To better plan your first or nth trip to a city as dense with landmarks, architecture, museums, and delicious food as Rome is, you need a bucket list. The person who compiled this Rome bucket list is a 100% Roman woman who was born, raised, and has lived in this beautiful and complicated city for almost 40 years.
In this article, you will find the answer I give to friends who come to visit Rome from other parts of Italy and from other countries who ask me what are the things to do and see absolutely in Rome.
Although I would be tempted to make a really long list, I will try to limit myself to the things to do on a first or subsequent trip to Rome. My list of things to do in Rome Italy, includes monuments, artworks, sights, shopping, and food.
To get further inspiration, also consider my two thorough guides:
Strategic Itinerary to See Rome in 2 Days
WHAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR ROME BUCKET LIST?
1. SEE THE COLOSSEUM – THE FLAVIAN AMPHITHEATER IN ROME
The Colosseum is the most spectacular and famous monument in Rome and I imagine it is already at the top of your Rome bucket list. An elliptical amphitheater with walls almost 50 meters high, it could hold up to 80000 people. To build it, the Romans repeated the arch technique (which the Romans had learned from the ancient Etruscans) throughout the perimeter and on three orders. Inside the Colosseum took place the games, bloody fights between man and man and between men and beasts. The Colosseum was completed between 70 and 79 AD and erected by order of Vespasian, founder of the Flavian dynasty. He, victorious on his return from the war in Judea, once ascended the throne of the empire won the consent of the Roman people by giving them the Colosseum, where they could watch the games for free.
The entrance ticket to the Colosseum costs €18 (including presale fees that are mandatory as the entrance is limited) also allows access to the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum and is valid for 24h from the first use. Tickets must be booked online or by phone through the Coopculture website: https://www.coopculture.it/en/products/ticket-colosseum-forum-and-palatine-_24h/
Upon entering the Colosseum, you’ll see the arena, what’s left of the stands, and the upper floors. If you’re short on time, you can walk around the monument and look for the best place to take a picture, such as the top of the steps leading to Via Nicola Salvi.
You will notice that the southern part of the Colosseum has partially collapsed. Want to know why? Check out my article F.A.Q. about the Roman Colosseum.
2. WALK INSIDE THE ROMAN FORUM AND ON THE PALATINE HILL
The Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill are now part of the Colosseum Archaeological Park. In front of the Colosseum is a rather large area that enclosed the heart of religious, political, judicial, and commercial activities of ancient Rome: the Roman Forum.
Before the 4th century BC, when King Tarquinius Superbus built the massive sewer “Cloaca Maxima“, the entire area was a large swamp and the settlements were concentrated on the hills such as the Palatine and the Capitoline. After the paving and the peace between the tribes of Sabines and Latins, the political and religious life of Rome flourished in the Roman Forum. The numerous ruins you will see are from different eras and had the most diverse functions: the Roman Forum was used for a thousand years. On the Palatine Hill is the Grotta del Lupercale, where it is said that the mythical twin founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, were raised by a she-wolf. The Palatine Hill is also home to the imperial villas of Augustus and Livia and the Renaissance Orti Farnesiani.
To truly understand the history of the Roman Forum and the buildings within it I recommend taking a guided tour. The tour “ROME: COLOSSEUM AND ARENA GUIDED TOUR” will get you skip-the-line tickets and guide you through the Colosseum (including the underground), the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill.
If you’re short on time, perhaps it is wiser to just enjoy the spectacle of the ruins with a walk on the scenic road “Via Dei Fori Imperiali“.
3 EAT SOME OF THE BEST GELATO IN THE WORLD
If you love Italian gelato, you’re in luck! There are about 1400 gelato shops in Rome and many rank among the best in Italy. Romans love to eat ice cream any time of the day and of the year, they only give it up if it rains or when it’s particularly cold. You will find gelato shops on every corner of the historic center. Don’t let yourself be tempted by the gelato shop for tourists that is located in front of the Trevi Fountain or by the big brands like Venchi. Artisan gelato shops offer gelato made with quality ingredients.
There are gelateria in Rome with vegan flavors or that make raw gelato or very special flavors: read my article on more than 15 of the best gelateria in the city. Or, if you find yourself near the Colosseum, take a break and head to the Fatamorgana Monti gelato shop, address: Piazza degli Zingari, 5.
