Things to Do in Rome
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Rome, Italy, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Rome. Watch the traffic, and the tourists, mostly the tourists, home to an ancient amphitheatre that once seated fifty thousand people for gladiator contests, a fountain into which roughly a million euros gets fished out every year, and an entire independent country sitting within its city limits. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Rome: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the queue. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The Colosseum
An ancient amphitheatre, still Rome's most recognisable landmark, once hosted gladiator contests, the Colosseum, fifty thousand seats and not one of them is a decent perch anymore, terrible planning, a staggering piece of ancient engineering, built nearly 2,000 years ago and still standing as one of the most complete examples of Roman architecture anywhere.
Book timed entry well ahead, this sells out, particularly for underground and upper-tier access, which offer views and areas not included in the standard ticket, worth comparing options given how much the specific access level varies between ticket types.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–7pm, shorter in winter
Address The Colosseum, Rome
Trevi Fountain
Tradition says throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain guarantees a return trip to Rome, roughly a million euros gets fished out of there every year, nobody ever throws in bread, which feels like a missed opportunity, a genuinely elaborate Baroque fountain, one of the most famous in the world, worth visiting early morning or late evening to see it without the daytime crowds that gather constantly.
The coins collected are donated to charity, a good use for what's essentially an enormous, ongoing act of collective superstition, worth throwing a coin yourself with your right hand over your left shoulder, the traditional method for the ritual to count.
Best time Early morning or late evening for fewer crowds
Address Trevi Fountain, Rome
Vatican City
An independent city-state, home to the Pope, sits entirely within Rome's city limits, Vatican City, smallest country in the world, and small enough that you could walk its entire border in under an hour. St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, home to the Sistine Chapel, are worth a proper half-day, this tiny nation holds one of the most significant art and architecture collections anywhere.
Book Vatican Museum tickets well ahead, queues without a booking can stretch for hours, and note modest dress is required throughout, both for the basilica and the museums.
Hours Daily, roughly 8am–6pm, shorter for the museums
Address Vatican City
Best time to visit Rome
April through June and September through October give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, mild without summer's peak heat and crowds. For the full month-by-month breakdown, see our Best Time to Visit Rome guide.
Rome's museums and churches work well year-round, and still reward a visit outside the shoulder seasons if the weather isn't your priority, this is a city with plenty to see regardless of season.
Getting around Rome
Rome's metro covers key routes, though it doesn't reach every corner of the historic centre. Central areas, including near the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, are largely walkable, though Roman drivers treat a red light as more of a suggestion, so cross with your wits about you. If you're mapping out exactly how to spend your time, our 24 Hours in Rome and 2 Day Rome Itinerary guides lay out an hour-by-hour and day-by-day plan.
Keeping an eye on costs? Rome on a Budget covers what's free and where the tourist markup actually is. Travelling as a couple? Rome for Couples covers Janiculum Hill at sunset and the Orange Garden. And once your dates are set, Where to Stay & Eat in Rome breaks down the neighbourhoods.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Rome worth visiting?
- Yes, unquestionably, few cities anywhere combine this much ancient history, art, and architecture, the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Vatican City together represent some of the most significant sites in the Western world.
- How many days do you need in Rome?
- Five days covers the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Vatican City comfortably, Rome rewards more time if you have it.
- Is Rome expensive?
- Yes, one of the pricier European capitals, particularly for accommodation and dining near the major sites, though Trevi Fountain and St. Peter's Basilica remain free.
- What is Rome famous for?
- The Colosseum, one of the most complete examples of ancient Roman architecture, the Trevi Fountain, and Vatican City, the smallest independent country in the world.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
