Last Updated: May 2, 2022
Famous Landmarks In Rome
Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world, and it’s no surprise that it’s home to countless historical monuments. The Colosseum, Piazza di Spagna, the Spanish steps, the Roman Forum, the Trevi fountain, and Piazza del Popolo are just a few of the many famous landmarks that the Italian capital is known for all over the world.
There’s also Vatican City with the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and many other famous landmarks in Rome. The list goes on and on, so you better start reading right away to get a sense of all the top places to see when you eventually visit Rome!
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Baths of Caracalla
Baths of Caracalla is an archeological site that features ruins of an ancient Rome bath complex. The famous site is southeast of Palatine Hill and Circus Maximus in the historic center of Rome.
The thermal baths were constructed in the third century during the reign of Emperor Caracalla, and they were so famous that they actually served as inspiration for the construction of other notable buildings on other continents.
Today, the Baths of Caracalla are one of the most popular tourist attractions in this city, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the ruins every year.
Santa Maria Maggiore
There are four papal basilicas in the city of Rome – the Lateran Basilica, the Ostian Basilica, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Santa Maria Maggiore. All four of them are of huge importance to the catholic church, but also for tourists who want to explore all of the iconic Rome landmarks.
Santa Maria Maggiore is situated in Rome’s historic center, just a little northeast of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. It’s best known for the stunning Roman mosaics, the gilded ceilings, and the tomb of Gian Lorenzo Bernini – the iconic Italian sculptor who created most of the fountains in the city.
Villa Borghese Gallery and Gardens
Villa Borghese is a vast public park in Rome, featuring gardens and several important buildings. Rome’s third-largest park is situated atop Pincian Hill, which features a scenic viewpoint that overlooks Piazza di Spagna, the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, and a few other famous Rome landmarks.
Villa Borghese is home to several amazing museums, but the most important of them all is the Borghese Art Gallery. With twenty rooms across the two floors of the art gallery, Galleria Borghese is home to the most extensive collection of artworks by Bernini and Caravaggio.
Other museums in the vicinity of this famous landmark include the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art and the National Etruscan Museum.
The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine
The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine are probably the two most famous landmarks in Rome, and you really can’t see one without the other. The Arch of Constantine is right in front of the Roman amphitheater, and each popular attraction offers a spectacular view of the other.
The Arch was erected in the third century, as a celebration of Constantine I’s triumph over Maxentius. The construction of the arch was not planned at all, and it all happened very hastily. Pretty much all the sculptures that make the arch one of the best-known landmarks in Rome were taken from earlier monuments!
The Colosseum is one of Rome’s oldest buildings, initially constructed as a venue for gladiator contests. The ancient building has been used for many other things as well – at one point during the Middle Ages, it even functioned as a castle for the Frangipani family!
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is a famous historic temple that was built during the Roman Empire. The iconic temple is the most prominent landmark at Piazza della Rotonda, as well as the home of several historic tombs.
The Pantheon was originally constructed as a place of worship, but it’s functioned as a catholic church since the year 609. The temple was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the period of the reign of August, and then later rebuilt by emperor Hadrian.
This iconic temple is one of the best-preserved remnants of the Roman Empire, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it’s also one of the most famous landmarks in Rome.
Fontana di Trevi
Trevi Fountain is the most famous fountain in Italy and of the most iconic Rome landmarks. It’s also one of the busiest tourist attractions in the city, and it can get so crowded that you can’t even get a good view of the iconic statues.
If you really want to get a good view – and great photos – of the Trevi fountain, your best bet is to either be in front of it at the crack of dawn or to visit one of the restaurants opposite the fountain. They offer beautiful aerial views of Rome’s famous landmark, but they are just a little bit overpriced for the service.
Additionally, it is possible to explore an aqueduct that feeds water to the Trevi fountain, and you can actually walk underneath it. This is one of the best hidden landmarks in Rome since it doesn’t get that many visitors, but be sure to go to Vicus Caprarius – the Water City.
Piazza Venezia
Piazza Venezia is a famous city square in the historic center of Rome. It’s in the middle between the Pantheon, Fontana di Trevi, and the Roman Forum, so it’s one of those tourist attractions that are almost impossible to miss on walking tours of the city. The imposing city square is home to several notable Rome landmarks, including Palazzo Venezia, the Victor Emmanuel II monument, and Palazzo Bonaparte.
The Victor Emmanuel II monument is also known as the Altar of the Fatherland, and it is probably the most famous landmark on Piazza Venezia. The grand marble monument was built to honor the first king of unified Italy (Victor Emmanuel II) and it truly is an astounding sight.
