15 Places You Must Visit in Rome

For those with a travel wishlist, Rome, Italy, is a definite “must see.” For years, I dreamed of visiting the ancient City with its vast history, rich culture, and amazing food. This past summer, I made it there for a six-day trip. Actually, we only had four available days, as the first and last days were reserved for travel. While it would be entirely impossible to explore the entire region over the course of a single visit, we were able to visit several remarkable destinations during our limited itinerary. Below are my recommendations for the 15 places you must visit in Rome during a short trip.

If you do plan on visiting Rome, do keep in mind that the City is a large metropolis as well as a popular travel site. As such, the streets are busy, and many of the attractions have long lines. Weather is another consideration when traveling to the Eternal City. Summers are brutal. Many travel experts recommend visiting during the Spring (April, May, and June) and Fall (September, October, and early November). You can also avoid the crowds by purchasing Skip-the-The-Line tour tickets, which are available for many of the popular locations. I would also recommend participating one of the many day trips.

15 Places You Must Visit in Rome

1. Hop-on-Hop-Off Bus Tours

While this first entry isn’t a destination, it is an experience that I would recommend to all first-time visitors. There are several tour companies that offer hop-on-hop-off tours. These double-decker buses are a great way to utilize your time and experience the City. Tours are typically equipped with knowledgeable tour guides or pre-recordings that provide cultural and historical commentaries about the City and the various landmarks. These tours have multiple stops where you are able to get off and explore on your own. Some also offer additional guided tours at certain locations. The hop-on-hop-off buses are also a great form of transportation. Tickets are usually valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours.

2. The Spanish Steps

3. The Vatican Museum and City

4. St. Peter’s Basilica

5. St. Peter’s Basilica Copula

6. St. Peter’s Square

Note: The Almafi Coast, Positano, and Pompeii are not located in Rome. However, there are several tour companies that offer day trips to these locations as well as others. If you are looking for a slightly slower pace for a day, I would recommend booking one of these tours.