{"id":8480,"date":"2026-11-14T08:00:09","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T07:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/things-to-do-rome"},"modified":"2026-11-14T08:00:09","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T07:00:09","slug":"things-to-do-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/en\/things-to-do-rome","title":{"rendered":"Things to Do in Rome: The Must-Sees Without the Traps"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.sayna-article .quick,.sayna-article .tip{background:#f4f7fb;border-left:4px solid #467AFF;border-radius:8px;padding:14px 18px;margin:20px 0}.sayna-article .tip{background:#fff7ef;border-left-color:#ff7900}.sayna-article .h{font-weight:700;font-size:1.05em;margin-bottom:6px;color:#0a0a0b}.sayna-article table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:18px 0}.sayna-article th{background:#eef1f7;text-align:left;padding:10px 12px;font-weight:700;border-bottom:2px solid #dfe3ec}.sayna-article td{padding:10px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #eef1f7}.sayna-article .faq details{border-bottom:1px solid #e5e8ee;padding:4px 0}.sayna-article .faq summary{font-weight:600;cursor:pointer;padding:9px 0}.sayna-article .cta-box{background:#fff5ec;border:1px solid #ffd8b0;border-radius:12px;padding:22px;text-align:center;margin:26px 0}.sayna-article .cta-box a{display:inline-block;background:#ff7900;color:#fff;padding:12px 26px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:none;font-weight:700;margin-top:8px}<\/style>\n<div class=\"sayna-article\">\n<div class=\"quick\">\n<div class=\"h\">\u26a1 In short<\/div>\n<p>To see the best of <strong>Rome<\/strong>, plan 2 to 3 days. The <strong>must-sees<\/strong>: the Colosseum with the Forum and Palatine, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St Peter&#8217;s, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and Trastevere. Book the Colosseum (<strong>18 \u20ac<\/strong>) and Vatican (<strong>20 \u20ac<\/strong>) online in advance, dodge the costumed-centurion and bracelet scams, and keep a connection live in the maze of the centre.<\/p>\n<div class=\"tip\"><span class=\"h\">Stay connected on arrival<\/span> Set up your <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.orange.com\/en\/buy-a-sim\/offers\/italy\">eSIM for Italy<\/a> before you go: 100% online activation, no physical SIM to swap.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav aria-label=\"Table of contents\" class=\"toc\">\n<div class=\"h\">Contents<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#stay\">Where to stay in Rome by traveller type<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#sights\">The must-see sights, with prices<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#opinion\">Overrated vs underrated: our take<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#scams\">The scams to know about<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#3days\">Rome in 3 days<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#eat\">Eating in Rome without the trap<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#connected\">Getting around and staying connected<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<p>Rome rewards a plan. Three days of ancient ruins, baroque squares and long dinners, with a handful of sights that sell out and a few classic traps for the unprepared.<\/p>\n<p>Here is the honest version: the real must-sees, where to base yourself, what to book and when, the scams to sidestep, and a 3-day route that holds together.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"stay\">Where to stay in Rome by traveller type<\/h2>\n<p>The neighbourhood you pick shapes the whole trip more than the hotel does. Our shortlist by profile:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Monti<\/strong> (next to the Colosseum): central, characterful, full of wine bars and small restaurants. The best all-round first-timer base, walkable to ancient Rome.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Trastevere<\/strong> (across the river): cobbled, lively, great for evenings and atmosphere. A little louder at night, a short walk or tram from the centre.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prati<\/strong> (by the Vatican): elegant, calmer, excellent food shops, and handy if the Vatican is your priority. Slightly less central for ancient Rome.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Around Termini<\/strong>: cheapest and best-connected for trains, but less charming. Fine for a short stay or an early departure, on a budget.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Our pick for a first visit is <strong>Monti<\/strong>: you wake up minutes from the Forum and eat where Romans actually eat.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sights\">The must-see sights, with prices<\/h2>\n<p>Not every sight needs a ticket, and not every ticket needs buying ahead. Here is what to book and what to just walk up to.<\/p>\n<h3>The Colosseum, Forum and Palatine<\/h3>\n<p>One ticket, <strong>18 euros<\/strong> for adults, covers all three and is the single best half-day in Rome. Buy it on the official site, <strong>ticketing.colosseo.it<\/strong>, not the lookalike resellers. Tickets are released about <strong>30 days ahead<\/strong> and sell out fast in high season. EU citizens aged 18 to 24 pay <strong>2 euros<\/strong>; under-18s are free.