Rome: For The First Timer

So…you wanna go to Rome!

I don’t blame you! Rome, Italy is a fantastic city to explore. It is great for all kinds of travelers. Whether you are a couple, a family, a history buff, a romantic, a foodie…Rome is just perfect!

But, what is there to do in Rome, specifically?

I’ve laid out my perfect list of the top attractions to visit that you will NOT want to miss. Most of these you will be familiar with if you’ve ever taken a high school history class.

As a bonus, you’ll come to find that the historic center of Rome is a very walkable city and most of my suggestions are right next to each other!

In alphabetical order…

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Altar of the Fatherland

I was casually walking towards the direction of Rome’s historic city center when I turned the corner and…BAM! This giant, beautiful building surprised me out of nowhere! The Altar of the Fatherland was built in honor of a unified Italy ruled under the King Victor Emmanuel II. It was created in the neoclassical style, which makes it look like the modern versions of the nearby ancient buildings. There are many photo opportunities among the steps, or for 7 Euros you can ride the elevator and take a beautiful picture with unparalleled views of the surrounding city (especially at sunset!)

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Arch of Constantine

It takes very little amount of planning to see this beautiful arch. Situated between the Colosseum (where I assume you will be making a visit) and Palatine Hill, you’ll find the Arch of Constantine. This arch was erected in 312 after a winning war victory. It is fenced off so you cannot get to the top, but you can get relatively close enough for a stunning picture.

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Centro Storico

Before I visited Rome for the first time, I pictured a city with picturesque narrow streets and charming hidden alleyways. Looking for that experience? One great place to visit is Centro Storico. This is where you will find endless restaurant options among stunning Roman and Baroque architecture. Many of Rome’s top attractions are located right in this very district, which would make it a great place to stay as well.

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Colosseum

Perhaps the most obvious addition to this list, the Colosseum certainly does live up the hype. The Colosseum one of the world’s most iconic ancient buildings, serving as a center of entertainment for the Roman Empire as early as 80 AD! Funny enough, I actually enjoyed the outside of the building just as much as the inside because of how epic it looks. It is a very good idea to get a skip-the-line ticket. Keep in mind that many surfaces on the inside are uneven and the stairs are very steep, so comfy shoes are a must!

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Cooking Class

Rome is world renowned for it’s cuisine, so why not learn a few secrets straight from the source? Whether it’s pasta, pizza, or tiramisu, enjoy a tasty afternoon with an unforgettable culinary experience to remember.

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Gelato

Everyone says you can’t leave Italy without eating loads of gelato. I agree that it is very good here, but personally I’m not super into sweets like that. I’m more of a salty/cheesy type of girl. I had great gelato nonetheless, and I suggest you do the same, at least once. I had this mascarpone-flavored gelato at Mariotti Gelateria.

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Gladiator School

We’ve all seen the movie, so why not experience the real thing? This option is particularly great for families and a sure way to help the kids (and adults) burn off some energy. This school also includes free entry into the Gladiator School of Rome Museum.

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Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill is said to be where the first people who ever lived in Rome resided. I would advise exploring this area in the morning before the heat (if visiting in the summer) and to bring your walking shoes, as it is on a “hill” and there are a lot of areas of uneven walking paths.

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The Pantheon

A beautiful building on the outside, with an architectural surprise on the inside. I didn’t take a picture of the interior that would give it any justice. Walking inside the Pantheon was the one of the highlights of my trip and it’s free, so you have no excuse not to go!

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Piazza Navona

This is a beautiful square in the historic Rome city center great for strolling, eating, and people watching. In the center lies Bernini’s Fountain of Rivers. I stumbled upon it on accident after walking aimlessly through the alleyways, and it was a great place to recharge and take in the beautiful surrounding architecture.

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Pizza

It would be pretty difficult to visit Rome and not eat pizza. After all, it’s as easy to find as coffee in Seattle. You’ll come to find that the pizza in Rome, and in Europe in general, may be a little different than you’re used to, but I promise that you’ll love it!

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Roman Forum

The center of Ancient Rome, this site is a must see for all history buffs. Connected to Palatine Hill, you won’t need a separate ticket or to stand in a separate line when passing through these locations. The Colosseum is a great place to visit, but the Roman Forum will give you a more complete picture of what life was really like in Rome 2,000 years ago.

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Sistine Chapel

Europe has it’s fair share of religious buildings that will take your breath away, and this one is definitely in the Top Three (if not number one!) This Vatican City chapel is relatively small, and unless you get a private tour, it will be extremely crowded. The guards are fairly stern and will yell at you if you are too loud and/or take pictures, so you’ll have to be sneaky.

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Spanish Steps

I have always read about the Spanish Steps being a romantic part of Rome great for couples and people watching. In my opinion, there wasn’t anything romantic about it due to the crowds and pushy peddlers trying to get you to buy roses and other souvenirs. I had a glass of wine at the cafe overlooking the Spanish Steps which was far more enjoyable. Regardless, you may find it charming and it’s worth the visit to experience it yourself and form your own opinion.

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St. Peter’s Basilica

During your visit to Vatican City, this is a beautiful cathedral definitely worth your attention. Known to some as the center of the Catholic faith, you can actually get married at the world’s largest church for a fairly reasonable rate! It can be extremely crowded, and wherever there are crowds there are threats of pickpockets, so be on the look out.

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St. Peter’s Square

I ended my trip to Vatican City here, and what a site it was to see! This very large plaza with a capacity for 60,000 is where the Pope will occasionally lead mass. I spent a lot of time here admiring the beautiful columns and statues that line the plaza. There are many crowds but the large area helps to spread people out for the most part.

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Trastevere

This is a very cool neighborhood to wander around in during the day and night, as the there are several intriguing bars. An old neighborhood full of history, Trastevere dates all the way back to the 3rd century BC! While here you can visit the Piazza Trilussa along the river, climb the Janiculum Hill, or visit some of the quaint museums.

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Trevi Fountain

Have you heard of the fountain where you throw a coin in it in order to ensure you’ll return to Rome again? Well, this is that fountain. The Trevi Fountain was opened in 1762 and recently went through a 2.2 million euro restoration sponsored by the fashion brand, Fendi. Be prepared for the huge crowds at this large and beautiful Baroque fountain located in the Quirinale district of Rome.

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Vatican Museums

Prepare yourself for the crowds! I’m talking, shoulder-to-shoulder with barely an opportunity to stop and take pictures. Despite the picture I’m painting, it was still definitely worth it to go! The museums consists of long corridors of perhaps the best art collection in the world, with a high concentration of art from the important Renaissance period. I highly, highly suggest you book your tickets in advance. If it is within your budget, do what I did and book this guided tour of Vatican City which included a live guided tour with headphones of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

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Vespa

Want to explore Rome with the Italian vehicle of choice? Rent a vespa! Due to the narrow streets, a vespa makes transportation a lot easier than a car in Rome. Renting one on your own requires prior experience, a European/international driver’s license, or you can just ride on the back of the instructor’s scooter.

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Follow this list, and you’re sure to have a wonderful time in Rome! Many of these sites are free, which I think is amazing. For the ones that may cost money, I highly suggest you purchase you purchase a ticket well in advance especially if you are coming in the spring or summer! You don’t want to waste your precious vacation time waiting in a hot, long line!

If you’ve ever been to Rome, which attraction is your favorite from this list?

If you’ve never been to Rome, which attraction do you dream of visiting?

Let me know in the comments below!

*****PIN FOR LATER!*****

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