Location: Rome
Top Things to do in Rome
What to do and see in Rome, Lazio: The Best Free Things to do
Rome wasn't built in a day--and you'll need much more than a day to take in this timeless city. The city is a real-life collage of piazzas, open-air markets, and astonishing historic sites. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, contemplate the Colosseum and the Pantheon, and sample a perfect espresso or gelato before spending an afternoon shopping at the Campo de’Fiori or Via Veneto. Enjoy some of the most memorable meals of your life here, too, from fresh pasta to succulent fried artichokes or a tender oxtail stew.
Restaurants in Rome
1. Centro Storico
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,069 reviews
This section of Rome is filled with a tangle of narrow streets, which offers some of the finest examples of Roman classical and Baroque architecture and style.
Reviewed By AndreaB1169 - London, United Kingdom
It’s always amazing visiting Rome and if you also enjoy the heat, August is a good month to visi. But for the best light and cooler weather October in Rome is wonderful!
2. Basilica Papale San Paolo Fuori le Mura
3. Trastevere
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,960 reviews
This busy and lively neighborhood has the look and feel of a traditional small Italian town, with people shopping, chatting, drinking espresso and going about their daily business.
Reviewed By 82manuelal - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Trastevere, this name means literally : "Across the Tiber", and in classical times it was the area of the artisans; Nowaday Trastevere is well known for excellent restaurants and a lot of bars, many of tourists go to this area to have a good dinner and often with music ambiance; charming narrow streets and colorful painted houses; very lively in the evening and calm or peaceful in the morning. there is basilica Santa Cecilia on the same called piazza; with inside the nice fresco: the Last Jugement; and amazing decoration that covered once the entire church; Also in this aera is the church of Maria in Trastevere; Trastevere is very charming for nice walks along the river Tiber.
4. Villa Borghese
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,870 reviews
Famous villa constructed at the beginning of the 17th century for Cardinal Scipione Caffarelli Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V, which is surrounded by one of the largest and most beautiful public parks in Rome.
Reviewed By FunFilledFamily - Tulsa, United States
My fourth trip to Rome and I decided to try something new that I hadn't heard of before and that was Villa Borghese. Besides the awesome art on display, the property in this area is incredible. We walked and walked enjoying the truly beautiful park and other attractions - Villa Medici, garden, fountains, zoo - it was truly picturesque and incredible. For Americans, it was like Central Park. There were bikes and golf carts to rent to drive around the grounds. Loved my afternoon here and wished I had allowed more time to explore more. Go!!
5. Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12,067 reviews
Reviewed By Llubi - London, United Kingdom
This place is free to visit. Is a beautiful place , is imponente... every corner is perfect from the stairs to the main part.... is full of details and sculptures....in there is located the tomb of the anonymous soldier where the eternal flame is on. If you carry on walking you can reach easily the Roman forum , Constantino arch and the coliseum. Highly recommend to take pictures from the top of the monument and to walk inside is simple beautiful
6. Piazza del Popolo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,229 reviews
Planned by Valadier at the beginning of the 19th century, this is considered one of the best urban works in Rome.
Reviewed By eac53
From our wonderful hotel, Rome Style (near the Spanish Steps) we strolled along Via del Bubuino popping in dozens of churches (to view free amazing art) and enjoy delightful shopping, both high-end world renowned designers and small interesting shops. Lots of places to enjoy coffee or a bite to eat ending at Piazza del Popolo. There are four churches on this piazza. The church in the 2:00 quadrant, Santa Maria del Popolo, has two fantastic Caravaggio paintings ... more spectacular art for free in Rome!! An amazing stroll and day.
7. Piazza Venezia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,370 reviews
Close to many tourist attractions such as the Roman Forum and Capitol Hill, this large sunny square is the true hub of Rome, which features the impressive monument of King Vittorio Emmanuele II.
