ancient places to visit in italy

The Best Sites To Visit In Italy For Ancient History Lovers

Few places on Earth can boast a history as monumental as Italy's. For over a millennium, Italy was the home to the Republic and later, the Empire of Ancient Rome, one of the most influential civilizations ever to exist, per the World History Encyclopedia . From colossal stadiums to intricate road networks and aqueducts, the ancient Romans left their mark on history and across the ancient European landscape. And, as a testament to the longevity of this ancient culture's fortitude, many of these wonderous landmarks can still be explored throughout Italy today.

Since the birth of the Republic in 509 B.C., the ancient Romans created massive cities, iconic monuments, and innovative infrastructures that spread their way across the world. However, when the Roman Empire fell in 476 A.D., many of these thriving landmarks were abandoned, left to be rediscovered over a thousand years later, starting with the Italian Renaissance in the 15th century. Today, Italy is home to 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites , and millions of visitors flock to its idyllic countryside each year to revisit these monuments left behind by its ancient forebears. From universally recognized wonders to off-the-beaten-path archeological digs, these are the best sites to visit in Italy for ancient history lovers.

1. The Colosseum

One of the most recognizable structures of the ancient world, the Roman Colosseum was a center of entertainment in the city for over 500 years, per Civitatis Rome . Commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in 72 A.D., the Colosseum was completed during the reign of his son Titus eight years later. Over the following four centuries, the Colosseum was frequented by the Roman population for a series of events that included gladiatorial fights and other combat-based sports. The last historical use of the Colosseum was in the sixth century, at which point gladiator fights and other such events were no longer popular in Rome. For over a millennia that followed, the Colosseum was left abandoned and was subject to lootings, earthquakes, and even bombings during WWII.

At the time of its establishment, the Colosseum was a structural marvel. Made out of stone and concrete, the Colosseum differed from many other theaters of the time because it was a free-standing structure, a feat which it could accomplish thanks to its innovative building materials, per History . During its heyday, the Colosseum boasted an attendance capacity of 50,000 people. While two-thirds of the Colosseum was destroyed in the preceding years, efforts to restore the site began in the 1990s. In 2007, the Colosseum officially became one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, attracting approximately 9 million visitors yearly.

2. The Pantheon

Completed around 125 A.D., the Roman Pantheon is yet another iconic landmark of ancient Rome and is considered the best-preserved building from the ancient civilization, according to the World History Encyclopedia . A quintessential stop along any exploration of Rome's historical sites, the Pantheon serves as a window into the ingenuity and architectural feats of the ancient Romans.

From its white marble porch and stuccoes to the perfectly preserved interior dome, visitors to the Pantheon experience the landmark just as the ancient Romans would have almost two millennia ago. With that said, precisely what the ancient Romans used the Pantheon for is still being determined. Based on the name and design, the most likely use of the Pantheon would be that of a temple. However, the building is also known to have hosted Roman emperors' public appearances and the Roman Senate's convening.

Today the Roman Pantheon continues to occupy its location in central Rome. Nearly two thousand years after its completion, it offers one of the most significant reflections of the region's influential past and serves as a testament to the enormity and longevity of ancient Roman architecture.

3. Herculaneum

The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. is one of the most famous and deadly volcanic eruptions in history. And while Pompeii is the most widely-known victim of the disaster, the city of Herculaneum was closer to the volcano. Along with being entrenched in a thick layer of ash, the tragedy of Herculaneum was followed by a flooding cover of lava flow, something that did not occur in the nearby Pompeii. According to the World History Encyclopedia , the result of this additional molten layer is an even more enhanced preservation of the city, including organic remains.

While Herculaneum is considered even better preserved than Pompeii, the additional protection of molten rock has also made the site more difficult to excavate, and two-thirds of the site remains largely unexcavated. Still, the first-century city is a must-visit site and offers visitors a less-crowded exploration of an ancient Roman town than the more famous Pompeii, per Nomad Epicureans .

4. Valley of the Temples

Known as the Valley of Temples, The archeological area of Agrigento is a must-visit destination in Sicily for any history lover. Dating back to the sixth century B.C., Agrigento was initially founded as a Greek Colony and quickly became a dominant city in the Mediterranean and is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site . More famously recognized as the Valley of Temples, Agrigento received this distinction thanks to the plethora of Doric temples that riddled their way throughout the ancient city. According to Italy 4 real , Agrigento's landscapes are dotted with eight unique temples, each honoring various gods, including Juno, Demeter, Heracles, and Zeus. While all the temples are renowned for their preservation, the Temple of Concordia is the pinnacle of the site's offerings. It is considered one of the best-preserved Doric temples in the world and is even comparable to the Parthenon in Athens.

Along with touring these religious monuments, visitors to the archeological site also explore the attractions and infrastructures of late Hellenistic and Roman traditions and city planning. One of the most extensive ancient sites in Italy, and one of the greatest displays of the ancient Greek presence in the region, the Valley of Temples spans a total of 1,300 hectares across the picturesque Sicilian coast, per Italy's official tourism website . While much of the city has yet to be excavated, the site's must-see attractions include its eponymous rows of temples and one of the best-preserved examples of Doric architecture worldwide.

5. Ostia Antica

Initially founded around 620 B.C., Ostia thrived as a small community at the mouth of the Tiber River until it was conquered by Rome around 400 B.C. From there, Ostia became a naval base for Rome's conquests, and by 150 A.D., it served as a commercial center and seaport after Rome had dominated the Mediterranean, per Rick Steves' Europe . Remnants of the town's militaristic functions are found throughout the site, including a rectangular fort typical in Roman military towns.

Following the city's conversion into a seaport, Ostia Antica entered a period of prosperity, starting in the second century A.D., according to the Ostia Antica website . Becoming one of Rome's primary commercial harbors, Ostia became a wealthy community and developed an infrastructure capable of housing an estimated 50,000 inhabitants. During this time, the city underwent extensive renovations, including restructuring its forum and adding a bathhouse, guild seats, and temples, the remains of which can still be explored by visitors today.

Ostia began to decline as a seaport city in the mid-third century when much of the region's commercial trade moved to the nearby town of Porto. And, when the Roman Empire fell in the sixth century, Ostia was wholly abandoned. Today, Ostia Antica is a unique preservation of an ancient Roman seaport and is heavily under-trafficked compared to similar attractions.

Founded in the seventh century B.C., Paestum is an archeological site that passed between cultures for nearly four centuries and combines influences by the Greeks, Lucanians, and Romans, per World History Encyclopedia . First established during the second wave of Greek colonization, the city's original name was Poseidonia, in honor of Poseidon. Chosen for its convenient location along Italy's eastern coast and the surrounding fertile plains, Poseidonia quickly grew into a prosperous seaport and expanded to include military fortifications, a large agora, and several prominent temples dedicated to various gods, including Hera and Athena.

In the fourth century B.C. Poseidonia was conquered by the Lucanians, who occupied the city for over a century before control of the city again changed hands when Rome conquered the area in 273 B.C. Under Roman rule, Poseidonia became known as Paestum and continued to thrive for a short time. However, due to a combination of factors, Paestum slowly shrank into obscurity, starting around 133 B.C.

Today, Paestum is one of Italy's most famous archeological sites for its blend of Greek, Lucanian, and Roman influences. In addition, the site is known for its frescoes, ceramics, artifacts, and three of the best-preserved Doric Temples in the world, per Live Salerno .

7. Villa Adriana

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, Villa Adriana was constructed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian between 117 and 138 A.D. and is one of the most remarkable displays of ancient Roman architecture, combining the traditions of the ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians. Located in Tivoli, only a short drive from Rome, Villa Adriana was designed to be an 'ideal city' and served as a countryside retreat for the emperor (per UNESCO).

The villa occupied over 120 hectares of the Tiburtine Hills and was home to an extensive complex of buildings reflective of an ancient Roman city. Today, visitors to Adriana Villa are welcomed to the archeological site to explore the remains of over 30 buildings, including a Greek Theatre, the Imperial Palace, the public baths, and much more. Also available for visitors to explore are the lavish gardens that Hadrian himself would have once walked, complete with a luxurious reflective pool.

Following Hadrian's death, Villa Adriana was neglected for over a millennium and wasn't rediscovered until 1461. Since then, the villa has been an influential inspiration for architectural styles ranging from the Renaissance and Baroque styles to modern architectural techniques. It is a must-visit destination for history lovers and architecture enthusiasts and provides an inside glimpse at the opulent lifestyle of one of Rome's most celebrated emperors.

8. The Appian Way

Ancient Rome is known for its elaborate road network that spanned Europe. In fact, much of the ancient civilization's success can largely be attributed to their innovative transportation routes, which continue to serve as the basis of our road networks today. Still, while Roman roads spanned for over 50,000 miles, according to Vita Romae, the network had to start somewhere. And that somewhere was the Appian Way.

First built in 312 B.C., the Appian Way was the first and most used road in the Roman road network, per Britannica . At first, it spanned 132 miles and connected Rome to the ancient city of Capua. Then, the road was extended an additional 230 miles to Brundisium, and by 244 B.C., the Appian Way provided travelers with a reliable, flat road connecting Rome to Italy's south coast.

While many portions of the highway are still intact today, the best spot to explore this exquisite piece of history is at the Parco dell'Appia Antica. This regional park protects the first ten miles of the road, per Walks of Italy . Here, visitors can walk (or bike) the Appian Way as they retrace the footsteps of the ancient Romans while passing by picturesque landscapes and historical landmarks.

9. Campanian Amphitheater of Capua

Located along the Via Appia, Capua was one of the most important and extensive cities in the ancient Roman Empire, according to World Heritage Journeys . And, while the medieval town of Santa Maria Capua Vetere was built overtop the site of the old city, several remnants of ancient Capua can still be explored throughout the town. The most prominent and famous of these ancient sites is the Amphitheater Campano, the second largest amphitheater of the time, only behind the Colosseum in Rome.

The second amphitheater to be built on the site, the Campania Amphitheatre is believed to have once been able to host 60,000 attendants. However, this theater was completed in 138 A.D., according to History Hit , and was built atop the ruins of a more ancient arena which served as the dramatic backdrop to the Spartacus Revolt between 73 and 71 B.C. Visitors to the complex today are invited to explore the remnants of the monumental amphitheater, the old gladiator school, and the Gladiator Museum.

10. Area Sacra di Largo Argentina

Home to the oldest temples of Rome, the Area Sacra di Largo Argentina is a unique archeological site in Rome. It was only rediscovered accidentally when construction work on a nearby building unveiled it between 1926 and 1930, per Civitatis Rome . Following the site's discovery, additional archeological digs revealed four temples, the oldest of which dates back to the first half of the third century B.C., according to History Hit . However, it is unknown to which gods the temples were built to honor, so they are distinguished as Temples A, B, C, and D.

Other sites within the Area Sacra include the Theatre of Pompey and the Curia of Pompey. The Curia of Pompey is of particular interest to history buffs as the convening area for the Senate at which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. And, if the region's historical relevance wasn't enough to entice you to this small archeological site, then the attraction's feline residence may be. Today, the Area Sacra di Largo Argentina is home to hundreds of stray cats protected by the city's laws, making it a fantastic attraction for history buffs and cat lovers alike.

11. Roman Forum

Located at the very center of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum served as a popular marketplace and social hotspot for the ancient citizens and dates back to the very beginning of Roman society, in the seventh century B.C. According to Rome.us, the first historical use of the forum was as a neutral space for meetings involving the legendary Roman founder Romulus, who ruled over Palatine Hill, and his rival Titus Tatius who led over the nearby Capitoline Hill. The forum played an essential role in forming an alliance between the two sides, which would later expand Rome through both regions. Throughout the history of the ancient civilization, the Roman Forum continued to serve as a popular social meeting space located at the city's center.

By 500 B.C., the Roman Forum began to host several public events, including elections, gladiator fights, educational events, and even general social gatherings and public meetings, per History . By the first century B.C., the forum experienced massive expansion and was often overcrowded, which led both Julius Caesar and Augustus to create additional forums towards the original's outskirts. Today the Roman Forum continues to serve as a tourist hotspot in the city's center and attracts over 4.5 million visitors yearly. Guests to the site revisit the heart of the ancient community as they explore the remains of the forum's several temples and monuments, including the Arch of Titus and the Senate House.

12. Arena di Verona

Rounding out the trifecta of Rome's monumental arenas, the Arena di Verona was the third largest amphitheater of its time, lesser in size than only the Colosseum and the Campania Amphitheater, per History Hit . Constructed in the first century A.D., the Arena di Verona was an impressive feat of architecture, consisted of three elliptical rings, and could host up to 30,000 attendants.

Like many other theatres of the time, the Arena di Verona was left mainly abandoned following the fall of the Roman Empire. A series of natural disasters and medieval pillages devastated much of the arena, especially along the first row of elliptical rings, which remain in disrepair today. Despite this, the Arena di Verona is one of the best-preserved amphitheaters of the time and is the only of Rome's three largest theatres still hosting events today . Capable of seating 22,000 modern-day attendants, the Arena di Verona is a fantastic site for enjoying an opera or open-aired performance in the same setting and traditions as the ancient Romans.

13. Pompeii

When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., it blanketed Pompeii and surrounding cities with at least 19 feet of thick volcanic ash. Submerged for over a millennium, the ruins of Pompeii were rediscovered in the 17th century and were found to be perfectly preserved by the ash, per Britannica . The city's public buildings, iconic monuments, and even its terrified residents have been frozen in time and offer a unique insight into the lives of the city's ancient occupants.

According to History , Pompeii was founded as an ancient Greek colony in the eighth century B.C. However, the city was conquered by Rome in the second century B.C. and quickly grew into a popular resort town on the Italian coast. By the time Mount Vesuvius erupted, it was the largest and most wealthy city to be destroyed and was home to many monuments from both Hellenistic and Roman times, which were perfectly preserved by the disaster. Today, visitors to the site explore the city's tragic ending as they tour the remains of the frozen citizens, frescoes, and architecture that once thrived in the region.

14. Baths of Caracalla

Public baths, or thermae, played an essential role in Roman society and were present in nearly all cities of the Roman Empire, per World History Encyclopedia . And while these baths were known as a destination of leisurely pastime, none were quite as opulent as the Baths of Caracalla. Constructed between 212 and 216 A.D., the Baths of Caracalla was one of the most extensive complexes of its kind and were commissioned by the emperor himself, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

According to Civitatis Rome , the baths were famous amongst Rome's esteemed citizens for over three centuries, at which point invading barbarians destroyed the city's aqueducts. Still, within that time, Romans of all statuses frequented the facilities, which included public baths, a library, exercise spaces, gardens, and even a temple devoted to Mithras and other divinities. While a 9th-century earthquake devastated many of the complexes, the baths are still relatively preserved. Today, visitors are invited to marvel at the majesty of the thermal complex once visited by all the notable Roman figures of the time.

27 Ancient Roman Ruins That Are A Must-See

It’s no secret to anyone that Rome is a top destination for archaeology buffs. From the Colosseum to the ruins of the ancient aqueducts scattered around the city, there is no city like Rome that better fits the moniker of an open-air museum. Our selection of the most interesting ancient Roman ruins will help you get around the precious sites that gave shape to the sophisticated Roman civilization.

Even admitting that there is hardly a site better than another, one can’t really deny that with a limited time, making a choice becomes necessary. Here are our suggestions of some pretty amazing archaeological sites in Rome you should include on your bucket list. Let’s dig in!

Table of Contents

Map of the most important ancient ruins in Rome

Fantastic archaeological sites to visit in Rome

Impossible not to start with the Colosseum . Arguably the most popular site in all of the city and the first landmark everyone rushes to, a visit to the Colosseum is a must for every first-timer.

A mighty amphitheater erected in the 1st century, this is where gory shows and fights between gladiators and gladiators against wild animals took place to please emperors and ordinary citizens.

There are many types of Colosseum tours , depending on how much you want to see, how much you are willing to spend and whether you are interested in accessing spaces usually closed to the public or staying within the general areas.

Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Right next to the Colosseum and often included in the same tours are the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, two of the most important archaeological sites in Rome.

The cluster of buildings that includes temples, stores, and funerary altars were once the pulsing heart of ancient Rome. Now we can visit the forum and even see where Julius Caesar was cremated and where Romans still bring fresh flowers to his altar.

The Palatine Hill is believed to be the first settlement where Rome was founded and is a fantastic place to see ancient Roman imperial villas.

Together with the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill are the largest ancient site in central Rome. To visit, I recommend booking your ticket online especially if it’s high season such as summer or December .

Baths of Caracalla

A mighty witness to Romans’ love for taking care of themselves and enjoying some spa time, the Baths of Caracalla are great to visit and a fantastic hint to how gorgeous they must have been back in the day.

Mosaics, ornamental statues, arches, and vaults were part of the decorations of the different areas from the gym to the calidarium to the tepidarium .

The baths included also a library where the spa-goers could relax and part of the complex is Rome’s largest Mithra temple located underground.

I find the Baths of Caracalla one of the most fascinating ancient sites in Rome. It’s huge and well-preserved so that you can walk around the different rooms and halls, understand how they were set up and what was the path and routine.

Don’t miss visiting underground to see where the slaves would stay to continuously feed the furnaces with wood so that the upper floors and water would always stay warm.

Mausoleum of Augustus

Reopened in March 2021 after 14 years of renovation, the Mausoleum of Augustus is the monumental tomb of one of the most important figures of imperial Rome. A first circular corridor runs all around the central body where the funerary urns were kept, likely including also Augustus’ urn.

The largest circular tomb of the ancient world, this grand mausoleum reminds us of the Etruscan funerary monuments and was built by the same emperor as a celebration of defeating Mark Anthony and Cleopatra in the battle of Actium.

This is the funerary mausoleum of the Gens Julia-Claudia dynasty and some of the illustrious members that were buried here include Augustus himself, Marcello, his nephew who died prematurely, Livia, Augustus’ wife, emperor Tiberium, emperor Caligula and his mother, and emperor Nerva, even though belonging to the Flavia dynasty.

During our tour, we visited all the floors of the mausoleum and could see how it was adapted to other purposes throughout the centuries when local noble families interred the main body to make different uses out of the ancient structure.

This is how the mausoleum became a stronghold first, under the Colonna family, it was covered by a garden rooftop by the Soderini family, and even transformed into an amphitheater by the Portuguese-born Correa clan.

Make sure you read our selection of the most important buildings in Rome .

Teatro di Marcello

The building of Teatro di Marcello (the Theater of Marcellus) started under the rule of Julius Caesar and ended with his nephew Augustus. In 13 BC it was given its name as a tribute to Augustus’ nephew who died in Baiae near Naples in 27 BC.

Erected in the Campo Marzio area where, traditionally, theater plays had already been taking place, the Theater of Marcellus occupied an area of the Circus Flaminius where peasants and ordinary citizens participated in the city’s legislative and judiciary gatherings.

All around, porticoes and temples were erected similar to other peasant areas such as the Aventine Hill and the Forum Boarium. When Christianity took over, the theater was abandoned and used as a stronghold by patrician families. Today it can only be visited from the outside.

You can visit the Theater of Marcellus after a tour of the Colosseum or the Capitoline Museums and then, just crossing the small passageway of the original Roman pavement behind it, you will end up in the Portico d’Ottavia in the Jewish Ghetto.

Portico di Ottavia

Part of the same archaeological site of the Theater of Marcellus, Portico di Ottavia will introduce you to the Jewish Quarter. Built by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus in 146 BC after his victory that resulted in turning Macedonia into a Roman province.

The sumptuous Porticus of Octavia was overlooking the Circus Flaminius from where triumphal processions would start. The beautiful Porticus included two large temples, one devoted to Juno Regina and one to Jupiter Stator.

The whole structure was later rebuilt by Augustus between 27 and 23 BC and named after his sister Octavia. In 203 AD, the Porticus of Octavia is renovated again by emperor Septimius Severus and his changes are most of the vestiges we can see today.

Originally, the structure was raised on a podium and included two temples, two libraries (one Greek and one Latin), and a Curia, the area for public gatherings.

The front facade featured at its center a monumental gateway in the form of propylaea as it was in Greek temples or buildings. In 19 AD an arch was built in honor of Germanicus right beside the propylaea.

Inside, the temple was like a museum hosting several works of art.

In the 8th century, they built the adjacent Sant’Angelo Church partially covering the northern part of the propylaea.

Today, the Porticus of Octavia is nicely nestled inside the Jewish Quarter, making it one of the easiest archaeological sites in Rome to visit. The site is open from 9 am to 6 pm (7 pm in summer) and you don’t need to book to enter. Being so close to a modern neighborhood, you can either visit before or after a delicious Roman Kosher meal.

Vicus Caprarius

Vicus Caprarius is a great and little-known archaeological site in Rome in the very city center, a stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain . I, myself, discovered it recently and was very pleasantly surprised. Among the names they gave to this site is “city of water” ( la città dell’acqua ) and once inside, it’s easy to understand why.

Set up on the cistern of Aqua Virgo, the ancient aqueduct that through its branches and new parts supplies water to the Trevi Fountain and other important fountains in Rome.

Even though water is really an important feature of this archaeological site in central Rome, it’s not the only thing you will see as also other parts of the neighborhood have been dug in the area.

Aqua Virgo Ancient Ruins

More than in a single site, the remains of Aqua Virgo ancient aqueduct are ancient Roman ruins scattered around the city. Apart from the site mentioned above where is the aqueduct’s cistern, two of the best places to see this ancient piping system are next to the Trevi Fountain in Via del Nazareno 9 or on the underground floor of La Rinascente shopping mall in Via del Tritone. In both places, you can see the arches of the waterway.

To access the ruins in Via del Nazareno you need to call Rome municipality at 060608 and the visit is paid (4€ per person), while to see the ruins inside the department store is free.

The experience inside La Rinascente is very interesting because along with the ruins, a multimedia installation runs repeatedly and tells visitors the story of the area and of the other ancient Roman remains that were found here including a domus, an insula, and parts of other aqueducts.

These were all re-buried but archaeologists managed to study them and gather the information we can learn via the multimedia show.

San Clemente Basilica

Just behind the Colosseum, San Clemente is a medieval basilica steeped in history gifting us with a fascinating experience. Before making your way underground, take a tour around the street-level church for some austere ecclesiastic architecture.

Time to dive into some ancient history, now, visiting the early-Christian 4th-century basilica under the medieval one and taking a walk around an ancient Roman neighborhood.

In these ancient Roman ruins, you will see a magnificent example of the Mithra temple and school, the archaeological site of the Roman mint, and the tiny alleys of an authentic Roman district.

San Clemente Basilica is one of those precious Roman ancient sites to visit that are also easy to reach because a short stroll away from the Colosseum. Unfortunately, it’s not allowed to take pictures.

Santa Cecilia in Trastevere Basilica

Hands-down one of my favorite experiences in Trastevere , visiting the undergrounds of Santa Cecilia Basilica will reveal an ancient domus complete with baths, an insula , and the entrance to a taberna (shop). On your way around one of the most interesting ancient Roman ruins, you will also see pieces of a mosaic floor and remains of working tools and jars.

Between the modern church and the ancient Roman findings, visitors will marvel at the arches, vaults, and pillars of the beautiful crypt where the tomb of the saint is kept. Before leaving the area, check if there is a long queue standing in front of Da Enzo al 29, one of Trastevere’s best restaurants and if there isn’t, enjoy a fantastic traditional Roman meal.

Vatican Necropolis

If you decide to visit the Vatican , you will soon realize that there are so many places to see that you can hardly do it in one day. However, if you can afford some extra time or if you are an archaeology buff, the ancient Roman necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica won’t leave you unimpressed.

Sprawling besides the circus emperor Caligula built on the gardens he had inherited from his mother Agrippina that later became Nero’s Circus where Christians were persecuted and where Peter was allegedly killed, a tour around the necropolis will show a great deal of Roman and early-Christian history. I’ve been once but wouldn’t mind visiting again since there is so much to learn and understand.

Hadrian Mausoleum

Known as Castel Sant’Angelo, the scenic mausoleum on the banks of the river is also known for having been the papal residence and public prison. But it was built as the funerary monument to emperor Hadrian and a visit shows the centuries of history and kingdoms Rome has endured. Plus, a beautiful view of Saint Peter’s dome.

Due to the many layers of history that the Hadrian Mausoleum went through and the many functions it covered, during your visit, you will see remnants from very different periods, not just from imperial times, when it was built.

Parco degli Acquedotti

If you have ever thought about studying or reading about the fantastic feats of public engineering represented by the ancient Roman aqueducts, a visit to southern Rome’s Parco degli Acquedotti along the Appian Way will be utterly fascinating.

With the juxtaposition of six of the main 11 waterways such as Aquae Marcia, Tepula, Iulia, Claudia, Anio Novus, and Anio Vetus (the latter only underground), you can enjoy your visit to one of the largest ancient sites in Rome with a walk or by renting a bike. This is a lovely park to relax also for families with kids and you can either visit independently or by joining a private guided tour .

Very close, and somehow connected to the experience is also Parco di Tor Fiscale where Aqua Claudia and Marcia intersect in two places and Aquae Tepula and Iulia that cross them forming a polygonal shape. This area is called Barbaric Camp because it’s where the Ostrogoths settled when they besieged Rome in 537.

Sant’Agnese Fuori le Mura Complex

The beautiful and historically layered Sant’Agnese Fuori Le Mura Complex lies in Via Nomentana and is one of the must-see ancient Roman sites. All around the modern church are important early-Christian sites that include large catacombs, a graveyard, the ruins of a 4th-century basilica, the crypt where the young martyr Sant’Agnese is buried, and the 4th-century Mausoleum of Costanza, the daughter of Constantine the Great.

The strong devotion Costanza felt for Sant’Agnese martyr was what pushed to her build this complex. It’s thanks to her, in fact, that we have the archaeological Roman ruins of the 4th-century basilica as well as her own funerary monument beautifully decorated with the finest mosaics. Whether you are after art or history, the complex of Sant’Agnese Fuori Le Mura is one of those ancient Roman ruins you don’t want to miss.

St. Paul Outside the Walls Undergrounds

Underneath the important Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura is a vast ancient Roman site that you can access from the cloister of the church. This is a very interesting archaeological area because you can wander around it and see vestiges from different eras.

Starting from the earliest ecclesiastic complex dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, you will also view the remains of some houses historians think are from a project by Pope Symmachus to give shelter to the poor people of the area.

Access to the Basilica is free of charge, but to enter the cloister that gives you also access to the archaeological site costs 4€.

Stadium of Domitian

Have you noticed that Piazza Navona has an oval shape? Wondering why? Because it was built on top of a vast stadium wanted by emperor Domitian in an effort to shift his fellow citizens’ interest from the gory shows of the Colosseum to more well-behaved Greek sports disciplines.

The imperial effort went unsuccessful for the most part, but the remains we can see today from Via di Tor Sanguigna of Domitian’s Stadium show a finely decorated theater with carvings and ornamental statues. Visitors can also watch an interesting representation of how both the stadium and the city of Rome were at the time of Domitian.

Rome’s Catacombs

Even though scattered all around the city, I gather Rome’s Catacombs in one paragraph because they are quite a lot and belong to pretty much the same period of time, the early Christianity in the city.

From Priscilla Catacombs near Villa Ada Park to the huge San Callisto’s in the Appian Way, visiting Roman ancient burial sites is very fascinating to understand an important part of the local history and society in what it concerns both the Christian persecutions, the cult of the dead and the transition from paganism to Christianity.

Rome’s Mithra Temples

Similar to the Catacombs, also the sanctuaries devoted to the Persian god Mithra are several in Rome so even though placed in several locations, I think it’s less confusing to gather them under the same roof.

Apart from the one mentioned above located below San Clemente Basilica, most Mithra temples are underground and often open to the public only after previous booking and request to the Council (060608) or to a certified guide. Those that are worth a visit are the ones of the Baths of Caracalla, the Circus Maximus and underneath Palazzo Barberini .

Pyramid of Caestius

Located in the Testaccio neighborhood near Ostiense, Rome’s Pyramid is pretty difficult not to notice since it’s huge and stands out from all the other buildings in the area. It was built by Caius Cestius between 18 and 12 BC at a time when the Egyptian style was very popular in Rome.

Unfortunately, it’s not always open so if you want to enter, you should call Rome municipality at 060608 for inquiries. Otherwise, you can go see it from outside and maybe enter the adjacent Protestant Cemetery where you will also stumble upon the sweet cats of the Pyramid’s colony that often jump into the graveyard to relax.

Trajan’s Markets

At this site, you will be visiting an archaeological area and a museum, the permanent exhibition of Imperial Fora, the huge archaeological park along Via dei Fori Imperiali connecting Piazza Venezia with the Colosseum.

The area housed shops and administration offices and what we call the Trajan’s Markets was where they managed all the activities related to the Trajan’s Forum. The tour includes traditional and interactive panels as well as multimedia presentations showing how the Imperial Fora were in their heyday.

