Detail from Michelangelo's Creation of Adam panel on the Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Best Museums in Rome

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak

It goes without saying that Rome is one of the world’s finest open-air museums, with ancient temples, amphitheaters, monuments and Roman baths around almost every corner. Think the Forum, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Circus Maximus... we could go on. Here’s our selection of 10 of the best museums in Rome, to whet your appetite for a trip to the Eternal City.

Galleria Borghese

Image of Grass, Nature, Outdoors, Park, Scenery, House, Housing, Villa, Garden,

Set within the Villa Borghese’s lush landscaped gardens, the Galleria Borghese contains one of the finest art collections in all of Rome, with landmark pieces from Italian masters including Raphael, Caravaggio, Bernini and Titian. Step inside this grand 17th-century Italian villa to marvel at works including Bernini’s dramatic Apollo and Daphne and Canova’s semi-nude Venus Vitrix, both sculpted from smooth Carrara marble. Don’t miss Raphael’s Deposition, Caravaggio’s Saint Jerome and Titian’s controversial 16th-century masterpiece Sacred and Profane Love. Afterwards, rent a boat and paddle across the lake to see the 18th-century Temple of Aesculapius in close-up.

Baths of Caracalla

Image of Castle, Fortress, Grass, Arch, Gothic Arch, Ruins,

When in Rome, do as the Romans do... and head for the thermal baths. Though, admittedly, the Baths of Caracalla are more fascinating history lesson than relaxing spa day. In their heyday 2,000 years ago, the baths would have accommodated somewhere in the region of 1,500 bathers at a time. Discover the tepidarium, calidarium and frigidarium and admire well-preserved floor mosaics as you explore this vast 3rd-century complex, its honey-colored crumbling stone walls and soaring arches presenting dozens of fine photo opportunities.

Vigamus

Image of Indoors, Adult, Male, Man, Person,

From the ancient to the modern, Vigamus is Italy’s first museum dedicated to video games, their artwork and cultural legacy. Gaming addicts can view exhibits including an 8-bit computer once owned by legendary games developer Dino Dini as well as the original Doom master disks and other important historical artifacts from the gaming universe. Head to the VR room for immersive video game experiences and relive your youth on the retro Street Fighter and Space Invaders arcades. There’s even a shop, for all your Sonic and Mario souvenir needs.

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Image of Church, Landmark, Sistine Chapel,

No visit to Rome would be complete without seeing the world’s most famous ceiling fresco. Inside the Sistine Chapel, tourists gaze heavenwards, jockeying for position to get the best shot of the Creation of Adam, the centerpiece of this mesmerizing work of High Renaissance art. But there’s way more to it than just this (relatively small) section, with eight further scenes from the Book of Genesis and several more biblical paintings, including a vast wall fresco behind the altar depicting the second coming of Christ. Astonishingly, Michelangelo completed some sections of this huge masterpiece in just one or two days. Tickets also get you access to the Vatican’s majestic halls, galleries and courtyards. Unmissable.

Capitoline Museum

Image of Adult, Male, Man, Person, Art, Figurine, Baby,

It’s well worth the effort to climb the Michelangelo-designed steps up to the vast complex of museums on top of Capitoline Hill, where you’ll be rewarded with a quite astonishing array of archaeological discoveries including ancient Roman statues and pottery, plus important sculptures and paintings from the likes of Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck and Caravaggio. Don’t miss the statue of the Dying Gaul and the symbolic Capitoline Wolf, a bronze she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, the mythical twin brothers who founded Rome. Though the wolf’s origins are disputed (possibly Etruscan, but arguably much later) she has called the museum’s Palazzo dei Conservatori her home since way back in 1471.

