{"id":18006,"date":"2022-06-17T18:45:11","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T16:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.winalist.fr\/blog?p=18006"},"modified":"2026-07-14T16:19:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T14:19:01","slug":"things-to-do-in-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winalist.com\/blog\/italy\/lazio\/things-to-do-in-rome","title":{"rendered":"Best Things to Do in Rome : What You Can’t Miss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Rome<\/strong> holds more wonders than almost any other city in the world. Once the heart of a vast empire, the Eternal City still dazzles with ancient ruins, grand basilicas, and streets steeped in history. Every corner feels like stepping into another era, from the Colosseum\u2019s mighty arches to the charm of Trastevere at sunset. And when you\u2019re ready to slow things down, venture beyond the city to the rolling hills of Lazio for unforgettable Lazio wine tours<\/a>, where local reds and crisp whites pair perfectly with the region\u2019s relaxed countryside vibe. Ready to start your Roman adventure? Here are the best places to see, taste, and fall in love with Italy\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are the best things to do in Rome?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wander around the Colosseum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Colosseum, Rome\u2019s most iconic landmark, is an unmissable stop on any visit to the Eternal City. Built in AD 80, this colossal amphitheater once echoed with the roar of crowds watching gladiator battles and epic public spectacles. Wandering through its grand arches and exploring the underground chambers where fighters once prepared for combat gives a vivid glimpse into ancient Roman life. To make the most of your visit, go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the golden light casts dramatic shadows over the arena and the crowds are thinner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore the Roman Forum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Right next to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum is where ancient Rome once pulsed with life, politics, gossip, and divine drama, all played out here. Today, it\u2019s a hauntingly beautiful maze of temples, arches, and crumbling columns that still whisper stories of the empire\u2019s glory. As you wander past the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus, and the House of the Vestal Virgins, it\u2019s easy to picture toga-clad citizens haggling in the marketplace or senators debating under the sun. Exploring this ancient site is one of the most unforgettable things to do in Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visit the Pantheon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Stepping inside the Pantheon feels like time travel done right. Built in AD 126 to honor all Roman gods, this jaw-dropping masterpiece still holds the record for the world\u2019s largest unreinforced concrete dome. Walk through its massive columns, tilt your head toward the oculus, that perfect circle of light, and just wow<\/em>. It\u2019s hard not to feel small in front of such genius. Still an active church after nearly 2,000 years, it\u2019s easily one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Discover Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Tiny in size but massive in beauty, Vatican City packs centuries of art, faith, and pure wonder into its walls. Start at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, where Michelangelo\u2019s Piet\u00e0<\/em> steals the show, then climb to the dome for sweeping views over Rome. Wander through the Vatican Museums, past endless halls of masterpieces and the stunning Gallery of Maps, before ending beneath the Sistine Chapel ceiling, a place so breathtaking it silences the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Admire the Sistine Chapel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Admiring the Sistine Chapel is one of those rare moments that stops you in your tracks. Hidden inside the Vatican Museums, its ceiling, painted by Michelangelo, feels alive with movement, color, and divine drama. The Creation of Adam<\/em> alone is worth the visit, that almost-touch between God and man capturing all of human wonder in a single gesture. As you step inside, the hush of the room, the scale of the art, and the sheer beauty of it all take over. No photos, no filters, just you, awe, and 500 years of genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain isn\u2019t just tradition, it\u2019s a rite of passage. Legend says a single coin means you\u2019ll return to Rome, two means you\u2019ll fall in love, and three\u2026 well, let\u2019s just say it gets spicy. This Baroque beauty, finished in 1762 and featuring Neptune commanding the waters, is pure theatrical grandeur. Come early or swing by late to dodge the crowds and catch the fountain in its most magical light. Tucked into one of Rome\u2019s coziest corners, surrounded by gelato shops and cobbled alleys, it\u2019s a must-stop moment you won\u2019t forget, just don\u2019t forget your spare change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stroll in Villa Borghese Gardens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Need a break from Rome\u2019s glorious chaos? Head to Villa Borghese Gardens, where locals picnic, couples rent rowboats, and squirrels casually photobomb your selfies. This lush green oasis sprawls just above Piazza del Popolo and offers everything from shaded walking paths and quirky fountains to romantic corners and open-air caf\u00e9s. You\u2019ll also find the elegant Galleria Borghese (hello, Caravaggio!), the Bioparco zoo, and the stunning Pincian Terrace, perfect for catching a golden-hour view over the city. It\u2019s the kind of place where you can be lazy or cultured, or both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Enjoy the view from Janiculum Hill<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Janiculum Hill isn\u2019t just a hill, it\u2019s Rome\u2019s ultimate lookout point. Located just across the Tiber, this panoramic perch gives you front-row seats to the city\u2019s skyline, from St. Peter\u2019s Basilica to the dome-studded historic center. It\u2019s where you go when you want to see all of Rome without fighting the crowds. Bring a camera, a snack, and someone you like (or just your best playlist). Along the way, you\u2019ll stumble across statues, fountains, and a touch of patriotic history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sip an Espresso at Piazza Navona<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Piazza Navona is where Rome\u2019s elegance meets its everyday charm. Grab an espresso (or gelato, no judgment) and watch the city unfold around you, street performers, sketch artists, and locals breezing by like it\u2019s all choreographed. Built on an ancient Roman stadium, this Baroque beauty is anchored by Bernini\u2019s dramatic Fountain of the Four Rivers, with its swirling marble and splash of myth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dine in Trastevere<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Trastevere isn\u2019t just a neighborhood, it\u2019s Rome\u2019s cool, slightly rebellious cousin who always smells like espresso and freshly baked pizza. With its tangled cobblestone