🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 19 (from laksa188)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa019.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-things-to-do-in-rome","crawl_time":1775752781,"first_indexed_time":1520417478,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,cntraveler!www,\/gallery\/best-things-to-do-in-rome s443","src_root_hash":"5201405490516670419","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"The Best Things to Do in Rome Are Some of the Eternal City's Oldest | Condé Nast Traveler","meta_descriptions":["Our top recommendations for the best things to do in Rome, Italy, with pictures and travel tips. Find fun things to do, best places to visit, and more."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Subscribe and get unlimited access for\n$2.50\n$1 per month\n+ an exclusive tote!\nSubscribe now »\nDestinations\nItaly's capital offers the full spectrum of experiences, from cultural sites to Vespa sidecar tours.\nMarch 9, 2026\nJenny Zarins\nAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and\/or from purchases of products through these links.\nAs the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t see all the best things to do in Rome in just a single day either. In fact, between archeological relics, world-class museums, soaring\nBaroque churches\n, noble palaces, picturesque parks, and kaleidoscopically colorful gardens, Rome has enough things to do to keep you busy for a lifetime. After all, for the past 2,668 years, the Italian capital has been creating and collecting the world's most famous antiquities and monuments. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the city unveils a restored archeological site, a new museum opens, or a new metro station with a museum-like display of ancient finds debuts. Every era of the world’s history is on display in one corner or another, and trying to see it all can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t need to be. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve gathered some of the best experiences the Eternal City has to offer, from bucket list sites every first-time visitor has to see once in their lifetime to more off-the-beaten-path parks, museums, and churches loved by locals. Whether it’s your first visit or your 50th, these are the best things to do in Rome, according to a local expert.\nRead our complete\nRome travel guide here\n, which includes:\nThe Best Hotels in Rome\nThe Best Restaurants in Rome\nThe Best Bars in Rome\nThe Best Beaches in Rome\nHow we choose the best things to do in Rome\nEvery review on this list has been written by a\nCondé Nast Traveler\njournalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.\nGalleria Borghese\nThe word bourgeois derives from the name of the noble Borghese family, and a visit to this museum, built in 1612 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, will show you why. The architecture and interior decoration itself are beyond opulent. Elaborate frescoes, sculptures displayed in niches, and even ancient mosaics embedded in the floors are the backdrop for the cardinal’s exceptional art collection, which includes paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian and some of Bernini’s most evocative sculptures, not to mention Canova’s neoclassical statue of Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister Pauline Borghese as Venus Victorius. Be sure to book timed tickets in advance online. Pro tip: if you want to avoid the crowds, book the last time slot of the day, and as visitors leave, you’ll be able to wander the galleries with just a handful of people around.\nRead Full Review\nVilla Borghese\nThe bucolic park surrounding Galleria Borghese was once the private estate of the Borghese family. Today it’s Rome’s most beloved public park, which stretches from just above Piazza del Popolo up to Parioli, an affluent residential neighborhood. On warm days, you’ll find teenagers hanging out on the grass, families picnicking, and locals jogging or walking their dogs. You can rent a rowboat on the little lake and paddle around in the shadow of the Neoclassical Temple of Aesculapius or rent a bike and cycle around the gravel paths. The park is also home to a handful of museums and attractions, including the Bioparco zoo, the Casa del Cinema, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, and the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia. For an especially lovely view of Piazza del Popolo, make your way over to the Pincio Terrace at the southwest corner of the park. Buskers sometimes play here around sunset, as people crowd around the balcony and take photos.\nRead Full Review\nGetty\nThe Spanish Steps\nAn iconic monument and gathering point, this elegant staircase was built in 1723 to connect the Church of Trinità dei Monti above to the piazza below. Its name alludes to the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican on the piazza, but the stairs were actually designed by an Italian architect and financed with French funds. In the 18th century, the area surrounding the steps became known as the “English Ghetto” because of its popularity with the romantic poets, including John Keats, whose house at the base of the steps was turned into a museum. Today the area is known as Rome’s luxury shopping district, but you can find more traces of its English past at Babington’s Tea House and the\nHotel d’Inghilterra\n.\nTrevi Fountain\nFor first-time visitors, no trip to Rome would be complete without a stop at the Trevi Fountain. Featured in films and TV shows, the monumental fountain is a triumph of Baroque design, with a larger-than-life statue of Oceanus riding a shell-shaped chariot drawn by two tritons and horses. A truly Herculean task, the fountain took more than 30 years to construct and was finally finished in 1762. It was designed by Nicola Salvi, who died before it was completed. The gushing water that flows from it comes from the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct built in 19 BCE by Agrippa. Legend has it that if you toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome. Toss two coins and you’ll return to Rome and fall in love. Toss three coins and you’ll return, fall in love, and marry. In recent years, as the crowds became ever more intense, you would have to elbow your way to the front, but as of February 2026, you have to pay two Euros (around $2.30) and wait in line if you want to approach the basin to toss in a coin and get that iconic shot.\nRead Full Review\nTrending Stories\nPiazza Navona\nArguably the most beautiful Baroque piazza in Rome, Piazza Navona draws crowds of people year-round who come to admire the three fountains and the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. In the center of it all is Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, whose figures represent the four longest rivers known at the time: the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Plata. According to legend, the figure of the Plata is shielding his eyes because he can’t bear to look at the church, which was designed by Bernini’s rival Borromini. The piazza gets its distinctive oval shape from a Roman racetrack, which sits underneath it. Beware of the tourist traps on the piazza and the surrounding streets, which serve overpriced, mediocre food to tourists.\nRead Full Review\nVatican Museums\nA bucket list item for many, the Vatican Museums actually comprise 24 museums, plus various galleries and chapels, including the Sistine Chapel. The massive complex has housed the treasures of the Vatican since the 15th century and receives up to 30,000 visitors per day, making it one of the most crowded sites in Rome. You could walk more than four miles through the galleries and still not see everything. There are Egyptian mummies, Etruscan artifacts, ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance tapestries, and even a modern art collection. Be sure to book tickets or a tour in advance or you’ll spend hours in line waiting to get in. Most tours last around 2 to 2.5 hours and show you the highlights, such as the ancient Greek sculpture of Laocoön, the Gallery of Maps, and the Sistine Chapel with the iconic Last Judgement and the ceiling fresco depicting the story of Genesis by Michelangelo. Group tours often skip the Raphael Rooms, which in our opinion are among the most incredible artworks in the Vatican, so if you do a private tour be sure to ask your guide to bring you there.\nRead Full Review\nTrending Stories\nSt. Peter's Basilica\nOne of the largest churches in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is a symbol of the Catholic faith and a testament to the Vatican’s wealth and power. It was built over a period of 120 years by an all-star team of architects, including Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini and was completed in 1626. The colonnade on St. Peter’s Square is the only point where the Vatican walls open up to the rest of the city in a symbolic embrace. Its dome is the tallest and most distinctive point on Rome’s skyline. Inside, it contains masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Pietà (sculpted when he was just 23 years old!) and Bernini’s bronze baldachin over the altar, which marks the exact spot of St. Peter’s tomb. Some tours of the Vatican Museums will shepherd you through a shortcut to St. Peter’s Basilica, but you can also visit the church on its own by entering through the colonnade on the piazza.\nRead Full Review\nGetty\nPalazzo Altemps\nJust north of Piazza Navona is this hidden gem of a museum that most tourists seem to miss. Once owned by the powerful Cardinal Altemps, it contains an impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, as well as an Egyptian collection. The real showstopper, though, is the loggia with its lavish ceiling frescoes done in the “grottesque” style (i.e., inspired by ancient Roman grottoes). It’s now part of the Museo Nazionale Romano, a museum circuit that also includes Palazzo Massimo alle Terme and the Baths of Diocletian.\nTrending Stories\nMats Silvan\nSacred Area of Largo Argentina\nThe archeological site hemmed in between Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Via Florida, Via di Torre Argentina, and Via di San Nicola dei Cesarini is believed to have witnessed one of the most important moments in Roman history: the assassination of Julius Caesar. Excavated in the 1920s, when Mussolini was constructing a new neighborhood in the area, the site contains four temples dating back to the Republican era around the third century BCE, making them some of the oldest remaining ruins in Rome. A restoration funded by Bvlgari opened the site up to the public in 2024, so you can descend below street level and walk along raised pathways that let you get close to the ruins. A small exhibition space houses finds from the excavations, including fragments of marble, inscriptions, and heads of statues.\nBruno Brunelli\nAppia Antica\nYou know the saying, “All roads lead to Rome?” Well, this was\nthe\nroad that connected the capital of the empire with its colonies in the southern part of the Italian peninsula. Nicknamed the “Queen of Roads,” the ancient Appian Way once ran all the way to Brindisi, 335 miles away on Puglia’s Adriatic coast. A roughly 10-mile stretch of the road leading from the Porta San Sebastiano out to the edge of the Castelli Romani (a group of quaint hill towns southeast of Rome) is accessible today. On warm, sunny weekends, join the locals who flock to the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica to get some fresh air and walk or bike along the ancient road. This is where you’ll find the Catacombs, as well as ancient aqueducts and ruins such as the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the massive Villa dei Quintili.\nTrending Stories\nGetty\nGiardino degli Aranci\nThe Parco Savello, better known as the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden), is a favorite park among locals. Its location perched high on the Aventine Hill puts it just beyond the typical tourist circuit, ensuring it doesn’t get too crowded. Towering umbrella pines and fragrant orange trees give it a romantic Mediterranean air, and the belvedere offers sweeping views of Rome that stretch from the Altar of the Fatherland all the way to St. Peter’s dome. Prior to opening as a park in 1932, this was a fortified palace built by the Savelli family in the 13th century.\nGalleria Doria Pamphilj\nThis museum houses Rome's largest private collection, a trove assembled by the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi, and Aldobrandini families and brought together through marriage. It’s set in a noble palace still owned by the Doria Pamphilj family and the ornate halls provide a grand setting for such an overwhelming amount of art. The collection is acclaimed among 16th and 17th-century art aficionados but is off the average visitor’s radar even though it's located just off Piazza Venezia on the bustling Via del Corso. Seeing the spectacular Hall of Mirrors, which might remind you of the one at Versailles, is reason enough to visit the Galleria Doria Pamphilj. The museum's halls are absolutely packed with art, but that's what the family intended in the 17th century—the sheer volume of art was meant to overwhelm and disarm the visitor and leave her in awe of the family's wealth and cultural prestige. It still has that effect.\nRead Full Review\nTrending Stories\nColosseum\nThe Colosseum is more than just an ancient amphitheater built in the 1st century—it's a symbol of Rome. Naturally, it's one of the most popular monuments in town, so do yourself a favor and book timed tickets online in advance, then use those to bypass the impossibly long ticket lines. The place is undeniably magnificent from the outside. Standing 160-feet-tall and made of brick, concrete, and travertine, the Colosseum is an awe-inspiring testament to Roman building. Visitors report mixed reviews of the interior, which was picked over by looters pretty intensely for more than 1,000 years. To get the most out of a trip inside, book a special visit to the underground (basically the backstage area where people and animals waited to be brought onstage), the third tier, and the belvedere via the Colosseum's website. Or try, if you can, to book a guided tour of the Commodus Passage, a secret corridor that allowed Roman emperors to enter the Colosseum, which opened in October 2025 after a meticulous restoration.\nRead Full Review\nMAXXI Rome\nDesigned by Zaha Hadid, this is Rome’s museum for all things contemporary, with exhibitions spanning modern fashion, cinema, art, and architecture. Heck, it’s worth visiting just to check out the building, a piece of art in itself. The labyrinthine space at MAXXI is astounding. It gets busy, but there's so much space that you wouldn't notice. Big, wide halls give way to rooms of different themes and sizes, resulting in five floors of non-stop, incredible artwork. Spaces range from performing arts vignettes to galleries with modern artworks to open cinemas. For some, this might feel a little incoherent, but it helps if you take it in as a whole rather than different spaces. There’s a small permanent exhibition, but it’s the ever-evolving rotation of temporary shows—like Alberto Garutti’s contemporary light installation on art and nature—that really draw the crowds.\nRead Full Review\nTrending Stories\nCapitoline Museums\nHome to one of the finest collections of ancient sculpture in Rome, the Capitoline Museums are rarely crowded. They attract school groups, locals, and travelers who meander through the museums' various buildings, including two designed by Michelangelo. There are often exhibitions in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, one of the Capitoline's main buildings. Due to the age and arrangement of the building—it was designed by Renaissance master Michelangelo from pre-existing medieval structures—the shows can sometimes feel disjointed, though they are generally well-curated. The Palazzo dei Conservatori has frescoed halls, while the Palazzo Nuovo relies heavily on ancient pieces for wall decoration. Don’t miss the spectacular views of the Roman Forum from the Tabularium Gallery, which connects the two buildings. The main halls in both buildings have wonderful natural light, as does a glass atrium designed by Carlo Aymonino to house masterpieces like the bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius.\nRead Full Review\nThe Roman Forum and Palatine Hill\nThe Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are a big, sprawling open-air museum, both accessed with the same ticket (which also includes the Colosseum). The Forum was once the beating heart of Rome, where political, religious, and commercial functions took place. Walking along the Via Sacra, the route for religious and triumphal processions, you’re literally walking in the footsteps of Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony. As you stroll through the ruins, gaze up in awe at the columns of the Temple of Saturn and the Arch of Titus, whose friezes depict the sack of Jerusalem and which leads up to the Palatine Hill, where emperors such as Augustus and Domitian built sprawling palaces. The buildings on the Palatine are awe-inspiring, especially considering their scale. Domitian's palace alone covers several acres. While strolling through the ruins, consider that most were covered in polished polychrome marble and the experience will be even more intense. If you can get a handle on what you're looking at, the Palatine Hill will leave you eager to visit other more intact monuments from Imperial times (the nearby Baths of Caracalla are a good place to start). At the very least, you'll walk away floored by the views of the city from the north side of the hill.\nRead Full Review\nTrending Stories\nDomus Aurea\nThe Domus Aurea, the so-called \"Golden House,\" is a sprawling palatial pavilion built by emperor Nero in the first century. The site is under restoration during the week and admission (which includes a guided tour) is only granted to visitors on weekends. Many of the visitors are either hard-core archeology buffs who have been to Rome many times or interested travelers lucky enough to snag a place on one of the weekend tours. Like so many sites in Rome, the Domus Aurea has been stripped of its polished stone veneer. The plundering, though, has done little to dull the impact of exploring a nearly 2,000-year-old structure. Because Nero was eternally damned by the Senate after his suicide, his palace was filled in as a way to erase his memory. Accordingly, the Domus Aurea is now underground. After visiting you'll surely want to explore Rome's other buried ancient sites.\nRead Full Review\nVespa Sidecar Tour\nRome’s not short on tours but there’s something rather special about seeing the Eternal City on the back of a Vespa—or in this case, the sidecar of a shiny yellow 1940s vintage Vespa. Vespa Sidecar Tour runs three-hour tours of Rome, taking two guests at a time (one on the back of the Vespa, one in the sidecar) on a tour of 12 of Rome’s most iconic sights, including the\nTrevi Fountain\n,\nthe Pantheon\n, and\nthe Colosseum\n. Tours are organized in small groups with a maximum of 12 passengers led by a head guide, who explains exactly what you’re seeing via headphones hooked up to radio devices. Depending on the time of day, you might stop for a cappuccino, gelato, or a bit of pizza. This is a great activity to do as soon as you land in order to get acquainted with the city.\nRead Full Review\nTrending Stories\nVilla Farnesina\nVilla Farnesina is a small museum inside a Renaissance palace and is an intimate alternative to the Vatican Museums. Despite housing artworks by Renaissance masters, it attracts shockingly few visitors. Agostino Chigi, one of the richest men who lived during the Renaissance, commissioned it as his private residence and showcased his wealth by hiring artists—most notably Raphael—to paint elaborate frescoes on the walls and ceilings. The place is great no matter if you're looking for an in-depth visit or a quick spin. You can easily visit the three rooms on the ground floor and the two upstairs in under 30 minutes. Be sure to hit Raphael's Galatea fresco in the first room past the ticket office and his gorgeous Loggia with ceiling frescoes depicting the marriage of Cupid and Psyche in the neighboring hall.\nRead Full Review\nJaniculum Hill\nThis is a leisurely stroll beginning in Trastevere and winding up via Garibaldi to the top of Janiculum Hill. It's best to do the walk during the day, or early in the morning in the summer. Keep in mind the Tempietto di Bramante is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. The walk begins at Porta Settimiano, and from there you can make your way to Via Garibaldi and enter the unmarked gate. The staircase beyond will take you up to the Church of San Pietro in Montorio, which contains works by 16th and 17th-century masters like Del Piombo, Vasari, and Bernini. In the church's courtyard stands the Tempietto, a commemorative tomb designed by Bramante and heavily influenced by Classical architecture. This walk is fun for active travelers. If you just want to get a view, skip the hike and take a taxi directly to Piazzale Garibaldi. Everyday at noon, a cannon blank is shot from Janiculum Hill to mark the hour.\nRead Full Review\nTrending Stories\nSanta Maria del Popolo\nSanta Maria del Popolo is a Renaissance church at the edge of Piazza del Popolo and just within Rome's 3rd-century walls. It was decorated during the 15th to 17th centuries, and is packed with masterpieces. The church is free, though some coins will come in handy for turning lights on in chapels. The place mostly draws visitors on the Caravaggio trail who come to see his\nCrucifixion of Saint Peter\nand\nConversion of Saint Paul\nhanging in the chapel next to the main altar. It also contains a chapel designed by Raphael and some frescoes by Pinturicchio. The church totally lives up to the hype and re-affirms just how awesome it is to see art in-situ. As fun as museums can be, there's something so special about seeing sculptures, oil paintings, and frescoes in the place the artist intended them to be seen. Whether you are interested in elegant Renaissance frescoes or late Baroque sculptures—or any period in between—Santa Maria del Popolo will impress.\nRead Full Review\nSanta Maria in Trastevere\nSanta Maria in Trastevere is a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in the Middle Ages, decked out with shimmering gold and glass mosaics, then further embellished with frescoes, gilded wood, and marble veneer over the next seven centuries. Santa Maria in Trastevere is an active church and popular among locals, so you may run into one of the multiple masses that take place throughout the day. Non-worshipping visitors come to gaze at the apse, a 12th-century mosaic, among the most famous in town. There are hundreds of churches in Rome but Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the most breathtaking. Not only are the mosaics and gilded ceiling spectacular, the very skeletal structure of the church is mind-boggling. This site will help you develop a taste for medieval Rome, a period often outshined by the Renaissance and Baroque eras.\nRead Full Review\nTrending Stories\nPalazzo Massimo\nPalazzo Massimo's collection of ancient art is divided across four floors. The building itself was built by Jesuits in the late 19th century and was only turned into a state-owned museum in 1980. It's next to Stazione Termini, Rome's busiest station, yet few travelers make the trip to see the museum's masterpiece-packed halls. The collection is a mix of Classical sculpture, Imperial frescoes, and Hellenistic baroque-style statuary. After the Vatican Museums and Capitoline Museums, the Palazzo Massimo is a must for ancient art lovers. The collection is pretty dense and some rooms are quite crammed with sculptures. In some parts, however, like the halls displaying frescoes from Livia's Villa, the display is restrained to give attention to the delicate wall paintings.\nRead Full Review\nTestaccio Market\nThe community market for Rome's Testaccio district has nearly 100 stalls, most of which cater to locals' traditional appetites. There are also a few food stalls selling trendy food, but they aren't the norm. Like other Roman markets, this one has bread bakeries, produce stalls, fishmongers, butchers, and delis. Expect to see seasonal vegetables like artichokes or zucchini, cuts typical of the local cuisine like tripe and liver, and little chewy pizzas common to Roman bakeries. There are also takeaway stalls like the stellar Casa Manco, which makes superlative pizza al taglio using fresh seasonal vegetables from the market.. There's even a hair salon here. Aside from the pizza at Casa Manco, there's one thing that you can—nay—\nmust\ntry: a sandwich at Mordi e Vai, an old schoolstall that sells sandwiches stuffed with hot fillings like brisket, tripe, and kidneys. And if you're not into meat and organs, there's an awesome braised artichoke filling.\nRead Full Review\nTrending Stories\nPigneto\nPigneto is a regentrified working-class neighborhood home to young professionals, street artists, aging locals, hipsters, and perhaps the city's highest concentration of bars. It’s popular with Italian college students and 20- and 30-somethings who frequent the bars on the \"Isola,\" a pedestrianized stretch of Via del Pigneto, the neighborhood's central artery. It's also a destination for Pasolini fans who visit the streets that were the backdrop for his Neorealist films and hang out at Necci dal 1924, a bistro\/bar with a street art mural depicting the famed director overlooking the garden. Pigneto is an acquired taste and may feel too rough-around-the-edges for some, but anyone interested in urbanism and street art, or just thirsty to explore neighborhoods outside of Rome's historic center, will enjoy it. If you've visited Rome before and want to explore a neighborhood that has a unique character, Pigneto is a good place to start. The place is also great for bar crawlers.\nRead Full Review\nBaths of Caracalla\nThe Baths of Caracalla were a massive public bathing complex built in the 3rd century. Throughout the year, the site is open during the day for visitors to stroll through ruins that were so magnificent they inspired the Main Concourse at Grand Central Terminal. Each summer, the city of Rome's Opera company performs at the Baths, using the towering brick ruins as a backdrop. The contrast of the ancient buildings, celebrated operas, and modern acoustics and lighting is stunning. Performances include musicals, pop concerts, and dance shows. The Baths are the summer home of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, but the stage welcomes visiting companies and troupes as well. If you're into music and architecture, it's hard to imagine a better place in Rome to experience the two.\nRead Full Review\nThis gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.\nLaura Itzkowitz\nis a freelance writer and editor with a passion for covering travel, arts and culture, lifestyle, design, food, and wine. A proud Italophile, she lived in Rome for two years, speaks Italian fluently, and often writes about all things Italy. Her writing has appeared in\nTravel + Leisure,\n...\nRead More\nMaresa Manara\nis a contributing writer for\nCondé Nast Traveler\n. Originally from Sydney Australia, Maresa has been a food and travel journalist since she moved to Italy 15 years ago. Having reported from over 50 countries, she’s learned that her sense of direction is terrible, nearly every stomach ailment can ...\nRead More\nBe the First to Know Where to Go Next\nThe stories, spots, and secrets everyone is talking about, delivered daily.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-things-to-do-in-rome#main-content)\n\n[Inspiration](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/inspiration)\n\n[Destinations](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/destinations)\n\n[Places to Stay](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/places-to-stay)\n\n[News & Advice](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/news-and-advice)\n\n[Best Places to Go](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/best-places-to-go)\n\n[Shopping](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/shopping)\n\n[Gold List](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/inspiration\/gold-list)\n\n[Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/newsletter)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/v2\/offers\/cnta01027?source=Site_0_JNY_CNT_DESKTOP_NAV_CTA_0_US_QUICKPAY_TEST_2026_ZZ_PANELB)\n\nMenu\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/v2\/offers\/cnta01027?source=Site_0_JNY_CNT_DESKTOP_NAV_CTA_0_US_QUICKPAY_TEST_2026_ZZ_PANELB)\n\nMenu\n\n[Inspiration](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/inspiration)\n\n[Destinations](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/destinations%20)\n\n[Places to Stay](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/places-to-stay)\n\n[News & Advice](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/news-and-advice)\n\n[Best Places to Go](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/best-places-to-go)\n\n[Curated Escapes](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/curated-escapes-with-abercrombie-and-kent)\n\n[Shopping](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/shopping)\n\n[Cruise](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/cruise)\n\n[Women Who Travel](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/women-who-travel)\n\n[Video](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/video)\n\n[Search](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/search)\n\n[Newsletters](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/newsletter)\n\n[Sign In](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/auth\/initiate?redirectURL=%2Fgallery%2Fbest-things-to-do-in-rome&source=VERSO_NAVIGATION)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/v2\/offers\/cnta01027?source=Site_0_JNY_CNT_GLOBAL_NAV_DRAWER_0_US_QUICKPAY_TEST_2026_ZZ_PANELB)\n\n[![IT'S TIME TO VOTE! \\<br\\> The 2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey is here \\<br\\>Take your travels. 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[Subscribe now »](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/v2\/offers\/cnta01027?source=Site_0_JNY_CNT_DESKTOP_TICKER_BANNER_0_US_QUICKPAY_TEST_2026_ZZ_PANELB)\n\n[Europe](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/destinations\/europe)\n\n[Italy](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/destinations\/italy)\n\n[Rome](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/destinations\/rome)\n\nDestinations\n\n# The Best Things to Do in Rome Are Some of the Eternal City's Oldest\n\nItaly's capital offers the full spectrum of experiences, from cultural sites to Vespa sidecar tours.\n\nBy [Laura Itzkowitz](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributor\/laura-itzkowitz) and [Maresa Manara](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributors\/maresa-manara)\n\nMarch 9, 2026\n\n![Image may contain Art Cup Person City Plate Cutlery Spoon and Collage](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/67daeead09fb10036091b8ce\/16:9\/w_320%2Cc_limit\/CNT_Lede_BestThingstoDoRome.jpg)\n\nJenny Zarins\n\nSave this story\n\nSave this story\n\nAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and\/or from purchases of products through these links.\n\nAs the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t see all the best things to do in Rome in just a single day either. In fact, between archeological relics, world-class museums, soaring [Baroque churches](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/the-most-beautiful-churches-in-the-world), noble palaces, picturesque parks, and kaleidoscopically colorful gardens, Rome has enough things to do to keep you busy for a lifetime. After all, for the past 2,668 years, the Italian capital has been creating and collecting the world's most famous antiquities and monuments. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the city unveils a restored archeological site, a new museum opens, or a new metro station with a museum-like display of ancient finds debuts. Every era of the world’s history is on display in one corner or another, and trying to see it all can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t need to be. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve gathered some of the best experiences the Eternal City has to offer, from bucket list sites every first-time visitor has to see once in their lifetime to more off-the-beaten-path parks, museums, and churches loved by locals. Whether it’s your first visit or your 50th, these are the best things to do in Rome, according to a local expert.\n\n**Read our complete [Rome travel guide here](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/destinations\/rome), which includes:**\n\n- [**The Best Hotels in Rome**](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-hotels-in-rome)\n- [**The Best Restaurants in Rome**](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-restaurants-in-rome)\n- [**The Best Bars in Rome**](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-bars-in-rome)\n- [**The Best Beaches in Rome**](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/the-best-beaches-in-rome)\n\nHow we choose the best things to do in Rome\n\nAccordionItemContainerButton\n\nEvery review on this list has been written by a *Condé Nast Traveler* journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.\n\n- [![Galleria Borghese Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a9307c4d363c34048b35bef\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Galleria-Borghese_GettyImages-639560549.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-things-to-do-in-rome)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [Galleria Borghese](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/galleria-borghese)\n  \n  The word bourgeois derives from the name of the noble Borghese family, and a visit to this museum, built in 1612 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, will show you why. The architecture and interior decoration itself are beyond opulent. Elaborate frescoes, sculptures displayed in niches, and even ancient mosaics embedded in the floors are the backdrop for the cardinal’s exceptional art collection, which includes paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian and some of Bernini’s most evocative sculptures, not to mention Canova’s neoclassical statue of Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister Pauline Borghese as Venus Victorius. Be sure to book timed tickets in advance online. Pro tip: if you want to avoid the crowds, book the last time slot of the day, and as visitors leave, you’ll be able to wander the galleries with just a handful of people around.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/galleria-borghese)\n  \n  Watch This\n  \n  [Where You Should Eat in Paris According to a Pro Chef](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/video\/watch\/where-the-chefs-eat-where-you-should-eat-in-paris-according-to-a-pro-chef)\n- [![Europe Italy Rome Attraction Villa Borghese](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5d09389ea31871c568db1c86\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Villa%2520Borghese_GettyImages-640457580.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-things-to-do-in-rome)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [Villa Borghese](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/villa-borghese)\n  \n  The bucolic park surrounding Galleria Borghese was once the private estate of the Borghese family. Today it’s Rome’s most beloved public park, which stretches from just above Piazza del Popolo up to Parioli, an affluent residential neighborhood. On warm days, you’ll find teenagers hanging out on the grass, families picnicking, and locals jogging or walking their dogs. You can rent a rowboat on the little lake and paddle around in the shadow of the Neoclassical Temple of Aesculapius or rent a bike and cycle around the gravel paths. The park is also home to a handful of museums and attractions, including the Bioparco zoo, the Casa del Cinema, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, and the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia. For an especially lovely view of Piazza del Popolo, make your way over to the Pincio Terrace at the southwest corner of the park. Buskers sometimes play here around sunset, as people crowd around the balcony and take photos.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/villa-borghese)\n\n- ![Image may contain City Downtown Urban Architecture Building Person Cityscape and Town Square](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69aeeeee09b0dae108ce628f\/master\/w_1024%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-1426003175.jpg)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  ## The Spanish Steps\n  An iconic monument and gathering point, this elegant staircase was built in 1723 to connect the Church of Trinità dei Monti above to the piazza below. Its name alludes to the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican on the piazza, but the stairs were actually designed by an Italian architect and financed with French funds. In the 18th century, the area surrounding the steps became known as the “English Ghetto” because of its popularity with the romantic poets, including John Keats, whose house at the base of the steps was turned into a museum. Today the area is known as Rome’s luxury shopping district, but you can find more traces of its English past at Babington’s Tea House and the [Hotel d’Inghilterra](https:\/\/cna.st\/affiliate-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).\n- [![Image may contain Urban Town Downtown Building City Architecture Human Person Water Mansion Housing and House](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/55d24b6f37284fb1079cbc20\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/trevi-fountain-rome-night-cr-getty.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-things-to-do-in-rome)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [Trevi Fountain](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/trevi-fountain)\n  \n  For first-time visitors, no trip to Rome would be complete without a stop at the Trevi Fountain. Featured in films and TV shows, the monumental fountain is a triumph of Baroque design, with a larger-than-life statue of Oceanus riding a shell-shaped chariot drawn by two tritons and horses. A truly Herculean task, the fountain took more than 30 years to construct and was finally finished in 1762. It was designed by Nicola Salvi, who died before it was completed. The gushing water that flows from it comes from the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct built in 19 BCE by Agrippa. Legend has it that if you toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome. Toss two coins and you’ll return to Rome and fall in love. Toss three coins and you’ll return, fall in love, and marry. In recent years, as the crowds became ever more intense, you would have to elbow your way to the front, but as of February 2026, you have to pay two Euros (around \\$2.30) and wait in line if you want to approach the basin to toss in a coin and get that iconic shot.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/trevi-fountain)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Shopping\n  \n  [The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Hannah Chubb\n- [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Readers' Choice Awards\n  \n  [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n- [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  News & Advice\n  \n  [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Connor Sturges\n- [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Inspiration\n  \n  [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Adele Chapin\n\n- [![Image may contain City Town Urban Building Downtown Architecture Water Human Person Metropolis and Plaza](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/55d20504c47ae13868ae571f\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/piazza-navona.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-things-to-do-in-rome)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [Piazza Navona](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/piazza-navona)\n  \n  Arguably the most beautiful Baroque piazza in Rome, Piazza Navona draws crowds of people year-round who come to admire the three fountains and the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. In the center of it all is Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, whose figures represent the four longest rivers known at the time: the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Plata. According to legend, the figure of the Plata is shielding his eyes because he can’t bear to look at the church, which was designed by Bernini’s rival Borromini. The piazza gets its distinctive oval shape from a Roman racetrack, which sits underneath it. Beware of the tourist traps on the piazza and the surrounding streets, which serve overpriced, mediocre food to tourists.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/piazza-navona)\n- - [![Image may contain: Flooring, Human, Person, Floor, Corridor, Architecture, Building, Indoors, Church, and Altar](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a99866499c77f4533dfc047\/4:3\/w_1280%2Cc_limit\/Braccio-Nuovo-Sculpture-Gallery-J9FA8C.jpg)]()\n    \n    Alamy\n  - [![Image may contain: Architecture, Dome, Building, City, Town, Downtown, Urban, Human, Person, and Metropolis](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5931db45201d7a284a0ba4a6\/4:3\/w_1280%2Cc_limit\/europe-unesco-vatican-city-GettyImages-137689270.jpg)]()\n    \n    Getty\n  - [![Image may contain: Banister, Handrail, and Staircase](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/598b21bf9567a567d551ad8f\/4:3\/w_1280%2Cc_limit\/Vatican-Museum-GettyImages-131985374.jpg)]()\n    \n    Getty\n  \n  [Vatican Museums](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/vatican-museums)\n  \n  A bucket list item for many, the Vatican Museums actually comprise 24 museums, plus various galleries and chapels, including the Sistine Chapel. The massive complex has housed the treasures of the Vatican since the 15th century and receives up to 30,000 visitors per day, making it one of the most crowded sites in Rome. You could walk more than four miles through the galleries and still not see everything. There are Egyptian mummies, Etruscan artifacts, ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance tapestries, and even a modern art collection. Be sure to book tickets or a tour in advance or you’ll spend hours in line waiting to get in. Most tours last around 2 to 2.5 hours and show you the highlights, such as the ancient Greek sculpture of Laocoön, the Gallery of Maps, and the Sistine Chapel with the iconic Last Judgement and the ceiling fresco depicting the story of Genesis by Michelangelo. Group tours often skip the Raphael Rooms, which in our opinion are among the most incredible artworks in the Vatican, so if you do a private tour be sure to ask your guide to bring you there.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/vatican-museums)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Shopping\n  \n  [The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Hannah Chubb\n- [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Readers' Choice Awards\n  \n  [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n- [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  News & Advice\n  \n  [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Connor Sturges\n- [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Inspiration\n  \n  [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Adele Chapin\n\n- [![St. Peter's Basilica Vatican City Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/58cac9bf2a932866dbe09ff5\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-564432979.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-things-to-do-in-rome)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [St. Peter's Basilica](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/st-peters-basilica)\n  \n  One of the largest churches in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is a symbol of the Catholic faith and a testament to the Vatican’s wealth and power. It was built over a period of 120 years by an all-star team of architects, including Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini and was completed in 1626. The colonnade on St. Peter’s Square is the only point where the Vatican walls open up to the rest of the city in a symbolic embrace. Its dome is the tallest and most distinctive point on Rome’s skyline. Inside, it contains masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Pietà (sculpted when he was just 23 years old!) and Bernini’s bronze baldachin over the altar, which marks the exact spot of St. Peter’s tomb. Some tours of the Vatican Museums will shepherd you through a shortcut to St. Peter’s Basilica, but you can also visit the church on its own by entering through the colonnade on the piazza.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/st-peters-basilica)\n- ![Image may contain Hadrian Floor Flooring Architecture Building Corridor Indoors Plant House Housing and Villa](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69aef09aee6811e4acfcb28f\/master\/w_1024%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-2190105933.jpg)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  ## Palazzo Altemps\n  Just north of Piazza Navona is this hidden gem of a museum that most tourists seem to miss. Once owned by the powerful Cardinal Altemps, it contains an impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, as well as an Egyptian collection. The real showstopper, though, is the loggia with its lavish ceiling frescoes done in the “grottesque” style (i.e., inspired by ancient Roman grottoes). It’s now part of the Museo Nazionale Romano, a museum circuit that also includes Palazzo Massimo alle Terme and the Baths of Diocletian.\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Shopping\n  \n  [The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Hannah Chubb\n- [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Readers' Choice Awards\n  \n  [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n- [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  News & Advice\n  \n  [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Connor Sturges\n- [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Inspiration\n  \n  [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Adele Chapin\n\n- ![Image may contain Architecture Building and Urban](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69aef4aa67c59cc72f4d0f36\/master\/w_1024%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-495220007-2.jpg)\n  \n  Mats Silvan\n  \n  ## Sacred Area of Largo Argentina\n  The archeological site hemmed in between Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Via Florida, Via di Torre Argentina, and Via di San Nicola dei Cesarini is believed to have witnessed one of the most important moments in Roman history: the assassination of Julius Caesar. Excavated in the 1920s, when Mussolini was constructing a new neighborhood in the area, the site contains four temples dating back to the Republican era around the third century BCE, making them some of the oldest remaining ruins in Rome. A restoration funded by Bvlgari opened the site up to the public in 2024, so you can descend below street level and walk along raised pathways that let you get close to the ruins. A small exhibition space houses finds from the excavations, including fragments of marble, inscriptions, and heads of statues.\n- ![Image may contain Architecture Building Monastery Castle Fortress Grass Plant Arch and Gothic Arch](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69aef5602c9706becbda829b\/master\/w_1024%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-2248228962.jpg)\n  \n  Bruno Brunelli\n  \n  ## Appia Antica\n  You know the saying, “All roads lead to Rome?” Well, this was *the* road that connected the capital of the empire with its colonies in the southern part of the Italian peninsula. Nicknamed the “Queen of Roads,” the ancient Appian Way once ran all the way to Brindisi, 335 miles away on Puglia’s Adriatic coast. A roughly 10-mile stretch of the road leading from the Porta San Sebastiano out to the edge of the Castelli Romani (a group of quaint hill towns southeast of Rome) is accessible today. On warm, sunny weekends, join the locals who flock to the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica to get some fresh air and walk or bike along the ancient road. This is where you’ll find the Catacombs, as well as ancient aqueducts and ruins such as the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the massive Villa dei Quintili.\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Shopping\n  \n  [The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Hannah Chubb\n- [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Readers' Choice Awards\n  \n  [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n- [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  News & Advice\n  \n  [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Connor Sturges\n- [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Inspiration\n  \n  [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Adele Chapin\n\n- ![Image may contain Plant Tree Person Bench Furniture Grass Nature Outdoors Park and City](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69aef7fa2c9706becbda82ad\/master\/w_1024%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-694578622.jpg)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  ## Giardino degli Aranci\n  The Parco Savello, better known as the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden), is a favorite park among locals. Its location perched high on the Aventine Hill puts it just beyond the typical tourist circuit, ensuring it doesn’t get too crowded. Towering umbrella pines and fragrant orange trees give it a romantic Mediterranean air, and the belvedere offers sweeping views of Rome that stretch from the Altar of the Fatherland all the way to St. Peter’s dome. Prior to opening as a park in 1932, this was a fortified palace built by the Savelli family in the 13th century.\n- - [![Palazzo Doria Pamphilj Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a922a5799c77f4533dfbdcc\/4:3\/w_1280%2Cc_limit\/Palazzo-Doria-Pamphilj_GettyImages-159618409.jpg)]()\n    \n    Getty\n  - [![Image may contain: Water, and Campus](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/548b527fb6e03e8c2d0cc18a\/4:3\/w_1280%2Cc_limit\/galleria-doria-pamphilj-rome-italy-3-days-ms-2014.jpg)]()\n    \n    © Vito Arcomano \/ Alamy\n  - [![Image may contain: Furniture, Human, Person, Indoors, Interior Design, House, Housing, Mansion, Building, and Room](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/553028ac44f1a8336f434b69\/4:3\/w_1280%2Cc_limit\/palazzo-doria-pamphilj-museum.jpg)]()\n    \n    © National Geographic Image Collection \/ Alamy\n  \n  [Galleria Doria Pamphilj](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/galleria-doria-pamphilj)\n  \n  This museum houses Rome's largest private collection, a trove assembled by the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi, and Aldobrandini families and brought together through marriage. It’s set in a noble palace still owned by the Doria Pamphilj family and the ornate halls provide a grand setting for such an overwhelming amount of art. The collection is acclaimed among 16th and 17th-century art aficionados but is off the average visitor’s radar even though it's located just off Piazza Venezia on the bustling Via del Corso. Seeing the spectacular Hall of Mirrors, which might remind you of the one at Versailles, is reason enough to visit the Galleria Doria Pamphilj. The museum's halls are absolutely packed with art, but that's what the family intended in the 17th century—the sheer volume of art was meant to overwhelm and disarm the visitor and leave her in awe of the family's wealth and cultural prestige. It still has that effect.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/galleria-doria-pamphilj)\n  \n  [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/V1rbZZiYcJc3mLvWnMkmmgvab3nqRHYUMbrQUZUHHfPHs5chfYYVpPpafDiqq39g1D4TriX5KcfqwL5xThMr3t1eetJ9UDtiL7a1e65Y2S6g4TSn5vX9NDQiXWxHiHjjHovPMrsjagQF7XGNwc55S7a1Qw888ndnhBt6Qo2xWthVTQhsjo7b3ARGeuZxowL8qjEUUFG48Ubt39g3pwXiecWkv6wkLcSxLPHFhWf47RTuUcoj6QFNZGW3wQdWaG1pj7NcqskQegAWcnTt7S6ThUJvjNhnoByCfknm1az7RAz5CHMZP1J74HZzUiUeUUoTPrn2H4gk3U3fwmdE4aG1j2txiBeNUmUDSDYdHirLfWWeCNjdbYhGYPrP9Rx1Uy6mqfGkzWxjYfpwSo4d9mny5uYmFfAsmpjRk2zmRXCBGTQkWDCy1iyFUBsF8R33MbFy23Y1Hn2K8drs)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Shopping\n  \n  [The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Hannah Chubb\n- [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Readers' Choice Awards\n  \n  [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n- [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  News & Advice\n  \n  [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Connor Sturges\n- [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Inspiration\n  \n  [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Adele Chapin\n\n- - [![Image may contain: Walkway, Path, and Flagstone](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a0338fd9068b525708f1f63\/4:3\/w_1280%2Cc_limit\/Colosseum_DSC_0680.jpg)]()\n    \n    CoopCulture\n  - [![Image may contain: Architecture, Building, and Archaeology](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a0338fd325a6b4505ae0e84\/4:3\/w_1280%2Cc_limit\/Colosseum_DSC_0651.jpg)]()\n    \n    CoopCulture\n  \n  [Colosseum](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/colosseum)\n  \n  The Colosseum is more than just an ancient amphitheater built in the 1st century—it's a symbol of Rome. Naturally, it's one of the most popular monuments in town, so do yourself a favor and book timed tickets online in advance, then use those to bypass the impossibly long ticket lines. The place is undeniably magnificent from the outside. Standing 160-feet-tall and made of brick, concrete, and travertine, the Colosseum is an awe-inspiring testament to Roman building. Visitors report mixed reviews of the interior, which was picked over by looters pretty intensely for more than 1,000 years. To get the most out of a trip inside, book a special visit to the underground (basically the backstage area where people and animals waited to be brought onstage), the third tier, and the belvedere via the Colosseum's website. Or try, if you can, to book a guided tour of the Commodus Passage, a secret corridor that allowed Roman emperors to enter the Colosseum, which opened in October 2025 after a meticulous restoration.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/colosseum)\n  \n  [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/oxmzN5BRSFN9U2cs2YFm4HvdGBQ5d8YSCwdqn7s76hLmHjU4tK8cCpCMoodHHGdCBEvaHxFJAkBS81USkSUqYoGmMT2i6ipSvkYBnHm3byu11PZKnK8DpVGiDPJxHS5fvNyFsTWUPHm7mjN9BDwWWk59RFBiPbHVNRRM63WzyxFBE2BwaouD9AXKGw8eBA4w7kb2p88e1Gj1LXhFVQbu9jEczS4GyCdku3F5iZzzeNUe8LPmqfMMbWnK58ccDmEBLDCN9Dg4xe2FUgzzNwgEPGKCrPx9NHiApiDU1GoRijN6cpQHYcaPk6HcfupQFRMKdX4J6qJELwKVkSFny9N6RSAtgt2eUnZZrHxf1eRrZuid9wGyF17i6pBfN2RsG8aeqN5UBBJo4sq4uxtmF3ptM1Enb448UqhW19WtBST)\n- [![Maxxi National Museum Of 21St Century Arts Via Guido Reni Rome 4 A 00196 Roma Italy Architect Zaha Hadid Architects 2009...](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/6418c40a8761e70ebee59ed3\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/MAXXI%2520Rome_GettyImages-144843601.jpg)](https:\/\/cna.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)\n  \n  View Pictures\/Universal Images\/Getty\n  \n  [MAXXI Rome](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/maxxi)\n  \n  Designed by Zaha Hadid, this is Rome’s museum for all things contemporary, with exhibitions spanning modern fashion, cinema, art, and architecture. Heck, it’s worth visiting just to check out the building, a piece of art in itself. The labyrinthine space at MAXXI is astounding. It gets busy, but there's so much space that you wouldn't notice. Big, wide halls give way to rooms of different themes and sizes, resulting in five floors of non-stop, incredible artwork. Spaces range from performing arts vignettes to galleries with modern artworks to open cinemas. For some, this might feel a little incoherent, but it helps if you take it in as a whole rather than different spaces. There’s a small permanent exhibition, but it’s the ever-evolving rotation of temporary shows—like Alberto Garutti’s contemporary light installation on art and nature—that really draw the crowds.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/maxxi)\n  \n  [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https:\/\/cna.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)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Shopping\n  \n  [The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Hannah Chubb\n- [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Readers' Choice Awards\n  \n  [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n- [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  News & Advice\n  \n  [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Connor Sturges\n- [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Inspiration\n  \n  [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Adele Chapin\n\n- [![Image may contain Floor Flooring Architecture Building Corridor Indoors Person Adult Wedding Crypt and Museum](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/67db2dfd9f37176893bdd7b4\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/CAPITOLINE%2520MUSEUM%2520david-bruggink-P1cu5RqwMMQ-unsplash.jpg)](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/3e2YhJ5oxMm4ad3e7ZH1JdNsKTqozCLMAewwpBc7svZNANvb1wxukPuFmRRsAnCKvvkAuRtydg8qw5BfywFgk7Fo5re2dNjknZeQLZS3MMHxNhQwznj6LSsMrNbw5nC5jTuCXN7CZhTG2FHq1bSvcFXt3MMuGFRY8HW41JCHZhNsFVBQR5Am7bz7zWnJzcmkHhRaQ2GFKUjhGQFSFSwi56X2vqrzerMcsbTBaVEyZC5mBsG5p1Sf7qakqNoxf1PcKC5xpH7R4g52x6q7iqJV7ZhtVtsxZaKp584tnbJz7HpWZe3KmFiLUnnpFJ9QhgwxsjzTG12SRfhyvXsYmgrxUmvCgVGV7dQKTnSMyZXEVGAAso1uFgdKDBtgh5Lje8JCyj4ZiSmiithK9FjAMYXuCUX6XMe4qqngkF8sJjvq6EdHtk9NFMXR)\n  \n  Unsplash\n  \n  [Capitoline Museums](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/capitoline-museums)\n  \n  Home to one of the finest collections of ancient sculpture in Rome, the Capitoline Museums are rarely crowded. They attract school groups, locals, and travelers who meander through the museums' various buildings, including two designed by Michelangelo. There are often exhibitions in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, one of the Capitoline's main buildings. Due to the age and arrangement of the building—it was designed by Renaissance master Michelangelo from pre-existing medieval structures—the shows can sometimes feel disjointed, though they are generally well-curated. The Palazzo dei Conservatori has frescoed halls, while the Palazzo Nuovo relies heavily on ancient pieces for wall decoration. Don’t miss the spectacular views of the Roman Forum from the Tabularium Gallery, which connects the two buildings. The main halls in both buildings have wonderful natural light, as does a glass atrium designed by Carlo Aymonino to house masterpieces like the bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/capitoline-museums)\n  \n  [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/3e2YhJ5oxMm4ad3e7ZH1JdNsKTqozCLMAewwpBc7svZNANvb1wxukPuFmRRsAnCKvvkAuRtydg8qw5BfywFgk7Fo5re2dNjknZeQLZS3MMHxNhQwznj6LSsMrNbw5nC5jTuCXN7CZhTG2FHq1bSvcFXt3MMuGFRY8HW41JCHZhNsFVBQR5Am7bz7zWnJzcmkHhRaQ2GFKUjhGQFSFSwi56X2vqrzerMcsbTBaVEyZC5mBsG5p1Sf7qakqNoxf1PcKC5xpH7R4g52x6q7iqJV7ZhtVtsxZaKp584tnbJz7HpWZe3KmFiLUnnpFJ9QhgwxsjzTG12SRfhyvXsYmgrxUmvCgVGV7dQKTnSMyZXEVGAAso1uFgdKDBtgh5Lje8JCyj4ZiSmiithK9FjAMYXuCUX6XMe4qqngkF8sJjvq6EdHtk9NFMXR)\n- [![Image may contain City Urban Architecture Bell Tower Building Tower Neighborhood Person Clock Tower and Downtown](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/67db2e47990388eb80a5894e\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/PALATINE%2520HILL%2520GettyImages-1924270286.jpg)](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/6JJRoyFH2FdjkNSSYrHpgQFR3JZsYrCrDU6U2cNiC8EQPUjfF4BgZ8MhNEmgvw6rJRHqHH5ZPpgctN4rijtC9pRruqWTeaToX3miNUF1iEcbqDVkofSserYDrgdbjhJkskrnaEYpmg7wCeKYWr8BioRYZs7SjpUWKZ71tQmiycRvXXa29gziHYBbsZT1wB2Aw2cm2oAFsAJpMWqR4GqMXxvynxfNtPBpXb7UYxo3nMXgswfvPJkYBssNnRZXTaesyiR8T9kq4XRt74Zr1aC3aRCYm9UgfgamvUHD6Gycjf567WiqzLQvtxyUsccVhYkTf1xhcwwC5DZDW2fZRdtLvRM9omoxX8JfpcKtnG34SAp4HN1WpuuYUvWQkTNem4caLtZiyCGeBdLAqN4nazEwBAfMK6XToASrfETu1Gcszngbm)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/palatine-hill)\n  \n  The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are a big, sprawling open-air museum, both accessed with the same ticket (which also includes the Colosseum). The Forum was once the beating heart of Rome, where political, religious, and commercial functions took place. Walking along the Via Sacra, the route for religious and triumphal processions, you’re literally walking in the footsteps of Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony. As you stroll through the ruins, gaze up in awe at the columns of the Temple of Saturn and the Arch of Titus, whose friezes depict the sack of Jerusalem and which leads up to the Palatine Hill, where emperors such as Augustus and Domitian built sprawling palaces. The buildings on the Palatine are awe-inspiring, especially considering their scale. Domitian's palace alone covers several acres. While strolling through the ruins, consider that most were covered in polished polychrome marble and the experience will be even more intense. If you can get a handle on what you're looking at, the Palatine Hill will leave you eager to visit other more intact monuments from Imperial times (the nearby Baths of Caracalla are a good place to start). At the very least, you'll walk away floored by the views of the city from the north side of the hill.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/palatine-hill)\n  \n  [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/6JJRoyFH2FdjkNSSYrHpgQFR3JZsYrCrDU6U2cNiC8EQPUjfF4BgZ8MhNEmgvw6rJRHqHH5ZPpgctN4rijtC9pRruqWTeaToX3miNUF1iEcbqDVkofSserYDrgdbjhJkskrnaEYpmg7wCeKYWr8BioRYZs7SjpUWKZ71tQmiycRvXXa29gziHYBbsZT1wB2Aw2cm2oAFsAJpMWqR4GqMXxvynxfNtPBpXb7UYxo3nMXgswfvPJkYBssNnRZXTaesyiR8T9kq4XRt74Zr1aC3aRCYm9UgfgamvUHD6Gycjf567WiqzLQvtxyUsccVhYkTf1xhcwwC5DZDW2fZRdtLvRM9omoxX8JfpcKtnG34SAp4HN1WpuuYUvWQkTNem4caLtZiyCGeBdLAqN4nazEwBAfMK6XToASrfETu1Gcszngbm)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Shopping\n  \n  [The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Hannah Chubb\n- [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Readers' Choice Awards\n  \n  [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n- [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  News & Advice\n  \n  [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Connor Sturges\n- [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Inspiration\n  \n  [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Adele Chapin\n\n- [![Domus rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a9463b1723a834885e15455\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Domus.jpg)](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/2Cd7yruAyULCVriZXKsV2DyHKeWejZSo3NYbft4ZSdXgHRQiHn8QTmG7RkSz5WvtVsN2sp9HQJ9XLLj7HFhbhWn46VtVMpT8m3qNvN2A4Y3XeSeSe5Wf52mZh3zK24JrrG1j1YATRYZVRBpwQLb3ifYcqTotjW32PWbJGe9m7p93NunenyJcdJGH3MMVxRk2Rd1U4Emx737VGf6yrtUitmX4sPnw9PTVLHDTi7r81bQg5sSg93jgVRoBcQqzQEbJxi7Y3kGNfW6DSafpJ6dkHNFGRsuma86wVmciWmSLmxBCqBTotbSXTEk9heMQwKcPeuNpvJd1a175bUobUP7Z3qMzK2vDPpjyRs2hCamDWZTHYSSnK8tU4YcNWC9523no8etka8fj56MPsvpWXFBQh6qnSPbLmH64Eb2ximUQWxFu)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [Domus Aurea](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/domus-aurea)\n  \n  The Domus Aurea, the so-called \"Golden House,\" is a sprawling palatial pavilion built by emperor Nero in the first century. The site is under restoration during the week and admission (which includes a guided tour) is only granted to visitors on weekends. Many of the visitors are either hard-core archeology buffs who have been to Rome many times or interested travelers lucky enough to snag a place on one of the weekend tours. Like so many sites in Rome, the Domus Aurea has been stripped of its polished stone veneer. The plundering, though, has done little to dull the impact of exploring a nearly 2,000-year-old structure. Because Nero was eternally damned by the Senate after his suicide, his palace was filled in as a way to erase his memory. Accordingly, the Domus Aurea is now underground. After visiting you'll surely want to explore Rome's other buried ancient sites.