Rome attractions

There’d be no Rome without the Tiber River (Fiume Tevere). The Eternal City was founded on its banks several millennia ago, and the river remains just as indispensable to the Italian capital today. People come here to jog, ride bikes, or walk between neighborhoods. Forget the straight and orderly rivers of Paris and London; unlike the Seine or the Thames, the Tiber is meandering and unruly. It’s the perfect symbol for Rome itself, and shouldn’t be missed on a trip to the city.

Among the many masterpieces inside St. Peter’s Basilica, Michelangelo’s majestic and moving La Pietà is perhaps the crown jewel. The Renaissance artist carved the statue from a single block of Carrara marble in the late 1490s, and it is the only work he signed. This life-size depiction of the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Christ blends classical ideals of beauty with startling naturalism and is one of the world’s most important works of art.

The Temple of Hadrian makes up one of the Eternal City’s most unique monuments. Visitors can still see 11 hulking columns dating back to the 2nd century AD, all that remains of the temple built to honor the Emperor Hadrian, who was revered in ancient times as a deity. The row of columns protrudes from a neoclassical building built in 1831, a dramatic focal point of Rome’s pleasant Piazza di Pietra.

Ancient Rome’s only stadium built in masonry, the 1st-century Stadium of Domitian could hold around 30,000 spectators for sporting events. This unique venue was paved over in the 15th century to build Piazza Navona, but its ruins—a UNESCO World Heritage Site set mostly beneath the bustling square—give a sense of its scope and importance. Considered among the most fascinating archaeological sites in the city, the stadium is a must-see for ancient history enthusiasts.

A highlight of Rome’s historic Jewish Ghetto, the 16th-century sculptural Turtle Fountain in Piazza Mattei is known for the whimsical bronze turtles around its upper basin, which were added a century later and are often attributed to Bernini. A stop to admire this delightful landmark created by Giacomo della Porta and Taddeo Landini is a must when visiting the Ghetto.

The Seven Hills of Rome (Sette Colli di Roma) are an integral part of the city’s historic and cultural identity, from the site of its foundation to the residence of its head of state. You can find ancient traces of the capital’s past across the hills, not to mention some of its most famous landmarks, particularly around the central Capitoline Hill and Palatine Hill (Palatino).

Once the site of the famed Baths of Diocletian, this bustling piazza marks the top of Rome’s Viminal Hill. Visitors can stroll to its center to see the burbling Fountain of the Naiads, or visit the adjacent, 16th-century Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and Martyrs (Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri). It’s also a pleasant stopover for travelers en route to nearby Roma Termini, the city’s biggest train station.

The impressive 16th-century Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and Martyrs (Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri) is set in the ruins of the Roman Baths of Diocletian, and its remarkable interior—designed by Michelangelo—is testament to the massive size of ancient Roman buildings. Located in the heart of Rome, the church features a meridian line, which was built in the early 1700s to predict the exact date of Easter each year.

Rome’s only medieval Gothic church, the Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva was built near the Pantheon on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva. Instantly recognizable for the elephant obelisk out front, the headliners here are Michelangelo’s marble sculpture of Christ the Redeemer and the magnificently frescoed interiors, including those inside a 15th-century chapel painted by Filippino Lippi.

With two twin bell towers standing proud at the top of the Spanish Steps, the church and convent of Trinità dei Monti form part of one of the most famous views in all of Rome. Although Italian in style, it is one of Rome’s few French-speaking Catholic churches. It’s also the perfect vantage point over the city’s bustling streets and centuries-old domes.

With a reputation for elegance and a starring role in Federico Fellini’s 1960 film La Dolce Vita, Via Veneto was the mid-century stomping ground of international celebrities and paparazzi. Today, the stylish thoroughfare remains one of central Rome’s most glamorous addresses, lined with luxury hotels, chic bars, streetside cafés, and high-end boutiques. This small corner of Rome appeals primarily to those interested in the finer things or 20th-century architecture.

Leading directly into Piazza di Spagna opposite the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti is considered the most fashionable street in Rome, lined with big-name boutiques: think Gucci, Valentino, Armani, Prada, Ferragamo, and Dolce & Gabbana. It’s also home to the historic Caffè Greco, Rome’s landmark coffeehouse. A must for fashion aficionados, this elegant thoroughfare is a great spot to experience Rome’s la dolce vita.

Castel Gandolfo is one of the prettiest of the Castelli Romani, a group of 17 medieval walled villages just outside Rome. The town is best known for its Apostolic Palace—a historic summer residence for popes, now a museum with scenic gardens and ruins from Emperor Domitian’s villa. With sweeping views over Lazio’s rolling hills and Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo offers a nearby respite from Italy’s bustling capital city.

Popes have been interred in St. Peter’s Basilica for centuries. While many papal tombs are inside the basilica, others are located underground in the Vatican Grottoes—most notably, that of St. Peter, the first pope. Take the stairs down from the transept to view the final resting places of dozens of popes, several royals, and ornately decorated chapels; art enthusiasts will appreciate a 14th-century fresco of the Madonna by Pietro Cavallini.

The Baths of Diocletian (Terme di Diocleziano) were the largest public baths in Imperial Rome, once covering 32 acres (13 hectares) and hosting up to 3,000 bathers at a time. Though much of the original complex has been destroyed, what remains still offers a sense of the vast structure and insight into the daily lives of the ancient Romans.

Part of the sumptuous 16th-century Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, where descendants of the aristocratic Pamphilj family still live in apartments today, the Doria Pamphilj Gallery is one of Rome’s top destinations for art enthusiasts. The colossal, richly decorated gallery houses an impressive array of paintings, sculptures, and other works by renowned artists spanning from antiquity to the 19th century—think Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian, and Velázquez.

