Top 10doRome

Top 10 Best Places to Do in Rome

From ancient gladiator arenas to world-renowned art, authentic Italian cuisine, and la dolce vita experiences, Rome offers unforgettable activities for every traveler. Discover the best things to do in the Eternal City.

Updated January 21, 2026

All-Time Best

1.

Colosseum Tour

Colosseum Tour
$$
Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, ItalyWebsite

Step into the world's most famous gladiator arena where ancient Romans once watched epic battles and spectacles. Explore the underground chambers where gladiators and wild animals awaited their fate, walk the arena floor, and learn about 2,000 years of history from expert guides. The Colosseum remains Rome's most iconic landmark and a must-see monument of the ancient world.

Highlights

  • Underground chambers and arena floor access
  • Skip-the-line entry included
  • Expert archaeologist guides
  • Combined Roman Forum and Palatine Hill ticket
Also available on:
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2.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
$$$
Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma RM, ItalyWebsite

Marvel at one of the world's greatest art collections spanning centuries of masterpieces, culminating in Michelangelo's breathtaking Sistine Chapel ceiling. Walk through the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and countless galleries housing ancient sculptures, Renaissance paintings, and papal treasures before standing beneath the iconic Last Judgment.

Highlights

  • Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling
  • Raphael Rooms and Gallery of Maps
  • Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures
  • Early morning or evening exclusive access tours
Also available on:
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3.

Italian Cooking Class

Italian Cooking Class
$$$
Various locations, Central RomeWebsite

Learn the art of authentic Italian pasta making from local chefs in a hands-on cooking experience. Roll fresh pasta dough, create classic shapes like fettuccine and ravioli, prepare traditional Roman sauces, and enjoy your creations with local wine. Classes often include market visits to select fresh ingredients from neighborhood vendors.

Highlights

  • Hands-on fresh pasta making
  • Traditional Roman recipes
  • Wine pairing included
  • Market tour options available
Also available on:
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4.

Vespa Tour

Vespa Tour
$$$
Various departure points, Central RomeWebsite

Experience Rome like a local on an iconic Italian Vespa scooter. Zip through cobblestone streets, piazzas, and hidden neighborhoods that tour buses can't reach. Your guide leads you past major landmarks including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps while sharing insider knowledge about the Eternal City's history and culture.

Highlights

  • Iconic Italian Vespa experience
  • Hidden streets and piazzas
  • Photo stops at major landmarks
  • Helmets and insurance included
Also available on:
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5.

Roman Wine Tasting

Roman Wine Tasting
$$
Various wine bars and enotecas, Central RomeWebsite

Discover the wines of the Roman countryside and beyond in an intimate tasting experience. Sample regional varieties from Lazio including Frascati, Cesanese, and rare indigenous grapes alongside renowned Italian wines. Expert sommeliers guide you through tasting techniques while sharing stories of ancient Roman wine traditions and modern viticulture.

Highlights

  • Regional Lazio wines featured
  • Expert sommelier guidance
  • Cheese and charcuterie pairings
  • Historic wine cellar settings
Also available on:
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6.

Catacombs Tour

Catacombs Tour
$$
Via Appia Antica, 00179 Roma RM, ItalyWebsite

Descend into Rome's mysterious underground world where early Christians buried their dead in miles of subterranean tunnels. Explore ancient burial chambers decorated with early Christian art and symbols, learn about persecution-era Rome, and discover the stories of saints and martyrs whose remains rest in these sacred spaces.

Highlights

  • Miles of underground tunnels
  • Early Christian frescoes
  • Catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano
  • Expert archaeologist guides
Also available on:
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7.

Trastevere Food Tour

Trastevere Food Tour
$$
Trastevere neighborhood, RomeWebsite

Eat your way through Rome's most charming neighborhood on a guided culinary adventure. Sample authentic Roman street food, artisan pizza, fresh supplì, seasonal pasta, and traditional desserts at family-run trattorias and hidden local gems. Trastevere's cobblestone streets and vibrant atmosphere make this the perfect setting for discovering Roman cuisine.

Highlights

  • 10+ tastings at local spots
  • Authentic Roman street food
  • Family-run trattorias
  • Wine and craft beer included
Also available on:
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8.

Gladiator School

Gladiator School
$$$
Via Appia Antica, 18, 00179 Roma RM, ItalyWebsite

Train like an ancient Roman warrior at an authentic gladiator school experience. Learn to fight with traditional weapons including the gladius sword and shield from instructors in period costume. Discover the history, techniques, and lives of real gladiators while practicing combat moves on the grounds of the historic Appian Way.

Highlights

  • Authentic gladiator costume and weapons
  • Learn sword fighting techniques
  • Historic Appian Way location
  • Certificate of completion
Also available on:
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9.

Aperitivo Experience

Aperitivo Experience
$$
Various bars and terraces, Central RomeWebsite

Embrace Italy's beloved happy hour tradition with an authentic Roman aperitivo. Sip classic cocktails like Aperol Spritz, Negroni, or Campari while enjoying complimentary buffets of Italian antipasti at stylish bars and rooftop terraces. This quintessential Italian ritual is the perfect way to unwind as the sun sets over the Eternal City.

Highlights

  • Classic Italian cocktails
  • Complimentary antipasti buffet
  • Rooftop terraces with views
  • Authentic local atmosphere
Also available on:
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10.

Borghese Gallery

Borghese Gallery
$$$
Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5, 00197 Roma RM, ItalyWebsite

Discover one of the world's finest art collections in the stunning Villa Borghese. This intimate museum houses masterpieces by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian in a gorgeous baroque palace surrounded by Rome's largest public park. The gallery's limited entry ensures an uncrowded, personal experience with Renaissance and Baroque treasures.

Highlights

  • Bernini's Apollo and Daphne sculpture
  • Caravaggio masterpieces
  • Intimate timed-entry experience
  • Beautiful Villa Borghese gardens
Also available on:
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