Best Things To Do In Rome And How To Do It

What to See and Tours To Take in Rome, The Eternal City

If you have been searching for the best things to do in Rome or the best tours to take in Rome, you have no doubt been met by hundreds of results on every tour and ticket booking website under the sun. It’s overwhelming to say the least. We have cut out all of that noise. Keep reading to find out what the best things to do in Rome are, which tours to take, tickets to book, and when to do it on your own. We’ve included links so you can skip reading through hundreds of results on the booking platforms and just go to the exact tour we recommend. 

This post focuses on your time in Rome. Our separate Rome Travel Guide is loaded with all the details you need to plan your time in Rome. It includes tips on getting around Rome, where to stay, and what to eat. Check this out, whether you’ve been before or not. If you are looking for ideas for day trips outside of Rome, go here.

*No BS, we want to be transparent; some of the links included on this page may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. We only recommend products and companies that we have vetted. Thanks for your support. This helps us bring you travel tips!

Piazza del Poppolo, Rome, Italy

Skip To One Of The Best Things To Do In Rome:

• Our criteria for selecting the tours we recommend
• Tour types by size
• Must-do for Rome first-timers
  • Walking history tours to take in Rome
  • DIY tours
  • Feed your foodie soul with a food tour
  • Learn to cook like a Roman
  • Roman Colosseum: discover Roman history firsthand at Il Colosseo
  • Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Take a passeggiare and enjoy some (mostly) free sightseeing
• Recommendations for combining experiences on your first visit to Rome
  • Rome in a day
• Add these 16 best things to do in Rome to your itinerary if you have more time
  • Castello Sant’Angelo
  • Jewish community
  • Borghese Gallery
  • Villa Medici
  • Galleria Sciarra
  • Palazzo Del Ragno
  • Via Tagliamento/ Via Dora
  • Terme di Caracalla
  • Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo)
  • Piazza della Bocca della Verità
  • Villa Farnesina
  • Orto Botanico di Roma (Botanical Garden Rome)
  • Galleria Spada
  • Palazzo Farnese
  • Teatro Marcello
  • Via Appia Antica (the Appian Way)
• Unique Ways to See Rome
  • Angels & Demons Self-Guided Tour

Our criteria for selecting the tours we recommend

If we recommend a tour, it’s for one of 3 reasons: We have taken it, our happy clients have enjoyed it, or we would book it if we were going to Rome for the first time all over again. When selecting a tour, we look at specific criteria: 

1. Value for money: is it worth it? 
2. What’s included: we’re looking to see if the admission ticket is included, what part of the tour is guided, what the maximum group size is, and whether transportation, food, or drinks are included. 
3. Ratings: We look at ratings, not just the numbers; we read reviews (especially recent reviews). We do look at how many reviews there are because this tells us if the tour is potentially new. We prefer vetted tours/tour companies, and that’s why we try to buy from marketplaces that vet the tour companies and offer excellent customer support. 
4. We also read other travel bloggers’ blogs to see what they’re recommending and why.

A note on tours: you do not have to take a tour for everything you do in a foreign city. Tours are great because you learn about things you might have missed otherwise. Guides are typically local and can be a treasure trove of local information. Sometimes you only need a tour if you have a deep appreciation for the artists on display at a particular gallery. Other times a tour is a good way to get in, see the highlights, and get out. Maybe you want to admire the pieces on your own; it’s always up to you. You do not have to do anything a specific way, simply because you know someone else who did. That being said, always look for skip-the-line tickets; if they are offered, it is for a reason. Don’t spend your vacation waiting in a long line.

Many of these recommendations are from some of the sites you’ve probably already been on because they are easy to book on, and have great customer service. We’re saving you the trouble of sifting through 10-30 pages of results to find the best tour. Use this guide instead!

Tour types by size

There are two main things to consider when selecting the type of tour you want: cost and size. Here’s a quick overview:

