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Rome   Travel Guide

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24 Best Things to Do in Rome

Take time to enjoy  la dolce vita  – even a week isn't long enough to experience everything Rome has to offer. From historic tours through ancient Rome to admiring art-filled institutions to climbing the Spanish Steps or  St. Peter's Basilica ,

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Colosseum (Colosseo) Colosseum (Colosseo)

U.S. News Insider Tip: A normal ticket includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (valid for 24 hours) and you can visit all three in one day. It doesn't include a visit to the Colosseum's underground tunnels. For that, you'll have to book a guided tour. – Laura Itzkowitz

The site of many bloody gladiatorial fights, the Colosseum, which was opened in A.D. 80, could then hold about 50,000 spectators. With a circumference of 573 yards and sitting on marshland, experts say the Colosseum is an engineering wonder… not to mention an animal and human rights atrocity. Not only were gladiators pitted against each other, but gladiators fighting animals and animal-on-animal fights were common as well. Today, it's considered one of the world's most famous landmarks .

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

U.S. News Insider Tip: The Vatican Museums contain some of the greatest artworks ever made, but it's also one of Rome's most crowded spots. Consider paying a bit extra to join an early morning tour before the museum opens or check for late opening hours. – Laura Itzkowitz

While Vatican City is home to both the Roman Catholic Church's governing body and its leader, the pope, this small nation within Rome offers a wealth of attractions open to visitors of any faith.

St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) free

The epicenter of Roman Catholicism, St. Peter's Basilica is centered in Vatican City and is renowned for its stunning architecture. What's more, it's open daily for free. (Though it's closed on Wednesday mornings for pope appearances.) Many visitors enjoy trekking to the top of the dome. For a fee of 8 euros (about $8.65), you can climb the 551 steps to the summit; for a fee of 10 euros (about $10.80), you can take an elevator to a terrace where you'll climb just 320. Regardless, you'll take in a panorama of Rome's spectacular landscape. If you've come hoping to catch a glimpse of the pope, you should consider attending the Wednesday General Audience, when he addresses the crowd in St. Peter's Square with prayers and songs. It's free to attend, but tickets are required ; you should request them well in advance of your visit. You'll also want to make sure he is in residence; check the Vatican website to view the schedule. No ticket is required to see the pope on Sundays, when he usually address the crowd in St. Peter's Square at noon.

Keep in mind that this is an active church with daily Mass services. Likewise, a stringent dress code is enforced: No short skirts, low-cut tops, hats or bare shoulders, and be sure to cover any tattoos. Because St. Peter's Basilica is one of the area's major attractions, there is almost always a long queue – though it tends to go fast. Recent travelers recommend you spring for a tour guide ; the depth of insight they bring to the basilica really makes the experience. For more information on tours, read our tips for visiting the Vatican and its attractions.

Popular Tours

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Roman Forum Roman Forum

Though it's not as popular as the  Colosseum  (but located nearby), the Roman Forum is more interesting, according to some reviewers. The Roman Forum comprises much of the Ancient Rome's most important structures, from shrines to government houses to monuments. Although much of the complex is in ruins, you can see the remains and imagine the former glory of the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus and the House of the Vestal Virgins, among other structures.

Recent travelers called a visit to the Roman Forum a "must," but they do advise future visitors to rent or stream an audio guide or sign up for one of the best Rome tours (according to reviewers, little is written on the informational plaques). Past visitors also suggest allotting plenty of time to see the ruins and wearing weather-appropriate attire as there is little to no shade at the site.  

Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) free

A must-see on many travelers' itineraries, the Trevi Fountain is situated amongst a high concentration of hotels , shopping and nightlife in the Trevi district. Finished in the mid-1700s, the Trevi is a powerful example of a baroque design with a distinctly mythological character. The god of the sea, Oceanus, emerges from the pool, flanked by his trusty Tritons. 

According to Roman lore, throwing one, two or three coins into the Trevi, with your right hand over your left shoulder ensures you'll return to Rome; you'll fall in love with an attractive Roman; and you'll marry that same Roman. An added bonus? The city collets the money tossed into the fountain and donates it to a local charity.

Pantheon Pantheon

U.S. News Insider Tip: After visiting the Pantheon, stop for an espresso at the historic Tazza d'Oro Caffè or walk a few blocks to the old-school gelateria, Giolitti, for a cone of the good stuff. – Laura Itzkowitz

The Pantheon, a former Roman temple and now a present-day church, is known for its perfect proportions, which is amazing, seeing as it was raised in A.D. 120. While you're there, you can also pay your respects to Raphael, as well as Italian kings Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I, who are all buried there.

Piazza Navona Piazza Navona free

U.S. News Insider Tip: To enjoy a coffee or Aperol spritz on the piazza, grab a table at Camillo, but if you want to eat, it's best to avoid the tourist trap restaurants on the piazza and explore the side streets instead. – Laura Itzkowitz

The centuries-old Piazza Navona is perhaps one of the best-known public squares in Rome. People sipping coffees while watching street performers and artists fill the square. Cafes abound, and there are a number of shops, too, although recent visitors said both tend to be expensive. You'll also find a number of impressive monuments, including one by Gian Lorenzo Bernini ( Fountain of the Four Rivers ) and another by Francesco Borromini (Sant'Agnese in Agone). 

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi free

Much like Piazza del Popolo , Piazza Navona 's centerpiece features an obelisk. However, in this case, the obelisk is surrounded by one of Bernini's masterpieces: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. The four figures at each corner of the statue are a personification of the four rivers best known to Europe in the 1600s. The rivers are the Ganges (Asia), the Danube (Europe), the Nile (Africa) and Río de la Plata (Americas). Animals, plants and other iconography help to further differentiate the four nudes.

Travelers invariably have high praise for the fountain's artistry, saying that it is a must-see.

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Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) free

U.S. News Insider Tip: During the era of the Grand Tour, the area around the Spanish Steps earned the nickname of the English Ghetto. Immerse yourself in the area's English past with a visit to the Keats-Shelley House or afternoon tea at Babington's. – Laura Itzkowitz

Found at the Piazza di Spagna, the Spanish Steps (which get their name from the nearby Embassy of Spain among the Holy See) are another must-do for many travelers. Here, visitors can tread the same stairs that writers and artists have climbed for centuries. The steps are especially alluring come spring when they're flanked by blooming azaleas.

Piazza del Popolo Piazza del Popolo free

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you want to do some people-watching on the piazza, skip the expensive and overrated Rosati and go to Canova across the piazza instead. It was frequented by famed filmmaker Federico Fellini, whose drawings decorate the halls inside. – Laura Itzkowitz

Piazza del Popolo is yet another Roman square where you can take in phenomenal architecture and magnificent sculpture. The square dates back to the mid-1500s and is the historic center of Rome. In fact, three major roads intersect here: Via di Ripetta, Via del Corso and Via del Babuino.

Galleria Borghese Galleria Borghese

U.S. News Insider Tip: Don't forget to purchase your timed ticket in advance. Afterward, spend some time strolling through the Villa Borghese park, which has attractions like a little lake, a replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and a few small museums. – Laura Itzkowitz

A favorite among travelers to Rome, the Galleria Borghese is half-villa/half-museum, and it has some resplendent gardens, too. Originally commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the 17th century to shelter his massive art collection, it's now considered one of the premier art galleries in the city. The villa's extravagant rooms, spread across two floors, are filled with famous works, including Canova's Venus Victrix, Bernini's sculptures David and Apollo and Daphne, and Caravaggio's "Boy with a Basket of Fruit" and "David with the Head of Goliath," among other masterpieces.

Campo de' Fiori Campo de' Fiori free

The Campo de' Fiori is worth visiting twice in a trip – once during the day for its bustling market, and again as the sun sets for its convivial nightlife. According to historians, the Campo de' Fiori looks much the same as it did in the early 1800s, except for the numerous pizzerias, cafes and gelaterias that line the periphery.

Recent travelers raved about the people-watching throughout the day; the fresh veggies and fruits at the market and the hopping bar scene at night. Some warned that the market is overrun with tourists and not the most authentic market experience in Rome. Even if you don't plan on eating or buying anything within the area, the architecture alone may be enough of a draw, as it was for some.

Church of St. Louis of the French Church of St. Louis of the French free

If you're a fan of Caravaggio, you'll want to visit the San Luigi dei Francesi, or the Church of St. Louis of the French. Inside this church near  Piazza Navona are three of the baroque artist's works, including the "The Calling of St. Matthew" (one of his most famous paintings), "Saint Matthew and the Angel" and "The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew."

Recent visitors recommend stopping in the church, especially if want to get a glimpse of some of Caravaggio's most famous works. Several reviewers recommended reading up on the works before visiting as there is no information within the church. However, you can access a prerecorded audio tour by downloading it to your smartphone from a QR code available on-site.

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Capitoline Museums (Musei Capitolini) Capitoline Museums (Musei Capitolini)

The  Musei Capitolini  (Capitoline Museums) dates back to the 1400s, and it holds Rome's symbol, the bronze Capitoline She-wolf. According to lore, the wolf nursed the half-wolf, half-god founders of the city, twins Romulus and Remus. Its namesake museum contains busts of Roman emperors, statues – including a famous one of Marcus Aurelius – and paintings by Caravaggio and Battista, among others. It also offers spectacular views of the Roman Forum .

Several travelers mention that though the Capitoline Museums wasn't high on their list of things to do or see, they're very happy they did see it. Reviewers also urge visitors to look up at the magnificent ceilings. Some note that the museum has a bit of an odd layout with little information about the paintings. Others say the staff can be rude.

Trastevere Trastevere free

If you want a look at the real Rome, experts and travelers strongly recommend you visit Trastevere. Located southeast of Vatican City, this neighborhood is home to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, as well as numerous restaurants and neighborhood shops (it's often compared to New York City 's Greenwich Village or Paris 's Left Bank thanks to its charming cobblestone streets and narrow roads). 

Although a little farther from the city center, Trastevere is a hit with visitors who appreciated the distance, noting that after so many days weaving through crowds and getting stuck in tourist traps, it's nice to explore a quieter neighborhood (with cheaper, more authentic food). Travelers also said they felt like they experienced a genuine look into life as a Roman after having visited Trastevere.

Santa Maria della Vittoria Santa Maria della Vittoria free

This featured chapel from Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons" is now heavily trafficked by Robert Langdon wannabes. But baroque art fans might want to brave the crowds for a look at Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Cornaro Chapel, which features the Ecstasy of St. Teresa statue.

Recent visitors can't stop gushing about Santa Maria della Vittoria. Many said the church is nothing short of stunning, noting that the detail of Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa is truly incredible. However, travelers also noted that the church is relatively small compared to some of the city's other masterpieces, so prepare for a tight space during peak tourist season (summer). Others warn of odd opening times.

Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo

The Castel Sant'Angelo has had many purposes over its lifetime. Originally built as a mausoleum for Roman emperor Hadrian, the castle has also been a place of protection for popes during invasions, papal residences, military barracks and a prison. Today, it's a museum showcasing not only the site's military history but also incredible frescoes (which were added to the building when the castle became a residence).

For many visitors, admiring the frescoes and learning the history of the site made for a pleasant stop. However, the top draw for many are the views. The top floor terrace (Terrace of the Angel) provides outstanding vistas of Rome.

Basilica di San Clemente Basilica di San Clemente free

Archaeology buffs might find the Basilica di San Clemente interesting as it's a veritable nesting doll of churches. It's a second century pagan temple, underneath a fourth-century church, which is underneath a 12th-century church. Enter the 12th-century church from the street level, take stairs down to the fourth-century one and finally end up at a shrine for Mithras, the god whom was known to gain popularity in the second and third centuries. The oldest structure is believed to have been an ancient mint.

Travelers are fascinated by the story of the church and recommend visiting for the history lesson that it provides. Past travelers also said you should ignore the panhandlers who linger around the church, as some pretend to be affiliated with the church and tell visitors they can't enter unless they give a donation. The church is free to enter, but there is a fee to go down to the lower levels, which people say is worth the cost. To visit the lower levels, you'll pay 10 euros (about $11) for adults and 5 euros (about $5) for students up to age 26. Children younger than 16 explore for free.

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Ancient Appian Way Ancient Appian Way free

The Ancient Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) has a history that dates back to 312 B.C. and includes the site of Spartacus' execution (in 71 B.C.), the tomb of Caecilia Metella, and many a Roman military march. These days, it stretches for 38.5 miles, though several monuments and historic sites are centered around an approximately 2-mile stretch along Parco dell'Appia Antica. The park sits roughly 2 miles south of the Colosseum . 

Recent visitors said the Appian Way is worth the long trek. Some even recommend hiring a tour guide to tag along with you, as even the smallest details along the walk provide a lot of insight into days past. Many agreed that visitors should come prepared with good walking shoes and water. Other advised visiting during the day as some areas can be seedy at night. 

Colle del Gianicolo Colle del Gianicolo free

To the west of the Tiber River (near another top attraction,  Trastevere ), Colle del Gianicolo, or the Janiculum Hill, is just waiting to be climbed. Although a hike, the site provides unobstructed, panoramic views of the Eternal City. Once at the top, visitors will be able to spot some of Rome's most famous buildings, including  St. Peter's Basilica  and the Altare della Patria. Interestingly, since it sits outside the ancient city, it's not considered one of the seven hills of Rome. Along with the spectacular views, you'll also spot a few monuments, including the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola, or Il Fontanone, which was originally built in the early 1600s.

Travelers report being impressed by the views of Janiculum Hill, with many recommending a visit at sunrise or sunset for a truly breathtaking experience. Though many don't consider it a "must-see," especially for first-time visitors, reviewers did concede that a trek here offers a nice respite from the city's crowded tourist spots.

Palazzo Doria Pamphilj Palazzo Doria Pamphilj

Rome is full of aristocratic palaces whose splendors are hidden behind closed doors. One such place is the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj right on the bustling Via del Corso. Enter and you'll find yourself in a quiet courtyard that feels a world away from the crowds. Upstairs, spend some time marveling at the hall of mirrors, which looks like a smaller version of the one at Versailles , with gold-framed Venetian mirrors, antique statues and chandeliers. The palazzo dates all the way back to the 16th century and the gallery that encircles the courtyard was renovated in the 18th century, with the paintings that form the family's private art collection still displayed as they were in the 1700s. Among them are paintings by Raphael and Caravaggio. In the Velázquez Cabinet at the end of one of the halls is a marble bust of Pope Innocent X by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and a portrait of the pope by Velázquez.

