Things to Do in Rome: A First-Timer's Guide

Sep 26, 2026By Polina Galkina

The best things to do in Rome on a first trip are in the old center: the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the view from Capitoline Hill, the Mouth of Truth, and long walks through side streets covered in ivy. I spent over a week exploring the city, and it got under my skin in a way I did not expect. It was actually hard to leave.

Funny enough, I never posted anything from that trip until recently, and going through the photos felt like reliving it all over again.

The plan at a glance

Ancient Rome: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, on one ticket
Capitoline Hill: the view over the Forum, and the Capitoline Museums
The Mouth of Truth at Santa Maria in Cosmedin
Beyond the center: the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

The Colosseum, in the rain

My first day in Rome already felt surreal: hot sun one minute, rain the next, and streets I had seen a hundred times, but only in photos. Then the Colosseum. The first time I saw it, it started pouring and everyone ran for cover. I did the opposite. I set up my tripod in the rain and just stood there, taking it in. These are not my best photos, but they might be some of my favorite.

Polina tilting her head back in front of the Colosseum on a rainy day

The arches of the Colosseum on a gray, rainy day in Rome

Book Colosseum tickets ahead, since entry is by timed reservation. The same ticket covers the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, so plan a full morning or afternoon for all three.

The Roman Forum and Capitoline Hill

The Roman Forum sits right beside the Colosseum, a valley of temples and columns that was once the center of the ancient city. The eight tall columns in my photos are what is left of the Temple of Saturn.

The columns of the Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum under a blue sky — Temple of Saturn, Roman Forum

Walk up Capitoline Hill for the view over the Forum from above. At the top of the ramped staircase stand the statues of Castor and Pollux with their horses, and around the square are the Capitoline Museums, one of the oldest public museums in the world. In one of their courtyards you will find Marforio, a giant marble river god.

Polina sitting on a wall above the Roman Forum — Looking over the Roman Forum

A statue of one of the Dioscuri with his horse at the top of the staircase to Capitoline Hill

Marforio, a marble statue of a reclining river god, in a courtyard of the Capitoline Museums

The Mouth of Truth

The Bocca della Verità is a stone face in the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Legend says it bites off the hand of anyone who tells a lie. It is a short walk from the Forum.

The Bocca della Verità, a round marble mask, in the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin — The Mouth of Truth

Saint Paul Outside the Walls

With more than a couple of days, take the metro to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome's four major papal basilicas. The gold mosaic on the facade and the courtyard of columns and palms are worth the trip, and it is far calmer than the sights in the center.

Polina walking between the tall columns of the portico at Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Wander the side streets

All I want from Italy is to eat something delicious, wander around aimlessly and dramatically stare at pretty buildings, and Rome is made for that. Ochre and terracotta walls, green shutters and ivy spilling over everything. Leave time to walk with no plan.

An ochre building with green shutters and climbing plants on a Rome side street

A terracotta building covered in ivy in Rome

A narrow Rome street with the Colosseum at the end of it

When to visit Rome

My first day was hot sun one minute and rain the next, so pack a light rain jacket along with good walking shoes. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for walking the city.

A Few Rome posts on Instagram and TikTok

Common questions

How many days do you need in Rome?

Three days covers the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill and a few churches. I spent over a week and still found new streets to wander.

Do you need to book the Colosseum in advance?

Yes. Entry is by timed ticket, and one ticket also covers the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

What is the Mouth of Truth in Rome?

The Bocca della Verità, a marble mask in the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Legend says it bites the hand of anyone who lies.

Is the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls worth visiting?

Yes, if you have time beyond the center. It is one of Rome's four major papal basilicas, with a gold mosaic facade and a courtyard of columns and palms, and the metro stops nearby.

Keep on roaming,

Polina