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Roma, vista aerea del Colosseo e parte dell'arena

Main Attractions in Rome

Quick Guide to the Best Things to See

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The main attractions of Rome tell the story of more than two thousand years of history: from the great monuments of ancient Rome to the city’s most important museums, as well as the basilicas and the symbolic places of Christianity.

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Monuments

Museums

Religious Sites

See also

Colosseum

The Colosseum is the most famous symbol of Rome and one of the best-known ancient monuments in the world. Built during the imperial era to host spectacles and gladiatorial combats, it still preserves its extraordinary structure, with the ancient arena and the underground areas where the shows were prepared.

Part of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, which also includes the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, it represents one of the most important testimonies to the history of ancient Rome and allows visitors to discover the monumental heart of the imperial city.

Scorcio del Colosseo e dell'arena di Roma

Pantheon of Rome

The Pantheon Rome is one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in the world and one of the most extraordinary examples of Roman architecture. Built during the imperial era as a temple dedicated to the gods, it is renowned for its imposing dome with a central oculus and for the perfect balance of its forms, which still make it one of the city’s most fascinating landmarks.

Roma, Pantheon di notte magistralmente illuminato

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s most famous attractions and one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. Created in the 18th century in the full Baroque style based on a design by Nicola Salvi, it is a masterpiece of scenic composition, with the god Oceanus at the center of the composition, surrounded by mythological figures and water features.

Today, it is one of the capital’s most visited landmarks, also famous for the tradition of tossing a coin into the fountain, which according to legend guarantees a return to Rome.

Roma, Fontana di Trevi al crepuscolo

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of the most fascinating squares in Rome, built along the layout of the ancient Stadio di Domiziano, where sporting competitions and public events took place during Roman times.

Its elongated shape still preserves the imprint of the ancient structure and hosts some of the masterpieces of Roman Baroque, including the famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Roma, Piazza Navona

Piazza di Spagna

Piazza di Spagna is one of the iconic places of Rome and one of the most photographed squares in the world. Dominated by the monumental Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, built in the 18th century to connect the square with the church above, it has always been a meeting point for visitors and Romans.

At its foot stands the charming Fontana della Barcaccia by Pietro and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, while the elegant surrounding streets help make this area one of the most representative parts of the city.

Roma, panoramica Trinità dei Monti dalla Fontana della Barcaccia

Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is one of Rome’s most fascinating monuments, with a history spanning almost two thousand years. Originally built in the 2nd century as the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, it was transformed over time into a military fortress, a refuge for popes, a residence and a prison.

Today, it houses a museum that tells the story of the building’s different eras and offers splendid panoramic views of the city, the Tiber River and the nearby St. Peter’s Basilica.

Roma, Ponte e Castel Sant'Angelo al crepuscolo

Imperial Forum and Trajan’s Markets

The Imperial Forums represent one of the most important archaeological complexes in Rome and tell the story of the political and monumental grandeur of the ancient Roman Empire.

Built between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD at the initiative of several emperors, they were large public squares surrounded by temples, basilicas and spaces dedicated to political and administrative life.

Walking among the remains of the Forum of Caesar, the Forum of Augustus and the other imperial complexes, it is possible to immerse yourself in the history of ancient Rome.

Roma, Mercati di Traiano

Roman Forum and Mamertine Prison

The Roman Forum was for centuries the center of public life in ancient Rome, the place where political, religious, commercial and judicial activities were concentrated.

Among its remains are some of the most important buildings of the ancient city, including temples, basilicas and triumphal arches that testify to the evolution of Rome from a small community into the capital of a vast empire.

Roma, Carcere Mamertino

Caracalla Baths

The Baths of Caracalla are one of the best-preserved bath complexes of ancient Rome and bear witness to the extraordinary grandeur of imperial architecture, offering one of the capital’s most evocative archaeological visits.

Inaugurated in the 3rd century AD at the initiative of Emperor Caracalla, they occupied a vast area and included bathing halls, gymnasiums, gardens, libraries and spaces dedicated to leisure.

Roma, Terme di Caracalla

Appian Way

The Appian Way, known since antiquity as the Regina Viarum, is one of the most important and best-preserved Roman roads in the world. Built in the 4th century BC, it connected Rome with southern Italy and is today at the heart of the Appian Way Archaeological Park, a vast area where historical remains and natural landscapes blend together.

Along its route, visitors can encounter mausoleums, villas, aqueducts, catacombs and long stretches of the ancient Roman paving stones. The evocative Aqueduct Park is also part of the park, where it is possible to admire the remains of the great Roman aqueducts surrounded by the Roman countryside.

Roma, Appia Antica

Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica represents one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in Italy and allows visitors to discover how people lived in a Roman city more than two thousand years ago.

