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Aerial of Rome's historic city center with domes and monuments.
Aerial of Rome's historic city center with domes and monuments.

Rome

Published: 20 October 2023, 10:00

The Eternal City

The history of Rome spans more than 2,500 years. The Colosseum, Forum Romanum and the Pantheon are just some of the ancient landmarks the city has to offer. The Vatican City, an independent city-state within Rome, is home to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Rome is also an important place of art and culture: masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and many other great artists can be seen in numerous squares, churches and museums. But the Italian capital is not just a living museum – here, remains from the past go hand in hand with the bustling, lively atmosphere of a modern world metropolis.

A few days are not enough to see the abundance of sights. One thing’s for sure: once you’ve been to Rome, you’ll keep coming back. With that in mind, don’t forget to throw a coin over your left shoulder at the Trevi Fountain!

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 2.7 million
  • Official language: Italian
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

Ten Roman highlights

The ancient Colosseum in Rome in daylight.
The Colosseum was built in the 1st century AD and is one of Rome’s most famous landmarks and a symbol of the Roman Empire. © afitz/stock.adobe.com
Ruins and columns at the ancient Roman Forum in Rome.
A fascinating window into the past: Forum Romanum was the political, economic and religious centre of ancient Rome and is now an impressive archaeological site. © Iris/stock.adobe.com
St. Peter’s Square with Basilica and obelisk under blue sky.
St. Peter’s is the largest basilica and one of the most impressive religious buildings worldwide. As the residence of the Pope, it’s also an important pilgrimage site. © refresh(PIX)/stock.adobe.com
Spanish Steps in Rome surrounded by historic buildings.
The picturesque Spanish Steps lead to the Trinità dei Monti church and are a popular meeting and viewpoint. © steschum/stock.adobe.com
Monumental Trevi Fountain with statues and water feature.
Those who want to return to Rome again should throw a coin over their left shoulder at the magnificent Trevi Fountain. © norbel/stock.adobe.com
Front facade of Pantheon with columns and fountain.
The Pantheon was built in 126 BC and is an architectural masterpiece. Its dome, with a diameter of 43 metres, is considered the largest self-supporting dome in the world. © milosk50/stock.adobe.com
Gardens and facade of Villa Borghese in Rome.
The Villa Borghese Park is the location of Galleria Borghese, which houses an impressive art collection, including masterpieces by Caravaggio, Bernini and Raphael. © Angelo Calvino/stock.adobe.com
Illuminated fountain at Piazza Navona at sunset.
Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful and popular squares in Rome; in the middle of the Piazza is the Fountain of the Four Rivers by the sculptor Bernini. © f11photo/stock.adobe.com
Capitoline Square with geometric paving and central statue.
The Capitolium is home to the Capitoline Museum and the Senatorial Palace; there’s a beautiful view over Rome’s Old Town from the Piazza del Campidoglio. © ValerioMei/stock.adobe.com
Castel Sant'Angelo with statue-adorned bridge over Tiber.
Originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, Castel Sant’Angelo was subsequently used as a fortress, prison and refuge for popes, among other things. © André Franke/stock.adobe.com

Worthwhile alternatives to main attractions

Rome is packed full of monumental sights, and, of course, there’s no way around a visit to the classics such as the Colosseum or the Pantheon. The city offers more than enough to discover, even for a longer stay or a second or third visit. Here we present some of the lesser-known attractions that are well worth visiting.

Five lesser-known Roman sights that are worth visiting

Historic cobbled Via Appia lined with pine trees.
Via Appia Antica is one of the oldest streets in the world, lined with ancient ruins and historic sites. Ideal for a quiet walk or a bike ride. © Karl Allen Lugmayer/stock.adobe.com
Ornate archway and buildings in Quartiere Coppedè, Rome.
Quartiere Coppedè is famous for its extravagant architecture. It was shaped by the architect Gino Coppedè at the beginning of the 20th century. © Bruno/stock.adobe.com
Aerial of Rome with mountains on horizon at sunset.
A particularly beautiful view over Rome’s Old Town can be found from Gianicolo Hill above the Trastevere district. A visit at sunset is highly recommended. © wsf-f/stock.adobe.com
Path in Giardino degli Aranci with tall pine trees and benches.
Giardino degli Aranci is a hidden gem not far from the Colosseum. The park with cypress and orange trees offers an oasis of calm in the midst of the city. © Vladimir Sazonov/stock.adobe.com
Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere at dusk with fountain.
The picturesque student district of Trastevere comes alive in the evening: locals and tourists mingle here in the abundance of lively bars and restaurants. © Ekaterina Belova/stock.adobe.com

Rome from BER

Aircraft shortly before touching down on the runway.

easyJet

Ryanair

Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

Five travel tips for ...

  1. “La Dolce Vita” with the famous bath in the Trevi Fountain
  2. “Roman Holiday” with the enchanting Audrey Hepburn
  3. “Eat, Pray, Love” makes you want to make culinary discoveries
  4. “The Great Beauty” is a declaration of love for the city
  5. The highly suspenseful thriller “Angels & Demons”, set in Rome and the Vatican

  1. Carry an empty bottle: water bottles can be filled free of charge at numerous drinking fountains
  2. Observe closing times: many shops are closed between 1-4 pm; restaurants between 2-7 pm.
  3. Dress appropriately: shoulders and knees must be covered when visiting churches
  4. Pre-book tickets: book a time slot in advance for main attractions such as the Colosseum or the Sistine Chapel
  5. Carry cash: it’s not possible to pay by card in many places

  1. Try the Roman classic cacio e pepe – pasta with pecorino and pepper
  2. Enjoying delicious fried artichokes at a restaurant in the Jewish Ghetto
  3. Eat fresh fish in one of the many fish restaurants in the Testaccio district
  4. Taste the delicious home-made gelato at the historic Giolitti ice cream parlour
  5. Try the best bruschetta with juicy and sun-ripened tomatoes in Trastevere

Picture source title: © neirfy / stock.adobe.com

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