Rome is one of the most extraordinary cities on Earth. The capital of Italy holds nearly 3,000 years of continuous history packed into a single compact area, with ancient Roman ruins, medieval churches, Renaissance palaces, Baroque fountains and modern Italian street life all within walking distance of each other. The city is often called the “Eternal City”, and even a long stay barely scratches the surface of what there is to see. This 2026 guide walks through the most important historical sights, the best museums, the food scene, the practical details and the tips for planning a sightseeing trip to Rome.
Why Rome Is the Eternal City
Rome has been the political, religious and cultural centre of the Western world for more than two thousand years. Founded according to legend in 753 BC by the twins Romulus and Remus, the city grew to become the capital of the Roman Republic, then the Roman Empire, then the centre of the Catholic Church and finally the capital of the modern Italian state in 1871. The historic centre of Rome holds seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in a single concentrated area, more than almost any other city in the world.
Around 35 million tourists visit Rome every year, and the city is one of the top three most visited destinations in Europe alongside London and Paris. The combination of ancient ruins, Vatican treasures, Italian food and Mediterranean climate makes Rome one of the most rewarding city breaks on the planet, but it also means that the major sights can be extremely crowded. Booking tickets in advance has become essential for almost every famous attraction.
The Colosseum (Colosseo)
The Colosseum is the most famous and popular sightseeing attraction in Rome and arguably the most recognised ancient building in the world. The massive elliptical amphitheatre was built between 70 and 80 AD under the emperors Vespasian and Titus and held up to 80,000 spectators in its prime. The Colosseum was the main gladiator arena in ancient Rome and hosted brutal contests between gladiators, mock sea battles, animal hunts and public executions for nearly four centuries.
No matter what time of year or time of day you visit, you will encounter crowds of tourists from around the world taking pictures and exploring the Colosseum. Despite its age, its basic structure is still very much in place, and recent restoration projects have opened previously inaccessible areas to visitors, including the underground hypogeum chambers where gladiators and animals waited before entering the arena, and the upper level that offers spectacular views over the Roman Forum.
Tickets must be booked online in advance through the official CoopCulture website. The standard ticket includes access to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, and is valid for 24 hours from the first entry. As of 2026, the standard ticket costs around 18 euros for adults, with extra fees for the underground areas, the upper levels and guided tours. Free entry is available on the first Sunday of each month, although the crowds on those days are extreme. Always book at least a week in advance to avoid sold-out dates.
Palatine Hill
The Palatine Hill (Palatino) is one of the seven legendary hills of Rome and one of the most insightful sightseeing experiences in the city. This is the place where, according to legend, Romulus founded Rome in 753 BC, and the hill became the wealthiest residential district of the ancient city. It is filled with the remains of Roman mansions, imperial palaces and the famous palace of Emperor Domitian, which gave its name to the modern English word “palace”.
The Palatine offers some of the most peaceful sightseeing in Rome, since most tourists rush past it on their way to the Colosseum. Set aside at least two hours to explore the area, with its ruined imperial residences, the Stadium of Domitian, the Farnese Gardens and the panoramic views down over the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus. The Palatine is included in the standard Colosseum ticket, which makes it logical to visit both on the same day.
The Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
The Roman Forum is the excavated area that was once the political, commercial and religious heart of ancient Rome. For more than a thousand years, this was where senators debated, emperors held triumphs, merchants traded goods and the people of Rome gathered for public meetings. Today, visitors can walk along the ancient Via Sacra, see the remains of temples dedicated to Saturn, Vesta and Antoninus and Faustina, and visit the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Arch of Titus and the Curia where the Roman Senate met.
The forum is included in the Colosseum and Palatine Hill ticket and is open daily from around 9:00 to one hour before sunset. Audio guides and guided sightseeing tours in English are available at the entrance and bring the ancient ruins to life with stories of the emperors, conspiracies, battles and triumphs that played out on this very ground. Allow at least two to three hours to do justice to the site.
Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio)
Capitoline Hill is the ancient Roman predecessor of every modern “Capitol” in the world, including the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. This was the religious and symbolic centre of ancient Rome, the headquarters of the city’s government and the seat of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, the most important temple in the entire empire. Today, the Capitoline Hill remains the seat of the Rome city council, with the famous central square Piazza del Campidoglio redesigned by Michelangelo in the 16th century.
One of the highlights of a visit to Capitoline Hill is the famous bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius in the centre of the square. The statue you see outside is a perfect replica; the original is preserved indoors at the Capitoline Museums to protect it from the weather. The hill is also home to the Capitoline Museums (Musei Capitolini), which were founded in 1471 and rank as the oldest public museum in the world. The collection includes the Capitoline Wolf (the bronze sculpture of the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus), the colossal head of Constantine, the Dying Gaul and dozens of other masterpieces of ancient and Renaissance art.
