Destination
Type of Activity
Editors Pick
Read MoreAra Pacis
Richard Meier has left his mark on Rome with the museum surrounding the Ara Pacis. The first new structure to rise in the city center in seventy years, it is an essay in mediocrity (he had to compromise his plans...
Read MoreAuditorium Parco della Musica
Renzo Piano’s design for the city’s auditorium was just as fraught with controversy as Richard Meier’s Ara Pacis, but the final result was more successful. The building was scheduled to open in time for the Jubilee Year of 2000, but...
Read MoreBasilica di Sant’Agostino
Not far from the Piazza Navona, this is one of the first Roman Renaissance churches. While its exterior is simple—architect Giacomo di Pietrasanta built the façade with marble taken from the Coliseum church contains the Madonna di Loreto (“Madonna of...
Photo by Thermen von SudenRead MoreBaths of Caracalla
Located a short distance from the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, which were built in the early 3rd century AD, were among the Empire’s largest public bathing complexes. The surviving brick walls, some measuring 90 feet in height, were clad...
Photo by JoaRead MoreCastel Sant’Angelo
The Castel Sant’Angelo, otherwise known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, was originally constructed as a tomb for the Roman emperor and his family. After years of looting and pillaging by the Goths, the structure was rebuilt in the 14th century...
Read MoreChiesa Nuova
Between Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori, don’t miss this Baroque church, housing Barocci’s stunning painting Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple. Adjacent, Casa dei Filippini includes an oratory designed by Francesco Borromini.
Photo by Katie Stewart, courtesy IndagareRead MoreColosseum
Constructed between 70 and 80 AD, the Colosseum is one of the most magnificent ancient structures still-standing in Europe and an iconic symbol of imperial Rome and its breakthrough achievements in architecture and engineering. With seating capacity of close to...
Read MoreDay Trip: Beaches
Recommends Indagare insider Alberto Moncada, the owner of boutique hotels Margutta 54 and Babuino 181:
Read MoreDay Trip: FICO World Eataly
A half-day train ride away from Rome, in Bologna, Eataly World features 25 restaurants and food stalls serving everything from cacio e pepe to pizza napoletana, cooking workshops and 108,000 square feet of orchards, pastures and gardens that contain home-grown...
Villa d'Este, photo by Abby Sandman, courtesy IndagareRead MoreDay Trip: Tivoli
Says Indagare insider Alberto Moncada, the owner of boutique hotels Margutta 54 and Babuino 181:
Photo by Jolie Goodson, courtesy IndagareRead MoreFendi Boutique and Fur Atelier
As one of Rome’s leading heritage brands, the design and architecture of Fendi’s flagship boutique elevates a visit to more than just a shopping trip. Architect Gwenael Nicolas reimagined the 17th century Palazzo Fendi with contemporary interiors and a tightly...
Photo by Jen Barr, courtesy IndagareRead MoreFontana di Trevi
This massive Baroque fountain, which rises higher than 85 feet, has been featured in many films and draws crowds of tourists. Reportedly some €3,000 worth of coins are tossed into its turquoise water every day (if you come early in...
Photo by Jolie Goodson, courtesy IndagareRead MoreForum & Galleria Colonna Tour
View the sprawling Roman Forum from high above the ruins and then take a private tour of Palazzo Colonna, still the residence of one of Rome’s oldest families. The highlight of this tour is the opening of the massive church...
Read MoreGalleria Borghese
Most of Rome may seem filled with private palaces and villas whose doors remained closed to visitors, but the Galleria Borghese gives access to the city’s finest collection of Baroque art. Built in 1613, the gallery was designed to house...
Read MoreGalleria Doria Pamphilj
While many of Rome’s palaces have been turned into public museums, Galleria Doria Pamphilj remained private, and Prince Jonathon Doria, who lives there, graciously receives visitors. His private museum, which includes two works by Caravaggio and Velasquez’s famous portrait of Pope...
Read MoreGianicolo
The highest of the city’s hills offers fabulous views. Active types can tackle a walk that kicks off in Trastevere, snakes up Via Garibaldi and through Piazza Garibaldi before descending towards the Vatican, with spectacular views along the way. Make...
