What is on your Rome bucket list? What are the places and things you dream of doing in Rome at least once in your lifetime?
You may think that a born and bread Roman like me hasn’t got a list of Rome must see sites and experiences but I do and as you can see, it is a pretty long one too!
The thing is that Rome is one of those magical places that makes you want to discover more and more: each location opens up opportunities and discoveries for more walks and visits and the more time I spend in Rome, the more I find myself adding to my list rather than ticking off.
This is my list of the very best things to do in Rome.
If this is your first time in Rome, don’t forget to also check out our sightseeing planning article: it will help you understand what attractions are reasonable to see on the same day
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Rome bucket list: my top 10
- Visit the Colosseum top tier, the attico, for unforgettable views of this incredible monument. Learn how to get tickets here.
2. See the Sistine Chapel alone with a private tour before the Vatican Museum’s opening hours.
3. Stroll around Rome’s city center to feel the city’s open air museum over 2000 years of history has brought to the city (Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Piazza Navona are all there)
4. Take a vespa sidecar tour so you can zoom through the city in a fun and typically Italian way
5. Admire the sunset from a beautiful rooftop terrace. Find my favorite ones here
6. See the Pope
7. Immerse yourself in the stunning artwork (paintings and statues) of the Borghese Gallery
8. Taste real Roman food (find where in my guide to Rome for foodies here)
9. Admire the work of Caravaggio and Michelangelo in many of the city’s churches
10. Seek our Rome’s most beautiful fountains, one of the characteristics of the city and outstanding works of art
Rome bucket list – long list!
If this is your first time in Rome, you are likely to want to see the city’s most famous sites and I urge you to do it.
While I do advocate getting off the beaten track, especially in Rome, I would find it mad to do that instead of seeing Rome’s ‘must see’ sites – they are considered must see for a reason!
I believe you list of things to see in Rome should include:
Visit the Roman Colosseum
Famous, massive, stunning, historically significant and fun: this and more is the famous Colosseum.
The best way to visit is with one of the skip the line tours offered by the Colosseum itself: pick the one that includes the attico. for the best experience
The colosseum books out fast: if you can’t book with them, try tours offered by third parties instead such as this one.
Stroll in the The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
The Roman Forum is the best place in Rome to, literally, walk through history.
Beautiful and atmospheric especially in spring, when the perfume of Rome blossoms fills the air, you can visit the forum on the same day as the colosseum of the one after (the combined tickets have a 2 day entry validity, one per site)
The Palatine is the hill just above the forum and access is included in the ticket.
While overlooked by many visitors, the Palatine is one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Rome, especially on a bright sunny day, when the view from the top is breathtaking.
Climb up Campidoglio hill
Another one of the famous 7 hills of Rome, this one has a few gems that make a visit worth it.
At the top, you will marvel at the stunning Piazza designed by Michelangelo, you can rest in the shadow of Marcus Aurelius equestrian statue and you can visit the stunning Musei Capitolini (Capitoline Museums), which host incredible ancient Rome art and more.
Here you can also catch a wonderful view over the forum: head to the back of the main square and prepare for your jaw to drop!
Enter the Rome Pantheon
One of the best known, most photographs and most beautiful monuments in the whole of Rome, the Pantheon is always worth a visit, inside if you can but even just outside: its facade and the square it overlooks is Rome at its very best (if you can, get in and look up – you will quickly see why!).
No tickets or advance booking required but do go there early in the morning or late in the afternoon, just before closing time, to get the shorter lines.
You can find all my best tips for visiting the Pantheon here.
Admire the stunning Trevi fountain
Tourist trap and amazing corner of the city all wrapped up into one, you simply cannot skip the Trevi Fountain when in Rome!
Go to Trevi very early in the morning or late at night (it lights up) for the best experience and do throw the famous coin in: it goes to charity and it may bring you back to Rome, if there is any truth to the legend.
Walk down The Spanish steps
The Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) are one of the most iconic monuments in Rome and one immortalized in many movies set in the Eternal City.
The vert best way to visit the Spanish Steps is to take a wander in the area and allow the view of them to surprise you as you turn a corner.
