JULIAXEATS - ROME - ITALY
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Rome, Italy Travel Guide: Top 10 Historic Sites, Attractions, Food Spots and Tips

Rome, known as the Eternal City. Few places in the world can match its unique blend of ancient ruins, grand basilicas, Renaissance masterpieces, and lively piazzas. For centuries, people have been drawn here not just for its history but also for its vibrant culture, food, and unmistakable atmosphere.

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Why Visit Rome?

In Rome, every corner is alive with layers of history. Ancient ruins sit alongside Baroque fountains, narrow alleys open up into grand piazzas, and centuries-old churches still stand at the centre of community life. It is one of the few places in the world where you can see the rise and fall of entire civilizations in a single day of sightseeing.

Beyond the monuments, Rome is also about atmosphere. It’s sipping espresso in a sunlit piazza, hearing church bells echo through the streets, or watching locals gather in the evenings for la passeggiata, the traditional evening stroll. Rome manages to be both a living museum and a vibrant, modern city.

The entire city felt like I was on a movie set.

JULIAXEATS - ROME - ITALY

How to Get There

Rome is easily accessible, with two main airports: Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) and Ciampino. I landed at Fiumicino during the night, I purchased a bus ticket for €7.90 at the airport (if you want to be extra prepared, I’d recommend booking your bus ticket online) took me straight to Termini, the central hub for trains, buses, and metro connections. The ride took about 30 minutes.

For first-time visitors, I recommend arranging your accommodation and transport in advance. Rome is walkable, but its neighbourhoods are spread out, so knowing how you’ll get from the airport to your base is key. Public transport is efficient, and you can even tap your debit or credit card directly at metro gates and buses.

Before visiting, many people mentioned not to roam around Termini at night since it can be considered quite unsafe so I took an Uber to my accomodation which was about 10 minutes drive.

My Experience

Rome is a city best-discovered step by step. The moment I began walking through its streets, I felt like I had stepped inside a living history book. Below are the ten places that left the biggest impression on me during my visit.

1. Trevi Fountain

  • Address: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
  • Opening hours: Open 24 hours
  • Entry: Free
  • Best Known For: Its coin-tossing tradition that promises a return to Rome.
  • Tip: Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Perhaps the most famous fountain in the world, the Trevi Fountain is breathtaking at any hour, but especially at night when the lights cast a soft glow on its marble figures. Completed in 1762, it remains a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. The tradition of tossing a coin over your left shoulder ensures not only your return to Rome but also connects you with millions of visitors who have done the same before. Despite the crowds, it is a moment worth experiencing. I recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

2. Pantheon

Nearly 2,000 years old, the Pantheon is one of the most astonishing architectural achievements of the ancient world. Its perfectly proportioned dome, with the famous central oculus, remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built. Originally a temple dedicated to all Roman gods, it was later transformed into a Christian church, which saved it from destruction. Standing beneath the dome, you cannot help but feel a deep sense of awe.

3. Spanish Steps

  • Address: Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
  • Opening hours: Always open
  • Entry: Free
  • Best Known For: Being the longest and widest staircase in Europe and a lively gathering spot. Also, best for catching the sunset.

The Spanish Steps are not only architecturally impressive but also an important social hub in Rome. With 135 steps leading up to the Trinità dei Monti church, they have one of the best views over the city. Best for catching the sunset. Historically, this was a meeting place for artists, poets, and travellers. Today, it remains a gathering point, blending history with modern-day vibrancy.

JULIAXEATS - ROME - ITALY

4. Colosseum

JULIAXEATS - ROME - ITALY
JULIAXEATS - ROME - ITALY

No visit to Rome is complete without stepping inside the Colosseum. As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it symbolises the grandeur and brutality of the Roman Empire. Once capable of holding up to 80,000 spectators, the amphitheater hosted gladiator battles, wild animal hunts, and even naval reenactments. Today, standing within its ancient walls is a reminder of both the glory and the darkness of Rome’s past. Read More in my post below about my experience with a guided tour.

5. Roman Forum

  • Address: 00186 Rome, Italy
  • Opening hours: 9 am – 7:15 pm (Saturdays until 5:30 pm)
  • Entry: Included with Colosseum tickets
  • Best Known For: Being the political, religious, and social heart of ancient Rome.

The Roman Forum was once the heart of public life in ancient Rome where political debates, religious ceremonies, and market exchanges took place. Today, it is an open-air museum of ruins, arches, and temples. Walking along the ancient paths, you can almost imagine the bustle of Roman citizens centuries ago.

