MUST-SEE IN ROME

DON’T MISS PLACES 

There are hundreds of things to see in Rome, but some are “must-see” for anyone visiting our city.
We’ve prepared a list of those sites and divided them into two subcategories. The first regards places where it is mandatory to buy a ticket or to make a reservation beforehand, the other regards ticketless places, free of charge and without reservation.

COLOSSEUM 

Nobody comes to Rome without visiting the Colosseum, the Imperial Fora, the Domus Aurea, and the Palatine, but remember that the opening hours are from 10:30 AM till 7:15 PM (last entry at 7:15 PM). Accessing all the areas of the “Parco Archeologico del Colosseo” will be possible only by booking online. The “Parco” area is one of the biggest archeological areas in the world, so it’s essential to wear comfortable shoes.

VATICAN MUSEUM 

The Vatican Museums are among the most visited museum in the world, and also comprehend galleries, chapels like the “Sistine Chapel,” gardens, and decorated spaces like the “Raphael Rooms.” At the Vatican Museum, you may find masterpieces by Raphael, Michaelangelo, Giotto, Caravaggio, Bernini, Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dalì, Henry Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh and many other. It’s possible to visit the Vatican Museums from Monday to Thursday between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM (last entrance at 6:00 PM) and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (last entry at 8:00 PM).

CAPITOLINE MUSEUMS 

The Capitoline Museums are the oldest public museum ever as they have been active since 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV gave Roman people some bronze statues. It is possible to admire statues of the ancient Greek and Roman period, like the original statue of the she-wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, as well as masterpieces by Bernini and Caravaggio. Capitoline Museums are open every day between 09:30 AM and 7:30 PM. Online reservation is mandatory.

CASTEL SANT’ANGELO 

Castel Sant’Angelo is the real transformer among Roman monuments. Erected in 123 AD as a mausoleum for the emperor Hadrian and his family, Over time, it was transformed into a fortress, a prison, a renaissance dwelling, and a museum always without undergoing great variations since its foundation. It’s possible to visit the Castle from Monday to Wednesday between 09:00 AM and 7:30 PM (the ticket office closes at 6:30 PM) and from Thursday to Sunday from 09:30 AM to 12:00 PM (the ticket office closes at 11 PM).

GALLERIA BORGHESE 

Galleria Borghese is one of our favorite places in Rome. It’s located inside Villa Borghese and preserves masterpieces like Bernini’s “Rape of Proserpina,” “David,” “Apollo and Dafne,” “Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius.” Online reservation is mandatory. The Gallery is open every day except Monday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and each visit lasts 2 hours.

CARACALLA’S BATHS 

Caracalla’s Baths are among largest baths (spa Complex) of Roman History.
Built around the 216 AD was structured as a modern Spa with its Calidarium (hot water), the Tepidarium (warm water), and Frigidarium (cold water). Caracalla’s batts are open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 09:00 AM to 7:15 PM.

OTHER NICE PLACES 

Besides for the above mentioned, there are other places like Galleria Corsini, Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Palazzo Barberini, Centrale Montemartini that deserve to be visited, but before them there are a few fantastic places and six squares throughout the world which are free of charge.

ST. PETER’S CATHEDRAL 

The first is undoubtedly Saint Peter’s Cathedral and Square (open every day from 09:00 AM till 7:00 PM), built in the place where Saint Peter was buried. The most important things to see are the colonnade of Saint Peter’s Square, the baldachin designed by Bernini, the statue “La Pietà” by Michelangelo, the Dome, called “il Cupolone” by locals, and the Chair of Saint Peter.

PANTHEON

The Pantheon is a Temple dedicated to all Gods and was erected the 27 BC from Marco Vipsanio Agrippa, son in law of Augustus. The Pantheon’s Dome is the biggest existing Dome built without reinforced concrete.
Pantheon can be visited every day from 9:00 AM till 7:00 PM (last access at 6;30 PM).

PIAZZA DEL CAMPIDOGLIO AND RUPE TARPEA 

Piazza del Campidoglio & Rupe Tarpea are probably the places in the heart of Rome that best gives you an idea of what ancient Rome was like. Michelangelo designed piazza del Campidoglio orienting the entrance in the direction of Saint Peter’s Cathedral. From the “Rupe Tarpea,” you’ll have a magnificent view of the Roman Forum from up above.
Both sites can be visited any time without reservation.

NAVONA SQUARE 

Piazza Navona is famous for its beauty and the legendary “Four rivers fountain” by Bernini, but hardly anybody knows that under the square, there are the ruins of an ancient Roman arena built in the first century AD.

TREVI  SQUARE 

The Trevi Fountain is the most famous among the approximately 2000 fountains that you can find in Rome and is a gem set in the heart of the city.

SPANISH STEPS 

The Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) is famous for its elegance and the fountain “Della Barcaccia” created from Bernini and his father.

POPOLO SQUARE 

Piazza del Popolo, the “People’s Square,” is the last of the six fantastic squares that whoever comes to Rome must visit. The Flaminius obelisk located in the square’s center, is dated 1300 BC and comes from Egypt.