The Eternal City. It wasn’t built in a day. Rome, that is, and you shouldn’t spend less than three days in this jewel of the Western Europe. The city is jam packed with sites, sounds, and food that you won’t want to miss. The capital of what once was the greatest empire on Earth, the Roman Empire, Rome holds numerous treasures housed in everything from churches to museums to street corners. No matter how much time you have in Rome, there are several sites you won’t want to miss and here they are in no particular order.
The Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. Although technically not part of Rome but it’s own country, the Vatican is home to the Papacy, the heart of the Catholic Church. Over time, the Vatican has acquired through conquest or donation more artwork and artifacts than the Pope could apparently display in his living room, so they find themselves now in the Vatican Museums. Everything from statues from the Roman Empire to mummies of Ancient Egypt lie within these walls, and you won’t want to miss any of it. Get there early, though, as the line to get into the museum can get very long very quickly. Plan on arriving at least two hours before the gates open, and bring breakfast. After you’re done exploring the Museums, round the corner to St. Peter’s Basilica. Some of the greatest statues ever crafted in Western culture lie within these walls, so make sure you explore every corner of this great monument. Whatever you do, though, make sure you plan at least a day solely for Vatican City.
The Roman Forum and the Colosseum. And the general area around it, for that matter. Tucked away amongst modern apartments (you literally round a corner and find yourself staring at the massive stone colossus known as the Colosseum), devote a day at least to exploring the historical side of Rome. Some great restaurants can be found in this area as well, so save some money and pictures for your trip to this area of Rome.
The City. If you have time, walk around Rome. As tiring as that sounds, it’s also quite picturesque. Lots of piazzas and building walls also happen to double as mini-Museums! The Spanish Steps, for example, will provide you with a spectacular view of a part of the city. The budget conscious will find no lack of memories just wandering the streets – but make sure to bring a map to find your way back!
There are way too many sites to list in this one article to visit while you’re in Rome, but these are the few you definitely won’t want to miss. And just remember, when in Rome, do as the Romans do!