Rome: Everything You Need to Know to Visit in 2024

There are few cities in the world that require as much forethought and pre-planning as Rome. At Through Eternity , our love of this city is as enduring as Rome itself. We want nothing more than you to love her, respect her, and come back time and time again. So here you will find our complete guide to Rome. Be sure to bookmark this page so that you can always find this valuable resource, and don't forget that if in doubt, then Through Eternity has daily walking tours of Rome and the Vatican that will make sure you love her as much as we do.

The Complete Travel Guide to Rome

Rome, the Eternal City, has enchanted travelers for centuries. Its significance to the Western World can not be overstated. From the Roman Empire to the Catholic Church, its reach is overarching. Today, some seven to ten million visitors and pilgrims descend on Rome annually, which puts immense strain on the city and its residents. Major monuments book out months in advance, and the best restaurants are full every night. Planning ahead is vital! So we spoke with our expert guides, who all live and breathe Rome, compiled their recommendations, and created this free travel guide to Rome.

Top Things to See in Rome

Beyond the major attractions, such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, the Vatican museums, the Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain (to name just a handful) are a gaggle of world-class museums that would sit at the top of any list of 'things to do' in almost any other city in the world.

Here, I'll concentrate on the must-sees, but you can check out our other articles to find those great secondary sites that can really elevate any visit to Rome.

The Colosseum
The site of deadly gladiator combat, exotic animal fights, and other bloody spectacles, the Colosseum's powerful history and awe-inspiring architecture, have made it an enduring symbol of the city and one of the top destinations in Rome. While the clash of swords and the cheering of crowds are no longer audible, the impressive structure itself still stands as one of the greatest achievements of Roman engineering.
The Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums
There is probably no ceiling more famous than the one Michelangelo painted in the Sistine Chapel, and it alone would qualify as one of Rome's top ten attractions. This triumph of Renaissance painting is, however, just one of the best-known highlights of one of the most amazing museum complexes in the world: with tens of thousands of artworks, the Vatican Museums have everything from Egyptian mummies to modern art, all housed within historic palaces that are not only fit for a king, they're fit for a pope.
The Pantheon
I have stepped through the giant bronze doors of the Pantheon thousands of times, and never once has the structure failed to make me speechless. Personally this is number one on my list. Built in the early second century AD, the Pantheon is the best-preserved and most creative example of Roman religious architecture. While its precise function is still debated, its name suggests that it was a temple dedicated to all the Roman gods.

Top Things to Do in Rome

With so many things to see, what should you actually do? Which experiences are unmissable, which can be skipped, and which are best for families? Well, in all honesty, there is no definitive list. What sounds like the perfect day to me may not be to you. But since you force me, here are my favorite things to do in Rome.

1. Step Out Onto the Colosseum's Arena Floor

I had worked as a guide at the Colosseum for almost a decade when they first opened the arena floor to the public. I'd circled its second tier a thousand times; I thought I had seen it from every angle. Then, the arena floor was opened to the public. I passed under the same arch that the gladiators passed through millennia before me. I passed through the darkness and into the blistering light. It took my breath away then, and it still does today. It is undoubtedly a bucket-list moment.

2. Explore the Ancient Golden Palace of the Emperor Nero

Nero built the Domus Aurea after the great fire of Rome in 64AD. After his death, the sprawling palace complex was buried so Emperor Vespasian could build the colossal Flavian Amphitheater, more commonly known today as the Colosseum. The Golden Palace of Nero remained buried for centuries and only reopened to the public in 2019. Even today, it is only open three days a week. Walking its vast halls is a privilege, and exploring them with an expert archaeologist is an experience you will never forget. Through Eternity runs weekly tours of the Domus Aurea, you can sign up here.

3. Visit one of Rome's Lesser Known World-Class Museum

It's hard to imagine a lesser-known world-class museum, but Rome has quite a few of them. With everyone concentrating on the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi, museums like Palazzo Massimo and the spectacular Capitoline Museums go largely unvisited. Crowds are never too bad, and the artwork is some of the finest in the world, especially and unsurprisingly when it comes to Greek and Rome sculpture. The Pugilist in Palazzo Massimo stands out, particularly for me.

If you want to Know More, read on to find our full list of 'Top Things to See in Rome' or dive even deeper with ' Top Ten Unusual Things to See in Rome '.

Are Tours in Rome Worth it?

Tours can elevate any trip. They can give you access to otherwise restricted areas, like the Colosseum Underground Tour, or they can offer insight and context to vast and complex museums, like the Vatican Museums.

The Pros of Taking a Tour in Rome With Through Eternity

Exclusive Access: Some sights in Rome can only be accessed by being accompanied by a licensed tour guide. The Domus Area and Colosseum Underground are two of the most prominent examples.
Skip-the-Lines: Did you fly halfway around the world to stand in a line outside the Colosseum, or do you want to skip those lines and explore the ancient arena, saving yourself precious hours of your vacation?