• Private tours can be the most expensive, unless you are traveling with a family or a bigger group. These are often priced per group with a max number of people, so the cost gets lower per person the more people you have in your group. Private tours are the best tours because they cater to your group; spend more time on the topics that interest you, and less on the ones that don’t. You have the tour guide all to yourself; ask them all the questions that you have. A private tour also means that you won’t be stuck in the back of the group. 
• Small group tours are going to have a moderate price range, but likely cost a little more than a large group tour (which we’ll discuss in a moment). A small group tour is typically limited to somewhere between 8 and 15 people. Although we’re starting to see some labeled as “small group” but allowing 20 or even 25 participants (read the fine print)!. We tend to do small group tours the most; they are a great experience and keep the cost low. We’re usually traveling as a duo, so private tours aren’t very cost-effective, and it’s nice to mingle with other travelers. Whenever we meet up with a few more people, we always compare the cost of a private tour to a small group tour. 
• Large group tours are the least expensive because you are leveraging the size of the group. This means that your group could be as few as 20 people or it could be as big as 65 or more people. You will probably be straining to hear the tour guide, and if they hand out those little radios, there may be too much feedback for you to hear everything. That being said, there are times when large group tours are the most efficient option. We once took a large group tour on a big bus to go from Dublin, Ireland, down to the Cliffs of Moher, because it was cost-effective. You decide what is best for you. We typically don’t recommend the big tours because they are the furthest from a personal or intimate guided experience that you can get. 

If you decide that you don’t want a tour, we always recommend skip-the-line tickets when they are available. Sure, it means you have to have something scheduled while you are on vacation, but in most cases, the alternative is standing in line, sometimes for hours. You should never spend your vacation standing in long lines. If you want the info that comes with the tour, but not the guide and the group of strangers, consider a self-guided audio tour. We’ve suggested a few specific ones below.

Keep reading for more on the best ways to experience the best things to do in Rome.

Must-Do for Rome First Timers

Rome is oozing with historical sites, museums, art, nightlife, parks, shopping, people watching (in the most breathtaking piazzas), and fabulous food. It will make you never want to leave, so how do you take it all in and feed your soul?

This Rome Travel Guide breaks down the top ‘must-see’ places and lesser-known (but equally interesting) things to see and do, and how to do them.

We believe most travelers will benefit from two types of tours, in most cities; A Walking History Tour and a Food Tour. Walking history tours are going to give you a bit more of the background of the city you are in, and they will also help you to get oriented with the city, giving you the lay of the land. A food tour is something we encourage everyone to do. Food represents a culture, the pulse of the city, and its history.

Walking History Tours To Take in Rome 

With over 25 sights to just walk by and see in Rome, it makes sense to have a somewhat structured plan for seeing them all. A guided tour will take the work out of the planning; someone else can plan the route and make sure you see all the big sites. A walking tour will help you get an overview and determine if there is anywhere you want to spend more time or return to. These are the top tours we recommend for seeing Rome’s sites. 

Custom Private Walking Tour: Rome Historic Center– Have a local show you all the key points of interest in historic Rome. The guide can meet you at or near your hotel and guide you through the city. You work with the guide to customize the sites included and the length of time for the tour. We planned a custom private walking tour for a client who was with the guide for 4 hours. They saw the Vittorio Emanuele Monument, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Cavour, Piazza Rotunda, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Piazza Campo dei Fiori, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Galleria Sciara, and Piazza del Popolo. *Note that this does not include entry to any sites, but guides can allow for time to enter the sites at your expense. 

The Discover the Highlights of Rome Walking Tour will take you to the key sites, with a group of up to 15 people, in just 2.5 hours. This is great if you want to mingle with other travelers during your tour. We love all the stops on this tour, but we recommend going to see Piazza del Popolo when the tour ends, since it isn’t included. 

DIY Tours

DIY tours are a great way to get the lay of the land and learn something on your own schedule. One company in particular does this really well. The tours are ‘told’ by local artists, journalists, writers, tour guides, and passionate locals. No AI guides here. AI hasn’t been lost and doesn’t know which paths are safe; trust a local instead. You can download the tour for offline use, and the navigation still works. The app uses GPS to play the correct information at the right time. You can start, pause, restart, and stop the tour whenever you want to. 

The guide tells you where to go, so you can put your phone in your pocket and just listen while you walk. Run the tour straight through, or spread it out over a day or two, allowing you to stop for a snack or a drink. No falling behind or waiting for someone else to catch up. No straining to hear the guide. No broken equipment. Download the app, buy the tour you want, grab your favorite earbuds, and you’re off! You can find walking tours of a city, museum, or gallery, and even food tours in some cities.

There are so many ways to use the self-guided audio tours. Listen to them before your trip so you can map out your longer stops. Food tours allow you to only pay for what you want to try; listen ahead of time and plan your foodie adventure! Use the audio tours when you are stuck between things to do; waiting to check in to your hotel, or on a Sunday when lots of things might be closed. The app is free, and once you buy a tour, you have the tour forever. Relive your favorite memories or listen during your flight to get excited. 

