Rome: What to Do and See
Rome, Italy (Roma)
In my humble opinion, Rome is a top-tier destination; its offerings are exceptional. Please note, I include Vatican City when I speak about Rome as it is completely surrounded by the city of Rome. If you only visit one city in Italy, this is it; look no further than Rome. The city is absolutely worth visiting, offering an unparalleled blend of ancient history, art, culture, and exceptional food. That being said, Rome comes with some challenges and may leave you with some temporary mixed feelings. First of all, Rome is expensive, and all of the touristy places are overpriced. In many of these places, you will be herded around like sheep, but in exchange for that, you will find some of the world’s greatest treasures and 2,000 years of culture and history you can actually walk through. When you are in the moment, and very likely the heat, standing in the long lines, you are going to hate it, especially when you are charged up to €5 for a bottle of water and €8 for a bottle of coke. But when you step into the Basilica, gaze upon amazing art, look over the floor of the Colosseum, and bite into a still-warm fresh cornet with cream, you will love it. Your temporary dislike will disappear and when you get back home, you will remember Rome lovingly and realize it was all worth it.
My advice to you is to manage your expectations. Be prepared for the large crowds, long wait times, and the high prices. Also, be prepared for the street vendors, peddlers, and other shady people walking the streets. They are everywhere and are almost never Italian themselves. I always encourage travelers to keep their head on a swivel and their hand on their wallet; pickpockets are a real concern. Sometimes the best way to avoid being scammed is to be rude. Sorry, I said it, but it’s true. If a stranger in front of a monument asks you a question, ignore them. If a stranger tries to hand you something, do not take it. If a stranger claims to work for the site and offers you a skip-the-line opportunity, walk away; it’s a scam. Do your homework and stick with the company that you booked with. As with other large cities, be prepared for the litter, the graffiti, and the smell of piss. Remember; to experience the beautiful, you have to get through some ugly, and the places in between are worth enduring to experience all of Rome’s gems. That being said, if you are going to go to Rome, do it right; see everything. 3-5 full days should be enough time, and although I hate to say it, it’s true: I’ve been once, it was awesome, but I have no need to go back again. So, make the most of it while you are there.
As with any trip, do your homework. Save time and money by purchasing tickets well in advance. If you plan on going during the summer months, you need to book tickets in the spring. I’m not joking. For example, 14.7 million people visited the Colosseum in 2024. Tickets will sell out. I use TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, and Viator. You can find ‘book now, pay later’ options and find tours that allow free cancellations up to 48 hours in advance if you are worried about committing that far in advance to a specific tour.
Also, focus on controlling what you can control. Count on wait times even for ‘skip-the-line’ tickets. In a backpack, bring refillable water bottles, sunscreen, small snacks, small personal fans (the tiny handheld battery-operated kind), and wear comfortable shoes (not flip-flops). And while you’re at it, I recommend throwing in a pack of wet wipes/tissues and a handful of Euro coins for the public restrooms. Do what you can to ease “the pain” and bring plenty of patience. My husband and I visited Rome in April, and it was ‘unseasonably warm.’ Honestly, it was scorching hot with zero breeze. Luckily, my husband had thought to bring electrolyte tablets to drop into our water bottles. The electrolyte tablets were a lifesaver. I recommend packing some with you, especially if you go in the summer months.
What to see in Rome
The Colosseum: A quick Google search will tell you the most visited landmark in Rome is the Colosseum. This is absolutely a must-see. Do not book a self-guided tour; you will miss out on so much cool information. Get a guided tour. Every Colosseum ticket includes entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, but different tickets can include access to the arena floor and walls. These are popular and will sell out, so book early. I recommend booking the first tour of the day to avoid the heat and crowds. Make sure to check out the spectacular panoramic views from Palatine Hill. Regrettably, I skipped this viewpoint due to the heat, and my sister likes to tell me how it was her favorite and that I really missed out. Pro tip: if you go early, on the northeast corner of the Colosseum, just off the Metro station is Caffè Roma. Pop in for a cappuccino and enjoy the view from this picture-perfect vantage point.
