1) The Coliseum: Piazza del Colosseo
Via dei Fori Imperiali,
Telephone 06-700-4261
Visit one of the wonders of the ancient world. Look at the actual area where gladiators were kept and fed what could have very well been their last meals before battle. Walk the Coliseum as you please or take one of the many guided tours daily. Note the cats (not lions, but small everyday cats) that have taken over much of the Coliseum and strut around looking for food.
2) The Pantheon
Piazza della Rotonda,
Hours are Monday to Saturday 8.30 a.m. to7.30 p.m., sun 9-6
Phone 06-68300230
The word pantheon means "all the gods." Admission is free and this ancient building is the only one to have survived the centuries fully intact. Visit the gods of an ancient civilization.
3) Catacombs of St. Domitilla
Hours Wednesday to Monday from 8.30am to 12 noon and also 2.30 to 5pm
The Catacombs are on Via del Sette Chiese 283 Telephone 06-5110342
Admission is about $6 adults, $4 for children 6-15 years.
The catacombs are closed the month of January. The tour of the Catacombs starts at a sunken 4th century church. A creepy start to a creepy experience and it gets eerier as you handle actual bones to feel the coldness underground. These are the oldest catacombs in Rome and this is a most interesting experience.
4) Hadrian's Villa
Hours every Day from 9am to sunset! (about 6pm in summer, as early as 3.30pm November to March)
Location via di Villa Adriana Phone 0774-382-733 Admission $7.50- 10.00
Hadrian the Emperor built theaters and baths, temples to the gods, and also covered his estate in fountains and beautiful gardens. He even created a replica of what he thought Hell would look like! Although much of the Roman marble was taken by barbarians in the years to follow, you will find at the entrance a recreation of the original grounds.
5) Roman Forum
Hours during April to Sept it is open daily from 9am-7pm. From October to March the Forum is open daily from 9am but oly until 4.30 pm. Note that the last admission is one hour before closing
Location via dei Fori Imperiali and the phone number is 06-39967600
Forum has free admission but to go on up Palatine Hill the cost is about $10 but this ticket also includes admission to the Coliseum Two of the must see attractions in Rome, the Forum and the Coliseum are within walking distance from each other, and with the Coliseum included in the price of the ticket of the Palatine Hill. You could easily spend an entire day wandering these great ruins and be transported back in time. The Forum is called "the Broadway of Rome" and is where Caesar gave his speeches; virgins were made to stand guard over the fires during the night, and where in later years it was used as a quarry. (Be sure to get a map at the entrance so you can make out where the alters and temples used to stand.)
6) The Vatican Gardens
Located to the north and to the west of the Vatican, these Gardens are open to the public always, and have free admission. There are 58 acres to stroll through and they are a place of solace away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
7) Trevi Fountain
Located at Piazza di Trevi the fountain is open air so there is no admission charge. Completed in 1762, the familiar Neptune on his shell chariot has become a tourist attraction made famous by the movie "Three coins in the fountain." Be sure and mind the legend and throw your coin into the fountain to ensure your return to this wonderful city of Rome.
8) St. Peter in Chains
Hours of opening are daily from 7am-12:30pm and then from 3:30-7pm. In winter it closes at 6pm.
Piazza San Pietro in Vincoli 4A (Off Via degli Annibaldi ) Telephone 06-4882865 and there is no admission charge. This church was founded in the 5th century for the sole purpose of housing the chains which bound St. Peter in Palestine. These Chains are now enclosed in glass, the public may view the chains and the beautiful statues by the one and only Michelangelo.
9) Imperial Forums
Location via de Fori Imperiali
Free admission
There are nine forums in all, many using underground tunnels which emerge out into stylish restaurants. Julius Caesar needed an answer to the overcrowded forums, so he began building these newer, more modern forums.
10) Vatican City and St Peters
The wonderful basilica of St Peters dominates the tiny state
of Vatican City. With works by Michelangelo and many other
great artists, this Basilica is a veritable museum but also
the location of the great events such as funerals, crowning
of popes and other great church events. This is also where
the tombs of some Popes including Pope John Paul II are. More
information on tours etc, can be found in the Section of this
Guide on Tours. It is open from 7am to 7pm or until 6pm in
the winter months. For the best view of Rome go up to the
Dome - yes it is over 300 steps but well worth it and you’ll
come out on the roof where the massive statues of the saints
are located - with souvenir shops, post office etc! The dress
code for St Peters is very strict - no shorts, no bare shoulders
etc.
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