Up to now, Rome is definitely my favorite European destination.
I had been wanting to write about my top attractions but it took longer then I thought. So here are my top places to visit in Rome:
1. Vatican Museum
I don’t think any traveler would disagree with me on this. Vatican Museum is definitely the main highlight of Rome. As an art student and having studied art history, it was an absolute feast to finally see the Masterpieces in life and not in pictures. The museum is huge and just to walk through it would take you 2 hours minimum. We visited on a Sunday and we also went quite late (around 10-11 am), therefore we had to stay in line for around 2 hours before getting inside which was exhausting. It was during Christmas so apart from being on our feet for 2 hours we also had to tolerate the cold. So make sure you get there super early and definitely don’t go on the weekend.
Price: 16€ full
Museum website: http://www.museivaticani.va
one of the main highlights of Vatican museum is the sculpture of Laocoon and his sons. There’s a beautiful story behind this single statue, although it’s quite complicated if you haven’t studied Greek history.
Anyone who visits the Vatican comes to see Michelangelo’s crowning achievement in this chapel. It took him four years to only complete the ceiling and four years to paint The last judgement. Nowadays this is the place where the new pope is selected.
| The Creation of Adam |
If you’re not getting an audio guide or you don’t have a guide book with you, make sure you do some research to understand what you’re going to see there. It’s just so much more enjoyable when you know the story behind it.
| The day of judgement |
2. Colosseum + Roman Forum
The ticket for the Colosseum can be also used for visiting the Roman forum which is also a must see in Rome. To avoid the queue at the Colosseum you can simply buy your tickets at the Roman forum entrance and visit the Colosseum after. Many people don’t know this so there’s hardly any crowd at the Roman forum entrance.
4. St. Peter’s Basilica
One of the most beautiful and lavishing Renaissance churches of World. It’s also the burial site of St. peter and where you’ll see Michelangelo’s ‘pieta’ and Bernini’s ‘chair of st. Peter’.
They take the dress code very seriously here, so make sure you’re dressed properly incase your visiting in the summer. The rules are all mentioned in the website.
Price: The entrance to the church is free, but you’ll have to pay 7€ to climb up to the dome where you’ll get a beautiful view of Vatican and Rome.
website: http://saintpetersbasilica.org/index.htm
5. Trevi Fountain
According to legends if you flip a coin inside the Trevi fountain you’ll be visiting Rome again and who doesn’t want to go back to Rome!?
I would recommend visiting this fountain both during the day and night. The lighting at night makes it even more magical.
6. Pantheon
It’s 2000 years passed the construction of Pantheon and is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. If you’re an architect, then you’ll find this astonishing. This building is also one of the best-preserved of the Roman architecture and the best thing is that there is no entry fee. Just make sure you don’t go during a mass, since visitors are not allowed inside.
The Italians love their night outs but this was new year’s eve so everywhere was flooded with people.
9. Castelo Sant’ Angelo
We didn’t get to visit inside of this castle because it was closed on that specific day and we were flying back home the next day. But the outside was absolutely beautiful so I could only imagine how amazing the interior would be.
Price: 10.50 €
Website: http://www.castelsantangelo.com/
10. Piazza Navova (Navona Square)
One of the main Piazzas of Rome which is beautiful during christmas time with it’s christmas market, the carrousel and it’s Bernini fountain.
11. Arch of Constantine
Happy Travels 