St. Peter’s Basilica: This was our absolute favorite, most amazing, jaw-dropping tour in all of Rome. Do not skip St. Peter’s Basilica and do not cut it short. Devote a half-day to all it has to offer: the Basilica, including a trip to the top of the Dome with its views of St. Paul’s Square, the Vaticombs where St. Paul’s tomb lies, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican museums, and Michelangelo’s Pietà. See it all; it is well worth the time. You will find yourself saying “wow” over and over again. I highly recommend you book a tour as early in the day as possible to avoid the large crowds, like literally the first one of the day. It’s important to know that you must dress respectfully in order to enter. No hats, no bare shoulders, and no short shorts, and this includes men. You will be required to wear a paper drape/shawl if your attire isn’t adequate. Some people make the mistake of only going to the Sistine Chapel, and that’s too bad. You will be herded through the Sistine Chapel like sheep; you are not allowed to take any photos inside, and there will be staff there watching you like a hawk to make sure you don’t. You will be pushed through at a pretty quick pace, and I left feeling cheated. The ceiling itself, although beautiful, is much smaller than I expected. I felt like the Sistine Chapel itself was s bit of a disappointment but everything else exceeded my expectations, so see it all.
Castel Sant’ Angelo and Ponte Sant’ Angelo: You can get an entry ticket and digital audio guide to the castle for as low as $19, but I recommend getting a guided tour. Again, book tickets far in advance. Although the castle itself with its history, prison cells, and former papal apartments is interesting enough, the real value here, in my opinion, is the stunning 360-degree views of the city and St. Peter’s Basilica from its top terrace. Make sure to peep the Passetto di Borgo from up here. This is the private passageway on top of the wall connecting the fortress to the Vatican. The castle and bridge are conveniently located near the Vatican, making it easy to visit both in the same day. St. Angelo’s Bridge (Ponte Sant’ Angelo) is a historic, pedestrian-only bridge connecting the castle to the city center. The bridge is lined with ten angel sculptures depicting the Passion of Christ; it is a major landmark and beautiful at night. Access to the bridge is free. Pro tip: Directly off the bridge on the street Via del Banco di Santo Spirito, is Ristorante Giovanni. Grab a street-side table to enjoy a fantastic view of the bridge and castle along with some pretty entertaining people-watching. This is a great place to enjoy a leisurely meal and an Aperol Spritz.
The Pantheon: From the outside, the Pantheon is impressive, iconic, and fantastic to photograph if you can reach over the crowds. The square in front of the Pantheon, Piazza della Rotonda, is one of those places I described earlier; full of vendors, peddlers, and shady people. This is a very crowded, chaotic place with waiting lines spilling from the steps of the Pantheon deep into the square. With entry tickets as low as $6 on some sights, it’s a popular destination. In my opinion, the only thing worth seeing was the Oculus in the roof, basically a big hole and not worth the time it took waiting to get inside. I’d definitely recommend walking by and taking pics from the outside, but if you’re short on time, skip going inside.
Piazza Navona: located near the Pantheon, is this lively public square known for its three elaborate fountains. It’s a lively place again, full of the aforementioned vendors, peddlers, and shady people. Don’t let the restaurants and cafés that line the square tempt you; they are overpriced and underwhelming. Watch your belongings here, be alert, check out the fountains because they are truly works of art, and then move on.
Trevi Fountain: The Trevi Fountain is special because it is Rome’s oldest running water source and its largest Baroque masterpiece. As of 2026, crowd management measures have been introduced. Access to the closest viewing area is regulated during peak times, with controlled entry points and limits on how many visitors can approach the fountain at once. You can still visit the surrounding piazza freely at any time, but you may need to wait to get close during busy periods. If you are one of those people who want to get close enough to put a coin in your right hand and throw it over your left shoulder into the fountain, you will need to plan accordingly. The cost to get close can be as low as €2, but you can also purchase skip-the-line tickets on sites like GetYourGuide if you are on a tight schedule. I recommend buying tickets well in advance online to avoid a long wait.
