Visiting Rome for the First Time? Here's What To See and Do

Rome is home to two of the most famous and visited monuments in the world: the Colosseum and Vatican Museums. When visiting Rome for the first time, start your itinerary with must-see experience such as a visit to the Vatican or a Colosseum tour. Pro-tip: book these tours in advance to avoid wasting hours waiting in long lines to enter.

If you're especially short on time, opt for an express tour of the Colosseum or skip-the-line ticket for the Vatican. If you have more time to spare, opt for an extended tour that includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Or book a deep dive into the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica and Square.

The heart of Rome is its attraction-dense historic center, where you’ll find A-list sights from the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon to Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori. Toss out the map and guidebook and stroll through the centro storico with a Rome sightseeing guide who can bring these emblematic monuments and squares to life.

Cover more ground in less time by hopping on board a Vespa tour, a vintage Fiat 500 tour, an Ape Calessino (tuk-tuk) tour, an e-bike tour, or even a Segway tour to zip from square to square around this sprawling district. Otherwise, combine walking with wheels on a classic hop-on, hop-off bus tour.

The crowds in Rome can be relentless, especially if you focus on visiting only the top-tier sights where most tourists cluster. But this cultural capital has plenty of world-class art far from the fray if you know where to look. Spend a few hours marveling at masterpieces in the sumptuous halls of Galleria Doria Pamphilij, at the National Gallery of Ancient Art (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica) in Palazzo Barberini; and in Galleria Spada housed in Palazzo Spada.

Insider tip: Contemporary art fans can get their fill at MAXXI (National Museum of 21st-Century Art).

Piazza di Spagna beckons with two show-stopping attractions that, together, embody the culture and high life that have earned Rome the name The Great Beauty. The first is the monumental marble staircase known as the Spanish Steps, one of the most photographed landmarks in the city (keep in mind that you can walk and pose on the steps but can’t sit or picnic on them).

The second is the many luxury fashion boutiques that line the square and nearby Via Condotti, sporting iconic names in Italian haute couture like Armani, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, and Prada. Feeling overwhelmed? Book a shopping tour to help you get the full shopping experience.

Rome offers more than just world-famous landmarks and museums. This historic city is a patchwork of unique neighborhoods, each with its own distinct character, dining options, shopping scenes, and cityscape.

To make the most of your time, take a guided walking tour to discover the charms of bohemian Trastevere’s cobbled lanes and squares, browse the vintage shops and independent boutiques in the chic Monti area, or learn about the history that stretches from ancient Rome to WWII in the former Jewish Ghetto. Many of Rome's most visit-worthy neighborhoods are ideal for a guided food tour featuring local markets, landmark delis, bakeries, and restaurants.

Related: 8 Must-See Rome Neighborhoods and How To Visit

Rome has a proud culinary tradition, and its outdoor food markets are the centers of community life. Rub elbows with the locals and see what’s in season with a morning walk through the market stalls on this Roman food tour that stops at the Trionfale Food Market that is bursting with fresh produce, artisan cheeses, cold cuts, and other specialties. Other popular markets worth checking out are the Campo de’ Fiori, the mercati in Trastevere, as well as the one in Testaccio.

Foodies can book a Rome cooking class experience, many of which start with a guided market visit to shop for fresh ingredients, and finish with a hands-on lesson and home-cooked meal alongside a local chef.

Rome is often described as a lasagna, a rich layering of historical eras that still exist beneath the city streets—if you know where to look. Ancient history buffs can explore buried Roman ruins like the Domus Aurea (Nero’s “Golden Palace”), Domus Romana at Palazzo Valentini, or the Stadium of Domitian beneath today’s Piazza Navona.

Other spectacular underground sites include the underground churches beneath the Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano and Rome’s many crypts and catacombs.

Most visitors to Rome head to the main sights during the midday hours, but Romans know that their city is at its finest in the soft light of early morning or at golden hour (and beyond). If you choose an early entry or after-hours tour, not only can you extend your sightseeing day to the max (plus enjoy the added benefits of fewer crowds and cooler temperatures), but you’ll also be able to admire the city when it's most photogenic.

Experience the peaceful early morning atmosphere of the Vatican with breakfast in the Vatican Courtyard, the la dolce vita vibe of Rome in the evening, and, of course, the timeless romance of the Colosseum at night, most likely lit by the moon.

With its magnificent domes and cupolas, Rome has one of the most enchanting cityscapes in the world. Pause at its scenic viewpoints to take it all in (and snap a few keepsake photos) at sunset, when the Eternal City is bathed in golden hour. The best views can be had from the dome summit atop St. Peter’s Basilica or the rooftop terrace at Vittorio Emmanuele II Monument (Vittoriano), as well as from public overlooks like the Pincio Gardens in Villa Borghese or Janiculum Hill (Gianicolo), high above the rooftops.

Rome’s delights aren’t confined to its urban center. Just outside the city walls, you can explore the ancient Appian Way via a bike tour in the Parco dell’Appia Antica, head to the Frascati wine country on a wine tasting tour or book a private day trip tour to Castelli Romani for a countryside escape, check out where popes have summered for centuries at Castel Gandolfo, or visit the gardens at Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este in Tivoli.

Transportation doesn’t have to be complicated when heading out on a day trip from Rome. Hop on a train and meet your guide directly at your destination for a tour, or opt for a day trip that includes transportation from central Rome.