For a few extra euros, you can also visit the "secret apartment," which is supposedly still used sometimes by the princess. Inside it, you'll see the family's furniture and personal objects, like a desk with writing implements, hairbrushes and beds. It's far more intimate than the typical museum experience and might just make you feel like you've stepped into a scene from the Oscar-winning film "La Grande Bellezza," director Paolo Sorrentino's modern-day take on "La Dolce Vita."

Jewish Ghetto Jewish Ghetto free

Sandwiched between the Tiber River and Campo de' Fiori is a neighborhood that was historically home to Rome's Jewish population, the oldest Jewish community in Europe. A papal edict in 1555 created the ghetto, which was walled off from the rest of the city until 1888. It also established laws about what professions Jews could and couldn't hold. To learn more about the neighborhood, you should visit the Jewish Museum of Rome attached to the Great Synagogue, which displays religious artifacts and explains the area's history in a series of panels. A guided tour of the Great Synagogue is included in the museum's admission price and is the only way to see the ornately decorated synagogue without attending religious services.

Recent visitors praised the beautiful synagogue and said the neighborhood is a "hidden gem" in Rome. Travelers say the neighborhood is worth a few hours of your time.

Mercato di Testaccio Mercato di Testaccio free

For a less touristy alternative to the market at Campo de' Fiori , venture beyond the historic center to the Mercato di Testaccio. The large covered market is filled with stalls selling fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat, where Romans do their daily shopping. It's also home to a handful of stalls where you can purchase prepared food, like sandwiches and pizza. Take a number and wait your turn for delicious pizza al taglio at Casa Manco. Ask for a few small slices so you can try more than one topping.

For sandwiches, the place to go is Mordi e Vai, a hole-in-the-wall stall serving sandwiches made with the offcuts that form the backbone of Roman cuisine. Indeed, the quinto quarto tradition of Roman cooking was born in right here in Testaccio. The neighborhood was once home to the city's slaughterhouse and the working-class families who lived here created recipes using the less prized cuts of meat, including the organs, that were cheaper. Many restaurants in the neighborhood are known for this type of cooking, with signature dishes like trippa alla romana (Roman-style tripe with tomato sauce, pecorino and mint) and coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew). If you're not into that kind of stuff, Mordi e Vai always has a vegetarian option available.

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MAXXI MAXXI

If you've had enough of ancient and Baroque art, consider visiting one of Rome's modern and contemporary art museums. MAXXI – an acronym for the National Museum of 21st Century Art – is located in the residential Flaminio neighborhood north of Piazza del Popolo and was designed by the late Iraqi-British starchitect Zaha Hadid. The building itself is a masterpiece of modern architecture, with dramatic sweeping lines, steel staircases that seem to float in the air, and galleries with glass ceilings. The collection comprises more than 400 works of art by Italian and international artists, including Andy Warhol, Francesco Clemente and Gerhard Richter, as well as a collection of material related to architecture. It ranges from photography and film to art installations and performance art.

Before you go, check to see what's on display. Past exhibitions have featured Bob Dylan's videos, the work of Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini, and the architecture of Lina Bo Bardi, a midcentury modern trailblazer and one of the few female architects working at that time. MAXXI has also hosted special off-site exhibitions and events, including guided tours of Casa Balla, the apartment of futurist artist Giacomo Balla.

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Rome was called the “ Eternal City ” by the ancient Romans because they believed that no matter what happened in the rest of the world, the city of Rome would always remain standing . Exploring the city center by foot surrounded by glorious monuments and colossal remains takes you back in time to the “glory that was Rome”.

Rome Travel Guide

• General Information
• Top Attractions
• Getting to Rome
• Public Transport
• Money-saving tips
• Where to Eat
• Where to Stay
• 3-Day Itinerary

Why visit Rome?  

With its unparalleled history, Rome is the third most visited city in Europe and the fourteenth worldwide. It attracts visitors from all over the world who are impatient to discover the city’s impressive monuments and archaeological sites ; not to mention its renowned cuisine and its lively atmosphere.

When exploring the Colosseum , visitors will easily imagine how the gladiators fought for their lives in the arena, cheered by the crowd. In the Circus Maximus , travelers will picture the chariots crashing into each other in order to be first in the race, and in the Roman Forum visualize what the Roman public life was like.

Looking for accommodation?

If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, we suggest visiting our search engine , where you’ll find all types of hotels, hostels, and apartments with the best rates guaranteed . You can get up to a 75% discount and pay once you get to your destination.

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top activities

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour Skip the endless queues for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel—explore the most iconic landmarks in the Vatican City accompanied by an expert guide .

Colosseum Tour + Gladiator's Entrance When in Rome, don’t miss the eternal Colosseum! Access the arena through the Gladiator’s Gate, the entrance used by the ancient Roman fighters.

Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums + St Peter's Basilica On this tour, you'll get access to the Sistine Chapel first thing in the morning, avoiding all the crowds . We'll also visit  St Peter's Basilica .

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour Travel back in time to Ancient Rome and discover the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on this guided tour with priority access !

Borghese Gallery Guided Tour Discover the extraordinary collection of paintings and sculptures housed in the Borghese Gallery , one of Rome's must-see art museums .

Pompeii & Naples Day Trip Set off on a full day trip and discover the ruins of Pompeii , followed by a panoramic tour of Naples , one of the world's oldest constantly populated cities.

Rome Night Tour On this night tour of Rome ,   we'll visit the most iconic piazzas , streets and monuments of the Italian capital when the city comes to life at dusk.

Rome Ciampino Airport Shuttle Bus With this shuttle service between Ciampino Airport and Rome, you'll be in the centre of the Italian capital in less than an hour. The eternal city awaits you!

Trastevere Food Tour Feast your eyes and stomach during a 3-hour food tour in Trastevere, one of Rome’s most bohemian neighborhoods and sample the delicious Italian gastronomy.

Private Walking Tour of Rome Explore the Eternal City's most iconic sights accompanied by an expert guide just for you and your partner, family or friends.  Discover the best of Rome !

Audience With Pope Francis An audience with Pope Francis is a unique spiritual experience . Your guide will take care of everything, so you can go relaxed.

Basilicas Tour and Secret Underground Catacombs Discover some of the most symbolic sites in Christian history: the Catacombs and two of the world's most important Basilicas on this tour of the Eternal City.

Rome Sightseeing Cruise on the Tiber River Take a sightseeing cruise along the Tiber River and enjoy spectacular 360º views of Rome from the water. You can hop on and off as many times as you want!

Day Trip to Venice by High Speed Train Experience a day trip from Rome to Venice on a high-speed train and explore its beautiful canals and historic centre at your own pace.

Roam the underbelly of Rome on this tour of its underground system . Walk  the Appian Way and Caffarella and   dive into the lesser-known side of the Eternal City !

Palazzo Santa Chiara Opera Concert Treat yourself to a unique experience during your stay in Rome when you attend a fantastic opera concert at the Palazzo Santa Chiara .

Ostia Antica Half-Day Tour from Rome Discover the legacy of the Imperial City on a guided tour of Ostia Antica, an ancient harbor town only 30 km from Rome. Travel back in time with this tour!

Papal Audience & Vatican Museums Tour Enjoy this unique experience of the Holy See with this combination tour which includes an  audience with Pope Francis and a visit to the Vatican Museums .

Castel Sant'Angelo Tour + Terrace Access A refuge for popes and an ancient Roman mausoleum , Castel Sant'Angelo harbours great secrets. On this guided tour we'll unveil its most hidden mysteries.

Rome Fiumicino Airport Shuttle Bus Are you travelling to Rome? Book this shuttle bus between Fiumicino Airport and Rome so you can get into the city centre comfortably and quickly.

St Peter's Basilica Guided Tour + Dome Climb Enjoy the best views of Rome by climbing the 320 steps leading up to the dome of St. Peter's . We'll also visit the interior of the Basilica!

The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi With this classical music concert, you'll experience all Four Seasons of the famous Antonio Vivaldi . An unforgettable concert in an incomparable setting!

This tourist bus is the perfect way to discover Rome . You can choose different routes with numerous stops and hop on and off as many times as you want!

OMNIA Rome & Vatican Card The OMNIA Card is a sightseeing pass that includes priority access to Rome’s main attractions like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican City .

Italian Pasta & Tiramisu Workshop If you love Italian cuisine, then don't miss out on this  Italian Pasta and Tiramisu Workshop . You'll learn how to make some staple Italian dishes!

Florence & Pisa Day Trip Discover two incredible jewels in Tuscany on our Florence & Pisa Day Trip from Rome. You'll see the Duomo , the Ponte Vecchio and the Leaning Tower .

Rome Mysteries & Legends Free Tour Wandering ghosts and enigmas in Caravaggio's works ... Discover the hidden side of the city with this free tour of Rome's mysteries and legends.

Italian Pizza Workshop Visit Rome and enjoy a delicious pizza made with your own hands . Try this Italian Pizza Workshop and learn how to make one of the country's most famous dishes.

Rome Pub Crawl Are you ready to discover the vibrant nightlife of the Italian capital ? Join us on this pub crawl through Rome and experience it for yourself!

Private Photoshoot outside of the Colosseum Remember your trip to Rome forever with this private photoshoot outside the Colosseum - we'll make sure you look your best beside the iconic monument!

The impressive dome of the Pantheon of Agrippa has fascinated the whole world for centuries. Discover it with this guided tour of Ancient Rome .

St. Peter's Basilica Tickets: Dome Access + Audioguide Secure your ticket to St. Peter's Basilica for an experience that includes access to its magnificent dome and a self-guided tour with an English audio guide .

Mostra di Leonardo Ticket Discover some of the most amazing inventions by the Italian genius Leonardo da Vinci with this ticket to the Mostra di Leonardo museum.

The Three Tenors Concert The church of  St. Paul's Within the Walls in Rome opens its doors to you to offer you the show The Three Tenors. Enjoy an unforgettable opera concerto.

Rome Catacombs Tour & Appian Way Visit the catacombs of Rome with an expert English-speaking guide during a 3-hour half day-trip, also discovering the fascinating Villa di Massenzio.

La Traviata with Ballet Entrance Ticket Enjoy one of the most famous operas of all time in the magical setting of the St Paul's Within the Walls Church with this La Traviata Ballet Entrance Ticket.

Set off on a day trip from Rome across the Italian countryside to discover the birthplace of St Francis  in the charming town of Assisi .

Capitoline Museum Guided Tour Marvel at one of Rome’s most important museums , the Capitoline Museums, followed by a visit to Piazza del Campidoglio on top of the Capitoline Hill.

Baths of Caracalla & Circus Maximus Guided Tour Go back in time on this walking tour of the Bath of Caracalla, the most luxurious thermae of the Roman Empire . Then marvel at the remains of the Circus Maximus.

Visit the largest Roman amphitheater in the world on this guided tour of the Colosseum. An absolute must if you're in the Italian capital!

Rome Bike Tour Tour the Italian capital on two wheels whilst you enjoy an electric bike tour of the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and much more .

Capri Day Trip Like the writers and artists before you, you'll fall in love with Capri on this unmissable tour. Discover the island's myths, legends and Blue Grotto .

Day Trip to Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti On this tour to Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti , we'll discover the beautiful region of Tuscany - including medieval towns, and a visit to a wine cellar!

Rome Photo Tour Discover the most Instagrammable locations in the Italian capital and show off your trip with this Rome Photo Tour.  Benvenuti a Roma !

Tuk Tuk Tour around Rome Tour Rome in the most comfortable way on this tuk tuk tour. We'll explore its seven hills and learn tons of historical fun facts about the eternal city.

Tiber River Cruise with Appetizer Discover Rome from a privileged perspective as you relax with this Tiber River Cruise with Appetizer. You'll see symbolic places such as the Umberto I Bridge.

Rome Private Tour with Driver Fall in love with Rome with this private tour with driver. Choose your route, and enjoy a comfortable tour solely for you and your travel companions.

Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto Tour Enjoy a walking guided tour of Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto and soak up the neighborhood’s bohemian atmosphere with numerous landmarks to visit.

Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Day Trip Visit the two treasures of Tivoli on this day trip: Hadrian's Villa, Roman Emperor's retreat, and Villa d'Este, a Renaissance mansion with magnificent gardens.

Rome Squares and Fountains Guided Tour Set off on a walking guided tour of Rome and discover some of its iconic landmarks, such as the Fontana di Trevi, Piazza di Spagna, and Piazza Navona .

Rome Hard Rock Cafe Come to the Rome Hard Rock Cafe and enjoy an exquisite menu of American food in an emblematic place where the rhythm of rock is felt in every corner. 

Wine Tasting in Rome Italy is world-renowned for its tradition of wine-making. Indulge your senses on this wine tasting tour of Rome with an expert sommelier!

Rome Fascist History Tour discover the architecture designed in Rome at the time of Benito Mussolini's fascist dictatorship with this Rome Fascist History Tour.

Welcome to Rome Tickets Immerse yourself in Rome's thrilling history when you buy a ticket for the fascinating Welcome to Rome multimedia experience .

Rome: Angels and Demons, the Illuminati Adventure Quest Impersonate Robert Langdon himself for a day in this puzzle hunt in Rome: Angels and Demons , the Illuminati Hunt. The best way to explore the city!

Janiculum, Trastevere and Jewish Quarter Guided Tour On this fascinating tour of the Gianicolo , Trastevere and   the Jewish Quarter  in Rome, we'll gain a truly unique perspective of the Italian capital.

Castel Sant'Angelo Ticket + Audio Guide Explore the intriguing history of Castel Sant'Angelo with this admission ticket + audio guide. Uncover the mysteries of one of Rome's most cryptic monuments !

Bioparco di Roma Ticket With your ticket to the Bioparco of Rome you will discover this zoo located in the heart of the city, inside Villa Borghese, an ideal plan for families!

Go City: Rome Explorer Pass The Go City: Roma Explorer Pass  tourist card gives you access to the  main attractions in the Italian capital, such as the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum.

Rome Street Art Tour Discover secrets and the most interesting glimpses throughout the most colourful district with this Rome Street Art Tour. Explore the captivating capital city!

Lake Albano Kayak Tour If you're in Rome and want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city , join us on this kayak tour on Lake Albano .

