How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in Rome

One weekend is obviously not enough to see all the best places in Rome, but it’s enough to make you fall in love with the city and go back there again. Hundreds of historical buildings, monuments, museums, and galleries await you in the Eternal City, so be prepared for hours of guided tours if you’d like to know more about the history and art of the city.

The vibe in Rome is definitely something else, and you immediately start feeling it when you walk around the streets. The amount of tourists here is insane but you get used to it. So let’s start with the main attractions that should be on your list when you visit Rome for the first time.

Colosseum

Colosseum is probably the first place that comes to mind when you visit Rome. You simply cannot come here and not see this magnificent building that was built between 72-80 AD and holds up to 80,000 people. Even though there are no violent gladiator battles or animal hunts there anymore, you will still enjoy the look of the largest amphitheatre.

Pantheon

This is one of the best-preserved buildings from ancient times, as it was built in 125 AD by Emperor Hadrian. The Pantheon has a dome with a diameter of 142 feet and is considered the largest in the world. It is free to enter but advanced bookings are required on holidays and weekends.

Trevi Fountain

Thousands of people visit Trevi Fountain every day so the best time to come here if you’d like to get a good picture with almost no people in the background is definitely early morning. The fountain features a flamboyant baroque ensemble of mythical figures and wild horses which takes up the entire side of the 17th-century Palazzo Poli. Don’t forget to toss a coin into the water to ensure that you’ll return to Rome.

Vatican City

Another ultra-popular tourist destination is Vatican City. You can visit Saint Peter’s Square for free but you’ll need a ticket to go to the Basilica and the Vatican Museums. There are also the Vatican Gardens, Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis, Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, and Excavations of St. John. So make sure to plan your day well in order to visit all of these attractions.