Must see in rome?

Wow! You'll be traveling along way to Rome. Of course you have to see St. Peter's and if you can take the elevator to the top of the dome to see it from the inside and from the roof top. If you are up to it climb the remaining steps up to the top for a great view. Also Pantheon, Trivi Fountain, top of the Spanish Steps at Sunset time, plus all the regular tourist sites. May is a great time to visit Rome.

Jennie,
We will going to Rome in June, this our 2nd time because we couldn't do it all in 3 days but you can do bunches! Do the Vatican with a tour, we like Angel Tours. You can do the Forum, Trajans Column and Market without tour guides, and even the Colosseum, but the lines can be long for the Colosseum, get there early or with a tour. We enjoyed the open bus, I think it is the 110, red bus with an open top that has audio about all the places it goes by. You can get off and on when ever you like. It doesn't go by everything you would like to see but several and you can always get off and walk to the sight. The fountains and obelisks are easy to do without a tour. Get the Rick Steves book and follow his tours. We did a couple and enjoyed doing it ourselves. Enjoy!
Dana

I personally wouldn't go to Rome without touring the Colliseum. When I was there last Sept., as I approached the ticket windows, someone came up and announced that you could get tickets for the English tour and directed us to the most far left window. There was no line there. (I believe Rick mentions this in his Rome guide also). So try to do this to avoid a long line to get in -- but it's worth it. The open bus tour of the city is good also.

If you have the roman pass do you still have to worry about the line? I believe Steve mentioned this as another way to bypass the long lines.

There is another way to pass the line! Go tour the Roman Forum (a must do!!!) and Palatine Hill first. They're just across from Colosseum and your ticket is a combo for all 3 attractions. After you've seen Forum/Palatine, take your ticket to the Colosseum and get in the MUCH shorter line (ask at the entrance) for people who already have tickets. A note here; the Forum used to be free and you only needed buy a ticket for Palatine/Colosseum but I just read that they're now putting Forum on that same ticket as they need excavation funding. This ticket is also only good, I believe for same-day visits to all. Check Rome tourism websites just to be sure?

Jennie, Kathy is correct - 2 weeks ago they began charging for entry into the Forum. Now you buy one ticket for all three sites: Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill - It costs 11 Euros for all three.

I'm currently living in Rome and agree with many folks that there is so much to see. Get yourself a good guidebook and set YOUR priorities. Perhaps it's Art... then the Vatican Museum, Villa Borghese Museum, and Palazzo Barberini would definitely be on your list!

If it's views of the city, then climb to the cupola in St. Peter's, ride the 870 bus to the top of Janiculum Hill, or take the elevator to the roof of the Vittoriano!

If it's seeing quiet narrow streets, head to Trastevere. For shopping, Cola di Rienzo, Via Corso, or Nazionale! Hit the local markets!

There's so much to do and see... I would suggest you set your priorities and as the Italians say, "piano, piano" - take it slowly, slowly and enjoy Rome! Send me a message if you need some details - Good Luck!

Lucky Ron to be living in Rome!! I have to agree with his "piano, piano" advice - to hurry Rome is to lose it's essence! Do give yourself some time to grab a gelato and just stroll a few piazzas and backstreets. We loved to rest our heels with an afternoon coffee or cocktail and just listen to the conversations around us - Italian is like music! Take just a few minutes to stop into some of the stunning churches that you'll see along the way. And Ron is right - the top of the Vittoriano IS amazing. It was a 7 euro ticket for panoramic views of the city and well worth it. Have a great time!!!

Thanks so much to you all for your replies - what a great help this site is.

As the others have said you need to decide what you really want to see and also allow down time. If you are flying directly into Rome you will arrive early morning and, even if you sleep during the flight, you are going to feel tired, so don't plan too much the first day.

I would recommend Angel tours for any tours you may want to do. I did the Vatican tour with them last year and really enjoyed it. Others in the group had done the Coliseum tour and really enjoyed that too. They also do a major sites of Rome tour at 6pm or so and I am going to book that when I am in Rome in May this year. Check out their website www.angeltoursrome.com

A must see for me is St Peters. It is an incredible building and the Pieta is just beautiful. Do post a card from the Vatican post office.

What ever you decide I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Anybody know if Vittoriano is drapped for work on facing stone? It was last May/June.

I would add a lazy afternoon in Piazza Navona... gelato - wander and look at the local artists' work, a glass of wine at one of the sidewalk restaurants, fountains with fabulous sculptures, people - just amazing.

Regarding Vittoriano... the front is still "draped" as they do work and also the "chariot" monument on the RIGHT roof is in scaffolding. Yet you can still go to the top and you still have a great view!

Borghese Gallery should be almost at the top of the list! We went to Rome 3 times, before we finally went there... and if you love fine sculpture, the Bernini's there will knock you out!

I just wanted to say that me reading this, and other reply's to questions are GREAT.
Thanks to ALL that participate, you are really maing this adventure so much better for so many people!

Ray

Absolutely agree Ray - thanks again everyone.

We just returned from 7 days and we truly enjoyed it. We went to all the sites - (the colliseum was amazing - we had a great tour guide) and we loved the piazzas, Navona, Popolo, and we really loved the Pantheon. We loved the Vatican and St. Peters and we loved taking the Metro everywhere and hearing the accordian players seranading us while we traveled!