What to Do in Rome: Sights, Neighborhoods and What's On
Rome packs ancient arenas, baroque squares and world-class museums into a few walkable days. Here's what to plan around, where to wander, and how to save.
FFly2Any Travel DeskFor US travelers planning a trip to RomeChecked against Roma Capitale — Official Tourism, ENIT — Italian National Tourism Board on October 21, 20268 min read
Colosseum, Rome
At a glance
Top sight
The Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre in the world[2]
Museum to book
Vatican Museums, with around 20,000 works on display[2]
Fountain fee
From 2 February 2026, tourists and non-residents must pay a ticket costing two euros to enter the basin of the Trevi Fountain (the part closest to the monument). The ticket is valid every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., including the first Sunday of the month.[7]
Getting around
Bus, tram, metro, tourist buses, boat, bicycle and sharing mobility[1]
The Colosseum is recognized as one of the 7 Wonders of the World and is the largest amphitheatre in the world. The Roman Forum was the administrative centre of Ancient Rome.[2]
Rome is home to both the Italian capital and the Vatican, the home of the Pope. St Peter's Basilica covers an area of 22,067 square metres and stands 136 metres high from the ground to the cross on the dome.[2]
And you don't need weeks. Rome can be visited in just two days if you know where to go, and a five-day itinerary is available for a Roman holiday. Every corner of Rome conceals a historic building, a fountain, a monument to explore.[1],[2],[8]
The sights you'll want to plan around
Start with the big three: the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica. The Colosseum is recognized as one of the 7 Wonders of the World, and the Vatican Museums display around 20,000 works of art, archaeology and ethno-anthropology.[2]
The Colosseum: the largest amphitheatre in the world, at Colosseum Square, 1. It hosts numerous temporary exhibitions and modern shows every year. The official website is https://parcocolosseo.it/en/.[2]
The Vatican Museums: around 20,000 works of art, archaeology and ethno-anthropology on display, with more than 50,000 works in storage. The tour includes Raphael's Rooms, the Borgia Apartment and the Sistine Chapel.[2]
St Peter's Basilica: built on the site where St Peter was buried. Reconstruction began in 1506 following a design by Bramante, and Michelangelo was commissioned at the age of 72 in 1547 to work on it. The façade was made by Carlo Maderno in 1614.[2]
The Roman Forum: the administrative centre of Ancient Rome, with the remains of the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, the Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina, the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Basilica of Maxentius and the Column of Phocas.[2]
The Trevi Fountain: the most famous of the Roman fountains, a jewel of water and stone. It leans against Palazzo Poli and is the terminal point of the Virgo aqueduct, the only ancient aqueduct in continuous use to this day.[7],[8]
The Trevi Fountain is also the setting for the most famous scene of Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita. According to custom, if you throw a coin into the fountain you will definitely return to Rome. If you are looking for romance, toss a second and a third coin to make sure wedding bells will ring soon.[7]
Neighborhoods worth wandering
A stroll through the historic centre lets you discover the places of Tosca, which has three locations for its three acts.[3]
Piazza Navona and around: Piazza Navona is considered the most beautiful baroque square in Rome and sits in the heart of the historic center. Palazzo Braschi, an 18th-century building, has been the seat of the Museum of Rome since 1952, and from its windows you can enjoy a spectacular view of the square.[4]
Rione Monti: home to the church of San Pietro in Vincoli, where you'll find Michelangelo's Moses.[2]
The old Jewish Quarter: located inside Rione XI - Sant'Angelo, it's a compact area of narrow streets worth a wander.[8]
The Appia Antica zone: where three of the five catacombs open to the public are found — San Callisto, San Sebastiano and Santa Domitilla.[2]
If you want a themed walk, follow the places of Puccini's Tosca through the historic centre. The opera has three locations for its three acts: the Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle in Piazza Vidoni is the setting of Act I, Piazza Farnese is the setting of Act II, and Castel Sant'Angelo is the setting of Act III, where Tosca throws herself from the terrace.
Beyond the famous sights
Rome is described as the second greenest capital of Europe.[1]
The Capitoline Museums: the oldest public museum in the world, on Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo. The two buildings are connected by the underground Galleria Lapidaria, which leads to the Tabularium, whose arcades overlook the Roman Forum. The Palazzo dei Conservatori displays the ancient Capitoline bronzes, including the Lupa, the Spinario and the Bruto Capitolino, and the glass room on the first floor preserves the equestrian bronze statue of Marco Aurelio. The Pinacoteca Capitolina on the second floor includes paintings by Caravaggio.[9],[12]
The Ara Pacis Museum: the Altar of Peace was built to celebrate the consolidation of Rome's power under Augustus after his victories north of the Alps between 16 and 13 BC, and was inaugurated in 9 BC. The museum complex was entirely redesigned by Richard Meier. It's on Lungotevere in Augusta.[10]
The Museum of the Imperial Fora at Trajan's Markets: described as the first museum of ancient architecture, built on 6 levels. The exhibition itinerary starts in the Great Hall with an introduction to the Forum area and its representation through the most important finds. It's at Via Quattro Novembre, 94.[11],[12]
What's on in fall 2026
If your trip falls between October 2026 and early 2027, you can catch exhibitions, festivals and performances. The Festa del Cinema 2026 runs from 13 October 2026 to 25 October 2026, and the Keith Haring exhibition runs from 06 October 2026 to 11 April 2027.[1]
Festa del Cinema 2026 runs from 13 October 2026 to 25 October 2026.[1]
Rome Art Week (RAW) 2026 runs from 19 October 2026 to 25 October 2026.[1]
The Walking Festival runs from 10 October 2026 to 25 October 2026.[1]
Live music events run from 9 October 2026 to 25 October 2026.[1]
The theatre production Wuthering Heights runs from 20 October 2026 to 25 October 2026.[1]
Getting around Rome
You can get around Rome by bus, tram and metro, and there are also tourist buses if you prefer an overview. Boats, bicycles and sharing mobility options give you more ways to move.[1]
Visitors can use Wi-Fi in Rome, which helps with maps and tickets on the go.[1]
Saving money and planning ahead
Rome's official tourist card is called Roma Pass.[1]
If you need accessibility information, Rome has a dedicated service called Roma accessibile. There's also a personal assistant service called Julia for visitors.[1]
For accommodation, travellers can find a range of places to stay in Rome.[1]
Questions people ask
How many days do I need in Rome?
