14 Top Rome monuments and must see landmarks in Rome you’ll love

by marta

The best Rome monuments to include in your Rome itinerary. A selected list of Rome monuments including grand and understated, famous and lesser know landmarks in Rome. Updated in 2024 with current info and resources.

Rome has many beautiful monuments: some are grand and famous, others are small and understated, but all have some story to tell that makes them worth a visit. 

I am from Rome and I always think of Rome monuments as belonging into two categories: the big attractions, such as the Colosseum, which often require a ticket and some planning to be enjoyed and those that part of the architecture of the city and you may happen to just pass by as you stroll, those that make Rome, truly, an open air museum!

All these monuments big and small are worth a visit and a special detour, no matter where in Rome you are.

Out of the many I can think of, these are those I recommend to see during your first trip to Rome, with tips for visiting and interesting tidbits about each. 

This is my shortlist of the best Rome monuments. I hope you enjoy them!

The Roman Colosseum

The Colosseum is THE main monument in Rome, the one everyone visits and the one most evocative of the city.

Built during the last decades of the I century AD and inaugurated by Emperor Titus in 80 AD, it is the biggest Roman amphitheater anywhere in the world and it has worked for centuries as a theater and stadium, hosting gladiator games, hunts and theatrical representations.

The Colosseum is every bit as special as the hype around it suggests: the outside is majestic, the inside is awe inspiring and even just a glimpse at its size and beauty is guaranteed to stop you in your track and marvel. A visit to this Rome top monument is very much a much, in my opinion, regardless of interest in history (or lack of!)

The Colosseum is open to the public and booking is necessary.

Getting tickets to the Colosseum is less straightforward than we’d like: demand is huge and the Colosseum is ticketed in such as way that you need different tickets to different parts of it.

I have here >>> an easy to follow guide on how to secure tickets to the Colosseum (entry only and tours)

Info for families with kids: The Colosseum is kid and stroller friendly in most parts. Kids under 18 go free (standard entry)

 You can find fun facts about the colosseum here and our tips for visiting here.

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

The Roman Forum is another word famous Rome landmark and one of the most unique archaeological sites you can see in Rome, Italy and beyond.

Part of the same archaeological park as the Colosseum, it is a stunning site where you can see ruins from Republican and Imperial Roman times and since it is all outdoors, it gives a fantastic idea of the extension and layout of the ancient city.

The Forum is in a valley immediately below the Palatine Hill, the place were Rome was founded and where Augustus had his palace. The Forum and the Palatine are all one complex and they are ticketed together.

Aerial view of the Roman forum

You can get ticket entry as part of your Colosseum ticket or get a Forum and Palatine ticket only from the official Parco Colosseo Website Colosseo.it

The Forum and the Palatine are stunning and can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. Unlike the Colosseum, they come into their own if you have an interest in history and get a guide.

You can read all about visiting the Roman Forum here.

The Vittoriano/Altare della Patria

Il Vittoriano is a large distinctive monument located in Piazza Venezia, a stone throw from the Colosseum, in the heart of Rome city center and one of the easiest places to recognise in Rome.

The Vittoriano, one of Rome's most iconic monuments

Built in the XIX century (1885) in neoclassical style, it is huge and commands attention with its large size, blinding white colors and the statues of winged Nike on the top: a vision, against the Rome blue sky!

The monument was built to celebrate Vittorio Emanuele King of Italy (hence the name ‘Vittoriano’) and it is also known as Altare della Patria, homeland altar.

Today it has a monument to the unknown soldier, constantly guarded by the Italian military, and is hosts the museums of the Risorgimento and a beautiful art space, which usually hosts high caliber art exhibitions.

The Vittoriano has a series of terraces, some of which can be accessed for free: you get some of the best views over Rome from here!

Fun fact: because of its peculiar shape, Romans often call this, monument ‘the typewriter’ while English speakers often prefer to identify it as a ‘wedding cake’. Love it or hate it, it is one of the most important Rome monuments and a Rome must-see. 

The Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of the most beautiful, peculiar and interesting monuments in Rome and a place that never fails to impress its visitors, whether it is their first time in Rome or they are local.

Facade of the Pantheon, Rome

Originally built in the II century AD as a temple to all deities and now a Catholic church, it is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman monuments in the city and one full of surprises, myths and stories, that have to do with the peculiar hole in its roof, special proportions and a natural light effects happing here during specific astronomical events.

You can read how to visit and interesting Pantheon facts here.

Access to the Pantheon is ticketed. You can find here >>> how to get tickets to the Pantheon

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi fountain is one of the most beautiful fountains in Rome and the most famous.

Built in the XVIII century following a design of architect Nicola Salvi, it is located in a small and otherwise understated small square in Rome city center (Piazza di Trevi) and it an imposing, impressive sight.

Trevi Fountain in the evening with lights on

Sculpted in white travertine, a local type of stone common in Rome architecture, it has a series of impressive statues and sculptures representing Oceanus and the abundance that comes from the presence of fresh water, flowing here from the ancient Aqueduct Virgo.

The Trevi fountain is on an open square and is, therefore, free to visit (there are however talks of this potentially changing in 2025): you literally stumble upon it as you stroll around Rome!

Please note: while Fellini made the fountain movie-famous filming Anita Ekberg wading into it in a ballgown, entering the fountain is strictly prohibited.

