Italy · Rome and surroundings

What to see and do in Rome and the Vatican

From the Colosseum to the pontifical museums, with separate reservations.

Visit two areas of ancient Rome and dedicate another day to the Vatican Museums, located in Vatican City, a different State from Italy. Each monument has its own entrance; The Vatican Museums do not replace the conditions of access to St. Peter's Basilica.

3 days suggestedModerate budgetUrban life · Culture and towns

Duration, budget and itinerary: editorial suggestions adjustable to your trip. No prices or availability in real time.

Colosseum · Rome
DAVID ILIFF · Original photography · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Reduced version of Wikimedia; without editing the content. The website may show a frame crop.

What to visit in Rome and the Vatican · archeology and art

PLACES AND EXPERIENCES

What to do in Rome and the Vatican · archeology and art

history

Colosseum · Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

The amphitheater and the neighboring archaeological area allow you to get closer to ancient Rome. The 24-hour ticket combines a visit to the Colosseum with an entrance to the Roman Forum and the Palatine; Their access and conditions are different.

Activities for your visit

  • Tour the included levels of the Colosseum.
  • Get to know the Roman Forum and the Palatine.

Tips for this place

  • Bring a document that matches the name on the ticket.
  • Leave time between the amphitheater and the archaeological area.
Book tickets ↗

Choose your Colosseum visit date and time. The 24-hour ticket includes the first and second levels, the Roman Forum and the Palatine; access to the arena floor, underground areas and other experiences requires the relevant ticket option. A named reservation and an identity document are required.

Reference sources and location

Approximate reference of the monument from its official location; it does not identify the entrance, a pedestrian route or barrier-free access.

Reference coordinates: 41.8902, 12.4922.

Colosseo archaeological park · tickets and conditions

Colosseum · Rome
Colosseum · Rome DAVID ILIFF · Original photography · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Reduced version of Wikimedia; without editing the content. The website may show a frame crop.

heritage

Pantheon · dome and oculus

The ancient temple, converted into the Basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyres, preserves a large dome illuminated by its central oculus. It is a compact stop to understand the continuity between classical Rome and the current city.

Activities for your visit

  • Contemplate the oculus and the interior space.
  • Recognize the architecture and historical graves.

Tips for this place

  • Respect worship and reserved areas.
  • Check the access changes for celebrations.
Book tickets ↗

Select the Pantheon and time slot at Musei Italiani. The general tourist visit is paid, except for the free categories and days indicated by the museum. Audio guides are a different service.

Reference sources and location

Approximate reference of the monument from its official location; it does not identify the entrance, a pedestrian route or barrier-free access.

Reference coordinates: 41.8986, 12.4769.

Ministry of Culture Pantheon

museum

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel · Vatican City

The papal collections and the Sistine Chapel are located in Vatican City, a separate State from Italy. This visit can be combined with a stay in Rome, reserving enough time for the museums and their controls.

Activities for your visit

  • Visit the collections included in the open itinerary.
  • See the Sistine Chapel during the visit.

Tips for this place

  • Shoulders and knees are covered; Check the official dress code.
  • Photography is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel.
Book tickets ↗

Select Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel for the chosen day. The museum ticket is not a general admission to all places in the Vatican or a reservation for St. Peter's Basilica. Appropriate clothing is required.

Reference sources and location

Approximate reference of the monument from its official location; it does not identify the entrance, a pedestrian route or barrier-free access.

Reference coordinates: 41.9065, 12.4536.

Vatican Museums · official tickets

A PROPOSAL TO ORGANIZE YOURSELF

3-day itinerary in Rome and the Vatican · archeology and art

  1. Day 1

    Colosseum and archaeological area

    Reserve the amphitheater and distribute the Forum and Palatine according to the validity of your ticket, with breaks and margin for controls.

  2. Day 2

    Pantheon and center of Rome

    Visit the Pantheon during its tourist opening and dedicate the rest of the day to the center, without making reservations that are too close together.

  3. Day 3

    Museums in Vatican City

    Arrive at the entrance to the Vatican Museums for your reserved appointment and spend time visiting the collections and the Sistine Chapel.

