# Things to do in Rome: a practical guide for first-time visitors Canonical: https://ticketglide.com/rome Language: en Publisher: TicketGlide Facts checked: 2026-10-11 Rome’s sights fall into three walkable areas: ancient Rome around the Colosseum, the historic centre from the Pantheon to the Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican across the river. Ticket rules have tightened in 2026: Colosseum tickets carry your name, the Pantheon costs €7 and the Trevi Fountain charges €2 to reach the water. Book the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and the Borghese Gallery ahead, and leave time to wander between them. **Book these before you go** - Colosseum: named tickets go on sale 30 days ahead, and arena and underground slots sell out - Vatican Museums: closed on Sundays, except the free last Sunday of the month - Borghese Gallery: booking is mandatory, in two-hour slots - Pompeii day trip: tickets carry your name, with a cap of 20,000 a day ## Top 10 things to do in Rome Ranked for a first visit. For each we name the one ticket or tour we would book, or say when you do not need one. Prices checked on 11 October 2026. ### 1. Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Half a day · From €18 The standard €18 ticket gives you 75 minutes inside the Colosseum plus the Forum and Palatine; the €24 Full Experience adds the arena floor and underground (when available) and is valid for two days. Tickets carry your name, ID is checked, and the name can be changed only once. From 25 October the last entry is at 3:30pm. Metro lines B and C both stop at Colosseo. ### 2. Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel 3–4 hours · €25 online (€20 at the door) Closed on Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month, when entry is free from 9am to 2pm with no booking and a long queue (25 October, 29 November and 27 December 2026). Booking online costs €25 including a €5 fee. Cover shoulders and knees, and no photos in the Sistine Chapel. A guided tour that continues into St Peter’s covers both in one visit. ### 3. St Peter’s Basilica and the dome 1.5–2.5 hours · Free · dome with lift €22 The basilica is free; a €7 timed booking with an audio guide is optional. The dome ticket with the lift costs €22 online and still leaves 320 steps; from 25 October the dome is open 7:30am to 5pm. Everyone passes the security check under the right-hand colonnade, and the dress code is strictly applied. Papal general audiences, usually Wednesday mornings, are free with a ticket. ### 4. Pantheon 30–45 minutes · €7 Almost 2,000 years old and still roofed by its original dome. Entry has cost €7 since 1 July 2026 (it was €5), with timed tickets in your name; it is free on the first Sunday of the month and for under-18s, and not included in the Roma Pass. Open daily from 9am to 7pm. ### 5. Trevi Fountain 20 minutes · €2 to reach the water Since February 2026 it costs €2, card only, to go down to the basin between 9am and 10pm, every day including first Sundays; the square above stays free. Come early in the morning or late in the evening for fewer people. Do not step into the fountain: fines start at €160. ### 6. Borghese Gallery 2 hours · €18 including booking Bernini’s sculptures and Caravaggio’s paintings in a villa in the park. Booking is mandatory for everyone, in two-hour slots of 180 people; it is closed on Mondays. If you are near the gallery without a booking, spare places are sometimes sold 20 minutes into each hour. ### 7. Trastevere and a food tour 3–4 hours · Tours from €73 Cobbled lanes and trattorias across the river, best in the evening. A food tour through Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto is an easy introduction to Roman dishes. In Lazio a cover charge (“coperto”) is illegal; a service charge must be shown before you order, and coffee costs less standing at the bar. ### 8. Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps 2 hours · Free A free walk through the historic centre, linking the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Sitting on the Spanish Steps is banned, with fines of €250. Refill your bottle at the public drinking fountains, the “nasoni”: Rome has thousands of them. ### 9. The Appian Way and the catacombs Half a day · Tours from €55 The ancient road south of the city, lined with tombs and aqueducts. Catacomb visits are guided only; San Callisto costs €10, is closed on Wednesdays and closes for the winter from 13 January to 10 February 2027. A tour or bike ride covers the distances between sites. ### 10. Day trip to Pompeii Full day · Tours from €72 Pompeii costs €20 since January 2026, with tickets in your name and a cap of 20,000 visitors a day. By train it is about 2–2.5 hours each way with a change in Naples, so a coach tour is the simpler choice. From 15 October the last entry is at 3:30pm. Closer: Tivoli’s Villa d’Este (€15) and Ostia Antica. ## Rome itinerary for 1, 2 or 3 days Give each day one area: ancient Rome, the historic centre, then the Vatican, which is closed on Sundays. ### Day 1: ancient Rome - Morning: the Colosseum at your booked time, then the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. - Afternoon: the Capitoline Hill and Piazza Venezia. - Evening: dinner in Monti, a few minutes from the Colosseum. ### Day 2: the historic centre - Morning: the Pantheon when it opens at 9am, then Piazza Navona. - Afternoon: the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, or the Borghese Gallery at your booked slot. - Evening: Trastevere for dinner. ### Day 3: the Vatican (not on a Sunday) - Morning: the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. - Afternoon: St Peter’s Basilica and the dome, then Castel Sant’Angelo (€18, closed on Mondays). ### With more time Add the Appian Way and the catacombs, Tivoli’s Villa d’Este, Ostia Antica, or a day trip to Pompeii. Florence is about 1 hour 30 minutes away by high-speed train. ## Rome ticket prices and rules in 2026 Several prices and rules changed in 2026, and many websites still show the old ones. - State museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, next on 1 November and 6 December 2026; the Colosseum still needs a timed slot and the Borghese a booking. - Under-18s go free at state museums, and EU citizens aged 18–24 pay €2 at the Colosseum. - The Roma Pass costs €38 for 48 hours (one free site) or €62.90 for 72 hours (two free sites), with city transport included; you still have to book the Colosseum and the Borghese. | Site | Adult price | What to know | | --- | --- | --- | | Colosseum, Forum and Palatine | €18 (Full Experience €24) | Named tickets, on sale 30 days ahead; 75 or 90 minutes inside the Colosseum | | Vatican Museums | €25 online, €20 at the door | Closed on Sundays except the free last Sunday | | St Peter’s Basilica | Free (dome with lift €22) | Security queue; strict dress code | | Pantheon | €7 (from 1 July 2026) | Named timed tickets; not in the Roma Pass | | Trevi Fountain basin | €2 (from February 2026) | 9am–10pm, card only; the square is free | | Borghese Gallery | €18 with booking fee | Booking mandatory; closed on Mondays | | Castel Sant’Angelo | €18 (from 1 July 2026) | Closed on Mondays | | Pompeii | €20 (from January 2026) | Named tickets; 20,000 a day | ## When to visit Rome: weather, crowds and closing days Spring and autumn are the most comfortable; summer is hot, and Easter week brings the biggest crowds to the Vatican. - Weather: average highs of about 31°C in July and 12°C in January; November is the wettest month. - Opening hours shorten on 25 October 2026, when the clocks change: the Colosseum’s last entry moves to 3:30pm. - Closed on Mondays: the Borghese Gallery, Castel Sant’Angelo and many state museums. Closed on Sundays: the Vatican Museums, except the last Sunday. The catacombs of San Callisto close on Wednesdays. - Easter 2027 is on 28 March, and Holy Week is the busiest time at St Peter’s. The Rome Marathon is on 14 March 2027. - In August many restaurants close for part of the month, and the Vatican Museums close on 14 and 15 August. ## Free things to do in Rome and how to save money Most of Rome’s churches, piazzas and viewpoints are free, and a few local habits save money every day. ### Free things to do - St Peter’s Basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore and most