6. Palatine Hill

  • Address: 00186 Rome, Italy
  • Opening hours: 8:30 am – 6:15 pm
  • Entry: Included with Colosseum tickets (Free entry on the first Sunday of the month)
  • Best Known For: The birthplace of Rome and seen as an open-air museum from its extensive ruins of palaces and villas from the Roman Empire

According to legend, this is where Romulus founded Rome. Palatine Hill has sweeping views of both the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus. It was also the site of imperial palaces, making it one of the most historically significant parts of the city. Today, it is a more peaceful area where visitors can stroll among gardens and ruins while escaping the crowds.

7. Vatican Museums

JULIAXEATS - ROME - ITALY
JULIAXEATS - ROME - Vatican City - ITALY

Home to one of the greatest collections of art in the world, the Vatican Museums showcase treasures by Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and Caravaggio. With more than 70,000 works, the sheer scale can be overwhelming. A guided visit can help make sense of it all, but even a few hours inside leaves you with a sense of wonder at the artistic achievements of humanity. Read More in my post below about my experience with a guided tour.

8. Sistine Chapel

  • Address: Vatican City
  • Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 am – 4 pm
  • Entry: Included in Vatican Museums ticket (€25 without a guided tour)
  • Best Known For: Michelangelo’s ceiling fresco, including the Creation of Adam.

The Sistine Chapel is best known for Michelangelo’s ceiling, painted between 1508 and 1512. The Creation of Adam has become one of the most recognised works of art in the world. Seeing it in person, surrounded by frescoes that cover every inch of the chapel, is nothing short of unforgettable.

9. St. Peter’s Basilica

  • Address: Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City
  • Opening hours: Mon–Sat (9:30 am – 5:30 pm), Sun (1 pm – 3:30 pm)
  • Entry: Generally free but tickets are required for certain areas like the dome climb or guided tours.
  • Best Known For: Being the largest church in the world and the heart of the Catholic faith.
  • Tips: Bring a light jacket or wear clothing that covers your shoulders to respect the dress code in religious sites.
JULIAXEATS - ROME - ITALY
JULIAXEATS - ROME - Vatican City - ITALY

The largest church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is both a place of worship and an architectural marvel. Michelangelo’s dome dominates the Vatican skyline, and climbing to the top rewards you with one of the best panoramic views of Rome. Inside, masterpieces like Bernini’s baldachin and Michelangelo’s Pietà remind visitors why this basilica is one of the most important in Christianity.

10. Galleria Alberto Sordi

  • Address: Piazza Colonna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
  • Opening hours: 9 am – 8 pm
  • Entry: Free
  • Best Known For: Historic shopping gallery is filled with boutique shops and cafés

For a change of pace, the Galleria Alberto Sordi offers elegance and style. This historic shopping arcade features boutique shops, cafés, and a touch of Roman sophistication. It is a great place to pause, have a coffee, and watch the rhythm of daily life in the city.

Food Ideas

Best Time to Visit

The best times to visit Rome are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). During these months, the weather is pleasant, the days are long, and the city feels alive without being unbearably crowded. Summer can be hot and busy, while winter, though quieter, brings cooler temperatures and occasional rain.

Travel Tips

  • Bus from airport to Termini: €7.90 (about 30 minutes)
  • Debit/credit cards can be tapped directly for metro and buses
  • Wear comfortable shoes, you will be walking extensively and expect to hit over 10K steps a day
  • Always keep your bag in front of you to avoid pickpockets
  • Book Vatican and Colosseum tickets in advance as the lines can be very long
  • Bring a reusable bottle since Rome, Italy, has a lot of drinking water fountains to refill

Highlights

  • Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain
  • Watch the sunset on the top of the Spanish steps
  • Standing inside the Colosseum and imagining gladiator battles
  • Gazing up at the Pantheon’s dome
  • Enjoying the peaceful views from Palatine Hill
  • Experiencing Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling

Final Thoughts

Rome is filled with so much history, from the grandeur of the Colosseum to the artistry of Michelangelo, from the mythology of Palatine Hill to the elegance of the Spanish Steps, every corner has a story to tell. Rome leaves a lasting impression on all who visit, and as I tossed my coin into the Trevi Fountain, I knew one thing for certain: I would be back.

Watch my TRAVEL GUIDE IN ROME

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