Hardly any other place is as famous and full of history as Rome in Italy. The historic buildings, some built before our time, adorn the city and make Rome one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

Rome offers an unbelievable number of historic monuments worth seeing, all of which you would like to marvel at with your own eyes. Since our time is not infinite compared to Rome itself, we have to limit our choice to the very best and most popular ones. Here is a selection of our personal favorites and a few more tips for one of the most exciting cities in the world.

#1 Colosseum & Arch of Constantine & Palatine Hill

When you think of Rome, you immediately think of the world-famous Colloseum. The largest amphitheater in the world is certainly the city’s most famous landmark.

It was built between 72 and 80 AD and was mainly used as a venue for a large number of gruesome games and battles for the entertainment of the Roman inhabitants.

The Colloseum can be admired in all its beauty from the outside. However, if you want to experience first-hand how the inhabitants of Rome felt back then, you can do so from the inside.

#2 Trevi Fountain

Created by Nicola Salvi between 1732 and 1762 for Pope Clement XII, Rome’s Trevi Fountain is a Baroque marvel and the city’s largest fountain, receiving 80 million liters of water daily from the Acqua Vergine.

Countless visitors from all over the world throw a few coins into the fountain to make a wish. Every year, around 1.5 million euros are collected through this tradition.

#3 Pantheon

The Pantheon is definitely one of the places in Rome that should be on everyone’s bucket list. The ancient building, which has been converted into a church, amazes all visitors with its atypical architecture for a church.

The special thing about the Pantehon is that the top has a hole 9 meters in diameter. However, it is protected against the rain, as the rising stream from the hole destroys the raindrops. This means that only a few drops actually get into the pantehon, which then run out through the small holes in the floor.

#4 Piazza Navona

Whether you come here for the enchanting fountains Fontana del Morro, Fontana dei Fuimi or Fontana del Nettuno. Or simply because of the numerous offers of good Italian coffee or cuisine. Piazza Navona is a wonderful and lively place to visit in Rome.

#5 Spanish Steps & Piazza di Spagna

Spain in the middle of Italy’s capital? Síi! With the Piazza dei Spagna and the accompanying Spanish Steps, you can enjoy a place in Rome that for centuries was the extraterritorial property of Spain.

Today, the Spanish Steps are known as a meeting place, although you can easily be chased away by the local police if you spend too long on the steps.

#6 Monument to Victor Emmanuel II & Piazza Venezia & Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli

Probably one of the most beautiful buildings in the whole of Rome. The Monument to Victor Emmanuel II was erected as a memorial in honor of the first king of united Italy.

The equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II in front of the actual building is also fascinating. When this was completed, refreshments were organized for 20 workers in the belly of the statue to celebrate the success.

#7 Roman Forum & Campidoglio & Capitoline Museums

In the immediate vicinity of the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II is the Capitoline Square with the associated Capitoline Museums. This is a collection of archaeological museums. Here you will find beautiful centuries-old sculptures such as the Capitoline Wolf with Romulus and Remus – the mythical founders of Rome.

Right next to it is the Roman Forum, the oldest Roman forum. In its time, it served as the center of political, economic, cultural and religious life. If you want to experience fascinating ancient buildings and be transported back to ancient Rome, this is the place for you.

#8 Castel Sant’Angelo & Ponte Umberto I

Originally intended as a mausoleum for the emperor and completed in 139, Castel Sant’Angelo now serves as a museum. Nevertheless, numerous members of the imperial family were buried here, some of whose burial chambers can still be admired during a visit today.

#9 Circus Maximus

Not a circus as we (still) know it today, but as a venue for chariot races in ancient Rome, the Circus Maximus initially had seats for 150,000 people and later even for up to 250,000 fans of chariot races. It also served as a venue for gladiator fights and athletic competitions.

Unfortunately, not much of the once beautiful buildings remain today. Nevertheless, the remaining ruins give an idea of how the people of Rome once came here to enjoy exciting events.

#10 Mouth of Truth & Santa Maria in Cosmedin

The Mouth of Truth is located in the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. It is one of the most famous symbols that probably everyone has seen somewhere.

Legend has it that anyone who puts their hand in the mouth of the disc-shaped relief and is not an honest person will lose their hand. However, there are no known cases of hands being cut off.

#11 Cathedral of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Campus Martius

Rome has more than 900 cathedrals and churches. Visiting all of them might be a little tight on time. However, one of them should definitely not be missed.

The Cathedral of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Campus Martius from the 17th century stands out above all for the beautiful painting on the ceiling of the church. The church also has a paddock, which is not real and was also painted. The reason for this is that money ran out during construction and to save costs it was decided to paint a paddock on a flat surface instead of building it. You have to look very closely to see that it is a painting – a real optical illusion.

#12 Authentic Italian Areas

In addition to all the beautiful and historic places and buildings, it is also recommended to visit some authentic Italian areas and simply enjoy life around you.

Right in the city center, the areas around the streets Via dei Coronari and Via Margutta are beautiful. The Roman district of Trastevere is also highly recommended. It is located slightly outside the center, but is easily accessible by local buses. Once here, you will find a breathtaking old district with old residential buildings, good cafés and restaurants serving the best Italian cuisine.

#13 Vatican

Even though the Vatican is an independent country in its own right, it is located in the heart of Rome. A visit to the headquarters of the Catholic Church is a must when visiting the capital of Italy.

Be sure to allow a full day for your visit to the Vatican as, despite its small size, you will often have to queue for a long time. But it’s worth it!

As soon as you enter Vatican City, you can’t help but be amazed at Saint Peter’s Square. Don’t miss the chance to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. It is from here that the Pope gives his speeches and addresses the faithful on religious holidays.

The Vatican Museums are certainly the big highlight in the smallest country in the world. Exhibitions of beautiful paintings and sculptures accompany you on your way to the Sistine Chapel. Here you will find one of the most famous ceiling paintings in the world, painted by none other than Michelangelo.

Italian cuisine is one of the most popular and delicious in the world. Be it pizza, pasta or other delicacies, Rome offers a wide range to fill your stomach with a little luck.

• XXX IV | Tasty breakfast
• Dolce Green | Delicious vegetarian options
• Casetta di Trastevere | Yummy Pizza
• Ci Piace | Brilliant treats
• Coso | Finest Italian cuisine

Airplane

Rome has an international airport, making it easy to travel to Rome from almost anywhere in the world. After landing, you have various options for getting into the city. You have a choice between cab, Uber and public transport.

Car

If you have the crazy idea of traveling around Italy by car, you can of course do so. However, bear in mind that the rules of the road are different in Italy, at least unofficially. Here, people are much quicker to press the horn, gesticulate with hand gestures and shout out. Then there’s the traffic jams that are the order of the day in big cities like Rome.

We love Rome and Italy is one of our favorite countries. Nevertheless, we try to travel as much as possible without a car, or to park it on arrival and switch to local transportation.

Bus

If you are traveling to Rome from another Italian city, as in our case, there are cheap and convenient options. There are various providers of bus transportation within Italy.

We traveled with the provider Itabus and found it very pleasant. The buses were punctual, uncomplicated in terms of luggage and you had enough legroom during the journey.

Train

In addition to the buses, Italy is also well connected by rail. With the national train company Trenitalia, you can reach your destination inexpensively from nearby countries as well as within Italy.

Depending on how comfortably you want to travel, you have various options for getting around Rome. If you don’t want to travel by car within the city for the reasons mentioned above, you can rely on other means of transportation.

Taxi / Uber

Rome has a wide range of transportation services such as local cabs or the cheaper alternative Uber. This allows you to travel comfortably from door to door. Bear in mind that Rome tends to be one of the more expensive cities.

Rome is always fascinating and beautiful. However, to enjoy the beauty of the place to the fullest, it is advisable to plan a visit during the warmer months of the year.

Between March and May, the temperatures in Rome are already warmer and there is a much smaller influx of tourists, which is why this period is probably one of the most pleasant for a visit.

Of course, you can also visit Rome in the warmer months between June and September. Bear in mind that it can get uncomfortably hot in summer and most visitors choose this period for a visit, which definitely leads to longer queues.

As in all big cities around the world, the closer you are to the center of Rome, the more expensive it gets. We slept in two different Airbnb’s during our visit and can highly recommend both.

Airbnb 1 is a bit outside the center, but has a very good bus connection to all the sights of the city.

Airbnb 2 is close to the Vatican, which can also be reached on foot from here.

Rome has an incredible range of beautiful historical buildings and theoretically you could spend a whole year there and you wouldn’t have seen everything.

For a good first impression, however, you should allow at least 3-4 days to visit at least the places mentioned above. Don’t plan too tightly, Rome is very popular and in many places you will have to queue longer – keep that in mind.

The prices are per person, except for the accommodation, which we rent for 2 people.

Accommodation: $84 – $92 / night

Restaurant: $13 – $24 / meal

Pleasure: $4 – $7 / event

Activity: $7.50 / event

Activity: $17 – $23 / event