From the awe-inspiring dome of St. Peter’s Basilica to echoes of Ancient Rome at the Colosseum, Rome has enough attractions to last several visits. So which of Rome’s famous buildings, monuments and churches should you see if you only have a few days there?
This is where I can help. I know the Eternal City like the back of my hand and put together this definitive list of Rome’s landmarks. Many will be familiar; others less so. But collectively, they paint a picture of one of the world’s greatest cities.
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Essential Rome Landmarks
These are the non-negotiables. If you are pressed for time, start here.
1. Colosseum (Colosseo)
No other monument in Rome can rival the majesty of the Colosseum. It is not only a symbol of the city but is one of the things for which Italy is famous.
Inaugurated in 80 AD with a gala that saw 5,000 animals slaughtered in a single day, this 55,000-seat stadium hosted armed combat for over 500 years. Criminals and slaves, women and dwarves; they were all fair game.
Emperor Vespasian commissioned the amphitheatre, though he died before its completion. His son Titus presided over the opening games, which lasted 100 days. The name “Colosseum” likely comes from the colossal statue of Nero that once stood nearby.
Its long decline started in the Middle Ages when the Romans pillaged stone to build churches and palaces. Despite this, what remains is extraordinary.
Ancient Rome’s number one entertainment venue was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980 and has inspired some of the greatest films set in Italy, including Ridley Scott’s Gladiator.
Practical Info: This is Rome’s most popular attraction. Book your skip-the-line ticket well in advance. Combined tickets include the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Budget 2-3 hours for your visit.
2. Pantheon
This is my favourite building in Rome. Full stop.
Built by Emperor Hadrian around AD 118-128, the Pantheon replaced an earlier temple constructed by Marcus Agrippa. When it became a church in 609, it gained protection from the pillaging that destroyed so many Roman monuments.
The dome’s 142-foot diameter remained the world’s largest until 1882 (when it was surpassed by one in the English spa town of Buxton, of all places). Stand beneath it, and you’ll understand why this building has awed visitors for nearly 2,000 years.
Inside, you’ll find the tombs of Raphael and Italy’s first two kings.
Practical Info: Book your skip-the-line Pantheon ticket with audio guide here. Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds.
3. St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)
As the spiritual capital of Roman Catholicism, St Peter’s barely needs an introduction.
The first church was built on this site in 326 AD by Emperor Constantine, reputedly where St Peter was buried after his crucifixion. That building stood for over 1,000 years before Pope Julius II decided to replace it with something grander. Construction began in 1506 and took 120 years, with Bramante and Michelangelo (among others) having a hand in its design.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for Michelangelo’s dome, which dominates Rome’s skyline. Inside, his intensely moving Pietà draws crowds. Created when Michelangelo was just 24, this sculpture of Mary cradling the dead Christ is protected behind glass after a vandalism attack in 1972.
The basilica can hold 60,000 people. Its sheer scale is overwhelming, from Bernini’s baldachin over the papal altar to the elaborate tombs of dozens of popes.
Practical Info: Entry is free, but expect airport-style security queues. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), or you’ll be turned away. For an extra fee, you can climb the dome for spectacular views.
4. Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani)
The world’s largest museum complex crams 1,400 rooms with artistic treasures from Classical sculptures to Renaissance masterpieces. Follow the one-way route to the two unmissable highlights: Raphael’s Stanze and the Sistine Chapel.
The Sistine Chapel is one of the most magnificently decorated spaces in the world and the largest concentration of Renaissance wall paintings executed in pure fresco. Michelangelo’s ceiling, painted between 1508 and 1512, depicts scenes from Genesis, including the famous “Creation of Adam”, where God’s finger nearly touches Adam’s.
The Stanze di Raffaello are four rooms that were Pope Julius II’s private apartments. Raphael was commissioned to paint them in 1508, and the frescoes are considered his masterpiece. The School of Athens, showing philosophers and thinkers from different eras gathered together, is the most famous.
