Things to Do in Rome, Italy

Quick facts: Imagine hearing the roar of tens of thousands of spectators as gladiators battled fiercely in an arena that could hold up to 50,000 people. The structure features an intricate system of underground tunnels and elevators, used to lift animals and fighters into the arena, making every event a dramatic spectacle.

Highlights: Imagine a giant amphitheater that could hold up to 80,000 spectators, with a complex system of trapdoors and elevators under the arena floor used to surprise audiences by making gladiators and wild animals suddenly appear. Romans filled it with a giant awning called the velarium, which sailors expertly controlled to provide shade to the crowd on hot days, adding an ancient maritime touch to the spectacle.

Quick facts: Visitors often find themselves mesmerized by the sheer scale of over 70,000 works of art displayed across vast gallery halls and intricate chapels. Among the highlights, the dazzling ceiling frescoes by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel draw millions, creating an awe-inspiring visual feast that blends divine imagery with human emotion.

Highlights: Beneath the gleaming ceilings and countless artwork, you can find the world's oldest continuous map gallery, where a series of 40 detailed frescoed maps from the 16th century capture the Italian landscapes with incredible precision. Every year, an ancient tradition sees the museum dim its lights and silence its halls exactly at midnight, celebrating the anniversary of its opening with a surreal, tranquil atmosphere rarely experienced in such a busy cultural hub.

Quick facts: Stepping inside, visitors are overwhelmed by the sheer scale and intricate artistry that seem to touch the heavens. The immense dome, which has a breathtaking view of the city, was engineered with such precision that its shadow perfectly marks the day and hour on the basilica's floor.

Highlights: Michelangelo designed the massive dome, which stands nearly 136 meters tall, and the acoustics inside are so precise that a single whisper by the altar can be heard across the vast nave. Beneath the basilica lies the necropolis where St. Peter is believed to be buried, and you can actually see ancient Roman tombs just a few meters below your feet, a striking contrast to the Renaissance art above.

Quick facts: Step inside and look up to see a massive dome with a perfect circular opening that allows sunlight and rain to stream in, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. The dome's thickness varies, showcasing ancient engineering genius with materials carefully chosen to keep it both sturdy and light; feeling the cool marble underfoot adds to the awe of standing in such a timeless space.

Highlights: The giant oculus at the dome's center is exactly 27 feet wide, acting like a natural spotlight that chills to see during rain showers as water streams in gracefully. Also, the interior floor subtly slopes to drain water away, a clever ancient trick that kept the place wonderfully dry despite the open skylight.

Quick facts: Ancient ruins buzz with stories of political intrigue and social drama as you walk through open-air temples and market places once central to Roman public life. The air carries whispers of orators and emperors, making each stone a silent witness to the empire's rise and fall.

Highlights: Imagine walking where Julius Caesar once strode, surrounded by ruins over 2,000 years old, including the Curia Julia where senators debated laws; you can almost hear whispers of ancient politics in the air. The site was once a bustling marketplace and center of daily Roman life, where over 50 temples, basilicas, and public spaces stood, each engraved with stories carved in stone and echoes of roaring crowds during grand events.

Quick facts: Legend says tossing a coin into the fountain ensures a return visit to Rome, making it a magnet for thousands daily who eagerly participate in the ritual. The water in the basin creates a mesmerizing, soothing sound that adds to the enchanting atmosphere of the square, captivating visitors with its charm and splendor.

Highlights: People toss exactly 3 coins with their right hand over their left shoulder into the water to ensure a return visit; this custom results in over 3,000 euros collected daily, which supports a charity for Rome's needy. The central figure is Oceanus, sculpted with intricate details including horses symbolizing the moods of the sea, making the entire fountain a dramatic oceanic stage carved in white travertine stone.

Quick facts: Imagine an open-air canvas where baroque art flows like water in the shape of an ancient Roman stadium's oval. The lively ambiance thrives with street artists and cafes, making the square not just a feast for the eyes but also for the soul.

Highlights: The square was built on the ruins of an ancient Roman stadium and still holds the exact elliptical shape of the original arena where chariot races were once held. The Fountain of the Four Rivers, crafted by Bernini in 1651, features river gods representing four continents, with a startlingly realistic lion that seemed so lifelike it reportedly spooked locals when it was unveiled.

Quick facts: Echoes of ancient whispers fill the air as you explore the towering cylindrical fortress, once a mausoleum and now a museum with panoramic views that simply take your breath away. Secret passages and towering ramparts reveal centuries of history, blending military might with awe-inspiring artistry in a way you don't expect from a single structure.

Highlights: An ancient Roman mausoleum transformed into a fortress houses a secret passageway called the Passetto di Borgo, which popes used as an escape route during sieges, stretching nearly 800 meters to the Vatican. The massive cylindrical structure also features a striking statue of the archangel Michael, erected after a legendary apparition during a plague in 590 AD, which locals say brings a feeling of divine protection.

Quick facts: Stepping up these sweeping staircases offers a stunning panoramic view of the bustling piazza below and the church sitting gracefully at the top. Legendary artists and poets have found inspiration here, turning this spot into a lively meeting place full of culture and charm.

Highlights: Legend says that every April, about twelve thousand azaleas are planted on the steps, transforming the area into a vibrant tapestry of pinks and whites for two weeks. Built in 1723 with exactly 135 steps, the staircase was a bold architectural solution to connect two different levels of the city, giving you a stunning panoramic view as you climb.

Quick facts: Golden mosaics glimmer under the high ceilings, narrating biblical stories with astonishing detail that captivates every visitor. A rare outdoor bell tower adds a charming touch, providing a peaceful contrast to the vibrant interior filled with centuries of art and history.

Highlights: Under the golden ceiling adorned with 5,000 pounds of pure gold donated by Ferdinand I of Spain in 1587, an ancient mosaic from the 5th century decorates the nave, narrating biblical scenes with incredible detail and vibrant colors. Each August, a unique tradition takes place where white petals are showered down from the ceiling to celebrate the miraculous snowfall that inspired the basilica's founding.

Quick facts: Winding paths cross roughly 80 hectares of lawns, shady pines and ornamental ponds where locals picnic and students study. Hidden among the trees you'll find classical temples, baroque fountains and a small lake where rowboats glide beneath a marble temple, while a zoo and an open-air theater add surprising variety.

Highlights: At the heart, a tiny marble temple to Aesculapius perches on a man-made island, rowboats circle so closely that oars splash against the stone steps and reflections tremble in the water. Art lovers often plan visits around the late-afternoon light, around 5pm, when Bernini's and Canova's sculptures catch warm rays through the pines and carved faces seem to change expression.

Quick facts: Rooms are surprisingly compact, so sculptures and canvases often sit just a few paces apart, which makes comparing Bernini's theatrical marble to Caravaggio's moody chiaroscuro almost unavoidable. A once-private collection arranged like an opulent home means you'll pass from intimate portrait-filled salons into show-stopping sculpture rooms without the vast, echoing spaces of larger museums.

Highlights: Bernini's Apollo and Daphne locks a single moment of metamorphosis, with hair, fingers and laurel leaves carved so delicately you can almost feel the difference between skin and bark under the light. Cardinal Scipione Borghese personally assembled many of the pieces, and the original salon-style layout still lets visitors stand within roughly two metres of masterpieces, so you can study tool marks and brushwork up close.