Rome is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With its abundance of ancient ruins, beautiful churches, and delicious food, it's easy to see why!

For me, I loved living my truest Eat, Pray, Love life.

If you are visiting Rome for the first time, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are my top 10 suggestions for what to do while you're there!

Grab Cappuccino from the Tram Depot

Kickstart your day at one of my favorite coffee shops in the world, the Tram Depot. The quaint outdoor seating alongside the hustle and bustle of the city provides a beautiful, contemplative juxtaposition to the world speeding by. I remember enjoying my cappuccino and croissant, people watching, and feeling recharged for the first time in days.

Visit the Trevi Fountain and the Underground Museum

Live your Lizzie McGuire dreams and toss a few coins in the iconic Trevi Fountain. While it is always hoarded with tourists, the archeological museum below it is truly a hidden gem.

The ancient aqueduct beneath the Trevi Fountain feeds the Trevi Fountain today. If you're interested in a little ancient history, you'll get a taste of what ancient Rome was like for the upper-class through well-preserved ruins and artifacts. The aqueduct was only discovered in the 90s', so it is still relatively new on the tourist radar.

Tour the Roman Forum

One of the things I wish I had done differently on my two trips to Rome was prioritizing the Roman Forum. I did not anticipate just how vast and incredible this space is. The Roman Forum served as the center of ancient Rome and is home to some of the most significant ruins in the city.

Please allow yourself just as much time, if not more, than what you are allowing yourself for the Colosseum. In all honesty, it was way cooler.

Visit the Colosseum

That being said, you should probably go to the Colosseum. The first time I went, I just looked at it from the outside. On my second trip to Rome, I went inside. Honestly, I don't know that visiting the inside is worth it. But it is an impressive feat of engineering and worth at least seeing from the outside.

Tour the Vatican Museum

I've gone to the Vatican Museum twice now, and I would honestly continue to go every time I am in Rome. It is incredible. From the Sistine Chapel to the Raphael Rooms to Michaelangelo's Pieta, there is so much incredible art and history to see.

One of my favorite elements of visiting the Vatican is how many different people there are from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. It's one of those few sites in the world that truly encompasses "world history." Plus, Vatican City is technically a country, so you can add it to your "country body count" if you're into that.

Take a Day Trip to the Ruins of Pompei

Pompei is an incredible site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. The city was destroyed by a volcano in 79 A.D. and remained buried until its rediscovery in the 16th century.

A visit to Pompei is a must for anyone interested in history or archaeology. The city provides an incredible insight into life in ancient Rome.

There are a number of ways to visit Pompei, but I would recommend taking a guided day trip from Rome. This way, you can avoid the lines and have more time to explore the site. However, if you're going in the middle of the summer, brings lots of water, umbrellas for shade, and sunscreen. I would suggest visiting Pompei in the off-season when it is not ungodly hot.

Take a Cooking Class

If you're interested in learning how to cook some authentic Italian food, there are a number of cooking classes available in Rome. I took a pasta-making class via Airbnb on my first trip, and it was a lot of fun. This class was in the charming suburbs of Frascati.

I love taking cooking classes on my travels because it's a great way to interact with locals, get a deeper insight into the country, and meet fellow travelers.

Don't be afraid of public transportation to get to experiences like this – the trains are incredible in Europe. Just don't trust the buses to come on time in Italy!

Explore the Pantheon

The best part of the Pantheon? It's free to visit! The Pantheon is one of the most well-preserved buildings from ancient Rome. It was originally built as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome.

The Pantheon is now a church, and it is definitely worth visiting. The interior is incredibly impressive, and the building itself is beautiful both inside and out.

Enjoy Gourmet Hot Chocolate at SAID dal 1923

If you're looking for a delicious treat, head to SAID dal 1923 for some of the best hot chocolate in Rome. This historic chocolate shop has been around since 1923, and I still dream about this shop years later. The hot chocolate is rich and thick, and they also have a wide selection of other sweets and chocolates to try.

Eat All the Food

Rome is an incredible food city, and there are so many amazing things to eat. From pizza and pasta to gelato and tiramisu, you will not be disappointed. Find a place away from the tourists, where the menus are not in English.

Top 10 Things to Do in Rome: A Guide for Visitors