Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.
I've been a tour guide in Rome for 16 years. Here are 5 tourist attractions that are worth it and 5 you can skip.
I've been a tour guide in Rome for 16 years. Here are 5 tourist attractions that are worth it and 5 you can skip.
Sarah May GrunwaldMay 29, 2024, 15:01 IST
I live and work as a tour guide in Rome. Paolo Gallo/Shutterstock
After 16 years of working as a tour guide in Rome, I've figured out the best attractions.
I always recommend visiting the Park of the Aqueducts and the Ostia Antica archeological site.
Rome is pretty crowded — the city welcomed a record-breaking 35 million tourists in 2023. Any gorgeous photos you see of breathtaking and empty piazzas were likely taken long before most people have woken up.
As a seasoned Roman tour guide for the past 16 years, I would never say certain attractions have no merit. But after years of interacting with travelers, I understand that people want alternatives.
Luckily, Rome has priceless art and artifacts around every corner.
Here are five popular attractions that are worth visiting, and five you might want to skip.
Advertisement
The Capitoline Museums offer plenty of art and archeological finds.
You can explore all kinds of history at the museums. Sarah May Grunwald
Don't miss the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano.
San Giovanni in Laterano is the oldest papal basilica in Rome. Takashi Images/Shutterstock
Advertisement
The Park of the Aqueducts is beautiful and full of history.
I love the beautiful vistas of the aqueducts. Sarah May Grunwald
There's incredible art in the Basilica of Sant’Agostino.
There are famous Caravaggio works in the church. Karl Allen Lugmayer/Shutterstock
Advertisement
A Roman vacation isn't complete without a trip to Ostia Antica.
There's so much to explore at the archeological site. Sarah May Grunwald
On the other hand, the Vatican Museums are overcrowded.
There are beautiful frescos in the museums, but no one gets a chance to really admire them.byggarn.se/Shutterstock
Advertisement
You can get a good view of the Colosseum without going inside.
It can be difficult to secure tickets for the Colosseum. Viacheslav Lopatin/Shutterstock
Walking the Appian Way might be a letdown.
There are usually a lot of bikers along the path.ValerioMei/Shutterstock
Advertisement
Everyone wants a photo in front of the Trevi Fountain — and that's the problem.
You can hardly see the fountain through the crowd of tourists on a busy day.Sarah May Grunwald
I wouldn't wait in line for the Mouth of Truth.
The popular artifact was likely just a drain cover. vrsasi/Shutterstock