Places To Visit In Rome: Must-See Attractions & Hidden Gems

Vatican City, one of the places to visit in Rome, is beautifully lit up at the time of dusk.

Rome, a fascinating city and the capital of Italy, has several stunning places to visit. These top places to visit offer a holistic experience of Rome and promise some endless pleasure. Whether you love nature, history or art or you are simply a tourist in the city, the below-mentioned places to visit in Rome have something for everyone. Each place narrates a story and truly replicates the beauty and magic of Italy. The sites range from Castel Sant’Angelo, a mesmerising ancient site to the ancient ruins of Colosseum, a historical landmark and Roman Forum which is an open-air museum.

Top 10 Places To Visit In Rome

Places to visit in Rome range from several historical landmarks to iconic monuments, fountains, art museums, churches and gardens.

1. Colosseum

The ancient ruins of the Colosseum, are one of the top historical places to visit in Rome.

Photo: Jebulon / Wikimedia Commons

The Colosseum is an enchanting place in Rome which shouldn’t be missed by any tourist. This place derived its name from an ancient Greek word ‘Kolossos’ which means a giant structure, mostly an amphitheatre. The Colosseum is the largest standing amphitheatre in the world and is currently in ruins. Built of limestone, this amphitheatre holds a capacity of 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. It is one of the seven wonders of the world and is a symbol of Imperial Rome. There are guided tours that give tourists a holistic view of the place.

Location: Colosseum, Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma, Italy
Timings: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

2. Trevi Fountain

A detailed look of the Trevi Fountain, one of the top architectural places to visit in Rome.

Photo: Jebulon / Wikimedia Commons

The Trevi Fountain is a remarkable place in Rome and was built in the 18th Century. This is the largest fountain in Rome and it reflects the exquisite Baroque structures worldwide. This place has a blend of artistic heritage and a water fountain. There are guided tours to this place for a better understanding. A strong belief lies in the Trevi Fountain with a saying that those who throw a coin in the waters of the fountain shall return back to Rome in the future. The coins have to be thrown by facing one’s back to the fountain.

Location: Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Rome, Italy
Timings: 24*7

3. Roman Forum

Roman Forum, an open-air museum and one of the top places to visit in Rome, Italy.

Photo: Wolfgang Moroder. / Wikimedia Commons

Roman Forum is an architectural marvel and was once an important venue for public speeches, gladiatorial matches, criminal trials and triumphal processions. This place is known by its Latin name Forum Romanum and is surrounded by several important ancient government ruins. This place is also known as the heart of ancient Rome and is the most celebrated meeting place in the world. Roman Forum is located in the valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills and offers majestic views of the same. Guided tour options are made available to visitors to have a better understanding of this amazing piece of history.

Location: Roman Forum, 00186 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy
Timings: 9 AM – 4:30 PM

4. Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona, one of the places to visit in Rome for amazing food and people-watching.

Photo: Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons

Piazza Navona is an open space in Rome for the public to hang out and enjoy. This place is home to a few of the most beautiful fountains of Rome including the Fountain of Neptune. Piazza Navona is one of the most popular tourist attractions and is fabulous for food, street musicians, artists or simply people-watching. This place is full of street vendors and stores selling souvenirs and other interesting things. Built in Baroque architecture, this place once used to be a spot for the public to watch games.

Location: Piazza Navona, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Timings: 24*7

5. Castel Sant’Angelo

A pathway leading to Castel Sant’Angelo, one of the renowned tourist attractions.

Photo: Thomas Wolf / Wikimedia Commons

Castel Sant’Angelo is also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian and is a beautiful cylindrical building in Rome. This place has gained fame as it is the tomb of Emperor Hadrian. One of the most interesting features of Castel Sant’Angelo is the secret passage, known as Passetto di Borgo. This place provides beautiful views of the Eternal City and is located on the right bank of the Tiber. Castel Sant’Angelo is both a museum and a castle today attracting a large number of tourists. This castle is beautifully lit up at night and offers guided tour options too.

Location: Castel Sant’Angelo, Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Rome, Italy
Timings: 9 AM – 7:30 PM

6. Spanish Steps

Both tourists and locals relaxing and people-watching on the Spanish Steps in Rome.

