Rome attractions

One of Rome’s seven hills, the Palatine Hill is the oldest part of the Eternal City. The area is home to Iron Age-era ruins, but is most famous as the site of lavish villas, such as the House of Livia, and a set of imperial palaces—Domus Tiberiana, Domus Transitoria, Domus Aurea, and Domus Flavia. Those ruins can be glimpsed today, while artifacts found during excavations on Palatine Hill are displayed in the Palatine Museum.

The city’s small, free Gladiator Museum, tucked below a gift shop on Piazza Navona, illuminates the world of Rome’s ancient gladiators through a showcase of warrior weapons and armor. Information panels guide you through a century-spanning journey that spans from the seventh century BC to the fourth century AD, with plenty of swords, helmets, armor, and other accoutrements along the way.

Villa Medici was the first property in Rome acquired by the Medici family, as they sought to extend their influence in the city during the 16th century. A touch of Tuscany’s Renaissance in the center of Rome, since 1803, the building has supported the artistic endeavors of the French Academy in Rome. Today, it opens its doors to tourists to see its Renaissance gardens and the apartments where Galileo was temporarily held while on trial for heresy.

Running between Vatican City and the River Tiber, Via Cola di Rienzo is the main artery of the upscale Prati neighborhood, known for its broad streets, stylish boutiques, and relaxed atmosphere. It’s one of Rome’s best shopping destinations, offering a refreshing alternative to the crowded chaos of Via del Corso. Here, you’ll find an appealing mix of high-end fashion houses, well-known international brands, and popular Italian retailers, all housed in beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings.

Located in the Villa Borghese park, Rome’s answer to London’s Globe Theatre is built in the round, as was the style of 16th-century Elizabethan London. The playhouse puts on a program of works by William Shakespeare in Italian and English from June through October, and is a unique way to experience the Bard in Rome.

Tucked away next to the Roman Forum, this beautiful church is dedicated to Saint Frances of Rome, the patron saint of drivers; the 15th-century figure was often depicted with an angel lighting her way at night. The relics of the saint are held in the church crypt. Also worth admiring are the basilica’s richly detailed coffered ceilings, the mosaics across its altar, and a rare 5th-century icon of the Virgin Mary.

Legends swirl around the Basilica of Santa Maria in Via Lata, the most enduring of which is that Rome imprisoned St. Paul in its underground crypt while he was awaiting trial. However, this 7th-century church in the heart of Rome is rich in art as well as history. Acclaimed Italian architects designed its bell tower and loggia, while interior highlights include a Cosmatesque-style floor, crypt frescoes, and the high altar’s icon of the Madonna Advocata.

Towering umbrella pines and centuries-old statues line the trails of this 200-acre (80-hectare) park just north of the Spanish Steps. Secret gardens and countless monuments mean there’s always something to discover in Villa Borghese, though a highlight is the duck pond surrounding the Temple of Aesculapius. Known as the “Park of Museums,” Villa Borghese counts the renowned Borghese Gallery (Galleria Borghese) among the several museums on its grounds.

Dozens of rides—plus attractions, shows, concerts, and even a planetarium—bring families to this sprawling amusement park in Valmontone, a city about 30 miles (50 kilometers) outside Rome. It’s not just for thrill-seekers, as the park’s varied offerings accommodate a wide range of ages and styles. Choose your own adventure with low-key play areas, roller coasters, and splash rides suited to older kids and thrill-seeking adults.

All roads lead to Rome, so the saying goes—and pretty much all Italian train tracks eventually lead to Termini station, Rome’s newly renovated “grand central” and the chugging heart of the Italian ferrovia (railway) system. Termini is Rome’s premier train station and is among Europe’s largest; it connects travelers to the Italian rail network and is the only Rome station where both the metro A and B lines cross. Rome’s main bus terminal is located just outside.

When temperatures rise, do as the Romans do and cool off at Hydromania, the capital’s only outdoor water park. The whole family can splash around on waterslides that range from high-octane to relaxing, in various pools, and at the dedicated spaces for kids to play. Recreation areas for sports include soccer and volleyball. All of these activities are an easy trip from the city center, creating an often-needed alternative to summer sightseeing in Rome.

Officially called the Leonardo da Vinci Airport, the Rome–Fiumicino International Airport is most commonly referred to as, simply, Fiumicino, the city just outside Rome where it’s located. The country’s largest and busiest airport, Fiumicino serves more than 40 million passengers annually and is the main hub for Rome and central Italy.

Once the country estate of the powerful Doria Pamphilj family, this park on the western side of Rome is the largest in the city. The 450-acre (182-hectare) green space consists of centuries-old fountains, wide trails lined by umbrella pines, and the Casino del Bel Respiro—a 17th-century villa with a baroque facade, stately Roman statues, and a garden of intricate hedges shaped like doves and lilies.

When it comes to Rome’s food markets, Campo de’ Fiori and Trastevere might get all the tourism glory, but Testaccio Market (Mercato di Testaccio) is a neighborhood institution. This daily market is set inside a contemporary glass-ceilinged building—and over a basement of archaeological excavations—in the relatively modest Testaccio neighborhood. It’s a great place to grab coffee, snack on casual eats, rub elbows with local nonnas, and experience what remains of central Rome’s working-class roots.

Jutting dramatically from Rome’s 1,750-year-old southern city walls is something even older: a marble pyramid built between 18–12 BC. Back then, it was trendy for ancient Romans to construct Egyptian-inspired funerary monuments, and this 120-foot (36-meter) tomb for politician Caius Cestius is the only one that remains today. See this unexpected sight while touring the Testaccio and Aventino neighborhoods, known for quaint parks and a fantastic food market.

