Things to Do in Rome
DESTINATION GUIDE

Things to Do in Rome

50 curated spots from Rome itineraries

Activities & Attractions

30 curated experiences

Pantheon
Do
morning

Pantheon

Marvel at the vast ancient dome, the oculus, and the mix of pagan and Christian history; step inside if lines are manageable.

1h · $7-15 (ticket/online booking)
Colosseum
Do
morning

Colosseum

Start early with Rome’s most famous ancient monument and spend time taking in the exterior, arena, and surrounding context.

1h 30m · $20-30
Galleria Borghese
Do
afternoon

Galleria Borghese

Timed-entry art museum in a historic villa featuring Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings; reserve in advance and enjoy the intimate, curated collection.[3][4]

2h · $20-25
Colosseum & Roman Forum
Do
morning

Colosseum & Roman Forum

Guided early tour of amphitheater and ruins; photography highlight at dawn golden hour from upper tiers.

2h · $25
Campo de' Fiori Market
Do
late morning

Campo de' Fiori Market

Explore street market for local produce, flowers, and halal-safe fruit stalls; best morning vibes, photography of colorful stalls (20 min walk or 10 min bus from Monti).

1h 30m · $5-10
Campo de’ Fiori Market
Do
morning

Campo de’ Fiori Market

Morning visit to the open-air market: watch vendors, buy fruit or small snacks, and observe how locals shop; remember to let vendors handle the produce.[1][6]

1h · Free (pay for any food you buy)
Monti Neighborhood Stroll
Do
evening

Monti Neighborhood Stroll

Wander Via dei Serpenti, Via del Boschetto, and small piazzas for artisan shops, ivy-covered walls, and sunset views of the Colosseum from the upper streets.

1h 30m · Free
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Do
afternoon

Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Private guided exploration of ancient ruins and imperial palaces.

2h · $80/person
Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Do
afternoon

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Take a timed-entry visit or guided tour of the Colosseum, then walk through the Roman Forum and up Palatine Hill for views over the ruins.[1][3]

3h · $20-30
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Do
late_morning

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Wander the heart of ancient political life and climb Palatine Hill for sweeping views over the ruins and Circus Maximus.

2h · $20-30 (often combined with Colosseum ticket)
Castel Sant'Angelo
Do
afternoon

Castel Sant'Angelo

Climb terrace for sunset Tiber views and city skyline.

1h 30m · $20
Piazza Navona
Do
afternoon

Piazza Navona

Bernini fountains, street artists, and gelato vendors.

1h · Free
Basilica di San Clemente
Do
afternoon

Basilica di San Clemente

Explore the multi-layered church, descending to the lower levels to see earlier structures and a Mithraic temple.

1h 30m · $13-15
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Do
morning

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

Visit one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas, with glittering mosaics and a grand interior not far from Termini.[5]

1h · Free
Capitoline Museums
Do
afternoon

Capitoline Museums

Private family tour of ancient sculptures and views.

2h · $60/person
Mercato Testaccio
Do
morning

Mercato Testaccio

Indoor market with produce, street food, and specialty stalls; sample supplì, panini, and local products.

1h 30m · $10-20 per person (depending on how much you taste)
Castel Sant’Angelo & Ponte Sant’Angelo
Do
late_afternoon

Castel Sant’Angelo & Ponte Sant’Angelo

Walk along Via della Conciliazione to the fortress, explore the ramparts, and photograph the angel-topped bridge and river views.[2][4]

1h 30m · $15-20
Colosseum and Roman Forum
Do
morning

Colosseum and Roman Forum

Explore the amphitheater and the ruins of the Forum in a single historical block, ideally with time for exterior photography as well.

3h · $20-$35 per person
Pantheon & Piazza Navona
Do
afternoon

Pantheon & Piazza Navona

Wander ancient dome and baroque square; sunset photography from Navona fountains.

1h 30m · Free
Pantheon & Piazza Navona Walk
Do
morning

Pantheon & Piazza Navona Walk

Visit the Pantheon’s soaring interior, then stroll to Piazza Navona and surrounding side streets for photos.

2h · $5-10 (entry fee if applicable)
Campo de’ Fiori Market & Piazza Navona
Do
afternoon

Campo de’ Fiori Market & Piazza Navona

Browse stalls selling produce, spices, and souvenirs at Campo de’ Fiori, then walk a few minutes to Piazza Navona to enjoy fountains, street artists, and evening light.

2h · Free (shopping extra)
Castel Sant’Angelo & Tiber Riverside Walk
Do
afternoon

Castel Sant’Angelo & Tiber Riverside Walk

Tour the fortress for views along the Tiber and St. Peter’s dome, then walk the riverside and bridge for reflections and street scenes.[4][6]

2h · $15-20
Catacombs of San Sebastiano or San Callisto
Do
afternoon

Catacombs of San Sebastiano or San Callisto

Join a guided tour of the underground burial tunnels along the Appian Way; photography is typically restricted inside.

1h 30m · $12-20
Colosseum (including Arena Floor)
Do
morning

Colosseum (including Arena Floor)

Join an early timed-entry visit focusing on the arena floor and lower levels; shoot the light streaming through the arches in the morning.

2h · $25-35
Evening Walk in Trastevere
Do
evening

Evening Walk in Trastevere

Stroll cobbled streets, peek into small churches, and linger in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere as the neighborhood lights up for the night.

