Your City Guide
Rome has a rich history that spans over 2,700 years, and the centuries have woven a rich tapestry of war, struggle, triumph, and intrigue. Its history is written in the streets, monuments, buildings, and artworks of the city, which means there is an endless amount to see, explore, do, and experience!
Explore the ruins, churches, piazzas and museums of the city to unearth this fantastic tale of centuries of human endeavor. Whether you enjoy a guided walking tour of Rome, or simply wander on your own, there’s something historical and beautiful to see everywhere you look in the Eternal City.
Not sure where to start? Check out our top 12 must-see sites in Rome:
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel
- St Peter’s Basilica
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Trevi Fountain
- Palatine Hill
- Galleria Borghese
- Castel Sant’Angelo
- Trastevere
- Appian Way
- Aqueduct Park
What Else to Do In Rome
When you’ve had your fill of history and sites, check out these other fun activities:
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Football (Soccer)
Rome has two football teams, Roma and Lazio. Together, they share the 80,000 seat Stadio Olimpico, north of the Vatican, for home games. When they play each other the rivalry is palpable, and tickets for important games sell out quickly.
If you would like to go to a game, tickets can be bought either from List Ticket, or from the teams’ official merchandising stores.
If you would prefer not to be in the middle of the action, and to actually sit down, go for the more expensive tribune. You will need to take photo ID to the stadium on the day of the match.
Rugby
Over the last decade, since Italy joined the Six Nations Rugby Championship, the game has become ever more popular. Home games are played at the intimate Stadio Flaminio (capacity 24,000), on Viale Tiziano, north of Piazzale Flaminio. For tickets see FedeRugby. -
All the big labels are in the shopping streets between piazza di Spagna and via del Corso, clustered around via dei Condotti. Between the Vatican and piazza del Popolo, via Cola di Rienzo is also home to some of the more famous labels.
More alternative shops can be found around Campo de’Fiori, especially on via Giubbonari. For vintage and chic boutiques, try via del Governo Vecchio near the piazza Navona, and via del Boschetto and via Panisperna in the Monti area.
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Campo de’Fiori: The main open-air produce market in the centro storico.
Piazza Testaccio: Authentic neighborhood market in the Testaccio area. The northern side has shoe stalls which often have last season’s styles at bargain prices.
Via Sannio: Just outside the ancient city walls by San Giovanni, it can be a good spot to find bargain leather goods.
Porta Portese: Along the via Portuense, from Porta Portese to via Ettore Rolli, Rome’s largest flea market boasts quite a lot of junk, but persist and the occasional bargain appears. Watch your belongings.
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Most non-Italian films shown in Rome are dubbed into Italian; for those which haven’t been dubbed look for versione originale (usually abbreviated to v.o. in listings).
Cinemas which regularly show films in the original language (usually English) include:
Cinema Giulio Cesare
Viale Giulio Cesare, 229
+39 06 8880 1283Nuovo Olimpia
Via in Lucina 16 (just off via del Corso)
+39 06 8880 1283Warner Village Moderno
Piazza della Repubblica
+39 06 4777 9111 -
For an authentic Italian opera experience, try the Teatro dell’Opera, piazza Beniamino Gigli 7 (Metro: Repubblica).
Since 1937 the summer season of the Rome Opera has been in the splendid setting of the Baths of Caracalla. Check out the website to browse performances and buy tickets.
To make sure you experience the best the Eternal City has to offer, be sure to book a Rome tour with us!
