As the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t see all the best things to do in Rome in just a single day either. In fact, between archeological relics, world-class museums, soaring Baroque churches, noble palaces, picturesque parks, and kaleidoscopically colorful gardens, Rome has enough things to do to keep you busy for a lifetime. After all, for the past 2,668 years, the Italian capital has been creating and collecting the world’s most famous antiquities and monuments. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the city unveils a restored archeological site, a new museum opens, or a new metro station with a museum-like display of ancient finds debuts. Every era of the world’s history is on display in one corner or another, and trying to see it all can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t need to be. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve gathered some of the best experiences the Eternal City has to offer, from bucket list sites every first-time visitor has to see once in their lifetime to more off-the-beaten-path parks, museums, and churches loved by locals. Whether it’s your first visit or your 50th, these are the best things to do in Rome, according to a local expert.
Read our complete Rome travel guide here, which includes:
How we choose the best things to do in Rome
Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