Roma World Entrance Ticket Don't miss out on your ticket to Roma World , a theme park in which you'll travel back in time to the ancient and powerful Roman Empire .

Entrance to IKONO Rome Looking for a unique plan in the Italian capital? With a ticket to IKONO Rome , you'll get to explore this creative space and become a part of the art!

Rome Layover Tour Take advantage of your time at Rome airport to explore the Italian capital with this Rome Layover Tour. You'll discover the charm of the beautiful Eternal City.

Rome Private Day Trips Explore the beautiful Italian cities of Naples, Pompeii, Ostia or Assisi with these Rome Private Day Trips. You'll have an exclusive guide just for your group.

Cinecittà World Ticket With this entrance ticket to Cinecittà World you can visit real film sets and travel to the imaginary worlds of movies and TV series .

Rome Electric Tuk Tuk Tour Explore the Eternal City through an eco-conscious lens with our electric tuk tuk tour of Rome  and roam the Italian capital's streets in a zero-emission vehicle!

Trevi Fountain and its Underground World On this  tour of the Trevi Fountain and its underground world , we'll reveal the hidden treasures and history of the most  fountain in Rome . 

Ischia 5-Day Tour Are you in Rome? Join us to visit the most beautiful islands in the Napolitan archipelago  on this  5-day tour of Ischia . You'll love it!

Private Tuk-Tuk Tour of Rome Would you like to see the Eternal City in the most comfortable way ? On this private tuk-tuk tour of Rome , we'll tour the capital of Italy in an exclusive group.

Capri + Pompeii Day Trip Pompeii and Capri  are two must-see stops in Campania. Discover their history and beauty on this day trip from Rome . Don't miss out!

Naples to Capri Tour: 2/3 Days Relax in southern Italy with this Naples to Capri Tour lasting 2/3 days. Discover Pompeii's incredible history, Sorrento's cuisine and Capri's beauty .

Florence Excursion by High Speed Train Known as the "City of Art", Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. On this day trip, we'll tour its historic centre and the Uffizi Gallery.

5 Day Tour: The Best of Italy The best of Italy in just 5 days! Asisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padua, Venice and Montepulciano  are the cities we take in on the tour.

Colosseum Guided Night Visit Visit one of Rome's most iconic monuments all lit up at the most magical time of day on our  Colosseum Guided Night Visit at dusk .

Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo Day Trip From Pope Alexander VII to Benedict XVI , numerous popes have spent the holidays at the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo . Explore its links with the Vatican!

Vatican Museums Private Tour Step into the legacy of the Italian city-state on this Vatican Private Tour. Visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with just your family or friends!

Colosseum Private Tour Discover the World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World with this  Colosseum Private Tour . Explore the Roman site with an exclusive guide.

Pompeii & Minori Tour: 3 Days Discover the impressive ruins of Pompeii , explore the Almafi Coast  & enjoy 2 nights in Minori on this incredible 3-day tour.

Capri Tour: 2/3 Days Be captivated by the glamour of the Italian island with this Capri Tour lasting 2 or 3 days. Explore the fascinating Mediterranean cave, the Blue Grotto.

Ponza Island Day Trip Enjoy a  day trip from Rome to Ponza Island . Cruise along the waters, feel the breeze in your hair and cool off with a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea!

Vatican Gardens + Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Ticket Discover the green lung of Vatican City on this tour of its gardens. You'll also visit the Sistine Chapel and take a self-guided tour of the Vatican Museums.

Free Walking Tour of Rome The city of the Caesars, of Baroque and, of course, The Eternal City. Discover Rome with this free walking tour of the Italian capital .

The most complete guide of Rome

This guide has been written by travelers like yourself and it's designed to help you plan your stay in Rome, so that you get the most out of the city as possible, whether you're staying for 2 days or a month. Find out what the top attractions  and the best places to eat are, which museums are worthwhile, and where to stay in Rome. If you’re traveling on a budget, we have also an article on how to save money while visiting this fascinating city, and the daily costs , so that you're prepared before getting to Italy.

The information provided in this guide was updated in  January 2023 . If you find a mistake or would like to make a suggestion, please do not hesitate to  contact us .

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20 travel tips every first-time Rome visitor should follow

Whether you are a Roman novice or expert, these travel trips for Rome should be followed at all times

Don’t get us wrong, Rome is a very friendly place. But it’s not always the easiest to navigate. And unless you want to find yourself waiting for a coffee for three hours or queueing for the Vatican for three hours, there are some things you should know before you go.

And don’t panic. Our local writer Livia Hengel has the inside scoop on every rule, custom and hack for the big city. If you want to absolutely smash a weekend in Rome, read this list (and read it before you go. Trust us). Here is every travel tip you’ll need to do Rome as the Romans do. 

RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Rome  🍝 The best restaurants in Rome 🏛️ Unmissable attractions in Rome 🛍️ Where to go shopping in Rome 🏨 The best hotels in Rome

Livia Hengel is a writer based in Rome. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines . 

An email you’ll actually love

Travel tips for visiting Rome

1.  Don’t order a cappuccino after noon

You may or may not have seen this one crop up on TikTok from time to time. But basically, don’t you dare order a cappuccino after noon. Cappuccinos are thought of as heavy drinks more suitable for breakfast, and paired with a cornetto. If you’re craving one in the afternoon, order a caffè macchiato instead. 

2.  …But gelato is acceptable any time, any season

Great news for gelato lovers. You can order one of these bad boys anywhere, anytime. Before lunch, after lunch, whatever you desire. The gelato world is your oyster in Rome, and their flavours change seasonally, so you’ll never get bored. Think ciccolato fondente (dark chocolate), pistacchio and mandorla (almonds). Delicious. 

3.  Buy Vatican tickets online to skip the line

Housing one of the world’s greatest collections, the Vatican Museums are one of Italy’s most popular attractions, visited by over 5 million people annually. Though you’ll inevitably face a crowd, you can skip the long lines by purchasing your museum tickets on the Vatican website. The extra Euros for booking online are well worth the time you’ll save by not waiting in line.

4.  Free museums on first Sundays

Rome’s state-owned museums, galleries, archaeological sites, parks and gardens are free on the first Sunday of each month, so be sure to drop by and soak in some art if you’re in town these days. Lines quickly form outside the main attractions, so plan to show up early or visit a lesser-known destination (warning: you’ll still need to pay a fee to browse through special exhibitions).

5.  Note museum closures

Many of Rome’s city and state-owned museums, like Galleria Borghese and Palazzo Barberini, are closed on Mondays, so plan your schedule accordingly. The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays instead, so they’re very crowded on Saturdays and Mondays; if you can, try to visit Tuesday through Friday.

6.  Order coffee at the bar

Have you guessed the Italians are quite particular about their coffee yet? Coffee etiquette actually makes up a fair few of the biggest culinary crimes you can commit in the capital.  You might notice people in Rome tend to order an espresso and drink it standing up, before even leaving the bar. That’s the way things are done. Italians don’t order coffee from the table and have it brought to them, and in fact, that’ll likely slap you with service charge and almost double your bill. Do as the Romans do, and neck that espresso before you go anywhere. 

7.  Buy bus tickets ahead of time

Rome’s public transportation leaves much to be desired, but if you need to take a bus in the city centre, stock up on bus tickets ahead of time because you can’t buy them on the bus. You can buy tickets at any  tabaccheria  in the city, little convenient shops that are designated with a large T. Tickets are €1.50 each, or opt for a 24-hour, 48-hour or weekly ticket for a discounted price. Tickets are valid for all forms of public transportation in Rome (bus, metro, tram and local train).

8.  Take your bus ticket straight to the beach

Speaking of public transportation, your €1.50 ticket is also valid on the local commuter trains in Rome, including a line that goes straight to the beach. You can catch a train at the Piramide Metro Station that will take you directly to Ostia Lido, Rome’s local beach. Although it’s not the most glamorous beach near Rome, Ostia is perfect for an inexpensive day trip, with some sunshine and fresh seafood.

9.  Dress modestly in church

Rome has over 900 churches that house some of the city’s most beautiful works of art, so don’t miss stepping inside to marvel at their treasures, whether you’re devout or not. Just be sure to dress appropriately to enter these holy spaces: women’s shoulders should be covered, and skirts should hit at or below the knee, while men should wear pants or shorts that extend to the knees. Linen pants are a great option for the summer, and a scarf is a perfect last-minute cover-up if you’re wearing a tank top.

10.  Watch your bags

Always be mindful of your bags on public transportation and around key tourist attractions. The city is safe, but petty crime is rampant, especially on crowded buses and metros. Thieves in Rome are stealthy, so always keep your bags zipped and held in front of you; wallets should ideally be tucked in your inner jacket pockets. Some thieves also snatch bags, so keep them in close reach at all times.

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Published: Jan 21, 2024 · Modified: May 15, 2024

Best Things to See in Rome (+ Full Travel Guide)

Best Things To Do and See In Rome, Italy : Travel Guide To The Historic City. If you’re planning a trip to Rome, you’ll want to know the best things to do in this historic city. We’ve compiled a list of must-see attractions, hidden gems, and top recommendations to make the most of your time in Rome. From the famous colossal monuments to the local secrets and must-see places in Rome, we’ve got you covered.

This article contains affiliate links which supports us at no extra cost to you.

Welcome to Rome, Italy

• 📜 Rome's History "Cheatsheet 101":
• 🔭 Where is Rome Exactly?
• 🌍 Map of Rome
• ✈️ Rome Travel Essentials
• 🎆 Must-Experience Festivals and Events in Rome:
• 🇮🇹 Essential Info and Phrases
• 🛩️ How to Get Around Rome, Italy
• 💻 Rome Travel Resources
• 🙋🏽‍♂️ Rome's Local Customs and Etiquette:
• 🚓 Safety Tips
• 🏛️ Rome's Iconic Landmarks
• ⛪ Rome's Religious and Historical Sites
• 🗺️ 17 Lesser-known Spots of Rome:
• 👩🏽‍🏫 Tips for the Perfect Rome Italy Itinerary:
• 🛍️ Best Shopping and Souvenirs Spots in Rome
• 👫🏽 The Best Guided Tours of Rome
• 🏖️ The Beaches of Rome
• 🕺🏽13 Top Dance Clubs in Rome
• 🚍 Adventurous Day Trips from Rome
• 🍴 Best Places to Eat in Rome
• 🏘️ Rome Neighborhoods to Know
• 🏨 Best Places to Stay in Rome
• 📚 Books About Rome
• 👨🏽‍🏫 Final Tips for Traveling to Rome
• ❓Frequently Asked Questions About Rome:
• 🇮🇹 Explore More About Italy!

Probably the world’s oldest tourist destination, the city’s rich historical and cultural legacy is on full display. Start at the Colosseum, where you can experience the epic grandeur of ancient Rome, followed by a walk through the Roman Forum to touch the soil that famous Romans bore their feet upon.

Visit the Castel Sant’Angelo for its fascinating history and amazing views. Be sure to include the Vatican Museums, where a guided tour of the Sistine Chapel allows you to contemplate Michelangelo’s masterpiece up close and in detail.

In the historic centre, Piazza Navona is filled with the sounds and sights of lively street culture, while the Baroque fountains of Piazza di P. Montecitorio. Santa Maria della Vittoria, home of Bernini’s ‘Ecstasy of Saint Teresa’, is a masterpiece of carving.

Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and take it easy on the Spanish Steps. Take a food tour in order to sample the most authentic culinary adventures beyond the classic Carbonara and Tiramisu.

Take a day trip to the Amalfi Coast if you’re itching for landscape views and picturesque medieval villages. Back in Rome, just wander around Villa Borghese (a green oasis in the city centre) or browse through the ruins of the Domus Aurea or the views of Piazza Venezia if you wish.

Get lost and find yourself in this Eternal City. A big portion of timeless beauty in Italy .

📜 Rome's History "Cheatsheet 101":

Ancient rome.

753 BC: Rome is founded by Romulus.

753-509 BC: Roman Kingdom era, ruled by seven kings.

509 BC: The Roman Republic begins.

390 BC: Gauls sack Rome.

264-146 BC: Punic Wars with Carthage.

146-44 BC: Social and civil wars; rise of Marius, Sulla, Pompey, Caesar.

From Republic to Empire

49 BC: Caesar crosses the Rubicon, sparking civil war.

44 BC: Caesar's murder; rise of Second Triumvirate.

27 BC - AD 14: Augustus becomes first emperor, starting Pax Romana.

The Roman Empire

AD 14-68: Julio-Claudian Dynasty with emperors like Nero.

AD 69-79: Year of the Four Emperors; Flavian Dynasty with Vespasian.

AD 98-117: Peak under Emperor Trajan.

AD 286-476: Diocletian's reforms; rise of Constantine; Western Empire falls.

Medieval and Renaissance Rome

5th-15th Century: Decline in Early Middle Ages, but remains religious center.

15th Century: Renaissance in Rome, cultural revival.

Modern Rome

1798-1814: Annexed by Napoleon, part of French Empire.

1943: Rome bombed in WWII, declared open city.

1946: Becomes capital of Italian Republic.

Present: Rome, Italy's largest city , known globally for historical and cultural significance.

🔭 Where is Rome Exactly?

Rome is smack in the middle of Italy's "boot", in Lazio , by the Tiber River. You'll find the city at 41° 54′ North, 12° 29′ East. The Tiber? It's Italy's runner-up river, starts at Monte Fumaiolo, hits the sea 405 km later, right past Rome. Rome's heart? Seven hills: Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquiline, Palatine, Quirinal, Viminal. They're why Rome's Rome. And the sea? Just 15 miles out. Perfect spot for an empire.

🌍 Map of Rome

✈️ Rome Travel Essentials

Weather in rome:.

🌱 Spring's cool to start, warming up by May. March hits between 11.9°C and 3.4°C. May peaks near 18°C. Rain's not too bad.

🌞 Summers here? Hot, dry. June's already at 28.1°C. August? Even hotter, hitting 31.6°C. July's bone-dry, only 19.8mm rain.

🍂 Autumn cools off. September's still warm, around 26.7°C. Come November, we're down to 15.9°C. Rain picks up, especially in November.

⛅ Winter's mild for Rome. December ranges from 12.7°C to 4.2°C. January's the coldest - highs of 11.9°C, lows at 3.1°C. December's pretty wet.

