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Looking for the best things to do in Rome?
There’s certainly no shortage of fun activities in this iconic city! But with a destination as popular as Rome, you need to figure out what’s really worth it and that’s where we come in!
We’ve explored every corner of Rome and come up with our top 10 must-dos. We can personally vouch that all of these experiences are 100% worth the hype. If you use this list to plan your trip, you’re guaranteed to have an amazing time in the Eternal City!
What to Skip in Rome? One thing we have learned after visiting Rome a few times is that the free tours are not really the best option. Although at first glance they seem more affordable, by the time you tip the recommended amount of $15 to $20 per person, the “free” tours are not much cheaper than some paid tours and are much less professional. On the free tours, the guides are volunteers who are oftentimes university students. On paid tours, you’ll get expert guides who have been trained and have tons of knowledge. To us, paid tours are always the better option.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our FAVORITE thing we did in Rome was this special access tour of the Colosseum. It lets you enter the Colosseum right from the arena floor – just like the gladiators! Plus it has bonus tours of the archaeological sites of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Check out the 3,000+ 5-star reviews and book it here!
Tip: This tour is popular – reserve your spot now for FREE cancellation up to 10 days before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- 1. Take a tour of Vatican City
- 2. See the Colosseum and Roman Forum with Expert Guide
- 3. Go on a food tour
- 4. Go wine tasting in Tuscany
- 5. Explore Rome's crypts and catacombs
- 6. Learn to cook pasta and tiramisu
- 7. Day trip to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii
- 8. See Rome's highlights on a private tour (by golf cart!)
- 9. Go on a pub crawl
- 10. In-depth Pantheon Tour
- Where to Stay in Rome
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
1. Take a tour of Vatican City
Naturally, visiting Vatican City is the number one thing to do in Rome! You can’t miss the chance to visit while you’re in the city – that would be like going to Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower.
But although we were so excited to see the Vatican, we didn’t fancy queuing for hours, so we booked this tour which included skip-the-line access to all of the top sights inside like the Sistine Chapel. This tour even let us bypass the “fast-track” lines, which was amazing and saved us SO much time.
We were also glad that we had our knowledgeable guide, Cosimo, to take us around the Vatican Museums, and explain the history to us. We had headsets so that we could always hear what Cosimo was saying, and we learned a lot. We especially loved the guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, and of course, seeing the world-famous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel was just incredible.
The Vatican is a once-in-a-lifetime destination, so we say do it right! This tour has 24,000+ 5-star reviews that you can read here, which is pretty staggering and tells you we aren’t the only ones who loved it. Prices start from €79 and booking in advance can help you snag a better deal.
Book this 5-star tour of the Vatican here to skip the lines and get FREE cancellation!
2. See the Colosseum and Roman Forum with Expert Guide
When you think of Rome, you automatically think of the Colosseum, so to say it’s a must-do in the city is a huge understatement! This enormous amphitheater was built as a testament to the power of the Roman Empire and used to host performances, animal hunts, and of course legendary gladiator battles.
We didn’t just want to see the Colosseum, we wanted to dive deep into its fabled history, so we booked this guided tour with special access. It meant we got the VIP experience of entering the arena using the same entrance the gladiators did! Plus we got tours of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum and the famous Palatine Hill.
Having an expert guide not only helped us learn a lot of history along the way, but it was also a great practical decision because the Colosseum is HUGE. We wouldn’t have known where to begin without our guide, Diego, nor would we have realized the significance of what we were seeing.
As well as the guided Colosseum visit, we also really enjoyed exploring the famous Palatine Hill. The views of the Roman Forum are fantastic from here and we loved hearing what life was like in Ancient Rome! This tour really is a full package deal to see the Colosseum – it’s no wonder it has 3,000+ 5-star reviews!
Going on this tour made our visit to the Colosseum so much better. Prices start at €75 and we thought it was worth every penny, especially since it includes the entrance fee to the Colosseum! The tour can sell out, so we recommend booking a few weeks in advance to get the time slot you want.
