If you’re plotting a European escape, the choices are endless, like a buffet of culture, history, and indulgence. London and Paris—the usual suspects—always hog the spotlight, their glossy allure impossible to ignore. But Rome? Rome sits in the shadows, brooding, waiting, a smoldering contender often overlooked by the masses. So, as you map out your summer adventure, the question looms: Is Rome worth visiting? Rome isn’t a city you visit; it’s one you devour. It’s gritty, chaotic, and unapologetically alive, offering a raw slice of humanity you won’t soon forget.
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IS ROME WORTH A VISIT?
Yes, Rome is absolutely worth visiting—no question about it. It’s a city that doesn’t just whisper history; it screams it from every crumbling column and cobblestone street. Rome is chaos wrapped in beauty, a living museum where the past and present collide in the most spectacular ways. The landmarks? Sure, they’re breathtaking. The Colosseum, the Pantheon, Vatican City—each one more jaw-dropping than the last. But the real magic lies in simply wandering. Lose yourself in the labyrinth of alleyways, stumble upon hidden piazzas, and let the Eternal City reveal itself to you. You’ll leave Rome with no regrets—except maybe that you didn’t stay longer. This isn’t just a destination; it’s a rite of passage.
WHY VISIT ROME
The Food
The food in Rome is spectacular. There are plenty of great places to eat and aside from the obvious tourist locations, you won’t have a hard time finding some amazing food.
Of course, you’ll have the obvious Italian dishes which are available in abundance and are delicious, but we especially loved the Cacio e Pepe and the Suppli.
Even a simple prosciutto sandwich was amazing. If you do find yourself near a famous tourist destination, all you have to do is head down the nearest side street or two and you’ll likely find a wonderful place for a meal.
After the main course, there’s dessert, and in Rome, you’ll find one of the best desserts of all time, gelato. With so many flavors to choose from, it’ll be difficult trying to find your favorite. But it didn’t stop me from trying!
Historic Landmarks
Rome boasts a Hall of Fame-level roster of historic landmarks which includes The Colosseum, Palatine Hill, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Roman Forum and plenty more.
Most cities would be thrilled to have 2 or 3 of these landmarks but Rome has them all and then some.
The challenge becomes trying to fit everything into a three day or four-day itinerary because you’ll never run out of amazing things to see in Rome, but if you only have two days to see Rome, you can check out this essential itinerary.
Not only is the list impressive, but the landmarks themselves all live up to the hype. They’re impressive in size, design, and history. All cities that are tourist favorites have their landmarks but not many if any can compare to what Rome has to offer.
Rome is an open air museum
With so many great landmarks to visit you would think that that would be the highlight of a visit to Rome, but it’s not. For our family, the best part of visiting Rome was merely walking the streets and narrow alleys of the city.
Cobblestoned side streets that open into surprising piazzas offer some of the best discoveries in Rome. So much of what is great about Rome is out in the open including its many piazzas and fountains.
The ancient monuments dot the historic center of the city and it’s impossible to miss them.
The splendid architecture
Rome is a charming mix of Ancient Roman, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, Medieval, and Romanesque. All of these styles span centuries of history and give Rome a fantastic aesthetic across its historic center.
The age and history are preserved remarkably well in so many of the buildings and landmarks that you’ll see when walking the streets. It’s also well represented in the famous landmarks of the city such as the Colosseum with its Ancient Roman architecture and the Renaissance architecture of Vatican City.
This collection of styles and designs helps to make Rome a truly unique place to visit.
The Colosseum
Of all of the impressive landmarks that are in Rome, the Colosseum is perhaps number one on the list. This ancient arena constructed in 80 AD is a fascinating structure to visit.
With it being largely intact, you’ll get to see what it felt like to be a first-century Roman citizen entering the arena’s gates. It was an amazing experience to be able to walk the broad corridors, climb the staircase, and walk out to the open arena.
A visit to the Colosseum is unlike any other landmark that you’ll visit and was worth the trip to Rome by itself!
Rome is actually affordable
For a city as famous and remarkable as Rome, you would think that it would be quite expensive to visit, but that’s not necessarily the case. While the food is amazing, as long as you go to the right spots, it’s very affordable.
We were surprised at how inexpensive it was to feed our family of four at sit-down restaurants. The wine and gelato were also quite affordable. So many of the attractions that you will want to see are either free or inexpensive as well.
To save on accommodations we stayed in the Prati neighborhood which is right next to the Vatican, but just across the river from the main historic center. We were always just a quick bus ride away from where we wanted to go.
We also were able to save on our flight to Rome by coming in June which was more affordable than July or August.
Rome is a walkable city
Rome is best experienced on foot, with its historic center compact enough for leisurely exploration. While buses are available for areas further out, walking allows you to fully immerse yourself in the city’s charm. Comfortable shoes are essential, as cobblestone streets and sidewalks dominate the landscape. Allow plenty of time for unplanned wanderings—Rome has a way of surprising you with unexpected treasures at every turn.
The city’s energy is palpable in its streets, where life pulses with vibrant markets like Campo de’ Fiori, lively piazzas, street performers, and al fresco cafes. Here, the daily rhythm of locals creates an atmosphere as captivating as Rome’s iconic landmarks.
ENJOY YOUR TRIP TO ROME
Rome is a must-see destination and should be at the top of everyone’s list. It’s an amazing combination of culture, history, and delicious food. There’s so much to see in Rome that it’ll keep you busy for days. Before you start planning your trip to Rome, you should check out our essential post on how to visit Italy on a budget as well as our handy guide which details the best areas to stay in Rome. Safe travels!
