“When in Rome, do as the Romans do”
Is Rome Worth Visiting? What is Rome known for?
The short answer is yes, but don’t just take our word for it… In this article we’ll be exploring the various answers to the questions you might have: “What is Rome famous for?”, “What is there to do in Rome?”, and equally importantly, “Where can I stay in Rome?”
Italy’s capital city, aptly nicknamed the Eternal City, is one of the most popular European cities for tourists. This is because it’s home to history, culture, archaeological sites, Roman and Etruscan ruins, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, historic monuments, museums, and plenty of other things to visit.
After Paris and London, it’s the third most popular city in Europe, with 9.7 million foreign tourists visiting in 2017. The cradle for European civilization and the Latin language, Rome is now home to 2.87 million inhabitants.
What is the best time to visit Rome?
Visiting Rome can be daunting for those used to colder climates, since its Mediterranean location and geography causes it to be quite hot for most of the year.
For most people, who are seeking a temperate, or at least on the warmer side experience, visiting Rome in May might yield the best results, with daytime temperatures of 25 degrees and cooler nights giving you the opportunity to explore at your own pace.
If you don’t mind a chillier environment, January is also a popular time to visit, with many tours and a more indoor focused itinerary being advisable.
How many days do you need in Rome?
If you are planning to visit Rome, one question that might be, or at least should be on your mind, is that of time: “How long do you need in Rome?” One day in Rome? Four days in Rome? Seven?
In reality, the answer depends largely on your budget and how much free time you have, but it’s worth saying that even if you took out an entire year to explore Rome, you still wouldn’t be able to see all the best Roma has to offer.
That said, if you have the opportunity to try and see Rome in one day, it is probably worth taking, since every day is an opportunity to see something new and intriguing.
To put some perspective to the scale of Rome and what it has to offer, the question “Is Rome bigger than London” is a frequent search on Google, meaning that people often associate Rome with one of the Biggest cities in the world.
Think about where you want to stay as well, depending on your budget, you might end up in the luxurious Major Hotel: Rome in style… Or maybe it’s better for you to stay at a cosy Airbnb and make Rome feel more like home for a while. Hotel Mosaic Rome, among comparable brands, offers modest accommodation, making Rome more accessible to those on a budget.
Once you know the answer to all the questions above, it’s time to decide. We strongly recommend acquiring a map of Rome tourist attractions so that you can plan your days, since there's so much to see and do. (The images of Rome you’ll see will only make you want to visit more!)
Are you going to visit Rome?
Here are the attractions you have to visit!
1. The Colosseum
A large amphitheatre from the Roman Empire, is one of the most famous monuments in Rome. So famous, in fact, that you’ve probably seen pictures of the Roman Colosseum before.
Its construction was ordered by Emperor Vespasian (9-79 CE) and finished under Titus (39-81 CE). It could hold up to 50,000 spectators and hosted gladiatorial combats and blood sports. It was used for nearly 500 years, with its last games taking place in the 6th century. It’s among the most popular Roman ruins in the city.
Furthermore, it’s 86 metres long, 54 metres wide, 4 stories high, and has over 80 entrances. It’s a testimony to Roman construction and a symbol of Rome’s Imperial power.
The Colosseum is reportedly a good place to book a hotel, and having it as a local attraction will provide a stunning backdrop to your holiday. Rome's hotels near the Colosseum are plentiful, but a frequently recommended name is Palazzo Manfredi, which gives its guests stunning views of the monument itself.
As one of the top entries on this list of attractions, Sistine Chapel, Vatican, and Colosseum tickets are often sold together as tours, which might be worth looking into if you’re more of a generalist.
There are even free days when you can visit the colosseum without paying, which naturally places it among some of the best free attractions in Rome.
2. The Ruins of the Roman Forum
This archaeological site retraces the history of Rome and is one of the oldest remaining in the city. Its oldest ruins date back to the 7th century BC under the Roman Kingdom (which existed between 753 and 509 BC).
