11 Top Tourist Attractions to See on a Rome Vacation

“When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do” — that’s the best ONE simple piece of advice that can make a lot of difference on your Rome vacation. You can’t help but fall in love with this wonderful creation of the past, all inundated with two millennia of architecture, culture, art, architecture & so much more. You would feel lost in the circle of time, on an incredible exploration of the huge number of ancient wonders. Be it glaring at the open-air museum or hunting for the best dessert gelato, you would find a reason to fall in love with the place everywhere. No need to mention Rome is one of the world’s top cities.

 

It’s common to get overwhelmed with so many options to explore & choose from on your Rome vacation. To make sure you don’t feel lost with so much on the platter at a moment, we’ve got this Rome vacation guide for you that includes all the unmissable sights, and the best ever recommendations on what to eat, how much time to devote & more. So, we’ll tell you everything possible about all the top spots on your Rome vacation list you might have been secretly wishing to see. 

 

11 Best Tourist Attractions to Explore on your Next Rome Vacation:

 

1. Villa Farnesina

2. National Roman Museum

3. Palatine Hill

4. Colosseum

5. Baths of Caracalla

6. Trevi Fountain

7. Mouth of Truth

8. Arch of Constantine

9. Circus Maximus

10.Piazza Navona

11.Capitoline Museums

 

Whether this is the first time you are coming up for a Rome vacation or have been there several times, this list of top tourist attractions in Rome will make the difference. Let’s discuss in a little more detail:

 

1. Villa Farnesina

 

 

Villa Farnesina is one of the most beautiful buildings belonging to the Renaissance period that you’ll see on your Rome vacation. The mansion was built between the period 1505 and 1511, which gives a sneak-peek into how the wealthy lived during the time. It is most popularly known for the frescoes that showcase the myths of Cupid and Psyche, painted by Raphael.

 

Location: Via della Lungara, 230.

Schedule: Monday – Saturday (9 am – 1 pm) & Sunday: closed

Price: Adults: € 5 (US$ 6), Students: € 3 (US$ 3.60) & Children under 10: Free

Nearby places: Galleria Spada, Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, Campo de' Fiori, Janiculum Hill, and Museo di Roma.

 

2. National Roman Museum

 

 

The National Roman Museum is a group of museums in Rome. It has its four branches scattered throughout the city. The museum was inaugurated a year before Italy got unified and it was built with an aim to safeguard & collect the antiques belonging to the era between the fifth century BC & the third century AD. This is a great place on your Rome vacation to sink in much of Italy’s history, culture & heritage. 

 

Location: Piazza delle Finanze, 1, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

Schedule: Monday to Friday (2–7:45 PM), Saturday & Sunday (Closed)

Price: €2–7 

Nearby places: Navona Square, Pantheon, and Campo de' Fiori

 

3. Palatine Hill

 

 

Palatine Hill, which is located about 40 meters above the Roman Forum is one of the oldest parts of Rome. The central part of the seven hills of Rome, Palatine Hill is said to be the place where Rome was born and it is believed that the hill has existed here since 1000 B.C. Some of the palaces that the Roman citizens of the period belonging to the upper class built here are still preserved. Can you miss this amazing part of the city on your Rome vacation?

 

Location: Via di San Gregorio, 30

Schedule: Every day: 8:30 am – 7 pm

Price: Adults: € 12 (US$ 14.30), European Union members (18 – 24): € 7.50 (US$ 8.90), Children (ages less than 17) and seniors (over 65) members of the EU: free entrance

Nearby places: Circus Maximus, Arch of Constantine, Colosseum,  Roman Forum, and Santa Maria in Cosmedin.

 

4. Colosseum

 

 

The Colosseum is another top tourist attraction on your Rome vacation. Built under the dynasty of emperor Vespasian & his son Titus through 72 AD & 80 AD, the Colosseum will take you through some of the most interesting historical facts of the city. The Colosseum is considered one of the best works of art & engineering of the period. 

 

Location: Piazza del Colosseo, 00184 Roma.

Schedule: Every day: 8:30 am until 7 pm

Price: Adults: € 12 (US$ 14.30), European Union members (18 – 24): € 7.50 (US$ 8.90), Children (ages less than 17) and seniors (over 65) members of the EU: free entrance

Nearby places: Arch of Constantine, Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli, Basilica di San Clemente, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum (511 m)

 

5. Baths of Caracalla

 

 

Located in the vicinity of the Appian Way, the Baths of Caracalla was built in the period between 212 and 216. It was Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus who was the pioneer to have built this incredibly impressive thermae built in Rome. This is going to be one of the most exciting things about your Rome vacation that you’ll celebrate for all the knowledge of the ancient times that it brings to you. 

