Things to do in Rome

For History Lovers

The city is a dream come true for history enthusiasts, with so many sites of historical significance to visit. One of the most magnificent of these is the Roman Forum, a huge archaeological site of ruins from Ancient Rome. Having been built in around 500 B.C and later expanded by Julius and Augustus Caesar, Domitian and Trajan, you can almost imagine ancient Romans walking around as you take in the sheer size and beauty of the site. Those interested in the Roman Empire will need to plan in advance well for their trip to Rome to ensure they make time to see iconic sites including the Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps and Palatine Hill.

The Vatican

You'll want to allow an entire day in your itinerary to visit the Vatican. Stunningly beautiful from start to finish, the Vatican was designed to honour Catholic Christianity in its architectural form and artwork. At the Piazza di San Pietro, you'll find the structure that Bernini designed to look like embracing arms. Other incredible sights at the Vatican include St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums which include the breathtaking art of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, site of some of the most iconic Catholic art in the world.

Trastevere

Trastevere means 'across the Tiber', and, having crossed the river, you'll notice a definite change in atmosphere from the main city. This is an up-and-coming, bohemian area with a wide range of boutiques that sell jewellery, perfumes and handcrafted pieces and cobbled streets alongside ochre-coloured buildings. If you're a fan of meeting new people and experiencing different cultures first-hand, you may want to visit Trastevere at night to spend the evening drinking at one of the bars that flank the streets.

Trevi Fountain

One of the city's most recognisable sights, the Trevi Fountain was created by Nicola Salvi and features a sublime Baroque design with a marble statue of Neptune in the centre, encircled by tritons. Legend tell us that anyone who visits the fountain is destined to return to the city. As a very popular tourist destination, it's best to schedule your visit for early in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowds of tourists trying for the perfect fountain-side picture.

For Art Lovers

Few places in the world can lay claim to such an impressive collection of Baroque-era art as Rome. The Villa Borghese is a Baroque masterpiece that was commissioned by the 17th-century Cardinal Scipione Borghese to accommodate his valued posessions, which included Antonio Canova's sculpture of Napoleon's sister as Venus Victrix and Caraveggio's portrait of himself as Bacchus.