Top Five Sites to See in Rome
- Rick Bessey
- Oct 20
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 20
So, you have a chance to go to Rome but have limited time. Not a problem! You can still leave Italy feeling that you have experienced Rome. Here are my top five sites to see with limited time in Rome.
The Colosseum
The Colosseum is the standard site to see in Rome, and it always delivers when it comes to grandeur. Easily accessible (there is a Metro stop at the Colosseum), take the time to walk all around and imagine it when it opened in the year 80 under the emperor Titus. Look for the Roman numerals over each arch: these are the original gate numbers, corresponding to the number on your ticket. Imagine yourself attending a gladiatorial event, the spaces around you filled with vendors selling food and drink, friends calling to each other as they enter, finding their assigned gates, making sure they enter in time to see the start of the games.
Saint Peter's Basilica
Saint Peter's is a magnificent structure. The absolute size is almost incomprehensible. (The Statue of Liberty would comfortably fit under the dome.) The area under the dome marks the burial place of St. Peter, the apostle to whom Jesus gave the keys of heaven and hell. Look up at the inscription at the base of the dome. It is the Bible verse, Matthew 16:18: "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." (In Latin, Tu es Petrus et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam.)
Pro Tip: I strongly encourage taking a taxi to St. Peter's. It is an enjoyable walk if you have the time; but on a short time frame a cab fare is well worth it! (If you are comfortable with it, the subway is an excellent alternative too. But the stop is a few blocks away from the basilica and requires some orientation as you exit the station.)
Pantheon
The Pantheon survives virtually intact from the time it was built around the year 125. Take in the huge granite columns as you approach the entrance and marvel at the original 25-foot doors as you enter. Inside you are in for a treat, as you stand under what was the largest dome in the world for nearly 1500 years. The oculus, a hole in the top, allows in sunlight, and, yes, the rain.
Layers to Look For: After you leave the Pantheon, please take the time to walk around outside the exterior of the building. You can look down and see what would have been the original ground level of ancient Rome and appreciate how much higher the entry steps would have been.
Pro Tip: As you circle the building you will enter the Piazza della Rotonda. You can't help but notice the sculpture of the elephant supporting an obelisk. This was carved by the artist Bernini in the Renaissance and is said to have later inspired Dali.
Note: As of mid 2023 entry to the Pantheon requires a ticket. Book in advance if you can. However, the exterior structure is impressive and free!
Piazza Navona
The Piazza Navona is an oblong piazza with three fountains in the center and plenty of cafes to relax in. Take the time to take in the open space; this was once the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian. Imagine charioteers driving down one side of the piazza, making the tight curve at the end, and racing back up the other. The seats have been replaced, of course, by the buildings you see around you. But the footprint of the stadium remains.
Do not miss the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini, dating to the mid 1600s. The rivers presented are the Ganges, the Nile, the Rio de la Plata, and the Danube. Can you guess which is which?
Also take the time to visit the beautiful and magnificent church of St. Agnese. This church houses the remains of St. Agnes a thirteen-year-old girl who was killed by the Romans for her adherence to her Christian faith. She is visible and present in a chapel just off the entrance.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain always draws your attention. It is in a part of Rome that is wonderful to walk through, and as you approach the fountain, you will hear the water before you see it. The fountain marks the end of an ancient Roman aqueduct, the Aqua Vergine, and was created in the 1700s. It is traditional to throw coins into the fountain to ensure your return to Rome.
Pro Tip: Even if you could get close enough, needless to say, it would be fairly disturbing to drink the water. However, over on the right-hand side there is a spout where you can fill your water bottle from fresh water directly from the aqueduct!
Honorable Mention
Santa Maria in Trastevere
If you have a bit more time, escape the crowds in the tourist center of Rome and take a taxi to the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere. Originally built in the 300s, this beautiful church with the amazing mosaics will take your breath away. Just note that the taxi will be unable to enter the piazza and will drop you off in what may appear to be a random street. Do not be concerned! Use your phone or ask a passerby for the direction of the church.
Another benefit of coming to this church is that there are many places to eat in the neighborhood. Walk the streets surrounding the church and find a spot to your liking! This is time well spent if you are looking for something slightly off the beaten path.
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When time is tight, I encourage these sites to get a sense of the grandeur of Rome. All are accessible, and most are free.
If these whet your appetite, I have posted a few series about travel in Italy and Rome. My Lenten Churches of Rome series focuses exclusively on churches in the city of Rome. You can also see my seven-week themed series of brief posts, Brevia Italica, where I write about lesser-known items to see when you travel to Italy.
Links: Lenten Churches of Rome
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P.S. Ever get confused by the inscriptions you see in Rome?
I created a free, 1-page "5-Minute Decoder" that unlocks 90% of the phrases you'll see on monuments. It's the perfect tool to go from a tourist to an insider.
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