---
title: "Top 10 Things To Do in Rome, Italy (2026 Guide), Wimup"
description: "The 10 best things to do in Rome, mapped, filmed and ranked. When to go, how many days you need, where to stay and the tourist traps to skip."
url: https://wimup.com/city/rome
type: City guide
updated: 2026-10-07
publisher: Wimup (https://wimup.com)
---

# Top 10 Things To Do in Rome

Rome, Italy · Europe · By Wimup Editorial, 16 min read

Rome layers three thousand years on top of each other and somehow still feels alive. Below are the **ten experiences worth your time** (each mapped, with a Wimup video guide) plus the tourist traps we’d skip.

## Quick answer

The best things to do in Rome are standing inside the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain and an evening in Trastevere. Give it 3–4 days, visit in spring or autumn, and book the big sites online to skip the queues.

## Quick facts

- **Best months:** Apr–Jun · Sep–Oct
- **Ideal length:** 3–4 days
- **Budget per day:** $120–200
- **Language:** Italian
- **Getting around:** Walking & metro
- **Tourism board:** [Official site](https://www.turismoroma.it/en?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## The 10 best things to do in Rome

### 1. Stand inside the Colosseum

Landmark · Piazza del Colosseo

Rome’s 2,000-year-old arena, book the arena-floor and underground tour to skip the queue and walk where gladiators fought.

- **Time:** 2 hrs
- **Cost:** €18
- **Best at:** Morning
- **Tip:** Pre-book combo

Links: [Website](https://parcocolosseo.it/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) · [Place guide](https://wimup.com/place/colosseum.md)

### 2. Walk the Vatican Museums to the Sistine Chapel

Museum · Vatican City

Raphael’s rooms, endless galleries and Michelangelo’s ceiling, go at opening or on a Friday night to dodge the worst crush.

- **Time:** 3–4 hrs
- **Cost:** €17
- **Best at:** Open/Fri eve
- **Tip:** Book skip-line

Links: [Website](https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) · [Place guide](https://wimup.com/place/vatican-museums.md)

### 3. Climb St. Peter’s Basilica dome

Landmark · St. Peter’s Square

The cupola gives the best view in Rome; the basilica below is free but dress modestly and arrive early to beat the security line.

- **Time:** 1–2 hrs
- **Cost:** €10 dome
- **Best at:** Early AM
- **Tip:** Cover shoulders

Links: [Website](https://www.basilicasanpietro.va/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 4. Look up inside the Pantheon

Landmark · Piazza della Rotonda

The best-preserved building of ancient Rome, its open oculus framing the sky and rain falling straight through the roof.

- **Time:** 45 min
- **Cost:** €5
- **Best at:** Midday light
- **Tip:** Go on arrival

Links: [Website](https://www.pantheonroma.com/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) · [Place guide](https://wimup.com/place/pantheon.md)

### 5. Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain

Landmark · Piazza di Trevi

Baroque theatre at its grandest. Come at dawn or late at night for a photo without the scrum, one coin, legend says, guarantees a return.

- **Time:** 30 min
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** Dawn/late
- **Tip:** Right hand, over shoulder

### 6. Wander the Roman Forum & Palatine

Ruins · Via della Salara Vecchia

The heart of ancient Rome, temples, triumphal arches and the hill where the emperors lived, all on the Colosseum combined ticket.

- **Time:** 2–3 hrs
- **Cost:** Combo
- **Best at:** Late PM
- **Tip:** Wear good shoes

Links: [Website](https://parcocolosseo.it/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 7. Eat your way through Trastevere

Food & culture · Trastevere

Cobbled lanes, ivy-draped facades and the city’s liveliest dinner scene. Wander without a plan and follow your nose to a trattoria.

- **Time:** Evening
- **Cost:** €€
- **Best at:** After 8pm
- **Tip:** Go hungry

### 8. See Bernini at the Galleria Borghese

Museum · Villa Borghese gardens

A jewel-box gallery of breathtaking Bernini marble and Caravaggio, timed entry only, so reserve ahead, then stroll the park after.