You will see parts of decorations, pillars, temples, columns, sculptures, capitals from all the imperial fora including the ones of Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Nerva, apart from Trajan’s one. As a big perk, when visiting this archaeological site, you can also enter the ruins of Trajan’s Forum.

Domus Aurea

Relive the splendor of Nero’s Domus Aurea he built for himself after the devastating fire that in 64 AD destroyed much of Rome’s city center. This was the sumptuous home emperor Nero built for himself and included a large complex of gardens and other areas destined for the entertainment of the family or for residential purposes.

Occupying a surface of more than 50 hectares over the Palatine and the Esquiline Hills, according to historians, the Domus Aurea was the largest and most opulent residential mansion ever built in Rome.

Even though after Nero’s death his successors tried to erase everything linked to him also by looting its residence from all its decorations, today it’s possible to visit what’s left of it and see how it was back in the day thanks to the immersive multimedia Domus Aurea Experience. Here for more info .

Circus Maximus

Not far from the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus was a huge oval-shaped racecourse for chariots. Today is mainly used as a park, for relaxing, and running, and also for public events such as concerts, New Year’s celebrations, and for festivals and activities the council organizes on the occasion of Rome’s birthday on April 21st .

Since on the actual site there is no illustrative panel, a nice way to enjoy your visit and see how it looked like back in its heyday is to join the recent Circo Massimo Experience sponsored by Rome Council, a tour of the place with the aid of Zeiss VR devices for multimedia reconstruction. Click here for more info on timing, prices, and how to book.

Nearby, you can visit the Baths of Caracalla and, if you happen on the weekend, you can visit one of the best food markets in Rome , Mercato Campagna Amica al Circo Massimo (Via di S. Teodoro 74).

Domus Romane of Palazzo Valentini

Not far from Piazza Venezia is Palazzo Valentini (Via Foro Traiano 85), a 16th-century palace now the seat of Provincia di Roma. In its undergrounds, it’s possible to visit the ruins of an ancient Roman domus , a patrician house belonging to a powerful family from imperial times, probably of a senator, that still preserves mosaics, colorful flooring, and finely decorated walls, and shows even the remains of a private thermal bath.

Diocletian Baths at Museo Nazionale Romano

Museo Nazionale Romano is a museum in Rome spread into several locations. The main one is next to Stazione Termini and is staged all around the huge Diocletian Baths, the ruins of which you can visit during your tour. The museum itself, even though not an archaeological site, displays arguably the world’s largest collection of ancient Roman findings, tools, mosaics, decorations and more.

Crypta Balbi

On the other hand, Crypta Balbi is located in Via delle Botteghe Oscure between Largo Argentina and Piazza Venezia. Standing right next to the theater Lucius Cornelius Balbo built in the 13th century BC, the crypt was a covered porch to serve as a protection for the citizens waiting to enter the nearby theater in case of rain or as a refreshing point for the breaks during the plays.

Largo Argentina

Largo di Torre Argentina is an important sacred area of Ancient Rome consisting of four large temples. One of the first temples built here dates back to the 3rd century BC and was commissioned by the naval commander Gaius Lutatius Catulus after his victory against the Carthaginians.

The second temple was erected in the 2nd century BC at the request of Quintus Lutatius Catulus and lies near the oldest of all the temples of Largo Argentina, the one devoted to Feronia, ancient Sabine divinity, built between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.

Largo Argentina is also famous for being the place where important Roman statesman and commander Julius Caesar was murdered and for hosting one of Rome’s largest feline colonies.

As a fantastic update, the important Roman archaeological site of Largo Argentina has been finally opened to visitors who can access and have a tour around it for 5€ per person. In summer, it’s open until 7 pm, and in winter, until 4 pm (last entrance, an hour before closing time).

Insula of the Ara Coeli

It’s such a pity that this wonderful place is hardly noticed by the crowds. Probably its position slightly hidden from the main route or its being below modern-day street level are the culprits for it being so out of the radar even though one of the most important ancient ruins in Rome and revealing of the urban planning and development of Roman times.

To face the increasing overcrowding of the city between republican and imperial times, Romans started to build tall blocks of flats that would develop vertically instead of horizontally. From the street, if you look down over the fence, you can see all four floors the insula was originally built with, the shops ( tabernae ) of the ground floor, and beautiful frescoes on the upper level.

About The Author: Angela Corrias

Train in Rome Explained – Using Rome’s Fastest Transport Mode

8 Reasons Why You Need an Accurate Rome Itinerary

How to Beat the Crowds in Rome – 13 Overtourism Alternatives

Visiting Rome in June – All You Need to Know (2024 Edition)

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview

• Privacy Policy

• Disclosure Policy
• Travel Tips
• 109 Genius Travel Hacks
• Teach Abroad
• Work With Us

Europe Guides

10 best historical places to visit in italy.

Italy, a treasure trove of art, history, and culture, beckons travellers with its enchanting landscapes and vibrant cities. Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or simply a lover of all things beautiful, Italy has something to captivate your heart. In this article, we will explore 10 of the best historical places to visit in Italy.

Disclosure: Untold Wanderlust contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can find our full disclosure policy and privacy policy here.

Vatican Museums

Situated in the vibrant city of Rome, the Vatican Museums beckon art aficionados and history buffs alike with their remarkable treasures. Within this expansive complex lies a treasure trove of masterpieces, including the world-renowned Sistine Chapel adorned with the breathtaking frescoes created by Michelangelo. A visit to the Vatican Museums is an experience that evokes a sense of awe, immersing visitors in the artistic and cultural heritage of the Vatican City. For a truly fulfilling encounter, book your Vatican Museum tour where experts guide you and provide invaluable insights that ensure a seamless exploration, bypassing the often lengthy queues. This curated experience promises an immersive journey through this extraordinary museum, enabling you to fully appreciate its profound historical significance.

Accademia Gallery, Florence

The Accademia Gallery in Florence is home to Michelangelo’s magnificent sculpture, David. Stand in awe of this 17-foot marble masterpiece and explore the gallery’s impressive collection of Renaissance paintings and sculptures. Immerse yourself in the historical wonders housed within the Accademia Gallery in Florence, where one of the world’s most iconic sculptures, Michelangelo’s David, awaits your awe-struck gaze. Book your Accademia Gallery tickets in advance and be prepared to stand in reverence before this magnificent 17-foot marble masterpiece and explore the gallery’s impressive collection of Renaissance paintings and sculptures. Join us on a journey through this historical sanctuary and witness the brilliance of the Accademia Gallery firsthand.

The Colosseum, Rome

Step into the captivating world of ancient history as you secure your tickets and set foot in the legendary Colosseum in Rome, where gladiators once battled for glory and the roar of the crowd filled the grand amphitheatre. Explore the majestic structure and let your imagination run wild as you envision the spectacles and events that unfolded within its iconic walls. Join us on a journey back in time and immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Colosseum.

The Colosseum stands as a magnificent testament to the architectural genius and the historical significance of ancient Rome. Book your Colosseum Rome tickets and witness an impressive testament to the architectural brilliance where you will feel the weight of history surrounding you, Its colossal size and intricate design evoke a sense of awe and admiration for the civilization that created it.

St. Mark’s Square, Venice

Start on a journey to the mesmerizing city of Venice and discover the iconic St. Mark’s Square, an enchanting destination steeped in history and architectural splendour. Marvel at the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica and the grandeur of the Doge’s Palace as you immerse yourself in the captivating atmosphere of this historic square. Prepare to be captivated by the historical beauty and charm that surrounds you at every turn.

St. Mark’s Square, also known as Piazza San Marco, is a place of awe-inspiring historical beauty that has captured the hearts of visitors for centuries. As you step onto its cobblestone pavement with your St. Mark’s tickets in hand, you’ll find yourself surrounded by architectural marvels that showcase the rich historical heritage of Venice.

Uffizi Gallery, Florence

Embark on a captivating journey through the halls of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, where a treasure trove of Renaissance art awaits your discovery. Prepare to be amazed as you admire masterpieces created by the brilliant minds of renowned artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and many others. Each step you take within this magnificent gallery brings you closer to the heart of the Renaissance, where historical beauty, creativity, and artistic brilliance intertwine.

Transport yourself to the ancient city of Pompeii, a place frozen in time after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Marvel at the remarkably preserved ruins that offer a unique glimpse into the daily life and culture of ancient Rome. Wander through the labyrinthine streets, explore the beautifully preserved houses, and stand in awe of the haunting plaster casts of the city’s former inhabitants. With each step, you’ll be transported back to an era long gone, where the echoes of history resound through the ruins.

The Amalfi Coast

Indulge your senses with a visit to the mesmerizing Amalfi Coast, where picturesque towns and awe-inspiring views await. Immerse yourself in the idyllic charm of villages like Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, where vibrant colours harmonize with the azure waters of the Mediterranean. Take strolls along the winding coastal roads, soak up the sun on stunning beaches, and marvel at the dramatic cliffs that plunge into the sea. The Amalfi Coast is a sensory delight that will leave an indelible mark on your memory.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Embark on a journey to the enchanting city of Pisa and witness the iconic Leaning Tower, a symbol of both architectural marvel and engineering mishap. Capture the perfect photo as you marvel at this leaning wonder, standing proudly amidst the Piazza dei Miracoli. Explore the intricacies of its construction and learn about the efforts undertaken to stabilize this captivating landmark. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an undeniable testament to the historical significance and ingenuity of human craftsmanship.

The Cinque Terre

Discover the picturesque coastal villages of the Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that beckons with its unparalleled historical beauty. Embark on invigorating hikes along scenic trails that wind through vineyards, olive groves, and enchanting landscapes. Explore the colourful towns of Vernazza, Manarola, and their charming counterparts, each exuding its unique historical character and allure. Let the historical charm of the Cinque Terre captivate you as you immerse yourself in the breathtaking coastal scenery.

Embark on a journey to the captivating island of Capri, renowned for its natural beauty and glamorous historical ambience. Delight in the mystique of the Blue Grotto, a sea cave bathed in iridescent blue hues, and experience a sense of wonder as you traverse its enchanting waters. Take a stroll through the charming town of Anacapri, where quaint streets, artisan shops, and inviting cafés await. Bask in the panoramic views from the Gardens of Augustus, where vibrant flowers and lush greenery frame the breathtaking vistas of the Mediterranean Sea. Capri is an island paradise that enchants and rejuvenates the soul.

Italy, a land of historical wonders, invites you to embark on an extraordinary journey filled with awe-inspiring art, ancient history, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you find yourself admiring the masterpieces at the Uffizi Gallery, stepping back in time at Pompeii, revelling in the historical beauty of the Amalfi Coast, marvelling at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, exploring the picturesque Cinque Terre, or surrendering to the allure of Capri, each historical destination offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Italy’s rich tapestry of historical wonders is woven with threads of history, culture, and natural splendour, inviting you to immerse yourself in its timeless charm.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

16 Ancient Rome Sites & Roman Landmarks to See in Rome, Italy (+Map)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: September 28, 2023

Ancient Rome – the civilization dating from the founding of the city of Rome in 753 BC until the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD – has had a big influence on the world. It has inspired and influenced so many generations and continues to do so today…

No matter how many books you read and how many movies you saw, there is no better way to get acquainted with this fascinating culture than by visiting some of the ancient Roman landmarks in Rome, Italy!

In this guide, you can learn about the best Ancient Rome sites that you can still see in Rome today . Some of them – such as the Pantheon or the Colosseum – are world-known and are among the most popular places to see in Rome . Quite a few other remaining Roman landmarks are lesser-known and could be qualified as the hidden gems of Rome , often overlooked by tourists… But they are all worth seeing!

Whether you are fascinated by the Ancient Rome civilization, are interested in antique Roman architecture, or simply want to see some of the most impressive Roman landmarks and learn the stories behind them, this list will give you a good idea of the places that are worth visiting the most.

To help you plan your time, we also created a map indicating the best Ancient Rome landmarks in Rome . You can find this map at the bottom of the article.

Even if you just visit a few of these landmarks, you’ll appreciate so much better how special and unique Rome really is. It’s not for nothing that it’s called the Eternal City.

Good to know: Please note that in this guide we only mention some of the best-preserved and most important Ancient Rome landmarks that are located in or just near the city of Rome.

We also tried to sort this list by age, starting with the oldest Roman landmarks first. However, it’s not always possible to determine the exact dates. Furthermore, some archeological sites contain more than just one building (each dating from different periods), and others were built and rebuilt or their development spanned over several centuries…

So the timeline is only meant to give you an idea of how Ancient Rome developed over the centuries. It should give you a better insight into how old and unique these antique Roman sites really are…

Take a look!

Here are some of the best ancient Roman landmarks you can see in Rome today:

1. Palatine Hill & Roman Forum

The origins date from around the 10th century BC. Some of the oldest Roman temples (7-8th century BC) were located in this area as well.

The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) and the Palatine Hill (Palatino) are among the oldest places in the city of Rome. It’s in this area that you’ll find most of the ancient Roman landmarks; too many to even try to list them here…

It’s believed that the founders of Rome – Remus and Romulus – were nursed by a she-wolf in a cave – Lupercal – that was located on the slopes of the Palatine. In 2007, this theory was once again confirmed when the archeologists found a vaulted sanctuary deep under the ground that could indeed be the Lupercal.

So if you are looking for the most ancient sites in Rome, this is as good as it gets. The Palatine is literally the birthplace of Rome !

In Ancient Rome, the Palatine was one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city. The rich and the famous built their palaces here and you can still see some very impressive ruins on the Palatine.

Right next to it is the Roman Forum, the bustling heart of ancient Rome. Today, this is a huge archeological site where you can see many of the oldest buildings and monuments of Rome.

How to visit: The Roman Forum and the Palatine are located right next to the Colosseum and an entrance to all these sites is included in the same ticket . You can just walk around on your own, but I highly recommend visiting here with a guided tour . There’s so much to see and it’s a fascinating site, but without knowing what you’re looking at, it’s just a bunch of ruins and stones…

2. Ostia Antica

The origins date from the 7th century BC.

Ostia Antica was an old city, the commercial and military seaport of ancient Rome. The archeological remains found here date to the 3rd- 4th century BC, but some inscriptions are believed to be three centuries older than that.

This is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities and a great place to visit if you want to get a better idea of what life was like for ordinary folks in the old Roman times.

In its glory days (2-3rd century AD), over 100,000 people lived in Ostia. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the city slowly fell into decay. It was completely abandoned in the 9th century.

Big parts of the old city of Ostia are excavated and you can see the remains of old houses, shops, baths, but also docks and warehouses. One of the most impressive sites is the old Roman theater – Teatro di Ostia.

Ostia Antica is often compared to the more famous ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

However, these places are located close to Naples, a 2.5-3 hours drive from Rome (they can be visited as a day trip too , but you will need an entire day for that). Whereas Ostia Antica is just 45 minutes drive from the city center. In fact, it’s located very close to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino.

How to visit: Ostia Antica is the only Roman landmark mentioned in this guide that is located quite a bit further from Rome’s city center. You can get here by taxi or by train, and there are also organized tours. The most popular option is this half-day guided tour by train .

3. Circus Maximus

The origins of Circus Maximus date to Rome’s earliest days. The construction began around the 6th century BC.

Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo) was the largest stadium in Ancient Rome, mainly used for chariot races. It also served as the site of Roman Games, gladiator fights, animal hunts, etc.

Its current distinctive U-shape dates from the times of Julius Caesar who ordered the refurbishing of this arena at around 50 BC. At that time, the stadium could seat about 150,000 spectators.

After the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, Circus Maximus was rebuilt and reached its maximum capacity with place for about 250,000 people.

The last chariot races here were held in the 6th century, after which the ancient arena was pretty much abandoned. The area was cleared and turned into a park in the early 20th century and is nowadays sometimes used for concerts and other big outdoor gatherings. A small part of the ancient site is being excavated, but the majority remains under the ground.

How to visit: Apart from the big open oval space in the middle of the city, there is actually not that much left of the ancient Circus Maximus nowadays. You can see it from an elevated angle from Palatine Hill, and you can also go for a walk here. Some tours also come here. It’s a good way to learn more about the place and the guides usually have pictures showing you what the place looked like, etc.

There may not be much left of it, but as you stand here, it’s easy to imagine a crowd of a quarter of a million people cheering at the chariot races: the noise, the dust, the excitement… It’s well worth seeing Circus Maximus, even if just from a distance. It’s yet another puzzle piece that gives you a better idea of what life was like in Ancient Rome.

TIP: If you are interested in a tour, we recommend this one that visits Circus Maximus and also the Baths of Caracalla (a very interesting ancient Roman site that you can read about further below).

4. Appian Way

Built around 312-264 BC.

Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) is an ancient road that connected the city of Rome to Brindisi in Southern Italy, some 563 km (350 miles) away. Its main purpose was to help the army with the expansion of the Roman Empire.

To me, the Appian way feels the most authentic of all Ancient Rome sites that you can still see today. Built over 2300 years ago, some parts of this road look pretty much as they would have looked back in the old days. There are hardly any signs of modern-day life here, and if you’re lucky to visit on a quiet moment or go just a bit further from the city, you’ll likely be completely alone… It’s magical!

Appian Way is lined with ancient family graves and mausoleums, some of them still standing next to the road today (in the past, it was forbidden to bury people inside the city walls, and it was easy to have a family grave next to a major, easily-accessible way just outside the city).

As you walk or bike on Via Appia, you can easily imagine the Roman military marching here, horses and carriages driving up and down, and families visiting the graves of loved ones… If you’ve seen movies like Spartacus , vivid images of Ancient Rome come to life. It’s a really special place, and if you have a few hours extra, I highly recommend visiting here!

How to visit: The Appian Way is a long road that starts in Rome. The first part closest to the city has changed a lot and looks just pretty much like any other street. And while you don’t have to go very far to find some more authentic parts of this ancient way, it’s not really a place you can easily walk to. It’s best to come here by bus, on a tour, or by bike.

TIP: I highly recommend joining an e-bike tour . Not only is this the best way to get here and explore a bigger section of this unique road, but you’ll also see so much more! It’s also good to visit here with a local guide who knows exactly where to go and will bring you to the most authentic sights.

We visited the Appian Way with this great bike tour that also includes quite a few other ancient Roman landmarks mentioned further in this guide. Highly recommended!

5. Park of the Aqueducts

Most Roman aqueducts date from the period between the 3rd century BC and 1st century AD. The oldest Roman aqueduct – Aqua Appia – was constructed around 312 BC, at around the same time as the Appian Way.

If you want to see more of the most authentic ancient Roman sights and get a bit more off the beaten path in Rome, definitely consider a visit to the Park of the Aqueducts (Parco degli Acquedotti) . This is antique Rome at its best, and without the crowds. In fact, you’ll likely have the park all to yourselves…

Here, you can see several ancient aqueducts dating from the glory days of the Roman Empire. Reliable water supply was of utmost importance for the quickly-growing cities, and a series of aqueducts were built in order to bring drinking water from the mountains into the city of Rome.

Parts of these ancient aqueducts survived to the present day, and you can admire some really fine examples of ancient engineering. Some aqueducts were tens of kilometers in length, and they were built with such a small gradient that was just enough to get the water flowing towards the city at a steady pace. It would be quite an achievement even nowadays…

How to visit: Park of the Aqueducts is located on the outskirts of Rome, about 10 km from the city center. There’s a metro line running just nearby, so you could get here by public transport quite easily. However, it’s a massive park and so if you come on foot, you’ll need at least half a day to explore it. The best way to visit Parco degli Acquedotti is by bike.

We came here on the earlier-mentioned e-bike tour that also took us to Via Appia and ancient catacombs (see further below). It’s really one of the best ways to explore several of the best ancient landmarks in Rome in a short time!

TIP: One of these 2000-year-old aqueducts still supplies water to the famous Trevi Fountain today. If you don’t have the time to visit the Aqueducts Park, you could also opt to visit Vicus Caprarius (aka Trevi Underground) in the city center. Here, you can see one of the ancient aqueducts under the ground.

6. Largo di Torre Argentina

The ancient temples here date from the 2nd – 4th centuries BC.

Largo di Torre Argentina is a town square in the historic center of Rome. Some of the city’s most ancient temples are located here, and this was also the site of Rome’s 1st theater, the Theater of Pompey (55 BC).

The square is best known as the place where Julius Caesar was murdered by the members of the Roman Senate on the Ides of March (15 March) in 44 BC.

Most of the ancient buildings here are just ruins, but some of the remains of the temples can still be distinguished among the rest. The oldest temples are believed to date from the 4-3rd centuries BC, the others are from the 2nd century BC. They all date from pre-Christian times, but one of them was later rebuilt as a church.

How to visit: Largo di Torre Argentina is a public square, just a few minutes walk from the Pantheon and other main sights in the city center. The archeological site has recently been made accessible to the public via a small walkway with several panels where you can learn about the history of this place. It’s free of charge and wheelchair-accessible.

You can also just walk all the way around the archeological site and easily see all the ancient buildings from the street. Some people come here to learn more about the death of Julius Caesar, others – for the ruins, and yet others for the cute cats that inhabit the area.

TIP: This amazing food tour we did in Rome also brings you to Largo di Torre Argentina and the guide gives some explanation about the sites you see.

LEARN MORE: Rome Street Food Tour with a Local Guide

7. Pyramid of Caius Cestius

Built in 18-12 BC .

Looking somewhat out-of-place and totally different from anything else in Rome, the Pyramid of Cestius (Piramide di Caio Cestio) is one of the oldest and best-preserved landmarks in the city .

Just as the famous pyramids in Egypt, this one was also built as a mausoleum. Inside, is the tomb of Gaius Cestius, a wealthy Roman magistrate who died in 12 BC.

The pyramid of Cestius survived for over 20 centuries mainly because it was integrated into the city walls. You can still see one of the old city gates – Porta San Paolo (3rd century) – just next to the pyramid.

How to visit: You can see the pyramid from the outside at any time.

However, it is only open to the public a few days a month and if you want to visit inside, you’ll have to book it in advance. For more information, please consult the official website .

The chances that they are open just when you’re in Rome aren’t very high and it does require quite some planning, so this is one of those landmarks that you can best admire from the outside.

8. Theater of Marcellus

Built around 17-13 BC.

Marcello Theater (Teatro di Marcello) was the largest and most important theater in Ancient Rome, with space for almost 20,000 spectators. Its original construction looks a bit like the famous Colosseum, which was built almost 100 years later.

Built in the 1st century BC, this open-air theater remained in use until the early 4th century. Just like many old buildings in Rome, it was then looted and the stones were used for the construction of other buildings. What remained of it, was later used as a sort of an apartment building, and afterwards as a fortress.

Nowadays, the archeological site is a museum and it’s sometimes used for concerts as well. The upper part of the building still serves as residential apartments. Marcello Theater looks really impressive at night when it’s nicely lit.

In addition to the ancient theater, you can see lots of other ruins here as well that are yet several centuries older. The most notable is Portico of Octavia (2nd century BC) and also the Temples of Apollo Sosiano and Bellona (5th-1st centuries BC), plus Tempio di Giano (3rd century BC).

How to visit: You can see the theater of Marcellus from the street (the best view is from Via del Teatro di Marcello), but the archeological site can also be visited inside. It is normally open from morning to dusk and is free to visit.

There are informational panels and you can just walk through here when visiting the Jewish Ghetto or on your way from/to Circus Maximus or Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth).

TIP: Outside this archeological site, but also just near the theater, you’ll find several other lesser-known ancient Roman landmarks. This is the site of the cattle market Foro Boario (3rd century BC). Here, you can see the remains of two temples – Tempio di Portuno (2-3rd century BC) and Tempio di Ercole Vincitore (2nd century BC). If you’re in the area anyway, it’s worth checking them out as well.

9. Domus Aurea

Built around 65-68 AD.

Domus Aurea , aka the  Golden House of Nero , is another ancient landmark worth seeing in Rome. It’s located just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum that was built just a bit later.

After the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, Emperor Nero seized a huge centrally-located plot of land in order to build a lavish entertainment complex for himself and his guests. This started the rumors that he might have started the fire in the first place…

Domus Aurea was a lavish entertainment site with landscaped gardens, an artificial lake, fountains, pools, etc. The huge villa was richly decorated and had a rotating dining room with a golden dome with an oculus, a masterpiece of ancient engineering. The building materials included marble, gold, and mosaics made of precious stones and ivory, etc.

The Golden House represented the best of the Roman Empire’s art and engineering, but also the worst of its excesses. The project was hugely unpopular and after Nero’s death, a big part of the site was covered by ground. In fact, the Colosseum was built over the site of Nero’s artificial lake. The villa itself was still used by other emperors, but a few decades later it was also covered by ground and new bathhouses were built over it…

Covered by the earth, Domus Aurea remained very well preserved. It was rediscovered in the 15th century and became an inspiration to many Renaissance artists. However, the exposure to the elements has done a lot of damage, and because a large part of the site remains under what’s currently a park, it’s extremely difficult to preserve what’s left of it without causing a complete collapse.

How to visit:   Domus Aurea is located at Colle Oppio Park; the entrance is on Via della Domus Aurea. You can visit a small part of the original site, partially underground.

The Golden Vault Room virtual reality experience gives a good idea of what this place must have looked like in the past. Here you can see the availability and book a guided tour.

TIP: If you have more time, we highly recommend opting for a guided tour that also includes the Virtual Reality experience !

10. Colosseum

Built around 70-80 AD.

The Colosseum (Colosseo) is probably the most iconic and best-known of all Ancient Rome landmarks. Almost 2,000 years after it was built, it remains the symbol of the Roman Empire, but also of Rome as we know it today.

This was the largest and the most impressive ancient amphitheater. Despite being ruined by several earthquakes, plundering, and looting, the Colosseum still stands today. Built as an entertainment arena, it could seat some 50,000 – 80,000 spectators!

The main purpose of the Colosseum was to keep the regular people of Rome content by providing entertainment (remember the old Latin saying “panem et circenses” – bread and circuses). The amphitheater was used for public spectacles including gladiator fights, animal hunts, but also the recreation of sea battles and dramas based on ancient mythology.

A big part of this impressive building is quite well preserved and you can get a pretty good idea of what the original arena would have looked like. It’s really interesting to see all the different layers of the structure. So if you can, take the time to walk around it and explore deeper, – you’ll appreciate it so much more.

In addition to seeing the Colosseum from the outside, you really have to see the inside as well. Part of the arena floor has been restored and you can also take in the views from the upper levels.

It’s now also possible to visit the underground level which gives you a very unique insight into how the arena functioned. You can see where the wild animals were kept, where the gladiators waited for the fights, the mechanisms used to bring them upstairs, etc.

How to visit: You can see the Colosseum from the outside and walk all the way around it. But you’ll need a ticket in order to visit inside. This is one of the most popular Rome attractions in Rome and you really have to  book your tickets  or  a guided tour in advance.

TIP:  If you want to visit all the levels of the Colosseum including the underground, you’ll need to go with a guide. We opted for  this tour  which includes all the levels of the Colosseum, and also the earlier-mentioned Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, and I can highly recommend it.

LEARN MORE: Colosseum Levels & Best Ticket Options

11. Trajan’s Market

Built around 100-110 AD.

Trajan’s Market (Mercati di Traiano) is a 2nd-century Roman market, often described as the oldest shopping mall in the world . It was part of a bigger complex – Trajan’s Forum – that was once the bustling center of the Roman Empire.

This architectural site is not only a fine example of ancient Roman architecture, but it also gives you a unique insight into the everyday life of the Roman people. It’s also a good place to see how the city has changed over the centuries.

The markets were mainly used in the 2-5th centuries. Later, new floor levels were added, a tower was built, and in the 16th century, there was a convent here… At the beginning of the 20th century, some of the recent additions have been demolished again, and an effort was made to restore Trajan’s Market and the surrounding area.

In 2007, the Museum of Imperial Fora  was opened here, and you can now explore this unique site from close by. Walking on the original streets of ancient Rome – Via Biberatica and Via della Torre – is a really special experience. This is one of the places where you can truly feel the antique Rome around you. And despite its very central location, only very few tourists seem to find their way inside…

How to visit: You can see a big part of the Trajan’s Market archeological site from Via dei Fori Imperiali, the main street between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum. However, if you want to learn more about it, walk on the ancient streets, and explore the most impressive parts, be sure to visit the Museum of the Imperial Fora in the Trajan’s Markets.

It’s open daily except for some public holidays. More info on the official website . The entrance here is included with this and several other city passes .

TIP: If you have more time to explore, get a ticket that includes a multimedia video . This video gives you a unique insight into what Trajan’s Markets looked like during the glory days of Imperial Rome.

In addition, as you walk on Via dei Fori Imperiali towards the Colosseum, you can see the ruins of the Forum of Augustus (2 BC) and too many other ancient ruins to even try to mention.

12. Pantheon

The origins go back to 27 BC, but the Pantheon as we know it today was built around 125-127 AD.

Built almost 2,000 years ago and still standing strong, the Pantheon is the best-preserved of all ancient monuments in Rome. In fact, the Pantheon is  the oldest building in the world that is still in use today .