Get to the steps in Piazza di Spagna at sundown if you can to catch a wonderful view and limit the crowds.
Visit Vatican City: St Peter Square, Basilica and Vatican Museums
You cannot possibly go to Rome and not see the State within the State that is the Vatican.
There is a lot to see and do here and you will need a full day in the area to see all the marvel the Vatican City hides.
I recommend you visit both St Peter’s Square and the basilica inside and, if you can, you also make time for the beautiful Vatican Gardens.
If you love art, you simply must make time to visit the incredible Vatican Museums.
They are massive and crowded but they have world-famous art (my favorite is probably the statue of Laocoon) and also host the Sistine Chapel, which you access from the museums themselves.
Advance tickets are a must and you must make sure you are dressed appropriately if visiting the church and Sistine chapel as there is a dress code and it is strictly enforced.
The best way to visit the Vatican museums is with early entrance tours or booking directly with the museum for timed entrance here
The entrance to St Peter basilica is free.
Meet the Pope
In Rome, meeting the Pope is easier than you may think! Depending on your believes, you can see him on Sunday, as he addresses the people attending mass in St peter’s Square or you can even meet him in person from up close participating in the Papal audience.
Either way, a real Rome bucket list moment!
Enjoy Piazza Navona
One of the most beautiful, monumental squares in Rome, Piazza Navona is built on what used to be a Roman stadium! With masterpieces by Bernini and Borromini, it is an iconic site everyone should add to their Rome bucket list.
Visit Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo doesn’t appear on everyone’s bucket list and this is a good thing as it means usually it is not half as crowded as other places, while being as beautiful!
The visit brings you to the top of the castle and while it is not recommended if you are afraid of heights, it is one visit I recommend to everyone else: the inside of the castle, the view and walk along its ‘logge’ is stunning.
Have a drink in Campo de’ fiori
If 50% of the charm of Rome is in the city’s monumental area, the other half (if not more) lies in its dusty and lively piazzas that make you feel like you stepped back into the Middle Ages, rather than ancient Roman times.
To experience this side of the city, head no further that to Campo de’ Fiori, a busy square with a market in the morning and lively terraces for drinks in the evening.
Make sure you pay attention to the statue looking over you from the center of the Square. It is of Giordano Bruno, who lost his life at the stake here for affirming scientific truth.
Get lost among Rome’s cobbled streets
While I always recommend to have some sort of Rome itinerary planned, I also urge you to carve out some time to wander aimlessly among Rome’s famous cobbled streets.
Head to the area of the Pantheon or Arco della pace for the most atmospheric corners.
Have a delicious coffee
Coffee is not specific from Rome but wow, the city does it well! Head to one of my favorite coffee places for the real deal
Savor real gelato
Just like coffee, gelato is an Italian specialty rather than a Rome one but can you really see Rome and not take a stroll with a gelato in hand? Just make sure you get a proper artisan made one in one of the best gelato addresses to have an authentic and delicious experience.
Take a walk in Trastevere
Trastevere is one of the most atmospheric areas of Rome and while it is now packed with tourists (I laugh when I read articles saying it is a hidden gem!) it is a really pleasant place to go for an evening walk.
Go in summer especially for outdoor terraces, buskers and a street sellers livening up Trastevere’s evenings. Find here >>> my recommended itinerary in Trastevere
Drive a Vespa
Ok this is a super touristy thing to do but a fun one!
Make sure you are safe, watch once, twice, three times before doing anything and avoid tram tracks at all cost: then go and feel Rome’s breeze as your Vespa carries you around. It feels amazing!
You can rent your own vespa or get one with a driver here
Take a cooking class
Learning to make Rome food is a fun and easy way to be able to recreate part of your holiday back home.
Some classes offer the chance of learning to make pasta, and have a great meal in a real Rome house with a local cook.
Have aperitivo on a rooftop terrace
Apetitivo is one of the nicest traditions in Rome. Make it special heading to one of the city’s beautiful rooftop terraces (in summer).