- **Time:** 2 hrs
- **Cost:** €13
- **Best at:** Booked slot
- **Tip:** Reserve early

Links: [Website](https://galleriaborghese.cultura.gov.it/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 9. Cycle the Ancient Appian Way

Local life · Via Appia Antica

Rent a bike on Sunday when the old Roman road closes to cars, catacombs, ruins and umbrella pines, far from the crowds.

- **Time:** Half day
- **Cost:** €
- **Best at:** Sunday
- **Tip:** Rent a bike

Links: [Website](https://www.parcoarcheologicoappiaantica.it/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 10. Shop the Campo de’ Fiori market

Hidden gem · Campo de’ Fiori

A morning food market by day and a buzzing piazza by night, grab supplies, then an aperitivo at a café on the square.

- **Time:** 1 hr
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** AM market
- **Tip:** Closed Sunday

## Best restaurants in Rome (2026)

From Roman trattorias to natural-wine tables, where locals actually book.

1. **Da Enzo al 29** (Roman classics · €€ · Trastevere): Cult Trastevere trattoria, cacio e pepe done right. [Website](https://www.daenzoal29.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Emma** (Pizza & pasta · €€ · Centro): Thin Roman pizza by the Campo with top ingredients. [Website](https://emmapizzeria.com/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Pipero** (Tasting menu · €€€€ · Prati): Michelin-starred modern Roman cooking. [Website](https://www.piperoroma.it/eng/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
4. **Flavio al Velavevodetto** (Trattoria · €€ · Testaccio): Classic Testaccio carbonara and amatriciana. [Website](https://www.ristorantevelavevodetto.it/en/restaurants/roma-testaccio/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
5. **Roscioli** (Salumeria · €€€ · Centro): Deli-restaurant hybrid; the carbonara and the cheese counter are both destination-grade. [Website](https://salumeriaroscioli.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
6. **Armando al Pantheon** (Roman classics · €€ · Pantheon): A family trattoria in the Pantheon’s shadow since 1961; book days ahead. [Website](https://armandoalpantheon.it/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best bars & aperitivo in Rome

Aperitivo institutions, speakeasies and wood-panelled wine bars.

1. **Freni e Frizioni** (Aperitivo · € · Trastevere): A former garage pouring Trastevere’s favourite aperitivo, spritz in hand on the piazza.
2. **Jerry Thomas Speakeasy** (Cocktails · €€€ · Centro): The password-at-the-door bar that started Rome’s cocktail revival. Find the password, then knock.
3. **Drink Kong** (Cocktails · €€€ · Monti): Neon, concrete and some of Italy’s most awarded drinks; the big-night room.
4. **Il Goccetto** (Wine · €€ · Centro): A wood-panelled vini e olii institution: hundreds of bottles, small plates, zero pretension.

## Best museums & galleries in Rome

Beyond the Vatican, the collections worth your hours.

1. **Galleria Borghese** (Bernini · timed entry · Villa Borghese): Bernini’s marbles and Caravaggios in a villa built to show them off. Entry is timed; book ahead.
2. **Capitoline Museums** (Ancient art · €€ · Campidoglio): The she-wolf, the colossal Constantine, and a Forum view from the Tabularium gallery.
3. **Palazzo Massimo** (Ancient art · € · Termini): Rome’s best ancient frescoes and bronzes, strangely uncrowded; the Boxer at Rest alone earns the ticket.
4. **Doria Pamphilj** (Private palace · €€ · Centro): A still-inhabited palace whose mirrored gallery hides a Velázquez pope that stops you cold.
5. **Castel Sant’Angelo** (Fortress · €€ · Borgo): Hadrian’s mausoleum turned papal fortress; the terrace gives the classic Tiber-and-dome view.
6. **MAXXI** (Contemporary · €€ · Flaminio): Zaha Hadid’s contemporary-art machine, the antidote to a week of marble.

## Best shopping in Rome

Food markets, vintage lanes and the designer mile.

