Top 10 Things To Do In Rome Italy

Rome is the capital of Italy and one of the largest European capital cities in land area, covering 1,285 square kilometers. Rome, which once was the capital of the Roman Empire, has an incredible history, dating back nearly 2,800 years ago. In the days of the Roman Empire, Rome was for many centuries the world greatest city. Today, Rome has a population of 2.5 million people, dynamic and diverse economy with thriving innovation, technologies, communications and service sectors. The city of Rome surrounds the Vatican which is a separate sovereign state, that hosts Saint Peter's Square with the Saint Peter's Basilica. As you can guess, tourism is one of Rome's main industries with many interesting sights attracting visitors from all over the world.

The monuments of Rome still stand as a reminder of the city's great past. Known also as the 'Eternal City', it represents a mixture of old and new, as you will find busy streets lined with modern day boutiques and kiosks standing alongside antiquities.

There are several things you need to know about Rome in advance. As Italy is part of the European Union (EU), it therefore recognizes the Euro as the official currency. To change your foreign currency into Euros go to the banks for the best rate. Have in mind that banks generally open at 8:30 AM and close for lunch at 1:30 PM. They reopen around 2:45 PM, closing for the day at 5:00 PM. The best months for visiting Rome are April, May, September and October, because they offer the mildest weather with the lowest precipitation. July and August are way too hot and won't be able to stand the heat as most of the time you will be on foot, since Rome is mostly a walking city. Therefore, experts recommend visiting Rome in the off-peak months between October and March to avoid the summer rush and the heat. The most economical accommodation in Rome is renting a single-family dwelling in the suburbs. Larger groups can rent a whole villa just outside of Rome. You do not need a Visa if you are only staying for 90 days or less. Have in mind that the food is quite expensive here, especially if you go at some of the trendy places near the tourist spots like the Colosseum.

Read the rest of the article for the top ten things to do in Rome. Having a list of interesting locations to visit within Rome beforehand will save you time and money. There many places to visit here as the city is full of history, it is actually like a walking museum.

1. The Colosseum

No visit to Rome is complete without having seen its magnificent Colosseum, a vast amphitheatre with seating for 55,000, for gladiatorial combats. The Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire making it one of the symbols of Rome. It is located just east of the Roman Forum, while the construction began between 70 and 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 under Titus.

Even though the Colosseum is now in a severely ruined condition due to damage caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers it is nevertheless a must see when visiting Rome. Practically, the Colosseum was abandoned after the luxury of imperial times and turned into a source of building materials. The name of the architect, like that of many others of the antiquity, is not known. Small differences in some details of the construction have convinced the archaeologists that the building of each quadrant of the Colosseum was entrusted to four different contractors, who worked side by side sharing the four main entrances.

There are many outstanding structural elements in the Roman Colosseum: the formal elegance, the solidity of the construction, the organization of the spaces (the entrance/exit system, the underground rooms which were like the backstage of a theatre). According to experts, the most interesting thing about it is the building technique, i.e. the system of making first the main arches in travertine, so that the rest of the construction could be carried out at the same time above and below this first structure.

2. The Roman Forum

During the days of the Republic, the Roman Forum was the political as well as economical centre of Rome and kept this position well into the Imperial period. It was abandoned at the end of the 4th century. Basically, it was the area around which ancient Rome developed.

Ever since it was developed, the forum repeatedly suffered damage and destruction, as it was often the scene of fierce fights between rivaling political fractions, followed by destructive fires. Fire was always a problem in ancient Rome, and parts of the Forum burnt down several times.

The archeological excavations began in 18th century and the site of the Roman Forum is still undergoing excavations, therefore parts of the Forum cannot be visited, but the whole area have the status of an archaeological site, open to visitors. Get the walking tour, which helps you to visually recreate the Forum in its glory days.

3. Fontana di Trevi - make your wish

The legend says by throwing over the left shoulder you will return for a trip into the city. Fontana di Trevi is situated on Piazza di Trevi at the front of the large palace Palazzo Poli. It was built by the architect Salvi (1735) in the time of Clement XII, and decorated by several artists of Bernini's school.

4. Go Church Visiting

Rome's churches are rich in the range of decoration, from fine classical art to tacky electric candles. As mentioned, keep in mind that some churches in Rome deny admission to people who are dressed inappropriately, such as some of most visited ones - St Peter's, St Paul, Sta Maria Maggiore and San Giovanni.

5. Walking Tour

Walking around Rome can give you the best feeling of this great city. Once you are in the center you're best off on foot. There is nothing more romantic than walking through Rome holding hands.

Crossing a street in Rome can be tricky. here are crosswalks, but these are rarely located at signaled intersections. Traffic can be intimidating, but if you are at a crosswalk the secret to getting across is to just start walking. Don't try to anticipate the traffic, just keep a steady pace, look straight ahead and the drivers will alter their trajectory so that you will get to the other side safely.

