Amphitheatre, Historic building

"As long as the Colosseum stands, Rome will stand. When the Coliseum falls, Rome will fall. When Rome falls, the world will fall." The quote by the Benedictine monk Bede the Venerable sufficiently captures the importance of the Colosseum and Rome itself. The Colosseum ( Colosseo in Italian) is one of the most iconic buildings in the world. The largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, it was opened in 80 AD and was used primarily for…

Archaeological site, Museum

Forum Romanum is not just another archaeological site. This was the real centre of ancient Rome - a place of political speeches, triumphal processions, trials and everyday public life. Today, it is a huge area between the Colosseum and the Piazza Venezia, full of ruins, temples and ancient roads. Which is why a first visit can be a little chaotic. It's not one particular monument, but a whole "city within a city". [btn "Find a hotel near Fora…

The smallest country in the world, the seat of the Holy See and therefore the Pope, is right in the heart of Rome. Apart from the fact that you can in good conscience add a new country to your travel statistics by visiting, you will also visit the Vatican for its many world-class monuments, led by St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Because the Vatican is an independent country, we have prepared a special comprehensive guide. Within…

Fountain

Rome is the city of fountains, so it's no wonder you'll find the most beautiful in the world. At least in my opinion, it certainly is. The Fontana di Trevi is a fountain over 20 metres wide and 26 metres high, set in the dense urban fabric of the small Piazza di Trevi. The 1762 Baroque structure attracts so many tourists that you'll stand in line for minutes in the summer months just to get to the edge of the fountain in the first place. [btn…

Monument, Lookout, Museum

The Monument to Victor Emmanuel II is one of the most striking buildings in Rome. It's also a place where it may not be clear for a long time what you're actually seeing. On maps, in guidebooks and on the internet, several names are used for it: Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. Altare della Patria Vittoriano Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II. In practice, it is the same monumental complex in Piazza Venezia, but the names refer…

Fortress, Castle

The monumental circular castle was built around 135 AD on the banks of the Tiber River as Hadrian's mausoleum and later served as a papal fortress and prison. Today, the almost completely preserved building houses a museum of the history of Rome and the Vatican and is one of the most photographed places in Rome. [btn "Book a hotel in the centre of Rome" https://www.booking.com/landmark/it/mausoleum-of-hadrian.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-rim…

Temple

The ancient circular Catholic church with a typical ancient façade and a massive dome with a skylight that brings light into the building was completed in 118 and originally dedicated to All Saints. The Pantheon is the best preserved monument of ancient Rome and the most important building of Roman architecture. [btn "Show hotels in central Rome by price" https://www.booking.com/district/it/rome/pantheon.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-rim…

Archaeological site, Garden, Lookout

The most important of the Seven Hills of Rome is the Palatine. It was here that the original settlement of Rome began around 1,000 BC and from here the city gradually grew to its present form. The Palatine hill is now an open archaeological jewel with many remains of ancient buildings, public spaces and sports grounds and is the best preserved of all the hills after the Capitoline Hill. [btn "Top 10 hotels in Rome" https://www.booking.com…

Staircase

The Spanish Steps are one of the most famous places in the city. And if you've ever seen pictures of Rome on Instagram or in movies, it's very likely that it was from here. The Baroque staircase with 138 steps connects the Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti church and has functioned for hundreds of years as a place to meet, relax and observe life around you. But the reality of today is a little different from the romantic notions of…

Archaeological site

Caracalla's baths surprised me more than most of the more famous sights. In photos, they often look like just another ruin. In reality, though, it's their size that has the biggest wow effect. Once you're standing inside, it only dawns on you how incredibly monumental ancient Rome really was. And another huge plus? Compared to the Colosseum or the Roman Forum, it's significantly less crowded. The Baths of Caracalla were probably built around…

City Quarter

There are places in Rome where you go for the sights. And then there's Trastevere. A district on the west bank of the Tiber where you go mainly for the atmosphere. For the food. And for the evening walks: that feeling of turning into a random alley and suddenly feeling like a completely different city. If I had to recommend one part of Rome to just walk around in the evening without a plan, it would be Trastevere. [btn "View the best hotels…

