Whether you’re heading to Rome for the food, the history, or for a Roman pilgrimage, we’ve crafted this extensive guide to help make the most of your trip.
From what to see in Rome – a mix of classic landmarks like the Colosseum along with the less-crowded but equally grand Basilica di San Clemente, to what to do in Rome – when you only have a day, are going on a solo trip, with family, in the summer, we made sure to add all of them here for a well-curated list that you can go back to when you’re stumped for ideas. Now, let’s start!
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Things to do in Rome when you only have a day 🏃🏻♀️ 💨
If you’re headed to Rome as part of a bigger Euro trip and are absolutely pressed for time, you can consider doing Rome in a day (yes, it’s possible)!
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Visit Rome’s major landmarks
We recommend heading to the top guns like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and definitely the beautiful cobblestoned neighborhood of Trastevere. This’ll make sure you get a good sense of Rome, and it makes for a good foundation for when you decide to go back.
Since you’ll be pressed for time, consider getting a Klook Pass in Rome. This allows you access to up to 6 attractions or activities, including a Big Bus tour, all with just ONE pass.
Get on a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Speaking of Big Bus tours, if you aren’t keen on getting a multiple attraction pass like the Klook Pass, you can check out Big Bus tours in Rome. These allow you to reach many landmarks without having to learn or worry about Rome’s public transportation.
Have a bite in Trastevere
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Photo by Fineas Anton on Unsplash
If you’re planning to visit just a few landmarks, you’ll have time to visit the beautiful neighborhood of Trastevere. It’s as if you stepped back in time with the narrow cobblestone streets and ivy-covered structures, it’s also the perfect place to try authentic Italian cuisine.
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You can head on your own, but if you’re still unfamiliar with how to get there, you can join a Trastevere tour. The earliest tours typically start at 10:30 AM and last for up to 2 hours.
Things to do in Rome when you’re in love 💕
If you’re going on a trip to Rome with your partner, you’d want to skip the usual stuff and see a different side of Rome that’s perfect for couples. In our list of Romantic Things to do in Rome for Couples, we picked out cute activities you’ll easily bond over; from finding a professional photographer for the sweetest photos with Rome as your backdrop, to heading a bit outside Rome to Tuscany for a little food adventure.
Bond over wine and olive oil tasting
Nothing beats a good glass of wine paired with the best meat and cheese, shared with your loved one
You’ve heard of wine tasting, but have you ever tried olive oil tasting? This especially excited us cause of all the olive varieties of Italy. You’ll learn so much more about what goes into olive oil that on your next grocery run, you two will be well-equipped on which olive oil is best for your meals!
Learn Italian cooking together
They say you get to know a person when you travel with them and, we believe, when you cook with them. Rome is home to many cooking classes, and what better place to learn Italian cooking? You’ll find a variety like pasta making, learning how to make an authentic tiramisu, and you’ll even get to eat your creations. Sounds like a cute date to us!
Have professionally done photos in Rome
Rome is packed with postcard-worthy sites, so best believe your photoshoot will be just as stellar as the two of you!
Call us cheesy, but we love a good couple photo. Instagram boyfriends can rest and be part of the spotlight since it’s actually easy to find professional photographers in Rome. You can book them via your Klook app. Just choose your preferred date, the location, and how many minutes you need, and you’re set.
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Klook User: Angelene *****
2025/05/24
Fantastic! 5.0 | Review for: Trevi Location · 15 mins
Almost missed our slot (wrong fountain!), but Samira stayed calm, kind, and made every minute count. She worked fast without making it feel rushed. We’re awkward with photos, but she had a way of making things feel easy and natural. Soft-spoken, reassuring, and sharp - she just gets it. Captured my partner’s birthday in a way that felt real and personal. Grateful we found her.
Things to do in Rome when you’re with family 🤼
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The kids won’t only have fun here — they’ll also learn about art, movement, and sensory exploration
From couples ideas, let’s now get into things you can do if you’re with family. It’s not the easiest, but it sure is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Whether you’re heading to Rome with teenagers, adult teens (yes, we 20-30 somethings are in our twenTEENS and thirTEENS), or the little ones, Rome has all kinds of activities you can do as a family that will surely give you one heck of a trip to remember.
Join a cooking class
This pasta-making class is sure to bring you closer as you work together to prepare a meal
While there’s so much Italian food to enjoy, why not try making it? From pasta-making classes to trying your hand at classic Italian desserts like tiramisu or gelato, it’s for sure an activity that toddlers all the way up to adult children can enjoy together.
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Klook user: aiko ********
2025/02/20
Fantastic 5.0 | Review for: 3-Hour cooking class
I had a lovely night with my cooking class! And as pasta lover, this activity should not be missed. They taught us how to make ravioli, fettuccine, an we even made our dessert. You can also take a sip of wine while cooking and waiting for your food. The hosts are really lively and entertaining ang they told us how to spot a good gelato shop what to look for in buying our pasta.
Splash around at Aqua World
Aqua World offers new water activities for you to try at Cinecittà World
For more physical activity, head to Aqua World. It’s a major water theme park near Rome where your kids can enjoy and drain their insanely high energy! By the time they’re done, dinner time will be a breeze.
Go on an interactive history tour
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Feel free to let your kids explore these historical structures on their own, and ask them about it afterwards
What better way to make your kids learn about history than actually being in the historical sites themselves? Rome itself is already a living museum, but did you know there are experiences like family-friendly Colosseum tours? These tours have your kids in mind, from the activities, the trivia, and the whole itinerary.
Stroll around Villa Borghese Gardens
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Photo by Marina Gr on Pexels
You can enter Villa Borghese Gardens for free! Making it an ideal budget-friendly activity in Rome with kids. It’s a great place to enjoy outdoor activities, from renting bikes to even rowboats, there are also museums in the vicinity, really a whole lot you can do!
