Must-see
The 12 must-see places in Rome
In Rome, don't miss Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon in Rome and Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: here are the 12 must-sees, ranked, with the time to allow, the price and a tip for each.
See all 12 on the map-
MonumentColosseum
The 50,000-seat amphitheatre of the gladiator games, with views over the arena from the tiers.
The basic 18 € ticket also covers the Roman Forum and the Palatine.
≈ 1 h 30 See the page → -
MonumentRoman Forum
The public heart of ancient Rome: Via Sacra, Arch of Titus, temples and the Senate house, between Capitol and Palatine.
Little shade and uneven cobbles: wear flat shoes, bring water and a hat. Same ticket as the Colosseum.
≈ 2 h See the page → -
MonumentPantheon in Rome
Rome's best-preserved ancient temple: a 43 m dome lit by an oculus open to the sky.
Tickets cost 7 €; entry is free during Mass and for under-18s.
≈ 40 min See the page → -
MuseumVatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Centuries of papal collections, from Raphael's Rooms to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Book online (25 €, skip the line); closed Sundays except the last of the month, free but packed.
≈ 4 h See the page → -
MonumentSt Peter's Basilica, Rome
The largest church in Christendom: Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's baldachin and the great dome.
Free entry; shoulders and knees must be covered, and large bags are not allowed.
≈ 1 h 30 See the page → -
MonumentTrevi Fountain
Rome's most spectacular Baroque fountain, where you toss a coin to make sure you return.
To reach the water without paying, come early in the morning or late in the evening, after 10 pm.
≈ 30 min See the page → -
MonumentPiazza Navona
An oval square on Domitian's old stadium, with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers at its centre.
Free at any hour; in December the Christmas market sets up here until Epiphany.
≈ 45 min See the page → -
MuseumBorghese Gallery
Bernini, Caravaggio and Canova under one 17th-century roof: Apollo and Daphne, the Rape of Proserpina.
Booking is compulsory for everyone, with a timed entry and a two-hour visit.
≈ 2 h See the page → -
MonumentPalatine Hill
The hill where Rome was said to be born and emperors built their palaces, overlooking the Circus Maximus.
Same ticket as the Roman Forum; the pines give welcome shade after the Forum.
≈ 1 h 40 See the page → -
MonumentSpanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna
The monumental 135-step staircase up to Trinità dei Monti, with the Barcaccia fountain at its foot.
Sitting on the steps is banned (250 € fine), so take your breaks elsewhere.
≈ 30 min See the page → -
MuseumCapitoline Museums
The Capitoline She-Wolf, the original Marcus Aurelius and Constantine's colossus in the oldest public museum.
Tickets cost 16.50 € (exhibition included); open daily, last entry 6:30 pm.
≈ 2 h 30 See the page → -
CastleCastel Sant'Angelo, Rome
Hadrian's mausoleum turned papal fortress: Angel terrace, papal apartments and the Passetto.
Closed Mondays; the terrace has the best view of St Peter's. Combine it with the Vatican.
≈ 2 h See the page →
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MonumentBaths of Caracalla
Some of the best-preserved imperial baths, with brick walls as tall as apartment blocks.
Closed Mondays; free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month.
≈ 1 h 15 See the page → -
Park & GardenVia Appia Antica
Rome's most famous road, with its original paving, lined with pines, tombs and catacombs.
On Sundays the road is closed to cars: ideal on foot or by bike.
≈ 3 h See the page → -
MonumentCatacombs of Rome
Early Christian burial galleries dug beneath the Via Appia, visited with an on-site guide.
Each catacomb closes on a different weekday, so check before you set out.
≈ 1 h 15 See the page → -
CastleHadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana) in Tivoli
Emperor Hadrian's vast country retreat, a UNESCO site of pools, baths and pavilions.
Allow half a day, on foot along dirt paths; free on the first Sunday of the month.
≈ 4 h See the page → -
CastleOstia Antica
An entire Roman town: paved streets, baths, theatre, shops and apartment blocks, half an hour from Rome.
Closed Mondays; the ticket stays valid for 8 days and the train from Rome is quick.
≈ 3 h See the page → -
MonumentSanta Maria Maggiore Basilica
A fifth-century basilica with its original nave mosaics, where Pope Francis is buried.
Free entry every day; the loggia and museum cost extra.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
CastleVilla d'Este in Tivoli
A 16th-century terraced garden, a UNESCO site, studded with dozens of fountains.
It only opens at 2 pm on Mondays; the Villae pass combines it with Hadrian's Villa.
≈ 2 h 30 See the page → -
Park & GardenVilla Borghese
The big park in the city centre: Pincio terrace, lake, bike rides and museums among the trees.
Free to enter at any hour; climb to the Pincio for the view over Piazza del Popolo.
≈ 1 h 30 See the page → -
MonumentMouth of Truth
A marble mask that legend says bites liars' hands, made famous by Roman Holiday.
You queue outside; entry to the neighbouring basilica is free.
≈ 30 min See the page → -
MonumentVittoriano (Altare della Patria)
The white marble monument on Piazza Venezia, with a panoramic terrace over Rome.
The Altar of the Fatherland is free to enter; the panoramic lift costs extra.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
MonumentBasilica of San Clemente
Three levels in one: a medieval church, a fourth-century basilica and Roman buildings with a Mithraic temple.
Book the underground excavations online; the upper church is free to enter.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
ShoppingCampo de' Fiori
The liveliest square in the centre: a market in the morning, terraces and bars at night around Giordano Bruno.
Market Monday to Saturday mornings; look before you buy, many stalls target tourists.
≈ 45 min See the page →