Book the ultimate tour of the Colosseum here and you can choose to pay later!
3. Go on a food tour
When in Rome, do as the Romans do … and naturally, that means eating amazing Italian food! We couldn’t pass up the chance to book this popular skip-the-line food tour to discover a few hidden gems and get special access to eat at some of Rome’s exclusive restaurants.
Our guide, Flavia, led us on a fun adventure through the ultra-charming Trastevere neighborhood, which is renowned for its beautiful buildings and winding streets. She took us to some beloved local restaurants, including the legendary Da Enzo, the city’s oldest wine cellar to try Julius Caesar’s favorite dish and an amazing gelato parlor!
We tried so much delicious food, and the portions were very generous. Better yet, the wine and prosecco flowed all evening, too. As we savored every bite, Flavia taught us how to discern real Italian food from the pale imitation that is often served to tourists and gave us tips on where else to eat during our visit.
In short, we thought that it was well worth the €139 price tag because we would have spent a lot more eating like this by ourselves! We chose the “Twilight Trastevere” option and loved it, but there’s also a “Dine in Ancient Rome” option for the same price which includes a stop for pasta in the midst of some ancient ruins. You can read the 2,800+ reviews for both food tours online here!
All in all, this was a truly magical evening. In fact, we can’t think of a better way to spend a night in Rome!
Taste amazing food by reserving your spot on this food tour here!
4. Go wine tasting in Tuscany
Who would pass up the chance to go wine tasting in Tuscany? Not us, that’s for sure, so if you feel the same, we suggest you take this day trip to Tuscany from Rome!
This tour is an easy way to see this amazing place without having to plan ahead, rent a car, or miss out on any of the wine! Plus, with prices starting at €109, we thought it was great value for an all-inclusive, full-day experience.
We kicked off our day with a visit to the stunning hilltop town of Montepulciano, known for its medieval and Renaissance architecture – oh, and its incredible red wine! This town was used as a filming location in the Twilight movies and we loved seeing the beautiful clock tower, town walls, and 16th-century wine cellars.
After soaking up Tuscan history and culture, we had lunch and a wine tasting in the sunshine at a beautiful, sprawling wine estate just outside of town. It was absolutely dreamy and we got to try the full-bodied red wine that Montepulciano is famous for!
After a leisurely lunch, we traveled to Pienza, a tiny, quintessentially Tuscan village. We had some free time to explore and shop and found some fantastic local cheese and wine to take back to Rome with us!
We loved everything about this tour, from the scenery to the food and wine, and of course, our fantastic guide, Heather. We aren’t alone in loving it either as this tour has over 4,000 positive reviews!
Tuscany is world-famous for its beauty and charm, so you can’t miss the chance to visit this gorgeous region while you’re in Rome.
Book a day trip to Tuscany here and you’ll be able to reserve now and pay later!
5. Explore Rome’s crypts and catacombs
Exploring the crypts and catacombs of Rome is another must-do for history buffs! But, truth be told, you don’t have to be super into history to appreciate just how cool these places are.
We chose this skip-the-line tour because it allowed us to bypass the long lines for these popular attractions, and included transport to these secret sites, which are all on the outskirts of the city. We also wanted to go with a guide who could teach us about the history.
We’re so glad that we did, because what we learned was fascinating. The catacombs were used by Christians and Jews between the 2nd and 5th Centuries and we got a glimpse into the religious traditions, beliefs, and persecution in Ancient Rome. We also visited the stunning underground Capuchin Crypt, and the Basilica San Nicola, which is an important pilgrimage site.
This tour ended up being a really fun adventure, and a hassle-free way to explore all of these spooky sites in-depth in just a few hours. It’s ideal for those who are short on time or anyone who’s keen to learn about Rome’s eerie hidden history.
