You must experience this on your first trip to Rome

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Do you dream of experiencing culture and millennia-old history? Then you probably won't miss the "Eternal City" Rome. Here you will find countless iconic sights, old buildings and stories that stretch back further than you can imagine. Whether you travel alone or with a partner is practically secondary, because once you move around the streets, you will forget everything else around you. Therefore, here you will get some tips on what you should experience and how to move safely around the city. Write it down so that you can carefree fall in poles across town.

What should you see?

Rome was once the center of a mighty Roman Empire, but certainly hasn't lost its charm over time. On the contrary, it ages like a fine Italian wine. You can clearly feel the rich history when, for example, you stand and look out over the Colosseum. The violent past shines through and somehow enchants the viewer. So it's no secret that you can't visit Rome without also visiting the Colosseum. But at the same time there are so many other sights that are definitely worth a visit.

One thing you should be aware of is that the queues for the most popular attractions can be long. So before you leave, it's an idea to plan what you want to visit or which attractions you prioritize the most, and for example buy Peter's Basilica tickets online in advance. Or you can take part in guided tours where the planning is done for you.

Peter's Church

In the Vatican City in Rome lies the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica, which is the center of the Roman Catholic Church. Here you can see Michelangelo's famous Pieta sculpture and the beautiful dome that he decorated. You also have to see the view of St. Peter's Square from the top of the dome, even though the trip up there consists of 551 steps. So make sure you have good footwear on, plenty of petrol for the rye bread engine and get over the toilet visit beforehand. You can buy tickets and get to the front of the queue. But if you are willing to wait, the entrance is free.

Colosseum

Do you want to feel the excitement the Romans felt back then Colosseum was home to the very big events and fights between the gladiators, you must not miss this place. This iconic amphitheater could accommodate up to 80.000 spectators, and is today a must-see for all tourists. Once you stand in there, you really experience how small the gladiators must have felt and how rough it must have been. Walk around the arena where they fought and the events took place and feel how the atmosphere fills the mind and fascinates at the same time.

The Spanish stairs

This monument of a staircase is one of Rome's most visited staircases. It was designed by Alessandro Specchi and Francesco De Sanctis and was built way back in 1723-1725. Before then, there was just a dull muddy path up to the otherwise beautiful church. So kick up your socks and climb the 138 steps that connect the Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the stairs with the Trinità dei Monti church on the Pincio hill. From here you have a fantastic view over Rome. So take the time to relax on the steps while greeting other happy tourists passing by. Or cool down in the heat with an ice cream from one of the many cafes in the area.

The Vatican Museums

Last but certainly not least there is The Vatican Museums. This actually consists of several separate collections and museums, which contain over 70.000 works of art from ancient sculptures to Renaissance paintings. The museums also consist of 2000 different rooms and galleries with old and new works. So it goes without saying that it's going to take forever to see it all. But if you have the time, you shouldn't hold back, because the art collections take you through masterpieces by artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio. Not only that, you will also find extensive collections of Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, Christian relics and historical documents.

Move safely around the city

In general, Rome is a safe city to move around in. But of course it is always a good idea to pay extra attention to your surroundings and take your precautions, when you are in a new and foreign place, because you never know. So therefore you should avoid walking around with excessively large sums of money in your pockets and rather use cards where possible. Check whether you can use your credit card abroad before you leave.

Also, take good care of your belongings when visiting the busier tourist areas. Good enough, the inhabitants seem friendly, but you never know what kind of tourists you'll bump into. However, that shouldn't stop you from visiting the popular sights. You should just take care of yourself like you would take care of yourself on any other vacation. And if you want to be on the safe side, you can learn a few Italian phrases, which are good to know if you get lost, need help or end up in an emergency.

If you follow the general safety tips, plan your trip well in advance and book tickets to the popular attractions, you should probably get a lot out of your first trip to Rome. It will certainly be an experience filled with memories that will not just let go of its hold again.