Top Things to Do in the Rome | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Rome

Basilica di San Clemente

The Basilica di San Clemente is a minor basilica located in the Piazza di San Clemente in Rome. This monument takes you through various stages of Roman history. The basilica features many beautiful frescoes and a mosaic depicting the Triumph of the Cross. The Medieval period basilica is built on top of a fourth-century church and includes the house of a Roman aristocrat—together, forming three layers. The Medieval period basilica is built on top of a fourth-century church and includes the house of a Roman aristocrat—together, forming three layers. The Old Sacristy of the basilica includes the entrance to the church underneath. Further down, you will find a first-century Roman aristocrat’s house and a dark second-century temple to the God Mithras. Read More

Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola

The Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola is a 17th-century Jesuit church located in the Piazza di Sant'Ignazio in Rome. This church is most well-known for the remarkable trompe l'œil frescoes by Andrea Pozzo. You will be amazed by how one of them imitates a dome, creating a splendid optical illusion. The other fresco, which is equally incredible, is drawn on the nave ceiling. It depicts St Ignacius' entry into paradise surrounded by angels. The Jesuit architect and mathematician Orazio Grassi designed the church in 1626. The fake dome fresco was actually created as the church didn't have enough funds to construct an actual dome. You will find a disc on the floor, also made by Andrea Pozzo, marking the ideal position to view the optical illusion of the fake dome. You realise the 'dome's flatness as you move away from the disc. St. Ignacius' fresco is painted to look like he is entering the paradise above through the clouds. Although not one of the main attractions in Rome, this massive church is worth visiting for its beauty and artwork. Read More

The Church of St. Louis The French is located in Rome in the Piazza di San Luigi de' Francesi. It houses many statues of saints and historical figures like Charlemagne and Saint Louis. Fans of Caravaggio’s works and others would be genuinely delighted by three of his most exquisite works of art displayed here—The Martyrdom of St. Matthew, The Vocation of St. Matthew and St. Matthew and the Angel—in the famous Contarelli Chapel. Also known as the French National Church, it was constructed in the 16th century by Domenico Fontana. The inside is comprised of three naves and five chapels on each side. The Martyrdom of St. Matthew and The Vocation of St. Matthew are arranged on either side of the main altar, with St. Matthew and the Angel being the altarpiece. The statues inside were made by Pierre Lestache. Tombs of kings and prominent figures are housed in the church. Read More

The Domus Aurea, or the Golden House, is situated in Rome on the Via della Domus Aurea, close to the Roman Colosseum. Constructed as Emperor Nero’s residential palace, it is very lavish and exudes extravagance. It has a dazzling golden dome and ceilings studded with semi-precious stones and is covered in frescoes and mosaics. Guided tours also include a VR experience, enabling you to see what the palace actually looked like. Nero had ordered the architect Severus and the engineer Celer, both famous for their previous works. It was built on top of the Domus Transitoria, which was destroyed during the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD. The construction, however, was never completed since Nero died in 68 AD. Due to centuries of neglect, it is only a remnant of its glorious past. The palace has 300 rooms but mysteriously not a single kitchen or latrine. The paintings inside were drawn by Famulus, whose works are believed to have been studied by the likes of Michelangelo and Raphael. The palace was huge; it had a 35m tall statue of Nero, named Colossus’. Read More

Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini is the recently discovered archaeological remains of ancient Roman villas and houses beneath the Palazzo Valentini. Guided tours are arranged to take you through the restored ruins on glass walkways. The experience is enhanced by multimedia projections of what the ruins were like before. Old baths and patrician residences are covered in pretty frescoes and stunning mosaics. The builders of Palazzio Venetia had covered these ancient ruins with landfill as a foundation for the palace. The remains were found during excavation work in 2005, restored and became open to the public in 2010. A team of historical and technical experts also managed to visualise what these ancient structures looked like and reconstructed them via computer graphics and 3D projections. The experience is made complete with sound effects and sophisticated lights. Le Domus Romane is an excellent attraction for those interested in the history of Imperial Rome. Read More

