Rome Sights · Our Top 10

What is a must-see in Rome? Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Castel Sant’Angelo and Pantheon are among the most visited sights in Rome. What is the best way to visit them and what else should you see?

For almost 3,000 years, the city has grown layer upon layer. The center of the Roman Empire became the center of the Christian world. Antiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque and modern times combine to form a, sometimes somewhat bumpy, synthesis of the arts. Since the 90’s, the historic center and the Vatican belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the beauties of the capital of Italy and the Vatican City with its imposing relics, palaces, churches, squares and monuments.

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Even the journey to Rome is magical. When you land at Ciampino Airport, you fly over the city and can see St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum and Termini Station from above. Landing in Fiumicino you will only see the sea, but you will land in one of the most modern and popular airports in Europe. Arriving by train at the somewhat chaotic Termini Station, you can immediately discover the 2,600-year-old walls of Servius Tullius, 6th king of Rome, in the forecourt. Just across the street are the Baths of Diocletian. When you plunge into the hustle and bustle of Roman traffic by car, remember that Rome had one-way streets even in the time of Julius Caesar.

Top Sights

Rome’s sights, you probably immediately think of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. The good news is that you can visit three of these sights for free.

Rome, the capital of Italy, is one of the top travel destinations in the world, and the crowds at the top sights in Rome are often correspondingly large. Accordingly, it is often difficult to get tickets to attractions such as the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and the Borghese Gallery. Therefore, make a conscious decision about what is important to you and how you want to organize yourself.

1. Palatine and forums

The archaeological area of the Palatine, Roman Forum and Imperial Forums encompasses the oldest part of Rome and offers an extraordinarily impressive cross-section of antiquity. Visit the impressive viewpoints on the green Palatine and descend to the area of the Temples, Roman Forum and Imperial Forums, the centers of trade and administration of the Roman Empire.

The entrance ticket to the area of the Imperial Forums, the Roman Forum and the Palatine is the Forum Pass ticket. It allows you to visit all the sites including the museum and the SUPER sites without leaving the park. Entrance to the Colosseum is not included. We recommend buying the Forum Pass ticket online to avoid waiting at the ticket office.

The Palatine is one of the seven hills of Rome and one of the oldest inhabited places in the city. Romulus is said to have founded the city here. The hill is dotted with archaeological remains and ruins of villas and temples, which can be visited with the special SUPER ticket. The Palatine is an oasis of tranquility and you can discover here among pine forest and gardens a variety of viewpoints and unwind.

Here you are at eye level with the upper floors of the Colosseum. You overlook the Roman Forum and the Imperial Forums, on one side you can see towards the Baths of Caracalla to the Appia Antica and the Alban Hills, on the other to St. Peter’s Basilica.

The archaeological area also includes the Roman Forum and the Imperial Forums. The Roman Forum was the oldest political, economic and religious center of ancient Rome. As the growing Roman Empire needed ever larger structures for trade and administration, other forums were added during the imperial period. The Forum of Trajan, with the column depicting the story of the war against the Dacians, is the most recent imperial forum.

Walking through this ancient area you will discover many picturesque corners. If you want to learn more about the history and ancient life, we recommend a guided tour.

2. Colosseum

The Colosseum is the largest preserved amphitheater in the world. It is an impressive architectural masterpiece and can definitely compete with modern stadiums and theaters in terms of construction.

Getting tickets to the Colosseum is extremely difficult at the moment. It looks like all visitors to Rome want to get into the Colosseum and tickets are sold out accordingly quickly. But you don’t necessarily have to take a selfie in the Colosseum. Also from the outside the Colosseum gives a nice photo motive and you can use the gained time to have a better look at the archaeological area with Palatine and Forums.

Several tickets are available for the Colosseum. Besides the simple ticket to visit the first two rings, there is a ticket that additionally allows you to visit the arena.

To actually learn about the Colosseum, you should book a guided tour. You will learn many details about the history of the monument and how this masterpiece works. A good guided tour in a small group is entertaining and you can ask questions. There are also different options when it comes to guided tours. Some include a tour of the arena or even the underground. Very nice are also the guided tours in the summer evenings.

From November to February and in August is low season. During this time it should be easier to get tickets for the Colosseum.

3. Sistine Chapel

A “must see” is the Sistine Chapel commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV. The famous frescoes by Michelangelo are deeply impressive and show the religious understanding and world view of his time. You can visit the Sistine Chapel only with a ticket to the Vatican Museums.