4. FEEL LIKE 60’S ACTRESS ANITA EKBERG AT THE TREVI FOUNTAIN
Well, don’t take me literally… If you walk inside the water like in the scene of the movie La Dolce Vita, which has contributed immensely to spreading the popularity of Rome’s most beautiful fountain, you’ll likely be fined or arrested. But you can still join dozens of other visitors in feeling emotional for finding yourself in front of such spectacular sculptures in travertine marble. The ideal would be to visit the fountain in the very early morning to beat the crowds or in the evening when it’s lit up and the statues come alive reflecting the movement of the water.
The sculpted scene occupies one of the sides of the Poli Palace. Commissioned by the Clergy in the 16th Century in order to beautifully collect the water at the end of the Acqua Virgo Aqueduct (which was built in 28 BC instead!), the Trevi Fountain took two centuries to acquire the look it has today.
If you want to further your knowledge of this incredible fountain, read my article dedicated to the Trevi Fountain.
5. TASTE THE SUPPLI’, THE ROMAN STREET FOOD FAMOUS THROUGHOUT ITALY
Rome is a city abundant in street food to be enjoyed at all hours of the day, although you won’t find it in the roadside stands, which are prohibited except in a few specific cases. To find perhaps the most delicious Roman street food you must enter a store that sells pizza al taglio, a bakery, or a store that specializes in supplì.
The recipe for happiness in 3 bites is fairly simple but time-consuming. The result fits in the palm of your hand: a cylinder of rice cooked in pork ragu and tomato sauce, with a piece of mozzarella in the center, covered in breadcrumbs and then fried in hot oil. To lick your lips!
In the historic center it costs between 2 and 3 euros and you can find it here:
- I Supplì dei Coronari | Via Dei Coronari, 25 (near the beautiful Piazza Navona)
- Antico Forno Roscioli | Via dei Chiavari, 34
NEED A VEGAN SUPPLI’? Go to Supplizo in Via Dei Banchi Vecchi, 143
6 BE MESMERIZED BY THE PANTHEON’S DOME
It’s hard to tell which monument is the dearest to the locals’ hearts, the Colosseum or the Pantheon? One sure thing is that the entrance to the Pantheon is free of toll since it was converted into a Christian church during the 7th Century.
When Emperor Adrian built it in 125 AD, it was dedicated to all the deities of the universe (12 plus the Emperor, precisely). In here, several royal figures of the Kingdom of Italy are buried, together with the Renaissance artist Raffaello.
The line at the gate is quick. Let yourself inside this magic, spiritual place: pass through the rectangular-plan pronaos with its 16 granite columns and enter the only internal hall with a circular plan. The feature that stands out is the immense dome. A masterpiece of architecture and engineering, it houses the only window in the building. The Pantheon is without doubt the best-kept example of Roman architecture in Rome.
7. ENJOY THE VIEW FROM THE BELVEDERE DEL GIANICOLO
Here is the panoramic point of Rome par excellence. The Janiculum Hill is called so because in ancient times it hosted altars dedicated to the god Janus, the god of borders.
The panoramic terrace is located in Piazzale Garibaldi and overlooks the right bank of the river Tiber. From here you can admire the roofs and domes of all the ancient buildings you will visit during your tour of the historic center of Rome. There is also a park with busts on top of Janiculum Hill. The Janiculum is one of the most romantic places in Rome, the atmosphere is special at sunset time.
To get here, you can take a walk of about 20 minutes with about 90 meters of elevation gain from the heart of the Trastevere district (Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere) through the avenue “Passeggiata del Gianicolo“.
By public transportation, take bus 115 from Via Goffredo Mameli.
DO YOU PREFER A VIEW CLOSER TO THE HISTORIC CENTER? Here are a few:
- Terrace of the Vittoriano monument (entrance to the elevators to the terrace €12)
- Pincio Terrace (you can access from a staircase that starts from the side of Piazza del Popolo)
- Terrace of the Orange Garden on the Aventine Hill
8. CLIMB THE SPANISH STEPS
Here’s another of Rome’s most beautiful corners, or rather a square, even if it develops in height instead of on the level. The extraordinary architectural elements of the piazza will invite you to stop here. The fountain depicting a sinking boat “La Barcaccia” is the work of Bernini father and son. The elegant staircase was designed by Francesco De Sanctis in the 18th century to connect the piazza to the church and convent of Trinità dei Monti, commissioned by the King of France in the 16th century.
