Top 10 things to do in Rome
Rome is, of course, one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Ancient, lively, beautiful, extravagant – it’s a city that just has it all. And more. Deciding to head here on your travels is never a difficult choice, then. Deciding just what you’ll do while in the city, however, always is.
Here, then, is a brief list of 10 must-experience things to do in Rome. Enjoy!…
1. Stay in a Hostel. Ok, so it doesn’t sound as exciting as, say, visiting the Colosseum, but staying in hostels Rome is key to enjoying the city. That’s because these hostels allow you to save huge amounts of money without really reducing the standard of your accommodation – as a result, you can splurge all your cash on other, more important things, like buying wine for everyone in a small Roman bar!
Alessandro Palace Hostel and Bar is a backpacker’s favorite that situated within walking distance of Termini, Rome’s main train station. Other popular places include Hotello di Roma and – on the outskirts of the city – Plus Camping Roma.
2. The Colosseum. Is there any more iconic building in the world? The crumbling ruins of the Colosseum have come to represent so much of Ancient Rome, from its architectural brilliance, to its recreational brutality. Tours are widely available: be careful to avoid scammers.
3. The Pantheon. The Pantheon has changed little since its completion 2000 years ago – it’s still as astounding now as it was then. A magnificent ancient temple, it’s particularly famous for its stupendous domed roof, which manages to support itself despite having a circular hole at its highest point.
4. St. Peter’s Basilica. St. Peter’s Basilica can hold 60,000 people at one time. That’s right: 60,000 people! This gargantuan basilica located in the Vatican city is just about the most important place of worship in the Catholic world.
5. Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna. This should be the first port of call for lovers of Italian art from the 19th and 20th Centuries. It’s located on the Via delle Belle Arti, close to the Etruscan Museum.
6. Vatican Museums. Try to break the Da Vinci Code in the Vatican Church’s out-of-this-world complex of museums. Huge and multifarious, it would take a lifetime to explore this properly.
7. Shop. Italians are, of course, famed for their love of shopping. When in Rome do as the Romans then and head for the Via del Corso or the Via Condotti and splash your cash.
8. Explore Trastevere. By day Trastevere is a charmingly alluring place, offering sights such as the Santa Maria Church and the Church of Santa Cecilia. By night it’s a pretty wild drinking and clubbing haunt, especially among expats and tourists.
9. Night Out in Testaccio. Another restaurant, bar and disco area that’s well worth a messy night or two.
10. Campo dei Fiori Market. Close to the Piazza Navona, this is one of Rome’s best and most evocative food markets.