Rome’s Olympic Stadium (Stadio Olimpico) seats more than 70,000 spectators, and when the city’s beloved A.S. Roma and S.S. Lazio football (soccer) teams hold their home matches here, there isn’t an empty seat in the house. But the stadium isn’t just for sports fans—the venue also hosts rock concerts and other sporting events, and it’s located within the monument-filled Foro Italico sports complex that lures history and architecture buffs.

The countryside surrounds the ruins of this monumental Roman complex at mile 5 (kilometer 8) of the ancient Appian Way. The second-century Villa of the Quintilii (Villa dei Quintili) was once the lavish residence of Emperor Commodus, son of Marcus Aurelius. Remains of its two entrances, mosaic and marble floors, private baths, aqueduct, and hippodrome still impress.

Located near Piazza Navona, the 15th-century Basilica di Sant’Agostino is home to the Cavalletti Chapel, where visitors flock to view Caravaggio’s baroque masterpiece, The Madonna of Loreto (The Madonna of the Pilgrims), along with The Prophet Isaiah by Raphael, La Madonna del Parto statue by Sansovino, and the sumptuous high altar by Bernini. This art-filled church is a must-see for those who appreciate Renaissance and baroque painting and sculpture.

Among the most revered Catholic sites in Rome, the Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta) is a solemn destination for believers—from pilgrims to popes—who climb its 28 steps on their knees in devotion. The original marble steps, said to have been climbed by Jesus Christ on his way to trial in Jerusalem, have been covered by a protective wood casing for centuries and lead to the richly decorated Sancta Sanctorum (Chapel of San Lorenzo in Palatio), the private chapel of the early popes.

The Roman emperor Nero was not known for his restraint, and his Golden House (Domus Aurea) reflected a taste for decadence. Built after Rome’s great fire destroyed his original Domus Transitoria in AD 64, this legendary pleasure palace that covered nearly one-third of the ancient city was long lost to history. The rediscovered remains are now open to the public for independent visits, guided tours, and VR experiences.

In a country teeming with millennia-old ruins, the necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia stand out. Both UNESCO World Heritage sites offer rare glimpses into the world of ancient Italy’s pre-Roman civilization, the Etruscans. Much is still unknown about their refined and artistic culture. However, most of what is known comes from excavations at these rock-cut tombs, many of which are still filled with elaborate frescoes, some dating back as far as the seventh century BC.

The 17th-century Barcaccia Fountain is one of the most famous in Rome. This popular gathering spot marks the center of Piazza di Spagna at the base of the city’s Spanish Steps. Commissioned by Pope Urban VIII Barberini and designed by Pietro Bernini, the fountain features two masks that spout potable water on either end of the central marble boat. Other decorations include bee motifs inspired by the Barberini coat of arms.

Sitting atop Janiculum Hill, Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi is one of Rome’s most popular scenic overlooks. This lofty square is named for the bronze equestrian statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi—a general who fought for Italian unification—that sits at its center, and it offers panoramic views stretching across Trastevere to the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. Rome’s Botanical Garden sits just below, and the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola, another beloved viewpoint, is a short stroll away.

Created as a lush getaway for Agostino Chigi, a wealthy 16th-century banker, Villa Farnesina was decorated to the highest specifications by major artists of the Renaissance. Frescoes by the likes of Raphael, Baldassare Peruzzi, and Sebastiano del Piombo cover the walls and ceilings, from the trompe-l’oeil Hall of Perspectives to the mythology-inspired Loggia of Galatea. Once you’ve seen the artwork within, the manicured gardens are a peaceful way to continue your retreat from bustling Rome.

The monumental bronze canopy of St. Peter’s Baldachin, set beneath Michelangelo’s dome, is a centerpiece of St. Peter’s Basilica. Bernini’s stunning masterpiece soars as high as a 9-story building above the basilica’s high altar, protecting the spot where St. Peter is said to be buried. A unique example of the baroque style, this 17th-century baldachin combines sculpture and architecture, marking an important evolution in church design.

A stark modernist structure, the Ara Pacis Museum (Museo dell’ Ara Pacis) houses the Ara Pacis, or Altar of Peace, one of the most significant monuments of ancient Rome. Commissioned by Emperor Augustus to celebrate the consolidation of his power, the Carrara marble monument features a sacrificial altar in a richly decorated enclosure.

The 17th-century Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone (Chiesa di Sant’Agnese in Agone) in Piazza Navona was once the personal chapel of Pope Innocent X, who lived in the Palazzo Pamphili next door. A dazzling example of baroque architecture, the church is known for its frescoed ceilings, sculptures, altars, and marble work. Dedicated to Saint Agnes, who was martyred on this spot, the church displays her skull alongside a marble relief; her body lies within its massive crypt.

The Vatican Gardens are spread across an impressive 57 acres (23 hectares)—more than half the entire area of the city-state—and feature statues, a labyrinth, and buildings dating as far back as the sixth century. These private gardens were long closed to the public, but they can now be visited as part of an official tour covering Bramante’s 16th-century Renaissance design.

Montecitorio Palace (Palazzo Montecitorio) is one of Rome’s most important civil buildings as the seat of the Chamber of Deputies, an Italian house of parliament. Its elegant baroque facade watches over Piazza di Monte Citorio, also home to the Obelisk of Montecitorio, which is covered in genuine ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. While the palace has a splendid 20th-century art nouveau interior, it is rarely open to the general public.