1. **Mercato di Testaccio** (Food market · € · Testaccio): The market Romans actually shop at; eat a street-food lunch between the stalls. [Website](https://www.mercatoditestaccio.it/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Mercato Monti** (Weekend market · Monti): Weekend vintage and young designers under the Monti arches.
3. **Via del Governo Vecchio** (Boutiques · Centro): The centro’s best browsing street: vintage, indie boutiques and aperitivo stops.
4. **Via Condotti** (Flagships · Tridente): The Spanish Steps’ designer mile, window-shopping at its most Roman.

## Best things to do in Rome with kids

Hands-on museums, park rowboats and a keyhole with a view.

1. **Explora** (Kids’ museum · Flaminio): A hands-on children’s museum run in timed sessions; book a slot, then let them loose. [Website](https://mdbr.it/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Bioparco di Roma** (Zoo · €€ · Villa Borghese): The zoo inside Villa Borghese; pair it with the park’s lawns and pedal boats. [Website](https://www.bioparco.it/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Villa Borghese rowboats** (Rowboats · € · Villa Borghese): Twenty minutes on the laghetto rowing past the Temple of Asclepius; small kids, big win.
4. **Aventine keyhole** (Views · free · Aventino): Peek through the keyhole at St Peter’s, perfectly framed, then the Orange Garden next door.

## Best neighborhoods in Rome

The areas to base yourself, and who each one suits.

1. **Centro Storico** (Central · iconic · Centro): Steps from the Pantheon and Navona, walk everywhere.
2. **Trastevere** (Lively · charm · Trastevere): Cobbles, trattorias and nightlife across the river.
3. **Monti** (Hip · local · Monti): Boutiques and wine bars between the Forum and Termini.
4. **Prati** (Elegant · calm · Prati): Smart, quiet streets by the Vatican.

## Best day trips from Rome

Fountained villas, cliff-top Umbria and ruins by suburban train.

1. **Tivoli** (UNESCO · full day · Lazio): Villa d’Este’s hundred fountains and Hadrian’s sprawling villa: two UNESCO sites in one hill town.
2. **Ostia Antica** (Ruins · half day · Ostia): Pompeii-grade ruins half an hour away on a suburban train, with mosaics you walk right up to.
3. **Orvieto** (Umbria · full day · Umbria): A cliff-top town up the rail line: a striped Gothic duomo above, Etruscan caves below.
4. **Castelli Romani** (Wine hills · half day · Alban Hills): Frascati’s wine hills and porchetta towns on Rome’s doorstep.

## Festivals & annual events in Rome (2026)

- **Rome Marathon** (Late Mar): 42km past the Colosseum, the Vatican and everything between.
- **Natale di Roma** (21 Apr): The city's birthday: costumed legions and historic re-enactments at Circus Maximus.
- **Estate Romana** (Jun–Aug): Open-air cinema, concerts and pop-up bars along the Tiber all summer.
- **Festa de' Noantri** (Mid Jul): Trastevere's own festival: processions, street stalls and fireworks.
- **Romaeuropa Festival** (Sep–Nov): The autumn season of international dance, theatre and music.
- **Rome Film Fest** (Mid Oct): Premieres and red carpets at the Auditorium Parco della Musica.
- **Piazza Navona Christmas market** (Dec): Stalls, lights and a carousel fill the baroque piazza.
- **La Befana** (6 Jan): Epiphany closes the season, the witch delivers sweets and Navona celebrates.

## Must-try dishes in Rome, Italy

- **Cacio e pepe**: Pecorino and black pepper, three ingredients, pure magic.
- **Carbonara**: Egg, guanciale and pecorino; never, ever cream.
- **Amatriciana**: Tomato, guanciale and pecorino tangled in bucatini.
- **Supplì**: Fried rice balls with a molten mozzarella heart.
- **Carciofi alla romana**: Roman-style braised artichokes, a spring treat.
- **Maritozzo**: A cream-stuffed sweet bun, best for breakfast.

