Twenty-eight centuries of history packed into walkable streets: ancient ruins, Baroque piazzas, Renaissance masterpieces and some of the best food in Italy. Here's how to see it well.
Walkable centre · Metro lines A, B and C · Free drinking fountains everywhere
Neighbourhoods worth an afternoon of wandering
The sights
Rome's big sights cluster in a few walkable zones. Group them by area and you'll spend your days looking, not commuting.
The Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill sit side by side and share one ticket. Give them a full morning, then walk up to the Capitoline Hill for the view over the Forum.
Nearly 1,900 years old and still roofed by the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built. Look up at the open oculus.
Trevi, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps link up in an easy evening stroll. Go early or late to beat the crowds at Trevi.
Carbonara, cacio e pepe, supplì and pizza al taglio. Testaccio and Trastevere are good places to start.
The Vatican Museums end in the Sistine Chapel; St Peter's Basilica is next door and free to enter. Book the museums ahead and allow at least half a day for both.
Hundreds of churches are free to enter, several with Caravaggios, Berninis and Michelangelos inside.
Don't miss
Opened in 80 AD, the Flavian Amphitheatre held gladiator games for some 50,000 spectators. It's still the most visited site in the city.
Worth the queue
Miles of galleries lead to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. Next door, St Peter's Basilica holds his Pietà and a dome you can climb.
“Rome wasn't built in a day, and you won't see it in one either.”
Refill your bottle at the nasoni, the small iron drinking fountains on street corners. The water is fresh, cold and free.
Coffee costs less standing at the bar than sitting at a table. Pay at the till first, then order with your receipt.
Validate bus and tram tickets when you board. Contactless cards work at metro gates and on many buses.
Itineraries
Three ways to spend your time, from a whirlwind stop to a slow week.
Still deciding what to see? Start with the sights.
April–May and September–October bring mild weather and thinner crowds. July and August are hot and busy; winter is quiet and cheaper.
Yes, for the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and the Borghese Gallery. Tickets are timed and popular slots sell out days or weeks ahead.
In churches and at the Vatican, cover shoulders and knees. A light scarf in your bag solves it.
The historic centre is best on foot. Metro lines A, B and C plus buses and trams cover the rest; taxis wait at official ranks.
Yes. Rome's water is good, and the public fountains are a free way to refill.
Choose an itinerary, book the timed tickets, and leave room for a long lunch. The best moments here are often unplanned.