Capuchin Crypt

For bone-chilling experiences, the spooky crypts beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini take some beating. The five rooms include the Crypt of Skulls, the Crypt of the Leg Bones and Thigh Bones, and the Crypt of Pelvises (complete with pelvis chandelier). Mummified hooded figures lurk in dark corners; in one room a skeleton on the ceiling clutches a scythe (also made of bone), in another a pair of mummified arms cross over each other in macabre representation of the Capuchin coat of arms. The ossuaries are said to contain the mortal remains of some 4,000 Capuchin friars. If a visit to this fascinating museum doesn’t cause you to reflect on your own mortality, perhaps nothing will.

Leonardo da Vinci Experience

Image of Canvas, Indoors, Wood, Plywood, Museum, Adult, Male, Man, Person,

Take a deep dive into the genius mind of the most celebrated sculptor, painter and engineer of the Italian Renaissance. This excellent interactive museum contains recreations of more than 50 of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions, including flying machines, a bicycle, excavation equipment, weapons and a sewing machine, some of which you can even have a go at operating yourself. You can also get much closer to the Mona Lisa here than in the Louvre, with this and several other da Vinci paintings including The Last Supper and Lady with an Ermine presented in dazzlingly accurate reproductions, all painstakingly recreated by restoration artists from the Vatican Museums.

Explora

Rome isn’t exactly renowned for its child-friendly museums, so Explora – aimed squarely at under-12s – is a boon for beleaguered parents worn down by toddler complaints about ‘boring ancient stuff’. Several themed areas feature interactive, hands-on fun for the little people in your life, from train drivers’ cabins and fire engines to water play, construction areas and space for young inventors. Activities are grouped by age to ensure there’s something to entertain very young kids as well as pre-teens. We recommend booking in advance as Explora is, perhaps unsurprisingly, rather popular.

Centrale Montemartini

Image of

The temporary removal of a number of statues and sculptures from the Capitoline Museums to the Centrale Montemartini in 1997 became permanent when visitors responded positively to the juxtaposition of ancient Greek and Roman statues, busts and friezes against the industrial-age interiors of their new home. Here’s a unique opportunity to marvel at majestic wonders hewn from marble and stone set against the backdrop of huge pipes, engines, turbines and dials inside a former electrical power station. Truly one of the best museums in Rome.

Castel Sant’Angelo

Image of Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Person, Castle, Fortress,

Commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as a family mausoleum nearly 2,000 years ago, Castel Sant’Angelo is an imposing cylindrical edifice on the banks of the Tiber. It’s long and storied history has seen it used as a fortress, a prison and a papal residence. Today, mere mortals like you and I are able to visit this extraordinary museum, where a huge collection of paintings, frescoes, sculptures and military weaponry are displayed over seven floors. Suitably wowed by the opulent treasures within, head up to the castle terrace for some fresh air and far-reaching views across ancient Rome, including the picture-perfect bridge with its 10 angelic statues directly below.

Save on the best museums in Rome

Save on admission to Rome attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

