Top 10 List
Top 10 Things to Do in Rome
The essential Rome experiences for a first trip — ancient landmarks, Vatican treasures, famous piazzas and neighborhoods worth exploring.
No. 1
Colosseum
- Best for
- First-time visitors, history and ancient Rome
- What makes it special
- The Colosseum is Rome’s defining ancient landmark and one of the clearest places to understand the scale and spectacle of the Roman Empire.
- TopTenTravelDestinations tip
- Reserve a timed ticket in advance and compare ticket types carefully because some include access to additional archaeological areas while others do not.
- Don't Miss
- Take time to see the exterior from multiple angles as well as the interior.
No. 2
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
- Best for
- Ancient history and travelers who want more context after visiting the Colosseum
- What makes it special
- The Forum contains the remains of temples, government buildings and public spaces at the center of ancient Roman life, while Palatine Hill adds elevated views and imperial history.
- TopTenTravelDestinations tip
- Wear comfortable shoes and allow more time than you expect. The archaeological area is larger and less shaded than many visitors realize.
- Our Take
- The Colosseum is the icon, but the Forum and Palatine often provide the deeper sense of ancient Rome.
No. 3
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- Best for
- Art, history and first-time Rome visitors
- What makes it special
- The Vatican Museums contain one of the world’s great art collections, leading through centuries of galleries to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.
- TopTenTravelDestinations tip
- Book a timed entry well in advance and avoid trying to see every gallery. Choose a few priorities and leave time for the Sistine Chapel.
- Don't Miss
- Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel.
No. 4
St. Peter’s Basilica
- Best for
- Architecture, religious history and monumental interiors
- What makes it special
- St. Peter’s Basilica combines enormous scale, major works of art and one of Christianity’s most important religious sites.
- TopTenTravelDestinations tip
- Arrive early because security lines can become long, especially during busy travel periods and religious events.
- Don't Miss
- Michelangelo’s Pietà and, if practical for the traveler, the dome experience.
No. 5
Pantheon
- Best for
- Architecture and travelers exploring Rome on foot
- What makes it special
- Nearly two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon remains one of ancient Rome’s best-preserved monuments and one of the city’s most remarkable interior spaces.
- TopTenTravelDestinations tip
- Combine the Pantheon with Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain as part of one central-Rome walking route.
- Don't Miss
- Look up at the enormous concrete dome and central oculus.
No. 6
Trevi Fountain
- Best for
- First-time visitors and classic Rome sightseeing
- What makes it special
- The Trevi Fountain turns a relatively compact city square into one of Rome’s most theatrical public spaces.
- TopTenTravelDestinations tip
- Visit early in the morning or later in the evening if you want to experience the fountain with fewer people around you.
- Our Take
- It is crowded for a reason. Even a short visit is worthwhile on a first trip to Rome.
No. 7
Piazza Navona
- Best for
- Walking, architecture, cafés and evening atmosphere
- What makes it special
- Built over the footprint of an ancient stadium, Piazza Navona combines Baroque architecture, fountains and one of central Rome’s most memorable public spaces.
- TopTenTravelDestinations tip
- Walk through the square, but compare restaurant choices on the surrounding streets before automatically eating directly on the piazza.
- Don't Miss
- Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers.
No. 8
Trastevere
- Best for
- Neighborhood atmosphere, restaurants and evening walks
- What makes it special
- Trastevere’s smaller streets, piazzas and restaurant scene provide a different experience from Rome’s monumental historic center.
- TopTenTravelDestinations tip
- Visit in the late afternoon, stay for dinner and walk through the neighborhood again after dark.
- Our Take
- Trastevere is most enjoyable when treated as a neighborhood to wander rather than a checklist attraction.
No. 9
Villa Borghese & Galleria Borghese
- Best for
- Art lovers, parks and travelers who want a break from dense sightseeing
- What makes it special
- Villa Borghese provides one of central Rome’s largest green spaces, while the Galleria Borghese contains an exceptional collection in a much more intimate setting than many major museums.
- TopTenTravelDestinations tip
- Museum admission is capacity-controlled, so check reservation requirements before planning your day.
- Don't Miss
- Bernini’s sculptures inside the Galleria Borghese.
No. 10
Appian Way
- Best for
- Ancient history, walking, cycling and travelers with extra time
- What makes it special
- The Via Appia offers a chance to experience ancient Rome beyond the historic center, with stretches of old roadway, archaeological remains and countryside atmosphere.
- TopTenTravelDestinations tip
- Give this experience at least half a day and plan transportation before leaving central Rome.
- Our Take
- It is a particularly good choice for travelers with four or more days who want something beyond Rome’s most famous central sights.
Planning more of the trip?
- Top 10 Rome Hotels — coming soon
- What Does a Rome Vacation Cost? — coming soon
- Best Time to Visit Rome
- Rome Travel Guide
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