Ghetto.
Tour operator
A family-owned Rome tour company offering private and small-group tours of no more than eight people, from the Vatican to the Appian Way.
Tour operator
With 27 years of guiding in Italy, Through Eternity runs Colosseum, Vatican and walking tours of Rome in groups capped at 12.
Tour operator
Operating since 2007 near the Colosseum, Top Bike Rental & Tours runs guided bike and e-bike tours of Rome and the Appian Way.
Three to four days covers the Colosseum and Forum, the Vatican and the main squares and fountains. Five days or more allows for day trips and a slower pace.
The Centro Storico puts you within walking distance of most sights. Trastevere suits those wanting restaurants and evening atmosphere, while Prati near the Vatican and Monti near the Colosseum are slightly quieter.
The Leonardo Express train runs non-stop from Fiumicino to Termini station, and regional trains serve other city stations. Buses and taxis are also available, and Ciampino is linked to the city by bus.
Rome is moderately priced by Western European standards. Eating at trattorias away from the main squares and buying pizza al taglio for lunch helps keep costs down.
Rome is generally safe, but pickpocketing is common on crowded buses, the Metro and around major sights. Keep bags closed and be cautious of people offering unsolicited help.