25 Unmissable Things to Do in Rome: Your Ultimate Travel Guide
Welcome to Rome. This is what dreams are made of. While there may be more than 25 things to do in Rome, this list will definitely get you started.
Here in Rome, you have a conglomeration and meeting point of civilizations, thousands of years of history, and, above all, delightful food and wine.
When you’re not touring the catacombs, you might be marveling at the Sistine Chapel or watching the people pass while sipping an Aperol Spritz in Piazza Novana.
Get ready and buckle up for the best 25 things to do in Rome!
The Top 25 Things to Do in Rome
1. PRIVATE ROME TOUR OF THE COLOSSEUM & PALATINE HILL -THE #1 THING TO DO IN ROME
Without a doubt, you cannot visit Rome and not make a visit to the Colosseum. It’s like…going to Rome and not seeing the Colosseum! You just DON’T DO IT. One thing though, is there are many ways to see this ancient site, and not all are worth it. Take my advice and get a private guide who is trusted. It will truly make your experience so much better.
2. EARLY MORNING VATICAN TOUR WITH SISTINE CHAPEL – MUST DO FOR CATHOLICS’ THINGS TO DO IN ROME
If the Colosseum is number one, there is no doubt that the Vatican takes the second spot on the list of things to do in Rome. The Sistine Chapel truly takes your breath away, and this early bird tour means you get premium access in the morning before anyone else arrives, beating the crows and getting a first look at Michelangelo’s masterpiece.
BOOK YOUR VATICAN EARLY BIRD TOUR HERE
3. PRIVATE JEWISH GHETTO TOUR – MOST UNIQUE HISTORY FOR THINGS TO DO IN ROME
Another interesting facet of Roman history, this is a place that is sometimes overlooked by the glamour of the Vatican and the ancient sites. The Jewish Ghetto of Rome is one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods in all of Europe. While walking through the picturesque streets filled with unique food and culture, your guide will share the turbulent past of the Jewish communities in Rome.
BOOK YOUR JEWISH GHETTO TOUR HERE
Are you looking for help planning your dream getaway? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options on the internet or just don’t have the time to get into planning your dream trip – I really encourage you to check out my travel planning services! You can download my “How We Work” guide here – or submit your inquiry here!
4. ROME PIZZA MAKING CLASS
You can’t go to Italy without taking at least one cooking class, and why not make the most famous dish of them all? In this fun and interactive class, you will make local pizza, taste local gelato, and sip on wine.
5. UNDERGROUND ROME AND CATACOMBS ROME TOUR – MOST OVERLOOKED “MUST DO” OF THINGS TO DO IN ROME
For a few hours, hire a private car and driver so you can move between the sites in comfort while you delve into a forgotten world of labyrinthine catacombs, haunting underground churches, ancient pagan temples, and beautiful Roman houses.
6. BORGHESE GALLERY PRIVATE ROME TOUR
The Villa Borghese is a spectacular treasure trove of Renaissance and Baroque art. Jaw-dropping masterpieces lurk around every corner, all of which you will discover with your own personal guide.
BOOK PRIVATE BORGHESE GALLERY TOUR
7. ROMAN TRASTEVERE FOOD TOUR
Discover the flavors of Lazio and its capital, Rome, through a tasty walk in the typical surroundings of Trastevere, featuring colorful alleys and ancient artisanal boutiques.
8. CAMPO DI FIORE MARKET TASTINGS ROME TOUR
Campo de Fiori is the oldest and the most traditional market in Rome. Here, you can find fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, flowers, and other typical products of Rome. Moreover, your guide will explain the history of the Campo de Fiori area.
Taste Italian typical products and enjoy the tasting experience, savoring the genuineness of the products and raw materials, the smell of the food., Receive 15 tastings between the market banquet and the Norcineria shop, where you can taste some of the best and most special Italian cold cuts.
Exploring more of Italy? Check out these guides from The Boho Traveller!
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9. ROME BY GOLF CART TOUR
This private Golf-Cart tour of Rome lets you see the very best of what this fascinating city has to offer all at your own pace and focused around your interests. With the expert commentary of your guide, you will cruise through the Eternal City with ease covering all of the major Rome highlights. Lunch is included.
10. ANCIENT APPIAN WAY AND CASTEL GONDOLFO BIKE TOUR
Enjoy this out-of-the-beaten-track ride to the beautiful Lake Albano on an electric-assist mountain bike, taking in the rich Italian landscape on the way, together with its myriad remains of ancient glory! This tour is for mountain bikers who want to have fun on this itinerary through breathtaking scenery. A ride towards the lake of Castel Gandolfo (the summer residence of the Pope), biking through the well-preserved Roman countryside, finding yourself in true nature, and discovering landscapes that were captured by numerous famous painters before.
BOOK APPPIAN WAY & CASTEL GONDOLFO TOUR
11. ESPRESSO AND GELATO ROME TOUR
Everybody loves some good Italian artisanal gelato, a tiny cup of hot espresso, and a decadent portion of creamy tiramisù, and there’s no better chance to satisfy your sweet tooth than your Italian holiday. But, in a city as big and crowded as Rome, the risk of bumping into overpriced tourist traps is real. What to do, then? You can try your luck, or you can reach us under Bernini’s elephant and obelisk, very close to the Pantheon, for this two-hour-and-half walking food tour. Your trusted local food connoisseur will introduce to you all those mouth-watering local treats you’ve been dreaming about, giving you info and answering questions.
