25 Best Things to Do in Rome: A Complete Guide for Americans

Rome is ideal for US travelers who want ancient landmarks, walkable neighborhoods, famous art, and great food in one trip. These things to do in Rome, Italy, are planned for travelers going from the USA to Rome, with practical timing, ticket, and transport notes. Jetpac eSIM also fits naturally into the trip because maps, museum bookings, ride apps, and hotel details matter as soon as you land. An eSIM plan for Italy is also useful if Rome is part of a wider Italy route.

Use this route to decide what to do in Rome without overpacking your days. It covers the best things to do in Rome, major ruins, food areas, Vatican highlights, and scenic viewpoints.

Before you fly to Rome

US citizens can usually visit Italy for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day Schengen period with a valid passport. ETIAS is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026, and the official EU site confirms no action is required from travelers yet.

• Airport tip: Fiumicino Airport connects to Roma Termini by Leonardo Express in 32 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes
• Money tip: Carry cards but keep some euros for cafés, markets, and smaller purchases
• Packing tip: Bring a US-to-EU plug adapter and comfortable walking shoes

1. Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo is a strong first stop in Rome's historic centre. It holds the Flaminian Obelisk brought to Rome from Egypt, the twin churches Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, and Santa Maria del Popolo with works by Caravaggio and a chapel designed by Raphael.

• Best for: First Rome photos and architectural overview
• Entry tip: Visit early morning for better photos
• Travel tip: Walk south toward the Spanish Steps as a natural next stop

2. Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps connect Piazza di Spagna at the base with the Trinità dei Monti church at the top across 135 steps. They were built in the 18th century to connect the Spanish Embassy with the church above.

• Best for: City views and spring flowers
• Entry tip: Sitting on the steps is restricted
• Travel tip: Visit in April or May for azalea blooms

3. Villa Borghese and Borghese Gallery

Villa Borghese offers gardens, paths, and a break from traffic. The Borghese Gallery inside holds major works by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Canova.

• Best for: Art, green space, and a slower pace
• Entry tip: Reserve a timed gallery entry well in advance as numbers are strictly capped
• Travel tip: It is one of the best places to visit with kids who enjoy outdoor space alongside indoor art

4. Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is one of the top things to do in Rome for first-time visitors. From February 2026, a €2 ticket is required to access the closest basin area, while the wider surrounding piazza remains freely accessible.

• Best for: Iconic city photos
• Entry tip: Go early morning or late evening to avoid peak crowds
• Travel tip: Rome eSIM helps with walking routes and real-time traffic updates around the area

5. Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of Rome's best-preserved ancient buildings, constructed under Emperor Hadrian and in continuous use for nearly 19 centuries. The unreinforced concrete dome, 43 metres in diameter, remains the largest of its kind in the world. Adult entry is listed at €5 on the official Pantheon website.

• Best for: Roman engineering and architecture
• Entry tip: Check official ticket rules and timed access before visiting
• Travel tip: Pair with Piazza della Rotonda and nearby side streets

6. Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona follows the outline of an ancient stadium built under Domitian, giving it its distinctive elongated shape. Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers is the central landmark.

• Best for: Baroque Rome and street atmosphere
• Entry tip: Free open-air stop that works any time of day
• Travel tip: Visit after the Pantheon and stop at San Luigi dei Francesi for Caravaggio's paintings of Saint Matthew

7. Campo de' Fiori

Campo de' Fiori is a market square by morning and a dining hub by evening. It is easy stuff to do in Rome between major landmarks without needing any planning.

• Best for: Snacks, local energy, and people-watching
• Budget tip: Walk the perimeter before committing to a café or stall
• Travel tip: Go in the morning for the freshest market produce

8. Jewish Ghetto

Rome's Jewish Ghetto is one of the oldest continuously inhabited Jewish neighbourhoods in Europe. Walk toward Portico d'Ottavia and try Roman-Jewish dishes at local restaurants.

• Best for: Food and neighbourhood history
• Budget tip: Lunch offers better value than dinner in most trattorias here
• Travel tip: Combine with a short walk to Tiber Island

9. Largo di Torre Argentina

Largo di Torre Argentina contains the ruins of four Republican-era temples and is the documented site of Julius Caesar's assassination in 44 BC. A cat sanctuary operates in the sunken ruins alongside visiting archaeologists.

• Best for: Quick history stop with genuine significance
• Entry tip: Check current access hours, as site availability varies
• Travel tip: Add naturally after Campo de' Fiori

10. Capitoline Hill and Capitoline Museums

The Capitoline Museums are the oldest public museums in the world, dating to the 15th century. The piazza above was redesigned by Michelangelo in the 16th century and frames a replica of the Marcus Aurelius equestrian statue.

• Best for: Roman sculpture, medieval history, and Forum views
• Entry tip: Book in advance during peak months
• Travel tip: One of the recommended things to do in Rome before walking down to the Forum

11. Roman Forum

The Roman Forum was the civic, commercial, and religious heart of ancient Rome. Temples, triumphal arches, and rostra survive across the site.