Dating from before Christianity, the Pantheon was originally built as a temple to all gods. However, it was later converted into a church (7th century). This saved the old temple from looters and plundering and helped preserve this unique monument through so many centuries.

The Pantheon has also served as the burial place for many artists and kings. Inside, you can see the tombs of Raphael, King Victor Emanuele II, King Umberto I, Queen Margherita of Savoy (after whom pizza Margherita was named), and several others.

World-known for its impressive oculus , the Pantheon has inspired many generations of architects and engineers, including Michelangelo who designed the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Michelangelo was so impressed by the unknown ancient architect and its genius dome structure that – out of respect – he made sure that his own construction was slightly smaller.

How to visit: The Pantheon is a working church, but it can only be visited for free during mass (and you won’t be able to walk around).

It’s open daily, and if you want to visit it as a tourist, you need to pay for a ticket. While you can ‘just’ queue at the entrance, we recommend getting a timed entry ticket in advance. The queues can be really long, there are multiple lines for cash and credit card payments, and it’s overall quite chaotic. Even with online reservation, you have to pick up an actual ticket at another location first (hopefully, they’ll change this in the future, but be sure to read the instructions!).

You can book the Pantheon tickets on the official website (which many of our readers find confusing), or on GetYourGuide or on Tiqets . GetYourGuide also offers free cancelation up to 24 hours before the visit. All online tickets include an audio guide.

TIP: If you want to learn more about this unique ancient landmark and visit without stress, you can also opt for a  guided tour .

13. Castel Sant’Angelo

Built around 134-139 AD.

Castel Sant’Angelo (Mausoleum of Hadrian) is another ancient Roman landmark that you really can’t miss in Rome.

Once the tallest building in Rome, it might look a bit like a castle indeed, but it’s actually a tomb. This impressive mausoleum was built in the 2nd century for Emperor Hadrian and his family. The ashes of several other emperors were placed here as well, including Emperor Caracalla at the beginning of the 3rd century.

At the beginning of the 5th century, the mausoleum was looted and turned into a military fortress. In the 14th century, the building was turned into a castle and was subsequently used by various popes. A covered fortified corridor was built in order to connect Castel Sant’Angelo to the old St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Nowadays, Castel Sant’Angelo serves as a museum. Inside, you can see some perfectly preserved frescoes from the Renaissance, visit the Chamber of Ashes where the emperors were incarcerated, and see the Papal Residence.

How to visit: You can just see the building from the outside, but you can also visit the inside. It’s located on the main route on your way to the Vatican.

You can get a fast-track ticket and visit on your own or join a guided tour. The entrance to the museum is also included with the Omnia Pass .

TIP: Don’t miss the panoramic views from the rooftop terrace of the museum. It’s one of the best viewpoints in Rome , offering amazing views of the River Tiber, the historic city center, and the Vatican.

14. Catacombs of St. Callixtus

Built between the 2nd and the 5th century AD.

If you are looking for even-more unique sites to see in Rome, consider visiting some of the ancient catacombs (underground burial sites). There are over 60 known catacombs in Rome, with hundreds of kilometers of subterranean tunnels, and hundreds of thousands of graves. Some of these catacombs are open to the public.

Probably the most special and best-known are the Catacombs of St. Callixtus (Catacombe di San Callisto) , located next to the Appian Way mentioned earlier. This ancient site stretches for about 20 km (12 miles), is over 20 meters (65 ft) deep, and contains about half a million graves.

Several Popes were buried at this site and you can visit the  crypt of the Popes . In addition, you can see the crypts of some early Christian martyrs, including the  crypt of St. Cecilia . You can also walk around and explore underground galleries and see hundreds of – now empty – tombs around you.

How to visit: You can only visit the Catacombs of St. Callixtus with an official guide (included in your entrance tickets ).

You have to make your own way to the catacombs (by car, by bike, or by public transport) and it’s essential to book a tour in advance or you risk not being able to visit. It’s a popular site.

TIP: There are also many guided tours from the city center that include a visit here, usually together with some other ancient sites. We visited St. Callixtus Catacombs with this e-bike tour that also took us to Via Appia and the Park of the Aqueducts.

15. Baths of Caracalla

Built around 212-216 AD.

Baths of Caracalla   (Terme di Caracalla or Termae Anthoninianae) is one of my personal favorite ancient sites in Rome. This grand 3rd-century complex with remarkable ruins and some very well restored mosaics is absolutely impressive! You feel so tiny here and it makes you realize how advanced the Romans really were in architecture and engineering.

These public baths were built at the beginning of the 3rd century and were the second-largest bathhouse in Rome. In addition to the luxurious bathing houses, the complex also had several saunas, a sports center, and even an Olympic-size swimming pool. The site was surrounded by beautiful gardens and even had a library.

The baths were heated via a sophisticated underground oven system and you can still see the remains of it today. These Roman baths remained in use for about 300 years. Nowadays, it’s a working archeological site that is open to the public.

Visiting here gives you an amazing insight into yet another aspect of daily life in the glory days of the Roman Empire. And because the Baths of Caracalla are somewhat of a hidden gem and not many tourists come here, this is one of the ancient Roman sites with a more authentic feel.

How to visit: The Baths of Caracalla are located a 10-15 minutes walk from the Circo Massimo metro station or about 20 minutes walk from the Colosseum.

You can see some ruins from the outside, but the best parts and the mosaics can only be admired if you actually visit inside.

Normally, you can just get your tickets on the spot. You can find more info on the official website (in Italian).

TIP: The earlier-mentioned guided tour is a great option if you want to visit the Caracalla Baths and Circus Maximus with a local guide.

16. Baths of Diocletian

Built around 298-306 AD.

Baths of Diocletian (Terme di Diocleziano) were the largest and most impressive public baths in Rome. The site is just as grand as the above-mentioned Baths of Caracalla, and it also contained several hot and cold baths, but also open-air bathing pools, etc. It’s also believed to have housed a library.

Built at the turn of the 3rd – 4th centuries, the baths remained in use until the 6th century. Over the centuries, the site has been used for various purposes, with lots of construction in and around it shaping the new city of Rome. In the 16th century, a basilica was built here, and later a monastery was added as well. At a certain point, parts of the old bathhouse were used to store and sell grain and oil.

In the late 19th century, the monastery was abandoned. The Roma Termini railway station was built nearby, just as several hotels, palazzos, etc. In 1889, the remaining site of Diocletian’s Baths and the monastery was designated as a museum, part of the National Roman Museum .

This means that the site is quite well-preserved, many of the areas are covered with a roof, there are beautiful sculptures, mosaics, and other Ancient Rome artifacts. It has much more of a museum feel than the Baths of Caracalla, but is well worth visiting too!

How to visit: The National Roman Museum – Baths of Diocletian section is quite centrally located, just next to the main train station in Rome.

It’s normally open daily except on Mondays, and you can just get a ticket on the spot. For more practical info, please see here .

TIP: The entrance here is also included with the Omnia Card .

Map of the best ancient landmarks in Rome

To help you get a better idea of where all the sites mentioned in this guide are located, we created a map indicating the best ancient Roman landmarks in Rome.

This should help you plan your visit, and maybe you can include a few of these places in your itinerary when exploring the most popular sights and tourist attractions in Rome .

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

So, this is our guide to some of the most interesting ancient landmarks to see in Rome. I hope that this gives you a better understanding of when some of the oldest buildings were built, the stories behind the ruins you see, and inspires you to visit at least some of them.

There’s so much history and fascinating ancient sites everywhere you go in Rome, and that’s what makes the Eternal City one of a kind!

For more information and tips for your visit, please also see our itineraries and other guides to Rome via the links below.

Rome travel guides:

• Tips for Planning a Trip to Rome
• How to Get to Rome from the Airport
• How to Plan Your First Trip to Europe
• Must-sees: Best Things to Do in Rome
• Where to stay: Best Area to Stay in Rome
• Where to eat: How to find the best food in Rome
• Hidden Gems of Rome
• Best Views & Viewpoints in Rome
• Rome Underground Sites
• 1 Day in Rome  (all the best places)
• 2 Days in Rome  (the musts + a few hidden gems)
• 4 Days in Rome  (top sights, hidden gems, a few more ancient landmarks)

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

More travel inspiration and tips for Italy:

• What to see:  Best Places to Visit in Italy & Most Beautiful Cathedrals in Italy
• Cities:  Most Beautiful Cities in Italy
• Itinerary: How to See the Best of Italy in 2 Weeks
• Florence: Best Things to Do in Florence & One Day in Florence
• Milan: Best Things to Do in Milan &  One Day in Milan
• Venice:  Best Things to Do in Venice  &  One Day in Venice  &  Doge’s Palace  (must-see!)
• Naples: Best Things to Do in Naples & One Day in Naples & Where to Stay in Naples & Best Day Trips from Naples
• Cinque Terre:  One Day in Cinque Terre & Where to Stay in Cinque Terre & Info + Tips for Visiting Cinque Terre
• Tuscany:  Most Beautiful Towns in Tuscany  &  Tuscany Itinerary & Montepulciano
• Siena: Best Things to Do in Siena & Siena Cathedral
• Amalfi Coast:   Amalfi Coast Itinerary & Capri & Amalfi Coast Travel Tips
• Emilia Romagna:  Emilia Romagna Itinerary & Best Things to Do in Bologna & Best Things to Do in Rimini
• San Marino:  Complete Guide to Visiting San Marino
• Italian Lakes:  Lake Garda  & Lake Como &  Bellagio &  Best Lakes in the Dolomites
• Italian Mountains:  Hiking in the Dolomites  &  Best Places in the Dolomites  &  Best Lakes in the Dolomites & Dolomites Accommodation Guide
• Food:  Italian Food by Region
• … for many more guides and destinations, please see our Italy travel guide .

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Friday 28th of April 2023

Thanks for this great guide, Jurga. It's so interesting to also see the timeline of the oldest places in Rome. I always thought that colosseum is the oldest building in Rome and had no idea about so many other places. I will try to visit Ostia Antica too and already booked the Appian Way bike tour that you recommended.

Thanks for the feedback, Evy, and have a great time in Rome!

Here Are Ten Of The Best Roman Attractions in Italy That Are Actually Worth It

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

7 Reasons Croatia Is An Excellent Alternative To Italy

Get paid up to $32,000 to move to tuscany, titanic research dive reveals massive decay to the famed ocean liner.

• Pompeii: Explore the stunning ash-covered city frozen in time and gain a unique glimpse into the daily lives of ancient Romans.
• The Colosseum: Witness the grandeur of the largest ancient amphitheater and learn about the lives of those who once filled its seats.
• Ravenna: Discover the forgotten capital city of Rome and its collection of ancient Roman buildings, often overshadowed by its more famous counterpart.

Italy was ground zero for the Roman world (at least until it split into East and West) and is where many of the most impressive Roman ruins are found today. Italy is full of excellent ancient Roman ruins worth visiting. Some of them are well-known while others are lesser known (like the peculiar Mouth of Truth in Rome ).

Here are ten of the best ancient Roman attractions in Italy worth visiting (it is easy to see why Italy is one of the best countries to see ancient Roman ruins ).

The ash-covered Roman city of Pompeii is famous for being one of the most stunning ancient Roman attractions. The archeological finds in Pompeii are some of the most remarkable, and it offers a unique insight into the daily lives of the ancient Romans.

See gladiator barracks, the oldest preserved stone amphitheater, Roman villas, and more.

• Why Visit: See The Roman City Frozen In Time

9 The Colosseum

The Colosseum of Rome is perhaps the most famous ancient Roman monument, and it is one of the key icons of Italy. The massive amphitheater is ruined but is still mostly standing and there are special tours offered to its upper levels (where the enslaved, the poor, and women once sat).

• Why Visit: See The Largest Ancient Amphitheater

Don't forget to see the Hypogeum while there too.

Ravenna is often forgotten and overlooked. Rome was not always the capital of the Roman Empire. The capital moved to the new city of Constantinople.

Later (after the empire split into East and West) the Western capital was moved to Ravenna (which was considered more defensible). Today there are many ancient Roman buildings to be seen at Ravenna.

• Why Visit: See Rome's Forgotten Capital City

Related: Ravenna Replaced Rome As The Empire's Capital, Here's What To See

The Pantheon is perhaps the best-preserved ancient Roman temple. It managed to survive the test of time by being converted to a Catholic Church (which remains so today).

The Pantheon is considered to be the oldest standing building still in use today, and it should definitely be visited while in Rome.

• Why Visit: See The Oldest Building in Use

6 The Aurelian Walls Of Rome

It is possible to fill numerous lists just with the stunning ancient Roman attractions in Rome. But one more that just needs to be mentioned is the Aurelian Walls of Rome. As the security of the empire deteriorated, the Romans hurriedly built a defensive wall around their Eternal City.

Today visitors can see this ancient wall, its gates, and how it incorporates an old Egyptian-inspired pyramid-mausoleum into its walls.

• Why Visit: See The Hurriedly-Built Walls Of Rome

Related: Discover The Ancient Walls Of Rome Still Standing Today

5 Herculaneum

Pompeii was not the only ancient Roman city buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. The once affluent coastal town of Herculaneum was similarly also buried by vast amounts of ash. Herculaneum is much smaller than Pompeii, but it is considered even better preserved and is noted for its rich Roman villas.

• Why Visit: See The Best Preserved Roman Town

4 Valley Of The Temples

The Valley of the Temples in Sicily is considered one of the greatest archeological sites of ancient Greater Greece. These temples are all Greek, and they are some of the best Greek temples to see today.

They are listed here with Roman attractions as they were used as temples throughout almost all the history of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire with some being later converted to churches by the Romans.

• Why Visit: See The Best Greek Architecture In Italy

Stabiae is the third and most forgotten of the cities buried by the eruption of Vesuvius. Stabiae lacks the massive tourist crowds of Pompeii and is only partly excavated.

Stabiae is also home to some of the best-preserved Roman villas and can be visited while staying in the major southern Italian city of Naples.

• Why Visit: See The Forgotten City Of The Vesuvius Eruption

Related: Stadiae: See The Other Roman Town Buried Like Pompeii By Vesuvius

2 Villa Jovis, Capri

Capri is famous for being one of the luxury Mediterranean island destinations for the elite. But it has been a resort destination for the elite since Roman times.

Visitors to Capri can see the ruins of the ancient Villa Jovis, the villa of the great Roman Emperor Tiberius . Tiberius retired from Rome to his villa on Capri and governed the empire from there.

• Why Visit: See The Roman Emperor's Great Island Villa

1 Hadrian's Villa

Tiberius wasn't the only Roman emperor who had enough of the hustle and bustle of Rome and retired to his country villa; Hadrian and Diocletian also did that.

Venture just outside Rome and see the impressive remains of Hadrian's Villa which was so large that it was almost a city unto itself. Hadrian's Villa has many pools and plenty of Roman and Greek architecture.

• Why Visit: See One of The Largest Roman Villas

30+ Ancient Roman Ruins & Archaeological Sites In Rome

If you’re a history buff, you’ll definitely want to check out my guide to 30 must-see Roman ruins, archaeological sites, and historic landmarks in Rome, Italy. These attractions are some of the best ways to experience the city’s rich history.

Rome is a city filled with magnificent ancient sites and can be overwhelming to navigate. Essentially, the city itself is a sprawling outdoor museum that transports you to a bygone era at every turn.

With so many incredible ruins to explore, you’ll want to plan your visit carefully to make the most of your time.

Many of these Roman ruins tell great stories: Roman armies vanquishing foes, heros cementing legacies, and dedications to gods to seek their protection.

If you listen closely, you can hear Julius Caesar and his cohorts speechifying, promenading, and leading victory parades through the Roman Forum.

READ : History of the Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome

2,000 years ago, Rome was synonymous with “civilization.” You were either civilized or you were a barbarian to be defeated.

To attest to their then-civilized nature, ancient Romans left a raft of fascinating ancient buildings, temples, forums, and sculptures.

Some are hulking ruins. Others are well preserved and offer a secret peak into Rome’s tumultuous past and controversial rulers.

Let’s tour the 31 most interesting ruins in Rome that should be on your Italy bucket list .

Roman Ruins And Archeological Sites In Rome Italy

Here are my picks for the 30+ must visit Roman ruins in Rome.

1. Domus Aurea: Nero’s Underground Golden House

Nero’s Golden House was once the grandest building on earth.

It’s not your typical Roman tourist site, and is an often overlooked hidden gem in Rome. Domus Aurea is an excavation in progress, one of Rome’s best Roman ruins and archaeological sites.

Built by Emperor Nero between 64-68 AD in the heart of imperial Rome, the sprawling property covered up to 300 acres. The facade and walls were adorned with frescos, gold leaf, glass mosaics, pearls, and marble. In natural light, it had a golden hue.

READ : History of the Roman Emperors

But little of this wealth survived Nero’s rule. As Nero’s extravagance and tyranny spun out of control, rivals condemned both his reign and his emblematic palace.

For a decade after his death, the palace was looted, destroyed, and filled in with brick. But the vivid frescos by the artist Famulus couldn’t be pried off the walls.

At the end of the 15th century, the Domus Aurea was discovered by accident when a young man fell into a crevice. To his surprise, he found himself surrounded by paintings.

At first, the palace ruins were thought to be caves or grottos. Artists like Michelangelo and Raphael flocked to see the ancient frescos.

In the 18th century, proper excavation of the Golden House began. Now, you can visit (with a hard hat) on the weekends. The crown jewel is the Octagonal Room, which represented a revolution in architectural style and technique. Here’s my compete guide to Domus Aurea .

Thanks to YouTube, you can also take a virtual tour of the ruins of Domus Aurea, still an excavation in progress, and see how it would’ve looked looked almost 2,000 years ago in ancient Rome.

Click here to book a guided tour of Domus Aurea. Click here to book the virtual reality experience.

2. Domus Transitoria, Nero’s First Palace

Before there was Domus Aurea, there was Domus Transitoria. Nero’s first palace was built between 60 and 64 BC. The palace had a short life. It was destroyed in the great fire of Rome in 64 BC.

Like Domus Aurea, Domus Transitoria was a massive and lavishly decorated palace, connecting the Palatine Hill and Esquiline Hill. It was dubbed the Transit House.

According to Seutonius, Domus Transitoria was characterized by all the pomp, gold, and luxury one typically associates with grandiose Neronian architecture.

Domus Transitoria was just opened in April 2019. You enter and descend a staircase to inspect the site underground.

Virtual reality headsets bring the dank place to life, allowing visitors to see vignettes of the palace in its former glory.

You can take this YouTube virtual tour to see the ruins and a glimpse of what the palace looked like in ancient Rome.

3. Pantheon: Rome’s Most Perfect “Ruin”

Without a doubt, the Pantheon is the best preserved building from ancient Rome.

You’d don’t have to wrinkle your brow or struggle to conceptualize anything, as with many ruins. It’s all before you.

The Pantheon was a temple dedicated to all of the gods. It was originally built by Augustus’ right hand man, Marcus Agrippa in 27 BC.

The pediment still proclaims that “Marcus Agrippa, three times consul made this.” But Agrippa’s version was destroyed by fire.

In 120 AD, the Pantheon was rebuilt by Hadrian. The well traveled emperor, a true Grecophile, reimagined it as an oversized Greek temple.

It has 40 foot tall Corinthian granite columns from Egypt, a pediment, and portico. It was considered a masterpiece of engineering and mathematical precision.

The Pantheon’s most emblematic feature is its perfect unsupported spherical dome. At the time, it was a major architectural breakthrough. The dome became the model for Michelangelo’s dome for St. Peter’s Basilica and for Brunelleschi’s dome for Florence Cathedral .

The dome is made of lightweight concrete, a Roman invention. The concrete gets increasingly thinner as the height of the dome increased.

The coffered ceiling also reduced the weight without compromising the dome’s structural integrity. At the top is the oculus, or eye, which is the Pantheon’s only source of natural light.

After the fall of Rome, the Pantheon became a Christian church, which helped save it from looting at first. But eventually the interior, marble, and gold were all looted in the 7th century, although the marble floor is recreated.

The Pantheon is filled with tombs of important Romans, including the artist Raphael.

You can take a 360 tour of the Pantheon here . And here’s a fantastic video from Smarthistory with shots of the Pantheon and an explanation of its importance.

Here’s my  complete guide To the Pantheon . Click  here  to book a guided tour of the Pantheon.

4. Baths of Diocletian: Largest Baths in Ancient Rome

Rome took its baths seriously. They were places to swim, bathe, and socialize. The Baths of Diocletian were built by Emperor Maximian to honor his co-Emperor Diocletian.

Constructed between 298-306, the Baths of Diocletian were Rome’s largest bath complex. They were meant to surpass the Baths of Caracalla and could accommodate 3,000 citizens.

Ironically, Diocletian never saw the baths. Diocletian was a colorful man with a big ego, who thought he was a living god. Having successfully divided the empire to make it easier to manage, he governed in the east or camped out in his swishy palac e in Split Croatia .

The baths were built using the typical bath design of Roman times — with a frigidarium (cold), tepidarium (warm) and caldarium (hot), large bathing chambers, and gymnasiums.

There were smaller rooms for private bathing, changing, and meetings. On the ruins of the frigidarium, Michelangelo was commissioned to build a church, the Basilica of Santa Maria deli Angeli e dei Martiri.

Today, the Baths of Diocletian are part of the National Roman Museum. The baths aren’t particularly conveniently located. They’re in northeast Rome near the Termini station. The upside is that you can experience ancient ruins without the crowds.

Here’s a good YouTube video guide of the site. You can also explore the baths in Google Art & Culture .

Click here to book a skip the line ticket and guided tour for the baths.

5. Roman Forum: the Epicenter of Ancient Rome

I advise having a guided tour for the Roman Forum . It’s vast and there’s not much signage. It will be difficult to divine what you’re looking at without a guide to decipher the lovely rubble.

The forum is a rectangular valley running from Arch of Titus to the Capitoline Hill. The main road is the Via Sacre.

The forum was the beating heart of Rome, the seat of power, and its central showpiece. It was a grandiose district consisting of white temples, grand basilicas, and vibrant public spaces.

The Forum was the scene of political upheavals, funerals, and triumphant parades. Before the Colosseum was built, it even hosted gladiatorial battles.

Stroll by the Basilica of Constantine, the Temple and House of the Vestal Virgins, the Temple of Venus and Rome, the Basilica of Constantine, and the 3 columns of the Temple of Castor and Pollux.

You’ll also find the ruins of the Temple of Caesar . It was built by Augustus after Caesar’s assassination. Inside, in a small apse area, is a mound of stone and dirt covered with coins and flowers. This is the altar holding Caesar’s ashes and marks his grave.

You can take a virtual tour of the forum on Google Arts & Culture , with almost 300 different items to eyeball. You can also take a 360 tour on 360 Cities or a virtual walking tour with Pro Walks.

Most tickets include entry to the all the imperial ruins — Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. There are plenty tour options you can choose from.

They all vary slightly in duration and what you see. So pick one that best suits your sightseeing agenda.

I’ve done the fourth and seventh one on this list and loved both tours. 

• skip the line entry tickets to all 3 sites
• tickets + a 2 hour guided tour for all 3 sites
• 3 hour guided tour and entry to all 3 sites
• tickets & tour of all 3 site s + underground Colosseum access
• Colosseum tour with entry tickets for Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum
• 4 hour private day tour of Ancient Rome
• skip the line private guided tour with an art historian
• skip the line private tour of all 3 sites + the underground Colosseum

6. Colosseum: Into the Gladiators’ Lair

Formally named the Flavian Amphitheater, the Colosseum has stood in Rome for almost 2,000 years. It’s the most instantly recognizable monument from the classical world.

Despite the ravages of time, the Colosseum is an incredibly well-preserved piece of Rome’s fascinating history.

Emperor Vespasian began constructing the Colosseum in 72 AD. It was finished by his son Titus in 80 AD. Domitian subsequently added the hypogeum, or basement.

In its glory days, the Colosseum was a vivid white with painted trim and frescoed hallways. There were monumental statues of the Greek and Roman gods in the arches of the middle two stories. The top story had a retractable canvas awning to shade spectators.

The Colosseum hosted the popular “games,” a form of ancient theater re-creating far flung lands and mythological themes for the masses. There were many variations.

The spectacles pitted men against men, men against beasts, and beasts against beasts. There was a menagerie of beasts — lions, giraffes, crocodiles, dogs, rhinos, elephants, etc.

The best way to visit the Colosseum, and go behind the scenes, is on an Underground Colosseum Tour. You’ll visit parts not accessed by the standard tickets, like the hypogeum and third ring.

You can tour the Colosseum on Google Arts & Culture , where there are over 200 photos. You can take a virtual walking tour of the Colosseum on its official website. Or take a 360 virtual tour on Air Pano.

Here’s my  complete guide to the Colosseum , with must know tips for visiting. You can book  guided tour of the Colosseum   or a tour that also includes the  underground gladiator area of the Colosseum .

7. Theater Of Marcellus: A Romantic Facade

Located in the Jewish Ghetto neighborhood of Rome, the Theater of Marcellus is easily overlooked by most tourists. But I walked past it everyday on the way home to my Air Bnb in Trastevere on my last visit.

The monument isn’t far from the gigantic white Monument of Victor Emanuel. And it looks like a mini-Colosseum.

The Theater of Marcellus is truly ancient. Julius Caesar launched construction and his heir Augustus inaugurated it in 12 BC. It could seat 20,0000. As you walk around it, you’ll see both Doric and Ionic columns. There are ruins piled up all around it.

Unfortunately, you can only admire the exterior and walk along the amphitheater edge. In the 4th century BC, the theater started to crumble. Thereafter, it was used as a stone quarry and repurposed, like so much else, for other buildings in Rome. In the summer, there are sometimes concerts outside.

Today, the Theater of Marcellus is a building that’s half private and half public. If you look at the photo, you’ll see luxury apartments lining the top.

8. Augustus’ Mausoleum: Family Tomb of Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Augustus’ Mausoleum is the family tomb of Rome’s first emperor. As mentioned above, Augustus ruled between 63 BC and 14 AD and was the great nephew and heir of Julius Caesar.

His mausoleum was built around 28 BC after the Battle of Actium. It was inspired by the mausoleum of Alexander the Great in Egypt.

The mausoleum was a burial place for Augustus, his wife Livia, and the other Julio-Claudian emperors. Not much has survived from its former grandeur and it’s original appearance is unknown. The mausoleum is closed to the public.

Though it was in ruinous condition, a 6.5 million euro restoration began in 2016 and was is only partially complete as of the summer of 2023. 50% of the structure is long gone — pillaged and destroyed.

The renovated monument opened to the public in March 2021 with a 3D experience, much like Domus Aurea. Hopefully, excavations will be fully complete in the summer of 2024.

Click here to book a skip the line ticket. Here’s a YouTube video of Rome’s mayor showing off the restored mausoleum.

9. Ostia Antica: an Alternative to Pompeii

Founded in 4th century BC, Ostia Antica is an ancient harbor town about 40 minutes outside Rome. It’s a pretty adorable town too, with warm orange stone buildings.

In ancient Rome, Ostia served as a naval base. Later, it became important commercially. This was where food and grain supplies arrived to feed Roman citizens.

There are some impressive preserved ruins. It’s similar to Pompeii — the excavation of an entire ancient city.

You get to wander around the ancient town at will.

Along the way, you’ll see a necropolis, an amphitheater, ancient temples and gates, the Baths of Neptune, statues, mosaic floors, and the forum. Mosaics were used to inform illiterate Romans about the purpose of a given building — tavern, baths, brothel, etc.

Click here to book a guided walking tour. You can also book a half day guided tour from Rome .

You can explore Ostia Antica virtually on Google Arts & Culture .

10. Baths of Caracalla, Termi di Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla are another must visit Roman ruin in Rome. The baths were inaugurated by Emperor Caracalla in 216. The massive complex is one of Rome’s best preserved ancient sites.

Construction began in 206 AD, under the direction of Emperor Septimius Severus. His son, Caracalla, finished it 10 years later, after killing his brothers to seize sole power.

The baths could accommodate 1600 people. The original brick walls are still standing, a towering shell. They were once covered in stucco and marble. But that was long ago carried off by looters.

The sculptures and mosaics from the Baths of Caracalla have been moved to museums. The famous Belvedere Torso is now in the Vatican Museums .

The Farnese family pillfered and excavated the baths. The Farnese Bull and the Farnese Hercules are in Naple’s Archaeological Museum. Two fountain shaped bathtubs are now in the Piazza Farnese in Rome.

The large rooms at each end of the structure were used for exercise. In between was a long pool flanked with changing rooms and decorated with mosaics.

You can still see the black and white floor mosaics. To keep cool in the summer, the Romans played games in the pool on tables.

Tourist can even visit the underground tunnels of the bath complex, where slaves kept the baths going. You can also don virtual reality googles.

Here’s my complete guide to the Baths of Caracalla . You can book a  small group or private tour  of the baths. You can also book a  tour that includes both the baths and the Circus Maximus . You can also visit the baths with the  Roma Pass . 