## Rome transport & airports

- **Fiumicino** (FCO): Main hub, 30km SW. The Leonardo Express reaches Termini in 32 min, or ~€50 by fixed-fare taxi. [Website](https://www.adr.it/fiumicino?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Ciampino** (CIA): Budget-airline airport to the SE. A shuttle bus reaches Termini in ~40 min. [Website](https://www.adr.it/ciampino?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Metro & bus** (METRO): Two main metro lines plus trams and buses; a single BIT ticket is €1.50 for 100 min. [Official website](https://www.atac.roma.it/en?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Roma Pass** (PASS): A 48/72-hour pass bundling unlimited transit with skip-line entry to top sites. [Official website](https://www.romapass.it/?lang=en&utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Rome at a glance

- **Country:** Italy
- **Region:** Lazio
- **Population:** 2.8M · 4.3M metro
- **Founded:** 753 BC
- **Nickname:** The Eternal City
- **Language:** Italian
- **Currency:** Euro (€)
- **Time zone:** CET · UTC+1
- **Calling code:** +39
- **Airports:** FCO · CIA
- **Power:** 230V · Type C/F/L
- **Emergency:** 112

## Interesting facts

- Rome has more than 2,000 fountains, more than any other city.
- The Vatican is the world’s smallest country, entirely surrounded by Rome.
- Around €1.5M is tossed into the Trevi Fountain each year, donated to charity.
- The Colosseum could hold 50,000–80,000 spectators.
- Cats are protected residents of the Largo di Torre Argentina ruins.

## Watch

[Rome in a Day, Top 10](https://wimup.com/watch/rome.md), 3:50:43

## Rome travel FAQ

### How many days do you need in Rome?

Three to four days covers the icons, the Vatican and a couple of neighborhoods without rushing.

### What is the best time to visit Rome?

April–June and September–October bring warm days and lighter crowds; July–August are hot and packed.

### Is Rome expensive?

Budget €100–180 per person per day mid-range; many highlights (the Pantheon, Trevi, Trastevere) cost nothing.

### Where should I stay for the first time?

The Centro Storico, Monti or Trastevere, central and walkable. Avoid the streets right by Termini.

### What should you skip in Rome?

Restaurants on the main piazzas, the gladiators charging for photos, and queueing on-site when you could pre-book.

## Nearby guides

- [Siena](https://wimup.com/city/siena.md): Italy · 10 picks
- [San Marino](https://wimup.com/city/san-marino.md): San Marino · 10 picks
- [Zadar](https://wimup.com/city/zadar.md): Croatia · 10 picks
- [All of Europe →](https://wimup.com/europe): 105 cities

Part of the [Italy guide](https://wimup.com/country/italy.md) · [Europe](https://wimup.com/europe.md)

## Sources

- [Rome tourism board](https://www.turismoroma.it/en?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Stand inside the Colosseum (official site)](https://parcocolosseo.it/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Walk the Vatican Museums to the Sistine Chapel (official site)](https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Climb St. Peter’s Basilica dome (official site)](https://www.basilicasanpietro.va/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Look up inside the Pantheon (official site)](https://www.pantheonroma.com/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [See Bernini at the Galleria Borghese (official site)](https://galleriaborghese.cultura.gov.it/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Cycle the Ancient Appian Way (official site)](https://www.parcoarcheologicoappiaantica.it/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Da Enzo al 29 (official site)](https://www.daenzoal29.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Emma (official site)](https://emmapizzeria.com/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Pipero (official site)](https://www.piperoroma.it/eng/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Flavio al Velavevodetto (official site)](https://www.ristorantevelavevodetto.it/en/restaurants/roma-testaccio/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Roscioli (official site)](https://salumeriaroscioli.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Armando al Pantheon (official site)](https://armandoalpantheon.it/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Mercato di Testaccio (official site)](https://www.mercatoditestaccio.it/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Explora (official site)](https://mdbr.it/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Bioparco di Roma (official site)](https://www.bioparco.it/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Fiumicino (official site)](https://www.adr.it/fiumicino?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Ciampino (official site)](https://www.adr.it/ciampino?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Metro & bus (official site)](https://www.atac.roma.it/en?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Roma Pass (official site)](https://www.romapass.it/?lang=en&utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- Rankings are Wimup editorial picks. Prices, durations and budgets are editorial estimates, not live quotes; check the official site before you go.