Best things to do in Rome
Find out more about those top places in Rome
It usually comes as no surprise when Rome is spotted on the itinerary of even the most “traveled” tourists because it is simply an amazing city that people cannot get enough of. Often said to be one of the birth places of European civilization, it is a city with unparalleled history which are shown through the most of its attractions. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica are just a few of Rome’s abundant gifts.
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Colosseum
One Rome’s best spots is the Colosseum, sometimes referred to as the Flavian Amphitheater it serves as a reminder of life in the old days of Rome. Located in the center of the city the Amphitheater was a 50,000 capacity structure constructed in AD 72 commanded by Emperor Vespasian. The Colosseum was use for a number of functions in its glory days including gladiatorial shows, hunting games and drama. But in recent times it is more of a tourist site and a ceremonial venue.
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St. Peter’s Basilica
Rome is often regarded as the home of Christianity (especially Catholic) in the modern era and this is often visible with the amount of stunning Cathedrals around the city. One of Such Cathedrals and probably the most significant is the St. Peter’s Basilica situated in Vatican City – designed by several famous individuals including Michelangelo and Donato Bramante, it is a beautiful piece of architectural brilliance. The St. Peter Basilica holds the award for the largest church in the world and is very revered by the Christian world - it holds the remains of Saint Peter and that of the first Pope.
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Trevi Fountain
Visiting a fountain might sound a bit trivial but that cannot be said about the Trevi Fountain, it is one of the most visited places in Rome by locals and tourists receiving over hundreds of visitors daily. Referred to the Trevi because of the “tre vie” (three roads) that meet at the location of the Fountain, it was designed primarily by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and inscribed on its walls are Roman Mythology. The most exciting thing about the Trevi Fountain for visitors to do is the long-lasting tradition of throwing a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain.
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Roman Forum
Another of Rome’s important historical site, the Roman Forum was the center of the activities in the city’s earlier years. Currently, in ruins the site was initially a marshy lake before it was developed in the 7th Century - considered one of the oldest structures in the city it played a major part in the history of Rome often being the sites for public speeches, elections and trials. Visiting the Roman Forum is highly recommended because it gives insights on roman history and it is also surrounded by many other historical sites as well.
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Vatican Museums
No visit to Rome is complete with exploring the Vatican Museums. Founded by Pope Julius II the Vatican Museums are basically a collection of works amassed by several Popes overtime, culminating to almost 70,000 works of which only about 20,000 are displayed. Regarded as one of the most visited museums in the world, it famous attractions include the prestigious Sistine chapel known for its decorated ceiling by Michelangelo and Stanze di Raffaello decorated by Raphael. It's also home to the Niccoline Chapel, the Gallery of Maps, The Frescoes and many more.
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Spanish Steps
It might be a little odd to find that a set of steps are regarded so highly but over time the “Spanish steps” as ranked as one of Rome’s top attraction – therefore deserving of all its hype. Designed by Architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Speechi they are set of 136 steps built in 1725 to connect the Trinitá dei Monti with the Bourbon Spanish Embassy. The steps are usually crowded so expect many people to be there as well and be careful not to break any of the “steps” regulations.
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Galleria Borghese
Displaying some of Rome’s best artworks is the Galleria Borghese, situated in the Borghese Villa complex it was established in 1903. Made up of twenty-two rooms spread across two floors, its exhibitions are set up to follow different themes – they feature several paintings and sculptures by famous Italian artists like Caravaggio and Federico Barocci. There are also the Villa Borghese gardens around the grounds, it is worth a visit as well.
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Arch of Constantine
Built in 315 AD, this monument was built to celebrate the Great Emperor Constantine victory at the Battle of Milivian. Situated between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill, the arch is 21 m high and 25.9 m wide and consists of several types of design to form one of the most known landmarks in the country. There are several roman inscriptions on some of the Arch’s plinths with most of them depicting of scenes of war.