Continue reading

Market stalls on Campo dei Fiori in Rome
Blog

Best Markets in Rome

Rome has enjoyed a fine marketplace tradition ever since Emperor Trajan first threw open the doors to his vast shopping and entertainment emporium way back in the Second Century. You can still visit the fascinating ruins of this ancient shoppers’ paradise on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, at the opposite end to the Colosseum. It’s well worth checking out for its well-preserved balconies, marble floors and remains of what would have been libraries and concert halls. Alas, Trajan’s Market is now a mere tourist attraction – albeit a very fine one – but most certainly no longer the place to source ancient Roman essentials like wheat, mead, togas, sandals, urns, mobile phone cases and fidget toys. No! For those, we must look elsewhere, so join us on a voyage of discovery through the modern city, as we go in search of the best markets in Rome... Campo dei Fiori Admittedly not quite as old as Trajan’s shopping mecca, Campo dei Fiori does hold the accolade of Rome’s longest-running market. It’s been operating here since 1869, and brings its riot of color, sounds and scents to this popular piazza every morning except Sundays. Back in medieval times, the square was a meadow filled with flowers, and the name Campo dei Fiori is a literal translation of this. Carrying that tradition into the 21st Century, you’ll find flower sellers hawking all manner of vibrant seasonal blooms here, from romantic Tuscan poppies to rainbows of gerbera. Follow your nose to the the foodie stalls where delectable homemade cakes, freshly baked breads and pungent Italian cheeses await. You’ll also discover some of the freshest local vegetables here, with purplish artichokes, huge porcini mushrooms and vibrant puntarelle (a variety of chicory) often the stars of the show. And if you’re not, ahem, in the market for raw ingredients simply grab a sweet cannoli pastry and espresso and enjoy the bustle of the market from the comfort of one of the cafés that line the piazza. Porta Portese Rummagers, get ready! Porta Portese’s Sunday flea market is the biggest in Rome, stretching for around a mile beyond its entrance, the forbidding ancient city gate that lends the market its name. Expect a little bit of everything here and in the surrounding streets and alleyways, from vintage Roma and Lazio soccer memorabilia to old vinyl records and CDs (expect a very strong showing from Italian best-sellers like Pavarotti, Zucchero and Andrea Bocelli). There are also – deep breath – retro comics and old newspapers, antique silverware, leather goods, mountains of clothes, kitsch movie memorabilia and, well, just about everything else you can think of. Sure, you might have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince here but, who knows, you might just walk away with that limited edition reproduction Luke Skywalker lightsaber you always dreamed of owning. Pro-tip: arrive early and bring your best haggling game (in Italian, if you can) to bag the best items at the lowest prices. Fontanella Borghese Bibliophiles, cartophiles, deltiologists and philatelists: this one’s for you. Also known as Mercato delle Stampe, this is the place for antiquarian books, maps, postcards and other printed ephemera. Dodge the tourist traps around the edges (cheap identikit prints from stall to stall are a dead giveaway), plunge in, and you