‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’ is a great quote for another day. If you are a tourist to Rome then you cannot do what the Romans do. They don’t go exploring the Colosseum or the Sistine Chapel or the Vatican. They don’t take a thousand photos of the Pantheon or go live on Instagram from Trevi Fountain! So when you plan to visit Rome, make sure you do it in your own unique ‘touristy’ way by checking off the following places on your list.

If you would wish to give Rome one symbol on its skyline then it would definitely be the marvellous legend that is the Colosseum. Even a first grader would recognise Rome from a picture of this monument. The landmark attracts millions of tourists every year and stands tall even after 2 millenniums. It is a circular structure that was built in the ancient time, during the Flavian dynasty’s reign, to serve as a venue for an amphitheatre and gladiator combats. You must make sure you do visit here and take a million photos!

While some may call the Roman Forum a collection of ruins, others believe it to be the focal point of ancient Rome as it was rightly meant to be. It was also addressed by its latin translation Forum Romanum and had in its wake governmental offices, markets and a teeming city centre. You would find temples here in the 4th Century AD and commercial setups later. The place developed again after 7th Century and saw its downfall later, leaving most of it in ruins today.

The Pantheon used to be a Roman Temple and was later converted into a church, with the advent of Christianity in the city. The structure dates back to 126 AD, built by Emperor Hadrian. It is the most well preserved ancient Roman monument in the city and once honoured Pagan gods. In fact ‘pantheon’ means ‘honour to all gods.’ It has a beautiful exterior and even more beautiful interior, with a hole in the dome ceiling above, from where the sun filters into the dark belly of the monument. This place is a magical time machine and you must visit it. At least once.

The Trevi Fountain has featured in some big budget Hollywood movies and classic love ballad novels. The Trevi Fountain has been this legendary place where all happy endings happen. So how can you miss it? The fountain is one of the most beloved places here, where people come to drop their pennies with their heart’s most desired wishes. Designed back in the 18th Century by Nicola Salvi, the fountain pulls water from the countryside and lets it gush over the beauty of white Travertine stones. Do take a detour here and throw in two coins - one for your wish, one so that you can return to Rome.

The Spanish Steps make for a beautiful transformation in Roman Squares, connecting the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti. The intricacy of its Baroque architecture lends it a unique charm and brings to life its ancient Roman heritage. They are 138 in number and are today a buzzing public place for locals as well as visitors to use for commute, as well as stand and take photos for their Instagram.

The St. Peter’s Basilica is a Papal centre of Christian faith, one of Vatican City’s prime spots to visit. The marvel that this is, it shows off the stunning Renaissance architecture and comes in the list of the largest churches of the world. You must make sure to see the dome designed by Michelangelo, the burial site of Saint Peter and the stunning ceilings of the church.

The Vatican City is one of the best places to visit in Rome. It is the smallest country in the world, and the seat of Roman Catholic Church. It is the home of the pope. There are some buildings and places where only Christians are allowed. You can visit the Sistine Chapel, the famous Raphael Rooms, St Peters Square, the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Scavi Necropolis. And the charming-looking guards in ancient Renaissance uniform are really not to be underestimated as they are the Swiss Guard from the Swiss Army, here to protect the Pope and his city.

Avoid skimpy clothes, off-shoulder tops or shorts as this is, at the end, a place of worship. And officials do bar people they think are not appropriately dressed.

How can you come to Rome and not enjoy one of its squares? The Piazza Navona is an iconic Square in this city, built on the ruins of the Stadium of Domitian. The Piazza has large beautiful fountains done in baroque and the Sant’Agnese in Agone church dating back to the 1600s. Most of the iconic structures here include the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Campo de' Fiori Market and the The Italian Senate. There are also some cool cafes and restaurants around serving up freshly made Roman (note: not Italian) food, local musicians playing on the streets and artists drawing portraits of you for a couple of euros.