Every summer since 2014, the Baths of Caracalla are the backdrop for open air night at the opera performances . You can read about it and see shots virtually on Google Arts & Culture . You can also take a 4D tour of the Baths of Caracalla on Rome’s Coop Culture website.

11. House of Augustus, Palatine Hill

For nearly 2,000 years, the House of Augustus on Palatine Hill lay hidden. Archaeologists only discovered the ancient home in the 1960s.

The House of Augustus marked the transformation of Palatine Hill from a residential area into an imperial seat.

The House of Augustus is located on the most sacred area of the Palatine Hill, near the symbols of Roman power.

It was built near the Temple of Apollo (which Augustus could access by ramp from his peristyle) and on top of the sacred Cave of Lupercal, where the She Wolf of Rome nursed the twins Romulus and Remus.

Comprising two levels, the House of Augustus served as Augustus’ primary residence during his reign. It was arranged around two courtyards, linked by an open promenade. Emperor Domitian, a more megalomaniacal sort, demolished much of it when he built his massive palace.

The western end of the house held the domestic rooms. The eastern end held the public reception rooms. By far the most elegant room is the Emperor’s Study, where Augustus burned the midnight oil.

Protected behind glass, the walls are beautifully decorated with stylized winged obelisks, gryphons, and floral elements. The colors are bold — green, black, green, and yellow.

The House of Augustus is most celebrated for its lavish red Pompeian frescoes. They’re the best preserved frescos from ancient Rome, superior even to those in Pompeii. They’re the real reason you should visit the House of Augustus.

Most of the frescos are executed in the Second Pompeian Style, called the “Architectural Style.” It began in Pompeii, became the fashion, and was then adopted by Augustus.

The style emphasized architectural features and illusionistic compositions. Artists used columns, faux marble blocks, and stoas to frame fantastic images. The use of vanishing points made the walls seem three dimensional.

You can only visit Domus Augustana with a special ticket and a reservation. It’s not included in the standard ticket giving you access to Palantine Hill.

Access is via small groups of 20 on a 75 minute guided tour, with specific time slots on certain days. There are informative audiovisual and laser displays.

Click here to pre-book a guided tour of the House of Augustus. Here’s a YouTube video on the House of Augustus and the House of Livia (discussed below). Here’s my complete guide to the House of Augustus .

12. House of Livia, Palatine Hill

If you book a special ticket to see the House of Augustus, you’ll also see the House of Livia. Livia was Augustus’ third wife.

When Augustus fell in love with the beautiful young woman, they both divorced their respective spouses to marry. Livia’s son from her first marriage, Tiberius, became Augustus’ heir and the second emperor of Rome.

First excavated in 1839, Livia’s House was attributed to her when her honorific name was found stamped on a lead pipe. Built in the first century BC, Livia’s house was actually a bit larger and grander than her husband’s house.

The best preserved section is the atrium and three adjoining rooms. The central room (the tablinum) was the most richly decorated. Known as the Room of Polyphemus, it had mythological frescos showing Mercury kidnapping the nymph Io.

In the dining room, there was a stunning garden fresco that made the walls almost disappear. The fresco has flowering trees, blossoms, and flying birds in all varieties of nature.

The colors are delicate in faded purple, blue, yellow, and white.

The original of this fresco was moved to the Palazzo Massimo all Terme, one of Rome’s best museums . A replica is now in the House of Livia on Palatine Hill.

Here’s Smarthistory’s video about the magnificent garden fresco.

13. Domitian’s Palace, Palatine Hill

Domitian’s Palace is a Roman ruin that was built circa 81 AD by Emperor Domitian. He hired master architect Rabirius to create a massive imperial palace.

It was so grand that one poet remarked that it “made Jupiter jealous.” It was the residence of Rome’s emperors for three centuries.

Unlike previous emperors, Domitian wasn’t interested in public architecture. A megalomaniac, he viewed himself as “lord and god” and wanted the public to know it.

The palace contained many large spaces, including a basilica, receptions rooms, an audience hall, a stadium, a sunken garden, peristyle courts, and baths.

The part of the palace above the Circus Maximus was added by Emperor Severus. The Circus Maximus was a long oblong course for chariot racing. If the gladiator show at the Colosseum was sold out, the citizens would come here for entertainment.

Inside, the palace was decorated with reflective surfaces, probably white marble or selenium. A paranoid Domitian wanted to be able to spot any potential enemies and see what people were up to.

Each public room had apses, where Domitian could sit on a throne and be worshipped.

14. Arch of Constantine: Symbol of Christianity

The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch dedicated to Emperor Constantine the Great. It represents a seismic shift in history, when the western world became Christian.

Until 312 AD, Rome was a pagan empire. But a small, obscure, and previously persecuted sect was becoming more popular, Christian monotheists.

In 312, Emperor Constantine saw a vision of a cross in the sky. The next day, he defeated his rival Maxentius, becoming sole emperor. His first task as an agent of change was to legalize christianity.

The Arch of Constantine is on the Via Triumphalis in Rome, between the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. It’s approximately 21 meters high and 25 meters wide.

It’s decorated mostly with recycled carvings from other buildings and from different times. Because of this, some art historians have criticized the arch as poor craftsmanship.

But Constantine deliberately wanted reliefs from other great eras. To unscore this point, there are statutes of the great emperors on the arch, putting Constantine in good company. As a usurper himself, it was important to also be a symbol of reverence.

You can take a 360 tour of the Arch of Constantine here .

15. Arch of Titus

This intricate triumphal arch marks the entry into the Roman Forum. Emperor Domtian built it to celebrate his brother Emperor Titus’ destruction of Jerusalem in 71 AD.

The reliefs inside feature scenes of the Roman troops sacking Jerusalem, soldiers carrying bodies and taking items from the Temple in Jerusalem, and the first depiction of a menorah. The arch was intended to exalt the mythological status of the Flavian dynasty.

It was a terrible monument for Jews. In antiquity, Jews refused to walk under the arch because of it subject matter.

You would think the monument was anti-Semitic. But at the time, it was just business as usual — Rome putting down a rebellion, which was more about taxes than religious differences.

You can take a 360 virtual tour of the Arch of Titus.

16. Castle Sant’Angelo: Fortress Museum

Castle Sant’Angelo is also known as Hadrian’s Mausoleum. Hadrian built it on the banks of the Tiber River in 139. It’s a magnificently preserved ruin from Ancient Rome.

Hadrian also erected the Bridge of Angels, which connected central Rome to his mausoleum. The bridge is now lined with 10 angels, designed by Bernini and commissioned by Pope Clement IX. Each statue holds an object of Christ’s passion.

READ : Guide To the Bernini Trail in Rome

The cylindrical castle was richly decorated. Originally, it was faced with travertine marble, pilasters, and bronze. By the 5th century, the mausoleum was converted into a miltary fortress.

It was renamed Castle Sant’Angelo in the 5th century. Legend holds that the Archangel Michael appeared above the castle, sheathed his sword, and magically put an end to the plague.

In the 14th century, Castle Sant’Angelo was turned into a papal residence. A covered corridor connected it to St. Peter’s Basilica. Popes fled there during sieges.

In the 15th century, at the direction of the notorious Borgia pope, Alessandro VI, the castle became battle ready. He also installed sumptuous papal apartments decorated with frescos by Pinturicchio, who also decorated the Borgia Rooms in the Vatican Museums .

In 1536, a marble and bronze statue of Archangel Micheal was perched on top. There are gorgeous 360 views of Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica from the Terrace of the Angel. The museum also has a bar/coffee shop with splendid views.

You can take a virtual 360 tour of the Castle Sant’ Angelo here or check out this BBC documentary on the famous Roman monument.

Here’s my complete guide to the Castle Sant’Angelo , which is almost one of Rome’s hidden gems since so few venture inside.

In high season, you may want to book a skip the line ticket . Click here to book a guided tour with fast track access.

17. Mouth of Truth: Roman Lie Detector

This sculpture is a Pavonazzzo marble mask called la Bocca della Verita, the Mouth of Truth . It has the ambiguous face of an unknown pagan god with an open maw. It’s located in the portico of Santa Maria Church.

Legend holds that, in medieval times, the carved mask was a device for determining whether a person was telling the truth.

Suspicious people were brought to the sculpture. They took an oath and put their hand inside the gaping mouth while being interrogated.

If the detainee was being truthful, the mouth wouldn’t moved and you could keep your hand. If you were lying, the mouth would slam shut and bite off the hand.

The legend became famous via Hollywood. In the 1953 film Roman Holiday , the Mouth of Truth was used as a storytelling device.

I’m not sure this sculpture is worth a trip in and of itself. It’s been theorized to be a possible drain cover or fountain decoration. And the line for testing your hand can be long.

18. Trajan’s Market: World’s First Shopping Mall

Trajan’s Markets is a large complex of ruins that was part of Trajan’s Forum. This forum was the largest and most advanced of six imperial forums in Rome, as befitting Rome’s most popular and powerful emperor dubbed the “best leader.”

Trajan’s Market was built in the 2nd century AD by Trajan’s favorite architect, Apollodorus of Damascus. It’s affectionately called the world’s “first shopping mall.”

Trajan’s Market was a dense complex. It was once 6 stories with 150 shops and offices, set into the side of Quirinal Hill.

The structure is remarkable. It shows that Romans didn’t just build with columns and pediments. Powered by concrete, this urban structure was light filled, with windows and atriums.

Click here to book an entry ticket. You can also take an amazing virtual tour of Trajan’s Market from your couch.

19. Trajan’s Column: War Diary

Trajan’s Column was part of Trajan’s Forum. It’s probably the best preserved victory column in Rome, though it’s similar to the column for Marcus Aurelius in Piazza Colonna. Built in 113 AD, the column was a tour de force of Roman propaganda art.

The column celebrated Trajan’s defeat over the Dacians. It depicts the campaigns he fought against them, the fortifications that were built, the Dacian themselves, and their weaponry.

The column consists of 22 layers, one yard each, spiraled around a 125 foot high column. The emperor’s ashes were buried in the foundation after his death.

You wouldn’t know it, but there’s a staircase inside that takes you up to the top. Atop the column, there’s a statue of St. Peter. During the Renaissance, it replaced a statue of Trajan.

Here’s a great video showing and explaining Trajan’s Forum.

20. Catacombs of Priscilla

Dating back almost 2,000 years, the Catacombs of Priscilla are a series of catacombs built by early Christians. Known as the “Queen of the Catacombs” since antiquity, the catacombs house the bones of early popes and many Christian martyrs.

The Catacombs of Priscilla are considered one of Rome’s most interesting underground sites, hidden away under Villa Ada Park.

After five years of conservation and restoration, the Priscilla Catacombs opened to the public in 2018. Lasers were used to clean the religious frescoes on the walls.

Click here to book a guided tour of the catacombs. A new function on Google Maps allows you to take a limited tour of the of the vast complex. You can also see the frescos on this Smarthistory video .

21. Hadrian’s Villa: an Easy Day Trip From Rome

Built in 118-133 A.D, Hadrian’s Villa is an important archeological complex. It’s the largest and most spectacular villa of ancient Rome, three times the size of Pompeii. Hadrian’s Villa is an easy day trip from Rome , just 30 minute away.

It reflected the power and glory of ancient Rome and one of that world’s most important leaders, Emperor Hadrian. And it was designed by Hadrian himself, just like the Pantheon.

Hadrian’s Villa is a sprawling luxury palace. It was designed on a vast scale to reflect the power, elegance, and excess of the Roman Empire.

Though it’s called a “villa,” Hadrian’s Villa is more accurately a miniature Rome that covers nearly 300 acres. It’s dotted with 30 large structures — palaces, libraries, baths, living quarters, dining pavilions, and sculptural gardens.

Hadrian’s Villa was originally intended as a secret escape from the political complexities of a bustling Rome.

But Hadrian loved his villa so much that he moved in and used it as the seat of government in his last decade, much like Louis XIV governed France from Versailles.

Here’s a great Smarthistory virtual tour of Hadrian’s Villa. While you’re in Tivoli visiting Hadrian’s Villa, you should also visit the Renaissance era Villa d’Este .

Here’s my complete guide To Hadrian’s Villa . Click here to book a wonderful guided day tour from Rome.

22. Arch of Janus

The Arch of Janus is the only surviving four way marble arch in Rome. It’s close to the Mouth of Truth, if you’re visiting that. Built in the 4th century, the arch has four facades. It was supposedly built from pieces of other ruins.

The Arch of Janus is built over an ancient drain to the Tiber River. It’s thought to have been a boundary marker, rather than a triumphal arch.

The Arch of Janus now stands in front of the Palazzo Rhinococros. In 2012, the building was purchased and restored by Fendi heiress, Alda Fendi. It’s the newest hotspot/art space in Rome, with cultural and residential spaces that opened in 2018.

A resin sculpture of an endangered white rhino now stands guard in the square, symbolizing the union of the old and the new. Inside the palazzo art gallery, there’s a Michelango sculpture, Crouching Boy, on loan.

23. Forum of Augustus

The Forum of Augustus is one of the Imperial Fora from Ancient Rome. This forum was built after a young Gaius Octavius defeated Brutus and Cassius in the Battle of Philippi. Octavius was avenging the murder of Julis Caesar.

Before the battle, Octavius vowed that, if he won, he would build a temple to Mars Ultor, which translates to the Avenger. After winning the battle, Octavius kept his promise.

He located his forum next to Caesar’s. At the center was the Temple of Mars Ultor. The long sides of the forum sported colonnades.

The once richly decorated Hall of the Colossus held a colossal statue of the Genius of Augustus. Remains of the statue are in the Museum of the Imperial Fora.

There is also the remains of the Great Wall toward the Suburra. The wall was intended to protect the forum from an overpopulated part of Rome subject to frequent fire. It’s one of the most impressive ruins in the Imperial Fora.

The Temple of Mars Ultor once held colossal statues of Mars and Venus, linking Augustus with the gods. Archaeologists think there may have been a third statue depicting a deified Julius Caesar.

In general, the forum functioned as a military, administrative, and political center. It was a gallery of statues and place to hold important ceremonies.

It was also a place for Senate deliberation. Military commanders would make sacrifices to Mars before going off to battle.

24. House of the Knights of Rhodes

The House of the Knights of Rhodes is perched right above the Forum of Augustus. It’s a little known hidden gem in Rome .

This impressive building, known as the House of the Knights of Rhodes, was built in the 13th century by the Knights of Rhodes. It’s been controlled by the Knights of Malta since 1946.

The building features a massive five-arched loggia, which was once used by the pope to receive blessings from the citizens while overlooking the city.

If you’re interested in visiting, note that the House of the Knights of Rhodes is only open to the public by reservation on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Inside, you’ll have the chance to see several interesting rooms, including the Hall of Honor, the Byzantine Hall, the Sala della Loggetta, and the Palatine Chapel, which is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the knights.

To catch a glimpse of the house from the outside, head to Via dei Fori Imperiali, which offers an excellent vantage point.

25. Church of Santa Costanza

This church is traditionally identified as the mausoleum of Constantina, the daughter of the Emperor Constantine. It was likely built by Constantine at the behest of his daughter.

But, after excavations in 1992, some historians speculate that the mausoleum may have been built 30 years later by Emperor Julian for his wife Helena. It officially became a church in the 13th century.

This 4th century mausoleum is considered a fine example of early Christian architecture. It is a circular brick rotunda covered by a dome with a vestibule porch.

Inside, 12 pairs of Corinthian columns are arranged in a ring. 12 clerestory windows that let light into the interior.

The mausoleum was once elaborately decorated. Originally, the cupola, vault, and niches were covered with early Christian mosaics.

You can still see some in the vault and several niches. They were restored in 1840.

26. Forum Boarium

The other Roman forums get all the love, and so they should. Whereas these famous forums are named for emperors, the Forum Boarium is named … for cattle.

The forum is a Roman ruin that was once the true commercial heart of Ancient Rome. It was the working man’s forum where the docks were located.

The most notable buildings on this forum are the Temple of Hercules (shown above) and the Temple of Portunus.

The Temple of Hercules is the oldest surviving marble building in Rome. Hercules, of course, was the legendary hero of superhuman strength. The Mouth of Truth was likely once located in this temple.

Portunus was the god of gateways, locks and livestock. He might not be the most glamorous god of the Roman pantheon. But he did his job well, granting good luck to the all important merchants.

27. Aurelian Walls

The Aurelian Walls in Rome are the biggest, but most neglected, ruins from Ancient Rome. 

The walls date from the 3rd century. They were 12 miles long and 26 feet high, with 14 gates and 380 watch towers. 

The Aurelian Walls take their name from Emperor Aurelian, a warrior emperor who sought to protect Rome from barbarians when the empire teetered on collapse.

The emperors Arcadius and Honorius made further reinforcements. The two main gates were transformed into self sufficient fortresses. The height of the walls was increased to about 52 feet.

The walls survived the fall of Rome, though parts of the wall were later torn down during the Middle Ages. They continued to serve a defensive function, until they were breached in 1870. This marked the beginning of the unification of Italy.

Here’s my complete guide to the Aurelian Walls .

28. Caligula’s Garden Of Delights

Caligula was the fourth of the Caesarian emperors. He’s mostly known as a combustible lunatic and tyrannical ruler who married often and never forgot a slight.

During the four years he occupied the throne, Caligula had a favorite hideaway. It was an imperial garden called Hour Lamiani on Esquiline Hill.

The garden was essentially a wildlife park, filled with shrines, banqueting halls, orchards, and fountains. Exotic animals completed the tableaux. They were used for private circus games.

Archaeologists discovered the Roman ruins of the lavish garden complex under a 19th century apartment building during excavations in 2006-15.

In April 2021 the Nymphaeum Museum of Piazza Vittorio was opened. You can see highly decorative frescos, mosaics, ceramics, jewelry, pottery, and animal bones.

They paint a vivid picture of wealth and opulence of imperial Rome and the appetite for luxury of Caligula.

29. Pyramid of Cestius

Rome was a little obelisk crazy in its heyday. Egypt was downright fashionable and astonished wealthy and Rome aimed to emulate its example.

In fact, Rome has more obelisks than the country of Egypt. 8 are Roman and 5 are Egyptian. They’re a symbol of what Rome once was — the cultural hub of the known world.

The Roman pyramid was most likely built between 18 and 12 B.C. during the reign of Augustus. The pyramid is 120 feet high and covered in white Carrera marble. 

You can tell it’s not the real deal. The pyramid is too steep and pointy, compared to the real Egyptian pyramids of Giza.

Cestius was built as a tomb for a wealthy Roman under the sway of all things Egyptian. The tomb was long ago ransacked.

The pyramid was excavated and restored in the 16th century. Many of the columns and sculptures that once surrounded it are in the  Capitoline Museums .

You can visit the pyramid on a guided tour . If you want to visit solo, reservations must be made in advance.

30. Ara Pacis

Another Roman ruin to visit in Rome is the Ara Pacis monument. The Roman Senate commissioned this Altar of Peace in 13 BC to honor Emperor Augustus.

It’s a piece of Roman propaganda. Augustus had just defeated the barbarians. His victory marked the beginning of the Pax Romana, a 200 year golden age where arts and architecture flourished.

The altar was once part of a large complex. But the Ara Pacis Museum opened in 2006 and is dedicated to this single monument.

The museum is housed in a modern glass and steel pavilion designed by American architect Richard Meier. It’s light and airy.

The monument is adorned with imagery and wonderful relief carvings depicting the history of Rome and Augustus’ accomplishments. The message was clear. Rome was safe and stable under Augustus.

If you don’t want to pony up the rather outrageous entry fee, you can admire the ornate altar through the windows or take the museum’s virtual tour  here .

But if you do want to go inside, click  here  to book a skip the line ticket for the museum.

31. Largo di Torre Argentina

Largo di Torre Argentina is an archaeological site in the heart of Rome just minutes from Piazza Navona . Excavations have revealed the remains of four Republican-era Roman temples and part of the ancient Theatre of Pompey.

This is ancient stuff, dating from the 3rd century B.C. For history buffs, this is also the place where Julius Caesar was (most likely) assassinated in 44 BC.

Apart from its historical importance, Largo di Torre Argentina is also known for its association with cats. The square has become a sanctuary for stray cats. There is a designated area called the “Roman Cat Sanctuary.”

In the past, visitor could only gaze at the ruins from an observation platform at street level. But the ruins just opened to the public for the first time in June 2023. Now, you can go below and stroll along new walkways.

32. Domus Tiberiana

Another Roman ruin on Palatine Hill is Domus Tiberiana. It was the first official imperial palace in Rome.

The palace was built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius (14-37 AD). Tiberius used as a residence before he became emperor. And it became the designated abode of the designated heir to the empire.

Until recently, it had barely been excavated as it was overlaid by the Farnese Gardens in the 16th century. In September 2023, it will reopen to the public after more than 40 years of restoration.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the must visit ancient Roman ruins of Rome. You may enjoy these other Rome travel guides:

• 8 ways to spend 1 day in Rome
• 3 day itinerary for Rome
• 5 day itinerary for Rome
• 1 day itinerary for Vatican City
• Hidden gems in Rome
• Best museums in Rome
• Guide to the Borghese Gallery
• Guide to Palatine Hill
• Guide to the Roman Forum
• Guide to the Colosseum
• Walking tour of central Rome

If you’d like to visit must see ruins and historic landmarks in Rome, pin it for later.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

• Family holidays

• Dreaming of Sunset with Oliver’s Travels
• Best Cities in Europe for Remote Working 
• 10 Wow-Factor Homes For Your 2024 Reunion Holiday
• Our Top Tour De France Luxury Villas 2023
• The Most Popular Travel-Inspired Interior Trends
• The Best Places to Take a Workation – UK and Abroad
• Oliver’s Vampire Weekender – Only the Undead Should Apply!
• www.oliverstravels.com
• Smart Travel
• Places To Stay
• Travel Guides

Top 10 Must-Visit Historical Sites in Italy

Think of Italy and the country’s rich history is bound to come to mind. Antiquity, renaissance, modernity… century after century, Italy has left its undeniable marks on Western culture. Plus, thanks to some amazing conservation efforts, these historical sites in Italy are still around for us to marvel at today!

A trip to Italy just wouldn’t be complete without a historical excursion or two, but how does one even begin to choose a starting point? Well, we would recommend starting by taking a look at this list of our personal favourite historical sites in Italy. Ten fascinating places to go and learn more about the heart and soul of Italy.  

1. Saint Mark’s Basilica

Saint Mark’s Basilica was founded in the 9 th century with the purpose of housing the tomb of St Mark himself. For hundreds of years, it served as the private chapel of the city’s Doge, until it became the official Venice cathedral in 1807. The original basilica was lost in a fire in 932 and the rebuilt version, complete with Byzantine domes and marble exteriors, is what still stands today.

The Basilica is famous for its intricate design, its 8000 square metres worth of mosaics, and its epic domes. The most famous of these domes is the Cupola of the Prophets where a gold altarpiece studded with over 2000 gemstones is housed. This spectacle is best viewed from the church’s main altar, where St Mark’s sarcophagus is kept.

2. Herculaneum

You’ve certainly heard of Pompeii, but you might not have heard of Herculaneum which was the second city to be buried under the ashes of Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD. Herculaneum is in fact much better preserved than its more famous counterpart, if not quite as large. It was hit before Pompeii, giving its inhabitants no time to escape and therefore leaving many bodies perfectly preserved here for centuries.

At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can still discover the town’s temples, baths, houses and taverns. It gives a very real sense of how spectacular this wealthy city once was. Some of its most luxurious villas overlooking the sea remain with details as small as doors and beds perfectly preserved.

3. Area Sacra di Largo Argentina

While attempting construction on a completely different building between 1926 and 1930, the oldest temple ruins ever to be found in Rome were discovered in what’s called the Area Sacra di Largo Argentina. The four temples were built in the 3 rd century B.C., right by the murder site of Julius Caesar next to the theatre and Curia of Pompey.

Nobody knows who these temples were dedicated to, which is why they’ve been pragmatically renamed Temple A, B, C, and D. These days, however, the temple ruins are home to something much friendlier than Roman gods… cats! Hundreds of cats, much beloved by tourists and locals, roam the old temples. They cast some pretty curious shadows when the ruins are lit up with golden lights at night.

Just south of the marvellous Amalfi Coast, there once stood a town called Poseidonia, named in honour of the Greek sea god Poseidon. It was settled in the 6 th century, but eventually fell under Roman control and was renamed, as it is known today, Paestum. What is left of Paestum today is a UNESCO World Heritage site including three of the best preserved ancient Greek temples in the world.

Periodic malaria outbreaks and raids upon the city by the Saracens caused Paestum’s population to abandon their home as the Roman empire was falling. Today, most of what was once a city is buried deep under Italian farmland. Only its ancient walls and the archaeological zone in the middle is open to the public, telling the tale of the long-lost grandeur of Poseidonia.

5. Florence Cathedral

The Florence Cathedral, once known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in honour of that saint, is the fourth largest cathedral in the world. The building of this great Gothic church began at the end of the 13 th century, right atop the site of the old church of Santa Reparata (you can still spot these remains in the crypt). However, the great and iconic dome wasn’t added until two hundred years of construction later and only then was the project deemed complete.

The architects of the Cathedral – Arnolfo di Cambio and Filippo Brunelleschi – are immortalised in two statues outside the cathedral. They stand admiring its decorative pink, white and green marble exteriors. Just beyond their view in the church’s entrance halls sits the epic 1443 clock which tells time according to the ora italica, meaning its 24-hour days always end at sunset.

6. Pianosa Island

Pianosa Island is barely more than a memory of times long gone. Due to conservation efforts, only 400 people are allowed to visit each day, so consider yourself lucky if you get the chance! While Pianosa has been settled many times since the first in the late Stone Age, it is virtually abandoned today. Only a handful of humans reside on the island, alongside the spectacular wildlife it’s famous for today.

Of course, this wasn’t always the case, as there are remains of a Roman town on Pianosa, as well as evidence that several fishing colonies once resided here. Pirates have visited and so has Napoleon (who was a big fan) and most recently the island served as a military stronghold and high-security prison. The prison was abandoned in 1998, but some of the paroled prisoners still reside on the island, running a small restaurant and museum for tourists.

7. Villa d’Este

Villa d’Este is what you might call the pièce de résistance of the beautiful town of Tivoli in the countryside of Lazio , just on the outskirts of Rome . What was once a Franciscan monastery was turned into a spectacular example of Renaissance architecture and lifestyle by the town governor during the 16 th century. It is presently run as a museum and holds a well-deserved spot on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites.

While the Villa’s interiors are gorgeously adorned with frescoes on its walls and ceilings, nothing beats its view of the gardens below. Villa Este’s gardens are absolutely breathtaking, with its many sculptures and over 500 fountains. One of these had a water organ installed in 1571 that still plays today. And as if this architectural masterpiece wasn’t enough, the gardens are also complemented by their own waterfall.

8. Botanical Gardens in Padua

The year 1545 saw the creation of the world’s first botanical gardens in Padua. It consisted of a central circular plot representing the earth, surrounded by a ring of water. Except for some additions and practical tweaks, this is the same layout you’ll find there today. Throughout the centuries, these botanical gardens have also retained their original purpose as a university centre of scientific research.

The Padua Gardens was where botanical science was born. They created the foundation for our longstanding tradition of scientific exchanges and understanding of the relationships between nature and culture. Famous for cultivating and collecting, especially rare plants, there are currently over 6,000 species at the Padua Botanical Gardens. In addition to these, their library containing more than 50,000 scientific volumes is considered one of the most important in the world.

9. Duomo di Milano

The most visited spot in Milan is its great gothic cathedral, the largest of its kind which can hold up to 40,000 people inside. Its construction began in 1386, with the purpose of modernising the area after Gian Galeazzo Visconti came into power. But even so, it took five whole centuries for the masterpiece to be completed. During this time, many architects, artists and sculptors worked on its construction, resulting in a building which merged the Gothic and Romanesque styles.

The Duomo di Milano is covered in beautiful white and pink marble, only upstaged by the openwork pinnacles and spires which decorate the roof. These are adorned with sculptures as well, and as a tourist, you may walk along the roof terrace and appreciate them, as well as the unrivalled views of the city from above.

10. Santa Maria delle Grazie and The Last Supper

The Church and Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie is another outstanding work of Milanese architecture. It was initially built beginning in 1463, but reworked in the late 15 th century by Bramante who is generally considered one of the great Renaissance masters. But, this emblem of the Catholic tradition has not found its way onto the UNESCO world heritage list due to a mere architectural feat…

Within the church’s refectory, on its western wall, hands Leonardo da Vinci’s great fresco “The Last Supper”, painted between the years 1496 and 1497. Uniquely symbolic of the creative human genius, the fresco is available for viewing by the public. This didn’t always seem so likely, however. When the site of the church was struck by Allied bombing in 1943 but “The Last Supper” miraculously made it unscathed. 

There you have it! Hopefully, Oliver’s Travels’ top 10 historical sites in Italy have inspired you to take a little trip of your own. If so, don’t forget to take a look at our luxury holiday villas in Italy , and get in touch with our concierge team if you need any help with your search.