The Vatican Museums are among the most visited sights in the world. The departments and exhibitions range from ancient to modern times. Very interesting is also the visit to the gardens, which must be reserved separately.

The Sistine Chapel is part of the Apostolic Palace right next to St. Peter’s Basilica. To get to the chapel, you have to go through the entire length of the Vatican Museums. Especially in high season, there is a big crowd in the long corridors.

But you don’t have to be a president of state or a high dignitary to visit the Vatican Museums with more peace of mind. They offer you some options for a visit without crowds and stress. But usually for this you have to get up earlier and book the visit outside the official opening hours.

There is a very exclusive opportunity to participate in the opening of the halls and the Sistine Chapel in the early morning. The museums also offer the possibility of early entry with breakfast.

In summer, the museums are open until late evening on Friday and even then the atmosphere in the museums is rather relaxed.

If you would like to visit the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums during normal opening hours, we recommend the low season from November to February.

4. St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and impresses with its magnificent architecture and countless works of art. Almost all visitors to Rome want to see this imposing structure. If you want to learn more about history and works of art, we recommend a guided tour.

With its size, St. Peter’s Basilica is a challenge for photographers and you need a good wide-angle lens to get it all in the picture. The same goes for the security check queue, which often stretches all the way around St. Peter’s Square. So the best time to visit is early morning or Sunday morning, when more checkpoints are open.

The first basilica was built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century where the tomb of the Apostle Peter is believed to be. As in many places outside the city, there was a burial ground here, which Emperor Constantine had leveled in order to build the first basilica. The present basilica was built on the foundations of the first and was consecrated by Pope Urban VIII in 1626.

Many visitors also want to climb the dome. To do so, one should be fit and able to step. The staircase winds up through the dome and on one section there is a spiral staircase with a holding rope in the middle. So the climb is quite exciting and you are rewarded with a magnificent view.

5. Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo was built in 135 by Emperor Hadrian as his mausoleum. In the 5th century, the mausoleum was integrated into the protective walls of the Vatican as a fortress. Later it served as a prison, as a refuge for the popes and also as an apostolic residence.

Today Castel Sant’Angelo is one of the most visited sights in Rome. You get to see an interesting cross-section through the centuries with fortifications, papal chambers and museums. As you climb up the seven levels, you get to see interesting and picturesque viewpoints. From the roof terrace of the castle you can see over the whole city center.

To avoid the queues at the ticket office, book the tickets for Castel Sant’Angelo online.

6. Historic center

In the historic center of Rome there is one sight next to another. You should take a few hours to see squares and fountains, palaces, monuments and churches. For the center, there are guided tours and self-guided tours. If you want to go faster, you can also book a tour of the center by golf cart.

One of the most eerie squares in Rome is Campo de’ Fiori, where the condemned were publicly executed. In the center of the square, the statue of astronomer Giordano Bruno commemorates his execution at the stake. Today the square is a popular meeting place for Roman youth. Just behind the square is the French Embassy in Palazzo Farnese, one of the most important buildings of the Renaissance.

From Campo de’ Fiori, follow Via dei Baullari to Piazza Navona. This was once the site of Domitian’s athletics stadium, the remains of which can be seen underground. Today’s square, with its baroque fountains, palaces and churches, also still has the shape of the former stadium.

Passing Palazzo Madama, which houses the Senate of the Italian Republic, you will come to the Pantheon. It was built in the 2nd century and its concrete dome with the unique eye still holds the world record for the largest diameter. In the 7th century it was consecrated a church and thus saved from destruction as a pagan temple.

The path continues to the Jesuit Church of Sant’Ignazio with its beautiful frescoes and to Palazzo Sciarra with its impressive courtyard.

From there you can already hear the water of the Trevi Fountain rushing, the largest and most famous fountain in Rome. The 26 m high fountain with the theme of the ocean experienced several construction phases and was inaugurated for the last time in 1726.

Now walk through winding alleys to the famous Via dei Condotti with its luxurious stores, which leads to the Spanish Steps. With its 135 steps and several terraces, the Baroque staircase overcomes the steep climb from Spanish Square to the French church Trinità dei Monti on Pincio Hill. It was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XIII in the Jubilee Year of 1725.