Here are the exact self-guided audio tours we would take in Rome:

 (click the links to read descriptions, know before you go, reviews, and more)

Feed Your Foodie Soul With A Food Tour

If you’re a foodie, do a food tour early in your visit. You will learn so much about local culture through food and discover dishes that you might have overlooked otherwise. These dishes are often the best thing you’ll eat in that city and should give you insight into authentic restaurants, cafes, and bars. These are typically walking food tours; they aren’t history tours, but the guide will point out some sites along the way and help you get the lay of the land that way. Always ask your food tour guide for additional restaurant recommendations. We recommend a food tour in every region of Italy because each region has its own local dishes. 

In 2025, Rome was named The Top Food Destination In the World by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards. And, in late 2025, Italian food received the first UNESCO recognition for any food in the world. To say you should eat in Italy is an understatement. One of our favorite neighborhoods to head to for good food, when in Rome, is Trastevere. It’s known as the foodie neighborhood. And just across the river is the up-and-coming Testacchio neighborhood. 

The top food tours we recommend in these neighborhoods:

• Rome Twilight Evening Food Tour offers a mix of street food, pasta, gelato, wine, and prosecco. You’ll walk the streets of the Trastevere neighborhood, getting insider tips from your guide between stops. With priority access to a popular spot that doesn’t take reservations, and ancient recipes, you will instantly fall in love with Roman food. This is a favorite tour of our clients who have been to Rome. The tour is 4 hours, so there is plenty of time to savor each bite. This is a small group tour with a maximum of 12 travelers. 
• Tasty Trastevere Street Food Tour in Rome from Tiberine Island to Ponte Sisto is a great option if you want to keep your cost down and focus on the street food that Rome is famous for. This tour doesn’t include alcoholic beverages, but you can purchase them along the way (another way to keep the cost down). Taste about 10 different items as you journey from Tibertina island (which is the middle of the Tiber) into Trastevere on this 2.5-hour street food tour. This group tour has a maximum of 15 travelers and unlimited chances to make new friends. 
• Tastes & Traditions of Rome: Testaccio Food and Market Tour is the perfect tour for those who are interested in going to a local market. During the 3.5-hour tour, you will be fed enough for breakfast and lunch (starting off with a proper Roman breakfast of Maritozzo and coffee). You’ll visit the Testacchio market with an insider and meet the proprietors behind some of the best stalls in the market. You’ll enjoy a pasta lunch at a family-run trattoria and, of course, finish with some gelato. The tour company that puts this on is obsessed with finding the most authentic and tasty food for their food tours. You have nothing to lose.

Learn to Cook Like a Roman

If you love to cook, there is no better souvenir than being able to recreate the dishes you had on vacation when you return home. This is also a fun activity for children. Many families say that their favorite memories on vacation are the cooking classes. In Italy, you will find a range of cooking classes from pizza and gelato to multiple pastas, tiramisu, and some meat dishes too. Our favorites are the ones that let you get involved (not just watch), and it doesn’t hurt if they pour some wine while you are cooking too. 

Our favorite cooking classes in Rome:

A cooking class that includes a trip to a market, hands-on cooking, some wine, and, of course, eating the fruits of your labor is the most well-rounded experience you could have. This 4-hour Farmer’s Market & Pasta Making Experience with Fine Italian Wine is an experience you want to book for the first half of your day. Tours that include a market stop are only available in the morning because the market closes in the afternoon. Start the day at the market, then head to a kitchen to make some classic Italian snacks, ravioli, and tiramisu, all while drinking some wine. Your heart and belly will be full; you may want a nap after this one. 

If you are traveling with kids, you may want something more their style. This Pizza and Gelato Making Class in Rome is just 2.5 hours, and everyone gets to choose their own toppings and gelato flavor. Start with some background information on Roman cuisine and a welcome snack. After all the work is done, you get to sit down and enjoy your pizzas together. 

For a truly authentic experience, learn to cook the ‘holy trinity’ of Roman pastas in a Roman’s home, in the Testaccio neighborhood. The Testaccio: Home Cooking Cacio e Pepe, Amatriciana, Carbonara class is 3.5 hours and is limited to 10 people. In addition to the 3 pastas (carbonara, cacio e pepe, and amatriciana), you will get to enjoy all the pastas with some local wine, followed by dessert and Italian coffee. 

Another option is to head out of town with an Exclusive cooking class in the Roman countryside with a local chef. This experience requires you to get out of Rome on your own; the meeting point is a train station that is less than 30 minutes from the Roma Termini station. Over the course of 3.5 hours, you’ll prepare a full 3-course meal and savor it along with some dessert and local Italian wines. The 3-course meal varies with different pastas or lasagnas, a meat or fish main course, and various antipasti/side dishes. A nice break from the city in a local chef’s home.