The Bramante Staircase (Scala del Bramante), designed by Donato Bramante in 1505, is a fabulous double-helix spiral staircase lined with Doric columns that connects the Vatican’s Belvedere Palace to the city of Rome below. An absolute masterpiece of engineering and art, it was commissioned by Pope Julius II and inspired Giuseppe Momo’s impressive 1930s staircase at the Vatican Museums exit.

The Foro Italico is one of the largest building projects completed during Mussolini’s rule. It is home to two stadiums that host Rome’s soccer teams, international sports tournaments, and concerts. A prime example of Italian Fascist architecture, the Foro Italico is a preferred stop for travelers with an interest in architecture.

These lush gardens—set around a stately 16th-century villa that currently houses the Italian Geographic Society—offer a peaceful and scenic escape in the heart of Rome. Renowned for their colorful floral displays and collection of exotic plants, the gardens are a delightful blend of nature and history. As you wander the grounds, you’ll come across elegant bas reliefs, classical sculptures, and monuments, including a striking Egyptian obelisk that adds to the garden’s timeless appeal.

This ninth-century church and convent stands atop the ancient Roman home of Cecilia, the patron saint of music, killed at the site nearly 1,800 years ago. Inside the basilica, you'll find shimmering mosaics and a marble statue of the martyr. Go underground for well-preserved remains, including intact mosaic floors, of a centuries-old house where Saint Cecilia likely lived.

The Porta Maggiore is one of the eastern gates in the Aurelian Walls that once enclosed the seven hills of ancient Rome. During that period, two roads ran through its large arches, but now the gate is a surprisingly intact centerpiece within one of central Rome’s busy intersections. Outside the gate is the Tomb of the Baker, an unusual, extravagant tomb, making the entire site a draw for visitors interested in ancient Roman history.

If your idea of la dolce vita is snacking on gelato while meandering down a picturesque cobblestone lane, head to Via dei Coronari. This short street is considered among the most scenic in Rome and runs from the north side of Piazza Navona toward the River Tiber. Its ivy-covered, peachy-hued buildings house antique shops, restaurants and cafés, and other businesses well worth a stop on your Roman holiday.

The House of Livia (Casa di Livia) is situated on the Palatine Hill, the panoramic perch that was once home to Rome’s high society in ancient times. It is one of the site’s best-preserved residential estates. Colorful frescoes and elaborate mosaics can be glimpsed on the walls and ceilings, giving you an astonishing peek into how lavishly the upper classes lived in imperial times.

Before the Fiumicino International Airport was built, the Rome–Ciampino International Airport G. B. Pastine (CIA), most commonly called Ciampino, was the capital city’s main airport. Today, this smaller airport handles domestic and European flights for more than 5 million passengers a year and is the hub for the Ryanair budget airline.

Thanks to its proximity to Rome, Trevignano Romano on Lake Bracciano has long been a popular retreat from the city, and a strategic base for visiting the nearby medieval villages of Bracciano and Anguillara. The lakeside town boasts a waterfront promenade, and the lake is ideal for swimming, sailing, and water sports.

Chiesa Nuova, considered one of the great baroque churches of Rome, houses important paintings, including works by Pietro da Cortona depicting the Holy Trinity and an altarpiece by Peter Paul Rubens that includes a motorized element. Founded in 1575 as part of the Counter-Reformation, it is fabulously ornate, its central nave like stepping inside a grand palace dedicated to the heavens. The name Chiesa Nuova, or “New Church,” was given after being rebuilt by St. Philip Neri.

This 17th-century baroque oratory, near the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, is most famous for once hosting a concert by the teenage Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Today, the space in Rome’s historic center is both a religious site and a venue for opera and ballet performances. Both approaches allow visitors to see the ornate frescoes and gilded stucco that decorate the Oratory of St. Francis Xavier del Caravita and make it an overlooked Roman gem.

One of Rome’s largest shopping malls, Euroma2 features more than 200 stores spread across three floors, offering a diverse range of products, including clothing, shoes, jewelry, home furnishings, electronics, and more. If you love to shop ‘til you drop or just need some retail therapy, it’s an excellent spot to browse hundreds of Italian and international brands in one place, on the outskirts of the Eternal City.

On the banks of the Tiber River, the Saint Angelo Bridge Methodist Church (Chiesa Metodista di Ponte Sant’Angelo) overlooks the picturesque, pedestrian-only St. Angelo Bridge. The church, across from Saint Angelo Castle (Castel Sant’Angelo) and near the Vatican, hosts frequent classical music and opera performances. Also known as Rome’s Methodist Church, it regularly offers religious services in English, drawing expats and travelers on Sunday mornings.

While the Hard Rock Cafe chain is quite uniform throughout the world, Rome has always played to its own drummer. Don’t miss local touches like the celestial ceiling frescoes, which on first glance might look like those found in any of the city’s churches, except these cherubs are rocking out on instruments.

Rome is known for its coffee culture, and Antico Caffè Greco is among the city’s oldest and most famous coffee shops—truly, it has transcended being merely a “coffee shop” to become a city landmark. Over the past 250 years, artists, musicians, and writers such as Mendelssohn, Wagner, Ibsen, Keats, Byron, Liszt, Stendhal, Shelley, Casanova, and Goethe have all sat at its illustrious tables.