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Things to do in Rome when it’s chilly 🌬️
If you’re thinking of having a trip to Rome in November, or one of the autumn to winter months, we’ve curated a list of what to do in Rome during these chilly seasons. From warming up with a freshly cooked pasta to taking it slow with a walk along the Tiber River or the many museums, experiencing lesser crowds vs the summer months.
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Go museum hopping
Compared to summer or spring, museums in Rome have fewer crowds, so you can expect a bit of a more relaxed pace. Museums to check out include The Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo, Leonardo da Vinci Experience Museum, and more.
If you’re the type who’d like to visit as many museums as you can in one trip, there’s a Klook Pass in Rome where you can book one pass and choose up to 6 attractions or activities. So really, you’ll only need one pass to enter multiple museums.
Experience an aperitif on a rooftop
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In case you haven’t experienced it yet, an aperitif is a drink you’d usually take before dinner. It’s also regarded as a social activity, so to have it on a rooftop terrace when the weather isn’t too hot, plus a view overlooking the Piazza Navona… perfection.
Things to do in Rome when it’s summer ☀️
This tipsy tour in Rome is best experienced with a group of friends!
Now, if you’re planning a trip to Rome in August, or any one of the summer months, we have some ideas for you too.
Since the heat can be unbearable for some, we’ve thought of experiences in Rome that could help cool you down – after all, who wants to be literally hot-headed on vacation? Expect evening activities, underground adventures, and a little day trip to the nearby coastline.
Experience Rome after dark
Discover Rome’s past through its intricate architecture and stone statues
Your itinerary for the day doesn’t have to end when the sun sets! You can do much more than dinner. Rome at night is exceptionally beautiful, especially with all the lit up structures. There are even a handful of night tours you can join, and because it’s in the evening, that means cooler air and more energy to stroll around the city.
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Roman Pantheon at night
Night walking tours also help you learn more about Rome, along with having a guide to help get you to the best night spots.
Go underground
There will be a local guide who’ll let you in on stories from Rome’s past
Keeping cool during the warmer months doesn’t mean you should only walk around at night. Summer’s the best time to experience underground activities like Rome’s catacombs and underground chapels, cause it may be too cold once winter sets in!
Here you’ll see the intricate details of these unique cemeteries and learn about how they came about.
Another underground site to see is below the Trevi Fountain, along with seeing Rome’s ancient aqueducts. You’ll be amazed at how advanced Roman engineering truly was.
Take a day trip to the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi is also home to a vibrant city center, packed with local shops and charming streets
If you’re going to be in Rome during the summer, you might as well head to the coastal towns! While you can rent a car, some tours offer day trips from Rome to make your life easier.
Capri Island is home to crystal-clear waters and breathtaking cliffs overlooking the sea
Some of the places near Rome to consider are Ponza Island, Capri Island, and, of course, Amalfi Coast. Each of these spots will give you the sea breeze you crave, the sun, and chill boat rides and swim stops to escape the sticky heat.
Day trips from Rome that you can join
Things to do in Rome if you’re a history buff 🕵🏻
It’s no secret that Rome’s brimming with history and well-preserved structures, so we’d understand if you’re overwhelmed with planning your itinerary! So to help you kickstart your adventure of ancient Rome, here’s our curation of a handful of tours and sights to see that you wouldn’t want to miss.
Get in your steps on Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill is a must when in Rome. Here, legend says that this now peaceful place was the site where Romulus killed his twin brother, Remus. Other spots to keep an eye out for are views of Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum, when you see it, you’ll feel as if you've traveled back to ancient Rome.
Don’t forget the Colosseum dungeons
Photo by tommao wang on Unsplash
Did you know that you can go deeper in the Colosseum? Deeper, as in where the gladiators themselves used to wait before their battles, and you can even head further down into the dungeons.
Here’s what you can expect to see inside the Colosseum Arena
You’ll see for yourself remnants of ancient trap doors, large cages used for wild animals during these battles, and ancient Roman-engineered elevators.
For a more detailed itinerary on ancient Roman sites you can visit, we’ve prepared a guide on Must-Visit Ancient Roman Buildings, which includes lesser-known spots like the Baths of Caracalla and a bit of a day trip to Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli.
What people usually ask about traveling to Rome
What are the Dos and Don’ts in Rome?
Do remember to dress respectfully, as many sites have dress codes, especially churches. This means travelers should avoid wearing tank tops or muscle shirts, shorts, and the like.
Don’t forget to keep your bag zipped up and close to you at all times. While Rome is generally safe, always be aware of your surroundings because pickpockets tend to use crowds to their advantage.
What are the top 3 things to do in Rome?
If you really had to pick just three, first, we highly recommend you visit at least one of Rome’s ancient buildings, like the Colosseum or the Pantheon.
Second, grab a bite of authentic Italian food, whether it be pizza, pasta, or gelato, the options are endless! Just try to veer away from high touristy areas so you can save a few dollars or so (it gets pricier in more popular spots).
Third, go to a museum! Any museum you pick from our list above will help you learn more about Rome, its history, and its contribution to modern-day society.
Are 3 days enough for Rome?
While it may seem too short, if you’re absolutely pressed for time, three days is enough for you to have a feel Rome.
A well-planned itinerary can cover major sites like The Vatican, the Colosseum, a few restaurants here and there, and some shopping. It’s short and sweet but it’s a good amount of time to experience Rome (and maybe set the foundations for your next trip back)!
Ready for your trip to Rome?
Now that you have a grasp of what to do in Rome, make sure you book your trip to Italy essentials for a smooth and fuss-free trip.
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