Roman Colosseum: Discover Roman History First Hand At Il Colosseo

Go see the COLOSSEUM! You want to check this off your bucket list, so jump in. We strongly recommend using a tour for this. Visiting the Colosseum is awe-inspiring, not just for the legendary tales of the entertainment housed there but also for the amazing architecture and engineering used to operate the building. Standing inside the Colosseum is an exciting experience. It is located on the south side of Rome but very much still in the center, so it’s easy to get to. There are two metro lines that go to the Colosseum stop. 

Near the Colosseum is the Roman Forum. The area was once the center of public life; it housed political, religious, and commercial buildings. Over the centuries, the buildings were reclaimed and converted into churches.

Interior of Roman Colosseum, Rome, Italy

There are many ways to see The Colosseum. Some tours are in the day and some are in the evening (evenings only offered during part of the year). There are also different combinations of parts of the Colosseum to see. You can opt for a shorter tour that includes only the upper two levels or choose one that allows you to go on the arena floor or underground. Additionally, most Colosseum tours are going to include tickets to or a guided tour of the Ancient Roman Forum and or Palatine Hill. Don’t wait to book until you get there; tickets can sell out, and it would be a shame if you went to Rome but didn’t get to go to the Colosseum. 

At the time of writing this, we’re planning a client’s trip that is 8 months out, and some tours are already sold out! We recommend going in the early part of the day or the evening, so you aren’t battling the direct overhead sun in the warmer months.

Best Colosseum Tours in Rome:

• Of course, you can buy a ticket, wait in line, and explore on your own. This will only give you access to parts of the colosseum, and the line can be long, but it’s affordable. If you choose to go on your own, do yourself a favor and get skip-the-line tickets here. This will help you skip the line of people who haven’t bought a ticket yet and put you with the people who have, making the line move faster. This will bring you to a page of many versions of skip-the-line tickets, so look for what suits your needs (date and time availability, audio-guides, etc)
• Our top recommendation is the Colosseum Tour with Arena Floor & Roman Forum | Semi-Private Tour. You’ll get to enter through the Gladiator’s Gate (the entrance the gladiators used). Walking onto the arena floor, you’ll sense what it must have been like as a gladiator, with thousands chanting. This will also include a tour of the upper levels, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. This tour is 3 hours and has a maximum of 12 travelers. 
• For an in-depth Colosseum visit and tickets to the Roman Forum (no tour of the Forum), this Rome: Colosseum Underground Full Experience Tour will take you below the Colosseum to see the tunnels and chambers where large animals, like lions and tigers, were kept. You’ll get to step out onto the arena floor and see the Colosseum from the gladiator’s point of view, and visit the upper levels of the Colosseum. Afterwards, you can use your entry ticket to visit Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum on your own. The tour portion is 1.5 hours and has a maximum of 25 participants. 
• If you just want to hit the highlights, the Colosseum Arena Floor & Roman Forum Express Tour may be perfect for you. This tour takes you onto the Colosseum’s arena floor (no other parts of the Colosseum). You will also go to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, all in just 2 hours. 
• Bringing the kids? Check out the Colosseum Forum Ancient Rome Small Group Tour for Kids and Families. This small group tour for 15 people is 2.5 hours. The tour guide will have games and treasure hunts to keep the kids entertained along the way. This is the exact tour that we book for our clients when they bring the family to Rome.

Pro Tips: If you have time to linger after an afternoon tour, head to The Court, a hotel lounge with refined cocktails and a view of the Colosseum (they open at 6 pm and reservations are available). For a quick bite before your tour, get to La Prezzemolina for some pizza in taglio (they open at 11). You’ll also find some places to eat near the intersection of Via Cavour and Via dei Fori Imperiali.

You can find ‘Rome in a Day’ tours that will whisk you to other monuments to see on the same day, and you can even combine the Colosseum with a tour of the Vatican Museums.  If you are interested in maximizing your time this way, head to our section on combining tours.

Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica

The Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica are some of the most famous places to visit in Rome (and the world). Vatican City is its own country, independent of Italy, so it is not in Rome but surrounded by Rome. Do yourself a favor and buy your tickets ahead of time (again, ALWAYS DO SMALL GROUP TOURS). Vatican City/Vatican Museum can take quite some time to see, and a guide can help get you through the highlights. Most, if not all, tours include a view of the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Some of these tours include the Acropolis/crypt with St. Peter’s Tomb and/or the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. Do these add-ons if you can (maybe too lengthy for children). Don’t forget to take in St. Peter’s Square when you exit the basilica.

