Rome Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Rome, the Eternal City, offers a rich tapestry of history with its iconic Colosseum, Vatican treasures, and vibrant street life. Wander through ancient ruins, indulge in authentic Italian cuisine, and explore charming piazzas.
With 326+ hand-picked places to explore, Rome rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Rome
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano — start your exploration of Rome at the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, the oldest basilica in the city. Just as worthwhile is Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura: located along Via Ostiense, this basilica is a key site for religious art and history in Rome. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore completes the picture: ideal for history enthusiasts and families seeking insights into Rome's religious heritage.
Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
Rome • Historic Architecture
Start your exploration of Rome at the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, the oldest basilica in the city.
Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura
Rome • Famous Landmarks
Located along Via Ostiense, this basilica is a key site for religious art and history in Rome.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Rome • Historic Architecture
Ideal for history enthusiasts and families seeking insights into Rome's religious heritage.
St. Peter's Basilica
Rome • Famous Landmarks
A visit to this iconic basilica can enhance your exploration of Vatican City and Rome's rich history.
Museums & Culture in Rome
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Pantheon: ideal for history enthusiasts and culture seekers, this iconic site is steeped in ancient significance. Locals will also point you to Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano — an essential stop that reveals Rome's layered religious history across centuries of architectural evolution. And for something different, there's Colosseum: history enthusiasts and culture seekers will find the Colosseum a striking testament to ancient Roman engineering.
Pantheon
Rome • Historical Sites
Ideal for history enthusiasts and culture seekers, this iconic site is steeped in ancient significance.
Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano
Rome • Historical Sites
An essential stop that reveals Rome's layered religious history across centuries of architectural evolution.
Colosseum
Rome • Historical Sites
History enthusiasts and culture seekers will find the Colosseum a striking testament to ancient Roman engineering.
Roman Forum
Rome • Historical Sites
A sprawling complex where the remnants of ancient Roman public life unfold through ruins and arches.
Best Things to Do in Rome
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Escape Room Roma — located along Via del Porto Fluviale, this venue provides engaging escape room experiences for groups and families. Antica Libreria Cascianelli earns its reputation too — a historic bookshop known for its hands-on bookbinding workshops in a charming vintage setting. Round out the shortlist with AS Roma Paddle Club — located on Via delle Fornaci di Tor di Quinto, this club caters to paddle sports enthusiasts in Rome.
Escape Room Roma
Rome • Indoor
Located along Via del Porto Fluviale, this venue provides engaging escape room experiences for groups and families.
Antica Libreria Cascianelli
Rome • Indoor
A historic bookshop known for its hands-on bookbinding workshops in a charming vintage setting.
AS Roma Paddle Club
Rome • Sports
Located on Via delle Fornaci di Tor di Quinto, this club caters to paddle sports enthusiasts in Rome.
Parco degli Acquedotti Hiking Trails
Rome • Outdoor
Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs seeking a peaceful escape in Rome's scenic landscapes.
Where to Eat in Rome
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with I Supplì — this casual eatery offers a quintessential Roman street food experience, ideal for a quick evening snack. Just as worthwhile is Pasta Chef: perfectly fits into a bustling day in Rome with quick, authentic pasta options. Imàgo completes the picture: a Michelin-starred dining experience high above Rome, featuring panoramic views of the city’s landmarks.
I Supplì
Rome • Street Food
This casual eatery offers a quintessential Roman street food experience, ideal for a quick evening snack.
Pasta Chef
Rome • Street Food
Perfectly fits into a bustling day in Rome with quick, authentic pasta options.
Imàgo
Rome • Fine Dining
A Michelin-starred dining experience high above Rome, featuring panoramic views of the city’s landmarks.
Supplizio
Rome • Street Food
Ideal for budget-conscious travelers seeking authentic Roman street food.
Rome After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Bar del Cappuccino: start your day at this local bar for exceptional cappuccinos and a taste of Roman charm. Locals will also point you to Johnny's Off License — a casual bar with an impressive selection of craft beers and a beer shop vibe, perfect for unwinding. And for something different, there's La Botticella: located in Trastevere, this pub captures the essence of local Roman nightlife.