Square, Fountain

Piazza Navona is one of the most famous squares in the city. And I totally understand why: for me, it's one of my favourite places in Rome too. The fountains. Baroque palaces. Cafés. Street musicians. Evening lights and an atmosphere that keeps people coming back for more. And then there's one thing a lot of people don't even know. Piazza Navona actually stands on an ancient stadium. [btn "Find a hotel near Piazza Navona" https://www.booking…

Gallery, Garden, Lookout

Galleria Colonna is exactly the kind of place that looks suspiciously good on Instagram. In fact, I came here because of an Instagram video that was recommended by an algorithm. I expected the reality to be weaker. It was exactly the opposite - in reality it looks even more "wow" than in the videos. [btn "The best hotels in central Rome" https://www.booking.com/city/it/rome.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-rim-colonna] The current Palazzo Colonna…

Square, Market, Fountain

Campo de' Fiori is one of the places that disappointed me a bit. I was expecting a slightly more authentic market, but got more tourist stalls with souvenirs and cheap clothes. But I would still recommend Campo de' Fiori if you take a detour through the centre. [btn "Hotels near Campo de' Fiori" https://www.booking.com/landmark/it/campo-de-fiori.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-rim-campodefiori] What does Campo de' Fiori actually mean? The name…

Cemetery, Museum

Rome has another world beneath it. Literally. Beneath the streets, parks and churches are hundreds of kilometres of underground passages, used mainly as burial grounds by early Christians. They began to emerge around the 2nd century AD and are now one of the most interesting places for anyone who enjoys a bit of history beyond the classic "Colosseum - Pantheon - Trevi Fountain". It's just good to know one thing in advance. Don't expect a…

Lookout

It's not a church. It's not a museum. It's not even a classic viewpoint. And yet there's a line at the plain green door every day. The Aventine Keyhole is one of the most famous hidden places in Rome - although the word "hidden" doesn't quite apply anymore. You can also find it under the names: Keyhole of the Order of the Knights of Malta Aventine Keyhole Buco della Serratura Knights of Malta Keyhole Keyhole of the Knights of Malta …

Museum, Square, Lookout, Statue

If I had to pick a place in Rome that people often underestimate, the Capitol would be very high. Most tourists come here for the view of the Roman Forum. They'll take a photo. They leave. But this is where ancient Rome was built. The Capitol ( Campidoglio in Italian) is the most important of Rome's famous seven hills. In ancient times, it was the political and religious centre of the city. Today, you'll find one of the most beautiful squares…

Island, Promenade

Isola Tiberina is the only island on the Tiber River - and one of the most pleasant places for a short stopover between the centre and Trastevere. Don't expect a big Colosseum-type attraction. Rather, a place that works by atmosphere, location and by taking a break from the chaos of the city for a while. [btn "Book a hotel with a view of the Tiber" https://www.booking.com/district/it/rome/trastevere.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-rim-tiberina] …

Lookout

The peak, which is not part of the original Seven Hills of Rome, can be found on the right bank of the Tiber River south of the Vatican, away from the main tourist action. And that is why it is worth a visit. The beautiful and unspoilt views will offer a glimpse of the whole of Rome, and the relaxed slow atmosphere of narrow streets, small trattorias and pleasant parks will contrast sharply with the hectic and crowded centre. 👉 O ur tips…

Statue

If I just saw a photo without context, I'd probably move on. A stone face in a church wall doesn't look like something you fly to Rome for. And then you come to the place. There's a line of tourists in front of you. Everyone puts their hand in, somebody smiles, somebody makes a serious face for a photo, and in a few seconds they leave. This simplicity is perhaps why Bocca della Verità has been one of the city's most famous minor attractions…

Archaeological site, Museum

It is no exaggeration to say that Trajan's Market was the first truly modern shopping centre of its kind. In the 2nd century AD, Emperor Trajan built a massive arcaded structure with more than 150 shops in one enclosed space, something that was completely revolutionary at the time and considered one of the wonders of the world. Even today, the market hall has been preserved almost in its original form, only without the shops, so as not to…

Street, Archaeological site

The Via Appia is an ancient road that dates back to 312 BC and connected Rome with the south of Italy. In its time, it was one of the most important thoroughfares of the Roman Empire and was nicknamed Regina Viarum - Queen of the Roads. Original Roman stones still remain on some sections. And that is perhaps what is most powerful about the Via Appia Antica. You don't walk in the footsteps of history. You follow it directly. [btn "Find a…

