Rome is the capital city of Italy. It is also the capital of the Lazio region, the center of the Metropolitan City of Rome, and a special comune named Comune di Roma Capitale.
In a city so filled with icons of antiquity and the Christian faith, it's hard to know where to go first. Of course, your own interests will govern your choices, but there are certain sites that are almost obligatory landmarks of Italy and top attractions in the world, such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon.
Here are the Top 15 Places to Visit in Rome, which are worth visiting on a Rome trip:
1. Vatican City
Known officially as the State of the Vatican City, the Vatican happens to be the capital of the Roman Catholic Church. Making for the smallest independent country in the world, Vatican City is known popularly for its architectural marvels. Packed with historical and religious buildings, this small nation has a charm of its own. Vatican City was founded in 326 A.D. Inside are the Vatican palace and gardens, St. Peter's Basilica, and St. Peter's Square, an area ruled by the Pope, the supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church. This compact space offers a lot of things to see, between its museums and the great basilica itself.
2. The Pantheon
The Pantheon - the best-preserved monument of Roman antiquity - is remarkably intact for its 2000 years. This is despite the fact that Pope Gregory III removed the gilded bronze roof tiles, and Pope Urban VIII ordered its bronze roof stripped and melted down to cast the canopy over the altar in St. Peter's and cannons for Castel Sant'Angelo.
3. The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine
As the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, the silhouette of the Flavian Amphitheatre is to Rome. The largest structure left to us by Roman antiquity, the Colosseum still provides the model for sports arenas - present-day football stadium design is clearly based on this oval Roman plan. Beside the Colosseum stands the almost equally familiar Arch of Constantine, a triumphal arch erected by the Senate to honor the emperor as "liberator of the city and bringer of peace" after his victory in the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312.
4. Roman Forum
Roman Forum is an archaeological site in Rome with staggering ruins of ancient monuments, temples, government buildings, and public spaces. It was once the center for all religious, political, public, and commercial activities of the Roman Empire and has now turned into a major tourist attraction in present-day Rome. The Roman Forum, also known as Forum Romanum in Latin is located in the heart of the ancient city. It is the most influential representation of the iconic Roman architecture where you can witness the remnants of the powerful Roman Empire and experience its splendor.
5. St. Peter's Basilica
Considered to be the center of Christendom, St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the major pilgrimage sites of Vatican City. Home to many Renaissance and Baroque art, this iconic basilica is a major attraction for history lovers as it takes them in for a ride through the impressive Roman history. You can have a look at various monuments and sculptures created by many talented legendary artists. The most famous among them are the baldachin, Michelangelo’s Pietà by Bernini, a statue of St. Longinus, the tomb of Urban VIII, and the bronze cathedral of St. Peter.
6. Trevi Fountain
Fontana di Trevi, better known as the Trevi Fountain holds the first position in the list of Rome’s most celebrated monuments. Making for a classic symbol of this spectacular city, this fountain happens to be a major free attraction, propelling approximately 1,200 visitors every hour. Situated in the historic center of Rome, this sculptural monument is perched on a square close to the meeting point of Via di S. Vincenzo, Via del Lavatore, and Via Della Stamperia. Built-in the year 1762 and renovated in the year 2015 by Fendi, the iconic Trevi Fountain is famous all over the world as a conceptualized structure that shares a story with its spectators.
7. Centro Storico
In the heart of the city where all the main attractions are located, stands a crossroad - Centro Storico, having a number of monuments telling their own stories. From popular Italian high street brands like Fendi, Gucci, and Versace, to on-the-spot brewed beers, this place offers an endless amount of things to see and activities to do. Centro Storico is also home to some famous art galleries like Spazio Rossana Orlandi and Galleria Deodato Arte.
All the main attractions of the city are located around this place, including the world-famous Hadrian’s Temple which was turned into a church. Centro Storico is also famous for its street food which can be enjoyed with a view of marvelous ancient architecture.