The medieval Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli stands on the same hill, accessed by a long steep staircase from the street below. The interior holds magnificent frescoes by Pinturicchio, a beautiful coffered ceiling and a much-loved statue of the infant Jesus (the Santo Bambino) said to perform miracles.
Piazza Venezia and the Altar of the Fatherland
Piazza Venezia sits at the heart of modern Rome and offers one of the best central viewpoints in the city. The square is dominated by the enormous white marble Vittoriano, also known as the Altare della Patria (“Altar of the Fatherland”), built between 1885 and 1935 as a national monument to King Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy. The monument also houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with an eternal flame guarded around the clock, and the small but interesting Museum of the Risorgimento that tells the story of Italian unification.
Do not miss the panoramic glass elevator that climbs to the top of the Vittoriano (separate ticket required), which offers one of the best 360-degree views of the historic centre of Rome. Just off the square stands the historic Basilica of San Marco, founded in the 4th century and rebuilt in the 9th and 15th centuries.
Vatican City
No visit to Rome is complete without a day at Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world and the spiritual centre of the Roman Catholic Church. The two unmissable highlights:
St. Peter’s Basilica
The largest church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica stands above the tomb of the apostle Peter and is the masterpiece of Renaissance and Baroque architecture by Bramante, Michelangelo, Maderno and Bernini. Inside you can admire Michelangelo’s famous Pieta sculpture, climb the 551 steps to the top of the dome for spectacular views over Vatican City and Rome, and walk through the lavishly decorated nave under the soaring 136-metre dome. Entry to the basilica is free, although the queue at the security check can stretch for hours during the peak season.
Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums hold one of the greatest art collections in the world, built up by the popes over the past five centuries. Highlights include the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, the ancient Egyptian and Etruscan collections and, finally, the legendary Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo painted the famous ceiling frescoes between 1508 and 1512 and the Last Judgement on the altar wall between 1536 and 1541. Tickets must be booked online weeks in advance, and early-morning or late-afternoon timeslots offer the best chance of avoiding the worst crowds. The standard ticket costs around 20 to 25 euros for adults.
Other Essential Sights in Rome
The Pantheon
The Pantheon, built around 126 AD under the emperor Hadrian, is the best-preserved building from ancient Rome and one of the most influential structures in the history of architecture. The famous concrete dome, with its central oculus open to the sky, was the largest in the world for more than 1,300 years and remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built. The interior holds the tombs of the artist Raphael and several Italian kings. Entry is now ticketed for foreign visitors, with a small fee of around 5 euros.
Trevi Fountain
The famous Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), completed in 1762, is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome and one of the most photographed sights in the world. The famous tradition is to throw a coin over your left shoulder into the water, which according to legend ensures that you will return to Rome one day. The fountain throws about 3,000 euros into the basin every day, and the money is collected and donated to charity.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinita dei Monti), completed in 1725, link the Piazza di Spagna at the bottom with the church of Trinita dei Monti at the top. The 135 steps are one of the most famous gathering places in Rome and offer beautiful views over the surrounding rooftops, especially in spring when the steps are decorated with pink azaleas.
Piazza Navona
The elegant Baroque square of Piazza Navona sits on the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian and follows its long oval shape. The square holds three magnificent fountains, including Bernini’s masterpiece, the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi), which represents the great rivers of the four known continents (the Nile, the Ganges, the Danube and the Rio de la Plata).
Castel Sant’Angelo
The cylindrical fortress of Castel Sant’Angelo, on the western bank of the Tiber, was originally built in 139 AD as the mausoleum of the emperor Hadrian and later converted into a papal fortress and prison. The castle is connected to the Vatican by a secret elevated passage called the Passetto di Borgo, used by popes to escape during attacks on Rome. The terrace at the top offers one of the best views of St. Peter’s Basilica and the historic centre.
Borghese Gallery
The Galleria Borghese in the famous Villa Borghese park holds one of the finest small art collections in Italy, with masterpieces by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian and Canova. Tickets must be booked in advance for a strict two-hour timeslot, since visitor numbers are limited.
Trastevere
The atmospheric Trastevere neighbourhood on the western bank of the Tiber holds narrow cobbled streets, ivy-covered buildings, the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, lively trattorias and some of the best food in Rome. It is the perfect district for an evening stroll and a long dinner.
The Catacombs and the Appian Way
The ancient Catacombs of Rome, including the famous Catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano, hold kilometres of underground burial passages used by early Christians. The catacombs sit just outside the historic centre along the ancient Appian Way (Via Appia Antica), the oldest of the famous Roman roads.
