Rome, Italy is best known as the “Eternal City.” This is due to having a history that spans over 2,500 years! If you are planning to visit, there are so many options of places to see and activities to do. These range from visiting historical monuments to shopping to art. If you are looking to try a bit of everything, this list is for you! This is a list of my favorite things that we did and we highly encourage you to try them out as well!

1. Visit the Rome Monuments

A great activity for the whole family is to go on a tour of the historical monuments. This includes the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Fourm. Taking a guided tour is the best way to get an immersive experience and truly understand the historical sites. Since many of them are in ruins, it is possible to see the areas where restoration and preservation has happened. If this is on your to-do list, be prepared for quite a bit of walking.

2. Make a wish at the Trevi

Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is stunning. In Italian it is known as “Fontana di Trevi.” This name was received due to it’s location at the junction of three roads. Building of the fountain started in the early 18th century and took around 30 years to finish. Oceanus, the god of the sea, is the main figure in the center of the fountain as he is being pulled by seahorses.

When visiting, it is a well known gesture to throw a coin over your shoulder. It is believed that by doing so, you ensure a return trip to Rome. There are also beliefs that throwing two will lead to romance and three coins is for seeking marriage.

Worried about wasting a coin? They periodically clean out the Trevi Fountain and donate the money to local charities in Rome, Italy. It is averaged they donate $1.5 million each year!

***Hot tip: arrive super early for the best photos. It starts to get crowded by 7 am.***

3. Experience Chiostro del

Bramante Museum and Cafe

If you want a unique experience, this museum is it! The exhibitions change out but there is also a lovely gallery. If you aren’t interested in walking around, the cafe is its own art space! When walking in, there are multiple photo op spots that are full of life and color. Stop by for a sweet treat and snag a few photos along the way.

Cost: €15 during the week and €18 on the weekends.

Time: 1-2 hours

Website: Chiostro del Bramante

Address: Arco della Pace, 5, 00186 Roma RM

4A. Marvel at St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica, located in Vatican City, is one of the most renowned and significant churches in the world. It is a major pilgrimage site and an iconic example of Renaissance architecture that was build over the course of the 16th and 17th centuries. It is the largest church in the world and is still utilized for important Catholic ceremonies.

The square is where the Pope will still address the crowd. On Sundays it is possible to attend mass by other priests. The square has amazing columns surrounding it. In the center is a fountain and many chairs. If you plan to go inside the Basilica, the wait time is on average around 2 hours.

Cost: Free

Time: over 2 hours for visiting inside due to wait time.

Tips: walk to the road in front to get great photos. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

4B. Keep the trend by visiting the

Knights of Malta Keyhole

Did you love St. Peter’s Basilica? Want to get a different view point? Head over to the Knights of Malta Keyhole. In recent years, this has become a more well-known Rome attraction for tourists. There is a small keyhole in the door of the Magistral Villa, the institutional seat of the Sovereign Order of Malta. When peering through this hole, it is possible to see St. Peter’s Basilica perfectly in the center of the hedges.

Cost: Free

Time: ~1 hour if there is a long line.

Location: 41.88289° N, 12.47853° E

5. Shop at the Trastevere Flea

Market

Europe is expensive, but this market is not! With at least a mile worth of shops, you will find almost anything you want at this flea market. There was a variety of clothes, shoes, and bags ranging from brand new (and good quality) to ‘looks like a garage sale of very used items.’ We found jewelry for €1 and got a new phone charger cord for super cheap as well. If you need some random home good items or a small souvenir, this is the place to get it!

Cost: entrance is free as it is a street market

Time: 1-2 hours

Hours: Sunday morning to early afternoon. They start to shut down around 2 pm.

6. Grab a treat at Mcdonald’s

(yes, you read that right!)

When traveling, we often try to avoid fast food since we want to try all of the local cuisine. One morning we really wanted a coffee so we popped into McDonald’s and we were shocked. The McCafe area had a proper coffee grinder with fresh whole beans and a massive espresso machine. There was tiramisu, chocolate cake, and cookies that looked like we were in a pastry shop. It was fun to see the differences in the menu items offered. Of course we got the tiramisu and it was delicious! Definitely an unexpected delight for Rome, Italy!

Transportation when in Rome,

Italy

When visiting Rome, we did a lot of walking! Often taking the bus to one area of town and working our way back seemed to be ideal for us. Another common theme was renting the Lime Uber scooters. They are pretty cheap and get you where you need to go. Keep in mind there is a lot of cobblestone so it is not always a smooth ride. We also rode doubles on these a lot, it saves money and ensures one of us doesn’t get lost in the traffic. Not always ideal but it works for us.

We hope you found this information about things to do when in Rome helpful! Do you have a recommendation for Rome? We would love to hear about it! Check out our other posts about Italy as well for more information —

If you prefer guided tours, check out these links below to get a great guided experience! We love tours that help us get a better understanding of the history and make the planning process easier!

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