Read MoreGladiator School for Kids
Nothing brings Roman history to life like this school, which lets kids experience the life of a gladiator. Private trainers share the secrets of imperial Rome’s gladiator games, and there are lessons in hand-to-hand combat, taught on the ancient Appian...
Read MoreMACRO Testaccio
Located in a former slaughterhouse, in the neighborhood of Testaccio, this outpost of Rome’s contemporary art museum houses temporary exhibitions that include everything from installation, video art, photography and sculpture. It’s particularly fun to visit during opening night vernisage when...
Read MoreMaxxi
Zaha Hadid’s contemporary art museum was years in the making and opened in the Flaminio district north of the center in 2009. It’s a destination for serious art and architecture aficionados (and/or repeat visitors), as it requires a fifteen-minute taxi...
Photo by Sydney Lapin, courtesy IndagareRead MoreMusei Capitolini
The Capitoline Museums are a group of art and archeological museums located on top of Capitoline Hill in the Piazza del Campidoglio. The architectural plan for the space was conceived by Michelangelo in 1536 and executed over the course of...
Photo by Marie Lan NguyenRead MoreOstia Antica
Located a 25-minute train ride from Rome’s Lido Station, Ostia Antica is a vast archeological park composed of bath houses, city blocks, business complexes and entertainment spaces. Founded around the 4th century BC, the ancient city of Ostia was a...
Read MorePalatine Hill / The Forum
After touring the Colosseum, walk to the Forum and enter the Palatine, the archeological birthplace of Rome, through the “back entrance” on Via di SanGregorio. Ancient highlights not to miss on the Forum include the Arch of Constantine, the Basilica of...
Read MorePalazza Colonna
Says Indagare insider Alberto Moncada, the owner of boutique hotel Babuino 181:
Courtesy LalupaRead MorePalazzo Corsini
Says Indagare insider Alberto Moncada, the owner of boutique hotel Babuino 181:
Photo by Jen Barr, courtesy IndagareRead MorePantheon
Roughly 2,000 years old, the Pantheon is arguably the most well-preserved ancient building in all of Rome; its columned facade and massive 141-foot dome (the radius of which equals its height) have remained intact since its completion by Emperor Hadrian...
Photo by Sydney Lapin, courtesy IndagareRead MorePiazza Navona
Tourist hordes and bad restaurants somewhat diminish the visitor’s experience, but seek out Bernini’s incredible Fountain of the Four Rivers, with its obelisk at the center of the piazza. The four rivers represented are the Nile, Danube, Ganges and Plate.
Couresty M ArosRead MoreSan Luigi dei Francesi
San Luigi dei Francesi, the national French church of Rome, was built during the Renaissance in honor of the Virgin Mary and St. Louis IX, the then King of France. The most famous attraction in the church is Caravaggio’s “St....
Read MoreSanta Maria del Popolo
This glorious church contains two Caravaggio paintings: Crucifixion of Saint Peter and Conversion of Saint Paul, as well as sculptures by Raphael and Bernini and a chapel by Pinturicchio.
Read MoreVatican City
Vatican City is not just the center of the Catholic Church, it’s a country unto itself. There are dozens of museums, galleries and, of course, the definitive church, St. Peter’s Basilica, on its 109 acres. You will need appointments to...
Courtesy IndagareRead MoreVatican Museums
The Vatican Pinacoteca (“Art Gallery”) was founded by Pope Pius VI in 1797 and has been housed in its present space (commissioned by Pope Pius XI) since 1932. With 460 paintings distributed throughout the gallery’s eighteen rooms, the Vatican Pinacoteca...
Photo by Jolie Goodson, courtesy IndagareRead MoreVespa Tour
Do as the Romans do and see the iconic Eternal City sites from the back of a Vespa. The tour can begin at your hotel (or any other convenient location) with some historical stops, photo-ops and history lessons included along...
Read MoreVilla Borghese
In Italian, the word “villa” refers to a country estate (not just a single building), so the “Villa Borghese” is actually the entire 148-acre park surrounding the palazzo that houses the Galleria Borghese. It’s a beautiful leafy enclave in the...
Read MoreVilla Farnesina
This stunning Renaissance villa is located in Trastevere and worth a visit thanks to glorious interiors with frescoes, including ones by Raphael. It was built in the early 16th century for Sienese merchant Agostino Chigi who was known all over...
