Rome: Antiquity, Art and Walks

Rome’s historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. The city can also be explored through a wide variety of places: a public art collection, traces of ancient life, a large aqueduct park and sections of the city’s fortifications each offer a distinct perspective. When planning your trip, it helps to ask yourself: should your stay focus mainly on art and history, or would you also like to set aside time for longer walks and other sides of Rome?

Discover ancient history and art

At the Colosseum, its construction dates and historical significance go hand in hand: construction began in 70 AD and was completed in 80 AD. For more than a thousand years, the Roman Forum was the centre of public life in Rome. On the Palatine Hill, the remains of Iron Age settlements associated with Rome’s oldest urban core have been preserved. There are also remains of several imperial palaces, including the Domus Tiberiana, Domus Transitoria and Domus Aurea. These archaeological sites therefore tell a story that runs from early settlement traces and public life to the palaces of the emperors.

The Musei Capitolini offer a different perspective: the Pinacoteca Capitolina is the oldest public art collection, and most of the works in the Musei Capitolini come from Rome. Other buildings also show how different historical functions and styles remain part of the city. The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved examples of monumental Roman architecture. The Trevi Fountain marks the grand terminus of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct. Piazza Navona retains the shape and dimensions of the racetrack at the Stadium of Domitian. Castel Sant’Angelo combines a monument, an archaeological site and a museum.

Among aqueduct arches and walking trails

If you would also like to explore Rome on foot or by bike, the Via Appia Antica offers the chance to walk or cycle among historical and archaeological sites. Parco degli Acquedotti offers a different view of the landscape: it covers around 240 hectares between Via Appia and Via Tuscolana. The surviving arches of the Claudio and Felice aqueducts stand in the park. You can walk along paths beside streams and waterfalls, and through areas of trees and pastureland.

These places offer different ways to spend time outdoors. The Via Appia Antica combines getting around with historical and archaeological sites, while waterways, green spaces and aqueduct arches shape a walk through Parco degli Acquedotti. As you plan your days, you can decide whether you are more interested in history along a route or in a combination of nature and ancient engineering.

City walls, views and practical information

The Museo delle Mura traces the history of Rome’s fortifications across three sections: Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the modern era. The museum includes an original section of the wall walk, accessible along a stretch of around 400 metres up to the gate arches on Via Cristoforo Colombo. A panoramic terrace between the large battlemented towers offers far-reaching views from Via Appia Antica to the Castelli Romani. Access arrangements may change; check the latest conditions before planning a visit.

For visits to major museums and archaeological sites, the Roma Pass combines admission to these places with free use of the public transport network. Benefits and validity may change, so it is advisable to check the conditions before purchasing. Rome’s Tourist Infopoints are open 365 days a year; check their locations and opening hours before visiting.

A food destination can also be part of your plans: Mercato rionale Testaccio is a covered food market and a meeting place for food lovers. Opening hours may change, so check them when making specific plans. Small boats can be rented at the Giardino del Lago in Villa Borghese; confirm in advance whether this is available on the day of your visit.

When looking for a hotel in Rome, first decide what you want to focus your trip on: collections and archaeological history, walks in green spaces, or a mix of culture and other experiences.

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For the wider travel overview: Latium.