According to legend Rome was founded in 753 BC. It was first the centre of the Roman Republic then the Roman Empire. During the 4th century AD Rome became the capital of the Christian world. And from the 15th century the Popes influenced the image of Renaissance and Baroque Rome. Including creating some of the earliest public museums in Europe. With over 3,000 years of continuous history, Rome is one of the world’s most popular historical destinations.
Rome is …
Ancient Ruins,
Baroque Fountains,
Historic Palaces,
… with Gelato.
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.
Self Guided Itinerary of Ancient Forums
See More of Rome’s Top Ten
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:
Take a break from sightseeing, or recharge yourself for more sightseeing …
After visiting amazing archaeological sites in the old centre of Rome, enjoy a 6-course meal of authentic Roman and Jewish dishes. You choose between lunch or dinner, and a children’s menu is available. More Details & Book Online >>
Taste pure truffles, sample the finest pizza in Rome, savour 20 year old balsamic vinegar, and finish with authentic Italian gelato. In four hours and over 25 tasting you will be introduced to the best in gastronomy Rome has to offer. More Details & Book Online >>
What could be more Italian in cuisine than pizza and pasta. With a trained chef learn how to make 10 different pasta shapes and a Neapolitan pizza. A great class for the kids too! And when you are done, enjoy a buffet meal.More Details & Book Online >>
If you have a sweet tooth combine your pasta cooking class with learning how to make tiramisu. You will make the pasta from scratch, and the tiramisu from simple and fresh ingredients. And then you get to enjoy your meal. More Details & Book Online >>
This is one is for the coffee junkies and the ice cream addicts. In sight of some of Rome’s most famous landmarks enjoy a 2.5 walking tour and experience some of the best Italian coffees, cakes and ice-creams. More Details & Book Online >>
In a quiet gourmet wine cellar in the heart of historic Rome enjoy a 1.5-hour session tasting six different wines from the Lazio region of Italy. You will also get to sample some traditional salami, cured meats, cheeses, olives and bread. More Details & Book Online >>
There is just so much to see in the Naples/Vesuvius area – along one of the most picturesque coastlines in Italy. Naples is just over an hour by train from Rome, and if you only have a day you will have to be selective. You can do it yourself, or take one of many tours from Rome to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Naples and/or the Amalfi Coast.
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Viterbo is one of the best preserved medieval towns in central Italy. One of the main historic attractions is the Palace of the Popes. Due to urban unrest in Rome, the Papal Curia relocated here in 1257, and remained until 1281. Easily accessible from Rome for a day trip, explore the historic centre and the Papal residence.
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A quick train ride to Tivoli from Rome for under €10 and you have two magnificent historic villas to choose from. One is the archaeological site of Hadrian’s Villa, which he used a a retreat from Rome. And the other is the 16th Villa d’Este built by Pope Alexander VI’s grandson. You could even visit them both!
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Orvieto is one of the most striking hilltop towns in Umbria, situated atop a volcanic plug with vast panoramic views. Visit Etruscan tunnels and caverns, see one of the masterpieces of the Renaissance – the Gothic façade of Orvieto Cathedral. Take a tour or do it yourself – the train ride is around an hour and costs under €20.
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Yes, you can do Florence and Tuscany from Rome in one day. It will be a long day, but if it is the picturesque Tuscan hills or the museums and churches in the birthplace of the Renaissance you want to see – it will be worth it! Take a fast train to Florence, or a small group tour to Tuscany.
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The 18th century Royal Palace of Caserta is the largest royal residence anywhere in the world. This extraordinary Baroque palace was built by the Spanish royal family during their rule of Naples. This UNESCO listed attraction is about two hour drive from Rome, but well worth the day-trip.
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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 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.
More detailed Information for visitors, buying tickets, guided tours, etc. for the Colosseum >>
More detailed Information for visitors, buying tickets, guided tours, etc. for the Mausoleum of Augustus >>
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 >>
Vatican & Rome City Pass with Free Transportation
From the Republic and Imperial Forums, the Colosseum and the Pantheon all in the historic centre of Rome. To the Baths of Caracalla, and the catacombs and mausoleums along the Appian Way beyond the Aurelian Walls. Visitors to Rome with even the slightest interest in the Roman period of the city are truly spoilt for choice. Whether you are looking for a few significant monuments to visit during a short city break, or intending to spend more than a few days exploring as much as you can our guide to the Roman period of Rome will help your planning.
Did you know there are more ancient Egyptian obelisks standing in Rome than there are in all of Egypt? And, they seem to pop up wherever you go. In fact, there are 13 of them standing in prominent positions throughout Rome and the Vatican City. Some of these were made for Egyptian Pharaohs and brought to Rome by Roman Emperors, others were made for Roman Emperors. Each has a distinctive biography; with fascinating stories of how they came to be in Italy and their time in Rome. Here they are as striking today as they would have been in ancient Egypt and Rome.
Rome is often referred to as one enormous open air museum. It would seem that around every corner there is something of archaeological or historical interest. Whether a Roman ruin or a Baroque church. Some of the elegant Renaissance palazzo’s house magnificent historical collections of objects, from ancient artefacts to modern sculpture. Start at the Capitoline museums, arguably the oldest public museum in Europe. Rome’s first electric power plant now exhibits ancient sculpture, and its 20th century machinery. Don’t miss the contemporary MAXXI, which houses Italy’s first national collection of contemporary art.
Rome is in the Italian region of Lazio. A region itself rich in history. This area was not only the heartland of the Romans from their beginnings, it was also inhabited by the Etruscans. Whether you are interested in a day trip or two from the Italian capital or looking to spending a few days outside the city, Lazio will not disappoint. Tivoli is perhaps one of the most popular destinations for day trips from Rome, the location of Hadrian’s Villa and the Renaissance Villa d’Este. Closer to Rome is the Roman port of Ostia. The countryside around Rome is well known for the many historic hilltop towns.
Find sites and Museums to Visit in Lazio.