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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 30 May, 2022
Expert travel writer: Rebecca Winke

Founded in 1471, the Capitoline Museums consist of three buildings packed with ancient Roman, Greek and Egyptian statues. Not to be missed are the original gilded equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, the copy of the sexy Capitoline Venus and Aphrodite of Cnidus, Bernini’s Head of Medusa and the Capitoline Wolf.

Capitoline Hill

Once the site of the Temple of Jupiter, Michelangelo redesigned the Capitol’s steps (the cordonata), the Palazzo Senatorio (City Hall), the palazzi housing the Capitoline Museums and the geometric flooring of the Piazza del Campidoglio.

Statue of Marcus Aurelius

In the Piazza del Campidoglio you’ll find the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. Emperor from 121-180AD, he was the last of Rome’s ‘five great emperors’: respected, benevolent and moderate dictators under whose rule the Empire thrived. The Empire’s decline began with Aurelius’ death and the succession by Aurelius’ son, the neurotic Commodus.

Capitoline Wolf

Look out for this ancient Roman bronze statue of a she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, the traditional founders of the city and empire of Rome. The she-wolf is commonly used as the symbol of Rome.

Price from: £12
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The nearest metro station is Colosseo. From there, it’s a 10 to 15 minute walk up Via dei Fori Imperiali.

Tickets can be bought online, or at the ticket office when you arrive. Guided tours are only for groups of five to 25 people, but audio guides are available for a small fee in multiple languages. You can also download a museum app on the IOS and Android stores.

After you’ve had your art fix, pop up to the Caffarelli Terrace, where the Capitoline Museum Cafeteria is open daily. Enjoy a spectacular view of Rome as you enjoy a snack or well-earned espresso.

When to do it

The museums are open all year round seven days a week.

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Inn at the Roman Forum

Rome, Lazio, Italy[0.5 miles]

An intimate luxury hotel secluded on a quiet street, just above the heart of ancient Rome, with a delightful rooftop garden.

Official star rating:

Hotel Chapter Roma

Rome, Lazio, Italy[0.6 miles]

Sophisticated yet approachable, this boutique hotel offers edgy Roman street art, a hip cocktail bar-cum-co-working space, and an enviable central location a stroll away from Rome’s A-list sights.

Official star rating:

Hotel Santa Maria

Rome, Lazio, Italy[1.1 miles]

A peaceful, family-oriented hotel in a 17th-century convent, close to the main sights of Rome, and in the heart of buzzing Trastevere.

Official star rating:

Hotel Palazzo Manfredi

Rome, Lazio, Italy[1.1 miles]

An elegant, centrally-located hotel in a Renaissance palace, with the most spectacular Colosseum views in Rome.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Rome

Lazio, Italy

The Eternal City – 2,000 extraordinary years of glory, greatness and triumph – and decadence, murder and destruction – evidenced by some of the world’s most iconic, must-see monuments and museums.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Roman Forum

Rome, Lazio, Italy[0.2 miles]

An archaeological treasure map packed with Rome’s most ancient shrines, temples, and landmarks – the Forum was the heart, soul and nerve centre of the ancient Roman Empire.

Best for ages: 18+ | £15

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Overview >

Palatine Hill

Rome, Lazio, Italy[0.6 miles]

A mythic hill, once home to sumptuous imperial palaces including the House of Tiberius, Temple of Cybele, Nero’s revolving dining room and the Domus Flavia. Also go for the views over the Circus Maximus.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Doria Pamphilj Gallery

Rome, Lazio, Italy[0.6 miles]

A lavish treasure-filled palazzo housing paintings and furniture assembled since the 16th century by the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi and Aldobrandini families. Rome’s most impressive private art collection also includes works by Titian, Guercino, and Caravaggio.

Best for ages: 18+ | £10

The Pantheon of Rome

Rome, Lazio, Italy[0.8 miles]

A superbly preserved Roman shrine under an astonishing 43m dome, housing the tomb of Raphael. The Pantheon was originally a temple to the Gods, rebuilt by Hadrian in AD 118.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II
Experience

National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II

Rome, Lazio, Italy[0.2 miles]

Adjacent to Capitoline Hill, this enormous, gleaming white marble was built in 1935 to honour the first king of Italy. It houses the Museum of Reunification, and Italy’s Tomb of the unknown soldier.

Best for ages: 18+ | £6

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Imperial Fora

Rome, Lazio, Italy[0.3 miles]

This tremendous series of squares (fora) were among the greatest works of the Romans. Trajan’s includes library, Trajan’s Column and the well-preserved Trajan’s Market – the ‘world’s first shopping mall’.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Ponte Fabricio, the oldest bridge in Rome over the Tiber River
Experience

Ponte Fabricio

Rome, Lazio, Italy[0.4 miles]

Spanning the Tiber from Campus Martius to Tiber Island, this is the oldest bridge in Rome. Commissioned by Lucius Fabricius, then curator of roads, it has been in constant use since its construction in 62 BC.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Jewish Ghetto

Rome, Lazio, Italy[0.5 miles]

Stroll around Europe’s most engaging and intriguing Jewish quarter – learn about its tragic past, and sample some of the best food in the city.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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