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.
Want more? Check out A Roman Scoop!
We’re planning our trip to Rome in mid February. I read that in that month, most attractions, lodgings and restaurants close. Could you please tell me if this winter month truly does this?
I have heard and read so many beautiful things about Rome from so many friends, novels, movies, news and also from social media. People talks about different travel attractions of Rome especially in winter season. I always look to visit Rome in winter season to see all that holiday destination but till now it cant be possible due to one or more reasons.
But now, after reading your article, i am damn sure that i will visit all those travel attractions of Rome in next winter and will complete my checklist of Rome.
Thank you for the info! It’s very helpful and encouraging! Great information, o well written and very inspiring as well! 🙂
Hello!! I’m so glad you posted this it was exactly what I was looking for. I was thinking about going to Rome leaving Saturday morning and leaving Sunday pm. I was also planing on booking a tour bus for the weekend (City tours) so I could see as much as I could. Do you think this is enough time? Don’t have any holidays left to take 🙂 lol.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I am travelling alone for the first time to Rome this September and I am really nervous. All my friends are scaring me off that it wouldn’t be safe for me to go alone. I am still going to do it. Life is too short not to take chances. Could you please let me know where you stayed in Rome and how you got around the city.
Hi Monica!
When I was in Rome I stayed at two different places. One was a B&B called La Maison De Famille and the second was a hotel called SuiteDreams. Both were great places. As for how we got around – we walked everywhere. I loved walking because it was great exercise and you got to really see all the sights and enjoy your surroundings.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us readers I really appreciate articles like this in ways you simply can’t imagine. 🙂
How easy was it for you to converse with the locals? While I will work on mastering a few phrases before my trip, I really do not speak Italian.
I do not want to stand out as a tourist, so I am concerned about walking with my luggage down the street trying to reach my hotel. I guess that is why I am thinking about taking a cab to avoid drawing any attention to myself. Obviously I have no concept of how things will be while I am in Rome.
Hi Marina.
Honestly, everyone in Rome spoke English very well, so we pretty much stuck to that. We did however use a few phrases in Italian, but English mainly.
I really liked your article. I will be going over to Europe solo within a month for 6 weeks. It was meant to have been two of us, but my partner and I unfortunately have just parted ways. I have decided I will still go ahead and make plans for myself. I just booked my return flights today. I am sad, I am nervous, I am excited – so many mixed emotions. I have never travelled extensively by myself before but reading your article has helped ease my anxiety momentarily. So, thank you and wish me luck.
Hi Dana,
I’m sorry to hear that, but you will have a marvelous time! Good luck 🙂
Thanks for your post, very helpful. I’m doing a solo travel to Italy this August. Im excited and nervous at the same time. I’ll keep your Lessons in mind. Do you think 2 days is enough for Rome and Vatican? I’m stretching my 8 days with Rome/Vatican > Tuscany/Florence > Venice > Rome. Thank you!
Hi Jodie!
Okay, my first question to you would be, are you taking the tour of the Vatican? If yes, then I would say you would need half-a-day for it. It also depends on how many of the sites you want to see in Rome. You could try, but it may be a tight schedule. If you don’t have too many places to see then you may be able to do it. Let me know if you have anymore questions!
Thank you. Great info. Here is my question. Would like to book solo trip for myself. Ultimately spend 5 days, flying into Rome. Would rather not deal with the whole planned tour deal. So, do the major hotels offer casual day tours that I could take part in each day?
Hi Collen,
I would say, call up the hotels you want to stay at to get more information. I have noticed that most hotels do provide something, however, to stay on the safe side email them, or call them up and ask!