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March 4, 2019

30 Things to See and Do in Rome!

in no particular order, these are 30 things you must see and do when in Rome!

1. Colosseum

Make sure you go in daylight and at night when it’s all lit up.

Rome in a day itinerary colosseum photo spots outside time of day tips photography

Read more: Is a visit to the Colosseum in Rome worth the money? (Plus the best photo spots) 

2. Roman Forum

Not only does it have a good view of the Colosseum it’s interesting to get an insight into what was life was like in Rome thousands of years ago.

roman forum italy first time guide things to see and do

3. Frederick Emmanuel Monument viewpoint

Near the Roman Forum is the Frederick Emmanuel Monument which (in my opinion) has the best view in Rome!

Frederick emmanuel monument rome in spring itinerary things to see and do

Take the glass elevator (you have to pay) at the back of the building for a great view from the front…

rome viewpoint frederick emmanual monument Altar of the Fatherland

and the Colosseum from the back

romes best viewpoints Colosseum frederick emmanuel monument free paid

4. Piazza Navona

Paintings, foot and just… quintessential Rome.

rome piazza navona things to see and do must itinerary tips first time visitor

5. Pantheon

Very impressive that this building is still standing today!

rome pantheon things to see and do 3 day itinerary

rome pantheon impressive dome things to see and do

6. Endless search for the cutest alleyways

My favorite place to explore (get lost) in the alleyways was Campo de’ Fiori

campo de fiori rome italy photospot things to see and do best place to stay first time rome

7. Spanish Steps

Attempt to get a picture at the Spanish steps without other tourist photo bombing… good luck!

spanish steps rome italy best things to see and do itinerary

8. View from the top of the Spanish Steps

Don’t just go to them – make sure you go up them too!

rome spanish steps viewpoint must see and do itinerary first time guide

9. Trevi Fountain

No matter when you see it (day or night) it will always be packed with crowds. If you want a photo without other people you’ll need to crop it, or get up super early and go at sunrise. I opted to just crop the photo.

rome trevi fountain best time of day to photograph with no crowds

10. Visit the Magnum Shop

Conveniently near the Trevi fountain!

Rome italy magnum shop food gelato

11. Eat Gelato

… Lots of gelato!

12. Vatican

Make sure you go inside. Even if you’re not religious the tapestries and the building and painted ceilings are spectacular.

vatican rome italy first time guide is it worth it

vatican gold ceiling italy

Tip: Do not get gelato anywhere near the Vatican.  I made that mistake it was awful like liquid and tasted like food colouring – save your money for decent gelato literally anywhere in Rome except near the Vatican.

13. Castel Sant Angelo

After a short walk from the Vatican you’ll find yourself at Castel Sant Angelo. Worth a visit not only because it’s an old castle / fortress but it also has a great view from the top!

castel sant'angelo rome italy is it worth a visit things to see and do viewpoint of the vatican

14. Visit an Italian Supermarket

So many cheese and meats displayed so neatly it’ll make you hungry.

rome supermarket

15. Turn Phone Maps off and get lost

Or do what I did which was leave maps on… and still get lost

rome photo spot best things to see and do in italy4rome italy itinerary guide must see and do tips

16. Giardino degli Aranci viewpoint

For a different perspective of Rome and a popular spot at sunset.

17. Take the underground

Easy to use and was actually a lot safer than I was expecting (didn’t feel dodgy even at night).

18. Eat Pizza

From cheap pizza in the Trastevere area to more expensive pizza in the touristy areas – you can’t go to Italy and not try proper Italian pizza!

19. Do a day trip

I opted for Hadrian’s Villa. The Villa was rundown and basically empty (not really set up how it would’ve looked back in the day) but the gardens and fountains are impressive.

hadrians villa italy day trip tips things to see and do

You can do half day trips to Hadrian’s Villa or combine it with Villa Adriana which I chose to do. I wouldn’t recommend Villa Adriana – I know it’s very old but there really isn’t much left and without a guide walking around telling me what each building was back in it’s time, it’s basically just a bunch of old ruins. There aren’t building that you can go in, basically just remnants of brick walls.

20. Get in a car

I booked a private transfer to and from the airport as it was cheaper than a shuttle and my mum and I had no desire to be lugging suitcases on and off a train (Rome airport is really far from the toursit area). Turned out that being in a car with a crazy Roman driver was quite the experience. Tiny alleyways where you don’t think the car’s going to fit and the driver took the tight corners at high speed with ease, only one hand on the steering wheel and no accident!

21. Admire how the Roman’s park

If there’s a space, someone will park there. I found myself in disbelief numerous times not only over the miniature cars but the tiny spaces they squeezed them into.

rome italy things to see and do tips parking small car

22. Stationery shopping

See: My Favorite Stationery Shops in Rome

23. Go inside a church

Or a few.. they’re all impressive.

24. Bridge

If you want to get away from the hustle, go for a walk along the river after dinner (before it gets dark) or in the morning on the way to Castel San’Angelo. Ponte Sisto to St. Angelo Bridge.

View from castel sant’angelo looking at the Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II bridge

rome view from castel sant'angelo over vatican and Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II bridge

25. Villa Borghese Park

Not a must do – it doesn’t have pretty landscaped gardens just grass, but if you want to fill in time and get your steps up it’s a good walk on the way to Terrazza del Pincio

Villa Borghese park rome italy things to see and do spring

26. Terrazza del Pincio

Great viewpoint (even in the rain) where you can see all the way from the Frederick Emmanuel Monument to the Vatican and Piazza del Popolo below.

Terrazza del Pincio viewpoints of Rome things to see and do vi piazza del Popolo

Terrazza del Pincio viewpoints of Rome things to see and do

27. Walk the main street

All the way from Castel Sant’Angelo to the Frederick Emmanuel Monument is the main drag (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II).

Rome is best explored on foot!

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II rome italy

28. Visit a fresh food market

Not necessarily to buy anything, just to look at all the spices and flowers etc.

rome italy food market spices fruit vegetables flowers first time visit things to see and do

29. Rome Catacombs

… If you don’t find Catacombs creepy (I do, so I skipped this)

30. Janiculum Terrace (Terrazza del Gianicolo)

Not a must do as it’s kind of out of the way, but if you have time, Janiculum Terrace is another viewpoint over Rome (although it was my least favorite).

More Italy

  • Guide to Visiting the Isle of Capri (Itinerary & Tips)
  • Exploring the Amalfi Coast: A day in Sorrento!
  • Italy’s Amalfi Coast: Amalfi & Positano Day Trip from Sorrento

Travel Planning Tips

  • My all time favorite trip planning tool: Visit a City
  • Travel Planning: 50 Things to consider when planning an itinerary 
  • Why I use a printable travel planner to plan a vacation 

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30 things to see and do in rome itinerary tips first time guide photo spot

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Posted In: Europe, Travel · Tagged: best things to see and do in rome, first time guide to rome, first time visitor to rome, guide to visiting rome, rome favorite attractions, rome italy, rome itinerary, rome must see and do, rome tips, rome tourist destinations, things to see and do in rome

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