Historic site · UNESCO
Colosseum
Rome, Italy
The vast Roman amphitheatre that has become the symbol of the Eternal City.
City · Italy · Lazio
Rome
The Eternal City, where ancient ruins, Baroque fountains and lively piazzas share the same street.
about 5 h
For storytellers
Why Rome matters
Rome is a city where you step over two thousand years of history on the way to coffee. Emperors built the Colosseum and the Forum here, popes and artists filled the centre with churches and fountains, and today Romans still gather in the same piazzas. Walk a few minutes from the ruins and you are in Trastevere's lanes or queuing for a perfect carbonara. The independent state of Vatican City sits inside the city, with St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, and deserves its own day.
Talking points
- The Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill sit side by side, so one walk covers the heart of ancient Rome.
- Pasta classics like carbonara, cacio e pepe and amatriciana all come from Roman kitchens.
- The Pantheon has stood for nearly two thousand years and is still in use as a church.
- Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and the tradition says you will return.
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What to see in Rome
Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Pantheon
Rome, Italy
A nearly two-thousand-year-old temple with a perfect concrete dome and a circular opening to the sky.
Ruins · UNESCO
Roman Forum
Rome, Italy
The ruined heart of ancient Rome: temples, arches and the old political centre.
Museum
Borghese Gallery and Museum
Rome, Italy
An intimate villa museum with Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings.
Square
Piazza Navona
Rome, Italy
A lively baroque square built on the shape of an ancient Roman stadium.
Monument
Spanish Steps
Rome, Italy
A sweeping stairway climbing to the Trinita dei Monti church, and a classic Roman meeting spot.
Neighbourhood
Trastevere
Rome, Italy
A cobbled, ivy-covered district across the Tiber, famous for its trattorias and nightlife.
Museum
Capitoline Museums
Rome, Italy
A museum complex on Michelangelo's hilltop square, packed with ancient Roman sculpture.
Ruins · UNESCO
Palatine Hill
Rome, Italy
The hill where Rome's emperors built their palaces, with views over the Forum and Circus Maximus.
Monument
Altare della Patria
Rome, Italy
The white marble monument to Italian unification, with a rooftop panorama.
Castle
Castel Sant'Angelo
Rome, Italy
A round fortress by the Tiber, once an emperor's tomb, later a papal refuge.
Ruins · UNESCO
Hadrian's Villa
Rome, Italy
The sprawling country retreat of an emperor, with pools, baths and garden ruins.
Park
Villa Borghese Gardens
Rome, Italy
Rome's big central park, with lakes, museums and a terrace overlooking Piazza del Popolo.
Garden · UNESCO
Villa d'Este
Rome, Italy
A Renaissance garden near Tivoli famous for its hundreds of fountains.
Scenic route
Appian Way
Rome, Italy
One of the oldest Roman roads, still paved with ancient stones and lined with tombs.
Church, mosque or temple
Basilica of San Clemente
Rome, Italy
A church built over a church built over a Roman temple, like a layer cake of history.
Ruins
Baths of Caracalla
Rome, Italy
Enormous ruins of a Roman bathing complex, one of the most atmospheric ancient sites.
Neighbourhood
Jewish Ghetto
Rome, Italy
One of Europe's oldest Jewish quarters, now known for its history and Roman-Jewish cooking.
Viewpoint
Orange Garden
Rome, Italy
A quiet hilltop garden with orange trees and a view over the Tiber and St Peter's dome.
Ruins
Ostia Antica
Rome, Italy
The ancient port of Rome, with streets, shops, baths and a theatre still standing.
Market
Testaccio Market
Rome, Italy
A neighbourhood market where Romans eat street food and shop for ingredients.
Monument
Mouth of Truth
Rome, Italy
A giant marble face in a church porch said to bite the hands of liars.
Stadium
Stadio Olimpico
Rome, Italy
Rome's main stadium, shared by football clubs AS Roma and Lazio.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.