Planning a visit to Rome can feel like an impossible task — the city offers more than a lifetime’s worth of history, beauty, and experience. This guide selects some of the most essential encounters — from ancient landmarks to quiet gardens, vibrant sporting events to exceptional cuisine — that define Italy’s remarkable capital.
Every corner of Rome bears the imprint of centuries. The Colosseum, once the grand amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, remains one of the world’s most iconic monuments — its vast structure a testament to ancient engineering and spectacle.
Nearby, the Roman Forum stretches out as a living museum of the city’s political and social heart, while Palatine Hill, birthplace of Rome’s legendary founders, offers panoramic views over the archaeological landscape.
The Pantheon, still standing with its original vast dome, reflects the city’s architectural ambition; first built in 27 BC and later rebuilt in the 2nd century AD, it remains among the most perfectly preserved monuments of the ancient world.
No first encounter with Rome is complete without the Vatican Museums, where masterpieces like the Sistine Chapeland St. Peter’s Basilica represent both spiritual and artistic heights. With thoughtful planning — or the guidance of a private tour — the experience becomes far richer and free of queues.
Rome’s soul is not limited to marble and ruin — it is also among Europe’s greenest capitals, with vast public parks and elegant gardens.
Once private estates, spaces like Villa Borghese — complete with its charming boating lake — and Villa Doria Pamphilj, the city’s largest park, now offer tranquil retreats. Villa Ada Savoia and Villa Torlonia remain less travelled gems, ideal for quiet afternoons.
To glimpse both history and nature, explore the Appia Antica Regional Park, where 16 kilometres of the ancient Appian Way weave through Roman aqueducts, early Christian sites, and untouched countryside.
For sweeping views, the Orange Garden (Savello Park) and the Pincian Terrace reveal Rome’s layered skyline, with domes and rooftops unfolding under the Mediterranean sky.
Every spring, Rome hosts the Internazionali BNL d’Italia — Italy’s most prestigious tennis tournament and a fixture on the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tours. For nearly a century, the tournament has drawn the world’s greatest players to its historic clay courts at the Foro Italico.
Legends such as Rafael Nadal, with his record ten titles, and Chris Evert, with five, have defined eras here. Today, local attention turns to Jannik Sinner, the first Italian ever to top the ATP rankings — a moment of pride for the host city.
Rome’s culinary heritage is inseparable from its daily life. In Piazza Navona, elegant cafés and trattorias offer the perfect setting to enjoy a glass of wine or a plate of spaghetti alla carbonara — the city’s quintessential dish.
Nearby, Campo de' Fiori offers food tours and lively market stalls, while its surrounding gelaterie serve artisanal Italian ice cream in endless flavours.
For a quiet espresso, locals often gather near Piazza della Rotonda, while the Spanish Steps area transforms by evening into a centre for fine dining and casual aperitivo alike.
Across the Tiber in Trastevere, cobblestone streets reveal family-run pizzerias, rustic enotecas, and street food favourites like supplì and trapizzino — beloved by Romans for their simplicity and rich flavour.
And before departing, tradition insists on tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, a ritual said to ensure a future return to the Eternal City.
Whether seen through ancient ruins, quiet gardens, the tension of world-class sport, or the simplicity of a perfect meal, Rome offers more than a destination — it offers a way of life, layered and timeless.
