The city of Rome is the cradle of the Roman Empire and can therefore look back on a long and exciting history. This fact alone suggests that there is a lot to discover in the Italian capital. There are some top attractions that must be visited during your stay in Rome.
But of course, the metropolis has much more to offer, namely the fantastic Italian cuisine, which is known and loved all over the world. Whether pizza, pasta or numerous delicious ice cream flavors, in Rome gourmets will definitely get their money’s worth in the many restaurants and cafés. In this article, we will introduce you to the most important highlights of Rome that you should not miss. If you then rely on a Rome Pass , you can save money on sightseeing.
Colosseum and Roman Forum
The Colosseum in Rome is undoubtedly the most important attraction of the city, because the world’s largest amphitheater is also the Roman landmark. In the middle of the capital is this building, which was completed in 80 AD. The imposing building is a symbol of the impressive architecture of ancient Rome. There are a total of three tiers, which once had room for up to 50,000 people to watch the lively hustle and bustle in the arena.
Currently, only a few areas of the Colosseum are inaccessible, otherwise everything can be visited freely. Since there are usually long queues at the ticket offices, it is better to order the tickets online in advance. If you book on the official website, you can also visit the Roman Forum on the same day. If you are interested in the history of ancient Rome, you must pay a visit to the Roman Forum. There you can get an idea of the gigantic size of the city at the time of antiquity.
St. Peter’s Basilica
There are almost 1,000 churches in the city of Rome, with St. Peter’s Basilica being the most famous for sure. Directly on St. Peter’s Square, this sacred building was completed in 1626. Here the Pope gives his blessing to the faithful a few times a year. During the visit, the tombs of the deceased popes are considered a special highlight. In addition, the jewellery collection in the church and the magnificent dome are also extremely worth seeing.
If you want to enjoy a breathtakingly beautiful view over Rome, you should definitely climb the 551 steps. From up there, you can even catch a glimpse of the interior of the Vatican. In summer, please always remember that you must cover your knees and shoulders when viewing.
The Pantheon
When it comes to well-preserved buildings from antiquity, the Pantheon ranks right at the top. While it used to be sacred to the Romans, the Pantheon is still a Christian church with beautiful statues of saints inside. However, the dome, which is the world’s largest made of stone, is still a good reminder of Roman architecture. It has a diameter of almost 44 meters and has a mysterious nine-meter-wide hole in the middle. Among researchers, the thesis persists that it served as a huge sundial at that time. The square in front of the Pantheon is also worth a visit, where you can watch the hustle and bustle from one of the cafés or bistros.
By the way, if you walk 200 meters to the west, you will reach another enchanting square in Rome, namely Piazza Navona. It is lined with attractive buildings in the Baroque style and is a playground for artists and traders. In the middle of the square is the Fountain of the Four Rivers from the middle of the 17th century. A highlight of this piazza is also the beautiful church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. If you prefer first-class Italian cuisine, you will definitely find it here.
The park of Villa Borghese
In the heart of the city of Rome there is a beautiful park that invites locals and tourists alike to linger. It is the former estate of the Roman Borghese family. The park covers an area of around five square kilometres and is the ideal place to take a break from sightseeing with the whole family. It will be particularly fun for young and old if you explore the green area by bike or rickshaw.
The Campo de Fiori
If you translate the name of this square literally, then you would be dealing with a flower meadow. From Piazza Novana you only have to walk five minutes to reach the large market square. In the vicinity of the square you will find plenty of shops, restaurants, bakeries and cafés. The neoclassical buildings that surround the square are also impressive. The heart of the square is the statue of the philosopher Giordano Bruno, around which the stalls of the vendors are also grouped. In addition to fruit and other food, Campo de Fiori also offers great souvenirs at affordable prices.
The Trevi Fountain
The most famous fountain in Rome has enjoyed cult status since the 60s, when it was the scene of a scene in the film “La Dolce Vita”. In the foreground of the 50-metre-wide fountain, sea figures are depicted in the form of statues, while in the background a Baroque-style façade rises more than 25 metres. Visitors to Rome have a long tradition of throwing coins into the water. It is said to be important that the coins are thrown over the right shoulder. Singles should throw two coins into the fountain at once, because that promises that they will fall in love with a resident of Rome.
The Vatican
The Vatican houses an impressive art collection that is one of the most important in the world. The collection includes exhibits from a wide variety of eras, including early Christianity and the Middle Ages as well as the antiquity of the Orient. In addition to paintings, statues and impressive tapestries are also on display. The absolute highlight for visitors, however, is the world-famous Sistine Chapel. It is best known for the massive ceiling painting that the artist Michelangelo completed in 1512. Various scenes from the Bible are depicted, with the creation of Adam being one of the most famous scenes.