This was the main square in Rome under the monarchy and the Republic until the fall of the Empire in 476 AD.
It includes the Temple of Romulus, the Arch of August, the Temple of Caesar, the Basilica Aemilia, the Argiletum, the Temple of Concord, the Temple of Saturn, and the Arch of Septimius Severus.
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3. Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill is one of the seven main hills of Rome and an open-air museum. It was the centre of Ancient Rome and overlooks the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus. It was the residence of the emperors.
It’s an interesting place if you like Roman ruins and the Villa of Livia, Flavian Palace, Stadium of Domitian, Farnese Gardens.
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4. Public Baths of Caracalla
If you’re looking for Romantic things to do in Rome, you might want to look at the extravagant and beautiful public baths of the city to be the scene of your date.
That said, when it comes to things to do in Rome, couples are spoilt for choice and just about every entry on this list can be extremely aesthetic and Romantic given the right context.
Onto the baths themselves, Caracalla provides a truly authentic Roman experience and gives us an insight into the lives of the people who occupied ancient Rome.
Inaugurated under Caracalla (188-217) in 216, the public baths of Caracalla were the largest and most luxurious ever constructed in Rome.
They cover 11 hectares, 64 cisterns, 80,000 litres of water, and accommodate 1,600 bathers. This is a great way to learn how the wealthy Romans lived!
5. The Pantheon
If you’ve seen a picture of Rome, it’s very likely you’ve seen the glorious Pantheon.
Built in the 1st century between 27 and 125CE, the Pantheon in Rome is one of the best kept Roman buildings in the city. The temple is dedicated to Roman gods but became a church in 608 CE.
The Pantheon is home to graves of Italian kings and the artist Raphael. The building includes a magnificent facade, circular interior wall, and a 43-metre-diameter dome.
To visit the Pantheon, without having to wait for ages, you might want a queue-jump ticket that you can get combined with the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona, for example.
6. The Sistine Chapel
Built between 1475 and 1481, this majestic religious building in the Vatican was designed for the cardinals to meet when electing new popes.
With its great frescoes by Michelangelo, the walls and ceiling of the chapel portray Genesis, the Creation of Man, the Original Sin, the Flood, and Judgement Day.
Speaking of Michelangelo, there is a Michelangelo hotel in Rome named after him.
It includes a rectangular room that is 40 metres long, 13 metres wide, and 21 metres high, the golden ratio. The room includes 12 windows.
7. The Trevi Fountain
You can’t visit Rome without visiting the Trevi Fountain. There are around 2,000 fountains in Rome and this one is the largest in all of Rome.
It was built between 1732 and 1762 and is a fine example of 18th-century Roman baroque style.
It represents the benefits of water and includes the God of the Ocean, Neptune. Thousands of tourists visit and throw a coin into it to bring them good luck.
8. Piazza Navona
The Piazza Navona is the most touristy square in all of Rome.
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It’s built on ruins from the 1st century, and the houses and businesses are sitting on top of ancient Rome. The buildings and their Baroque style reflect the Italian Renaissance of the 17th and 18th centuries. You’ll find the Fiumi Fountain and the Fountain of Neptune.
9. Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna are one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions. You can find it in one of Rome’s trendier neighbourhoods. There are 135 steps and it’s a great meeting place for Romans.
Spending time in such neighbourhoods is one of the top things to do in Rome of young adults, who I’m sure want to immerse themselves in the real contemporary Rome, without compromising on the historical magic of the city.
Another equally stunning neighbourhood to explore would be the ‘Centro Storico’, Rome’s ‘downtown’. Which is close to many of the amazing monuments we’ve mentioned on this list.
Find out more about the different neighbourhoods in Rome.
10. The Catacombs of Rome
How about the crazy things to do in Rome?
This is a different way to see Rome and head off the beaten path to enjoy another side of the Eternal City’s history. A lot of tourists don’t know about Rome’s underground. However, it includes the catacombs and underground galleries. The Romans buried their dead here. There are frescoes and graves.
Under the vestiges of ancient Rome, you can find:
- Piazza Navona: the ruins of the Stadium of Domitian
- The ruins of Vicus Caprarius
- The Ruins of the Temple of Hadrian
- Auditorium Di Mecenate
- Colombario di Pomponio Hylas (where the poor and slaves were buried)
- Mussolini’s bunkers
- Domus Aurea: a palace built by emperor Nero.
- The Catacombs of St. Callixtus: 500,000 people were buried there, including the popes from the 3rd century. These are the oldest catacombs on the Appian Way.
- The Domus of the Palazzo Valentini.
Anyone claustrophobic should stay away!
11. The Vatican Museum
Anyone visiting Rome has to visit the world’s smallest country, Vatican City. While its rare for holiday makers to stay within the city itself, hotels near the vatican city are plentiful. If you think the Vatican might be a highlight of your trip, consider getting a hotel nearby! A hotel in Rome near the Vatican is not hard to find.
You might be surprised to find that on certain days doing so is one of the many free things to do in Rome!
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While you should try to avoid it during the high season, you have to visit the Vatican Museum. There’s a huge collection of works collected by different popes from Ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the modern era.
You should also visit the Sistine Chapel with its double helix staircase, the map room, and Raphael’s room.
12. Villa Borghese
Would you like to escape the chaos of Rome’s city centre?
Are you done with mosaics, fountains, ruins, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and temples?
This municipal park covers 80 hectares and includes museums. The gardens of the Villa Borghese are a wonderful green space in the Italian capital.
Spending time in parks and green spaces has to be one of the most fun things to do for young adults and old timers alike, so it’s definitely worth checking out whatever the theme of your visit.
Find out how long you should visit Rome for.
13. The Capitoline Museums
Another unmissable site that you can visit with the Roma Pass or a “Hop On Hop Off” bus trip are the museums of the Capitoline Hill, the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo.
You can pass from one museum to another via the Lapidary Gallery, an underground gangway where you can see works by Caravaggio, Titian, and Rubens.
The Palazzo Nuovo has sculptures, including a replica of the statue of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, one of the Empire’s most famous.
14. St. Peter's Square and Basilica
The symbolic monument of the Catholic Church, St Peter’s Basilica attracts thousands of tourists.
Catholics from all over the world gather here. But religious folk and tourists alike are blown away by the St Peter’s Basilica dome climb, which really puts into perspective the scale and devotion of the Christians of the era to their architecture and god.
It overlooks St Peter’s Square and its Egyptian obelisk, which was brought to Rome by Caligula in the 1st century.
Find out more about budgeting for a trip to Rome.
15. The Appian Way
After you finish visiting Rome, consider heading along the Appian Way, a Roman road that’s nearly 500 km long. From Rome, it runs along the Tyrrhenian coast, crosses Campania, and heads to Apulia in the southeast of Italy.
Construction began in 312 BCE and it’s a popular route for walkers. Some sections date back to the Roman era. Imagine how long journeys took in the age of the Romans!
Another great experience just outside the main city is the stunning historical port of Ostia Antica. Ostia Antica Park Hotel is always just a short commute away from the city and might provide the refreshing change of scenery your trip needs.
Now you know a bit more about the Italian capital and spending some time there. If you want to learn more about the Italian language, consider getting in touch with one of the many talented Italian tutors on Superprof!
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Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials but take place remotely thanks to the internet. If you have a webcam, mic, and a decent internet connection, you can learn Italian online. Since the tutor doesn't have to travel and can schedule more tutorials per week, they can charge less per hour.
Finally, group tutorials are useful if you're on a budget. Since multiple students are paying for the tutor's time and expertise, each student tends to pay less per hour. If you and some friends are wanting to learn Italian on a budget, group tutorials might be a perfect choice. Of course, you'll get less individual attention from your tutor.
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