View of St. Peter’s Basilica from Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome, Italy

Best Vatican City Tours:

• If you really prefer to visit this site on your own, get Vatican skip-the-line tickets here. You will still have to select a date and entry time for these tickets. It will get you past the line of people who haven’t bought tickets yet and put you in line with those who have. Remember to arrive early for this. 
• With the Complete Vatican Tour With Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica, you will get to see everything from the most important pieces in the museum to the famed ceiling fresco of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Avoid doing this on Wednesday and Saturday mornings because St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square are set up for mass, and you won’t get to go inside the Basilica. We love the tour company that runs this tour; they are known for having very knowledgeable guides and special connections to make your tour extra special. This tour is 3 hours. 
• Traveling with kids? This Skip the Line Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tour for Kids and Family may be what you need. It’s 2.5 hours. As your guide takes you through the most important rooms of the Vatican Museums (and the Sistine Chapel), they will have fun trivia quizzes and engaging scavenger hunts for the kids. 
• For a different view of St. Peter’s, you can do the St. Peter’s Basilica Priority Access Tour with Dome Climb & Crypt. This is not a Vatican Museum Tour and does not include the Sistine Chapel. We recommend this for those who have already been to the Vatican or will be seeing it separately. On this tour, you’ll get more in-depth information about St. Peter’s Basilica. You will also get to go below into the Papal Crypt! You’ll climb on top of the dome of the Basilica (at your own pace) for an amazing view of St. Peter’s Square and Rome.

Pro Tip: A long visit to a museum is bound to work up an appetite. If you are visiting Vatican City in the morning, you’ll want to either head to the next part of the city you plan to see or work your way back in the Prati neighborhood. If you are visiting Vatican City in the afternoon and have time for lunch before your tour starts, we recommend Bonci Pizzarium, which is a popular street food spot where you can get delicious pizza in taglio and supli.

Take a Passeggiare and Enjoy Some (mostly) Free Sightseeing

Sitting in a piazza in Rome is one of the most romantic experiences, even if you are alone, let the city romance you! Sitting in a piazza is free, but eating/picnicking in them has been prohibited in many. It is also prohibited to sit on or picnic on monuments. Fountains are monuments, not seats. We’ve seen the police tell people to stop sitting on the edge of a fountain. Don’t be that guy!

The most iconic Piazzas to see include Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Rotonda, Piazza Trilussa, Piazza di Spagna, and Campo-de’ fiori. Most of these will have some fountains and/or sculptures, great people-watching, and some street entertainment. In Campo-de’ Fiori, there is a fantastic outdoor market. Climb the steps from Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti Church, but don’t sit on them or eat on them; it’s prohibited.

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (four rivers), Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy

The Pantheon

Located in the Piazza Rotunda, The Pantheon has a fast-moving line and only costs €5 to get in. You do not need a guide because they can’t talk inside, and neither can you. If you do find a guided tour, before you go inside, they will tell you what to look for while you are inside on your own.

Entrance to The Pantheon, Rome, Italy

Vittorio Emanuel  Monument

This monument is huge! It was dedicated to the first king of Italy, after his death (Vittorio Emanuel II). Over the years, other monuments have been added. The complex represents the struggle of the Italian people to reach the Italy it is today: anti-fascist, democratic, and European. The lower level (the Vittoriano) is free to visit. View a changing of the guard of the unknown soldier every hour on the hour. There is a charge to climb the monument and go to the panoramic deck or into the museum. You could just admire this from the outside if you are just passing by, too. 

Small piece of the Vittorio Emanuele Monument, Rome, Italy

Fontana di Trevi

The famous fountain known as Trevi Fountain. This monument has been free to see; however, visiting it will be different from how it once was. Although it’s free, the city will begin charging €2 to walk down in front of it, starting in February 2026. Rome began limiting the number of visitors to 400 at a time in 2024. The hours vary for coin collection and tank cleaning (which are not good times to see it). Currently, entrance after 9 pm is not monitored. Check here for hours.

We recommend seeing Trevi Fountain both in the day and at night. Guarantee your return to Rome one day by tossing a coin into the fountain (with your right hand over your left shoulder). To the right of the fountain is a small fountain, called The Fountain of Lovers. Legend says that if young lovers drink from it, at the same time, they will stay in love forever and remain faithful.