Reviewed By MissEmilyMc - London, United Kingdom
Piazza Venezia doesn’t just serve as a central hub in Rome as there’s several intersections and it’s close to nearby attractions such as the Roman Forum, The Colosseum and Capitol Hill. Regardless of it serving as a central hub, there is one landmark that dominates Piazza Venezia which is a monument called Il Vittoriano (Victor Emannuel II) - the first King of Italy. Not only is this landmark one of the largest in Rome as well as being one of the most majestic but a very recent addition to Rome’s scenery as it was built during the 20th century. The unmissable centrepiece is the bronze equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II riding a horse, it’s so large that when it was completed there was a celebratory dinner held in the horse’s stomach (fitting approximately 20 people). Even though this landmark in itself is a magnificent work of art many Romans would disagree and refer to it as “The Wedding Cake” since they dispute the marble clashes with existing architecture. Not only is the architecture a problem for Romans but the history behind it with churches and homes being demolished in way for it as well as a place where Mussolini and Hitler were pictured. Mussolini took over the monument for political use which has left bad memories for Romans. There’s even more symbolism found when looking closer at Victor Emmanuel II such as the two fountains at either side of the monument representing the seas surrounding Italy - Adriatic Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The friezes at the top of Victor Emmanuel II represents the different regions of Italy being personified as statues, an incredible idea and sight adding to the incredible architecture. The most spectacular features are the everlasting flame, eternally shining and burning in front of the altar, which are always guarded by two soldiers - representing and marking the grave of the “Unknown Soldier” who died during World War I. The same principle applies to those who were never identified but died during the war, they’re given a tribute as well as everyone being given a symbolic reminder of the deaths during this war. Overall, the monument was constructed to represent and celebrate the unification of Italy and furthermore the power of Rome as the capital of the country. There are countless buildings surrounding Piazza Venezia such as The Via del Corso, Palazzo Bonaparte and most famously Michelangelo's House. Before leaving Piazza Venezia our tour guide brought us to Trajan’s Column which was built by Emperor Trajan in 113 AD - hence the name. The triumphal column commemorates and represents the Trajan’s victory over the Dacians to which can be seen on the column itself explains the entire campaign. The Trajan Column doesn’t proudly show the Emperor Trajan in all his glory but one of Rome’s patron saints there - St Peter, since during the 19th century Pope Sixtus V changed the statue. The great influence and reach that numerous Pope’s had throughout Rome during all eras, with such a large influence still standing today.
8. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,079 reviews
One of seven pilgrimage basilicas in the world, this church was founded in 432 AD and is where the famous architect Bernini is buried.
Reviewed By 282LisaH - Melbourne, Australia
We were staying in Trastevere with an air B and B.we walked around the cobbled lanes and came across piazza Santa Maria and this beautiful church which I had read about it is amazing and inspires serene meditation ????♀️ . The frescoes and building are beautiful and it sits in the piazza . Absolutely stunning and to think it started building in the 2nd century
9. San Pietro in Vincoli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,459 reviews
This 5th-century church features Michelangelo's sculpture of Moses that adorns the incomplete tomb of Pope Julius II.
Reviewed By srablair - Lytham St Anne's, United Kingdom
We had a bit of trouble finding this, but so glad we got here as it is a gem of a place. It is on the Oppian hill near the colisseum and looks quite plain from the outside but beautiful once you step through the door. Includes main attractions from art lovers is the mausoleum of Julius 2nd, with its wonderful Michelangelo enlightenment of Moses. Also the chains displayed as a relic reputed to be the chains that held st Peter in Jerusalem and Rome. Unlike some churches, you are welcome to sit down here for private prayer and quiet reflection. A wonderful peaceful place and quite poignant to sit and reflect on the significant history and symbolism of the chains.
10. Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,028 reviews
Known to be the first church in Christendom, this church belongs to the Vatican and has the privileges of extraterritoriality.
Reviewed By endoedibles - Las Vegas, United States
Despite popular belief that St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican holds that title, Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran (or The Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist) is actually the Cathedral of Rome. It is also the oldest public church in the city of Rome, and the oldest basilica of the Western world. A stunning building of immense size, visiting is recommended regardless of race or beliefs.