6. Go see the Vatican City

Holy See (Vatican City) is situated within the city of Rome, but in fact it is a country of its own. Actually, it is the richest country in the world per square foot, due to its astonishing collection of priceless art treasures. When in Rome, visiting the Vatican city is an absolute must. Vatican City is only 44 hectares and has a population of less than 1000. The church of the Pope-St. Peter's Basilica, Michelangelos Pieta and the Vatican Museum can be found in the Holy See. The Holy See is the administrative seat the Roman Catholic Church and home of the Pope. The name Vatican, comes from the fact that it partially sits on a hill that the Romans called Vaticanus. It gained independence from Italy on the 11th February, 1929.

Late Spring and early Fall are the best times to visit. The weather is pleasant and the Vatican City is not overwhelmed with tour groups. Visitors enter Vatican City through St. Peter's Square or by crossing the Ponte St. Angelo bridge. St. Peter's Square is where pontifical blessings, funerals and elections are held. On Sundays at noon, the Pope delivers a blessing from his window for people gathered in St. Peter's Square except during summer when he's at his summer residence.

A number of buses go close to the Vatican city, there is a metro stop, parking garage and tram 19 also stops nearby.

7. The Sistine Chapel

Located in the Vatican city, the Sistine Chapel is the official residence of the Roman Catholic Pope. Its decoration is made by some of the finest artists of the Renaissance period, including Michelangelo. Some say that a visit to the Sistine Chapel can give you a better understanding of what a man is really capable of achieving. Have in mind that to enter it, you must be properly dressed, according to the Vatican's dress code-revealing clothe is forbidden.

If you do not have a lot of time while in Rome, you might as well skip everything else, but the Sistine Chapel. The roof done by Michelangelo is legendary. In fact, the Sistine Chapel is probably the most recognized piece of work from the Renaissance period.

Between 1981 and 1994, the chapel was restored. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the restoration, because although most claim it was a success and a breakthrough revelation, few critics claim that it ruined the masterpiece.

This Sistine Chapel was built in the 1470s for Pope Julius II's uncle, it sures 40 by 130 feet with the center of the curved ceiling more than 60 feet above the floor. What makes the work of Michelangelo even greater is the fact that the ceiling is more than 5000 square feet and he did it in a matter of four years, between 1508 and 1512 for Julius II.

At the Chapel, you will invariably find it crowded with hundreds of tourists, so be prepared. A good advice is to get in line early because it gets very crowded. Silence should be observed and cameras are disallowed.

8. Have fun at the at the Giancolo Hill

Giancolo Hill, outlines the western edge of Rome, across the Tiber river from the ancient city center. The western edge of the hill is fortified by a large ancient wall, used for protection during Renaissance times. Today, the hill is a hotspot for romantic couples at sunset.

If you are visiting Rome with your family, your children might not appreciate the historical side of the Eternal city, therefore, spending some quality time with your family at the Giancolo Hill can be a great experience. It provides a great panoramic view of Rome. Your kids can have loads of fun there, as puppet shows are regularly performed, as well as merry-go-round and pony rides.

A great idea would be to go there early in the morning. Giancolo is the perfect spot to watch sunrise, as the hill faces east, over the city of Rome.

9. Visit the Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of Rome's most impressive and best-preserved monuments, in fact the roof is intact. The word Pantheon is Latin, meaning "Temple of all the Gods". It is one of the greates spiritual buildings of the world. You should definitely see it. It was designed by emperor Hadrian, around 125 and built on the site of a temple that had been damaged by fire. Its size is enormous, but what strikes the visitors here is the remarkable harmony of the building.

Inside the Pantheon, light enters only through an unglazed oculus at the center of the dome and through the bronze doors to the portico. This creates a visual effect, because as the sun moves, striking patterns of light illuminate the walls and floors of porphyry, granite and yellow marbles.

The Pantheon is still a church and masses are still celebrated in the church, particularly on important Catholic days of obligation, and for weddings.

10. Dine out

We all know that Italy is famous for its culinary, along with everything else. The Italian kitchen is worth a try and sightseeing makes you hungry. Try to get out and enjoy Italian cooking. Italian food is good, it's tasty, satisfying, and they give you plenty of it, although the service is often a little slow. Some say that not eating well in Rome is an absolute crime.

The Bella Napoli pizza restaurant is a real traditional family-owned restaurant, very popular among local Romans and even tourists. The place has a cosy, casual atmosphere, menus are in English. It is located near the British Embassy, just on the north side of central Rome.

Pizzeria “Baffetto" is packed every night, except for Sunday when it is closed. This locally famous pizzeria is quite amazing. Located on Tony Via del Governo Vecchio, steps away from Piazza Navonna, Baffetto is neither pretentious nor pricey. Menus are available in English.

If you got tired of Pizza, you might want to try a typical Chinese restaurant, called La Pace at Via Madonna Dei Monte 53, it has all the usual familiar items on the menu.

Authentic, traditional Roman cuisine can be found at Taverna Parione, located on Via di Parione 38.