Expert Insight: The Vatican Museums is home to roughly 70,000 pieces of artwork, with 20,000 of them being on display. The Vatican Museums has roughly zero boards explaining what any of these pieces are. Not only will a guide make sure you see the highlights of the museums, but they will also make sure you understand their significance, elevating any experience.

The Cons of Taking a Tour in Rome With Through Eternity

The Cost: If you are on a budget, a tour can seem like an unnecessary expense, but don't worry, the Through Eternity Blog is full of hundreds of free guides to museums and attractions across Rome and Italy. You can find a few of our most popular pieces below:

The Best Tours of Rome

We recently compiled a full list of the best tours to take in Rome, where you can find full descriptions of the tours and why we love them so much. But you find links to some of our favorites below.

Where to Stay in Rome

Knowing where not to stay in Rome can be just as important as knowing where to stay. Generally, you want to avoid anywhere close to Termini train station; it's not that it's particularly dangerous; it's just not particularly nice either. I can't think of any restaurant or bar that would make any top ten list.

Rather than recommend specific hotels, I prefer to recommend neighborhoods.

Monti - Located next to the Colosseum, this one-time slum is today one of Rome's coolest neighborhoods.
Via Veneto (Spanish Steps): For those for whom price isn't an issue, there are plenty of 5-star classics.
Historic Center (Piazza Navona and the Pantheon) - Great restaurants, close to everything, perfect for those who want to walk everywhere
Pigneto - Heading East out of the city, Pigneto is Rome's answer to Shoreditch, a traditional neighborhood that's become popular with artists and intellectuals.
Trastevere - A fascinating jumble of cultures, histories, and monuments piling up on one another, a little loud at night, so maybe not for the light sleepers or those with young children.

Find the Perfect Stay Thanks to Our Partnership with Expedia

What to Eat in Rome

While food in Rome is seasonal, there are certain classics you can get all year round. Now, if you go and order a lasagne or Chicken parmesan, you are probably going to get some frozen meal heated up in a microwave. When in Rome, do as the Romans do and look for those typical Roman classics, like Carbona, Amatriciana, or Cacio e Pepe. When in season you can also find great options like Jewish Artichokes or Puntarelle. If you want to know more about what you should order and why, check out our articles.

Where to Eat in Rome

You would think that it would be impossible to find bad food in Rome, but that isn't the case. There are so many horrendously bad tourist traps that if you just wander out of your hotel and into the nearest spot it will invariably be mediocre.. Like with the most popular sites, if you want to do the best, you need to plan ahead. Where possible, make reservations; where reservations aren't possible, turn up early in the sitting.We have a few great articles about the best places to eat and drink in Rome (see links below), but let's highlight a few favorites right here.

Flavio al Veleroedetto Via di Monte Testaccio 97 (Testaccio) Lunch and dinner; no weekly closure
Armando al Pantheon Salita dei Crescenzi 31 (Historic Centre) closed Sundays and Saturday evenings
Sora Margherita Piazza delle Cinque Scole 30 (Historic Centre) Lunch and dinner; no weekly closure

Check out all our food recommendations here:

Direct Flights To Rome

Rome has two major international airports, Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport and Ciampino Airport. If you are traveling from North America then you will likely be arriving at da Vinci - Fiumicino. You'll find direct flights to Rome from:

Atalanta (ATL)
Chicago (ORD)
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Miami (MIA)
New York (JFK, EWR)
Philadelphia (PHL)
Charlotte (CLT)
Washington DC (IAD)

This list is by no means exhaustive, and companies frequently change their destinations. Thanks to our partnership with Skyscanner, you can search for flights directly below.

Rome Airports - How to Get to Rome From Each

Your options will vary depending on which airport you are arriving at. Train, bus, and taxi options are available at each airport, or if you want to have all the stress taken care of for you, you can use our transfer service.

Fiumicino, Da Vinci Airport to Rome:

By Bus: There are several bus options from Da Vinci International to Rome. The most frequent is Terravision. It costs €6 and takes about 45 minutes if traffic is light (which it never is). The bus leaves Rome's central station, Termini. From there, you have several options to reach your hotel, including Metro, bus, and a ridiculously busy taxi rank.

By Train: The Da Vinci Express runs every 15 minutes from the airport to Termini Station. Taking just 32 minutes, it is the fastest option to the center and costs just €14. Once at Termini, the same options as above apply, busy, metro, or busy taxi rank.

By Private Transfer: This is the most expensive option but also the most relaxing. A private transfer will meet you right after you collect your luggage before whisking you off in luxury to your accommodation. This really is the best option if you just spent seven hours or more on a flight. Sit back and relax, get to your accommodation quickly, and get started with visiting Rome as soon as possible. You can book a private transfer here.

Ciampino Airport to Rome:

For over 20 years, Through Eternity have been organizing itineraries showcasing the best of Rome led by our resident expert guides. If you're planning a visit to the Eternal City this year, be sure to get in touch to help plan your perfect trip!