The expanse of Rome glitters with all kinds of attractions that are not only concentrated within the historic city center but spread way beyond it as well. There are more ways to take on Rome than one would expect, and so a more representative map of Rome with attractions could be very beneficial for you to be able to organize the kind of Roman holiday you actually dream of.
There are so many reasons why Rome is a good place to visit; we will provide an in-depth analysis to explain why it is so, a core factor being that so many attractions of the city can be covered by foot.
Rome tourist walking map: Is Rome a walkable city?
Getting comfortable with the Roman landscape means that you will acquire the knowledge of particular routes that one can take that can help you cover various monuments in the same day. This also means that you can open up more time in your schedule to be able to explore other points of interest as well!
Staying in the central district of Rome remains to be a great starting point in aiding your journey, as proximity to major landmarks such as the Pantheon can help tick them off the list much quicker and also makes certain routes around the city much more accessible for you. It may be best to stay away from some areas to avoid in Rome-staying more in the outskirts or close to the train stations can make it difficult to get the best experience of the city, wasting too much of your preciously carved out vacation time in transit matters.
However, it is important to keep in mind that the map of things to see in Rome still remains extensive and so there will be spaces for which you would have to rely on some sort of transportation such as taxis, buses or the tram system, which still cover a wide connection system within the city.
Another possibility would be to book a guided tour with a tour operator that offers pedestrian itineraries. For example, you can consider a walking tour that uncovers hidden details and histories in the city.
Rome map of attractions: What not to miss when visiting Rome?
What tourist attractions is Rome most famous for?
Here is a list of the main monuments that you may want to add to your itinerary:
- The Colosseum – located in the historic center of the city at Piazza del Colosseo, which refers to the surrounding area of the Colosseum.
- The Roman Forum – located in the center of the city. It is adjacent to the Colosseum and in between the Palatine and Capitoline hills.
- The Pantheon – located in the historic center on Piazza della Rotonda.
- Piazza Navona – located in the city center, only a five minute walk away from the Pantheon.
- The Trevi Fountain – located on Piazza di Trevi, in the historic center. It is easily found by continuing on the via del Corso road and then taking a right on via delle Muratte.
- The Spanish Steps – located on Piazza di Spagna in the historic center. Very close to Villa Medici and Villa Borghese.
- Circo Massimo – located in between the Aventine and Palatine hills of Rome, on via del Circo Massimo.
- Altare della Patria – located in the center of the city on Piazza Venezia. At walking distance from the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
You can find a map of main Rome attractions that go more in depth here, including all the main tourist attractions.
Are museums free in Rome?
Although not all museums in Rome are free to enter, there are ways to get around the fees they charge. For example, on every Sunday of the new month all museums (and some monuments!) in the city have free entrance. This list includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Castel Sant’ Angelo, the Capitoline Museums, the Ara Pacis Museum, the Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel) and the Borghese Gallery.
However, there are some museums that have free entrance such as:
- The Napoleonic Museum
- MACRO – The Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome
- Casa di Goethe – dedicated to the writer’s journey in Italy
- The Pietro Canonica Museum – a house museum of the sculptor’s works.
Rome sites to see map: In what order should I see things in Rome?
According to the Rome landmarks map, what attractions are close to each other?
Since many attractions are grouped closely together, there are all kinds of pathways that can be crafted to cover several landmarks at the same time. Especially for those who have limited time to spend in the Eternal City, grouped walking itineraries are the most convenient plans you can have for your explorations:
ITINERARY 1:
- Start at the Spanish steps and take in the atmosphere of one of Rome’s most vibrant piazzas.
- Make your way south through via del Corso to arrive at Fontana di Trevi. Here, toss a coin in the fountain for good luck and to ensure that all roads for YOU lead back to Rome!
- Traveling further down the map you will soon arrive at the Pantheon. Although spectacular from the outside, it is worth going in to see the interiors and observe the open sky ‘oculus’ dome.
- A few steps away is Piazza Navona – architecturally a Baroque haven with Bernini’s famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). Relax, people watch and socialize at the square- just as the Romans do.
ITINERARY 2:
- Begin again at the Spanish Steps– they make a great starting point! Closely clustered are several unmissable sights.
- Make your way to the stunning Pincio viewpoint of the city. You will be able to breathe in the beauty of the city you have suddenly found yourself in.
- The viewpoint on the hill happens to be the entrance to the Borghese gardens. Discover the gardens and paths of the villa that used to belong to the influential Borghese family. Perhaps consider taking a guided tour of it, along with some other gardens found in the city (your itinerary would then take you elsewhere).
- If you stick to this mini itinerary, you can then visit the Borghese Gallery within the walls of the gardens, to learn more about Baroque and Renaissance art through an impressive, coveted collection.
ITINERARY 3:
- On a slightly different side of the historic center, you can begin with what everyone yearns to see in Rome: the Colosseum. There are several kinds of in-depth tours that you can take to learn more about the amphitheater- whether you are more interested in an overall review, or specifically in the arena floor or underground space.
- It only makes sense to pair the Colosseum with seeing the remains of the Roman Forum just adjacent to it. These ruins are mesmerizing and hold so much insight into what the marketplace and governmental plaza of ancient Rome looked like.
- Close by you can find the famous Circo Massimo– the ancient Roman chariot racing stadium. Observe the elongated ground and imagine the wild-natured sport with its cheering audience.
- From Circo Massimo you will be able to get a good view of the Baths of Caracalla. It is up to you if you would like to add a proper visit to explore them as part of your itinerary.
- A wonderful way to end this day, following a natural walking curve of the city, would be to end up at the Jewish Ghetto. Here, you can either try a tour that explains the history of the neighborhood including the Jewish synagogue, or you can opt for a food walking tour.
ITINERARY 4:
- Start from a different point on the other side of the Tiber River- in the Prati neighborhood.
- Located here is the fortified Castel Sant’Angelo. You can opt to spend more time here by exploring the interiors of the monumental museum.
- At walking distance you will find the Vatican City! Choose whether you would like to just see St. Peter’s Basilica, or opt for a full experience by seeing the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
- Lastly, follow the banks of the river to the lively, historic neighborhood of Trastevere that everyone loves to pay a visit to- locals and tourists alike! Here you can just wander around, or you can decide to take a Trastevere food tour.
If you only have 2 days to spend in the historic city, we have a perfectly planned 48 hours itinerary that you could follow!
Where can I get a tourist map of Rome?
There are several different ways in which you can obtain a tourist map of Rome:
Online maps
With a quick search online you will be able to find the basic map of Rome everywhere, but you may also be able to find particular maps of Rome following certain themes, attractions and paths. This versatility will give you options in finding what you are specifically interested in.
Tour Operator
If you decide to rely on a tour operator to design some of your experiences during your visit, you can count on them to have materials they can provide you with.
Information points
When visiting different attractions around the city whether they are monuments or museums, their information points at the entrance will have maps for you to use. However, these maps may be more adapted to the specific attraction you are visiting instead of the entirety of Rome.
Hotels
At the hotel you are staying at you can be sure to find their own maps to take with you before you step outside into the city.
