Things to do in Rome
A stroll through the Roman Forum evokes ancient Rome, as does the majesty of the Colosseum and the Pantheon, all in the historic centre. Follow pilgrims to the breathtaking treasures of The Vatican Museums. Rome's narrow alleys and hidden churches are revealed along the Tiber in Trastevere. A coin tossed into the Trevi Fountain ensures you will return. Charges apply to most sights; hours vary and can change at short notice.
The Vatican Museums
Untold papal riches
The Vatican Museums, in Vatican City, make up the world's largest museum
complex. Over 1,000 rooms are filled with a bewildering array of
masterpieces commissioned or collected by successive Popes. Michelangelo's
Last Judgement adorns the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
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Cost
€14; under-14s €8; free last Sun of the month
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 9am-6pm (admission until 4pm); Sun various
Address
Viale Vaticano, Città del Vaticano, Rome 00120
Telephone
+39 06 6988 3332
National Gallery of Modern Art
Modern contrast to antiquity
Housed in a palazzo in the Villa Borghese park, the National Gallery of
Modern Art, contains 19th- and 20th-century works by artists such as Monet,
Cezanne and the Macchiaioli - the Italian Impressionists. The gardens
contain sculptures, including Canova masterpieces.
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Cost
€10; under-18s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 8.30am-7.15pm
Address
131, Viale delle Belle Arti, Rome 00196
Telephone
+39 06 322981
Galleria Borghese
Collection of masterpieces
The Galleria Borghese, housed in an elegant marble villa in the Villa
Borghese park, contains masterpieces collected by the powerful nephew of
Pope Paul V, Cardinal Scipione. Paintings and sculptures by masters like
Botticelli, Caravaggio and Bernini are on display.
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Cost
€8.50; concessions €5.25
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 8.30am-7.30pm
Address
5, Piazzale Scipione Borghese, Rome 00197
Telephone
+39 06 841 3979
St Peter's Basilica
Art and architectural grandeur
Situated inside the Vatican City in Rome, the marble-floored St Peter's
Basilica is amongst the largest churches (with the largest brick dome) ever
constructed. It features the works of some of the greatest Renaissance
artists, including Bernini and Giotto.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Oct-Mar: daily 7am-6.30pm; Apr-Sep: daily 7am-7pm
Address
Piazza San Pietro, Rome 00120
Telephone
+39 06 69883731
Pantheon
Well-preserved Roman temple
Hadrian's temple to the gods, the Pantheon in central Rome is extraordinarily
well-preserved. Visitors stand inside and gaze up at the skies through the
oculus, the nine-metre hole in the dome, then pay homage at Renaissance
artist Raphael's tomb.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 8.30am-7.30pm; Sun 9am-6pm
Address
Piazza della Rotonda, Rome 00186
Telephone
+39 06 683 00230
Transport
Bus 87 to Senato
Piazza Navona
Bustling Roman square
Bustling Piazza Navona in central Rome, is perfect for people-watching. Built
in the 15th century, its lavish fountains and open-air bars make this a
popular meeting point, where Romans sip lattes and browse for bargains from
street traders.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Rome 00186
Transport
Electric bus 116T to Corso del Rinascimento
Hadrian's Villa
Romantic ruins of luxury
Hadrian's Villa, in Tivoli, was Emperor Hadrian's favourite residence and
epitomised luxury. Today, visitors wander through the romantic ruins with
its temples, pools and bath houses. The vistas across to his island retreat
provide beautiful respite from Rome's bustle.
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Cost
€6.50; under-18s free
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-one hour before sunset
Address
204, Via di Villa Adriana, Tivoli, Rome 00019
Telephone
+39 06 39967900
Colosseum
Icon of ancient Rome
The Colosseum offers an unrivalled insight into life in ancient Rome. This
stadium, which seated 50,000 people, dominates the historic centre. Crowds
came to watch brutal gladiatorial contests, naval battles and the slaughter
of wild animals.
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Cost
€9 (+ €3 for temporary exhibitions); concessions €4.50
Opening Hours
Daily 8.30am-one hour before sunset
Address
Piazza del Colosseo, Rome 00184
Telephone
+39 06 399 67700
Transport
Colosseo Metro station
Roman Forum
Hub of ancient Rome
The ruins of the Roman Forum are the centrepiece of Rome's historic centre.
This was the political, economic and religious centre of ancient Rome,
filled with magnificent public buildings. Visitors stroll to the Curia,
where Julius Caesar met the senators.
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Cost
€9 (+ €3 for temporary exhibitions); concessions €4.50
Opening Hours
Daily 8.30am-one hour before sunset
Address
Via dei Fori Imperiali, Rome 00184
Telephone
+39 06 3996 7700
Keats-Shelley House
Shrine to a poet
Keats-Shelley House, beside the Spanish Steps, is where Romantic poet John
Keats died, aged 25. Now a literary museum, its Victorian interiors are
filled with manuscripts and memorabilia - including a lock of Milton's
hair.
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Cost
€4; concessions €3; under-6s free
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 2pm-6pm; Sat 11am-2pm & 3pm-6pm
Address
26, Piazza di Spagna, Rome 00187
Telephone
+39 06 678 4235
Trevi Fountain
Symbol of Rome
The Trevi Fountain, in central Rome, depicts Neptune's chariot pulled by
winged horses. This baroque masterpiece by Nicola Salvi was immortalised in
Fellini's film La Dolce Vita. Throw a coin into the waters to ensure
your return to Rome.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Piazza di Trevi, Rome 00187
Transport
Barberini Metro station
Santa Maria in Trastevere
Ecclesiastical treasure
Santa Maria in Trastevere dates back to 1138. There's been a church on this
site since the 4th century. Visitors step inside to admire the 13th-century
gold mosaics and sniff the incense-laden air.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 8am-8pm
Address
Piazza Santa Maria, Trastevere, Rome 00153
Telephone
+39 06 581 4802
Transport
Tram 8
Secret Rome
Rome behind the surface
Visitors uncover Rome's hidden treasures on the Through Eternity Secret Rome
walking tour, which starts from the Piazza della Repubblica in the city
centre. Churches, Byzantine mosaics, frescoes and archaeological finds,
overlooked by most, are revealed here.
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Cost
€30 per person
Opening Hours
Check tour times when booking
Address
Rome 00184
Transport
Repubblica Metro station
Isola Tiberina
Picturesque island
The boat-shaped Isola Tiberina (Tiberina Island) sits in the River Tiber,
connected to Trastevere via Cestio bridge. Once home to the Temple of
Aesculapius, today visitors have a 10th-century church to visit. In summer
the Cinema Festival takes place here.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Rome 00186
Catacombs of San Callisto
Underground cemetery for Popes
The Catacombs of San Callisto are in south-east Rome on the Via Appia Antica.
Six popes are buried in this maze of tunnels, that extends 20km and dates
back to 2AD. Both frescoes and ancient graffiti adorn the walls.
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Cost
€6; concessions €3
Opening Hours
Thu-Tue 9am-12pm & 2pm-5pm; closed in Feb
Address
110, Via Appia Antica, Rome 00179
Telephone
+39 06 513 01580
