The mighty amphitheatre, with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill alongside on the same ticket. A guided or skip-the-line tour avoids hours in line.

Miles of treasures ending at Michelangelo’s ceiling. The queues are legendary — a timed skip-the-line ticket is a must, and early or late slots are calmest.

The vast heart of the Vatican — free to enter, with a paid climb up the dome for a stunning view over the square. Go early or book a guided entry to skip the security line.

The best-preserved building of ancient Rome, with its breathtaking domed ceiling and open oculus. Now ticketed, so book a timed entry to walk straight in.

Rome’s most famous fountain, dazzling day or night. Free to visit — toss a coin over your shoulder to ensure you’ll return. Go early to beat the crowds.

Walk among the ruins of the ancient city’s beating heart, then up Palatine Hill where the emperors lived. Included with most Colosseum tickets.

Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings in a beautiful villa and park. Entry is by timed reservation only, so book well ahead.

Cobbled lanes, ivy-clad houses and Rome’s best trattorias. An evening food and wine tour through Trastevere is one of the most memorable things to book.

The cylindrical fortress on the Tiber, once a papal refuge, with terraces that give one of the best views back to St Peter’s.

Bernini’s fountains, street artists and gelato — the loveliest of Rome’s squares, a short stroll from the Pantheon. Free to wander and people-watch.

Roll fresh pasta with a local chef and sit down to eat what you’ve made — a hands-on, hugely fun way to spend an afternoon or evening.

The ancient burial tunnels beneath the city and the original Roman road above — an atmospheric half-day away from the crowds, best on a guided tour.