Other highlights include the Gallery of Maps (a 120-metre corridor lined with 16th-century topographical maps of Italy), the Pio-Clementino Museum (Classical sculpture including the Apollo Belvedere and Laocoön), and the Raphael Rooms.
Practical Info: Advance booking is essential. Book your skip-the-line ticket. The museums are closed on Sundays (except the last Sunday of each month, when entry is free but extremely crowded). Dress modestly. Budget 3-4 hours minimum, though you could easily spend a full day. Arrive at opening time to beat the worst crowds.
5. Roman Forum (Foro Romano) & PALATINE HILL
For over 1,000 years, this marshy valley between the Capitoline and Palatine hills formed the civic and political heart of the Roman Empire. Senators debated in the Curia, citizens gathered at the Rostra, and temples honoured the gods.
Two millennia of decay have left a romantic jumble of pillars and stones. Arm yourself with a guide or audio tour to make sense of the fragments.
Key sights include the Temple of Saturn (eight columns remain), the Arch of Septimius Severus (remarkably well preserved), the Temple of Vesta (where the sacred flame was kept burning), and the Basilica of Maxentius with its soaring arches. The House of the Vestal Virgins gives a glimpse into the lives of the priestesses who tended Vesta’s flame.
The Arch of Constantine, Temple of Saturn and Basilica of Maxentius give you a sense of the Forum’s former grandeur.
Practical Info: Make the most of your visit with a guided tour that also includes access to the underground area of the Colosseum. Click here to book. Your Colosseum ticket includes Forum entry. Budget at least 2-3 hours. Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and visit early or late to avoid the midday heat. There’s minimal shade.
6. Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)
Charles Dickens described it as “silvery to the eye and ear”, and he wasn’t wrong. This 18th-century fountain explodes out of a tiny square, made all the more extraordinary by its cramped setting in a warren of medieval streets.
The Acqua Vergine Antica, built by Agrippa in 19 BC, still feeds the fountain through underground aqueducts. Its name supposedly comes from tre vie, the three roads that once met at this spot.
Throw a coin over your shoulder, and tradition says you’ll return to Rome. All I can say is that I’ve done it every visit and it’s worked so far.
The Trevi Fountain has been featured in many movies, famously La Dolce Vita (1960) and Roman Holiday (1953).
When to Visit: Dawn or after 10 pm to avoid the crush. Mid-morning sees tourist groups arrive en masse. As of 2026, there is a small access fee during the peak daytime hours.
7. Spanish Steps (Scalinita della Trinità dei Monti)
The Spanish Steps don’t have the wow factor of the Trevi Fountain, but they’re nonetheless one of Rome’s most famous sights, largely thanks to their position in the heart of the city’s most upmarket shopping district and their popularity as a meeting place.
This monumental flight of 137 marble steps connects Piazza di Spagna with the church of Trinità dei Monti at the top. They were designed by Francesco de Sanctis and built between 1723 and 1726, funded by French diplomat Étienne Gueffier.
Piazza di Spagna was the focus of Rome’s artistic and literary life for centuries. Keats died in a house on the square (now a museum dedicated to English Romantic poets), and the Brownings had a house nearby.
Take a look at Pietro Bernini’s Fontana della Barcaccia at the base of the steps. Its design of a half-sunken boat cleverly adapts to the area’s low water pressure. According to legend, Bernini’s father got the idea after a boat washed up here during a Tiber flood.
Top Tips: Sitting on the steps is now banned (€250 fine), though you can walk up and down freely. The surrounding streets (Via Condotti, Via Frattina) are lined with Rome’s designer boutiques. Visit early morning before the crowds arrive. Climb to the top for excellent views towards Palazzo Barberini and the Quirinal Hill.
8. Piazza Navona
This square perfectly captures Rome’s ability to transform Classical settings into Baroque masterpieces. What was once a Roman circus built by Emperor Domitian became Bernini’s canvas in the 17th century.
His Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), completed in 1651, dominates the piazza. This is one of Bernini’s most famous works, with four giant figures representing the Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio de la Plata. The central obelisk was brought from the Circus of Maxentius.
