Rome Top Five Things to Do

Go see the Holy See. Not many religions actually own a country, but Catholicism isn't just any religion. Holy See (Vatican City) is probably the richest country in the world, per square foot, making up for its total lack of natural resources with an astonishing collection of priceless art treasures. Don’t miss seeing it.

Another absolute ‘must see’ attraction is the famed Pantheon, one of Rome's most impressive and best-preserved monuments. The emperor Hadrian designed it around AD 120 and had it built on the site of an earlier temple that had been damaged by fire. The most striking thing about the Pantheon is not its size, immense though it is (until 1960 the dome was the largest ever built); rather, it is the remarkable harmony of the building. Note: Art lovers can pay homage to the tomb of Raphael, who is buried in an ancient sarcophagus under the alter of Madonna del Sasso that’s located here.

Make a wish at Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi). Squashed into the corner of a small piazza, Trevi Fountain's statue of Neptune seems ready to burst forward from the ancient Acqua Vergine aqueduct. The recently cleaned, and gleaming, 18th-century fountain is one of Rome's most famous sights. It draws throngs of tourists, who crowd into the tiny square to toss coins into the water over their left shoulders; legend says this assures a return trip to the city.

Imagine yourself a gladiator at the Colosseum (Colosseo).

Take a break on the Spanish Steps.A grand outdoor staircase, the Spanish Steps offer a fabulous view of city monuments and rooftops. But they are also a great vantage point for people watching. The Spanish Steps are the meeting place in Rome, filled daily with guitar-playing city dwellers and stylish shoppers descending on the piazza's world-class boutiques.

 When you've had enough rest, head next door to the Keats-Shelley house, and take a look at memorabilia from literature's Romantic period. Or take a sip and a photo in front of the piazza's azalea-trimmed Fontana della Barcaccia (Old Boat Fountain).
 

Transport

Rome has an intercontinental airport named Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport - FCO, but more commonly known as Fiumicino, which also is Italy's chief airport, and the Giovan-Battista Pastine international airport (commonly referred to as Ciampino Airport), a joint civilian and military airport southeast of the city-center, along the Via Appia, which handles mainly charter flights and regional European flights including some low-cost airlines. A third airport, called Aeroporto dell'Urbe, is located in the north of the city along the ancient Via Salaria and handles mainly helicopters and private flights. A fourth airport, called Aeroporto di Centocelle, in the eastern part of Rome between the Via Prenestina and the Via Casilina, has been abandoned for some years now, but is currently being redeveloped as one of the largest public parks in Rome.

A 2-line subway system operates in Rome called the "Metropolitana" or Rome Metro. Construction works for the first branch started in the 1930s. The line had been planned to quickly connect the main train station (Termini) with the newly planned E42 area in the southern suburbs, where the 1942 World Fair was supposed to be held. The event never took place because of war. The area was later partly redesigned and renamed EUR in the 1950s to serve as a modern business district. The line was finally opened in 1955 and it is now part of the B Line. The A line opened in 1980 from Ottaviano to Anagnina stations, later extended in stages (1999 - 2000) to Battistini. In the 1990s an extension of the B line was opened from Termini to Rebibbia. A new branch of the B line (B1) is under construction, as is a third line, called C. A fourth line, line D, is under development. The frequent archaeological findings delay underground work.
 

The Metro system has only two lines, A and B, which cross at Termini. You'll find that the Metro bypasses much of the historical center, which can be frustrating when you're trying to reach the famous sights and characteristic neighborhoods. The reason for this is that there is still so much of ancient Rome beneath the modern city that they can't dig a tunnel for the trains without running into 2,000 year-old brick walls, mosaic pavements, and marble columns! You can see some evidence of this in the Repubblica and Termini stations. Note: The Metro stations on Line A do not have handicapped facilities (except for Cipro-Musei Vaticani and Valle Aurelia); alternatively, bus 590 does the same route as the Metro line and has wheelchair access. All the metro stations on Line B are fully wheelchair accessible except Circo Massimo, Colosseo, and Cavour. (Cavour is accessible only at the entrance for direction Laurentina).

Rome also has a comprehensive bus and light rail system.

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