Another place of interest is Piazza del Popolo. The square is located at the city gate of Via Flaminia, from which Via del Corso, which in ancient times was called via Lata, leads straight as an arrow to the Capitol. To the right and to the left, two other streets depart from the square, forming what is known as the Trident. One leads to the Spanish Steps, the other to the Field of Mars between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Between the three streets are the twin churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli, both built in the 17th century.

7. Catacombs and Via Appia

The Via Appia leads from Rome to Brindisi for more than 2,000 years. From there people embarked for the journey to Greece or Egypt. Along the road, mausoleums, pompous tombs, necropolises and catacombs were built and thus the area around the road became well-kept parks already 2,000 years ago. Today the area is a regional park and it is a wonderful place to walk, visit the catacombs and enjoy a good meal.

Three catacomb sites can be visited on the Appia Antica, the Calixtus Catacombs, the Catacombs of Domitilla and the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. Tickets and tours for the catacombs can be reserved in advance. You can also discover the regional park very well on a bicycle tour.

At the beginning of the Appia Antica, in the Porta di San Sebastiano, there is the free Museo delle Mura, which shows the history of the Roman city walls. Unfortunately, the stretch of the Appia Antica from there to the catacombs of San Callisto is traffic-calmed only on Sundays, so you’re better off taking bus 118 or 218 to Quo Vadis if you don’t want to stumble down the stretch on the cobblestones among the noise and car exhaust. You can also go two stops further and get off right at the catacombs. After the catacombs, there are hardly any cars on the Appia Antica. The road passes the racecourse of Massentius and the mausoleum of Cecilia Metella. Between tombs and relics you can walk through Roman fields to Ciampino.

8. St. Paul Outside the Walls

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls was built by Emperor Constantine on the site where the tomb of the Apostle Paul is believed to be. Due to the strong influx of pilgrims, it was expanded to its current size by the end of the 4th century. In the 19th century it was severely destroyed by fire and rebuilt largely true to the original. This makes this basilica particularly interesting. Here you can see how the first basilicas were built. The first St. Peter’s Basilica built by Constantine also looked like this, both the four-sided portico (quadriportico) and the five-nave interior.

The importance of this basilica is unfortunately very neglected in many guidebooks. The advantage is that here are practically never queues and you can visit the basilica at your leisure.

9. San Giovanni

San Giovanni Fassade Ostseite

San Giovanni in Laterano is the oldest basilica in Rome. It is the seat of the Pope in his capacity as Bishop of Rome and bears the honorary title Omnium Urbis et Orbis Ecclesiarum Mater et Caput – Mother and Head of all the Churches of the City and the Earth Circle. It is the only one of the three basilicas built by Emperor Constantine to be located within the city walls, while St. Peter and St. Paul were built on burial grounds outside the city at that time. The basilica has had a checkered history with earthquakes, raids and fires, but has always been rebuilt. With changes and extensions, here now stands the fourth construction.

A Benedictine monastery was built, which was responsible for administration and care. The cloister of the former monastery can be visited from the basilica. The basilica also includes a baptistery. It is probably the oldest baptistery in the world and it was also built by Emperor Constantine.

The two facades of the basilica are somewhat curious. On the north side of the transept, the Loggia of the Blessings was built in the 16th century between two medieval towers. At that time, the adjacent palace served as the summer residence of the popes and so the pope could give the blessing to the cheering people from there. An ancient obelisk was placed in the square in front of the loggia.

The main façade, which looks east on the Roman traffic bustle, dates from the 18th century. It forms a large vestibule to the basilica. On the far left is a statue of Emperor Constantine. The bronze door in the main portal comes from the building of the ancient Roman Senate, the Curia Iulia, and is thus over 2,000 years old.

The complex also includes the Holy Staircase, which faces the basilica. Jesus is said to have been led to Pontius Pilate on the Scala Santa, and it was brought to Rome in 326. Worshippers slide up the 28 steps in prayer on the knees. At the top is a 14th-century private chapel of the popes, the Sancta Sanctorum.

10. Borghese Gallery

The National Museum Borghese Gallery displays works of art collected or commissioned by the Borghese family over the centuries. The collection includes ancient art, sculptures and paintings, but also the furnishings and frescoes and decorations of the building. The collection includes paintings by important artists such as Caravaggio, Raphael, Rubens and Titian, as well as sculptures by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and the most photographed statue of the villa, Paolina Bonaparte, Napoleon’s sister, immortalized by Canova as the victorious Venus.

