Top 10 Rome Attractions

You can make it your goal to follow every suggestion on this list, or just plan your time around a few of them. Either way, you're sure to have a great time in Italy's capital.

Explore the Coliseum

No trip to Rome would be complete without visiting the Coliseum. It can get crowded during the summer months, but that's only because the Coliseum is one of the true must-see attractions in Europe. Book a spot in a guided tour for an informative trip back into time, or grab a guidebook and head out on your own. What's great about the Coliseum is that you can spend anywhere from an hour to a half a day exploring it, offering a great amount of flexibility in your tour of the top 10 Rome attractions.

Check out the Arch of Constantine

When you're finished at the Coliseum, head to the piazza outside and take a look at the Arch of Constantine. It marks the victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in the fourth century, which was a pivotal win for the success of Rome and Christianity.

Head to the Vatican

So the Vatican may not technically be one of the top 10 Rome attractions, it is still one of the best sights within Roman city limits. Wander in awe through St. Peter's Basilica before climbing to the top, and soak in the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel. Finish your day with a stroll through the Vatican museums.

Climb the Palatine Hill

Purchase a ticket that grants you access to the Coliseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, and you'll get to see a great collection of ruins. The Palatine Hill offers fantastic views over the Coliseum and Rome, making it one of the better photo ops in the city. The ruins on Palatine Hill include the remains of Domus Augustana and Domus Flavia, which date back to the first century.

Step into History at the Roman Forum

Complete your admission ticket's trifecta of top 10 Roman attractions with a tour of the Roman Forum. The cobbled streets of this relic provide a path back in time to the grandeur of the Roman Forum, when Julius Caesar and Roman's elite heatedly debated the salient issues of the item. For the most part, it's hard to glean how magnificent the Roman Forum used to be (these ruins could be more accurately described as ancient very ruins), but there's no denying that this is one of the best things to see in Rome.

Explore Trastevere

Trastevere is one of Rome's least cosmopolitan neighborhoods, so it's great for when you want to get away from some of the bustle. Residents are older and many don't speak English, but you'll appreciate the slower pace of life. At night, however, it becomes a lively spot for travelers and young people, and the fun picks up quite a bit.

Walk From One Piazza to Another

Stroll through Piazza Navona and Piazza Campo dei Fiori, Rome's most famous piazzas. Navona is an excellent example of baroque architecture, and its most recognizable sights include an Egyptian obelisk and its three fountains. Start yoru tour at Campo dei Fiori with a daytime meal at a takeout place, and check out the market offerings. Then head to Navona in the evening, when it is at its liveliest.

People Watch at the Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps make for one of the top 10 Rome attractions, if nothing more for the fact that you'll find people from all backgrounds to spy on as you people watch. The interactions between clueless travelers and the men hawking their pointless gag gifts are always amusing, and you'll feel like you're watching a gymnastics competition as tour groups try to dance and sidestep their way through the crowds. Grab a gelato from a few blocks away and grab a seat on the steps.

Continue your People Watching at the Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain rivals the Spanish Steps in its touristy-ness, so it is just as great for people watching. People come from around the world to toss a coin into the fountain, so you'll get to watch people from every background and culture imaginable repeat the same stilted tradition over and over. You'll either go crazy, or find it amusing.

Walk Through a Church

Rather than pick out a specific church as a top 10 Rome attraction, it's easier to just recommend stopping into any church. You won't be disappointed. Their architecture is always marvelous, and the baroque style is something that must be experienced in person.

Now that you're to-do list is updated, find a Rome hotel from which to base your explorations.