Rome is one of Europe’s most iconic and visited cities, with more than two millennia of history to explore.
From ancient landmarks and world-class art to contemporary architecture, Italian fashion and Roman cuisine, here’s our guide to the best things to do and must-see places in Rome, recommended by locals.
- Rome neighbourhoods & architectural gems to explore
- Art museums & galleries in Rome
- Rome through the lens of cinema
- Fashion & shopping in Rome
- Roman cuisine & restaurants to try
Known as the Eternal City, Rome has attracted visitors for more than 2,000 years. Only here can you delve deep into ancient history and, almost in the same breath, look to the future – all on a short stroll through Rome’s historic centre.
Around every corner are some of the city’s most famous attractions alongside unexpected discoveries. Rome is a grandiose open-air museum. Rome is a stage for glamour, fashion and shopping. Rome is contemporary art and architecture. Rome is fantastic cuisine. And so on and so on…
Photo source: Unsplash
For good reason, all roads continue to lead to Rome – to see, taste and discover what cannot be found or experienced quite the same way anywhere else.
Rome neighbourhoods & architectural gems to explore
If you’re keen to discover more of Rome’s architectural treasures, devote a morning to exploring the Coppedè Quarter. This enchanting corner with 17 villas and 27 palazzos was dreamed up by architect Gino Coppedè in the early 20th century and is located just a few minutes’ ride from Rome’s historical centre.
Here you’ll see Art Nouveau and Art Deco mixed with elements of Gothic, Greek, Baroque, and medieval art and architecture, making it look a bit like a fairytale kingdom.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
The heart of modernist Rome, for its part, beats loudest in the southern part of the city, namely, the EUR quarter. Sure, it boasts two big shopping avenues – Viale Guglielmo Marconi and Viale Europa – but the main attraction here is the architecture.
The appearance of this part of the city changed noticeably during the Fascist era, when Benito Mussolini advocated the construction of several distinctly imposing, highly symmetrical buildings alluding to the ancient Roman Empire.
Thus we now have, among others, the Palazzo dei Congressi (which serves as the hospital in La Dolce Vita) and the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana (a striking example of Rationalist architecture also known as the Square Colosseum). The latter now houses the Fendi headquarters.
Photo source: Unsplash
A notable example of contemporary architecture has joined the EUR quarter as well. The convention centre La Nuvola was designed by the Roman architect duo Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas. It took years to complete, but the result was worth the wait. The complex glass-and-steel structure has become a landmark of contemporary architecture in Rome.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
The nearby park and lake are nice for a relaxing stroll and a cup of hot chocolate at one of the cafés.
The Horti Farnesiani (Farnese Gardens) crown Rome’s Palatine Hill as Europe’s first private botanical gardens, created in 1550 by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. Designed by Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola, the terraced gardens combine ancient sculptures, exotic plants, and majestic former aviaries.
Photo source: Unsplash
After more than 30 years of restoration, this Renaissance masterpiece has been reborn, inviting visitors to discover highlights such as the iconic Ninfeo della Pioggia and experience a remarkable meeting of nature, art, and history.
Be sure to explore Rome’s timeless wonders and pause for the stunning view over the Colosseum Archaeological Park. Just steps from the Roman Forum rises the majestic Basilica of Maxentius, once the largest civic building of Imperial Rome.
Photo source: Unsplash
This iconic site has begun a new chapter: a stage and exhibition path, designed by Alvisi Kirimoto Architects, bring fresh life to its ancient grandeur.
Art museums & galleries in Rome
Rome’s historical centre is saturated with art museums and galleries. At the top of the Spanish Steps, where the Trinità dei Monti church stands, begin a stroll through Rome’s art world along Via Margutta, a narrow street that was once home to many artists and their studios, as well as celebrities including Federico Fellini.
Photo source: Unsplash
After crossing through the Villa Borghese park complex, the route leads to the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, which holds Italy’s largest collection of 19th- and 20th-century art.
The majority of the permanent collection is devoted to Italian masters, including Alberto Burri, Giacomo Balla, Amedeo Modigliani, and Giorgio de Chirico. Displayed alongside them are works by internationally recognised artists such as Jackson Pollock, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Gustav Klimt.