Best Time to Visit Rome:

Hit Rome in spring or fall. Best times are late March to early June, September to mid-November. July's your sun king here. It averages 10.7 hours of sunshine daily. Shortest days? December. Only about 9 hours and 12 minutes of daylight.

Want to swim? August's sea temps hit 26°C. Perfect for a dip.

🎄 Rome in December (Everything to Expect During the Holiday Season):

Rome in December? It's different, good different. Let's break it down:

• Weather's mild , 12-15°C days, nights down to 3-5°C. Rain happens, so bring an umbrella.
• Fewer tourists in December , but Christmas hikes prices. It's a trade-off: less crowded, more festive.
• Christmas in Rome? It's lit. Markets at Piazza Navona, global themes at Villa Borghese, The Nutcracker at Teatro dell'Opera. Fireworks on New Year's Eve, music at Piazza del Popolo, Colosseum.
• Food's a highlight. Try Roman artichokes, chicory, seasonal citrus. Food tours are the way to go.
• Culture's big. Hit Musei Capitolini, Vatican Museums for special exhibits. St. Peter's is a must, more so at Christmas.
• Public transport works fine. Metro, bus, tram – but validate your tickets.
• Pack for cold, rain. Think warm boots, winter coat, umbrella, scarves, hats, gloves.
• Day trips? Tuscany or Tivoli. More of Italy's charm, just a ride away.

🎆 Must-Experience Festivals and Events in Rome:

• December's Christmas Markets flood Rome with festive goods.
• Santa Severa Castle's Christmas Village, from December 8 to January 7, glows with holiday cheer.
• On January 17, Rome celebrates Saint Anthony, the animal protector, with a festival at Sant'Antonio Abate Church.
• February 14, Valentine's Day hits with special menus and rose sellers everywhere.

MARCH - MAY (SPRING)

• Early March brings Rome's Carnival, complete with horse parades and fireworks.
• March 16 marks the Marathon, a big sports deal here.
• March 19, St. Joseph's Day, fills the streets with celebrations.
• Good Friday, March 29, features the Pope's mass at the Colosseum.
• Easter, on March 31 and April 1, sees the Pope at St. Peter’s Basilica.
• April 21, Rome's birthday, offers free museum visits and Piazza del Campidoglio fireworks.
• April 25, Festa della Liberazione, remembers Italy's WWII liberation.
• May 1, Labor Day, is a public holiday packed with events.
• From May 6-19, the BNL Tennis Tournament draws crowds.
• May 17-21's Infiorata di Noto turns streets into flower petal art.
• International Museum Day on May 18 brings special exhibits worldwide.
• Pentecost at the Pantheon on May 19 showers rose petals from the dome.
• May's Piazza di Siena Horse Show in Villa Borghese is a free spectacle.
• Also in May, the Caracalla Festival mixes opera, ballet, and music in ancient baths.
• Summer's Roma Fest brings star-studded concerts to Auditorium Parco della Musica.
• June to September, Gay Village celebrates LGBTQ+ culture.
• Rock in Roma hits Capannelle Racecourse in June/July with diverse music. Estate Romana, from July to August, lights up Tiber-side events.
• August 15, Assumption of Mary, is a public holiday bash. September's Heritage Days open national monuments and museums.
• Notte Bianca in October turns the city into a cultural playground.
• November 1, All Saints’ Day, brings special events.

And finally, the International Literature Festival, dates varying, honors authors and their work.

🇮🇹 Essential Info and Phrases

In Rome, when buying, you need Euros . And Italians, well, they speak Italian .

It's a great start if you learn some phrases:

DAILY PHRASES

• Say " Buongiorno " for good morning.
• Afternoons? " Buon pomeriggio ."
• Evenings, it's " Buonasera ."
• " Buona notte " for night.
• " Ciao " is hi or bye.
• Leaving? " Arrivederci ."
• " Sì " means yes.
• " No " is no.
• " Per favore " is please.
• Thank someone with " Grazie ."
• " Scusa " if you bump into someone.
• Use " Mi scusi " in formal situations.
• Confused? Say " Non capisco ."
• Can't speak Italian? " Non parlo Italiano ."
• Need English? Ask " Parla Inglese ?"
• " Posso avere un tavolo per due ?" gets you a table for two.
• For local flavors, ask " Mi può consigliare un piatto tipico ?"
• Ready to order? " Vorrei ordinare ..."
• Need the bill? " Posso avere il conto ?"
• Just water? " Un'acqua, per favore ."
• Ask " Quanto costa ?" for prices.
• Want a deal? Try " Posso avere uno sconto ?"
• Too pricey? Say " È troppo caro. "

🛩️ How to Get Around Rome, Italy

Need to get to and from Rome by air? Check out WayAway for some killer deals! Here's some of the latest prices:

Rome's metro hits main spots like the Colosseum, but it's not the top transport choice. Its reach is short; buses work better. Buy metro tickets beforehand at machines or ATAC spots. The metro's safe and clean, but growth's slow, thanks to Rome's deep history.

Trams stick to the outskirts, missing the city center. They're not great for main attractions. Tram tickets, like the metro's, need buying in advance.

The urban railway's good for trips from the city to suburbs. It's handy if you're near big stations like Roma Termini or San Pietro.

Taxis go straight from A to B but cost a bit. Expect about €15 for 15 minutes. They're everywhere, easy to flag down or find at stands. But Rome's traffic jams might slow you down.

Buses cover Rome well, better than the metro. Get your ticket early, use it first time you hop on. Key bus routes? Try the 40 Express, 64, 75, and H. They link major spots like Termini, the Vatican, and the Colosseum.

Walking's the real deal in Rome. It's the best way to soak in the city's history and architecture. Wear comfy shoes and carry a map, especially in the heat.

BIKES & SCOOTERS:

For bike or scooter sharing, use the apps. You pay by the minute or with package deals. Bring a helmet for safety, given Rome's traffic.

RENTING A CAR:

Thinking about renting a car? It's tough with the traffic, parking woes, and city center limits. It's not ideal for Rome itself, but maybe for longer trips out of town.

💻 Rome Travel Resources

Here's a list of top travel resources. Some are my old go-tos, tested on the road. Others are picks from fellow travelers - friends and nomads I've met. They've all earned their stripes.

🏩 Accommodation Booking Services:

🟢 Booking.com: Leading online platform for global accommodations. No fees, content in 40 languages.

🟢 Hostelworld: Focuses on hostels, listing 36,000 properties in 178 countries.

🟢 Tripadvisor: World's biggest travel site with access to 1.4 million stays and 795 million reviews.

🟢 CheapOair: Offers flight tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages.

🚕 Transportation Services:

🟢 Airalo: First global eSim Store, cuts down roaming costs with eSims for travelers.

🟢 Rentalcars: Lets travelers find the right car in over 60,000 locations across 160 countries.

🟢 Kiwitaxi: International airport transfers in 100 countries, various vehicles, English-speaking drivers.

🟢 Omio: Compares trains, buses, and flights in Europe on one platform.

🟢 GetTransfer: Service for transfers and car rentals with personal drivers at competitive prices.

🟢 Kiwi: Books flights, trains, buses, and offers virtual interlining.

🟢 Rail Europe: Guides and tools for European train travel.

🟢 Trainline: Helps customers travel by train and bus across 45 countries.

🚌 Tourism and Leisure Services:

🟢 Go City: Offers multi-attraction passes for top destinations worldwide, up to 65% off.

🟢 Big Bus Tours: Open-top bus tours, river cruises, and walking tours in 23 cities.

🧳 Travel Convenience Services:

🟢 Priority Pass: Airport lounge access worldwide for frequent travelers.

🟢 Radical Storage: Luggage storage solutions for hassle-free holidays.

🙋🏽‍♂️ Rome's Local Customs and Etiquette:

In Rome, know the customs:

Greet with handshakes and eye contact. Use "buongiorno" or "buona sera." Kiss cheeks with friends.

Dress sharp, especially for formal events . Casual clothes don't cut it. Cover shoulders and knees in churches.

Eat meals slowly. Keep hands on the table, elbows off. Don't split the bill; pay it all if you offer. Tip around 10%. Don't ask for Parmesan with seafood.

Cappuccinos are for mornings. After 11 am, they're odd.

Respect local festivals and traditions. Join in, like tossing coins in the Trevi Fountain.

Learn basic Italian - "grazie," "per favore." It helps with locals.

Respect historical sites . No climbing or touching. Take photos carefully.

Follow transport rules. No driving in city center. Always validate bus or metro tickets.

Be patient with Rome's pace . Avoid talking about the mafia. Be respectful in holy places.

Support sustainable tourism. Buy local souvenirs. Respect the environment.

🚓 Safety Tips

Most trips to Rome are fine. But these tips can save you a lot of headaches.

• In Rome, watch out for petty crime. Pickpockets and bag-snatchers are everywhere, especially in crowds and on buses. Keep your stuff close. Use tough bags. Watch out at Termini and on touristy bus routes, like the No. 64 to St. Peter's.
• Cross streets with your eyes open. Drivers here are nuts. Stay sharp, or you'll get hit.
• Driving or biking? Be super careful. Follow signs. Watch for crazy drivers. On a bike, keep right. Cobblestones are tricky.
• Wear good shoes. Rome's streets are a killer on your feet.
• Carry a first aid kit. You'll need it if you're walking a lot or hiking.
• Pickpockets and con artists are slick. Look tough. Use secure bags. Keep your stuff where you can see it. Watch for distractions – they're often theft setups.
• Be smart with food and drinks. Stuff gets spiked, especially near tourist spots. Don't leave your stuff alone.
• Some places are no-go zones. Avoid Tor Bella Monaca, Romanina, San Basilio, and Corviale. Termini and other tourist spots can be sketchy.
• Ladies, Rome's mostly safe. But steer clear of bad areas, especially alone. Dress right for churches and such.
• Know your emergency numbers. Dial 113 for anything, 112 for cops, 115 for fire.
• Drinking? The law says 16 for beer and wine, 18 for hard stuff. Don't overdo it, especially if you're young.
• Pick a safe place to stay. Don't leave valuables in your car or room.
• Don't flash your cash or pricey stuff. Use hotel safes for important things.
• Stay in safe areas. Try the historical center, near the Coliseum, Testaccio, Trastevere, Vatican City, or Villa Borghese.
• Avoid outdoor ATMs. Indoor ones are safer.

🏛️ Rome's Iconic Landmarks

The colosseum:.

The Colosseum was finished in 80 AD. Biggest amphitheater then, held 80,000 people. They watched gladiators, executions, and animal fights.

Its decline started in 438 AD. Emperor Valentinian III stopped gladiator games. Later, it turned into workshops, a hospital, and homes. Became a Christian martyrdom site, so they preserved it.

For visiting, buy tickets for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Full Experience Tickets get you more access. Take guided tours, they're worth it. You can't get into the arena or underground without a guide.

Opens at 9 a.m., closes before sunset. Closed on December 25th and January 1st. There's a museum inside, on the second floor. It's got artifacts and old graffiti.

Easiest way there is by metro, Colosseo station on line B. You can also take a taxi, Uber, bus, or walk.

The Pantheon:

The Pantheon's a big deal in Rome. Built around 118-125 AD under Emperor Hadrian. It's got this huge dome, still the biggest one made without reinforcements.

The place is all about symmetry. The dome's as wide as the building is tall. It looks right, feels right inside.

It started as a temple for every Roman god. In the 7th century, they turned it into a church. It's been in use ever since.

Architects still learn from the Pantheon. Its dome, especially the hole at the top, the oculus, shows Roman smarts in engineering and design.

Castel Sant'Angelo:

Castel Sant'Angelo ? Started as Emperor Hadrian's tomb. Popes later used it as a fortress and castle.

It's changed a lot over time. Looks like a big cylinder. Been a military spot, a house, a jail, and now, a museum.

Now, it's all about the museum. You can walk through its history and design. The top decks? Great views of Rome. They've got exhibits too - shows its time as a fortress, pope's place, and a cultural symbol.

⛪ Rome's Religious and Historical Sites

Basilica di san clemente.

The Basilica's seen big moments - 5th-century councils, Pope Paschal II's 1099 election. It's stuffed with Early Medieval art. Think St. Clement, St. Alexius scenes. Beno de Rapiza, Maria Macellaria backed this in the 1100s.

It's a building mash-up. Starts with a Roman mansion, then a 4th-century church, ends with today's basilica from 1099-1120. Each layer's a history lesson in Roman building and Christian worship. Inside, you'll find 12th-century mosaics. They mix Christian stuff with classic themes. It's like a cultural mash-up, showing different worlds colliding.

The chapel's got 15th-century frescoes by Masolino da Panicale. They're a bridge from medieval to Renaissance art. Dig down and there's more - a 4th-century church with rare frescoes and a 3rd-century Mithraic temple. It's a snapshot of Rome's diverse religious history.

That Mithraic Temple? It's all about ancient Rome's mix-and-match religion, dedicated to Persian god Mithras. An archaeological gem.

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

It's in the Monti district , Rome's old-school charming corner. You're near Colle Oppio Park and San Pietro in Vincoli. It kicked off in 432, right after the Council of Ephesus. First big church in Rome for Mary. Legend has it, it was built after a miraculous snow in August and a Virgin Mary vision.

Architecturally, it's a mix. Got a 1743 Neoclassic façade but mostly unchanged since forever. Inside? Renaissance touches, a gold ceiling, and some say that gold's from Columbus. Art-wise, it's all about the mosaics. The apse and triumphal arch scenes are killer, mixing Byzantine and early Renaissance styles.

Chapels and relics? Loads of them. The Cappella Sistina and Borghese Chapel are packed with art and history. The Borghese's even got a Byzantine Madonna over a thousand years old. The floor's a showstopper - a 1288 Cosmati design with wild geometric patterns and marble chips.

Cappella Paolina's another gem. It's got a Crucifixion by Guido Reni and more top-tier art. They've got a museum and newly opened archaeological digs under the basilica. It's a history junkie's dream. Every August 5, they drop white rose petals from the dome for the Feast of Our Lady of the Snows, celebrating the basilica's legendary start.

Visiting? Check out the chapels, museum, even the bell tower for Rome views. Just dress modestly.

