Legend has it that Rome was founded by two mythical twins, Romulus and Remus, who were abandoned in the River Tiber and raised by a wolf. Not that we’re saying we don’t believe that, but it seems a little far-fetched to us.

We can officially reveal, though, after extensive research, that the city wasn’t built in a day.

The city has stood here for nearly 3,000 years, and for a long time was known as ‘caput mundi’, or ‘the capital of the world’, at the centre of the great Roman Empire. For over a thousand years it was the largest and wealthiest city in the world, and it retains its importance today as the capital city of Italy, and is home to nearly 4 million inhabitants.

When it comes to history, few cities do it better than Rome, and you’re literally falling over ancient architecture wherever you go. Fortunately for the modern tourist, most of the surviving monuments from the glory days of the Roman Empire are in a relatively small and walkable area, known as the Centro Storico (Historic Centre).

These include the Colosseum (pictured at night, above), the Pantheon and the Roman Forum, which will be on most people’s sightseeing list. Along with these, the likes of the renaissance architecture of the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps (below), which will doubtless prove a popular meeting point for fans, show that history jumps out at you from every point in this city. And we've not even mentioned the Vatican yet.

The Colosseum ruins are one of the most striking landmarks in the city. Building initially began in AD 72, so the fact that so much of it is still standing is a testament to the Roman construction industry. It was the largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire, and the massive structure could seat more than the current Stadio Olimpico in its heyday (around 80,000). Admission to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and nearby Arch of Constantine should cost around €8.

The Pantheon, in contrast to the Colosseum, is incredibly well-preserved (arguably the best-preserved Roman monument in the city). The original temple was constructed in 27 BC, and its dome is particularly impressive. Admission is free.

The Piazza di Spagna is a particularly attractive square, which will almost certainly serve as a main meeting point for fans during the day of the game. The Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinitá dei Monti to give them their full Italian title) are a great place to take in the afternoon sun. The streets around are liberally dotted with various tourist-related shops, but the Via Condotti is an exception - it's one of the more up-market shopping streets in Rome.

The Trevi Fountain (above) offers one of Rome's great traditions - legend has it that if you stand with your back to the fountain and throw in a coin over your shoulder that it'll assure you of a safe return to Rome. If you lob two coins in, apparently you are granted a wish. Try your best not to take out a local with an errant throw while you're there, though!

If you wanted to visit every church in Rome, it'd take you over two years if you were to visit one a day (there's around 900 of them!) We won't advocate you spending all your time trotting round trying to mark them all off your list, but if you are going to go to one then it has to be the stunning St Peter's Basilica (San Pietro) in the Vatican. It's the largest cathedral in the world, and will likely leave you awestruck, even if you're not of the Catholic faith. Admission is free, but it's always busy.

Did you know that The Vatican is officially the world’s smallest country (with an area of 0.2 square miles), after Mussolini granted the Pope soverignty over the state in 1929? No? Well you do now. 

The above, of course, only scratches at the surface of what to do in Rome. If you're spending some time in the city and aren't just jetting in and out for the match, then we'd recommend having a quick look at some guides to the city for some more in-depth information. For instance, Lonely Planet are always good value. Even the Daily Mirror have produced a guide.