 

Location: Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 52.

Schedule: Tuesday – Sunday: 9 am – 6:30 pm & Monday: 9am – 2pm

Price: Adults: € 8 (US$ 9.50), EU citizens (aged 18 – 24): € 4 (US$ 4.80), EU citizens aged less than 17 and older than 65: free entrance

Nearby places: Circus Maximus, Palatine Hill, Basilica di San Clemente, Arch of, Constantine, and Colosseum.

 

6. Trevi Fountain

 

 

So you might wonder looking at people throwing coins with thrill on their faces & hope in their eyes. What are these people up to? Why are they throwing coins in this beautiful fountain? So the myth goes like this— if you throw one coin, you’ll return to a Rome vacation, throwing two coins means meeting a handsome Italian & throwing three coins will mean you'll marry the person you love. Isn’t that intriguing? Besides, you’ll be surprised to know that Trevi Fountain is the most beautiful & the largest fountain you will see on your Rome vacation. 

 

Location: Piazza di Trevi. 00187, Rome.

Nearby places: Piazza Colonna, Piazza del Quirinale & Palazzo del Quirinale, Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Piazza di Spagna & the Spanish Steps & Piazza Barberini (546 m)

 

7. Mouth of Truth

 

 

Located in Cosmedin Church, the portico of Santa Maria is popularly known for a quirky reason—the huge marble mask bites the hands of the people who lie. The massive sculpture is spread in diameter of 1.75 meters and it celebrates the God of the Sea and is a male bearded face sculpture. Wouldn’t you like to see some REAL magic on your romantic Rome vacation?

 

Location: Santa Maria di Cosmedin Church

Schedule: 9:30 am to 5:50 pm

Price: € 2 (US$ 2.40)

Nearby places: Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Forum Boarium, Circus Maximus, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum.

 

8. Arch of Constantine

 

 

The Arch of Constantine was built to celebrate Constantine I the Great’s victory in the Battle of Milvian Bridge. Located between the Palatine Hill & Colosseum— you get to see three top tourist attractions on your Rome vacation all at one time. The Arch of Constantines is the modern most triumphal arches belonging to ancient Rome— it measures 25 meters wide and 21 meters high. 

 

Location: Next to the Colosseum

Nearby places: Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum, Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli, and Basilica di San Clemente 

 

9. Circus Maximus

 

 

Situated between Palatine Hill & the Aventino— the Circus Maximus was the largest of all the stadiums built for chariot races. Besides the amphitheater and theater, circuses were one of the most popular entertainment options during ancient times in Rome. Circus Maximus was an extended precinct with space for 300,000 spectators and it was the biggest in Rome with a dimension of 600 m (length) and 225 m (width). This has to be on your Rome vacation itinerary. 

 

Location: Via del Circo Massimo

Nearby places: Palatine Hill, The mouth of Truth, Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Forum Boarium, and Arch of Constantine.

 

10. Piazza Navona

 

 

Piazza Navona has always found its name on the list of top tourist attractions on any Rome vacation since it was built in the 15th century. The ancient piece of architecture is located in the vicinity of the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain— and it is one of the best options to visit while strolling around the city center. Don’t be surprised to see a crowd of artists & street vendors here. Some of the best things to see at the square are the Palazzo Pamphilj, Sant'agnese in Agone church, the Palazzo Braschi, and the Fontana del Moro. 

 

Location: Piazza Navona

Nearby places: Museo di Rome, National Roman Museum, Pantheon, Campo de' Fiori, and Area Sacra di Largo Argentina.

 

11. Capitoline Museums

 

 

Capitoline Museums is one of the seven hills of Rome and is beautifully located on top of Capitoline Hill. The Museum is home to a variety of archaeological treasures from antiquity and Renaissance amazing paintings. The Capitoline Museums were built by Pope Clement XII in 1734 and it was the first church in the world to have opened itself to the public. It has Rome’s symbol the bronze Capitoline Wolf— it is said that the wolf nursed twins Romulus and Remus, the half-god founders of the city. If you want to educate yourself with some history on your Roem vacation, this is the place. 

 

Location: Piazza del Campidoglio

Schedule: Tuesday – Sunday: 9:30 am – 7:30 pm & Monday (closed)

Price: Adults: € 15 (US$ 17.90), EU citizens (ages 18 – 25): € 13 (US$ 15.50) & Under 18s with reduced mobility: Free

Nearby places: Piazza del Campidoglio, Santa Maria in Aracoeli , Altare della Patria , Palazzo Venezia, and Roman Forum.