Rome points of interest: 10 good reasons why you should visit Rome

Visiting Rome is on the travel bucket list of every person who loves history, architecture, and art. These are certainly very good reasons to visit the eternal city but there are many other Rome points of interest to inspire you to visit at least once in a lifetime.

So, if you still doubt whether you should make the trip, here are 10 good reasons why you should visit Rome.

Top Tips to Visit Rome in one Free Guide

Rome points of interest that will make you want to visit

1. Discover Architecture

The Colosseum is one of the most recognizable structures in the world and an architectural wonder. What makes it even more attractive for visitors to Rome is that it’s right next to two other great places to visit in Rome – the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

The ancient ruins on display at the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are a monument to the brilliance of Roman architects of more than 2,000 years ago.

Another architectural wonder not to miss in Rome is the Pantheon, dedicated in 126 AD and still holding the record for the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.

Tip: The Colosseum is Rome’s most popular attraction. It’s best to buy skip-the-line tickets before visiting to avoid standing in queues for long hours.

2. History

Together with the amazing architecture, Rome is a living history museum about the mighty Roman Empire and the origins of western civilization. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Even without setting foot in any of the famous Rome points of interest, the historic significance of the city is palpable every single street. If you run out of ideas of where to go in Rome – the city is home to 12 individual UNESCO sites including the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon.

3. Enjoy Art

You don’t have to be an art critic to appreciate the significance of the artworks on display across Rome. Who hasn’t seen pictures of the masterfully painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? And that’s not the only work by the great master Michelangelo in the city. He was also responsible for the Pietá in St Peter’s Basilica.

Where to go in Rome for the best art all in one place? The Borghese Gallery, of course. It features one of the world’s greatest private art collections and is best visited with a skip-the-line ticket.

4. The Pope

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Pope is one of Rome’s biggest attractions. After all, the Vatican City is his home. If you want to see this powerful figure in the Roman Catholic Church for yourself, be sure to be at St Peter’s Square on Wednesdays when he holds a Papal audience.

Even if you don’t get to see the living Pope, there is a lot to learn about Papal history, customs and traditions when visiting the Vatican Museums. Beware that the Vatican City, with the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica, and St Peter’s Square can get extra busy when the Pope is in residence. It’s a great idea to book a tour with skip-the-line tickets at such times.

5. Rome Food

From the best pizza and pasta dishes to vegetable stews and trippa (tripe), you’ll find Italian cuisine at its best in Rome. It’s hard to believe that many dishes which are unique and special to Rome originated as “poor man’s food”. Just think about the simple but hearty and delicious spaghetti alla carbonara or saltimbocca alla Romana.

Knowing where to go in Rome for the best local food is easy. Take to the streets, follow your nose and watch where the locals congregate. The best places to visit in Rome for original traditional food is Testaccio rione, the trade and slaughterhouse area, and the Trastevere neighbourhood.

6. Shopping in Rome

With all the historic sites around for which Rome is most famous for, it’s difficult to believe that the city is also an excellent shopping destination.

Famous designers who come from Rome include Valentino, Laura Biagiotti, Fendi, Brioni, and Bulgari. And if these aren’t a good fit for your budget, there are always Benetton, Armani, Sermoneta, and Zara.

If you don’t know where to go in Rome for shopping, head for the Spanish Steps. This area is home to some of the best Italian luxury brands. Or head to neighbourhoods such as Prati, Piazza Navona, and Monti for boutique shopping.

7. Weather

Rome has a subtropical climate with milder winters compared to most of mainland Europe. Temperatures rarely drop below zero. For this reason, Rome is a year-round destination, which means you can choose the best season for you to travel to the eternal city.

If you don’t like the summer heat and the crowds that come with it, rather visit in the early spring or late fall. While colder, the winter months of December, January and February (outside of the Christmas and New Year holidays) are the quiet months when the queues at the popular places to visit in Rome are at their shortest.

Tip: If you have no choice but to visit in summer, buy your skip-the-line tickets for the popular attractions in advance to avoid long waiting times in the hot sun.

8. Easy accessibility

The historic centre of Rome is contained in a relatively small area. This means most of the Rome points of interest are walking distance from each other. It also means you can see and do a lot in a short time.

Getting to your hotel or the best places to visit in Rome is also easy from the city’s two international airports – the bigger Fiumicino (also known as Leonardo da Vinci) and the smaller Ciampino, which caters for the budget airlines.

Both airports have good public transport links to the city, although there is no train connection directly from Ciampino. However, the Leonardo Express from Fiumicino gets you to Rome in 30 minutes.

But, if you want to make the most of your travel experience and avoid the hassle of public transport, book your private Rome airport transfer service today. You won't regret it!

9. Italian la dolce vita

La dolce vita is Italian for “the good life” or “the sweet life”. If you allow yourself, this is exactly what you’ll experience with the locals in Rome. In a nutshell, it means living your life with passion, doing what you enjoy when you want to enjoy it.

The term la dolce vita became internationally known after the like-named 1960 hit movie by Federico Fellini. In Rome, la dolce vita is especially evident in August, which is supposed to be the busiest month. However, many shops and restaurants are closed because the owners and staff are off on their annual vacation!

10. Rome points of interest : Great views

Not many people know that Rome was built on 7 hills which form the geographical heart of the city. As a result, there are many great elevated spots from where to catch the best views over the city’s ancient roofs and domes.

The most famous hill, offering a different perspective of the Colosseum and Roman Forum, is Palatine Hill. It was here where Rome’s first settlement sprung to life under Romulus in the 8th century BC.

Tip: One ticket provides entrance to Palatine Hill, Colosseum and Roman Forum. Buy yours online in advance to avoid queuing twice when you arrive. Unfortunately, the security check lines cannot be skipped but you can save a lot of time by not queuing for tickets.

The Roma Pass – a good deal for visitors who want to see Rome points of interest

Because of the popularity of many of the places to visit in Rome, the city fathers came up with a sightseeing pass to accommodate visitors.

The 48-hour Roma Pass allows free entry to the first visited museum or archaeological site and offers discounts to other. The 72-hour pass includes free entry to two sites.

A great feature of the pass is the free use of public transport for 3 days. It means you’ll get to all Rome points of interest in no time.

The Roma Pass is conveniently available online from €36,5 per adult (check price here or read our review here).

Conclusion to Rome points of interest

There you have it – 10 very good reasons why you should visit Rome. If you really want us to, we can come up with a hundred more. However, if the ancient sites, delicious food and la dolce vita way of life aren’t enough to convince you to start planning a trip, we’re not sure what will. Maybe the Trevi Fountain and Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?