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/domus-aurea)\n  \n  [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/2Cd7yruAyULCVriZXKsV2DyHKeWejZSo3NYbft4ZSdXgHRQiHn8QTmG7RkSz5WvtVsN2sp9HQJ9XLLj7HFhbhWn46VtVMpT8m3qNvN2A4Y3XeSeSe5Wf52mZh3zK24JrrG1j1YATRYZVRBpwQLb3ifYcqTotjW32PWbJGe9m7p93NunenyJcdJGH3MMVxRk2Rd1U4Emx737VGf6yrtUitmX4sPnw9PTVLHDTi7r81bQg5sSg93jgVRoBcQqzQEbJxi7Y3kGNfW6DSafpJ6dkHNFGRsuma86wVmciWmSLmxBCqBTotbSXTEk9heMQwKcPeuNpvJd1a175bUobUP7Z3qMzK2vDPpjyRs2hCamDWZTHYSSnK8tU4YcNWC9523no8etka8fj56MPsvpWXFBQh6qnSPbLmH64Eb2ximUQWxFu)\n- [![Image may contain City Road Street Urban Outdoors Nature Plant Vine Countryside Rural Alcohol and Beverage](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/67db2e4dce6a3d54285dd761\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/VESPA%2520GettyImages-1226875281.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-things-to-do-in-rome)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [Vespa Sidecar Tour](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/vespa-sidecar-tour)\n  \n  Rome’s not short on tours but there’s something rather special about seeing the Eternal City on the back of a Vespa—or in this case, the sidecar of a shiny yellow 1940s vintage Vespa. Vespa Sidecar Tour runs three-hour tours of Rome, taking two guests at a time (one on the back of the Vespa, one in the sidecar) on a tour of 12 of Rome’s most iconic sights, including the [Trevi Fountain](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/trevi-fountain), [the Pantheon](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/pantheon-rome), and [the Colosseum](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/colosseum). Tours are organized in small groups with a maximum of 12 passengers led by a head guide, who explains exactly what you’re seeing via headphones hooked up to radio devices. Depending on the time of day, you might stop for a cappuccino, gelato, or a bit of pizza. This is a great activity to do as soon as you land in order to get acquainted with the city.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/vespa-sidecar-tour)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Shopping\n  \n  [The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Hannah Chubb\n- [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Readers' Choice Awards\n  \n  [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n- [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  News & Advice\n  \n  [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Connor Sturges\n- [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Inspiration\n  \n  [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Adele Chapin\n\n- [![Villa Farnesina Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a922a9b99c77f4533dfbdce\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Villa-Farnesina_GettyImages-159618739.jpg)](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/2nDhMAPbGAJ1jK1hB1m7LmMEEND6Da1ST2W1dCW5Y2u7djKpD8C4ttC7i1yphs1KF6y3GUo8hoQRbRDthQmbQk2S8AGBYVpJZHYDj6GkRHJiTaXZfduAMVssDPuvCYM1dYURBxye3F7QSdBm4VtVKZUwnqajpTZ2kXDj5muVuN5UV4ocPaK6YvFmhvHTK4wA4of4fUKu9wkPYGvq6dN2fr2umMVwTnDfMN3RNaX1qFAE5UcTgyJJuUckyTpMNSoKsvz5mdoZMWe8CbVuDxc63GTY2X1MoJE8s4UUTnXUxNseUWjVQeVy6rfBvwYi4J6EJpfoRQ2LNngySzQfkHfkwvaT78Ao2n8BXCt99uYbtF8Qi8HLfffb9KLMEqdDEGebxfeWmhL79y8SBE6531XF6zG7afebANiDq38ojjnGsB5wHCJo)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [Villa Farnesina](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/villa-farnesina)\n  \n  Villa Farnesina is a small museum inside a Renaissance palace and is an intimate alternative to the Vatican Museums. Despite housing artworks by Renaissance masters, it attracts shockingly few visitors. Agostino Chigi, one of the richest men who lived during the Renaissance, commissioned it as his private residence and showcased his wealth by hiring artists—most notably Raphael—to paint elaborate frescoes on the walls and ceilings. The place is great no matter if you're looking for an in-depth visit or a quick spin. You can easily visit the three rooms on the ground floor and the two upstairs in under 30 minutes. Be sure to hit Raphael's Galatea fresco in the first room past the ticket office and his gorgeous Loggia with ceiling frescoes depicting the marriage of Cupid and Psyche in the neighboring hall.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/villa-farnesina)\n  \n  [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/2nDhMAPbGAJ1jK1hB1m7LmMEEND6Da1ST2W1dCW5Y2u7djKpD8C4ttC7i1yphs1KF6y3GUo8hoQRbRDthQmbQk2S8AGBYVpJZHYDj6GkRHJiTaXZfduAMVssDPuvCYM1dYURBxye3F7QSdBm4VtVKZUwnqajpTZ2kXDj5muVuN5UV4ocPaK6YvFmhvHTK4wA4of4fUKu9wkPYGvq6dN2fr2umMVwTnDfMN3RNaX1qFAE5UcTgyJJuUckyTpMNSoKsvz5mdoZMWe8CbVuDxc63GTY2X1MoJE8s4UUTnXUxNseUWjVQeVy6rfBvwYi4J6EJpfoRQ2LNngySzQfkHfkwvaT78Ao2n8BXCt99uYbtF8Qi8HLfffb9KLMEqdDEGebxfeWmhL79y8SBE6531XF6zG7afebANiDq38ojjnGsB5wHCJo)\n- [![Janiculum Hill Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a92b05a873a2240b3a0013a\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Janiculum-Hill_GettyImages-lpi5102_19.jpg)](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/5HJzsPvR3PTqsN3j1hd4VW6SDoJBwZA6avoQNd562x3fJSJdDPJjK7QM4miNwWxVcFGZL3RXvg4hfsp7ejDDyHoriR3nNjjVAijo6kUkSGrSM3h6qAWdopL5qQmDmALpHkheVBLa3CuizkFG3jkcyuKU5nUarfGH2TLDArgpSwVZhQhWfjAdsN2obsS2YGA9wwrMUHtbY4wYfuWaYPdQXuJXvVu5mk6JsQrwYDgz3zhwMWHQEz1K3d6rQrPJHDwkLKKrd7z3sW7UPs277VN75YyhfnBDvijjYLZdt2Y36NoKc4cMCYNpg3eVmave7vNiFffi2cAsLsRyU37KVUQAfcmkE1AdKzpNJJTnVjzPF9NqBxZ6pphvY47bn3ETTkHM6WASJm5q4GQ8y5383ZEAYRZQ1824bozs11i5eG1bXcLpbcLTZ2f2z11hgAiV2TV6JgrDYJo)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [Janiculum Hill](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/janiculum-hill)\n  \n  This is a leisurely stroll beginning in Trastevere and winding up via Garibaldi to the top of Janiculum Hill. It's best to do the walk during the day, or early in the morning in the summer. Keep in mind the Tempietto di Bramante is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. The walk begins at Porta Settimiano, and from there you can make your way to Via Garibaldi and enter the unmarked gate. The staircase beyond will take you up to the Church of San Pietro in Montorio, which contains works by 16th and 17th-century masters like Del Piombo, Vasari, and Bernini. In the church's courtyard stands the Tempietto, a commemorative tomb designed by Bramante and heavily influenced by Classical architecture. This walk is fun for active travelers. If you just want to get a view, skip the hike and take a taxi directly to Piazzale Garibaldi. Everyday at noon, a cannon blank is shot from Janiculum Hill to mark the hour.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/janiculum-hill)\n  \n  [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/5HJzsPvR3PTqsN3j1hd4VW6SDoJBwZA6avoQNd562x3fJSJdDPJjK7QM4miNwWxVcFGZL3RXvg4hfsp7ejDDyHoriR3nNjjVAijo6kUkSGrSM3h6qAWdopL5qQmDmALpHkheVBLa3CuizkFG3jkcyuKU5nUarfGH2TLDArgpSwVZhQhWfjAdsN2obsS2YGA9wwrMUHtbY4wYfuWaYPdQXuJXvVu5mk6JsQrwYDgz3zhwMWHQEz1K3d6rQrPJHDwkLKKrd7z3sW7UPs277VN75YyhfnBDvijjYLZdt2Y36NoKc4cMCYNpg3eVmave7vNiFffi2cAsLsRyU37KVUQAfcmkE1AdKzpNJJTnVjzPF9NqBxZ6pphvY47bn3ETTkHM6WASJm5q4GQ8y5383ZEAYRZQ1824bozs11i5eG1bXcLpbcLTZ2f2z11hgAiV2TV6JgrDYJo)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Shopping\n  \n  [The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Hannah Chubb\n- [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Readers' Choice Awards\n  \n  [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n- [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  News & Advice\n  \n  [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Connor Sturges\n- [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Inspiration\n  \n  [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Adele Chapin\n\n- [![Santa Maria del Popolo](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5d24cca8ec86ec0008752abf\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Santa-Maria-del-Popolo_GettyImages-826147828.jpg)](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/5HJzsPvR3PTqsN3j1hd4VW6SDoJBwZA6avoQNd562x3fJSJdDPJjK7QM4miNwWxVcFGZL3RXvg4hfsp7ejDDyHoreUChYiKC3c95R16o45qZDm6rVX7QoUxP5KJTWk9gpz1mgrGhv1p2jKWx1wphzcnUFyh9wvgEVfnhGeHCfrTtZn7PpGZzuEN4wjTsJWZJXDCnHsAW85ozBDawn6rea65VqfVHfZ4sZRU1n2hzS84Jg64DCf2fSgZTf8P2NFc1sfJaBvdhFggyUVWUVNcx5w98HD2soZ9nrLaAXhvafXgSxSyPFKgWXDwjUGRAsaegrCAZiXra6f6FS8hfkV9scmGK4tBPafxc1ubxjvbtzvxkebNbpRW8fHf9UL2DD8giKLj89mLa5ryPScd2cACcqdBM3KWUKQAPcHmxq2fKDBxqcD7VhoSbtw34u5TKC41N2wNky1D)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [Santa Maria del Popolo](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/santa-maria-del-popolo)\n  \n  Santa Maria del Popolo is a Renaissance church at the edge of Piazza del Popolo and just within Rome's 3rd-century walls. It was decorated during the 15th to 17th centuries, and is packed with masterpieces. The church is free, though some coins will come in handy for turning lights on in chapels. The place mostly draws visitors on the Caravaggio trail who come to see his *Crucifixion of Saint Peter* and *Conversion of Saint Paul* hanging in the chapel next to the main altar. It also contains a chapel designed by Raphael and some frescoes by Pinturicchio. The church totally lives up to the hype and re-affirms just how awesome it is to see art in-situ. As fun as museums can be, there's something so special about seeing sculptures, oil paintings, and frescoes in the place the artist intended them to be seen. Whether you are interested in elegant Renaissance frescoes or late Baroque sculptures—or any period in between—Santa Maria del Popolo will impress.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/santa-maria-del-popolo)\n  \n  [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/5HJzsPvR3PTqsN3j1hd4VW6SDoJBwZA6avoQNd562x3fJSJdDPJjK7QM4miNwWxVcFGZL3RXvg4hfsp7ejDDyHoreUChYiKC3c95R16o45qZDm6rVX7QoUxP5KJTWk9gpz1mgrGhv1p2jKWx1wphzcnUFyh9wvgEVfnhGeHCfrTtZn7PpGZzuEN4wjTsJWZJXDCnHsAW85ozBDawn6rea65VqfVHfZ4sZRU1n2hzS84Jg64DCf2fSgZTf8P2NFc1sfJaBvdhFggyUVWUVNcx5w98HD2soZ9nrLaAXhvafXgSxSyPFKgWXDwjUGRAsaegrCAZiXra6f6FS8hfkV9scmGK4tBPafxc1ubxjvbtzvxkebNbpRW8fHf9UL2DD8giKLj89mLa5ryPScd2cACcqdBM3KWUKQAPcHmxq2fKDBxqcD7VhoSbtw34u5TKC41N2wNky1D)\n- [![Santa Maria in Trastevere Church Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a922a6b873a2240b3a00138\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Santa-Maria-in-Trastevere_GettyImages-95767658.jpg)](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/SbYvHH9xeMAbiLnRMdymZ954bQrBk4VLR5ByLtWnT8LigW7WtyrZVb9VNbFDatjXKYhCKj3TKJWuBs2wcUjhgu9ADjVrVBGFFAHpWP6kRE374aSpFaZLP2uqRxmdM9PaZ3uqyo6V6kRZKzzNRTiwT7vGJyB2sR6fQ1KLYgawsz9XdKTm5sYqFftt3kdy2aH8hh7z1MkqUQZDFysusPWWF19ZGcsfsyybHuknE6JWHQmH8dn45GVkDBb1Xq2pzgqDWskF2bCS6kddPYzc5JMD2CMNrgELY5tUeWiLaSKwuAWDBEADYm9hAmTjJLJiC1iTRbLiSN1R3HsnqYDK3uuLg3uPGvBeRRejL9uZfocRyh3eM418DS8BpZw8TH6vyoUR2mcktbstR6UxZZq2T6TLM4vCpRRid4o4uNSum3FEdQfqBa5fgshcy6Z3rrdqD)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [Santa Maria in Trastevere](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/santa-maria-in-trastevere)\n  \n  Santa Maria in Trastevere is a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in the Middle Ages, decked out with shimmering gold and glass mosaics, then further embellished with frescoes, gilded wood, and marble veneer over the next seven centuries. Santa Maria in Trastevere is an active church and popular among locals, so you may run into one of the multiple masses that take place throughout the day. Non-worshipping visitors come to gaze at the apse, a 12th-century mosaic, among the most famous in town. There are hundreds of churches in Rome but Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the most breathtaking. Not only are the mosaics and gilded ceiling spectacular, the very skeletal structure of the church is mind-boggling. This site will help you develop a taste for medieval Rome, a period often outshined by the Renaissance and Baroque eras.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/santa-maria-in-trastevere)\n  \n  [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/SbYvHH9xeMAbiLnRMdymZ954bQrBk4VLR5ByLtWnT8LigW7WtyrZVb9VNbFDatjXKYhCKj3TKJWuBs2wcUjhgu9ADjVrVBGFFAHpWP6kRE374aSpFaZLP2uqRxmdM9PaZ3uqyo6V6kRZKzzNRTiwT7vGJyB2sR6fQ1KLYgawsz9XdKTm5sYqFftt3kdy2aH8hh7z1MkqUQZDFysusPWWF19ZGcsfsyybHuknE6JWHQmH8dn45GVkDBb1Xq2pzgqDWskF2bCS6kddPYzc5JMD2CMNrgELY5tUeWiLaSKwuAWDBEADYm9hAmTjJLJiC1iTRbLiSN1R3HsnqYDK3uuLg3uPGvBeRRejL9uZfocRyh3eM418DS8BpZw8TH6vyoUR2mcktbstR6UxZZq2T6TLM4vCpRRid4o4uNSum3FEdQfqBa5fgshcy6Z3rrdqD)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Shopping\n  \n  [The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Hannah Chubb\n- [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Readers' Choice Awards\n  \n  [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n- [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  News & Advice\n  \n  [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Connor Sturges\n- [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Inspiration\n  \n  [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Adele Chapin\n\n- [![Palazzo Massimo Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5d24cd9f80ab790008c56c0c\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Palazzo%2520Massimo_GettyImages-520699088.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-things-to-do-in-rome)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  [Palazzo Massimo](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/palazzo-massimo)\n  \n  Palazzo Massimo's collection of ancient art is divided across four floors. The building itself was built by Jesuits in the late 19th century and was only turned into a state-owned museum in 1980. It's next to Stazione Termini, Rome's busiest station, yet few travelers make the trip to see the museum's masterpiece-packed halls. The collection is a mix of Classical sculpture, Imperial frescoes, and Hellenistic baroque-style statuary. After the Vatican Museums and Capitoline Museums, the Palazzo Massimo is a must for ancient art lovers. The collection is pretty dense and some rooms are quite crammed with sculptures. In some parts, however, like the halls displaying frescoes from Livia's Villa, the display is restrained to give attention to the delicate wall paintings.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/palazzo-massimo)\n- - [![Rome Testaccio Market](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a92b05d873a2240b3a0013e\/4:3\/w_1280%2Cc_limit\/Testaccio-Market_camera39.jpg)]()\n    \n    Courtesy Testaccio Market\n  - [![Testaccio Market Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a92b067afa6cb3864785859\/4:3\/w_1280%2Cc_limit\/vegan-5.jpg)]()\n    \n    Courtesy Testaccio Market\n  - [![Testaccio Market Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a92b051a876ae5cfa61c857\/4:3\/w_1280%2Cc_limit\/casamanco-6.jpg)]()\n    \n    Courtesy Testaccio Market\n  \n  [Testaccio Market](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/shops\/rome\/testaccio-market)\n  \n  The community market for Rome's Testaccio district has nearly 100 stalls, most of which cater to locals' traditional appetites. There are also a few food stalls selling trendy food, but they aren't the norm. Like other Roman markets, this one has bread bakeries, produce stalls, fishmongers, butchers, and delis. Expect to see seasonal vegetables like artichokes or zucchini, cuts typical of the local cuisine like tripe and liver, and little chewy pizzas common to Roman bakeries. There are also takeaway stalls like the stellar Casa Manco, which makes superlative pizza al taglio using fresh seasonal vegetables from the market.. There's even a hair salon here. Aside from the pizza at Casa Manco, there's one thing that you can—nay—*must* try: a sandwich at Mordi e Vai, an old schoolstall that sells sandwiches stuffed with hot fillings like brisket, tripe, and kidneys. And if you're not into meat and organs, there's an awesome braised artichoke filling.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/shops\/rome\/testaccio-market)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Shopping\n  \n  [The Golden Rules of Packing](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Hannah Chubb\n- [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Readers' Choice Awards\n  \n  [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n- [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  News & Advice\n  \n  [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Connor Sturges\n- [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781\/1:1\/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit\/undefined)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Inspiration\n  \n  [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2)\n  \n  Adele Chapin\n\n- [![Image may contain Home Decor Window Curtain Shutter and Window Shade](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a98d424a566be4ab1b46d08\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Pigneto-Rome-sfphotos764090.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-things-to-do-in-rome)\n  \n  Newscom\n  \n  [Pigneto](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/pigneto)\n  \n  Pigneto is a regentrified working-class neighborhood home to young professionals, street artists, aging locals, hipsters, and perhaps the city's highest concentration of bars. It’s popular with Italian college students and 20- and 30-somethings who frequent the bars on the \"Isola,\" a pedestrianized stretch of Via del Pigneto, the neighborhood's central artery. It's also a destination for Pasolini fans who visit the streets that were the backdrop for his Neorealist films and hang out at Necci dal 1924, a bistro\/bar with a street art mural depicting the famed director overlooking the garden. Pigneto is an acquired taste and may feel too rough-around-the-edges for some, but anyone interested in urbanism and street art, or just thirsty to explore neighborhoods outside of Rome's historic center, will enjoy it. If you've visited Rome before and want to explore a neighborhood that has a unique character, Pigneto is a good place to start. The place is also great for bar crawlers.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/pigneto)\n- [![Image may contain Ruins Human and Person](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a98edc720dfb6552425eb8b\/4:3\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Baths-of-Caracalla-G3DH2K.jpg)](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/3e2YhJ5oxMm4ad3e7ZH1JdNsKTqozCLMAewwpBc7svZNANvb1wxukPuFmRRsAnCKvvkAuRtydg8qw5BfywFgk7Fo5FR329CaEvqGKW8wifuLqwC3ZNs9ooEmZUB317shzR8efcsJQCvYdGRe1NiMgvjwP8GtRXbE7p5FoN5shavbX7dz46xMNDu31hXmqaxvAkvym5xDmfPJK9GCRQPe5BJz4cawvBkeRmbUxQVSPAXkTViqGidNvVwbjfhDAThYZrm6eTiiLbU7TFtNNfyyq26zyTV5rzHkZAZEekWuDqvAezz4P4EnR5cobhtj8FpFrvYTbxtBQ1i5kv2PEnPeUQFaCwrGaBZVryTHLcnpUWx5kNS1qWn8SKVujkrFu35Mo1gBE6PUgReDJx85EB6GcWXBGjWVEo6uYJhX7GwEvKEHwtEyJmdM)\n  \n  Alamy\n  \n  [Baths of Caracalla](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/baths-of-caracalla)\n  \n  The Baths of Caracalla were a massive public bathing complex built in the 3rd century. Throughout the year, the site is open during the day for visitors to stroll through ruins that were so magnificent they inspired the Main Concourse at Grand Central Terminal. Each summer, the city of Rome's Opera company performs at the Baths, using the towering brick ruins as a backdrop. The contrast of the ancient buildings, celebrated operas, and modern acoustics and lighting is stunning. Performances include musicals, pop concerts, and dance shows. The Baths are the summer home of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, but the stage welcomes visiting companies and troupes as well. If you're into music and architecture, it's hard to imagine a better place in Rome to experience the two.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/baths-of-caracalla)\n  \n  [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https:\/\/cna.st\/a\/3e2YhJ5oxMm4ad3e7ZH1JdNsKTqozCLMAewwpBc7svZNANvb1wxukPuFmRRsAnCKvvkAuRtydg8qw5BfywFgk7Fo5FR329CaEvqGKW8wifuLqwC3ZNs9ooEmZUB317shzR8efcsJQCvYdGRe1NiMgvjwP8GtRXbE7p5FoN5shavbX7dz46xMNDu31hXmqaxvAkvym5xDmfPJK9GCRQPe5BJz4cawvBkeRmbUxQVSPAXkTViqGidNvVwbjfhDAThYZrm6eTiiLbU7TFtNNfyyq26zyTV5rzHkZAZEekWuDqvAezz4P4EnR5cobhtj8FpFrvYTbxtBQ1i5kv2PEnPeUQFaCwrGaBZVryTHLcnpUWx5kNS1qWn8SKVujkrFu35Mo1gBE6PUgReDJx85EB6GcWXBGjWVEo6uYJhX7GwEvKEHwtEyJmdM)\n\n*This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.*\n\n[![](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a8aed5952e7b4436ff64e86\/1:1\/w_90%2Cc_limit\/Laura%2520in%2520Byron%2520Bay.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributor\/laura-itzkowitz)\n\n[Laura Itzkowitz](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributor\/laura-itzkowitz) is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for covering travel, arts and culture, lifestyle, design, food, and wine. A proud Italophile, she lived in Rome for two years, speaks Italian fluently, and often writes about all things Italy. Her writing has appeared in *Travel + Leisure,* ... [Read More](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributor\/laura-itzkowitz)\n\nContributing Writer\n\n[![](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/6682c41d660d7ed728919368\/1:1\/w_90%2Cc_limit\/MM.JPG)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributors\/maresa-manara)\n\n[Maresa Manara](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributors\/maresa-manara) is a contributing writer for *Condé Nast Traveler*. Originally from Sydney Australia, Maresa has been a food and travel journalist since she moved to Italy 15 years ago. Having reported from over 50 countries, she’s learned that her sense of direction is terrible, nearly every stomach ailment can ... [Read More](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributors\/maresa-manara)\n\nContributing Writer\n\nTopics[Destination Guides](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/tag\/destination-guides)\n\nRecommended\n\n[![Corinthia Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69c6d5b6098e0e04ec8861ed\/16:9\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Corinthia_Rome_Deluxe-Suite-Hot-List-March26-PR-WhatTheFox-Global-2.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/hotels\/rome\/corinthia-rome)\n\n[Corinthia Rome](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/hotels\/rome\/corinthia-rome)\n\nThis latest Corinthia has given Rome back a part of its heritage, with sleek, modern design in the former offices of the Bank of Italy.\n\n[Read full review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/hotels\/rome\/corinthia-rome)\n\n[![Nhow Roma](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69c15275ebcbda36abec1350\/16:9\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/nhow_Roma_Restaurant_LUDO_Table_Side_Shot.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/hotels\/roma\/nhow-roma)\n\n[Nhow Roma](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/hotels\/roma\/nhow-roma)\n\nA hot spot on Corso d’Italia with bold design and great value.\n\n[Read full review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/hotels\/roma\/nhow-roma)\n\n[View All Rome](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/category\/hotel\/rome)\n\n[![Rome Travel Guide](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a99a3d289971c2c547af5be\/4:3\/pass\/ROME_Gentl-and-Hyers_131112_CNT_ROME_Ostiense_Neighborhood_Graffitti-1987.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/destinations\/rome)\n\n[Rome Travel Guide](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/destinations\/rome)\n\nThe world's greatest outdoor museum\n\n### Be the First to Know Where to Go Next\nThe stories, spots, and secrets everyone is talking about, delivered daily.\n\nMore from Condé Nast Traveler\n\n- [![The Best Airbnbs in Rome for Historic Views, Modern Amenities, and Plenty of Space](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/6419c69cbc0c3e02611293cc\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Airbnb%252016805720.png)Places to Stay The Best Airbnbs in Rome for Historic Views, Modern Amenities, and Plenty of Space By Julia Buckley](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-airbnbs-in-rome)\n- [![The Best Beaches in Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/67bdec1e2d9dbfbd37c2cd5e\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Grotte%2520di%2520Nerone%2520beach_shutterstock_2332608445-crop.jpg)Islands & Beaches The Best Beaches in Rome By Kat Chen](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/the-best-beaches-in-rome)\n- [![The Cheapest, Chicest Hotels in Rome for an Italian City Break](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/6126a8e0793b47b6bd201b8c\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/The%2520Hoxton%2520Rome_Bedroom.jpg)Destinations The Cheapest, Chicest Hotels in Rome for an Italian City Break By Maresa Manara](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-affordable-hotels-in-rome)\n- [![The 24 Best Bars in Rome to Drink Like a Local](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69bc008970dab3cbc3f83067\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/claudio-hirschberger-HI5c2A-LOqs-unsplash.jpg)Destinations The 24 Best Bars in Rome to Drink Like a Local By Laura Itzkowitz and Maresa Manara](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-bars-in-rome)\n- [![Some of the Best Rooftop Restaurants in Rome Are Perched Atop Hotels](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/62eff656a715e3de02495e3e\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Rome%2520Cavalieri%2520-%2520La%2520Pergola%2520-%2520First%2520and%2520only%25203%2520star%2520Michelin%2520restaurant%2520in%2520Rome.jpg)Destinations Some of the Best Rooftop Restaurants in Rome Are Perched Atop Hotels By Alessandra Tibollo](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/rooftop-restaurants-rome)\n- [![11 Best Gelato Shops in Rome](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5d11509375622b132c3a7565\/1:1\/w_640%2Cc_limit\/Gelateria-Come-il-Latte_2019_Traveler_Rome_2019_COMEILLATTE1J3A7837.jpg)Destinations 11 Best Gelato Shops 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Erdekian](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/galleries\/2016-06-18\/the-most-beautiful-coastal-towns-in-spain#intcid=_cnt-gallery-bottom-recirc_a057ddd8-23ab-426c-900c-8348edd43d51_similar2-3_fallback_text2vec1)\n\n[![IT'S TIME TO VOTE! \\<br\\> The 2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey is here \\<br\\> Go even further for your travels. Just \\<del\\>\\$2.50\\<\/del\\> \\<strong\\>\\$1 per month\\<\/strong\\> for one year. \\<br\\> CTA: SUBSCRIBE NOW](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69c545fb5e53e81542bf2544\/original\/pass\/CNT_RCA%202026_FOOTER_DT_V2_2x.jpg?format=original)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/v2\/offers\/cnta01027?source=Site_0_JNY_CNT_DESKTOP_FOOTER_0_US_QUICKPAY_TEST_2026_ZZ_PANELB)\n\n[![Condé Nast Traveler](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/verso\/static\/condenasttraveler-global\/assets\/logo-reverse.svg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/)\n\nAs the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, *Condé Nast Traveler* is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why *Condé Nast Traveler* mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world.\n\nMore from Condé Nast Traveler\n\n- [About Condé Nast Traveler](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/info\/about-us)\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/subscribe)\n- [Manage Account](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/account\/profile)\n- [Newsletter Sign Up](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/newsletter)\n- [Readers' Choice Awards](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/inspiration\/readers-choice-awards)\n- [Archive](https:\/\/archive.cntraveler.com\/)\n\nContact\n\n- [Contact the Editors](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/info\/about-us)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.condenast.com\/careers\/)\n\n- [User Agreement](https:\/\/www.condenast.com\/user-agreement\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](http:\/\/www.condenast.com\/privacy-policy#privacypolicy)\n- [Your California Privacy Rights](http:\/\/www.condenast.com\/privacy-policy#privacypolicy-california)\n- [RSS Feeds](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/feed\/rss)\n- [Site Map](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/sitemap)\n- [Condé Nast Store](https:\/\/www.condenaststore.com\/)\n- Your Privacy Choices\n\n© 2026 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. *Condé Nast Traveler* may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. [Ad Choices](http:\/\/www.aboutads.info\/)\n\n###### Select international site\nUnited States\n\n- [India](https:\/\/www.cntraveller.in\/)\n- [Spain](https:\/\/www.traveler.es\/)\n- [United Kingdom](https:\/\/www.cntraveller.com\/)\n- [Middle East](https:\/\/www.cntravellerme.com\/)\n- [Germany](https:\/\/www.cntraveller.de\/)","attrs_readable_markdown":"![Cntraveler logo](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/6965100c326c1f868e3398b6\/original\/pass\/ad%20image%20new%20size%202.png?format=original)Subscribe and get unlimited access for **~~\\$2.50~~ \\$1 per month** + an exclusive tote\\! [Subscribe now »](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/v2\/offers\/cnta01027?source=Site_0_JNY_CNT_DESKTOP_TICKER_BANNER_0_US_QUICKPAY_TEST_2026_ZZ_PANELB)\n\nDestinations\n\nItaly's capital offers the full spectrum of experiences, from cultural sites to Vespa sidecar tours.\n\nMarch 9, 2026\n\n![Image may contain Art Cup Person City Plate Cutlery Spoon and Collage](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/67daeead09fb10036091b8ce\/16:9\/w_320%2Cc_limit\/CNT_Lede_BestThingstoDoRome.jpg)\n\nJenny Zarins\n\nAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and\/or from purchases of products through these links.\n\nAs the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t see all the best things to do in Rome in just a single day either. In fact, between archeological relics, world-class museums, soaring [Baroque churches](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/the-most-beautiful-churches-in-the-world), noble palaces, picturesque parks, and kaleidoscopically colorful gardens, Rome has enough things to do to keep you busy for a lifetime. After all, for the past 2,668 years, the Italian capital has been creating and collecting the world's most famous antiquities and monuments. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the city unveils a restored archeological site, a new museum opens, or a new metro station with a museum-like display of ancient finds debuts. Every era of the world’s history is on display in one corner or another, and trying to see it all can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t need to be. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve gathered some of the best experiences the Eternal City has to offer, from bucket list sites every first-time visitor has to see once in their lifetime to more off-the-beaten-path parks, museums, and churches loved by locals. Whether it’s your first visit or your 50th, these are the best things to do in Rome, according to a local expert.\n\n**Read our complete [Rome travel guide here](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/destinations\/rome), which includes:**\n\n- [**The Best Hotels in Rome**](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-hotels-in-rome)\n- [**The Best Restaurants in Rome**](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-restaurants-in-rome)\n- [**The Best Bars in Rome**](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/best-bars-in-rome)\n- [**The Best Beaches in Rome**](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/gallery\/the-best-beaches-in-rome)\n\nHow we choose the best things to do in Rome\n\nEvery review on this list has been written by a *Condé Nast Traveler* journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.\n\n- [Galleria Borghese](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/galleria-borghese)\n  \n  The word bourgeois derives from the name of the noble Borghese family, and a visit to this museum, built in 1612 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, will show you why. The architecture and interior decoration itself are beyond opulent. Elaborate frescoes, sculptures displayed in niches, and even ancient mosaics embedded in the floors are the backdrop for the cardinal’s exceptional art collection, which includes paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian and some of Bernini’s most evocative sculptures, not to mention Canova’s neoclassical statue of Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister Pauline Borghese as Venus Victorius. Be sure to book timed tickets in advance online. Pro tip: if you want to avoid the crowds, book the last time slot of the day, and as visitors leave, you’ll be able to wander the galleries with just a handful of people around.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/galleria-borghese)\n- [Villa Borghese](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/villa-borghese)\n  \n  The bucolic park surrounding Galleria Borghese was once the private estate of the Borghese family. Today it’s Rome’s most beloved public park, which stretches from just above Piazza del Popolo up to Parioli, an affluent residential neighborhood. On warm days, you’ll find teenagers hanging out on the grass, families picnicking, and locals jogging or walking their dogs. You can rent a rowboat on the little lake and paddle around in the shadow of the Neoclassical Temple of Aesculapius or rent a bike and cycle around the gravel paths. The park is also home to a handful of museums and attractions, including the Bioparco zoo, the Casa del Cinema, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, and the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia. For an especially lovely view of Piazza del Popolo, make your way over to the Pincio Terrace at the southwest corner of the park. Buskers sometimes play here around sunset, as people crowd around the balcony and take photos.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/villa-borghese)\n\n- ![Image may contain City Downtown Urban Architecture Building Person Cityscape and Town Square](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69aeeeee09b0dae108ce628f\/master\/w_1024%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-1426003175.jpg)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  ## The Spanish Steps\n  An iconic monument and gathering point, this elegant staircase was built in 1723 to connect the Church of Trinità dei Monti above to the piazza below. Its name alludes to the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican on the piazza, but the stairs were actually designed by an Italian architect and financed with French funds. In the 18th century, the area surrounding the steps became known as the “English Ghetto” because of its popularity with the romantic poets, including John Keats, whose house at the base of the steps was turned into a museum. Today the area is known as Rome’s luxury shopping district, but you can find more traces of its English past at Babington’s Tea House and the [Hotel d’Inghilterra](https:\/\/cna.st\/affiliate-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).\n- [Trevi Fountain](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/trevi-fountain)\n  \n  For first-time visitors, no trip to Rome would be complete without a stop at the Trevi Fountain. Featured in films and TV shows, the monumental fountain is a triumph of Baroque design, with a larger-than-life statue of Oceanus riding a shell-shaped chariot drawn by two tritons and horses. A truly Herculean task, the fountain took more than 30 years to construct and was finally finished in 1762. It was designed by Nicola Salvi, who died before it was completed. The gushing water that flows from it comes from the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct built in 19 BCE by Agrippa. Legend has it that if you toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome. Toss two coins and you’ll return to Rome and fall in love. Toss three coins and you’ll return, fall in love, and marry. In recent years, as the crowds became ever more intense, you would have to elbow your way to the front, but as of February 2026, you have to pay two Euros (around \\$2.30) and wait in line if you want to approach the basin to toss in a coin and get that iconic shot.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/trevi-fountain)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [Piazza Navona](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/piazza-navona)\n  \n  Arguably the most beautiful Baroque piazza in Rome, Piazza Navona draws crowds of people year-round who come to admire the three fountains and the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. In the center of it all is Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, whose figures represent the four longest rivers known at the time: the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Plata. According to legend, the figure of the Plata is shielding his eyes because he can’t bear to look at the church, which was designed by Bernini’s rival Borromini. The piazza gets its distinctive oval shape from a Roman racetrack, which sits underneath it. Beware of the tourist traps on the piazza and the surrounding streets, which serve overpriced, mediocre food to tourists.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/piazza-navona)\n- [Vatican Museums](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/vatican-museums)\n  \n  A bucket list item for many, the Vatican Museums actually comprise 24 museums, plus various galleries and chapels, including the Sistine Chapel. The massive complex has housed the treasures of the Vatican since the 15th century and receives up to 30,000 visitors per day, making it one of the most crowded sites in Rome. You could walk more than four miles through the galleries and still not see everything. There are Egyptian mummies, Etruscan artifacts, ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance tapestries, and even a modern art collection. Be sure to book tickets or a tour in advance or you’ll spend hours in line waiting to get in. Most tours last around 2 to 2.5 hours and show you the highlights, such as the ancient Greek sculpture of Laocoön, the Gallery of Maps, and the Sistine Chapel with the iconic Last Judgement and the ceiling fresco depicting the story of Genesis by Michelangelo. Group tours often skip the Raphael Rooms, which in our opinion are among the most incredible artworks in the Vatican, so if you do a private tour be sure to ask your guide to bring you there.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/vatican-museums)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [St. Peter's Basilica](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/st-peters-basilica)\n  \n  One of the largest churches in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is a symbol of the Catholic faith and a testament to the Vatican’s wealth and power. It was built over a period of 120 years by an all-star team of architects, including Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini and was completed in 1626. The colonnade on St. Peter’s Square is the only point where the Vatican walls open up to the rest of the city in a symbolic embrace. Its dome is the tallest and most distinctive point on Rome’s skyline. Inside, it contains masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Pietà (sculpted when he was just 23 years old!) and Bernini’s bronze baldachin over the altar, which marks the exact spot of St. Peter’s tomb. Some tours of the Vatican Museums will shepherd you through a shortcut to St. Peter’s Basilica, but you can also visit the church on its own by entering through the colonnade on the piazza.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/st-peters-basilica)\n- ![Image may contain Hadrian Floor Flooring Architecture Building Corridor Indoors Plant House Housing and Villa](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69aef09aee6811e4acfcb28f\/master\/w_1024%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-2190105933.jpg)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  ## Palazzo Altemps\n  Just north of Piazza Navona is this hidden gem of a museum that most tourists seem to miss. Once owned by the powerful Cardinal Altemps, it contains an impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, as well as an Egyptian collection. The real showstopper, though, is the loggia with its lavish ceiling frescoes done in the “grottesque” style (i.e., inspired by ancient Roman grottoes). It’s now part of the Museo Nazionale Romano, a museum circuit that also includes Palazzo Massimo alle Terme and the Baths of Diocletian.\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- ![Image may contain Architecture Building and Urban](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69aef4aa67c59cc72f4d0f36\/master\/w_1024%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-495220007-2.jpg)\n  \n  Mats Silvan\n  \n  ## Sacred Area of Largo Argentina\n  The archeological site hemmed in between Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Via Florida, Via di Torre Argentina, and Via di San Nicola dei Cesarini is believed to have witnessed one of the most important moments in Roman history: the assassination of Julius Caesar. Excavated in the 1920s, when Mussolini was constructing a new neighborhood in the area, the site contains four temples dating back to the Republican era around the third century BCE, making them some of the oldest remaining ruins in Rome. A restoration funded by Bvlgari opened the site up to the public in 2024, so you can descend below street level and walk along raised pathways that let you get close to the ruins. A small exhibition space houses finds from the excavations, including fragments of marble, inscriptions, and heads of statues.\n- ![Image may contain Architecture Building Monastery Castle Fortress Grass Plant Arch and Gothic Arch](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69aef5602c9706becbda829b\/master\/w_1024%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-2248228962.jpg)\n  \n  Bruno Brunelli\n  \n  ## Appia Antica\n  You know the saying, “All roads lead to Rome?” Well, this was *the* road that connected the capital of the empire with its colonies in the southern part of the Italian peninsula. Nicknamed the “Queen of Roads,” the ancient Appian Way once ran all the way to Brindisi, 335 miles away on Puglia’s Adriatic coast. A roughly 10-mile stretch of the road leading from the Porta San Sebastiano out to the edge of the Castelli Romani (a group of quaint hill towns southeast of Rome) is accessible today. On warm, sunny weekends, join the locals who flock to the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica to get some fresh air and walk or bike along the ancient road. This is where you’ll find the Catacombs, as well as ancient aqueducts and ruins such as the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the massive Villa dei Quintili.\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- ![Image may contain Plant Tree Person Bench Furniture Grass Nature Outdoors Park and City](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/69aef7fa2c9706becbda82ad\/master\/w_1024%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-694578622.jpg)\n  \n  Getty\n  \n  ## Giardino degli Aranci\n  The Parco Savello, better known as the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden), is a favorite park among locals. Its location perched high on the Aventine Hill puts it just beyond the typical tourist circuit, ensuring it doesn’t get too crowded. Towering umbrella pines and fragrant orange trees give it a romantic Mediterranean air, and the belvedere offers sweeping views of Rome that stretch from the Altar of the Fatherland all the way to St. Peter’s dome. Prior to opening as a park in 1932, this was a fortified palace built by the Savelli family in the 13th century.\n- [Galleria Doria Pamphilj](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/galleria-doria-pamphilj)\n  \n  This museum houses Rome's largest private collection, a trove assembled by the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi, and Aldobrandini families and brought together through marriage. It’s set in a noble palace still owned by the Doria Pamphilj family and the ornate halls provide a grand setting for such an overwhelming amount of art. The collection is acclaimed among 16th and 17th-century art aficionados but is off the average visitor’s radar even though it's located just off Piazza Venezia on the bustling Via del Corso. Seeing the spectacular Hall of Mirrors, which might remind you of the one at Versailles, is reason enough to visit the Galleria Doria Pamphilj. The museum's halls are absolutely packed with art, but that's what the family intended in the 17th century—the sheer volume of art was meant to overwhelm and disarm the visitor and leave her in awe of the family's wealth and cultural prestige. It still has that effect.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/galleria-doria-pamphilj)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [Colosseum](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/colosseum)\n  \n  The Colosseum is more than just an ancient amphitheater built in the 1st century—it's a symbol of Rome. Naturally, it's one of the most popular monuments in town, so do yourself a favor and book timed tickets online in advance, then use those to bypass the impossibly long ticket lines. The place is undeniably magnificent from the outside. Standing 160-feet-tall and made of brick, concrete, and travertine, the Colosseum is an awe-inspiring testament to Roman building. Visitors report mixed reviews of the interior, which was picked over by looters pretty intensely for more than 1,000 years. To get the most out of a trip inside, book a special visit to the underground (basically the backstage area where people and animals waited to be brought onstage), the third tier, and the belvedere via the Colosseum's website. Or try, if you can, to book a guided tour of the Commodus Passage, a secret corridor that allowed Roman emperors to enter the Colosseum, which opened in October 2025 after a meticulous restoration.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/colosseum)\n- [MAXXI Rome](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/maxxi)\n  \n  Designed by Zaha Hadid, this is Rome’s museum for all things contemporary, with exhibitions spanning modern fashion, cinema, art, and architecture. Heck, it’s worth visiting just to check out the building, a piece of art in itself. The labyrinthine space at MAXXI is astounding. It gets busy, but there's so much space that you wouldn't notice. Big, wide halls give way to rooms of different themes and sizes, resulting in five floors of non-stop, incredible artwork. Spaces range from performing arts vignettes to galleries with modern artworks to open cinemas. For some, this might feel a little incoherent, but it helps if you take it in as a whole rather than different spaces. There’s a small permanent exhibition, but it’s the ever-evolving rotation of temporary shows—like Alberto Garutti’s contemporary light installation on art and nature—that really draw the crowds.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/maxxi)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [Capitoline Museums](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/capitoline-museums)\n  \n  Home to one of the finest collections of ancient sculpture in Rome, the Capitoline Museums are rarely crowded. They attract school groups, locals, and travelers who meander through the museums' various buildings, including two designed by Michelangelo. There are often exhibitions in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, one of the Capitoline's main buildings. Due to the age and arrangement of the building—it was designed by Renaissance master Michelangelo from pre-existing medieval structures—the shows can sometimes feel disjointed, though they are generally well-curated. The Palazzo dei Conservatori has frescoed halls, while the Palazzo Nuovo relies heavily on ancient pieces for wall decoration. Don’t miss the spectacular views of the Roman Forum from the Tabularium Gallery, which connects the two buildings. The main halls in both buildings have wonderful natural light, as does a glass atrium designed by Carlo Aymonino to house masterpieces like the bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/capitoline-museums)\n- [The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/palatine-hill)\n  \n  The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are a big, sprawling open-air museum, both accessed with the same ticket (which also includes the Colosseum). The Forum was once the beating heart of Rome, where political, religious, and commercial functions took place. Walking along the Via Sacra, the route for religious and triumphal processions, you’re literally walking in the footsteps of Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony. As you stroll through the ruins, gaze up in awe at the columns of the Temple of Saturn and the Arch of Titus, whose friezes depict the sack of Jerusalem and which leads up to the Palatine Hill, where emperors such as Augustus and Domitian built sprawling palaces. The buildings on the Palatine are awe-inspiring, especially considering their scale. Domitian's palace alone covers several acres. While strolling through the ruins, consider that most were covered in polished polychrome marble and the experience will be even more intense. If you can get a handle on what you're looking at, the Palatine Hill will leave you eager to visit other more intact monuments from Imperial times (the nearby Baths of Caracalla are a good place to start). At the very least, you'll walk away floored by the views of the city from the north side of the hill.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/palatine-hill)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [Domus Aurea](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/domus-aurea)\n  \n  The Domus Aurea, the so-called \"Golden House,\" is a sprawling palatial pavilion built by emperor Nero in the first century. The site is under restoration during the week and admission (which includes a guided tour) is only granted to visitors on weekends. Many of the visitors are either hard-core archeology buffs who have been to Rome many times or interested travelers lucky enough to snag a place on one of the weekend tours. Like so many sites in Rome, the Domus Aurea has been stripped of its polished stone veneer. The plundering, though, has done little to dull the impact of exploring a nearly 2,000-year-old structure. Because Nero was eternally damned by the Senate after his suicide, his palace was filled in as a way to erase his memory. Accordingly, the Domus Aurea is now underground. After visiting you'll surely want to explore Rome's other buried ancient sites.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/domus-aurea)\n- [Vespa Sidecar Tour](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/vespa-sidecar-tour)\n  \n  Rome’s not short on tours but there’s something rather special about seeing the Eternal City on the back of a Vespa—or in this case, the sidecar of a shiny yellow 1940s vintage Vespa. Vespa Sidecar Tour runs three-hour tours of Rome, taking two guests at a time (one on the back of the Vespa, one in the sidecar) on a tour of 12 of Rome’s most iconic sights, including the [Trevi Fountain](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/trevi-fountain), [the Pantheon](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/pantheon-rome), and [the Colosseum](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/colosseum). Tours are organized in small groups with a maximum of 12 passengers led by a head guide, who explains exactly what you’re seeing via headphones hooked up to radio devices. Depending on the time of day, you might stop for a cappuccino, gelato, or a bit of pizza. This is a great activity to do as soon as you land in order to get acquainted with the city.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/vespa-sidecar-tour)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [Villa Farnesina](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/villa-farnesina)\n  \n  Villa Farnesina is a small museum inside a Renaissance palace and is an intimate alternative to the Vatican Museums. Despite housing artworks by Renaissance masters, it attracts shockingly few visitors. Agostino Chigi, one of the richest men who lived during the Renaissance, commissioned it as his private residence and showcased his wealth by hiring artists—most notably Raphael—to paint elaborate frescoes on the walls and ceilings. The place is great no matter if you're looking for an in-depth visit or a quick spin. You can easily visit the three rooms on the ground floor and the two upstairs in under 30 minutes. Be sure to hit Raphael's Galatea fresco in the first room past the ticket office and his gorgeous Loggia with ceiling frescoes depicting the marriage of Cupid and Psyche in the neighboring hall.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/villa-farnesina)\n- [Janiculum Hill](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/janiculum-hill)\n  \n  This is a leisurely stroll beginning in Trastevere and winding up via Garibaldi to the top of Janiculum Hill. It's best to do the walk during the day, or early in the morning in the summer. Keep in mind the Tempietto di Bramante is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. The walk begins at Porta Settimiano, and from there you can make your way to Via Garibaldi and enter the unmarked gate. The staircase beyond will take you up to the Church of San Pietro in Montorio, which contains works by 16th and 17th-century masters like Del Piombo, Vasari, and Bernini. In the church's courtyard stands the Tempietto, a commemorative tomb designed by Bramante and heavily influenced by Classical architecture. This walk is fun for active travelers. If you just want to get a view, skip the hike and take a taxi directly to Piazzale Garibaldi. Everyday at noon, a cannon blank is shot from Janiculum Hill to mark the hour.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/janiculum-hill)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [Santa Maria del Popolo](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/santa-maria-del-popolo)\n  \n  Santa Maria del Popolo is a Renaissance church at the edge of Piazza del Popolo and just within Rome's 3rd-century walls. It was decorated during the 15th to 17th centuries, and is packed with masterpieces. The church is free, though some coins will come in handy for turning lights on in chapels. The place mostly draws visitors on the Caravaggio trail who come to see his *Crucifixion of Saint Peter* and *Conversion of Saint Paul* hanging in the chapel next to the main altar. It also contains a chapel designed by Raphael and some frescoes by Pinturicchio. The church totally lives up to the hype and re-affirms just how awesome it is to see art in-situ. As fun as museums can be, there's something so special about seeing sculptures, oil paintings, and frescoes in the place the artist intended them to be seen. Whether you are interested in elegant Renaissance frescoes or late Baroque sculptures—or any period in between—Santa Maria del Popolo will impress.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/santa-maria-del-popolo)\n- [Santa Maria in Trastevere](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/santa-maria-in-trastevere)\n  \n  Santa Maria in Trastevere is a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in the Middle Ages, decked out with shimmering gold and glass mosaics, then further embellished with frescoes, gilded wood, and marble veneer over the next seven centuries. Santa Maria in Trastevere is an active church and popular among locals, so you may run into one of the multiple masses that take place throughout the day. Non-worshipping visitors come to gaze at the apse, a 12th-century mosaic, among the most famous in town. There are hundreds of churches in Rome but Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the most breathtaking. Not only are the mosaics and gilded ceiling spectacular, the very skeletal structure of the church is mind-boggling. This site will help you develop a taste for medieval Rome, a period often outshined by the Renaissance and Baroque eras.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/santa-maria-in-trastevere)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [Palazzo Massimo](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/palazzo-massimo)\n  \n  Palazzo Massimo's collection of ancient art is divided across four floors. The building itself was built by Jesuits in the late 19th century and was only turned into a state-owned museum in 1980. It's next to Stazione Termini, Rome's busiest station, yet few travelers make the trip to see the museum's masterpiece-packed halls. The collection is a mix of Classical sculpture, Imperial frescoes, and Hellenistic baroque-style statuary. After the Vatican Museums and Capitoline Museums, the Palazzo Massimo is a must for ancient art lovers. The collection is pretty dense and some rooms are quite crammed with sculptures. In some parts, however, like the halls displaying frescoes from Livia's Villa, the display is restrained to give attention to the delicate wall paintings.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/palazzo-massimo)\n- [Testaccio Market](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/shops\/rome\/testaccio-market)\n  \n  The community market for Rome's Testaccio district has nearly 100 stalls, most of which cater to locals' traditional appetites. There are also a few food stalls selling trendy food, but they aren't the norm. Like other Roman markets, this one has bread bakeries, produce stalls, fishmongers, butchers, and delis. Expect to see seasonal vegetables like artichokes or zucchini, cuts typical of the local cuisine like tripe and liver, and little chewy pizzas common to Roman bakeries. There are also takeaway stalls like the stellar Casa Manco, which makes superlative pizza al taglio using fresh seasonal vegetables from the market.. There's even a hair salon here. Aside from the pizza at Casa Manco, there's one thing that you can—nay—*must* try: a sandwich at Mordi e Vai, an old schoolstall that sells sandwiches stuffed with hot fillings like brisket, tripe, and kidneys. And if you're not into meat and organs, there's an awesome braised artichoke filling.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/shops\/rome\/testaccio-market)\n\nTrending Stories\n\n- [Pigneto](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/pigneto)\n  \n  Pigneto is a regentrified working-class neighborhood home to young professionals, street artists, aging locals, hipsters, and perhaps the city's highest concentration of bars. It’s popular with Italian college students and 20- and 30-somethings who frequent the bars on the \"Isola,\" a pedestrianized stretch of Via del Pigneto, the neighborhood's central artery. It's also a destination for Pasolini fans who visit the streets that were the backdrop for his Neorealist films and hang out at Necci dal 1924, a bistro\/bar with a street art mural depicting the famed director overlooking the garden. Pigneto is an acquired taste and may feel too rough-around-the-edges for some, but anyone interested in urbanism and street art, or just thirsty to explore neighborhoods outside of Rome's historic center, will enjoy it. If you've visited Rome before and want to explore a neighborhood that has a unique character, Pigneto is a good place to start. The place is also great for bar crawlers.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/pigneto)\n- [Baths of Caracalla](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/baths-of-caracalla)\n  \n  The Baths of Caracalla were a massive public bathing complex built in the 3rd century. Throughout the year, the site is open during the day for visitors to stroll through ruins that were so magnificent they inspired the Main Concourse at Grand Central Terminal. Each summer, the city of Rome's Opera company performs at the Baths, using the towering brick ruins as a backdrop. The contrast of the ancient buildings, celebrated operas, and modern acoustics and lighting is stunning. Performances include musicals, pop concerts, and dance shows. The Baths are the summer home of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, but the stage welcomes visiting companies and troupes as well. If you're into music and architecture, it's hard to imagine a better place in Rome to experience the two.\n  \n  [Read Full Review](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/activities\/rome\/baths-of-caracalla)\n\n*This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.*\n\n[![](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/5a8aed5952e7b4436ff64e86\/1:1\/w_90%2Cc_limit\/Laura%2520in%2520Byron%2520Bay.jpg)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributor\/laura-itzkowitz)\n\n[Laura Itzkowitz](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributor\/laura-itzkowitz) is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for covering travel, arts and culture, lifestyle, design, food, and wine. A proud Italophile, she lived in Rome for two years, speaks Italian fluently, and often writes about all things Italy. Her writing has appeared in *Travel + Leisure,* ... [Read More](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributor\/laura-itzkowitz)\n\n[![](https:\/\/media.cntraveler.com\/photos\/6682c41d660d7ed728919368\/1:1\/w_90%2Cc_limit\/MM.JPG)](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributors\/maresa-manara)\n\n[Maresa Manara](https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/contributors\/maresa-manara) is a contributing writer for *Condé Nast Traveler*. Originally from Sydney Australia, Maresa has been a food and travel journalist since she moved to Italy 15 years ago. Having reported from over 50 countries, she’s learned that her sense of direction is terrible, nearly every stomach ailment can ... 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The Best Things to Do in Rome Are Some of the Eternal City's Oldest | Condé Nast Traveler

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Our top recommendations for the best things to do in Rome, Italy, with pictures and travel tips. Find fun things to do, best places to visit, and more.

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Subscribe and get unlimited access for $2.50 $1 per month + an exclusive tote! Subscribe now » Destinations Italy's capital offers the full spectrum of experiences, from cultural sites to Vespa sidecar tours. March 9, 2026 Jenny Zarins All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. As the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t see all the best things to do in Rome in just a single day either. In fact, between archeological relics, world-class museums, soaring Baroque churches , noble palaces, picturesque parks, and kaleidoscopically colorful gardens, Rome has enough things to do to keep you busy for a lifetime. After all, for the past 2,668 years, the Italian capital has been creating and collecting the world's most famous antiquities and monuments. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the city unveils a restored archeological site, a new museum opens, or a new metro station with a museum-like display of ancient finds debuts. Every era of the world’s history is on display in one corner or another, and trying to see it all can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t need to be. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve gathered some of the best experiences the Eternal City has to offer, from bucket list sites every first-time visitor has to see once in their lifetime to more off-the-beaten-path parks, museums, and churches loved by locals. Whether it’s your first visit or your 50th, these are the best things to do in Rome, according to a local expert. Read our complete Rome travel guide here , which includes: The Best Hotels in Rome The Best Restaurants in Rome The Best Bars in Rome The Best Beaches in Rome How we choose the best things to do in Rome Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. Galleria Borghese The word bourgeois derives from the name of the noble Borghese family, and a visit to this museum, built in 1612 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, will show you why. The architecture and interior decoration itself are beyond opulent. Elaborate frescoes, sculptures displayed in niches, and even ancient mosaics embedded in the floors are the backdrop for the cardinal’s exceptional art collection, which includes paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian and some of Bernini’s most evocative sculptures, not to mention Canova’s neoclassical statue of Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister Pauline Borghese as Venus Victorius. Be sure to book timed tickets in advance online. Pro tip: if you want to avoid the crowds, book the last time slot of the day, and as visitors leave, you’ll be able to wander the galleries with just a handful of people around. Read Full Review Villa Borghese The bucolic park surrounding Galleria Borghese was once the private estate of the Borghese family. Today it’s Rome’s most beloved public park, which stretches from just above Piazza del Popolo up to Parioli, an affluent residential neighborhood. On warm days, you’ll find teenagers hanging out on the grass, families picnicking, and locals jogging or walking their dogs. You can rent a rowboat on the little lake and paddle around in the shadow of the Neoclassical Temple of Aesculapius or rent a bike and cycle around the gravel paths. The park is also home to a handful of museums and attractions, including the Bioparco zoo, the Casa del Cinema, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, and the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia. For an especially lovely view of Piazza del Popolo, make your way over to the Pincio Terrace at the southwest corner of the park. Buskers sometimes play here around sunset, as people crowd around the balcony and take photos. Read Full Review Getty The Spanish Steps An iconic monument and gathering point, this elegant staircase was built in 1723 to connect the Church of Trinità dei Monti above to the piazza below. Its name alludes to the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican on the piazza, but the stairs were actually designed by an Italian architect and financed with French funds. In the 18th century, the area surrounding the steps became known as the “English Ghetto” because of its popularity with the romantic poets, including John Keats, whose house at the base of the steps was turned into a museum. Today the area is known as Rome’s luxury shopping district, but you can find more traces of its English past at Babington’s Tea House and the Hotel d’Inghilterra . Trevi Fountain For first-time visitors, no trip to Rome would be complete without a stop at the Trevi Fountain. Featured in films and TV shows, the monumental fountain is a triumph of Baroque design, with a larger-than-life statue of Oceanus riding a shell-shaped chariot drawn by two tritons and horses. A truly Herculean task, the fountain took more than 30 years to construct and was finally finished in 1762. It was designed by Nicola Salvi, who died before it was completed. The gushing water that flows from it comes from the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct built in 19 BCE by Agrippa. Legend has it that if you toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome. Toss two coins and you’ll return to Rome and fall in love. Toss three coins and you’ll return, fall in love, and marry. In recent years, as the crowds became ever more intense, you would have to elbow your way to the front, but as of February 2026, you have to pay two Euros (around $2.30) and wait in line if you want to approach the basin to toss in a coin and get that iconic shot. Read Full Review Trending Stories Piazza Navona Arguably the most beautiful Baroque piazza in Rome, Piazza Navona draws crowds of people year-round who come to admire the three fountains and the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. In the center of it all is Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, whose figures represent the four longest rivers known at the time: the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Plata. According to legend, the figure of the Plata is shielding his eyes because he can’t bear to look at the church, which was designed by Bernini’s rival Borromini. The piazza gets its distinctive oval shape from a Roman racetrack, which sits underneath it. Beware of the tourist traps on the piazza and the surrounding streets, which serve overpriced, mediocre food to tourists. Read Full Review Vatican Museums A bucket list item for many, the Vatican Museums actually comprise 24 museums, plus various galleries and chapels, including the Sistine Chapel. The massive complex has housed the treasures of the Vatican since the 15th century and receives up to 30,000 visitors per day, making it one of the most crowded sites in Rome. You could walk more than four miles through the galleries and still not see everything. There are Egyptian mummies, Etruscan artifacts, ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance tapestries, and even a modern art collection. Be sure to book tickets or a tour in advance or you’ll spend hours in line waiting to get in. Most tours last around 2 to 2.5 hours and show you the highlights, such as the ancient Greek sculpture of Laocoön, the Gallery of Maps, and the Sistine Chapel with the iconic Last Judgement and the ceiling fresco depicting the story of Genesis by Michelangelo. Group tours often skip the Raphael Rooms, which in our opinion are among the most incredible artworks in the Vatican, so if you do a private tour be sure to ask your guide to bring you there. Read Full Review Trending Stories St. Peter's Basilica One of the largest churches in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is a symbol of the Catholic faith and a testament to the Vatican’s wealth and power. It was built over a period of 120 years by an all-star team of architects, including Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini and was completed in 1626. The colonnade on St. Peter’s Square is the only point where the Vatican walls open up to the rest of the city in a symbolic embrace. Its dome is the tallest and most distinctive point on Rome’s skyline. Inside, it contains masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Pietà (sculpted when he was just 23 years old!) and Bernini’s bronze baldachin over the altar, which marks the exact spot of St. Peter’s tomb. Some tours of the Vatican Museums will shepherd you through a shortcut to St. Peter’s Basilica, but you can also visit the church on its own by entering through the colonnade on the piazza. Read Full Review Getty Palazzo Altemps Just north of Piazza Navona is this hidden gem of a museum that most tourists seem to miss. Once owned by the powerful Cardinal Altemps, it contains an impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, as well as an Egyptian collection. The real showstopper, though, is the loggia with its lavish ceiling frescoes done in the “grottesque” style (i.e., inspired by ancient Roman grottoes). It’s now part of the Museo Nazionale Romano, a museum circuit that also includes Palazzo Massimo alle Terme and the Baths of Diocletian. Trending Stories Mats Silvan Sacred Area of Largo Argentina The archeological site hemmed in between Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Via Florida, Via di Torre Argentina, and Via di San Nicola dei Cesarini is believed to have witnessed one of the most important moments in Roman history: the assassination of Julius Caesar. Excavated in the 1920s, when Mussolini was constructing a new neighborhood in the area, the site contains four temples dating back to the Republican era around the third century BCE, making them some of the oldest remaining ruins in Rome. A restoration funded by Bvlgari opened the site up to the public in 2024, so you can descend below street level and walk along raised pathways that let you get close to the ruins. A small exhibition space houses finds from the excavations, including fragments of marble, inscriptions, and heads of statues. Bruno Brunelli Appia Antica You know the saying, “All roads lead to Rome?” Well, this was the road that connected the capital of the empire with its colonies in the southern part of the Italian peninsula. Nicknamed the “Queen of Roads,” the ancient Appian Way once ran all the way to Brindisi, 335 miles away on Puglia’s Adriatic coast. A roughly 10-mile stretch of the road leading from the Porta San Sebastiano out to the edge of the Castelli Romani (a group of quaint hill towns southeast of Rome) is accessible today. On warm, sunny weekends, join the locals who flock to the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica to get some fresh air and walk or bike along the ancient road. This is where you’ll find the Catacombs, as well as ancient aqueducts and ruins such as the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the massive Villa dei Quintili. Trending Stories Getty Giardino degli Aranci The Parco Savello, better known as the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden), is a favorite park among locals. Its location perched high on the Aventine Hill puts it just beyond the typical tourist circuit, ensuring it doesn’t get too crowded. Towering umbrella pines and fragrant orange trees give it a romantic Mediterranean air, and the belvedere offers sweeping views of Rome that stretch from the Altar of the Fatherland all the way to St. Peter’s dome. Prior to opening as a park in 1932, this was a fortified palace built by the Savelli family in the 13th century. Galleria Doria Pamphilj This museum houses Rome's largest private collection, a trove assembled by the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi, and Aldobrandini families and brought together through marriage. It’s set in a noble palace still owned by the Doria Pamphilj family and the ornate halls provide a grand setting for such an overwhelming amount of art. The collection is acclaimed among 16th and 17th-century art aficionados but is off the average visitor’s radar even though it's located just off Piazza Venezia on the bustling Via del Corso. Seeing the spectacular Hall of Mirrors, which might remind you of the one at Versailles, is reason enough to visit the Galleria Doria Pamphilj. The museum's halls are absolutely packed with art, but that's what the family intended in the 17th century—the sheer volume of art was meant to overwhelm and disarm the visitor and leave her in awe of the family's wealth and cultural prestige. It still has that effect. Read Full Review Trending Stories Colosseum The Colosseum is more than just an ancient amphitheater built in the 1st century—it's a symbol of Rome. Naturally, it's one of the most popular monuments in town, so do yourself a favor and book timed tickets online in advance, then use those to bypass the impossibly long ticket lines. The place is undeniably magnificent from the outside. Standing 160-feet-tall and made of brick, concrete, and travertine, the Colosseum is an awe-inspiring testament to Roman building. Visitors report mixed reviews of the interior, which was picked over by looters pretty intensely for more than 1,000 years. To get the most out of a trip inside, book a special visit to the underground (basically the backstage area where people and animals waited to be brought onstage), the third tier, and the belvedere via the Colosseum's website. Or try, if you can, to book a guided tour of the Commodus Passage, a secret corridor that allowed Roman emperors to enter the Colosseum, which opened in October 2025 after a meticulous restoration. Read Full Review MAXXI Rome Designed by Zaha Hadid, this is Rome’s museum for all things contemporary, with exhibitions spanning modern fashion, cinema, art, and architecture. Heck, it’s worth visiting just to check out the building, a piece of art in itself. The labyrinthine space at MAXXI is astounding. It gets busy, but there's so much space that you wouldn't notice. Big, wide halls give way to rooms of different themes and sizes, resulting in five floors of non-stop, incredible artwork. Spaces range from performing arts vignettes to galleries with modern artworks to open cinemas. For some, this might feel a little incoherent, but it helps if you take it in as a whole rather than different spaces. There’s a small permanent exhibition, but it’s the ever-evolving rotation of temporary shows—like Alberto Garutti’s contemporary light installation on art and nature—that really draw the crowds. Read Full Review Trending Stories Capitoline Museums Home to one of the finest collections of ancient sculpture in Rome, the Capitoline Museums are rarely crowded. They attract school groups, locals, and travelers who meander through the museums' various buildings, including two designed by Michelangelo. There are often exhibitions in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, one of the Capitoline's main buildings. Due to the age and arrangement of the building—it was designed by Renaissance master Michelangelo from pre-existing medieval structures—the shows can sometimes feel disjointed, though they are generally well-curated. The Palazzo dei Conservatori has frescoed halls, while the Palazzo Nuovo relies heavily on ancient pieces for wall decoration. Don’t miss the spectacular views of the Roman Forum from the Tabularium Gallery, which connects the two buildings. The main halls in both buildings have wonderful natural light, as does a glass atrium designed by Carlo Aymonino to house masterpieces like the bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius. Read Full Review The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are a big, sprawling open-air museum, both accessed with the same ticket (which also includes the Colosseum). The Forum was once the beating heart of Rome, where political, religious, and commercial functions took place. Walking along the Via Sacra, the route for religious and triumphal processions, you’re literally walking in the footsteps of Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony. As you stroll through the ruins, gaze up in awe at the columns of the Temple of Saturn and the Arch of Titus, whose friezes depict the sack of Jerusalem and which leads up to the Palatine Hill, where emperors such as Augustus and Domitian built sprawling palaces. The buildings on the Palatine are awe-inspiring, especially considering their scale. Domitian's palace alone covers several acres. While strolling through the ruins, consider that most were covered in polished polychrome marble and the experience will be even more intense. If you can get a handle on what you're looking at, the Palatine Hill will leave you eager to visit other more intact monuments from Imperial times (the nearby Baths of Caracalla are a good place to start). At the very least, you'll walk away floored by the views of the city from the north side of the hill. Read Full Review Trending Stories Domus Aurea The Domus Aurea, the so-called "Golden House," is a sprawling palatial pavilion built by emperor Nero in the first century. The site is under restoration during the week and admission (which includes a guided tour) is only granted to visitors on weekends. Many of the visitors are either hard-core archeology buffs who have been to Rome many times or interested travelers lucky enough to snag a place on one of the weekend tours. Like so many sites in Rome, the Domus Aurea has been stripped of its polished stone veneer. The plundering, though, has done little to dull the impact of exploring a nearly 2,000-year-old structure. Because Nero was eternally damned by the Senate after his suicide, his palace was filled in as a way to erase his memory. Accordingly, the Domus Aurea is now underground. After visiting you'll surely want to explore Rome's other buried ancient sites. Read Full Review Vespa Sidecar Tour Rome’s not short on tours but there’s something rather special about seeing the Eternal City on the back of a Vespa—or in this case, the sidecar of a shiny yellow 1940s vintage Vespa. Vespa Sidecar Tour runs three-hour tours of Rome, taking two guests at a time (one on the back of the Vespa, one in the sidecar) on a tour of 12 of Rome’s most iconic sights, including the Trevi Fountain , the Pantheon , and the Colosseum . Tours are organized in small groups with a maximum of 12 passengers led by a head guide, who explains exactly what you’re seeing via headphones hooked up to radio devices. Depending on the time of day, you might stop for a cappuccino, gelato, or a bit of pizza. This is a great activity to do as soon as you land in order to get acquainted with the city. Read Full Review Trending Stories Villa Farnesina Villa Farnesina is a small museum inside a Renaissance palace and is an intimate alternative to the Vatican Museums. Despite housing artworks by Renaissance masters, it attracts shockingly few visitors. Agostino Chigi, one of the richest men who lived during the Renaissance, commissioned it as his private residence and showcased his wealth by hiring artists—most notably Raphael—to paint elaborate frescoes on the walls and ceilings. The place is great no matter if you're looking for an in-depth visit or a quick spin. You can easily visit the three rooms on the ground floor and the two upstairs in under 30 minutes. Be sure to hit Raphael's Galatea fresco in the first room past the ticket office and his gorgeous Loggia with ceiling frescoes depicting the marriage of Cupid and Psyche in the neighboring hall. Read Full Review Janiculum Hill This is a leisurely stroll beginning in Trastevere and winding up via Garibaldi to the top of Janiculum Hill. It's best to do the walk during the day, or early in the morning in the summer. Keep in mind the Tempietto di Bramante is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. The walk begins at Porta Settimiano, and from there you can make your way to Via Garibaldi and enter the unmarked gate. The staircase beyond will take you up to the Church of San Pietro in Montorio, which contains works by 16th and 17th-century masters like Del Piombo, Vasari, and Bernini. In the church's courtyard stands the Tempietto, a commemorative tomb designed by Bramante and heavily influenced by Classical architecture. This walk is fun for active travelers. If you just want to get a view, skip the hike and take a taxi directly to Piazzale Garibaldi. Everyday at noon, a cannon blank is shot from Janiculum Hill to mark the hour. Read Full Review Trending Stories Santa Maria del Popolo Santa Maria del Popolo is a Renaissance church at the edge of Piazza del Popolo and just within Rome's 3rd-century walls. It was decorated during the 15th to 17th centuries, and is packed with masterpieces. The church is free, though some coins will come in handy for turning lights on in chapels. The place mostly draws visitors on the Caravaggio trail who come to see his Crucifixion of Saint Peter and Conversion of Saint Paul hanging in the chapel next to the main altar. It also contains a chapel designed by Raphael and some frescoes by Pinturicchio. The church totally lives up to the hype and re-affirms just how awesome it is to see art in-situ. As fun as museums can be, there's something so special about seeing sculptures, oil paintings, and frescoes in the place the artist intended them to be seen. Whether you are interested in elegant Renaissance frescoes or late Baroque sculptures—or any period in between—Santa Maria del Popolo will impress. Read Full Review Santa Maria in Trastevere Santa Maria in Trastevere is a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in the Middle Ages, decked out with shimmering gold and glass mosaics, then further embellished with frescoes, gilded wood, and marble veneer over the next seven centuries. Santa Maria in Trastevere is an active church and popular among locals, so you may run into one of the multiple masses that take place throughout the day. Non-worshipping visitors come to gaze at the apse, a 12th-century mosaic, among the most famous in town. There are hundreds of churches in Rome but Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the most breathtaking. Not only are the mosaics and gilded ceiling spectacular, the very skeletal structure of the church is mind-boggling. This site will help you develop a taste for medieval Rome, a period often outshined by the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Read Full Review Trending Stories Palazzo Massimo Palazzo Massimo's collection of ancient art is divided across four floors. The building itself was built by Jesuits in the late 19th century and was only turned into a state-owned museum in 1980. It's next to Stazione Termini, Rome's busiest station, yet few travelers make the trip to see the museum's masterpiece-packed halls. The collection is a mix of Classical sculpture, Imperial frescoes, and Hellenistic baroque-style statuary. After the Vatican Museums and Capitoline Museums, the Palazzo Massimo is a must for ancient art lovers. The collection is pretty dense and some rooms are quite crammed with sculptures. In some parts, however, like the halls displaying frescoes from Livia's Villa, the display is restrained to give attention to the delicate wall paintings. Read Full Review Testaccio Market The community market for Rome's Testaccio district has nearly 100 stalls, most of which cater to locals' traditional appetites. There are also a few food stalls selling trendy food, but they aren't the norm. Like other Roman markets, this one has bread bakeries, produce stalls, fishmongers, butchers, and delis. Expect to see seasonal vegetables like artichokes or zucchini, cuts typical of the local cuisine like tripe and liver, and little chewy pizzas common to Roman bakeries. There are also takeaway stalls like the stellar Casa Manco, which makes superlative pizza al taglio using fresh seasonal vegetables from the market.. There's even a hair salon here. Aside from the pizza at Casa Manco, there's one thing that you can—nay— must try: a sandwich at Mordi e Vai, an old schoolstall that sells sandwiches stuffed with hot fillings like brisket, tripe, and kidneys. And if you're not into meat and organs, there's an awesome braised artichoke filling. Read Full Review Trending Stories Pigneto Pigneto is a regentrified working-class neighborhood home to young professionals, street artists, aging locals, hipsters, and perhaps the city's highest concentration of bars. It’s popular with Italian college students and 20- and 30-somethings who frequent the bars on the "Isola," a pedestrianized stretch of Via del Pigneto, the neighborhood's central artery. It's also a destination for Pasolini fans who visit the streets that were the backdrop for his Neorealist films and hang out at Necci dal 1924, a bistro/bar with a street art mural depicting the famed director overlooking the garden. Pigneto is an acquired taste and may feel too rough-around-the-edges for some, but anyone interested in urbanism and street art, or just thirsty to explore neighborhoods outside of Rome's historic center, will enjoy it. If you've visited Rome before and want to explore a neighborhood that has a unique character, Pigneto is a good place to start. The place is also great for bar crawlers. Read Full Review Baths of Caracalla The Baths of Caracalla were a massive public bathing complex built in the 3rd century. Throughout the year, the site is open during the day for visitors to stroll through ruins that were so magnificent they inspired the Main Concourse at Grand Central Terminal. Each summer, the city of Rome's Opera company performs at the Baths, using the towering brick ruins as a backdrop. The contrast of the ancient buildings, celebrated operas, and modern acoustics and lighting is stunning. Performances include musicals, pop concerts, and dance shows. The Baths are the summer home of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, but the stage welcomes visiting companies and troupes as well. If you're into music and architecture, it's hard to imagine a better place in Rome to experience the two. Read Full Review This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for covering travel, arts and culture, lifestyle, design, food, and wine. A proud Italophile, she lived in Rome for two years, speaks Italian fluently, and often writes about all things Italy. Her writing has appeared in Travel + Leisure, ... Read More Maresa Manara is a contributing writer for Condé Nast Traveler . Originally from Sydney Australia, Maresa has been a food and travel journalist since she moved to Italy 15 years ago. Having reported from over 50 countries, she’s learned that her sense of direction is terrible, nearly every stomach ailment can ... Read More Be the First to Know Where to Go Next The stories, spots, and secrets everyone is talking about, delivered daily.