<\/p>\n<h3>The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel<\/h3>\n<p>The full ticket is <strong>20 euros<\/strong>, or <strong>25 euros<\/strong> with the online booking fee, and it leads through to the Sistine Chapel. Book a <strong>timed morning slot<\/strong> online to skip the worst queues. Entry is free on the <strong>last Sunday of each month<\/strong>, but the trade-off is huge crowds and shorter hours, so we would only do that if budget trumps comfort.<\/p>\n<h3>St Peter&#8217;s Basilica<\/h3>\n<p>Entry to the basilica itself is <strong>free<\/strong>; you pay only to climb the dome (around 8 to 10 euros). The queue for security can be long, so arrive early. Remember the dress code: shoulders and knees covered.<\/p>\n<h3>The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and squares<\/h3>\n<p>The <strong>Pantheon<\/strong> now charges a small entry fee, <strong>5 euros<\/strong> until the end of June 2026 and <strong>7 euros<\/strong> from 1 July 2026 (under-18s free, EU 18 to 25 pay 2 euros). The <strong>Trevi Fountain<\/strong>, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps are free to enjoy, best very early or late to dodge the crush. Toss a coin in the Trevi with your right hand over your left shoulder, as tradition demands.<\/p>\n<div class=\"tip\">\n<div class=\"h\">\ud83d\udca1 Did you know<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Around 1.5 million euros in coins is fished out of the Trevi Fountain each year. The city collects it and donates it to charity, so your wish funds a food bank. Throwing coins anywhere but the Trevi, though, can earn you a fine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"opinion\">Overrated vs underrated: our take<\/h2>\n<p>Time is the scarce resource in Rome, so here is where we would spend it and where we would not.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Underrated<\/strong>: the <strong>Borghese Gallery<\/strong> (book ahead, timed entry, sublime Bernini sculptures and far calmer than the Vatican), the <strong>Appian Way<\/strong> on a Sunday when it closes to traffic, and simply <strong>Trastevere at dusk<\/strong>. The <strong>Capuchin Crypt<\/strong> and the keyhole view on the Aventine are quirky, memorable and quick.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overrated, or at least over-queued<\/strong>: the <strong>Spanish Steps<\/strong>, pretty but just steps, and the scrum at the <strong>Trevi Fountain<\/strong> at midday. See them, but do not build half a day around them. If you must choose, the Borghese beats a second Roman ruin for most people.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"scams\">The scams to know about<\/h2>\n<p>Rome&#8217;s scams are persistent rather than dangerous. Knowing them defuses them.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Costumed centurions<\/strong> near the Colosseum: they pose for photos, then demand around <strong>10 euros<\/strong>. Agree a price first or decline.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The bracelet trick<\/strong>: someone near a major sight ties a friendship bracelet on your wrist, then asks for <strong>10 to 20 euros<\/strong>. Keep your hands to yourself and walk on.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Menu-less restaurants<\/strong> on tourist squares with a friendly host waving you in: no prices, surprise charges. Check the printed menu and the coperto before you sit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fake ticket sites<\/strong> charging double for the Colosseum or Vatican. Use only the official domains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"3days\">Rome in 3 days<\/h2>\n<p>Short on time? This route covers the essentials without doubling back across the city.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Time<\/th>\n<th>Day 1: Ancient Rome<\/th>\n<th>Day 2: The Vatican<\/th>\n<th>Day 3: Centre &amp; Trastevere<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Morning<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Colosseum, Forum, Palatine<\/td>\n<td>Vatican Museums &amp; Sistine Chapel<\/td>\n<td>Pantheon &amp; Piazza Navona<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Midday<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Lunch in Monti<\/td>\n<td>Lunch in Prati<\/td>\n<td>Campo de&#8217; Fiori market<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Afternoon<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Capitoline Hill &amp; views<\/td>\n<td>St Peter&#8217;s Basilica &amp; dome<\/td>\n<td>Borghese Gallery (booked)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Evening<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Trevi Fountain after dark<\/td>\n<td>Dinner by Castel Sant&#8217;Angelo<\/td>\n<td>Dinner in Trastevere<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 id=\"eat\">Eating in Rome without the trap<\/h2>\n<p>Roman food is simple and brilliant when you avoid the tourist belt around the big sights. A few pointers:<\/p>\n<p>Walk <strong>five minutes off the main squares<\/strong> and prices halve while quality climbs. Look for handwritten daily menus, a short list of dishes, and a room full of locals rather than a host on the pavement.<\/p>\n<p>The Roman classics to order: <strong>cacio e pepe<\/strong>, <strong>carbonara<\/strong>, <strong>amatriciana<\/strong> and, in season, <strong>carciofi alla giudia<\/strong>, fried artichokes from the Jewish Ghetto, one of the city&#8217;s great dishes. For a cheap, great lunch, grab <strong>pizza al taglio<\/strong> by weight and eat it on a step.