Attractions

An entirely ordinary-looking basilica on the surface, hiding two almost never-visited layers of Roman history right beneath it: a 4th-century church and a temple of Mithras.

One of Rome's four papal major basilicas, famous for its 5th-century early-Christian mosaics lining the triumphal arch.

A 17-hectare zoo and conservation park inside Villa Borghese, home to over 200 species — a favourite day out for families with young children.

The world's oldest public museum, set on the Michelangelo-designed Piazza del Campidoglio, home to the Capitoline Wolf and Marcus Aurelius.

Hadrian's ancient mausoleum turned papal fortress, linked to the Vatican by a secret corridor and now a museum overlooking the Tiber.

The largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, located in the center of Rome.

A small residential district well off the tourist trail, an eclectic maze of towers, dragons, wrought-iron chandeliers, and fairy-tale frescoes.

Rome's historic amusement park in the EUR district, with rides for every age from carousels to roller coasters — the city's classic family day out.

A quiet, green cemetery at the foot of the Pyramid of Cestius, the final resting place of poets Keats and Shelley, nearly unknown to tourists.

The most central of Rome's seven hills, legendary birthplace of the city founded by Romulus, now scattered with imperial ruins and gardens.

A former Roman temple, now a Catholic basilica, renowned for its magnificent concrete dome.

A grand baroque square built over the ancient Stadium of Domitian, famous for Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Rome's central hub, dominated by the imposing Vittoriano monument to Victor Emmanuel II, with a panoramic rooftop terrace over the city.

The political, religious, and economic center of ancient Rome, today the city's most important open-air archaeological site.

The scenic 18th-century staircase linking Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church, at the heart of Rome's shopping district.

The largest church in Christendom and heart of Vatican City, crowned by Michelangelo's dome and framed by Bernini's colonnade.

An unassuming gate on the Aventine Hill hides one of Rome's most surprising views, framed perfectly inside a keyhole.

The largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.

One of the world's largest museum complexes, culminating in the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's frescoes.