Bar del Cappuccino
Rome • Pubs & Bars
Start your day at this local bar for exceptional cappuccinos and a taste of Roman charm.
Johnny's Off License
Rome • Craft Beer Bars
A casual bar with an impressive selection of craft beers and a beer shop vibe, perfect for unwinding.
La Botticella
Rome • Pubs & Bars
Located in Trastevere, this pub captures the essence of local Roman nightlife.
Terrazza Montemartini
Rome • Rooftop Bars
Ideal for couples and groups seeking a memorable evening in Rome with breathtaking skyline views.
Where to Stay in Rome
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Hotel Santa Maria — start your day in Rome with a stay at this charming hotel in Trastevere, perfect for relaxing between city explorations. Hotel Artemide earns its reputation too — ideal for couples and families seeking a comfortable stay in Rome's lively atmosphere. Round out the shortlist with Residenza Cellini — this bed-and-breakfast provides a cozy base for exploring Rome's iconic sites and neighborhoods.
Hotel Santa Maria
Rome • Mid-Range Hotels
Start your day in Rome with a stay at this charming hotel in Trastevere, perfect for relaxing between city explorations.
Hotel Artemide
Rome • Mid-Range Hotels
Ideal for couples and families seeking a comfortable stay in Rome's lively atmosphere.
Residenza Cellini
Rome • Bed & Breakfast
This bed-and-breakfast provides a cozy base for exploring Rome's iconic sites and neighborhoods.
The RomeHello
Rome • Hostels
A lively hostel with modern amenities and a social atmosphere, just a short walk from major attractions.
Shopping in Rome
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Blue Goose Vintage — located on Via del Moro, Blue Goose Vintage is a destination for unique vintage finds in Trastevere. Just as worthwhile is Libreria del Viaggiatore: explore Rome's travel-focused bookstore on Via del Pellegrino, perfect for journey planning and literary souvenirs. Mercato di Campagna Amica completes the picture: experience local flavors and sustainability at this bustling farmer's market in Rome's historic district.
Blue Goose Vintage
Rome • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Located on Via del Moro, Blue Goose Vintage is a destination for unique vintage finds in Trastevere.
Libreria del Viaggiatore
Rome • Souvenir Shops
Explore Rome's travel-focused bookstore on Via del Pellegrino, perfect for journey planning and literary souvenirs.
Mercato di Campagna Amica
Rome • Markets
Experience local flavors and sustainability at this bustling farmer's market in Rome's historic district.
Centro Commerciale Porta di Roma
Rome • Malls
Located on Via Alberto Lionello, this shopping mall features an extensive range of international brands.
Parks & Green Spaces in Rome
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Giardino dei Semplici: a serene botanical garden featuring a diverse collection of medicinal plants and herbs. Locals will also point you to Giardino delle Rose — a tranquil stop for nature lovers exploring Rome, offering splendid rose varieties and city views. And for something different, there's Parco degli Acquedotti: ancient Roman aqueducts dominate the landscape in this picturesque park on Rome's southern edge.
Giardino dei Semplici
Rome • Botanical Gardens
A serene botanical garden featuring a diverse collection of medicinal plants and herbs.
Giardino delle Rose
Rome • Botanical Gardens
A tranquil stop for nature lovers exploring Rome, offering splendid rose varieties and city views.
Parco degli Acquedotti
Rome • Parks
Ancient Roman aqueducts dominate the landscape in this picturesque park on Rome's southern edge.
Parco di Collina Fleming
Rome • Playgrounds
A tranquil park ideal for families, perfect for a leisurely afternoon in Rome's residential Collina Fleming area.
84 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Rome that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Rome list:
- Palatine Hill· Famous Landmarks
- Aventine Keyhole Self-Guided Walk· Self-Guided
- Altare della Patria· Monuments & Statues
- Drink Kong· Local Hangouts
- Vatican Gardens Viewpoint· Secret Viewpoints
Planning where to stay in Rome?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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