The church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, designed by Borromini, faces Bernini’s fountain. Legend has it that the two rival architects despised each other, and that the Nile figure covers his face to avoid looking at Borromini’s church.
Practical Info: The piazza comes alive in the evening when street performers, artists and musicians create a carnival atmosphere. Christmas sees a traditional market. Cafes here are pricey, but the people-watching is superb.
9. Campo dei Fiori
This lively old piazza with its daily fruit and vegetable market is in one of the loveliest parts of Rome, one that manages to retain a local flavour despite being in the tourist zone.
Campo dei Fiori – “the field of flowers” – was once a meadow that became one of the most important piazze in Rome in the 15th century. The square was the site of public executions, most famously of philosopher Giordano Bruno in 1600 for heresy. A hooded statue of Bruno now marks the spot where he was burned at the stake.
One block south of Campo dei Fiori is the Palazzo Farnese, one of Michelangelo’s Renaissance masterpieces that is currently the French Embassy in Rome.
Practical Info: The market runs Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 2 pm. Come early for the best selection. Evenings see the square transform into a popular aperitivo spot, packed with bars and restaurants. The surrounding streets are excellent for wandering.
10. Castel Sant’Angelo
Rising above the River Tiber, Castel Sant’Angelo has served as an imperial tomb, papal fortress, medieval prison and army barracks. This enormous circular structure, which began life as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family in 130 AD, is now home to a museum.
The building got its current name in 590 AD when Pope Gregory the Great reported a vision of Archangel Michael sheathing his sword atop the castle, signalling the end of a plague. A bronze angel was added to the top, and the name stuck.
During the Middle Ages, a fortified corridor (the Passetto di Borgo) was built connecting the castle to the Vatican, allowing popes to escape during sieges. Several popes took refuge here, and some used the castle’s dungeons to imprison enemies. Philosopher Giordano Bruno and sculptor Benvenuto Cellini both spent time in its cells.
Access is via Ponte Sant’Angelo, one of Rome’s most beautiful bridges, embellished with ten angels sculpted by Bernini (though only two are originals). The bridge dates from 134 AD and was built by Hadrian to connect his mausoleum to the city.
Practical Info: The museum contains Renaissance art, period weapons and spectacular views from the ramparts. Book tickets here. Allow 1-2 hours. The rooftop cafe is a lovely spot for a break.
Ancient Rome: Beyond the Forum
These sites take you deeper into Rome’s imperial past.
11. Ostia Antica
You’ll need to take a train to see this Ancient Rome landmark, but it’s worth it.
Located 15 miles southwest of Rome, Ostia Antica is one of Italy’s best-preserved Roman towns, on par with Pompeii and Herculaneum near Naples. Built at the mouth of the Tiber as the seaport for Ancient Rome, it thrived as a commercial colony before the loss of trade, increased prevalence of malaria and the decline of the Empire hastened its demise.
At its peak in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, Ostia had a population of around 50,000. It was Rome’s gateway to the Mediterranean, handling grain shipments from North Africa and goods from across the empire.
Among its many highlights are several multi-storey apartment blocks known as insulae (similar to modern flats), countless warehouses decorated with mosaics showing the goods they stored, public baths with intact mosaics and frescoes, a 4,000-seat amphitheatre, a forum, temples, taverns, a bakery with ancient ovens, and even a public toilet.
Practical Info: Take the Roma-Lido train from Piramide station (25 minutes, runs frequently). The site entrance is a 5-minute walk from Ostia Antica station. Bring water, snacks and sun protection. Budget at least 3-4 hours, or a full day if you love archaeology.
12. Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla)
The Baths of Caracalla were the most luxurious in Ancient Rome and one of the largest, accommodating as many as 1,600 bathers at a time. They were started by Emperor Septimius Severus in 206 AD and completed by his son, Caracalla, 11 years later.
These weren’t just places to get clean. Roman baths were social centres where people exercised, socialised, conducted business and relaxed. The complex included hot and cold pools, saunas, libraries, gardens and even art galleries. Bathers could spend entire days here.
