TOP 10 ROME EXPERIENCES TO MAKE YOUR TRIP UNFORGETTABLE!
Are you one of those people who like to experience destinations as more than just an average tourist? Well, if you want to know more about amazing Rome experiences, you’re in the right place! Maybe you have already been to Rome or maybe you just want to make your trip to Italy a little extra special? I’ve got you!
As a huge Italy fan and a big lover of its capital city Rome, I want to show you how you can have the absolute best time in Rome while visiting.
Read more >>> ROME: 3-DAY ITINERARY THAT WILL MAKE YOU FALL IN LOVE
Rome is so versatile and offers so many different things to do and see, workshops to experience, and food to try that it might even be a little overwhelming to choose between all those things.
I’ve compiled a list of the best experiences you must have while in Rome. The experiences are separated into HISTORY tours, FOOD tours, AND unique ACTIVITIES you really should try out.
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ROME EXPERIENCES: HISTORY
1. Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill
The three most important pieces of history are the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill.
Right in the centre of Rome, the Colosseum still stands as the most magnificent building of the Roman ages. The largest amphitheater in the world was built in 80 AD and to this day is a landmark that attracts millions of tourists from all over the world.
The Colosseum was mainly used for entertainment – most often, those were the gladiator fights. Although entertaining for the Romans, not everyone had the luck to only watch those fights. Approximately half a million people died in the Colosseum.
Roman Forum was one of the key places in ancient Rome. Being the „main square“ of the Eternal City, it was the centre of all day-to-day happenings – from elections to criminal trials. You must visit this place because it will take you back and show you how the Romans lived back in the day.
Palatine Hill is the central hill out of seven Roman hills and it’s one of the oldest parts of Rome. Since it was the most popular hill, it was home to many of Rome’s rich aristocrats and emperors. This archeological site offers a glimpse into that world, although it’s probably not as exciting as all the other parts of Rome.
All of Rome’s tours include these three landmarks in one admission ticket. Because of that, this tour ends up being really cheap for what you get!
The first tour that I would recommend is the basic Skip-the-line admission ticket for Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
It’s only an entrance ticket which means that you will explore everything by yourself without a guide, but if you like to read historical facts everything is perfectly explained on the signs all around these locations. It’s valid for 24 hours since the first usage and it’s 43 euros!
The second tour that I would recommend is a guided tour. While you can read a lot of historical facts by yourself, there is nothing like hearing a story from a local about all of these historical landmarks. Find out about the everyday life of Romans and about things that happened in the Colosseum.
The most important thing is that you will get to experience the underground Arena floor which is not accessible to most people, as it’s not included in the regular admission ticket. The guided tours start from 56 Euros and you get to spend an amazing three hours in the heart of ancient Rome!
2. Castel Sant’Angelo
Right next to the river Tiber, you will find one of Rome’s most beautiful castles. The castle was a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian as well as a place of refuge for the popes throughout the years, in case of any danger. The Romans had a secret passageway called Passetto di Borgo that ran from the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo. Today, the castle is a national museum that is definitely worth visiting.
If you’re only interested in exploring the castle by yourself, Rome: Castel Sant’Angelo with Reserved Ticket is going to be enough for you. It’s the basic admission ticket for 24 Euros.
If you’re a fan of audio guides choose this option with the audio guide for 21 Euros! Don’t forget to bring your phone because the audio guide is on an app!
If you enjoy learning from a real guide telling you great stories, choose this last option. Here you will get a local expert to teach you everything you need to know about this castle, you will get a headset and the group is at most 20 people. This option is 40 Euros per person and it’s totally worth it!
3. Vatican City
The incredible Vatican City is a place you must see no matter if you’re Christian or not. The tiny independent state within Italy attracts over 7 million tourists each year and is the most visited “part” of Rome. Places you absolutely must visit in the Vatican are the Basilica of St. Peter and Saint Peter’s Square, as well as the Sistine Chapel with the incredible Michaelangelo art and the Vatican museums.
Get an admission ticket without a guide and explore by yourself for 31 Euros:
Or an early morning guided tour for 85 euros:
4. Pantheon
Arguably the most beautiful and well-preserved landmark in Rome is the Pantheon. The temple is completely intact to this day, and it’s one of the most visited landmarks in Rome.
The dome of the pantheon has an opening that lets in the light and makes the interior of the Pantheon even more special. The entrance to the pantheon is free, but check if you need to reserve your spot since the crowds are huge.
I would also recommend this cheap audio guide (8 euros) to keep you company during your visit to the pantheon.
