Rome is one of the most popular tourist destinations and with very good reason. It is a city filled with history at every corner. Explore the side streets and eat like a local. Not only is it an amazing experience it cuts down on the costs.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Getting from the Airport to Rome
Rome was the first city we explored on our trip to Italy. Our plane landed at the Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino airport and from here we took the Leonardo Express train to the central Rome Termini.
The tickets are easily purchased near the train. The train ride is about 30-minutes to the Termini, which is the main station in Rome.
Rome Termini
The Termini is Rome’s largest train station and from here you can go just about everywhere. At the Termini we purchased a seven-day metro pass for 25 euros each from one of the many ticket machines. This pass allows you to use the metro (subway) or bus to travel anywhere within Rome in a seven day period. From the Termini you can easily catch another train or the metro.
Things to Do in Rome
You could easily spend your entire vacation seeing the top sights like the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the historical center of Rome. However, there is so much more to Rome than these iconic structures. Exploring the city further away from the hordes of tourists gives you a new perspective on every day life in a city, so while we were here we wandered a lot.
On this post we divided up the sights in Rome by Metro Stops:
Colosseo Metro Stop
Our first destination was to see the Colosseum, so we took the metro from our hotel to the Rome Termini and then took Line B to the Colosseo Metro Stop. This will nearly take you to the entrance of the Colosseum.
The Colosseum
We started our first morning in Rome taking the metro to Rome’s most iconic site-the Colosseum. The Colosseum in Rome is the largest Roman amphitheatre.
The Colosseo metro stop will take you right to the Colosseum. Your eyes will take a few moments to adjust from the dark to the light as you are spit out onto a sidewalk on the main street and a gigantic colosseum is right in front of your eyes. It is that close.
It is crowded and touristy, however, if you are visiting Rome you cannot miss this landmark. You can purchase tickets ahead of time, we arrived early in the morning and waited no more than 15 minutes to gain entrance. If you prefer you can reserve a guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Roman Forums & Palantine Hill
The Roman Forums and Palantine Hill are just a short walk from the Colosseum.
Trajan Column
Largo di Torre Argentina
This is about a 20 minute walk from the metro station. We walked from there and stopped at a cafe to eat lunch on the way. If you love cats and history then you really need to go off main road and see where hundreds of cats call home.
Circo Massimo Metro Stop
Circus Maximos
A 6th century Roman stadium, Circus Maximos was where gladiator fights and ancient chariot races took place. If you close your eyes you can almost hear the stampeding hooves through this ancient Roman stadium where thousands would gather to be entertained.
Unfortunately there isn’t much left of the ancient structures, but this cool piece of history is interesting to explore. You can even take a walk around the park.
Orange Garden
We decided to explore the city side streets and cross the street from the Circus Massimo. From here we wandered through the Rose Gardens up Aventine Hill.
You will come across a public piazza, Giardino degli Aranci. Also called the Orange Garden, this piazza has an incredible view of Rome.
Knights of Malta Key Hold: Il Buco Della Serratura – Keyhole View
Continue past the Orange Garden to see a one-of-a-kind view of St. Peter’s Basilica from a church keyhole. You can’t miss the old green door because there will be a line in the middle of the quiet piazza.
Barberini Metro Stop
Trevi Fountain
One of the most popular spots in Rome, the Trevi Fountain was crowded every time we visited.
Pantheon
If you want to see one of the most well-preserved ancient Roman buildings in Italy visit the Pantheon. The building itself is beautiful inside. Interestingly it was constructed as a temple for all Gods.
Piazza Navona
Rome has such lovely piazzas. Piazza Navona was one of our favorites because the piazza is very large and home to three intricate fountains.
Spagna Metro Stop
Spanish Steps
On our second day in Rome we took the metro red line (Spagna stop) to see the Spanish Steps first thing in the morning on our way to Vatican City. When you get off the metro you will be brought out to the piazza and directly to your left will be the famous steps. The morning crowd is much smaller than later in the day. Later in the day there were no spots to sit on the steps.
Piramide Metro Stop
A Pyramid in Rome? We came across the Pyramid of Caius Cestius while wandering around Rome. The pyramid is a tomb for a magistrate. You can stumble across some pretty cool things just walking around.
Porta San Paolo
Wandering through the city we came across the ruins of a 3rd century city gate of the Aurelian Walls of Rome.
Ottaviano Metro Stop
Vatican City
While located in Rome, Vatican City is actually it’s own country. They have their own license plates. It is the smallest country in the world. In addition to the city’s obvious religious significance, Vatican City is home to beautiful architecture, famous art, and is one of a just a few World Heritage Cities.
Subaugusta Metro Stop
Roman Aqueducts
Roman aqueducts were the lifeblood of the ancient city. They supplied towns with water as well as public baths and public fountains. You can still see these beautiful arched aqueducts today.
Garbatella Metro Stop
The Appian Way Park is about a 20 minute walk from the metro stop. The Appian Way was a vital road in ancient Rome. It was used to transport military troops. This is also were thousands of Spartacus’ followers were crucified.
Tombe of Celilia Metella
We walked through the park to the Tombe of Celilia Metella. It was about a 30 minute walk. This monument was to honor a Roman consuls daughter.