The Palazzo Colonna is the largest private palace in Rome, located on the Via della Pilotta. This grand palace is truly a gem in hiding as it gets overshadowed by a myriad of other public museums and palaces and is open just once a week. Annibale Carracci’s Il Mangiafagioli (The Bean Eater) is the most admired painting in the Colonna collection. The ceilings are adorned with Pinturicchio frescoes, and there are artworks by artists like Jan Brueghel the Elder, Bronzino, Guercino, Veronese, Tintoretto and others. The Colonna family constructed the palace in the 14th century; they acquired my art pieces during that time up until the 18th century. It is still home to the family’s descendants. The Great Hall is the most grandiose here. It is covered in gold-framed paintings, sculptures and paintings of flowers and playful cherubs. The other rooms include Sala della Colonna Bellica, Sala dell'Apoteosi di Martino V, Sala dei Paesaggi and rooms dedicated to some famous family members. The palazzo also has a pretty garden. Read More

The Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is a private museum owned by the Doria Pamhilj family on the Via del Corso in Rome. On display are many masterpieces by Raphael, Tiziano, Caravaggio, Correggio, Velazquez and Bernini. Out of these, Velazquez's realistic portrait of Pope Innocent X clearly shines through and is given its own room. The museum experience is complete with a free audio guide narrated by Jonathan Pamphilj, offering anecdotes and tidbits about the family history. Pope Innocent X's portrait aside, the other notable artworks include Alessandro Algardi's bust of Donna, Olimpiathe Battaglia del Porto di Napoli (Battle in the Bay of Naples) by Pieter Bruegel, the Elder. Overall, the museum makes for a pleasant visit for art enthusiasts. Read More

The Piazza Venezia, or Venice Square, is located at the intersection of the four roads—Via del Corso, Via del Plebiscito, Via di Teatre Marcello and Via dei Fori Imperiali. The square takes its name from the Palazzo Venezia, one of Rome's most significant historical monuments. The Piazza is home to several other historic buildings and offers delightful backgrounds for photos. The Palazzo Venezia hosts a collection of Roman art, medieval weapons, and ancient artifacts. St. Mark's Basilica also stands on the square. The basilica is renowned for its beauty and architecture. The Palazzo Bonaparte in the Piazza is where Napolean Bonaparte's mother lived. The white marble-made 'Il Vittoriano,' also known as 'Altar to the Fatherland,' towers over the Piazza from the slope of Capitol Hill with a height of 81m. It was built in the memory of King Victor Emmanuel ll and had a collection of relics and artworks about him. On Christmas, the Piazza Venezia erects a decorated Christmas tree. It was named Spelacchio when, a couple of years ago, it looked 'unhappy'. Read More

The Ponte Sant’Angelo or the Saint Angelo Bridge connects centro storico to the Castel Sant'Angelo, crossing the River Tiber. It’s a flat stone bridge with 5 arches lined with 10 beautiful angel sculptures designed by the talented Gian Lorenzo Bernini on the sides. It is worth a quick stop for a photo session, especially after dusk. The bridge was named by Pope Gregory I, who envisioned the saint signalling the end of the plague. Pope Clement VII introduced a toll to cross the bridge, the proceeds of which would be used to construct the statues of St. peter and St. Paul. Later, Pope Clement IX commissioned Bernini to sculpt the figures in 1669. Bernini’s successors made the present-day statues based on his designs. The original sculptures can be seen in the church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte. Read More

The Quirinale Palace is situated atop a hill in the Piazza del Quirinale in Rome. It is currently the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic. It houses buildings and structures like the Temple of God Quirinus, which gave the hill its name, and the grandiose Monte Cavallo Fountain with the Dioscuri—two giants named Castor and Pollux. Artworks ranging from ancient to contemporary such as paintings, statues, tapestries, frescoes and porcelain, are on display here. The Quirinale is the sixth largest palace in the world, almost 20 times the size of the White House. Pope Gregory XIII started its construction in 1583. Gifted artists like Domenico Fontana, Carlo Maderno and Bernini have contributed to its elegant architecture. It has been the residing place of many Popes. There is a remarkable fresco by Melozzo da Forlì in the Scalone d'Onore, showering visitors with the Pope’s blessings. The palace also has a spectacular 4-hectare garden. It is very well maintained with numerous tree species and a gorgeous fountain. You can witness the changing of the guard ceremony on Sundays. Read More