The Colosseum
Uncover the secrets of the gladiators at the Roman Colosseum.
Trevi Fountain
Make a wish at the iconic Trevi Fountain, one of the world’s most famous and beautiful fountains, and a must-see in Rome.
Roman Forum
Journey into the heart of Ancient Rome at the Roman Forum.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Delve into 18 centuries of history at Castel Sant’Angelo.
Pantheon
Experience divine wonder in the temple of all gods.
Arch of Constantine
Be awed by Rome’s largest surviving triumphal arch.
Catacombs of St. Callixtus
Explore the largest Christian catacombs in Rome.
Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla)
Travel in time to an ancient Roman spa.
Palatine Hill
Discover the birthplace of Rome itself on Palatine Hill.
Ara Pacis
See ancient propagandist art at Augustus’ altar of peace.
Mouth of Truth
Test your honesty at the world’s oldest lie detector.
Baths of Diocletian
Visit the greatest bath complex of Ancient Rome at the Baths of Diocletian.
Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland)
Visit Rome’s most controversial monument.
Circus Maximus
See the largest arena of Ancient Rome at the Circus Maximus.
Trajan’s Market
See the world’s oldest shopping mall at Trajan's Market.
Rome’s most famous landmarks span more than two thousand years of history. The city’s landmarks include ancient ruins like the Colosseum and Roman Forum, medieval fortresses like Castel Sant’Angelo, and modern monuments like Altare della Patria.
This page covers Rome’s main landmarks: what they are, how to visit, and which ones need tickets booked in advance.
Top 5 Rome landmarks
If you only have a couple of days, prioritize these:
- The Colosseum. The largest ancient amphitheater ever built and Rome’s most-visited site. Tickets sell out fast, so book ahead at our Colosseum tickets page.
- Pantheon. The best-preserved building from ancient Rome, intact since 126 AD. Now requires an entry ticket.
- Trevi Fountain. Rome’s most famous fountain, completed in 1762. Free to visit, best at sunrise or after dark when the crowds thin out.
- Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The political and aristocratic heart of ancient Rome. Tickets are included with Colosseum entry.
- Castel Sant’Angelo. Hadrian’s mausoleum, later used as a papal fortress. The rooftop terrace gives you views over Rome and St. Peter’s.
Ancient Roman landmarks
Most of Rome’s famous landmarks are ancient Roman monuments built between the Republic (509 BC) and the late Empire (476 AD):
- The Colosseum (80 AD)
- Roman Forum (developed from the 7th century BC onwards)
- Palatine Hill (inhabited from the 8th century BC)
- Pantheon (126 AD)
- Arch of Constantine (315 AD)
- Baths of Caracalla (216 AD)
- Baths of Diocletian (306 AD)
- Trajan’s Market (100-110 AD)
- Ara Pacis (9 BC)
- Circus Maximus (built up over centuries from the regal era)
Most ancient sites are open-air and visible from outside without a ticket. Tickets are required to enter the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Baths of Caracalla, and Trajan’s Market.
Medieval and modern Rome landmarks
Not all of Rome’s famous landmarks are ancient:
- Castel Sant’Angelo (built as a Roman mausoleum in 139 AD, repurposed as a fortress during the medieval period)
- Catacombs of St. Callixtus (2nd-5th century, early Christian burial site)
- Trevi Fountain (1762, Baroque)
- Altare della Patria (1885-1935, neoclassical monument to Italian unification)
- Mouth of Truth (ancient marble disc, mounted in the medieval portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin)
Where to buy tickets
Most ticketed Rome landmarks let you save time by booking online before your trip:
For visitors planning to see several landmarks in a short trip, the Roma Pass and Rome Tourist Card bundle multiple sites into one purchase.
Free Rome landmarks
Several of Rome’s landmarks cost nothing to visit:
- Trevi Fountain
- Mouth of Truth
- Arch of Constantine and Circus Maximus (open-air, no entry needed)
- Altare della Patria (interior is free; the panoramic lift charges separately)