🗺️ 17 Lesser-known Spots of Rome:

Rome's got some cool spots off the radar. Let me lay them out for you:

• Coppede District? It's a mash-up of Greek, Baroque, Art Deco, you name it. Check out Villino delle Fate and the frog fountain at Piazza Mincio.
• Rome Cavalieri's hiding a big art stash. Over 10,000 pieces, including a Tiepolo. They do tours with an art historian.
• Galleria Sciarra's tucked near Trevi Fountain. It's all about Art Nouveau and Cellini's murals.
• San Luigi dei Francesi's for the French in Rome. It's all Baroque and Caravaggio.
• Via Appia Antica , Rome's ancient road, is lined with old tombs and stuff. Best on a bike or e-bike tour.
• Villa Ada Savoia's a big park, ex-royal turf. Good for a break from the city noise.
• Catacombs of Priscilla , near Villa Ada. It's underground Rome, with tours of ancient tombs and frescoes.
• Trajan’s Market's a missed spot by tourists. It's ancient Rome's admin hub, now with cool historical artifacts.
• Domus Aurea , Nero's wild Golden House. It's 300 rooms of history on tour.
• Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano , Rome's oldest church. It's got killer art and the Scala Sancta nearby.
• Palazzo Massimo alle Terme ? It's all about ancient art – statues, sculptures, frescoes from Livia’s House.
• Angels Unawares in Piazza San Pietro . It's a tribute to the displaced, by Timothy Schmalz.
• Santa Prassede's a quiet spot, famous for its mosaics and St. Zenone Chapel.
• Horti Sallustiani , Caesar's old gardens. It's a chill walk near Termini.
• Protestant Cemetery's where poets Shelley and Keats are buried. Quiet, historical spot in Testaccio.
• Rooftop Aperitivo ? That's Rome's happy hour. Cocktails, buffet snacks, rooftop views.
• Shopping near the Spanish Steps ? It's all high-end Italian designers and shops. Unique shopping spree.

👩🏽‍🏫 Tips for the Perfect Rome Italy Itinerary:

If you looking for the ultimate daily itinerary for Rome, we got you covered. Click here to read our article: ROME IN ONE DAY .

Tips for making a Rome itinerary?

Balance sightseeing, chilling, and local culture. Here's how:

First up, Ancient Rome. Hit the biggies - Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon. Get your ancient history fix.

Next, Vatican City. St. Peter’s, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel. Must-sees for art and history.

Stroll through Rome's squares. Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain. Each spot's got its own vibe and story.

Art and history buffs? Capitoline Museums and Borghese Gallery. They're loaded with Caravaggio, Bernini, and more.

Don't miss Roman food. Dive into pasta carbonara, pizza al taglio, gelato. Rome's culinary scene is a blast.

Best time to go? Spring for mild weather, summer for the tourist buzz, autumn for good weather and colors, winter for a mild festive vibe.

Set your sights. What's your must-see? Colosseum? Pantheon? Vatican? Galleria Borghese? Pick based on your interests - history, art, food.

Get your transport sorted. Buses, trams, taxis, private cars. Plan ahead to dodge stress.

Last, map out your trip. Use guided tours, city sightseeing tours. Book popular spots in advance.

🛍️ Best Shopping and Souvenirs Spots in Rome

Rome's got shopping for every taste. Here's where you hit for the good stuff:

Via del Governo Vecchio? It's vintage and boutique central. Check out Kolby for menswear, Wools Boutique, Silvia, and Arlette for women's fashion. Hungry? Da Baffetto and Da Tonino are right there.

Via dei Coronari's your antique haunt. Think vintage prints, maps, Roman busts. Stop by Essenzialmente Laura for perfumes, Marta Ray for leather, Lisa Corti for textiles.

Via del Corso's loaded with big names and Italian brands . H&M, Zara, Gap, plus Benetton, Kiko, Intimissimi. Even an Apple store in a 19th-century spot.

La Rinascente in Piazza Fiume and Via del Tritone? It's Italy's iconic store. Luxury, fashion, cosmetics, home stuff, and food. It's modern Italy in a building.

Via dell’Oca , hidden behind Piazza del Popolo, is artisan central. Lucia Odescalchi's jewelry and Patrizia Fabri's hats are must-sees.

Via Dei Condotti? High-end central. Armani, Miu Miu, Dior, Valentino, Hermès, Prada, Ferragamo, Céline – it's all there.

Castel Romano Outlet , just 20 minutes from Rome, offers mega deals. Jimmy Choo, Moschino, Valentino, Armani, Burberry – all up to 70% off.

Via di Monserrato's a calm street in Campo de Fiori. Chic boutiques, art, food. Don't miss Chez Dédé and Maison Halaby.

Via dei Giubbonari , near Campo de’ Fiori, is great for budget shopping. Leather shoes, boots, small shops – it's all there.

Via Frattina, by the Spanish Steps , is where you go for Italian leather shoes. Check out Fausto Santini and Andrea Fabini.

👫🏽 The Best Guided Tours of Rome

There are lots of great tours in Rome and we highly recommend that you take advantage of them. Often, there are amazing deals out there too, so be sure to check them out! Here are a few of some of our favorites:

E-Bike Evening Tour : It's a quick 2.5-hour spin around Rome's top spots. Electric bikes make it easy.

Crypts & Catacombs Tour : Dive deep for 3.5 hours. You'll see the Capuchin Crypt and San Clemente Basilica. It's spooky.

Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour : It's flexible. Hit St. Peter’s Square, Piazza Navona, and more. Choose 24, 48, or 72-hour passes.

Colosseum and Ancient Rome Walking Tour : A solid 2.5 hours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on foot.

Pantheon Guided Tour : Quick 45-minute rundown of the Pantheon. It's all about the architecture and history.

Street Food Tour : It's a must for foodies. Explore Rome's street food scene.

🏖️ The Beaches of Rome

Looking for beaches near Rome? Here's the lowdown:

Lido di Ostia: Classic Italian beach scene, half-hour train from Rome. It's busy, but head to Cancelli for quieter vibes.

Fregene Beach: North of Rome, it's got a big sandy area and cool clubs like “Il Sogno del Mare.” Take a train and bus from Termini.

Vigna di Valle on Lake Bracciano: 40 km north of Rome. It's all about clear water and cheaper beach clubs. Go for paddleboarding and windsurfing.

Anzio: Golden sands with history. Free beach near Villa Imperiale. It's a fishing port, so expect fresh seafood.

Santa Marinella: Windsurfers' haven, an hour train from Rome. Mix of free and private beaches, and top-notch seafood.

Sperlonga: South of Rome, stunning seafront, bars, and restaurants. Train and bus trip, but worth it for the views. Family-friendly.

Civitavecchia: Cruise port with sandy and pebbly beaches. Great seafood, plus nearby ruins to explore. About 90 minutes from Termini.

Sabaudia: Long sandy stretch, Fascist-era architecture. Clean beaches, a mix of busy and local spots. Train and bus, 90 minutes from Termini.

Capocotta: Natural beach, south of Ostia. It's a nude zone and LGBTQIA+ friendly. About 2 hours from Termini.

Terracina: Family-friendly, calm waves, historical spots. Train and bus, 80 minutes from Termini.

🕺🏽13 Top Dance Clubs in Rome

Rome's nightlife is electric. Here's the lowdown on its top dance clubs:

• Magic Fly and Julius Caesar Gurgustium: These places are buzzing. Great music, lively crowds. Top picks for a night out.
• On The Rox: In Trastevere, this club's always pumping. Locals and tourists love it.
• Spazio 900: More than a venue, it's an experience. Energetic crowds, exciting 2024 events. Always a memorable night.
• Club Industria: Rave party central. Awesome sound, lively atmosphere. If you want to dance all night, this is it.
• Circolo degli Illuminati: Three dance floors, different vibes. Music lovers' paradise.
• Rashõmon Club: The go-to for techno and EDM, especially on Saturdays. Smash party is a hit.
• Art Café, Akab Club, Os Club: Elegant, spacious, and fun. Great music, perfect for clubbing die-hards.
• Qube: Three music levels - house, jazz, disco. Muccassasina night is a big draw, especially for the LGBTQ+ community.
• Toy Room: Heart of Rome, super exclusive. Contemporary design, hip-hop beats.
• Fanfulla: Live bands, DJs, from punk to pop to electro. It's got everything.
• Room 26: Piazza Guglielmo Marconi's ultimate club. Top DJs, cutting-edge sound, young, vibrant crowd.
• Profumo Spazio Sensoriale: Restaurant, bar, event spot. Elegant, floral art, tasty Mediterranean dishes, and a cocktail range.
• Cash Club: Trendy, baroque meets modern music. Gourmet food by day , underground rap club by night.

🚍 Adventurous Day Trips from Rome

Want to explore around Rome? Here's a guide to some killer day trips :

Bracciano Lake:

It's got the medieval vibe down. Check out the 15th-century Orsini Odescalchi Castle and Duomo di Santo Stefano. Trevignano Romano and Anguillara Sabazia are cool too. About an hour by train or 45 minutes by car from Rome.

Pizza heaven. Plus, it's got castles and history. Hit Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba and L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele from "Eat Pray Love." Just over an hour by train from Rome.

Art and history central. Michelangelo’s David, Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo. Crowded but worth it for art buffs. Less than 2 hours by train from Rome.

It's like stepping back in time. Etruscan roots, fortress, church of San Bonaventura, Bernini's Baroque fountain. It's in a natural park, adding some adventure.

Giardino di Ninfa:

One of the world's most romantic gardens. Medieval ruins, exotic plants. Spring's the best time for the wisteria.

Terni and Cascata delle Marmore:

Head to Terni, Saint Valentine's town, then hit the Marmore Waterfalls. It's nature meets Roman engineering. About an hour by train from Rome.

Close to Rome, packed with history. Villa Adriana, Villa D’Este's gardens and fountains, Rocca Pia fortress. 45 minutes to an hour from Rome by public transport.

🍴 Best Places to Eat in Rome

Here are some of our favorite spots to eat in Rome:

ADESSO Vineria-Bistrot? It's a hit for Italian and Mediterranean food . High reviews, top recommendations.

La Fata Ignorante - Rooftop Restaurant & Bar: It's all about Italian and seafood. People love it. Lots of positive buzz.

Arrosticinando: Italian and BBQ joint. It's got both great food and a cool vibe.

TreCaffè Gianicolense: Casual spot, big on coffee, tea, and Italian eats. Rome's breakfast go-to.

Bono Bottega Nostrana - San Pietro: Serving Italian and Mediterranean dishes . Nails it for business lunches, aperitivos, romantic dinners. People are talking.

Next, check out some of our articles about eating in Rome. Straight to the point, no fluff:

• Our Picks for the Best Carbonara in Rome
• Roman Pastries and the Best Spots to Find Them in Rome
• A Slice of Heaven: The Quest for the Best Tiramisu in Rome

🏘️ Rome Neighborhoods to Know

To find the best deals for places to stay, we recommend you check out Booking.com. It's also a great resource to see actual photos and read real reviews!

Rome's a city of unique neighborhoods. Each has its own vibe:

Centro Storico: It's historic Rome. Think Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Roman Forum. Tourist and expat hotspot, but living here costs a pretty penny - up to €2,500 for an apartment.

Ostiense: From industrial to artsy. Street art, counterculture vibes. Good transport, mix of families and nightlife. More wallet-friendly, rents around €1,000.

Prati : Upscale, near the Vatican. Wide streets, green spaces, Paris vibes. Pricy high-endrestaurants and boutiques. Living here isn't cheap.

Testaccio: Authentic Roman food, lively nightlife. It's traditional meets modern, and always buzzing.

Portuense: Industrial turned residential. It's got diverse food markets, international cuisine, and local arts.

San Paolo: Art nouveau architecture and a busy local scene. Culture and entertainment options abound.

Colonna: The shopping and political heart. High-end stores, government buildings.

Campo Marzio: Rome's oldest part. Luxurious hotels, historical spots like Spanish Steps. High rent.

Parione and Regola: Right in the historic center. Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori. Lively, Renaissance architecture.

Sant’Eustachio: Between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Tourist-friendly, exclusive hotels, rustic eateries.

Trastevere: Narrow alleys, artisan shops, buzzing nightlife. Great for day exploration and night culture.

Celio: Colosseum's home. Historical significance with modern touches.

Pigneto: Once neglected, now a gentrified alternative scene hub. Diverse, unique architecture, cool shops and bars.

Torpignattara: Dense, diverse, historical. Known for the Mausoleum of Santa Elena.

Monti: Fashion, food, history. Michelin-star dining, wine bars, sites like Basilica di San Pietra in Vincoli, Roman Forum.

🏨 Best Places to Stay in Rome

Check out some of our favorite places to stay in Rome below. And, as we mentioned in the neighborhood section, be sure to browse through Booking.com to look for special deals, glance through photos, and read real reviews.

Maalot Roma: In Trevi, this 5-star spot nails it. Air-conditioned rooms, gym, free WiFi, restaurant. People love the service and the extras like airport rides and bike rentals.

The First Dolce: Near Piazza del Popolo, Spagna. It's 5-star with concierge, non-smoking rooms, restaurant, bar. Guests rave about the location, staff, and comfy beds.

Harry's Bar Trevi Hotel & Restaurant: Steps from Trevi Fountain. Modern rooms, flat-screen TV, satellite, parquet floors, minibar. Visitors dig the staff and location for city walks.

Terrace Pantheon Relais: Close to the Pantheon, this place offers a panoramic terrace and stylish digs. Just a stroll from Piazza Navona. Rooms have flat-screen TVs and kettles. Guests love the location and staff friendliness.

Palazzo Ripetta: A top pick in Spagna. Guests keep coming back for its quality and unique vibe.

📚 Books About Rome

Here are our 8 of ourtop pics for recommended reads about Rome's history and culture:

• " Rubicon " by Tom Holland digs into the Roman Republic's final years. It's all about the politics, military, and social issues sparking civil war.
• Claire Holleran's " Shopping in Ancient Rome " uncovers Rome's retail scene. Shows its impact across social classes.
• " Turia: A Roman Woman’s Civil War " by Josiah Osgood. It's a unique bio of a first-century BCE lady. Covers vengeance, gender norms, Roman family life.
• Mary Beard's " SPQR " is a lively intro to Rome. From myths to empire, it's got style and charm.
• Matthew Kneale's " Rome: A History in Seven Sackings " explores how invasions shaped Rome's look, customs, language.
• Walter Scheidel's " Escape from Rome " looks at the empire's fall. Argues it kicked off modern Europe's creation.
• " The Fate of Rome " by Kyle Harper links Rome's empire to nature. Talks climate change, disease impacts.
• Robert L. O'Connell's " The Ghosts of Cannae " dives into Cannae's battle. Shows its huge role in Roman history.

