Places to Visit in Rome Italy for First-Timers

Rome is one of those places where seeing everything in a few days is impossible, especially for first-timers. Italian cuisines, old Roman architecture and the Vatican are all intermingled in the city’s past and present face. However, it’s essential to make a list of the things to do so that you may get the most of your trip there and have fun while exploring, especially for first-timers. So be ready to pack, because these are the best things to do in Rome that would surely leave you mesmerized by its beauty. Here are some recommendations for places to visit in Rome. We often wonder when is the best time to visit Italy? May, June, Secptember and October is most of the times preferred by the visitors.

Colosseum

Do not miss the chance to witness one of the seven wonders of the world when you travel to Rome. Every traveller has this place as one of the places to visit in Rome. The Colosseum is a magnificent historic amphitheatre and one of Italy’s most well-known sights. Established around 70 and 80 AD, this is the world’s most enormous amphitheatre. In the early Medieval Period, it was mostly utilized for gladiatorial combat, theatrical performances, and other forms of entertainment.

The ruins of the magnificent monument still stand as a reminder of Ancient Rome’s luxury, glory, and power. The Colosseum is always extremely packed because it is the city’s most popular tourist destination. To have the most genuine experience, head there early in the morning. You may buy tickets just from your smartphone the day before to save time from queuing up.

St. Peter Balisica

If you enjoy panorama vistas, this arduous but worthwhile climb should be on your list of the things to do during your very first trip. You’ll be able to witness all of Rome once you reach its summit, so keep in mind to bring along your camera and take a bunch of pictures of that breath-taking view.

One thing to note, the climb to the top can be pretty challenging for first-timers. An elevator is available, but it only stops just a part of the way up. If you decide to hop on the elevator to save some energy for later, it will drop you off on a balcony where you will be able to have a clear view of the dome’s exterior.

The Pantheon a must in your places to visit in Rome

The Pantheon, Rome’s finest ancient structure, is yet another must-see tourist destination to add to your list of places to visit in Rome. It was initially consecrated to all mythological divine beings, but in the 7th century, it converted to a church. The best part about this is that there is no admittance fee, so you’ll get to enter for free.

Inside the building, you’ll be able to appreciate the colossal dome and the oculus (the dome’s entrance), which provide the space with a distinctive illumination. The Pantheon also houses the graves of Raphael (the famed painter) and Victor Emmanuel II, Italy’s first ruler.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain, completed in the mid-1700s, is among Italy’s most renowned attractions. Nicola Salvi designed this magnificent baroque fountain, which he envisioned as a dramatic fountain at the confluence of three streets. The fountain’s name is derived from an Italian phrase, ‘tre vie‘, which translates to ‘three streets.’ The Trevi is a good demonstration of a baroque design with a mythical character.

The fountain received a multimillion-euro renovation and was relaunched in November 2015 to all its glory. Per the Roman legend, if you throw a few stones into the fountain over your left shoulder, you’ll return to the Eternal City one day. The best time to visit this mythical site is when lights illuminate the fountain in the evening. However, it is open to the public 24/7, so you can visit this fountain every time.

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Within these gates sits the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s famous frescoes, one among Vatican City’s main sites. A visit to the Vatican Museums gives you access to many areas within the palaces, including the Sistine Chapel. The beautiful spiral stairway and the Raphael Rooms are masterpieces preserved inside this museum. Since the Vatican Museums are so large, tour guides are strongly advised as one of the tips to understand more about this place, albeit they increase the cost of admission. Audio guides are a considerably more affordable option.

Note that museums are typically busy, particularly on Saturdays, Mondays, and holidays. It would be best if you also kept in mind to adhere to the museum’s clothing rule (shorts, sleeveless shirts and short skirts are not allowed), as well as the Sistine Chapel’s whisper and no-photo restrictions.

Piazza del Popolo

The Piazza del Popolo is a vast oval space located in northern Rome that dates back to the Roman Empire’s early days. It was formerly the beginning of the most significant road north. Three churches surround the area, but an antique Egyptian obelisk is the focal point. The Porta del Popolo, which connects to the Via Flaminia, a route between Rome and the Adriatic coast, dominates the plaza on the north side.

Centro Storico & the Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps, located in the Piazza di Spagna (named after the neighbouring Spanish Embassy among the Holy See), are another must-see for many first-time visitors. You may walk the same stairwells that 19th-century novelists Balzac and Byron used for their muse. When the azaleas bloom in the spring, the steps become even more appealing.