Travel guide for planning a vacation or trip to Rome, including top tourist attractions such as art, architecture and fabulous places to eat.
There are many reasons why Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world. Once known as the center of the world when the mighty Roman Empire was at its height, Rome boasts attractions that are thousands of years old. Tourists can see ancient sites such as Caesar's forum and the Coliseum, view amazing works of art and architecture from the Renaissance era, and savor fabulous food, all while enjoying an agreeable climate. Here are ten things you may want to do in Rome.
1 THE COLISEUM
This huge, 4-story amphitheater was completed in 80 A.D. and held over 50,000 people. The Roman emperors used the Coliseum to stage elaborate shows such as gladiator contests, wild animal hunts, and recreations of naval battles to keep the citizens entertained. There were 80 arches on each of the first three levels; part of the structure is missing now. Underneath the Coliseum, remains of the cages and holding pens for wild animals can still be seen. There are guided and audio tours that tell visitors many interesting stories about the heyday of the Coliseum.
2 TREVI FOUNTAIN
According to legend, tossing a coin over your left shoulder while you have your back to the fountain or drinking some water there is supposed to guarantee that you will visit Rome again. Featured in many movies, the Trevi Fountain is truly beautiful and has a large, elaborate statue of Neptune and his court; it is usually very crowded with tourists throwing coins and is difficult to photograph since it's surrounded by buildings. There's a great gelato shop beside the fountain, so get one of the unusual flavors while you're there.
3 THE PANTHEON
The Pantheon is a perfect building, and was the inspiration for Michelangelo's dome on St. Peter's and Brunelleschi's dome for the Duomo in Florence. Two thousands years old, the Pantheon was first constructed as a temple to the Roman gods, and later was used as a Christian church. Inside animals were once sacrificed to the gods, and there's an oculus, a hole in the top where the smoke would go out and prayers could float up to heaven; now the light steams in through the oculus and is a beautiful sight. Raphael and Victor Emmaneulle II are among the celebrities whose tombs are in the Pantheon, and there is a square that surrounds the building containing cafes, shops, and an elaborate fountain.
4 THE SPANISH STEPS
These steps are always crowded with tourists but are lovely; potted azaleas line the steps in the spring, and this is a great place for taking photos of groups or meeting someone, since everyone in Rome knows where the Spanish Steps are. There's a unique fountain designed by the Berninis at the bottom of the steps; it's known as "The Boat Fountain" and you can fill up your water bottle there or splash some water on your face to cool off. Many well-known artists, composers, and authors came to the Spanish Steps for inspiration, and Keats died there in a nearby house.
5 ST. PETER'S AND VATICAN CITY
While technically a separate country, Vatican City is encircled by Rome and is one of its main attractions. The magnificent St. Peter's Basilica is the world's largest church and is splendid both inside and out. It contains works by Michelangelo, Bernini and others, and the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel are nearby. The Sistine Chapel is amazing, and the Vatican Museum contains an astounding amount of important artwork; it's impossible to fully take in all that you will see in Vatican City in one visit.
6 THE ROMAN FORUM
The forum was the center of power during the time of the Roman Republic, and the parts of it that are still standing enable a visitor to imagine what it must have been like to mingle with other citizens there during that time. There are ruins of some of the temples, the house of the Vestal Virgins, basilicas, the Arch of Titus, the grave of Caesar, and more, and after viewing the forum, you will surely want to learn more about ancient Roman history.
7 PIAZZA NAVONA
This square is one of the most beautiful in Rome and contains the "Fountain of the Four Rivers." The fountain has representations of the main rivers from four continents: the Nile from Africa, the Danube from Europe, the Ganges from Asia, and the Rio de la Plata from the Americas, and it is very large and ornate. Designed by Bernini and some of his students, the fountain dominates the plaza, which is oval-shaped because it used to be used for sporting events such as chariot racing. The piazza has many outdoor cafes and shops, and there is a gelateria there that has ice cream to die for. This is a great place to people-watch, and I have never been there without seeing at least one wedding couple taking photographs on the beautiful piazza.
8 PIAZZA VENEZIA
This is a centrally-located square in Rome, and many of the bus lines cross here so there are always lots of people around. Two buildings of note in the piazza are the monument to King Vittorio Emmanuelle II, Italy's king, and the Palazzo Venezia, where Mussolini lived while he was in power. The monument is a huge, very white structure and is called "the typewriter" or "the wedding cake" by Italians, who seem to think it's hideous. You can see the palazzo balcony from which Mussolini made speeches, and there's an Etruscan museum in the building now. For entertainment, sit on a bench and watch the traffic cop; he usually puts on the best show in Rome.
9 VILLA BORGHESE
This is a huge park north of the Spanish Steps. There are beautiful gardens, ponds, fountains, statues, a zoo, and museums in the park, and it's a favorite place for Italians to spend a peaceful afternoon. The Galleria Borghese has an impressive display of paintings by famous artists, but you must reserve tickets beforehand if you want to visit or face a long wait. There's also an excellent modern art museum in the park. You can rent a bicycle or a boat if you want to get some exercise while you're there, and picnics are very nice on a sunny day on the beautiful green lawns of the Villa Borghese.
10 ST. SEBASTIAN CATACOMBS
If you are not claustrophobic, visit the catacombs, which were used as early burial grounds and as hiding places for early Christians who were being persecuted by the Roman government. The path leading down into the galleries is very narrow and dark, although once down the tour is very interesting; you must visit on a tour or else you would become hopelessly lost in the huge underground maze. There is a chapel above the catacombs with a haunting statue of lovely St. Sebastian in his coffin.