The ancient commercial port of Rome, it still preserves streets, houses, workshops, thermal baths, temples and a large Roman theatre in an exceptional state of conservation.

Roma, Ostia Antica,Podium, Round Temple

Altare della Patria e Vittoriano

The Altare della Patria, also known as the Vittoriano, is one of the most imposing and representative monuments of modern Rome.

Built between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century to celebrate Vittorio Emanuele II and the Unification of Italy, it houses the Milite Ignoto, a symbol of national remembrance.

From its panoramic terraces, visitors can also enjoy one of the most spectacular views over the historic centre of the capital.

Roma, Altare della Patria, Vittoriano

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Museums constitute one of the most important and visited museum complexes in the world. Originating from the art collections of the popes, they house thousands of works that tell more than two thousand years of history, from classical antiquity to the great masterpieces of the Renaissance.

The visitor route passes through monumental galleries, courtyards, richly decorated rooms and the papal apartments, before reaching the famous Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s frescoes, including the Creation of Adam and the majestic Last Judgment, represent some of the greatest masterpieces in the history of Western art.

Guardando in alto verso il soffitto della Cappella Sistina dalla transenna

Gellaria Borghese

The Galleria Borghese is one of the most prestigious art museums in Italy and houses the extraordinary collection commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the 17th century.

Located inside the elegant Villa Borghese, it allows visitors to admire masterpieces of painting and sculpture in a refined setting that still preserves the charm of the original noble residence.

Among its most famous works are the spectacular sculptures by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, paintings by Caravaggio, Raffaello and Tiziano, as well as numerous masterpieces of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Roma, Galleria Borghese, Sala 3

Capitoline Museums

The Capitoline Museums, located on the scenic Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo, are considered the oldest public museum in the world. The collections tell the story of Rome through sculptures, mosaics, paintings and precious archaeological artifacts.

Among the most famous works are the Capitoline Wolf, the monumental equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius and numerous masterpieces from ancient Rome, allowing visitors to retrace more than two thousand years of history.

Roma, Musei Capitolini, Palazzo Nuovo

National Roman Museum

The National Roman Museum is one of Italy’s most important archaeological museums and houses an extraordinary collection of artifacts that tell the story of Rome from ancient times through the late imperial period.

The museum is divided into four locations: Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Altemps and Crypta Balbi, each dedicated to different aspects of art and life in ancient Rome.

The Baths of Diocletian, the largest bath complex of ancient Rome, house statues, inscriptions and important archaeological remains, offering a fascinating journey into the history of the imperial city.

Roma, panoramica Terme di Diocleziano

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is the main place of worship of the Catholic Church and the spiritual heart of Vatican City. Traditionally built over the tomb of the Apostle Peter, it is one of the most important and spectacular destinations in Rome.

Inside, it houses absolute masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldachin, while the complex also includes the Treasury Museum, with important works of sacred art.

The visit can be extended to the Dome of St. Peter’s, the Vatican Grottoes and the Vatican Necropolis, offering a journey through art, history and spirituality spanning almost two thousand years.

Roma, Basilica di San Pietro, facciata illuminata, al crepuscolo

Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran

The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and serves as the official seat of the Pope as Bishop of Rome. It is the oldest of the four papal basilicas and is often referred to as the “mother of all churches.”

Its monumental façade, imposing statues of the Apostles and spacious interior make it one of the most important religious complexes in the Christian world, further enriched by the nearby Lateran Baptistery and the Holy Stairs.

Roma, facciata Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four papal basilicas of Rome and one of the most important places of worship dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Founded in the 5th century, it still preserves splendid early Christian mosaics and a rich artistic heritage.

The interior impresses visitors with the magnificence of its decorations, golden ceilings and monumental chapels, which testify to the central role of the basilica in the religious and artistic history of the city.

Roma, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, altare

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls stands along the ancient Via Ostiense, at the site where, according to Christian tradition, the Apostle Paul was buried. It is one of the four papal basilicas and one of the main pilgrimage sites in Christianity.

The building impresses with its monumental dimensions, elegant cloisters, precious mosaics and the famous gallery of portraits of the Popes, offering visitors an atmosphere of great spirituality and contemplation.

Roma, interno Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura

See also

Other Destinations

Naples
Naples, the Neapolitan wonder see Naples and then die. The magic of a city unlike any other in the world.
Florence
Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance masterpieces, artisan workshops and views make every moment unforgettable.
Venice
Venice, suspended over the water alleys, canals and palaces transform every walk into a timeless journey.

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By Luca Aless – Venice, panoramic view of Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Campanile – Own work – CC BY-SA 4.0 – Wikimedia Commons
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By Jorge Franganillo – Roma, Pantheon at night beautifully illuminated – Roma: Pantheon – CC BY 2.0 – Wikimedia Commons
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