The Spanish Steps: The iconic Spanish Steps built in 1723, are beautifully lined with potted flowers (blooming in April-May). If you go during the high season, it will be difficult to see the 135 steps to the top as the stairs will be packed full of people. This was a huge disappointment for me. You literally couldn’t see more than two consecutive steps due to the large crowds. Unless you are absolutely set on seeing this landmark, this may be one to skip, especially if you are short on time.
Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano (Archbasilica of St. John Lateran) and the Scala Sancta: OK, wow, truly impressive, especially the holy doors of the church. This church is the oldest of the four major papal basilicas, and it is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. Founded in 324, it is the oldest public church in the city of Rome, and the oldest basilica in the Western world. Across the street from here is the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs), a major Catholic pilgrimage site in Rome consisting of 28 white marble steps traditionally believed to be the exact steps Jesus climbed in the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem to face trial before his crucifixion. The tradition holds that Empress Saint Helena (mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine) had the steps transported from Jerusalem to Rome in the 4th century. The stairs are deeply revered, and tradition dictates they may only be climbed on one’s knees as an act of penance and devotion. Make sure you check the hours of operation, although typically open every day, it is closed from 1-3 p.m. This is a great 2-for-1 destination and, in my opinion, an easy walking distance from the Colosseum.
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria: This church in Rome is most famous for housing Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s masterpiece, The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. The 17th-century Baroque statue is renowned for its drama. It gained pop culture fame as a key setting in Dan Brown’s best-selling novel and film, Angels & Demons.
Victor Emmanuel Monument: One of the most famous and recognizable landmarks in Rome, located a short walk from the Colosseum. While it may not hold the ancient status of the Colosseum, it is globally renowned for its unmissable size: Standing over 230 feet tall and made of gleaming white marble, it completely dominates the skyline of central Rome. Yes, you can go inside this monument; its interior and mid-level terraces are free to enter. However, if you want to take the glass elevator to the very top panoramic terrace or visit the museum inside, you will need a ticket. Free Areas: You can climb the grand exterior stairs, explore the first-floor terrace, visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and access the inner porticoes. Panoramic Terrace: A glass elevator can take you all the way to the top roof terrace for amazing 360-degree views of Rome, including the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Tickets are around €15–€18 for adults.
Good to Know: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome is the city’s largest and primary international airport, serving as a hub for long-haul flights from the US, Canada, and Asia. Located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of the city center, FCO offers convenient transit options to the city center. The fastest route is the Leonardo Express train, which directly connects to Roma Termini station in about 32 minutes for €15 per ticket. However, purchasing a ticket at one of the kiosks can be time-consuming due to long lines, and there may be a waiting period if you miss the train. As a convenient alternative, I recommend asking your hotel if they offer a private transfer. Our transfer cost €60 cash and was incredibly convenient, as the driver was waiting for us at the baggage claim and knew exactly where to go. If you’re jet-lagged, this option is highly recommended. Official flat-rate taxis take around 35-45 minutes and cost €48. Keep in mind that there may be an additional charge for luggage and additional passengers.
Rome Metro: Don’t be intimidated by the metro system in Rome. It’s surprisingly user-friendly. If you need directions, use the Google app and tap the metro symbol. It will provide precise information about the train and direction you need to take. It’s advisable to carry cash for purchasing tickets at the kiosks, as the credit card readers are often out of order.
I’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of the incredible wonders that Rome has to offer. I hope this information helps you plan your trip and make the most of your time there. Be prepared for the heat, crowds, and prices. Don’t let that discourage you; Rome is well worth the effort. Keep exploring!