4 Responses

I wish to request booking for a group of 5 Tour of your Historical site as soon as possible.

best regards.

We don’t actually do the tours ourselves, just the wonderful villa accommodation you an stay in as you take in the sights! If you’d like to arrange accommodation, email [email protected] . Our friendly team can help put you in touch with our owners, who often know the best local tour guides to make the best of your trip.

Hope that helps!

[…] but certainly not least, Italy has so much to offer. You can base your entire online MAH degree research on a small part of the country and still have […]

Decades ago, I lived in Italy (south of Rome) for about 12 months while on active duty military service. My wife and I recently had an opportunity to return. Because I was familiar with car travel in Italy, we rented a car for the entire trip. We took only one train (Circumvesuviana). Driving from town to town in Italy is very much like driving in the United States with one notable exception. In Italy, A flashing yellow light means “stop” rather than “proceed with caution”. Of course, driving in the center of any town requires aggressiveness (and a horn).

We stayed in privately owned accommodations every night as a way of reconnecting with the Italian people. The hoteliers were universally happy to have us. We were treated with kindness and respect. Accommodations were comfortable and up to date.

Italy should be at the top of any travel list.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Protect Your Trip »

Best places to visit in italy.

Tourists and travel experts have long agreed that Italy is a special place, so much so that the country has become a de facto bucket list destination for just about everyone. Famous for its incredible food, rich historical sites, highly regarded art, charming small towns and picturesque cities, countrysides and coastlines, Italy and its offerings are unmatched. U.S. News rounded up the best places to visit in Italy considering a number of factors, from affordability and seasonality to sights and crowds, to help you decide exactly where to go. Have a favorite destination in Italy? Cast your vote below to influence next year's ranking.

Cinque Terre

Amalfi coast, tuscany, italy, the dolomites.

A standard stop on many European vacation itineraries , Rome is not to be missed. Italy's capital city is a globally renowned cultural and historical powerhouse, boasting everything from ancient ruins and tranquil parks to Michelin-starred restaurants. Here, you'll find the most important relic from the Roman Empire (the Colosseum), some of Michelangelo's greatest works (in the Sistine Chapel), an 18th century Baroque-style fountain (the Trevi Fountain) and, of course, the center of Catholicism (Vatican City). Other can't-miss tourist attractions in the Eternal City include the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and St. Peter's Basilica, the world's largest church.

Situated in the scenic Tuscan valley, Florence woos travelers with old-world avenues leading to lovely piazzas big and small. While you're soaking up the splendor, make sure to stop by the Piazza del Duomo, where the breathtaking Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is located, and the romantic Ponte Vecchio, a 14th century bridge overlooking the Arno River. Once central to the Renaissance movement, Florence also offers art aficionados the opportunity to see famous pieces by Michelangelo and other iconic artists of that period. As a bonus, Florence is not too far from the Chianti wine region, which makes for a good day trip.

There are few destinations in the world that are quite like Venice. Its uniqueness can largely be attributed to the canals that run through this northern Italian city like roads, carrying water taxis and buses in addition to its fleet of famous gondolas. As such, there is a palpable bustle here that may surprise some first-timers. For a relaxing Venice vacation, seek out the smaller streets and canals away from the busy Grand Canal and St. Mark's Square. Just be sure to stroll across Rialto Bridge and tour the grand St. Mark's Basilica at least once.

Cinque Terre, located on Italy's northern Ligurian coast, is made up of five idyllic towns – Manarola, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia and Riomaggiore. Manarola, the region's oldest town, boasts scenic vineyards, olive groves and a centuries-old bell tower. Meanwhile, Vernazza, often considered one of Italy's most beautiful villages, is well-known for its picture-perfect houses and grand medieval castle. The region offers an abundance of exciting activities, from boat tours and hiking to cooking classes and wine tastings. While here, don't forget to save time for exploring the cliffside trail that leads from  Monterosso to Vernazza.

The journey to the cliffside Amalfi Coast involves heart-stopping, hairpin turns on narrow roads, but travelers agree this is part of the fun. The region covers more than 30 miles of coastline and is home to 13 colorful seaside towns, each with its own story. Positano and Amalfi are the most popular, housing numerous hotels and sights. While here, hike, relax on the beach and eat to your heart's content (there are multiple Michelin-starred restaurants along the Amalfi Coast). For something more off-the-beaten-path, set your sights on Atrani. This humble fishing village boasts medieval whitewashed architecture, winding alleys and authentic Italian charm.

As the location of several ancient Greek legends, Sicily has an almost mythical quality. Once you visit for yourself, you'll see why so many writers were inspired by this island, which happens to be the largest in the Mediterranean. Be enchanted by Sicily's crystal-clear waters and golden beaches. Marvel at Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, or try hiking up it in summer or skiing down it in winter. Also save time for taking in the many cultures that have called this island home at its various cathedrals and archaeological sites.

If you're looking for jaw-dropping scenery, Tuscany is really all it's cracked up to be. Italy's famous countryside offers travelers spectacular landscapes dotted with romantic villas and castles equipped with wineries and superb restaurants. Don't miss out on a visit to the walled city of San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its medieval towers. What's more, Tuscan locales like Pisa (which offers much more than its leaning tower) and Siena are an easy drive from top destinations such as Bologna and Cinque Terre, perfect for daytrippers who don't want to stay in one place for too long.

Sardinia provides the best of both worlds. Costa Smeralda is all about luxury, with its lush beaches and coves overlooking yacht-filled waters. And away from all of the glitz and glamour of Costa Smeralda, you'll find a more laid-back side of the island, including small medieval towns where Sardinians still practice sheepherding and wear traditional clothing. What's more, Sardinia features several ancient ruins, such as UNESCO World Heritage-listed Su Nuraxi di Barumini.

For centuries, this small island off the coast of southern Italy has attracted plenty of famous faces, from emperors to movie stars, due to its gorgeous scenery. Some of Capri's most amazing sights are best seen by boat, including the Faraglioni rock formations and the Blue Grotto, where sunlight turns the water into an unbelievably vivid shade of blue. On land, the Gardens of Augustus and Villa Jovis, an imperial palace, also provide spectacular views. Meanwhile, in the town center, visitors will find high-end shops and restaurants where they can relax after a long day of sightseeing.

If you really want to treat yourself on your next vacation, Lake Como is where you want to be. Here, opulent villas and hotels line the shores and serene beaches beckon to sun seekers. You'll see sleek sailboats and speedboats coasting in the middle of the lake, which is the perfect place to admire the region's surrounding hills. Meanwhile, for a lesson in luxury, tour one of the region's grand villas; top picks among travelers include Villa Melzi d'Eril, Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello. Later, check out the Como Cathedral, a magnificent structure boasting Gothic, Renaissance, Romanesque and Baroque elements.

Italy's second-largest city is best known for its high fashion, playing host to Milan Fashion Week each year and home to iconic fashion houses including Giorgio Armani, Prada and Versace. Visitors can peruse such high-end brands at the dazzling Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. But Milan's architecture (including the Gothic Milan Cathedral and grand Teatro alla Scala opera house) and sites like Castello Sforzesco (which holds nearly 10 museums and several other exhibitions) are worth a visit on their own. What's more, the city is incredibly walkable, so feel free to explore on foot – with or without designer stilettos.  

This mountain range in northern Italy, a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, was made for adventurous travelers who want to spend time convening in nature (350,000 acres of nature, to be exact). Explore on foot by traversing one of the region's many hiking trails, or visit in winter to hit the slopes. Other top sights include the Three Peaks, one of the Dolomites' most recognizable features, and Alpe Di Siusi, the highest alpine meadow in Europe. To make the most of your experience, stay in charming locales like Ortisei, Bolzano or Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Located about 30 miles from Verona, Lake Garda tends to be more approachable and wallet-friendly (if a bit more touristy) than Lake Como. Activities in this recreational hot spot include swimming and windsurfing, as well as hiking and taking a funicular to Mount Baldo. Lake Garda also attracts families with Gardaland Resort, which includes themed hotels as well as an amusement park, water park and aquarium. If you're looking to get away from the crowds, go beyond the main tourist sites to the quieter northern side of the lake, where you'll find the highest mountains and tucked-away towns.

Occupying the toe of Italy's boot, Calabria is a postcard-worthy vacation destination that offers something for everyone, from verdant national parks and sun-soaked shorelines to delicious local cuisine and enchanting medieval villages. The small town of Tropea welcomes travelers with glittering beaches bordered by dramatic rock formations and the iconic Santa Maria dell'Isola Monastery. Meanwhile, Reggio Calabria is home to the famed Riace Bronzes, on display at the National Archaeological Museum, and the waterfront Lungomare Falcomatà walking path. For incomparable views, take a boat tour of the surrounding Aeolian Islands.

Considered the land of the sirens in Greek mythology, Sorrento continues to lure people with its charm and stunning views. Here, vacationers can explore enchanting piazzas or relax near the water before watching the sun set behind the cliffs. Plus, lemons are big in Sorrento – both in size and in popularity – and the area is known as one of the best places in the world to taste authentic limoncello, a lemon-flavored liquor. It's also the perfect base for day trips and boat tours to nearby Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and other popular Italian locales.

This rustic region in the heel of Italy's boot is well known among locals as a go-to vacation spot, but tourists are starting to catch on. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the area's more crowded cities, Puglia has it all – some of the country's best beaches for swimming, an array of restaurants serving fresh Italian fare, plus castles, caves and forests for exploring. The region is also famous for its unique whitewashed trulli houses with conical roofs.

Located in the northwest corner of Italy, Turin is the perfect city break brimming with grand architecture, museums and delightful cuisine. Must-visit attractions include Mole Antonelliana (a former synagogue turned into a cinema museum), the 16th-century Royal Palace of Turin and the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum). Once you've toured the top sights, settle into local life by enjoying the city's riverside parks, street markets, football games and historic cafes. At the latter, you'll find unique coffee blends and decadent chocolate, as well as elaborate aperitif hours. On the long list of things Turin does right, you can find these three items at the top.  

The small, crescent-shaped village of Portofino is known as a vacation hot spot for the rich and famous. The water surrounding Portofino is often filled with yachts and is great for swimming and diving. Plus, the area's beauty and tranquil atmosphere make it an excellent place to unwind. When travelers need a break from relaxing, they can check out historical sites like Castello Brown, an ancient military fortress with incredible views of the Marina di Portofino, and Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, a 10th century monastery that can only be reached by foot or ferry.

Assisi, a medieval town with religious connections, sits on a hilltop in the lush landscapes of Umbria, just more than 100 miles north of Rome. This peaceful town's biggest draws are its sights dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, one of Italy's patron saints, including the Basilica of San Francesco, which houses his tomb as well as colorful frescos, and the Bosco di San Francesco. Beyond its religious heritage, Assisi is worth a visit for its picturesque streets and sweeping views, while its location also makes it ideal for a truffle hunting excursion or wine tasting tour.

Best known for its Shakespeare ties, Verona appeals to fans of "Romeo and Juliet" with themed tours of the sights that allegedly inspired the play. But there is more to this city than its literary link. Verona, located less than 20 miles east of Lake Garda, is also home to several impressive attractions and historic buildings (the whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after all). Travelers won't want to miss the Arena di Verona, a first-century Roman amphitheater that is still in use, and Giardino Giusti, a beautifully sculpted Renaissance garden.

10 Day Tour of Southern Italy

Seductive Southern Italy

Adventure from the Amalfi Coast to Puglia on the ultimate Southern Italy tour.

Starts at: Naples

Ends at: Lecce

Duration: 10 days

Vote to Add these Destinations to the Rankings

Naples, Italy

Burano Island

You May Be Interested In

Best Beaches in Italy

Best Places to Visit in Spain

Best Places to Visit in France

Best places to visit in europe.

Best Cheap European Vacations

Best Beaches in Portugal

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

30 Fun Fall Weekend Getaways for 2024

Holly Johnson August 29, 2024

The 19 Best Fall Family Vacations for 2024

Amanda Norcross August 27, 2024

The 28 Best Water Parks in the U.S. for 2024

Holly Johnson|Timothy J. Forster May 8, 2024

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

ANCIENT WORLD

• Jun 13, 2023

Top 20 Archaeological Sites to Visit in Italy

A trip to Italy is definitely the experience of a lifetime.

It really has the best of everything from food and wine, to art and culture, and of course the lively and friendly Italian people.

Who doesn’t want to live their own version of la dolce vita ?

For the cultural traveller, or even someone with a slight curiosity about the past, a visit to an archaeological site or ancient monument is a must. As the former heart of the Roman Empire, there is just so much to see.

With all of that ancient grandeur dotting the Italian peninsula, it can be difficult to narrow things down. So, we’ve come up with a list of our favourite 20 archaeological sites to visit, along with some recommendations for visiting from ‘skip-the-line’ tickets to personal guided tours of the larger sites help you get the most out of your visit.

We who are about to travel, salute you!

1. Pompeii - this is, of course, the well-preserved ancient Roman city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Nothing quite captures the imagination like the vast ruins of Pompeii from the grand forum and temple of Apollo and ornate villas of wealthy Pompeians, to the cobbled streets leading to the great Lupanar and myriad other sites that have given us such a clear picture of life in the Roman Empire. Pompeii is an amazing place to visit and requires at least a day all on its own. If you are in Rome, you can get there by train or bus easily enough. To get the most out of your trip, you can book a ‘skip-the-line’ tickets and one of the many excellent guided tours of Pompeii by CLICKING HERE .

2. Herculaneum - this is another Roman city buried by the eruption of Vesuvius, just like Pompeii, except this city was smaller and more luxurious. If you want to see how the wealthy lived, this is a magnificently preserved site that will leave you a bit haunted. Because it is so close to Pompeii, you can combine it with a visit there, as well as a visit to Vesuvius if you are yearning for added adventure! To get more out of the site, book a guided tour with a knowledgeable archaeologist! You can get your ‘skip-the-line’ tickets and guided tour tickets for Herculaneum and/or Pompeii by CLICKING HERE .

3. Colosseum - the iconic Flavian Amphitheater of Rome where gladiators fought and other public spectacles took place. Nothing quite says ‘ancient Rome’ like the Colosseum! This is perhaps one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Italy, which means that the lines can be long and the site extremely crowded. But everyone should see the Colosseum at least once in their lives! It is truly something to behold. We highly recommend booking ‘skip-the-line’ tickets for a visit to the Colosseum so that you don’t waste half your day. You can get even more out of the visit, and see parts of the interior that regular folks can’t see by booking a personal guided tour with one of the local historians and archaeologists. CLICK HERE to view the tour options and get ready for adventure!

4. Forum Romanum - the Roman Forum was the centre of political and social life in ancient Rome. The ruins consist of numerous ruins of temples, basilicas, and other buildings such as the Curia (Senate House), the Temple of Vesta, the arches of Septimius Severus and Titus, and the temple of the Divine Julius where people still lay flowers to Rome’s beloved general. There is a lot to see in the Forum, and it can be difficult to discern what you are looking at, so we recommend a guided tour. You can go on a guided tour with a knowledgeable historian, or one that combines it with a tour of the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, by CLICKING HERE . The Forum Romanum really was the beating heart of the Roman Empire, and it should not be missed!

5. Ostia Antica - the ancient port city of Rome, at the mouth of the Tiber River, has well-preserved ruins of houses, shops, and public buildings. This is a vast, well-preserved site, that gives some wonderful insight into ancient life, and it is easy to get to from Rome. The archaeological park is perfect for a bit of fresh air and time out of the hustle and bustle of Rome. You can walk in peace as you contemplate the ancient world and the people who roamed the streets, lived and worked there. You can book a shuttle from Rome, or tickets HERE .

6. Trajan’s Markets - a part of Emperor Trajan’s forum, this complex gives some insight into life and architecture in ancient Rome. Trajan’s Markets were a sort of ancient shopping mall where Romans could buy almost anything. This is near the Forum Romanum and Colosseum, so it is easy to walk to. Purchase your tickets and multimedia tour HERE .

7. Paestum - a well-preserved Greek colony in Campania, in southern Italy, with three magnificent Doric temples, ancient city walls, and amphitheatre, all located in the archaeological park. This is a wonderful site that is sometimes overlooked by most tourists, but well worth the visit. Explore the ruins of this ancient Greek community with ‘skip-the-line’ tickets and a guided tour to get more out of your visit. CLICK HERE for more information.

8. Villa Adriana - the lavish summer residence of the Emperor Hadrian near Rome, at Tivoli, with a complex of palaces, gardens, and baths. The villa complex is the largest known in the Roman world and covers an area that is larger than the city of Pompeii itself! This is not far from Rome, so it is easy to visit for a day trip. Guided tours that include ‘skip-the-line’ tickets to the Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este are available HERE .

9. Villa Poppaea - a beautifully decorated Roman villa near Pompeii, at Oplontis, with frescoes depicting a mysterious religious ceremony. This villa is believed to have been owned by Emperor Nero and lived in by his second wife, Poppaea Sabina, when she was away from Rome. Compared with other villas in the region, this site is especially luxurious.

10. Syracuse - a Greek city in Sicily with impressive archaeological sites such as the Greek theatre, the Roman amphitheater, and the Ear of Dionysus cave. This area has rich and exciting ancient history and is well worth a visit if you are in Sicily. There are several very affordable ticket options including a combined entry and experience ticket for the Greek Theatre and Archaeological Park which you can purchase by CLICKING HERE .

11. Tarquinia - an Etruscan city in central Italy with fascinating tombs and sarcophagi decorated with intricate paintings and reliefs. This site is not far north of Rome and is easy to get to if you want a day out of the city, or if you are in southern Tuscany and looking for sites to visit. The various Etruscan necropoli are fascinating to visit. Specialized, guided tours and day trips to Tarquinia are available.

12. Agrigento - a Greek colony in Sicily founded around 580 B.C.E. This is the site of the magnificent ‘Valley of the Temples’ which has several well-preserved temples, including the famous Temple of Concordia. This site is truly a world apart that will take you back in time. Consider taking a guided tour with a local expert to get more out of your visit to this magical place. CLICK HERE for details.

13. Selinunte - another Greek city in Sicily, established in the 500s B.C.E. and destroyed during the Punic Wars. This amazing archaeological park has impressive temple ruins, walls, and houses overlooking the sea. It is perfect for a few hours out while exploring the beautiful island of Sicily. Tour options are available.

14. Baths of Caracalla - one of the greatest bath complexes of ancient Rome, the Baths of Caracalla are definitely worth a visit if you are in the Eternal City. This ancient complex, completed in the 3rd century C.E., took over a large portion of the ancient city, making it the second largest bath complex. You can get a combined, ‘skip-the-line’ ticket to the Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla HERE .

15. Rome Catacombs - underground Christian cemeteries and sanctuaries used from the 2nd to the 5th century AD, with impressive frescoes and inscriptions. There is a vast and impressive network of catacombs beneath the city of Rome, so it is recommended to take one of the many guided tour options to properly explore this miracle of faith and survival in Rome. CLICK HERE for options.

16. Palatine Hill - one of the seven hills of Rome, with impressive ruins of imperial palaces and gardens. This was the home of Rome’s rich and famous during the Republic, and then of the emperors and empresses of the greatest empire in the world. Roam the ruins of palaces and gardens, temples and more in this very peaceful setting in the middle of Rome. There is also an on-site museum that has some truly wonderful artifacts and statues. From the top of the hill you can see what a view of the Circus Maximus the imperial family had when the chariot races were on! There are many tour options for the Palatine Hill which overlooks the Roman Forum and Colosseum, so be sure to check for the option that most suits your needs. CLICK HERE for more information.

17. Castel Sant'Angelo - this magnificent structure that overlooks the River Tiber in Rome is truly a site to see. Originally, it was built to be a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family, but was converted into a castle for the popes of Rome. Today it is a museum that is a wonder to explore and get a spectacular view over the city of Rome and the Vatican city. CLICK HERE for ‘skip-the-line’ tickets and guided tours.

18. The Pantheon - this famous Roman temple to the gods was originally built during the reign of Emperor Augustus by his admiral, Marcus Agrippa. It is one of the best-preserved and most famous monuments of ancient Rome. The construction of the dome was a technological and architectural marvel that inspired other works, including the Duomo in Florence. A visit to the Pantheon won’t take you long, but it is definitely worth a visit when in Rome. CLICK HERE for ticket and tour options.

19. Capua - an ancient Roman city in southern Italy, in Campania, with a well-preserved amphitheater and other ruins of public buildings. This amphitheatre is second in size only to the Colosseum in Rome. It is also where the Spartacus rebellion began at the gladiator school there. If you are interested in ancient Rome and the history of gladiatorial combat, this is a must. Be sure to visit the Gladiator Museum while you are there. There are several tour options for this wonderful site.

20. Via Appia Antica - this is perhaps the most famous road of ancient Rome. If you are in Rome, it is easy to visit this piece of history lined with trees and tombs, including the tomb of Caecilia Metella, the wife of the dictator, Sulla. This is a serene setting and a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of Rome without going far. The road is rich in history and is best explored on bikes or e-bikes with a tour guide. CLICK HERE for options.

These are just a few of the many ancient archaeological sites to visit in Italy, but they offer a glimpse into the rich history and culture of this fascinating country and its Greek, Etruscan, and Roman past.

Remember to check out our ‘ Travel Resources ’ page for deals and recommendations around flights , accommodation , tours, museum passes , and more!

Buon viaggio!

• Europe General

Recent Posts

Buon Natale! - Exploring Italy's Enchanting Christmas Markets

Fröhliche Weihnachten! - Experience the Magic of Bavarian Christmas Markets

Savouring Autumn's Bounty: Exploring Italy's Best Fall Wine Festivals

Comentarios

17 Best Ruins in Italy to Visit on Vacation

Customers rate Zicasso's travel referral service  4.9  on a scale of 1 to 5 based on  1585  reviews on Trustpilot

We match you with top tour companies that specialize in the trip you want,  whether it's a customized private tour or a group tour.

The Roman Forum in Rome, Italy

From the remnants of the Roman Empire to the Etruscan relics of the old world, the 17 best ruins in Italy reveal insight into the great eras and historical civilizations of ancient Italy.

In Italy, whole villages of ruins hang on hills beneath volcanic mountains, crumbling stadiums once the battlegrounds of Roman gladiators stand in the cities, and historic necropolises preserve the memory of ancient civilizations.

There are thousands of ancient ruins in Italy to explore, with this list sharing the best to visit as you travel around the capital city, along the Gulf of Naples, or to the island of Sicily.

1. Colosseum, Rome

2. roman forum, rome, 3. pompeii, naples, 4. ostia antica, ostia, 5. valley of the temples, sicily, 6. paestum, salerno, 7. hadrian’s villa, tivoli, 8. segesta, sicily, 9. arena di verona, verona, 10. herculaneum, naples, 11. pantheon, rome, 12. monterozzi etruscan necropolis, tarquinia, 13. villa romana del casale, sicily, 14. sassi di matera, matera, 15. catacombs of rome, rome, 16. basilica di san vitale, ravenna, 17. teatro antico di taormina, sicily, explore the best ruins in italy on vacation.

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy

The Colosseum is one of the most famous ancient landmarks and ruins in Italy’s capital, Rome. The oval arena is over 1,900 years old, yet its colossal columns still stand in the capital in varying states of ruin and repair.

The Colosseum, one of the best places to visit in Rome , once held more than 50,000 Roman spectators watching the gladiator games. You can feel the magnitude of these historical events as you look across the stands where thousands of ancient Roman civilians and emperors would cheer for their favorite champions.

Learn more: Rome Vacations & Tour Packages

Expert Tips for Discerning Travelers

The Roman Forum was the center of social activity in Ancient Rome. Religious, political, and social representatives would gather in the open-air forum as early as 500BC to discuss and shape the socioeconomic landscape of the ancient city.

Intrinsically connected to the origins of the Roman Empire, the Roman Forum is one of the most significant ruins to visit as you explore Roman heritage, one of the top experiences to have in Rome on vacation. The remains of its arches, temples, and government buildings offer a lens through which to imagine the former city center.

Learn more: Rome Travel Guide

Pompeii in Naples, Italy

The southern Italian archeological site of Pompeii is a must-visit destination on history tours along the base of Mount Vesuvius. You can wander the ruins of the village devastated by a volcanic eruption in 79AD to understand life during the Roman Empire’s rule. Cobbled lanes, stone temples, amphora containers, and wall paintings mark moments in time before the dramatic natural events that left Pompeii in ruins.

You can see the relics and admire stunning views of Mount Vesuvius as you peruse this iconic site. After exploring the ancient city ruins, you can return to the coastline to discover what else Campania’s regional capital is famous for, its culinary culture expressed in the best Naples dishes to try on your trip .

Ruins of Ostia Antica Port in Ostia, Italy

Ostia Antica is another Ancient Roman archeological site that brings travelers closer to the empirical era on tours of the theater, bathhouses, markets, and more. Now ruins, these archaic landmarks provide the backdrop from which to build memories of Ancient Rome with your imagination.

The notable ruins around Ancient Ostia are well-preserved and guides share great detail about the happenings in the harbor city long before our time. Just around the corner from Rome, a quick day trip lets you see the meticulous mosaics, marble statues, and historic ruins of Ostia, entirely abandoned by the 9th century.

Valley of the Temples in Sicily, Italy

Sicily’s Valley of the Temples is an Ancient Greek site on the Italian island famous for its Doric temples that the former civilization built across Greece and the shores of southern Italy. It is over 2,000 years old and one of Italy’s greatest depictions of Ancient Greek art and architecture, sharing distinctions in the stylings and design choices of Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman architects.

Each Doric temple honors a Greek god, some identifying the deity through massive telamons , ancient load-bearing sculptures, while others showcase historical bronze statues and altars. When exploring the Valley of the Temples, you discover eight famous temples in one tour, offering a well-rounded view of the Ancient Greek settlement in southern Italy and Sicily.

Learn more: Southern Italy & Sicily Tours

Temple of Hera at the ancient Paestum, Salerno, Italy

Boasting Ancient Greek Doric temples dating back to 450BC, Paestum is another representation of Greek colonization in Italy centuries ago. A massive archeological site of temples, homes, public squares, and sculptures preserves the memories of the great Greek city formerly known as Poseidonia.

Honoring the Greek god Poseidon, Paestum shares a glimpse into the myths and legends of the ancient world in and around the towering columns that hold up what’s left of the ceilings of the temples. These, even in ruins, are glorious examples of Ancient Greece’s architecture. Being around the corner from the Amalfi Coast, you can easily visit Paestum from the famous coastal towns during tours of the Amalfi Coast .

Statue in the Canopus at Hadrian’s Villa, Tivoli, Italy

Roman emperor Hadrian built this villa between 117 and 138AD as a getaway from Rome. The ancient Roman ruin is an architectural and design masterpiece that incorporates styles famous in Ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. The culmination was an exquisite country residence, with bathhouses, sculptural pieces, immaculate gardens, theaters, private suites, and more.

Today, the ruins of Hadrian’s Villa keep much of the glamorous design intact, from marble sculptures to the tranquil moat, landscaped lawns to underground galleries. Walking between the Italian ruins, you can imagine the royal atmosphere that many Roman elites must have enjoyed during their time in Hadrian’s Villa.

Greek Theatre of Segesta in Sicily, Italy

Sicily’s iconic Elymian site, Segesta is a gateway into the life of ancient Sicilian people. The Elymians of western Sicily settled in the culturally Greek Segesta city from around 420BC, and archeologists can trace its Greek cultural background in the pottery left behind. Today, the Doric temple remains for travelers visiting the Italian island.

Surprisingly, it was never finished and various conflicting reports try to understand the origin of the building and city founded before Greek records, yet supposedly built by Trojan colonists. Exploring the island on tours of Southern Italy , you can uncover Greek history dating as far back as the Elymian people in the Sicilian landmark of Segesta.

Arena di Verona, Verona, Italy

Verona’s Roman amphitheater, the Arena di Verona, built in 30AD, is a grand arena of historical importance still used for events and performances in the modern day. Opera performances take center stage in the Arena di Verona, with thousands gathering in the stands of the open-air stadium to watch the world’s greatest opera singers.

The performances in the Arena di Verona are magnificent, as the venue imbues each concert with a historical atmosphere. You can watch your favorite performers from the stands where Ancient Romans once came to watch gladiators battle. Verona is a short trip from Venice, so travelers can visit the Arena di Verona on a day trip during vacations in Venice .

Mosaic at Herculaneum ancient ruins in Naples, Italy

Italy’s ancient town of Herculaneum, founded between the 6th and 7th centuries BC, was built in honor of the Greek god Hercules. The historical settlement, with Pompeii, was devastated by the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79AD. However, Herculaneum was buried in volcanic ash and abandoned, and many buildings remain preserved following archeological excavation.

In Herculaneum, some decaying ruins remain, while other sites are in relatively good condition, albeit exposed to degradation over time. From the House of Galba’s cross-shaped water feature to the frescoes of Sacello degli Augustali depicting battles between Greek and Etruscan gods, Herculaneum is a historical treasure trove to explore after lunch in one of Campania’s best cities for food .

