The Eternal City is a favourite of visitors from across the globe, with Italy’s spectacular capital home to some of the world’s most popular attractions. Is there a more remarkable sight than the sun setting over the Colosseum; or how about the monumental sculpture of Neptune reflecting in the rippling waters of the Trevi Fountain? Tours around this cobblestoned city offer an in-depth look into a remarkable society and culture that’s been shaped by two thousand years of history.
Don’t miss these Rome attractions
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Vatican City
- Spanish Steps
- Trevi Fountain
Roman holidays
One of Europe’s most romantic cities is also one of its most hectic, and Rome is as renowned for its fast pace as it is for its abundance of famous attractions. Zipping through traffic to get to The Colosseum or Spanish Steps can take a bit of practice, so a guided tour can often be one of the best ways to negotiate Rome’s frantic cityscape.
Rome famously hosts a city within a city – The Vatican City, to be precise – and the spiritual seat of Catholicism houses plenty of attractions. Among them are the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica, both of which are often best explored on a guided tour – if not to beat the queues, then at least for an explanation of the ornate artefacts on display.
A living monument
They say the best museum is the city itself, and with so many historic monuments dotted around its fringes, it’s easy to view Rome as a living monument. Relics like the Roman Forum and Pantheon are reminders of an empire which once spanned half the globe, while the countless churches and ‘piazze’ are as busy today as when they were first built.
If the city’s frenzied activity begins to overwhelm, then several significant sites are just a short trip from Rome. Day tours to Pompeii are a popular way to explore the remains of an ancient city buried by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, while fabulously scenic Tuscany is close enough to visit in a day, before an evening return to Rome.