👨🏽‍🏫 Final Tips for Traveling to Rome

Heading to Rome? Here's what you need to know , fast:

What to Wear

• Wear comfy shoes for those cobblestones. Skip the heels.
• Dresses? Go lightweight, breathable. Need one for the Vatican that's below the knees.
• Pants: Think light trousers, capris, linen. Leave the jeans.
• Modest up for Vatican visits: Long trousers or skirts, long sleeves.
• Pack a fancy outfit for upscale dinners. Comfortable shoes, too.
• A scarf or shawl's great for weather shifts or religious sites.

Essential Items

• Anti-theft stuff's smart. Hidden money belts, pickpocket-proof clothes, scarf with pockets.
• Italy's voltage is 230 V, 50 Hz. Check if you need an adapter.

General Tips

• Bring your meds. Pharmacies might be closed on holidays or Sundays.
• Earplugs for a quiet sleep in busy areas.
• Foldable chair for long queues at places like the Vatican.
• Keep your ID, passport, driver's license, credit card, and wallet handy.
• Watch for pickpockets, especially in touristy spots. Keep valuables safe, photocopy important docs.
• A bit of Italian goes a long way.
• Driving in Rome? Bad idea. Stick to public transport.
• Visa and Entry Requirements
• No COVID-19 rules for Italy travel right now (as of January 2024).
• Passport needs to be less than 10 years old, valid for 3 months after you leave.
• Visa-free for 90 days in a 180-day period for tourism and short visits.
• Make sure your passport gets stamped entering or leaving the Schengen area.
• Restaurants charge 1-3 Euros or 10% service fee.

Local Events and Attractions

• Check out local festivals and cultural events. They're unforgettable.

❓Frequently Asked Questions About Rome:

These are the most common question people ask about Rome:

What is Rome Italy most known for?

Rome, Italy is packed with history and culture. Let's break it down:

• Landmarks are everywhere. The Colosseum, Pantheon, and Spanish Steps? All walkable.
• The architecture's a time machine. Roman ruins, classical vibes, and Italian flair all mixed in.
• Movies, too. Rome's big in Italian film. Cinecittà's here, Europe's largest studio. Many famous films shot here.
• Food's classic Italian . Think Spaghetti alla Carbonara , Cacio e Pepe, plus killer gelato and thin, crispy pizza.
• Then there's the Vatican. Smallest country, huge in Catholicism.
• Roman engineering still wows. Aqueducts, roads - old but gold.
• Bridges and squares aren't just pretty. They're functional, social hubs. Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo – iconic.
• Museums? Loaded with Roman Empire and ancient history. Raphael, Bernini – the big names.
• Trastevere's the laid-back spot. Artsy cafes, cool shops, historical sites.
• St Peter's Basilica – massive deal in Vatican City. Renaissance masterpiece.
• Rome's old – 28 centuries. Mix of Latins, Etruscans, Sabines. Central to Western civ and Catholic Church.
• UNESCO digs it. The historic center and some Vatican properties are World Heritage Sites.

Do they speak English in Rome Italy?

In Rome, English is hit or miss. Let's get into it:

Tourist spots? Hotels, restaurants, tour guides – they generally speak English. They're used to tourists. Young folks and business pros are more English-friendly. Under 30s and university types often have good English. But it's a mixed bag. Outside tourist areas, older folks and locals might not speak much English.

Schools and media play a part. English isn't a big deal in all schools. Lots of media is in Italian. Italians are proud of their language. Older generations might stick to Italian more. Getting around? English works for basic tourist stuff. But pick up some Italian phrases. It shows respect.

Public transport? Some English signs and help. But knowing a few Italian words helps. Be polite and patient when talking. Simple English, respect, and a smile go a long way. So, English is there, especially with tourists. But learning Italian basics? Always a smart move.

How many days do you need in Rome?

How long in Rome? Depends on what you want. Let's break it down:

• Got 2-3 days? Perfect for a quick hit. Hit the big spots – Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain. Grab some local food, wander the streets.
• First time? Give it 4-7 days. See the essentials, and maybe squeeze in a day trip or two.
• Been before? 2-3 days could do it. Check out new spots or old favorites.
• Really dig culture? 4-7 days. Get off the beaten path – Catacombs, Appian Way. Maybe a Pompeii day trip.
• Foodie? Stretch it to 4-7 days. Hit markets, cooking classes, food tours. Taste everything.
• Love shopping? 3-7 days lets you hit all the shopping hotspots.
• Got kids? Keep it flexible. Match their pace and interests.
• Four-day plan? Cover the big attractions, some museums like Galleria Borghese or Capuchin Crypt.
• Five days? Take it easy. Add in Baths of Caracalla, Appian Way Park. Get the full Rome vibe.

What is Rome like for tourists?

Rome's a mix of old and new. Here's the lowdown for tourists:

• It's a history buff's dream. Think Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain. Art, culture, history – it's all here.
• Food's a highlight. From classic Italian spots to street eats. Pasta, pizza, gelato – and lots of outdoor seating.
• Expect crowds. Big spots get busy. Off-season's quieter, or get skip-the-line tickets.
• Language tip: English is common, but some Italian phrases go a long way.
• Watch your stuff. Like any big city, keep an eye out for pickpockets.
• Getting around? Buses, trams, metro, trains – they've got it covered.
• Visiting churches? Dress respectfully. Cover up shoulders and knees.
• G elato's a must. Anytime's good for a scoop.
• Cappuccino's a morning thing here. Afternoon? Try a caffè macchiato.
• First Sunday of the month? Free museums and sites.
• Walking's the way to go. Stumble upon hidden gems and gorgeous squares.
• Check out quieter spots like Trastevere. It's more local, less touristy.
• Stay hydrated, especially when it's hot. Use those public fountains.
• Plan ahead. Makes the most of your Rome trip.

What are 5 fun facts about Rome?

Rome's full of cool history. Here are five quick facts:

• There's a secret corridor in the Vatican, the Passetto del Borgo. Pope Clement VII used it in 1527 to dodge Charles V's army.
• SPQR is everywhere in Rome. Stands for "Senātus Populusque Rōmānus," or "The Senate and Roman People." It's a big deal, symbolizing Senate and citizen power.
• The Colosseum? Huge. Held 50,000 to 80,000 people. Gladiator fights, even staged naval battles. It's seen a lot.
• Ancient Rome was stacked up. Most folks lived in insulae, apartment blocks up to seven stories. Cramped and fire-prone.
• Roman numerals, still around. Came from ancient Rome, based on the Latin alphabet. Check any clock, you'll see them.

Are people friendly in Rome?

Rome's all about friendliness. Here's the deal:

Romans? They're welcoming, outgoing. Creates a fun, chatty vibe all over town. Café culture's huge. Cafés everywhere, perfect for hanging out, people-watching. They're social magnets for locals and tourists. Public spaces are friendly zones. Piazzas, street cafes – always buzzing. Great for soaking in the local scene.

Art and culture add to the warmth. Ancient ruins, museums, art – it's inviting, inspiring. Food's a big social thing. Trattorias, street eats, late-night dining – it's about community and sharing good food. Rome's built for walking. Easy to explore, meet people, dive into local life.

Tourists are welcome here. The mix of visitors and locals keeps things lively and open. But hey, it's a big city. Gets crowded, especially in tourist spots at peak times. Can be a bit much. Overall, Rome mixes history, culture, and a great social scene. Makes for a welcoming vibe for everyone.

How much money will I need per day in Rome?

Planning a day's budget in Rome for 2024? Here's the breakdown:

Accommodation costs:

• 1-star hotel: $206 a night.
• 2-star: $150 a night.
• 3-star: $167 a night.
• 4-star: $221 a night.
• 5-star: $685 a night.
• Hostels: $181 a month.
• Average Airbnb: $104 a night.

Food expenses:

• Daily average: $52.
• Cheap breakfast: €2-€7.
• Lunch on a budget: €6-€13.
• Dinner: €8-€20.
• Supermarket food: 29% cheaper than in the US.
• Cappuccino: $1.6. Water: $1.2 a bottle.

Transportation:

• Single ticket (bus, tram, metro): €1.50.
• 1-day pass: €6. 3-day: €16.50. Week pass: €24.
• Roma Pass (museums + transport): €36 for 3 days, €28 for 48 hours.

Entertainment and sightseeing:

• Daily average: $40 per person.
• This covers museums, attractions, tours.
• Example: Coliseum for two: €33. Vatican Museum: €69 for two.

Miscellaneous:

• Alcoholic drinks: $20 a day.
• Bottled water: $3.70 daily.
• Tips and extras: about $32 a day.

Overall budget:

• Mid-range or budget traveler : Around €123 or $145 a day. Includes stay, food, transport, and attractions.

Remember, these are averages. Prices vary based on your choices and where in Rome you go.

🇮🇹 Explore More About Italy!

If Rome got you hooked on going to Italy , just wait. There's more Italian magic out there. 'Buon Viaggio'!

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The 26 Best Things to Do in Rome

By Maresa Manara and Katie Parla

In such an ancient and dense place, prioritizing which corners to see can be an overwhelming task. How do you even start to figure out what to do in Rome? To shed some light on that impenetrable question, we've pulled together a list of world-famous sites and lesser-known destinations—museums, markets, archeological and architectural marvels—that will provide you with the full spectrum of outstanding experiences the Italian capital has to offer. Whether you have only a day in the city or a couple weeks (or return visits) to explore every detail, this list will help you pull together an itinerary you won't forget.

Read our complete Rome travel guide here .

Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Palazzo Spada Arrow

Near Campo dei Fiori yet blissfully uncrowded, Palazzo Spada is a striking historic palace built in the 16 th century and redesigned by Roman architect Borromini in the 17th century. Inside there’s a rich art collection with Renaissance and Baroque masters, and outside there’s a peaceful courtyard where eight impressive colonnades create a mesmerising optical illusion. The palace itself is exquisitely Baroque, with elegant, perfect symmetry and ornate decorations. Inside, there are walls plastered in frescoes, immaculate stucco work, and grand halls of opulent, gilded marble. Palazzo Spada houses an incredible art collection, with paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts by artists including Titian and Caravaggio. Don’t miss the Borromini Perspective Gallery, a masterclass in optical illusion where a corridor appears to be much longer than it actually is.

Monte Mario Nature Reserve Arrow

A hike through this huge nature reserve—the highest of Rome’s ‘seven hills’—makes for a great alternative to Villa Borghese, with a fraction of the crowds, and fantastic views over the city. The Monte Mario Natural Reserve spans around 100 hectares, with nature trails wending through canopies of oak trees, pines and cypress trees. There’s a rich array of wildlife, including hawks, kestrels, foxes and hedgehogs. It couldn’t feel farther from one of the world’s biggest cities. There’s a number of different walking trails throughout the reserve, some more difficult (and steep) than others. Take a taxi there from the historical centre—it’s a seven minute drive away.

Case Romane del Celio in Rome Arrow

Underground beneath the Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo, this heritage museum shows how Roman daily life has changed over the years. There are 20 rooms showing ancient Roman homes, shops and shrines. It’s cheap to get into and relatively quiet, even on weekends. This is one of the best preserved examples of ancient Roman domestic architecture. The houses date back to the second and third centuries AD. They were part of a larger residential complex, possibly belonging to a single aristocratic Roman family. One of the most remarkable features is the underground area known as the hypogeum —a subterranean complex of chambers and passageways. Visitors can explore several interconnected rooms, including reception areas (atria), living quarters (cubicula), kitchens, and courtyards. The houses are decorated with colorful frescoes, intricate mosaics, and marble floors, showcasing the opulence and artistic sophistication of the Roman elite.

Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza Arrow

Most artists and architects working in the characteristically ornate and emotional Baroque style leaned heavily on color and materials to create strong visual impressions. Not Borromini, in this magnificent church originally designed for the Università di Roma. Using simply molded stucco forms and daylight, the maestro created an interior space that's at once intimate and infinite, simple and complex. If you've seen Bernini's interior design at St. Peter's Basilica, this is a great place to see how his rival achieves absolute architectural perfection without using scale and color as a crutch. There's no guide. Walk in, take a seat, and take it in.

Matt Ortile

Scott Laird

Siobhan Reid

Meaghan Kenny

Galleria Doria Pamphilj Arrow

This museum houses Rome's largest private collection, a trove assembled by the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi, and Aldobrandini families and brought together through marriage. It’s set in a noble palace still owned by the Doria Pamphilj family and the ornate halls provide a grand setting for such an overwhelming amount of art. The collection is acclaimed among 16th and 17th-century art aficionados but is off the average visitor’s radar even though it's located just off Piazza Venezia and close to the Forum.

Villa Doria Pamphilj Arrow

Rome's largest public park is divided into manicured gardens, stretches of forest, pine groves, and bits of wild vegetation. There are wide open fields, as well as intimate nooks for romantic picnics. It's a perfect destination for runners or cyclists who want to get in a few miles without the nuisances of car traffic and smog. Whether you visit for a stroll, a meal, or a workout, be sure to have a map. The place is huge and some exits spit you out into residential neighborhoods.

Colosseum Arrow

If you know the background of the building, a visit to the Colosseum will be truly amazing and totally live up to the hype. The place was used for wild beast hunts, public executions, and gladiator fights for several hundred years, then became a condo of sorts as medieval Romans made their homes in the hulking ruins. Spend a little time on the second story exhibition area, check out the artists' renderings of the building's ancient and medieval incarnations, and you'll be anxious to learn more.

Ancient Pharmacy of Santa Maria della Scala Arrow

Entering this ancient apothecary, the oldest in Europe, feels a little like stepping back in time. You enter through the ground floor of the building, which is now a functioning, modern pharmacy, before heading upstairs to the ancient iteration. Visitors are welcomed by a friar, who talks you through the various herbs, potions, unguents, balms, and oils that they used to heal the ancient Romans. He knows his stuff. Ask him to show you some of the original wooden furniture from the 18th century, and the instruments they used for weighing ingredients and making the medicines. Look out for the teriaca, a potion created and used by Romans as an antidote—ingredients include viper meat.

