Planning a Trip to Rome? Don’t Miss These 12 Essentials
Not only does Rome offer bucket-list appeal, but it is also one of the top destinations worldwide for the millions of foreigners it received in 2023, which is 40% more than the previous year, as reported by Statista.
It is not surprising that it attracts so many visitors: Even among the impressive 900 churches, 280 fountains, and rich, two-thousand-year-old heritage, Rome is a city that can always surprise and delight. However, being in Rome and having the best time isn’t only about visiting famous places; it is about experiencing the whole place. Even a typical holiday can turn into the trip of a lifetime by absorbing the sights of gelato shops in Trastevere and the panoramic views of the Vatican.
This list is meant for travelers going there for the first time or those who have already visited. It offers the best and tells you why Rome is a city that you should see. The time to book your trip as an experienced traveler has come. Here are 12 must-dos that will make your trip even better, every moment of the count.
Explore the Colosseum—With a Skip-the-Line Ticket
Rome’s most famous creation draws enormous crowds with its stunning grandeur. But waiting in line? It’s not so epic. Make the most of your visit and book a Skip-the-line tour where you won’t have to wait and will have an opportunity to listen to some unique stories about the fighters and animals in the Colosseum.
This underground tour provides a frightening and insightful look into the past. Why spend your time in Rome waiting in line? Do the right thing, get a skip-the-line ticket, and enjoy the sights.
Toss a Coin into the Trevi Fountain
Legend has it that tossing a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi guarantees your return to Rome—and who wouldn’t want that? With energy throughout the day, the Baroque fountain should be visited when quiet, either at dawn or dusk.
Fun fact: A staggering €1,000,000 coins are tossed into the fountain annually. Make a wish on a coin, take a photo, and feel good about using your superstition to support charity.
Stroll Through the Roman Forum
Formerly the pulse of ancient Rome, the Forum is now a tender, tattered assemblage of columns, old temples, and falling ruins that bear stories reaching thousands of years into the past. Wandering through the Forum is like reading a century-old history textbook with brighter illumination.
Put on sensible walking clothes and hang around. It opens up much more than you can expect and conceals many treasures. You can spend a minute applauding the oldest sanctuary and marveling at the majestic Arch of Septimius Severus (a supposedly perfect name for a tremendous arch). You’ll leave feeling a little more connected to the ancient world.
Eat Cacio e Pepe in Trastevere
The brain of Rome is concentrated down to cacio e pepe, that simple, spicy pasta dish that tastes so very Roman. Visit Trastevere, an energized place with cobblestone roads and romantic candlelit restaurants, to experience the authentic taste of Rome.
Keep it simple using cheese, pasta, and pepper, and here lies the beauty of this classic dish: the simplest flavor combination can be the most impactful. Now sip that wine from the region and soak it in the crazy environment, and you will have authentic Roman happiness.
Rest assured, if some of these memories bring a touch of the Roman trattoria in sleep tonight, don’t be shocked. Make a wish, take a photo, and be pleased that your superstition is part of a fantastic charity.
Climb the Spanish Steps (Then People-Watch)
There’s no better perch in Rome than the top of the Spanish Steps, built between 1723 and 1725, as The Roman Times highlights. End your shoot, buy a gelato, and relax and watch the action below – you’ll see all sorts of gatherings, local life, and a fashion photo shoot even if you’re lucky.
The steps lead from Piazza di Spagna to Trinità dei Monti church – both are enjoyable breaks, with superb opportunities to stop and take in the view.
Take breaks so you don’t sit for long; they may ask you to leave. The good news is that walking up is free. You’ll enjoy amazing views and the entire sense—pure Dolce Vita.
Visit Vatican City—But Time It Right
According to Statista, the Vatican is the world’s smallest country, but it packs in a ton—St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and, of course, the Sistine Chapel. The crowds tend to build up fairly quickly, so try to time your visit for a weekday or late afternoon when fewer folks are taking over.
Insider tip: Climbing St. Peter’s Basilica dome offers one of the most incredible views in Rome. You’ll get some exercise while having a nice reward to look at. Enjoy an astonishing skyline vista captured in timeless artistic inspiration, all in one place. It’s worth it.
Sip Espresso Like a Local at a Standing Bar
Roman coffee is drunk with the pace and convenience of a cool summer thirst quencher. Go to a local café and order an espresso at the bar quickly. It will cost much less than sitting at a table, but you’ll get a speedy, tasty cup.
Standing up and placing an order for an espresso in a local café is a perfect opportunity to step into a Roman routine and show that you don’t need many words to be welcomed. The kick you get from your espresso will keep you ticking when you explore more attractions.
Marvel at the Pantheon’s Perfect Dome
The Pantheon isn’t just old—it’s ancient, yet it boasts the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, the BBC reports. Go to the top of the steps and admire the oculus, the small circular aperture that lets nature’s light in through a divine spotlight.
Enter to find a free, cool place ideal for taking a lunch break. Once the rains fall, water drips out of the floors’ holes—proof of Roman grandeur in engineering. This experience creates a “how did they do that?” moment you won’t forget.
Wander Campo de Fiori in the Morning
Come early to beat the crowds and experience the energy at the lively early-day market at Campo di Fiori. There are fresh flowers, local produce, colorful spices, and Roman merchants selling wares. You’ll get everything you require for a picnic, possibly even an unforgettable truffle oil to bring home.
Pro tip: Taste a porchetta sandwich from a local street vendor and wonder why deli meat ever looked attractive—suggestion: noisy, flavorful, and alive.
Experience the Sunset at Piazza Navona
The golden hour in Piazza Navona gives a magical feel. Willing streams of water, gaudy sounds, and artists at work flood the square as people laugh and record with their cameras.
Roman games used to take place in what is now a lovely square framed with perfect pass-through spaces for people-watching and Aperol spritzing.
Sit down, take up your bearings, and let the surroundings and feeling of the place seep in as the night comes. Experience the easygoing atmosphere of Rome: you don’t have to rush or get tired to discover it.
Take a Stroll Down Via Appia Antica
Discover this old Roman road, more than 800 km long, which can be explored on foot today. Ride a bike or wander the peace of old ruins – aqueducts, catacombs, or open fields that forget Rome’s frenzied city life.
A pleasant surprise: let the lush history of the area embrace you. There’s nothing better than a few moments here to catch your breath once the gelato has done its magic. The stones accompany you, studying the murmurs from thousands of years ago.
End with Gelato from Giolitti
Rome would be incomplete if you didn’t end the day with a scoop of gelato – it’s gotta do! To order a real Roman confection, visiting the Giolitti—an iconic and old gelateria is a must.
Plunge into smooth hazelnut and tart blood orange gelato and top your gelato with a scoop of whipped cream (it’s not to be missed). The atmosphere is welcoming and simply delicious. Grab your gelato, walk in the nearby streets, and end your day in Rome perfectly sweetly.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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