Best Sights in Rome: 17 Monuments You Can’t Miss

There are so many monuments in Rome, and they're so grand. They can leave you open-mouthed and stay with you forever. You never stop marveling at standing next to something so old and so precious.

On this page you'll find all the monuments in Rome you shouldn't miss. Keep reading for the full list.

The most important monuments in Rome

For many people, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear «Rome» is the majestic Colosseum. And why not? This arena, built under the Flavian dynasty, is a feast for the eyes and wins you over with all its stories and secrets.

Like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or Big Ben in London, this is the city's most famous monument and it has become its symbol.

Right next to the Colosseum you'll find the Roman Forum, an emblem of antiquity where you can still see the remains of squares, columns, statues and administrative buildings that were the real brain of the Roman Empire.

The Trevi Fountain, unforgettable

Another stunning work that's a must-see in Rome is the Trevi Fountain. It's a real treat if you can see it in the early hours, when there are far fewer people and it's beautifully lit.

Vatican City

St. Peter's Basilica, inside the Vatican, is an essential stop. Work on this imposing building went on for almost two centuries, and there's plenty to see inside.

And when you come out of St. Peter's Basilica, you simply have to visit the Sistine Chapel, the most famous chapel in the world, which brought Michelangelo glory as an artist and changed the course of Western art.

Free attractions in Rome

Circo Massimo

The Circus Maximus was once the largest sports venue ever built, and today it still delights with the remains of something that was once so grand.

The Pantheon of Agrippa

The Pantheon, with its Egyptian granite columns and its astonishing dome, lets you see exactly what the Romans saw almost 19 centuries ago.

Some of the most beautiful squares in the world are in Rome: Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna). Find out where they are and how to get there, because you'll want to stop by every one of them during your visit.

Castel Sant'Angelo, the Quirinal Palace, the Baths of Caracalla and Monte Testaccio are other Roman monuments, each with its own charm. Click on the links to discover them.

Rome's essential monuments

• Colosseum
• The Trevi Fountain
• St. Peter's Basilica
• Sistine Chapel
• Castel Sant'Angelo
• Circo Massimo
• The Quirinal Palace
• Roman Forum
• Piazza Venezia
• Monte Testaccio
• Pantheon
• Piazza Navona
• Piazza del Popolo
• Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna)
• Baths of Caracalla

Find out how to reach any of these monuments with the practical information on our page about getting around Rome.