I lived in England for 25 years and I thought I was used to seeing old buildings. When we drove into Rome, I was amazed. Rome is an incredible city with ruins and beautiful buildings in the middle of the city.
Rome is the capital city of Italy and the fourth most populous city in the European Union. Continuously inhabited for 28 centuries, Rome remains one of the oldest continuously occupied sites in Europe. Rome sits next to the Tiber River on seven hills.
We stopped in Rome for a day while on a Mediterranean cruise but I could have spent several days here exploring the city. The port to access Rome is Civitavecchia and is about an hour away, which can make for a long day. Below are our top 5 things to see in Rome.
1. Colosseum
The Colosseum is the iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and is the largest oval amphitheater. Construction spanned 8 years, from 72 A.D. to 80 A.D. Originally built for entertainment (gladiatorial contests, executions, re-enactments, and dramas), the facility could hold 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. After the early medieval era, the usage changed over time to include housing, a fortress, and a Christian shrine. It stills stands today although in ruin despite the fact that for hundreds of years the nobles took the marble from it to build their churches and palaces.
2. Roman Forum
The Roman Forum located west of the Colosseum was for centuries the center of day-to-day life in Rome and served as a marketplace. Important ancient government buildings, which are in ruins today, surround the rectangular plaza.
3. Pantheon
The Pantheon, originally built by Marco Agrippa in 27 B.C., opened during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in 126 A.D. It survives as one of the best-preserved Ancient Roman buildings and remains in continuous use to today as a Catholic church.
4. Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain was the structure I most anticipated seeing. Unfortunately, on our visit, there was no water in the fountain as it was prepared for a special event. It sits in a small square surrounded by shops and bars, so not the regal setting I had imagined. However, the fountain is stunning and definitely worth visiting. The Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain it the city. It was designed by Nicola Salvi, completed in 1762, and made of Travertine stone.
5. Vatican City
Vatican City is an independent city-state within Rome. Within the Vatican City are St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest Italian Renaissance Church in the world. It was designed by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The Sistine Chapel is a chapel in the Apostolic Palace (the pope’s official residence). It is famous for its frescos, especially The Last Judgment by Michelangelo. The Vatican Museums are Christian and art museums containing 70,000 pieces. The first piece in the museum was a marble sculpture (Laocoon and His Sons) purchased in the 16th century.
Other Options
- Spanish Steps
- Villa Borghese & Pincio Terrace
- Four Rivers Fountain in Piazza Novona
- Palatino Hill
- A tour visiting the sites mentioned in Dan Brown’s books: Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code
- Underground tunnels of Rome
- Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere neighborhoods
- Food Tour
- Caravaggio Art Tour
Thinking about visiting Italy? Contact us to start planning your vacation.