Why this guide: about 22,200 people a month search Google for “things to do in rome” (US, DataForSEO Labs, September 2026). This is the answer we would give a client, written to be booked from.
The short answer
- Do firstThe Colosseum and Forum with a timed ticket, the Vatican Museums at opening, and the Pantheon
- FreeThe Pantheon (small fee now, but cheap), Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Roman Forum from the Capitoline terrace, every church including Caravaggio's in San Luigi dei Francesi, the Villa Borghese park
- SkipRestaurants on Piazza Navona and the Trevi at midday
Ancient Rome
The Colosseum (timed ticket; the arena floor or underground tours are worth the upgrade), the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill on the same ticket — allow half a day and go at opening or after 3 p.m. The Capitoline Museums and their terrace overlooking the Forum; the Pantheon at 8 a.m. before the crowd; the Baths of Caracalla; the Appian Way on Sunday when it is closed to cars, by bike, with the catacombs.
The Vatican
The Vatican Museums (book the first slot; the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel come at the end of a two-hour route) and St Peter's Basilica — climb the dome for the view, and go early or late to avoid the security line. Castel Sant'Angelo's ramparts across the bridge; the Wednesday papal audience if the date works. Dress code (shoulders and knees covered) applies.
Baroque Rome
The Trevi Fountain at 7 a.m. or after 11 p.m., the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona's Bernini fountain, the Caravaggios in San Luigi dei Francesi and Santa Maria del Popolo (free), the Borghese Gallery (timed, two-hour slots, book weeks ahead — Bernini's sculptures and six Caravaggios), the Villa Borghese park and its Pincio terrace at sunset over Piazza del Popolo.
Trastevere, Testaccio and the Jewish Ghetto
Trastevere's lanes and Santa Maria in Trastevere's mosaics, aperitivo in Piazza di Santa Maria, the Gianicolo hill for the view. Testaccio is the food quarter: the market, Da Felice for cacio e pepe, the Monte dei Cocci. The Jewish Ghetto for carciofi alla giudia and the Portico d'Ottavia; the Aventine keyhole and the Orange Garden. Ostia Antica, 30 minutes by train, is Pompeii without the crowd.
Eat, and get there
Carbonara, cacio e pepe and amatriciana (Roscioli, Da Enzo, Armando al Pantheon — book), pizza al taglio from Bonci, supplì, gelato from Giolitti or Fatamorgana, and coffee standing at the bar. Fiumicino (FCO) is 45–60 minutes from the centre; the engine's Rome page carries the hotels, and a chauffeur from FCO is the standard arrival for the historic centre's ZTL zones. See our Colosseum guide and the best time to visit Italy.
Three things to get right
- Book the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Borghese the day you book flights.
- Trevi and the Pantheon at 7 a.m.; the Forum after 3 p.m.
- Eat in Testaccio and Trastevere, not on the piazzas.
Book it
Featured destination: Rome — hotels, airport and activities on one engine page.
