The influence of the glorious history of the Capital makes this area rich in tourist attractions and destinations. Ancient traces of Roman roads, aqueducts and imperial residences are fascinating for fans of archaeology: those who want to retrace the trail of the Etruscans and Romans are offered one of the areas in the world most dense with historical remnants and sites.
To the north of the province of Rome lies the enchanting scenery of Lake Bracciano, with a rich aquatic fauna and flora surrounding the lake. 
The Orsini-Odescalchi Castle stands majestically in the heart of town and is described as one of the most beautiful feudal residences in Europe for being a combination of military structure and manor house and offering an impressive view on the lake below. Still in this area but towards the coast, the Etruscan necropolis of Banditaccia in Cerveteri is an example of ancient Etruscan funerary architecture which, given its characteristics, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Past the seaside resorts of Ladispoli, Fregene and Fiumicino one arrives at Ostia Lido, regarded as the local beach for Rome inhabitants; heading inland, in a green landscape, the excavations of Ostia Antica are what remains of the most ancient colony of Rome, a city with a port and link between the Tiber and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The museum conserves archaeological finds of inestimable value, found during excavations.
In the southern area of the province of Rome, the group of towns knowns as the Castelli Romani is a tourist destination with an ancient tradition where one can enjoy the charm of the high hill scenery, a mild climate, a genuine cuisine and also classical and medieval sites with works of artistic and historical relevance.
In Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the Popes on Lake Albano, one can visit the church of S. Thomas designed by Gian Luigi Bernini, while in Frascati, Villa Aldobrandini is the best known Renaissance residence of the Castelli Romani with its park, statues and fountains with water displays.
Back towards the east of the province of Rome, Tivoli is home to the famous Villa Adriana, Villa d'Este and Villa Gregoriana. Due to its size and the magnificence of the interiors, the first has the distinction of being the largest villa ever built in antiquity, on the orders of Emperor Hadrian. Villa d'Este comes to mind for its terraced garden in which are hidden fountains and water displays, while the charming Villa Gregoriana for the scintillating spectacle of the Cascata Grande (Great Falls), over 100 metres high.
And finally, Rome: the capital, caput mundi, the navel of the world, all roads lead to Rome... Over the course of time, many are the ways this wonderful city has been referred to. But to really know it, one has to to walk along its streets, experience the feeling one gets when catching glimpses of its alleys.
Piazza Venezia can be regarded as its central core with the unmistakable Vittoriano, monument dedicated to Vittorio Emanuele II, where on top of the steps is located the Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), in memory of the many soldiers fallen in the war who did not get a tomb with their name. Behind it is Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti with its three buildings and the statue of Marcus Aurelius in the middle. Here is where the Musei Capitolini (Capitoline Museums) are, which exhibit works that reflect the artistic and cultural changes of the city.
The Cordonata is a sloping road made of large stone elements, connecting like a staircase the Campidoglio to Piazza dell'Aracoeli, then leading to the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Aracoeli which houses works by important artists, including Pinturicchio and Donatello.
Major roads, whose names are reminders of stages of the city's history, branch off from the nearby Piazza Venezia. 
Via dei Fori Imperiali is one of them. Along the ancient route of the Empire, its original name, the Foro Romano on the right is the civic and economic heart of the city of Rome, with Trajan's Market on the opposite side. Along Via dei Fori Imperiali one can see in the distance the silhouette of one of the world's most famous monuments, the Colosseum, symbol of Rome.
Next to it is the Arco di Constantino (Arch of Constantine), perhaps the largest and best preserved in Rome and a veritable museum of Roman sculpture. Near there is the Palatino, one of the seven hills of Rome and one of the oldest parts of the city. It faces the Foro Romano on one side and the Circo Massimo on the other. From there, continuing along Viale Aventino, one arrives at the Piramide di Caio Cestio (Pyramid of Caius Cestius), a funerary monument inspired by the Egyptian style; turning right, towards the Tiber banks there are the Tempi del Foro Boario, the Tempio di Portuno and the Tempio di Ercole Vincitore, two of the most intact buildings of ancient Rome facing Piazza della Bocca della Verità.
The nearby Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, also recognizable for its Romanesque bell tower that rises from the roof, is visited by many tourists. Besides enjoying the beautiful interior, they take photographs in front of the Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth) placed in the porch. It's an ancient marble mask said to be the face of a faun which, according to legend will swallow the hand of those who lie.
Another road that branches off from Piazza Venezia is Via del Corso. Immediately to the left is Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, while on the right, on the Quirinal Hill, is located the homonymous palace, official seat of the President of the Republic. Along Via del Corso, nestled in the streets on the right, are Fontana di Trevi and Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps), famous for its Trinità dei Monti stairway.