might just strike gold. The piazza itself, tucked between via del Corso and the east banks of the Tiber, is an elegant place to while away an hour or two, with the stately facade of the Palazzo Borghese on one side and the University of Rome’s architectural school in a suitably striking building adjacent. San Cosimato Set on a pretty piazza in Rome’s laidback Trastevere district, San Cosimato is a favorite with in-the-know locals thanks to its farm-fresh produce and long history, with some stalls dating back 100 years or more. Here’s where to stock up on glistening just-caught fish, aromatic cheeses, vine-ripe tomatoes and piquant Tuscan salamis. There’s even a little book stall and a fab playground for the kids. More than just a market, this is a favourite place for Trastevere residents of all ages to congregate and catch up on the latest gossip. Look out for the stall with the longest queues of chattering locals: a sure sign that the produce on that one will be the very best. Borghetto Flaminio Sellers and patrons of Sunday’s Borghetto Flaminio Market would likely balk at their beloved vintage emporium being described as a flea market. And yet that, in essence, is what it is: second-hand goods hawked and haggled for inside an old bus depot. But this is no ordinary flea market, no sir! For here is where you can lay your hands on the finest cast-offs of Rome’s elite: all immaculate vintage fashions, sparkling antique jewelry and pristine accessories such as purses and scarves. So confident is Borghetto Flaminio Market in the quality of its finery that there’s even a small entry charge. And, indeed, once inside it comes over as more boutique pre-loved treasure trove than regular flea market with its associated tat, trinkets and trash. Campagna Amica Situated right next to the Circus Maximus, Campagna Amica Market is easily one of the best food markets in Rome. It trades exclusively in produce sourced from within 100 kilometers, which primarily means goods from local Lazio farmers. Fill your boots and get stocked up on the region’s finest wines and fruity extra virgin olive oils. There’s also pasta, prosciutto, pecorino and pickles galore here, so you’re highly unlikely to go away empty-handed. All this talk of food making you hungry? Grab a porchetta sandwich stuffed with warm, garlicky roast pork shoulder so juicy it fairly drenches the bread, then try telling the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verita) round the corner it isn’t the best thing you’ve ever tasted. Go on, we dare you! Christmas! A towering Christmas tree bejeweled with hundreds of twinkling fairy lights, the intoxicating aromas of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts, and the sound of excited young children badgering beleaguered parents for this or that shiny trinket: Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a traditional market. Rome’s contribution – a daily event on Piazza Navona through the festive season – is no exception. In addition to dozens of stalls selling candy, antiques and unique handcrafted gifts, you can expect street performers, a beautiful old-fashioned carousel, sigh-inducing nighttime illuminations, carol singers and oodles of Christmas cheer. Save on things to do in Rome Save on admission to Rome attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Couple descending the Spanish Steps in Rome, with the Trinità dei Monti church behind them
Blog