These vast sun-baked ruins are not only architectural masterpieces but are also incredibly evocative. The walls still soar to impressive heights, giving you a sense of the building’s original scale. You can see remains of the elaborate mosaic floors, the underground heating system (hypocaust), and fragments of the marble decoration that once covered every surface.
The baths operated for over 300 years before falling into disuse in the 6th century. In summer, the ruins host opera performances, creating an unforgettable setting.
Practical Info: Budget 1-2 hours. There’s little shade, so bring sun protection. If you’re visiting in summer, check the opera schedule.
13. Arch of Constantine (Arco di Constantino)
Triumphal arches were not uncommon in the Roman Empire, and this one was erected to celebrate the victory of Emperor Constantine over his imperial rival Maxentius in 312 AD. The battle took place at the Milvian Bridge, and Constantine credited his victory to divine intervention.
The Arch of Constantine is one of the last great monuments to be built in Ancient Rome. Standing 69 feet high and 85 feet wide, it is also one of Rome’s largest arches and one of its best preserved.
Interestingly, much of the arch’s decoration was recycled from earlier monuments, stripped from buildings constructed by Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. This recycling was either a practical solution (saving time and money) or a deliberate attempt to associate Constantine with the great emperors of the past.
Practical Info: The arch can be viewed from the street for free. It’s particularly impressive when lit at night. The recycled reliefs and inscriptions are fascinating if you take time to examine them closely.
14. Via Appia Antica and the catacombs
Once an imperial highway, Via Appia Antica is lined with ancient monuments, tombs and catacombs. It was built by Appius Claudius Caecus in 312 BC to link Rome with Capua, a city 14 miles north of Naples. Eventually, the road stretched all the way to Brindisi, making it one of the most important roads in the empire.
The Appian Way was known as “Regina Viarum” (Queen of Roads). Parts of the original paving stones still exist, worn smooth by 2,000 years of traffic. Wealthy Romans built elaborate tombs along the road, and you can still see many of these monuments.
The catacombs were used by early Christians as underground cemeteries outside the city walls. Roman law forbade burials within the city, so Christians created these networks of tunnels, carving burial niches called loculi into the soft tufa rock. The two most important catacombs along the Appian Way are the Catacombs of San Sebastiano and the Catacombs of San Callisto.
San Callisto is the largest, with nearly 20 kilometres of tunnels containing the tombs of 16 popes and numerous martyrs. You can only visit these catacombs on guided tours, which are fascinating and slightly eerie.
Practical Info: These landmarks are on the outskirts of the city (about 5km from the centre). Consider an e-bike tour or guided tour to make the most of your time. The Appian Way is ideal for cycling on Sundays when much of it is closed to cars. Wear good shoes as the ancient paving is uneven. The catacombs maintain a constant cool temperature, so bring a light jacket.
Churches & Religious Sites
Rome has over 900 churches. Here are the ones you shouldn’t miss.
15. Santa Maria Maggiore
With its magnificent mosaic-clad interior, Santa Maria Maggiore is Rome’s finest Early Christian basilica. Mass has been celebrated here every day since the 5th century, making it one of the oldest churches in continuous use.
According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to Pope Liberius in a dream in 352 AD, telling him to build a church where snow fell the next morning. Despite it being August, snow fell on the Esquiline Hill, and the church was built. Every 5 August, white petals are dropped from the ceiling during mass to commemorate the miracle.
The church has the highest campanile in Rome at 75 metres. Its coffered ceiling was reputedly gilded with the first gold to arrive from the New World, a gift from Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain.
But the main treasures are the 36 mosaics in the naves (dating from the 5th century, among Rome’s oldest Christian mosaics), on the triumphal arch (showing scenes from Christ’s childhood) and in the basilica’s apse (a 13th-century masterpiece by Jacopo Torriti showing the coronation of the Virgin).
The church also contains a relic chapel housing what are believed to be pieces of Christ’s manger, brought from Bethlehem.
Practical Info: Entry to the church is free. There’s a small charge to visit the museum and loggia. The church is active for worship, so dress modestly and be respectful. Early morning or evening visits avoid tour groups.
