Rome Travel Guide

Interesting Things To Know About Rome Before You Go

This beautiful statue of a she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus can be seen in the Musei Capitolini on the Capitoline Hill. For a long time it was assumed that the wolf was Etruscan in origin, with the twins having been added later – probably during the 15th century. Recent tests indicate the wolf is much younger, more like 11th or 12th century. The dating aside, this portrayal of a she-wolf suckling two babies has been a symbol of Rome since antiquity. It depicts the myth of the founding of Rome and was replicated throughout the Roman Empire in ancient times, and many times since then.

• The Founding mythology for Rome suggests the Eternal City was founded on 21 April 753 BC. A date still celebrated in the Italian capital today. Although the city is known for its Roman era, there is archaeological evidence that Palaeolithic and Neolithic communities inhabited the area we now call the Palatine Hill at least 14,000 years ago.
• SPQR is an abbreviation that has been used emblematically for Rome since around 80 BC. The letters stand for Senātus Populusque Rōmānus, which translates freely as ‘The Senate and People of Rome’.
• There are over 280 fountains in Rome. According to local tradition the only fountain at which you should make a wish is the Trevi Fountain. Each year some €700,000 worth of coins are thrown into the ornate Baroque fountain. This money is given to Cavitas, a Catholic charity supporting families in need in Rome. Although known for its Baroque features, the Trevi Fountain has Roman origins.
• St Peter’s Basilica, formally the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, is the largest church ever built. Built in Renaissance style, the church is traditionally the burial place of Saint Peter, head of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. With over 900 churches, there are more Christian churches in Rome than in any other city in the world.
• Vatican City, or more simply ‘the Vatican’, is the world’s smallest independent state and is located within the city of Rome. It has been independent from Italy since 11 February 1929 as set out by the Lateran Treaty. Ruled by the Pope as head of the Holy See, the Vatican covers an area of 44 km² for which there is no physical border. The Pope is not only the head of the Roman Catholic Church, he is also Bishop of Rome.
• The historic centre of Rome, including the Vatican, was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1980, and extended in 1990. It covers the area within the city walls, which were at their widest extent in the 17th century. Also included is the ‘Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls’. For more information, see the UNESCO listing.

Top Walking Tours and Activities in Rome

There are literally hundreds of walking tours and activities available for visitors to Rome. Here we have hand selected what we believe to be the top ten for visitors who want to explore the history of the eternal city in a bit more depth. How have we made this choice? We have taken a list of the 60 most popular tours and filtered those for good reviews and experiences. Follow the links for more details and to book online with GetYourGuide:

• Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Priority Access Guide
• Fast Track: Colosseum, Arena Floor & Ancient Rome VIP Tour
• Rome Gladiator Show
• Piazza Navona 1-Hour Underground Audio Guide Tour
• Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour
• St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour with Dome Climb
• St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour: Reserved Entrance
• 3-Hour Semi-Private Early Vatican Tour
• Trevi Fountain Underground Experience
• Ancient Appian Way, Aqueducts & Catacombs E-Bike Tour

Best Day Trips from Rome

Rome Travel Planner

Buy Tickets for Must See Attractions in Advance, Online

The following are the five most popular attractions in Rome. And being the most frequently visited, there are long queues or very restricted entry. Buy a ticket online in advance is essential if you want to get the dates of your choosing.

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is the most popular attraction in Rome, it is the one thing many visitors want to experience for themselves. During peak tourist periods you will wait well over two hours in the queues for tickets. Given that so many people buy skip-the-line tickets, even those queues are lengthy. If you do not want to wait in queues or hours your best option is a fast track ticket. When purchasing tickets, read the instructions carefully, particularly for details of where to collect your tickets.

• Skip-the-line tickets from GetYourGuide
• Fast-track entry to the Colosseum, including entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, with a multimedia experience from GetYourGuide or Tiqets
• Fast-track + Guided Tour of the Colosseum from GetYourGuide or Tiqets
• Night Tour of the Colosseum, including underground from GetYourGuide or Tiqets

More detailed Information for visitors, buying tickets, guided tours, etc. for the Colosseum >>

Mausoleum of Augustus

• Time entry ticket from GetYourGuide or Tiqets

More detailed Information for visitors, buying tickets, guided tours, etc. for the Mausoleum of Augustus >>

Capuchin Crypt and Museum

• Skip-the-line tickets and guided tour from GetYourGuide or Tiqets

It is not possible to buy skip-the-line tickets in advance, online without a guided tour. More detailed Information for visitors, buying tickets, guided tours, etc. for the Capuchin Crypt >>

Capitoline Museum

• Fast-track entry to the Roman Empire Museum – Capitoline Museums from GetYourGuide or Tiqets

Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel

• Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel from GetYourGuide or Tiqets
• Guided Tour of the Vatican Museum from GetYourGuide or Tiqets

City Passes

Vatican & Rome City Pass with Free Transportation

Accommodation in Rome

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