Piazza di Spagna has also hosted haute couture fashion shows.
9. BANQUET WITH PIZZA AL TAGLIO
If Italy is famous for its round pizza, which Italians love to have for dinner, eating a whole pizza each, then Rome is famous for the “pizza al taglio“. The English translation is not really accurate: it is not “slices”, but “pieces” of pizza.
The custom is to have it from the stores that specialize in pizza al taglio, where you will find pizza by the slice with many different toppings. Here’s how to get your Roman pizza in 4 steps 😉
- Approach the counter.
- Choose the type of pizza you prefer through the showcase.
- Tell the clerk your choice: he will then place the knives on the pizza to determine the quantity (it is done by eye, the clerk will indicate a quantity with the knife and you will say if it is okay, or if you want a larger or smaller piece).
- Then the clerk weighs it, divide it into two pieces and put them on top of each other like a sandwich, cover them with paper and give them to you ready to eat.
In some stores, you can also sit and have your delicious pizza at a table. Eating pizza by the slice is a way to sample different types of pizza. Among the toppings, you will find:
- Tomato and mozzarella
- Mushrooms and sausage
- Mozzarella and Ham
- Arugula, pachino and buffalo mozzarella
And many others…
WHERE CAN YOU TASTE AMAZING PIZZA BY THE SLICE NEAR THE HISTORICAL CENTER OF ROME?
Antico Forno Roscioli | Via dei Chiavari, 34
Alice Pizza | Corso Vittorio Emanuele II
10. HIT THE SHOPPING STREETS
Shopping enthusiasts will find plenty to do in Rome. Start your shopping tour from the heart of the historic center:
- Via Del Corso, which connects Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo
- the nearby Via Frattina, Via Condotti, and Via del Babuino.
Here you will find all the stores of large and medium brands and also many boutiques, as well as souvenir stores.
For a less crowded shopping you can add one of these streets to your Rome Bucket List:
- Via Cola di Rienzo and the nearby Via Candia and Via Ottaviano (near the Vatican City)
- Via Appia Nuova, between Piazza San Giovanni and Piazza Re di Roma.
- Viale Marconi
11. STROLL AROUND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PIAZZA IN THE WORLD
Piazza Navona will always hold a special place in my heart. As a child, my grandparents used to bring me here to have fun on the carousel and to get sweets at the Christmas Market, therefore each time meant happy times to me! It’s nice just to sit here and observe the architecture and the people passing by.
The square has a particular elongated shape because it rises in the place where once was the athletics stadium built by Emperor Domitian (85 AD). The current appearance of the square dates back to the Baroque era (17th century) when the papacy asked the great artists of the time such as Bernini and Borromini to design the three fountains, the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone and the palaces that overlook the square.
The fountains of Piazza Navona host some of the most beautiful sculptures in Rome. It’s a satisfying activity to spend some time in the square and look around, perhaps enjoying an ice cream from the gelateria Grom. There are often street artists and music.
12 LUNCH WITH ROMAN PASTA
The people from Rome, just like other Italians, are affectionately tied to pasta. Pasta is the favorite dish especially at lunchtime and is preferred in generous portions and tasty condiments. You’ll find pasta in every restaurant in Rome. Restaurants often go out of their way to create original toppings to complement the typical Roman pasta, which has made its way around the world:
- Carbonara: a condiment made with jowl bacon (or bacon), egg yolks
- Gricia: with jowl bacon and pepper
- Amatriciana: with jowl bacon, tomato sauce, pecorino cheese
- Cacio e pepe: with pecorino cheese and pepper
AND FOR VEGANS?
- Arrabbiata: with tomato sauce and chili pepper
- Aio e oio: with garlic, oil and chili pepper.
