11 bucket list experiences in Rome

All roads lead to Rome, or so they say. If you’ve been finding yourself inexplicably drawn to the enigmatic city, we feel you. A popular destination for many, Rome is a place that’s laced with intrigue, adventure, and scenic views to boot.

There are so many things you must do in Rome—here are 11 experiences you can’t miss for a complete Roman vacation.

No one goes to Rome without checking out the massive Colosseum. Constructed in the first century, the Colosseum was once a bloody battlefield, hosting gruesome fights between man and beast. With walls of up to 165 feet high, the arena once played host to a whopping 8,000 spectators.

Your entrance ticket will also include Palatine Hill and the ruins of the Roman Forum. Travel back in time as you gaze at the elite site where emperors once resided. Given that the archaeological park is one of Rome’s top attractions, it’s unfortunately inevitable to run into crowds and long queues.

Skip the line with this Colosseum tour with an optional tour guide upgrade, or do it yourself via this self-guided tour. And if you’d like to see the underground cages, which only permit a limited number of visitors a day, opt for this semi-private tour. Otherwise, learn all about the park’s history with our fact guide to the Colosseum in Rome.

Legend has it that if you use your right hand to toss a coin over your left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain, you’re destined to return to Rome. As romantic as it is splendid, the fountain wows as the centerpiece of Piazza Poli. Boasting intricate sculptures made of ornate travertine marble, the fountain was built over a total of two centuries.

Let time slow to a crawl at Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s loveliest public squares. Once an athletic stadium, the square is home to three famous baroque fountains—La Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (the Fountain of the Four Rivers), Fontana del Moro, and Fontana di Nettuno.

Settle down with a cup of coffee, and while away the afternoon with a dose of people-watching and live music playing in the background.

Just a stone’s throw away from Piazza Navona lies the Pantheon, a majestic structure that’s entirely free to enter. Previously a temple dedicated to Roman gods, it now functions as a church. The highlight here is the Dome, which is the largest unreinforced dome in the world. The Dome has a hole in it; also known as the eye of the Pantheon, which acts as an iconic skylight of sorts.

There's plenty to do in the world’s smallest country: first, visit the Sistine Chapel, which is home to Michaelangelo’s famous wall and ceiling frescoes. The chapel can be accessed from the Vatican Museums, which are comprehensive and absolutely sprawling.

Visit St. Peter’s Square, comprising the iconic needle of Cleopatra and the Basilica. Also known as Piazza San Pietro, it is surrounded by almost 300 marble columns. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Pope. For a bird’s-eye view of the city, climb up around 550 steps to the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. It's entirely free and offers a spectacular view. Save yourself the headache of queuing for these sights with this skip-the-line tour.

If there’s one place in Rome that’s always bustling with people, that’d be the Spanish Steps. Designed in the 18th century, the 135-step stairway connects the Bourbon Spanish Embassy to the Trinita dei Monti church. Located at Piazza Spagna, which has played host to dazzling fashion shows, the staircase is particularly lovely in spring when covered with flowers.

You won’t find Castel Sant’Angelo on most tourists’ agendas, but that’s exactly what makes it so alluring. A hidden gem found along the River Tiber, the once fortress and mausoleum has now been converted to a public museum. Built in the second century, the historical site tempts with a great view from the top.

One of our favorite things to do in Rome is to literally eat our way through the city. And that’s really not hard to do, especially with how good Italian food tastes The usual suspects are pizza overflowing with cheese, fresh pasta with all kinds of sauces, as well as scoop after scoop of creamy gelato.

Can’t wait to sample it all? Go on a food trail around the city—hunt down street food with a local guide, or go on an enthralling small-group food tour at sunset.

Pack a picnic, snag a bottle of champagne, and head up to Belvedere del Gianicolo, one of Rome’s best-kept secrets. Take a short 20-minute hike up Gianicolo Hill from Piazza di Santa Maria, and feast your eyes on magnificent views of Rome’s skyline—made even more spectacular if you time your visit with the sunset.

Being in Rome feels like being in a Hollywood movie. And how better to channel that superstar vibe than to zip along the cobbled streets in a swanky Vespa? Rent your own if you have a license, or opt for a ride with a driver. The drivers use the Vespas to show you hidden locations that cars otherwise find hard to reach, and will regale you with historical tales as you go along.

Otherwise, this private tour of Rome by a golf cart is a pretty sweet way to see the city too.

Set aside a day to explore Pompeii, a Roman city that fell to disaster back in 79 A.D. A devastating eruption from Mount Vesuvius covered the city of Pompeii in volcanic debris, lava, and hot gases. The city was buried under a layer of ash for centuries, before being unearthed in the 1700s to reveal an astonishingly well-preserved city.

Explore the remains of the city that have now been excavated and preserved. However, located around three hours from Rome, this day trip does need quite a bit of planning to execute seamlessly. Do it yourself, or hop onto this guided day tour that includes transportation to and from Rome. If you’re the ambitious sort, the tour even gives you the option to combine Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, and Positano in a single-day trip.

More like this: