Best 15+ Things to Do in Rome from Someone Who Lived There

Isn’t it everybody’s wish to visit Italy at some point? That was me until I got to work for some time there. It was like a European dream come true only I got to live it. Writing this story, let me enchant you, from my point of view, with the best things to do in Rome from someone who lived there.

When I first got to Rome, I walked every day after work to see another wonder. It was summer, it was hot, it was nice and I was mesmerized. The beauty of this city is just unbelievable. On the streets, you feel like walking in a museum. An open-air museum.

Starting with a world wonder and finishing with the best ice cream and tiramisu in the world, you can’t decide which one is better. There are a lot of places to see and experiences not to miss, so I am making this guide with the best things to do in Rome so you can enjoy the city to the fullest because you don’t want to miss anything.

1. See the World Wonder – The Colosseum

Well… who doesn’t have on the bucket list to see the world wonders? I can only put Colloseum first on the list of things to see in Rome as I am always mesmerized by the beauty of this treasure. If you are passionate about history, especially the Roman Empire, Italy is not to miss.

Just be careful, if you wish to visit the inside of the Colosseum, you have to book in advance in high season.

2. Make a Wish at Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain is my favorite place in Rome. Whenever I want to walk and indulge my eyes with something beautiful, I come to visit this beauty. Legend says that if you throw a coin in the fountain and make a wish, it will come true. I can’t guarantee it will come true but you can always try.😊

3. Get Lost in History at Circo Massimo

One metro station away from the Colosseum is Circo Massimo. This is an ancient amphitheater and you can visit its ruins. It is just wonderful to walk around on a sunny day when temperatures are not too high. Rome is like an open-air museum. It never stops surprising you!

Here is me on a sunny autumn Saturday walking around the city. As Italy feels like a runaway show, you can always have fun with matching your clothes. Just be careful with the pickpockets all the time if you go to crowded places.

4. Do Some Shopping in Piazza di Spagna

If you love shopping like I am, Piazza di Spagna is the perfect spot for you. You get lost on the little streets full of history, you can climb up the Spanish steps and in between, you can delight yourself with the creations of the most famous fashion brands. In this area, you can find almost any shop you can think of.

5. Visit Vatican City, another Country inside a City

Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world, both by area and population. It serves as the administrative and spiritual headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. This is where the Pope stays and he is also the absolute monarch of this state with full power.

Within this area, you can visit:

• St. Peter’s Basilica: One of the largest and most important churches in Christianity, it is believed to be built over the tomb of St. Peter, one of Jesus’s apostles.
• The Sistine Chapel: Famous for its ceiling painted by Michelangelo, it is also where the Papal conclave is held to elect a new Pope.
• Vatican Museums: Home to one of the world’s greatest art collections, including works by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Caravaggio.

Do pay attention to booking in advance if you plan to go to Rome as this is one of the most crowded places, and you need to be sure you can get in.

Even though there are lots of people around, you can’t help but feel the profound sense of sacredness that surrounds you. And bonus points, you get to check another country from your bucket list.

6. Get on Top of Vittorio Emanuele II Monument to See the Wonders from Above

This amazing monument, also called Altare della Patria, was built in honor of the first king of a unified Italy. It has a sumptuous structure and if you get inside and climb to the top, you get a nice view of both, the most famous street in Rome, Via del Corso and Foro Romano which lies between the Colosseum and this palace.

Normally, in the daylight, the Vittorio Emanuelle II monument looks like it has a white cold color but in the sunset light, it gets a yellow tone which is just heartwarming. It’s a pleasure to be in Piazza Venezia at dusk to see it.

7. Visit the Amazing Churches on Via del Corso, the Most Famous Street in Rome

As Via del Corso is filled with shops, you can also find some very beautiful cathedrals. Amazingly painted ceilings, tall walls, and a calm atmosphere are what you can find in all of them. I like to get in and pray for a few minutes, light some candles and I continue my day with a calmer feeling.

You should put on your list the following churches:

• Santa Maria dei Miracoli Church – pictured above
• Santa Maria in Montesanto Church
• San Giacomo in Augusta Church
• Jesus and Mary Church
• Santissima Trinita degli Spagnoli Church
• San Marcello al Corso Church – my favorite
• SS. Ambrose and Charles on the Corso Church

8. Walk from Piazza del Popolo to Villa Borghese Park

On the other side of Via del Corso street from the Altare della Patria monument, there is Piazza del Popolo. A big and pedestrian area with statues, a fountain pictured above on a hot September day. This is also the entrance to one of the biggest and nicest parks in Rome, Villa Borghese.

As the name Villa Borghese, in the middle of the park, there is an exquisite Villa which holds some expositions that you can visit with a ticket. In the mornings, you can see a lot of Italians running here.