Photo source: Unsplash
The Rome of today is unimaginable without MAXXI, the national museum of 21st-century arts. Located in the Flaminio district, north of the city centre, this impressive building designed by the late Zaha Hadid is worth visiting not only for its contents but also for its architecture.
MAXXI is not simply a structure in which to display art; the complexity of its volumes, curved walls, and multi-level intersecting concrete elements creates a rich spatial and functional configuration.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
A few minutes by tram back towards Rome’s historical centre brings you to the Ara Pacis Museum, an expressive symbiosis of contemporary architecture and the ancient world.
The ‘altar of peace’ was built in the 1st century BCE but today resides in one of Rome’s most modern buildings, constructed in glass and steel and completed in 2006 according to a design by American architect Richard Meier.
Photo source: Turismo Roma
A little further on, near the famous Piazza Navona, is another gem – DART Chiostro del Bramante, a cultural centre and art museum housed in a cloister designed by Donato Bramante around the year 1500.
While the architecture can be admired from the outside, it’s worth heading indoors as well.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
But Rome is not just about grand museums. To experience the city’s hidden creative side, seek out a few lesser-known addresses.
One is the Giustini/Stagetti gallery in the heart of the historical centre, which specialises in 20th-century Italian and contemporary international design. Here you’ll find objects created by Angelo Mangiarotti, Gino Sarfatti, Ettore Sottsass, and many other big names, as well as fine examples of Venetian blown glass.
It’s no exaggeration to say that significant cultural projects in Rome rarely happen without the presence of the Fendi dynasty. One such project is Rhinoceros, a multidisciplinary space dedicated to art and culture. Housed in a restored 17th-century building at the foot of Palatine Hill, in the heart of ancient Rome, it was redesigned under the direction of architect and Pritzker Prize laureate Jean Nouvel.
Rome through the lens of cinema
Rome is also a fine place to indulge a long-held passion for photographing iconic sights and visiting locations made famous by cinema classics. Follow in the footsteps of top models by posing and strutting on the Spanish Steps, where prestigious fashion houses such as Valentino and Bulgari have previously held shows.
The Spanish Steps gained cult status after the release of Roman Holiday, the iconic 1953 Hollywood film starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
Photo source: Unsplash
The film also sent the popularity of the Vespa soaring, turning the Italian design classic ridden by the romantic couple through the streets of Rome into an enduring symbol of the city.
Rome is a city of inspiration. It has inspired not only Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Charles Dickens but practically the whole world. In modern times, much of its cinematic allure can be attributed to Italian director Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960), a film that became synonymous with glamour and the Italian good life. Decades after its release, visitors to Rome can still explore the city through the stories and locations of classic movies filmed here.
Despite the passing of the decades, places such as the Trevi Fountain – the setting of the most famous scene in La Dolce Vita – and Via Vittorio Veneto, whose cafés and bars evoke the world of Marcello Mastroianni and the paparazzi, remain iconic destinations.
Photo source: Unsplash
La Dolce Vita has left its magical mark on many Roman sites and stories, from Harry’s Bar to the enduring idea of Rome as a city of effortless style, glamour, and beautiful design.
Fashion & shopping in Rome
Rome is undeniably a mecca for fashion and shopping, appealing to lovers of high fashion as well as those looking for vintage finds and new niche brands. Because the city is so closely associated with luxury and the enjoyment of life, a shopping excursion should begin around Piazza di Spagna and Via dei Condotti, home to Valentino and some of the world’s most iconic fashion houses.
The splendour spills over into the neighbouring streets as well – Via Borgognona, Via della Vite, Via Frattina, Via delle Carrozze, Via Vittoria, and Via del Babuino – where you can stroll past boutiques and ateliers and marvel at the sheer variety of creativity and different interpretations of beauty.
However, in terms of extravagance, true competition for fashion legends such as Fendi, Gucci, Gattinoni, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Prada, and Ferragamo can only be found in the showrooms of long-standing jewellery houses such as Bulgari, Tiffany, Chopard, Cartier, Damiani, and Pomellato.
