Italy travel news: Seven of the best things to see during a visit to Rome
Rome needs no introduction - ancient ruins shoulder to shoulder with energetic cafés, and jaw-dropping architecture collides with a modern city lifestyle.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend escape or pit stopping during an Italian tour, there’s no shortage of iconic landmarks, world-class art, and sensational food to soak up.
Here, Travel News Blitz’s Sam Condy breaks down seven essential stops to make the most of your time in the Eternal City.
Colosseum
Rome’s most famous monument is truly breathtaking, even if you’ve seen it a hundred times on postcards.
The Colosseum has stood for nearly two millennia, once holding crowds of 50,000 watching all manner of ancient spectacles.
You can wander the outer rings freely, but a guided tour takes you inside the arena and underground tunnels for a deeper glimpse into ancient Roman life and culture.
Make sure you arrive early or book ahead, as the wonder is always busy.
Trevi Fountain
There’s something timeless about the Trevi Fountain, even amid the camera flashes and tourist bustle, its charm never fades.
Completed in 1762, the Baroque masterpiece is world famous for its iconic tradition: throw a coin over your left shoulder into the water, and legend says you’ll return to Rome.
It’s best visited early morning or late at night when the crowds thin and the fountain lights reflect off the marble.
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums are one of the world’s great treasure troves.
Endless corridors of ancient statues, Renaissance paintings, and gold-leaf ceilings eventually lead to Michelangelo’s ceiling masterpiece inside the Sistine Chapel.
It’s a lot to take in, both physically and visually, but it's worth every laboured breath.
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Just across from the Colosseum, this archaeological complex offers an immersive experience of ancient Rome.
Wander through the ruins of temples, basilicas, and triumphal arches that once formed the beating heart of the Roman Empire.
Climb Palatine Hill for panoramic views over the Forum and the city skyline beyond.
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Trastevere
For something a little more local, cross the Tiber River and spend an afternoon in Trastevere.
It’s a neighbourhood of cobbled alleys, ochre buildings, and lively piazzas filled with street performers and a buzzing atmosphere.
Come for the authentic Italian experience and make sure you stay for dinner, as trattorias here serve some of the city’s best pasta.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome.
Its vast dome, still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, is a feat of engineering genius.
Step inside and look up at the Oculus, an open circle at the centre of the dome that lets natural light pour in.
The building is now a church, and its stillness offers a peaceful contrast to the busyness in the lively streets outside.
Campo de’ Fiori
This open-air market square is a perfect spot to take a break, grab a bite, or just watch the city go by.
By morning, it’s home to stalls selling fresh produce, flowers, and Roman specialities. By evening, it turns into a buzzing hub of wine bars and restaurants.
It’s the perfect place to feel the rhythm of daily Roman life.
Summary
Rome is a city that balances grandeur with simplicity, where centuries of history lie around every corner, and the perfect gelato is always just a short walk away.
Whether you're admiring the Sistine Chapel or simply wandering down a sun-drenched alley in Trastevere, the Eternal City has something for everyone.
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