Things to do in Rome: top sights and where to go

Things to do in Rome by area

Rome's must-sees are the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps — and across the Tiber, St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.

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Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready-made itineraries with the places in a sensible order.

Rome itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 days

One day in Rome is a walking loop: the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Trevi. With two days, add the Vatican and St Peter's. With three, add the Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese and an evening in Trastevere. Day-by-day itineraries are in the list above.

• Day 1 — Colosseum, Forum, Capitoline Hill, Pantheon, Trevi.
• Day 2 — the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St Peter's, Castel Sant'Angelo.
• Day 3 — the Spanish Steps, Galleria Borghese, the Pincio, dinner in Trastevere.
• Day 4 — the Appian Way and catacombs, or a trip to Ostia Antica.

Where to stay in Rome: best areas

The best area to stay in Rome for a first visit is the historic centre: from Centro Storico, Monti or Trastevere you can walk almost everywhere. Prati, by the Vatican, is calmer with a metro line; the Termini station area is cheaper and handy for airport trains, but noisier and less pretty.

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Rome airport to the city centre

Rome's main airport is Fiumicino (FCO, Leonardo da Vinci), 30 km from the centre near the coast. The fastest way in is the non-stop Leonardo Express train to Termini, about 32 minutes. Low-cost flights often use Ciampino (CIA), with buses to Termini in about 40 minutes.

Rome metro and public transport

Rome's metro is small, with lines A, B and C. Line A serves the Vatican (Ottaviano), the Spanish Steps (Spagna) and Termini; line B serves the Colosseum (Colosseo) and Circus Maximus. The historic core — the Pantheon, Navona, Trevi — has no metro, so you walk or take a bus.

• Tickets — one ticket covers metro, bus and tram for 100 minutes; 24- and 72-hour passes exist.
• Tap to pay — contactless bank cards work at metro gates and on buses.
• Tram 8 — from Piazza Venezia to Trastevere.
• Taxis — only licensed white cabs, on the meter or via an app.
• On foot — Colosseum to the Vatican is about an hour; the centre is compact.

Rome weather by month

The best time to visit Rome is spring and early autumn: from April to June and in September–October, days reach ≈ 19–28 °C. Summer is hot at ≈ 31–32 °C, and many Romans leave in August. Winter is mild — ≈ 12–13 °C by day and 3–4 °C at night, with snow a rarity. October to December are the wettest months.

The nearest beach is at Ostia, 30 minutes by train; the sea is warm enough to swim from June to September.

Food in Rome: what to eat

Rome's signature dishes are its four pastas — carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana and gricia — plus thin-crust pizza, fried artichokes, supplì (rice balls with mozzarella) and gelato. Lunch runs from 1 to 3 pm and dinner starts after 7:30; the best trattorias are in Trastevere, Testaccio and Monti.

• Carbonara and cacio e pepe — the classics, at any trattoria.
• Pizza al taglio — by the slice, sold by weight.
• Supplì — fried rice balls, the street snack.
• Roman and Jewish-style artichokes — in spring, in the Ghetto.
• Gelato — pick shops that keep it in covered tubs.
• Coffee — cheaper standing at the bar than at a table.

Rules for visitors in Rome

Rome enforces city rules: no sitting on the Spanish Steps, no wading or bathing in fountains, no eating on monument steps. Churches and the Vatican turn away bare shoulders and knees. Fines are issued on the spot.

• Spanish Steps — no sitting on the steps; you can be fined.
• Fountains — don't climb in; drinking from the nasoni taps is fine.
• Dress — shoulders and knees covered in churches.
• Pickpockets — on the metro, bus 64 and at Trevi keep your bag in front.

Rome attraction prices

Free in Rome: the squares and fountains, most churches including St Peter's Basilica, the Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese park and Trastevere. You pay for the Colosseum with the Forum and Palatine, the Vatican Museums, the Pantheon, Galleria Borghese and the Baths of Caracalla. State museums are free on the first Sunday of the month.

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Free — 33 places: Archbasilica of St John Lateran, Circus Maximus, Spanish Steps, Santa Maria Maggiore, Trajan's Column, Capitoline Hill, Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, Arch of Constantine and more.

Tips

• Book the Colosseum and Vatican Museums on their official sites — in high season slots sell out weeks ahead.
• Carry a refillable bottle: nasoni drinking fountains are on almost every square.
• Start early: at 8 am Trevi and the Pantheon are nearly empty.

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