Photo source: Unsplash
When there’s not much time but you want to see everything, head to Rinascente on Via del Tritone, just a few steps from the Trevi Fountain. Call it ‘archaeo-shopping’.
This grand department store devoted to fashion, beauty, and design brings hundreds of brands together in an impressive interior developed with contributions from leading architects and designers, including Vincent Van Duysen, Claudio Silvestrin, and India Mahdavi.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
The iconic Rinascente department store in Piazza Fiume, designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg between 1957 and 1961, is one of the landmarks of post-war Italian architecture. Its modernist character has been carefully restored, preserving the spirit of the original design while adapting the building to contemporary retail life.
Another dynamic, pulsating street is Via del Corso, which is basically a two-kilometre-long open-air shopping centre. Halfway down the street stands the Galleria Alberto Sordi, an elegant early-20th-century arcade that reopened following an extensive renovation. Today, its mix of Italian and international names includes fashion, food, and lifestyle brands as well as a large Mondadori bookshop.
Photo source: Unsplash
Set away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowds, Via di Monserrato is one of the most refined and best-preserved streets in the city’s historic fabric. Elegantly winding through the historic centre not far from the Tiber, it offers a discreet setting for aesthetes and is home to independent boutiques, ateliers, and concept stores.
Here, Renaissance architectural charm intertwines with fashion, craftsmanship, design, and contemporary art, creating a haven for those in search of authentic, unhurried elegance.
When you’re ready for a rest from Rome’s mightiness and glamour, it’s time to head to the charming neighbourhood of Trastevere. Here you’ll find unique little shops, independent labels, and vintage fashion. Stop by one of the delightful family-run restaurants for some traditional Roman cuisine.
Photo source: Unsplash
Roman cuisine & restaurants to try
Traditional Roman cuisine is among the most distinctive in Italy. Rooted in simple ingredients and time-honoured recipes, it makes generous use of seasonal vegetables and herbs, legumes, pecorino romano, cured pork, meat, and offal. Many recipes have been passed down through generations and remain an essential part of everyday life in the city.
Legendary Roman dishes include hearty carbonara (made with eggs, guanciale, pecorino romano, and black pepper), carciofi alla giudìa (crispy fried artichokes rooted in Rome’s centuries-old Jewish culinary tradition), filetti di baccalà (batter-fried salt cod fillets), gnocchi alla romana (oven-baked semolina dumplings), and crostata di ricotta e visciole (a tart filled with ricotta and sour cherries).
Photo source: Tripadvisor
One of the best neighbourhoods to explore for traditional Roman cuisine and wine is Testaccio, which also has a lively market with a wonderful selection of fresh produce and local specialities.
But reserve at least one evening in Rome for a more refined culinary experience. One option is the elegant Adelaide restaurant, where executive chef Gabriele Muro composes a sophisticated assortment of Mediterranean flavours with international influences.
The restaurant is located at Hotel Vilòn, a five-star retreat in the historic Palazzo Borghese complex, where a lush courtyard garden creates a calm yet ornate atmosphere.
Photo source: Hotel Vilon
Two of the world’s great cuisines – Italian and French – meet at Casa Coppelle, an elegant restaurant tucked away near the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
Its warm, richly decorated interior, featuring plenty of gold and velvet, was created by renowned French architect and interior designer Jacques Garcia, whose portfolio also includes Hôtel Costes in Paris and La Mamounia in Marrakech.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
Hidden in the bohemian streets of San Lorenzo, Mazzo serves Roman soul food that is honest, bold, and made with carefully selected ingredients. The atmosphere is unpretentious and full of character, with vinyl spinning in the background.
Be sure to try its memorable take on a Roman classic: fried tripe finished with pecorino and mint. The dishes are accompanied by an extensive wine list with a strong focus on Italian labels.
Photo source: Unsplash
Of course, one should sample the pizza in every region of Italy. But in Rome, it’s an absolute must!
Berberè Pizzeria on Via Mantova makes its pizzas using naturally leavened sourdough and carefully selected ingredients. Soft on the inside and crisp on the outside, this is slow-food pizza that’s difficult not to appreciate.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
Cover photo source: Unsplash
Text by Lana Jūra