The best things to see and do in Rome

The charm of Rome escapes any boundary related to time, habits or lifestyles. The attractiveness of the Italian capital knows no pause or interruption, so much so that every year tourists from all over the world flock to its streets, interested in learning about its long history and enjoying its endless attractions. A list of the best things to do in Rome thus stands as potentially limitless. Each visitor can build a personal itinerary of things to see in Rome, based on what best suits his or her interests. The converse applies to the extraordinary monuments, the museums appreciated at every latitude, the squares, the food, the traditions. Rome’s neighborhoods and surroundings also hold ever-changing suggestions, to be explored in an itinerary that can change depending on the length of stay, which can range from a simple weekend, dedicated to the most famous attractions, to a full week or more. Here are a number of options for discovering some of the highlights of an unparalleled city.

Walking in antiquity

The first suggestion regarding what to do in Rome certainly concerns its symbol par excellence, namely the majestic Colosseum, the world’s largest amphitheater. The perfect match is with the Imperial Forum area, including the Forum of Caesar, the Forum of Augustus, the Forum of Nerva, the Forum of Trajan, and the Temple of Peace.

The Colosseum Archaeological Park complex is open daily (except Christmas and New Year’s Day), from 9 a.m. The basic cost of the ticket is €16.

In search of the soul of Rome

The multitude of Roman attractions is combined with the suggestions caused by the city itself, with its peculiarities, the language of its inhabitants, the clubs hidden in the alleys, the small gems traceable everywhere. Between subways, cars, cabs, and buses, the advice is as far as possible to get around on foot, perhaps even without overly detailed sightseeing plans, letting the instinct of the moment guide you.

Possibly to take advantage of the use of alternative means of getting around the streets of Rome, e.g., scooters, bicycles or why not, a rented Vespa.

The Trevi Fountain and its desires

Among the best places to visit in Rome, the Trevi Fountain holds a special place, ever since Federico Fellini consecrated it in 1960 by filming Anita Ekberg’s bath in the masterpiece “La dolce vita.” Beyond the choreographic and superstitious aspect (the custom is to throw a coin into the water, with one’s back turned, as a wish for good luck), the sculptures in the central core, with the god Ocean and winged horses, are appreciable artistically.

Attention, entering the fountain is prohibited!

Typical Roman stops in the squares

Just a few minutes’ walk from the Trevi Fountain is another relevant point among Rome’s top-rated attractions, the Spanish Steps, with its 135 steps leading up to the Trinità dei Monti church. The alternative is Piazza Navona, a focal point of Roman life for tourists and locals alike, where one can spend pleasant breaks or attend events of various kinds.

Those who use the subway arrive safely at both destinations with the A line (Spagna and Barberini stops).

Relaxation in the green at Villa Borghese

Rome’s itinerary should always include a stop at the Villa Borghese park, a regenerating area of the city that stretches across an idyllic landscape among sculptures, Baroque works, gardens, ponds, fountains and museums. For the latter aspect not to be missed is the Borghese Gallery, with works by Caravaggio, Canova, Bernini and many other artists.

The area is open to the public from sunrise until sunset and includes a bicycle rental option and a puppet theater (St. Carlino’s), with entertaining shows for children as well as adults.

In eternal glory at the Vatican Museums

Regardless of how many days are to be spent in Rome, the landing at St. Peter’s cannot be overlooked, place of worship par excellence and at the same time magnificent attraction for its facade, square and the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s frescoes, the Raphael Rooms, the Map Gallery and the Vatican Gardens.

The Museums are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month. The full ticket costs €17.

Immersion in the flavors of tradition

Rome also means tasty, flavorful food, with dishes of peasant origin that preserve centuries of customs handed down generation after generation. Between walks, to restore body and spirit, try iconic recipes such as carbonara, pasta alla Gricia, abbacchio, Roman tripe, coda alla vaccinara, and saltimbocca.

There is no shortage of fancy restaurants, but the suggestion is to head for more affordable trattorias and taverns, where the flavors of yesteryear are lovingly preserved.

The neighborhood of Trastevere

Among Rome’s many neighborhoods, some stand out as representing true popular afflatus. The first clear reference in this regard is Trastevere, a magical environment sung about in so many traditional songs, with plenty of small restaurants and trattorias, nightlife venues, narrow stone streets, bright colors, liveliness by day and by night, Baroque-style palaces and remarkable religious buildings, such as the basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere.

Family fun times

At first glance Rome would seem to be a rather chaotic city, therefore not really suitable for children. There are actually many attractions that can pleasantly engage the whole family: the Biopark inside Villa Borghese, the Children’s Museum Explora on Via Flaminia, toy stores with products from around the world, art workshops, a skating rink (Axel) and playgrounds (e.g., Eden Park).

For the Explora Museum, the ticket cost is between €6 and €9. Open from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

The Garbatella district

Off the common tourist routes, the Garbatella neighborhood, mentioned by so many television series and films, among which it is impossible to forget Nanni Moretti‘s “Caro diario,” during which the great filmmaker rode his Vespa up and down its streets, is striking. This is a distinctive, lively area, close to the sea, with small villas with pink and orange walls, pleasant squares, bars, bistros, and architectural mixes. Must-see for a surprising Rome, different from expectations.

Amazing museums

Among the best things to do in Rome, museums should occupy a prominent role, not least because of the fact that, in addition to the ones already mentioned, there are so many others, perhaps unusual or less well-known but no less intriguing. From the Jewish Museum to the Museum of Vintage Carriages, from the Museum of Folk Arts and Traditions to the Historical Museum of the Carabinieri Force, from the Wax Museum to the Numismatic Museum, and even the Museum of the Souls of Purgatory and the Dario Argento Museum of Horrors, one is spoiled for choice.

The wonders of underground Rome

Rome’s enormous historical heritage includes treasures buried beneath the surface, sometimes overlooked but deserving of the utmost attention and visitable with special guided tours. Others include the Maecenas Auditorium, the Catacombs of San Callisto, the Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas, the Crypt of the Capuchin Friars, and the splendid Domus of Palazzo Valentini.

The Domus are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The full ticket costs €12. The entrance is located on Via Foro Traiano.

The Italic Forum

We conclude the pointers on what to see in Rome with a place to point out for sports lovers, where every year in May the most important tennis tournament in Italy is held, played on clay courts among which particularly striking is the Pallacord Stadium, now named after Nicola Pietrangeli and surrounded by 18 monumental statues. In terms of scenery, it is considered the most beautiful tennis stadium in the world. The complex also includes other sports facilities, including the Olympic Stadium.