Exploring the Eternal City of Rome
Rome is a city that needs no introduction. It has some of the most iconic landmarks in the world, as well as an entire country within its borders! The capitol of Italy holds amazing food, rich history, and an astounding culture that’s full of surprises. Roma is the largest Italian city so there’s lots of options for a diverse experience. After you’ve prepared yourself for the perfect trip to Italy, consider starting (or ending) your journey at the marvelous city of Rome. Here’s my top 10 favorite activities you can’t miss on your next trip to the Eternal City.
10. Trevi Fountain
Rome is famous for its plentiful fountains. The largest and most famous of these is the Fontana di Trevi. Legend has it that if you throw a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain, you’ll soon make a return to Rome. Two coins will ensure you find your true love and a third coin will guarantee a wedding in your future (probably). This free attraction is open all day and night. It gets pretty crowded, especially during the day, so be aware of your surroundings (and your pockets!). If I haven’t expressed my obsession with Italian fountains enough, this video should do it.
9. Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps
Just a short walk from Trevi Fountain lies Piazza di Spagna and the “Spanish Steps”. It’s a common misconception to call them the Spanish steps. That is to say, they should be called the French steps. The steps that link the popular square to the beautiful church at the top was actually financed by a French diplomat. The notoriety of the steps is thanks to the Spanish consulate close by. Regardless of who claims it, the square is an elegant piece of work and has a cool boat shaped fountain at the bottom. It’s illegal to sit on the steps so watch out! My favorite restaurant in Rome is also right around the corner.
8. Piazza Venezia
Italy is filled with palatial plazas at every corner. The largest of these is Piazza Venezia, dedicated to the patron saint of Venice. The square is centrally located so you can easily walk to many other iconic landmarks. Climb up to the top for amazing skyline views of the Roman city. In the center rests a huge equestrian statue of the first Italian king atop his horse. The eternal burning flames signifying Italy’s unification and the tomb of the unknown soldier are more highlights from this opulent square.
7. Campo De’ Fiori
In between sightseeing, head to the Campo De’ Fiori for some snacks and souvenirs. This open-air market has all the greatest Italian delicacies you can think of. The vendors have truffles, pasta, fruits, limoncello, and even clothes! Its open from 7am to 2pm so get there early to enjoy it! It’s right by Piaza Navona, another square that’s worth visiting.
6. Trastevere, Rome
For a much-needed change of pace from Rome’s hecticness, head to Trastevere. This trendy neighborhood has tons of outstanding restaurants and bars to try. One of my favorite completely gluten free restaurants in the area is Mama Eat Roma. The antique, cobblestone streets and alleys offer a unique insight into a Roman’s everyday life. Trastevere also has a lively nightlife scene, so I recommend some bar hopping.
5. Pasta and other food in Rome
Speaking of food, Rome has some of the greatest quality dishes in the world. It’s an Eden of heavenly dishes for any foodie. One of my favorite signature Italian dishes is spaghetti carbonara. Of course Rome also excels at pizza, gelatos, and every other pasta dish. Be sure to check out my epic food journal for trying all the best dishes Italy has to offer.
4. Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
The city of Rome feels like a huge open-air history museum. Most of the archaeological artifacts can be seen intertwined among the metropolitan city. For a deeper look into this ancient world, head to the Roman forum and Palatine Hill. The iconic pillars and ruins of the Roman Forum are an incredible sight to see. Palatine Hill is the most popular of the seven hills in Rome and includes ancient palaces. The best value is to buy a 2 day Colosseum combo ticket which includes access to both sites. I recommend visiting these two on a separate day than the Colosseum to have more time.
3. Pantheon
The Pantheon is Rome’s best-preserved ancient temple. It is now used as a church and to celebrate other holy events. The Pantheon’s architecture is astounding and one of the most unique dome shaped edifices. The center is left completely open which allows for sunlight to shine through as a beam of light. The best part is that the Pantheon is completely free! Try to visit between 11am and 1pm for a glimpse at the celestial light. For a real special treat, plan your trip for April 21st or June 21st to see the light shining directly upon the ground. The Pantheon’s inspiration has even spread as far as Paris!
2. Go to the Vatican City
While in Rome you have the fortune of visiting the smallest country in the world. The Vatican is an entirely independent country held within the borders of Rome and run by the Pope. The must-see attractions include the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s basilica. I highly recommend booking your tickets online for the museum and the Sistine Chapel. Consequentially, you may have to wait on a ridiculously long line several blocks down the street without it. It might be beneficial to get a tour guide to gain some context for all the art pieces.
Entrance to the Basilica is free so don’t get scammed by anyone trying to sell you tickets for it. There is a ludicrous amount of content within the Vatican, so be sure to allot adequate time to see it all. The ticket included a guide who will escort you past all the lines and into the museum pretty quickly.
1. Rome Colosseum
Now it’s time for Rome’s monumental icon, the Colosseum. This ancient oval amphitheater was used for vicious gladiator battles, animal hunts, and even sea skirmishes. The Colosseo stands at an imposing 157 ft (48 meters) high, has 3 levels, and a huge perimeter filled with tons of history to explore. Purchasing a combo ticket at the Roman Forum booth or online is the best way to avoid waiting in line. There’s even a secret underground tour that takes you beneath the stadium. We booked a video guide on our visit, which was very informative. The architecture was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I highly recommend spending some time wandering through.
Rome is a wondrous city filled with some of the best history, food, and sightseeing in the entire world. If you’re interested in gaining even more insights into the marvels of Rome, consider checking out this guided tour. As the Italy travel series finale, Rome has ranked very high on my favorite travel destinations of all time. The beautiful sights will remain radiant memories for years to come. I hope you all get to visit one day soon! For anyone visiting the other fascinating cities in Italy, start here. Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Here’s the Rome travel vlog so you can join in our adventures!
Here’s a bonus vlog of our tour of the Vatican City! Enjoy!