Photo: Sonse / Wikimedia Commons

Spanish Steps is one of the open public spaces in Rome which is thoroughly enjoyed by tourists and locals. The steps are basically a slope between Piazza di Spagna at the base to Piazza Trinità dei Monti at the top. There are some fascinating restaurants nearby and stores for shopping. During the evening and night hours, street musicians perform both English and Italian songs on the steps. Spanish Steps are beautifully decorated during Christmas, attracting a large gathering crowd on the occasion.

Location: Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma, Italy
Timings: 24*7

7. Villa Borghese

A boat near the lake at Villa Borghese, a tranquil garden and park to visit in Rome.

Photo: Krzysztof Golik / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Villa Borghese is a lovely park in Rome. This landscape garden is home to many museums and attractive buildings. This place is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the peaceful environment in Rome. Villa Borghese has gardens with tons of trails, some vendors, fountains and lush greenery. Tourists can also rent a rowboat on the lake and enjoy the true beauty of this place. Villa Borghese is home to a zoo and plenty of vans selling snacks. This urban oasis attracts large crowds, especially on the weekends and promises a peaceful experience.

Location: 0197 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
Timings: 9 AM – 7 PM

8. Pantheon

Astonishing architecture of the Pantheon, a Catholic church in Rome since AD 609.

Photo: John Samuel / Wikimedia Commons

The Pantheon was formerly a Roman Temple but was later established as a Catholic Church. The Pantheon is famous for its dome which is still the largest unsupported concrete dome in the world. The area around Pantheon is busy with fancy restaurants, music and bustling crowds. Visiting this place is a must for those who appreciate the timeless craftsmanship. Visitors can also book tickets to Pantheon online to avoid queues on-site.

Location: Pantheon, Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Timings: 9 AM – 6:30 PM

9. Trastevere

Trastevere, a lovely neighbourhood in Rome, famous for its pastel-coloured houses.

Photo: Jorge Franganillo / Wikimedia Commons \

Trastevere is a neighbourhood in Rome itself which is highly renowned for its Bohemian atmosphere and small streets. The place is home to many fancy and fascinating restaurants, wine bars, boutiques, craft shops and more. Trastevere is considered the heart of Rome and is located across the Tiber River. One of the most notable churches in Rome, the Basilica of Santa Maria is located in Trastevere. This funky area also has ample craft beer pubs, B&B’s and several budget-friendly hotels.

Location: Trastevere, Rome, Italy
Timings: 24*7

10. Palazzo Colonna

Rich interiors of Palazzo Colonna, one of the largest private palaces in Rome, Italy.

Photo: Sailko / Wikimedia Commons

Palazzo Colonna is located in Central Rome and is a lovely palace which belonged to the Colonna family for over twenty generations. This fascinating monument is adjacent to the church of Santi Apostoli. There are guided tour options for visitors for a better understanding of this architectural marvel. The floors, ceilings, doors and rooms are extraordinarily crafted and reflect the grandeur of the past. This palace is open only on two days of the week and offers breathtaking views of Rome.

Location: Palazzo Colonna, Via della Pilotta, 17, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Timings: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

These stunning places to visit in Rome offer an unforgettable experience. It offers something to every traveller and leaves them with awe-inspiring memories. Rome, being the capital of Italy, reflects both past and present and uncovers several layers of art, history, culture and truly inspiring beauty. Plan a trip with TripXL to Rome and enjoy visiting all of the above-mentioned places which are full of discovery and fun.

Cover Photo: Photo: Caleb Miller / Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions:

The top five places to visit in Rome are the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps.
The most beautiful place to visit in Italy is the Amalfi Coast. This top site has dramatic cliffs, pastel-coloured villages and bright blue waters at the coast. Amalfi Coast has truly inspiring beauty.
One of the best dishes to try in Rome is Pasta Carbonara. This dish is the queen of all Roman pasta and caters to the taste buds of all. It is also recommended to taste the authentic wine served at restaurants in Rome.
Ideally, three to five days are enough to make the most of your trip to Rome. Tourists shall explore the historical sites, vibrant neighbourhoods, exquisite restaurants and other hidden gems in the city.
The most trendy area of Rome is Trastevere. This place is the best neighbourhood with stunning restaurants, trendy boutiques and several pastel-coloured houses. Trastevere is one of the hippest and coolest places to visit in the old Rome neighbourhood.

Recommended Articles

Leave a Reply

Top Travel Destinations by Month