Skip to content
  • wesolotravel@gmail.com
Facebook-f Instagram Twitter
WS-logo-green-H-500px
  • REGIONS
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
  • COMMUNITIES
    • Art & Culture
    • Female Travel
    • LGBTQ Travel
    • Outdoor Adventures
      • Climbing and Mountaineering
      • Cycling
      • Hiking
    • Solo Travel
    • Water Activities
    • Winter Travel
  • ABOUT
    • WeSolo App Features
    • About We Solo
    • Contact
  • GET THE APP
Menu
  • REGIONS
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
  • COMMUNITIES
    • Art & Culture
    • Female Travel
    • LGBTQ Travel
    • Outdoor Adventures
      • Climbing and Mountaineering
      • Cycling
      • Hiking
    • Solo Travel
    • Water Activities
    • Winter Travel
  • ABOUT
    • WeSolo App Features
    • About We Solo
    • Contact
  • GET THE APP

7 Awesome Things to See in Ancient Rome

  • By Cade Floyd
  • April 17, 2020
  • No Comments
Ponte Sunset at Sant'Angelo Bridge, Rome

There are so many amazing things to see in ancient Rome that one visit isn’t usually enough. So, what makes this iconic city so special?! Fascinating history, endless beauty, stunning architecture, and exquisite food.

Rome can be overwhelming. It’s huge, expensive, and busy but after a week of exploration, we guarantee you’ll fall in love with it. There are some must-sees in Rome to add to your itinerary, don’t miss them out!

BEST THINGS TO SEE IN ANCIENT ROME

Colosseum

The Colosseum is world-famous and should be at the top of every traveller’s bucket list.

It is the biggest amphitheatre in the world and during the days of the Roman Empire, it represented their massive power and control.

The once marbled walls are crumbling but you can still see the magnificence that once was. Explore the grounds and imagine yourself as a gladiator in the arena facing pain and death or a member of the ruling class watching the gruesome show in luxury from the upper levels.

Security is rigorous and queues are epic at the Colosseum. Try and avoid the worst of it by booking tickets online and arriving in the early morning or late afternoon.

Colosseum at night, Rome
Colosseum at night, Rome| © Pixabay

Pantheon

The Pantheon is a 2000-year-old Roman Temple that has been regenerated for modern use as a church.

Stand on the plaza and gaze up at the imposing granite columns, the pastel colours of the smooth marble, and the giant doors hewn from solid bronze.

Step into the cool of the interior at midday and you will discover just how lovely a building can be. When the sunlight streams through the round hole in the roof, the light in the room is breathtaking.

Even in the rain, the Pantheon is a wonderful place. Rain pounds the marbled floor and the noise is deafening. Amazingly, it never floods as hidden drains capture the water.

Ancient Pantheon in Rome
Ancient Pantheon in Rome | © Pixabay

St. Peter’s Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica is part of The Vatican City, a completely different country to Rome. It is one of the biggest churches to have ever existed. It was constructed by the most skilled and creative Renaissance craftsmen and is gorgeous.

Inside you will find the tombs of previous Popes, elegant sculptures and superbly detailed carvings.

Most visitors to St Peter’s Basilica will summon up the energy to take on the 871 steps that lead to the summit of the dome. They are rewarded by a panoramic view of Vatican City.

Plan your visit for a Wednesday and you might be lucky and witness a papal audience across St Peter’s Square. I was thrilled to be passing on a Sunday and heard him recite the Angelus prayer. It was incredibly moving.

St Peters Basilica, Rome
St Peters Basilica, Rome | © Pixabay

> RELATED ARTICLES: 6 REASONS TO VISIT LECCO

Trevi Fountain

I adored the Trevi Fountain! It is so decadent and detailed, a Baroque masterpiece. Snakes drink from the sparkling water, winged horses glide into the air and tritons display their power.

The Fountain was built 250 years ago, and it is incredible how glossy and white the marble still is.

I held with tradition and threw a coin into the water to join the hundreds already glittering there. During peak season two thousand Euros a week are donated to a local food bank.

It was busy, the Trevi Fountain always is! But I went early so managed to get close enough for a good look as I devoured my first gelato of the day.

Trevi Fountain, Rome
Trevi Fountain, Rome | © Pixabay

Roman Forum

The ruins of The Roman Forum are what is left of the heart and soul of the Roman Empire. It is here that brothels shared space with temples, gossip was shared, lovers met for the first time and political debate raged. 

Tickets to the Colosseum include entry to the Forum so exploring this awe-inspiring place didn’t cost a penny! It’s possible to see a lot of The Roman Forum for free from the road named ‘Via Dei Fori Imperiali’ but I think it’s important to get close to the history in order to soak up the unique atmosphere.

Don’t forget to see The Temple of Caesar, a monument to the Emperor betrayed and stabbed by his political rivals in 44BC.

Ancient ruins of Roman Forum
Ancient ruins of Roman Forum | © Pixabay

> RELATED ARTICLES: BEST SIGHTS IN BERGAMO AND THINGS TO DO IN MILAN

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is situated in Vatican City and is where the whole world seems to descend every day. They are all there to see Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam’ a vast richly coloured painting that graces the chapel roof.

