No visit to Rome is complete without having seen its magnificent Colosseum, a vast amphitheatre with seating for 55,000 that was designed as a horse racing circuit and arena for animal fighting and gladiatorial battles. Upon its completion, spectacular 100-day celebrations were organized as part of the opening ceremony in 72 AD. Its name is believed to come from Nero's enormous statue of Colossus that stood close by. Admission: EUR5.16; EU citizens under 18 and over 60 free; EU citizens 18-24 EUR2.50. Guided and audio tours available at additional charge.
Attraction Type: Things to do

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Galleria Borghese

This collection is housed in a building constructed in 1613 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, one of Bernini's greatest patrons. In fact, this great sculptor has exhibited some of his most famous sculptures here; amongst them is the renowned 'Apollo and Daphne.' When one thinks of the Museo Borghese, the sculpture that immediately springs to mind is Canova's 'Pauline Borghese,' in which she poses as Venus, wearing just a drape around her midriff. There are six major pieces by Caravaggio in the Galleria, including 'The boy with a basket of fruit' and the 'Madonna della Serpe.' Titian is also represented with 'Sacred and Profane Love,' Rafael with 'The Deposition,' and there are important works by Correggio. The gallery can only hold 300 visitors at a time, so it is advisable to book in advance. There is limited wheelchair access.
Attraction Type: Museums and Art Galleries

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Pantheon

Commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, restored by Domitian, and subsequently rebuilt by Hadrian (who added the dome) before being turned into a church in the early 7th century by Pope Boniface IV. The building's sole source of light is the opening at the dome's apex (the oculus); according to popular legend, this formed the base for the bronze pinecone that is now in the Vatican's 'Pigna' courtyard, where it is used as a fountain. Many famous Italians are buried in the Pantheon, including Renaissance painter Raphael and King Vittorio Emanuele I.
Attraction Type: Religious Buil

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Villa Adriana

This extraordinary villa was built for Emperor Hadrian in 118 A.D. It was vast and included full-scale reproductions of Egyptian and Greek buildings, much loved by Hadrian. The palace had a series of rooms for guests, banqueting halls and libraries. Hadrian had theatres built, as well as libraries with many Greek and Latin texts, and baths, fountains and pools. Teatro Marittimo must have also been an incredible sight, a pool with an island in the centre reached by a drawbridge: apparently it was one of the emperor's favourite spots in which to indulge in his favourite pastimes, painting and architecture. Amongst the reproduced buildings, Hadrian had a Canopus made, a temple to the god Serapis, and statues were imported from Egypt for decoration. The villa fell into ruin after 700 A.D, when tribes of barbarians used it as a campsite. The art work reappeared much later in private collections, and in various European museums. The restored remains can be viewed amongst the trees, along with fragments of mosaics from the imperial palace.
Attraction Type: Things to do

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Porta del Popolo

Porta del Popolo was originally known as Porta Flaminia and opened onto the Via Flaminia. It was part of the Aurelian walls and was the most monumental of Rome's gateways. At one time the exterior was restored by Nanni di Baccio Bigio who was inspired by Titus's Arch. The interior was by Bernini who built it to mark the visit of Cristina of Sweden to Rome who had decided to convert to Catholicism. The gateway in the outer facade originally had only a single fornix decorated with columns supporting a Doric architrave and statues of St. Peter and St. Paul. The inner side of the gate was more richly decorated and bore the welcoming inscription to Cristina. The other two fornices were only opened in the gate at a later date 
 Attraction Type: Monuments and Landmarks