Best of Italy: Rome

From its significant role in history to its beautiful arts, Rome is breathtaking. I think everyone should go at least once! There is so much to see and it's a really fun mix of old and new.

I've been to Rome tons of times. The first time I saw the Eternal City was when I was 19, alone and living with an Italian family. The most recent time I went was with my husband and 3.5 kids in September of 2022. (If you want to travel with kids, I've got your back.) For your convenience, here's a map of all the best stuff! It's color coded too 🤓

✨ Best of Rome ✨

Yellow = To Do

Blue = Gelato

Red = Eats

Green = Museums

Purple = Extra Churches & Parks

(If clicking the map doesn't work, copy and paste this in your browser to see the full thing: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1DP8kWYBGIT9h-P3RMFVcocxNwQsKnyg&usp=sharing)

You can use the map to guide your trip. Or pick your favorite things from the list. For detailed explanations, keep reading. Here are all of my favorite things to do in Rome:

Our family outside St. Peter's Basilica in Sept. 2022

1. St. Peter's Basilica (don't miss the rooftop view!)

This basilica is amazing. It's over-the-top, baroque, and beautiful. I love the lighting, the sculptures, the art, the tombs in the basement, and everything about it. 

You can read more about the basilica's history and its many architects, Bernini being one of them. It's an incredible place! I love how this place has turned from one of historical sadness (where St. Peter was killed) to the center of Catholicism.

Photo from the top  when I went in July 2015	Same place, but in September 2022

You don't need tickets to enter the basilica (it's free) but I do recommend going early and in the morning so you don't waste your whole day in line. You will go through security before entrance to the grounds. 

If you want to go to the rooftop (I highly recommend it!) you can buy tickets when you get there. I would do this first thing when you arrive. The official website is a bit outdated and I've never had issues getting tickets in person as long as I got there early enough! 

It's basically to the far right and back of the basilica (if you're looking at it head on). You can choose to pay a bit more for the elevator. I've done both with the elevator and without. I actually recommend without the elevator because yes you can save a few euros (not that big of a deal) but more importantly you can save so much time! You are actually not skipping out on that many steps and you won't be sitting waiting for the elevator the whole time. So if you're in decent shape, I would just head on up! 

When you go back to the Basilica after the rooftop, definitely make time for Michelangelo's La Pieta (!!) and the papal tombs underneath. 

 

2. The Pantheon

I absolutely love the Pantheon. It's just an incredible structure. I can definitely understand why it didn't get destroyed by invaders because it's just an amazing piece of architecture. We're still not even sure how they made it. 

Me, my husband and my kids in 2022	My friend Kate and me in 2011

 

Me in 2010

Definitely see the Pantheon and definitely spend a few moments inside just enjoying it. You can read more about the Pantheon and I also suggest listening to Rick Steves' shpeal on it with his free audio guide app. 

Entrance to the Pantheon is free :)

 3. Trevi Fountain

This is for sure a fun thing to see. I highly recommend getting some good gelato (there's a really sweet spot just around the corner) and sitting and enjoying this. Bernini was incredibly talented. Also, keep a tight eye/hand on your belongings here. It's a prime pick-pocketing spot! But don't let that stop you. Just be hyper aware of your belongings as you enjoy and you should be good to go. 

Looking at the fountain is free! You might want to toss in a few coins though :) It's good luck, plus the money goes to charity. 

Me in May 2010	My husband, kids, and me in Sept 2022

4. The Colosseum

I LOVE the Colosseum! Did you know that back in the day when it was used for entertainment, the stadium could be emptied in 5 min? Talk about practical architecture! 

If you haven't been on the inside of the Colosseum, I recommend doing so at least once. And definitely learn about the history of it! It's fascinating. And maybe even watch Gladiator as part of your 'research'...And while you're there, check out the Arch of Constantine (and Roman forum) next door!

You can get tickets to the inside of the Colosseum here 

or copy and paste this link in your browser: https://parcocolosseo.it/en/visit/opening-times-and-tickets/

The Spanish steps in 2010	Me and the fam in September 2022

5. The Spanish Steps

Now this a fun place. Bob Dylan wrote a song about it for a reason. It's pretty cool! It's a great place to:

• people-watch

• eat gelato

• hang out

• soak in the city

The Spanish Steps are a public place and therefore free :)

By [1], CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13609

 6. The Vatican Museums

Definitely don't miss the Vatican Museums! This is where you can see the Sistine Chapel (it's actually just as good or even better than what everyone says!), tons of famous art like:

Laocoön and His Sons	The Belvedere Torso	Augustus of Prima Porta

And Raphael’s The School of Athens (not pictured). 

You can get tickets to the Vatican Museums here 

or copy and paste this link in your browser: https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home

7. Piazza Navona & Fountain of the Four Rivers

Once again, Bernini shows himself an artistic and sculptural genius! (Is it a secret that I absolutely love his work?) The Fountain of the Four Rivers or Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in Italian represent four major rivers of the four continents where "papal authority had spread" (Wikipedia). Africa is represented by the Nile, Europe is represented by the Danube, Asia is represented by the Ganges, and the Americas are represented by the Rio de la Plata. 