I am partial to the one at the Iconic Pantheon hotel which offers 180 degrees view over St Ivo alla Sapienza, St Eustachio and the Pantheon (aka, 3 of the most amazing churches in Rome city center).
I find this one of the most beautiful views of Rome!
See the opera in Caracalla
If you love opera but I dare say even if you don’t, you should make time to go see a show in Caracalla, the ancient imperial baths now turned summer theater.
The overall experience is magical and you will be glad you have added it to your Rome bucket list!
Have pizza
Ok an obvious one but how not to mention pizza in Rome? Make sure you try the traditional round one in the evening, served in any pizzeria, but also the take-out type (pizza al taglio) that we Romans love for our lunch
Have a walk in the Jewish Ghetto
The so called Jewish ghetto of Rome is a stunning part of the city and one rich of history.
Make sure you take time to go visit and do read about the story of Italy and Rome in particular during the 20th century: as well as beautiful, this area will acquire much deeper meaning if you do.
A great way to discover this area is with a guided tour
Let your eyes be tricked
Two of the masters of Rome’s beauty are Bernini and Borromini, who mastered the concept of ‘forced perspective’ and architectural illusion.
This is a special optical technique that tricks the eye into thinking that an object appears farther away, closer, larger or smaller than it actually is or allow for a visual experience that is different from the reality of things.
You can experience this really impressive trick in Piazza San Pietro (stand in the marked spot on the square and look at the colonnade to see some of them disappear), in Galleria Spada (wait for the guided tour to see the illusion in action) and at the false dome of St Ignazio by Andrea del Pozzo.
Go to a park
- Rome has some gorgeous green areas and parks. Some to add to your bucket list are:
- Borghese Gardens (city center)
- Via Appia (out of the center, amazing if you cycle here)
- Villa Doria Pamphili (Vatican area)
- Ostia Antica (outside of the center, perfect for an afternoon and evening out)
Catch a view
Want to go home with one image of Rome to remember? Head to one of the many Rome belvedere. Some of my favourite are:
- The garden of oranges on Aventino and one of the most romantic in Rome (free)
- St Peter dome (fee paying)
- The first terrace of the Vittoriano (free)
- The back of Campidoglio hill (free)
- The top of Castel Sant’Angelo (fee paying)
- The top of the Colosseum (fee paying)
- The view from the Gianicolo hill (free)
- The top of the Palatine Hill (fee paying)
Go to a museum
Rome has so many museums and galleries, as well as amazing art scattered around the city, that I know better than trying to list them all here.
However, there are some museums, art collections and works of art I believe you should seek out. My favorite are:
Borghese Gallery (sculptures and paintings)
Palazzo Massimo (ancient art)
Centrale Montemartini (ancient art)
Vatican Museums (Speficilly Raphael’s Rooms and the Sistine Chapel.
See art in churches
Many Rome churches are home to outstanding art.
Some you may want to specifically seek out are Santa Maria della Vittoria (With St Teresa by Bernini); San Luigi dei Francesi with Caravaggio; San Pietro in Vincoli and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva for Michelangelo.
Seek out hidden gems
There is a lot more to Rome than its most famous sites! Rome comes into its own once you understand that every corner, park and courtyard has something wonderful waiting to be discovered. You can find my top Rome hidden gems here
Taste real Rome food
If you are going to Rome you simply have to taste some of Rome’s most famous foods.
Some dishes to try are:
- Carbonara (main ingredients: eggs and pork)
- Pasta alla Gricia (main ingredient: cheese)
- Pasta Cacio e Pepe (main ingredients: cheese and black pepper)
- Pasta all’Amatriciana (Main ingredients: tomato sauce, pork, cheese)
- Suppli (fried rice ball with heart of mozzarella, a great Rome appetizer)
- Carciofi alla giudia (fried artichokes, amazing!)
- Carciofi alla Romana (Roman style artichokes, different from the ones above as stewed rather than fried)
- Abbacchio scottadito (lamb)
- Puntarelle alla romana (salad)
- Saltimbocca alla Romana (meat)
I hope you enjoyed reading my Rome bucket list and it gave you ideas on what places and experiences to seek out while in Rome. Safe travels!
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