• Best for: Ancient ruins and Roman civic history
• Entry tip: Use a combined ticket covering the Forum, Colosseum, and Palatine Hill
• Travel tip: Wear grippy shoes as surfaces are uneven

12. Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill is where Rome's earliest settlement is believed to have been established. Imperial palace ruins and elevated views over the Forum make it a natural companion to the Forum visit.

• Best for: Views, imperial ruins, and archaeological depth
• Entry tip: Covered by the combined Forum and Colosseum ticket
• Travel tip: Visit before midday to avoid the afternoon heat in summer

13. Colosseum

The Colosseum is among the best things to do in Rome for any first-time visitor. The ancient amphitheatre held up to 80,000 spectators and hosted gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and public spectacles for centuries.

• Best for: First-time Rome visits and ancient Roman history
• Entry tip: Book timed tickets through the official Colosseum ticketing site well in advance, especially in summer
• Travel tip: If you want to compare the best eSIM for Italy travel before a busy sightseeing day, check plan coverage and hotspot options beforehand

14. Domus Aurea

The Domus Aurea was Emperor Nero's vast palace complex, built after the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD. It is one of the more unusual things to see in Rome because most of the structure is underground and accessible only by guided tour.

• Best for: Hidden archaeology and imperial Roman history
• Entry tip: Check tour availability and opening dates, as access is limited and guided-only
• Travel tip: Bring a light layer, as underground temperatures are noticeably cooler

15. Basilica di San Clemente

Basilica di San Clemente is one of the most layered things to do in Rome, Italy, because it descends through three distinct periods: a 12th-century church, a 4th-century basilica below it, and Roman-era structures at the lowest level.

• Best for: History lovers and archaeology
• Entry tip: Allow at least an hour to descend through all three levels
• Travel tip: Located close to the Colosseum, it pairs naturally with a Forum and Palatine day

16. Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla give a clear sense of the scale of ancient Roman public architecture. The complex could accommodate around 1,600 bathers simultaneously.

• Best for: Spacious ruins with fewer crowds than central sites
• Entry tip: Visit early in summer as the site has limited shade
• Travel tip: Use eSIM Italy data for transit directions from Circus Maximus

17. Aventine Hill and Orange Garden

The Orange Garden on Aventine Hill offers one of the most peaceful panoramic views in Rome. A few steps away, the famous Knights of Malta keyhole frames a precise view of St. Peter's Basilica.

• Best for: Quiet sunset views
• Entry tip: Both the garden and keyhole viewpoint are free
• Travel tip: Combine with a walk down to Testaccio

18. Trastevere

Trastevere is a neighbourhood of medieval lanes, ivy-covered walls, local trattorias, and bars. It is one of the top activities in Rome for evening dining and neighbourhood exploring.

• Best for: Dinner, local atmosphere, and nightlife
• Budget tip: Avoid the main tourist lanes and walk one block further for better prices
• Travel tip: Jetpac eSIM helps with late-night navigation back to central Rome

19. Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Museums hold one of the world's largest art collections, from classical sculpture through to Renaissance painting. The Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes including The Creation of Adam, is the final room of the main museum route.

• Best for: Art history and Michelangelo's ceiling
• Entry tip: Book through the official Vatican Museums website directly; third-party markups can be significant
• Travel tip: It is one of the best places to visit in Italy in summer, only if timed entry is secured well in advance

20. St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica is one of the largest churches in the world and contains major works, including Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's Baldachin above the papal altar. The dome climb offers one of the best elevated views of Rome.

• Best for: Sacred art, architecture, and city views
• Entry tip: Dress modestly; bare shoulders and knees are not permitted
• Travel tip: Visit in the morning before peak queues build up

21. Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant'Angelo began as Hadrian's mausoleum in the 2nd century, was later converted into a fortress, and served as a papal refuge connected to the Vatican by the Passetto di Borgo corridor.

• Best for: Tiber views and Vatican-area history
• Entry tip: Visit after St. Peter's for a natural chronological flow
• Travel tip: Save ticket screenshots to your phone before entering the site

22. Janiculum Hill

Janiculum Hill is the second-highest hill in Rome and gives one of the clearest panoramic views over the historic centre and the Vatican dome.

• Best for: City views and a quieter outdoor break
• Entry tip: Free to visit at any time
• Travel tip: Go near golden hour for the best light across the rooftops

23. Testaccio food market

Testaccio's covered market is one of the most genuinely local food experiences in Rome, away from tourist-heavy squares. The area has deep food traditions rooted in Rome's history as a meat-packing and trade hub. Learning some fun facts about Italy, about the neighbourhood, adds real context to what you eat and see here.

• Best for: Local Roman food at honest prices
• Budget tip: Try small portions across several stalls rather than committing to one vendor
• Travel tip: Arrive before noon to avoid the lunch rush

24. Appian Way

The Appian Way is one of ancient Rome's most important roads, stretching southeast from the city. The section closest to Rome passes the catacombs, old tombs, and open countryside.

