Sat. Feb 8th, 2025
Attractions in Rome

Rome, the eternal city, has a lot to offer. With 2,781 years of history and art, it’s hard to know what to see and do first. 

Luckily for you, we’ve come up with a list of our absolute favourite attractions in Rome that are sure to delight even the most discerning traveller!

1. Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of the most iconic buildings in Rome. It was originally built as a temple to all the gods, but today it’s used as a church. The vaulted dome, which still remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, can be seen from miles away and is hard to miss!

This magnificent building has been around for more than 2,000 years, making it an important piece of history that you shouldn’t miss out on seeing when visiting Rome.

2. Colosseum

The Colosseum is one of the most famous attractions in Rome, and it’s easy to see why. Built in 80 AD by Emperor Titus, this amphitheatre has been used for everything from gladiator battles to mock naval battles. 

The structure was originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre (after Emperor Vespasian), but over time it came to be known as the Colosseum, based on its Latin name “Amphitheatrum Flavium”. 

It stands as one of the largest amphitheatres in the world and remains an architectural wonder centuries after its construction.

3. Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel was built in 1473, and it is named after Pope Sixtus IV. This chapel has been a place of worship for cardinals since 1585. The ceiling is decorated with scenes from the Bible and famous frescoes by Michelangelo.

It is a place you should visit if you want to see some beautiful artworks, but also because it’s located near other attractions like St Peter’s Basilica and Vatican Museum.

4. St. Peter’s Basilica

You can’t miss St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s the biggest church in the world and is located right next to the Vatican City, which houses some of the most important religious figures in history, including Pope Francis and John Paul II.

St. Peter’s Basilica was built around 1506 to replace an earlier structure that was damaged by fire and earthquakes, but the current building dates back only to 1626 (although it has undergone several renovations since then). It houses two tombs: one for St. Peter (the first pope) and another for Alexander VII (who oversaw construction from 1655 until his death). 

Both tombs are located under giant marble statues of angels holding up globes that represent heaven or earth–the above ground entrance was meant as a way for pilgrims to get closer to God while they were still on Earth!

5. Catacombs of San Callisto

The Catacombs of San Callisto are a burial site located in Rome. This may sound like an ominous place to visit, but it’s actually one of the most beautiful and fascinating attractions you can find in all of Italy.

Located on Via Appia Antica (the oldest road in Rome), this particular catacomb is open from 9am-noon and 2pm-5pm daily. The cost is €8.50 for adults and €5.50 for students, which includes a map of the site and entrance fee into another nearby attraction called Crypta Balbi—also worth checking out!

6. Circus Maximus

Located in the centre of Rome, Circus Maximus was the largest stadium in ancient Rome. It was used for chariot racing and other events, as well as public spectacles like gladiator fights. Today it is a park where people go to relax and enjoy the sun.

7. Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo, an imposing fortress that sits atop the Janiculum Hill, is one of Rome’s most iconic sites. Built in AD 135 on the orders of Emperor Hadrian, it once served as a tomb for the emperor but was converted into a castle by later occupants. 

Today it houses one of Rome’s top museums and is worth visiting for its incredible views alone. The museum itself holds many treasures—including frescoes by Raphael—but also has some unusual features: you can climb all over the building (yes, really), explore underground passages, or even see inside Pope Alexander VI’s private chambers!

8. Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla are the second largest baths built by the Romans and are part of a larger complex that includes temples and other buildings. The baths were completed in the year 217 AD, during the reign of Roman Emperor Caracalla (he was murdered three years later).

The baths were built to service Rome’s public bathing needs. During their heyday from about 200 to 600 A.D. They could host up to 1,600 bathers at once with hot water flowing through bronze pipes from distant aqueducts. 

Even though this part of Rome has been used for centuries afterward—even as recently as 2012 when it hosted the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom—it is still open today for visits and will remain so until 2025 when all archaeological work is expected to be completed.

9. Galleria Borghese (You can also do a tour via Attractions In Rome)

The Galleria Borghese is a museum in Rome, Italy, housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana. The villa was built by the architect Flaminio Ponzio, developing sketches by Scipione Borghese, who used it as a suburban villa (Villa Pinciana) to escape from Rome’s summer heat.

The gallery houses a major collection of classical sculpture and antiquities that was assembled by Cardinal Scipione Borghese (1579–1633), Pope Paul V’s nephew, who used it as a museum and public library for his collection and that of other contemporary collectors such as Cardinal Francesco Maria Del Monte. If you are in Rome, you should definitely do the Galleria Borghese tour!

Over time the villa has been renovated and expanded: its gardens were remade in the English landscape style; an extension was added at each end; and several small buildings have been moved within them or added to them over time.

10. Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

The Palatine Hill is a site of major importance in Rome. It’s the centre of Roman life and government, and it’s home to the ancient Palatine Museum where you can get a good look at some significant pieces from Roman history.

The Roman Forum was once the main political heart of Rome, with many important buildings located there. Today, it’s more commonly known as just The Forum or simply “Foro Romano.” This area has plenty to offer modern tourists, including some great restaurants (like Osteria de’ Fori Imperiali), excellent shopping opportunities (including Venini Glass), and several great museums (such as Musei Capitolini).

The Colosseum is another impressive example of ancient architecture—but this one also served as an entertainment venue for gladiator fights! Today, visitors can tour inside this famous building before enjoying dinner or drinks at one of its many cafes or restaurants.

Conclusion

Rome is a beautiful city full of history and culture. There are many places to visit when you go there, but these 10 are the best ones.