of Rome’s churches. - The Aventine keyhole on Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, with a view of St Peter’s dome. - The noon cannon on the Gianicolo hill, and the sunset view from there or the Pincio. - The Trevi Fountain from the square, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps. - The first Sunday of the month at state museums, and the last Sunday at the Vatican Museums. ### Ways to save - Drink coffee standing at the bar, which costs less than sitting at a table. - Refill a bottle at the nasoni, the free public drinking fountains. - Restaurants may not charge a cover charge in Lazio; a service charge must be shown before you order. - Shops and restaurants must accept card payments of any amount, but carry a little cash for small vendors. ## Getting around Rome: airports, metro and taxis Walk the centre, and use the metro and buses with a contactless card or a €1.50 ticket. ### From the airports - Fiumicino: the Leonardo Express costs €14 and runs non-stop to Termini in 32 minutes. Taxis have a fixed fare of €55 to anywhere inside the Aurelian Walls (some websites still show the old €48). - Ciampino: taxis cost a fixed €40 to the centre; the bus-and-train Airlink to Termini costs from €2.70. ### Metro, buses and passes - A single ticket costs €1.50 and lasts 100 minutes, but covers only one metro ride. - Passes cost €8.50 for 24 hours, €15 for 48 hours and €22 for 72 hours. - You can tap a contactless card or phone at metro gates and on buses and trams. - Metro line C now reaches Colosseo, where it meets line B; the Vatican is on line A (Ottaviano). ### Driving and taxes - Do not drive into the centre: the limited traffic zone (ZTL) cameras fine every gate you pass, from about €83 each. - Hotels add a city tax of €4–10 per person per night, depending on the star rating, for up to 10 nights. ## Visiting the Vatican and Rome’s churches: dress code and rules Cover your shoulders and knees in every church and at the Vatican, and expect it to be checked at the door. - No sleeveless or low-cut tops, no shorts above the knee, no miniskirts and no hats at the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s; carry a scarf for other churches. - No photos or video in the Sistine Chapel, and silence is requested. - Large backpacks are not allowed in St Peter’s, and there is no cloakroom. - Do not sit on the Spanish Steps or step into fountains; both carry fines. - Pickpockets work Termini station and the busiest metro line A stations, so keep bags in front of you. ## Rome tours and tickets by type Browse every bookable option by type, with live prices and availability for your dates. - **Attraction tickets:** The Colosseum, the Borghese Gallery and Castel Sant’Angelo, with or without a guide. - **Guided tours:** The Vatican Museums with St Peter’s, the Pantheon, and catacomb tours on the Appian Way. - **Food tours and cooking classes:** Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto on foot, and pasta and tiramisu classes. - **Day trips:** Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast, Tivoli, Ostia Antica and Florence. - **Bike and outdoor tours:** E-bike tours along the Appian Way and the aqueducts. ## Frequently asked questions about visiting Rome ### How many days do you need in Rome? Three days covers ancient Rome, the historic centre and the Vatican. With five, add the Borghese Gallery, the Appian Way and a day trip to Pompeii or Tivoli. ### How far ahead should I book the Colosseum? Tickets go on sale 30 days ahead and carry your name, which can be changed only once. Book as soon as sales open if you want the arena or underground. ### Is the Vatican Museum open on Sunday? Only on the last Sunday of the month, when entry is free from 9am to 2pm without booking. On other Sundays it is closed. ### Do you have to pay to see the Trevi Fountain? Seeing it from the square is free. Since February 2026 it costs €2, card only, to go down to the basin between 9am and 10pm. ### How much is the Pantheon? €7 since 1 July 2026. It is free on the first Sunday of the month and for under-18s, and it is not included in the Roma Pass. ### What is the dress code for the