So you finally booked your trip to Rome, now what? It’s time to plan out what you are going to see and do. Rome has so much to offer. We put together the Ultimate Rome Bucket List to help you decide what you should see and do! We also added a printable checklist that you can bring along to Rome with you.
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.
Contents
- 1 Eat Gelato
- 2 Drink Wine
- 3 Marvel at the Sistine Chapel
- 4 Relax at the Piazza Navona
- 5 Explore the Colosseum
- 6 Roam Around Rome
- 7 Make a Wish in the Trevi Fountain
- 8 Climb the Spanish Steps
- 9 Eat Pizza
- 10 Eat Pasta
- 11 Visit the Pantheon
- 12 Go back in time at the Roman Forum
- 13 Rent a Vespa
- 14 Enjoy an Italian Coffee
- 15 View St. Peter from a Keyhole
Eat Gelato
This was one of the top things on my Rome bucket list. We ate gelato every single day while in Italy. There are a wide variety of flavors to choose from.
Drink Wine
Italian wine. Need I say more? I mean c’mon. You can’t go wrong with any of the wines you choose but normally the house wine is a great choice.
Marvel at the Sistine Chapel
Located in Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel is the residence of the Pope. On the ceiling and the west wall are the frescoes by Michelangelo.
Get Tickets for the Sistine Chapel
The Piazza Navona is a popular place in Rome to walk around, shop, and eat. The Fountain of the Four Rivers, a famous fountain by Bernini, is located in the Piazza.
Explore the Colosseum
The Colosseum is one of the most famous monuments in Italy. The Colosseum was used for gladiator contests, public spectacles, and famous battle reenactments. It is a jaw-dropping piece of history. There is also a great opportunity to do a night tour of the Colosseum. Here are 12 other things to do in Rome at night.
Roam Around Rome
This is one of the best things to do in any city you visit. Just roam around! You will see so much and probably find some great hidden gems along the way.
Make a Wish in the Trevi Fountain
The legend says that if you stand with your back towards the fountain and toss a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain you are guaranteed a trip back to Rome.
Did you know that all the coins that are thrown into the Trevi Fountain are collected and given to a non-profit that provides food to the poor and homeless of Rome? How cool is that? They collect about 1.2 million Euros a year from the fountain.
Climb the Spanish Steps
Just don’t sit. Rome has now banned people from sitting, eating, and writing on the steps. Police officers are patrolling the steps to enforce the rules of the steps. If you fail to follow the rules you can be issued a fine between 250-400 Euros.
Eat Pizza
Italy has amazing food. Pizza is one of them. We had pizza in every single city we visited in Italy. Each one was amazing. There were at least 10 different types of pizza on each menu we saw.
Planning a trip to Italy? Check out our Guide to Italy here.
Eat Pasta
Another thing to add to your never-ending list of food to eat while in Italy. The pasta is unforgettable. I could honestly live on Italian pizza and pasta for the rest of my life.
Visit the Pantheon
The Pantheon is the best-preserved building from ancient Rome. It is a temple dedicated to all the Roman Gods. Take a tour and see all that the Pantheon has to offer. It is still considered the biggest brick dome ever built.
Go back in time at the Roman Forum
The rectangular forum, known as the Roman Forum, is surrounded by the ruins of several ancient government buildings at the center of the city. You can purchase combined tickets for the Roman Forum, Colosseum, and Palatine Hill for 18 Euro.
Get Tickets for the Roman Forum
Rent a Vespa
Yes, it’s a touristy thing to do, but renting a Vespa to tour Rome is a fun way to see the city. Renting a Vespa can be pricey though so be sure to compare prices. Also, keep in mind driving in Italy can be a little crazy.
Enjoy an Italian Coffee
Enjoying an Italian cappuccino while sitting outside of a café was one of my favorite things to do while in Italy.
View St. Peter from a Keyhole
You can see St. Peter’s church through a keyhole of the Priory of the Knight of Malta. You can find the wooden door on the top of Aventine Hill.
Make sure you print out your copy of the Ultimate Rome Bucket List to bring along with you. Would you add anything else to the Rome Bucket List?
Never been in Rome yet maybe one day! hehe I loved this article.
Author
Thanks so much, Lynnie! Rome is amazing. If you get there you will have a blast.
I was in Rome 20 years ago, would love to go again one day. Fun list. This time I’d like to rent a vespa.
Author
Rome was so fun! I would love to rent a Vespa next time as well.