There’s so much to see and do in Rome that it can get overwhelming. It’s a city full of adventure and history, and it can take months to explore. So, those of us who don’t have much time available, we have to learn to make the most of our time in Rome.

Here are some of the countless attractions and landmarks you shouldn’t miss when visiting Rome, Italy.

The Colosseum

Obviously, this is a must! With its long and bloody history, Colosseum is the most recognized monument of Rome. In 80 A.D., for the first time, it was used for 100 days of games, including gladiator combats, as well as animal fights. Being able to pack up nearly 50’000 people inside, it was considered the biggest amphitheater in the Roman Empire.

Each year almost 4 million people visit the Colosseum, so it’s a good idea to buy tickets in advance.

The Patheon

After almost entirely destroyed by fire, this architectural wonder was rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian. Originally the temple was constructed as a temple for all the ancient gods. The Patheon is also a burial place of many prominent figures of Rome such as Italy’s first president, Rome’s kings and the artist Raphael.

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum contains many ancient temples and government buildings and is located basically at the center of the city. Wandering through this remarkably huge archaeological site, you can almost feel yourself walking along the citizens of Ancient Rome all dressed in togas heading to the temples.

However, if you wish to absorb all the significant history of the ruins, it’s definitely a great idea to get a guided tour.

The Vatican and its museums

The area around the Vatican is pretty huge, so it could be easily possible to spend a whole day exploring it. The Piazza di San Pietro which was designed by Bernini is a great place where to start. St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum are undoubtedly the next must-see landmarks.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the biggest church in the world. It’s outstanding, enormous and simply magnificent! But the Vatican Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world due to owning various works from ancient Greece to some more modern works from the Masters of Renaissance.

In the south of Vatican City, you can find Castel Sant’Angelo, place of solace for poets during times of sieges. Here you can climb to the top in order to catch panoramic views as well!

Navona

The oval-shaped Piazza Navona is one of the most popular spaces in Rome. The Baroque art of the city is fully laid out here. The square is usually full of different artists, along with many tourists admiring or buying their work. It’s lined with gelaterias, restaurants, souvenir shops, and is simply a lovely place to just sit and absorb the Italian magnificence!

The Spanish Steps

The Piazza di Spagna is fascinating in its contradictions. It is home to the most elegant boutiques of the city on the legendary shopping street of Rome, known as Via dei Condotti. These famous steps will lead you up to the Trinità dei Monti church from where you can admire Bernini’s fountain and the piazza. For more splendid views of  Centro Storico, you can also climb to the Villa Medici.

Italian Gelato

An essential part of visiting Rome is enjoying gelato. The best blase to do this is at the  Il Gelato di San Crispino. Depending on seasons, the flavors change, making sure that each visitor gets a taste of something delicious and new.

Campo de’Fiori

The oldest market in Rome, Campo de’Fiori offers various fruits, vegetables and flowers during the day and cozy bars and restaurants at night. So, even if you’re just visiting, you can bury yourself in the local culture very easily just by shopping at this market!

It’s usually packed with vendors selling their products every morning (except Sunday) and is certainly one of the most popular attractions in the city!

Local tour guides and excursions in Rome:

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