alleys, medieval walls, and laundry flapping overhead, it feels like a movie set you accidentally wandered into. But the real plot twist? The food. Start with a plate of silky cacio e pepe at a local trattoria, chase it with a fried suppl\u00ec<\/em> or two, then wrap things up with a scoop of pistachio gelato that\u2019ll ruin all other gelatos for you. The night doesn\u2019t end there, wine bars spill onto the streets, guitars get strummed, and suddenly you\u2019re deep in Roman magic you didn\u2019t even plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shop and eat at Campo de’ Fiori Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Campo de’ Fiori bursts into life each morning with crates of sun-ripened fruit, wheels of cheese, and vendors shouting over the scent of fresh herbs. It\u2019s the kind of place where you grab a slice of still-warm focaccia in one hand and a handful of olives in the other without breaking your stride. Between the colorful produce and handmade pasta, you\u2019ll find plenty of delicious reasons to fill your bag, and maybe your suitcase. Around the square, caf\u00e9s and wine bars spill into the cobblestones, perfect for a post-market espresso or glass of Frascati. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Enjoy the best gelato in Rome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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No visit to Rome is complete without a gelato stop, and Gelateria del Teatro is pure frozen magic. Tucked along a quiet cobblestone street near Piazza Navona, this spot churns out dreamy flavors like Sicilian pistachio, Amalfi lemon, and fig with walnut that somehow tastes like sunshine and ancient poetry. Grab a cone and keep strolling, Rome feels even more cinematic with gelato in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Savor Pizza al Taglio (Pizza by the Slice)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Savoring pizza al taglio, Rome\u2019s beloved pizza by the slice, is basically a rite of passage here. Baked in giant trays and sold by weight, it\u2019s your golden ticket to trying a little bit of everything. Craving margherita? Prosciutto? Zucchini flowers with truffle? Grab them all, no judgment. Local legends like Bonci and Pizzarium serve up next-level flavor combos on a perfectly crisp, airy crust that somehow tastes even better standing at a counter or lounging in a nearby piazza. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wander through the Galleria Borghese<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Wandering through the Galleria Borghese feels like stepping into an art lover\u2019s daydream. Tucked inside the lush Villa Borghese Gardens, this museum is packed wall-to-wall with jaw-dropping works from legends like Caravaggio, Bernini, and Raphael. The real scene-stealers? Bernini\u2019s sculptures, Apollo and Daphne and David practically leap out of the marble with all the drama of a Renaissance soap opera. Every room is a riot of frescoes, gold trim, and artistic genius. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visit the Capitoline Museums<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Visiting the Capitoline Museums is like flipping through Rome\u2019s greatest hits album, except everything\u2019s original and jaw-droppingly massive. Perched on Capitoline Hill and founded way back in 1471, this is one of the world\u2019s oldest public museums. Inside, you\u2019ll find ancient statues, Renaissance masterpieces, and even medieval oddities. Look out for the famous she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus (Rome\u2019s wild origin story, literally) and works by Caravaggio and Titian. Even the buildings are iconic, Michelangelo designed the whole setup, including the dramatic staircase and stunning piazza. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore the MAXXI <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re craving a break from ruins and Renaissance art, MAXXI \u2013 National Museum of the 21st Century Arts is your go-to. Designed by the visionary Zaha Hadid, its sweeping curves and futuristic vibe make it one of Rome\u2019s coolest spots. Inside, expect bold exhibitions, immersive installations, and thought-provoking contemporary works that challenge everything you thought you knew about art. It\u2019s modern, daring, and alive with energy, the perfect reset after a day of ancient history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore underground Rome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Beneath the bustling streets lies a maze of catacombs and crypts, where early Christians once buried their dead in candlelit silence. Wander through the haunting tunnels of San Callisto or San Sebastiano, where ancient tombs line the walls like a forgotten library of lives. And if you\u2019re up for something truly unforgettable (and slightly spine-tingling), the Capuchin Crypt awaits, with its intricate displays made from the bones of friars. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it\u2019s 100% Roman. Go with a guide to hear all the juicy (and slightly creepy) backstories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visit Bocca della Verit\u00e0 (Mouth of Truth)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Tucked under the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, the Bocca della Verit\u00e0 (Mouth of Truth) is Rome\u2019s most dramatic lie detector. This ancient marble face, with its gaping mouth and wild eyes, dates back to the 1st century and was likely a drain cover or fountain ornament. But legend gave it star power: they say if you stick your hand in its mouth and tell a lie\u2026 chomp. Off goes your hand. It\u2019s all in good fun today, but you might still spot a few hesitant tourists testing their honesty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Walk through the Seven Hills <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Trekking across Rome\u2019s legendary Seven Hills<\/strong> is like walking through a living history book, with way better views. Start on Palatine Hill, where the city was born and emperors once built their palaces, then climb Capitoline Hill for those cinematic panoramas (thanks, Michelangelo). Over on Aventine Hill, peek through the secret keyhole for that perfect St. Peter\u2019s view, and let the quieter slopes like Caelian or Viminal surprise you with peaceful gardens and ancient ruins. It\u2019s part hike, part time travel, and entirely unforgettable, especially with the Roman sun on your back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are the best things to do around Rome?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Discover the Lazio wine region<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Exploring the wine regions around Rome is the perfect excuse to slow down and sip your way through Lazio. Just a short ride from the city, the Castelli Romani hills welcome you with their golden Frascati wines and breezy vineyard views. It\u2019s not just about tasting, though that part\u2019s excellent, it\u2019s also about meeting the winemakers, walking among the vines, and soaking in the countryside charm. Lazio\u2019s wine scene may fly under the radar compared to Tuscany, but that just means fewer crowds and more time to savor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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