Explore Iconic Sights in Rome Italy

Every Time We Visited Rome, Italy, We Discovered Iconic Places

Rome was for us a gateway to Italy. With each visit, we found new iconic sights.  It was wonderful to revisit the sites.  Every time we planned a trip back, we added some new places to visit.  We also sat on a great piazza, like a native, and took in the atmosphere.

Rome offers many tours to help you get a better overview of the city.  There are also several different hop-on, hop-off bus options. We wandered around on foot a lot.  We walked until we were tired and then called an Uber or taxi to end the day.  The next day, we’re ready to hit the road again.

Historic Landmarks in Rome

Italy is home to many historic landmarks.  We visited the Colosseum. Rome: Early Visits.  It was fascinating seeing the inside of the building and imagining the past.

You can also find out more about We visited RomeStart your Trip to Sicily and MaltaWe found an amazing view of the ruins under the Palatine hill.  In the distance, we could see the Colosseum.  We were amazed by Trajans column with the Chiesa del Santissimo nom di Maria Al Foro Triana behind it.

Piazza del CampidoglioIt was always worth stopping in Rome to visit the ancient Capitoline Hill.  In the middle of the square, we found a bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius riding a horse.  The horses were ready to take flight on the building. As we walked, we found more ruins.

On the highest hill of Rome, we found the Piazza del QuirinaleThe obelisk, Castor and Pollux statues flanked by horses were admired.  The Quirinale Palace was the President’s home.  When we visited, the traffic was stopped to reroute when the President arrived.  Unfortunately, we missed the daily changing of the guard at 3pm.

We have visited the Spanish step several times.  We have enjoyed the local ambience sitting on the steps at sunset.

Exploring the historical sights of Rome is a great way for you to enjoy the city. It was a great way to discover new iconic sights of Rome Italy. 

St Peter’s Basilica And The Vatican Museum Are Must-See Sights In Rome

St Peter’s Basilica in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City was one of the holiest and perhaps the biggest Catholic churches in the world.  The Pope conducted services in this church all year round.  The church was filled with impressive art.  We found statues of many popes throughout history as we walked around the church.

The incredible dome was an amazing sight.  It was started by Michelangelo but finished by Giacomo Della Porta, Carlo Maderno.  We did not get to see the panoramic views from the top of dome.

Beside St Peter’s Basilica we visited the Vatican Museum.  As we walked, we were able to admire the artistic decorations on walls and ceilings.  The Vatican Museum is decorated with marble sculptures.  

We were amazed as we entered the Sistine Chapel.  The ceiling painted in Michelangelo’s style caught our attention.  Every inch of the space was covered with biblical stories.  We took our time to absorb the sights, as we were not allowed take any photos.

Both St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum were crammed full of amazing things to see.  One visit is never enough.  These iconic Rome Italy sights will remain in our memory if we visit them again and again. 

There was always another church to visit in Rome

St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum ranked at the top of lists of churches to visit in Rome.  It was difficult to miss other churches in Rome as we wandered.  

We spent some quiet time in the Chiesa di Santi Vincenzo e Anastasio when we visited the Trevi fountain.  It was worth stopping by the famous fountain.

The Pantheon was the first attraction we saw in Rome.  This former Roman temple was converted into a Catholic Church, and is still in use today.  The interior is full of beautiful details.  And as the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome, the roof certainly was impressive.  

The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us: Stayed in RomeAt the beginning Our trip to Sicily & Malta.  When we visited Travestere, we didn’t want to miss the Basilica Maria deTrastavere.  This was probably Rome’s first official Christian place of worship and there is a lot to learn about its history.  The inside and out were both a delight.

When we enjoyed a 5-day getaway St Regis Rome: a luxury stay in RomeWe barely left our hotel to discover the Basilca of Saint Mary of Angels and the Basilica of Santa Susanna.  We looked at the churches from the outside, but did not enter.

As we wandered around Rome Italy, we always found new churches to explore.

The fountains in Rome cool us down on hot days

Each visit brought us back.  Tossing the coin with our left hand over our right shoulder, must bring us back.

It was not difficult to find a great water feature in Rome.  The water spray is cooling in hot weather.  We knew it was against the law and frowned upon to cool off at the fountains.

The piazzas of Rome were a great spot to find beautiful fountains.  When we Stayed at the St Regis RomeA short walk led us to the Naiads Fountains at Piazza de Republica.  In the other direction we found the Fontana Dell’ Acqua Felice.  The details carved on the statues were fascinating. 

The Quattro Fontane is a group of four late Renaissance fountains.  Each fountain was unique and deserved attention in this corner. One fountain represented Rome and the Tiber.  Another fountain was for the Arno river and Florence.  The fountain dedicated to the goddess Juno represented strength.  The final fountain, dedicated to the Goddess Diana, symbolizes chastity. 

The Triton Fountain is located close to the Quattro Fontane.  This fountain was created for Pope Urban VIII Barberini.  We saw the four intertwined dolphins, and the papal shields with bees. 

While wandering through Rome to find the iconic sights, we stopped at the fountains for a refreshing break.

Trastavere – New Discoveries on the Tiber River in Rome Italy

Our stay in Rome before Our trip to Sicily & MaltaWe took a day-trip across the Tiber and explored the Trastavere district of Rome.  After our Uber dropped us off,  we strolled along the riverbank for a calm tranquil view.  As we watched, boat tours slowly passed by.

We walked along the narrow streets with cobblestones and took in the sights.  We always saw something interesting when we turned the corner.  It was everything we had hoped for when we visited.  

We regret not having booked tickets to see frescoes on the Villa Farnesina.  Or explore the Baroque Palazzo Corsini.  We will return to Trastavere when we visit Rome again.  

When you begin your Italy trip in Rome, crossing the Tiber was a great idea.  It was certainly a different part for Rome Italy’s iconic sights.

Rome Italy: New Discoveries for Tasty Food

I am not certain that we ever had a poor meal in Italy.  We love Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.  The seafood and pasta were always abundant and fresh.  We loved it when we discovered new places to eat.

We were spoiled with the local Italian food we found.  On a Bologna food tourWe learned about authentic Parmesan, aged balsamic and prosciutto.  We only buy certified products now and we look for the best stuff when we travel.  We are fortunate to have access to Italian products in Toronto.

We were also spoiled with authentic Neapolitan pizza, which has a thin crust and sweet tomato sauce.  We searched for the perfect pie in Rome.

The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us. Rome, a visit to the ancient cityWe even went to Sicily in search of authentic Sicilian Arancini (rice balls).  We only learned how to eat arancini upside down, like an ice-cream cone, after eating a lot of them. Sicily: a visit to Sicily.

No trip to Rome is complete without a stop at the perfect gelato.  David, the chocoholic, found dark chocolate (extrafondonte) gelato in every place we visited.  It took me a few stops and a recommendation from a friend before I found the salty caramel gelato.  And when we spent 5 Weeks in SicilyThe caramel gelato is also more difficult to find.

Rome Italy was a city where we always found new food discoveries when on a quest to find the best Italian food.

Rome Has Many Iconic Sites To Explore

Rome Italy is a city that we never tire of exploring.  The sites are so vast that one visit is never enough.  

Every street we walked, we discovered new churches, buildings and fountains.  We loved discovering new areas in Rome, like Trastavere.  Our taste buds were forever changed by the food we discovered.

Have you discovered iconic sights in Rome Italy?  Did you visit familiar or new places?

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