It’s a hot summer night, you and the girls have decided to take a break from your touristy duties and relax on the Spanish Steps. Yes, the Spanish Steps located in Rome, Italy. You notice a large group of young women and men walk up the steps, smiling and rapidly speaking in Italian, as they separate into two groups. The women wait on the staircase’s located to the right and the men on the left. Softly, the opening notes of Frank Sinatra’s Moon River begin to play, quieting down all the tourists surrounding you. One by one, couples walk towards the center of the Spanish Steps, twirl and descend down the staircase and await the next couple. Now if that doesn’t sound like a movie scene I don’t know what does. Sitting there and experiencing that first hand was surreal. Things that you only imagine in your dreams come to life in a city like Rome.
There’s much more to Rome than most cities. If you’re a history buff, this will quickly become your favorite city. We visited, and came back with a list of our favorite historic spots, where it’s easy to visualize yourself in an old-timey movie:
A Few Must-See Historic Spots in Rome that Will Leave You Wanting More
Rome offers tourists a city with beauty and culture, charming buildings, history, and people so sweet that you feel like you’ve known them your entire life. The mouth-watering desserts and the impromptu Italian lesson while you are eating breakfast is just a bonus. That is why your first dessert shop should be in I Dolce Di Nonna Vincenza, which you will find in the central square of Monte Citorio. Here you will be greeted with enthusiastic individuals who sell “age-old traditional Sicilian sweets,” which will make your mouths water – especially their cannoli.
As you enjoy your delicious Italian pastry, whichever you choose, you can stroll around and take in the beautiful Chigi Palace in the Piazza Colonna. Once finished, it is only a five minute walk towards the Trevi Fountain, which is the perfect ticket to walk off those sweets and take in the Italian culture surrounding you.
Once you’ve started on your sight-seeing journey there are a few historic attractions you can’t miss:
The Roman Forum
If you are an individual who loves history so much you can’t get enough of it, the Roman Forum is definitely for you. It places you right in the middle of the political, commercial and judicial life of ancient Rome. The main sights included in the Forum are the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Saturn, Temple of Vesta, and the Church of San Luca e Martina.
Palatine Hill
Another historical site, which you walk to right after you finish in the Roman Forum, seeing as they are connected. This is especially easy now, because these buildings are, as you can say, not in tip top shape. They are the ruins of some fantastic sites that everyone can still enjoy.
The Colosseum
Make your way straight to the Colosseum right after finishing up with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. It is a magnificent view and once inside it has a definite wow factor. The first thought that pops into your head is “wow, individuals actually built this magnificent building without the technology we have today?!” It’s an amazing experience.
The Trevi Fountain
Breathtaking. This is one stop you definitely cannot miss on your Italian trip. A wonderful example of Baroque art with water that sparkles in the sun and presence you can hear from nearby streets. I remember rounding the corner and the Trevi Fountain appearing, as if out of thin air. I cried. I actually had tears rolling down my cheeks. It was a beautiful site to see. It is a magnificent structure that you can’t appreciate fully until you are standing right in front of it. Of course, it is beautiful when shown throughout a movie scene, but it is definitely something else in person. Plus, do not forget to make your wish when you are there.
The Pantheon
The Roman monument that has the greatest number of records: “the best preserved, with the biggest brick dome, and it is considered the forerunner of all modern places of worship,” writes Italyguides.it. The Pantheon is set in a legendary place. It has gone under two fires and the present look you encounter is by the Emperor Hadrian. Once you take a step inside you’re in awe. Individuals walk around, or rest on the steps enjoying some gelato, as they watch street performers.
The Spanish Steps
From the description above I am definitely certain you would not want to miss this magnificent structure. The marble staircase is not only breathtaking, but also slippery, so be cautious as you make your way to the top. The Barcaccia Fountain sits at the foot of the stairs. It represents the historic flood of River Tiber. It acted as a solution to connecting the square and the Trinita Church above. A beautiful site, always busy with tourists, but a must see destination.