Just make sure to book this tour in advance. It’s the best way to visit the catacombs, so it always sells out!
Book this tour before it sells out here!
6. Learn to cook pasta and tiramisu
Instead of heading to a restaurant for lunch or dinner, why not take your meal to the next level and make it yourself with this fantastic cooking class? After seeing the thousands of 5-star reviews, we just had to try it out for ourselves, and it was even better than we had hoped!
Chef Maria was warm and witty and had us laughing throughout the class. She was also a fantastic teacher and taught us to make the most delicious fettuccine and ravioli from scratch, complete with butter and sage. I’m getting hungry just remembering how good it was!
As well as all of the mouth-watering pasta, we also got to make tiramisu for dessert. Tiramisu is one of those desserts that’s tricky to make if you don’t know what you’re doing, but easy when you know how, so we’re so glad that we had Maria to teach us how to do it properly.
At the end of the class, our small group sat down together to enjoy the fruits of our labor. This was accompanied by a healthy glass of wine and a shot of limoncello, which made the meal even better!
Honestly, for €79 this class was a steal, as we would have spent way more eating this much food at a touristy restaurant. We left Maria’s kitchen with big smiles and would highly recommend this cooking class.
Book our favorite cooking class in Rome here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
7. Day trip to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii
Visit two iconic Italian destinations on this day trip to the Amalfi Coast and the lost city of Pompeii! We loved that this tour made it so easy to visit them both in just one day since it’s basically impossible to do with public transport.
We kicked off the day with a guided visit to Pompeii, and luckily got to skip the lines to get in. This city was truly frozen in time, and visiting had always been on my bucket list, so I was captivated as our guide led us around this incredible time capsule. It’s amazing how well-preserved the city is – you really do need to see it to believe it.
I was totally wowed by Pompeii and that alone would have made the journey worth it for me, but having the afternoon to explore Positano made the day even better! Making the iconic drive along the stunning Amalfi Coast was a highlight of our time in Rome. And, we’re also glad we had a pro to handle the driving because although the road offers glorious views, it’s very narrow and winding.
We loved having a few hours to experience the dolce vita as we explored the town by ourselves. Trust me, it doesn’t take long to fall in love with Positano! Our guide, Laura, also gave us some spot-on recommendations on where to find great food, wine, and limoncello.
Pompeii is fascinating, and Positano is breathtaking, so don’t miss the chance to experience both while in Rome. This tour is well-rated (read recent reviews here!), time-efficient, and affordable at €119.
Reserve an unforgettable day trip to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast here before it books up!
8. See Rome’s highlights on a private tour (by golf cart!)
Don’t have long in Rome? Then make the most of your time with this private golf cart tour!
This is such a unique way to experience Rome. It’s ideal for anyone short on time, as you can cover a ton of ground in just a few hours. Better yet, you get to sit back and relax while sightseeing, which is great for travelers who struggle with a lot of walking. I also think that it’s the perfect choice for families, as it’s a novel experience that’s guaranteed to make even the surliest of teenagers smile.
Another reason I rate this tour so highly is that it’s a private experience, so it’s just you and your crew with your guide! This means that you can easily customize the itinerary and make sure that you get to check off your must-see sights. The suggested itinerary includes famous landmarks such as the Spanish Steps, the Knights of Malta Keyhole, Piazza Navona, and Caelin Hill, among others.
We loved our guide, Gabriel, who helped us get our bearings in the city and gave us an insider’s perspective on Rome that you just can’t get from a guidebook. Prices start from just €90 per person, which is pretty impressive for a private tour of Rome, so be sure to snap up your golf cart ASAP!
Book this private tour of Rome easily here!
9. Go on a pub crawl
If you want to experience Rome’s vibrant nightlife, then make sure that you book this epic pub crawl! We had such a fantastic night out and will definitely do it again the next time we’re in Rome.