It’s also worth noting that Palazzo Venezia is home to Italy’s national museum, which happens to be one of the best art museums to visit while you’re in Rome. The National Museum of the Palazzo di Venezia is home to a vast collection of Renaissance and medieval art, as well as lots of weaponry and sculptures from the same period.
Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps
Piazza di Spagna, also known as the Spanish Square, is a central square in Rome and home to several of the city’s famous landmarks. The famous city square is best known for the iconic Spanish Steps, the famous Baroque stairway which sits at the base of Trinità dei Monti church.
The historic square is also home to a stunning baroque fountain, Barcaccia Fountain, which sits at the center of the plaza and dominates the bottom area of the steps. These are some of the most popular landmarks in Rome, so don’t be surprised if you encounter huge crowds while you’re there.
The Spanish Steps are often full of people sitting and posing, so you might want to get there at the crack of dawn if you want to experience this landmark without the crowds.
Piazza Navona is one of the many famous squares in Rome, best known for being a stadium in Ancient Rome. The stunning square is popular for Baroque architecture, as well as bars and street artists. Piazza Navona is lined with cafes, restaurants, and museums, plus it features two gorgeous marble fountains at the ends of the square.
There’s another fountain at the center of the oval plaza, as well as an ancient obelisk in it. All of the landmarks at Piazza Navona are fascinating sights, but the most iconic of them all is the Church of St. Louis of the French.
The fascinating french church is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in the Italian capital and an essential sight on any proper walking tour of Rome.
The Roman Forum
There are many remnants of ancient Rome throughout the Italian capital, but few are so famous and so mesmerizing as the Roman Forum. The excavated ruins are the heart of the Roman Empire, featuring squares, temples, and ancient Rome government buildings that are thousands of years old.
The historical site sits in a valley between Palatine Hill and Capitoline Hill, and it attracts more than 4.5 million tourists each year. It’s one of the best-known historical monuments in Rome, most popular for the ruins of ancient buildings that were crucial for the Roman Empire.
Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo, also known as the People’s Square, is a landmark square in Rome’s historic city center. The iconic square is north of Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, and it sits right next to the city’s northern gate.
The People’s Square sits at the base of Villa Borghese park, and you must pass near it if you’re following the road to get up to the lavish Villa. Other famous landmarks at Piazza del Popolo include the iconic Egyptian obelisk, two gorgeous fountains, and the famous Santa Maria del Popolo basilica.
Palatine Hill
Rome is known as the city of seven hills, and the most famous of them all is the Palatine Hill. It’s the hill upon which the original city of Romulus was built, and it’s home to some iconic Roman ruins.
Palatine Hill is an archaeological site between two famous Rome landmarks – the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. It’s best known for the ancient ruins of imperial palaces, and also for some very interesting museums.
Additionally, Palatine Hill sits on a higher elevation than the surrounding landmarks, meaning that it offers one of the best views of the Colosseum and the Forum. It’s definitely worth it to make the trip up one of the seven hills of Rome, if only for the spectacular panoramic views.
Largo di Torre Argentina
Largo di Torre Argentina is another famous archeological site in Rome. This one is special because it’s also home to a cat colony, so it’s definitely the historic site that all cat lovers should visit while they’re in Rome. You can see cats chilling in the Roman ruins from the main street, and you can even visit the sanctuary and play with the felines if you like.
This archaeological site is most famous for featuring the remains of Curia di Pompeo, the ancient Rome meeting hall where Julius Caesar was murdered. Cats, historic Roman ruins, and betrayal – what’s not to love about Largo di Torre Argentina?
Circus Maximus
Circus Maximus is a historical site in the heart of Rome, close to the River Tiber. It’s a vast green space that features ancient remains of a marble and stone stadium that used to host chariot races back during the Roman Empire.
This was the largest venue for public games in Rome, and in its current form, it became the model that all circuses in the Roman Empire were built on. Circus Maximus is one of the largest sports arenas that were built in the world, and it’s truly a fascinating sight no guided tour of Rome is complete without.
Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano is one of the four papal basilicas in Rome, and one of the most impressive churches in this fascinating city. The Christian church was completed in the fourth century, which makes it the oldest basilica of the Western World.
The famous cathedral deteriorated a lot during the Middle Ages and it was badly damaged by two separate fires in the 14th century. It was rebuilt several times after that, but the 18th-century renovations are what made this exquisite church such a popular tourist attraction in Rome.
Both the ornate facade and the statues of Apostles were added in the early 18th century, and they happen to be the two main reasons why so many people visit this fascinating Roman catholic church.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo is a museum in Rome’s Parco Adriano. Its construction was first commissioned by Emperor Hadrian, and it was supposed to serve as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his family.
