Rome

It can be difficult to draw up a list of highlights for any city - and with so much to see and do, Rome definitely has loads of superb options.

Our list is drawn from review sites, visitor numbers and our own visits. 

Where relevant we've included some links for booking the following highlights - just use the underlined text.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican

Built from 1506 to 1626, on the site of the original Basilica of Constantine from the fourth century, the design was undertaken by Bramante, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderno.  It's the largest church based on internal measurements and is the seat of the Pope as head of the Catholic church, and burial site of Saint Peter.

​Colosseum

​This large amphitheatre was built by Emperors Vespasian and Titus from 72 to 80 AD.  Named after them, as the Flavian Amphitheatre, its more commonly used name comes from a huge statue of Emperor Nero that was nearby.  At least 50000 people would attend gladiatorial combat and other shows, and was the site often used by rich citizens to gain favour from the public. Whilst you can just visit just the Colosseum you can also combine it with a guided tour and access to the gladiatorial area

​​Pantheon

​The Pantheon was built as a temple by Agrippa, during the reign of the first Emperor Augustus.  The original was lost in a fire then rebuilt by Hadrian in 126 AD.  In 609 it was converted to a Catholic church.  Its continuous use has meant it is one of the best preserved buildings of Ancient Rome, and the dome remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.

Trevi Fountain

​Designed by Salvi and completed by Pannini in 1762, the fountain is the largest of the Baroque fountains in Rome, standing 26.3 metres (86 feet) high.  It is located at the end of an ancient aqueduct, the water having travelled 10 km (6.25 miles) from the hills.  The name comes from the Latin word trivium, an intersection of three streets.  It's still popular to throw money into the fountain with the 3000 Euros each day being used to fund a supermarket for Rome's poor.

Piazza Navona

​The area once housed the stadium of Emperor Domitian but fell into ruin as Rome declined in the fifth century.  A market was moved to the space in the fifteenth century and the area developed in the 1650s.  You'll find the large Bernini designed Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, topped by the Obelisk of Domitian.  There are another two fountains too.  Today the sides are lined with restaurants and cafes, the market having moved to the nearby Campo di Fiori.

Vatican Museum

​The rooms of the museum display thousands of items from the collections of the Catholic church and the Papacy.  It includes some of the best-known works from Ancient Rome, as well as various Renaissance masterpieces.  Founded in the sixteenth century, it is today visited by over 5 million people, whose journey culminates with a visit to the last room, the Sistine Chapel. Vatican Museum

Forum and Palatine Hill

​The Roman Forum was a large area that started as a marketplace but went on to see triumphal processions, elections, speeches, trials and more, and was the heart of Ancient Rome, as well as the hub for commercial business.  The Palatine Hill sits above it and Emperor Augustus built his Imperial Palace there, overlooking the Forum.  As well as the ruins the hill is the site of a museum with many finds form the area. One great option is an in-depth visit to the Forum and Palatine.

​Capitoline Museum

​Either side of a Michelangelo designed piazza are two Palazzos, containing the Capitoline museum.  The first exhibits appeared in 1471 when bronzes donated by Pope Sixtus IV were displayed and the museums were opened publicly from 1734.  It is known for a range of items including famous life-sized statues, including the mounted statue of Marcus Aurelius, a copy of which sits in the piazza. You can also have a multi-media tour of the Capitoline.

Galleria Borghese

​Housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana, this art gallery has much of the Borghese family's collection.  This includes works by Scipione Borghese himself, who was also an avid collector of Caravaggio, and a patron of Bernini.  Whilst some sculptures were "sold" to Napoleon (and are now in the Louvre) the gallery is still a celebration of Italian art. Villa Borghese.

Victor Emmanuel II Monument

​This large monument is also called the Altar of the Fatherland, and colloquially known as the Wedding Cake or the Typewriter.  It was built from 1885 to 1935 to honour Victor Emmanuel II, first King of unified Italy, who died in 1878.  Today it is a national symbol of Italy and various celebrations and commemorations take place there, and in particular at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Need more information on the Rome airports? Just click either of the images below.

Fiumicino Ciampino