Villa Borghese Park

On the north side of Rome, is the expansive Villa Borghese Park. You can walk the paths or rent multi-passenger bikes, electric bikes, and electric scooters to get around. You could easily spend hours walking around this park enjoying different foliage, fountains, and fresh air. This was the out-of-town getaway for the Medicis. The park is on a hill and can be accessed in a few ways.  Through the north gate by Piazza del Popolo,  from the street at the top of the Spanish steps, through the entrance at Porta Princiana, or the entrance at Viale dell’Uccelliera.

Recommendations for combining experiences on your first visit to Rome

If you have limited time in Rome, you may want to combine some experiences to get the most out of your time. We’ll warn you, these can be exhausting, but worth it if you don’t have much time. The tour company will organize it all so you can make it happen; you just have to show up in comfortable shoes!

Rome in a Day

A Rome in a Day tour will typically include the big 3: the Roman Colosseum, the Vatican Museum, and Historic Rome. These are designed to help you see it all, but in a more condensed way. This means you may not get to go on the arena floor of the Colosseum, and that you may not have time for St. Peter’s Basilica. For the outdoor historic Rome monuments, you will likely get just a few minutes at each, but you will see them.

How to see Rome in a day:

Add These 16 Best Things To Do In Rome To Your Itinerary If You Have More Time

Rome is a lovely and very large city. If you have extra time or you’ve been before, then add these sites to your itinerary and see the sites that many skip during shorter visits to Rome. 

1. Castello Sant’Angelo

Many admire Castello Sant’Angelo, a papal fortress,  from the outside, but we recommend going in. It is near the Vatican, along the river. Get there approximately 45-60 minutes before sunset and watch the sunset over St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City from the top. This will be one of the most memorable views of your lifetime, we promise. The ticket office is open until 6:30 p.m., and the Castle is open until 7:30 pm. You should be able to catch the sunset most of the year.

Throughout the castle grounds, you will see paintings,  furniture, and armory from the Renaissance period. The ‘secret’ passage from the castle to the Vatican can be seen on a guided tour from the Vatican or with a combined ticket to Castel Sant’Angelo. Halfway up there is a caffé you can stop at for a break. If you are lucky, you can get one of the tables with a view of the Vatican while you sip on a spritz or beer.

Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome, Italy

Best Way to See Castel Sant’Angelo on your own:

For this site, we don’t recommend a tour; you can get an audio guide with your tickets and visit at your own pace. Get your ticket with an audio guide for Castel Saint’Angelo here. *You’ll also find the combined ticket with entry to the Passetto di Borgo (secret passage from the Vatican) on this page.

Pro Tip: If you still want some background information while you explore on your own, check out this self-guided audio tour: Castel Sant’Angelo with Context

2. Jewish Community

 The Temple of Apollo, the Portico of Octavia, and the Casina of Vallati are all pieces of Jewish Roman history. The ruins of this area represent the long-time Jewish culture that has existed in Rome. This neighborhood is situated between the Tiber River (across from Trastevere)  and ancient Rome (the Forum and Colosseum). As you walk around, look for the Solpersteine- brass stumbling blocks placed in the ground that give life to those who were reduced to a number when they were deported during the holocaust.You can read more about these here.

Best Ways to Explore the Jewish Community of Rome:

• One way to visit this area is just to explore on foot by yourself. Plug the sites listed above into the map app on your phone and start walking. 

Guided Tour

• The most immersive way to experience the Jewish quarter is on this 3-hour tour: Jewish Ghetto and Synagogues with a Jewish Roman Guide. This tour will take you to the Jewish museum and two synagogues, in addition to walking the streets of the old Jewish Ghetto. This is the most ancient living Jewish community outside of Israel today. 
• You can also Discover the Jewish Ghetto of Rome on a Small Group Walking Tour that takes you through the Jewish Ghetto in addition to some other key historic sites of Rome. Hear stories about how the Jewish people built a community and found ways to prosper and create their own cuisine from within the walls they were confined to when the Pope revoked all rights that had been granted to the Roman Jews, and barred them from trade and owning real estate. 

Self-Guided

• Use our favorite self-guided tour app, Voice Maps, to do this tour: History of the Jewish Ghetto in Rome: A Walking Tour with Context (1 hour)

3. Borghese Gallery

Within the Villa Borghese park, you will find the Borghese Gallery. The museum is filled with amazing artworks, including Caravaggio paintings and Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne sculpture. You can explore this museum on your own or take a guided tour. Explore the park on foot or rent a bike afterward. 

