What to see in Rome – 22 essentials

When we publish a list with information about the best things to see in a city, with 10 sites we usually cover almost all of the most important places, but in Rome we could make a list with 100 sites and there would still be many missing to recommend.

Among the most obvious visits such as Coliseum or Vatican, there are hidden gems that if they were in another city, thousands of tourists would travel there just to see them.

After various trips and taking advantage of the fact that several friends lived in the city, we have been able to get to know it in depth and thus be able to discover all the secrets that Rome keeps in the shadow of great visits.

We ourselves have gone through several trips lasting several days, and come back with the feeling that we have left many things to know, because every corner is full of history.

Many times around the corner there is an amazing monument.

And is that Roma It was the capital of one of the most powerful empires ever known, which extended across half of Europe and controlled the entire continent. Mediterranean coast.

A territory so extensive that it occupied Europe from England in the extreme northwest to the south, passing through the entire north of Africa until Middle East and Red, Black and Caspian seas.

And luckily, much of the heritage and culture that created this empire has survived to this day.

For your trip, as we have so much information about Rome on our website, we are going to leave you several articles that will help you.

Because not all trips are the same, especially in terms of duration. An express two-day getaway is not the same as a longer trip to get to know the city in depth.

In this article we are going to highlight what for us are the most interesting places in Rome and it is focused on a 3 or 4 day visit, but it may be that you do not have that time on your trip.

Si you travel to Rome for the first time At the outset, I advise you to start reading our article with the 10 essential visits for your first trip to Rome, those places that you should not miss.

This recommendation is mainly focused on a first trip in which you have little time so you have to prioritize visits and it is impossible to see everything that I am going to show you in this article.

Now for later trips or longer trips, you will find it interesting to visit curious and little-known sites in Rome.

Whatever the duration of your trip, what you do have to consider is signing up for a tour or guided tour of the city and its monuments.

And if you visit Rome without someone to tell you what you are seeing, it is a bit of a waste of time because you will not understand the magnitude of the place you are in.

• Guide to traveling to Rome
• 10 essential visits for your first trip to Rome
• Curious and little-known places in Rome
• tours and guided visits offered to get to know Rome

Now entering this article, we are going to show you what for us are the 22 most incredible places to see in Rome so you don't miss anything.

And we start with the most visited places to gradually discover the secrets of Rome.

Roman Colosseum, World Heritage Site in Rome

El Colosseum Noveldeclared Heritage awarded by the Unesco, is also considered one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient World.

The maximum expression that you can see of the power that the Roman empire.

This great monument built in the 1st century was used by the Romans for gladiator fights, shows with animals such as lions or tigers, even to recreate naval battles.

It is one of the most visited monuments in the world and the waiting lines to get tickets are enormous.

But don't worry, there are several options to skip the lines; the key is sign up for a guided tour before traveling, which already includes priority access tickets.

I talk about this in an article that I leave you a little further down.

This visit will allow you to discover the most interesting aspects of the monument, and in our opinion visiting it without a guide, at least the first time, is a mistake because you do not fully appreciate its magnitude.

There are many types of tickets you can buy packs where some include joint visits to the Vatican.

Within the visits there is also the option of hiring the visits to the Colosseum underground which have been taking place for a few years and so you can see the insides of the building and the gladiator arena.

Here you have all the information about the visit to the Colosseum.

• How to visit and what to see in the Colosseum of Rome
• Curiosities of the Roman Colosseum
• Where to sign up for a guided tour

Roman Forum in Rome

To complete the visit to archaeological remains of the ancient Roman city you will have to walk through the Rome Forum, a place that concentrated the political and religious power of the capital of the empire.

It is the area where you can best understand what a Roman city was like hundreds of years ago, it is something unique and in few places in the world you can see something similar.

When visiting, the guides usually have printed photos and drawings that recreate what the city was like originally, since if you simply try to see it on your own, you will only see a pile of stones, and some buildings that only preserve the columns and stacked remains.

When you visit it and look at the photos, the experience changes completely and helps you get an idea of ​​what the configuration of the city of Rome was like more than 2000 years ago.

El Forum is next to Coliseum, and its entrance is made in combination with that of this monument; If you go with guides, first you visit the Forum and when you finish you enter the Colosseum.

Victor Emmanuel II Monument in Rome

In an elevated position relative to the Rome Forum is the monument to Victor Emmanuel II, which is located in the venice square, at the top of the known as Capitoline Hill, one of the 7 hills that Rome had.

