Visiting Rome for the first time was such an incredible experience. With so much history and beauty everywhere you look, I knew I needed to make the most of my limited time there. Here are the top 5 attractions I’d recommend hitting when exploring this amazing city.
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The Colosseum
As soon as I laid eyes on The Colosseum, I was blown away by its sheer size and state of preservation. I can only imagine what it must have been like in its heyday over 2,000 years ago when gladiator battles and wild animal fights were held within its walls. Spending a few hours walking around the entire structure and imagining the history that unfolded there was absolutely fascinating. Be sure to get tickets in advance online, which my Rome Tours package conveniently provided.
The Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica
I thoroughly enjoyed touring through the incredible works of art housed in the Vatican Museums, including Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes. It’s an experience I’ll never forget! Be sure to reserve your tickets ahead of time. And then spend some time taking in the sheer grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica as well – it truly is a stunning work of architecture.
The Pantheon
I was awestruck walking through the portico of columns into the impressive domed interior of the well-preserved Pantheon. Even after all these centuries, its engineering and design are still unmatched. Make sure to look straight up and let the light streaming in leave you feeling tiny in comparison. A true architectural wonder!
The Spanish Steps
Taking a break from all the history lessons, I loved unwinding at the Spanish Steps in the late afternoon. Watching the mix of locals and tourists, shoppers and strollers was so entertaining. Snap some photos then reward yourself with a café at the bottom or gelato on the top.
Visit Pompeii on a Day Tour from Rome
On my Pompeii tours from Rome, I was struck by how well-preserved the excavated city is. Walking its streets gave me goosebumps knowing this was essentially a picture frozen in time from when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. Seeing plaster casts of the volcano’s victims really brought the destruction home. An easy day trip worth taking from Rome to get a taste of both sites.
The amazing history, architecture and experiences I found at each left me with memories I’ll treasure for a lifetime. I hope this gives you a good starting point for your own visit.
