Rome is a city of time travelers. Each step through its streets is a step in history. From the 7 hills to the city center every inch of Rome is steeped in rich history that stretches back to antiquity. There is no place like it on Earth where the past is more prevalent then the present. Spending time in the city is like a time warp, minutes and hours don’t matter, the only thing that counts is the rising and falling of the sun. Each day bleeds into the other and weeks can seem like an instant, with the blink of an eye an excursion can end. Rome is a city to be appreciated over years not just days and weeks. Seeing everything is impossible and each person who visits Rome will have a different connection with the city. Some will see its history, others will experience its soul, and most will fall for its people. There is no way to understand it all in one go but visitors have to take the time to see these 5 can’t miss hot spots.
#5 – Parco degli Acquedotti
This out of the way sight might not attract the tourists like its city center adjacent counterparts but what it lacks in centrality it makes up for in a truly unique amazing experience. the Park itself is huge and like Rome is literally littered with history. A tones throw in any direction and you’re bound to hit a landmark a thousand years (or more) old. Its lush green rolling hills have the ability to transport visitors back to a simpler time, and its easy to imagine being a Roman in the time of Caesar. The Park is not only a great place to connect with ancient Rome but also with its modern people. Unlike many places in the city this place is usually devoid of tourists and getting a glimpse of Roman life is easy. In addition the park is relatively close to Via Appia Antica the worlds first highway, and the ancient catacombs as well. For anyone looking to take a step out of the hustle and rush of the center Parco degli Acquedotti is a must.
#4 – Vatican City
A trip to Rome wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the small country in the world and there is no reason to skip out. Even those who visited before find there is always a good reason to come back and stare in awe of the immaculate architecture of St. Peter’s or gawk at the incredible art of the Renaissance. Getting there early is not only a good idea but also a requirement as even a few hours before opening the queue is usually 100 people long for the Vatican Museum. While lines are grossly unbearable by 9:00am wise travelers simply contact the Scavi Office and reserve their place which allows them to skip the long lines and waltz in at a reasonable time. St. Peter’s on the other hand has no secret trick to get in, visitors simply must get there early unless they have always dreamed of waiting in the sweltering summer heat of Rome for hours on end. No matter your religion or penchant for art everyone will find something unbelievable to love.
#3 – The Pantheon
Rome is a place of wonders and after awhile of wandering it starts to feel like commonplace to stand at the foot of history everywhere you go. However, no place awes so consistently like The Pantheon. In a city of spectacular sights no place feels more like a dream than here. Sitting in the middle of Piazza della Rotonda it is a place that takes visitors by surprise every time. It seemingly appears from nowhere and is the best place to feel transported back a thousand years. The building itself is a modern marvel and its easy to see why. Physically imposing like a fortress but molded perfectly like a rose. The debate still rages on as to exactly how it was built and by modern standards and models simply should not stand. Although re-pourposed time and again throughout roman history it still holds the power to awe and connect visitors with a past far gone.
#2 – Villa Borghese
Located in the middle of the center just a stones throw from the Spanish steps, the park seems as though it would be a perfect spot for a hotbed of tourist activity. Although it is, it’s also not too hard to find yourself standing all alone in some of the most picturesque scenes in all of Rome. Like all great parks, despite being located in the center of Rome it makes visitors feels as though they are thousands of miles away in the country side. The sounds and smells are ones of nature and the rush of city life is no where to be found. Every inch of the park feels like it has a secret history to tell and one quick walk off the beaten path usually proves the theory correct. Hidden gems and historical monuments are scattered throughout the park and one gets the sense that an entire vacation could be spent exploring the park. One of the greatest assets however has to be Villa Borghese itself. At one point was owned by a single (notorious) Roman family and situated in the center sits the spectacular villa. While the outside of the building is nothing overly special the inside is a place that can amaze as its houses some of the most unique and awe-inspiring collection of Roman and Renaissance art in the world. While it may not have the sheer number of works like the Vatican Museum of the Louvre it makes up for it in jaw dropping quality. Visitors will have to book tickets at least a few days in advance but its more than worth the wait.
#1 – The Forum and Colosseum
There is a reason the first image associated with Rome is the Colosseum as it is simply something that needs to be seen in person. Like most of Rome these places cannot be captured in photos. They simply have a power and soul that is only experienced by standing in their midst. The word “wow” was coined to describe exactly the feeling of sheer awe that this place brings. It is unlike anything else in this world and has the incredible ability to amazing by simply existing. While history buffs can pour of the knowledge of Ancient Rome it doesn’t become real until you actually find yourself standing directly in it. Ultimately, the feel washes over all visitors that these incredible places were not the work of fiction but were real places crafted by human hands. It’s here visitors can truly begin to understand what Ancient Rome was like and how it must have felt to stand there as an outsider for the first time. This places proves why the Roman Empire was feared and was matched by no others in its time. If there is only one place to see in Rome this is it.
Related articles
- Set-jetting in Rome (brandsandfilms.com)
- How Many Obelisks Are There in Rome? (dreaminginitalian.org)
- Highlights of Rome – Rome, Italy (travelpod.com)
