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They say: 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do' - but in a city filled with two millennia of history, there's much to do and even more to see. Among Rome's more renowned historic attractions are the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. The Vatican, locus of the Roman Catholic Church, lies within Rome's borders and alongside is the Sistine Chapel with its famously painted ceiling. Once the seat of the mightiest empire in existence, the culture of Rome has shaped the face of art, architecture, law, warfare, literature and language in the Western world today; in fact, some refer to Rome as the 'cradle of Western civilisation'.

Most of the historic sites are within walking distance of one another, and it is advisable to walk and take in the city's architecture while the frantic road traffic passes you by. Otherwise, a taxi or bus is the recommended means of travel. A bustling metropolis, Rome is constantly abuzz with tourists and locals; however, in the late summer, around August, a short holiday window sees locals heading out of the city and providing a little congestive relief.

As of 1 January 2011, the local authorities in Rome implemented a supplementary €1 'tourist tax' charged on all museum and monument entrance fees. All visitors who do not hold a valid Rome ID will be charged the extra fee. The revenue collected will be used on the maintenance and upkeep of the city's treasured sights. The same tax is added to hotel fees: tourists to the eternal city are required to pay a supplementary €2 per night for stays in three-star hotels, while an extra €3 per night is added to the bill of those staying in five-star hotels.

Trastevere

Separated from central Rome by the Tiber River, Trastevere is a picturesque medieval neighbourhood characterised by a quirky Bohemian atmosphere. Its narrow cobblestone streets are lined with overhanging flower boxes and washing lines and are home to numerous cafes, boutiques, pubs and restaurants. The... see full details

Capitoline Hill

Capitoline Hill was the original capitol of Ancient Rome and continues to serve as the seat of the city's government. The main feature of the area is Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio, a testimony to the superiority of Renaissance town planning. The piazza is bordered... see full details

Roman Forum (Foro Romano)

The site of Ancient Rome's commercial, political and religious centre rests in the valley between the Capitoline and Palatine hills. The Forum's main thoroughfare, Via Sacra, slices through the old market square and former civic centre. To make sense of the ruins and relics... see full details

$The Colosseum and Constantine\'s Arch by night$

The Colosseum

This enduring symbol of ancient Rome tenaciously clings to its foundations as the site of former gladiatorial conquests. Its architecture boasts an impressive array of Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns and an underground network of cells, corridors, ramps and elevators that were used to... see full details

Pantheon

The stately Pantheon is one of the world's most inspiring architectural designs. Fittingly built as a temple to the Gods by Hadrian in 120 AD, its perfectly proportioned floating dome rests seductively on sturdy marble columns. The only light source flowing through the central... see full details

The Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna

The graceful Spanish Steps, built in 1725, elegantly curve their way from the Piazza di Spagna to the Church of Santa Trinit dei Monti, a pastel-tinted neoclassical building. The shopper's paradise of Via Condotti leads back from the Spanish steps to Via del Corso,... see full details

Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)

The tiny Piazza di Trevi has been immortalised through this fountain, built for Pope Clement XII. Arguably the most famous and most beautiful fountain in all of Rome, the statues adorning this watery display represent Abundance, Agrippa, Salubrity, the Virgin and Neptune guided by... see full details

St Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)

The Basilica lies above the reputed site of St. Peter's tomb. It is an overwhelming interior, containing notable sculptures including Michelangelo's Pieta, which is protected by bullet-proof glass since the damaging attack on it in 1972. In the central aisle stands Arnolfo da Cambio's... see full details

The Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums

The Sistine Chapel's famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo looms above the frescoes on the side walls, painted by an illustrious team of artists that included Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Roselli, Pinturicchio, Signorelli and della Gatta. The altar wall is covered by Michelangelo's Last Supper, revealing the figure... see full details

Basilica di San Giovanni

The Basilica of St John Lateran was built in the 4th century by Constantine the Great and was the first church built in Rome. It is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, and as such ranks above all other Roman Catholic churches,... see full details

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