Vatican? Shoulders and knees must be covered: no sleeveless tops, shorts above the knee, miniskirts or hats. It is checked at the entrance to the Museums and St Peter’s. ### How do I get from Fiumicino Airport to central Rome? The Leonardo Express takes 32 minutes to Termini and costs €14. A taxi to anywhere inside the Aurelian Walls costs a fixed €55. ### Is the Roma Pass worth it? It suits a short stay with lots of sightseeing: €38 for 48 hours or €62.90 for 72 hours, with transport included. It does not cover the Pantheon, and you still need to book the Colosseum and the Borghese Gallery. ### Do you tip in Rome? Tipping is optional. A cover charge is illegal in Lazio, and any service charge must be shown before you order; rounding up or leaving a few euros is enough for good service. ### Can you sit on the Spanish Steps? No. Sitting on the steps is banned, and the fine is €250. ### Which day are museums closed in Rome? Many state museums, the Borghese Gallery and Castel Sant’Angelo close on Mondays. The Vatican Museums close on Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month. ## Sources - [Parco archeologico del Colosseo: opening hours and tickets](https://colosseo.it/orari-e-biglietti/) - [Parco archeologico del Colosseo: Full Experience ticket](https://colosseo.it/en/tickets/full-experience-underground-arena/) - [Vatican Museums: prices and tickets](https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/it/organizza-visita/tariffe-e-biglietti.html) - [St Peter’s Basilica: the basilica](https://www.basilicasanpietro.va/en/help/the-basilica) - [St Peter’s Basilica: opening hours](https://www.basilicasanpietro.va/en/opening-hours) - [St Peter’s Basilica: dome with lift](https://booking.basilicasanpietro.va/en/idea/52250633/-dome-with-lift-includes-basilica-) - [Vatican: papal audiences](https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en/prenotazione-celebrazioni-udienze.html) - [Direzione Musei Roma: Pantheon](https://direzionemuseiroma.cultura.gov.it/en/pantheon/) - [Turismo Roma: Trevi Fountain entry fee](https://www.turismoroma.it/en/news/trevi-fountain-new-entry-fee-one-romes-symbols) - [Galleria Borghese: tickets](https://galleriaborghese.cultura.gov.it/visita/info-biglietti/) - [Direzione Musei Roma: Castel Sant’Angelo](https://direzionemuseiroma.cultura.gov.it/museo-nazionale-di-castel-santangelo/) - [Catacombs of San Callisto: tickets](https://www.catacombesancallisto.it/en/biglietti.php) - [Catacombs of San Callisto: opening times](https://www.catacombesancallisto.it/en/orari.php) - [Roma Pass](https://www.museiincomuneroma.it/it/infopage/roma-pass) - [Pompeii: buy tickets](https://pompeiisites.org/en/buy-tickets/) - [Ministero della Cultura: Villa d’Este](https://cultura.gov.it/luogo/villa-adriana-e-villa-d-este-villa-d-este) - [Trenitalia: Rome–Florence Frecciarossa](https://www.trenitalia.com/it/frecciarossa/collegamenti-frecciarossa/frecciarossa-roma-firenze.html) - [Trenitalia: Leonardo Express](https://www.trenitalia.com/it/regionale/collegamenti-regionale/leonardo-express.html) - [Roma Mobilità: taxis](https://romamobilita.it/muoversi-a-roma/taxi/) - [Roma Mobilità: Metro C Colosseo station](https://romamobilita.it/primo-piano/metro-c-inaugurate-le-fermate-colosseo-e-porta-metronia/) - [ATAC: tickets and passes](https://www.atac.roma.it/en/tickets-and-passes) - [Comune di Roma: tourist tax](https://www.comune.roma.it/web/it/scheda-servizi.page?contentId=INF41430) - [Regione Lazio: Regional Law 22/2019](https://www.consiglio.regione.lazio.it/consiglio-regionale/?vw=leggiregionalidettaglio&id=9373&sv=vigente) - [Comune di Roma: urban police regulation fines](https://www.comune.roma.it/web/it/notizia/in-vigore-regolamento-polizia-urbana-stabilite-nuove-tabelle-sanzioni.page) - [Turismo Roma: Ferragosto 2026](https://www.turismoroma.it/it/eventi/ferragosto-2026-eventi-roma-musei-aperti-arene-e-parchi-divertimento) - [UK Foreign Office: Italy travel advice](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/safety-and-security) --- TicketGlide helps travellers find tickets, tours, attractions and experiences worldwide. 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