The great attraction of this monument built in 1911 in tribute to the first King of Italy is to climb the one known as Terrace of the Quadrigas.

Also known as the Roma dal Cielo viewpoint, from this terrace you have the best panoramic views of the Roman Forum and Colosseum, which should become an essential visit on your trip to Rome.

• Here is the information you need to know to go up to the Terrace of the Quadrigas.

Piazza Campidoglio and Capitoline museums in Rome

It is a place that not everyone knows since it is located right behind the monument to Victor Emmanuel.

Leaving towards the south of Piazza Venezia, where the stairs of genius are located Miguel Angel, there is located the Campidoglio square.

Don't get confused because there are two stairs; They are the stairs on the right; those on the left only serve to reach the Basilica of San Marco Evangelista.

In the center you will see the equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius giving way to the Capitoline museums, one of the most impressive sites in the city and very little known.

The current museum is located in what were the remains of an immense Roman temple.

In fact, inside the museum there are the remains of that building and some original models and statues, so you can get an idea of ​​the dimensions that the building had in its day. Capitoline Temple.

Behind it we recommend you visit two of the best viewpoints of the Rome Forum, and from where some of the best photos of the city at dawn are taken.

Without forgetting the replica of the statue of the she-wolf breastfeeding Romulus and Remus that gave rise to the city.

• Here you can buy the tickets to visit the Capitoline museums before your trip to Rome.

Church of the Gesu in Rome

La church of the Gesu It is the main headquarters of the Jesus company.

This building, with a baroque but quite austere façade, and a single nave, marks the style followed by other Jesuit churches built in the world.

It was founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola At the end of the 16th century, its interior shows great sumptuousness that contrasts with the aforementioned austerity of the façade.

• Here you have information about how to visit the church of Gesu in Rome, main seat of the Jesuit congregation.

Trajan's Forum in Rome

This old forum located between the Coliseum and monument to Victor Emmanuel It was once an absolutely formidable building full of gold and marble.

At the time of emperor Trajan, he decided to create a new forum given the overcrowding of the city, for which they got rid of the land on the hill adjacent to the Colosseum.

Just getting that new space was already a tremendous work of engineering.

El Trajan's Forum It had a huge central square with a two-story basilica, all full of marble and statues.

The basilica was the largest built at that time.

In the center there was a huge column with a marble statue of Trajan, in which the story of Rome's invasion of the city of Thrace is sculpted.

Luckily, this enormous column has managed to survive the passage of time, something that the rest of the forum did not do, and only the fallen remains remain after an earthquake in the 9th century.

Michelangelo's Moses in St. Peter in Vincoli in Rome

La church of Saint Peter in Vincoli It is originally from the 5th century with a last reform in the 19th century.

It is not a very well-known church and is located in a somewhat hidden square, not far from the Coliseum, but it becomes an essential visit on your trip to Rome because of what it keeps inside.

And here you can see the impressive and legendary sculpture of the Moses de Miguel Angel.

Its origin is linked to the relics of the chains used to bind Saint Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem.

We recommend that you see it calmly because it is incredible that Michelangelo could sculpt with such precision.

When you look at it, remember that it is marble on which it is carved, the perfection of the muscles of the sculptures are amazing.

Below we leave you two articles with all the information about what to see in Saint Peter in Vincoli, as well as where you can see the sculpture of the Moses by Michelangelo.

• What to see when visiting San Pedro in Vincoli
• Where to see Michelangelo's sculpture of Moses in Rome

Spanish Steps in Rome

One of the most charming corners of Rome and most popular with tourists is the Spain Square, with its famous staircase, which is crowned by the Trinita dei Monti church.

La Spain Square you find it in the extension of the Via Condotti, a street that concentrates the largest number of luxury stores in Rome.

The protagonist of the Spain Square It is the great staircase where tourists sit and even crowd, and which you should not miss climbing, because from the viewpoint that tops it you have beautiful views.  panoramic views of Rome.

The two towers of the Trinita dei Monti church They make up the most characteristic image of the Plaza de España, and their interior is decorated by beautiful frescoes from between the 16th and 18th centuries.

• Here you have more information for visit the Spanish Steps in Rome and its famous staircase.

Trevi Fountain in Rome

Tu visit of Rome It will be incomplete if you have not walked alongside the Trevi Fountain.