The Pantheon in Rome, Italy

Along with the Colosseum, the Pantheon is one of the best Roman ruins in Italy’s capital city. Dating back to 125AD, it is a monument of the old world in the heart of the bustling city. The Pantheon is an immaculate preservation of Ancient Roman history, hosting Catholic masses to this day inside the intricately-designed dome structure.

Visitors gather outside in the main square to capture its towering fortifications in all their glory and you can skip the line on private tours of its interior. You can see its stunning murals, marble floors, meticulous dome ceiling, and oculus as you explore during the best time to visit Rome for a tour of the Pantheon.

Etruscan frescoes in the Monterozzi Etruscan Necropolis, Tarquinia, Italy

Monterozzi Etruscan Necropolis’ 6,000 Etruscan tombs share a dramatic view of old Italy in the historical city of Tarquinia. As a resting place for ancient Etruscan people, the Monterozzi Etruscan Necropolis symbolizes central Italian heritage as far back as the 8th century BC.

Stunning Etruscan frescoes decorate the interior walls of burial chambers, small stone grave structures dot the landscape, and the museum houses antique artifacts like sculptures, pottery, and coins. The burial grounds are a powerful reminder of how far Italy has come, while honoring the memory of the Etruscan civilization.

Villa Romana del Casale ruins in Sicily, Italy

Sicily’s Villa Romana del Casale was a grand Roman villa that expressed the historic luxuries of Italy’s ancient economy. Remarkable mosaics covering the walls and floors are the main attractions for visitors exploring the palatial site. Thermal baths and basilicas also display the opulent design of the villa that seems excessive even by Ancient Roman standards.

The villa’s preservations are a prime example of the divide in socioeconomic status in Ancient Rome, helping visitors draw a clear line between the classes of the former civilization. The decorative richness of the villa is fascinating to experience as you uncover what separated Roman commoners from the elite.

Learn more: Sicily Tours & Vacation Packages

View of ancient town of Sassi di Matera, Matera, Italy

Italy’s rocky outcrop city Matera is one of the country’s best-kept secrets, a treasure trove of historical discoveries dating back to 7,000BC and the Sassi settlements. Many regard the Sassi people as among the earliest in Italy, making Sassi di Matera a must-visit, with ruins revealing more about the mysterious people.

In and around the towns of Matera, you can learn more about the Sassi people and visit the ruins that lie among more modern buildings. You can follow cobbled streets to desolate cave homes and look back in time, with your guide sharing what little we know about the ancient Italian cave dwellers from southern Italy.

Learn more: Southern Italy Travel Guide

The Catacombs of Rome in Italy

Rome’s ancient underground burial chambers, the Catacombs of Rome, are a dramatic yet impressive network of tunnels, with some of the oldest dating back to the first century. They display a diverse ceremonial history, from Jewish community-built tunnels to Christian cemeteries.

Travelers can explore parts of the catacombs, while other sections remain mysterious and rarely visited. They have an eerie atmosphere, yet are a fascinating historical find, with a wealth of discovery awaiting travelers who see them.

Learn more: Italy Tours from Rome

Basilica di San Vitale interior mosaics, Ravenna, Italy

Ravenna’s 6th-century antique church, Basilica di San Vitale, is a spectacular Christian Byzantine building that displays the beauty of old Italy's art and architecture. The church’s colorful mosaics and ornate interior walls reveal the fascinating design choices of a somewhat more modern Italy compared with other features in this list.

Yet history drips from each mural, overflowing within the marvelously preserved walls of the basilica. The town of Ravenna lies in northern Italy and travelers can visit the iconic basilica when touring neighboring cities and towns on the best Emilia-Romagna itineraries .

Learn more: Northern Italy Itineraries & Tours • Northern Italy Travel Guide

Teatro Antico di Taormina, Sicily, Italy

Taormina is a Sicilian commune that’s home to the impressive Teatro Antico di Taormina ruin, an Ancient Greek theater on the Italian island dating back to the 3rd century BC. It is a famous ruin to visit in Italy as it is the second-largest theater on the island and sits on a hilltop with gorgeous panoramic views.

The theater's Corinthian columns and ample performance space are immaculate ruins, depicting Italy’s historical connection to entertainment. Hosting musicians and orchestras long before our time, you can embrace the sensational atmosphere as you wander the Ancient Greek performance theater on Italy’s island of Sicily.

Learn more: Sicily Travel Guide

The best ruins in Italy showcase ancient civilizations' diverse cultures and significance in shaping Italy as we know it today. From Roman ruins in the capital city to Ancient Greek Doric temples on the island of Sicily, you can explore the most famous ruins on our tours and vacations of Italy .

When planning your vacation in Italy, you can find more insight into the best places and experiences you can have in our Italy travel guide .

Life-Enriching Travel Designed Just for You

Trips curated by the world’s top destination experts

Concierge-level service leading up to and during your trip

Unique, exclusive experiences and insider access

Help Me Plan My Trip

Get Top Travel Specialists to Help Plan Your Trip

Traveling the Via Trajana: A Modern Explorer’s Guide to Ancient Roman Roads

Via Trajana was an ancient Roman road built during the reign of Emperor Trajan , connecting the Adriatic Sea to the Danube River. The road was constructed to facilitate the movement of troops and supplies during the Roman conquest of Dacia, a region that is now modern-day Romania. The road was an engineering marvel, with a length of 350 miles and a width of 26 feet, and was built to withstand the harsh weather conditions of the region.

The historical significance of Via Trajana lies in the fact that it was a major artery for trade and commerce during the Roman Empire. It connected several major cities and settlements, including Ancona, Rome, and Beneventum , and played a vital role in the economic development of the region. The road also had a significant cultural impact, as it facilitated the spread of Roman culture and ideas to the regions it passed through.

Key Takeaways

• Via Trajana was an ancient Roman road built during the reign of Emperor Trajan, connecting the Adriatic Sea to the Danube River.
• The road played a vital role in the economic development of the region and facilitated the spread of Roman culture.
• The road connected several major cities and settlements, including Ancona, Rome, and Beneventum.

Historical Significance of Via Trajana

Via Trajana was a Roman road constructed under the reign of Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century AD. He paid for the road from his own funds. The road was built to connect Beneventum (modern-day Benevento) in Campania with Brundisium (modern-day Brindisi) in Puglia.

Construction and Expansion

Via Trajana was constructed by the Roman army during Trajan’s military campaigns in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire . The construction of Via Trajana was a significant engineering feat, as it had to traverse the rugged terrain of the Apennine Mountains . The road was built with a solid foundation of stone blocks and was paved with large slabs of stone to provide a smooth surface for travel.

Over time, Via Trajana became an important route for trade and commerce, connecting the regions of Campania and Puglia. The road was expanded and improved by subsequent emperors, including Hadrian and Antoninus Pius , who added new sections and made repairs to the existing road.

Military and Civil Utility

The construction of Via Trajana had significant military and civil utility. The road provided a secure and efficient means of transporting troops and supplies between the ports of Brundisium and Beneventum. This was especially important during times of war and civil unrest, such as the civil war between Septimius Severus and Pescennius Niger in the late 2nd century AD.

In addition to its military utility, Via Trajana also facilitated trade and commerce between the regions of Campania and Puglia. The road allowed for the transportation of goods such as olive oil, wine, and grain, which were produced in the fertile regions of Campania and transported to the ports of Brundisium for export.

Major Cities and Settlements

Bari and brundisium.

Bari and Brundisium were two major cities located along the route of Via Trajana. Bari, an ancient port city, was an important center of trade and commerce in the region. It was also a major cultural and religious center, with several important churches and monasteries located in and around the city.

Brundisium, on the other hand, was an important military and strategic center owing to its location at the southern end of the Appian Way. It was also an important port city, serving as a major gateway to the eastern Mediterranean.

Via Trajana – Must Check Out

Trajan’s column in rome.

Trajan’s Column in Rome is a remarkable monument that depicts the victories of Emperor Trajan in the Dacian Wars . The column is a 98-foot-tall structure that stands in the center of Trajan’s Forum in Rome. It is adorned with intricate bas-reliefs that narrate the military campaigns of Trajan. The column has been a source of inspiration for artists, architects, and historians for centuries. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Roman power and engineering.

The Forum of Trajan in Rome

The Forum of Trajan in Rome was built by Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century AD. It was the last and largest of the Imperial fora in Rome. The forum was a center of political, economic, and cultural activities in ancient Rome. It was adorned with magnificent buildings, statues, and fountains. Today, the ruins of the Forum are a popular tourist attraction and a testament to the grandeur of ancient Rome.

The Via Trajana Archaeological Route in Benevento

The road is dotted with archaeological sites, such as the Arch of Trajan and the Roman Theater of Benevento , which offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region. This route is a perfect way to experience and understand everything Emperor Trajan built, its significance, and its lasting legacy.

The Archaeological Museum of Benevento

The Archaeological Museum of Benevento is a museum that showcases the archaeological treasures of the region. The museum houses a vast collection of artifacts, such as pottery, sculptures, and mosaics, that date back to the Roman, Samnite, and Lombard periods. The museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in the history and culture of southern Italy. Also known as the Museo Archeologico Nazionale del Sannio Caudino, this museum provides an in-depth look into the region’s rich archaeological and historical heritage, spanning from prehistoric times through the Roman period.

The museum is housed in the Palazzo dei Rettori, a historic building that once served as the residence of the local governor. The palace itself is an example of Italian Renaissance architecture, adding a historical dimension to the museum experience. The museum’s collection focuses on the archaeological finds from the Sannio Caudino region, which encompasses parts of ancient Samnium, an area known for its early settlements and later Roman influence.

The museum’s location in Benevento, a city with significant Roman ruins such as the Arch of Trajan and the Roman Theater, enhances its importance as a center for understanding the historical and archaeological significance of the region. It also contributes to regional tourism by attracting visitors interested in Roman history and archaeology.

The Roman Amphitheater of Benevento

The Roman Amphitheater of Benevento is an ancient arena that could seat up to 10,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and public spectacles. Today, the amphitheater is a popular tourist attraction and a testament to the architectural prowess of ancient Rome. It was constructed under the rule of Emperor Hadrian or his successors, a period known for extensive urban development and architectural projects throughout the empire.

The amphitheater is located near the historical center of Benevento, taking advantage of the natural landscape to accommodate its large size. The site was strategically chosen to align with the city’s urban layout and its importance as a Roman center.

People Also Ask:

What is the historical significance of the via nova traiana.

The Via Nova Traiana was a significant road built by the Roman Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century AD. It connected the port of Aila (modern-day Aqaba, Jordan) on the Red Sea to Bostra (modern-day Bosra, Syria) in the north. The road played a critical role in facilitating trade and commerce between the Roman Empire and the East.

How did the Via Trajana compare to other Roman roads in terms of construction and usage?

The Via Trajana was one of the many Roman roads built during the Roman Empire. It was constructed with a solid foundation of large stones, followed by several layers of gravel and smaller stones, and finally a layer of paving stones. The road was designed to be wide enough for two chariots to pass each other. In terms of usage, the Via Trajana was primarily used for military purposes, to transport troops and supplies across the Roman Empire.

What were the primary purposes of the Via Egnatia in the Roman Empire?

The Via Egnatia was an important road constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It connected the Adriatic Sea to the Aegean Sea, running through modern-day Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece. The road was built primarily for military purposes, to transport troops and supplies across the Roman Empire, and to facilitate trade and commerce between the East and the West.

Can you describe the route and key features of the Via Appia?

The Via Appia was one of the most important and famous roads built by the Romans. It connected Rome to Brindisi, a major port city on the Adriatic Sea. The road was built with a solid foundation of large stones, followed by several layers of gravel and smaller stones, and finally a layer of paving stones. The road was lined with tombs, monuments, and other significant landmarks, making it a popular tourist attraction.

What were the major cities connected by the Via Trajana?

The Via Trajana connected several major cities in the Roman Empire, including Aila (modern-day Aqaba, Jordan), Petra (modern-day Jordan), and Bostra (modern-day Bosra, Syria). The road is also connected to other major roads in the region, such as the Via Egnatia and the Via Appia.

How has the Via Trajana influenced modern road systems?

The Via Trajana and other Roman roads have had a significant impact on modern road systems. The Roman roads were built with a solid foundation and durable materials, which allowed them to withstand heavy use and weathering. Many modern roads still use similar construction techniques and materials, which have helped to improve their durability and lifespan. Additionally, the Roman roads helped to facilitate trade and commerce, which has had a lasting impact on the global economy.

Hello, my name is Vladimir, and I am a part of the Roman-empire writing team.

I am a historian, and history is an integral part of my life.

To be honest, while I was in school, I didn’t like history so how did I end up studying it? Well, for that, I have to thank history-based strategy PC games. Thank you so much, Europa Universalis IV, and thank you, Medieval Total War.

Since games made me fall in love with history, I completed bachelor studies at Filozofski Fakultet Niš, a part of the University of Niš. My bachelor’s thesis was about Julis Caesar. Soon, I completed my master’s studies at the same university.

For years now, I have been working as a teacher in a local elementary school, but my passion for writing isn’t fulfilled, so I decided to pursue that ambition online. There were a few gigs, but most of them were not history-related.

Then I stumbled upon roman-empire.com, and now I am a part of something bigger. No, I am not a part of the ancient Roman Empire but of a creative writing team where I have the freedom to write about whatever I want. Yes, even about Star Wars. Stay tuned for that.

Anyway, I am better at writing about Rome than writing about me. But if you would like to contact me for any reason, you can do it at [email protected]. Except for negative reviews, of course. 😀

Kind regards,

Related Posts

The discovery of a flatbread resembling modern-day pizza on an ancient fresco has sparked curiosity about the Roman diet. The flatbread, found depicted in the frescoes of Pompeii, suggests a…

The Roman Empire's longevity and vast territorial expanse were due in no small part to its sophisticated network of Roman fortifications. These structures ranged from frontier fortresses designed to repel…

The Bacchanalia holds a fascinating and somewhat mysterious place in the history of ancient Rome. These festivals were originally religious rites dedicated to Bacchus, the god of wine, freedom, and…

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sign Up Today

Start your 14 day free trial today

History Hit Story of England: Making of a Nation

The Top Greek Ruins in Italy

Discover the best greek ruins in italy, from paestum to the syracuse archaeological site and more, includes an interactive map of ancient greek sites in italy..

History Hit

24 nov 2020.

There’s a host of top Greek Ruins in Italy to visit and among the very best are Paestum, the Syracuse Archaeological Site and the Valley of the Temples. Other popular sites tend to include Segesta, Selinunte and Metapontum.

We’ve put together an experts guide to Ancient Greek sites in Italy, with our top ten places to visit as well as a full list of the best Greek ruins in Italy, which shouldn’t be ignored if you have the time.

What are the best Ancient Greek Ruins in Italy?

Paestum is a Greco-Roman site located south of Naples which contains the stunning remains of three ancient Greek temples which still stand tall today.

Today, visitors can still see the spectacular temples – the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Neptune and the Temple of Ceres. The site also contains impressive defensive walls, a Roman forum, the basic remains of a Roman amphitheatre and a number of ancient tombs. Paestum also boasts an early Christian church and Paestum Museum, which has a wealth of information about the local sites.

2. Valley of the Temples

The Valley of the Temples is a famous archaeological site in Sicily housing some of the best preserved Ancient Greek ruins in the world, especially outside Greece. Agrigento, in which they are located, had been a Greek colony since the 6th century BC. Really more of a ridge than a valley, the Valley of the Temples is mainly comprised of the beautiful ruins of nine sacred temples.

The oldest of the temples, the Temple of Herakles, was constructed in the sixth century BC and is made up of several Doric columns. The best preserved of the ruins is the fifth century BC Temple of Concorde, saved from destruction when it was incorporated into a Christian church. The other temples are dedicated to Juno, Olympian Zeus, Hephaistos, Hera Lacinia and Castor and Pollux.

3. Velia Archaeological Site

The Velia Archaeological Site in Campania houses the remains of a Greek colony turned Roman municipality. Velia was originally founded by a Greek community as the colony of “Elea” in 540 BC. With the help of prominent citizens and philosophers Zeno and Parmenides (the latter having founded the school of Eleatics, the former having been a member), Velia managed to overcome several attacks including from Poseidonia and the Lucanians.

Today, the site contains an array of ancient ruins as well as medieval ones. Visitors can see a series of public buildings and monuments from the Greek and Roman eras including third century BC fortifications, a large fourth century BC arch known as the Pink Gate as well as second century AD Roman baths with mosaics and a theatre.

4. Syracuse Archaeological Site

The Syracuse Archaeological Site contains the impressive remains of the ancient city of Syracuse dating as far back as the eighth century BC. The city of Syracuse was founded by Greek colonists – heralding from Corinth – in 734 BC. At its height, Syracuse was the most powerful city in Sicily and, according to Cicero, was the “most beautiful” of all Greek cities.

Today, visitors to the site can enjoy the spectacular remnants of its past, the most famous of which is its Ancient Greek theatre. There is also a sanctuary to Apollo, an altar to Sicilian King Hieron II, a set of ancient quarries and a fort known as the Castle of Euryalus.

Segesta is an archaeological site in north western Sicily most famous for the Temple of Segesta. This fifth century BC temple was started by the Elymian people but never completed. Nevertheless, with its over thirty intact Doric columns and clear structure, the unfinished temple is so well-preserved that it is considered to be one of Sicily’s most important historic sites. Only the roof and interior are missing.

Most of Segesta remains unexcavated. There is also a nearby third century BC ancient Greek amphitheatre, which can be reached by bus from Segesta.

6. Metapontum

The remains of the Ancient Greek city of Metapontum – part of ’Magna Grecia’ or greater Greece – include theatres, temples and drainage. Today, the modern town of Metaponto plays host to the extensive historic site itself as well as a museum.

7. Taormina Amphitheatre

Taormina Amphitheatre (Teatro Greco Romano) was initially built by the Greeks in the third century BC before being rebuilt and enlarged by the Romans.

While known as an amphitheatre, the site is actually an ancient theatre, not an arena of the type normally meant by the term.

Parts of the Taormina Amphitheatre, such as its scenery, are still quite well-preserved, although some would say that the modern seating ruins the effect.

Today, as well as being a major draw for tourists to the city, the theatre is still used for concerts, plays and other event.

8. Selinunte

Selinunte is an Ancient Greek archaeological site in southern Sicily containing the ruins of an acropolis surrounded by five historic temples, mostly dating to the sixth to fifth centuries BC.

The sites at Selinunte are relatively meagre when one considers that this would once have been one of the great cities of Magna Graecia founded in the mid-seventh century BC. However, much of Selinunte was destroyed by the Carthaginians in the fifth century BC.

Of the temples at Selinunte, only one has been substantially partially reconstructed, its standing Doric columns forming an impressive sight.

9. Naples National Archeological Museum

The Naples National Archaeological Museum holds a comprehensive collection of Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman artefacts, including most of the pieces found in Pompeii , Herculaneum and Stabiae .

Some of the most famous exhibits at the museum include Greek sculptures by artists such as Calamis and Nesiotes and the third largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world. Also popular is the Secret Cabinet, an exhibit of erotic Roman art and The Placentarius sculpture.

10. Florence Archaeological Museum

Florence Archaeological Museum offers a diverse collection of antiquities. The most impressive and comprehensive collection is probably the archaeological museum’s exhibit of Etruscan art which includes the world famous Chimera of Arezzo statue dating back to 400 BC.

Florence Archaeological Museum also exhibits artefacts from Ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek times. Its ancient Egyptian collection is of particular importance and has been classed by some as the second most important in Italy after Museo Egizio in Turin. Some of the most celebrated pieces at the Florence Archaeological Museum are the sixth century François Vase and the Ancient Greek Idolino statue.

Active Itinerary

Join our community to use our interactive maps to plan your own itinerary and get tips and suggestions from those who have already visited.

Quick SEARCH

Your itineraries, your bookmarks, your bucketlist, already been there, your favorites, quick share, itinerary settings.

Browse your current notes. You can have notes attached to your itinerary,  a specific location in your list or a specific page.

Your current itinerary settings and options.

Interactive maps are a premium feature and only available for certain account types. Free during the beta phase …

Choose your active itinerary or create a new one. Depending  on your account type, you are limited to only one list. Fill your list, move or drag and drop items between them.

As a premium member, you will have private and public lists, as well as default core lists (favorites, bookmarks, already been there, bucket list).

Collection of the content you enjoyed the most. Favorites are shared publicaly. Use Bookmarks for private storage.

Share your current itinerary: With friends and family via email, to Twitter, to Facebook or pin it on Pinterest.

Decide, if the active itinerary is public or private.

Your bucketlist, go ahead and add some POIs!

Bookmark content, that you want to keep as reference and for easy access.

Quickly search through your locations / notes ….

Places you have already visited and like to share.

Change NOTES

RECEIVER …

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

YOUR PROFILE

Current announcements, quick contact, website settings.

Quickly change some main profile and account settings.

Quickly change some website settings.

Get in touch!

Latest news and changes ….

9 Historical Towns, 9 Irresistible Reasons to Visit Puglia, Italy

From the tip of Italy’s heel to the ravines at the instep. From coastal towns on the Adriatic Sea to a port city in the Gulf of Taranto. Puglia has no shortage of picturesque towns packed with archaeology and history, art and architecture. Whether you enjoy wandering through streets lined with Baroque façades or searching out the archaeological ruins and remains of earlier periods, this region of Italy will not disappoint. Your hardest task will be choosing which one to visit. Or, do what I have done and just keep going back. These are the nine towns I recommend to first time visitors to Puglia.

Thomas Dowson

• Last Checked and/or Updated 15 December 2022
• No Comments
• Italy Travel Tips & Ideas

Puglia stretches from the spur to the heel of the Italian boot, known as the Gargano promontory, to the Salento peninsular. With its strategic location on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas the area has seen many people come and go. And for this reason it is perhaps not surprising some suggest this is the most archaeologically and historically diverse region in Italy. A diversity that is readily encountered in many of the towns and cities today.

It just so happens that some of the best towns in Puglia for their history and culture are also amongst the most beautiful towns in the region. Whether you like visiting coastal towns and cities with a deep past, or prefer to explore picturesque hilltop towns, Puglia has it all. For anyone considering a trip with a focus on history and culture, these are the nine towns at the top of my list of the best places to visit in Puglia.

My choice of top towns to visit in Puglia is certainly subjective, and draws only on places I have actually visited myself. Although having visited the region a number of times now, the list of towns from which I make my selection is quite extensive. Unashamedly, however, these nine towns are the towns I fell in love with immediately; whether for their archaeology (as at Monopoli and Bari), their situation (Otranto and Ostuni), or just and overall feeling of a ‘unusual and great place to visit’ (Ginosa and Laterza). Oh … and the hospitality and gastronomy … all of them.

In no way am I trying to suggest that the many towns not included on my list are not worthy of a visit. Far from it. The seaside town of Trani, for example, has an interesting history and an exceptionally beautiful Romanesque cathedral that I definitely want to see again (I never got to go inside when I was last there). And of course there are still many towns I have not visited – yet. Much of my time spent exploring the region has focused on the Salento peninsular. So it really is about time I ventured up towards Foggia and the Gargano promontory. As Puglia is my favourite region of Italy, I will be sure to be exploring different towns during my next visit.

Alberobello

With its magnificent concentration of enigmatic trulli, the town of Alberobello is one of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Puglia.

Alberobello is an intriguing place to visit, even if it is a bit touristy. Driving in the area you are sure to see a trullo or two dotted about the countryside. Traditionally trulli were small limestone huts constructed using a drywall building technique that did not make use of cement or mortar. They have a conical roof made of corbelled stone slabs.

It is thought they were first used as temporary field structures, built in the fields for storage purposes. In one area of Alberobello there is over 170 of them in a single area, built side-by-side with streets. Many of these are now used for shops selling local products and souvenirs.

As you can see in the photograph above, the main concentration of trulli are found on the side of a gently rising hill. Most visitors head straight for this area. Do take the time to walk all the way to the top of the hill where there is a church that has the typical conical, corbelled roofs instead of the usual domes. If you have time explore the other side of the town – there are a few Baroque churches.

If you are interested in Egyptian revivalist architecture, make sure you stop at Cimitero Monumentale di Alberobello. Designed by Antonio Curri and built in 1887, the entrance to the cemetery is only part of a much larger construction project. Two low towers are joined by a row of 12 columns, the capitals of which are decorated with lotus flowers so typical of Egyptian columns. The architrave of this structure is also adorned with ancient Egyptian motifs.

Don’t Miss:

Chiesa parrocchiale di Sant’Antonio, Casa Pezzolla Museo del Territorio, Cimitero Monumentale di Alberobello.

The city of Saint Nicholas with its Pontifical Basilica di San Nicola is an important place of pilgrimage for both Orthodox Christians and Roman Catholics.

First impressions of Bari can be somewhat disheartening, certainly coming into the city by train or from the airport. Just another sprawling urban European city. Go beyond the suburbs and industrial zones of the modern city and onto the small promontory of land on which the city was founded thousands of years ago in the Bronze Age. Here in the Centro Storico narrow, irregular street-plan you will encounter an entirely different Bari.

This promontory was first inhabited in the Bronze Age over 4,000 years ago. And here has been continuous occupation ever since. Most recently it was a Medieval monastery dedicated to Saint Scholastica, parts of which were used up until the 19th century. Now the tip of the promontory is an archaeological excavation, open to the public. Inside, in a renovated church, walkways take visitors over the exposed excavations which show the first settlement wall, dating to the 4th century BC. During the tour of this recently opened site, an excellent audiovisual presentation tells the story of Bari.

As the capital city of the Puglia region, Bari is well connected. For anyone flying into and out of Puglia, the international airport just outside of Bari is the best option with direct flights to a number of European destinations. There are also regular flights to Rome for connecting flights to almost anywhere. A major train line links the city to the rest of Italy as well as many tourist destinations in Puglia. Bari is also a popular port for cruise-liners, giving passengers a stop for a day or two and the opportunity to take day excursions to many attractions in Puglia.

Swabian Castle, Basilica San Nicola, Archaeological Museum of St. Scholastica, Museo Civico, Ruins of Santa Maria del Buonconsiglio, Roman and Medieval road surfaces on Piazza del Ferrarese.

Within the ravines beneath an imposing Norman castle are the rock-cut houses and churches of a people seeking sanctuary hundreds of years ago.

Ginosa is a truly delightful place to visit, and stay. The old town is situated on a u-shaped spur of land that is surrounded by a deep ravine that was caused by a meandering river many thousands of years ago. There is as much of interest in the ravine as there is in the historical town.

The fertile plains that surround Ginosa make this a good region for agriculture. Something the Romans certainly knew about and took advantage of if the quality of their villas is anything to go by. But with the turmoil and conflict in much of Europe that followed in the centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire, entire local communities moved to the safety of the ravines. Here they cut into the relative soft bedrock, creating both domestic and religious spaces.

Laterza is another town in the Terre delle Gravine regional park, the historical centre of which is dramatically situated above one of the largest ravines in Europe. A late Renaissance palazzo and a late Gothic church and bell tower dominate the skyline of painted white houses.

Today the palazzo, a re-purposed fortified castle built at the end of the 14th century to protect townsfolk, is home to an astonishing collection of pottery that has been made in Laterza since at least 1500. The town is well known for its production of majolica, a tradition that reached its apogee in the 17th and 18th centuries. By the end of the 19th century very few kilns were still producing this fine and beautifully decorated pottery. And then only for local, domestic use. Now the tradition is being revived, with a number of workshops once again taking up the distinctive methods of production and style of decoration.

The scenic ravine, particularly around sunrise and sunset, is a great space in which to explore the natural wonders of these canyons. But they are also home to another artistic tradition. In the walls of the ravines are a number of caves, some of which have been modified to create rock-cut churches. These were decorated with frescoes, often in a Byzantine style. Astonishingly the frescoes in some of these chiesi rupestri, painted in the 15th century, have survived and can still be visited.

Although I would not go so far as to say you either love Lecce or you hate it, it is true to say the town provokes extreme reactions. And has been doing so for a while. An 18th century traveller by the name of Thomas Ashe described Lecce as the most beautiful city in Italy. In sharp contrast, Marchese Grimaldi said the façade of Basilica di Santa Croce is what he imagined a lunatic’s nightmare looked like.

While expressions of the Baroque period in Lecce are impossible to miss, the front of Santa Croce is especially over the top. In fairness to Grimaldi, he was in fact drawing attention to a specific aspect of Baroque style in Lecce. A distinctiveness that developed in Lecce and nearby towns on the Salento peninsular. Barocco leccese is described as gaudy, and owes its influence to the Spanish in the area at the time – 17th century.

For anyone who loves Baroque art and architecture, Lecce will certainly no disappoint. For those who are indifferent, there really is more to Lecce than the Baroque. An amphitheatre and theatre survive from the Roman period, while a 16th century castle and town wall are what remains of the attempts of Charles V to protect the town from raids from the Ottoman Turks.

