Best historic in Rome

The iconic ancient amphitheatre, which once held up to 80,000 spectators for gladiator fights and staged battles. Pre-printed tickets let you skip the line, and climbing to the top tier gives an overall view of the arena and its underground chambers.

"The iconic ancient amphitheatre, which once held up to 80,000 spectators for gladiator fights and st"

A breathtaking ancient temple in the historic centre. It is worth passing by in the evening, and it can be visited inside.

"A breathtaking ancient temple in the historic centre. It is worth passing by in the evening, and it "

The heart of ancient Rome, just across the plaza from the Colosseum, with the ruins of many of the city's most important buildings. It is especially peaceful early in the morning, and you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring.

"The heart of ancient Rome, just across the plaza from the Colosseum, with the ruins of many of the c"

A short walk up from the Forum, this hill holds the remains of the imperial palace. It offers views over the Forum on one side and Circus Maximus on the other.

"A short walk up from the Forum, this hill holds the remains of the imperial palace. It offers views "

A giant ancient open-air stadium for chariot racing and public events that could hold up to 150,000 people. It is best viewed from the top of Palatine Hill.

"A giant ancient open-air stadium for chariot racing and public events that could hold up to 150,000 "

A notable site outside the central sightseeing area, easily reached by metro.

"A notable site outside the central sightseeing area, easily reached by metro."

An ancient Roman bath complex, one of the key sites of ancient Rome.

"An ancient Roman bath complex, one of the key sites of ancient Rome."

A 1st-century AD stadium where ancient Romans held games. Piazza Navona was built on its ruins.

"A 1st-century AD stadium where ancient Romans held games. Piazza Navona was built on its ruins."

One of the oldest temples in Rome, located in the Roman Forum. It dates back to the 6th century BC, and its surviving remains are from 42 BC.

"One of the oldest temples in Rome, located in the Roman Forum. It dates back to the 6th century BC, "

The 3rd-century defensive walls built by Emperor Aurelian. They show how much larger ancient Rome was than the Renaissance city.

"The 3rd-century defensive walls built by Emperor Aurelian. They show how much larger ancient Rome wa"

A triumphal arch marking one end of the Via Sacra, ancient Rome's main street. Its reliefs served as imperial propaganda celebrating military conquest.

"A triumphal arch marking one end of the Via Sacra, ancient Rome's main street. Its reliefs served as"

Rome's ancient gateway to the East still has its original paving stones and is lined with tombs of ancient big-shots. It is fun to explore on a rented bike.

"Rome's ancient gateway to the East still has its original paving stones and is lined with tombs of a"

Emperor Hadrian built this bridge in the 2nd century as part of the grand entranceway to his mausoleum. Its angel statues guide pilgrims across the Tiber toward the Vatican.

"Emperor Hadrian built this bridge in the 2nd century as part of the grand entranceway to his mausole"

The tomb of Emperor Augustus, passed on the way to Trastevere.

"The tomb of Emperor Augustus, passed on the way to Trastevere."

The Pyramid of Cestius is an ancient pyramid over 2,000 years old, built as the tomb of Gaius Cestius next to Porta San Paolo. Since 2015 it has been open to the public only on certain days.

"The Pyramid of Cestius is an ancient pyramid over 2,000 years old, built as the tomb of Gaius Cestiu"

A major city gate that sets one of Sixtus V's main axes. The street running from it to the Quirinal is lined with Baroque churches whose facades keep the continuity of the street wall.

"A major city gate that sets one of Sixtus V's main axes. The street running from it to the Quirinal "

A simple brick building in the Forum, once veneered with marble, where the Roman Senate met. The Senate set legal standards that still guide Western civilization.

"A simple brick building in the Forum, once veneered with marble, where the Roman Senate met. The Sen"

A triumphal arch at the other end of the Via Sacra. Its reliefs show how war and expansion were the business of the Roman state.

"A triumphal arch at the other end of the Via Sacra. Its reliefs show how war and expansion were the "

A modern transport hub where traffic roars around the excavated remains of some of Rome's oldest temples.

"A modern transport hub where traffic roars around the excavated remains of some of Rome's oldest tem"

A textbook example of continuous narration, with a 200-yard spiral relief winding to the top. It tells the story of Emperor Trajan's military victories at the empire's greatest extent.

"A textbook example of continuous narration, with a 200-yard spiral relief winding to the top. It tel"

A grand first-century BC tomb on the Appian Way built for the daughter-in-law of an extremely wealthy man.

"A grand first-century BC tomb on the Appian Way built for the daughter-in-law of an extremely wealth"

An ancient bridge once called Jews' Bridge, used by Jews and other foreigners to commute from Trastevere into central Rome.

"An ancient bridge once called Jews' Bridge, used by Jews and other foreigners to commute from Traste"

This triumphal arch stands next to the Colosseum. Its inscription bears the words 'inspired by the divine'.

"This triumphal arch stands next to the Colosseum. Its inscription bears the words 'inspired by the d"

Ancient imperial forum just across the street from the Roman Forum, recommended as a worthwhile add-on.

"Ancient imperial forum just across the street from the Roman Forum, recommended as a worthwhile add-"

Underground labyrinth just around the corner from the Trevi Fountain, with remains of a Roman house and part of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct. It offers insight into ancient Roman life and engineering.

"Underground labyrinth just around the corner from the Trevi Fountain, with remains of a Roman house "

Ancient public baths recommended for those who enjoy Roman bath complexes.

"Ancient public baths recommended for those who enjoy Roman bath complexes."