ROME EXPERIENCES: FOOD
5. Make some pasta
Ahhh, Italy, the homeland of pasta. Many tourists are especially excited to go to Italy simply for the food. Are you in that group? I surely was! I’ve had some of the most amazing pasta in Rome, and something that could be extra special for you and whoever is coming with you is to try and make your own pasta, taught to you by no other than one of the incredible nonnas who’ve been making pasta for most of their lives.
If you’re eager to learn how to make pasta and have an unforgettable experience, I recommend this workshop: Rome: Pasta & Tiramisu Workshop with Dinner. You will make pasta from scratch, your own Tiramisu, and then you’ll have your own fruits of labor for dinner. It’s 60 Euros to learn something new, have dinner, and dessert. That’s a steal!
6. Street food
I’m sure you know that Italian cuisine is more than just pasta. While Carbonara is something you must try, there are many other finger foods you really shouldn’t miss.
Do you know what’s a suppli? It’s a deep-fried rice ball that has so many different fillings you won’t even be able to choose a favourite. Various slices of pizza, incredible prosciutto, and cheese… the possibilities are endless.
That’s why I’d recommend this Street Food tour Rome: Street Food Tour with Local Guide. You get various samples of different Italian dishes, somewhere even beer and wine tastings, and you can even choose gluten-free or veggie options. This tour is only 45 Euros!
7. Wine tasting
Italian wine is one of the key elements of Italian culture. If you’re a wine lover, you can’t miss the famous wine tastings in some of the best Italian wineries. There is so much to learn about this Italian specialty – from what kind of grape it’s made, what’s the aging process like, and what’s the best wine of each Italian region! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a guide to help you learn more about it?
While this tour is not only about wine but includes delicious food as well, I would really recommend having a drinking night out in Trastevere. Trastevere is Rome’s best neighbourhood and you are guaranteed to have a good time on this tour!
ROME EXPERIENCES: ACTIVITIES
8. Walking tour
Rome is an incredibly walkable city. In fact, you can’t even drive a car in most of the city so you HAVE to walk. Rome offers some free walking tours which you need to take advantage of. If you book this free walking tour, you will get a local guide that will show you every important corner of Rome and your only cost will be the tip you’ll leave for them!
If you want to have a walking tour on your own, you can check out our detailed self-guided walking tour of Rome!
9. See Rome on an e-Bike
If you don’t feel like walking and want to add some adventure into your sightseeing, this tour could be for you! See key parts of Rome such as the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps all while safely riding a bike through the city. The tour lasts 4 hours and you’ll cover around 14 kilometers (8.5 miles).
You get an e-Bike, a helmet, a bottle of water, and a really eager tour guide who will take you all over the city!
10. Gladiator School
Ever wondered what would it be like to be a Gladiator? Well, you can find out right here! This workshop will teach you how to fight like a gladiator in very fun 2 hours. It’s available for adults and children, so it could be a perfect family activity in Rome, and you will even get a certificate!
I hope these Rome experiences will make you feel even more at home in a city like Rome! Have you done any of these when you were there?
Vatican City is one place I really want to visit.
I absolutely agree that taking a cooking class is one of the best ways to experience a new city. My daughter and I learned how to make pasta in Florence. Eating with all the students afterwards was so much fun (and a great value)!
Right? You learn and you eat!
Food tours, cooking classes and historical tours are a favourite of ours and Italy is always a go to, Rome has it all and your guide is brilliant.. thanks for sharing some great experiences
I love to experience new things everywhere 🙂
This is a great list! Italy is at the top of my list of places I want to travel to. I’m a huge foodie and want to eat pizza and pasta all day long. I love the idea of taking a class to learn how to make pasta. Hopefully I’ll get there one day and can put this list to good use!
Ahhh I’m also a huge foodie and I had the best time eating in Rome!
I have yet to make it to Rome, but this guide is persuading me to book a flight! I’d really love to see Vatican City.
You must!
Wow those pictures are gorgeous! It looks like you had a great time. I would love to go to Rome one day, it looks like so much fun!
It was my favourite trip of last year!
So much history to explore in Rome! Definitely it is good to know when you can get a good feel for a place with a DIY tour, and when to get a guide for that next level of insight!
Absolutely, Rome is such a historical gem and there’s no way you will experience it completely on your own!
I absolutely enjoyed travelling around Rome – but I definitely missed out on gladiator school?! I didn’t even realised that was something you could do. Sounds like an absolute ball. But I agree with any cooking classes in Italy – they really know how to make delicious meals with simple and fresh ingredients.