Vittoriano, also known as the Altar of the Fatherland. The Monument…read moreto king Victor Emmanuel II was built starting in 1885, designed by Giuseppe Sacconi, and inaugurated in 1911 to commemorate the 50th. See it as you walk around downtown Rome.

This building was right down the road from our hotel and we passed it a number of times. It is…read morebeautiful with nice statues on the front and back of building. I climbed up the back of building and caught the sunset.

Glad I was able to come here and see this and experience it for myself…read more When I got here there was only a few people ahead of me. I beat the long lines. Unfortunately my iPhone camera did not do this justice!!! The Aventine Keyhole is a famous, small peephole in a large green door on Rome's Aventine Hill, offering a perfectly framed, magical view of St. Peter's Basilica's dome through a tunnel of trees, technically looking across three countries: the Knights of Malta's grounds, Italy, and Vatican City.

Arrive at dawn or be prepared for a long wait for your moment to gaze through the keyhole and see…read morethe perfectly framed dome through a tunnel of greenery. We waited for an hour, chatted, and the time flew by. Another word of advice, there is no need take a picture or video through the keyhole. We watched numerous people kindly offer their electronics a longer turn than their actual eyes! If you scroll through Yelp, or any corner of the internet talking about the Aventine Keyhole, you will see thousands of photos and videos. So, when it's your turn, gaze through, smile at the majesty of what people before you have created, enjoy a lived experience, and take a photo with your loved ones, not keyholes.

Waaaah! Amaluna. Ama-was-really bored! Ama want my $126 back too!…read more What a letdown. I've seen four Cirque du Soleil shows and this one doesn't even seem to be good enough to put the Cirque du Soleil name on it. The show isn't cohesive at all. It's just one act after another, all talented, and they all do something interesting and impressive for about a minute or two, and then spend the next ten or fifteen minutes doing it again, and again, and again. Enough already. The music was upbeat and I think it gave the allusion that the show was better than it really was. Oh man, this was bad. I was so glad when the show was finally over. You know it's bad when a show features someone balancing bones for fifteen minutes. I wish I was kidding about that. I was thinking of being generous and giving it three stars but I don't what Cirque du Soleil throwing these sub-par shows at us and knowing we'll still go because of their name. Another thing is they were way too lax with people taking photos during the show They were even using flash! Not good! Not safe either. It's not cheap to see this show, but the Cirque de Soleil shows are usually worth it. Not this one. One good thing about the San Pedro venue where I saw it is that free street parking can easily be found just a five-minute walk away...which is great because I couldn't wait to get the heck out of there.

This show was full of so many talented people. I loved…read moreseeing all the different acts and listening to the rocking band. The reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because of our seats. We were not in the very center, but we weren't in nose bleed seats either. From our seats we could not see the very front part of the stage. It was obstructed by one of the tent poles. It would have been nice if the web site had mentioned this before purchasing our tickets.

The Monument to Victor Emmanuel II is hard to miss, and we stopped here on our way back from the…read moreColosseum. We ended up taking our time walking around the building and the square around it, because at every corner there was something that made us stop for a second look. The whole area is a dream for anyone who enjoys history. Even though it's an enormous, modern structure compared to the ancient ruins nearby, it plays a major role in Italy's story as it honors Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy. The bright white marble, the long staircases, the huge bronze statues, and the views from the terraces all add to its presence. Inside is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which gives the monument a more solemn side. We were both exhausted by the time we got there, but still didn't want to rush it. The only thing missing is more signs explaining what you're looking at; there's so much detail and so much history layered into one place. Still, it was a great experience and well worth the time to explore.

We stopped here walking back from the Coliseum. Lots of great architecture and statues. You can…read morewalk into the museum and see much more. It actually took a lot longer than I thought it would. Definitely a must see when in Rome.

Some of the best drinks we've ever had, delivered with style and flair. We were just looking for a…read moredrink and a snack, so we sat at the bar. The bartenders were so friendly and kind. The sushi and carpaccio were delicious (& I needed a break from Italian food 2 weeks into our trip!). I'm looking to fit in one more visit before we go home! Highly recommend!

really cool jazz place the service was really good and the staff was pretty attentive throughout…read moreour whole night! we didn't have a reservation so they let us stay downstairs at the bar until there was a table ready. there was also some people who were being very loud and the staff had to tell them a couple times to quiet down or they'd have to leave so they take it very seriously! there was a €15 cover charge and everything on the menu was pretty expensive. it was good but i don't think i would visit again just due to the limited food menu and since everything was expensive.