Each of the statue of these rivers has lots of symbolism (i.e. the Nile's face is covered, meaning that no one at the time knew its source). 

There are tons of street artists in this piazza so it might be fun to get yourself a little souvenir as I did! 

Piazza Navona is a public place and therefore free :)

8. Villa Borghese Navona & Fountain of the Four Rivers

Tragically, the official site to book tickets is not very good. Because of this, I very unfortunately missed it! The tickets often sell out and are booked out days/weeks in advance. So in this rare exception, I would say booking through a third party would be worth it. I found that you can get tickets here or just copy and paste this into your browser: 

https://www.tickets-rome.com/borghese-gallery/villa-borghese/

Photo by Nicole Reyes on Unsplash

9. The Roman Forum 

I've only seen the Roman Forum from the outside, but it was still really cool! And I've heard going on the actual tour is amazing. 

You can get tickets to the Roman Forum here 

or copy and paste this link in your browser: https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home

This photograph was taken by Dnalor_01 from Wikimedia Commons and released under license (CC-BY-SA 3.0)

9. Catacombs of St. Callixtus

Not only do catacombs make me feel like a badass Indiana Jones type explorer, but they also are a great way to cool off if you're sweating from walking all over town! (Even when you think it's too early/late in the year, you may surprise yourself with how sweaty you get.) I haven't been here personally but I had them recommended to me by a local Roman friend. 

You can get tickets to the catacombs and make your reservation in English here (there are other languages too)

or copy and paste this link in your browser: https://www.catacombesancallisto.it/en/biglietti.php

Other fun things to do when you go to Rome:

Eat Gelato

Seriously. At least once a day (if not more!), get some authentic (artiginale) gelato. It's true Italian, absolutely delicious and you're going to walk off the calories anyway. 

Go to some parks

We went to some parks as a family and that was really fun. Sometimes it's nice to step out of the touristy places and get a feel for what local life is like. 

Eat Delicious Local Food

And this doesn't just mean at restaurants! Even just the fresh fruit and bread at the grocery stores is amazing. (There are a lot of good restaurants and cafes on the map; the ones with an asterisk* are ones recommended to me by a friend who lives in Rome, but I personally haven't been there.) 

Rent Bikes

Renting bikes is one of my favorite things to do in Europe. The main cities in Europe are very bike-friendly and it's such a fun way to see a city. Plus it is generally not expensive at all and there are bike lanes everywhere which makes it really nice and easy. 

Well, that's a wrap! Hope you enjoy your exciting trip in Rome. Did I miss something? What was your favorite thing to do in Italy?  Leave me a comment!

Other fun things to do before you go to Rome:

Watch these movies:

✨ Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck

✨ Angels and Demons

✨ Gladiator

✨ The Lizzie McGuire movie...(jokes)

Get this gear:

✨ Really good walking shoes (you'll walk a lot!)

✨ Clothes that support a good appetite :D

✨ A little fan (if you're going between May-October)

General tips about traveling in Italy: 

Plan Out Your Trip

• Always buy tickets directly with the official sites (not third-party websites). Not only will you save money, but you'll also avoid scams.
• When you're there, you may want to check the metro/train/bus times the day before you plan to take that route.
• Consider seeing two places around the same time — for example, you can walk down La Rambla on your way to shop in Mercado de La Boqueria. 

Transportation Methods 

 ✈️ Cheap Little Flights

• You can find excellent deals with Ryanair (watch how much baggage you can bring!) or Google Flights
• Often they're just as cheap (or cheaper) than the train and can save you loads of travel time

🛴Electric Scooters 🚲 (or Bikes)

• These are a great way to get from A to B quickly
• Also a great alternative if you don't want to go into the hot metro
• They are cheap and you can find them with app locators — we have used Lime, Bird, Dott and some others

 🚇 The Metro / Tram

• Metros/trams are cheap and fast 
• They connect the city really well
• They come very often (not long to wait!)
• They are easy to navigate if you pay attention well 

         🚶Walking

• Italians (and Europeans in general) walk everywhere!
• Bring good walking shoes!
• It’s a wonderful way to get around and get a feel for the city

         🚙 Uber

• Also a handy way to travel 

🚌 Buses

• Buses are another great way to get around town
• If you're lucky and going in the off-season (September - May), they shouldn't be too crowded 
• Be aware that around rush hour (5-6 pm), they can get quite busy

Other transportation helps

• Google maps is accurate and helpful​
• If you're going to other cities, Rome 2 Rio is helpful to see ways to get from A to B, but be sure to double-check the bus and train schedules before you plan. It’s a good way to see multiple methods of travel and compare cost, times, etc

Great Resources

• Rick Steves — He has some great resources like free audio tours and other tips for exploring Italy!
• Italy’s Official Tourism Website - Places to see, things to do, etc.