Things To Do
Colosseum
The colosseum hours in October are 9am - 6:30 pm. The official site also offers “Colosseum underground” tours which includes a guided tour of the lower arena and underground tunnels. Night tours are also available. Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill These sites are within walking distance of each other and there are options for touring the three together. It is recommended to purchase the tickets from the official website in advance for these as well as for the Vatican and other popular areas. Tickets become available on the official site 60 days in advance and sell out fast. Third Party Sites including Get Your Guide and Viator offer “Skip the line tours” for these spots, but the line you are skipping is just the line for tickets so you can just skip this line by ordering from the official site. Third-party sites do offer their own guide if you’re interested, but guided tours and audio guides are also offered on the official website. 18€ euros for entry to all three.
Vatican City
The Vatican The Vatican tickets can be purchased in advance from the official site. You will see third-party skip-the-line tours on Get Your Guide and Viator; these sites charge more just skip the line to purchase tickets, so by booking in advance on the official site you are already skipping the line. Guided tours and audio guides are available on the website. The guided tours are about 20 euros. Tickets will become available 60 days before the ticket date - and they sell out fast so mark your calendars to purchase tickets! If your date is sold out on the official site, there will still be availability with guides on third-party sites for a little more. The Vatican, as well as other religious museums/ monuments in Rome, has a strict dress code. Entry will be denied for guests with bare shoulders, stomachs, or short shorts until a shawl or additional clothing is purchased so keep that in mind! The avg temperature in Rome in October is typically 58 - 72 F.
Circus Maximus
Is an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium and mass entertainment venue. It was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome and its later Empire. It measured 621 m (2,037 ft) in length and 118 m (387 ft) in width and could accommodate over 150,000 spectators. It is unfortunately mostly ruins and a big open field now. No tickets required.
Pantheon
A former roman temple originally built during the Reign of Augustus 27 - 14 BC. It burned down and the present building was ordered by emperor hadrian and dedicated ~ 126 AD. Tickets are required, but entry is free the first Sunday of the month - Oct 6. Tickets are 15 € with 30 minute audio guides.
Trajan Market
Thought to be the world's oldest shopping mall, the arcades in Trajan's Market are now believed by many to be administrative offices for Emperor Trajan. The shops and apartments were built in a multi-level structure and it is still possible to visit several of the levels. Highlights include delicate marble floors and the remains of a library. 15 € for Trajan Market and Imperial Forum Museum.
Aurelian Walls
Are a line of city walls built between 271 AD and 275 AD during the reign of the Roman Emperor Aurelian. The walls used to surround the ancient city and were built for protection. No ticket required.
Castel Sant'Angelo
The Mausoleum of Hadrian, also known as Castel Sant'Angelo is a towering rotunda (cylindrical building). It was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The popes later used the building as a fortress, castle and a prison. It is now a museum. The structure was once the tallest building in Rome. 14 € ticket to museum.
Baths of Caracalla
Were the city's second largest Roman public baths. The baths were likely built around 216/217 AD during the reigns of emperors Septimius Severus and Caracalla. They were in operation until the 530s AD and then fell into disuse and ruin. The building was heated by a hypocaust, a system of burning coal and wood underneath the ground to heat water provided by a dedicated aqueduct. The baths were free and open to the public. 10 € entry, 15 € with audio guide.
Teatro Marcello
Is an ancient open-air theater. locals and visitors alike were able to watch performances of drama and song. Now the upper floors are divided into multiple apartments, and its surroundings are used as a venue for small summer concerts. No ticket required.
Pyramid of Caius Cestius
Is a Roman Era pyramid. It was built as a tomb for Gaius Cestius, a member of the Epulones religious corporation. Due to its incorporation into the city's fortifications, it is today one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in Rome. No ticket required - viewed from outside.
Marcus Aurelius Column
A Roman victory column in Piazza Colonna. It is a Doric column featuring a spiral relief: it was built in honor of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. The Imperial Monument is dedicated to the former emperor of Rome and his war effort in the Barbarian wars of his reign as Caesar of Rome from 161-180 AD. No ticket required.
Ponte Fabricio
The oldest Roman bridge, still existing in its original state. It was built in 62 BC. No ticket required.
Capuchin Crypt
A small space consisting of several small chapels beneath the Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini (Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins.) It contains the skeletal remains of 3,700 bodies believed to be Capuchin friars buried by their order. This is about a 10 minute walk from the Trevi Fountain. Tickets 10 €. Other notable catacombs in Rome: Catacombs of Callixtus: Largest in Rome, no human remains on display. Catacombs of Priscilla: Contains the first ever fresco painting of the Virgin Mary. Offers evening tours. Catacombs of Saint Sebastian: originally a pagan burial site, then taken over by Christians. Said to be where apostles Peter and Paul are buried (but this part isn’t accessible). Catacombs of Domitilla: Said to be the oldest christian burial site. Recently restored with lasers, still contains human remains.
Florence
This is a 1.5 hour train ride 53€ each way. Some highlights in Florence include the beautiful Duomo, statue of David, and the Uffizi museum which contains the birth of Venus painting by Sandro Botticelli, among countless other priceless works.