Best Places to Visit in Rome

The capital of Italy, Rome is an excellent place to visit if you want an exotic vacation in Europe. As a historically eminent place, Rome has everything in store for different people. You can check the boxes on your list for historical and cultural sites, natural wonders, vibrant city life, and more.

With so many places to visit in Rome, you can easily spend a long time simply discovering the places! So if you are looking for a starting point, you should take a look at our list of the best places to visit in Rome and scoot the city.

Learn about some of the best places to visit in Rome.

Top Places to Visit in Rome - An Overview

Let’s start with a quick look at the table containing the top destinations in Rome –

Best places to visit Rome in summer	Best places to visit Rome in winter	Best places to visit in Rome with family
Tivoli	Monti	Colosseum
Ostia Antica	Colonna	Trevi Fountain
Bracciano	Regola	St. Peter’s Basilica
Frascati	Ponte Vecchio	Pantheon

We will now cover each entry on the list of the top places to visit near Rome -

1. Tivoli

Tivoli is among the best places to visit near Rome. A popular retreat in modern times (around 30 km East of Rome), it was also a tourist spot way back in time - in ancient Rome (around 118 CE), it was a famous relaxing spot near Lazio that even the Roman aristocrats used to visit.

Tivoli is among the most picturesque places to visit near Rome and has numerous spots for tourists, especially the historical ones. 

Here are the top places to visit near Tivoli -

• Sabine Hills - Also called Sabina in Italian, it is a popular spot for summer vacations where you can get a sense of the history of the city. Although popular in the winter as well, tourists mainly come here in summer to enjoy the lush green scenery. You can take treks here and marvel at the architecture, surrounding villages, and so forth. 
• Ruins of Villa Adriana - This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most reputed historical buildings. Built by Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, it is a great place if you wish to check out archaic Greece and Egyptian architecture as well. This place is currently managed by the Polo Museale del Lazio.  
• Villa d'Este - Another UNESCO World Heritage site on the list! This place is an important site with respect to the mediaeval history of Europe. Many Renaissance painters have captured it, and this historic structure has multiple illustrations related to the Renaissance period. 
• Parco Villa Gregoriana - This is an incredible park in Tivoli that was first commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI in the 19th century. Although the villa is astounding, what's more remarkable is the scenery around it. If you are into outdoor activities, you would absolutely love this place as you can take a hike and enjoy numerous waterfalls, caves, forest trails, and more.

2. Ostia Antica

It is an ancient archaeological site located around 25 km southwest of Rome and near the modern town of Ostia. Established in the 4th century BC, Ostia was once a major thriving harbour of Rome. However, because of natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and political upheaval, the town was abandoned.

Today it is a notable archaeological site of Rome and has some excavated remains. All in all, this is one of the top places to visit from Rome if you wish to explore the history of the region.

Here are some places worth checking out near Ostia Antica –

• Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica - This ancient city, now an archaeological site, is densely populated and located near the mouth of the River Tiber. If you are a history lover, you can take a guided tour and explore the ancient artefacts here.
• Castello di Giulio II - Among the central highlights of Ostia Antica is the Castello di Giulio II, which is a mediaeval castle built in 1486. Primarily built to safeguard the harbour, it is a well-preserved castle that has various towers and forts in the vicinity.
• Lido di Ostia - This sprawling beach is situated on the Tyrrhenian Sea and is easily accessible to tourists. It is near Central Rome and is a great place to relax and catch the awesome view of the sea here.
• Pompeii - Although a bit far from Ostia, this is a must-visit place in the region. It was an ancient city that is both an archaeological site and a tourist spot located in the Campania region of Southern Italy.

Wrecked in the 1st century AD by a volcanic eruption, it is now a popular tourist destination. You can check out many historical sites and artefacts here and even enjoy the ambience of this historical place in the resorts.

3. Bracciano

Situated near a lake with the same name, Bracciano is a city located about 25 km (19 miles) north of Rome. As one of the best places to visit in Rome, Bracciano the city is a popular place to organise a day trip, and it is frequented by tourists, specifically during summer.

Some of the places that you should visit in and around Bracciano are as follows -

• Lake Bracciano - It is the eighth-largest lake in Italy and is of volcanic origin. This is a great place to unwind after exploring other places and even take a dive into the waters! 
• Orsini-Odescalchi Castle - It is a historical castle that was built way back in the 15th century for Orsini and Borgia's feudal lords and papal families. Its importance, however, extended beyond as this castle served as an important defence structure. For Hollywood fans, this is the place where the wedding of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise took place!
• The Estate of San Liberato - It is a woodland area near Lake Bracciano and was a city for Forum Clodii. It is a good hiking spot where you can stroll and catch fabulous natural views of the surroundings. 
• Cascata di Castel Giuliano - It is another popular tourist attraction in the city. This place has a tall castle with a meandering waterfall nearby, making up for a nice spot where you can have a small picnic.  

4. Frascati

Next in our collection of the best places to visit near Rome is Frascati, which is a popular tourist spot in the region. It is located in the Alban Hills and is one of the towns on the hillside that make up the Castelli Romani.