To make the choice of the restaurant where to taste the typical Roman pasta easier and more satisfying, I recommend places that offer homemade pasta:
- Osteria Da Fortunata | Via del Pellegrino 11
- Tonnarello | Via della Paglia 1
- Egg Pasta Fresca | Vicolo del Farinone 25/A
TIP: Pasta topped with fish and seafood is just as delicious and even less caloric. Romans love it. You can find it at:
- Le Mani in Pasta | Via dei Genovesi, 37
For more on the topic of food in Rome, also read:
20 Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Rome
13 WATCH THE SUNSET FROM ONE OF ROME’S PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES
The river Tiber, which rises on the border between the regions of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna and flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea near Ostia, crosses the entire historic center of Rome. In addition to taking a walk along the river, the best way to enjoy the beautiful views that the river offers is to cross one of the pedestrian bridges of Rome. The ideal and most romantic time to do this is at sunset. Near the bridges, there are often street music and small stalls. Depending on your itinerary, add a visit to one or more of these bridges to your Rome bucket list:
- Ponte Sant’Angelo
- Ponte Sisto
- Ponte Cestio
14 HAVE AN APERITIVO | ROME BUCKET LIST
The custom of having an aperitivo after getting off from work was imported to Rome by other cities in the north of Italy. Each coffee shop and even most restaurants in Rome are prepared to serve aperitivo at the right time, usually from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. Aperitivo consists of a drink (traditionally Prosecco or Aperol, wine, beer, but it can be non-alcoholic as well) with a few starters on the side. The best aperitivo places are the ones that offer abundant, quality food to go with your drink, like:
- Momart | Via XXI Aprile, 19. 1 drink of choice plus non-stop food (includes pizza al taglio) for €12.
- Rec 23 Restaurant Emporio Club | Piazza dell’Emporio, 1. Buffet aperitivo, 1 drink plus food for €12 from
- Fabrica | Via Girolamo Savonarola, 8. 1 drink plus food for €10
Join the locals for the Roman aperitivo at least once on your trip to Rome!
15 STAY IN THE MONTI NEIGHBORHOOD
The quaint Monti neighborhood has become very popular in the last two decades among Rome’s citizens and tourists alike. In there, you won’t find the crowds and the hustle of Trastevere, but only charming and casual restaurants, vintage shops, coffee bars, and wineries.
It is nice to walk in this neighborhood because it’s partially closed to the traffic (Via Urbana, Piazza degli Zingari). Since it’s just a few minutes away from the Colosseum, consider coming here to recover from a tiring day of sightseeing with a dinner in a quiet, trendy area. Monti is also one of the best areas to stay in Rome, and probably the no.1 area if you’re visiting Rome for the first time.
Read my complete guide on the Monti neighborhood.
16 TASTE EVERYTHING AT THE NEW TESTACCIO MARKET
After a massive renovation in 2012, the Nuovo Mercato Testaccio has become one of the most welcoming places to buy food and sample the street food in Rome.
Here you will find stalls selling local organic or DOP (protected designation of origin) products like veggies, wines, cheeses, cold cuts, bread, pizza and baked goods made with sourdough, fresh juices, and dishes. The stores that overlook the covered market square also make fresh pasta dishes and second courses, sandwiches, and many types of street food. The prices try to remain those of a market, so come here to find some cheap eats in Rome.
The Testaccio neighborhood is full of great trattorias and restaurants and the new food market is just the icing on the cake.
Spend a few hours to please your sense of smell and taste at this place that should definitely be on your list of things to do in Rome. Address: Via Aldo Manuzio, 66.
17. UNWIND IN THE VILLA PAMPHILI PUBLIC PARK
Rome isn’t just monuments, ruins, and museums. It is actually one of the greenest cities in the world, featuring numerous public park and gardens. Public parks in Rome were often properties of aristocrat families of the past who once owned villas and fields, and that were later transformed into public parks. This is the case of the beautiful Villa Pamphili.
The park is huge (183 hectares) and it is a pleasure to visit, due to its pinewoods and splendid architecture. During your exploration, you will pass by a sumptuous mansion, fountains, a chapel, and a nymphaeum from the 17th Century. In the park,, you’ll also find the Vivi Bistrot, one of the best coffee shops in Rome, serving coffee, teas, and dishes made of organic products suitable for everyone including vegans.
