Rome is my second favorite city in all of Italy, of course, after Florence, a jewel of the Renaissance. Life has given me the opportunity to go to Rome at least 15 times, whether for work, personal or romantic trips, and I have never ceased to be surprised by everything there is to see in Rome.
With so many things to see in Rome, it can be stressful not knowing what to see in Rome and how much time to spend there. That’s why here I’m going to tell you about the best 17 places that you have to see without fail when traveling to Rome.
The 17 main monuments to see in Rome according to locals
1. Roman Colosseum | Must-see in Rome
Without a doubt, the first place you will have to see in Rome when you arrive is the amazing Roman Colosseum. Today, the Roman Colosseum is listed as one of the seven wonders of the modern world and is worth visiting and spending at least a third of your days there.
In my personal opinion, I suggest you book a guided tour in Spanish from those you can find on the official website of the Italian Ministry of Culture. However, pay attention because here is a golden tip for you.
The best tour you can book to visit the Roman Colosseum in Rome is the one that includes entering the Roman dungeons, that’s right, the same ones that are located in the underground of the Roman Colosseum. It is worth it because the same tour also takes you up to the top floors of the Roman Colosseum, which are inaccessible, just like the dungeons.
I also suggest that you do not arrive without an online reservation to enter the Roman Colosseum. The queues without a ticket to visit the Roman Colosseum usually take 3 hours to enter. Therefore, if you arrive with your ticket already purchased, you will be able to enter immediately as soon as the time indicated on your electronic ticket arrives.
2. Palatine and Roman Forum
The Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum are the second places I highly recommend you see in Rome. As many know, Rome is founded on the 7 hills of Ancient Rome. The Palatine Hill is the hill where the foundation of Rome began at the hands of Romulus and Remus, the first emperors of the Roman Empire.
The Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum are located just a few meters from the Roman Colosseum and you can enter with the exact same e-ticket you bought for the Roman Colosseum. At the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum you can see the remains of the Palace of the Roman Emperors and one of the best views of the city of ancient Rome. Right here, you will find archaeological remains of the esplanades, markets, and roads that were at the nerve center of ancient Rome.
3. Domus Aurea
The Domus Aurea is a must-see place in Rome. Its name means House of Gold and here you will find the chambers of all the Roman Emperors. The Domus Aurea functioned as the house where the emperors lived and all the staff who helped to attend to their needs.
In the past, the Domus Aurea was not open to the public. However, as restoration work was carried out, you can now visit the Domus Aurea in Rome by purchasing your entrance ticket online.
4. Trajan’s Market
You will find Trajan’s Market in the same area as the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, near the Roman Colosseum. If you visit this place, you will be able to appreciate the sumptuousness with which markets were set up in ancient Rome.
The Romans believed that places where trade took place had to be of central importance in the empire and well established. Therefore, they built beautiful buildings where merchants could go to sell their products. The main products sold in ancient Rome were oil, wine, fish, seafood, fruit, and vegetables.
Nowadays, a good example of a Roman market can be found in Campo dei Fiori. Campo dei Fiori is a great place to visit in Rome if you have a few days to spare because it is a flea market where you can find food, accessories, clothes, and souvenirs at fairly cheap prices.
5. Carcalla Thermal Baths
Everything in ancient Rome was sumptuous, the markets, the entertainment area, and the palaces. Why wouldn’t the baths be? The Baths of Carcalla are archaeological remains of the palaces that were used as baths by the Roman people.
You will find them a little further south of the city. However, it is worth taking a look because these baths, after those found in Bath, in the United Kingdom, are among the best preserved in the world.
If you don’t have time to go to the Baths of Carcalla, you can also visit the Baths of Diocletian in Rome. You’ll find the Baths of Diocletian right in front of the Roma Termini train station. A section of the Baths of Diocletian was converted into a church. However, it is worth visiting them if you don’t have the opportunity to go to the Baths of Carcalla.
6. Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
Let’s start with the churches! Traveling to the Eternal City is not only about seeing the archaeological remains of ancient Rome. Traveling to the Eternal City is also about seeing its churches, a must-see in Rome. If you only have the chance to go to one church in Rome, you have to come to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran.
The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is located near the Rome Termini train station. This was the first seat of the Pope in Rome. Once you enter and see the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, you will notice that the interior is made exclusively of the highest quality Carrara marble, marble sculptures made by Bernini, frescoes, and gold leaf decorations.
Across the street from the Basilica of St. John Lateran you will find another hidden gem to see in Rome: The Holy Stairs. The Holy Stairs are the steps of Pontius Pilate’s Palace in Jerusalem that Jesus climbed to receive the verdict of his trial: The Crucifixion. The Roman Emperor Constantine brought them back from Jerusalem as a war “souvenir” for his mother.
7. Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
Traveling to Rome is also about seeing its beautiful monuments. The Monument to Victor Emmanuel II is the most beautiful monument to see in Rome.
You won’t miss this monument, you’ll find it near the Roman Colosseum walking down Via del Foro Romano. From a distance, it will look like a Greek temple. However, when you get closer, you’ll see that it’s quite the opposite.
Victor Emmanuel II was the father of the Italian nation. He was the first King of Rome and the one who united all the independent kingdoms of the Italian peninsula under one flag, one language, one currency, and one country: Italy.