Palatine Hill has so much to see. If you want to get the history of everything here then you should…read moreget a tour. I felt like we didn't know where to go since it's so spread out & didn't know what half the sites were since plagues were limited or hard to spot. We got the basics & probably missed a bunch but would have liked to learn more & not have to find/read all the signs. The tickets were part of our colosseum package & allows access to this the day before or after which was nice. By 5 pm they are asking people to leave so don't go too late if you want to see it all as the property is huge. We missed half of it since we only had 2 hours to walk it. The view from the top is the best so I'd suggest go up there to get a lay of the land & then cover the lowers. We spent too much time in some of the lower less exciting ruins of the small buildings & raced past the grander "Super sites". The senate building was underwhelming & didn't have much info posted. I'd ask an entrance worker for advice at least to start with.

Palatine Hill is, according to legend and archaeological evidence, the literal birthplace of Rome…read more It's where Romulus and Remus were found and raised by a she-wolf, and where excavations have produced proof of human habitation going back to the 10th century BC. Today, it's a sort of outdoor museum, where you can walk around with your jaw on the ground, preferably with the help of a guide (we took a Forum/Palatine Hill/Colosseum tour with Crown Tours, which felt essential to the experience). The ruins are astonishing, both up close and from an elevated vantage point. The view from Palatine Hill encompasses ancient and modern Rome and is unlike anything else I've ever seen. If you're a tourist in Rome, do not miss Palatine Hill. It's an extraordinary place, a pleasure to explore, and you can easily add it to your trip to the Colosseum.

Great views of the city. Does charge for the best views, but probably worth it at sunsetread more

So, we went to the Borghese the day before and were surprised the second floor was closed...I…read morelooked online to see what the reason for the closure was and found it was due to renovations but....many of the works were moved here - the National Art Gallery at the Palazzo Barberini. And....if you had tickets from the Borghese your cost to get in here was just 5€ with no advance purchase needed.... We walked over and not on,y was the internet correct that we could get in for 5€ by showing our tickets from the Borghese, but NO ONE WAS HERE!!!! It was amazingly uncrowded and quiet..in September...in Rome...there is an amazing amount of fabulous art here and everyone is crowded into a few museums....and this isn't one of them, so I highly recommend a trip here if you want a break from the crowds. The museum is huge...we thought this was maybe a 1 hour activity but we were here several hours. The works from the Borghese were indeed here, but we saw so much more too. Staff were relaxed and friendly; I think they were also benefiting from the smaller crowds. Be ready to put all bags and water bottles into lockers. They take a 1€ coin that you get back when you pick up your items. The kind guard had some extra coins to loan to guests who like us didn't have change. Definitely don't miss this less crowded, and amazing museum.

Galleria Doria Pamphilj is one of Rome's most breathtaking hidden treasures--an aristocratic…read moresanctuary of art, history, and elegance tucked just steps away from the bustling Via del Corso. Visiting this gallery feels like stepping into a private world where centuries of beauty have been lovingly preserved. The moment you enter, the atmosphere shifts. The palace itself is a masterpiece--ornate ceilings, shimmering gold accents, and hallways lined with mirrors and marble. Each room carries the quiet grandeur of a family that collected art not for prestige, but out of genuine passion. That intimacy sets it apart from Rome's larger, more crowded museums. The collection is extraordinary. You'll find remarkable works by Caravaggio, Velázquez, Bernini, Raphael, and Titian, each displayed in lavish, beautifully lit rooms that feel more like a lived-in palace than a museum. Caravaggio's "Rest on the Flight into Egypt" and the haunting "Magdalene" are highlights, while Velázquez's portrait of Pope Innocent X is nothing short of astonishing--an encounter that lingers long after you leave. What makes the experience truly special is the ability to wander the gallery at your own pace, taking in masterpieces without the rush or crowds. The audio guide, narrated by a member of the Pamphilj family, adds a personal touch and deepens your appreciation for the collection and its history. Whether you're an art lover or simply someone seeking a quiet, immersive cultural experience, Galleria Doria Pamphilj is a must-visit. It's a rare blend of elegance, intimacy, and artistic brilliance--a place where Rome's noble past comes alive in the most captivating way.