Apollo and Daphne, Borgese Gallery, Rome, Italy

How To Visit Borghese Gallery:

• Explore the Gallery on your own. Tickets are €13 (plus €2 service). Most people spend 2 hours in the gallery. You can buy tickets on the Beni Culturali website 
• Borghese Gallery Tour & Tickets: with Bernini, Caravaggio, & Rafael. Take a guided tour with an expert, ensuring you see all of the most important works in this gallery and understand the stories behind these famous works. 

When you’re finished with the park, head down to Piazza del Popolo or Villa Medici if you haven’t been.

4. Villa Medici

Easily accessible from the Spanish Steps, now home to a French School of Art, and once the countryside getaway for the Medici. See the rooms they slept in while on vacation. Walk the garden, catching breathtaking views of Rome. View the paintings inside ‘the bird room’, a Ferdinando de Medici private study. In addition to the historic rooms and art, you can also find temporary art exhibits here.

How to Visit Villa Medici:

• Go to the official Villa Medici website to purchase your tickets. It is €14 for a guided tour, which takes 90 minutes. We recommend the guided tour because an entry ticket doesn’t give you access to everything that the tour does.

Villa Medici, Rome, Italy

5. Galleria Sciarra

Steps away from Trevi Fountain is an architectural gem, with immense Art Nouveau vibes and beautiful frescoes with a glass ceiling. The ceiling allows the courtyard to be drenched in sunlight during the day, and internal sconces light it during the evening. The wall paintings are by Giuseppe Cellini and celebrate women. It’s worth a stop to take a few minutes to gaze at this atrium/courtyard from inside. This is very close to Trevi Fountain, so stop by on the way (or instead of, if you’ve already been to Trevi).

Pro Tip: If you’ve already been to Fontana di Trevi head to RoofTop Lounge Trevi when you leave Galleria Sciarra (after 4 pm). This cocktail bar offers a different view of Trevi Fountain than the one below.

Interior of Galleria Sciarra, Rome, Italy

6. Palazzo Del Ragno

Located in the Trieste neighborhood, this palace faces the Fontana delle Rane (fountain of the frogs). The Beatles jumped into this fountain, fully clothed, after performing at the nearby Piper club. The Piper Club is still there, the basement nightclub has house and techno beats, as well as live indie bands (temporarily closed at the moment). This is not too far from the Villa Borghese entrance, which is near the Borghese Gallery.

7. Via Tagliamento/ Via Dora

In general, this is a really cool area to see architecturally, with an avant-garde vibe. From Via Tagliamento to Palazzina del Ragno, walking along Via Dora, you will find a chandelier hanging from the ceiling of a short tunnel.

8. Terme di Caracalla

The ruins of a Roman thermal bath complex. This was in use in the early 200’s – early 500’s. It’s 8€ to enter.  The complex is located on the south side of the city, part of ancient Rome, and close to the Testaccio neighborhood.

9. Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo)

Before the famous Colosseum was built, the Romans watched chariot races at Circus Maximus. This is now the ruins of the stone and marble arena that housed 250,000 spectators. The recent Amazon Prime Show ‘For Those About To Die’ was centered around the chariot races at Circo Massimo. Situated just across the river from the Trastevere neighborhood (north of the Testaccio neighborhood).

How to Visit Circus Maximus:

• Visit the Circus Maximus ruins on your own; the area is open to the public and free to visit. 
• Immerse yourself in the history of Circus Maximus with the Circo Maximo Experience, a combination of augmented and virtual reality that will transport you back to the original Circus Maximus arena. Tickets are €12 and can be purchased on the Circo Maximo Experience website.

10. Piazza della Bocca della Verità

This is a great area to walk around. On the northwest side is the restored Temple of Hercules Victor, and the Temple di Purtono (4th & 5th century BC). The Bocca della Verità (mouth of truth) fountain and the Crypt of Adriano are across the street. Also not too far is the Arco di Giano (Arch of Janus).

11. Villa Farnesina

Located in the Trastevere neighborhood, this villa was designed by Baldassare Peruzzi and has frescoes, including some by Rafael. After visiting the villa, head over to the botanical garden to escape the city.

12. Orto Botanico di Roma (Botanical Garden Rome)

Behind Villa Farnesina is the Casa delle Farfalle (house of butterflies). A great space to escape the city crowds and enjoy a butterfly habitat. You will need to pay the entrance fee and enter through the botanical gardens first. The botanical gardens include over 7,000 plant species, a Japanese tea garden, and a bamboo grove (€5 euro entry fee).  It is an additional €5 to become a member of the Butterfly Eden, allowing you access to the butterfly experience. The garden entrance is where Largo Christiana di Svezia and Via Corsini meet.