The Vatican
As everyone knows the Pope lives here. You most definitely do not want to miss Vatican City and all that it provides. The museums, as well are extremely wonderful to go see. However, remember if you want to get inside the Vatican or the Vatican Necropolis you must make appointments. You have to do this before you leave for your vacation. Plus, you need to have your passport at the ready. It is definitely worth it. It was breathtaking. Also, remember if you go inside you must be wearing something covering your knees and your shoulders.
Piazza Navona
It was a five minute walk from the place we were staying, so it didn’t take long. At first glance the city square resembled the area in which the Trevi Fountain sat. It is beautiful in the evening as well as the morning. Surrounded by restaurants, it is definitely a place you want to go to relax and eat some delicious Italian food. Here you will see the Four Rivers fountain, Neptune fountain, Sant’Agnese in Agone, and the Fountain of the Moor.
Capitoline Hill
It is said to be “the smallest and most important of the seven hills of Ancient Rome.” Here, you definitely do not want to miss the Victor Emmanuel Monument. At the top of the stairs you will see two guards standing beside a bowl of fire. I witnessed this while it was 35 degrees in Rome and the guards were fully clothed in thick jackets and rubber boots. It is a beautiful sight to behold and many stairs to ascend, but amazing once you get a closer look at the art work.
There’s simply no other city in the world that has so many beautiful historic spots to visit, and so close together. Now, get on the computer and book your Roman holiday because believe me, it will be worth it.
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I am going to Italy for 15 days in June. I have 3 nights booked when I arrive in Florence, 2 booked in Rome before I depart. 9 or 10 days to float with around with no certainty of shelter, or location. Reading about your experiences and general mental approach to traveling in Rome was very confirming of what I already believe: that this will be an incredible journey. I am excited, nervous, and feel fortunate to taste such youthful freedom again. I have a great feeling that everything will be just fine, if not amazing. Thanks for sharing your story, it was comforting.
I stumbled across your post and absolutely love it!! I am going to Rome by myself next Tuesday! Reading such detailed review on Rome gives me courage!
I will be doing my first solo trip next month. London-Paris-Rome. Your blog is very helpful to me. I’m ecstatic and at the same time nervous.
I love the photos you shared. And these tips are geniunely helpful! Taking your time to just wander the streets at your own pace is the best way to become familiar with this wonderful city. There are great shops you can stop into, ruins around every corner and fantastic food all just waiting for you to discover.
Great review! 🙂 If I had to add anything to this, I’d say take the bus to the sites instead of the metro… that way you get to see the different sites on the way. Plus, bus rides are “free”… everyone, locals and tourists jump on and off and no one pays… NO ONE.
Good work… unique site and interesting too… keep up the great work… looking forward for more updates. 🙂
Absolutely LOVED Rome!! I highly recommend paying the extra few bucks and doing the “skip the line” tickets! Saved a ton of time so you can see all the sights! Watch out for scampers and pick pockets. Great experience and would go again. It is very difficult to remember everything because it is just so jaw dropping when touring St. Peters Basilica!! LOVED IT!!!
We are visiting Rome this summer with my fiancé and while researching some tips, I’ve come across your site. Thanks for the tips. I will bookmark to print later. 🙂
Most of the people love to visit Rome as it has bunches of beautiful places to watch and enjoy such as Ostia Antica, The Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums etc. One should do proper research about Rome before visiting it in order to get a comfortable and safe travelling. That’s why I always come to Urbanette.com before I make my travel plans. Articles like this are such great help. Thank you.
Every night my husband and I walked to the Spanish Steps, then over to the Trevi fountain. We would go to a great little place highly recommended by every Roman that we asked for gelato, Il Gelato di San Crispino. It was just up the street from the fountain. We would go get our 3 scoops of gelato (my faves were pear and lemon) and head back to the fountain to eat it. Being there at 11pm or later, there were maybe 10 or so other people there most nights. One night, at the stroke of midnight, we got to watch a marriage proposal – wonderful! Then we would walk back to our hotel.
There were police out, so we felt VERY safe, (Hotel even said we would be very safe). It was so refreshing to see this busy, hustling city during day be fairly vacated at night. The packed Spanish Steps were empty (and clean!), everything was fairly well lit, some of my favorite pictures were taken on these evening walks.