1. Colosseum
The Colosseum is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering in the centre of the city of Rome. It is probably the most impressive building of the Roman empire.
The elliptical amphitheatre was commissioned around A.D. 70-72 by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty as a gift to the Roman people.
With a capacity of 50,000 seats, It was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology.
Note: Beware of pickpockets while queing and gladiator photo scam, ask for price first before taking photos with them.
Skip The Queue, Book Online: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Entry Ticket
Getting there
By Metro: Line B – Colosseo Station
By Bus : 60 / 75 / 85 / 87 / 117 / 271 / 571 / 175 / 186 / 810 / 850 /C3
2. Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi was inspired by the Roman triumphal arches. It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most beautiful fountains in the world.
Legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. By throwing two coins will ensure that the thrower will fall in love with a beautiful Roman girl (or handsome boy); throwing three coins, finally, ensures that the thrower will marry that girl or boy in Rome itself.
Getting there
By Metro
Line A – Barberini Fontana di Trevi
3. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
Located in Vatican City, Saint Peter’s Basilica regarded as one of the holiest Catholic sites has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world. Emperor Constantine, the first Christian emperor of Rome, ordered to build a basilica on Vatican Hill.
In Roman Catholic tradition, the basilica is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, the first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession.
Skip The Queue, Book Online: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & Saint Peter’s Guided Tour
Opening Hours
Daily : April-Sep 7:00-19:00 / Oct-Mar 7:00-18:00
Getting there
By Metro
Line A: Ottaviano San Pietro – Musei Vaticani Station
4. Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV, is the best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in the Vatican City.
Famous for its architecture and its decoration that was frescoed throughout by Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio and others.
Skip The Queue, Book Online: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & Saint Peter’s Guided Tour
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: the Ticket Office is open from 9 am to 4 pm. The Museums close at 6 pm.
Getting there
By Metro
Line A: Ottaviano San Pietro – Musei Vaticani Station
By Bus : 49 / 32 / 81 / 982 /492 / 990
By Tram: Tram 19 – Piazza del Risorgimento
5. Spanish Steps
The Spanish steps were built in 1723-1725 designed by architect Francesco de Sanctis. The 174 steps were built to link the Trinità dei Monti church with the Piazza di Spagna. The place is often a meeting point as it is surrounded by a shopping district.
Getting There: Metro – Spagna Station
6. Pantheon
The Pantheon was originally a temple to the classical deities was built by Hadrian around AD 119-128, and now remains a church, holding the tombs of united Italy’s first king and the artist Raphael.
The exterior retains its original bronze doors, and inside the dimensions follow the rules set down by top Roman architect Vitruvius. The diameter of the hemispherical dome is exactly equal to the height of the whole building, giving it the capacity to hold a perfect sphere.
Opening Hours
Daily : Mon-Sat 8AM to 7.30PM / Sun 9AM to 6PM / Public holidays 9AM to 1PM. Closed on Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25
Getting there
By Bus : 46, 62, 64,170, or 492 to Largo di Torre
By Metro
Line A – Barberini Fontana di Trevi Station
7. Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo is a towering cylindrical building in Rome. Initially, it was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family.
The building was later used by former Popes who absconded there for protection in times of danger as a fortress and castle and is now a museum.
Admission Fees
Adults: €8.50 / Reduced ticket: €6
Opening Hours
Daily: Tue to Sun 9 am-5.30 pm. Closed on Monday, Christmas & New Year.
Getting there
By Metro
Line A – Lepanto Station
By Bus: 40, 62, 23, 271, 982, 280 – Stop Piazza Pia
8. Piazza Navona
Credit: @peppespp
Piazza Navona one of the finest Baroque Masterpiece is lined with luxurious cafes and Baroque palaces and is the home to three lavish fountains.
It was originally built as a stadium in the first century for athletic contests and chariot races.
Getting there
By Bus: 70, 87, 492. It is quite close to Castel Sant’Angelo
9. Roman Forum
Credit: @thebittersweetlifepodcast
The Roman Forum located in a valley that is between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill is a rectangular plaza surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the centre of the city of Rome.
Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum.
Skip The Queue, Book Online: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Entry Ticket
Opening Hours
Daily : Mon-Sat 9AM-6PM (summer), 9AM-3PM (winter), Sundays 9AM-1PM year-round
Getting there
By Metro
Line B – Colosseo Station
10. Capuchin Crypt
Credit: @abigailfiedler
The Capuchin Crypt is a small space comprising several tiny chapels located beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini on the Via Veneto near Piazza Barberini in Rome.
It contains the skeletal remains of 4,000 bodies believed to be Capuchin friars buried by their order. The Catholic order insists that the display is not meant to be macabre, but a silent reminder of the swift passage of life on Earth.
Skip The Queue, Book Online: Capuchin Crypts Entrance Ticket
Opening Hours
Fri to Wed: 9-12 PM and 3-6 PM daily. Closed Thursdays.
By Metro
Line A – Barberini Fontana di Trevi Station
11. Vittorio Emanuele II Monument
The National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II was built to commemorate the first king Vittorio Emanuele II, who had played a major role for the unification of Italy (1870).
It is built of white marble from Botticino, Brescia, and features stairways, Corinthian columns, fountains, an equestrian sculpture of Victor Emmanuel and two statues of the goddess Victoria riding on quadrigas.
Opening Hours: Daily – Summer: 09:30 – 18.30 / Winter: 09:30 – 17.30
Admission: Free
Getting there
By Bus : 60, 40, 64, 117
By Metro: Line B – Colosseo Station
Hi Tommy,
I read your interesting blog.
I’m planning a trip to Italy this month. Wonder if you can help me plan the trip (about 10 to 12 days).
Is it easy to do on my own since this is my first time doing it?
Hi, it is easy, just becareful of pickpockets in rome.. Perhaps Venice, Burano, Florence, Pisa, Clinque Terre, Capri, Positano, Naples, Milan, Rome