13. Galleria Spada

They say that perspective is everything, and if you like art and or photography, you’ll want to see this gallery. Francesco Borromini’s Colonnade, also known as ‘The Perspective’, creates the baroque illusion of a long colonnade from a short gallery. This is close to Campo dei Fiori and the Jewish Community. Tickets can be purchased online at the Musei Italiani website for €6 or onsite.

14. Palazzo Farnese

Located a block or two from Galleria Spada. This Renaissance palace houses the French Embassy and offers tours to see the frescoes and the Renaissance grandeur inside. Stop outside to admire this example of Renaissance architecture, designed by a collaboration of artists including Michelangelo. 

How to Visit Palazzo Farnese:

Tickets go on sale up to 90 days in advance. You can only do a guided tour, and you can only purchase tickets on the Palazzo Farnese website.

15. Teatro Marcello

A Roman theater that was started by Julius Caesar. It’s free to see, but hosts concerts in the summer. Built in 12BC, this theater is older than the Colosseum. This is on the edge of the Jewish community and not far from the Roman Forum.

16. Via Appia Antica (the Appian Way)

The Appian Way (of Via Appia Antica) is one of the oldest roads in the world. It was built in 312 BC and originally connected Rome to Brindisi, a lovely coastal town in the region of Puglia (the heel of the boot). It served as a military and trade route. Now it is a national park with ancient ruins, tombs, and catacombs along the route. The best way to experience this ancient route is by bicycle or walking. The best preserved parts are just outside of Rome. Since the road is 650 kilometers, you would only do a section of it. 

How to Explore The Ancient Appian Way:

• Walk some of the Appian Way on your own. The best day to do this is Sunday because no traffic is allowed on the main section just outside the city. Take a bus somewhere near the Tomb of Cecilia Metella in order to skip the busier section of the route. And walk as far as you would like before turning back. Another starting point is at Porta San Sebastiano. 
• If you want additional information on your walk, try a Guided Walking Tour. The 3+ hour Catacombs Tour, Aqueduct, and Appian Way experience will give you a good mix of guided history of sites like the Catacombs, Aqueduct, and a mausoleum with a little time walking on the cobblestones of the ancient road, AND you get transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle to reach the start of the tour. 
• Try an Appian Way Bike Rental with the Official Partner of the Park. You can rent standard mountain bikes or motorized e-bikes starting at €25 for up to 7 hours. Most rental companies will also provide you with suggested itineraries so you know what you are seeing along the way. 
• Make the most of your day with the Appian Way E-Bike Tour Underground with Catacombs and Lunch. This 5-hour tour includes lunch at a traditional trattoria in the heart of The Appian Way. 
• Go for a longer ride to beautiful Castel Gandolfo on an e-bike. Castel Gandolfo is a lovely little town on Lake Albano. After passing tombs and ruins, you’ll get some time at the lake and to explore the old town where the Pope has his summer residence. You’ll have a 2-course lunch at a traditional osteria and then take the train back to Rome. Note that the lunch and the price of the train ticket are not included, but the guide will point you in the right direction for both.

Unique Ways to See Rome

Angels & Demons Self-Guided Tour

Are you a fan of Dan Brown’s books? If you’ve read or seen ‘Angels & Demons’, you might enjoy finding the markers across Rome, identified by Robert Langdon’s character. These markers helped them to find the four kidnapped preferiti.

When I (Charlene) was planning my solo trip to Rome, I was watching movies that took place in Rome. When I watched Angels and Demons (for the 15th time), I took note of all the places they went. Good thing because I couldn’t find a list or self-guided tour online. And now I’ve recreated that for you. Find my complete Angels & Demons Self-guided tour here.

We hope this guide has helped you to quickly identify the things you want to do while you’re in Rome and the best way to do them, and still travel like you. Planning a trip requires a lot of research to make the most of every city you visit. 

Your Next Read:

Rome Travel Guide, designed for first-timers, and ends with other nearby places to visit.

Self-Guided Angels & Demons Tour Through Rome

Calabria Travel Guide: get spicy in Calabria while you soak up the true Italian slow life.

The Best Things To Do In Florence And How To Do Them

If you’re not excited about spending 15-30 hours planning an amazing trip, we get it. If you would rather have someone do the research, planning, & booking for your custom travel itinerary, visit our Custom Travel Planning page.

-XO, The Twins

How can we help? We would love to hear your questions!

Contact us by email at thetwins@twicethetraveler.com

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