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[Skip to main content](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome#main-content) [Inspiration](https://www.cntraveler.com/inspiration) [Destinations](https://www.cntraveler.com/destinations) [Places to Stay](https://www.cntraveler.com/places-to-stay) [News & Advice](https://www.cntraveler.com/news-and-advice) [Best Places to Go](https://www.cntraveler.com/best-places-to-go) [Shopping](https://www.cntraveler.com/shopping) [Gold List](https://www.cntraveler.com/inspiration/gold-list) [Newsletters](https://www.cntraveler.com/newsletter) [SUBSCRIBE](https://www.cntraveler.com/v2/offers/cnta01027?source=Site_0_JNY_CNT_DESKTOP_NAV_CTA_0_US_QUICKPAY_TEST_2026_ZZ_PANELB) Menu [SUBSCRIBE](https://www.cntraveler.com/v2/offers/cnta01027?source=Site_0_JNY_CNT_DESKTOP_NAV_CTA_0_US_QUICKPAY_TEST_2026_ZZ_PANELB) Menu [Inspiration](https://www.cntraveler.com/inspiration) [Destinations](https://www.cntraveler.com/destinations%20) [Places to Stay](https://www.cntraveler.com/places-to-stay) [News & Advice](https://www.cntraveler.com/news-and-advice) [Best Places to Go](https://www.cntraveler.com/best-places-to-go) [Curated Escapes](https://www.cntraveler.com/curated-escapes-with-abercrombie-and-kent) [Shopping](https://www.cntraveler.com/shopping) [Cruise](https://www.cntraveler.com/cruise) [Women Who Travel](https://www.cntraveler.com/women-who-travel) [Video](https://www.cntraveler.com/video) [Search](https://www.cntraveler.com/search) [Newsletters](https://www.cntraveler.com/newsletter) [Sign In](https://www.cntraveler.com/auth/initiate?redirectURL=%2Fgallery%2Fbest-things-to-do-in-rome&source=VERSO_NAVIGATION) [SUBSCRIBE](https://www.cntraveler.com/v2/offers/cnta01027?source=Site_0_JNY_CNT_GLOBAL_NAV_DRAWER_0_US_QUICKPAY_TEST_2026_ZZ_PANELB) [![IT'S TIME TO VOTE! \<br\> The 2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey is here \<br\>Take your travels. 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[Subscribe now »](https://www.cntraveler.com/v2/offers/cnta01027?source=Site_0_JNY_CNT_DESKTOP_TICKER_BANNER_0_US_QUICKPAY_TEST_2026_ZZ_PANELB) [Europe](https://www.cntraveler.com/destinations/europe) [Italy](https://www.cntraveler.com/destinations/italy) [Rome](https://www.cntraveler.com/destinations/rome) Destinations # The Best Things to Do in Rome Are Some of the Eternal City's Oldest Italy's capital offers the full spectrum of experiences, from cultural sites to Vespa sidecar tours. By [Laura Itzkowitz](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributor/laura-itzkowitz) and [Maresa Manara](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributors/maresa-manara) March 9, 2026 ![Image may contain Art Cup Person City Plate Cutlery Spoon and Collage](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67daeead09fb10036091b8ce/16:9/w_320%2Cc_limit/CNT_Lede_BestThingstoDoRome.jpg) Jenny Zarins Save this story Save this story All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. As the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t see all the best things to do in Rome in just a single day either. In fact, between archeological relics, world-class museums, soaring [Baroque churches](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/the-most-beautiful-churches-in-the-world), noble palaces, picturesque parks, and kaleidoscopically colorful gardens, Rome has enough things to do to keep you busy for a lifetime. After all, for the past 2,668 years, the Italian capital has been creating and collecting the world's most famous antiquities and monuments. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the city unveils a restored archeological site, a new museum opens, or a new metro station with a museum-like display of ancient finds debuts. Every era of the world’s history is on display in one corner or another, and trying to see it all can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t need to be. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve gathered some of the best experiences the Eternal City has to offer, from bucket list sites every first-time visitor has to see once in their lifetime to more off-the-beaten-path parks, museums, and churches loved by locals. Whether it’s your first visit or your 50th, these are the best things to do in Rome, according to a local expert. **Read our complete [Rome travel guide here](https://www.cntraveler.com/destinations/rome), which includes:** - [**The Best Hotels in Rome**](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-hotels-in-rome) - [**The Best Restaurants in Rome**](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-restaurants-in-rome) - [**The Best Bars in Rome**](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-bars-in-rome) - [**The Best Beaches in Rome**](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/the-best-beaches-in-rome) How we choose the best things to do in Rome AccordionItemContainerButton Every review on this list has been written by a *Condé Nast Traveler* journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. - [![Galleria Borghese Rome](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a9307c4d363c34048b35bef/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/Galleria-Borghese_GettyImages-639560549.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome) Getty [Galleria Borghese](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/galleria-borghese) The word bourgeois derives from the name of the noble Borghese family, and a visit to this museum, built in 1612 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, will show you why. The architecture and interior decoration itself are beyond opulent. Elaborate frescoes, sculptures displayed in niches, and even ancient mosaics embedded in the floors are the backdrop for the cardinal’s exceptional art collection, which includes paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian and some of Bernini’s most evocative sculptures, not to mention Canova’s neoclassical statue of Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister Pauline Borghese as Venus Victorius. Be sure to book timed tickets in advance online. Pro tip: if you want to avoid the crowds, book the last time slot of the day, and as visitors leave, you’ll be able to wander the galleries with just a handful of people around. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/galleria-borghese) Watch This [Where You Should Eat in Paris According to a Pro Chef](https://www.cntraveler.com/video/watch/where-the-chefs-eat-where-you-should-eat-in-paris-according-to-a-pro-chef) - [![Europe Italy Rome Attraction Villa Borghese](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5d09389ea31871c568db1c86/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/Villa%2520Borghese_GettyImages-640457580.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome) Getty [Villa Borghese](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/villa-borghese) The bucolic park surrounding Galleria Borghese was once the private estate of the Borghese family. Today it’s Rome’s most beloved public park, which stretches from just above Piazza del Popolo up to Parioli, an affluent residential neighborhood. On warm days, you’ll find teenagers hanging out on the grass, families picnicking, and locals jogging or walking their dogs. You can rent a rowboat on the little lake and paddle around in the shadow of the Neoclassical Temple of Aesculapius or rent a bike and cycle around the gravel paths. The park is also home to a handful of museums and attractions, including the Bioparco zoo, the Casa del Cinema, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, and the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia. For an especially lovely view of Piazza del Popolo, make your way over to the Pincio Terrace at the southwest corner of the park. Buskers sometimes play here around sunset, as people crowd around the balcony and take photos. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/villa-borghese) - ![Image may contain City Downtown Urban Architecture Building Person Cityscape and Town Square](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69aeeeee09b0dae108ce628f/master/w_1024%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-1426003175.jpg) Getty ## The Spanish Steps An iconic monument and gathering point, this elegant staircase was built in 1723 to connect the Church of Trinità dei Monti above to the piazza below. Its name alludes to the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican on the piazza, but the stairs were actually designed by an Italian architect and financed with French funds. In the 18th century, the area surrounding the steps became known as the “English Ghetto” because of its popularity with the romantic poets, including John Keats, whose house at the base of the steps was turned into a museum. Today the area is known as Rome’s luxury shopping district, but you can find more traces of its English past at Babington’s Tea House and the [Hotel d’Inghilterra](https://cna.st/affiliate-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). - [![Image may contain Urban Town Downtown Building City Architecture Human Person Water Mansion Housing and House](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/55d24b6f37284fb1079cbc20/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/trevi-fountain-rome-night-cr-getty.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome) Getty [Trevi Fountain](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/trevi-fountain) For first-time visitors, no trip to Rome would be complete without a stop at the Trevi Fountain. Featured in films and TV shows, the monumental fountain is a triumph of Baroque design, with a larger-than-life statue of Oceanus riding a shell-shaped chariot drawn by two tritons and horses. A truly Herculean task, the fountain took more than 30 years to construct and was finally finished in 1762. It was designed by Nicola Salvi, who died before it was completed. The gushing water that flows from it comes from the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct built in 19 BCE by Agrippa. Legend has it that if you toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome. Toss two coins and you’ll return to Rome and fall in love. Toss three coins and you’ll return, fall in love, and marry. In recent years, as the crowds became ever more intense, you would have to elbow your way to the front, but as of February 2026, you have to pay two Euros (around \$2.30) and wait in line if you want to approach the basin to toss in a coin and get that iconic shot. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/trevi-fountain) Trending Stories - [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Shopping [The Golden Rules of Packing](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Hannah Chubb - [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Readers' Choice Awards [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) - [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) News & Advice [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Connor Sturges - [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Inspiration [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Adele Chapin - [![Image may contain City Town Urban Building Downtown Architecture Water Human Person Metropolis and Plaza](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/55d20504c47ae13868ae571f/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/piazza-navona.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome) Getty [Piazza Navona](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/piazza-navona) Arguably the most beautiful Baroque piazza in Rome, Piazza Navona draws crowds of people year-round who come to admire the three fountains and the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. In the center of it all is Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, whose figures represent the four longest rivers known at the time: the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Plata. According to legend, the figure of the Plata is shielding his eyes because he can’t bear to look at the church, which was designed by Bernini’s rival Borromini. The piazza gets its distinctive oval shape from a Roman racetrack, which sits underneath it. Beware of the tourist traps on the piazza and the surrounding streets, which serve overpriced, mediocre food to tourists. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/piazza-navona) - - [![Image may contain: Flooring, Human, Person, Floor, Corridor, Architecture, Building, Indoors, Church, and Altar](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a99866499c77f4533dfc047/4:3/w_1280%2Cc_limit/Braccio-Nuovo-Sculpture-Gallery-J9FA8C.jpg)]() Alamy - [![Image may contain: Architecture, Dome, Building, City, Town, Downtown, Urban, Human, Person, and Metropolis](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5931db45201d7a284a0ba4a6/4:3/w_1280%2Cc_limit/europe-unesco-vatican-city-GettyImages-137689270.jpg)]() Getty - [![Image may contain: Banister, Handrail, and Staircase](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/598b21bf9567a567d551ad8f/4:3/w_1280%2Cc_limit/Vatican-Museum-GettyImages-131985374.jpg)]() Getty [Vatican Museums](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/vatican-museums) A bucket list item for many, the Vatican Museums actually comprise 24 museums, plus various galleries and chapels, including the Sistine Chapel. The massive complex has housed the treasures of the Vatican since the 15th century and receives up to 30,000 visitors per day, making it one of the most crowded sites in Rome. You could walk more than four miles through the galleries and still not see everything. There are Egyptian mummies, Etruscan artifacts, ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance tapestries, and even a modern art collection. Be sure to book tickets or a tour in advance or you’ll spend hours in line waiting to get in. Most tours last around 2 to 2.5 hours and show you the highlights, such as the ancient Greek sculpture of Laocoön, the Gallery of Maps, and the Sistine Chapel with the iconic Last Judgement and the ceiling fresco depicting the story of Genesis by Michelangelo. Group tours often skip the Raphael Rooms, which in our opinion are among the most incredible artworks in the Vatican, so if you do a private tour be sure to ask your guide to bring you there. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/vatican-museums) Trending Stories - [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Shopping [The Golden Rules of Packing](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Hannah Chubb - [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Readers' Choice Awards [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) - [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) News & Advice [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Connor Sturges - [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Inspiration [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Adele Chapin - [![St. Peter's Basilica Vatican City Rome](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/58cac9bf2a932866dbe09ff5/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-564432979.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome) Getty [St. Peter's Basilica](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/st-peters-basilica) One of the largest churches in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is a symbol of the Catholic faith and a testament to the Vatican’s wealth and power. It was built over a period of 120 years by an all-star team of architects, including Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini and was completed in 1626. The colonnade on St. Peter’s Square is the only point where the Vatican walls open up to the rest of the city in a symbolic embrace. Its dome is the tallest and most distinctive point on Rome’s skyline. Inside, it contains masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Pietà (sculpted when he was just 23 years old!) and Bernini’s bronze baldachin over the altar, which marks the exact spot of St. Peter’s tomb. Some tours of the Vatican Museums will shepherd you through a shortcut to St. Peter’s Basilica, but you can also visit the church on its own by entering through the colonnade on the piazza. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/st-peters-basilica) - ![Image may contain Hadrian Floor Flooring Architecture Building Corridor Indoors Plant House Housing and Villa](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69aef09aee6811e4acfcb28f/master/w_1024%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-2190105933.jpg) Getty ## Palazzo Altemps Just north of Piazza Navona is this hidden gem of a museum that most tourists seem to miss. Once owned by the powerful Cardinal Altemps, it contains an impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, as well as an Egyptian collection. The real showstopper, though, is the loggia with its lavish ceiling frescoes done in the “grottesque” style (i.e., inspired by ancient Roman grottoes). It’s now part of the Museo Nazionale Romano, a museum circuit that also includes Palazzo Massimo alle Terme and the Baths of Diocletian. Trending Stories - [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Shopping [The Golden Rules of Packing](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Hannah Chubb - [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Readers' Choice Awards [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) - [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) News & Advice [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Connor Sturges - [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Inspiration [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Adele Chapin - ![Image may contain Architecture Building and Urban](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69aef4aa67c59cc72f4d0f36/master/w_1024%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-495220007-2.jpg) Mats Silvan ## Sacred Area of Largo Argentina The archeological site hemmed in between Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Via Florida, Via di Torre Argentina, and Via di San Nicola dei Cesarini is believed to have witnessed one of the most important moments in Roman history: the assassination of Julius Caesar. Excavated in the 1920s, when Mussolini was constructing a new neighborhood in the area, the site contains four temples dating back to the Republican era around the third century BCE, making them some of the oldest remaining ruins in Rome. A restoration funded by Bvlgari opened the site up to the public in 2024, so you can descend below street level and walk along raised pathways that let you get close to the ruins. A small exhibition space houses finds from the excavations, including fragments of marble, inscriptions, and heads of statues. - ![Image may contain Architecture Building Monastery Castle Fortress Grass Plant Arch and Gothic Arch](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69aef5602c9706becbda829b/master/w_1024%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-2248228962.jpg) Bruno Brunelli ## Appia Antica You know the saying, “All roads lead to Rome?” Well, this was *the* road that connected the capital of the empire with its colonies in the southern part of the Italian peninsula. Nicknamed the “Queen of Roads,” the ancient Appian Way once ran all the way to Brindisi, 335 miles away on Puglia’s Adriatic coast. A roughly 10-mile stretch of the road leading from the Porta San Sebastiano out to the edge of the Castelli Romani (a group of quaint hill towns southeast of Rome) is accessible today. On warm, sunny weekends, join the locals who flock to the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica to get some fresh air and walk or bike along the ancient road. This is where you’ll find the Catacombs, as well as ancient aqueducts and ruins such as the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the massive Villa dei Quintili. Trending Stories - [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Shopping [The Golden Rules of Packing](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Hannah Chubb - [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Readers' Choice Awards [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) - [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) News & Advice [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Connor Sturges - [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Inspiration [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Adele Chapin - ![Image may contain Plant Tree Person Bench Furniture Grass Nature Outdoors Park and City](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69aef7fa2c9706becbda82ad/master/w_1024%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-694578622.jpg) Getty ## Giardino degli Aranci The Parco Savello, better known as the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden), is a favorite park among locals. Its location perched high on the Aventine Hill puts it just beyond the typical tourist circuit, ensuring it doesn’t get too crowded. Towering umbrella pines and fragrant orange trees give it a romantic Mediterranean air, and the belvedere offers sweeping views of Rome that stretch from the Altar of the Fatherland all the way to St. Peter’s dome. Prior to opening as a park in 1932, this was a fortified palace built by the Savelli family in the 13th century. - - [![Palazzo Doria Pamphilj Rome](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a922a5799c77f4533dfbdcc/4:3/w_1280%2Cc_limit/Palazzo-Doria-Pamphilj_GettyImages-159618409.jpg)]() Getty - [![Image may contain: Water, and Campus](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/548b527fb6e03e8c2d0cc18a/4:3/w_1280%2Cc_limit/galleria-doria-pamphilj-rome-italy-3-days-ms-2014.jpg)]() © Vito Arcomano / Alamy - [![Image may contain: Furniture, Human, Person, Indoors, Interior Design, House, Housing, Mansion, Building, and Room](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/553028ac44f1a8336f434b69/4:3/w_1280%2Cc_limit/palazzo-doria-pamphilj-museum.jpg)]() © National Geographic Image Collection / Alamy [Galleria Doria Pamphilj](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/galleria-doria-pamphilj) This museum houses Rome's largest private collection, a trove assembled by the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi, and Aldobrandini families and brought together through marriage. It’s set in a noble palace still owned by the Doria Pamphilj family and the ornate halls provide a grand setting for such an overwhelming amount of art. The collection is acclaimed among 16th and 17th-century art aficionados but is off the average visitor’s radar even though it's located just off Piazza Venezia on the bustling Via del Corso. Seeing the spectacular Hall of Mirrors, which might remind you of the one at Versailles, is reason enough to visit the Galleria Doria Pamphilj. The museum's halls are absolutely packed with art, but that's what the family intended in the 17th century—the sheer volume of art was meant to overwhelm and disarm the visitor and leave her in awe of the family's wealth and cultural prestige. It still has that effect. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/galleria-doria-pamphilj) [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https://cna.st/a/V1rbZZiYcJc3mLvWnMkmmgvab3nqRHYUMbrQUZUHHfPHs5chfYYVpPpafDiqq39g1D4TriX5KcfqwL5xThMr3t1eetJ9UDtiL7a1e65Y2S6g4TSn5vX9NDQiXWxHiHjjHovPMrsjagQF7XGNwc55S7a1Qw888ndnhBt6Qo2xWthVTQhsjo7b3ARGeuZxowL8qjEUUFG48Ubt39g3pwXiecWkv6wkLcSxLPHFhWf47RTuUcoj6QFNZGW3wQdWaG1pj7NcqskQegAWcnTt7S6ThUJvjNhnoByCfknm1az7RAz5CHMZP1J74HZzUiUeUUoTPrn2H4gk3U3fwmdE4aG1j2txiBeNUmUDSDYdHirLfWWeCNjdbYhGYPrP9Rx1Uy6mqfGkzWxjYfpwSo4d9mny5uYmFfAsmpjRk2zmRXCBGTQkWDCy1iyFUBsF8R33MbFy23Y1Hn2K8drs) Trending Stories - [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Shopping [The Golden Rules of Packing](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Hannah Chubb - [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Readers' Choice Awards [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) - [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) News & Advice [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Connor Sturges - [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Inspiration [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Adele Chapin - - [![Image may contain: Walkway, Path, and Flagstone](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a0338fd9068b525708f1f63/4:3/w_1280%2Cc_limit/Colosseum_DSC_0680.jpg)]() CoopCulture - [![Image may contain: Architecture, Building, and Archaeology](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a0338fd325a6b4505ae0e84/4:3/w_1280%2Cc_limit/Colosseum_DSC_0651.jpg)]() CoopCulture [Colosseum](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/colosseum) The Colosseum is more than just an ancient amphitheater built in the 1st century—it's a symbol of Rome. Naturally, it's one of the most popular monuments in town, so do yourself a favor and book timed tickets online in advance, then use those to bypass the impossibly long ticket lines. The place is undeniably magnificent from the outside. Standing 160-feet-tall and made of brick, concrete, and travertine, the Colosseum is an awe-inspiring testament to Roman building. Visitors report mixed reviews of the interior, which was picked over by looters pretty intensely for more than 1,000 years. To get the most out of a trip inside, book a special visit to the underground (basically the backstage area where people and animals waited to be brought onstage), the third tier, and the belvedere via the Colosseum's website. Or try, if you can, to book a guided tour of the Commodus Passage, a secret corridor that allowed Roman emperors to enter the Colosseum, which opened in October 2025 after a meticulous restoration. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/colosseum) [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https://cna.st/a/oxmzN5BRSFN9U2cs2YFm4HvdGBQ5d8YSCwdqn7s76hLmHjU4tK8cCpCMoodHHGdCBEvaHxFJAkBS81USkSUqYoGmMT2i6ipSvkYBnHm3byu11PZKnK8DpVGiDPJxHS5fvNyFsTWUPHm7mjN9BDwWWk59RFBiPbHVNRRM63WzyxFBE2BwaouD9AXKGw8eBA4w7kb2p88e1Gj1LXhFVQbu9jEczS4GyCdku3F5iZzzeNUe8LPmqfMMbWnK58ccDmEBLDCN9Dg4xe2FUgzzNwgEPGKCrPx9NHiApiDU1GoRijN6cpQHYcaPk6HcfupQFRMKdX4J6qJELwKVkSFny9N6RSAtgt2eUnZZrHxf1eRrZuid9wGyF17i6pBfN2RsG8aeqN5UBBJo4sq4uxtmF3ptM1Enb448UqhW19WtBST) - [![Maxxi National Museum Of 21St Century Arts Via Guido Reni Rome 4 A 00196 Roma Italy Architect Zaha Hadid Architects 2009...](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6418c40a8761e70ebee59ed3/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/MAXXI%2520Rome_GettyImages-144843601.jpg)](https://cna.st/a/6SA1x3mxL7aP16AfAn8nvyzCiFK31KJVxhdZEp6XfFmQ2Srr18hckyqVKP2MatSKJ5JaRRdDqaZmuEJKF2QiaAP8kZd7N4wsRFcnJPMAunBMVUWAuXuCXo5TJEp97wAkuRY1BZ2BvTMdPxe7XLMobaXKzYm4XdGU7fBFMdaB8PRt17QMUfZMfXuXfsM7e1iBZkaTxUZnv5NVg79LkWupVDyuk1nCvPHvaChP9yeqvnu9NFLG4oY4hYmsgrL35EgMLaJmzNLCqjUu8fmq63AmDPLPqiJsS43DKTYNRidirehqGNzKFQvA1CssVMTUCPjT7n63SAarVRNrwe45Gq2v6Es9atGivQqbmoDydYaC1Q25po7RN44ByZMxMVuHSWm2ceE6A8YPYmEFz63boVq44Ra97hHcKLwtZtRUnq5DLqV4GcymnGQwaBRwYEPwH7fkyhxadFz4oVn6KjrYVgSWRP8D4aXpFTFXjCjrvooSWE4U9412qTtokNnHTSVBJ1u4T8NtBRKdUkLZwyu7nJCE6dPBxf9p4dMjyt95s8LEB4gs) View Pictures/Universal Images/Getty [MAXXI Rome](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/maxxi) Designed by Zaha Hadid, this is Rome’s museum for all things contemporary, with exhibitions spanning modern fashion, cinema, art, and architecture. Heck, it’s worth visiting just to check out the building, a piece of art in itself. The labyrinthine space at MAXXI is astounding. It gets busy, but there's so much space that you wouldn't notice. Big, wide halls give way to rooms of different themes and sizes, resulting in five floors of non-stop, incredible artwork. Spaces range from performing arts vignettes to galleries with modern artworks to open cinemas. For some, this might feel a little incoherent, but it helps if you take it in as a whole rather than different spaces. There’s a small permanent exhibition, but it’s the ever-evolving rotation of temporary shows—like Alberto Garutti’s contemporary light installation on art and nature—that really draw the crowds. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/maxxi) [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https://cna.