8. Appian Way
Made as a route for military supplies, the Appian way is a 370 KM long highway that connects Rome to Brindisi. Known as "the queen of long-distance roads", this highway offers varied, picturesque surroundings including many parks and historical sites. On its way towards the Appian mountain, this path goes through Christian catacombs, ruined roman monuments, and an ancient church. Being used by heavy vehicles and military stuff, this pathway is still intact today. Appian Way was Europe’s first superhighway, but now it has been turned into a tourist place in Rome.
9. Vittorio Emanuele II Monument
Built between 1885 and 1935, it is a monument to King Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of unified Italy, represented here in an equestrian statue. It's ironic that this grandiose monument, considered one of the national symbols of Italy, is rarely admired by Romans, who liken it to a wedding cake or a giant typewriter. Like it or not, the vast neo-classical structure crowns Capitoline Hill, the symbolic center of ancient Rome, overlooking the later city across Piazza Venezia.
10. Santa Maria Maggiore
One of Rome's most majestic churches, Santa Maria Maggiore has stood here since the fourth-century Pope Liberius had a vision of the Virgin directing him to build a church where snow fell the following day. Although it was August, the snow did fall on the Esquiline hill the next morning, so here the great basilica was built. The mass has been celebrated here every day since the fifth century. The three aisles of its 86-meter-long interior are separated by 40 columns of marble and four of granite, and the apse added in the 13th century is lined with mosaics of Old and New Testament themes, masterpieces of Rome's famous mosaic artists.
11. Castel Sant'Angelo National Museum
Begun in AD 135 as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family, Castel Sant'Angelo is a massive drum-shaped structure overlooking the Tiber near the Vatican. Over the millennia of its existence, Castel Sant'Angelo has been used as a papal residence and a fortress, and more recently as a National Museum. In AD 271, Emperor Aurelian took advantage of its position guarding the northern approaches to the city and incorporated it into his new system of walls surrounding the city.
12. Church of San Clemente
One of Rome's oldest churches and with the city's most beautifully decorated apse, covered in mosaics of Old and New Testament scenes, San Clemente has a further fascination: the multiple layers of its history as each era built upon the last. You can descend from the 12th-century church into a previous church, a 4th-century basilica with Romanesque frescoes of New Testament scenes.
13. Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is one of the largest and most beautiful piazza squares in Rome. This square is decorated with three lavish fountains, la Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi, Fontana del Moro, and Fontana di Nettuno; churches, palaces of Roman architecture, and artworks, which make it one of the most attractive places for tourists. The street artists, painters, and musicians of the area add a lively atmosphere to the square that makes the place more attractive to visitors.
A huge number of visitors also come to experience a pleasant hang out in a decorated piazza with tasty drinks or meals from the many restaurants that line the piazza and also enjoy the shopping in the nearby city market.
14. Trastevere
Trastevere is popular for its beautiful buildings and compact lanes. It is one of those riones of Rome which has attracted more international tourists than national tourists. The colorful walls of the various buildings of the rione house some of the oldest shops and cafes in the city. Trastevere is very popular as it is located very close to the places of Vatican City and the Colosseum. Locals and citizens from all around the country visit the rione and often hop in the vintage shops and restaurants. For tourists who are looking for the perfect place to stay in Rome, the hotels in Trastevere are the best. Not only the location is perfect but also the facilities and prices are the best for tourists.
15. Via Dei Condotti
For the best experience of shopping in Rome, Italy, head out to the popular Via Dei Condotti. This street is well-known for the best designer outlet shopping in Rome and features top-notch brands like Gucci, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and more, that would not only treat the shopaholic within you but also leave you in awe.
While many stores in Rome are closed on Monday mornings, especially the smaller ones, some of the stores remain closed for a few hours in the afternoon as well. So, make sure you check with the locals and pick the right time for shopping.
Apart from clothes and accessories, if you want to buy other things like gourmet, coffee and more then Rome has a very famous and ancient shop called Castroni. You will find a huge crowd here buying Italian, American, and British cookies that you might not find anywhere else. It is definitely a treat for those who love something different.
Besides these, there is much more to explore in Rome!!!