What an awesome view into the extravagant wealth of these families. We enjoyed exploring the palace!read more

There are a million things to do when you are in Rome & going to a museum is probably the last…read morething on your list given all the alternative awesome sightseeing options! Hubby & I always try to do three things in a new city: museum, sports event & something on the water. We figured that visiting the Colosseum was a good enough version of a sports event. We were returning from a 12-day cruise. So, next up on the list was checking out a museum. Thankfully, we were at a hotel that was around the corner from the Museo Nazionale Romano. It is a series of buildings around the Piazza della Repubblica. And as it turns out, on the first Sunday of the month, the Museo is free to the public (note: you must "purchase" tickets online in advance for a specific time to enter). This Museo feels like stepping straight into the heart of ancient Rome. The collection is extraordinary - from the iconic Discus Thrower to hauntingly lifelike statues that practically make eye contact with you. The level of detail is unreal & half the time it feels like the sculptures are standing at your height just waiting to start a conversation! The galleries are spacious, beautifully laid out & surprisingly calm compared to the big-name tourist spots. It's the perfect place to take your time, wander & really soak in the artistry. Frescoes, mosaics, portraits - every floor has something jaw-dropping (including -1 and -2!). What truly blew my mind were the tile mosaics displayed & then shown in their original settings. Seeing them arranged exactly as they would have appeared in ancient villas gives you this incredible, immersive peek into everyday Roman life. It's like stepping right into history rather than just looking at it behind glass. If you're in Rome & want an unforgettable museum experience without the crowds, do not skip this one. Palazzo Massimo is a treasure chest of ancient beauty! Highly recommend.

This is actually spread out over 2 (or more) buildings. These are diagonally across a large…read moreintersection from each other. Both are across streets from the Termini (train) Station. Also - our city pass purported to include this place for admission. However, when we arrived they said that there had been some change and it was not covered. We paid their fee anyway. Later, we got a reimbursement from the city pass company for this. We began our tour in the building to the right when you are facing the train station. It houses mostly statuary from the period from Julius Ceasar forward. They have busts of many of the emperors from the first couple of centuries of the empire (and their families, in some cases). There are other statues as well, plus things like a huge room's preserved wall paintings that were unearthed nearby. It is definitely heavy on busts, but I thought it was interesting. We then crossed the streets to the 2nd building, which is incorporated into the remains of a vast Roman baths complex. They had a variety of different exhibits here - about the baths, some more sculptures, an odd small shrine that was unearthed during a construction project (and which was preserved in a parking garage), details about pre-Roman villages in the area, etc. You could browse through and focus on a few areas of interest. There were also multiple courtyards to examine, each with its own statuary. This set of museums is probably best viewed after touring things like the Forum or Colosseum first. You then may have some basic context of where things happened, and can then start adding details about the major figures associated with the time period (and get some idea of what they looked like too). I enjoyed spending a morning here.

5 euro regular admission but I paid the 4 euro price for students. Well worth it if you want to…read morereset your nasal passages from car exhaust and cigarettes. The grounds are very large and you could spend hours here. You very much feel like you're in an isolated nature preserve and not in Rome. There's also a stone staircase with a fountain at the top that's just lovely. Keep going up to the garden's western limits and it's a short walk away from the Garibaldi monument and Fontana dell'Acqua Paola (once you leave you can't get back in)

Free to visit and get some of the most breath taking views of Rome. The gardens of the Janiculum -…read moreGianicolo in Italian - are composed of the remains of the gardens of Papal and aristocratic villas. Of themselves the gardens are like many Roman parks - a few trees and some scrubby grass. But the amazing terracing and the views of Rome are unbeatable. Take an afternoon off having visited the nearby Vatican and just laze here - there are plenty of bars and cafes so lunch or an afternoon ice cream are possible.