Discussed below are some of the must-visit places in Frascati -

• Castelli Romani - This is a popular tourist site for visitors and locals alike. It is one of the 17 municipalities situated on Colli Albani, also known as the Alban Hills. Some of the top attractions here include the Castelli Romani regional park, local music and festivals, and more. This is one of the best places to visit in Rome Italy in 2 days.
• Castel Gandolfo - It is the summer home of the Pope and is known for its amazing scenery overlooking Lake Albano. This is a must-visit place for history buffs as well. The castle was taken over by the Vatican in 1596 and had the Papal palace added in the 17th century, after which it became the summer residence place of the Pope.
• Lake Albano - It is a small lake formed out of a volcanic crater and is situated at the foot of Monte Cavo. You can enjoy canoeing and rowing in this lake, which was also an Olympic event spot in the 1960 summer games edition.
• Lake Nemi - It is another crater lake that takes its name from the town it is situated in. Besides the exquisite lake that is perfect for photographs with all the surrounding hills, this place is also famous for its strawberries.

5. Monti

Monti is one of the ethnically diverse neighbourhoods near Rome. The city has both classical and bohemian elements as well as new and old sites and multiple archaeological spots in the neighbourhood. You can also find numerous modern places like boutiques and Piazzas here.

Although this place is primarily inhabited by expatriates and students, you will also find family-run trattorias, commercial strips of property, and plenty of bars here.

Listed below are the top places to visit in and around Monti -

• Trajan's Markets - Located at the opposite end of the Colosseum, this is believed to be one of the world's oldest shopping malls. This place is a must-visit, whether you are looking to click some aesthetically-pleasing pictures or explore archaic architecture.
• Nero's Domus Aurea Palace - Standing for the ‘Golden House’, this palace occupies Trajan's Market's southwestern edge. Its construction was initiated by Emperor Nero in the 1st century AD, although parts of it were later demolished. As you may guess, this is a must-visit place to visit near Rome for history buffs
• Via Nazionale - A Roman street from Piazza della Repubblica leading towards Piazza Venezia, it was introduced as Pia to honour Pius IX, the Catholic Church head from 1846-1878. Reportedly, the goal of making this place was to connect Stazione Termini to the city centre and mark a new era in Rome's history.
• Cavour - Containing the area's main commercial strips, this place is named after the first Prime Minister of Italy - Camillo Benso di Cavour. 

6. Colonna

Colonna is a commune in Rome's Metropolitan boundaries and one of the best places to visit near Rome. It is situated in the region of Latium and is about 20 km southeast of Rome on the Alban Hills. Although it is a small town of Castelli Romani, this also makes it a perfect reclusive spot for tourists to chill out.

You can add the following places near Colonna to your travel list -

• Gabii - Also called Via Gabina in the past, it is a famous archaeological site around 20 km from Rome. Situated on the corner of an extinct volcanic lake, it is a great place if you wish to see pottery and other artefacts related to the past. 
• Barco Borghese - It is a large archaeological complex quadrangular in shape. The complex is decorated with a tuff stone fountain. On the outline of this is a wall that dates back to the period of the Renaissance.
• La Rosa dei Venti Sporting Club - It is a popular sports centre that is also a relaxing spot for tourists. Since this property hosts other private events as well, it is a great place if you wish to unwind and socialise with the locals, all while having great food! 
• Ferrovia-Museo della Stazione di Colonna - Colonna Station Railway-Museum is one of the places of local pride. It is a unique museum built due to the initiative of a small private group that raised money and maintains it to this date. This museum includes displays like old electric locomotives, steam railcars, freight wagons, and more. 

7. Regola

Regola is another popular neighbourhood in Italy and among the top places to visit near Rome. As the story goes, this place gets its name from the soft sand (Arenula) that is left behind when the Tiber River recedes.

Some of the popular tourist spots in this area are -

• Santa Maria in Monticelli - It is a 12th-century Catholic Church located on the street by the same name. Besides its religious importance, this is a great place to visit for its architecture and ambience, with the church being built with red brick and featuring exquisite construction.
• Piazza Farnese - It is the city square or plaza where you can find different activities in one place. A popular spot in and around Rome, the cynosure of this square is the Fontane della Piazza Farnese. You can sit in this area and view the pretty twin fountains while catching the bustle of the city. 
• Biblioteca Centrale Ragazzi - It is Ragazzi's central library dedicated to the area's local literature and history. You can find both contemporary and mediaeval-age books here! 

8. Ponte Vecchio (Florence)

Ponte Vecchio should be on your list when making an itinerary places to visit near Rome. The oldest bridge in Florence, it is still remarkably intact and shows excellent maintenance performed over the years.

Built in 1345 by the famous artist and architect Taddeo Gaddi, a student of the highly esteemed Giotto, the bridge stands over River Arno. It is the hubbub of activity and has many roaming spots where tourists can hang around. It is also one of the active hubs for all cool activities in and around Rome.

Some of the best places in Ponte Vecchio are –

• The Bust of Benvenuto Cellini - This bust pays homage to the eminent Italian artist Cellini, who started his career as a goldsmith in the shops near this very bridge. It is also believed to be a place of good luck for couples who hang padlocks and locks here to this day as a mark of their love.
• Pitti Palace or Palazzo Pitti - It is a wonderful palace on the South of this bridge and River Arno and is situated towards Florence. Built around 1500 AD, it belonged to Luca Pitti before being owned by the Medici Family. Currently, this palace serves as a popular tourist space and is divided into museums, courtyards, galleries, and so on. 
• The Uffizi Gallery - A part of a monumental building built in the 16th century, this gallery was designed by Giorgio Vasari. If you are into art and sculpting, you should certainly visit this gallery. Here, you can find incredible works from renowned artists like Raffaello, Simone Martini, Michelangelo, Beato Angelico, Leonardo, and more.
• Palazzo Vecchio - It is the town hall of Florence and stands opposite the statue of David built by the popular artist Michelangelo. Situated in the Piazza della Signoria, this place is widely considered an icon of Florence. 

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