Things to do in Rome & Vatican

Ancient Rome comes alive at the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine and at the domed Pantheon, now a church; toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and climb the Spanish Steps to Trinità dei Monti. In the Vatican, the Vatican Museums route includes the Sistine Chapel, and the dome of St Peter's Basilica offers close-up mosaics and a rooftop view. Castel Sant'Angelo began as Hadrian's mausoleum, and the Galleria Borghese shows paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian alongside sculptures by Bernini and Canova. For food, visit the morning market at Campo de' Fiori, the street-food stalls of the Mercato di Testaccio and traditional Roman cooking in Trastevere.

Good to knowColosseum entry needs a timed ticket in your name from the official site (bring ID), Castel Sant'Angelo tickets are also named, and the Galleria Borghese requires a reservation even for free tickets. Buy Vatican Museums tickets only from the official site, as look-alike sites charge much more. Tourists need a ticket to enter the area by the Trevi Fountain basin, and the Galleria Borghese does not allow medium or large bags or backpacks.