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"connected\">Getting around and staying connected<\/h2>\n<p>Rome is a walking city with a useful metro for the longer hops. In the tangle of the historic centre, live maps stop you circling the same piazza, and you will want your phone for booking timed-entry tickets and checking opening times on the move.<\/p>\n<p>If you travel from within the EU, your home plan works in Rome <strong>with no roaming charges<\/strong>, within your data allowance, so navigating and booking on the spot costs nothing extra. We cover the limits in our internet in Italy guide.<\/p>\n<p>From outside the EU, or for a long trip with heavy use, the <a class=\"cta-inline\" href=\"https:\/\/travel.orange.com\/en\/buy-a-sim\/offers\/italy\">eSIM for Italy<\/a> sets up before you leave and connects you the moment you land, on the 4G\/5G network, as <strong>Data only<\/strong>, <strong>Data + SMS<\/strong> or <strong>Unlimited<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"tip\">\n<div class=\"h\">\ud83d\udca1 Worth remembering: doing Rome right<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Book the Colosseum (ticketing.colosseo.it) and Vatican online, about a month ahead.<\/li>\n<li>One Colosseum ticket covers the Forum and Palatine too.<\/li>\n<li>Base yourself in Monti for a first visit, Trastevere for the evenings.<\/li>\n<li>Dodge the centurion-photo and bracelet scams, and walk off the squares to eat.<\/li>\n<li>The Borghese Gallery beats a second ancient ruin for most people; book it ahead.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>With Orange, the service of <strong>more than 300 million customers<\/strong>, you explore Rome with peace of mind: <strong>200+ destinations<\/strong> covered, human support <strong>24\/7<\/strong>, and <strong>100% refunded<\/strong> if you do not use your eSIM.<\/p>\n<div class=\"cta-box\">\n<p>Ready to explore Rome without losing your way?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/travel.orange.com\/en\/buy-a-sim\/offers\/italy\">Discover the Orange Travel Italy eSIM<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<section aria-label=\"Frequently asked questions\" class=\"faq\">\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<details open=\"\">\n<summary>What are the must-see things to do in Rome?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"a\">The essentials are the Colosseum with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, St Peter&#8217;s Basilica, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and a wander through Trastevere. Two to three days covers them comfortably. Book the Colosseum and Vatican online in advance, as both sell out in high season.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details open=\"\">\n<summary>How much are Colosseum tickets in 2026?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"a\">The standard adult ticket is 18 euros, booked on the official site ticketing.colosseo.it, and it includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. EU citizens aged 18 to 24 pay a reduced 2 euros, and under-18s enter free. Tickets are released about 30 days ahead and sell out fast in peak season, so set a reminder for the release.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details open=\"\">\n<summary>How much do the Vatican Museums cost?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"a\">The full Vatican Museums ticket is 20 euros, or 25 euros once the online booking fee is added. The museums are free on the last Sunday of each month, but expect very long queues and a shorter morning-only opening. For a calmer visit, book a timed morning slot online on a normal day.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details open=\"\">\n<summary>How many days do you need in Rome?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"a\">Three days is the sweet spot for a first visit: one for ancient Rome, one for the Vatican, and one for the historic centre and Trastevere. Two days covers the headline sights if you are tight on time. Four or more lets you slow down, add a museum or a day trip, and enjoy the city rather than rush it.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details open=\"\">\n<summary>What scams should I watch out for in Rome?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"a\">Avoid the costumed centurions near the Colosseum who demand around 10 euros for a photo, the friendship bracelet trick near major sights where someone ties a bracelet on you then asks for 10 to 20 euros, and restaurants with no prices and a pushy host on tourist squares. Stick to the official ticket sites and check the menu before sitting down.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":8479,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"Things to Do in Rome: The Must-Sees Without the Traps | Orange Travel","_seopress_titles_desc":"Things to do in Rome: where to stay, the must-see sights with real ticket prices and booking tips, the scams to dodge, a 3-day itinerary and where to eat well.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/en\/things-to-do-rome","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-turism","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":8480,"fr":8478,"es":8482},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8480"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8480\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8484,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8480\/revisions\/8484"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8480"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8480"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.travel.orange.com\/ot-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}