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) Trending Stories - [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Shopping [The Golden Rules of Packing](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Hannah Chubb - [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Readers' Choice Awards [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) - [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) News & Advice [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Connor Sturges - [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Inspiration [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Adele Chapin - [![Image may contain Floor Flooring Architecture Building Corridor Indoors Person Adult Wedding Crypt and Museum](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67db2dfd9f37176893bdd7b4/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/CAPITOLINE%2520MUSEUM%2520david-bruggink-P1cu5RqwMMQ-unsplash.jpg)](https://cna.st/a/3e2YhJ5oxMm4ad3e7ZH1JdNsKTqozCLMAewwpBc7svZNANvb1wxukPuFmRRsAnCKvvkAuRtydg8qw5BfywFgk7Fo5re2dNjknZeQLZS3MMHxNhQwznj6LSsMrNbw5nC5jTuCXN7CZhTG2FHq1bSvcFXt3MMuGFRY8HW41JCHZhNsFVBQR5Am7bz7zWnJzcmkHhRaQ2GFKUjhGQFSFSwi56X2vqrzerMcsbTBaVEyZC5mBsG5p1Sf7qakqNoxf1PcKC5xpH7R4g52x6q7iqJV7ZhtVtsxZaKp584tnbJz7HpWZe3KmFiLUnnpFJ9QhgwxsjzTG12SRfhyvXsYmgrxUmvCgVGV7dQKTnSMyZXEVGAAso1uFgdKDBtgh5Lje8JCyj4ZiSmiithK9FjAMYXuCUX6XMe4qqngkF8sJjvq6EdHtk9NFMXR) Unsplash [Capitoline Museums](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/capitoline-museums) Home to one of the finest collections of ancient sculpture in Rome, the Capitoline Museums are rarely crowded. They attract school groups, locals, and travelers who meander through the museums' various buildings, including two designed by Michelangelo. There are often exhibitions in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, one of the Capitoline's main buildings. Due to the age and arrangement of the building—it was designed by Renaissance master Michelangelo from pre-existing medieval structures—the shows can sometimes feel disjointed, though they are generally well-curated. The Palazzo dei Conservatori has frescoed halls, while the Palazzo Nuovo relies heavily on ancient pieces for wall decoration. Don’t miss the spectacular views of the Roman Forum from the Tabularium Gallery, which connects the two buildings. The main halls in both buildings have wonderful natural light, as does a glass atrium designed by Carlo Aymonino to house masterpieces like the bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/capitoline-museums) [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https://cna.st/a/3e2YhJ5oxMm4ad3e7ZH1JdNsKTqozCLMAewwpBc7svZNANvb1wxukPuFmRRsAnCKvvkAuRtydg8qw5BfywFgk7Fo5re2dNjknZeQLZS3MMHxNhQwznj6LSsMrNbw5nC5jTuCXN7CZhTG2FHq1bSvcFXt3MMuGFRY8HW41JCHZhNsFVBQR5Am7bz7zWnJzcmkHhRaQ2GFKUjhGQFSFSwi56X2vqrzerMcsbTBaVEyZC5mBsG5p1Sf7qakqNoxf1PcKC5xpH7R4g52x6q7iqJV7ZhtVtsxZaKp584tnbJz7HpWZe3KmFiLUnnpFJ9QhgwxsjzTG12SRfhyvXsYmgrxUmvCgVGV7dQKTnSMyZXEVGAAso1uFgdKDBtgh5Lje8JCyj4ZiSmiithK9FjAMYXuCUX6XMe4qqngkF8sJjvq6EdHtk9NFMXR) - [![Image may contain City Urban Architecture Bell Tower Building Tower Neighborhood Person Clock Tower and Downtown](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67db2e47990388eb80a5894e/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/PALATINE%2520HILL%2520GettyImages-1924270286.jpg)](https://cna.st/a/6JJRoyFH2FdjkNSSYrHpgQFR3JZsYrCrDU6U2cNiC8EQPUjfF4BgZ8MhNEmgvw6rJRHqHH5ZPpgctN4rijtC9pRruqWTeaToX3miNUF1iEcbqDVkofSserYDrgdbjhJkskrnaEYpmg7wCeKYWr8BioRYZs7SjpUWKZ71tQmiycRvXXa29gziHYBbsZT1wB2Aw2cm2oAFsAJpMWqR4GqMXxvynxfNtPBpXb7UYxo3nMXgswfvPJkYBssNnRZXTaesyiR8T9kq4XRt74Zr1aC3aRCYm9UgfgamvUHD6Gycjf567WiqzLQvtxyUsccVhYkTf1xhcwwC5DZDW2fZRdtLvRM9omoxX8JfpcKtnG34SAp4HN1WpuuYUvWQkTNem4caLtZiyCGeBdLAqN4nazEwBAfMK6XToASrfETu1Gcszngbm) Getty [The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/palatine-hill) The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are a big, sprawling open-air museum, both accessed with the same ticket (which also includes the Colosseum). The Forum was once the beating heart of Rome, where political, religious, and commercial functions took place. Walking along the Via Sacra, the route for religious and triumphal processions, you’re literally walking in the footsteps of Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony. As you stroll through the ruins, gaze up in awe at the columns of the Temple of Saturn and the Arch of Titus, whose friezes depict the sack of Jerusalem and which leads up to the Palatine Hill, where emperors such as Augustus and Domitian built sprawling palaces. The buildings on the Palatine are awe-inspiring, especially considering their scale. Domitian's palace alone covers several acres. While strolling through the ruins, consider that most were covered in polished polychrome marble and the experience will be even more intense. If you can get a handle on what you're looking at, the Palatine Hill will leave you eager to visit other more intact monuments from Imperial times (the nearby Baths of Caracalla are a good place to start). At the very least, you'll walk away floored by the views of the city from the north side of the hill. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/palatine-hill) [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https://cna.st/a/6JJRoyFH2FdjkNSSYrHpgQFR3JZsYrCrDU6U2cNiC8EQPUjfF4BgZ8MhNEmgvw6rJRHqHH5ZPpgctN4rijtC9pRruqWTeaToX3miNUF1iEcbqDVkofSserYDrgdbjhJkskrnaEYpmg7wCeKYWr8BioRYZs7SjpUWKZ71tQmiycRvXXa29gziHYBbsZT1wB2Aw2cm2oAFsAJpMWqR4GqMXxvynxfNtPBpXb7UYxo3nMXgswfvPJkYBssNnRZXTaesyiR8T9kq4XRt74Zr1aC3aRCYm9UgfgamvUHD6Gycjf567WiqzLQvtxyUsccVhYkTf1xhcwwC5DZDW2fZRdtLvRM9omoxX8JfpcKtnG34SAp4HN1WpuuYUvWQkTNem4caLtZiyCGeBdLAqN4nazEwBAfMK6XToASrfETu1Gcszngbm) Trending Stories - [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Shopping [The Golden Rules of Packing](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Hannah Chubb - [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Readers' Choice Awards [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) - [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) News & Advice [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Connor Sturges - [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Inspiration [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Adele Chapin - [![Domus rome](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a9463b1723a834885e15455/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/Domus.jpg)](https://cna.st/a/2Cd7yruAyULCVriZXKsV2DyHKeWejZSo3NYbft4ZSdXgHRQiHn8QTmG7RkSz5WvtVsN2sp9HQJ9XLLj7HFhbhWn46VtVMpT8m3qNvN2A4Y3XeSeSe5Wf52mZh3zK24JrrG1j1YATRYZVRBpwQLb3ifYcqTotjW32PWbJGe9m7p93NunenyJcdJGH3MMVxRk2Rd1U4Emx737VGf6yrtUitmX4sPnw9PTVLHDTi7r81bQg5sSg93jgVRoBcQqzQEbJxi7Y3kGNfW6DSafpJ6dkHNFGRsuma86wVmciWmSLmxBCqBTotbSXTEk9heMQwKcPeuNpvJd1a175bUobUP7Z3qMzK2vDPpjyRs2hCamDWZTHYSSnK8tU4YcNWC9523no8etka8fj56MPsvpWXFBQh6qnSPbLmH64Eb2ximUQWxFu) Getty [Domus Aurea](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/domus-aurea) The Domus Aurea, the so-called "Golden House," is a sprawling palatial pavilion built by emperor Nero in the first century. The site is under restoration during the week and admission (which includes a guided tour) is only granted to visitors on weekends. Many of the visitors are either hard-core archeology buffs who have been to Rome many times or interested travelers lucky enough to snag a place on one of the weekend tours. Like so many sites in Rome, the Domus Aurea has been stripped of its polished stone veneer. The plundering, though, has done little to dull the impact of exploring a nearly 2,000-year-old structure. Because Nero was eternally damned by the Senate after his suicide, his palace was filled in as a way to erase his memory. Accordingly, the Domus Aurea is now underground. After visiting you'll surely want to explore Rome's other buried ancient sites. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/domus-aurea) [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https://cna.st/a/2Cd7yruAyULCVriZXKsV2DyHKeWejZSo3NYbft4ZSdXgHRQiHn8QTmG7RkSz5WvtVsN2sp9HQJ9XLLj7HFhbhWn46VtVMpT8m3qNvN2A4Y3XeSeSe5Wf52mZh3zK24JrrG1j1YATRYZVRBpwQLb3ifYcqTotjW32PWbJGe9m7p93NunenyJcdJGH3MMVxRk2Rd1U4Emx737VGf6yrtUitmX4sPnw9PTVLHDTi7r81bQg5sSg93jgVRoBcQqzQEbJxi7Y3kGNfW6DSafpJ6dkHNFGRsuma86wVmciWmSLmxBCqBTotbSXTEk9heMQwKcPeuNpvJd1a175bUobUP7Z3qMzK2vDPpjyRs2hCamDWZTHYSSnK8tU4YcNWC9523no8etka8fj56MPsvpWXFBQh6qnSPbLmH64Eb2ximUQWxFu) - [![Image may contain City Road Street Urban Outdoors Nature Plant Vine Countryside Rural Alcohol and Beverage](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67db2e4dce6a3d54285dd761/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/VESPA%2520GettyImages-1226875281.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome) Getty [Vespa Sidecar Tour](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/vespa-sidecar-tour) Rome’s not short on tours but there’s something rather special about seeing the Eternal City on the back of a Vespa—or in this case, the sidecar of a shiny yellow 1940s vintage Vespa. Vespa Sidecar Tour runs three-hour tours of Rome, taking two guests at a time (one on the back of the Vespa, one in the sidecar) on a tour of 12 of Rome’s most iconic sights, including the [Trevi Fountain](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/trevi-fountain), [the Pantheon](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/pantheon-rome), and [the Colosseum](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/colosseum). Tours are organized in small groups with a maximum of 12 passengers led by a head guide, who explains exactly what you’re seeing via headphones hooked up to radio devices. Depending on the time of day, you might stop for a cappuccino, gelato, or a bit of pizza. This is a great activity to do as soon as you land in order to get acquainted with the city. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/vespa-sidecar-tour) Trending Stories - [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Shopping [The Golden Rules of Packing](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Hannah Chubb - [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Readers' Choice Awards [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) - [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) News & Advice [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Connor Sturges - [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Inspiration [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Adele Chapin - [![Villa Farnesina Rome](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a922a9b99c77f4533dfbdce/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/Villa-Farnesina_GettyImages-159618739.jpg)](https://cna.st/a/2nDhMAPbGAJ1jK1hB1m7LmMEEND6Da1ST2W1dCW5Y2u7djKpD8C4ttC7i1yphs1KF6y3GUo8hoQRbRDthQmbQk2S8AGBYVpJZHYDj6GkRHJiTaXZfduAMVssDPuvCYM1dYURBxye3F7QSdBm4VtVKZUwnqajpTZ2kXDj5muVuN5UV4ocPaK6YvFmhvHTK4wA4of4fUKu9wkPYGvq6dN2fr2umMVwTnDfMN3RNaX1qFAE5UcTgyJJuUckyTpMNSoKsvz5mdoZMWe8CbVuDxc63GTY2X1MoJE8s4UUTnXUxNseUWjVQeVy6rfBvwYi4J6EJpfoRQ2LNngySzQfkHfkwvaT78Ao2n8BXCt99uYbtF8Qi8HLfffb9KLMEqdDEGebxfeWmhL79y8SBE6531XF6zG7afebANiDq38ojjnGsB5wHCJo) Getty [Villa Farnesina](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/villa-farnesina) Villa Farnesina is a small museum inside a Renaissance palace and is an intimate alternative to the Vatican Museums. Despite housing artworks by Renaissance masters, it attracts shockingly few visitors. Agostino Chigi, one of the richest men who lived during the Renaissance, commissioned it as his private residence and showcased his wealth by hiring artists—most notably Raphael—to paint elaborate frescoes on the walls and ceilings. The place is great no matter if you're looking for an in-depth visit or a quick spin. You can easily visit the three rooms on the ground floor and the two upstairs in under 30 minutes. Be sure to hit Raphael's Galatea fresco in the first room past the ticket office and his gorgeous Loggia with ceiling frescoes depicting the marriage of Cupid and Psyche in the neighboring hall. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/villa-farnesina) [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https://cna.st/a/2nDhMAPbGAJ1jK1hB1m7LmMEEND6Da1ST2W1dCW5Y2u7djKpD8C4ttC7i1yphs1KF6y3GUo8hoQRbRDthQmbQk2S8AGBYVpJZHYDj6GkRHJiTaXZfduAMVssDPuvCYM1dYURBxye3F7QSdBm4VtVKZUwnqajpTZ2kXDj5muVuN5UV4ocPaK6YvFmhvHTK4wA4of4fUKu9wkPYGvq6dN2fr2umMVwTnDfMN3RNaX1qFAE5UcTgyJJuUckyTpMNSoKsvz5mdoZMWe8CbVuDxc63GTY2X1MoJE8s4UUTnXUxNseUWjVQeVy6rfBvwYi4J6EJpfoRQ2LNngySzQfkHfkwvaT78Ao2n8BXCt99uYbtF8Qi8HLfffb9KLMEqdDEGebxfeWmhL79y8SBE6531XF6zG7afebANiDq38ojjnGsB5wHCJo) - [![Janiculum Hill Rome](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a92b05a873a2240b3a0013a/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/Janiculum-Hill_GettyImages-lpi5102_19.jpg)](https://cna.st/a/5HJzsPvR3PTqsN3j1hd4VW6SDoJBwZA6avoQNd562x3fJSJdDPJjK7QM4miNwWxVcFGZL3RXvg4hfsp7ejDDyHoriR3nNjjVAijo6kUkSGrSM3h6qAWdopL5qQmDmALpHkheVBLa3CuizkFG3jkcyuKU5nUarfGH2TLDArgpSwVZhQhWfjAdsN2obsS2YGA9wwrMUHtbY4wYfuWaYPdQXuJXvVu5mk6JsQrwYDgz3zhwMWHQEz1K3d6rQrPJHDwkLKKrd7z3sW7UPs277VN75YyhfnBDvijjYLZdt2Y36NoKc4cMCYNpg3eVmave7vNiFffi2cAsLsRyU37KVUQAfcmkE1AdKzpNJJTnVjzPF9NqBxZ6pphvY47bn3ETTkHM6WASJm5q4GQ8y5383ZEAYRZQ1824bozs11i5eG1bXcLpbcLTZ2f2z11hgAiV2TV6JgrDYJo) Getty [Janiculum Hill](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/janiculum-hill) This is a leisurely stroll beginning in Trastevere and winding up via Garibaldi to the top of Janiculum Hill. It's best to do the walk during the day, or early in the morning in the summer. Keep in mind the Tempietto di Bramante is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. The walk begins at Porta Settimiano, and from there you can make your way to Via Garibaldi and enter the unmarked gate. The staircase beyond will take you up to the Church of San Pietro in Montorio, which contains works by 16th and 17th-century masters like Del Piombo, Vasari, and Bernini. In the church's courtyard stands the Tempietto, a commemorative tomb designed by Bramante and heavily influenced by Classical architecture. This walk is fun for active travelers. If you just want to get a view, skip the hike and take a taxi directly to Piazzale Garibaldi. Everyday at noon, a cannon blank is shot from Janiculum Hill to mark the hour. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/janiculum-hill) [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https://cna.st/a/5HJzsPvR3PTqsN3j1hd4VW6SDoJBwZA6avoQNd562x3fJSJdDPJjK7QM4miNwWxVcFGZL3RXvg4hfsp7ejDDyHoriR3nNjjVAijo6kUkSGrSM3h6qAWdopL5qQmDmALpHkheVBLa3CuizkFG3jkcyuKU5nUarfGH2TLDArgpSwVZhQhWfjAdsN2obsS2YGA9wwrMUHtbY4wYfuWaYPdQXuJXvVu5mk6JsQrwYDgz3zhwMWHQEz1K3d6rQrPJHDwkLKKrd7z3sW7UPs277VN75YyhfnBDvijjYLZdt2Y36NoKc4cMCYNpg3eVmave7vNiFffi2cAsLsRyU37KVUQAfcmkE1AdKzpNJJTnVjzPF9NqBxZ6pphvY47bn3ETTkHM6WASJm5q4GQ8y5383ZEAYRZQ1824bozs11i5eG1bXcLpbcLTZ2f2z11hgAiV2TV6JgrDYJo) Trending Stories - [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Shopping [The Golden Rules of Packing](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Hannah Chubb - [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Readers' Choice Awards [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) - [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) News & Advice [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Connor Sturges - [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Inspiration [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Adele Chapin - [![Santa Maria del Popolo](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5d24cca8ec86ec0008752abf/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/Santa-Maria-del-Popolo_GettyImages-826147828.jpg)](https://cna.st/a/5HJzsPvR3PTqsN3j1hd4VW6SDoJBwZA6avoQNd562x3fJSJdDPJjK7QM4miNwWxVcFGZL3RXvg4hfsp7ejDDyHoreUChYiKC3c95R16o45qZDm6rVX7QoUxP5KJTWk9gpz1mgrGhv1p2jKWx1wphzcnUFyh9wvgEVfnhGeHCfrTtZn7PpGZzuEN4wjTsJWZJXDCnHsAW85ozBDawn6rea65VqfVHfZ4sZRU1n2hzS84Jg64DCf2fSgZTf8P2NFc1sfJaBvdhFggyUVWUVNcx5w98HD2soZ9nrLaAXhvafXgSxSyPFKgWXDwjUGRAsaegrCAZiXra6f6FS8hfkV9scmGK4tBPafxc1ubxjvbtzvxkebNbpRW8fHf9UL2DD8giKLj89mLa5ryPScd2cACcqdBM3KWUKQAPcHmxq2fKDBxqcD7VhoSbtw34u5TKC41N2wNky1D) Getty [Santa Maria del Popolo](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/santa-maria-del-popolo) Santa Maria del Popolo is a Renaissance church at the edge of Piazza del Popolo and just within Rome's 3rd-century walls. It was decorated during the 15th to 17th centuries, and is packed with masterpieces. The church is free, though some coins will come in handy for turning lights on in chapels. The place mostly draws visitors on the Caravaggio trail who come to see his *Crucifixion of Saint Peter* and *Conversion of Saint Paul* hanging in the chapel next to the main altar. It also contains a chapel designed by Raphael and some frescoes by Pinturicchio. The church totally lives up to the hype and re-affirms just how awesome it is to see art in-situ. As fun as museums can be, there's something so special about seeing sculptures, oil paintings, and frescoes in the place the artist intended them to be seen. Whether you are interested in elegant Renaissance frescoes or late Baroque sculptures—or any period in between—Santa Maria del Popolo will impress. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/santa-maria-del-popolo) [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https://cna.st/a/5HJzsPvR3PTqsN3j1hd4VW6SDoJBwZA6avoQNd562x3fJSJdDPJjK7QM4miNwWxVcFGZL3RXvg4hfsp7ejDDyHoreUChYiKC3c95R16o45qZDm6rVX7QoUxP5KJTWk9gpz1mgrGhv1p2jKWx1wphzcnUFyh9wvgEVfnhGeHCfrTtZn7PpGZzuEN4wjTsJWZJXDCnHsAW85ozBDawn6rea65VqfVHfZ4sZRU1n2hzS84Jg64DCf2fSgZTf8P2NFc1sfJaBvdhFggyUVWUVNcx5w98HD2soZ9nrLaAXhvafXgSxSyPFKgWXDwjUGRAsaegrCAZiXra6f6FS8hfkV9scmGK4tBPafxc1ubxjvbtzvxkebNbpRW8fHf9UL2DD8giKLj89mLa5ryPScd2cACcqdBM3KWUKQAPcHmxq2fKDBxqcD7VhoSbtw34u5TKC41N2wNky1D) - [![Santa Maria in Trastevere Church Rome](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a922a6b873a2240b3a00138/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/Santa-Maria-in-Trastevere_GettyImages-95767658.jpg)](https://cna.st/a/SbYvHH9xeMAbiLnRMdymZ954bQrBk4VLR5ByLtWnT8LigW7WtyrZVb9VNbFDatjXKYhCKj3TKJWuBs2wcUjhgu9ADjVrVBGFFAHpWP6kRE374aSpFaZLP2uqRxmdM9PaZ3uqyo6V6kRZKzzNRTiwT7vGJyB2sR6fQ1KLYgawsz9XdKTm5sYqFftt3kdy2aH8hh7z1MkqUQZDFysusPWWF19ZGcsfsyybHuknE6JWHQmH8dn45GVkDBb1Xq2pzgqDWskF2bCS6kddPYzc5JMD2CMNrgELY5tUeWiLaSKwuAWDBEADYm9hAmTjJLJiC1iTRbLiSN1R3HsnqYDK3uuLg3uPGvBeRRejL9uZfocRyh3eM418DS8BpZw8TH6vyoUR2mcktbstR6UxZZq2T6TLM4vCpRRid4o4uNSum3FEdQfqBa5fgshcy6Z3rrdqD) Getty [Santa Maria in Trastevere](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/santa-maria-in-trastevere) Santa Maria in Trastevere is a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in the Middle Ages, decked out with shimmering gold and glass mosaics, then further embellished with frescoes, gilded wood, and marble veneer over the next seven centuries. Santa Maria in Trastevere is an active church and popular among locals, so you may run into one of the multiple masses that take place throughout the day. Non-worshipping visitors come to gaze at the apse, a 12th-century mosaic, among the most famous in town. There are hundreds of churches in Rome but Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the most breathtaking. Not only are the mosaics and gilded ceiling spectacular, the very skeletal structure of the church is mind-boggling. This site will help you develop a taste for medieval Rome, a period often outshined by the Renaissance and Baroque eras. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/santa-maria-in-trastevere) [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https://cna.st/a/SbYvHH9xeMAbiLnRMdymZ954bQrBk4VLR5ByLtWnT8LigW7WtyrZVb9VNbFDatjXKYhCKj3TKJWuBs2wcUjhgu9ADjVrVBGFFAHpWP6kRE374aSpFaZLP2uqRxmdM9PaZ3uqyo6V6kRZKzzNRTiwT7vGJyB2sR6fQ1KLYgawsz9XdKTm5sYqFftt3kdy2aH8hh7z1MkqUQZDFysusPWWF19ZGcsfsyybHuknE6JWHQmH8dn45GVkDBb1Xq2pzgqDWskF2bCS6kddPYzc5JMD2CMNrgELY5tUeWiLaSKwuAWDBEADYm9hAmTjJLJiC1iTRbLiSN1R3HsnqYDK3uuLg3uPGvBeRRejL9uZfocRyh3eM418DS8BpZw8TH6vyoUR2mcktbstR6UxZZq2T6TLM4vCpRRid4o4uNSum3FEdQfqBa5fgshcy6Z3rrdqD) Trending Stories - [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Shopping [The Golden Rules of Packing](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Hannah Chubb - [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Readers' Choice Awards [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) - [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) News & Advice [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Connor Sturges - [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Inspiration [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Adele Chapin - [![Palazzo Massimo Rome](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5d24cd9f80ab790008c56c0c/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/Palazzo%2520Massimo_GettyImages-520699088.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome) Getty [Palazzo Massimo](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/palazzo-massimo) Palazzo Massimo's collection of ancient art is divided across four floors. The building itself was built by Jesuits in the late 19th century and was only turned into a state-owned museum in 1980. It's next to Stazione Termini, Rome's busiest station, yet few travelers make the trip to see the museum's masterpiece-packed halls. The collection is a mix of Classical sculpture, Imperial frescoes, and Hellenistic baroque-style statuary. After the Vatican Museums and Capitoline Museums, the Palazzo Massimo is a must for ancient art lovers. The collection is pretty dense and some rooms are quite crammed with sculptures. In some parts, however, like the halls displaying frescoes from Livia's Villa, the display is restrained to give attention to the delicate wall paintings. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/palazzo-massimo) - - [![Rome Testaccio Market](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a92b05d873a2240b3a0013e/4:3/w_1280%2Cc_limit/Testaccio-Market_camera39.jpg)]() Courtesy Testaccio Market - [![Testaccio Market Rome](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a92b067afa6cb3864785859/4:3/w_1280%2Cc_limit/vegan-5.jpg)]() Courtesy Testaccio Market - [![Testaccio Market Rome](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a92b051a876ae5cfa61c857/4:3/w_1280%2Cc_limit/casamanco-6.jpg)]() Courtesy Testaccio Market [Testaccio Market](https://www.cntraveler.com/shops/rome/testaccio-market) The community market for Rome's Testaccio district has nearly 100 stalls, most of which cater to locals' traditional appetites. There are also a few food stalls selling trendy food, but they aren't the norm. Like other Roman markets, this one has bread bakeries, produce stalls, fishmongers, butchers, and delis. Expect to see seasonal vegetables like artichokes or zucchini, cuts typical of the local cuisine like tripe and liver, and little chewy pizzas common to Roman bakeries. There are also takeaway stalls like the stellar Casa Manco, which makes superlative pizza al taglio using fresh seasonal vegetables from the market.. There's even a hair salon here. Aside from the pizza at Casa Manco, there's one thing that you can—nay—*must* try: a sandwich at Mordi e Vai, an old schoolstall that sells sandwiches stuffed with hot fillings like brisket, tripe, and kidneys. And if you're not into meat and organs, there's an awesome braised artichoke filling. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/shops/rome/testaccio-market) Trending Stories - [![The Golden Rules of Packing](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69cec810ee69be2e874e58a5/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Shopping [The Golden Rules of Packing](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-golden-rules-of-packing#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Hannah Chubb - [![2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69b3106745e5ad64db56ffde/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Readers' Choice Awards [2026 Readers' Choice Awards Survey](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) - [![This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3b7fd162367d49e79e2fc/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) News & Advice [This European Country Is Giving Away Five of Their 267,570 Islands—This Is How to Get One](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/this-european-country-is-giving-away-five-of-their-267570-islands-this-is-how-to-get-one#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Connor Sturges - [![7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69d3dd33d337046abdf0d781/1:1/w_120%2Ch_120%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Inspiration [7 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US, From Seattle to Brooklyn](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-see-cherry-blossoms-in-the-us-from-seattle-to-brooklyn#intcid=_cnt-right-rail_83d74b59-e5b9-49f1-bdc8-c1232682cc2f_popular4-2) Adele Chapin - [![Image may contain Home Decor Window Curtain Shutter and Window Shade](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a98d424a566be4ab1b46d08/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/Pigneto-Rome-sfphotos764090.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-rome) Newscom [Pigneto](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/pigneto) Pigneto is a regentrified working-class neighborhood home to young professionals, street artists, aging locals, hipsters, and perhaps the city's highest concentration of bars. It’s popular with Italian college students and 20- and 30-somethings who frequent the bars on the "Isola," a pedestrianized stretch of Via del Pigneto, the neighborhood's central artery. It's also a destination for Pasolini fans who visit the streets that were the backdrop for his Neorealist films and hang out at Necci dal 1924, a bistro/bar with a street art mural depicting the famed director overlooking the garden. Pigneto is an acquired taste and may feel too rough-around-the-edges for some, but anyone interested in urbanism and street art, or just thirsty to explore neighborhoods outside of Rome's historic center, will enjoy it. If you've visited Rome before and want to explore a neighborhood that has a unique character, Pigneto is a good place to start. The place is also great for bar crawlers. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/pigneto) - [![Image may contain Ruins Human and Person](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a98edc720dfb6552425eb8b/4:3/w_748%2Cc_limit/Baths-of-Caracalla-G3DH2K.jpg)](https://cna.st/a/3e2YhJ5oxMm4ad3e7ZH1JdNsKTqozCLMAewwpBc7svZNANvb1wxukPuFmRRsAnCKvvkAuRtydg8qw5BfywFgk7Fo5FR329CaEvqGKW8wifuLqwC3ZNs9ooEmZUB317shzR8efcsJQCvYdGRe1NiMgvjwP8GtRXbE7p5FoN5shavbX7dz46xMNDu31hXmqaxvAkvym5xDmfPJK9GCRQPe5BJz4cawvBkeRmbUxQVSPAXkTViqGidNvVwbjfhDAThYZrm6eTiiLbU7TFtNNfyyq26zyTV5rzHkZAZEekWuDqvAezz4P4EnR5cobhtj8FpFrvYTbxtBQ1i5kv2PEnPeUQFaCwrGaBZVryTHLcnpUWx5kNS1qWn8SKVujkrFu35Mo1gBE6PUgReDJx85EB6GcWXBGjWVEo6uYJhX7GwEvKEHwtEyJmdM) Alamy [Baths of Caracalla](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/baths-of-caracalla) The Baths of Caracalla were a massive public bathing complex built in the 3rd century. Throughout the year, the site is open during the day for visitors to stroll through ruins that were so magnificent they inspired the Main Concourse at Grand Central Terminal. Each summer, the city of Rome's Opera company performs at the Baths, using the towering brick ruins as a backdrop. The contrast of the ancient buildings, celebrated operas, and modern acoustics and lighting is stunning. Performances include musicals, pop concerts, and dance shows. The Baths are the summer home of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, but the stage welcomes visiting companies and troupes as well. If you're into music and architecture, it's hard to imagine a better place in Rome to experience the two. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/baths-of-caracalla) [Check Availability at GetYourGuide](https://cna.st/a/3e2YhJ5oxMm4ad3e7ZH1JdNsKTqozCLMAewwpBc7svZNANvb1wxukPuFmRRsAnCKvvkAuRtydg8qw5BfywFgk7Fo5FR329CaEvqGKW8wifuLqwC3ZNs9ooEmZUB317shzR8efcsJQCvYdGRe1NiMgvjwP8GtRXbE7p5FoN5shavbX7dz46xMNDu31hXmqaxvAkvym5xDmfPJK9GCRQPe5BJz4cawvBkeRmbUxQVSPAXkTViqGidNvVwbjfhDAThYZrm6eTiiLbU7TFtNNfyyq26zyTV5rzHkZAZEekWuDqvAezz4P4EnR5cobhtj8FpFrvYTbxtBQ1i5kv2PEnPeUQFaCwrGaBZVryTHLcnpUWx5kNS1qWn8SKVujkrFu35Mo1gBE6PUgReDJx85EB6GcWXBGjWVEo6uYJhX7GwEvKEHwtEyJmdM) *This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.* [![](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a8aed5952e7b4436ff64e86/1:1/w_90%2Cc_limit/Laura%2520in%2520Byron%2520Bay.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributor/laura-itzkowitz) [Laura Itzkowitz](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributor/laura-itzkowitz) is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for covering travel, arts and culture, lifestyle, design, food, and wine. A proud Italophile, she lived in Rome for two years, speaks Italian fluently, and often writes about all things Italy. Her writing has appeared in *Travel + Leisure,* ... [Read More](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributor/laura-itzkowitz) Contributing Writer [![](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6682c41d660d7ed728919368/1:1/w_90%2Cc_limit/MM.JPG)](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributors/maresa-manara) [Maresa Manara](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributors/maresa-manara) is a contributing writer for *Condé Nast Traveler*. Originally from Sydney Australia, Maresa has been a food and travel journalist since she moved to Italy 15 years ago. Having reported from over 50 countries, she’s learned that her sense of direction is terrible, nearly every stomach ailment can ... [Read More](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributors/maresa-manara) Contributing Writer Topics[Destination Guides](https://www.cntraveler.com/tag/destination-guides) Recommended [![Corinthia Rome](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69c6d5b6098e0e04ec8861ed/16:9/w_748%2Cc_limit/Corinthia_Rome_Deluxe-Suite-Hot-List-March26-PR-WhatTheFox-Global-2.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/rome/corinthia-rome) [Corinthia Rome](https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/rome/corinthia-rome) This latest Corinthia has given Rome back a part of its heritage, with sleek, modern design in the former offices of the Bank of Italy. [Read full review](https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/rome/corinthia-rome) [![Nhow Roma](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69c15275ebcbda36abec1350/16:9/w_748%2Cc_limit/nhow_Roma_Restaurant_LUDO_Table_Side_Shot.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/roma/nhow-roma) [Nhow Roma](https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/roma/nhow-roma) A hot spot on Corso d’Italia with bold design and great value. [Read full review](https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/roma/nhow-roma) [View All Rome](https://www.cntraveler.com/category/hotel/rome) [![Rome Travel Guide](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a99a3d289971c2c547af5be/4:3/pass/ROME_Gentl-and-Hyers_131112_CNT_ROME_Ostiense_Neighborhood_Graffitti-1987.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/destinations/rome) [Rome Travel Guide](https://www.cntraveler.com/destinations/rome) The world's greatest outdoor museum ### Be the First to Know Where to Go Next The stories, spots, and secrets everyone is talking about, delivered daily. 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![Cntraveler logo](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6965100c326c1f868e3398b6/original/pass/ad%20image%20new%20size%202.png?format=original)Subscribe and get unlimited access for **~~\$2.50~~ \$1 per month** + an exclusive tote\! [Subscribe now »](https://www.cntraveler.com/v2/offers/cnta01027?source=Site_0_JNY_CNT_DESKTOP_TICKER_BANNER_0_US_QUICKPAY_TEST_2026_ZZ_PANELB) Destinations Italy's capital offers the full spectrum of experiences, from cultural sites to Vespa sidecar tours. March 9, 2026 ![Image may contain Art Cup Person City Plate Cutlery Spoon and Collage](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67daeead09fb10036091b8ce/16:9/w_320%2Cc_limit/CNT_Lede_BestThingstoDoRome.jpg) Jenny Zarins All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. As the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t see all the best things to do in Rome in just a single day either. In fact, between archeological relics, world-class museums, soaring [Baroque churches](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/the-most-beautiful-churches-in-the-world), noble palaces, picturesque parks, and kaleidoscopically colorful gardens, Rome has enough things to do to keep you busy for a lifetime. After all, for the past 2,668 years, the Italian capital has been creating and collecting the world's most famous antiquities and monuments. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the city unveils a restored archeological site, a new museum opens, or a new metro station with a museum-like display of ancient finds debuts. Every era of the world’s history is on display in one corner or another, and trying to see it all can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t need to be. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve gathered some of the best experiences the Eternal City has to offer, from bucket list sites every first-time visitor has to see once in their lifetime to more off-the-beaten-path parks, museums, and churches loved by locals. Whether it’s your first visit or your 50th, these are the best things to do in Rome, according to a local expert. **Read our complete [Rome travel guide here](https://www.cntraveler.com/destinations/rome), which includes:** - [**The Best Hotels in Rome**](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-hotels-in-rome) - [**The Best Restaurants in Rome**](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-restaurants-in-rome) - [**The Best Bars in Rome**](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-bars-in-rome) - [**The Best Beaches in Rome**](https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/the-best-beaches-in-rome) How we choose the best things to do in Rome Every review on this list has been written by a *Condé Nast Traveler* journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. - [Galleria Borghese](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/galleria-borghese) The word bourgeois derives from the name of the noble Borghese family, and a visit to this museum, built in 1612 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, will show you why. The architecture and interior decoration itself are beyond opulent. Elaborate frescoes, sculptures displayed in niches, and even ancient mosaics embedded in the floors are the backdrop for the cardinal’s exceptional art collection, which includes paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian and some of Bernini’s most evocative sculptures, not to mention Canova’s neoclassical statue of Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister Pauline Borghese as Venus Victorius. Be sure to book timed tickets in advance online. Pro tip: if you want to avoid the crowds, book the last time slot of the day, and as visitors leave, you’ll be able to wander the galleries with just a handful of people around. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/galleria-borghese) - [Villa Borghese](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/villa-borghese) The bucolic park surrounding Galleria Borghese was once the private estate of the Borghese family. Today it’s Rome’s most beloved public park, which stretches from just above Piazza del Popolo up to Parioli, an affluent residential neighborhood. On warm days, you’ll find teenagers hanging out on the grass, families picnicking, and locals jogging or walking their dogs. You can rent a rowboat on the little lake and paddle around in the shadow of the Neoclassical Temple of Aesculapius or rent a bike and cycle around the gravel paths. The park is also home to a handful of museums and attractions, including the Bioparco zoo, the Casa del Cinema, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, and the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia. For an especially lovely view of Piazza del Popolo, make your way over to the Pincio Terrace at the southwest corner of the park. Buskers sometimes play here around sunset, as people crowd around the balcony and take photos. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/villa-borghese) - ![Image may contain City Downtown Urban Architecture Building Person Cityscape and Town Square](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69aeeeee09b0dae108ce628f/master/w_1024%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-1426003175.jpg) Getty ## The Spanish Steps An iconic monument and gathering point, this elegant staircase was built in 1723 to connect the Church of Trinità dei Monti above to the piazza below. Its name alludes to the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican on the piazza, but the stairs were actually designed by an Italian architect and financed with French funds. In the 18th century, the area surrounding the steps became known as the “English Ghetto” because of its popularity with the romantic poets, including John Keats, whose house at the base of the steps was turned into a museum. Today the area is known as Rome’s luxury shopping district, but you can find more traces of its English past at Babington’s Tea House and the [Hotel d’Inghilterra](https://cna.st/affiliate-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). - [Trevi Fountain](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/trevi-fountain) For first-time visitors, no trip to Rome would be complete without a stop at the Trevi Fountain. Featured in films and TV shows, the monumental fountain is a triumph of Baroque design, with a larger-than-life statue of Oceanus riding a shell-shaped chariot drawn by two tritons and horses. A truly Herculean task, the fountain took more than 30 years to construct and was finally finished in 1762. It was designed by Nicola Salvi, who died before it was completed. The gushing water that flows from it comes from the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct built in 19 BCE by Agrippa. Legend has it that if you toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain, you’ll return to Rome. Toss two coins and you’ll return to Rome and fall in love. Toss three coins and you’ll return, fall in love, and marry. In recent years, as the crowds became ever more intense, you would have to elbow your way to the front, but as of February 2026, you have to pay two Euros (around \$2.30) and wait in line if you want to approach the basin to toss in a coin and get that iconic shot. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/trevi-fountain) Trending Stories - [Piazza Navona](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/piazza-navona) Arguably the most beautiful Baroque piazza in Rome, Piazza Navona draws crowds of people year-round who come to admire the three fountains and the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. In the center of it all is Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, whose figures represent the four longest rivers known at the time: the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Plata. According to legend, the figure of the Plata is shielding his eyes because he can’t bear to look at the church, which was designed by Bernini’s rival Borromini. The piazza gets its distinctive oval shape from a Roman racetrack, which sits underneath it. Beware of the tourist traps on the piazza and the surrounding streets, which serve overpriced, mediocre food to tourists. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/piazza-navona) - [Vatican Museums](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/vatican-museums) A bucket list item for many, the Vatican Museums actually comprise 24 museums, plus various galleries and chapels, including the Sistine Chapel. The massive complex has housed the treasures of the Vatican since the 15th century and receives up to 30,000 visitors per day, making it one of the most crowded sites in Rome. You could walk more than four miles through the galleries and still not see everything. There are Egyptian mummies, Etruscan artifacts, ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance tapestries, and even a modern art collection. Be sure to book tickets or a tour in advance or you’ll spend hours in line waiting to get in. Most tours last around 2 to 2.5 hours and show you the highlights, such as the ancient Greek sculpture of Laocoön, the Gallery of Maps, and the Sistine Chapel with the iconic Last Judgement and the ceiling fresco depicting the story of Genesis by Michelangelo. Group tours often skip the Raphael Rooms, which in our opinion are among the most incredible artworks in the Vatican, so if you do a private tour be sure to ask your guide to bring you there. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/vatican-museums) Trending Stories - [St. Peter's Basilica](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/st-peters-basilica) One of the largest churches in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is a symbol of the Catholic faith and a testament to the Vatican’s wealth and power. It was built over a period of 120 years by an all-star team of architects, including Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini and was completed in 1626. The colonnade on St. Peter’s Square is the only point where the Vatican walls open up to the rest of the city in a symbolic embrace. Its dome is the tallest and most distinctive point on Rome’s skyline. Inside, it contains masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Pietà (sculpted when he was just 23 years old!) and Bernini’s bronze baldachin over the altar, which marks the exact spot of St. Peter’s tomb. Some tours of the Vatican Museums will shepherd you through a shortcut to St. Peter’s Basilica, but you can also visit the church on its own by entering through the colonnade on the piazza. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/st-peters-basilica) - ![Image may contain Hadrian Floor Flooring Architecture Building Corridor Indoors Plant House Housing and Villa](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69aef09aee6811e4acfcb28f/master/w_1024%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-2190105933.jpg) Getty ## Palazzo Altemps Just north of Piazza Navona is this hidden gem of a museum that most tourists seem to miss. Once owned by the powerful Cardinal Altemps, it contains an impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, as well as an Egyptian collection. The real showstopper, though, is the loggia with its lavish ceiling frescoes done in the “grottesque” style (i.e., inspired by ancient Roman grottoes). It’s now part of the Museo Nazionale Romano, a museum circuit that also includes Palazzo Massimo alle Terme and the Baths of Diocletian. Trending Stories - ![Image may contain Architecture Building and Urban](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69aef4aa67c59cc72f4d0f36/master/w_1024%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-495220007-2.jpg) Mats Silvan ## Sacred Area of Largo Argentina The archeological site hemmed in between Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Via Florida, Via di Torre Argentina, and Via di San Nicola dei Cesarini is believed to have witnessed one of the most important moments in Roman history: the assassination of Julius Caesar. Excavated in the 1920s, when Mussolini was constructing a new neighborhood in the area, the site contains four temples dating back to the Republican era around the third century BCE, making them some of the oldest remaining ruins in Rome. A restoration funded by Bvlgari opened the site up to the public in 2024, so you can descend below street level and walk along raised pathways that let you get close to the ruins. A small exhibition space houses finds from the excavations, including fragments of marble, inscriptions, and heads of statues. - ![Image may contain Architecture Building Monastery Castle Fortress Grass Plant Arch and Gothic Arch](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69aef5602c9706becbda829b/master/w_1024%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-2248228962.jpg) Bruno Brunelli ## Appia Antica You know the saying, “All roads lead to Rome?” Well, this was *the* road that connected the capital of the empire with its colonies in the southern part of the Italian peninsula. Nicknamed the “Queen of Roads,” the ancient Appian Way once ran all the way to Brindisi, 335 miles away on Puglia’s Adriatic coast. A roughly 10-mile stretch of the road leading from the Porta San Sebastiano out to the edge of the Castelli Romani (a group of quaint hill towns southeast of Rome) is accessible today. On warm, sunny weekends, join the locals who flock to the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica to get some fresh air and walk or bike along the ancient road. This is where you’ll find the Catacombs, as well as ancient aqueducts and ruins such as the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the massive Villa dei Quintili. Trending Stories - ![Image may contain Plant Tree Person Bench Furniture Grass Nature Outdoors Park and City](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/69aef7fa2c9706becbda82ad/master/w_1024%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-694578622.jpg) Getty ## Giardino degli Aranci The Parco Savello, better known as the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden), is a favorite park among locals. Its location perched high on the Aventine Hill puts it just beyond the typical tourist circuit, ensuring it doesn’t get too crowded. Towering umbrella pines and fragrant orange trees give it a romantic Mediterranean air, and the belvedere offers sweeping views of Rome that stretch from the Altar of the Fatherland all the way to St. Peter’s dome. Prior to opening as a park in 1932, this was a fortified palace built by the Savelli family in the 13th century. - [Galleria Doria Pamphilj](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/galleria-doria-pamphilj) This museum houses Rome's largest private collection, a trove assembled by the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi, and Aldobrandini families and brought together through marriage. It’s set in a noble palace still owned by the Doria Pamphilj family and the ornate halls provide a grand setting for such an overwhelming amount of art. The collection is acclaimed among 16th and 17th-century art aficionados but is off the average visitor’s radar even though it's located just off Piazza Venezia on the bustling Via del Corso. Seeing the spectacular Hall of Mirrors, which might remind you of the one at Versailles, is reason enough to visit the Galleria Doria Pamphilj. The museum's halls are absolutely packed with art, but that's what the family intended in the 17th century—the sheer volume of art was meant to overwhelm and disarm the visitor and leave her in awe of the family's wealth and cultural prestige. It still has that effect. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/galleria-doria-pamphilj) Trending Stories - [Colosseum](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/colosseum) The Colosseum is more than just an ancient amphitheater built in the 1st century—it's a symbol of Rome. Naturally, it's one of the most popular monuments in town, so do yourself a favor and book timed tickets online in advance, then use those to bypass the impossibly long ticket lines. The place is undeniably magnificent from the outside. Standing 160-feet-tall and made of brick, concrete, and travertine, the Colosseum is an awe-inspiring testament to Roman building. Visitors report mixed reviews of the interior, which was picked over by looters pretty intensely for more than 1,000 years. To get the most out of a trip inside, book a special visit to the underground (basically the backstage area where people and animals waited to be brought onstage), the third tier, and the belvedere via the Colosseum's website. Or try, if you can, to book a guided tour of the Commodus Passage, a secret corridor that allowed Roman emperors to enter the Colosseum, which opened in October 2025 after a meticulous restoration. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/colosseum) - [MAXXI Rome](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/maxxi) Designed by Zaha Hadid, this is Rome’s museum for all things contemporary, with exhibitions spanning modern fashion, cinema, art, and architecture. Heck, it’s worth visiting just to check out the building, a piece of art in itself. The labyrinthine space at MAXXI is astounding. It gets busy, but there's so much space that you wouldn't notice. Big, wide halls give way to rooms of different themes and sizes, resulting in five floors of non-stop, incredible artwork. Spaces range from performing arts vignettes to galleries with modern artworks to open cinemas. For some, this might feel a little incoherent, but it helps if you take it in as a whole rather than different spaces. There’s a small permanent exhibition, but it’s the ever-evolving rotation of temporary shows—like Alberto Garutti’s contemporary light installation on art and nature—that really draw the crowds. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/maxxi) Trending Stories - [Capitoline Museums](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/capitoline-museums) Home to one of the finest collections of ancient sculpture in Rome, the Capitoline Museums are rarely crowded. They attract school groups, locals, and travelers who meander through the museums' various buildings, including two designed by Michelangelo. There are often exhibitions in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, one of the Capitoline's main buildings. Due to the age and arrangement of the building—it was designed by Renaissance master Michelangelo from pre-existing medieval structures—the shows can sometimes feel disjointed, though they are generally well-curated. The Palazzo dei Conservatori has frescoed halls, while the Palazzo Nuovo relies heavily on ancient pieces for wall decoration. Don’t miss the spectacular views of the Roman Forum from the Tabularium Gallery, which connects the two buildings. The main halls in both buildings have wonderful natural light, as does a glass atrium designed by Carlo Aymonino to house masterpieces like the bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/capitoline-museums) - [The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/palatine-hill) The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are a big, sprawling open-air museum, both accessed with the same ticket (which also includes the Colosseum). The Forum was once the beating heart of Rome, where political, religious, and commercial functions took place. Walking along the Via Sacra, the route for religious and triumphal processions, you’re literally walking in the footsteps of Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony. As you stroll through the ruins, gaze up in awe at the columns of the Temple of Saturn and the Arch of Titus, whose friezes depict the sack of Jerusalem and which leads up to the Palatine Hill, where emperors such as Augustus and Domitian built sprawling palaces. The buildings on the Palatine are awe-inspiring, especially considering their scale. Domitian's palace alone covers several acres. While strolling through the ruins, consider that most were covered in polished polychrome marble and the experience will be even more intense. If you can get a handle on what you're looking at, the Palatine Hill will leave you eager to visit other more intact monuments from Imperial times (the nearby Baths of Caracalla are a good place to start). At the very least, you'll walk away floored by the views of the city from the north side of the hill. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/palatine-hill) Trending Stories - [Domus Aurea](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/domus-aurea) The Domus Aurea, the so-called "Golden House," is a sprawling palatial pavilion built by emperor Nero in the first century. The site is under restoration during the week and admission (which includes a guided tour) is only granted to visitors on weekends. Many of the visitors are either hard-core archeology buffs who have been to Rome many times or interested travelers lucky enough to snag a place on one of the weekend tours. Like so many sites in Rome, the Domus Aurea has been stripped of its polished stone veneer. The plundering, though, has done little to dull the impact of exploring a nearly 2,000-year-old structure. Because Nero was eternally damned by the Senate after his suicide, his palace was filled in as a way to erase his memory. Accordingly, the Domus Aurea is now underground. After visiting you'll surely want to explore Rome's other buried ancient sites. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/domus-aurea) - [Vespa Sidecar Tour](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/vespa-sidecar-tour) Rome’s not short on tours but there’s something rather special about seeing the Eternal City on the back of a Vespa—or in this case, the sidecar of a shiny yellow 1940s vintage Vespa. Vespa Sidecar Tour runs three-hour tours of Rome, taking two guests at a time (one on the back of the Vespa, one in the sidecar) on a tour of 12 of Rome’s most iconic sights, including the [Trevi Fountain](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/trevi-fountain), [the Pantheon](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/pantheon-rome), and [the Colosseum](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/colosseum). Tours are organized in small groups with a maximum of 12 passengers led by a head guide, who explains exactly what you’re seeing via headphones hooked up to radio devices. Depending on the time of day, you might stop for a cappuccino, gelato, or a bit of pizza. This is a great activity to do as soon as you land in order to get acquainted with the city. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/vespa-sidecar-tour) Trending Stories - [Villa Farnesina](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/villa-farnesina) Villa Farnesina is a small museum inside a Renaissance palace and is an intimate alternative to the Vatican Museums. Despite housing artworks by Renaissance masters, it attracts shockingly few visitors. Agostino Chigi, one of the richest men who lived during the Renaissance, commissioned it as his private residence and showcased his wealth by hiring artists—most notably Raphael—to paint elaborate frescoes on the walls and ceilings. The place is great no matter if you're looking for an in-depth visit or a quick spin. You can easily visit the three rooms on the ground floor and the two upstairs in under 30 minutes. Be sure to hit Raphael's Galatea fresco in the first room past the ticket office and his gorgeous Loggia with ceiling frescoes depicting the marriage of Cupid and Psyche in the neighboring hall. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/villa-farnesina) - [Janiculum Hill](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/janiculum-hill) This is a leisurely stroll beginning in Trastevere and winding up via Garibaldi to the top of Janiculum Hill. It's best to do the walk during the day, or early in the morning in the summer. Keep in mind the Tempietto di Bramante is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. The walk begins at Porta Settimiano, and from there you can make your way to Via Garibaldi and enter the unmarked gate. The staircase beyond will take you up to the Church of San Pietro in Montorio, which contains works by 16th and 17th-century masters like Del Piombo, Vasari, and Bernini. In the church's courtyard stands the Tempietto, a commemorative tomb designed by Bramante and heavily influenced by Classical architecture. This walk is fun for active travelers. If you just want to get a view, skip the hike and take a taxi directly to Piazzale Garibaldi. Everyday at noon, a cannon blank is shot from Janiculum Hill to mark the hour. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/janiculum-hill) Trending Stories - [Santa Maria del Popolo](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/santa-maria-del-popolo) Santa Maria del Popolo is a Renaissance church at the edge of Piazza del Popolo and just within Rome's 3rd-century walls. It was decorated during the 15th to 17th centuries, and is packed with masterpieces. The church is free, though some coins will come in handy for turning lights on in chapels. The place mostly draws visitors on the Caravaggio trail who come to see his *Crucifixion of Saint Peter* and *Conversion of Saint Paul* hanging in the chapel next to the main altar. It also contains a chapel designed by Raphael and some frescoes by Pinturicchio. The church totally lives up to the hype and re-affirms just how awesome it is to see art in-situ. As fun as museums can be, there's something so special about seeing sculptures, oil paintings, and frescoes in the place the artist intended them to be seen. Whether you are interested in elegant Renaissance frescoes or late Baroque sculptures—or any period in between—Santa Maria del Popolo will impress. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/santa-maria-del-popolo) - [Santa Maria in Trastevere](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/santa-maria-in-trastevere) Santa Maria in Trastevere is a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built in the Middle Ages, decked out with shimmering gold and glass mosaics, then further embellished with frescoes, gilded wood, and marble veneer over the next seven centuries. Santa Maria in Trastevere is an active church and popular among locals, so you may run into one of the multiple masses that take place throughout the day. Non-worshipping visitors come to gaze at the apse, a 12th-century mosaic, among the most famous in town. There are hundreds of churches in Rome but Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the most breathtaking. Not only are the mosaics and gilded ceiling spectacular, the very skeletal structure of the church is mind-boggling. This site will help you develop a taste for medieval Rome, a period often outshined by the Renaissance and Baroque eras. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/santa-maria-in-trastevere) Trending Stories - [Palazzo Massimo](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/palazzo-massimo) Palazzo Massimo's collection of ancient art is divided across four floors. The building itself was built by Jesuits in the late 19th century and was only turned into a state-owned museum in 1980. It's next to Stazione Termini, Rome's busiest station, yet few travelers make the trip to see the museum's masterpiece-packed halls. The collection is a mix of Classical sculpture, Imperial frescoes, and Hellenistic baroque-style statuary. After the Vatican Museums and Capitoline Museums, the Palazzo Massimo is a must for ancient art lovers. The collection is pretty dense and some rooms are quite crammed with sculptures. In some parts, however, like the halls displaying frescoes from Livia's Villa, the display is restrained to give attention to the delicate wall paintings. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/palazzo-massimo) - [Testaccio Market](https://www.cntraveler.com/shops/rome/testaccio-market) The community market for Rome's Testaccio district has nearly 100 stalls, most of which cater to locals' traditional appetites. There are also a few food stalls selling trendy food, but they aren't the norm. Like other Roman markets, this one has bread bakeries, produce stalls, fishmongers, butchers, and delis. Expect to see seasonal vegetables like artichokes or zucchini, cuts typical of the local cuisine like tripe and liver, and little chewy pizzas common to Roman bakeries. There are also takeaway stalls like the stellar Casa Manco, which makes superlative pizza al taglio using fresh seasonal vegetables from the market.. There's even a hair salon here. Aside from the pizza at Casa Manco, there's one thing that you can—nay—*must* try: a sandwich at Mordi e Vai, an old schoolstall that sells sandwiches stuffed with hot fillings like brisket, tripe, and kidneys. And if you're not into meat and organs, there's an awesome braised artichoke filling. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/shops/rome/testaccio-market) Trending Stories - [Pigneto](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/pigneto) Pigneto is a regentrified working-class neighborhood home to young professionals, street artists, aging locals, hipsters, and perhaps the city's highest concentration of bars. It’s popular with Italian college students and 20- and 30-somethings who frequent the bars on the "Isola," a pedestrianized stretch of Via del Pigneto, the neighborhood's central artery. It's also a destination for Pasolini fans who visit the streets that were the backdrop for his Neorealist films and hang out at Necci dal 1924, a bistro/bar with a street art mural depicting the famed director overlooking the garden. Pigneto is an acquired taste and may feel too rough-around-the-edges for some, but anyone interested in urbanism and street art, or just thirsty to explore neighborhoods outside of Rome's historic center, will enjoy it. If you've visited Rome before and want to explore a neighborhood that has a unique character, Pigneto is a good place to start. The place is also great for bar crawlers. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/pigneto) - [Baths of Caracalla](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/baths-of-caracalla) The Baths of Caracalla were a massive public bathing complex built in the 3rd century. Throughout the year, the site is open during the day for visitors to stroll through ruins that were so magnificent they inspired the Main Concourse at Grand Central Terminal. Each summer, the city of Rome's Opera company performs at the Baths, using the towering brick ruins as a backdrop. The contrast of the ancient buildings, celebrated operas, and modern acoustics and lighting is stunning. Performances include musicals, pop concerts, and dance shows. The Baths are the summer home of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, but the stage welcomes visiting companies and troupes as well. If you're into music and architecture, it's hard to imagine a better place in Rome to experience the two. [Read Full Review](https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/rome/baths-of-caracalla) *This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.* [![](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5a8aed5952e7b4436ff64e86/1:1/w_90%2Cc_limit/Laura%2520in%2520Byron%2520Bay.jpg)](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributor/laura-itzkowitz) [Laura Itzkowitz](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributor/laura-itzkowitz) is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for covering travel, arts and culture, lifestyle, design, food, and wine. A proud Italophile, she lived in Rome for two years, speaks Italian fluently, and often writes about all things Italy. Her writing has appeared in *Travel + Leisure,* ... [Read More](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributor/laura-itzkowitz) [![](https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/6682c41d660d7ed728919368/1:1/w_90%2Cc_limit/MM.JPG)](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributors/maresa-manara) [Maresa Manara](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributors/maresa-manara) is a contributing writer for *Condé Nast Traveler*. Originally from Sydney Australia, Maresa has been a food and travel journalist since she moved to Italy 15 years ago. Having reported from over 50 countries, she’s learned that her sense of direction is terrible, nearly every stomach ailment can ... [Read More](https://www.cntraveler.com/contributors/maresa-manara) ### Be the First to Know Where to Go Next The stories, spots, and secrets everyone is talking about, delivered daily.

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