Rome is Italy’s capital city. It is unique, vibrant, and diverse. There is really nowhere like it anywhere else in the world. However, most people visit Rome to check out ancient historical sites like the Colosseum, Constantine’s Arch, the Roman Forum, the Vatican City, and the Trevi Fountain.
If you plan on visiting, then you will no doubt want to see some of the city’s historical attractions too. If you are under time constraints on your visit there, then you will no doubt want to see the most interesting ones.
This post will rank Rome’s attractions for you, so you know what to prioritize.
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The Colosseum
Rome’s Colosseum is one of the city’s most famous attractions. It is visited by millions of people around the world each year. It is, for the most part, intact. The Colosseum was where gladiators fought. Executions were also held there. You can buy tickets for the Colosseum online, or you can take a tour. Most experts would recommend taking a tour. The reason that a tour’s such a good idea is that the person leading your tour will be able to tell you about the Colosseum’s history, which is very extensive.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is located just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum. Many people see the Roman Forum, and then make their way down to the Colosseum. You can order your tickets for the Roman Forum online. Most experts agree it’s better to get them online because that way you don’t have to worry about being turned away because tickets are sold out for the day, at the time of your visit. The Roman Forum is a forum that’s surrounded by some of the most important buildings in ancient Rome. The square in the center of the forum was originally a marketplace.
Constantine’s Arch
Constantine’s Arch is very close to the Colosseum. It is worth seeing on your way there, or on your way to the Roman Forum. It was commissioned by the Roman senate, in order to commemorate Constantine’s victory over Maxentius. Constantine is most famous for converting to Christianity. After his conversion, many other Roman statesmen, nobles, and leaders followed. A decade after Constantine’s conversion, Christianity became the state religion of Rome. Then, Roman Catholicism came, which is today one of the world’s largest (and wealthiest) religions. It is headquartered in Rome.
Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese is a landscape garden, located a stone’s throw from the Spanish Steps. Villa Borghese contains a number of museums, galleries, attractions, and buildings. There is even a zoo there. It is one of Rome’s largest parks. It was commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the nephew of Pope Paul V. Originally, the gardens were private. Then, they were informally opened to the public. In 1903, they were declared open to the public officially, and have remained open since. Many of the attractions within the park are private, however. You have to pay to gain entry to many of them.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are a very popular tourist attraction in Rome, open to the public. You do not need to pay for tickets to see them. They are only a short walk from the Villa Borghese, which makes them a great attraction to see on your way there, or afterwards.
Vatican City
The Vatican City is the center of the Roman Catholic Church. It is where the pontiff, now Pope Francis, lives. Additionally, many of the church’s cardinals and archbishops live there, too. The Vatican City is open to the public. However, some areas of the city require tickets. You cannot enter the Sistine Chapel or the Vatican Museum for free. St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica are free to explore, however. If you are intending on visiting, then make sure to book your tickets online. Booking your tickets online will help you to ensure that you gain entry.
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Trevi Fountain
They say that if you toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will return to Rome someday. It is, without a doubt, one of the city’s most popular attractions, and definitely worth seeing. Around the Trevi Fountain, you can find various cafés, restaurants, and gelato shops. A lot of people buy lunch and then sit beside the fountain. Bear in mind, if you are going to sit in front of a café overlooking the Trevi Fountain then you will have to pay a massive premium. You can save money by sitting indoors.
Rome is an incredibly fascinating city, that has contributed tremendously to the modern world as we know it. There is no better way to learn about Rome’s incredible history than to visit the city yourself. Give the sites outlined here priority, because they are by far the most interesting.
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