Location: Centro
Top Things to do in Centro
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The 10 Best Points of Interest & Landmarks in Centro, Lazio
Rome wasn't built in a day--and you'll need much more than a day to take in this timeless city. The city is a real-life collage of piazzas, open-air markets, and astonishing historic sites. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, contemplate the Colosseum and the Pantheon, and sample a perfect espresso or gelato before spending an afternoon shopping at the Campo de’Fiori or Via Veneto. Enjoy some of the most memorable meals of your life here, too, from fresh pasta to succulent fried artichokes or a tender oxtail stew.
Restaurants in Rome
1. Centro Storico
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,069 reviews
This section of Rome is filled with a tangle of narrow streets, which offers some of the finest examples of Roman classical and Baroque architecture and style.
Reviewed By AndreaB1169 - London, United Kingdom
It’s always amazing visiting Rome and if you also enjoy the heat, August is a good month to visi. But for the best light and cooler weather October in Rome is wonderful!
2. Welcome to Rome
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,013 reviews
An emotional multimedial experience through the history of Rome. Welcome to Rome is a new multimedial space where you can live a unique experience: to dive into 2700 years of history of the Eternal City. Spectacular video projections on the walls, ceiling and floor accompanied by a narrative voice. A great plastic that lives up to the evolution of the city over time. Holograms, projections and interactive exhibits that tell the story of important monuments. A cinema with a 4D video, together with 4 exhibitions will make you live an amazing and immersive experience through the history of one of the most beautiful city in the world. This space represents the first ideal stop for all the turists but also a special place for the Roman people where to live the past of their city and know many curiosities.
Reviewed By jvaldez1984 - Ozone Park, United States
Came here during a rainy day which we didn’t really have anything planned to do anyway just wanted to escape the rain more than anything else. It’s a really nice and well organized place where you can see 4 small 3-5 minute 3D videos on Rome’s history and then you go to the main theater where you can watch the main show. I left this review very limited because I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. But if you have 30 minutes to burn and will be in central Rome I highly recommend this place.
3. Piazza Venezia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,370 reviews
Close to many tourist attractions such as the Roman Forum and Capitol Hill, this large sunny square is the true hub of Rome, which features the impressive monument of King Vittorio Emmanuele II.
Reviewed By MissEmilyMc - London, United Kingdom
Piazza Venezia doesn’t just serve as a central hub in Rome as there’s several intersections and it’s close to nearby attractions such as the Roman Forum, The Colosseum and Capitol Hill. Regardless of it serving as a central hub, there is one landmark that dominates Piazza Venezia which is a monument called Il Vittoriano (Victor Emannuel II) - the first King of Italy. Not only is this landmark one of the largest in Rome as well as being one of the most majestic but a very recent addition to Rome’s scenery as it was built during the 20th century. The unmissable centrepiece is the bronze equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II riding a horse, it’s so large that when it was completed there was a celebratory dinner held in the horse’s stomach (fitting approximately 20 people). Even though this landmark in itself is a magnificent work of art many Romans would disagree and refer to it as “The Wedding Cake” since they dispute the marble clashes with existing architecture. Not only is the architecture a problem for Romans but the history behind it with churches and homes being demolished in way for it as well as a place where Mussolini and Hitler were pictured. Mussolini took over the monument for political use which has left bad memories for Romans. There’s even more symbolism found when looking closer at Victor Emmanuel II such as the two fountains at either side of the monument representing the seas surrounding Italy - Adriatic Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The friezes at the top of Victor Emmanuel II represents the different regions of Italy being personified as statues, an incredible idea and sight adding to the incredible architecture. The most spectacular features are the everlasting flame, eternally shining and burning in front of the altar, which are always guarded by two soldiers - representing and marking the grave of the “Unknown Soldier” who died during World War I. The same principle applies to those who were never identified but died during the war, they’re given a tribute as well as everyone being given a symbolic reminder of the deaths during this war. Overall, the monument was constructed to represent and celebrate the unification of Italy and furthermore the power of Rome as the capital of the country. There are countless buildings surrounding Piazza Venezia such as The Via del Corso, Palazzo Bonaparte and most famously Michelangelo's House. Before leaving Piazza Venezia our tour guide brought us to Trajan’s Column which was built by Emperor Trajan in 113 AD - hence the name. The triumphal column commemorates and represents the Trajan’s victory over the Dacians to which can be seen on the column itself explains the entire campaign. The Trajan Column doesn’t proudly show the Emperor Trajan in all his glory but one of Rome’s patron saints there - St Peter, since during the 19th century Pope Sixtus V changed the statue. The great influence and reach that numerous Pope’s had throughout Rome during all eras, with such a large influence still standing today.
4. Domus Aurea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,324 reviews
The imperial estate of Nero was built in 64AD, which is comprised of a series of pavilions, set in an articulated garden with an artificial lake in its center.
Reviewed By Lesleyjane71 - Kent, United Kingdom
If you love archaeology and Ancient Rome is your thing, and if you are lucky enough to visit Rome over the course of a weekend then please do make sure you book for a guided visit of Domus Aurea. It is only open on a Saturday and Sunday and tickets must be booked on line, which can be a little daunting but well worth it. Despite what some people have written, the site entrance is easy enough to find. Head to the Piazza Del Colosseo and if you use the Oppio Café and the metro across from the Colosseum as your marker you can not go wrong. Turn Left and take a very short walk up the hill to the entrance of a Parco delle Colle Oppio. As you go in the entrance turn left and walk about 50 paces and you will see the entrance to the Domus Aurea and there will be guides and assistants waiting. Ignore the positioning of it on google maps. It will through you right of course! If you are early, do not be scared to walk around the park, there are fine ruins there of Trajan's baths which sit atop the buried ruins of the Domus. For some reason, people think that this is the Domus it is not. Yes there are some refugees sleeping in the park but to be honest they pose no threat. In fact you are more than likely to see them cleaning up the place. The area is full of dog walkers and runners and as a single female traveller, I felt absolutely safe in there. So now that the whereabouts of the entrance has hopefully been demystified, on to the visit. You go in your designated time group and don fetching hairnets and hard hats before being led underground by one of the archaeologists fortunate enough to work at the site and who will be very passionate about their work, so some may find this a little boring others will relish it. To be able to traverse the corridors of a fraction of this once vast and oppulent palace is phenominal. It is damp but well lit so take a light weight jacket or sweater, you may need it. You are free to take as many photos as you like. The VR is amazing and puts you right in the heart of the palace as it may once have been as well as giving you an idea of what the view across Rome from here would have been like. Word of advise, if you are light sensitive or suffer a bit of vertigo or balance problems then the VR headset is likely to make you feel a bit weasy. I had to lift mine up a few times just to get my head back straight. You are sitting down for the VR session so don't panic and it is well worth persevering with. You carry on with your tour and it is hard to believe that you are walking in the footsteps of Nero no matter how sadistic and twisted he was. There are a few wall frescos still visible, the rest having been removed to safe them from being completely ruined by the damp. Unfortnatuely they have now desided not excavate further as the cost of preserving the rest of the underground network of rooms and corridors is just to expensive both in monetary terms, manpower and the tecnologies needed to keep it from deteriorating but please rest assured, what you see is well worth it. Have a great trip!
5. Piazza del Popolo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,229 reviews
Planned by Valadier at the beginning of the 19th century, this is considered one of the best urban works in Rome.
Reviewed By eac53
From our wonderful hotel, Rome Style (near the Spanish Steps) we strolled along Via del Bubuino popping in dozens of churches (to view free amazing art) and enjoy delightful shopping, both high-end world renowned designers and small interesting shops. Lots of places to enjoy coffee or a bite to eat ending at Piazza del Popolo. There are four churches on this piazza. The church in the 2:00 quadrant, Santa Maria del Popolo, has two fantastic Caravaggio paintings ... more spectacular art for free in Rome!! An amazing stroll and day.
6. Arco di Costantino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,686 reviews
Built in 315AD and noted by its triple arches, this structure commemorates Constantine's victory over Maxentuis.
Reviewed By Moonamuslim
The three-door Arch of Constantine (Arco di Constantino) is the largest of the three triumphal arches in the Roman Forum. It was built in honor of Emperor Constantine (Flavius Valerius Constantinus) in 312-315 and commemorates the victory over Emperor Maxentius, whom Constantine won in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, and his 10-year reign. A large and magnificent structure 21 meters high and 25.7 meters wide. Unfortunately, the size next to the Colosseum is not important - but impressive. Some of the reliefs and columns were taken from earlier structures and inserted in the Arch of Constantine. Certainly one of the most fascinating buildings in the Roman Forum. Like so many buildings in Rome, architecture is impressive, above all due to its details, size and old age.
7. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,079 reviews
One of seven pilgrimage basilicas in the world, this church was founded in 432 AD and is where the famous architect Bernini is buried.
Reviewed By 282LisaH - Melbourne, Australia
We were staying in Trastevere with an air B and B.we walked around the cobbled lanes and came across piazza Santa Maria and this beautiful church which I had read about it is amazing and inspires serene meditation ????♀️ . The frescoes and building are beautiful and it sits in the piazza . Absolutely stunning and to think it started building in the 2nd century
8. Piazza di Trevi
9. Piazza del Campidoglio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,359 reviews
This beautiful square, designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti (1538-1584,) features an elliptical courtyard with a central figure sculpture.
Reviewed By alessandrofL127YD - Milan, Italy
Wonderful square with ingenius design of pavement to solve the problems of the space. Pope Paul III commissioned it to Michelangelo in 1536. The center of the designed pavement is the basement of the Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, Palace Senatorio and two gemini palaces close the scenic square.
10. Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,861 reviews
Reviewed By JonathonGreen
Little remains of original 13th century church.Michelangelo sculpture inside.Superb 15th century frescoes including some by Lippi and the tomb of Pope Paul the 4th.Body of St Catherine of Siena (minus the head) lies under the high alter.
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