An ancient town that came in to its own when Emperor Trajan ordered the construction of a new public road for a shorter route to Brindisi, the Via Traiana.

Monopoli is a much like Bari in that to get to the area of historical interest you have to drive through some unsightly industrial zones and a rather bland city centre. Beyond the city with its grid street is the labyrinthine centro historico, which is also a natural promontory into the sea.

The town’s historical timeline is there for anyone to see. In the crypt beneath the cathedral archaeologists have excavated a Roman necropolis and post holes from a Bronze Age structure, beneath the foundations of the earlier Romanesque church that stood before the cathedral was built.

Monopoli is a wonderful town with a number of the usual attractions found in historical seaside towns, such as defensive walls, a castle, and Baroque churches. And it is a pleasant town to stay in for two or three days. A short drive from the town is the archaeological site of Egnazia. A remarkable site with an equally remarkable museum. Occupation of this area starts 3,500 year ago in the Bronze Age and continues to the 14th century AD. With around 3,500 years of continuous occupation, archaeologists have not only done an impressive job working out the different periods of the site’s history, they have successfully created signs and displays within both the museum and on the site that reveals this history to the average visitor.

Archaeological crypt beneath the Cathedral, Castle of Charles V, World War II Air Raid Shelters on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Egnazia Archaeological Site and Museum.

The fortified citadel with its massive, ancient white-washed walls is known as La Città Bianca, the white town.

By day or night, approaching Ostuni never fails to take my breath away. The massive whitewashed walls with commanding towers encircling the Medieval citadel are just as striking when brilliant white under the sun as they are with a golden glow at nightfall. Not surprisingly, this is one of the more popular destinations in Puglia. But there is more to Ostuni than the undisputed visual appeal of its setting.

In the Church of San Vito Martire (also called the Church of Monacelle) and in the adjacent Carmelite Monastery is the “Civiltà preclassiche della Murgia Meridionale” (Museum of Preclassical Civilisations of southern Murgia). Although the nave of a church and the halls of a monastery make for an unusual setting for archaeological displays, the ‘museum’ will definitely appeal to anyone interested in the archaeology of Puglia.

One of the more memorable displays is the reconstruction of a grave of a pregnant woman, dating to around 25,000 years ago. The woman, who has been nicknamed Delia or Donna di Ostuni, was buried with an amazing collection of grave-goods, and she was buried wearing a cap and other items of jewellery made from over 600 seashells.

The cave in which the Palaeolithic burial was found is only about 3 kilometres from Ostuni, in the Archaeological Park of Santa Maria di Agnano. The Grotto of Santa Maria d’Agnano was used from the Palaeolithic until the 16th century. Since the burial of ‘Delia’, the cave has frequently been used in religious contexts. For instance, the Messapians placed terracotta votive offerings in the cave, while later Christians, probably Byzantines, painted images of Mary on the wall. The area is rich in archaeological sites, driving through the country lanes you will see quite a few signs to dolmens, Neolithic funerary monuments.

Museum of Preclassical Civilisations of southern Murgia, the Gothic Concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, La Loggia between Palazzo Vescovile and Palazzo del Seminario, the Neoclassical Palazzo Municipale, the Column of Sant’Oronzo.

Italy’s eastern-most town is best remembered for the Ottoman invasion of 1480, when over 800 people were beheaded for refusing to convert to Islam.

Do not be put off by the wide, sandy beaches covered by sun loungers and umbrellas – particularly in the warmer months. Otranto is not a seaside resort that only appeals to sun worshippers. The almost fully enclosed natural bay that is great for recreational yachtsmen today has made this an ideal location for seafarers for at least 3,000 years. Added to which, the strategic position at the Strait of Otranto, separating the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, has ensured nearly every nation with any business in the Mediterranean passed through Otranto at some point.

The old town is surrounded by a well preserved system of defence; a castle, imposing towers, gates and a continuous wall with a moat that still surrounds the entire town. Over the centuries and in response to various threats the walls have been repeatedly modified. They follow the line of the ramparts built by the Byzantines. So too the Castello Aragonese, named now after Alfonso of Aragon. What started out as a Norman fort has also been added to again and again; most recently in 1578 with the addition of the two polygonal towers. An interesting aside, as it has very little to do with Otranto itself, the castle in Otranto gave its name to the first Gothic novel – The Castle of Otranto: A Gothic Story by Horace Walpole (1764).

Nothing of Roman Otranto survives in situ. Of the Byzantines, the 9th century Chiesa di San Pietro is widely regarded as having some of the most important examples of Byzantine art in Puglia – the oldest of which date to the 10th century. The Cattedrale dell’Annunziata has another extraordinary example of Medieval art – the largest mosaic floor in Europe.

In a shrine within the Cathedral are the remains of the Martyrs of Otranto. These are the 813 inhabitants of Otranto who were murdered by the Ottomans on 14 August 1480 for not converting to Islam.

Castello Aragonese di Otranto, Chiesa di San Pietro, Cattedrale dell’Annunziata.

Now a commercial port and naval base, in 500 BC with an estimated population of 300,000 Taranto was one of the biggest cities in the world.

As a military base and an important commercial port, with huge steel and iron foundries, oil refineries, food processing factories and shipyards, why is Taranto on this list of recommended places to visit in Puglia? Taranto has long been an important city. Taras was the only Spartan colony, founded by Dorian immigrants in the 8th century BC. By the 5th century the town was at the peak of its power and influence. It was the sovereign city of Magna Graecia ruling over all the Greek colonies in southern Italy. Then it was already the main commercial port in southern Italy; goods were produced here and exported to Greece.

Very little of that ancient city survives today. What the streets of Taranto may lack is certainly made up for in the recently renovated national archaeological museum. Spread over four floors with thousands of exquisite objects from the Stone Age to the Roman period, the museum not only tells the story of this region of Italy but also the remarkable history of Taranto. A history that goes some way to explain why Taranto is still such an important port city in southern Italy.

Museo Nazionale Archeologico Taranto; Castello Aragonese; Museo Ipogeo Spartano di Taranto; Palazzo Pantaleo; Doric Temple; Cathedral of San Cataldo.

Is Puglia Worth Visiting?

My answer is an emphatic yes. As Puglia is my favourite region of Italy that was not a surprising response. But what is it I like about the region? Everything from the archaeology to the gastronomy.

The history of the region, unsurpassed by any other region of Italy, is just so incredibly rich. Rivalling, in my opinion, that of the old French region of Aquitaine. In Aquitaine you can be exploring the caves and art of our earliest ancestors in the morning, ponder a Roman mosaic at lunch, and then in the afternoon take in a rock-cut shelter made by Medieval troglodytes or a castle involved in the 100 Years War. So too in Puglia. From the Palaeolithic (hunters and gatherers) and the Neolithic (the first farmers), to the Bronze and Iron Ages, from the ancient Greek colonies of Magna Grecia and the towns of the Roman era to the fortified castles of the Normans, Spanish and Germans. The diversity of archaeological and historical sites in Puglia is truly awesome.

What’s more, all this is within easy reach of wonderful places to stay with exemplary hospitality and a dedicated passion for producing great food and wine. After a long day keeping track of the local timeline, it is time to sample the local gastronomy; a cuisine that relies on fresh, local produce, to produce simple but delicious dishes.

Archaeology Travel Writer

30 Things to Do and See in Rome

How many days should you spend in Rome?

How many days should you spend in Rome? That's the eternal question. And the real answer is that you'll never run out of things to see in Rome. So allow plenty of time. I spent three months in Rome studying Latin, and Kris and I have been back multiple times. And, there are things we still haven't done that we want to do. We're going back later this year in fact specifically to fill a couple holes in our experience. But, if you're a first timer in Rome, honestly, four or more packed days should do the trick.

For that four day itinerary, here are some suggestions: Day 1, the Vatican with St. Peters, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel: Day 2, the Forum and the Palatine Hill, with the Colosseum, the arches of Constantine and Titus; Day 3, the Pantheon, Area Sacra, the Piazza Navona, and the churches in the neighborhood, the Jesu, St. Andrea, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva: Day 4, wander around Trastevere, eating local food while exploring the churches of Santa Cecilia and Santa Maria.

That will give you a basic taste of Rome. But don't stop there. Take more time, if you can. Here's a list of many more ideas to productively fill your visit.

When is the best time to visit Rome?

Another good question: when is the best time to visit Rome? Here's our suggestion: winter. In summer, Rome is absolutely packed with tourists and you'll sometimes end up waiting hours in the hot Roman sun to get into something you want to see. For us, the best months to visit Rome, and Europe in general, are December and January. Failing those months, the shoulder months of October and November are better than summer. Yes, you have to wear a coat, but that's so much better than wasting time in lines. Also, hotels tend to be cheaper in winter.

When you think of things to do in Rome, keep one main thing in mind. Rome is the capital city of Western Art.

Yes, there is great stuff in other European cities. Paris , Madrid , Barcelona , Florence , and Amsterdam , all have their attractions. But for quality and quantity, the Eternal City has no equal. If you wonder why that was, consider that Rome was the capital of the two greatest empires the Western world has ever known: the Roman Empire of the Caesars, and the Christian Church. Both entities were spectacularly wealthy, and their rulers aggrandized themselves constantly by commissioning art.

From the extraordinary Greek sculptures of the golden age of Athens, which were both hijacked and copied, to the Egyptian obelisks sprinkled around the city by the notorious Emperor Caligula, to the high Renaissance of Michelangelo, Rome's rich history has manifested itself the best on its streets, museums, and churches.

So, if you are going to spend three days in Rome and the Vatican City, or three months, here's a list of things you have to see in Rome if you want to see the best. (Obviously, if you're only spending three days in Rome, you'll have to do some choosing.)

Some of them are obvious, so I won't spend much time discussing them. The only caveat I would offer is that you do a little reading up before you go, or at least go with a guide who has done some. Otherwise, you'll miss stuff. And, Rome has, in the words of my former Latin teacher, lots of stuff.

My first suggestion if you're going to visit Rome is to get this book. Before you go, or after you get home, Rome: Art and Architecture is highly recommended. It's not cheap, but it's a fantastic, well illustrated compendium of the art of Rome that will serve as a reference and a remembrance of your trip stay in Rome.

The Obvious Stuff You Have to See in Rome

If you're visiting Rome for the first time, or like us, for about the tenth time, there are sites that reward repeated visits. There is a reason they are among our favorite things to see in Rome. They are tourist attractions, yes, but so much more. Their importance among the plethora of the most iconic landmarks can't be over emphasized. They on the list of the best things to see in Rome for good reason.

The Basilica of St. Peter

Allow plenty of time to see St. Peter's Basilica. It is the biggest church in the world. There is a lot of spectacular sculpture in there, including of course, Michelangelo's early Pieta . Admission is free, but you'll have to stand in line. If you do the Vatican Museums with a guide you can get into St. Peter's too.

The Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel

If you go on your own, you're going to stand in line for more than an hour, go through metal detectors (leave your day pack or purse at the hotel for this one – the Vatican is very picky about security) deal with people trying to butt in front of you, and get generally frustrated trying to get in. But, unlike so many other crowded attractions, these are worth the hassle. If waiting's not your thing, sign up for an early morning tour with Viator and get in ahead of the crowd before the museums open to the public. It costs a bit more, but it's really worth it.

I won't bother to tell you about the Sistine Chapel, because there's lots of information available. My best advice is to look out for a couple of things in the Vatican Museum itself: the painting over an archway by Raphael called The School of Athens, and the ancient statue of the Emperor Augustus. (Yes, there's lots of great ancient stuff in the Vatican Museums.) The guy pointing up in Raphael's painting is Plato, and Raphael's model for Plato was Leonardo da Vinci. By the way, don't take pictures in the Sistine. They ask you not to, not that most don't ignore that request. But, your little phone camera is never going to match the detail you'll get by just buying a book .

The Colosseum

Maybe the first thing to know is that it wasn't called that by the Romans. They called it the Flavian Amphitheater. It got its nickname from a huge statue of the Emperor Nero that was once near the site. If you're wondering what happened to the statue, pretty much everything to do with Nero, including his over-the-top palace, the Domus Aurea, was pulled down after his death., Anyway, getting into the Colosseum will be a similar experience to getting into the Vatican Museums. Long lines.

My advice, again, is hire a guide. You'll get to skip the lines, and you'll get to learn something on the side. A tip: entry to the Colosseum is on a combined ticket with the Roman Forum across the street. The lines for the Forum ticket booth are always much shorter. Get your ticket there, see the ancient ruins of the Forum and Palatine Hill, then go over to the Colosseum and skip the ticket line. Or, even better, get skip the line tickets to the Forum and Colosseum here.

While you're in Rome, have your photo taken in front of one of the Roman landmarks by a professional photographer. Check out Smiler.co to schedule your session.

The Pantheon

This is my favorite building of ancient Rome. And not just because you can walk right into it. When you get there, look up at the dome and its open oculus and ask yourself, how the hell did the Romans make that dome across that span 2000 years ago? The interior was long since converted from a Roman homage to all their gods – Pantheon means “all the gods” in Greek, and no, I don't know why a Roman temple had a Greek name – but most of the stuff there now is pretty mundane. With one exception, the tomb of the painter Raphael.

The tomb is very simple, but the inscription above it is singularly poetic. In Latin, it's ILLE HIC EST RAPHAEL TIMUIT QUO SOSPITE VINCI RERUM MAGNA PARENS ET MORIENTE MORI . In my English: “Here lies Raphael. While he lived, Mother Nature feared she would be outdone. When he died, she feared she'd be undone.” I always stand in front of his tomb for several minutes on every trip to Rome. The inscription on the facade of the building, by the way, says “Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, when he was Consul for the third time, built this.” Romans used lots of abbreviations on their inscriptions.

Other attractions of Ancient Rome

The forum and palatine hill.

The Forum (on a combined ticket with the Colosseum) is downtown Ancient Rome. Temples of the Vestals, Saturn, the reconstructed Curia building, massive tumbled ancient ruins, the site where the funeral of Julius Caesar was held. They're all there. It's a lot to take in, and a guide is highly recommended or you'll miss a lot. Be sure to ask about the Cloaca Maxima, the big sewer, beneath your feet. The Romans had public plumbing and waste disposal more than 2000 years ago, which is more than you can say for the rest of Europe. Also, be sure to walk up the hill to the Palatine Hill and see the ruins of the home of Augustus and its wall paintings. It's mostly ruins, but some interesting bits are there. Walk to the edge of the hill, too, and survey the view over the enormous Circus Maximus. Think Ben Hur .

The Arches of Titus and Septimius Severus

The Arch of Titus, aside from being an impressive monument, has an interesting story. Titus was the general who sacked Jerusalem and there are graphics on his arch at the base of the Palatine Hill that show Roman soldiers carrying off the menorah and other spoils of the Temple of Jerusalem. The Arch of Septimius Severus, just next to the Temple of Saturn, has lots of scenes from that emperor's conquest of the pesky Parthians.

Arch of Constantine

Not too different in concept from the other two arches, but Constantine's arch, just across from the Colosseum, is notable for its size and for its architectural departure from the earlier styles. Constantine's arch also incorporates art from arches of other Roman emperors such as Hadrian. In that sense, it's a bit of a hodge-podge of reliefs. Again, it would be good to see this with a guide who can point out all the disparate elements. Probably worth noting, too, is that Constantine was the emperor who finally legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Trajan's Column

Like the arches, Trajan's Column , which is up the road apiece from the Colosseum, is a commemoration and a propaganda piece for the Emperor Trajan and his victories over the Dacians. (Is there anyone the Romans wouldn't fight?) Of particular interest is the spiral construct up the column which graphically tells the story of Trajan's accomplishments.

The Ara Pacis

You have to like the Ara Pacis , the Altar of Peace, built by the Emperor Augustus, because it, in contrast to the other monuments erected by his successors noted above, celebrates the Pax Romana, the Roman Peace. It's a beautiful work, almost completely preserved, and now enclosed in a building and under glass. You can get up very close and see the iconography of Augustus both as a political leader and as a high priest offering sacrifices to the gods. Perhaps the finest example of the power of images used by the emperors to get their message across to a mostly illiterate population. (If that sort of stuff interests you, you should get the book The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus . Art as propaganda. Fascinating.)

The Circus Maximus

You have to use your imagination when you look at the Circus Maximus today, because nothing is left of the structure. But the area is still open and you can certainly make out the track that once hosted the famous chariot races. Today, the track is mostly used as a running course for fit Romans. As you go by the north side, you can look up past the enormous arches that support the Palatine Hill and imagine the Roman nobles peering down at the races.

The Capitoline Museums

If you're interested in the art of the ancient Romans, you can't skip this museum on the Capitoline Hill above the Forum. It's relatively small museum just up the hill at the end of the Forum, and holds mostly decorative arts that would have been in Roman home in ancient times. Reliefs, busts, statues, frescoes, and mosaics. They're all there.

The Area Sacra at Largo Argentina

Just about two blocks from the Pantheon is one of the most recently discovered areas of ancient Roman ruins. There are four ancient temples in a row in a large square at the intersection of two busy Roman streets. The temples are in a state of ongoing exploration and restoration. And, you can often stand behind the barricades on the border that surrounds the site and actually watch the archeologists go about their business. The area, oddly, is also a sanctuary for stray Roman cats. The cats have been rounded up and neutered, and then released again into the site.

The Churches of Rome you should see

Santa cecilia in trastevere.

Santa Cecilia in Trastevere was a lucky discovery for me. I had no idea it was there, but when I wandered in, I discovered what's come to be my favorite sculpture in Rome. Saint Cecilia was a young Roman noble woman who was martyred because she became a Christian. As the story goes, it took three blows of a Roman sword to sever her neck. The sculpture depicts her lying serenely in death, her head turned away, but the slice on her throat visible upon close inspection.

Santa Maria in Trastevere

Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches in Rome. It anchors the main square of the Trastevere neighborhood, and overlooks lots of charming side streets with lots of traditional family restaurants and cafes where you can spend your time after wandering around the church and gazing lovingly at the spectacular mosaics.

Santa Maria Maggiore

One of the Vatican churches “outside the walls” of the actual Vatican territory, it is the largest church dedicated to Mary in Rome–hence the name. It was built originally in the 5th Century A.D. which also makes it one of the oldest churches in Rome. Since then it's been expanded and redecorated, but like so many of the older churches in Rome, the original Byzantine altar mosaics have been preserved.

Saint John Lateran

Saint John Lateran, another of the Vatican churches outside Vatican City, is the actual Papal church. It contains the seat of the Pope in a separate hall. It is the oldest church site in Rome and was originally built in the 5th Century. But after a disastrous fire and an earthquake or two is now an 18th Century Baroque masterpiece. It is among the largest churches in Rome. Of particular note is the massive nave, lined with huge statues of the 12 Apostles, plus Saint Paul. Awesome, in the true sense.

Saint Peter in Chains

There's a lot of history behind this church, but the main reason to go there is it's the home of Michelangelo's famous statue of Moses–the one with the horns coming out of his head, which is the result of one of the classic translation mistakes of history. It seems Saint Jerome, who translated the Bible from Hebrew to Latin, confused the words for radiated light with horns. So, Michelangelo took his cue from the Bible, and you have an incredible Moses–with horns.

Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

There are three reasons to make note of this church, which is very near the Pantheon. It got its name “on top of Minerva” because it was built on top of a Roman temple to the Egyptian goddess Isis. And the Church guys got it wrong and thought is was a temple of Minerva. Or so say the archeologists. It has a statue by Michelangelo of the risen Christ next to the altar, and a Michelangelo always makes a church worth a visit. And third, just outside the front door is a charming elephant, designed by Bernini, with an Egyptian obelisk on his back. On the base of the elephant's perch is an inscription that I rather like. Another bit of Latin poetry that translates as “You, whoever you are, sees that figures of wise Egypt sculpted on the obelisk are being carried by an elephant, the strongest of beasts, and understand that it is a symbol of a strong mind sustaining solid wisdom.”

Saint Andrew and the Jesu

The churches of Saint Andrew (Sant Andrea) and the Jesu (Holy Name of Jesus–the Jesuit order's church) are right next to each other and are both among the best examples of what the pure Baroque style combined with very wealthy donors have wrought in Rome.

The Galleries, Public Art, and other stuff you should see in Rome

The borghese gallery.

The Borghese Gallery is one of the most famous art galleries in the world. It is housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana. The gallery houses a considerable part of the paintings, sculpture and antiquities collected by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the nephew of Pope Paul V, who reigned at the beginning of the 17th Century. The Galleria Borghese features paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, Perugino, among others. Sculpture in the gallery includes works by Bernini and Canova. What I like about the Borghese is that admission is restricted, so it's never too crowded. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance.

The Colonna Palace

The Palazzo Colonna is a baroque masterpiece and the home is a work of art in itself. The grounds of the Palazzo are right near Piazza Venezia at the top of the Roman Forum, opposite the Colosseum. Palazzo Colonna stands out from almost every other historic Roman church, museum, or palace, because it is still a residence. It's also a museum with limited visiting hours, but four Colonna brothers and their families currently live in the palace. So when it comes to guided tours of Rome, this is an exceptional one. You will need to book in advance on the Palace's website or with Get Your Guide .

The Trevi Fountain

This fountain ( Fontana di Trevi ) was the subject of a sappy 1950s movie, Three Coins in a Fountain , yes, but also figured in Federico Fellini's masterpiece La Dolce Vita . It's pretty, and it's the largest fountain in Rome. It's been completely scrubbed and restored in the last few years, so worth a look. Hey, you may not think its the best, but it is good. And, the €3000 per day tossed into the fountain subsidizes food for the poor of Rome.

Piazza Navona with fountain and palace and church

My real favorite fountain in Rome is the Fountain of the Four Rivers ( Fontana dei Quattro FIumi ) by the great sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini in Piazza Navona. This fountain also was featured in a movie, Angels and Demons. But don't hold that crappy movie against it. The Piazza was built on the foundations of the stadium of the Roman Emperor Domitian, which you can see from its shape. It's sort of a smaller Circus Maximus. The Piazza also has two other smaller fountains and the Church of Saint Agnes in Agony and the Pamphili Palace, which is now the Embassy of Brazil.

Campo de' Fiori

A former meadow, thus the name which means “field of flowers” the Campo hosts a daily flea market, which really is the best reason for a visit. But, even cooler among the historic sites of Rome, is the Ristorante da Pancrazio, just off the plaza. The Pancrazio, aside from having the best fiori de zucca (fried zucchini flowers) I've ever eaten, sits atop the ancient Theater of Pompey, which is where Julius Caesar was assassinated. The owners of the restaurant have taken it upon themselves to excavate the theater under their restaurant, and if asked, will gladly show it to you.

MAXXI Museum and surrounding architecture

North of the Piazza del Popolo, the upper reaches of classic Rome, is the so called “modern” part of Rome . That's the area that hosted the 1960 Summer Olympics and now sports the modern music complex and the extraordinary MAXXI Museum of modern art and design. If all that ancient and church stuff begins to be too much, this is the place to retreat.

Day trips from Rome

Tivoli gardens and hadrian's villa.

Take the train out to Tivoli from the Tiburtina Station. They leave about every hour and, last I looked, cost about €6 round trip. Start with the gardens at the Villa d'Este, which were originally a private retreat and are now a State museum. You can take a tour of the expansive gardens, with their fountains, or just wander around on your own. But leave time for Hadrian's Villa . The Emperor Hadrian reigned during the 2nd Century and presided over the greatest land expanse of the Roman Empire. Like so many Romans before and after him, he sought refuge from the heat of Rome in the hills of Tivoli. The Villa is about 5 kilometers from the Gardens, so take a taxi. You can arrange a tour of Hadrian's Villa and the Tivoli Gardens here .

Ostia Antica

Ostia was the port of ancient Rome, and the visit again involves a short train trip. Ostia is very well preserved and will probably give you a much better idea of what a Roman town looked and functioned like than all your wandering about the city of Rome would ever do. Be sure to note the shops, which often have floor mosaics depicting the business. The attached museum has a trove of sculptures from the city and adjacent necropolis. Your entry ticket (€12) gets you in there, too.

The best way to get to get to Ostia Antica is to take the TrenItalia train from Tiburtina (or any other intermediate stop such as San Pietro or Trastevere) to the Ostiense stop. (You can also take the Metro to Porta San Paulo, if that's easier for you.) From the Ostiense train stop, you can walk right over to the adjacent Metro station (Porta San Paulo) and take the Metro train to Ostia Antica. From the Ostia Antica station, it's about a 500 meter walk to the entry of the ancient city. Look for the signs that say Scavi , which is Italian for excavations. The train tickets are a couple of euros, and the Metro tickets are €1.50 each way. You can buy both at machines in the stations. The journey will take about half an hour.

Best walks in Rome

Centro storico.

This is your landmark tour of the old city center and will encompass many of the archaeological sites named above. Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the Area Sacra, the Campo de' Fiori, the Tiber Island, the Ara Pacis, and more. Also there are many churches that I haven't picked out for particular notice above. But they're worth seeing, and you'll miss them unless you walk. The Chiesa Nuova and Saint Augustine are worth including on your amble.

The thing about walking around Trastevere is not to hit all the landmarks, (other than Santa Maria and Santa Cecilia.) But just get lost, wander into the shops, including the best English language bookstore in Rome on Via del Moro, and just enjoy the ambiance. Stop on the street and have a coffee. And don't have a cappuccino unless it's breakfast. (Also, don't order a latte unless you want a glass of milk.) I suppose I should also mention that the word Trastevere means “across the Tiber,” just in case you were wondering.

From Trastevere over the Janiculum Hill to the Vatican

If you want to get the best views of all of Rome from above, walk up to the top of the Janiculum Hill on the west side of the Tiber River. You can just sort of meander north from Trastevere, keep going up, and you'll eventually get to the top of the hill and the monument to Garibaldi, who united the city states of Italy in the 19th Century. Keep going down the north side of the hill and you'll find you're at the back side of the colonnade that fronts Saint Peter's Basilica. You used to be able to walk right into the square, but now, because of security, you'll have to walk around to your right to the main entrance and go through the hordes of tourists, like everyone else.

What to eat in Rome

You can eat some very expensive meals in Rome, but if you avoid the obvious tourist locations, you can do much better, and for less. Here are my three general recommendations of where to find your real Roman food.

Pasta and salad in any of the small family owned restaurants on the Via dei Pastini just off the Pantheon plaza. There's also a great ice cream store at the end of the block.

Pizza in any small pizzeria in Trastevere. Look for the lines. It's usually cheap and good. Have the wine. Alternatively, take the Devour Tours food tour of Trastevere . You won't be disappointed.

Cacio e pepe , (literally cheese and pepper,) the most traditional Roman pasta dish, at Osteria Cacio e Pepe in Trastevere. Have the tart white wine with the cheesy pasta. Trust me on this.

Many of the list of things to see and do in Rome are UNESCO World Heritage sites in Italy . Click the link to see a full list of Italian World Heritage sites with links to the ones we've visited.

Where to stay in Rome

We like to stay in one of three areas in Rome: the Historic District around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, the area north of the Vatican, which has several nice family-owned small hotels, and, our favorite, Trastevere. They all have their advantages, mostly centering around what you're planning on visiting. I should also add, that the area around the main train station, Termini, has cheaper accommodations than the others I've mentioned, but the neighborhood is a little more business and a bit noisier than the other's I've mentioned. Of course, all Rome is noisy, but what big city isn't?

Get a Rome hotel from Booking.com

Tours in Rome

If you're not a lifelong student of Roman art, culture, and history, like we are, (or even if you are) you'd do well to take a guided tour of some of the things that interest you.

Also, here are some Rome tours from Get Your Guide, with some links to tours into some attractions that will hook you up with a tour guide and let you skip the lines. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Context Travel offers tours that are led by PhD level historians and art historians. If you are interested in getting into the deep background of Rome, a Context Travel tour of Rome is probably for you .

Up Your Travel Skills

14 thoughts on “30 things to do and see in rome”.

Thanks for sharing this article on Rome. Our daughter has visited on multiple occasions, but doesn’t like taking a camera. While she walks away with plenty of memories, we can only try to picture what she describes. Now we see it for ourselves.

Speaking as someone who has a camera on hand pretty much every time I go out the door I find that a little silly. But then I’m sort of a nerd that way. I’d suggest getting her a small camera for her next birthday, and telling her she’s out of the will unless she sends you at least one shot per day.

We’re getting to do a return trip to Rome next month, but it’s with a small group tour about which I’m having a bad attitude. We took our then teenage boys there in 2004. We did two Scala Reale private tours (now Context Travel), one of the Vatican Museum and one of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. They were each 4 hours and shockingly, our sons were reasonably engaged the entire time. Tom, as always, your photos are even better than the real thing.

As always, Suzanne, you’re too kind. We’ve done a couple of Context Travel tours, in Rome, too. They’re always great. On the last one, we had our four-month-old grandson with us. He was bored to death. My favorite memory of that tour was when my son changed his diaper in a corner of one of the salons of the Colonna Palace. The guard was horrified…but what can you do?