MAXXI Rome Arrow

MAXXI is the kind of place you go to spend half a day, with no plans other than to take the entire place in. Designed by Zaha Hadid, this is Rome’s museum for all things contemporary, with exhibitions spanning modern fashion, cinema, art, and architecture. Heck, it’s worth visiting just to check out the building, a piece of art in itself. The labyrinthine space at MAXXI is astounding. It gets busy, but there's so much space that you wouldn't notice. Big, wide halls give way to rooms of different themes and sizes, resulting in five floors of non-stop, incredible artwork. Spaces range from performing arts to galleries with modern artworks to open cinemas. For some, this might feel a little incoherent, but it helps if you take it in as a whole rather than different spaces.

Capitoline Museums Arrow

Home to one of the finest collections of ancient sculpture in Rome (and therefore the world), the Capitoline Museums are—weirdly—rarely crowded. They attract school groups, local history and art buffs, and travelers, all of whom tend to meander through the museums' various buildings, two of which were designed by none other than Michelangelo. Thanks to its collection and its proximity to Rome's main archeological attractions, it's a logical place to stop after visiting the Roman Forum and Colosseum.

Palatine Hill Arrow

The Palatine Hill is a big, sprawling open-air museum. There are emperors' palaces, manicured gardens, medieval churches, and a terrace overlooking the Forum and beyond. The admission fee is about $18 and covers the Roman Forum and Colosseum, too, making it a pretty great deal. Although the Palatine has monuments from every major era in Rome's history, the real draw is a first-century palace built by Domitian, a mad emperor with a very serious architecture addiction.

Jubilee Church Arrow

Chiesa di Dio Padre Misericordioso, also known as the Jubilee Church, was designed by American architect Richard Meier as part of the Vatican's grand church-building and city revival program leading up to the Millennium Jubilee, a Catholic pilgrimage year held in 2000. The church is free, though getting there may cost you. It's about six miles from central Rome, so a taxi could easily cost more than €25 ($28). Alternatively, you can reach the church via public transport for €3 ($4) round trip.

San Zeno Chapel at Santa Prassede Arrow

The San Zeno Chapel is a small chapel and major pilgrimage destination inside the church of Santa Prassede (aka Saint Praxedes). The church, chapel, and mosaics all backdate to the 9th century when Pope Paschal I built the chapel and its Byzantine mosaics for his mother. Because the chapel houses the remains of a pillar believed by many Catholics to be from the Flagellation of Christ, it draws some pilgrims. Other visitors are travelers specifically there to see the Byzantine mosaics.

Domus Aurea Arrow

A sprawling palatial pavilion built by emperor Nero in the 1st century that will blow you away with the design taste and command of concrete and space on display. You can only visit on weekends—the site's under restoration during the week—but admission includes a guided tour. Ours was led by an archeologist who not only worked on the site but was totally obsessed with it; the passion made for a terrific tour. Try your luck.

Mercato di Campagna Amica del Circo Massimo Arrow

Despite being Rome's largest farmers market, the Mercato di Campagna Amica remains down to earth and not at all corporate—as demonstrated by the fact it's only open on weekends. The stalls adhere to the "0 km" philosophy, shorthand for products made or grown within 100 kilometers from the point of sale; and vendors come mostly from Lazio, Rome's home region. It's a crash course in the local leafy greens, amusing in their number and variety, especially to visitors from northern climates. Both the olives and the olive oil you'll find here are worth a splurge, but one of the market's best uses is as a source of super-fresh (and super-cheap) picnic material. Grab some bread, a little fresh pecorino, a few slices of prosciutto, some fruit, and make yourself a lunch.

Villa Farnesina Arrow

The Villa was the private residence of Agostino Chigi, one of the Renaissance's richest men; he liked to showcase his wealth by hiring artists to paint elaborate frescoes on the walls and ceilings in his palace. That makes this a great place for Renaissance fans who want to take their time and see the art in-situ without the crowds. Thanks to Raphael's emphasis on mythological themes, it's also a great place for kids who know about the Roman gods—or want to!

Janiculum Hill Arrow

This is a leisurely stroll beginning in Trastevere and winding up via Garibaldi to the top of Janiculum Hill. The mood changes from urban at the beginning to monumental at the end; it's a bit of work, but rewards those willing to do it with a unique perspective on Roman history and some of the best views of the city. Best to do the walk during the day, or early in the morning if it's summer. If you're on a tight schedule, don't want to brave the hill in the heat, or just want to get a view, skip the hike and take a taxi directly to Piazzale Garibaldi.

Vicus Caprarius Arrow

This museum takes you beneath the Trevi district, through an intricate maze of ancient vestiges to the archaeological ruins of Vicus Caprarius (which roughly translates to “City of Water”), an old Roman apartment complex dating back to the first-century A.D.. You get to see first-hand how the rich Romans lived, using their very own aqueduct–the same one that feeds the Trevi fountain–for their running water. The entrance is unassuming, and if you hadn’t been told it was there it would be easy to walk right past. There’s a fairly comprehensive website but all bookings are made (and confirmed) via a Whatsapp chat. Skip the guided tour—there were 8 of us in the tour group, but we shared the same (small) space with  self-guided individuals, many of whom had just showed up and booked on the day. If you're keen on a post-museum cocktail, head upstairs to Harry's Bar.

Santa Maria del Popolo Arrow

Santa Maria del Popolo is a Renaissance church at the edge of Piazza del Popolo and just within Rome's 3rd-century walls. It was decorated during Rome's most recent artistic peak, the 15th to 17th centuries, and is packed with masterpieces. The church is free, though some coins will come in handy for turning lights on in chapels. The place mostly draws visitors on the Caravaggio trail. Two canvases painted by that controversial and innovative artist hang in the chapel next to the main altar.

Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini Arrow

The Domus Romane are ancient Roman villas and other structures that were abandoned in antiquity, filled in with debris, and inadvertently used as foundations for Palazzo Valentini, a Renaissance palace turned government office building. They are now underground, obscured by buildings and pavement just beside Piazza Venezia. Booking is required and must be done online.

Santa Maria in Trastevere Arrow

There are hundreds of churches in Rome, but Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the most breathtaking. Not only are the mosaics and gilded ceiling spectacular, the very skeletal structure of the church is mind-boggling. The columns that support the nave and separate the aisles are single, solid pieces of granite that were lugged across the river in the 12th century after being plundered from the 3rd-century Baths of Caracalla. The church will help you develop a taste for medieval Rome, a period often outshined by the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

Palazzo Massimo Arrow

The Palazzo Massimo's building itself was built by Jesuits in the late 19th century and was only turned into a state-owned museum in 1980. It's next to Stazione Termini, Rome's busiest station, yet few travelers make the trip to see the museum's masterpiece-packed halls. The collection is a mix of Classical sculpture, Imperial frescoes, and Hellenistic baroque-style statuary. After the Vatican Museums and Capitoline Museums, the Palazzo Massimo is a must for ancient art lovers.

Testaccio Market Arrow

This market in one of Rome's most bustling central neighborhoods has all the usual suspects: bread bakeries, produce stalls, fishmongers, butchers, and delis. You'll also find seasonal vegetables like artichokes or zucchini, cuts typical of the local cuisine like tripe and liver, and little chewy pizzas common to Roman bakeries. If you're looking for lunch (or to stock a picnic), hunt down takeaway stalls like the stellar Mordi e Vai, which serves Roman sandwiches near the Via B. Franklin exit. The stalls on the eastern side of the market mainly sell clothes, shoes, and housewares. There's even a hair salon, in case you're needing a touchup.

Pigneto Arrow

Pigneto is popular with Italian college students and twenty- and thirty-somethings who frequent the bars on the "Isola," a pedestrianized stretch of Via del Pigneto, the neighborhood's central artery. It's also a destination for Pasolini fans who visit the streets that were the backdrop for his Neorealist films. It's an acquired taste and may feel too rough-around-the-edges for some, but anyone interested in urbanism and street art, or just thirsty to explore neighborhood's outside of Rome's historic center, will enjoy it.

Baths of Caracalla Arrow

The Baths of Caracalla were a massive public bathing complex built in the third century. Throughout the year, the site is open during the day for visitors to stroll through ruins that were so magnificent they inspired the Main Concourse at Grand Central Terminal. Each summer, the city of Rome's Opera company performs at the Baths, using the towering brick ruins as a backdrop. The contrast of the ancient buildings, celebrated operas, and modern acoustics and lighting is stunning.

Quartiere San Lorenzo Arrow

This working-class neighborhood near Termini station first gained international prominence when Soho House opened their Rome outpost a few years back. Since then, it’s evolved from a rough-around-the-edges student hangout into a decidedly bohemian district, with street art, street food, lively bars, and cool fashion boutiques. To get the most out of the neighborhood, visit in the late afternoon, when fashion boutiques like L’Anatra all’Arancia and La Maison de la Mode will still be open. Refuel with a coffee at the diminutive Giufà Libreria Caffè bookstore-bar, then check out the street art around Via dei Sabelli and Scalo San Lorenzo. Stop by Blackmarket San Lorenzo for a pre-dinner cocktail and vegetarian small plates, or pop into Sanlollo for pizzas, bruschetta, and salted cod. Gelato San Lorenzo does some of the best ice cream in town, all of it organic. Still, don't bring your parents or your fussiest friends here; rather, come with someone who’s up for a cheap-ish night out in a gritty but very cool neighborhood.

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80+ Helpful Rome Travel Tips & Tricks: Must-Knows Before You Visit Rome!

Last Updated: August 24, 2023

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

For a lot of first-timers visiting the Eternal City, many find it to be an eternal disappointment.

From crafty pickpockets and heaving crowds to tourist traps around every corner, Rome is not an “easy” city to enjoy…

But don’t worry – if you’re visiting Rome any time soon, I’ve put together a list of oddly specific Rome travel tips to ensure your trip is a roaring, calorie-packed success.

I’ve been to Rome three times now, with each visit better than the last. I chalk that up to learning through painful trial and error all the eccentricities and traps that this magically frustrating city has to offer.

(Although full disclosure: the first time, I literally got robbed within 15 min of arrival, so I guess that’s a pretty low bar.)

So, if it’s your first time in the Eternal City, here are some highly important must-knows before you visit Rome. Trust me – with these Rome tips in hand, you’re guaranteed to have the trip of a lifetime.

Save this list of Rome travel tips for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

Rome Travel Planning Tips

Let’s start with some planning-related Rome tips to help you with flights, booking hotels in Rome, choosing dates, the best times to visit Rome, etc.

Learn the tricks to getting cheap flights TO Rome

If you haven’t booked your flights to Rome yet, be sure to check out my guide on  how to get the cheapest flights to Europe . I promise it’ll save you hundreds of dollars on your flight!

Consider flying into Rome’s cheaper, smaller (and more central) airport

Rome Fiumicino Airport (AKA the Leonardo da Vinci Airport) is Rome’s main international airport. If you are coming from overseas, this will likely be your point of entry. 

This airport is located in Fiumicino, about 40km west of Rome’s historical centre, right by the sea.

Getting to/from Rome’s Termini (central) station can be as quick as 32 minutes if you take the Leonardo Express Train (14 euros) or as long as an hour or so if you take some regional trains with stops and connections.

If however you are flying from within Europe, then a cheaper alternative may be Rome Ciampino Airport, which is only 12.5km away from Rome’s historical center and services budget airlines like RyanAir and WizzAir.

A train from Ciampino to Rome’s Termini station can be as quick as 14 minutes and costs only 1.50, so it’s a great way to save time/money if you’re on a budget. 

NOTE: Budget airlines come with their own set of unique struggles, but if saving money is a big priority for you, then flying into Ciampino is worth looking into.

Avoid peak season in Rome if you can

I’ve visited Rome in June, July, and January. By far, January’s temperatures and crowds were the most pleasant.

Not only are July and August extremely popular times to visit Rome (meaning inflated prices and crowds), the heat will destroy you completely.

One afternoon on my most recent visit, my boyfriend and I were so exhausted by the heat that we literally sat down next to a water fountain, and wordlessly sipped water for a solid 30 minutes. It was weird – and for that bizarre chapter, I blame that scorching Roman sun.

Of course, Rome in the peak summer months is still worthwhile to visit, but if you have the luxury of choice, visiting outside of July and August will mean thinner crowds and more tolerable temperatures.

Plan your trip for minimum four days

If you are currently planning your first visit to Rome, I strongly encourage you to plan for at least 4 days in the city.

There is SO much to do in Rome – after three visits I still feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.

I think the beauty of this city is that there are huge powerhouse attractions that are a must-do (e.g. the Colosseum, Vatican City, etc.) alongside quirkier and more offbeat sights that many visitors miss.

4 days will allow you to experience both of these (equally worthwhile) sides of Rome, while making time for lengthy, relaxing meals and aperitivos.

Book your Rome hotel early

Hotel options in Rome are overwhelming, with over 700 hotels in the historical center alone.

And honestly? I feel like the value for money with Rome accommodation is pretty mediocre. While there are of course many beautiful hotels, most come at a high price point, and a lot of budget/mid-range options leave much to be desired in terms of facilities and decor.

That’s not to say you can’t find some gems! I stayed at this hotel ON the Spanish steps for only 120 euros a night, a complete bargain for the location.

But anyways, when it comes to getting a good hotel in Rome, your best bet is to book early. 

TIP: If you use Booking.com , you can find hundreds of hotels that offer free reservations and cancellations, ensuring peace of mind even if you aren’t 100% committed to that property.

Staying somewhere central is key

It goes without saying that where you stay can have a huge impact on your experience in Rome, but I didn’t realize what a big difference it made until I finally stayed somewhere ‘nice’ on my most recent trip.

Staying right on the Spanish Steps meant I was within 30 min of all major sights on foot, and getting back to the hotel after along day of exploration was always filled with beautiful sights, lovely monuments and a hopelessly rome-antic ambiance.

Being able to explore as soon as I stepped out was invaluable, and worth every penny.

Public transportation in Rome is also not super reliable (more on this later), and time is money, so if you’re prioritizing your needs for accommodation, I highly recommend location being high up on your list.

Consider booking an airport hotel & spending your last evening in Fiumicino 

As I previously mentioned, hotels in central Rome can be expensive, and if you happen to be flying out earlier in the day, then I highly recommend spending your final night in Fiumicino (assuming that’s the airport you’re departing from).

