Rome is filled with the archeological remains of the ancient Roman Empire. From the Colosseum’s grand structure to the Spanish Step’s romantic charm, the city effortlessly integrates historical sites into its modern landscape. Rome has many beautiful plazas that border restaurants, museums, and shops. In these areas, high fashion boutiques border ancient ruins, creating a captivating visual environment.

If you want to read more about Italy, check out Pompeii, Italy: Exploring the Ancient Ruins of the Lost Roman City, Venice, Italy: Traveling Through the “Floating City,” and Florence, Italy: 3 Days in the “City of Art and Culture.”

The Colosseum is incredible and very well preserved. The Colosseum was constructed from 72 AD to 80AD under Emperor Vespasian and occupies about five acres of land. There’s a lot to eat and see around this area, including the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli. It’s a great area to explore on foot!

The two photos below are from the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which are located side-by-side within the Seven Hills of Rome. These are two of my favorite sites in Rome because they are filled with primary archaeological remains of the Roman Empire. This area is very well-preserved and stunning in detail. Considering that these monuments were constructed nearly 2,000 years ago, these sites are a must-see. It was very surreal to walk through and imagine what life was like for Roman citizens at that time.

Here is a photograph of the beautiful Trevi Fountain, which was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762. The Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. Tourists flock to the plaza to take photos and to flip coins into its waters. According to an age-old ritual, you have to flip a coin using your right hand over your left shoulder!

Located in Piazza Venezia, Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II is dedicated to Italy’s first king. The architecture is entirely white and filled with intricate architectural details. As you can see in the photo, it’s absolutely stunning. Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II was definitely one of my favorite sites in Rome to stop and see.

The Pantheon in Piazza della Rotonda is an amazing church to visit. Built in ‎113–125 AD, this Roman temple was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus. The plaza is always crowded as it is filled with a beautiful fountain and a plethora of restaurants, shops, and apartment buildings. When I visited, I relaxed by the fountain for an hour and admired the beautiful scenery.

Located in the heart of the city, the Spanish Steps are very charming and have a magnificent view of Rome. The steps are beautiful–there are138 stairs in total. The Spanish Steps connect the Franciscan Church of Trinita dei Monti with the Piazza di Spagna. Piazza di Spagna is filled with beautiful 18th-century buildings and its surrounding area is great for high-end shopping. In the Piazza, I stopped at Babington’s tea room, which was established in 1893. This tea shop is very classy and offers traditional English tea in a quaint setting!

Shops, Restaurants, and Sites:

• The Colosseum

• Saint Peter’s Basilica

• Trevi Fountain

• Pantheon

• Piazza della Rotonda

• The Roman Forum

• Arc di Costantino

• Arco di Tito

• Palatino

• Piazza Venezia

• Alfredo alla Scrofa

• Palatine Hill

• Vatican City

• Piazza Navona

• Sistine Chapel

• Spanish Steps

• Babington’s Tea Rooms

• Piazza di San Pietro in Vincoli

• Piazza del Popolo

• Giolitti

• Galleria Borghese

• Grom Gelateria

Rome was a beautiful place to visit and I’d love to go back and explore the city again! If you have been or want to go to Rome, let me know what you think of the city in the comments below!

XO, Kim

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