This place is very important because, in addition to finding an incredible place from which you can see beautiful views of the city, you will also find:
The Statue of Romulus and Remus and the She-Wolf Luperca The Capitoline Museums Roman theatre Church of St. Valentine The Mouth of Truth
8. Trevi Fountain
Not visiting the Trevi Fountain in Rome would be an incomplete trip to the eternal city, as it is a must-see in Rome. The Trevi Fountain was made by Borromini, who was commissioned by the Pope to beautify the Eternal City after the wars that arose for control of ancient Rome.
Legend has it that to ensure your return to the eternal city and, obviously, to see the other things to see in Rome, you have to throw a coin into the fountain. Turning your back, with your right hand, you will throw a coin over your left shoulder that will serve as payment to the gods to ensure your return to ancient Rome.
In fact, the Popes followed the tradition of making everything beautiful, just like the Romans. If in ancient Rome they made all their places beautiful, they even more beautified the fountains that supplied them with this vital liquid.
9. Pantheon of Agrippa | A must see in Rome
The Pantheon of Agrippa, now a church, is the best preserved building in the entire Roman Empire. This is where the emperors were buried and the Roman gods were worshipped.
Today, you can enter for free and it is worth it because several famous figures are buried here, such as Raphael Sanzio and Victor Emmanuel II. In addition, the dome was the first to be built in the history of mankind and was used as a reference for the domes of Santa Maria delle Fiore in Florence and St. Peter’s in the Vatican.
10. Important Squares in Rome
Rome has beautiful and impressive squares to see, all of which are due to the Roman tradition of creating beautiful public spaces for people’s leisure. The most beautiful squares to see in Rome are:
Piazza Navona Spain Square St. Peter’s Square Piazza del Bovolo Siena Square
11. Important Churches of Rome
As I mentioned, traveling to the eternal city is also about admiring the incredible art and architecture that has been created in the name of the Catholic Church. Some of the most important churches in Rome that are worth seeing are:
Saint Mary of Victory Saint Mary Major St. Peter in Chains Santa Maria Trastevere Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls Church of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls Basilica of Saint Agnes Outside the Walls
12. Capitoline Museums
The Capitoline Museums are a must-see in Rome. If you only have the chance to visit one museum in Rome, this one should definitely be it. In the Capitoline Museums, you will find the best collection of art, sculptures, and archaeology from ancient Rome.
The Capitoline Museums are located in the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II and the Monument to Romulus and Remus and the She-Wolf Luperca. Tickets can be purchased online.
13. Borghese Gallery
Today, the Borghese Gallery and Villa Borghese is one of the three largest parks to see in Rome. Its construction began in 1605 when Pope Paul V commissioned Bernini to beautify this area of the city that had only served as vineyards.
Today, you can find the Borghese Gallery here, which has the best collection of works of art by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Bernini. If you are passionate about art and art history, this is a must-see museum in Rome that you should not miss for anything in the world.
14. Trastevere District
The Trastevere district is the district that most resembles the stereotypical mental image we all have of Rome. Trastevere means “Behind the Tiber River” and it was where people persecuted by the Popes went to seek refuge.
Nowadays, this is the best area to go out for a drink and a bite to eat. Here you will find many restaurants that are very, very similar to the Italian cliché. Almost any place is a guarantee of delicious food. However, before you sit down to eat, it is worth strolling through the streets of Trastevere because there are many super cute corners.
15. Vatican City | Must-see in Rome
Finally, we arrived at the Vatican. Oh! I could go on for hours, even days, talking about the Vatican. I am very passionate about all the art there. However, that will be for another post.
Coming to the Vatican deserves a whole day of your itinerary to Rome because there are so many things to see such as:
The Sistine Chapel The Vatican Museums St Peter’s basilica The Necropolis St. Peter’s Square Castel Gandolfo
I know that sometimes we don’t have enough time to spend in a whole city. However, if there is one thing you can’t miss in Rome and the Vatican, it is the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
16. Castel Sant’Angelo | Must-see in Rome
The Castel Sant’Angelo is a fortress that was built around 300 AD as the tomb of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and which I also consider a must-see in Rome.
When the Popes took over ancient Rome, they decided to make it a fortress. Today, Castel Sant’Angelo is a place that hardly anyone visits but is completely worth the visit.
Once you enter and climb to the top of the fortress, you will be able to SEE THE BEST VIEWS OF THE ETERNAL CITY. REALLY, in all of Rome, here you will be able to see the best views of the city with the Vatican on one side and Rome with its churches and Roman remains on the other side.
17. Via Appia | Must-see in Rome
Via Appia is another totally unknown gem to see in Rome. From the Aurelian Walls, near Circo Massimo and the Palatine, Via Appia begins and ends at Rome Ciampino Airport. It is approximately 15 km long and you will find the best hidden gem in Rome.
On Via Appia you can see several buildings from ancient Rome that are still excellently preserved. If you ever wanted to experience the Italian countryside, Via Appia is exactly that. In other words, Via Appia is an excellent representation of the Italian countryside with palaces, thermal baths, squares, and vestiges of ancient Rome.