All citiesRome Things to do and walking itinerary
Italy Rome travel guide
31 things to do in Rome, where to stay, airport transfers, 7 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Rome
- Colosseum — ancient Roman amphitheatre, a landmark of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- St. Peter's Basilica — church in Vatican City (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sistine Chapel — chapel in the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Pantheon — ancient Roman temple in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Roman Forum — Ancient Roman center of the city, a landmark of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Trevi Fountain — Baroque fountain in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Saint Peter's Square — piazza in Vatican City (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Vatican Museums — museums of the Vatican City (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Archbasilica of St. John Lateran — cathedral in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Palatine Hill — centremost of the seven hills of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Apostolic Palace — official residence of the Pope in Vatican City (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls — church in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Castel Sant'Angelo — castle and museum in Rome, formerly the imperial mausoleum of the emperor Hadrian and subsequent Roman emperors (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore — largest Catholic Marian church in Rome (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Trajan's Column — ancient Roman victory column, a landmark of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Quirinal Palace — historic building in Rome, Italy; official residence of the President of the Italian Republic (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Circus Maximus — Ancient Roman circus in Rome (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Piazza del Popolo — Grand square at the northern gate with an Egyptian obelisk and twin churches; stairs lead up to the Pincio. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Arch of Constantine — triumphal arch in Rome (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Aurelian Walls — historic line of walls built around the city of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Galleria Borghese — Art museum in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Trajan's Forum — Trajan's Forum was the last of the Imperial fora to be constructed in ancient Rome. The architect Apollodorus of Damascus oversaw its construction. monumental square in Rome (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Piazza Navona — public square in Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Capitoline Museums — municipal museum of the city of Rome, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Baths of Caracalla — public baths in ancient Rome (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Altare della Patria — monument built in honour of Victor Emmanuel II of Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Arch of Titus — triumphal arch in Rome (constructed c. 81 AD) (visit ≈ 60 min)
- San Pietro in Vincoli — church in Rome (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ara Pacis — ancient Roman monument in Rome (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Mausoleum of Augustus — building in Campo Marzio, Italy (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Church of the Gesù — church in Rome, Italy, and precursor of the Baroque style (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Rome walking itinerary
Starting point: Centro Storico / Pantheon. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 4.7 km · 6,340 steps · 1 h 2 min on the way): Pantheon → Roman Forum → Colosseum → Trevi Fountain
- Day 2 (≈ 5.9 km · 7,940 steps · 1 h 18 min on the way): Vatican Museums → Sistine Chapel → St. Peter's Basilica → Saint Peter's Square
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Rome
- Spanish Steps — Famous Baroque stairway up to Trinità dei Monti; sitting is banned, and it's calm early in the day. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Campo de' Fiori — Lively square with a morning market and Giordano Bruno's statue; fills with cafés in the evening. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Aventine Keyhole — Peer through the Knights of Malta's gate keyhole to see St Peter's dome framed by a garden avenue. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Sant'Ignazio di Loyola — Baroque church that tricks the eye with a painted fake dome and a soaring ceiling fresco. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Quartiere Coppedè — Fairy-tale early-1900s buildings and the Fountain of the Frogs in an odd little architectural enclave. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Pyramid of Cestius — Roman-era pyramid tomb in Testaccio; see it with the neighbouring Porta San Paolo gate. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Appian Way — Ancient Roman road lined with tombs and catacombs; best explored by bike. (visit ≈ 180 min)
- Villa Torlonia and Casina delle Civette — Park whose fairy-tale Casina delle Civette museum is decorated with stained glass and owl motifs. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Monti — Close to the Colosseum yet local in feel: ivy-draped lanes, vintage shops and small piazzas. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Basilica of San Clemente — A 12th-century church above a 4th-century basilica above a Roman Mithraic temple; you descend layer by layer. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Galleria Doria Pamphilj — Private gallery in a family-owned palace with Velázquez's Pope Innocent X and paintings by Caravaggio. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Mouth of Truth — Huge Roman marble mask in the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin; putting your hand in it is a tradition. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Villa Farnesina — Renaissance villa in Trastevere decorated with Raphael's Galatea fresco, with a quiet garden. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Galleria Sciarra — Glass-roofed courtyard near Trevi whose walls are covered in late-19th-century frescoes of women; free. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Santa Maria della Vittoria — Small but dazzling Baroque church housing Bernini's sculpture The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Largo di Torre Argentina — Four Republican-era temples below street level in the centre, site of Caesar's murder and a cat sanctuary. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Biblioteca Angelica — One of Europe's first public libraries; its baroque reading room lined with wooden shelves can be visited. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Scala Santa and Sancta Sanctorum — Holy Stairs opposite the Lateran, climbed by pilgrims on their knees, leading to a frescoed old papal chapel. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- MAXXI — Museum of 21st-century art and architecture in Zaha Hadid's flowing concrete galleries. (visit ≈ 90 min)
Where to stay in Rome
- Centro Storico / Pantheon: Pantheon, Navona and Trevi are a short walk away; pricey but everything is on your doorstep.
- Monti / Colosseum: Close to the Colosseum and Forum, a lively area with small bars and boutiques.
- Termini / Esquilino: Airport train and both metro lines are here; hotels are cheaper.
- Trastevere: Cobbled lanes, trattorias and nightlife; busy in the evenings.
- Prati: Near the Vatican, calm and orderly, on metro line A.
- Testaccio: A local area away from the crowds, known for true Roman cooking.
Getting from the airport to Rome
- Fiumicino (FCO): Leonardo Express train, non-stop ≈ 32 min
- Ciampino (CIA): Airport shuttle bus ≈ 40 min
Getting around
Most of the centre is walkable; the metro is limited, buses and trams cover more ground. You can tap a contactless card to ride.
Classic places to eat
- Salumeria Roscioli: Famous for carbonara and cacio e pepe; great cheese and cured meats too.
- Armando al Pantheon: Family-run since 1961; try the classic Roman pastas.
- Da Enzo al 29: Small Trastevere trattoria; carbonara and Jewish-style artichokes.
- Felice a Testaccio: Known for cacio e pepe tossed at your table.
- Pizzeria Da Remo: Thin, crispy Roman-style pizza; expect a queue in the evening.
- Giolitti: Gelato since 1900; ask for whipped cream on top.
- Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè: Its foamy, pre-sweetened espresso is legendary.
- Tazza d'Oro: Stop by in summer for granita di caffè with cream.
- Pasticceria Regoli: Old pastry shop famous for its cream-filled maritozzo.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- La Pergola — 3 MICHELIN stars, Mediterranean, creative
- Il Pagliaccio — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Imàgo — 1 MICHELIN star, Creative Italian
- Aroma — 1 MICHELIN star, Mediterranean
- Glass Hostaria — 1 MICHELIN star, Creative
- Pipero — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Roman
- All'Oro — 1 MICHELIN star, Creative Italian
Romantic views
- Janiculum Hill (Sunset): The domes and rooftops of Rome spread out below you.
- Orange Garden (Sunset): Saint Peter's dome appears through the orange trees on the Aventine.
- Ponte Sant'Angelo (Evening): The angel-lined bridge leads to the castle in the evening light.
- Pincio Terrace (Sunset): A wide view of the city above Piazza del Popolo.
- Trastevere Lanes (Evening): Narrow ivy-covered lanes glow under lanterns at night.
Football stadiums in Rome
- Stadio Olimpico: Home of AS Roma, SS Lazio
Day trips
- Hadrian's Villa — 25 km from the centre
- Ostia — 22 km from the centre
- Villa d'Este — 27 km from the centre
- Alba Longa — 21 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Rome
- Fine: Carving or damaging monuments can bring heavy fines and prosecution.
- Fine: Buying counterfeit goods from street sellers can get the buyer fined too.
- Fine: Taking sand, pebbles or shells from beaches is banned, notably in Sardinia.
- Fine: Validate bus and tram tickets as soon as you board; unvalidated tickets are fined.
- Fine: Driving into historic-centre ZTL zones without a permit is caught on camera and fined.
- Warning: Validate paper regional train tickets at the platform machines; digital tickets are time-bound.
Extra rules for Rome
- Fine: Sitting on the Spanish Steps is banned and fined.
- Fine: Wading into the Trevi or other historic fountains is prohibited.
- Since February 2026 the steps down to the Trevi basin need a €2 ticket; the square stays free.
- Don't put your mouth on nasoni spouts; block the bottom hole and water arcs up to drink.
- Emergency: 112 (police 113, ambulance 118, fire 115)
- Plugs: C/F/L, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe; in Rome you can refill at the "nasoni" street fountains.
- Tipping: Bills often include a "coperto" cover charge; tipping isn't expected, rounding up is enough.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Italy, Turismo Roma — Trevi Fountain entry, Wikivoyage — Italy, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Rome travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Rome?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 5 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Hadrian's Villa and Ostia).
- What are the top things to do in Rome?
- Highlights: Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Pantheon and Roman Forum. The map has 31 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Rome?
- Centro Storico / Pantheon: Pantheon, Navona and Trevi are a short walk away; pricey but everything is on your doorstep. Other options: Monti / Colosseum, Termini / Esquilino, Trastevere, Prati and Testaccio.
- How do you get from the airport to Rome city centre?
- Fiumicino (FCO): Leonardo Express train, non-stop ≈ 32 min · Ciampino (CIA): Airport shuttle bus ≈ 40 min
- How do you get around Rome?
- Most of the centre is walkable; the metro is limited, buses and trams cover more ground. You can tap a contactless card to ride.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Rome?
- According to the last known data there are 7 starred restaurants: La Pergola (3 stars), Il Pagliaccio (2 stars), Imàgo (1 star), Aroma (1 star), Glass Hostaria (1 star) and 2 more. Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Rome?
- Emergency: 112 (police 113, ambulance 118, fire 115).
- Do you tip in Rome?
- Bills often include a "coperto" cover charge; tipping isn't expected, rounding up is enough.
Nearby cities
Vatican City · Siena · Naples · San Marino · Florence · Pisa · Bologna · Split
Italy travel guide: all cities · All cities