Historic Roman Sites
When in Rome, visits to the headline attractions are a requisite. There’s the Colosseum, the Forum, and Vatican City’s Sistine Chapel (opt for skip-the-line access for all three), as well as the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps, but the list doesn’t end there. Other ancient landmarks include Palatine Hill, the Baths of Caracalla, Trajan’s Forum, and the Circus Maximus. Perhaps go fountain hopping at the Fiumi and Barcaccia fountains, or tour the piazzas like Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia, and Piazza del Popolo. Other highlights include the Villa Borghese house and gardens, the Castel Sant’Angelo fortress, and the grand Altar of the Fatherland monument.
Roman Ghetto
As home to one of the world’s oldest Jewish neighborhoods, this area is filled with impressive sites such as the 19th-century synagogue and the Piazza delle Cinque Scole, as well as tasty eats―don’t miss the Roman-Jewish carciofi alla giudia (deep-fried artichokes) in the area’s eateries. But it’s also a place of reflection, such as at the memorial in Piazza 16 Ottobre 1943.
MAXXI National Museum of 21st Century Arts
As proof that Rome isn’t just about its past, the MAXXI is focused on contemporary creativity of every kind. The site comprises the nation’s first museum of architecture, as well as a modern art museum that includes theater, dance, graphics, and advertising.