You can read all about the Trevi Fountain here.

Spanish Steps / Piazza di Spagna / Trinita’ dei Monti

The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinita’ dei Monti in Piazza di Spagna) is another famous monument in Rome and one that raised to iconic status.

Trinita' de' Monti, Spanish steps, Rome

Located in the city center, is it a monumental staircase of 136 steps that connects Piazza di Spagna with Trinita’ dei Monti, the double towered church on the hill above it.

The monumental staircase was built in 1723-1725 and is stunning and unique especially in spring, when it usually gets decorated with blooming flowers.

Like the Trevi Fountain, this is an outdoor Rome landmark and it is, therefore, one the great free attractions in Rome. Please note that sitting on the steps has been banned to help preserve this important structure.

Piazza del Campidoglio and Marcus Aurelius statue

Piazza del Campidoglio is one of Rome’s most famous and beautiful piazza and an important city landmark.

The piazza lies at the top of the Capitoline Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome and acquires the appearance we see today thanks to the genius of Michelangelo, who designed it in the early 1500s.

Piazza del Campidoglio with equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius in Rome

The Piazza is home to a monumental staircase, the only existing bronze equestrian statue from Roman times, the stunning Capitoline Museims and also offers breathtaking views over the Roman forum.

You can read about this important Rome landmark in my guide to the Capitoline Hill.

Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo is one of the most unique, fascinating and peculiar monuments in Rome, one that alone seems to encapsulate the whole complex story of the city.

St Angelo Castle is Rome’s castle but it wasn’t born as one!

The structure was originally built by Emperor Hadrian in the II century AD, who wanted it as its final resting place and its original name, Hadrian’s Mausoleum, but then became part of the fortifications that protected Rome from invasion, a prison, a fortress and residence of the Pope!

St Angelo Bridge and Castel Sant Angelo in Rome

Castel Sant’Angelo is fascinating to visit and one of the best Rome monuments to add to your itinerary. As well as fascinating, the views from the top are jaw droopingly beautiful!

Access is ticketed, you can read here >> how to visit Castel Sant’Angelo and how to get tickets.

St Peter Basilica and St Peter Square

Arguably, St Peter’s Square and basilica should not be on this list since they belong in Vatican City, an independent State. However, since the Vatican is physically inside Rome, I reckon the inclusion is legitimate!

Piazza San Pietro St Peter Square Rome

St Peter Square and Basilica and an impressive architectural complex made of a large monumental square with semi-circular colonnaded and a vast cathedral, with an impressive facade and world-famous dome.

St Peter’s church was built above the tomb of the Apostle Peter and acquired the impressive appearance it has today by the hands of masters of the caliber of Michelangelo, Raffaello and Bernini.

Worth seeing here are the square itself, the basilica (inside and out), the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel (access is from a different side of the building) and the Vatican Gardens.

Find here practical info on the Vatican to plan a stress-free visit.

Caracalla’s Baths

Caracalla’s bath are a large archaeological complex in Rome, open to the public for visits and, in summer, also as a venue for opera concerts (a wonderful place in Rome after dark!).

The baths are wonderful: many of the tall walls of the baths are still standing, giving a clear idea of the size this complex must have had at the time, and pine trees and wisteria grow around these ancient ruins, giving the whole place a romantic atmosphere.

thermal baths of Caracalla in Rome
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The baths have a ticketed entrance – you can find our guide to Caracalla’s Baths here.

Fun fact: you can see the baths in the Woodie Allen movie to Rome with love. You can find more movies set in Rome here.

The fountain of the Four Rivers and Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is a monumental piazza in Rome city center.

PIazza Navona Roma

Originally a Roman stadium, built by emperor Domitian, the square acquired the stunning appearance it has today during the Baroque Period, when several sculptures and monuments were commissioned to embellish it.

The most important and famous are the church of Santa Agnese is Agone, built by Borromini, the Fountains of the four rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) by Bernini and the two additional fountains at the two edges of the square, Fontana del Moro and Fontana del Tritone.

Rome’s pyramid

The most peculiar and unexpected monument in Rome is Rome’s pyramid, an ancient Egyptian style pyramid dating back to ancient Rome, the I century Ad to be precise.

The pyramid is the grave of a wealthy roman G Cestius and is worth seeing for its uniqueness. You can learn all about Rome’s pyramid here.

Rome Pyramid with pine trees

Circo Massimo

Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus) is an ancient Roman chariot stadium located in the center of Rome, near the Colosseum.

The stadium offers little to see per se however, from it you get wonderful views of the Palatine hill and the palace of the emperors, some of the most impressive vestiges of the Roman empire.

Circus Maximus Rome

Access to the circus is free, virtual reality visit available on selected dates for a fee. Find all the info about Circo Massimo/Circus Maximus here.

The Mausoleum of Augustus: currently closed (2024)

In March 2021 a new Rome monument joined the list of historical landmarks open to the public: it is the Mausoleum of Agustus, the tomb of Rome’s first emperor, open to visitors again after 14 years and extensive restoration work.

Learn how to plan your visit and why the Mausoleum of Augustus is significant here.

I hope you enjoyed this overview of Rome monuments and it helped you plan your Rome itinerary at best. Happy travel planning!

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