Roman Food and Drink
Rome is one of the great food cities of Italy and the world. The local cuisine is built on simple, hearty ingredients and a few iconic dishes:
- Cacio e pepe. Spaghetti or tonnarelli with pecorino romano cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Three ingredients, perfect technique.
- Carbonara. The famous Roman pasta with guanciale (cured pork cheek), egg yolks, pecorino and black pepper. No cream, ever.
- Amatriciana. Pasta with guanciale, tomato sauce, pecorino and chilli flakes.
- Saltimbocca alla romana. Veal escalopes topped with prosciutto and sage, sauteed in white wine and butter.
- Carciofi alla giudia. Deep-fried artichokes from the Roman Jewish Ghetto, crispy and unforgettable.
- Supplì. Fried rice balls stuffed with mozzarella, the perfect street snack.
- Pizza al taglio. Roman-style pizza by the slice, sold by weight at countless small bakeries.
- Maritozzo. A sweet brioche bun filled with whipped cream, the classic Roman breakfast.
- Gelato. Try the artisanal gelaterias such as Giolitti, Fatamorgana, Gelateria del Teatro and Otaleg for the best flavours in the city.
Drink Italian espresso standing at the bar of any local cafe (much cheaper than sitting at a table) and pair dinner with a glass of Frascati or Cesanese, the local wines of the Lazio region.
How to Get to Rome
Rome is served by two main airports. Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO), the larger international airport, sits about 30 km southwest of the city and connects to the central station Roma Termini in 32 minutes by the dedicated Leonardo Express train. Ciampino Airport (CIA), smaller and used mainly by low-cost airlines, sits about 15 km southeast of the city and connects to the centre by shuttle bus or the SIT train and metro combination.
Rome is also a major hub on the Italian high-speed rail network. The journey from Florence takes about 90 minutes, from Naples just over an hour, from Milan about three hours and from Venice about three and a half hours. The main station is Roma Termini, located in the heart of the city.
Getting Around the City
Rome has a metro network with three lines (A, B and C), an extensive bus and tram system and several suburban rail lines, all run by ATAC. Tickets are cheap and easy to use, and a 24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour or weekly Roma Pass offers unlimited transport plus free entry to a couple of major museums. The historic centre is best explored on foot, since many of the most famous sights are within walking distance of each other and the small streets are not always reachable by public transport.
Avoid renting a car in Rome unless absolutely necessary. Traffic, parking and the maze of one-way streets and ZTL (limited traffic zones) make driving stressful and expensive.
Best Time to Visit Rome
- April, May, September and October. The ideal months for visiting Rome, with mild weather, blue skies and slightly fewer crowds than the peak summer.
- June, July and August. Hot, sunny and very crowded. Daytime highs often exceed 35 degrees Celsius, and many Romans leave the city in August. Some restaurants and small shops close for the summer holidays.
- November to March. The quietest months, with cool weather and shorter days but the lowest prices and the smallest queues at major attractions. Christmas in Rome is particularly atmospheric.
Practical Tips
- Book everything in advance. The Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Borghese Gallery all require timed entry tickets, and the best slots sell out weeks ahead.
- Dress modestly for churches. Cover shoulders and knees when entering St. Peter’s Basilica, the major churches and the Vatican Museums. Bring a light scarf as backup.
- Watch out for pickpockets. Crowded buses (especially the famous 64 from Termini to the Vatican), the metro and the area around the main railway station are pickpocket hotspots. Keep valuables in a front pocket or money belt.
- Drink free water from the nasoni. Rome has more than 2,500 free drinking water fountains called nasoni (“big noses”) scattered around the city. The water is clean and safe.
- Stand at the bar for coffee. Coffee at a table can cost three times as much as the same coffee drunk standing at the bar.
- Tipping. Service is included in the bill at most restaurants. Rounding up or leaving 5 to 10 percent for excellent service is appreciated but not required.
- Roma Pass. The 48-hour or 72-hour Roma Pass includes free entry to two major attractions, discounts at others and unlimited public transport.
- Skip-the-line tours. Guided tours of the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Borghese Gallery let you skip the worst queues and bring the history alive with a knowledgeable guide.
Final Thoughts
Rome is a city that rewards patience, curiosity and comfortable walking shoes. Spend a morning wandering the ruins of the Forum and the Palatine, an afternoon among the Renaissance treasures of the Vatican, an evening watching the sun set behind the columns of the Pantheon and a long dinner of carbonara and Frascati in a Trastevere trattoria, and you start to understand why poets and travellers have called this the Eternal City for two thousand years. No single trip can ever cover everything Rome holds, which is exactly why so many visitors throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and start planning their return before they have even left.
Rome’s position within Italian geography sets context for understanding the city; our geography of Italy guide covers the national layout from Alps to Sicily.