The building has also served as a castle for several popes, and Pope Nicholas III even commissioned the construction of the tunnel that connects the castle to St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Sant’Angelo was even used as a prison at one point, but nowadays it mostly functions as a museum.
It’s also worth noting that Sant’Angelo offers some of the best views of Rome and the Vatican, so it’s a must for all visitors who want to experience the most amazing panoramic vistas of this enchanting city.
Campidoglio
Campidoglio is the Italian name for Capitoline Hill and all of its fabulous attractions. It’s one of the Seven Hills of Rome, and it is the place for some of the best Rome sightseeing! With the Capitoline Museums, the Campidoglio Square, and ruins of ancient buildings, it’s easy to see why Campidoglio is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome.
This is also one of the places that offer the best views of Rome and its charming rooftops. Visit the square at night to get a spectacular view of the Roman Forum and other popular attractions.
Capitoline Museums
Capitoline Museums is the name of a single museum that contains several smaller museums on art and archaeology. It’s situated in Piazza del Campidoglio, at the top of Rome’s Capitoline Hill.
The museum has a great collection of ancient Roman statues, Renaissance art, art from the Middle Ages, as well as great collections of jewelry, coins, and other artifacts. All visitors who are interested in artifacts from Ancient Rome should visit this museum since it has one of the most extensive collections on that subject.
It’s worth noting that this museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, conferences, and concerts, so there’s more to it than just Roman art.
Campo de’ Fiori
Campo de’ Fiori is a popular market square in Rome. It’s situated south of Piazza Navona, right between rione Regola and rione Parione. The Italian name for the square literally translates to “a field of flowers” – the square was named during medieval times when the entire place was just one meadow with stunning flowers, so it’s not entirely out of place.
Campo de’ Fiori is the center of street culture in Rome. All the streets that surround it are named after trades, and there are a lot of local stores near the historic square. During the day, the square is lively thanks to all the fruit, vegetable, and flower markets, but at night it really comes alive when its bars and restaurants become packed with people.
Mausoleum of Augustus
The Mausoleum of Augustus is a popular attraction in Rome. It’s a large circular tomb that was commissioned by Emperor Augustus, and it opened to the public for the first time in March of 2021.
The ruins of the circular tomb are situated right next to the River Tibet, but you won’t really experience panoramic riverside views from the mausoleum. The tomb is open for tours, and it’s definitely worth it to experience this fascinating Roman ruin from the inside, just don’t expect to be wowed by its beauty.
Vatican City
Vatican City is a city-state within the Rome Metropolitan area. It’s the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, the home to the Pope, and one of the most famous tourist attractions in Italy. The Vatican is also home to quite a few famous Italian landmarks, with the most notable one being St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican is also home to the Vatican Museums, which were established by Pope Julius II. They house some of the best and most famous pieces of Renaissance art in the world, and the Sistine Chapel is the most important of all these museums, thanks to the incredible Michelangelo Renaissance frescoes that decorate its interior.
You can read more details about the Vatican’s best attractions below!
St Peter’s Basilica and Square
St Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and the focal point of St Peter’s Square – a large plaza in Vatican City that’s known for an Egyptian obelisk and Berini fountains, in addition to the famous church.
Another popular landmark in this area is the Vatican Necropolis. It’s an underground tomb that lies beneath the basilica, and a guided tour is offered to all visitors. Walking underneath the basilica and St Peter’s Square is an unforgettable experience in itself, plus you get to see the tomb of St Peter, which really makes the entire guided tour worth it.
The Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums are situated in the Vatican Palace, so you get to see two famous Rome landmarks at the same time. Also, this is the best place in the Rome Metropolitan Area to go if you want to admire some artworks by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and many other famous painters!
There are several amazing museums in this area but the Sistine Chapel is by far the most popular of them all. It’s famous for its ceiling, which was painted by Michelangelo back in the 16th century. This is such an iconic sight that approximately five million travel from all over the world just to see the painted ceiling. That makes the Sistine Chapel the most visited room in the world, which is certainly impressive.
Other notable museums in the Vatican include Raphael Rooms, Chiaramonti Museum, Pius and Clementine’s Museum, Gallery of Maps, and many others.
Apostolic Palace
The Apostolic Palace is the Pope’s official residence. It’s northwest of St. Peter’s Square, popular for its pretty geometric architecture. With such a beautiful exterior and central location, this is one of the landmarks that are almost impossible to miss while you’re touring the Vatican.
The palace is also home to the Vatican Museums, so if you have any intentions of seeing the art that’s kept in the city-state, you really won’t be able to miss the sight of the gorgeous palace.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
