In a year of visits, you might only make a significant dent (at best) in everything there is to see here. Still, it’s possible to get a real feel for the culture of the Eternal City – and the world – through a cross-section of the best ones, with a museum for every age and mood. From walks among ruins in the Roman sunshine to explorations in opulent, art-filled villas, here is our guide to the city’s most vaunted – and underrated – treasures.

Vatican Museums: Rome’s most unmissable

Visiting the Vatican Museums is thrilling, unforgettable and a true must for any traveler to Rome. Highlights include the spectacular collection of classical statuary, a suite of rooms frescoed by Raphael and the Michelangelo-decorated Sistine Chapel – which does live up to the hype. Don’t forget that you can tour the opulent gardens, too.