12. ROMAN PAINT AND SIP
Indulge in your creative side with our exclusive Roman Paint and Sip. Held in our modern 17th-century art studio, we fuse traditional Roman finger food with unlimited wine in our mid-afternoon Art experience.
13. ROME TO POMPEII DAY TRIP WITH WINE TASTING
Remove all the logistic stress of touring Pompeii from Rome by high-speed train with this all-inclusive, value-packed day trip so that you can leave the details to us and enjoy the trip of a lifetime. After a fully guided skip-the-line tour to Pompeii, enjoy a wine tasting and farm-to-table lunch at a nearby vineyard on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius before heading back to Rome.
14. VESPA TOUR BY NIGHT IN ROME
Hop on a vintage Vespa for an evening tour of the Eternal City. First stop – Rome’s most iconic landmark, the Colosseum. After a brief stop for gelato and coffee (included), the tour continues with stops at the Mouth of the Truth, Circus Maximus, Palatine Hill, Saint Peter’s Square, and the Trevi Fountain. An experienced guide does the driving so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the views.
15. ROMAN GLADIATOR SCHOOL: LEARN HOW TO BECOME A GLADIATOR
Find out what it takes to be an ancient Roman gladiator at the Gladiator School of Rome. During a hands-on lesson with instructors from the Historic Group of Rome, learn how to fight with authentic weapons of the time while wearing a traditional gladiator tunic and belt.
16. FRASCATI WINE ROAD: TASTING & LUNCH ROME DAY TRIP
Experience the food and wine of Frascati on this half-day guided excursion. After meeting up with your guide at the train station, embark on a culinary tour with a knowledgeable guide that includes tasting local specialties like porchetta, fresh biscotti, and jug wine from the city’s oldest tavern. Visit a historic, family-owned vineyard and a hand-picked trattoria for a delicious meal of cured meats, pasta, and other tasty dishes.
17. ROME BY NIGHT-EBIKE TOUR WITH FOOD AND WINE TASTING
With this tour, you’ll get to see the city under a new light, quite literally, in the comfort of an electronic bicycle. After exploring the city, sample a selection of local cheeses and cured meats paired with Italian wine.
18. HAUNTED ROME GHOST TOUR
Get your chills and thrills in the Eternal City with this haunted walking tour through Rome. Join your guide as evening falls to stroll down shadowy streets, through empty squares, and across cursed bridges while you listen to tales of executions and murders over the centuries.
19. TIVOLI VILLAS ROME DAY TRIP
Tivoli, home to the spectacular Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este, is a popular day trip from Rome. Skip the hassle of traveling by train with this guided tour, which includes transportation plus guided tours of both the ancient Roman ruins of Hadrian’s Villa and the sumptuous Renaissance palace and gardens of Villa d’Este. You’ll even have time for a stroll through the town of Tivoli and a traditional lunch.
20. BAR CRAWL IN ROME WITH LOCAL GUIDE
This private experience combines an evening walking tour with a bar crawl in Monti, one of Rome’s trendiest neighborhoods. Visit some of Rome’s coolest bars and listen to your guide tell stories about redlight districts, unsavory characters, and bloody power struggles. Walk the Via dei Fori Imperiali from the Colosseum to the Victor Emmanuel II National Monument, sampling wine, beer, cocktails, and liqueur throughout the night.
21. PANTHEON GUIDED TOUR
While the Pantheon’s massive dome immediately impresses, many independent travelers miss out on the finer details of the well-preserved ancient monument. On this guided tour, learn about the history, symbolism, and architectural details of the Pantheon. Plus, you’ll also get to see nearby landmarks, including Bernini’s Elephant and Obelisk and the Basilica of Neptune.
22. ROMAN COUNTRYSIDE FOOD & WINE TASTING IN A MEDIEVAL WINERY
Trade the bustling streets of Rome for a day in the Lazio countryside on a 4-hour wine tour. Visit a wine cellar in the medieval village of Borgo and get an insider’s perspective on winemaking. Head to an Italian restaurant and enjoy wine pairings with a traditional meal of cheese, meat, and more.
23. ROME BY VESPA – THE MOST CLASSIC OF THINGS TO DO IN ROME!
Zipping through the streets on a Vespa is the quintessential Rome experience, but can be intimidating for visitors unfamiliar with the city. This private tour gives you the peace of mind of being in the company of a guide who can lead you safely to the top sights and share stories of city life along the way.
24. PASTA & TIRAMISU LOVERS WORKSHOP
Learn to make classic Italian dishes—pasta and tiramisu—during this workshop in Rome. With a small group, enjoy a hands-on workshop and have plenty of time to ask questions. Then, sit down with your fellow classmates and enjoy the meal with a glass of wine. You have plenty of time to ask questions about Italian cuisine to your host.
25. OSTIA ANTICA ROME DAY TOUR
Travel back in time on this half-day tour and find out what life in ancient Rome was really like as one of Italy’s most accessible and well-preserved archaeological sites.
UNFORTUNATELY, AS RABBIE BURNS ONCE WROTE, EVEN THE BEST-LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN OFTEN GO AWRY. THAT IS WHY WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TAKING OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE TO COVER ALL EVENTUALITIES. OUR PARTNER, TRAVEL INSURED, IS OUR PREFERRED VENDOR FOR OUR CLIENT AND PERSONAL TRAVELS.
Great tips for Rome! Quick question: for the private tours, do you need to book way in advance, or is it possible to get a slot closer to the trip? Thanks!
Hi Leandro! I do recommend booking in advance, especially during peak seasons for major tours like the Vatican and Colosseum to avoid any dissapointment!