9. Visit a Roman Temple – the Pantheon

As you can see, there is always a crowd. If you want to visit this amazing temple and get lost in ancient Rome history, be sure to book a ticket in advance so as not to waste time at the entrance and be sure you can visit.

10. Feel Regal at Saint Angelo Castle

Close to Vatican City, there is Saint Angelo Castle which was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for his family but it is now a museum and it can be visited with a ticket.

11. Eat the Best IceCream in Rome at La Romana

There are a lot of ice cream shops in Rome but most of the central ones are just tourist traps, expensive and not that good. Of course, Romans have their places where they eat the ice cream. Out of all the chains and shops I could find, for me and my friends, the best feels to be La Romana.

Whenever I go to a La Romana shop, there is always a queue. But the taste is certainly worth the wait. You can always find seasonal flavors as well as a lot of crunchy options. Among all, my favourites are: biscotto della nonna, bacio di dama con mandorle tostate, croccante all’amarena and of course the all time winner, pistachio.

12. Eat a Flavoured Tiramisu at Mr. 100 Tiramisu

When visiting a foreign country, you have to try the local food. Tiramisu in the place is a no-miss. I always stop by Mr. 100 Tiramisu to try another flavor. Here in the photo, we got pistachio and pistachio with white chocolate. What’s life if you’re not treating yourself with some little sugary pleasures?

Just be aware there is a queue even for take away not only for eating inside. Try to schedule your visit when they open maybe it is not that crowded.

13. Watch the Sunset from Janiculum Hill

Well… the sunsets in this country are amazing. One of the best places where Romans gather to watch the sunset is Janiculum Hill. You can easily get here by climbing some stairs from Vatican City up or you can come by car or by Vespa as there is a big square with a lot of parking places where you can stop.

On the other side of the hill, you can watch from the distance, almost all the monuments we talked about above. And if you are lucky for a clear sky, you can also spot some hills and mountains from around the city. In the end, Rome is also called the “City of Seven Hills”.

14. Some Bonus Amazing Things to Do in Rome

Indulge in Italian Products at Eataly Rome

Eataly is like a big supermarket on a few floors with a lot of restaurants that sell traditional food and also stores that sell only mare-in-Italy products from fresh pasta to wines and sweets.

See the Vatican Cupola from a Keyhole

On the hill at Giardino degli Arranci, there is a green door and a lot of people queue for it to look through the keyhole. You can see through it the Vatican cupola. It doesn’t matter if it is day or night, the view and how they could build the door in this way is just mesmerizing. Just be chill, there will be a long 2-3hrs queue during the daytime.

Do Some Shopping

If you are into shopping and want to spend some money, Italy is one of the best places to do this. In Rome, you can find in the city center around Via del Corso and Piazza di Spagna mostly all the shops you can think of.

Still, if this is not enough for you or you want to find better deals, you can go to the EUROMA2 mall or to Castel Romano Designer Outlet just outside of the city. For these 2, the best option to get there is by car or taxi.

As a little help for your shopping spree, you can check the following article “6 Easy Steps to Build a Versatile Capsule Wardrobe for All Seasons“, to be able to have the pieces you buy in Italy for as long as possible.

Taste Grattachecca Romana

Grattachecca Romana is a drink made from shaved ice, flavor, and fruits. For me, the best place to taste this is in the summer season at “La Sora Maria“. This is like a truck somewhere close to Vatican City.

Party in Trastevere

In the night, this area catches life. Along the water and on the small streets, there are a lot of bars and restaurants, music, and fun. Getting there in the evening for dinner and some cocktails is a very good idea.

Rent a Vespa to See the City of Rome

Want to see another view of the city? As Romans have a tradition with the Vespas, you can rent one and get lost on the streets of Rome as the city has much more to offer apart from the city center and this is a great way to see as much as possible.

Sunbath and Swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea

Near Rome, 30 minutes away by car, there is Ostia. This is a small city by the sea. This is the closest place to the sea when going from Rome. Even though the water and the beach here are not amazing, it is a good option still.

If you want blue waters and more exclusive places where the Romans go, you have around 1-hour drive down from Rome, Sabaudia, and San Felice Circeo. You can take a one-day trip here.

Do a Day Trip from Rome to Tivoli

If you want to see more old and fancy architecture, you can get out of Rome to Tivoli. Here is a very old town with many well-maintained villas and treasures. To name a few:

• Villa d’Este
• Villa Gregoriana
• Temple of Sibilla
• Sanctuary of Hercules Victor
• Villa Adriana

To Conclude…

Rome is a wonderful city. It doesn’t matter the season but it’s best to visit in spring and autumn when it is not too hot but not too cold also. You need to take a few days here to be able to enjoy this open-air museum and everything it has to offer. Definitely, it is a destination not to miss in a lifetime.