What to do in Rome Sights and tips

If you come to Rome for the first time, you cannot ignore the classic highlights. Colosseum, Saint Peter, Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Spagna: you have to see it all, otherwise your visit will not be complete.

In this guide for Rome beginners, we list some of the must-see attractions and sights for your first-time visitor to Rome.

Here we go!

1. Coliseum

One of the biggest attractions (literally) in Rome is of course the Colosseum. It is a pity that relatively little of it has survived, but this place still offers the opportunity to dream away at the gladiator fights and reenacted naval battles of yesteryear. Please note that you should prepare a visit to this top attraction well, so as not to queue for hours in the blazing sun during the hottest part of the day. Buy a combo ticket in advance with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, those other must-sees in the Colosseum Archaeological Park.

2. Roman Forum

You can't miss the Roman Forum when you go to Rome for the first time. Squint your eyes a little and you'll see in these ruins the center of power of ancient Rome, complete with temples, market halls, shops, government buildings and triumphal arches.

3. Palatine Hill

Next to the Forum Romanum is the Palatino, or the Palatine Hill. This is one of the 7 hills on which ancient Rome was built. From the hill where the emperors of Rome built their residences, you literally look down on the people in the city. There are beautiful green gardens and relatively quiet spots upstairs, where you can recover from all the monumental impressions in the city.

4. Domus Aurea

Domus Aurea means the Golden House. This is the spacious villa that Emperor Nero had built for himself from the year 64 to 68. This place is now completely underground and can be visited regularly with a guide. In our opinion, a must-see for first-time visitors to Rome as well as those who have been there countless times but skipped the Golden House so far.

5. Via dei Fori Imperiali

Walk from the Colosseum along Via dei Fori Imperiali to the administrative heart of Rome. From this road you have a beautiful view of the Imperial Forums, such as the Forum of Trajan. The broad road was built by the dictator Mussolini right through a medieval residential area to celebrate the grandeur of the old and new Roman Empire.

6. Piazza Venice

De Duce held office in the Palazzo Venezia on the square of the same name. Now it is a museum. On this square is also the gaudy Altare della Patria, in honor of the Italian king Vittorio Emanuele II. Piazza Venezia is a central square with heavy traffic. This is also where you will find the annual Christmas tree of the municipality of Rome, which is frowned upon time and again.

7.Piazza del Campidoglio

From the 'typewriter', as the monument to the first Italian king is popularly called, you can go up to the Capitol. Called Campidoglio in Italian. The square designed by Michelangelo is featured on the Italian 50 cent coin. Here you will also find a copy of the equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. On either side of the square are the Capitoline Museums with an impressive collection of art.

8. Tiber Island

There isn't much to do on the Tiber Island, which forms the crossing between the center of ancient Rome and the Trastevere district, but you do get a few picturesque pictures in return. An oasis of calm as you walk to discover another part of the city.

9. Trastevere

On the other side of the Tiber Island you come to the former working-class district of Trastevere, which is now mainly dominated by tourism. But don't worry: the environment still looks quite characteristic. So get up early and discover the narrow alleys at the crack of dawn, with a caffe con cornetto as breakfast. The square in front of the Santa Maria in Trastevere is also recommended. Sit down with a drink and a snack and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere.

10. Bocca della Verita

Another landmark in Rome that is known all over the world. The Bocca della Verità (The Mouth of Truth) is especially popular with Japanese tourists, who often queue in front of the Greek church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin to dip their hand into this antique manhole cover. Nevertheless, a place you must experience if you come to Rome for the first time.

11. Giardino degli Arancia

Want to do something different during your trip to Rome? Go to the Giardino degli Aranci on the Aventine Hill. In this public Orange Garden you have a magnificent view of the city, the Tiber and the dome of St. Peter's. Next to this urban oasis is the Santa Sabina, a church from the 5th century that may be called the most beautiful in all of Rome. And that's saying something, because there are about 900 churches in the entire city!

12. The Aventine Keyhole

A little further on is another wildly popular attraction: the Aventine Keyhole, or the Aventine Keyhole. This one keyhole in Rome is arguably the most famous keyhole in the world and it belongs to the Church of the Maltese Order. The church is nothing special, but the view of St. Peter's Dome through the hole is. Tip: go when it is dark, then you will not find a long line and the dome is also beautifully lit.

13. Vatican City

After all these glimpses of different places on the church in the smallest state in the world, you should of course also go there. The size of Vatican roughly corresponds to 56 football fields, the Pope is in charge and there are hardly any people living there. Tourists come here all the more, so you have to prepare a visit well. Come early to get your tickets to St. Peter's and the Vatican Museums, or you'll miss out. Or book your tickets online in advance. The best time to visit the Vatican is the month november or the month , those are the only moments in the year when the flow of visitors gets a little thinner.

14. Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant'Angelo, Castel Sant'Angelo, dates back to the 2nd century and was originally a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian. Later it became a papal fortress and part of the defense line of Rome. An escape tunnel leads from the Vatican to the castle. Now the building with its illustrious history is a museum with numerous artefacts. Also note the bridge of the same name over the Tiber opposite the castle.

15.Via del Corso

Via del Corso is Rome's most famous shopping street, running from Piazza Venezia all the way to Piazza del Popolo. Shoppers will enjoy themselves here, but even if you keep the stock exchange closed, there is an incredible amount to see on both sides of the street.

16. Quirinal

Last but not least, we are talking about the Quirinal, which you reach by taking the steep Via dell'Umiltà from Via del Corso up. The Quirinal is the top of what was once the Quirinalis, one of the 7 hills of ancient Rome. At the top now stands the impressive Presidential Palace. On the square in front of the palace you have a beautiful view of the city. At 16 or 18 pm, depending on the time of year, you can also watch the musically accompanied changing of the guard here.

17. Trevi Fountain

Not far from the presidential palace you will find the world-famous Trevi Fountain, in which tourists throw around 3.000 euros worth of coins over their shoulders every day, in the hope of returning to Rome. It is best to come here early in the morning or late in the evening. Then the marble of the fountain and the fairy-lit water are at their best and the throngs of tourists at their smallest.

18. Pantheon

The Pantheon is that world famous building with the famous hole in the dat. Because the Pantheon (originally built as a temple and later rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian) was given the function of a church in the 7th century, it is now the only building from Roman antiquity in the world that is still almost completely intact. A must see if you like Roman era buildings. If you want to know everything about this important landmark in Rome, we recommend that you book a professional tour.

19.Piazza Navona

After St. Peter's Square, perhaps the most famous square in the world (and certainly also one of the most beautiful squares in Italy), but often also terribly busy with tourists, who all want to see the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini with their own eyes. An espresso on the square easily costs 5 euros. If you want to settle down somewhere, we therefore recommend the cozy Campo de' Fiori on the other side of Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

20.Piazza del Popolo

Via del Corso ends in Piazza del Popolo, a beautiful oval square with a fountain in the center with sturdy marble lions and an obelisk, one of the many that the ancient Romans once stole from Egypt. And no fewer than three churches, all dedicated to Saint Mary: on one side the directly opposite 'twin churches' of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto and opposite the parish church of Santa Maria del Popolo, known for having two Caravaggios hanging and a few exciting scenes from the film are remembered The Bernini Mystery played.

21. Pincio and Villa Borghese

From Piazza del Popolo you can climb the stairs to the Pincio. The Pincio is a hill just north of the old town. By the way, this hill does not belong to the 7 hills of ancient Rome. The hill and the country houses built on it of important Roman families were incorporated into the city of Rome with the construction of the Aurelian Wall (AD 275). Now you will find a beautiful platform on which you can look out over the city. Behind the Pincio is Villa Borghese, a large city park where you can enjoy walking, cycling or a drink under the trees. There is also an ecological zoo for families with children.

22. Spanish Steps

Piazza di Spagna with its Spanish Steps at the foot of the French church Trinità dei Monti. Once you've descended the 135 steps, you'll find the graceful Fontana della Barcaccia, which was damaged by Feyenoord hooligans a few years ago. Also a real hotspot in the city of Rome and usually a place where many tourists flock. But if you want to see the biggest sights of Rome, this place is definitely the place to be.

23. Gelateria Giolitti

All those sights will make you crave Italian ice cream! If you want to taste the best Italian ice cream in Rome you have to go to Via degli Uffici del Vicario. There you will find long lines for the Gelateria Giolitti. This has been the best ice cream parlor in Rome since 1900.

Cartloads of other sights in Rome

In addition to the must-sees above, the Italian capital has countless other attractions, which are certainly no less worthwhile. It will be clear: visiting a city like Rome, you have to prepare well to get the most out of your trip. Whether you are there for one day or have a whole week.

Good news: we have developed a city guide for you that gives you an overview of all the must-sees and the often missed highlights that are certainly no less fascinating. The guide has been compiled by Aart Heering, journalist and historian, who has lived and worked in Rome for over 30 years.

City Guide Rome: 99 Most Fascinating Sights + 12 City Itineraries

In City GuideRome from This is Italy we give you no less than 99 places of interest which we have clustered in . for the sake of clarity 12 possible walking and cycling routes through the city. We have numbered the sights for you in red (Rome for beginners) and in black (Rome for advanced users).

The routes are provided with numbered tickets. For each route you will also find a link to an interactive map that you can follow on your smartphone or tablet. There are 10 walking routes and 2 cycling routes set out for you. Feel free to deviate from the routes to discover Rome all by yourself, but on these routes you will at least find the most fascinating sights and tips to make your visit to the Eternal City unforgettable.

You can now purchase the City Guide Rome from This is Italy at an extra cost. You can download it as a high-resolution PDF immediately after payment. You can easily open the PDF on, for example, your tablet, laptop or smartphone. In the pdf you will also find links to the interactive maps.