Quick answerRome is the capital and largest city of Italy, with 2,745,062 people inside the city limits in 2026. The wider metropolitan area had about 4.2 million people in 2026. It is best known for the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. Its official language is Italian, and its currency is the Euro.
Rome is the capital and largest city of Italy, with 2,745,062 people (2026) and about 4.2 million in the metropolitan city. It stands on the River Tiber and is home to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon.
Key facts
| Country | Italy |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 2,745,062 (2026) |
| Population (metro) | 4,224,901 (2026) · Metropolitan City of Rome (ISTAT, 2026) |
| Elevation | 21 m above sea level |
| Time zone | Europe/Rome |
| Language | Italian |
| Currency | Euro (EUR, €) |
| Coordinates | 41.89333° N, 12.48278° E |
Overview
Rome is the capital and largest city of Italy, with 2,745,062 people in 2026 and about 4.2 million in the wider metropolitan city. It stands on the River Tiber in central Italy, about 25 kilometres inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Rome is also the capital of the Lazio region, and the tiny state of Vatican City lies entirely inside the city.
Rome was founded, by tradition, in 753 BC, and grew into the capital of the Roman Empire, which ruled the Mediterranean world for centuries. Its ancient heart holds the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and the Baths of Caracalla, while the Vatican holds St Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today Rome is Italy's political and cultural capital, home to the national government, the headquarters of many companies and the Sapienza, one of Europe's oldest universities. The city is also famous for its food, its piazzas and fountains — above all the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps — and for the evening stroll, the passeggiata, along its streets.
What Rome is known for
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Pantheon
- Vatican City
- Trevi Fountain
- Italian cuisine
Landmarks
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
- St Peter's Basilica
- Vatican Museums
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Rome?
About 2.7 million people live inside the Rome city limits (2,745,062 in 2026). The wider metropolitan city had 4,224,901 people in 2026, according to ISTAT. That makes Rome by far the largest city in Italy, ahead of Milan and Naples.
What is Rome famous for?
Rome is famous for the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain, as well as St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums. It is also known as the heart of the ancient Roman Empire, as a centre of art and food, and as the Eternal City.
Where is Rome located?
Rome is in central Italy, on the River Tiber, about 25 kilometres inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital of Italy and of the Lazio region. Its coordinates are 41.89° N, 12.48° E, and its time zone is Central European Time.
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Keep exploring
- Italy — the country Rome is in
- Milan — another city in Italy
- Naples — another city in Italy
- Turin — another city in Italy
- All cities in Italy
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.