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People jokingly ask, “What did the Romans do for us?” It’s true that the Romans gave us a LOT: roads, plumbing, democracy, fast food (seriously!)... the list goes on. They also left us examples of awe-inspiring feats of architecture and ingenuity that still wow us today, thousands of years later.
There is such an abundance of Roman historical points of interest in Italy that it’s almost impossible to know where to start. Luckily, we’ve found the top 10 Roman historical sites in Italy. And while half of them is in Rome (of course), we’ve included a few further afield that are also well worth a visit.
The Colosseum – With space for more than 50,000 spectators (almost big enough for a Taylor Swift concert), the Colosseum was host to gladiator fights, mock battles, and gruesome spectacles of all sorts. Today, it’s one of Rome’s biggest tourist attractions and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The Forum & Palatine Hill – The Forum was the beating heart of Rome, home to government, religion, shops, markets, events, and ceremonies. Just a stone’s throw away lies Palatine Hill, where the upper-class citizens of Rome built their palaces, the ruins of which you can visit today.
The Pantheon – This iconic structure is the oldest building in the world still in use. Aside from some light interior decoration done during the Renaissance, the Pantheon stands as it was built, around 2,000 years ago.
Trajan’s Market – Called “the oldest shopping mall in the world,” this ancient site housed offices as well as shops selling anything your heart desires. In addition to the breathtaking ruins, this complex also contains the Museum of the Imperial Forums, where you can learn more about Rome’s famous emperors.
Baths of Caracalla – The Romans took bathing very seriously and constructed elaborate, luxurious bathhouses. The Baths of Caracalla are the most extensive ruins of a Roman bathhouse in the world. At its height, the Baths are said to have had capacity for 1,600 people! That’s a lot of bubble bath.
Appian Way – Head just outside of Rome to get a closer look at one of the things the Romans did best: roads. The Appian Way was a major artery for Romans coming in and out of the city. The first few miles of the Appian Way today are part of a park and contain interesting ruins – a fantastic place for a picnic!
Villa dei Quintili – The Romans loved a bit of opulence, and the upper classes built enormous villas filled with art and luxury. The ruins of one such villa lie just outside Rome. The Villa dei Quintili – once home to two Roman consults – is an open-air museum and an excuse to explore the breathtaking Roman countryside.
Ostia Antica – Just under 20 miles outside Rome, this ancient harbor city makes for a fantastic day trip. Home to over 100,000 people at its height, this city was slowly abandoned for various economic reasons, and silt from the ocean flooded the town. For this reason, you can see beautifully preserved mosaics amongst these stunning ruins.
Hadrian’s Villa – Built for Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century A.D., this magnificent estate in Tivoli was the height of sophistication. Gardens, pools, baths, fountains, galleries, libraries… Hadrian had it all. Archeological discoveries are still being made at the villa, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great place to spend a day.
Pompeii – During the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D., the city was blanketed by a layer of volcanic ash, which both killed thousands of people and preserved the city as it was at the moment of destruction, undiscovered until excavation began in 1748. It takes a few hours to get to Pompeii via train from Rome, but the chance to explore these ancient ruins is worth the trip.
Don’t just book a trip to Italy…Take a trip back in time to the ancient Roman Empire by visiting these jaw-dropping historic sites.
Need help planning your perfect Roman holiday? We might know someone who can help…