Everything You Must do in Rome, Italy

Everything You Must do in Rome, Italy

If it's your first time to Rome, Italy or if you've been numerous times, this guide will break down EVERYTHING you need to see and do with links to tickets/tours.
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First time to Rome?

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Skip the line entrance ticket: 

Villa Borghese
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Villa Borghese was once Cardinal Scipione Borghese’s residence and secret garden. Now it's open to the public to enjoy. Rent a rowboat for a fun and relaxing family-friendly activity in one of Rome’s most beautiful parks. The boats cost €3 for 20 minutes PER PERSON, and there are discounts for kids.
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Borghese Gallery and Museum
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Vatican Museums
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Vatican Entrance Ticket

St. Peter's Basilica
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Guided Tour: 

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Visit the Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain
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One of Rome's most beautiful, yet highly underrated galleries

Galleria Doria Pamphilj
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Castel Sant'Angelo
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After visiting the monument itself, head up to the rooftop bar and enjoy a view overlooking St. Peter's basilica. Make sure to note the hours of closure, as it closes pretty early in the evening!
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Day trip to Tivoli and visit the gardens and villas

Tivoli
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Tivoli is a town and comune in Lazio, 30 kilometres north-east of Rome, at the falls of the Aniene river where it issues from the Sabine hills. The city offers a wide view over the Roman Campagna and is a perfect town to visit for half a day - a day from Rome. You can admire so many beautiful villas and gardens here, not to mention it has been the scenery of many films, including the Lizzie McGuire Movie
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If you've been before and want to keep exploring:

Capitoline Museums
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Mouth of Truth
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For any fans of cinema, or Audrey Hepburn, live out your "Roman Holiday" and follow in Hepburn's footsteps with a visit to La Bocca della Verità, also known as the Mouth of Truth, where the famous "Roman Holiday" scene took place. Bocca della Verità, made out of marble, is situated against the outside of the Santa Maria Cosmedin Church. Said to bite off the hand of those who have lied, people line up to stick their hand inside the Mouth of Truth, to test their validity. There are many different legends told, but one popular myth is the legend that a woman who committed adultery was brought to the mask by her husband. She fainted, scared her hand would be bit off by the mouth. This scene is mimicked in The Roman Holiday, when Audrey Hepburn's character is brought there and told by Gregory Peck's character the legend that if one is lying and sticks their hand into the mouth, the mouth will not return the hand.
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Capuchin Crypt
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Warning - this is not for everyone - but if you're looking for an off the beaten path discovery in Rome, then this ossuary is just that. In the 17th century, the Capuchin Crypt was slowly built with the skeletons of the friars that died at this monastery. Skeletons are placed as works of art in several small chapels here, including everything from altars made of human bones, to chandeliers made with human bones, to full skeletons in the robes of a monk resting on a bed of bones.
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Church of St. Louis of the French
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This church is FREE and is one that is often skipped, but surely worth a visit. It is located near Piazza Navona in Rome, and is absolutely breathtaking. Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi is a Catholic Church dedicated to the patron saints of France: Virgin Mary, Dionysius the Areopagite and King Louis IX of France. It was opened in 1589.
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Sant'Agnese in Agone
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This FREE and stunning 17th-century Baroque church in Rome, Italy is located facing Piazza Navona, one of the main urban spaces in the historic centre of the city and the site where the Early Christian Saint Agnes was martyred in the ancient Stadium of Domitian.
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Chiesa del Gesù
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One of the oldest churches in Rome, this lavish Catholic church was consecrated in 1584, with a highly decorated interior by Giacomo della Porta. The ceiling itself is a masterpiece worth seeing yourself. It's free to enter but be sure to have shoulders/knees covered.
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Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola
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Don't miss this spectacular church, located not too far from the Pantheon. There is a “magic mirror” that gives you a view of the art above and the queue can be a bit long but worth it. It is free to visit.
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Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ciao! My name is Danielle and I'm a Californian from San Diego, who's been living full time in Florence, Italy since 2020. I studied in Florence in 2016 and absolutely fell in love with the food, culture, and history, and made it my mission to move back. I moved right before the pandemic, and staying here through all the lockdowns and pandemic life really helped me discover slow travel and find all of Italy's beauty, including lesser known gems, and off the beaten path travel spots. During my three years in Florence, I have wrote for publications like The Florentine, done freelance marketing with restaurants and a travel agency, giving me high insight into the best destinations, foodie spots, and more. I am here to help you make the most of your vacation in Italy with curated itineraries for every type of traveler and digital maps to help you enjoy THE BEST food each region has to offer. Let me do the work so you can just relax and enjoy, without any stress! I've had a very unique experience living in Italy the last 4 years, as I made my official move right before the pandemic, after visiting for years. Because of this I learned to travel locally and deeply throughout the numerous incredible destinations in Italy and for that I cater my travel services to finding the most local and mindful experiences, keeping true to discovering and appreciating Italy's culture.
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