Not only the capital of Italy, Rome is also the home of the Catholic Church, the Vatican City and centuries and centuries of stunning history. The heritage of the city runs deep, more than 2,500 years of history inhabit this city, that was the founding home of one of the world’s most considerable forces, the Roman Empire; earning it the nickname ‘Caput mundi’ - Latin for ‘Capital of the World’.

Prepare for your senses to be overwhelmed as spirituality, divine architecture and a strong, powerful sense of purpose and history seeps into every facet of the city. Taking whole neighbourhoods on foot is often the best approach to see the real city, as intimate details and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it hidden gems are what this place is all about. As the transport system isn’t always as efficient as its English and Parisian contemporaries, largely thanks to the ancient narrow streets, and the weather is almost always good, take the opportunity to hits the streets with a map in hand, as the winding streets frequently feature aromatic pizzerias and bustling cafeterias.

Undoubtedly the key to experiencing Rome is to experience its museums. Though the city is often referred to as a museum in itself, the unwritten highlight may well be the Galleria Borghese, proudly seated in the corner of Villa Borghese Park, whose 17th century concourse takes you through baroque, Renaissance and more. Bringing art into the 20th century, the Giorgio de Chirico House-Museum is the house which de Chirico lived in for 30 years until he died in 1978, leaving behind a lifetime’s legacy of classically-inspired surrealism, and also a splendid view over the Piazza di Spagna.

Some sights simply must be seen ‘when in Rome’. The omnipresent Colosseum, which was the largest of its kind during the Roman Empire, is a must-do. As is the Vatican City and Vatican Museum. Entering the ‘Holy See’ through St Peter’s Square, this micro-state and accompanying museum define the very heart of Rome, and is also the single largest museum in the world.

Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the rich flavours on offer across the city by touring round the many piazzas on foot. Heading south from Piazza Navona, you’ll find the superb open-air dining and people watching opportunities of Campo dei Fior. Enjoy the aroma of the flower markets here before heading to the Piazza Farnese, adorned with its twin fountains and palace. From here the bridge at Ponte Sisto gives unmatched views along the Tiber, with St Peter’s Basilica in the north.

After the architecture and art, the highlight of Rome has to be the readily available cuisine. Some of the finest flavours can be found by the roadside and down unassuming alleys, so don’t be picky - follow your nose. Stand-up pizzerias are popular places to snack, though in the evening pasta and more traditional Italian dishes should be on your menu. Likewise, there are many Rome hotels to pick from, with tourist information centres often having the best local information.

Jonathan Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.