Places to visit in Rome

Imagine standing where 2,000 years ago lions roared and 80,000 Romans shouted the names of gladiators. The Colosseum, commissioned by Vespasian in 72 AD, is a stone time machine. Did you know that for its inauguration in 80 AD, Titus organized 100 days of games with 9,000 exotic animals sacrificed? Despite what Hollywood might say, there is no evidence of Christians being martyred here. But there is proof of revolutionary engineering: beneath your feet, the hypogeum—a subterranean labyrinth—hid gladiators and trapdoors that made tigers appear. Today, in that very place, Rome's stray cats bask in the sun like emperors.

• Practical tip: If you're traveling with kids, book a night tour of the hypogeum. The 3D projections recreate naval battles (yes, the Colosseum could be flooded!) and the little ones will be thrilled.
• Getting around Rome: The Colosseo metro station (line B) is just 2 minutes away. Buy the combined ticket online (€16) to skip the lines: it includes the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. On a tight budget? First Sunday of the month, free entry (get there before 8:30 AM).

In winter, the Colosseum turns magical: during Christmas in Rome, its silhouette lights up in front of panettone markets. If you visit during Easter, the Pope's Way of the Cross around the monument is a solemn spectacle. For epic photos, go at sunset: the golden light highlights the travertine arches and, if you're lucky, a street musician might play opera next to the Arch of Constantine. After the visit, stroll through Monti—a neighborhood of cobblestone streets—and eat cacio e pepe at La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali. If you're looking for alternative routes in Rome, follow the Via dei Fori Imperiali to the Pantheon (free), where the 2,000-year-old dome seems to float.

Did you know that the stones of the Colosseum were used to build St. Peter's Basilica? Although pillaged for centuries, it remains one of the places to visit in Rome, because its grandeur endures: the holes in the facade are scars from the hooks that held the velarium, a movable canopy that shielded from the sun. Rome is a layer cake of history, and the Colosseum is its most dramatic layer. Don't miss it.

Amidst the shadows of ancient columns and stones that have witnessed empires, the Imperial Forums weave a tale that began with Julius Caesar. This visionary, eager to make Rome a reflection of his power, ordered the construction of the first imperial forum. Centuries later, as you stroll along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the grandeur of those emperors is still palpable: Augustus erected statues to immortalize his victories, and Trajan left his mark with a 38-meter column that spirals the story of the Dacian conquest. Can you imagine Roman senators debating under these porticos? They say Cicero delivered speeches here that changed the course of history.

Why you should include the Imperial Forums in your itinerary:

• You can purchase the combined ticket which includes access to the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill. Ideal for optimizing time if you plan to visit Rome in a day.
• It's free on the first Sunday of each month. Perfect if you're traveling on a tight budget.

The visiting hours of the Imperial Forums are from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, but we recommend visiting at dawn to peacefully admire the reliefs of Trajan's Column, avoiding the crowds.

After exploring these ruins, the contrast with modern Rome is fascinating. Just a few steps away, you'll find a classic spot to dine in Rome, Ristorante Aroma, offering stunning views of the Colosseum. In nearby streets, some of Rome's finest artisanal gelato shops are hidden away. If you're traveling with kids, you can turn the visit to the Imperial Forums into a treasure hunt: who will spot the figure of Mars in the Forum of Augustus first? And if you're an art lover, you'll relish every sculpted capital, as they all tell stories of gods and battles.

Once you've visited the Imperial Forums, you can continue your Rome itinerary by visiting Once you've visited the Imperial Forums, you can continue your Rome itinerary by visiting two of the best places to visit in Rome, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain, which are a metro ride away (Colosseo stop). If you haven't set your travel date yet, remember that the best times to visit Rome are in spring and early autumn; try to avoid August, as the heat in Rome can be quite overwhelming.

In the heart of Rome, where the past and present intertwine, you'll find Piazza Navona. Its foundations hold a secret: beneath its cobblestones lies the ancient Stadium of Domitian, built in the 1st century AD to host athletic competitions. Imagine thousands of Romans cheering from the stands, unaware that centuries later, artists like Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini would transform this space into a Baroque jewel. Today, its oval shape still hints at its origins, but it's the artistic drama that captures every gaze: the Fountain of the Four Rivers, with its obelisk and statues representing the Nile, the Ganges, the Danube, and the Mississippi, seems to defy gravity. Legend has it that the figure of the Río de la Plata covers its face to avoid seeing the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, a work by Borromini, Bernini's rival 🤣.

Practical Tips:

• Access to the square is naturally free and available 24 hours a day, but we recommend getting there early to avoid the crowds and enjoy the sculptures stress-free.
• Just steps away is the Pantheon of Agrippa, the best preserved building of ancient Rome among the many places to visit in Rome, perfect to include in a one-day itinerary in Rome.
• If you're in Rome during Christmas, don't miss visiting Piazza Navona, where a market full of lights and traditional sweets is set up, perfect for enjoying Christmas in Rome.

Baroque is not just art; it's an experience, and this square is a great example of it. In the afternoon, the square transforms: street musicians, portrait artists, and children chasing bubbles create a charming chaos. Behind this hustle and bustle, the facades of Renaissance palaces discreetly watch everything that unfolds. If you'll take a bit of advice, sit on the steps of the fountain with a gelato from Tre Scalini (try the chocolate tartufo) or from Frigidarium (just a three-minute walk from the square) and let the atmosphere envelop you.

For art lovers, this square is a treasure, where stories of popes, rivalries between geniuses, and myths carved in marble converge. To continue your exploration of Rome, remember that the Trevi Fountain or the Pantheon is just a 10-minute walk away.

As you stroll through the historic center of Rome, passing by pastry shops wafting the scent of cannoli and fashionable boutiques, you'll come across the Pantheon of Agrippa, rising like a silent giant. Its facade, crowned with an inscription honoring Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, hides a secret: the building we see today was reconstructed by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. What irony! Agrippa never saw this version of the building, yet his name is etched there forever. The 43.3-meter dome, a marvel of unreinforced concrete, has defied gravity for two millennia. And that central oculus, the open eye to the sky, not only illuminates the interior: when it rains, the water magically disappears thanks to hidden drains.

Entering the Pantheon of Agrippa is like traveling back in time, as it is the only ancient Roman building that remains intact, saved from plundering due to its transformation into a church in the 7th century.

The light from the oculus draws a perfect circle that moves across the walls, creating a natural sundial. On quiet mornings, when tourists are still asleep, the beam illuminates the tomb of Raphael Sanzio, the Renaissance master who requested to rest there eternally.

Our advice is to visit the Pantheon in the morning to avoid the crowds. Although entry is free—ideal for those on a budget—the true luxury is being able to contemplate it in peace. The Pantheon's hours are from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, but tourist visits are not allowed during mass.

After exploring the Pantheon, the Piazza della Rotonda awaits you with its cafes and gelato shops. Try a pistachio gelato as you decide on your next destination: just a 10-minute walk away are the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona, two must-see spots when visiting Rome for the first time.

If lunchtime is approaching, remember that the Pantheon of Agrippa is very close to the Trastevere neighborhood, a district with cobblestone streets and authentic trattorias, where you can enjoy the best Italian cuisine.