- CountryItaly
- RegionEurope
- Best time to goApr–Jun & Sep–Oct
Rome is Italy's epic capital, an open-air museum where ancient ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, baroque fountains, and lively piazzas sit alongside some of the world's best food.
When is the best time to visit Rome?
The best time to visit Rome is April to June and September to October, when days are warm and sunny without the searing heat and heavy crowds of high summer.
Top things to do in Rome
Tap any experience for photos, a little history, and practical tips.
Step inside the Colosseum
The mighty amphitheater at the heart of ancient Rome, where 50,000 spectators once watched gladiator combat, now the city's enduring symbol.
- History
- Completed in 80 AD under Emperor Titus, the Colosseum hosted gladiatorial games, mock sea battles, and wild-animal hunts for centuries. It is the largest amphitheater ever built and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
- Insider tip
- Buy a combined ticket (Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill) online in advance and pick a timed entry. An arena-floor or underground tour gets you closer to the action.
- Good to know
- A standard ticket is about €18 and covers the Forum and Palatine over 24 hours. Metro line B to Colosseo. Go early or late to dodge the heat.
Visit the Vatican and St Peter's Basilica
The spiritual heart of the Catholic world, home to St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.
- History
- The world's smallest country, Vatican City sits over the tomb of St Peter. The current basilica was completed in 1626, and the Sistine Chapel ceiling was painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512.
- Insider tip
- Book a timed Vatican Museums slot online to skip the long lines, and dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees. Climb the basilica dome for a sweeping view over St Peter's Square.
- Good to know
- St Peter's Basilica is free with a security queue; the Vatican Museums are about €20. Closed Sundays except the last of the month. Metro line A to Ottaviano.
Walk the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
The political and social heart of ancient Rome, a sprawl of temples, arches, and basilicas beside the leafy Palatine Hill where the city was born.
- History
- For over a thousand years the Forum was the center of Roman public life, from the Republic to the Empire. Legend places the founding of Rome on the Palatine Hill in 753 BC, later home to imperial palaces.
- Insider tip
- It is included with your Colosseum ticket, so do all three together. Use an audio guide or app, since signage is sparse, and start on the Palatine for the best Forum views.
- Good to know
- Covered by the Colosseum combined ticket (~€18). There is little shade, so bring water and a hat. Entrances near the Colosseum and on Via dei Fori Imperiali.
Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain
Rome's most theatrical fountain, a baroque cascade of sea gods and tritons filling a small piazza, where tradition says a tossed coin guarantees your return.
- History
- Completed in 1762, the Trevi marks the end of an ancient Roman aqueduct, the Acqua Vergine. The custom of throwing a coin over your left shoulder collects around a million euros a year, donated to charity.
- Insider tip
- Visit very early or late at night to enjoy it without the daytime crush. Toss your coin with your right hand over your left shoulder, since wading in or sitting on the edge is fined.
- Good to know
- Free and always open. A short walk from the Spanish Steps and Pantheon, so string them together on foot.
Marvel at the Pantheon
The best-preserved building of ancient Rome, a temple-turned-church crowned by a vast concrete dome open to the sky through its famous oculus.
- History
- Rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian around 125 AD, the Pantheon's dome remains the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome nearly 1,900 years on. It survived by becoming a church in 609 AD and holds the tomb of the artist Raphael.
- Insider tip
- Look up at the oculus, especially when rain falls straight through it or a sunbeam tracks across the interior. It sits on the lovely Piazza della Rotonda, ringed by cafes.
- Good to know
- A small entry fee of about €5 now applies, free on some days. Closed during Mass. Near Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain.
Soak up Piazza Navona and the centro storico
Rome's most elegant baroque square, built on an ancient stadium and centered on Bernini's dramatic Fountain of the Four Rivers, ringed by cafes and street artists.
- History
- The piazza follows the oval shape of the 1st-century Stadium of Domitian, where Romans watched athletic games. Its baroque look, including Bernini's 1651 fountain, was shaped by the Pamphilj pope Innocent X.
- Insider tip
- Come for an evening passeggiata when the square is liveliest, then wander the surrounding lanes to the Pantheon and Campo de' Fiori market. The cafes are pricey, so sip slowly and people-watch.
- Good to know
- Free and always open, in the heart of the centro storico. Best reached on foot, with the nearest big stops on buses along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.
Eat your way through Trastevere
A charming medieval neighborhood of cobbled lanes and ivy-clad houses across the river, beloved for its trattorias, wine bars, and nightlife.
- History
- Once a working-class district 'across the Tiber,' Trastevere kept its village feel and tangled streets. Its Basilica of Santa Maria, with glittering medieval mosaics, is among the oldest churches in Rome.
- Insider tip
- Come hungry in the evening for classic Roman pasta like cacio e pepe and carbonara, plus an aperitivo. It gets busy and loud after dark, so the quieter morning hours are lovely for photos.
- Good to know
- Free to wander, across the river from the centro storico. Tram 8 from Piazza Venezia drops you at the edge.
Relax in Villa Borghese and its gallery
Rome's grand central park, with shaded paths, a boating lake, and the jewel-box Galleria Borghese holding Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings.
- History
- Cardinal Scipione Borghese laid out the gardens and his art-filled villa in the early 1600s. The Galleria's Bernini marbles, like Apollo and Daphne, are considered among the finest sculptures ever carved.
- Insider tip
- Reserve Galleria Borghese tickets in advance, as entry is by timed two-hour slot. Afterwards, rent a rowboat on the lake or walk to the Pincio terrace for a sunset view over the city.
- Good to know
- The park is free; the Galleria is about €13 with a mandatory reservation. Near the top of the Spanish Steps and Metro Flaminio.
Know before you go
Italian is the official language. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, though learning a few words like 'grazie' and 'buongiorno' is appreciated.
The euro (€). Rome is moderately priced for a capital, and a casual pasta or pizza meal is still good value.
Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small cafes, markets, and tips. A 'coperto' cover charge is normal, and tipping beyond rounding up is optional.
The historic center is best explored on foot. The metro has two main lines, and buses and trams fill the gaps, so validate tickets or tap a contactless card.
Type C, F, and L plugs, 230V / 50Hz. UK and US visitors need an adapter, and the round-pin Type L is specific to Italy.
Rome is generally safe, but pickpocketing is common on crowded buses (especially the 64), around the Colosseum and Termini station, and at major sights. Watch your belongings.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Rome?
Three to four days is ideal for a first visit, enough to cover ancient Rome (Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon), the Vatican, and the baroque center at a comfortable pace, with time to simply wander and eat well.
Is Rome worth visiting?
Absolutely. Rome is one of the world's great cities, an open-air museum layering ancient ruins, Renaissance and baroque art, and incredible food. Few places pack so much history and beauty into a walkable center.
Is Rome expensive?
Rome is moderately priced for a major capital. Expect mid-range hotels from around €100–180 a night and a casual pasta or pizza meal for €12–20. Big sights like the Colosseum and Vatican add up, but many piazzas and churches are free.
What is the best area to stay in Rome?
The centro storico around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona is central and atmospheric. Monti and Trastevere offer charm and great food, while areas near Termini station are cheaper and well-connected.
Is Rome safe for tourists?
Rome is generally safe, with violent crime rare. The main risk is pickpocketing on crowded buses and metros and around the big sights. Keep bags zipped and valuables secure and you'll be fine.
Do people speak English in Rome?
Yes, English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas. A few Italian phrases like 'grazie' and 'buongiorno' are appreciated and go a long way with locals.