We met our guide, Serra, in Monti, which is a quaint, Bohemian neighborhood with tons of great bars and restaurants. She took us to some unique bars that we actually went back to later on in our stay, and we got to drink like the locals do! We enjoyed Aperol spritzes, sambuca, limoncello, and even vermouth.
Monti was actually the red light district of Ancient Rome (although times have definitely changed since then!) and Serra had us laughing the entire time with hilarious stories about some of the area’s unsavory historical characters. We also saw several monuments lit up at night, including the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, aka the most hated building in Rome – although you’ll have to do the tour to find out why.
We ended the night in a fun bar with lots of dancing, and carried on partying with our newfound friends until the wee hours! It was such a fun time and a great way to spend a night in Rome. After all, you can’t let an evening in the Eternal City go to waste!
Prices start from €49, which includes five drinks. I’ll say that drinks in Rome can be pricey, so we felt like we got a great deal with this tour.
Book this pub crawl for an unforgettable night out!
10. In-depth Pantheon Tour
You didn’t think we forgot about the Pantheon, did you? Because this in-depth tour of the Pantheon is a must-do for every traveler as far as we’re concerned!
The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved and most awe-inspired buildings in Rome. In fact, no trip to the city is complete without exploring it. The first time we went, we did so on our own, but we didn’t feel that we learned very much, so we decided to go back with a guided tour.
It was definitely the right decision, because our guide, Anthony, taught us so much about the Pantheon’s history and architecture. As we explored, he had our entire group captivated as he taught us how the building was once a temple dedicated to the Roman Gods and is now a Catholic Church. I also loved listening to his stories about Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.
I’m not one for stuffy history tours, but this one was anything but. I found it really engaging and it made visiting the Pantheon ten times more interesting. It’s also one of the most affordable tours in Rome at only €37.50.
Get free cancellation when you book your Pantheon tour here!
Where to Stay in Rome
Now that you know some of the best activities in Rome, it’s time to find a great hotel! We won’t lie, Rome is an expensive city … but there are still some good deals on hotels. We’ll share our picks for a variety of budgets, including the hotel we stayed at!
FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino – $$$
If you can afford to go all out on a hotel in Rome, the FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino is luxurious with an unreal location! It’s literally around the corner from the Colosseum (5 min walk) and only 15-20 minutes to walk to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.
The hotel itself is top quality with rooms that look brand new and have super comfy beds and fluffy pillows. The staff treats all the guests like royalty too!
Rooms here typically start around €200-€250 but more expensive suites and family rooms are available. Book a luxury getaway to Rome by reserving your room here!
Domus Maggiore – $$ (Where we stayed!)
We stayed at Domus Maggiore in Rome and highly recommend it! It’s a bit more of a walk from the main tourist area of Rome, but we didn’t mind that. It was still in a beautiful and safe part of the city in Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore.
One of the main perks we loved here was the fantastic breakfast. There’s a little cafe downstairs and as hotel guests, we received a free (and yummy!) meal every morning. We also loved having an espresso on our balcony, so our tip is to request a room with a balcony!
Rooms here generally start around €120 and can book up, so reserve in advance here.
B&B la piazzetta delle regine – $
For budget accommodations in Rome, B&B la piazzetta delle regine is a lovely little spot. This B&B is cozy and clean in a safe area of Rome near Sapienza University. It’s really close to a Metro station and a supermarket and restaurants.
Because it’s a B&B, there’s a delicious breakfast offered every day. Rooms have garden and inner courtyard views and all the rooms have private bathrooms.
Guests rave about this place and with rooms starting at only €70, it’s a fantastic deal! Limited rooms are available, so reserve one here.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Rome is one of those bucket-list places you HAVE to visit! With so much to do in this incredible city, I know our list can’t cover everything, but it’s a great way to see some of the best Rome has to offer.
If our blog on Rome was helpful, have a look through all our other travel blogs! We’ve been exploring the world for years and have lots of travel tips to share. Here are a few other blogs that might come in handy for your trip:
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