Climbing the 135 steps that make up the stairway one reaches the Pincio, finding Villa Medici, the current headquarters of the French Academy in Rome and Villa Borghese, the third largest park in the city that contains the lake garden with the Tempio di Esculapio, Piazza di Siena and the Museo e Galleria Borghese, that marries the charm of the location with the beauty of its collections. From the panoramic terrace of the Pincio one can admire Piazza del Popolo below, and on the right side the Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo, which contains works by Caravaggio, Pinturicchio, Andrea Sansovino, Bramante, Raphael and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Along Via del Corso, past Piazza del Popolo and entering the nearby streets close to the Tiber banks, one can see the Ara Pacis, one of the most significant remnants of the Augustan age and symbol of the peace and prosperity achieved. Past the Piazza Montecitorio, where the homonymous palace is the seat of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic, and the adjacent Piazza Colonna, which takes its name from the Column of Marcus Aurelius, one arrives at the Pantheon, an ancient temple dedicated to all gods, today the shrine of the Kings of Italy and house to the tomb of the famous Raphael Sanzio. Not far away is the spectacular Piazza Navona with the famous Fontana dei Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) by Bernini.
Around this area are located churches and monuments of great importance, such as the Chiesa di Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza, a baroque masterpiece and mature work of Francesco Borromini; San Luigi dei Francesi, with masterpieces by Caravaggio; Palazzo Altemps, branch of the Museo Nazionale Romano, which displays historical collections of ancient sculpture; the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pace, with frescoes by Raphael and the beautiful Chiostro del Bramante (Cloister of Bramante). Behind Corso Vittorio Emanuele II are located Palazzo della Cancelleria, the Chiesa Nuova and Santa Maria in Varicella, striking for its magnificence and its sumptuous interior.
From here, once crossed Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, one reaches Campo de' Fiori where stands the statue of Giordano Bruno who was executed here; the adjacent piazza contains Palazzo Farnese, a splendid Renaissance building and headquarters of the French Embassy, and Palazzo Spada, dating back to the 16th century, with the incredible trompe-l’oeil perspective gallery by Francesco Borromini.
After walking down via Giulia, one arrives at the Tiber banks and, after crossing the Ponte Sisto (Sisto Bridge), one gets to the other side of the river. Taking Via della Lungara on the left, one reaches the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere with its characteristic mosaic on the façade and the Romanesque bell tower which contains a mosaic depicting the Madonna and Child. Continuing towards the Janiculum one reaches the Chiesa di S. Pietro in Montorio, located in a place with one of the best panoramic views of Rome, with its tempietto del Bramante and other art treasures.
Leaving Via della Lungara this time heading towards the right, one encounters the sixteenth century Villa Farnesina, in which frescoes by Raphael are displayed, including the celebrated Triumph of Galatea. Behind lies Palazzo Corsini, house to the botanical garden and the Galleria Nazionale di Arte Antica, which keeps among others, works by Beato Angelico, Rubens, Murillo, Luca Giordano.
Continuing towards Borgo S. Spirito we come to the Vatican City, the smallest country in the world in the heart of the capital with its magnificent Saint Peter's Basilica. One feels indescribable emotions when confronted with such magnificence and embraced by Bernini's famous colonnade: everyone should experience it in their own way, with the mind or heart, contemplating such beauty that never before human mind had been able to create.
Inside the walls surrounding the area, except for Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter's Square), are located the Vatican Museums, with works of great historical and artistic value, and the famous Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel). Along Via della Conciliazione toward the Lungotevere, one reaches Castel S. Angelo, ancient fortress modified several times in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, from where one can enjoy the view.
The three other patriarchal Basilicas of S. Giovanni in Laterano, S. Maria Maggiore e S. Paolo Fuori le Mura are also part of the Vatican State. 
The first is the mother of all churches of Rome and the world. In a nearby building is located the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) which, according to the Christian tradition, was used by Jesus to reach the place where he was interrogated by Pontius Pilate, before being crucified.
The splendid Basilica of San Clemente is located along the line that connects the Colosseum to the Laterano, with mosaics and frescoes of rare beauty also kept inside the minor basilica. The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, located on the colle Esquilino (Esquiline Hill) is the only one to have kept the original early Christian structure, albeit with subsequent additions.
Nearby is the Chiesa di S. Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains) where are kept the chains of Saint Peter and the Mosé, one of Michelangelo’s most famous sculptures. Finally, the Basilica di S. Paolo Fuori le Mura (St. Paul Outside the Walls), the second largest after that St. Peter’s, is located outside the historic centre, bordering a rather new area called Eur.
A route apart, the Christian Catacombs were burial sites at first, and then refuges for the celebration of the Eucharist during the Christian persecution. In Rome there are more than sixty catacombs: among the most important the catacombs of St. Agnese, Priscilla, Domitilla, S. Sebastiano and San Callisto.