Rome can be visited in just two days if you know where to go, and a five-day itinerary is available for a Roman holiday.[1],[2]
Do I need to pay to see the Trevi Fountain?
From 2 February 2026, tourists and non-residents must pay a ticket costing two euros to enter the basin of the Trevi Fountain (the part closest to the monument). The ticket is valid every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., including the first Sunday of the month. Access remains free for residents, children up to 5 years of age, and people with disabilities and their carers.[7]
What is the Roma Pass?
Rome's official tourist card is called Roma Pass.[1]
Are there free museums in Rome?
Yes, Rome has free-admission museums. You can get tourist information at Roma InfoPoints.[1]
How do I get around Rome?
You can use buses, trams and the metro, as well as tourist buses, boats, bicycles and sharing mobility options. Visitors can also use Wi-Fi in Rome to help with maps and tickets.[1]
Where can I get tourist information in Rome?
Travellers can get tourist information at Roma InfoPoints or call the tourist information call centre on 060608.[1]
What's on in Rome in October 2026?
The Festa del Cinema 2026 runs from 13 to 25 October 2026, Rome Art Week (RAW) 2026 runs from 19 to 25 October 2026, and the Walking Festival runs from 10 to 25 October 2026. Live music events run from 9 to 25 October 2026, and the theatre production Wuthering Heights runs from 20 to 25 October 2026.[1]
Where this comes from
Every rule, fee and deadline above is taken from these official pages, which we read on October 21, 2026. Rules change, so check the official page before you apply or pay.
Castel Sant'Angelo was built around 123 AD as a sepulchre for the emperor Hadrian and his family. Since 1925 it has been a National Museum housing paintings, sculptures, weapons and artefacts from various ages. Cagliostro and Benvenuto Cellini were among those imprisoned in its dungeons.[3]
The Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco: Baron Barracco donated his collection of over 200 works to the Municipality of Rome in 1904. The collection includes Assyrian, Egyptian, Cypriot, Phoenician, Etruscan and Greco-Roman art, and the museum has been housed in the Farnesina ai Baullari since 1948.[4],[5]
The Napoleonic Museum: a few steps from Palazzo Altemps, on Piazza Ponte Umberto I. In 1927, Count Giuseppe Primoli donated his collection of works of art, including Napoleonic memorabilia and family memories, to the city of Rome. It displays official portraits of Napoleon and his family, including his mother Letizia, his first wife Josephine, and siblings Luigi, Luciano and Elisa.[4],[6]
The Rose Garden: has an autumn opening from 25 October 2026 to 8 November 2026.[1]
The catacombs: more than 60 exist in and around Rome, with thousands of tombs, but only five are open to the public today: San Callisto, San Sebastiano and Santa Domitilla in the Appia Antica zone, and Priscilla and S.Agnese in the Nomentano-Salario area.[2]
Caravaggio: Rome holds no less than 26 works by Caravaggio, so art lovers can plan a trail across the city.[2]
The MAXXI: the National Museum of 21st Century Arts, designed by Zaha Hadid.[2]
Ponte Nomentano: a new wooden walkway for the towers is in place from 18 September 2026 to 31 December 2026.[1]
Cultural Events at the Verano Monumental Cemetery 2026 run from 17 October 2026 to 08 November 2026.[1]
The Richard Avedon exhibition runs from 09 October 2026 to 31 January 2027.[1]
The Keith Haring exhibition runs from 06 October 2026 to 11 April 2027.[1]
The Pontormo exhibition runs from 09 October 2026 to 07 February 2027.[1]
The Sophie Calle exhibition runs from 16 October 2026 to 07 February 2027.[1]
The Saffo exhibition runs from 15 October 2026 to 31 January 2027.[1]
The Renato Guttuso exhibition Anima Mediterranea runs from 17 October 2026 to 28 February 2027.[1]
Tajikistan. The Land of Unique Heritage runs from 20 October 2026 to 20 January 2027.[1]
The IUC Concert Season 2026/2027 runs from 17 October 2026 to 08 May 2027.[1]
A Sunday ecological day is scheduled for Sunday 25 October 2026.[1]
