Things to do in Rome
There is no way to skip the city of Rome if we’re on a mission to explore the world. It’s an important, historical city that hosts millions of travelers every year. The things to do in Rome are also amazing, exciting, entertaining, and increase your knowledge. My first visit to Rome was in the 1990s when I was a kid, and now I have traveled there with my kids. I have seen many changes in the city from then to now.
A Short Introduction to Rome
Rome is the Capital of Italy and is located in Southern Europe. It’s a historic city that preserves many ancient ruins and historical places that are hundreds of years old. Many historic buildings, streets, and grand piazzas surprise you with their beauty as soon as you arrive in the city. The landmarks like the Pantheon, Colosseum, and the Roman Forum show you the glory of the Roman Empire. The River Tiber passes through the city and enhances its beauty.
Rome isn’t famous only for its historical places and ruins, but also for its vibrant neighborhoods and lively people. Trastevere always attracts tourists with its beautiful streets, colorful buildings, and charming cafes. We found colorful buildings similar to those we saw in Nyhavn while exploring Copenhagen. It’s also a paradise for foodies because Italian food is loved everywhere in the world. All you need to enjoy your trip fully is to create a perfect plan.
Best Time to Explore Rome
Choosing the right time to travel is one of the most essential things to do. You can travel to Rome any time of the year, but the spring and fall seasons are ideal for tourism. Most tourists visit Rome for summer vacations, but honestly, it can be very hot and crowded. In contrast, the weather is milder in spring and autumn, and tourist attractions are not as crowded. You can find accommodation in ideal locations and can move around the city easily.
Winters are cooler and quieter, and there is no need to come if your purpose of travel is only tourism. Life slows down in the city during winter, and there may be occasional rainfall, which can make traveling around the city difficult. In short, most of the things to do in Rome are more enjoyable in seasons other than winter.
21 Best Things To Do in Rome
Rome has been one of my favorite cities in the world since my childhood, and that’s why I was as excited as my kids. I made a list of things to do in Rome with my kids, and my limited knowledge of the city made it easier to plan. You can plan what to do in Rome according to your stay duration and budget. Here are some most important things to do in Rome that can make your visit full of joy and entertaining:
1- Walking along the Tiber River
Starting your tour by walking along the Tiber River isn’t a bad idea. The river passes through the center of the city and offers stunning views along its banks. We started our sightseeing tour by walking along the Tiber River, and it was a wonderful experience. Our hotel was located near the river, which allowed us to walk along it every morning. We also enjoyed the sunsets from the riverbanks on some days. Walking on the bank of the Tiber River is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Rome for travelers, especially in the morning and in the evening.
2- Stroll Through the Streets
We loved getting lost in the streets of Rome and enjoyed strolling through the city here and there. All you need is to wear comfortable shoes, carry some cash and necessary documents, and start strolling through the streets. The good thing is that almost every street takes you to a piazza, which is the junction of many streets. We explored many local shops, tried local street food, and enjoyed interacting with friendly locals as we strolled around.
3- Explore Beautiful Piazzas
Exploring piazzas is a simple but one of the most important things to do in Rome for travelers. As mentioned earlier, piazzas are the points where many streets meet, which means we can explore piazzas while strolling through the streets. There are many beautiful piazzas in the city where you can sit, relax, and watch people go around the streets. You can also enjoy the performances of street artists and creators in the piazzas.
Below are some important piazzas in Rome:
- Piazza Santa Marina
- Piazza del Popolo
- Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter’s Square)
- Piazza del Repubblica
- Piazza Navona
- Piazza Venezia
- Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps)
- Campo de’ Fiori
4- Visit the Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of my favorite touristy sites in the world, and I really enjoyed visiting it. Although Rome’s Pantheon isn’t as beautiful as what we saw during our visit to Paris, it is still one of the most stunning landmarks in the city. We spent 5 euros each to enter the Pantheon, where we visited the tombs of Rafael, Queen Margherita, and Vittorio Emanuele II, who was the first king of Italy. It was established as a Roman temple but serves as a church nowadays.
