What to do in Rome?

Question

I will be visiting in May/June 2008 and I am interested in visiting all the famous spots as well as some that are off the beaten path. Are there any not-to-be missed sights? Also, money is a huge factor so anthing that is free would be great! Oh, and I love anything scenic/picturesque and famous sights and historic places. Skip the art museums! Thank you!

Answer 1

Rome is, honestly, my favorite city I have ever visited. Try to visit in May rather than June, since Rome gets so hot in June that most people leave the city and alot of the stores/sites to see are closed for a month. Some sights to see:

>St Peters (obviously), The Vatican.- Contains mosaics by Donatello, and the Pieta by Michelangelo. If you can afford it, make sure to take the vatican tour and see the sistine chapel (famous ceiling painted by michaelangelo).
>The Pantheon - until the 1960's, the former roman temple sported the largest man made dome in the world. At the fall of the roman empire, the Pantheon was converted to a catholic church and they still hold mass there to this day.
>Santa Maria in Trastavere - A church in the Trastavere region of the city. The columns of the church do not match because they were scavenged from marble columns of roman buildings.
>Campo di Fiori/Piazza Navona - charming market places where roman citizens used to host events, Navona had horse races and boat "battles." (when flooded)
>Castel Sant Angelo - a historic castel which was a refuge of the popes if the city of Rome came under attack. Going to the top of the castel provides a great view of the city.
>The tomb of the unknown soldier - Free, go up the steps and pay your respects to the soldiers who have died in service to italy.
>Trajans Column/Trajan's market - right by the Tomb of the unknown, you can pay to enter trajans market, but it can also be (mostly) seen from the street.
>The roman forum - located near the colosseum, TONS of roman ruins
>The colosseum/triumphant arches - Roman ruins, should be pretty self explanatory.
>The spanish steps - famous steps, incredibly beautiful with an old church at the top and famous fountain of a sinking ship at the bottom.
> Trevi Fountain - World famous, spend some time eating ice cream (gelato) by the fountain. Be sure to throw a penny in over your right shoulder because superstition says this will bring you back to Rome.
>San Pietro in Vincoli - contains sculptures for a tomb which were carved by Michaelangelo, as well as the chains used to bind St. Peter the Apostle before his execution.
>San Giovani in Laterno
>Basillica SS Giovani e Paolo - steps to the church are from the roman palace in Israel, rumored to be the steps Jesus walked on his way to Pontious Pilot, a popular pilgrimage site. (gold sculptures above the altar contain the skulls of St.'s Peter and Paul, of biblical fame).
>Santa Maria Sopra Minerva - built in 1280 on top of a church from early 4th century, which in turn was built on top of an ancient roman temple to Minerva. A small fee lets you descend all the way into the Minervan temple as well as the Christian church. VERY impressive.
>Catacombs (a fee) - get a tour, very impressive


Of course, there's SO much more to do. I was in Rome for a full week by itself and barely felt like I'd scratched the surface of things to see and do there. Enjoy (and don't forget to enjoy a good coffee at a cafe and the best pizza in the world is just north of the Vatican on a little side street... somewhere near Borgo Vittorio)

Answer 2

Trastevere is the most interesting part of Rome; it's still pretty much as it was in Medieval times. It's touristy but not without its charm. Take a walk around and enjoy it. Another interesting area is the old Ghetto, in back of the main synagogue. From there you can walk or take Tram 8 across the Tiber bridge (Viale Trastevere which becomes Via Arenula) to see a fascinating archaeological site in Piazza Argentina. Off to your left is Piazza Campo de' Fiori, which features an interesting open-air market in the mornings. If you're in Rome on a Sunday, do not miss the Porta Portese flea market; more local color than you can shake a stick at (beware of pickpockets).

Answer 3

Walk, walk and walk.

Don't be afraid to drink from the drinking water fountains along the boulevards. Delicious!

Plan on a couple days in St. Peter's alone, you'll never forget it, and you may never donate to the Catholic Church again!

Answer 4

Colosseo http://www.simonho.org/images/Italy/Rome_Colosseo1.jpg http://www.simonho.org/images/Italy/Rome_Colosseo2.jpg
S. Pietro http://www.caffetahiti.it/images/San%20Pietro%201.jpg
Castel S. Angelo http://gallery.giovani.it/img/mms/foto/2006/11/29/img_456cc9ce1389f_verybig.jpg
Foro Romano http://www.ashka.eu/roma/panorama1.jpg
Piazza del Campidoglio http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/2922/campidoglio3ti0.jpg
Piazza Navona http://www.cs.cornell.edu/~mvnak/Europe2004/Rome/10%20-%20Comedy%20Show%20at%20Piazza%20Navona.jpg
Piazza di Spagna http://www.itinerariodiviaggio.it/Roma2PiazzadiSpagnabis.jpg
Fontana di Trevi http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/9162/fontanaditrevids2.jpg http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7678/fontanaditrevi2vf3.jpg
Pantheon http://www.simonho.org/images/Italy/Rome_Pantheon.jpg
S. Ignazio http://www2.siba.fi/~kkoskim/rooma/kuvat/365_028c.jpg
S. Ivo alla Sapienza http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/40/sivoallasapienzaef0.jpg
Teatro Marcello http://www.romecity.it/teatrodimarcello001.jpg
Campo de' Fiori http://gallery.giovani.it/img/mms/foto/2006/11/29/img_456ccd1ce238a_verybig.jpg http://gallery.giovani.it/img/mms/foto/2006/12/05/img_45752870c3726_verybig.jpg
S. Maria in Trastevere http://www.ashka.eu/trastevere/trastevere.html
S. Maria Maggiore http://carrut.smugmug.com/photos/75682669-O.jpg
Villa Borghese http://www.ashka.eu/villaborghese/villaborghese.html

Answer 5

when in rome,do like the romans.