Free Things to do in Rome

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that the best things in life are free, and perhaps nowhere more so than in Rome, where access to some of the finest churches and monuments on the planet is absolutely gratis. Visiting Insta-perfect attractions like the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon won’t cost you a cent, while many popular museums throw open their doors for nada on the last Sunday of the month. Follow our guide to free things to do in Rome and the only thing you’ll have to pay for is the irresistible gelato. Tick Off the Big Hitters Many of Rome’s most famous monuments are yours to visit for free. Let’s begin with the Trevi Fountain, that gloriously baroque 18th-century water feature where you must face the existential question: can an attraction truly be said to be free if you feel compelled, almost against your own will, to throw a coin into it? As you contemplate this conundrum, remember that must-see attractions with no entrance fees tend to lead to hordes of camera-toting tourists. Night owls can dodge the crowds by visiting during the quieter hours: between 3am and 6am, to be precise. Much like wading in the Trevi Fountain, pausing to sit on the nearby Spanish Steps is no longer permitted, so steel yourself for the 135-step climb up this national monument to the majestic Trinità dei Monti church at its summit. Like all of the Eternal City's near-1,000 churches, this Renaissance confection is free to enter, and has riches inside to rival the very best of Rome's museums and galleries. Expect stunning decorative features including a pair of anamorphic frescoes from the 17th Century that give wildly different perspectives depending on where you stand. The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved examples of Ancient Roman architecture on the planet. Better still, you can visit for free. Step between the iconic Corinthian columns and inside this vast masterpiece of Roman engineering, its vast roof still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, a mere 2,000 years after its construction. Visit during a heavy downpour to experience the column of water that cascades down from the oculus (an opening in the center of the dome) and drains away through discrete holes in the floor 142 feet below. Admission is free from Monday to Friday. Some of Rome’s other bucket-list attractions offer free entry on select days. This tends to be the first or last Sunday of the month for museums including – deep breath – the Galleria Borghese, the Roman Forum, the Baths of Caracalla, the Vatican Museums, the papal audience and the Colosseum, as well as dozens more obscure sites. Dates are subject to change, so do check in with your chosen attraction(s) before turning up on a random Tuesday in August insisting on free entry. Then there are the free walking tours, like this one. Ok, so they’re not strictly gratis in that you’re expected (but not required) to pay your expert guide whatever you think the tour is worth, but they do represent great value and are a fine way to find your bearings among the Eternal City’s cobbled lanes, ancient ruins and baroque piazzas. Get Snap Happy! It goes without saying that romantic Rome is one of the most photogenic cities in the world, so grab your camera, compose your image, and get ready to capture shots that will make you the envy of even the most seasoned Instagram influencer. Quirky Quartiere Coppedè is a photographer’s dream, with fairytale fountains, Moorish arches and a fantastical jumble of architectural styles, from Ancient Roman to Art Nouveau, that just beg to be snapped. Don’t miss the elaborate Fountain of Frogs, and the enormous iron chandelier that dangles over the Via Tagliamento entrance. Hidden away through the unassuming Arco degli Acetari archway just off Campo de' Fiori lies another picture-postcard scene – a tiny medieval courtyard with quaint rust-colored houses festooned with lush green foliage and flower-filled window boxes. Cats snooze on the cobbles in the afternoon sun, providing budding snappers with some fine shots of Rome at its sleepiest. Peep through the otherwise unremarkable Aventine Keyhole at the Villa del Priorato di Malta for one of the most Instagrammable views you’ll find anywhere in Rome. For through that keyhole lies a perfectly framed image of distant St Peter's Basilica flanked by the villa’s manicured cypress trees. It’s not known whether the door and its lock were deliberately designed this way, but it’s an almost unbelievably serendipitous result if not. Parks, Piazzas and Ancient Avenues There are worse ways to while away a few hours than to roam Rome’s stunning parks, or find a spot on a busy piazza to devour a gelato and watch the world go by. There’s plenty of free entertainment to be had in Villa Borghese, where charming tree-lined avenues lead to formal gardens, babbling fountains and grand villas and monuments. View the 18th-century Temple of Aesculapius from the lake shore or pay the nominal fee to rent a boat and get up close. The Carlo Bilotti Museum is also free of charge and contains a collection of works by Italian surrealist Giorgio de Chirico as well as pieces by Andy Warhol and Gino Severini. There’s also an excellent playground where kids can let off steam while parents perk up with an espresso from the café. Don’t miss Rome’s most celebrated public squares. Sprawling Piazzo Navona contains not one but two Bernini masterpieces, including his magnificent Fountain of the Four Rivers. Visit in the evening, when its waters are illuminated and the piazza is abuzz with locals out for an evening stroll, or on their way to dinner. Meanwhile, gelato and people-watching is the order of the day on the Campo de' Fiori, where a daily market fills the air with heady aromas of warm bread, farm-fresh cheeses and just-picked flowers. Last but by no means least, a walk on the Appian Way is hands-down one of the best free things to do in Rome. This ancient Roman road stretches south out of the city, with much of it remaining unchanged in centuries. Indeed, some of the views will be much the same as those seen by Julius Caesar and his armies as they marched this strategic route over 2,000 years ago. It’s a superb cobbled avenue flanked by soaring pine trees and fields in which evocative Roman ruins and tombs can often be spotted. Take a bike or take the bus but – most importantly of all – take a camera and a picnic. Save on things to do in Rome Save on admission to Rome attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Dome of St. Peter's Basilica over the Rome skyline
Blog

