Rome: what's actually worth it
Rome breathes with the weight of empires, where ancient stones still whisper stories of Caesar and Augustus that shaped its enduring identity. Yet this grandeur feels intimate, wrapped in a lazy, sun-drenched rhythm that prioritizes coffee over clocks and conversation over schedules. It is less a museum than a living neighborhood, where modern Romans weave through centuries-old ruins with casual ease, inviting you to slow down and savor the beautiful chaos of daily life amidst history’s heavy footsteps.
Top things to do in Rome
Colosseum
Historical Landmark · ★ 4.8 (500,739 reviews)
Monumental 3-tiered Roman amphitheater once used for gladiatorial games, with guided tour option.
Check tours & tickets →Trevi Fountain
Fountain · ★ 4.7 (516,279 reviews)
Aqueduct-fed rococo fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi & completed in 1762, with sculpted figures.
Check tours & tickets →Pantheon
Historical Landmark · ★ 4.8 (283,630 reviews)
Iconic temple built circa 118 to 125 A.D. with a dome & Renaissance tombs, including Raphael's.
Check tours & tickets →Piazza Navona
Plaza · ★ 4.7 (216,262 reviews)
Elegant square dating from the 1st century A.D., with a baroque fountain, street artists & bars.
Check tours & tickets →Roman Forum
Museum · ★ 4.8 (145,230 reviews)
Vast excavated area of Roman temples, squares & government buildings, some dating back 2,000 years.
Check tours & tickets →Vatican Museums
Art museum · ★ 4.6 (207,699 reviews)
Multiple galleries of classical & Renaissance art masterpieces, plus the Sistine Chapel frescoes.
Check tours & tickets →Piazza del Popolo
Plaza · ★ 4.7 (124,197 reviews)
Grand, landmark square centered by Rome's oldest obelisk & the site of the city's northern gate.
Check tours & tickets →Castel Sant'Angelo
Castle · ★ 4.7 (109,826 reviews)
Circular, 2nd-century castle housing furniture & paintings collections in Renaissance apartments.
Check tours & tickets →Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
Historical Landmark · ★ 4.8 (76,834 reviews)
Grand marble neoclassical temple honoring Italy's first king & First World War soldiers.
Check tours & tickets →Sistine Chapel
Church · ★ 4.7 (95,625 reviews)
Famous chapel in the Vatican Museums, best known for Michelangelo's 16th-century painted ceiling.
Check tours & tickets →Where to eat
Tonnarello
Italian Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (108,235 reviews)
Casual stop for pasta, meatballs & other simple Roman dishes, plus patio seating & acoustic guitar.
Website →La Nuova Piazzetta
Italian Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (51,757 reviews)
Pasta, pizza & other classic dishes pair with wine in this basic, brick-lined eatery with a terrace.
Achille Al Pantheon di Habana
Italian Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (18,122 reviews)
Pizza, pasta & other traditional provisions served in a laid-back operation with outdoor seating.
Website →La Nuova Piazzetta Navona
Restaurant · ★ 4.9 (14,682 reviews)
Website →Osteria da Fortunata
Italian Restaurant · ★ 4.4 (32,147 reviews)
Organic recipes & handmade pasta are offered in this down-to-earth, country-style venue.
Website →Cantina e Cucina
Restaurant · ★ 4.6 (17,631 reviews)
Casual restaurant serving regional fare & pizzas amid rustic, vintage-style surroundings.
Website →Benso 215
Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (12,551 reviews)
Italian plates & wine served in a polished bistro with brick arches, old-school accents & a terrace.
Website →Tonnarello San Pietro
Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (10,084 reviews)
Website →Tours worth booking ahead
Get outside
Villa Borghese
Park · ★ 4.6 (94,993 reviews)
Vast urban park with formally landscaped gardens, a lake & villas now housing important museums.
Website →Giardino degli Aranci
Park · ★ 4.7 (25,755 reviews)
Secluded public square with fragrant orange trees, medieval walls & views over the city & Tiber.
Website →The Park of the Aqueducts
Park · ★ 4.7 (20,427 reviews)
Protected parkland with a Roman aqueduct & ancient archaeological sites, plus a former mill.
Website →Parco della Caffarella
Park · ★ 4.6 (14,995 reviews)
Protected, dog-friendly park with many archaeological ruins, plus a bird hide & biking/hiking paths.
Website →Roman Coast State Nature Reserve
Nature Preserve · ★ 4.3 (8,211 reviews)
Vast nature preserve with wetlands, forests & dunes, plus diverse archeological finds.
Website →After dark
Bar San Calisto
Bar · ★ 4.5 (5,513 reviews)
Italian beers, long drinks & cream-topped coffee granita at a down-to-earth bar opened in the 1960s.
Website →Scholars Lounge Irish Pub
Irish Pub · ★ 4.2 (8,917 reviews)
Unpretentious institution offering pub grub, whiskey & beer, plus music & trivia nights.
Website →The Basement - Pub. Cocktail Bar. Events
Pub · ★ 4.8 (1,637 reviews)
Downstairs hangout for cocktails, Italian craft beer & sports, with couch seating & brick ceilings.
Website →The Race Club
Cocktail Bar · ★ 4.6 (2,220 reviews)
Classic & inventive cocktails in a brick-vault setting with a cozy, old-world vibe.
Website →More guides
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