It is one of the most charismatic corners of the Italian capital, and also one of the most popular corners for tourists. There must be a reason…!

You already know that the Trevi Fountain is a corner movie, as it has been the setting for some of the best films of Italian cinema.

The great charisma of this fountain, which links it to the special charm of the city of Rome, is the explanation that you will always find it full of tourists, unless you visit it first thing in the morning, at dawn.

La Trevi Fountain It occupies the place where a Roman aqueduct that brought water to Rome ended, but the great monumental fountain that has become one of the icons of the city was built in the 18th century.

• Here you have information about how to visit the Trevi Fountain in Rome, as well as some historical curiosities of this monument.

Navona Square in Rome

There is no doubt that Piazza Navona is the most beautiful in Rome and one of the most beautiful in Italy where its beautiful baroque fountains that will surely excite you when you visit it.

The main one is the Fountain of the Four Rivers, a sculptural group sculpted by Bernini in 1652, with an allegorical representation of the four great rivers of the world.

But also in the Navona square You will find one of the most touristy corners of the city of Rome, with numerous artists creating a very special atmosphere.

Here you have information about the main places to see in the Navona square, and also about the historic floods of the square to celebrate naval battles.

• What to see in Piazza Navona

Pantheon of Agrippa in Rome

El Pantheon of Agrippa to Pantheon of Rome It is an imposing Roman temple that is in perfect condition and is one of the few monumental sites that you can visit for free in the Italian capital.

The pantheon is one of the most surprising corners of the city, since this building initially built by the Romans is crowned by what is still considered the largest factory dome in the world.

And the most curious thing is that it is built of concrete and so that it would not fall due to the weight, they decided to lighten it by giving it the shape it has today, in such a way that by not being completely smooth, they managed to make it weigh much less.

In this article that we leave you below, you have information about the great dome of the Pantheon of Agrippa in Rome.

• How to visit the dome of the Pantheon of Agrippa.

Campo de Fiori in Rome

Not as well known as the very famous Navona square, riding a Field of Fiori You find a corner with charm and a great atmosphere where every day of the week, except Sundays, you find a market.

In addition to the colorful facades of the houses that surround it, in the center of the square the statue dedicated to Giordano Bruno, Italian astronomer and philosopher of the second half of the 16th century.

I can tell you that since my last trip to Rome, Campo de Fiori square It has become one of my favorite corners of the Italian capital.

In addition, one of the most charming markets in the city is set up here, a fruit market that brings together all the neighbors.

• Here you have more information about Campo de Fiori, one of the most charming squares in Rome.

Borghese Gallery in Rome

La Borghese Gallery It is one of the most outstanding museums that you can visit in Rome, along with the Vatican Museums.

In your visit of the Borghese Gallery You will be able to see a large collection of art from Roman times to the Renacimiento.

To visit it, it is essential to reserve and buy tickets in advance, a process in which you can select the day and time slot for your visit.

• Here is the information you need to know to buy tickets to visit the Borghese Gallery in Rome.

Trastereve neighborhood in Rome

Known as the bohemian neighborhood of Rome, Trastevere neighborhood It is a network of streets with a lot of charm.

It is not that they are buildings with very striking architecture, nor of a historical nature, but they do maintain that essence of Italy.

The name of the neighborhood is the translation of Tras, which in Italian means behind, and tiber which is the Italian name of Tiber river that crosses the city, therefore it is the neighborhood of behind the tevere river.

It is a neighborhood that we recommend visiting during the day, since when night falls it loses a lot of its charm.

It is not very well lit and some streets give a feeling of an abandoned neighborhood, but despite that, it is a very safe and lively neighborhood.

But that is precisely the point that gives it that charm in the light of day, which invites you to walk it.

It is located on the river bank opposite the historic center, and here are some of the best restaurants in the city, where you can find authentic Roman food, such as Ivo Trastevere restaurant, one of our favorites from Rome.

Vatican City in Rome

The Vatican City, with the St. Peter's Basilica, the great temple of the Catholics, and the Vatican museums, with corners of great artistic wealth such as the Sistine Chapel, should undoubtedly be one of the essential visits on your trip to Rome.

The visit to the square and the basilica is free but in reality it is in the Vatican museums where the great treasures that the nation has been accumulating are found. Catholic Church for hundreds of years.

Clearly The Vatican It is a very special corner of the world due to the fact that administratively it is a country, so when entering, you are actually leaving Italy and they might ask for your passport to access.

St. Peter's Square in the Vatican

Here we leave you an article in which you have extensive information about the main corners, as well as the history of places such as Bernini colonnade or  great egyptian obelisk.

I tell you that when you get to the st peter's square You will not remain indifferent to its majesty, much greater than you can imagine after having seen it many times in photos or on television.

• What to see when visiting St. Peter's Square in the Vatican,

St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican

In your visit of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican you will be before one of the great icons of the Christendom and you will be able to tour a building of incredible majesty and artistic richness.

You will undoubtedly be impressed by its incredible size and majesty and during your visit to the basilica you will see corners with incredible artistic wealth.

Among these corners, it is undoubtedly worth highlighting the sculpture of Michelangelo's Pieta, a great artistic wonder that you will see as you enter the interior of the basilica.

• How to see Michelangelo's Pietà sculpture

And also the impressive Bernini's Baldachin, which takes center stage in the area of ​​the High altar.

Here we leave you all the information you need to know about visiting the St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, with schedules and ticket prices and if you are especially interested, consult the information on how attend the Pope's audience on Wednesdays at the Vatican.

• How to visit St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican
• How to attend the Pope's audience on Wednesdays at the Vatican.

As an appetizer to your trip, perhaps you might be interested in doing this virtual tour of St. Peter's Basilica

Vatican Museums in Rome

The Vatican museums It is another of the most recommended visits that you can make on your trip to Rome, and in which you will have the opportunity to walk through the famous Sistine Chapel, the great masterpiece of Miguel Angel.

To access the museums it is necessary to purchase a ticket, and as a fundamental tip, do so in advance online.

if you try buy entry to the Vatican At the ticket offices themselves, you can find waiting lines of up to 3 hours, since it is one of the most visited places in the world.

• How to visit the Vatican museums, with schedules and ticket prices.
• Here you can buy tickets to visit the Vatican museums, and if you prefer, here you can sign up for a guided tour of the Vatican.

Castle of San Angelo in Rome

On the banks of tiber river, Castle of Saint angelo It is one of the most curious monuments in Rome.

The building has had several modifications and extensions; In fact, in old drawings and engravings you can see how it originally had a small forest at the top.

Originally, at the beginning of the 2nd century, it was a tomb for Adriano and his family, although soon he was used as a fortress to defend himself from attacks.

Later in the 16th century they were Papas those who used it, to such an extent that they had a passageway that connected the castle to the Vatican so that they could use it if necessary, as it ended up happening.

It was also used as prison, and after the construction of the St. Peter's Basilica became a great museum.

They are very photographed angel statues found on the bridge that crosses the tiber river uniting the city of Rome with the castle of Saint angelo.

• Here you can buy tickets to visit the Castle of San Angelo, with priority access without waiting in lines.

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome

On your trip to Rome you can visit four churches considered as major basilicas, one of which is Basilica of Santa Maria la Mayor, along with the basilicas of San Pedro, St. John Lateran y Saint John Outside the Walls.

La Basilica of Santa Maria la Mayor which is very close to the Termini Station, is one of the oldest churches in the Christendom Well, it dates back to the year 360.

• Here you have more information and photos of Santa María la Mayor.

Tours and guided visits in Rome

Finally, here you have our selection of excursions in Rome, with all the information about the characteristics of some of the most interesting tours and guided visits which you can sign up for, and how to hire them.

The tickets to visit the Vatican and the Forum and Colosseum It is important that you hire them beforehand if you do not want to have waiting lines of 2 or 3 hours.

• Complete tour of Rome, from the Colosseum to the Vatican
• Guided tour of the Vatican in Rome
• Roma Pass tourist card for public transport and visiting two museums

Italy tours from Rome

And here you have information about some of the most interesting excursions What you can do from Rome to visit the most important nearby cities such as Pompeii, Florence or Venice.

The good thing about these excursions is that you go on high-speed trains and you reach your destination in a very short period of time.

We also leave you a tour of the best of Italy in case you want to get to know the country without complications, since the excursion includes hotels, transportation, meals, tickets... you just have to take care of enjoying Italy.

• 5-day tour of the best of Italy
• Pompeii day trip from Rome
• Florence High Speed ​​Train Day Trip from Rome
• Venice High Speed ​​Train Day Trip from Rome