Rome City Guide
Art, Archaeology & History
According to legend, Rome was founded in 753 BC. Several hundred years later it became the centre of the Roman Republic and later still the Roman Empire. During the 4th century AD Rome became the capital of the Christian world. And from the 15th century it was the Popes who influenced the image of Renaissance and Baroque Rome. Including creating some of the earliest public museums in Europe. With over 3,000 years of continuous history, Rome and the Vatican City are among the world’s most popular historical destinations with art, archaeology, art and history to suit a wide range of interests.
Reasons to Visit Rome & Vatican City
Ancient Ruins,
Baroque Fountains,
Historic Palaces,
… with Gelato.
About Our Rome City Guide
Whether you are planning your first trip to Rome and the Vatican, or a weekend break to one of your favourite cities in Europe, you are sure to find what you need here. From recommendations for the best sites and museums to visit to more thematic lists. From suggested itineraries to tools to create your own itinerary and travel lists. As well as many other resources, travel tips and ideas. This guide focuses on the art, archaeology and history of Rome through the various sites, landmarks and museums open to the public. It is produced and maintained by Thomas Dowson, with contributions from a number of our writers, including Ethan Doyle White and Sarah Smith. Thomas is the founder of Archaeology Travel, and first visited Rome in 2014. Read more about the authors and this website, as well as our mission and vision.
Interesting Things to Know About Rome & the Vatican City
Find Places to Visit in Rome & the Vatican City
Five Popular Attractions in Rome
Colosseum
Vatican Museums
St Peter’s Basilica
Trevi Fountain
Inspiration & Itineraries
See More of Rome’s Top Ten
Self Guided Itinerary of the Ancient Forum
Anyone who has visited any of the southern African countries will have surely encountered biltong. Meat that has been salted and spiced and left to dry for a period. Dried meat is my weakness. During my first visit to Rome in 2014 I discovered bresaola: salted beef that is air-dried and aged for two or three months, during which time it turns a very dark red. Although not a typical Roman dish (it originates from the Lombardy region), a plate of bresaola served with arugula and fresh parmesan cheese, with lemon juice and olive oil brings back wonderful and mouth-watering memories of my first visit to the Eternal City.
Explore Rome More Deeply
With the following thematic guides to sites and museums in Rome, you can plan a personal itinerary for your visit to the Eternal City. You can also create travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit). Your itinerary and lists can be shared with your friends and on social media. To make use of our itinerary builder, you will need to login or register as a new user. Registering and using these features is free of charge. Follow this link to Login or Register.
What to See in Rome
Roman Ruins, Sites & Landmarks
The city of Rome, widely recognised as the largest archaeological site in the world, is the showcase of the Roman World. The city’s Roman architecture has long been, and continues to be used in the present. Roman buildings have survived because their were turned into churches or monasteries, fortresses or palaces. Many other structures that were buried have been uncovered by archaeologists and leaders, and are visible today as ruins in the basements of buildings, in traffic roundabouts, on the sides of streets or left exposed in designated archaeological zones.
Museums & Art Galleries
Rome is often referred to as one enormous open air museum. It would seem that around every corner there is something of archaeological or historical interest. Whether a Roman ruin or a Baroque church. Some of the elegant Renaissance palazzo’s house magnificent historical collections of objects, from ancient artefacts to modern sculpture. Start at the Capitoline museums, arguably the oldest public museum in Europe. Rome’s first electric power plant now exhibits ancient sculpture, and its 20th century machinery. Don’t miss the contemporary MAXXI, which houses Italy’s first national collection of contemporary art.
Rome & the Vatican A - Z
A list of all the art, archaeology and history sites, museums and landmarks in Rome and the Vatican City currently in our database, listed A to Z. We created this list for people to be able to scroll down one list of all attractions we recommend to visit in Rome when creating a personal itinerary. You can easily edit your itinerary when you see your choices mapped and add points of interest of your own choice..
Plan Your Trip to Rome & the Vatican city
Rome Travel Planner
Sightseeing Essentials for Rome
There are a few city cards and passes on offer for visitors to Rome. One that we have tried and recommend is the Roma Pass. Like most city cards, the Roma Pass is convenient, and it can also help save money for those visiting Rome on a budget. But to do so, it needs to be used strategically. Read our review of the Roma Pass, with tips and suggestions.
One of the, if not the most, popular attractions in Rome is the ancient Colosseum. It was the largest amphitheatre the Romans ever built, and it is the largest surviving Roman monument anywhere in the Roman world. As millions of people visit the Colosseum each year, getting in is not as simple as just arriving at the entrance. Tickets are only released by the official seller 30 days in advance. And these go quickly. If you missed out you might be able to buy Last Minute Tickets , otherwise your best second option is to book a guided tour: either a short tour of the Colosseum, or a more extensive tour that includes the Arena and Underground Passages.
