Rome Sights

Do the sights of Rome even require an introduction? Like the extrovert who will shake your hand before you take your coat off, Rome's famous destinations have no trouble making themselves known: interrupting, side-tracking, and dragging out your itinerary before you even get started, they seem to beckon from every street corner and piazza. Don't worry—that's a good thing. If they were anything less than spectacular, the gargantuan number of must-sees in Rome would feel burdensome. Luckily, they are spectacular and, luckily again, fairly concentrated within the city. You'll run into about half of them by default. On your way to get gelato, for example, you'll come across a fountain that looks, to put it mildly, vaguely familiar. The sights you won't stumble upon while hunting for a good pizzeria can be tackled with a good pair of walking shoes, a whole lot of ambition, and an espresso to keep you going. Our suggestion: take at least one day without the guidebook or map and simply see where you end up. Chances are you'll hit a lot of those “must-sees” without even trying.

Centro Storico

The Centro Storico abounds with sights that are as quintessentially Roman as pasta is Italian. Luckily, you won't have to pay or wait in line to see many of them, and their close proximity to one another ...more

Ancient City

COLOSSEUM, Bordered by V. di San Gregorio, V. Cello Vibenna, and V. N. Salvi (☎ 06 39 96 77 00; www.pierreci.it), A walk through the Colosseum provides an interesting mix of old and new—crumbling bricks ...more

Piazza Di Spagna

Piazza del Popolo, At the end of V. del Corso From the center of P. del Popolo, you can see the magnificent Vittorio Emanuele II Monument glowing (yes, it's so white, it glows) in the distance. Likewise ...more

Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese, Park bordered by Vle. Trinita dei Monti and V. Porta Pinciana. (☎ 06 32 16 564) The Villa Borghese sits north of Termini and provides a needed respite from the city's bustle. Mostly flat ...more

Vatican City

More so than any other region of Rome, Vatican City fuses Roman history, artistic mastery, and Catholic ideology. As the administrative and spiritual headquarters of the Catholic Church, it has historically ...more

Termini And Environs

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, In P. Esquilino (☎ 06 69 88 68 02), It's a good thing the Basilica is so close to Termini, or the slew of cheap eats and hostels might be the only first impression visitors ...more

Trastevere

Ahhh, Trastevere. With old cobblestone streets, hidden-away trattorias, and bustling nightlife, this oft-forgotten gem of a neighborhood is not one to miss. Even if you're only in Rome a few days, ditch ...more

The Jewish Ghetto

The Jewish Ghetto consists of a few blocks just off Isola Tiberina. Come here for great food and a look back at one of the first Jewish communities in Western Europe. The Great Synagogue, Corner of Lungotevere ...more

Testaccio And Ostiense

Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura, Piazzale San Paolo 1 (☎ 06 69 88 08 00; www.basilicasanpaolo.org), This is the light at the end of the tunnel, but unlike the kind you might see during a near-death ...more

Southern Rome

Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, P. San Giovanni in Laterano 4 (☎ 06 69 88 64 33), Practically off the radar in central Rome, San Giovanni in Laterano is hardly something to be overlooked. Before ...more

The Appian Way

The Appian Way, V. Appia Antica (☎ 06 51 35 316; www.parcoappiaantica.it), When you've had your way with Rome's busy corsi, it might be time to try the Appian on for size. Stretching 16km from Porta ...more

The EUR (AY-oor), south of Ostiense, stands apart from Rome’s other neighborhoods, with a different aesthetic and a markedly slower pace of life. Instead of ancient piazze, Roman ruins, and meandering ...more