The Eternal City is steeped in history and remains at the top of bucket lists for many travellers around the world, drawn in by its architectural marvels, religious significance and culinary excellence. Whether you're wandering through its charming streets, savouring authentic Italian pasta or tossing a coin into the iconic Trevi Fountain, there's something magical around every corner.

Getting there this summer will be easier than ever, as we’re introducing a new flight route between Rome and Hong Kong on 5 June 2025. Ahead of your next visit, we’ve put together a guide to the best things to do in Rome.

Visit the Roman Colosseum

From the days of the gladiators to more recent celebrity-studded performances, the Roman Colosseum endures as one of the city’s most incredible entertainment venues and historical landmarks. Built in the first century, and following extensive preservation efforts over the years, the famed amphitheatre sees millions of people pass under its arches every year for a glimpse into the past.

Your ticket to the Colosseum will also grant you access to other close-by archaeological marvels such as the ruins of the Roman Forum.

Marvel at the Pantheon

Ivory columns and a towering domed ceiling welcome you to Rome’s Pantheon, thought to have been erected somewhere between 25 and 27BC. It was originally built to honour ancient Roman gods before being converted into a Catholic church hundreds of years later. Daylight pours through a hole in the ceiling, illuminating the priceless artworks in this stunning example of classical Roman architecture. 

It’s one of the most popular attractions in Rome so visitors should head there early to avoid the crowds. Afterwards, stop by the nearby Armando al Pantheon to savour one of Rome’s best carbonaras.

Pay tribute at the Vatican City

A city-state and the heart of Catholicism, Vatican City is filled with religious landmarks, grand museums and masterpieces like Michaelangelo’s celestial frescoes adorning the Sistine Chapel. At the centre of it all lies St Peter’s Basilica, where masses are regularly held and open to the public.

The vast sprawl of Vatican Museums house more than 70,000 works of art collectively, by the likes of Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Van Gogh and Matisse, making it easy to spend hours getting lost among the city’s treasures.

Eat your weight in carbs

Eating pasta in Italy is a no-brainer for any tourist, with different cities laying claim to beloved recipes. Rome champions not one, but four delicious pastas. Carbonara, tossed with egg yolks, guanciale and grated pecorino romano cheese, is perhaps its most famed export, alongside the peppery cacio e pepe, the tomato- and guanciale-based Amatriciana, and alla Gricia: a simple guanciale, pecorino romano and black pepper dish.

Pizza also varies across the country. Rome is known for both its ultra-thin round pies and square-cut pizza slices laden with toppings, unlike Neopolitan pizzas which tend to be thicker and have very few toppings. Sample some of the best at Emma , whose creations feature premium ingredients, and Pizzeria da Remo , where locals can often be found seeking out their margherita slices.

Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain

You’ll see the crowd of people surrounding this Baroque-style masterpiece long before you see the fountain itself. Sculptures of Oceanus, the ancient Greek god of rivers, can be seen charging across the fountain’s water on a horse-drawn clamshell chariot.

Once close enough, stand with your back to the fountain and toss a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand – a gesture said to ensure your return to Rome. All money collected from the fountain is donated to charity.

Climb the Spanish Steps

135 steps leading from the Piazza di Spagna (The Spanish Square) to the Chiesa della Trinità dei Monti make up the Spanish Steps. This Rome landmark has been featured in films like Roman Holiday, which saw Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck share a gelato on the silver screen. 

To protect this historical monument, people are no longer allowed to sit on the steps. However, it’s worth lingering for a while to admire the stunning buildings that surround it. These include the Keats-Shelley Memorial House : John Keats’ former residence and a shrine for Romance literature.

Explore Villa Borghese and its gardens

Verdant green trees, flowers and beautiful sculptures dot the 80 hectares of tranquil land that surround the gardens’ namesake. Once the residence of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, today the villa houses Galleria Borghese – an art gallery featuring works by Old Masters. Around every corner in the grounds lies something new waiting to be discovered, whether it’s another museum, a secret garden or striking lakeside temple.