While Villa Borghese’s expansive park is free to visit, the gallery is by reservation only. The gallery offers fixed entrance times, at which a number of visitors are admitted. You then have two hours to visit until the next visitors are let in. Tickets and guided tours must be reserved in advance.

In the park of Villa Borghese today there are different zones. There is a small lake with rowing boats, several free city museums, an outdoor cinema, a horse racing track, a playhouse for children and the Biopark. It is now a green oasis in the city and has numerous accesses. The Borghese Gallery Museum is located on the northeast side of the park on Via Pinciana.

The Borghese family originated in Siena and gained prominence in Rome after Camillo Borghese became Pope Paul V in 1605. In addition to the pompous city palace where the Spanish Embassy resides today, the family acquired a vast area of land outside the city walls in front of Porta Pinciana and built a villa with gardens for the summer. In 1613, works from the collection of Cardinal Scipione Borghese were moved from the City Palace to the villa. In 1770 the building was renovated and received its present appearance.

In the course of the family history there were changes in the collection. Ancient pieces were discovered during excavations on family properties. In 1803 Camillo Borghese married Napoleon’s sister Paulina Bonaparte and part of the collection went to Paris, where it is now displayed in the Louvre. The pieces were replaced by new excavations and the collection of paintings in the City Palace was moved to the 1st floor of the villa.

Cemeteries

In Rome there are two very interesting beautiful cemeteries. One is located in the Testaccio quarter, which stretches inside the walls from the Pyramid to the Tiber south of Via Marmorata. The name comes from a mountain of clay shards that accumulated here in ancient times during the decanting of goods that arrived in Rome by sea.

Rome Sights Foreigners Cemetery

Just behind the pyramid is the Cemetery of Non-Catholics – or Cemetery of Foreigners – where many celebrities are buried.

Around the Clay Shard Hill there are numerous pubs and discotheques, and facing the Tiber River is the old slaughterhouse, now used for cultural events and a small Sunday market. Opposite the slaughterhouse is the newly built market with interesting boxes, including a paninotheque that fills the breads with ingredients from traditional Roman cuisine.

Rome Sights Monumental Cemetery Verano

The other is the Verano Monumental Cemetery. It remains mostly unnoticed among Rome’s sights, although in our opinion it is in no way inferior to other cemeteries, such as Père Lachaise in Paris. It is full of tombs and works of art from all periods. Old-established families, high dignitaries and pilgrims, actors and politicians, many great names have found their final resting place here. The cemetery is well suited for long walks. It is located behind the Basilica of St. Lawrence and is accessible by streetcar lines 3 and 19 and bus 492.

For more details about the Verano, see our article Walking in Rome.

Picturesque quarters

The Coppedè district

Places of interest in Rome Coppedè

The quarter was created at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, urban planning was still very important. Unlike many areas in Rome, where buildings were hastily erected without any plan, especially in the 50’s, in order to fight the housing shortage, here they were built with quality that can still be admired today. The architect Gino Coppedè was entrusted with the planning and the execution and today the neighborhood bears his name. The project began in 1916 with a construction period of more than 10 years. There are 18 residential buildings and 27 villas grouped around the Fountain of Frogs in Piazza Mincio.

It is located north of Buenos Aires square on Via Tagliamento, Buenos Aires stop of streetcar lines 3 and 19.

The Garbatella

Rome Sights Garbatella

The Garbatella is a neighborhood in the south of Rome. It extends east of metro line B between Garbatella and San Paolo stations to Via Cristoforo Colombo. Garbatella was planned as a garden city. The founding stone of King Victor Emmanuel III, dated February 18, 1920, is located on the right side of the passage of the building in Piazza Brin. In 1931 it was visited by Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi visitng Garbatella

In the Garbatella there are several popular buildings of architectural interest. Today it is often used as a backdrop for film shoots and many visitors like to visit the original locations of their favorite series.

The Garbatella is crossed by Via delle Sette Chiese, the Way of the Seven Churches Pilgrimage, which connects the Basilica of St. Paul with the Catacombs and the Basilica of St. Sebastian. It is largely traffic-calmed and is a good place for a walk and for access to the central part of the Garbatella from the Basilica of St. Paul or from Via Cristoforo Colombo, Piazza Navigatori stop of bus lines 30, 160, 671 and 714.

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