Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, Italy

A far less crowded site than the nearby Vatican City during the height of tourist season, it is a great reprieve from the sun, offering shade, history, and some light provisions on top. Not to mention the 360 views of Rome, including the Tiber River and Vatican City.

This monumental structure was once the tallest building in Rome. Angels line the bridge leading visitors to the fort and the Archangel Michael sits on top of the building. The Castel Sant'Angelo or Mausoleum of Hadrian was built around 140 AD, commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as mausoleum for himself and his family. The structure has been used as a fortress, a castle, and is now a museum, now officially called  "Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo".

RECOMMENDATIONS

Travel
Closest metro stop is Lepanto.
Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma, Italy
Coordinates: 41.9031° N, 12.4663° E

Cost & Admission
Adult - € 13,00
Reduced - € 6,50

Hours: 9:00 am - 7:30 pm
Last entrance one hour before closing.

Food
Food and snacks on site.

Activities
Walking, exploring a historic site.
*Bonus, Bird's-eye view!

Tips
Tickets are easy to purchase on sit so no worries. It's popularity pales in comparison to other sites like the nearby Vatican City. Even during height tourist season, it wasn't too crowded. There is an open air cafe on the top floors that offers a great view of Vatican City. Do stop and take a picture or take a rest if you please.