Location: Rome
Top Things to do in Rome
Countries
What to do and see in Rome, Lazio: The Best History Museums
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. Museo di Storia della Medicina
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
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. Museo Nazionale Romano - Palazzo Massimo alle Terme
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,342 reviews
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme was built between 1883 and 1887 by the architect Camillo Pistrucci in a sober neo-Renaissance style. He was born as a Jesuit college and remained so until 1960. In 1981 it was acquired by the Italian State and became one of the four National Roman Museum places. The collections are distributed in the four floors of the building according to a chronological and thematic criterion: the ground floor, the first and second floors are dedicated to the ancient art section; the basement houses the numismatic and goldsmith sections.
Reviewed By SPSS_11 - Melbourne, Australia
The Museo Nazionale Romano - Palazzo Massimo is just one of the sites of the Museo Nazionale Romano. You can buy a great value combination ticket that allows you to visit the other sites (the visits need to occur within a certain timeframe that I can't remember off the top of my head - their website will tel you). The Palazzo Massimo site houses sculpture, mosaics and frescos including the frescos from the garden room of the Villa of Livia and the Boxer at Rest sculpture. The museum is located almost directly opposite the Roma Termini train station, with one of their other sites (Baths of Diocletian) located within a 2 minute walk. There is a small cafe onsite which does light lunches, coffee etc. The audioguide is well worth hiring as some of the signage can be a bit sparse.
4. Musei Capitolini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,757 reviews
The creation of the Capitoline Museums has been traced back to 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV donated a group of bronze statues of great symbolic value to the People of Rome. The collections are closely linked to the city of Rome, and most of the exhibits come from the city itself.
Reviewed By GreenThumb331 - San Fernando, Philippines
It is surprising that the Capitolini Museum is not at the top list of one of the most popular things to do on the tripadvisor list. It should be at least in the top 20. We bought a Roma pass in order to enter this museum. The pass includes the Capitolini Museum as one of the options for entrance access. Once you enter, you will see the courtyard with ancient scultures most notably the Head of the colossal statue of Constantine I. The second floor of the Palazzo dei Conservatori is occupied by the Conservator's Apartment, housing such famous works as the bronze she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, which has become the emblem of Rome. The Conservator's Apartment is distinguished by elaborate interior decorations, including frescoes, stuccos, tapestries, and carved ceilings and doors. The third floor of the Palazzo dei Conservatori houses the Capitoline Art Gallery which houses the museums' painting and applied art galleries The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is the stand out attraction inside the Capitoline Museum. It is made of bronze and stands 4.24 m (13.9 ft) tall. Although the emperor is mounted, it exhibits many similarities to standing statues of Augustus. The one now standing in the open air of the Piazza del Campidoglio is a replica made in 1981 when the original was taken down for restoration.
5. Museo Altemps
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
The 16th-century museum of paintings and sculptures houses exhibits from important Roman families, including the magnificent Ludovisi throne depicting the Birth of Venus.
Reviewed By 82manuelal - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
When in Piazza Navona, just across the street of the north end of the square, and the fifteenth century Museo Altemps await's with statues of Hermes, renderings of Apollo, the Lyrist and Athena; many paintings of bucolic scenes of ancient Rome, a colossal head of Hera, many works of Goethe, this was very interesting and moving; after this visit you will feel you a little bit tired, but you will visit it next time again.
6. Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 718 reviews
A beautiful 16th century palace housing a world-famous collection of ancient Roman and Etruscan sculpture and artifacts.
Reviewed By Margo7850p
The Etruscan Museum is located in Villa Julia. It is one of the most important museums in the world dedicated to Etruscan civilization and the most important Etruscan museum in Italy, housed in a magnificent Renaissance villa. The museum contains works of great value. The structure in which it is located is beautiful. When it comes to Etruscan art, there are absolute masterpieces such as Sarcophagus of Spouses and Apollo of Veia here. The works are very well arranged with clear paths. The museum staff are very friendly. Absolutely to visit.
7. Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,619 reviews
Stunning palace located in a central location. Full of galleries of gorgeous paintings. Make sure to ask for the audio guide to get the full experience.
Reviewed By PattiGB - Brisbane Region, Australia
One of my favourite destinations when visiting Rome. The villa is full of magnificent art and sculptures. The complimentary audio guide is a very personalized glimpse into the world of one of Rome’s most important aristocratic families, their colorful lives, and their sense of duty to maintain their rich history for all. The audio guide is narrated by Prince Jonathan Doria-Pamphilj who shares personal memories, stories of his ancestors, and details about various works of art including famous works by Caravaggio. It is one of the very few Italian palaces which have their original art collections still in tact.
8. Mercati di Traiano - Museo dei Fori Imperiali
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,187 reviews
The Markets of Trajan are an archaeological complex of uniqueness in Rome, perhaps even worldwide. They represent an area that has experienced the evolution of the city from the imperial age to today; an area that has been constantly recycled and transformed. The markets once the strategic administrative centre of the Imperial Forums, successively became a noble residence, a military fortress, a prestigious convent and a barracks... a continuous evolution.
Reviewed By JonathonGreen
Brings the Mercati di Traiano to life.Also provides a fascinating introduction to the Imperial forums.Has multimedia displays,explanatory panels and some archeological artefacts.Best bit is wandering around the ruins.
9. Palazzo dei Conservatori
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By kylesE8563QS
during the Middle Ages , this was the seat of the city magistrates and the ground floor is the municipal registrar's office.The first floor rooms have Classical statues and decorative items from the 16th and 17th centuries. the second floor has art galleries with works of Veronese, Guercino, Titian, Tintoretto, Ruebens, Caravaggio, and Van Dick
10. Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,722 reviews
Reviewed By B3075TRpauls - Hauts-de-France, France
The price of this attraction is included in the Roma pass (two free attractions for the 72 hour pass). It is a bit hidden away, not far from the colosseum and not as famous as the other attractions in the area. However, it is definitely worth the visit, when we first got to the reception desk we didn’t expect much, the visit takes the form of a virtual guided history of a roman villa in the foundations of the existing villa ( we are French / English speakers ) we had the guide in French. The animations bring to life how the villa was in roman times. People who are afraid of the dark be aware that some parts of the visit start with little light available but there is always a member of the museum on hand to help. I would recommend going to this museum as it gives an fascinating insight into roman villa life.
