From iconic attractions to insider tours, magnificent churches to vibrant neighbourhoods, I’ve picked my top 10 things to do in Rome.
You would want to be made of stone if Rome did not impress you. There are ancient wonders at every corner – The Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, I could go on and on. There are so many great things to do in Rome – too many to count I’m sure, but I’ve narrowed this list to things that you can’t afford to miss – I mean don’t leave Rome without seeing them!
Rome is such a walkable city, and so many attractions are so close together, you will stumble across iconic sights constantly and feel like you are in an open air museum.
In some cases I recommend pre-booking entrance tickets or guided tours, but the Roma Pass can also be a valuable asset if you are planning on using public transport.
It offers unlimited use of public transport for two or three days (excluding to and from the airport), as well as reduced-price tickets to some of the attractions in the city, including skip the line tickets at the Colosseum.
There are many ways to get from Fiumicino airport to the city centre. The Leonardo Express train to Termini station is the most popular option with singles and couples. It runs every 15 – 30 minutes depending on the time of day and the one-way cost is €14. However if travelling with a group of friends or family, a taxi is probably the most convenient option.
Taxi Tips in Rome: There is a flat rate of €50 from the airport to the city centre, but make sure you take the official white Roma Capitale taxis – you will see the price clearly labelled on the side of the car.
When taking taxis in Rome always check the fare before you start. It is best to go to a taxi rank or book a taxi through your accommodation provider, rather than flagging one down.
If you are wondering where to stay in Rome – check out this post:
Read: Where to stay in Rome, my top picks fo 3, 4 and 5-star hotels
1. Take a city tour on your first day
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Hop-on hop-off bus tours are usually a great way to get your bearings in a new city, but as the saying goes – when in Rome…
There are many great alternatives available here, but two of my favourites are the Vespa tour and Golf Cart tour. Both are great ways to see the highlights of Rome, so you can decide which places you want to come back to.
The Vespa tour is a quintessential Rome experience and is ideal for couples, friends, or families with children aged five and above. The vespas have a driver / guide with space for an adult on the back, and another adult or child in the side car.
Luke and Alex loved it and believe it is the best thing to do in Rome for children. Note families or groups with five will need three vespas, which will increase the cost.
If you have elderly people in your group, young children, or have a large family, the golf cart tour is a better option. The golf cart tour was set up by Irish man Sean T O Sallaigh of Angel Tours who wanted to bring his ageing mother on a tour of Rome.
Golf carts can take up to 8 people so they are ideal for larger families or groups of friends. I did this tour recently with five girls and we had a blast!
2. Go inside the Colosseum
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The Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Rome, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and without a doubt a must see if visiting Rome. Built almost 2000 years ago, this incredible amphitheatre once held 80,000 people and was mainly used for sporting events, executions and gladiator flights.
Its central location means you will inevitably pass by it at some stage, but don’t think you can just stroll in whenever you feel like it. Visitor numbers are restricted so it is vital that you book entrance tickets in advance.
We booked an express guided tour with Angel Tours and our guide Flavio gave us great insight into what life was once like in the Roman Empire. Night tours are also available.