Your photos are lovely, Tom. Especially the opening one! I must say, though, that I think I’d be disappointed by the starkness of the MAXXI Museum in contrast to all the glory and grandeur of the ancient art of Rome.

You can only take so much Baroque, so MAXXI is a welcome break of something different. Also, there’s no Christian imagery to be found either. So that’s a break, too.

Amazing images! Love them. It was fun reading all about Rome and nodding at some of the things you mentioned. We did eat at the Osteria and yes, the food was really good. I also have to take not of the place with the best fried zucchini flowers so we can try it the next time. It better be good because l think my MIL makes the best ones in Rome. In fact, I think we will bring her to try them :-).

Kemkem, I’m sure the zucchini flowers probably aren’t as good as your mother in law’s version, but to be sure, why don’t you give me her address? I’ll be in Roma again in May and probably should stop in and do the taste test.

Haha!!! She would totally enjoy that :-)

Just want to say, I had the fiori de zucca at Pancrazio last night. Spiced up with a little bit of anchovy. Pretty darn good.

I’m glad you mentioned cacio e pepe – one of my favourite dishes and almost a reason to go to Rome in itself! You managed to find some churches I haven’t been to, and I haven’t seen the “modern” quarter either.

Cacio e Pepe is a great reason to go to Rome all by itself. The pizza in Trastevere is right up there, too. Thin crust with prosciutto e funghi.

This bike tour of Rome is great for a first-day introduction to the city. It covers all the basics and includes a delicious outdoor lunch. Zip around the city on e-bikes without riding a bus. Our extremely knowledgeable guide was a Dutch teacher in Rome. They have tours in a variety of languages as well. https://www.topbikerental.com/nuovosito/eng/tour-rome/rome-one-day.php

If you ask me, biking in Roman traffic would be terrifying. I think I’ll stick to the footpaths.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The 15 best places to visit in Italy, from Venice to the Cinque Terre

Nov 19, 2023 • 11 min read

Rome should be the centerpiece of your trip if you’re going to Italy for the first time © Kathrin Ziegler / Getty Images

Home to some of the greatest artworks, historical monuments and food on the planet, and with the kind of varied landscapes that you often have to cross continents to see, Italy elates, inspires and moves its visitors like few other countries.

From its art- and architecture-stuffed cities to its astonishing diversity of natural landscapes – dramatic coastlines, serene lakes, pristine mountains, and those famous rolling hills – picking just a handful of destinations to visit in this wonderful country is no easy task.

So how do you decide where to go? It all depends on what you’re looking for in your Italian odyssey, whether that’s history, art, beaches, hiking or even food. No matter your passion, our list of 15 must-see places in Italy should be your starting point.

Best for history

Once caput mundi (capital of the world), Rome was legendarily spawned by a wolf-suckled boy, developed into a vast empire, rooted itself as the home of the Catholic church, and is now the repository of more than two millennia of art and architecture.

Rome should definitely be the centerpiece of your trip if you’re going to Italy for the first time, but there's simply too much to see in one visit, from the Pantheon and the Colosseum to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and countless works by Caravaggio. So do as countless others have done before you: toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and promise to return.

Planning tip: There’s an overwhelming amount to see here, and with limited public transport in the city center, your choice of hotel can be crucial. Map out the sights you’re most interested in before you book – if you want to be at the Vatican at opening time, for example, don't stay near the Colosseum.

Read more: Italians reveal their under-the-radar vacation spots in Italy

Best for a Renaissance fix

From Botticelli’s Venus , emerging coyly from the water in the Uffizi Gallery , to the mind-boggling dome of its cathedral, Florence is a feast for the eyes. This was, of course, the seat of the Renaissance, and there are knock-out names at every turn – Michelangelo in the Accademia, Donatello in the Bargello, Leonardo and Raphael in the Uffizi. 

Further afield in  Tuscany – Italy's most romanticized region – is an undulating landscape of sinuous cypress trees, olive groves and coveted regional treasures. Glory in the Gothic majesty of Siena and the Manhattan-esque skyline of medieval San Gimignano before exploring the vineyards of Italy's most famous wine region, Chianti , and the rolling, cypress-studded hills of the Val d’Orcia.

Planning tip: You’re best off without a car if you’re sticking to major towns and cities since Tuscany has a good rail network. But if you want to explore the countryside, you’ll definitely need a car. 

3. The Dolomites

Best for dramatic mountains

Scour the globe, and you'll find plenty of taller, bigger and more geologically volatile mountains, but few can match the romance of the pink-hued granite Dolomites .

Maybe it's their harsh, jagged summits, the vibrant skirts of spring wildflowers, or the rich cache of Ladin legends. Then again, it could just be the magnetic draw of money, style and glamor at Italy's most fabled ski resort, Cortina d'Ampezzo , or the linguistic curiosity of picture-postcard mountain village Sappada . Whatever the reason, this tiny pocket of northern Italy takes seductiveness to dizzying heights.

4. Amalfi Coast

Best for classic beauty

Italy's most celebrated coastline is a gripping strip: coastal mountains plunge into the piercing blue sea in a prime-time vertical scene of precipitous crags, sun-bleached villages and cliffs rearing up behind. Between sea and sky, mountaintop hiking trails deliver Tyrrhenian panoramas fit for a god.

While some may argue that the peninsula's most beautiful coast is Liguria's Cinque Terre or Calabria's Costa Viola, it is the Amalfi Coast that has seduced and inspired countless greats, from Tennessee Williams and DH Lawrence to Elizabeth Taylor, Virginia Woolf and Jackie Kennedy. Of course, its staggeringly romantic looks also make it one of the best places in Italy for couples.

Planning tip: Yes, driving along the Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s most famous road trips, but often it feels like everyone else on the planet has the same idea as you. Traffic can be nose-to-tail, and parking is effectively nonexistent. Instead, take the ferry between towns or travel by public transport .

Best for stepping back in time

Frozen in its death throes, the time-warped ruins of Pompeii hurtle you 2000 years into the past. Wander through chariot-grooved Roman streets, lavishly frescoed villas and bathhouses, food stores and markets, theaters, and even an ancient brothel.

Then, in the eerie stillness, your eye on ominous Mt Vesuvius, ponder Pliny the Younger's terrifying account of the town's final hours: “Darkness came on again, again ashes, thick and heavy. We got up repeatedly to shake these off; otherwise, we would have been buried and crushed by the weight.”

Planning tip: If you have time, the other major city destroyed by the eruption, Herculaneum, is also worth a visit. Much smaller than Pompeii, its buildings are better preserved, and the location – surrounded by its modern descendant, Ercolano – makes the site even more piquant. Like Pompeii, it’s easily reached on the Circumvesuviana train.

6. Emilia-Romagna

Best for foodies

In a region as overwhelmingly foodie as Emilia-Romagna , it's only natural that its capital, Bologna , is dubbed “La Grassa” (the fat one). Many belt-busting Italian classics hail from here, including mortadella, tortellini and tagliatelle al ragù. Shop in the deli-packed Quadrilatero district – home to food stalls since medieval times – then hop on the train for an afternoon in Modena for world-famous aged balsamic vinegar.

Leave room for Parma , hometown of parmigiano reggiano cheese and the incomparable prosciutto di Parma. Wherever you plunge your fork, toast with a glass or three of Emilia-Romagna's renowned Lambrusco – a world away from the sickly sweet wine that was exported in the past.

7. Lago di Como

Best for a slice of luxury

If it's good enough for the Clooneys and vacationing Obamas, it's good enough for mere mortals. Nestled in the shadow of the Rhaetian Alps, dazzling Lago di Como is Lombardy's most spectacular lake. Its lavish Liberty-style villas are home to movie moguls, fashion royalty, and literal royalty, while the lake's siren calls include gardens at Villas Melzi d'Eril , Carlotta , and Balbianello that blush pink with camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons in April and May.

The city of Como itself is a hotbed of arresting architecture, from the Gothic cathedral to Palazzo Terragni – built by the Fascists as their party headquarters, it’s a classic example of Italian 1930s Rationalism and a striking reminder of the atrocities committed by the regime.  

Planning tip: Como is like the Amalfi Coast – the roads are clogged, and parking is a huge problem. Instead of driving, use public transport; there’s an excellent ferry and bus network, as well as a train line along the eastern edge of the lake.

8. Sardinia

Best for beaches and coastline

The English language cannot accurately describe the varied blue, green and – in the deepest shadows – purple colors of Sardinia’s seas. While models, ministers and perma-tanned celebrities wine, dine and sail along the glossy Costa Smeralda , much of the island – the Med’s second largest after Sicily – remains a wild, raw playground.

Explore its rugged coastal beauty, from the tumbledown boulders of Santa Teresa di Gallura and the wind-chiseled cliff face of the Golfo di Orosei to the windswept beauty of the Costa Verde's dune-backed beaches.

But spend time inland too, and you’ll find some of Europe’s finest prehistoric remains: mysterious nuraghi (megalithic buildings), burial sites so grand they’re known as “giants’ tombs,” and the mountain villages of Barbagia, where locals still practice centuries-old traditions.

Best for sheer italianità

Pompeii, pizza and a whole lot of panache – Naples is a city like no other. Layered like lasagna, each strip of history on top of the last, this is a place where (underground) you can walk along ancient Greek and Roman roads, while at street level there are sumptuous churches, baroque palaces and Maradona – Maradona everywhere .

Outside the city, Vesuvius looms over the time capsules of Pompeii and Herculaneum, while in town, living in the shadow of a volcano gives life a sense of urgency. All that makes for a place like nowhere else .

Planning tip: Naples becomes less chaotic from the water. Taking the ferry isn’t only an option if you’re going to islands like Ischia and Procida – you can also take a boat from the city to Sorrento , Positano and the Amalfi Coast.

Best for a fairytale city

“Unique” is an overused word, but in the case of Venice , there’s no better description. This really is a dreamscape of intricately carved palazzos, gilded churches and world-class museums, all floating on water and crisscrossed by quiet canals.

Avoid the temptation to do a quick drop-in visit to see the main sights – the real Venice is in the silent canals and narrow alleyways, which cast a spell on all who move through them. Tick off the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco , but then stay on to experience this most precious, and precarious, of cities.

Local tip: This is not the place to run a tight schedule. Leave time to wander the alleys , look inside the churches and artisan shops you pass, and hop on a vaporetto that’ll chug through the islands of the lagoon.

11. Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso

Best for hiking

If you're pining for a mind-clearing retreat, lace up your hiking boots and explore over 500km (310 miles) of marked trails and mule tracks traversing “Grand Paradise.”

Part of the Graian Alps and one of Italy's very first national parks, Gran Paradiso's pure, pristine spread encompasses 57 glaciers and alpine pastures awash with wild pansies, gentians and alpenroses, not to mention a healthy population of Alpine ibex, for whose protection the park was originally established. At 4061m (13,323ft), the eponymous Gran Paradiso is the park's only peak, accessed from tranquil Cogne.

12. Mount Etna

Best for thrill seekers

Known to the Greeks as the “column that holds up the sky,”  Mt Etna is not only Europe's largest volcano, it's one of the world's most active. The ancients believed the giant Tifone (Typhoon) lived in its crater and lit the sky with spectacular pyrotechnics; today they simply call it idda , or “her.”

At 3326m (10,912ft), she literally towers above Sicily's Ionian Coast . Tackle the climb on foot, on a guided 4WD tour, or stick to the lower slopes, where you’ll find some of Italy’s most exciting wines being grown in the uber-fertile volcanic soil. Sicily is one of the nicest places in Italy to visit, thanks to its extraordinary wealth of history and architecture, its jaw-dropping coastline and, of course, the ever-welcoming Sicilians.

13. Cinque Terre and the Liguria coast

Best for classic coastline

Liguria’s remote Cinque Terre area is coastal Italy at its most spectacular. Five seaside villages wedged between cliffs, encircled by a national park and connected by clifftop footpaths, this is a place where humanity has lived in symbiosis with nature for thousands of years. People have chiseled terraces into the steep cliffs and grown wine here since Roman times; until the 20th century, the locals got about by sea or footpath.

The villages themselves are gorgeous, but spare some time for a hike along the Sentiero Azzurro, the most popular of the paths connecting them. Cinque Terre may be the best known, but Liguria’s coastline is one showstopper coastal village after another – additional highlights include Portofino , Portovenere and Santa Margherita Ligure .  

Planning tip: This is another area where it’s not worth driving – there are ferry services, but our favorite option is the train, which runs along the coast and stops at each of the villages.

14. Valle d’Itria

Best for picture-perfect villages

They look like hobbit houses – small conical-roofed cottages, often stitched together to form a bigger home but always fairytale pretty, whatever the size. Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, is famous for its trulli, but you won’t find them all over the region.

Head south of Bari, in from the coast and up onto the high karst plateau, and you’ll find the Valle d’Itria , where the green fields around towns like Cisternino and Locorotondo are dotted with trulli. Alberobello is the center of it all – the centro storico of the town is nothing but streets of them. This is one of the prettiest parts of Italy – truly.

Best for a real city break

Italy’s fashion capital  often gets a bad rap – too international, too organized, not chaotic enough. Don’t believe it. Where else can you go from a Gothic-style cathedral, started in the 14th century, to masterpieces by Leonardo (his Last Supper fresco in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is a showstopper, but so is the Sala delle Asse in the Castello Sforzesco , which he painted as a trompe l’oeil forest bower)?

Milan's restaurants pull together the best food from the Italian peninsula, it’s home to one of Italy’s rare cocktail scenes, and its fashion houses are transforming the city’s modern art scene with venues like Fondazione Prada , an old distillery now housing works by the likes of Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst, as well as putting on top-notch temporary exhibitions.

Planning tip: Milan doesn’t really have high and low seasons like the rest of Italy does; instead, its hotel rates rocket up and down depending on whether there’s a major event in town. Avoid Design and Fashion Weeks if you're traveling on a budget .

This article was first published Jun 3, 2021 and updated Nov 19, 2023.

Explore related stories

Tips & Advice

Sep 4, 2024 • 14 min read

Capital One is an excellent gateway to unlocking exceptional savings on travel and value for your miles. Here's how.

Aug 20, 2024 • 7 min read

Aug 16, 2024 • 9 min read

Aug 13, 2024 • 9 min read

Aug 9, 2024 • 4 min read

Aug 7, 2024 • 10 min read

Aug 1, 2024 • 5 min read

Jul 31, 2024 • 5 min read

Jul 25, 2024 • 13 min read

Jul 22, 2024 • 7 min read

• Yoga Retreats
• Private Yoga Lessons Berlin
• Yoga Equipment
• Work With Me

The ultimate guide to the best things to see in Rome and Vatican City

Rome, the Eternal City, is a destination that offers a perfect blend of ancient history, stunning architecture, and rich culture. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Rome has something to captivate everyone. From the grandeur of the Colosseum to the artistic treasures of the Vatican, there’s no shortage of incredible sights to explore. Here are the must-see attractions in Rome and Vatican City, with tips on how to make the most of your visit.

Discovering the ancient wonders of the Colosseum and Roman Forum

No visit to Rome is complete without exploring the iconic Colosseum. This ancient amphitheater, built nearly 2,000 years ago, is a testament to the engineering prowess of the Romans. Once the site of gladiatorial contests and public spectacles, the Colosseum is now one of the most visited monuments in the world. As you walk through its ancient arches, you’ll be transported back to the days of the Roman Empire, imagining the roars of the crowd and the epic battles that took place within its walls.

Adjacent to the Colosseum is the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Rome. This sprawling archeological site was once the center of political, commercial, and religious life in the city. Today, visitors can wander through the ruins of temples, basilicas, and public spaces, gaining insight into the daily lives of the Romans. Be sure to visit the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus, and the House of the Vestal Virgins, each offering a glimpse into Rome’s rich history.

Marveling at the beauty of the Pantheon and Piazza Navona

The Pantheon is another must-see attraction in Rome. Originally built as a temple to all the gods, the Pantheon is one of the best-preserved buildings from ancient Rome. Its massive dome, with a central oculus that lets in natural light, is a marvel of ancient engineering. Inside, the Pantheon is adorned with stunning marble and houses the tombs of several notable figures, including the painter Raphael.

A short walk from the Pantheon leads to Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s most beautiful squares. Built on the site of an ancient stadium, Piazza Navona is famous for its three fountains, the most impressive of which is the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini. The square is surrounded by Baroque architecture, lively cafes, and street artists, making it the perfect place to relax and soak in the atmosphere of Rome.

Exploring the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world, is home to some of the most extraordinary art collections and religious sites. The Vatican Museums are a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces, with works spanning from ancient Egypt to the Renaissance. The museum’s highlights include the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, and an extraordinary collection of classical sculptures.

The crown jewel of the Vatican Museums is the Sistine Chapel, renowned for Michelangelo’s breathtaking ceiling frescoes. The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment are two of the most famous scenes depicted on the chapel’s ceiling and altar wall. The sheer scale and detail of Michelangelo’s work make the Sistine Chapel a must-see for any visitor to Rome.

For a more immersive experience, consider booking a guided tour with a reputable agency like Rome Private Guides . Their expert guides provide fascinating insights into the history and significance of the artwork, making your visit to the Vatican Museums even more memorable.

Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Basilica, located within Vatican City, is one of the most important and impressive churches in the world. As the largest church in Christendom, it stands as a symbol of the Roman Catholic faith. The basilica’s stunning interior features a wealth of artistic treasures, including Michelangelo’s Pietà and the grandiose Baldacchino by Bernini. Climbing to the top of the dome, also designed by Michelangelo, offers breathtaking panoramic views of Rome and Vatican City. The effort of climbing the 551 steps is well worth it for the unforgettable vista that awaits at the top. In front of the basilica is St. Peter’s Square, a massive open space designed by Bernini. The square is famous for its colonnades, which symbolize the welcoming arms of the Church. St. Peter’s Square is also the site of many important religious events, including papal audiences and blessings.

For those who want to delve deeper into the history and significance of St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City, Rome Private Guides offers comprehensive tours that cover all the key sites, providing a rich understanding of the spiritual and artistic heritage of this remarkable place.

Touring the artistic and historic wonders of the Vatican Gardens

The Vatican Gardens are often overlooked by visitors but are a true hidden gem within Vatican City. These beautifully landscaped gardens cover about half of the city-state and offer a peaceful retreat from the crowds. The gardens are filled with lush greenery, fountains, and sculptures, and they provide stunning views of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Vatican Gardens have a long history, dating back to the Renaissance, and they have been used as a place of meditation and relaxation for the popes. Today, visitors can explore the gardens on a guided tour, which provides insight into their history and the various plants and artworks that adorn the grounds.

For a truly enriching experience, consider booking a tour with Rome Private Guides. Their knowledgeable guides offer an in-depth exploration of the Vatican Gardens, as well as insights into the lesser-known aspects of Vatican City.

Exploring the charming neighborhoods of Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto

Beyond the iconic landmarks, Rome is a city of charming neighborhoods, each with its own unique character. Trastevere is one such neighborhood, known for its narrow cobblestone streets, vibrant nightlife, and authentic Roman cuisine. Wandering through Trastevere feels like stepping back in time, with its medieval churches, ivy-covered buildings, and lively piazzas. Be sure to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches in Rome, known for its stunning mosaics.

Another fascinating area to explore is the Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest Jewish communities in Europe. The Ghetto is rich in history, with sites such as the Great Synagogue of Rome and the Portico d’Ottavia, an ancient structure dating back to the 2nd century BC. The Ghetto is also famous for its unique cuisine, which blends traditional Roman dishes with Jewish influences. Don’t miss the opportunity to try specialties like carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style artichokes) and concia di zucchine (marinated zucchini).

Admiring the fountains and monuments of Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo

Piazza di Spagna, or the Spanish Steps, is one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks. This elegant square is famous for the sweeping staircase that leads up to the Trinità dei Monti church. The Spanish Steps are a popular spot for both tourists and locals to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. At the base of the steps is the Fontana della Barcaccia, a Baroque fountain designed by Pietro Bernini, father of the more famous Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

A short walk from Piazza di Spagna leads to Piazza del Popolo, one of Rome’s largest and most impressive squares. The square is dominated by an ancient Egyptian obelisk, which stands at the center, surrounded by fountains and statues. Piazza del Popolo is also home to the twin churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, as well as the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, which houses works by Caravaggio and Bernini.

Taking a day trip to the Appian Way and the Catacombs

For those looking to explore beyond the city center, a day trip to the Appian Way and the Catacombs is a must. The Appian Way, or Via Appia Antica, is one of the oldest and most important roads of ancient Rome. Walking or biking along this ancient road, lined with cypress trees and Roman ruins, is like stepping back in time. Along the way, you’ll come across impressive monuments such as the Tomb of Cecilia Metella and the Circus of Maxentius.

The Catacombs, located along the Appian Way, are underground burial sites used by early Christians. The Catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano are among the most famous and can be visited on guided tours. These tours provide a fascinating insight into early Christian history and the burial practices of ancient Rome.

Experience Rome and Vatican City with a reputable tour agency

Rome and Vatican City are destinations that offer a wealth of history, art, and culture. From the ancient wonders of the Colosseum and Roman Forum to the artistic treasures of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, there’s no shortage of incredible sights to explore. And while the city’s landmarks are undoubtedly impressive, Rome’s true charm lies in its neighborhoods, its people, and its enduring spirit.

To make the most of your visit to Rome and Vatican City, consider booking a tour with a reputable agency like Rome Private Guides. With their expert knowledge and personalized service, they ensures that you experience the best of what these incredible destinations have to offer. Whether you’re exploring the Vatican Gardens, wandering through the Roman Forum, or admiring the art in the Vatican Museums, Rome Private Guides provides an enriching and memorable experience that will stay with you long after your trip has ended.

With an expert agency, you can explore Rome and Vatican City at your own pace, with the confidence that you’re in the hands of knowledgeable and passionate guides. So, pack your bags, book your tour, and get ready to discover the wonders of Rome and Vatican City.

Add comment Cancel reply

Sign me up for the newsletter!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Preference Center

Privacy preferences.

• Business travel
• Italian food
• Train world
• Travel ideas
• Buy your tickes
• Destinations & Timetable
• Italo Go Services
• Travel with Italo
• Loyalty Programme

Italoblog » Travel ideas » How to Plan a Trip to Italy for the First Time

How to Plan a Trip to Italy for the First Time

Discover the best time to visit Italy, must-see destinations, how to get around, and budget tips for your unforgettable Italian adventure. Explore iconic cities, hidden gems, and indulge in world-class cuisine.

In summary, planning your trip to Italy with an understanding of when to go, what to see, and how to navigate the country will help ensure a memorable and enjoyable Italian adventure. Whether indulging in the rich history, stunning scenery, or world-renowned cuisine, Italy offers something for every traveler.

Deciding the Best Time to Visit Italy

Major events and festivals to consider, choosing your italian destinations, how long should you spend in italy, budgeting for your trip, getting around italy: train, car, or public transit, packing for your italian adventure, planning your activities and sightseeing, exploring italian cuisine, documentation and currency, peak season (summer: june to august).

Summer in Italy is vibrant and bustling . This period marks the peak tourist season, attracting visitors worldwide to its famous beaches, historic sites, and festivals. While the weather is generally hot and sunny— perfect for seaside holidays —it also means crowded attractions and higher prices . Cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice are particularly busy, so booking accommodations and transportation well in advance is recommended.

Shoulder Season (Spring and Fall: April to May & September to October)

The shoulder seasons of spring and fall offer a more relaxed visit. The weather remains mild , ideal for exploring cities and the countryside without the extreme heat of summer. These months also see fewer tourists , providing a more authentic experience with shorter lines at major attractions . The spring blooms and autumnal colors in regions like Tuscany and Umbria are especially attractive during these seasons.

Off-Season (Winter: November to March)

Winter in Italy is the quietest travel period , marked by colder temperatures and fewer tourists, except in December during the Christmas and New Year festivities when cities revive with holiday spirit and markets. This season is perfect for visiting museums and historic sites at leisure . Additionally, Italy’s ski resorts in the Alps and the Dolomites are prime destinations, offering world-class skiing.

The Best Time to Visit Italy: Seasonal Travel Tips and Tricks

Unlock the secrets to the perfect Italian getaway with our guide on the best time to visit Italy. Explore seasonal highlights, cost-saving tips, and the prime times to visit Venice, Rome, and more for an unforgettable experience.

Italy hosts numerous festivals and events worth planning your trip around:

• Carnevale (February/March): Famous in Venice, it’s known for its elaborate masks and costumes.
• Il Palio di Siena (July/August): A historic horse race in Siena that’s an intense cultural spectacle.
• Vinitaly in Verona (April): One of the largest wine exhibitions in the world.

Book train tickets from and to Verona with Italo

Iconic Cities and Regions

• Rome offers historic sites like the Colosseum and Vatican Museums.
• Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance, with the Uffizi Gallery and Duomo.
• Venice is famous for its canals and the enchanting St. Mark’s Basilica.
• The Amalfi Coast features stunning coastal views and picturesque villages.

Choose Italo for your train travel to Venice

Lesser-Known Hidden Gems

• Puglia offers beautiful coastlines and unique trullo houses.
• Umbria is known for medieval towns and verdant landscapes.
• The Dolomites provide breathtaking mountain views perfect for hiking and skiing.

Travel through Puglia by high-speed train with Italo

The ideal length of a trip to Italy varies based on what you want to explore. A minimum of two weeks is recommended to experience a mix of both famous landmarks and some hidden gems without feeling rushed.

7-Day Itinerary

A week in Italy allows for a focused exploration of two or three major cities. A typical itinerary might include:

• Days 1-3: Rome (Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and St. Peter’s Basilica)
• Days 4-5: Florence (Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, and a day trip to Pisa or a Tuscan vineyard)
• Days 6-7: Venice (St. Mark’s Basilica, a gondola ride, and exploring Murano or Burano islands)

Travel between Rome and Florence with Italo’s trains

10-Day Itinerary

Extending your stay to ten days provides a richer experience, allowing you to delve deeper into each location or explore additional areas like the Amalfi Coast:

• Days 1-3: Venice
• Days 4-6: Florence (including a full day in the Tuscan countryside)
• Days 7-8: Rome 
• Days 9-10: Amalfi Coast (Positano, Amalfi, and the historic ruins of Pompeii)

Book Venice-Florence train tickets on italotreno.com

2-Week Itinerary

Two weeks in Italy lets you cover the major cities more comprehensively, including additional destinations such as Milan or lesser-known regions:

• Days 1-4: Rome
• Days 5-7: Florence (with more extensive exploration of Tuscany)
• Days 8-10: Venice (including a day trip to the Dolomites)
• Days 11-12: Milan (Duomo, Last Supper, and fashion boutiques)
• Days 13-14: Cinque Terre or Lake Como for a relaxing end to the trip

Buy train tickets from Venice to Milan on Italotreno.com

Italy can accommodate various budgets. Major cities will be more expensive, especially for accommodations and dining. Plan to spend on average $100 to $200 a day per person for a comfortable trip that includes lodging, meals, transportation, and activities.

Italy on a Budget: How to Experience the Best Without Breaking the Bank

Traveling to Italy doesn’t have to be expensive. Our guide shows you how to experience the best of Italy on a budget, including tips on affordable transportation, budget-friendly accommodations, and free or low-cost activities. Enjoy Italy without breaking the bank!

• Train : Efficient for traveling between major cities. High-speed trains like Italo connect large cities quickly.
• Car : Ideal for exploring the countryside, particularly in regions like Tuscany where many vineyards and rural areas are not easily accessible by train.
• Public Transit : Effective in cities and recommended for short distances.

Pack according to the season , with light layers for spring and autumn, comfortable and cool clothing for summer, and warm gear for winter. Don’t forget a good pair of walking shoes as cities like Rome and Florence involve a lot of walking.

Booking tickets for popular attractions like the Vatican or the Uffizi Gallery in advance can save you from long lines. Consider city passes that offer multiple attractions at a reduced price.

Planning and booking in advance not only ensures access to Italy’s top attractions but also helps in better managing your travel itinerary , allowing more time to immerse in the rich Italian culture and landscapes.

Italian cuisine varies significantly by region. Enjoy pizza and seafood in Naples, risotto and osso buco in Milan, or Florentine steak in Tuscany. Don’t miss out on local wines and cheeses wherever you go.

10 dishes you absolutely must try in Italy

Explore the top 10 Italian meals and famous Italian dishes. Dive into the world of traditional Italian food, from street food to the national dish of Italy, and discover why Italian cuisine is celebrated globally.

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from Italy. Italy uses the euro , and while credit cards are widely accepted, carrying some cash is advisable, especially in smaller towns. Read here to get clear on all the documents needed to enter Italy .

You may also be interested in

Italo Newsletter

Discount codes and promotions, other posts.

Discover our guides

• Where to eat in Rome
• Where to eat in Milan
• Where to eat in Naples
• Where to eat in Venice
• Where to eat in Bologna
• Best brunches in Italy
• Traveling with pets
• Best itineraries in Italy
• By train to the sea
• By train to the mountains
• Nature Trails
• Train stations in Italy

Our stations