More ideas for your stay in Rome

Extend this guide with squares, gardens and Castel Sant’Angelo on the Rome ideas page. This guide’s route and suggested days remain unchanged; choose extra visits according to your time and bookings.

Tips for visiting Rome and the Vatican · archeology and art

  • Organize the Colosseum and the Vatican around the times you can reserve.
  • Bring documentation for nominal tickets and appropriate clothing for temples.

LOCAL FLAVORS

What to eat in Rome and the Vatican · archeology and art

Six flavors from different regions: Roman cuisine, Neapolitan pizza, Milanese rice, Tuscan meat, Bologna pasta and Venetian small bites. The guides first show the specialties associated with their area and then other regional classics from this Italian selection.

Margherita pizza with tomato, mozzarella and basil on a plate
Pizza Margherita photographed at I Decumani, Via dei Tribunali, Naples. Valerio Capello at English Wikipedia · Original photography · CC BY-SA 3.0

Naples · Soft dough and spongy edge

Neapolitan pizza

Neapolitan pizza is distinguished by its soft dough and raised edge, the result of very rapid cooking at high temperatures. The Margherita combines tomato, mozzarella and basil; Each pizzeria maintains its way of working the dough.

Reference: Italia.it · Types of pizza

Spaghetti carbonara with guanciale, grated cheese and pepper on black plate
Traditional carbonara photographed by Javier Somoza; reference preparation. Javier Somoza Original photography · CC BY-SA 4.0

Rome Egg, guanciale and pecorino

Pasta alla carbonara

A Roman classic that combines pasta with guanciale, egg, pecorino Romano and black pepper. Its creaminess comes from the egg and cheese, without cream in the traditional recipe included in Turismo Roma. The stories about its origin are diverse.

Reference: Rome Tourism · The traditional carbonara

Yellow saffron risotto served on a white plate with blue rim
Risotto alla milanese photographed by Number55; reference preparation. Number55 · Original photography · CC BY-SA 3.0

Milan · Saffron rice

Risotto alla milanese

Creamy rice golden in color due to saffron, combined at the end with butter and cheese. It is one of the characteristic dishes of Milan and can be served alone or as an accompaniment to ossobuco; The photograph shows the risotto without meat.

Reference: YesMilano · Risotto alla milanese

Grilled Bistecca alla Fiorentina on a plate with a slice of lemon
Bistecca alla fiorentina photographed by Microsoikos; cooked piece of one kilogram. Microsoikos Original photography · Public domain

Florence and Tuscany · Grilled meat

Bistecca alla fiorentina

A thick cut of beef with a T-shaped bone, browned on the grill and traditionally rare on the inside. It is a Florentine specialty that is also found in other towns in Tuscany. It is usually ordered by weight and shared.

Reference: Visit Tuscany · Bistecca alla fiorentina

Egg pasta tagliatelle with meat ragù and grated cheese
Tagliatelle with Bolognese ragù photographed in Bologna by wordridden. wordridden · Original photography · CC BY 2.0

Bologna · Egg pasta with meat sauce

Tagliatelle al ragù

Ribbons of egg pasta tossed with slow-cooked beef ragù bolognese. In Bologna this combination is part of the local gastronomic identity: the sauce accompanies the tagliatelle, which has a different shape from spaghetti.

Reference: Bologna Welcome Tagliatelle al ragù

Three portions of baccalà mantecato on golden polenta discs
Baccalà mantecato with polenta photographed at La Nuova Perla, Venice. Benreis · Original photography · CC BY-SA 4.0

Venice · A bàcari classic

Baccalà mantecato

A creamy fish spread traditionally made with stoccafisso, air-dried cod, and oil. It is served on bread or polenta as one of the small bites called cicchetti in Venetian bàcari. The photo shows a version with polenta.

Reference: Dogale Confraternita · Recipe for baccalà mantecato

Sources to prepare your visit

Reference location: Colosseo archaeological park · tickets and conditions.

Guide monument reference; It does not represent the entire city or a route between visits.

Editorial content by SoyTurista PR, based on the linked sources. Confirm details with each provider before traveling.

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