5- Explore Colosseum
One of the best things to do in Rome is visiting Colosseum to appreciate the ancient culture of the Romans. It’s a wonderful piece of architecture standing with its beautiful arches. It was built around 2000 years ago for animal hunts, battles, and other public spectacles. Imagine the scenes when gladiators were fighting, and the spectators were cheering and shouting with excitement. It’s a place where we can imagine Roman bravery as gladiators faced incredible challenges in the arena.
You need to purchase a ticket to explore the underground area and arena. The tickets are available in several types that allow you to explore different parts of the Colosseum. Make sure to buy tickets in advance to skip the queue and save time. We got basic tickets and explored only the ground level of the Colosseum.
6- Discover the Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is another one of the top attractions in Rome, which is located next to the Colosseum. It was a place of politics, speeches, social gatherings, and celebrations. The house of Vestal Virgins, Temple of Saturn, and the Arch of Titus are the main attractions in the Roman Forum. The stunning views of the ruins of this ancient Roman architecture left us truly amazed. Visiting the Roman Forum is one of the top things to do in Rome to explore the history up close.
7- Enjoy a Tour of the Vatican Museums
Another way to experience Roman history up close is by visiting the Vatican Museums. The Vatican Museums are home to many ancient objects, paintings, and artifacts gathered by the Popes over the years. The museum is so big that it can leave you tired, but even then, the visit is still incomplete. It’s ranked among the world’s top 5 museums. More than 70000 works are placed in 24 different sections for exhibition. We had an incomplete tour of the Vatican Museums due to a shortage of time, but we will surely come again to complete it.
8- Send Postcards to Your Family and Friends from the Vatican
One of the most remarkable things to do in Rome is to send postcards to your friends and family members from the Vatican. After leaving the Vatican Museums, get postcards and head to the Vatican post office, which is located on St. Peter’s Square. Send the postcards to your loved ones as a simple, but meaningful reminder of your journey.
9- Explore St. Peter’s Basilica
10- Relax in the Villa Borghese Gardens
Looking for a place in Rome to sit and relax? Villa Borghese Gardens is the perfect location for you. It’s located on the Pincian Hill near Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. The garden spans over 80 hectares, which means you have plenty of space to sit and relax. Must visit this garden if you’re exploring Rome with kids. There is an art gallery on the eastern side of the garden, which is very popular among tourists. We struggled for a long time to find the gallery due to the vast size of the garden.
11- Taking a Walk on the Spanish Steps
Another wonderful experience in Rome is taking a walk on the iconic Spanish Steps, which connect the Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church. Thousands of people climb up these stairs and take photos to capture the memories of their visit. We enjoyed the amazing scenes of the surrounding area as we walked up the stairs. Walking up these stairs should be part of your list of things to do in Rome.
12- Throw a Coin in the Trevi Fountain
Rome has some iconic fountains and ponds in some piazzas, where tourists explore the beauty and take photos. This amazing fountain was surrounded by tourists on three sides when we arrived. The interesting fact is that tourists throw a coin over their left shoulder into the fountain in the hope of returning to Rome. It’s a simple activity that can bring a smile to your kids’ faces. It was free to visit, but now tourists need to buy a 2-euro ticket to stand in front of the Trevi Fountain.
The Trevi Fountain isn’t the only fountain in Rome; the others are:
- Fontana del Nettuno
- Fontana del Moro
- Fontana del Nettuno
- Fontana dell’Acqua Paola
- Fontana della Barcaccia
13- Enjoy Shopping in Via Condotti
Shopping is one of my family’s favorite things to do in Rome. We did a little shopping everywhere we visited, but our main shopping area was Via Condotti. It’s an iconic shopping street famous for historic boutiques, luxury brands, and modern fashion houses. Shopping in Via Condotti was an unforgettable experience in Rome. Every shop attracted us with beautiful, traditional displays.
14- Take Photos of Amazing Architectures
Rome is a historical city where many amazing architectures attract tourists with their majestic appearance. Capturing photos in front of such historical landmarks and beautiful architecture is one of tourists’ favorite things to do in Rome. We enjoyed a walking tour of the city, only to capture photos and create pleasant memories of our trip. Our kids, especially the younger one, also loved photography while exploring the city.
15- Enjoy Local Food
Enjoying local food is an essential part of every trip, regardless of where we go. We tried many delicious street foods during our visit to Rome, but the freshly made pasta and wood-fired pizza were outstanding. Italian dishes are famous all over the world, and enjoying Italian food in Rome is a truly special experience. Don’t miss a chance to enjoy the following Italian street food in Rome:
- Suppli
- Porchetta
- Trapizzino
- Panini
- Cannoli
- Gelato
16- Spend a Day in Neighborhoods
A big mistake that most tourists make in Rome is limiting themselves to Central Rome or just the main tourist attractions. Rome has some beautiful neighborhoods where tourists can go for some refreshment. Trastevere is one of the most popular neighborhoods among tourists. Beautiful squares, lively cafes, and artistic shops are favorite spots of tourists. Make sure not to skip Rome’s neighborhoods, especially Trastevere, if you have enough time in the city.
17- Catacombs of Rome
There are more than 50 underground tunnels in Rome, which were used as burial chambers for Jewish, Christians, and Pagans. These tunnels were constructed between the 2nd and 5th centuries and served as burial grounds in ancient times. Now, it’s a good tourist place, especially for historians. We ensured a visit to Rome’s catacombs, as we also included a visit to the catacombs in our list of things to do in Paris.
18- Visit the Centrale Montemartini Museum
Aside from the Vatican Museums, Centrale Montemartini is another museum in Rome that offers an unforgettable cultural experience. It was a power plant turned into a museum to exhibit ancient Roman art and classical and modern industrial architecture. Visiting the Centrale Montemartini Museum was also on our list of things to do in Rome, but unfortunately, we couldn’t complete our visit due to a shortage of time.
19- Spend a Day on the Beach
Another one of the most joyful things to do in Rome is spending a day at the beach. A day at the beach allows you to take a break from the city’s busy life. Rome isn’t located on the seaside, but it has some beautiful beaches about an hour’s drive away. Ostia is the nearest beach that we visited by getting an expensive taxi from the city. A more affordable option is to take the train, which gets you there in about an hour. The other nearest beaches are as follows:
- Fregene Beach
- Anzio Beach
- Nettuno Beach
- Santa Marinella Beach
- Torvaianica Beach
20- Enjoy a Sunset from the Gianicolo Hill
Enjoy a romantic evening on Gianicolo Hill while enjoying the beautiful sunset views from here. It’s located in western Rome near Trastevere and is considered the second-tallest hill in the city. Not only the sunset, but you can also enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top. The domes, squares, and all historical and modern buildings look beautiful from this point. Although it wasn’t part of our plan, we really had a great time there.
21- Night Tour of Castel Sant’Angelo
Enjoy a magical tour of Castel Sant’Angelo at night. It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Rome. You can enjoy panoramic views of the Tiber River, St. Peter’s Basilica, and other places in the city from the terrace. These views at night leave you speechless, as the city’s iconic landmarks glow in the darkness. You can have a look at exhibitions that show the rich history of Rome. Make sure to buy the best ticket for you, because various types of tickets are available for visiting the castle.
Tips to Make Your Trip to Rome Memorable
Rome is an important city for travelers because of its religious significance, history, and rich cultural heritage. It hosts millions of tourists every year and offers them a chance to explore the great Roman history. Making your trip to Rome memorable totally depends on your planning and how well you manage your time and activities. For a perfect trip, make sure to create a list of both things to do and things not to do in Rome. Some other small steps that can make your trip to Rome memorable are as follows:
- Book a hotel in advance.
- Research on where to stay in Rome before arrival.
- Choose the most convenient mode of transport from Rome airport to the city center.
- Take your time to explore and avoid rushing.
- Must try local street food.
- Try to get a guide for a more detailed visit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion
Rome is one of the most historic cities in Europe, and is the capital of Italy. Every tourist must want to visit Rome at least once in their life. The city isn’t only famous for its historic landmarks, but also for its religious significance and cultural heritage. The bravery of the Romans in ancient times is exemplary, and Rome is a great place to witness it. Our trip to Rome was perfect and full of joy. If you’re planning a trip to Rome, make sure to go through the list of things to do in Rome that we prepared after a detailed visit.