Fountain

Fontana dell'Acqua Paola was one of my most surprising stops. Not because it was famous. After all, I didn't know about it at all and only stopped here by chance on my way from the Gianicolo lookout down to Trastevere... But because it looks monumental, photogenic and yet there's often hardly anyone here. A huge difference from the crowded Trevi Fountain. The locals simply call it Il Fontanone. [btn "Show Trastevere hotels by price" https:/…

City Quarter, Historic building

When you first arrive in Rome, this place may give you pause. No narrow streets, no ancient ruins - instead, wide boulevards, white marble buildings and an almost "sterile" space. And that's the point. The EUR district was created in the 1930s as a showcase for the fascist regime's planned 1942 World's Fair (which never happened because of the war). [btn "View the 10 best hotels in Rome" https://www.booking.com/city/it/rome.en.html?aid…

Archaeological site

The vast grounds of the ancient sports ground are reminiscent of the Roman Empire from a sporting perspective. The Circo Massimo, or Circus Maximus, was the largest sports complex in the world at the time, with competitions in many disciplines reminiscent of the Olympic Games. The stands could accommodate over 150,000 spectators, which is a lot even today. [btn "Show hotels in the centre of Rome" https://www.booking.com/city/it/rome.cs.html…

Palace

Walking between the Trevi Fountain and the Piazza Venezia, the Quirinal Palace is often missed completely. Yet it is one of the most important buildings in all of Italy. Today, the Palazzo del Quirinale is the official residence of the Italian President. It was formerly the seat of the Popes, later of the Italian kings and finally of the head of the modern Italian state. If you're expecting another "wow monument" like the Colosseum or the…

Park, Gallery

Villa Borghese is a large relaxation area north of the centre of Rome, one of the most popular places for Romans to spend hot days under the shade of mature trees and by the many lakes. In addition, there are several attractions in the park. [btn "Hotels in Rome near Villa Borghese" https://www.booking.com/landmark/it/villa-borghese.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-rim-villa-borghese] Borghese Park Rome's third largest park, Borghese Park covers…

Basilica

One of the three great papal basilicas on the territory of Rome, it is located outside the immediate historic centre, but is nevertheless one of Rome's "must-sees". Originally a Romanesque church, construction began in the 4th century, but was not completed until 1823 in the Baroque style. [btn "View the 10 best hotels in Rome" https://www.booking.com/city/it/rome.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-rim-bazilika-hradby] St Paul's Basilica outside the…

Historic building

Yes, there is a pyramid in Rome. And no, it's not a tourist attraction. The Pyramid of Cestius was built around 12 BC as the tomb of the Roman official Caius Cestius - at a time when Rome was fascinated with Egypt. Today, it stands just outside the city walls and most people only pass it on their way to the metro or train from the airport. [btn "Find the best hotels in Rome" https://www.booking.com/city/it/rome.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-rim…

Basilica

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four main papal basilicas - and unlike most, it's practically "on the way" in the centre. It's just a few minutes from Termini Station, so ironically most people pass it by, as the area is not one of the main tourist districts. Which is a shame. Inside, you'll find one of the richest interiors in all of Rome - and often without the crowds you'll experience in St. Peter's Basilica. [btn "Find…

Street

Borgo Pio is exactly the kind of place that most people miss - yet it's just steps away from the Vatican. While the area around St Peter's Basilica is often crowded, here you'll find a quieter street with restaurants, bars, patisseries and a much more relaxed atmosphere. [btn "Find hotels near the Vatican" https://www.booking.com/city/it/rome.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-rim-borgo] What to expect here Borgo Pio is a narrow, mostly…

Historic building, Archaeological site

If you walk between the Capitol and the Bocca della Verità, you may well pass it unnoticed. Yet it stands next to one of the oldest monumental buildings in ancient Rome. [btn "Book a hotel in the centre of Rome" https://www.booking.com/city/it/rome.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-rim-marcello] Teatro Marcello is often referred to as the "little Colosseum". One look and the resemblance is clear. The rows of arches and the well-preserved structure…

Theatre, Archaeological site

When you say Largo di Torre Argentina, most people think of cats, ancient excavations or the site associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar. But just a few steps away is one of the most important theatre buildings in Rome. The Teatro Argentina has been operating since 1732 and is one of the oldest theatres in the city. If you're into history, opera or classic European theatre buildings, it's worth a quick stop. [btn "Book a hotel in…