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Best Attractions in Rome (2026)

Rome's essential sights span more than two thousand years, and most of them sit within walking distance of each other in the historic centre. Ancient Rome is concentrated around the Colosseum and the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which share a single ticket, with the Capitoline Museums on the hill above and the Pantheon a short walk to the north-west. Across the Tiber, the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica fill a day on their own, and Castel Sant'Angelo stands at the end of Via della Conciliazione. In the north, Villa Borghese holds Galleria Borghese and its Bernini sculptures.

Plan by area and book ahead. Timed tickets for the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and Galleria Borghese sell out in busy months, so reserve on the official sites only. Visit the Colosseum and Forum early, before the heat and crowds, and save the Capitoline Museums, which stay open until 19:30, for the late afternoon. The Trevi Fountain is calmest early in the morning or late at night, and non-residents now pay a small fee to reach the basin. Many state sites are free on the first Sunday of the month, and the Vatican Museums on the last Sunday, but expect long queues. Cover shoulders and knees for St Peter's and the Vatican, and allow at least three days for the main sights.

10 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 attractions in Rome

  1. Colosseum Roman amphitheatre, Celio / MontiThe Flavian Amphitheatre, completed in AD 80 under Titus, is Rome's defining ancient monument and the centrepiece of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo.
  2. Vatican Museums Art museum, Vatican CityFounded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the Vatican Museums hold the papal collections, the Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.
  3. St Peter’s Basilica Basilica, Vatican CityRebuilt 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

1. Colosseum

Roman amphitheatreCelio / Monti

The Flavian Amphitheatre, completed in AD 80 under Titus, is Rome's defining ancient monument and the centrepiece of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo.

View details — Colosseum

Attraction

2. Vatican Museums

Art museumVatican City

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.

View details — Vatican Museums

Attraction

4. Pantheon

Roman temple and churchCentro Storico

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.

View details — Pantheon