2 Days in Rome

One of Europe’s most popular city break destinations, the eternal city of Rome houses some of the continent’s most sought-after sights and attractions. As such, it can often seem overwhelming to try to fit everything in if you find yourself with only a short amount of time to explore it all. Fret not, though, as we’ve put together this brief guide to some of the city’s most lauded attractions to help you decide how best to spend your time. With this guide, we’ve gathered a selection of popular attractions that you should easily be able to cover with 2 days in Rome, alongside average visit times to help you draw up your ideal itinerary. Top Attractions Colosseum Renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colosseum is easily one of the most globally-recognized icons. Once the site of many battles, re-enactments and theater performances in ancient Rome, this impressive venue serves as the world’s largest standing amphitheater. Average Visit: 1 hour Pantheon Another iconic UNESCO site, the Pantheon stands remarkably intact as both a former Roman temple and later Catholic church. Although famous for its pillared entrance and domed interior, the site’s main draw is the open oculus in the ceiling, permitting all natural light and weather into the vast space below. Visit on a rainy day for a true spectacle! Average Visit: 20 minutes Trevi Fountain If you come across any front-page photos of Rome, chances are many of them include this iconic fountain. Built upon one of Rome’s oldest water sources, at the end of the Aqua Virgo Aqueduct, the elegant sculpture work of this fountain has undergone various transformations and reconstructions over the years to become the popular tourist hotspot we know today. As the local legend says, throw in a coin if you hope to return to Rome, or two if you hope to find love. Average Visit: 10 minutes Spanish Steps Alongside the Trevi fountain, this famous stairway joining Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti is most popularly photographed with the emblematic Trinita dei Monti Church looming at the top and the quirky Fontana della Barcaccia at the foot. Built between 1723 and 1726, the site now stands as one of the most popular photo ops in Rome, making it a particularly busy destination the later into the day you choose to visit. Average Visit: 10 minutes Roman Ruins Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Atop the most central of Rome’s seven hills sit the oldest ruins in the city. Considered the cradle of all Roman civilization, Palatine Hill is replete with ancient history, with an added flair of mystique given its fabled reputation as the site of the Lupercal cave of ancient Roman myth. Once the center of many important social, political and religious activities in Rome, the Roman Forum was originally the site of a number of impressive and important administrative buildings. Located at the foot of Palatine Hill, visitors can stroll among the remaining ruins and columns, now mere whispers of their former glory in an era long since passed. Average Visit: 2 – 4 hours Pyramid of Cestius Though somewhat of a lesser known monument, the Pyramid of Cestius is nevertheless very much worth a visit if you can fit it into your route. Resting place to the once priest and magistrate Gaius Cestius and his family from the 1st century BC, the understated site is a prime example of Egyptian influence in ancient Rome ahead of the Empire’s conquest of Egypt. Average Visit: 30 minutes Rome Catacombs Certainly not quite so mainstream as many of Rome’s most popular attractions, the Rome Catacombs are worth a visit for those with a penchant for the macabre. Over sixty subterranean passages stretch out for miles beneath the busy city streets, lined with the many skeletal remains of those who once walked them long ago. Though somewhat unsettling, these tunnels offer a unique insight into a more hidden side to the eternal city’s ancient history. Average Visit: 1 hour Vatican City St. Peter’s Square Think of the Vatican as a whole, and it’s likely that the first image in your mind is the impressive vista of its vast courtyard. Named after the apostle St. Peter, believed by Catholics to have been the very first Pope, the square stands as a stunning example of Italian Baroque architecture and serves as the site of several annual religious events. Average Visit: 20 minutes Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Founded during the early Sixteenth Century by Pope Julius II, the Vatican Museums are home to one of the world’s greatest collections of art and historical artifacts. Comprising roughly four miles of exhibits housing everything from Egyptian mummies to Old Masters paintings, the museum’s impressively lavish halls intersect with the Apostolic Palace, the official residence to the Pope himself. Tucked away within the halls of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel houses perhaps the world’s best-known Catholic works of art. Though impressive enough in its vaulted, Renaissance-style architecture, the true jewels of the chapel’s crown are the renowned frescoes adorning the chapel’s ceiling, painted over the course of five years by the legendary Italian artist, Michelangelo. Average Visit: 2 – 3 hours St. Peter’s Basilica Among the many outstanding churches and religious sites spread throughout Rome, none quite match up to the glory of St. Peter’s Basilica. Consecrated in 1626 after 120 years of construction, the basilica’s cavernous interior houses three of Italy’s most lauded masterpieces – Michelangelo’s Pietà sculpture, his imposing dome, and Bernini’s baldachin standing over the high altar, itself placed atop St. Peter’s grave. Average Visit: 2 – 3 hours Getting Around To make the most of your two days in Rome, you’ll want to be able to fit as much as possible into your itinerary. Although most of the city’s top sights and venues are easily accessible on foot and within relative walking distance of one another, you may find yourself looking for quicker and more convenient means of getting around. Fortunately, Rome has a fairly extensive transport system covering much of the city. The fastest options are naturally the metro and tram services, but with only a small few serviced lines running through the city center, they aren’t always of much use to most tourists. Buses, on the other hand, operate a much more convenient alternative, with over 350 lines servicing over 8,000 stops throughout the city center and wider suburbs. However, most public transport in Rome tends to get rather busy at the best of times, let alone over the weekend. For somewhat of a more convenient, comfortable and entertaining means of getting around, a Big Bus Rome tour runs a main route passing by most of the capital’s top attractions, along with a hop-on, hop-off policy and optional audio commentary in several major languages
Robert Heaney

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon