Top Things to See, Eat, and Do in Rome
Planning a visit to Rome and wondering what to see, eat, and do? Our ultimate guide covers everything from historical landmarks, delicious food tips, and wonderful day trips.
罗马 – the Eternal City has an infinite amount of things to see and do! Home of so much history, the Vatican, incredible food and drinks, and so much more. You can even technically visit two countries as Vatican City is internationally recognised as an independent state! It can be overwhelming to plan your time in a city with such vast options, so we’ve come up with the Rome backpacking guide!
General Tips
Rome is an ancient city, so be prepared to walk a lot during your stay. Underground metro lines aren’t as far reaching as they might be in other cities. But having said that, the surroundings will capture you so much you won’t even realise how far you end up walking!
We recommend wearing comfy shoes for your travels around Rome, and bring a reusable water bottle as the city has tons of free fountains (taps) where you can fill up on some fresh aqua. Just make sure you don’t confuse them with the monument fountains!
Entrance to churches and religious sites may be denied if your clothing is deemed unacceptable. For example, bare shoulders, short dresses, etc could be a problem. And this applies to all genders. We suggest bringing a light scarf to with you to ensure you won’t be denied entry.
Ancient Rome
First on the Rome backpacking guide is the ancient city. The Colosseum is likely where you’ll want to start. If you want to tour the interior, we recommend it! The ticket will also give you access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Other famous sites to see include: Capitoline Hill, Oppian Hill, Circus Maximums, and the Pantheon. These are all within walking distance from each other!
But the ancient history doesn’t stop there. You can find archaeological sites literally all over the city, and many have yet to be discovered. For example, Vicus Caprarius is a stones throw away from the Trevi Fountain! Only discovered in 1999, it’s alternatively known as the City of Water as its home to ancient aqueducts!
Churches & Holy Sites
What’s a visit to Rome without seeing some of the most grand churches of the Catholic faith? St. Peter’s Basilica is our first recommendation for things to see in Rome! This is the church of the Pope, and is located in Vatican City. While here, you can also visit the Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Dome, the Catacombs, and the Sistine Chapel.
St. John Lateran, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, and Santa Maria Maggiore are all worth a visit as well! For something extra special, we recommend Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano. It’s a 12th century church, built on top of a 4th century church. And it doesn’t stop there. Below there, there exists a 2nd century Pagan temple. Rome is full of treasures like this!
Jewish Ghetto
Like many places throughout Europe, Rome fell victim to Nazi occupation in WWII. However, this wasn’t the first time the city had designated an area to Rome’s Jewish residents. Religious tensions between Christians and Jews were the reasons behind it’s initial construction. In WWII, it was used as a way for the Nazi’s to keep all Jewish residents together and decide their often unfortunate fate from there. You can find several Stolperstein (stepping stones) in the neighbourhood which mark the former homes of Holocaust victims.
Other Notable Things to See in Rome
Like we’ve said, there are tons of things to see in Rome! Aside from all the sites we’ve already discussed, you should also see:
- Castel Sant’Angelo & the statues of Sant’Angelo bridge
- Piazza Navona
- Piazza del Popolo
- Trastevere
- Isola Tiberina
- Spanish Steps
- Villa Borghese
Shopping
Italy is known for fashion, and Rome’s shopping options are endless. Via dei Condotti is worth visiting for window shopping some of the world’s most expensive designers! Via del Corso is where you’ll find more affordable options.
There are also tons of street vendors selling souvenirs, hats, scarfs, wallets, etc. Don’t be afraid to barter with the vendors, either. What’s a Rome Backpacking guide without mentioning this tip?!
Food
The food scene in Rome is an experience in itself, and will more than exceed your expectations. We suggest checking out our Rome Food Guide to plan your culinary adventures and get all the hottest tips.
Day Trips from Rome
While there’s tons of things to see in Rome, you might need a break from the hustle and bustle. You can reach all these destinations within 30 mins – 1 hour away! Here are our top 4 suggestions:
Beach
While Rome is located inland, you can access the Mediterranean quite easy from here! Within an hour from Rome, you can reach Ostia, Santa Marinella, and Anzio, which are all great beach locations.
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Football
Last but not least on our Rome backpacking guide is for the sports fans! Rome is home to TWO football clubs: A.S. Roma 和 S.S. Lazio. Catch some of that European football fever and see a game!
Top Things to See, Eat, and Do in Rome
You’ll have an itinerary packed with things to see and do in the eternal city, so we hope our Rome Backpacking Guide will help you plan your time well. If you need more information to help you plan your vacation, click 这里 for a range of helpful tips, city guides, food guides, and more. For all the latest news at Famous Hostels, follow us or subscribe on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Youtube.