There is also a playground for small kids very close to the entrance gate located on Via Leone IV (Villa Pamphili Ovest).
18 HAVE A DRINK IN THE PIGNETO DISTRICT
Thanks to the creation of the pedestrian street (half of the Via del Pigneto), which gathers all kinds of pubs, wineries, and eateries, this area is the hipsters’ top choice for meeting people and spending the night. There are cute cafes like the Necci dal 1926, vinyl and used books shops, casual clubs with great live gigs like the ‘Na Cosetta and the Fanfulla 5/a.
This is just a short introduction but gives you a taste of the general vibes of the Pigneto neighborhood. Explore the area yourself, it’s perfect for you if you love drinking and meeting new people.
Nearest metro station: Pigneto.
19 DISCOVER BERNINI’S SCULPTURES IN THE BORGHESE GALLERY
Gian Lorenzo Bernini is one of the best-known Italian sculptors in the world. Born in Naples, while still young he followed his father Pietro Bernini, also a sculptor, to Rome.
When he was just twenty years old, Gian Lorenzo had a great opportunity to demonstrate his skill with stone: Cardinal Scipione Borghese, favorite nephew of Pope Paul 5, commissioned him to create four groups of marble sculptures to be exhibited in the Borghese residence in Rome.
Taking inspiration from classical mythology and the Bible, Bernini created the Rape of Proserpine, the Apollo and Daphne, the David, and the group Enea, Anchises and Ascanius. The characters are portrayed in the most dramatic and crucial moments of their stories. You can admire all 4 of Bernini’s masterpieces at the Borghese Gallery.
20 TASTE THE “TRAPIZZINO”
The mouth-watering trapizzino is one of the newest street food invented in Rome. The first trapizzino store opened in Rome in 2008 and in just 10 years the creators managed to export it all over Italy and even to New York.
The trapizzino is a “corner” (or pocket) of fragrant “pizza bianca” (a soft flatbread) that can be filled with typical Roman, Italian or international dishes such as
- Trapizzino with chicken cacciatora
- Trapizzino with zucchini and burrata cheese
- Trapizzino with parmigiana
- Trapizzino with ziginì
But there are many other fillings! This absolutely can’t miss on your list of things to eat in Rome. You can find it here:
- Be.Re + Trapizzino | Via Vespasiano, 2
- Trapizzino Trastevere | Piazza Trilussa, 46
- Trapizzino Testaccio | Via Giovanni Branca, 88
21 MEET THE POPE IN PIAZZA SAN PIETRO
Piazza San Pietro, which belongs to the Vatican State, is a huge square encircled by 284 marble columns. The piazza is considered the center of Catholicism and you will see it with your own eyes when you visit on Sunday morning at 12, just in time to look at and hear the Pope celebrating the Angelus, together with hundreds of pilgrims There’s always an endless queue to enter the cathedral and climb the dome, which bestows unique views on the city. If you want to exercise your legs with the 550 or so steps, be prepared to face a slow line, or either book a skip-the-line ticket like:
Vatican City: Basilica, Dome Climb & Optional Crypts Tour
22 ADMIRE THE PAINTINGS OF CARAVAGGIO FOR FREE
Rome is an extraordinary city also because it is an open-air museum, with many masterpieces of art and architecture to be admired simply by walking down the street.
In the case of the masterworks of Michelangelo Merisi called the Caravaggio, painter of the second half of the 16th century, you can admire some of them in two churches in the center of Rome:
- Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo
In the Cerasi Chapel are kept the “Conversion of St. Paul” and the “Crucifixion of St. Peter”.
- Church of San Luigi dei Francesi
In the Contarelli Chapel, you can admire three paintings: “Conversion of St. Matthew”, “St. Matthew and the Angel”, “Martyrdom of St. Matthew”.
Go to these churches if you want to admire great paintings but you lack the patience to visit a museum. And remember that the entrance is free!
Read also: Amazing Things to do in Rome for Free
Let me know in the comments how many things you’ve decided to tick off from this Rome bucket list!
I enjoyed reading through your 16 Rome experiences! It brought back nostalgia of my visit to Rome many years ago and I loved spending time at the awesome Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. There is so much history there! I am planning to do another trip and will incorporate your tips on places to see. 🙂