16. St. John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano)
With its distinctive statues of Christ and the apostles rising over the rooftops, San Giovanni is a Rome landmark in more than one sense. Its soaring facade reminds us that this, not St Peter’s, is the cathedral church of Rome and the seat of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope).
Dating from the early 4th century, San Giovanni in Laterano was the first Christian basilica built in Rome. Emperor Constantine gave the Lateran Palace to the Church, and it served as the papal residence for 1,000 years before the popes moved to Avignon and later to the Vatican.
The church has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current baroque facade by Alessandro Galilei (1735) is imposing, crowned by 7-metre-high statues of Christ flanked by saints.
An ornate gilt ceiling tops off the cavernous interior, which was redesigned by Borromini in the 17th century. The ancient bronze doors from the Roman Senate are incorporated into the central entrance. The beautiful cloister off the north transept (dating from 1215-1232) is a peaceful retreat with twisted columns and fragment of early medieval decoration.
The Scala Santa (Holy Stairs), in a building next to the basilica, is said to be the staircase from Pontius Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem, which Jesus climbed before his trial. Pilgrims ascend the 28 marble steps on their knees.
Practical Info: Entry to the basilica is free. The cloister and Scala Santa have small admission fees. The church is open daily. Dress modestly. The nearby Baptistery of St John, the oldest in Christendom, is also worth seeing.
17. San Pietro in Vincoli
Stop by the San Pietro in Vincoli for one sight alone: Michelangelo’s majestic sculpture of Moses, designed for the tomb of Pope Julius II.
This was meant to be Michelangelo’s masterpiece, a monumental tomb with over 40 statues. Pope Julius II commissioned it in 1505, and Michelangelo spent years scouring the Carrara marble quarries for perfect stone. But the project was repeatedly interrupted as Julius forced Michelangelo to work on other commissions, including the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
After Julius died in 1513, the tomb project was scaled down multiple times due to a lack of funds and space. The final version, completed in 1545, is a shadow of the original conception, but Moses survived as its centrepiece.
If you’re visiting Florence, you can see the unfinished Slaves statues that were also intended for this tomb, now in the Accademia Gallery.
The church itself gets its name from the chains (vincoli) that were said to have bound St Peter when he was held in the Mamertine prison near the Roman Forum. These chains are displayed in the coffer with bronze doors beneath the high altar.
Practical Info: Entry is free. The church is open daily, though it closes for a few hours at midday. It’s often uncrowded, making it a peaceful stop. The church is up a steep flight of steps from Via Cavour.
18. San Clemente
No other landmark in Rome reveals the layers of history that underpin this city as well as San Clemente. The Basilica of San Clemente comprises three levels, each from a different era, creating a unique journey through 2,000 years of history.
The upper church, dating from 1108, is a typical medieval basilica that has been almost untouched since the 12th century. The apse mosaic of the Tree of Life is magnificent, and there are beautiful frescoes by Masolino in the Chapel of St Catherine.
Descend stairs to the lower church, a 4th-century basilica discovered in the 19th century. The walls are covered with faded but fascinating frescoes, including some of the earliest examples of written Italian (as opposed to Latin) in the story of St Alexis.
Continue downwards to the lowest level: the best-preserved of 12 Mithraic temples in Rome. Mithraism was a popular pre-Christian mystery religion for men only, originating in Persia. The temple dates from the 3rd century and you can see the altar where cult members made sacrifices and held ritual meals. You can even hear the sound of an underground stream, part of ancient Rome’s drainage system.
Practical Info: There’s a small entrance fee to access the lower levels. The lower levels can be cool and damp, so bring a light jacket. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
19. Santa Maria de Popolo
Enter the peaceful Santa Maria del Popolo for its artworks, including masterpieces by Caravaggio and Raphael.
The church was founded in 1099 on the site where, according to legend, Emperor Nero was buried. Romans believed Nero’s ghost haunted the area, so Pope Paschal II built a chapel to exorcise the evil spirits. The church was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus IV in 1472 and later extended by Bernini and Bramante.
Despite its unassuming exterior, the interior is a treasure trove. The Cerasi Chapel contains two Caravaggio paintings: The Conversion of St Paul and The Crucifixion of St Peter, which were among his first major religious commissions in Rome.
The Chigi Chapel, designed by Raphael for the wealthy banker Agostino Chigi, is a Renaissance masterpiece. Raphael designed the architecture and the mosaic in the dome (executed by other artists). Bernini later added sculptures. The chapel combines pagan and Christian symbolism in a harmonious whole.
Practical Info: Entry is free. The church is open daily but closes for a few hours at midday. Bring coins for the push-button lights in the chapels. Arrive early or late to avoid tour groups. The church faces onto Piazza del Popolo.
20. Great Synagogue of Rome (Tempio Maggiore di Roma)
My Roman friends insisted I visit here, and I’m glad they did. Inaugurated in 1904, this is one of the largest synagogues in Europe.
Rome’s Jewish community is one of the oldest in Europe, predating Christianity. Jews have lived in Rome for over 2,000 years, though their history includes periods of persecution. In 1555, Pope Paul IV forced Rome’s Jews into a walled ghetto, where they lived in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions for over 300 years until Italian unification in 1870.
The synagogue was built after the ghetto walls came down, as a symbol of freedom and integration. The architecture combines Babylonian and Assyrian motifs with Art Nouveau style, creating something unique.
Practical Info: You visit the synagogue through the Jewish Museum. Guided tours are available in different languages (included in the ticket price). Security is understandably tight, so bring ID and expect airport-style screening. Modest dress required. Allow 1-2 hours for the museum and synagogue tour. The surrounding area (the former ghetto) is excellent for walking and has some of Rome’s best traditional restaurants (try the fried artichokes).
Lesser-Known Gems Worth Your Time
21. Capitoline Museums (Musei Capitolini)
The Capitoline Museums are to sculptures in Rome what the Bargello is to sculptures in Florence. Whilst they are few in number, their artworks are outstanding and are a far more accessible introduction to Classical sculpture than the Vatican Museums.
Founded in 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated a collection of bronzes to the people of Rome, these are the world’s oldest public museums. They sit atop the Capitoline Hill in Michelangelo’s beautiful Piazza del Campidoglio.
The museums comprise two main buildings: Palazzo Nuovo and Palazzo dei Conservatori, connected by an underground passage beneath the piazza.
In Palazzo Nuovo, you’ll find mostly Classical sculpture. The centrepiece is the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (a copy; the original is in the adjacent museum). Other highlights include the Dying Gaul, a moving portrayal of a wounded Celtic warrior, and the Capitoline Venus.
Palazzo dei Conservatori holds the famous Spinario (a Hellenistic bronze of a boy removing a thorn from his foot) and the Capitoline She-Wolf, symbol of Rome, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus. The museum also houses an impressive painting gallery with works by Caravaggio, Titian, Rubens and Velázquez.
Practical Info: The museums are open daily. Allow 2-3 hours. The rooftop cafe has excellent views.
22. Galleria Borghese
Housed in the Villa Borghese, the 17th-century summer retreat for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the small but perfectly formed Galleria Borghese has a wonderful collection of paintings and sculptures.
Cardinal Borghese was an enthusiastic and ruthless collector who acquired masterpieces by any means necessary, including theft and blackmail. His collection includes some of Bernini’s finest sculptures, created when the artist was in his twenties.
The ground floor contains sculptures. Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne, showing the nymph transforming into a tree as Apollo reaches for her, is breathtaking. Other Bernini masterpieces include The Rape of Proserpina (where marble flesh appears to yield under the god’s fingers) and David (showing the biblical hero at the moment before he releases his sling).
Canova’s sculpture of Pauline Borghese as Venus Victrix is sensuous and slightly scandalous. Antonio Canova depicted Napoleon’s sister reclining on a couch, barely draped.
The upper floor houses paintings by Raphael (including his Deposition), Titian, Caravaggio (six paintings, including Boy with a Basket of Fruit and David with the Head of Goliath), and others.
