Newcomers to Rome may feel overwhelmed by its history and Christianity; here are a few popular tourist attractions for them to see:
The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) can easily be seen when walking by, yet its interior offers much to discover: Emperor Hadrian’s resting place and Renaissance Papal apartments can all be found there. A visit to this iconic attraction is often included as part of Rome tours. Choose the tourist attractions to explore in Rome.
The Colosseum
The Colosseum (or Flavian Amphitheater in ancient times) is an iconic sight when visiting Rome. Emperor Vespasian had it constructed as a gift for the Roman people. He later turned it into an entertainment hub hosting gladiator battles, theatre performances, and criminal executions.
There are various ways to experience the Colosseum, such as taking a guided tour. Tours allow visitors to bypass long lines upon entry, with an experienced local guide available to answer any queries about its history or function – plus learn about other significant sites nearby that might otherwise go unseen!
Besides the Colosseum, nearby attractions include Roman Forum ruins and Palatine Hill. Exploring all three is an unforgettable experience demonstrating what Rome offered during its golden era.
Capitoline Museums are near the Roman Forum and boast one of the world’s oldest public collections of Roman art ranging from marble statues and amber figurines to jewels. There’s much to discover here!
One great way to see the Colosseum and other top attractions, such as Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, is on a guided tour. These three-hour walking tours allow you to avoid long lines when entering by joining an experienced local guide directly inside; additionally, this experience will enable you to climb to the very top of the arena for some fantastic views over Rome’s ruins below!
Rome by Night Small-Group tours are among the most popular ways to combine visiting the Colosseum with other famous attractions and allow visitors to skip lines when entering. They provide an unforgettable evening experience and let guests see Pantheon and learn how Romans used its massive structure as a sundial to protect Colosseum visitors from sunburn.
Piazza Venezia, just minutes from the Colosseum, is an expansive historical square that houses il Vittoriano (known to English speakers as Wedding Cake Monument and Italians as Typewriter Monument). This massive structure was constructed to pay tribute to King Vittorio Emanuele II, who united Italy.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of Rome’s most celebrated monuments and features the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. Emperor Hadrian commissioned its construction as a temple dedicated to all gods – its immense size remains evident to this day – Michelangelo famously claimed that its design must have come from angels rather than humans.
From pictures or simply standing outside, it can be hard to appreciate the scale of a structure like a church fully. Once inside, however, it becomes much more straightforward. Once there, you will experience its unique circular space and huge half-sphere dome; an oculus in its roof allows sunlight to stream in, creating a fantastic light show throughout the day while marking time (using light instead of shadows) and draining away rainwater.
In the 7th century, this dome was converted to a Catholic church and remains so today. Notably used as the burial place for Popes and Renaissance artists like Raphael, it remains open to the public and offers guided tours that reveal all its rich history and culture.
Pantheon is a top-rated tourist attraction, and you should expect a wait to enter. Additionally, due to mass hours being in session at times of your visit, it may not be open – for optimal experience, it would be best to book a Rome tour which includes visits to Pantheon.
An informative tour can give you a deeper understanding of how ancient Romans used and transformed the Pantheon over the years and help reduce crowding when visiting this unique building. Additionally, tours allow visitors to see all its beauty up close without crowding too much!
The Vatican
The Vatican Museums are an essential stop on any visitor’s itinerary in Rome. Over centuries, popes amassed an incredible collection of art, including Roman objects, religious relics and numerous paintings from Roman civilization, and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes – this popular attraction often sees long lines to enter; to avoid these waits altogether, reserve skip-the-line tickets before visiting!
Visits to the Vatican offer more than just seeing famous paintings; they provide insight into Catholic beliefs. Therefore, guided tours may be beneficial to maximize your time at the Vatican and gain the most from your visit.
Many of Rome’s premier tours combine visits to the Colosseum, Forum Romanum, and Palatine Hill with a trip to the Vatican. This offers a more efficient way of experiencing these three attractions while saving time by consolidating booking separate tours.
The Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain are two iconic tourist spots in Rome that deserve your consideration as travel destinations. Both offer something different for visitors: historical significance for one, where Giordano Bruno sacrificed himself by challenging Catholic Church beliefs; less soberly: beautiful square great for people watching!
PIAZZA NAVONA – Sitting atop an ancient stadium, Piazza Navona boasts Bernini’s Fountain of Four Rivers and other exquisite sculptures by famous Italian sculptors such as Michelangelo. Additionally, this square offers one of Rome’s best views of some of its magnificent churches, such as Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo.
CASA DEL SANTO ANGELO – Once used to house Hadrian’s mausoleum, Rome’s Castel Sant’Angelo has become one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. Be sure to see its most striking feature: Angels’ Bridge; this walkway was created as part of Pope Clement XI’s commission for ten statues depicting angels on either side.
Rome can be genuinely captivating at nighttime, and nightfall provides the best opportunity to immerse yourself in its vibrant atmosphere. Walking the streets of Trastevere or Testaccio neighborhoods at night, enjoying some gelato, people-watching on piazzas, finding an atmospheric rooftop bar for an aperitivo, and taking in its brightly lit sites can all provide memorable experiences in Rome.
The Capuchin Crypts
Capuchin Crypts, commonly called the Bone Chapel in Rome, is a must for visitors. This macabre 17th-century underground burial chamber boasts chapels adorned with the bones of Capuchin friars – including their humerus and femur bones that form intricate decorations as well as intricate floor coverings made entirely from bones – that date back centuries ago – dating back to when Rome was still part of Italy!
This macabre attraction is a powerful reminder of life’s transience and fragility. Each chapel in this morbid attraction has a theme, such as phalanxes, shinbones, skulls, and tailbones – with Chapel of the Skeletons as one particular highlight with its creepy yet surreal display of intricately detailed skeletons that almost look like three-dimensional paintings!
If you’re curious to visit the Capuchin Crypts, we suggest booking a guided tour to avoid long lines and ensure your place in a group tour. During this one-hour experience, learn about its history and its atmospheric decor!
Children of all ages are welcome to explore the Crypt if an adult, including parents or guardians, accompanies them. It may be wise to limit how young a child visits as some bones can be scary for younger kids, and much walking and navigating narrow passageways are involved.
The Crypt is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, making the best time to visit before it becomes overcrowded; during its busier months, navigating its unique displays and walking freely through it all can be challenging.
The Capuchin Crypts are located at 27 Via Vittorio Veneto near Piazza Barberini and charge an admission fee of EUR35 for adults, while children under six enter free. Tickets can be booked through Tiqets or GetYourGuide while buying them directly from their website is also an option – purchasing online means you’ll skip the queues when entering!
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