10 Do’s in Rome · Real insider tips for the best experience

Discover the 10 best things to do in Rome with our insider tips. Experience the city and its sights. Make the most of your trip to the Eternal City.

Rome is a city so rich in sights and experiences that even connoisseurs will discover new corners and stories. Rome is much more than just checking off the most famous sights such as the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Vatican Museums and the Lighthouse. Falling in love with Rome means immersing yourself in the Roman way of life, with all its pleasures and pitfalls, letting yourself go and celebrating the dolce vita. Our 10 tips will help you lose your heart to this unique city.

1 Get a first overview

2 Try the real Roman cuisine

Now we come to the main topic of conversation among Romans, food. Avoid the tourist traps and go to a trattoria to enjoy real Roman cuisine. Cacio e pepe, Carbonara and Amatriciana are not just pasta dishes, but part of the Roman way of life. Start with a delicious antipasto while the pasta is being freshly prepared. Remember, eating here is not a race, but a marathon of good conversation, good food and good drink. Take the waiter’s advice and finish with un caffè (the Roman name for espresso) and an ice-cold limoncello. For more information, read our article on Roman cuisine.

3 Enjoy the Roman way of life

The winding, picturesque streets and squares of the city center and Trastevere invite you to explore. Mostly traffic-free, you can take a relaxed stroll and discover the traces of the centuries among historical monuments and palaces with weathered facades. Admire the shop windows, some luxurious, some curious. Get lost and take a seat in Piazza Navona or Campo de’ Fiori. Enjoy the splash of the fountains and watch the Romans and tourists stroll by. Watch the street performers and maybe even dance to the music of the buskers. Browse the many shops for souvenirs such as local specialties, clothing, jewelry, antiques or religious art.

4 Be enchanted by the morning silence

Rome takes on a special light in the early hours of the morning. Visit the deserted Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. You might spot a bride and groom posing for a photo as the sun rises over the Pincio. Joggers run their laps in Villa Borghese or from the Tiber through Trastevere up the Gianicolo Hill to Villa Pamphili.

5 Plan a Museum Visit

The Colosseum and the Vatican Museums are on almost every Rome bucket list. They are among the most unique sights to see in a lifetime. While the Vatican Museums are home to magnificent art from ancient to modern times, the Colosseum is an impressive testimony to the architecture of ancient Rome. Unfortunately, both museums are often fully booked, but there are plenty of alternatives. The Capitoline Museums also offer a large collection of art and have a wonderful view across the Forum to the Colosseum. Also highly recommended are the National Museums of Rome, which include Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps and the Baths of Diocletian, where Michelangelo’s cloister is a great place to linger.

6 See Rome from above

What would a visit to Rome be without admiring the Eternal City from above? There are many viewpoints on the hills and monuments that offer a unique panorama of the ancient ruins and monuments. Whether you climb the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica or look down on the city from one of the many hills, each vantage point offers a fascinating panorama that invites you to marvel and admire.

7 Explore a Basilica

Whether you are religious or not, a visit to a basilica should definitely be on your list. St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest basilica in Rome and the center of the Catholic Church, is usually the first to come to mind. The best time to visit this imposing structure is early in the morning. But the other three highest basilicae maiores are also worth a visit. Particularly interesting is the Basilica of San Paolo, which preserves the architectural style of the first basilicas. The first basilica built in Rome is San Giovanni, which is still the Seat of the Bishop of Rome. The basilica is home to what is believed to be the oldest baptistery in Rome, and just across the street you can kneel and slide up the Sacred Steps, where Jesus was supposedly led to Pontius Pilate. The fourth major basilica is Santa Maria Maggiore on Via Cavour. The miraculous Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary, Salus populi romani, is kept here. It is the highest image of the Virgin Mary in Rome. You can visit all four basilicas on the Seven Churches Pilgrimage Route.

8 Visit a market

You can get a good impression of the daily life of the Romans at one of the many markets. Stroll through the lively aisles and discover the wide range of fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, cheese and cured meats on offer. Popular markets include the Mercato Trionfale on Via Tunisi, below the Vatican Museums, where you can buy eggs sorted by laying date, and the Mercato Testaccio, with its many street food stalls. For an international experience, visit the Mercato Esquilino, between Piazza Vittorio and Termini Station, which sells fruits, vegetables and spices from all over the world. The Mercato Centrale at Termini Station offers the best street food in Rome.

Rome’s most famous flea market is held every Sunday morning at Porta Portese. A somewhat smaller market is held every Sunday at the Milvio Bridge. The largest clothing market takes place every weekday in Via Sannio, behind the Basilica of San Giovanni.

9 Taste a Gran Caffè and a Gelato

Coffee is celebrated not only in Naples, but also in Rome. The oldest coffee roastery in Rome is located in Piazza di Sant’Eustachio, between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Here, the Gran Caffè is prepared according to decades of tradition, stirred until creamy with sugar. If you love coffee, you must try it. Just across the street is Günther Rohregger’s ice cream parlor, where you can also get stone pine ice cream. Read more about the best ice cream shops in Rome.

10 Relax in a park

It’s hard to believe, but Rome is a very green city. Popes and aristocrats built large villas and gardens throughout the city. Near the center is the Villa Borghese with the gallery of the same name and the Roman Biopark, but there are many others. On Sundays, the Via Appia Antica is a great place to visit, as it is closed to through traffic. Along the ancient road are interesting sights such as catacombs, mausoleums and ancient villas.

Bonus Tip: Choose an Accommodation in the Center of Rome

By staying in the heart of the Eternal City, you can walk to the most famous sights. You can admire these wonders as they pass by in the changing light from dawn to dusk. The central neighborhoods are full of charming cafes, traditional trattorias and lively piazzas where Roman life unfolds on a daily basis. This proximity not only saves time and simplifies logistics, but also deepens your relationship with the city, allowing for spontaneous discoveries and interactions that enrich your understanding of its culture and history. When you choose accommodation in the city center, you’re not just choosing a place to stay, you’re living and breathing Rome, experiencing the rhythms and pleasures of the city like a local. The comfort and vibrant atmosphere guarantee an unforgettable stay, filling every moment of your trip with the magic and romance that only Rome can offer. Read our hotel recommendations. Find out what to do in Rome in our Three Days in Rome suggestions.

Bottom Line

Rome is not just a destination, it is an experience, a feeling. It’s a city you can visit again and again, discovering new treasures each time. The things mentioned above are just the beginning of what Rome has to offer.

Whether you’re standing in awe under the dome of the Pantheon, enjoying a gelato in a piazza, or catching the light of the golden hour from the top of St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome has a way of burning itself into your heart.