5 best things to do in Rome
The essentials of Rome with the booking notes that actually matter — which tickets sell out, which slots are quietest, which formats reward the advance purchase. Every booking happens with the provider you choose.
Browse all Rome activities
Attractions, tours, day trips and transport passes from major providers — instant mobile tickets.
The Rome shortlist
- Colosseum, Forum & Palatine combo — the combined ticket with arena-floor access tiers sells first.
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel — early-entry tours see the chapel before the crowds crest.
- Borghese Gallery — strict timed entry with tiny quotas — books out furthest ahead.
- Food tour of Trastevere — the evening-eating neighbourhood; small-group formats dominate.
- Day trip to Pompeii — high-speed rail day tours from Rome run year-round.
Flying in, Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is the main of Rome's 2 airports — attraction districts sit 30–60 minutes away at typical city speeds.
Compare Rome activity providers
- Klook — Rome activities — the widest catalogue, instant QR tickets, strong on transport passes and day trips.
- KKday — Rome experiences — local-led formats and small-group tours.
- Tiqets — museums and landmarks with instant mobile entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Rome?
Colosseum, Forum & Palatine combo — the combined ticket with arena-floor access tiers sells first. Start there, then build the itinerary around it.
Do I need to book Rome attractions in advance?
The headline attractions reward advance booking — timed-entry systems and quota tickets mean walk-up availability is worst exactly when you want to visit. Everything on this page links to providers showing live availability.
How many days do you need in Rome?
Three to four days covers the shortlist above at a humane pace for a first visit; add days for the day-trip formats rather than compressing the city itself.
Is a city pass worth it in Rome?
Run the arithmetic honestly: a pass wins when you would genuinely visit three-plus ticketed attractions in its window. Our provider links show pass options side by side with single tickets — compare before committing.