Rome's nearly 3,000 years of history developed into a fascinating city filled with quintessential architecture, world-renowned gastronomy, and vibrant local culture. Besides the must-sees and top sites, you can dive deep into Italian traditions with a cooking class, an Apertivo in artsy Trastevere, and a trip to Rome's wine region. Get off the beaten path by exploring under the city and biking along ancient pathways.

Getting Oriented

Discover all the sites and hidden corners of Rome.

Rome is the capital of modern Italy and stood as the center of the powerful Roman Empire for centuries. With a history that runs back to the ancient world, it's one of the most visited cities globally. Whether you want to browse architecture and art, taste the local cuisine, discover the religious history, or enjoy an active trip exploring the ruins, Rome caters to all interests.

Some of the top sites include the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, which sits just under Palantine Hill, one of Rome's seven hilltops. Head across the Tiber River to explore the Vatican and its numerous museums, or take your ventures out of the city and bike along an ancient path or visit a nearby winery. Peruse the markets, take a cooking class, learn how to make proper pasta, and sit down with the locals in a trendy neighborhood for a pre-dinner Apertivo. Read more about what this enigmatic city offers. 

Explore Roman History

When in Rome, explore the history! The city is an outdoor museum waiting to be discovered. Walk amongst ancient ruins, head into Vatican City, explore underground, and bike along an ancient highway.

Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour

The Colosseum sits next to the ancient Roman Forum.

Skip the long lines and enjoy a VIP experience of Rome's Colosseum, the largest amphitheater in the world, and the ancient Roman Forum. A guide will take you to areas that not many tourists get to see, such as the floor of the Colosseum and its underground dungeons. Then walk up Palatine Hill and pass ruins of imperial palaces that once covered the area. The Roman Forum was the center of Roman political life in its heyday, operating as a marketplace. Walk along Via Sacra, where you'll pass the Arch of Titus and the temples of Vesta, Antonino, and Faustina, plus the Basilica Julia, a public meeting house commissioned by Julius Caesar. Read More

Vatican Early Entrance & Tour

Views from the Vatican of St. Peter's Square.

Explore the Vatican on an exclusive early-morning tour, where you'll have the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel nearly to yourself. Your guide will lead you through the Pio Clementio Museum, Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of Tapestries, and Gallery of the Geographical Maps. Admire the frescoes in the Raphael Rooms and enter the incredible Sistine Chapel, which contains one of Michelangelo's greatest and most famous frescoes in history. Enjoy some free time inside St. Peter’s Basilica, view the Papal Tombs, or climb to the top of the dome for amazing views of the city. Read More

Catacombs & Underground Rome Tour

Explore the mysterious underground of Rome.

Discover Rome’s mysterious underground and catacombs with a morning or evening tour. The morning tour starts at the preserved Basilica of San Clemente, then descends over five stories underground. Learn about medieval popes and secret pagan rituals while admiring artistic masterpieces ranging from the 2nd to the 15th century. Conclude at one of the city's well-known cemeteries and peruse underground tunnels. The evening tour visits the Capuchin Crypt and Museums, which holds over 4,000 deceased Capuchin monks. Then head to the Catacombs of Saint Agnes and Saint Agnes Outside the Walls Basilica. Read More

Bike The Appian Way

Enjoy cycling along the ancient Appian Way.

Get off the beaten tourist path and discover a different side of Rome. Cycle through the peaceful countryside along the Appian Way, the oldest Ancient Roman highway known as Europe's first "superhighway." Originally, the road connected Rome to Capua near Naples in 312 BCE but was extended all the way to Puglia. Along the way, you'll bike through the Parco dell’Appia Antica and visit the 9th century Domine Quo Vadis Church. Visit the Catacombs of San Sebastiano and the slightly larger Catacombs of San Callisto, amongst other important monuments. Before heading back to the city, enjoy a picnic lunch. Read More

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Enjoy Roman Gastronomy

Italian cuisine is amongst the most popular in the world, and eating your way through a city is an excellent travel strategy. In Rome, you can't miss the lively markets, a big bowl of pasta, sipping on regional wine, or joining the locals for a traditional Apertivo.

Campo Dei Fiori Food Market Tour & Pasta Making Class

Learn the secrets behind authentic Italian pasta!

Join a local guide as you peruse one of Rome's most famous and ancient markets, Campo dei Fiori. Stop by the stalls and chat with local producers as you learn about typical Roman cuisine and taste traditional specialties and delicacies. Take your newfound knowledge into a pasta-making workshop and learn the secrets behind a favorite Roman dish. Enjoy your creation in the heart of Rome at Piazza Navona, accompanied by a glass of wine. Read More

Half-Day Wine Tasting in Frascati

Learn the secrets behind Rome's winemaking region.

Italy is filled with wine regions, and today you'll visit Frascati, a town known for its wines since Ancient Rome. After a quick train ride, your guide will help you feel like a local as you learn about the history of Frascati and taste products like slow-roasted pork and Frascati jug wine. Chat with bakers, butchers, and farmers selling goods from their fields, and pick up some products for your wine tasting. End the tour at a beautiful artisanal vineyard with a 16th-century farmhouse, where you'll taste three DOCG wines and local olive oil. Enjoy a delicious spread for lunch, including pasta, cheeses, charcuterie, seasonal sauces, and more. Read More

Trastevere Sunset Aperitivo

Enjoy a traditional Apertivo drink and snack in charming Trastevere.

Once a bohemian and arts-centric hub, Rome's Trastevere neighborhood still maintains its charm and laid-back vibes. The district is the perfect place to partake in the local Aperitivo ritual, consisting of pre-dinner drinks and snacks. With a local guide leading the way, you'll stop at four beloved eateries and taste over 16 delicious appetizers, main dishes, and sweets. Savor 30-year-aged balsamic vinegar, truffles, cheese, hams, DOCG wine, pizza, homemade pasta, gelato, and more! As you walk, enjoy the cobbled streets and quintessential Italian architecture, and observe how locals share a lively Aperitivo. Read More

How Does Rome Fit into an Italy Itinerary?

Combine Rome with other Italian cities or even nearby countries!

Rome sits nearly in the middle of Italy, almost equidistant between its posh northern region and the energetic south. It's easy to add the city into any Italy itinerary, and many visitors opt to start or end in Rome. Some of the most common combos include Rome, Florence, & Tuscany; Rome, Naples, & the Amalfi Coast; or Rome, Florence, Emilia-Romagna, & Venice. 

But because Rome is the capital with two bustling international airports, it's also possible to take your explorations a bit further. Consider visiting southern Italy with a side-trip to Sicily or Puglia, the region on the heel of the country's "boot." Or go even further and combine Italy with Greece, France, or Croatia. 

Whatever you choose, set aside at least 3-4 days for Rome alone. Learn more about how much time to spend in Rome and how to get off the beaten path in this vibrant city.

Past kimkim travelers have enjoyed the following trips that include Rome: