Best Attractions in Rome: Top Things to See and Do

When you think of best attractions Rome, the iconic landmarks and cultural experiences that define the city’s timeless appeal. Also known as Rome things to do, it’s not just about the Colosseum or the Vatican—it’s about the rhythm of the city, the smell of fresh espresso at dawn, the echo of footsteps on cobblestones, and the quiet corners where history doesn’t feel like a tour guide’s script. Rome doesn’t just show you its past; it lets you live in it. Walk through the Roman Forum and you’re not just looking at stones—you’re standing where senators argued, merchants traded, and emperors passed by. The Pantheon? Still standing after 2,000 years, its dome open to the sky, still used for worship today. This isn’t a museum. It’s a living city.

But Rome isn’t just ancient ruins. The Rome nightlife, the pulse of the city after sunset, from intimate wine bars to underground clubs where locals dance until sunrise. Skip the tourist traps near Piazza Navona and head to Trastevere after 10 p.m.—that’s where the real energy is. Or find a rooftop terrace with a view of the dome, order a spritz, and watch the city lights come alive. Then there’s the food: not the overpriced pasta at the Trevi Fountain, but the cacio e pepe at a tiny trattoria behind the Colosseum, where the owner remembers your name after one visit. The Rome history, the layers of empire, religion, art, and rebellion that shaped every street and square. It’s in the frescoes of Santa Maria Maggiore, the graffiti near Testaccio, the quiet chapel where Caravaggio once prayed. You don’t need a guidebook to feel it—you just need to wander.

Some come for the sights. Others come for the silence between them—the hidden courtyards, the bookshops tucked under arches, the old men playing chess in Piazza Venezia. The best attractions in Rome aren’t always the ones on postcards. They’re the ones you stumble into when you’re lost, the ones that make you pause, forget your phone, and just breathe. Below, you’ll find real guides from people who’ve walked these streets—not the ones selling tickets, but the ones who know where the locals eat, where the music starts, and when the city truly wakes up.