Practical Info: This is one museum in Rome where you are obliged to book your ticket in advance. Entry is by timed slots (two-hour windows), and tickets sell out days or weeks ahead. Book here as soon as you know your travel dates. Allow the full two hours. No bags larger than a small handbag are permitted (lockers available).
23. Doria Pamphilj Gallery (Palazzo-Galleria Doria Pamphilj)
Don’t be fooled by the bland exterior of the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. The sumptuous interior of this palace, one of Rome’s largest, is worth the ticket price alone.
Located a few meters from Piazza Venezia, this huge palazzo has been the residence of the Doria Pamphilj, a famous Roman noble family since the 17th century. It is home to the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, one of the city’s most important patrician art collections.
The gallery contains over 500 works spanning the 15th to 18th centuries, displayed in gilded rooms exactly as they would have been arranged in the 17th century.
The Gallery of Mirrors rivals anything at Versailles, with ornate gilded stucco, enormous mirrors, and frescoed ceilings. The private apartments are equally opulent, decorated with tapestries, antique furniture and family portraits.
The art collection includes masterpieces by Caravaggio (Rest on the Flight to Egypt and Penitent Magdalene), Velázquez (his only work in Italy, a portrait of Pope Innocent X), Titian, Raphael, and numerous other Italian and European masters.
Practical Info: Allow 2-3 hours. The palazzo is still privately owned, so sections may occasionally be closed for family events. Photography is permitted in most areas.
24. Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci)
For one of the best viewpoints in Rome, head to the Orange Garden on top of the Aventine Hill.
This peaceful public garden is planted with orange and pine trees, creating a wonderfully fragrant space, especially in spring when the orange blossoms bloom. It was established in 1932 for the Dominican Order of the church of Santa Sabina, which is adjacent to the garden.
The views across Rome are spectacular. You can see the Tiber snaking through the city, the dome of St Peter’s in the distance, and the jumble of terracotta rooftops that characterise Rome’s skyline. Sunset is particularly beautiful, and the garden attracts couples and photographers.
The garden’s official name is Parco Savello, named after the Savelli family who built a fortress here in the 12th century. Fragments of the medieval walls survive.
While you’re on the Aventine Hill, walk a few metres to the nearby Priory of the Knights of Malta. The green door has a famous keyhole through which you can see a perfectly framed view of St Peter’s dome. It’s one of Rome’s most popular Instagram spots, so expect a queue.
Practical Info: Parco Savello is open year-round from 7 am until dusk. Entry is free. The hill is quite steep, so wear comfortable shoes. Combine your visit with Santa Sabina (a beautiful 5th-century church) and the keyhole view. Early morning or late afternoon offers the best light and fewer crowds.
25. Capuchin Crypt (Museo e Cripta dei Frati Cappuccini)
Visit the Church of the Cappuccini, or Santa Maria della Concezione, for one of Rome’s most macabre sights.
Within the church’s five subterranean chapels are the bones and skeletons of over 4,000 Capuchins from 1528 to 1870, arranged in elaborate decorative patterns. Skulls form archways. Pelvic bones create rosettes. Vertebrae spell out messages. Entire skeletons in Capuchin habits are suspended from the ceiling.
This isn’t a horror show or there to satisfy morbid curiosity. For the Capuchin order, this bone arrangement is a poignant reminder of our mortality and the passage of life on Earth. A placard at the entrance reads: “What you are now, we once were; what we are now, you shall be.”
Practical Info: Photography is strictly forbidden in the crypt itself, and the rule is enforced. The museum takes about 45 minutes. Afterwards, visit the church (free), which contains Guido Reni’s painting of St Michael defeating Satan. The church is on Via Veneto, near Piazza Barberini.
Final Thoughts
Rome’s landmarks paint a rich picture of nearly three millennia of architecture, history and culture. You’ll need more than one trip to do the city justice, but start with these 25 and you’ll have seen the very best of the Eternal City.
Even after countless visits, I discover something new each time. That’s the magic of Rome.
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About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.