Rome is a city of layers, both physically and historically. As you stroll through the center of this important world city, the structures of ancient Rome, Renaissance and Baroque Rome and modern Rome are intermixed and intertwined, just as each period in the history of this city has had profound influences on the very different periods, which follow.

Rome is halfway down Italy's western coast, about 20km (12mi) inland. It's a vast city, but the historic centre is quite small. Most of the major sights are within a reasonable distance of the central railway station, Stazione Termini. The Palatine Hill and the Forum are the centre of ancient Rome. Via del Corso runs north from the Forum to Piazza del Popolo, with the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain just to its east. The Vatican is northwest of the Forum, across the River Tiber.

Most of the budget places to stay are clustered around Stazione Termini. It is only slightly more expensive and definitely more enjoyable to stay closer to the city centre. Fiumicino airport is about 26km (16mi) southwest of the city. Stazione Termini is just northeast of the Palatine Hill and the Forum.

Rome is a great open-air museum with a high concentration of monuments, churches and artwork. This guide will help you to locate some of the main city highlights that you'll likely get a chance to experience by yourself. Click on an attraction name to find a list of nearby hotels.

Pantheon
The best-preserved ancient Roman structure in the city, built as a temple to the gods around 125AD and converted to a Christian church in AD608. It is marveled at its domed interior with the oculus (9 meter hole in the center of the dome) which allows light and rain into the building. Inside you will find the tomb of the world-famous artist Raphael. [ View hotels around this point ]

Spanish Steps
Designed between 1723-1726, these magnificent double steps combine straight lines, curves and terraces creating one of Rome's most distinctive landmarks. The steps lead up to the 16th-century church of Trinita dei Monti. Spectacular views over the city rooftops opening in front of your eyes more than warrant the steep climb. The Spanish Steps acquired their name from the neighbouring Spanish Embassy. At the foot of the steps lies the boat-shaped Barcaccia fountain, designed in 1627 by Bernini. [ View hotels around this point ]

Colosseo (Colosseum)
Commissioned in AD 72 by Emperor Vespasian the Colosseum is the most impressive and majestic amphitheater of Roman times. It was the scene for the Emperor and wealthy citizens entertainment where gladiatorial conquests between men (specially trained soldiers, slaves and prisoners), lions and wild beasts were held till the fifth century. The stadium has been pillaged over the centuries. Its rich marble facing stripped away to build palaces and churches and finaly it was rocked by an earthquakes. Now a mere skeletal framework of the former grandeur return us in time of ancient civilisations. [ View hotels around this point ]

Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums make up the richest and most extensive museum collection in the world. The highlights include the Stanze di Raffaello (Raphael’s Rooms), the Etruscan Museum, depicting Italy before the Romans and the Pio-Clementino Museum, containing the world’s largest collection of Classical statues. Without having seen the Sistine Chapel with its walls decorated with frescoes by Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Perugian Pietro Perugino... and impressive creations of Michaelangelo your visit in Rome will not be complete. [ View hotels around this point ]

Trevi Fountain
Magnificent, mellifluous fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi and Leon Battista Alberti. In the middle of the scene is Neptune flanking by two tritons; one trying to tame an unruly seahorse and the other leads a docile animal, thus depicting the two contrasting moods of the sea. It’s said that if you throw a coin and make a wish, it will be fulfilled.

Stazione Termini
(Rome's main railway station)
This is the center of railway system of Rome, as well as the cross roads of all public transportation in the city. The name ‘termini’ comes from the popular denomination of the word ‘terme’ meaning ‘baths’, from the nearest Baths of Diocletian. The architecture is characterized by the extremely long, modernist facade in travertine stone, and by the gravity-defying double curve of the roof. There is a Non-Stop train Service for the transport from the Fiumicino Airport to the Roma Termini and back. Located in the center of Italian peninsular, the Roman railway station was conceived as the center of all the railway junctions coming from north and south. [ View hotels around this point ]