1h · Free (plus drinks/gelato)
Frascati Wine Tasting
Do
evening

Frascati Wine Tasting

Bus to hillside vineyards; nut-free tour/tasting at Cantina Sociale, modern terrace views.

2h 30m · $30
Galleria Borghese & Villa Borghese Gardens
Do
morning

Galleria Borghese & Villa Borghese Gardens

Timed-entry gallery with masterworks by Bernini, Caravaggio, and others, followed by a leisurely walk or bike rental in the surrounding park.

2h 30m · $25-35
Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden)
Do
afternoon

Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden)

Small hilltop park with orange trees and one of Rome’s best panoramic views over the Tiber and St. Peter’s.

1h · Free
Janiculum Hill (Gianicolo) Sunset Viewpoint
Do
evening

Janiculum Hill (Gianicolo) Sunset Viewpoint

Walk or bus up the hill for sweeping views over the city’s domes at golden hour.

1h 30m · Free
Mercato Trionfale
Do
morning

Mercato Trionfale

Browse produce, cheese, cured meats, and small local food counters for a market-focused morning.

1h 15m · Free to browse

Restaurants & Food

20 local favorites

Da Enzo al 29
Eat
evening

Da Enzo al 29

Book ahead for a small, much-loved trattoria serving textbook Roman dishes—cacio e pepe, amatriciana, carciofi alla giudia—in a cozy Trastevere lane.

1h 30m · $35-55 per person
La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
Eat
afternoon

La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali

Family-run trattoria a short walk from the Forum; try the carbonara or cacio e pepe and a carafe of house wine.

1h 15m · $20-25 per person
Armando al Pantheon
Eat
morning

Armando al Pantheon

Family-run trattoria near Pantheon serving fresh pastries, espresso, and Roman breakfast staples since 1961. Try the cornetti con crema and Roman-style coffee.

45m · $8-12 per person
Panella - L'Arte del Pane
Eat
morning

Panella - L'Arte del Pane

Bakery-café just east of Monti; stand at the bar for espresso and a cornetto to keep costs low, or sample their creative breads and pastries.

45m · $8-15 per person
Caffè Propaganda
Eat
morning

Caffè Propaganda

Modern café with excellent espresso, fresh pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. Quiet morning atmosphere before crowds arrive; outdoor seating with neighborhood views.

45m · $7-11 per person
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Eat
evening

Flavio al Velavevodetto

Historic Testaccio trattoria built into Monte Testaccio; known for excellent carbonara, amatriciana, and offal dishes if you’re adventurous.

1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Pastasciutta
Eat
afternoon

Pastasciutta

Casual pasta spot near the Vatican serving freshly made Roman staples in a quick, no-frills setting—great for cacio e pepe or carbonara.

45m · $10-18 per person
Pasticceria Regoli
Eat
morning

Pasticceria Regoli

Sample maritozzi (cream-filled buns) and coffee at the counter before a church-architecture morning.

30m · $4-8 per person
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
Eat
evening

Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina

Famous deli-restaurant with shelves of wine and minimalist-modern touches; order a cheese and salumi board and a classic pasta.

2h · $35-55 per person
Forno Campo de' Fiori
Eat
morning

Forno Campo de' Fiori

Grab slices of pizza bianca or fresh pastries at the counter before or after exploring the morning market in the square.

30m · $5-10 per person
Osteria der Belli
Eat
evening

Osteria der Belli

Finish your trip with a relaxed osteria dinner in Trastevere featuring fresh seafood and Roman favorites, then wander for one last gelato.

1h 30m · $35-55 per person
Caffè Sant'Eustachio
Eat
morning

Caffè Sant'Eustachio

Classic Roman coffee bar near the Pantheon; stand at the bar for their famous house espresso and a cornetto.

30m · $5-10 per person
Pastificio Guerra
Eat
afternoon

Pastificio Guerra

Simple pasta shop near the Spanish Steps offering affordable pasta portions to go or eat quickly.

45m · $8-15 per person
Enoteca Corsi
Eat
evening

Enoteca Corsi

Family-run trattoria and wine-focused spot near the Pantheon; order cacio e pepe or amatriciana and ask for a Lazio red or white by the glass.

1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Hostaria Antica Roma
Eat
afternoon

Hostaria Antica Roma

Rustic restaurant near the Appian Way serving hearty Roman dishes in a historic setting.

1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria
Eat
morning

Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria

Artisanal cornetti and cappuccino in a historic bakery.

45m · $15-25 per person
Caffè Sant’Eustachio
Eat
morning

Caffè Sant’Eustachio

Famous coffee bar near the Pantheon; stand at the bar for their signature espresso or a morning cappuccino and a simple pastry.

30m · $6-10 per person
Roscioli Caffè
Eat
morning

Roscioli Caffè

Stylish café and bakery near Campo de’ Fiori; stand at the bar for espresso and pastries, or sit for a more leisurely start to the day.

45m · $10-15 per person
Caffè Vaticano
Eat
morning

Caffè Vaticano

Café opposite the Vatican Museums; grab a simple pastry and coffee before your timed entry.

45m · $8-12 per person
Forno Campo de’ Fiori
Eat
afternoon

Forno Campo de’ Fiori

Grab slices of pizza bianca or rossa and simple baked goods at this lively bakery facing the square’s market stalls.[8]

30m · $6-12 per person

More on Rome

BUILD YOUR ROME PLAN

Insider picks, smart timing, and a plan ready when you are.

Start Planning