Don’t spend the whole time looking up though! There is much to see throughout the chapel. Every available inch of space has been made divine through sculpture, carvings, and the shimmer of gold gilding.

It is always ridiculously busy, and the queues will make your heart sink. If the thought of sweating it out under the Roman sun for hours is horrifying (me too!) then book your tickets online to claim an allocated visit time.

Michelango art in Sistine Chapel
Michelango art in Sistine Chapel | © Pixabay

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are full of some of the most glorious art and artefacts you will ever see. This is a collection curated by Popes both past and present.

The museum’s ‘mission’ is to celebrate the joy of creation and how God works tirelessly to bring beauty to all parts of our lives. There is so much to see in rooms that are simply as wonderful as the objects they house. My favourite part of the museum was The Gallery of Maps’.

Bramante staircase in Vatican Museums
Bramante staircase in Vatican Museums | © Pixabay

HOW TO PLAN THE BEST ROME TRIP

Plan ahead for your Rome trip

  • Find the best hotel deals in Rome on Booking.com
  • Get your airport transfer taxi from Rome Airports or Bus booked from Ciampino Airport
  • Find the best train ticket deals with Rail Europe
  • Get around Roma with 48 or 72 Hour City Pass 
  • Organise travel insurance to suit your needs with World Nomads

Book a tour of Rome

  • Ancient Rome & Colosseum 3 Hour Small Group Tour
  • Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel Tour 
  • Colosseum Underground, Roman Forum & Hill Tour
  • Rome Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

Disclaimer: Our article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us to keep bringing you awesome content, trips, and partnerships!

Cade Floyd

Cade Floyd is Co-Founder of We Solo App and an adventure junkie.

Previous ArticleHow to Climb Mt Insubong in South Korea
Next ArticleExplore Wawel Castle and Cathedrals of Krakow
RELATED ARTICLES
MORE FROM AUTHOR
RELATED ARTICLES
Kos island

5 Beautiful Greek Islands for Backpackers

Sunrise hike up Mount Batur in Bali -Best Outdoor Activities in Bali

8 Best Outdoor Activities in Bali for Adrenaline-Seekers

Royal Palace in Phnom Penh

8 Amazing Things to See in Phnom Penh

MORE FROM AUTHOR
Kos island

5 Beautiful Greek Islands for Backpackers

Sunrise hike up Mount Batur in Bali -Best Outdoor Activities in Bali

8 Best Outdoor Activities in Bali for Adrenaline-Seekers

Royal Palace in Phnom Penh

8 Amazing Things to See in Phnom Penh

Las Teresitas beach. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands.

7 Stunning Places to Go in Europe in January

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

START YOUR WESOLO JOURNEY

app store download button
google play button
World Nomads Travel Insurance

Random Post

Breathtaking Architecture in Dubrovnik

Europe Art & Culture

6 Top Historical Attractions in Bergamo

Europe Art & Culture

7 Amazing Reasons to Visit Bangkok

Asia Art & Culture

6 Best Things To See in Heidelberg

Europe Art & Culture

START YOUR WESOLO JOURNEY DOWNLOAD THE APP

app store download button
google play button
We Solo Travel App Logo

Let’s connect on social as travellers of the world and find our best adventures!

Facebook-f Instagram Twitter
COMMUNITY
  • DOWNLOAD THE APP
  • WRITE FOR US
  • CONTACT THE TEAM
Menu
  • DOWNLOAD THE APP
  • WRITE FOR US
  • CONTACT THE TEAM
  • DOWNLOAD THE APP
  • WRITE FOR US
  • CONTACT THE TEAM
Menu
  • DOWNLOAD THE APP
  • WRITE FOR US
  • CONTACT THE TEAM
PARTNERS
  • Guide Login
  • Register as a guide
Menu
  • Guide Login
  • Register as a guide
  • Guide Login
  • Register as a guide
Menu
  • Guide Login
  • Register as a guide
STAY IN TOUCH
To be updated with all the latest news,
offers and special announcements.


    We Solo Travel App Logo
    It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content.
    Facebook-f Instagram Twitter
    POPULAR ARTICLES
    • 5 Beautiful Greek Islands for Backpackers

      5 Beautiful Greek Islands for Backpackers

    • 8 Best Outdoor Activities in Bali for Adrenaline-Seekers

      8 Best Outdoor Activities in Bali for Adrenaline-Seekers

    • 8 Amazing Things to See in Phnom Penh

      8 Amazing Things to See in Phnom Penh

    • 7 Stunning Places to Go in Europe in January

      7 Stunning Places to Go in Europe in January

    • 9 Top Ski Resorts in Asia

      9 Top Ski Resorts in Asia

    • Best Places To See Northern Lights in Scotland

      Best Places To See Northern Lights in Scotland

    POPULAR CATEGORIES
    • Art & Culture 44
    • Asia 32
    • Outdoor Adventures 29
    • Europe 25
    • REGIONS 20
    • Water Activities 12
    STAY IN TOUCH
    To be updated with all the latest news,
    offers and special announcements.

    © Copyright 2022 We Solo, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Report a Problem
    Menu
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Report a Problem