• Best for: Walking, cycling, and a slower outdoor day
• Entry tip: Bring water and sun protection, as there is limited shade
• Travel tip: Jetpac eSIM supports offline map planning before heading into areas with variable signal

25. Victor Emmanuel II Monument

The Victor Emmanuel II Monument, also known as the Altare della Patria, stands at Piazza Venezia and was inaugurated in 1911 to honour the first king of unified Italy. Its upper terrace, reached by elevator from the rear, gives a sweeping final view over central Rome.

• Best for: Final city panorama and conclusion to a Rome itinerary
• Entry tip: Check current elevator pricing at the site
• Travel tip: Visit near sunset for the best light across the city rooftops

These 25 things to do in Rome cover every major period of the city's history, from ancient ruins to Renaissance art to neighbourhood food culture. For US travelers planning things to do in Rome, Italy, for the first time, grouping stops by area saves significant daily travel time. How many days do you need in Rome to cover this list comfortably? Most visitors find five to seven days is the right range for a thorough first visit.

How Jetpac helps in Rome, Italy

Rome travel depends on small digital tasks every day: opening QR tickets at site entrances, checking metro routes between neighbourhoods, booking rides after dark, translating menus, and finding hotels after a long transatlantic flight. Jetpac Rome eSIM lets US travelers set up mobile data before leaving from the USA, so the airport, train station, and hotel check-in can all happen smoothly on the same day.

📱 Active before you board the Leonardo Express: Install before your flight and land at Fiumicino with maps, hotel directions, and train timetables already working. The Leonardo Express terminal is busy, and navigating it without data on a first visit adds unnecessary friction at the worst possible moment.

🗺️ Keeps navigation live through winding neighbourhoods: Trastevere, the Jewish Ghetto, and the streets around Campo de' Fiori are genuinely disorienting without live navigation. Jetpac keeps Google Maps and walking directions active across every neighbourhood without requiring Wi-Fi from a café or hotel lobby.

📞 Call hotels, restaurants, and tour operators directly:  Some of Rome's most popular restaurants and smaller guesthouses require a direct phone reservation rather than an app booking. Jetpac voice packs cover calls across 50+ countries directly through the Jetpac app, from $1.99 per 5 minutes via the app, with no Italian SIM card needed.

🔥 Share data with travel companions throughout the day: Unrestricted hotspot sharing works so every device in the group has working navigation and ticket confirmations from morning ruins to late-night Trastevere dinner.

💰 Save compared with standard US carrier roaming: Standard US carrier international rates in Italy accumulate quickly across a seven-day Rome trip. Jetpac confirms pricing upfront before purchase, so the bill matches what was planned before boarding. Using a dedicated eSIM Italy plan rather than defaulting to carrier roaming typically saves significantly.

🌍 One eSIM for 200+ destinations: A Jetpac eSIM covers Rome and any onward Italian destination without reconfiguring at each new city, making eSIM Italy plans more practical for travellers, adding Florence, Venice, or Naples to the route.

✈️ Airport lounge access when a return flight delays: Jetpac users access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide at no extra cost when a flight is delayed by more than one hour. Register yourself and one travel companion at least 24 hours before departure to activate this benefit.

🎧 24/7 support via WhatsApp and email: Reachable at any hour, whether a connection issue appears mid-Vatican visit or a hotel needs contacting before an early morning museum opening.

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FAQs

Is Rome good for a first trip to Italy?

Yes. Rome is walkable, historically dense, and easily connected to Florence, Venice, or Naples by high-speed train. It gives a strong overview of Italian history and food culture in a single base city.

Where should Americans stay in Rome?

Centro Storico suits first-timers for central access. Monti is convenient for the Colosseum and Forum. Trastevere suits evening dining and atmosphere. Prati works well for Vatican-area plans with less tourist density.

Is Rome easy to explore without a car?

Yes. Walking, the metro, buses, taxis, and rideshare apps cover all central visitor areas comfortably. A car is genuinely more of a hindrance than a help inside the historic centre.

What should Americans book early in Rome?

Book the Colosseum and combined Forum ticket, Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel, Borghese Gallery, and popular food tours well in advance. Spring, summer, and Jubilee year periods sell out fastest.

How much does it cost to visit Rome's main sites?

The combined Colosseum and Forum ticket costs approximately €18 for adults. The Pantheon is €5. Vatican Museums entry starts from around €20. The Trevi Fountain basin area requires a €2 ticket from February 2026. Many neighbourhood streets, viewpoints, and piazzas are completely free.

Disclaimer

Travel rules, attraction timings, ticket prices, transport schedules, and entry requirements can change at any time. Before booking or visiting, travelers should check official sources, including the U.S. Department of State, the official ETIAS website, Rome tourism pages, airport websites, and attraction websites, for the latest updates.