There are many accommodation options in Fiumicino that are MUCH cheaper than central Rome. We stayed at this hotel for only 66 euros a night, and they even had a pool. 

If you love seafood, there’s also the added bonus that Fiumicino is right along the sea, meaning an abundance of excellent seafood restaurants for cheap.

We dined at Ristorantino Da Giorgio and enjoyed an epic menu of gorgeous seafood antipasto, spaghetti with clams, and a main meat course (I had calamari) for only 25 euros, including water and coperto. Unreal!

After a hectic city break in Rome, a final evening in Fiumicino is the perfect relaxing end. My boyfriend and I felt like we’d been dropped off in a Spanish resort town – it was so nice.

NOTE: The Terravision bus from central Rome to the airport has a stop in Fiumicino town, which means you can get there for cheap too.

Don’t forget travel insurance

I personally believe that travel insurance is a must for every trip, but especially in tourist cities like Rome, where pickpockets are a dime a dozen.

Trust me, when visiting a dream destination like Rome, the peace of mind is worth the cost!

Click here to check rates with WorldNomads.

Download helpful apps before you visit Rome

There are plenty of apps you can download that will make your time in Rome 100x easier.

I’ve previously written a full list of the  best travel apps for Europe  so be sure to check that out, but here are some especially good options for Rome:

• MyCicero : An app that allows you to buy tickets for public transport, trains, and even parking
• FREE NOW:  Great for ordering taxis with a transparent price so you know you’re not getting scammed
• Google Translate:  A must for translating signs/menus on the go. Download Italian to be used offline if you can
• The Fork:  Great for making restaurant reservations

Use Omio to search transport options if you’re headed elsewhere

If Rome isn’t your only destination on the trip, then another helpful app/website to know is  Omio , which allows you to compare and book transport options from Point A to Point B.

That means you can compare buses, trains and flights for your route at the same time, making it much easier to find the best option in terms of cost, speed, etc.

Rome Transport Tips And General Tricks For Getting Around

Getting around Rome can be really daunting for a first-time visitor, so here are all my best Rome tips related to getting around the city.

Get ready to walk… a LOT

In my opinion, Rome is a city best explored on foot. My hotel receptionist though would disagree – his jaw just about hit the floor when we said we wanted to walk everywhere.

Admittedly, in the summer, walking from Point A to Point B is exhausting, but you get to see so much more that way! 

I also find using my own leg-stumps to be more reliable than Rome’s bus/tram system. We tried to catch the bus a few times but on each attempt, it was either packed or delayed for no reason – maybe it was bad luck, but even after three visits I still haven’t ever taken the bus in Rome!

For context, each day of my recent trip, I averaged 25,000 – 30,000 steps… so I hope you enjoy explorations on foot!

Prepare to cross the street like a maniac

Crossing the street in Rome is a guaranteed adrenaline rush and a half.

At least for me, living in Germany where jaywalking is treated akin to murder, trying to navigate the chaotic streets of Rome is… intimidating to say the least.

In Rome, drivers don’t like to stop for you, even when there’s a zebra crossing. They also don’t always signal turns, and crossing the street is pretty much a free-for-all that rewards the boldest and most shameless…. AKA not me.

My tip? Walk out and cross with confidence, or simply wait for a local to step out so you can meekly shuffle alongside them, praying not to die.

Bus & Metro tickets are the same

The ticket is 1.50 and good for 100 minutes after you validate them.

While historically, you needed to have your ticket before you boarded the Metro, bus or tram, these days there’s the new Tap & Go System that allows you to pay with contactless cards instead.

Read more about it here.

Remember to validate your tickets

This goes for bus tickets, Metro tickets and even train tickets.

Validating your tickets in Rome is just as important as buying them, because if you get caught with an unvalidated ticket, you get fined the same as not having one at all. 

You can validate your tickets at special machines (usually found on train platforms, on the bus near the doors or at metro stations).

Validate train tickets by sticking it way in and to the left

Here’s an oddly specific tip for validating train tickets!

Trenitalia ticket machines are super finnicky and I’ve seen more than a few people struggling to understand them, so remember: validate your train ticket in one of these (usually green/white) machines by aligning your ticket to the left side, then pushing all the way in with the back side of the ticket facing up.

Your stamp should be on the BACK of the ticket.

Know that the Metro is limited

For a city as huge as Rome, the Metro system is surprisingly limited, with only 3 lines to offer (A, B, and C). 

While the Metro is punctual compared to buses/trams, the platforms can be excruciatingly hot and stuffy in the summer, and they can be a hot zone for pickpockets, so always be vigilant!

On the bright side, there are Metro stops near many of Rome’s main attractions (e.g. Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Circus Maximus), so it’s a very affordable way to get from sight to sight quickly.

Consider getting a 24h, 48h, 72h or week long pass (though you likely won’t need it)

Bearing in mind that a single public transport ticket in Rome costs only 1.50, it likely won’t be worth it for you to get a transport pass, but if you intend to rely a lot on buses, trams and the Metro, then you should know that day/week passes exist, and could potentially help you save some money.

Here are the pass prices (last updated July 2023) and how many trips you would need for them to be worth it:

• 24 Hour Ticket: €7 – 5 trips needed to break even
• 48 Hour Ticket: €12.50 – 9 trips needed to break even
• 72 Hour Ticket: €18 – 12 trips needed to break even
• Integrated Weekly Card: €24 – 16 trips needed to break even

FREE NOW is a must-have app for taxis

The best way to not get scammed by a taxi is hands down ordering one through FREE NOW.

It’s similar to Uber but works with actual licensed taxis, and these days they even have options that show you your maximum fare you’re expected to pay.

This provides great ease of mind, and prevents common taxi scams like bait and switch rates and taking long routes to drive up the price, since the route is tracked through the app.

Always use official Rome taxis

These are the white taxis that have the maroon Roma Capitale logo on the side.

Particularly when you’re getting a taxi from the airport, it’s important you go with one of these rather than an “unofficial” taxi or private transfer company because those rates aren’t regulated, and are more prone to scams.

NOTE: Just because you get an official Rome taxi though doesn’t mean you’re exempt from scams! Still be vigilant and when possible, order through FREE NOW or another app.

Know the flat rates for taxis from the airport to central Rome

Luckily for your wallet, there are flat rates for taxis from both of Rome’s airports into the city center (within the Aurelian Walls). They are as follows:

• Rome Fiumicino: €48
• Rome Ciampino: €30

NOTE: If your hotel is out of this zone (call ahead with the hotel to double check), then the taxi may subject you to payment by the meter. 

Easily rent a bike or scooter

For another Rome transportation option, consider looking into the bike and e-scooter sharing options in Rome.

This has become an increasingly popular way to get around the city, and involves paying per minute/distance for various modes of transport like bikes or e-scooters.

Here is a guide on how to find and use them.

Rome Tips For Attractions

Odds are, if you’re visiting Rome, your plans involve a lot of sightseeing. So, here are some of my best Rome travel tips related to attractions and itinerary planning.

Be prepared for a lot of construction and restorations

Rome is an ancient city, and with that millenia-old history comes the inevitable fact that something will always be undergoing some kind of restoration or renovation.

On my first trip to Rome, I was left SO disappointed because the Trevi Fountain had been closed and scaffolded up (without warning on any official channels), a large part of the Colosseum was scaffolded up, and the fountain by the Spanish Steps was entirely covered by a big advertisement.

On my most recent visit, I had booked a lovely hotel with a view of the Spanish Steps… only for the hotel to be covered in scaffolding, blocking 80% of my view. There were also large chunks of the historical center that had been dug up for road/sidewalk repairs.

While this may be frustrating, at the end of the day, it’s not a situation you have much control over, so just make sure you have your expectations in check!

Remember that there’s a dress code for churches in Rome

Enforcement isn’t always consistent, but out of respect, you should ensure that you’re adhering to the dress code of Rome’s churches, which is that shoulders/knees must be covered. 

An easy way to ensure you’re always church ready (in the summer) is wearing a long skirt/dress and bringing a thin scarf to drape over your shoulders when needed. 

The place where they’re strictest with this dress code is usually St Peter’s Basilica, although I did notice a lot of visitors with exposed knees (mostly men in shorts!).

Whether or not you get let in depends on how the security feels that day, but it’s definitely easier to stick to the known dress code just in case.

Pick only one major sight to do per day 

Rome is a city of heavyweight attractions, and sightseeing in this city can really take it out of you! 

Instead of trying to cram a lot of attractions into one day, I highly recommend breaking up your itinerary so that you only do one (or two max) big attractions in a single day, then leave the rest of the time for exploring, enjoying some food, etc. 

Buy your tickets in advance

Rome is a hugely popular city with most attractions offering some kind of “skip the line” ticket option. The best part is you can easily get your tickets online.

In fact, these days, a lot of attractions require pre-booking (e.g. the Colosseum) to ensure crowd control. 

If you are looking just for an entry ticket (without any kind of tour or guide), the cheapest place to buy them will always be the official website of that particular attraction.

Otherwise, if you are looking to combine your experience with a tour, guide, etc. then I can highly recommend GetYourGuide . They have a lot of great options with an easy to use interface that makes booking super simple.

Consider booking tours for context

Rome is a fascinating city, but it has an expansive history that’s tough to grasp for a first-time visitor…

That’s why having a tour guide can really help in a lot of situations, particularly for Ancient Roman sights like the Colosseum and Forum, where you’re basically just looking at ruins without any idea of what it used to be/look like.

While I’m usually quite an independent traveler, Rome is one of those cities where I’ve never really regretted having a tour guide. 

Think twice before buying a Roma Pass or Omnia Card

I’m usually a huge fan of city passes that give you unlimited access to museums and attractions, like for example the I amsterdam card which offers incredible value and helped me save over 100 euros last time I went to Amsterdam.

… but I’m not so quick to recommend Rome’s equivalent passes, because of the following reasons:

• None of the passes are “all inclusive” – most include only a few attractions and then discounts for the rest, which makes the deal a lot less sweet
• None of the passes include guided tours of any kind, which I think are valuable for some of the main sights (including the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum, who only just opened up their underground to visitors, and is only currently accessible by guided tour)
• If you can buy tickets at a reduced price (e.g. EU Citizens aged 18-25), then buying tickets on your own is much cheaper
• These passes are only really worth it if you use all the benefits (e.g. the Hop on Hop Off bus) which I don’t think is the best way to see the city 

The most tempting perk of these passes is the promise of a “skip the line ticket” but honestly these are easy to book on your own these days.

In short, the benefits of these passes are not unique, and I don’t feel like the deal is good enough to make it an absolute must-buy.

Wake up EARLY

The morning/late night hours are the best time to explore Rome if you hate crowds a much as I do.  

In the summer, this has the bonus perk of being a lot cooler (temperature-wise).

PRO TIP: Pick the #1 attraction you’re most excited for, and plan to see it as soon as it opens, with some sunrise explorations beforehand. I’ve heard sunrise at the Roman Forum is especially magnificent!

Visit big sights at the end of their opening hours

While most guides advise that you visit the main sights early, another sneaky hack that works quite well is visiting right before it closes.

I did this once with the Vatican Museums, entering about 1.5 hours before closing time and it I practically had the place all to myself!

In contrast, one time I did an early morning tour of the Vatican and it was already quite busy because other tour groups were starting at the same time. 

NOTE: In Italy right now, booking a time slot is mandatory due to COVID regulations so this hack won’t work if you’re currently travelling, but hopefully these restrictions lift soon.

Plan around closure dates

While it’s easy to assume that all of Rome’s sights are open daily, this is actually not the case.

The Vatican Museums for example are closed on Sundays (apart from the last Sunday of the month which is usually a free day), while Museo di Roma and Villa Borghese are closed on Mondays.

When in doubt, search up the entry times for each attraction on their main website. 

Always search for information on the official websites of attractions (even in Italian)

These days, hours/entry requirements can change quickly and thirty party guides (yes, even Google Maps!) may be inaccurate. 

So, if you’re trying to find information on how to book tickets or what opening times are, make sure you always go straight to the source rather than other sites or blogs (even mine!)

For example, on my most recent visit, the Pantheon had changed its policy to be open only for reserved time slots on weekends, which would have been really unlucky because I saw no information about this anywhere else. Luckily, we went on a Friday.

Don’t rely on Google Maps for opening hours

On a related note, on several occasions throughout this past trip, I found that Google Maps was simply incorrect with a lot of the attraction opening times in the city.

For example, it had listed the Pantheon as temporarily closed for the entire week, when it was in fact open for visitors as usual.

So, again, remember to only check official websites.

Get familiar with the many free things to do in Rome

Rome is often regarded by many as an expensive city, but this doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, there are tons of excellent free activities in Rome that you can enjoy, in addition to the city’s slew of paid attractions.

Here is a list of great free things to do in Rome.

Climbing up St Peter’s Basilica? Time your visit with the hour mark

Rome is a city with 900+ churches, and getting to hear all of them ring their bells while standing at the top of the world’s largest cathedral is truly an epic experience.

This is why I would time your visit so that you hit the hour mark when you’re up top! If you’re climbing stairs the entire way, about 30min before the hour should give you enough time.

Don’t sit on the Spanish Steps

This has been banned since 2019, and doing so risks a fine of 400 euros, although practically speaking, I don’t think anyone actually gets fined.

We stayed on the Spanish Steps this past trip, so it was a great source of entertainment to hear “the Whistle Police” enforce this rule. Yes, they’re there all hours of the day whistling at anyone who dares to sit down even for a second, so don’t do it! 

PS: It goes without saying, eating on the Spanish Steps is also prohibited.

Take my suggested route for visiting St Peter’s Basilica

On my most recent visit, there were certain one way systems in place to ease the flow of crowds in St Peter’s Basilica, and I happened to accidentally do a really breezy route that I highly recommend.

Here it is as follows:

• Enter the cathedral, have a quick look around to get a feel of the grandeur of it
• Head down to the papal tombs, and the exit will take you back outside, conveniently where the ticket office is for the climb up the basilica dome
• Climb up the tower, enjoy the views from above
• Climb back down (the exit will actually bring you back into St Peter’s) and finish your explorations 

Bring a pen to the Vatican

Just outside of St Peter’s Basilica, you’ll find a mandatory tourist stop: the Vatican Post Office, where you can purchase a (very Popey) stamp and send a postcard from the smallest country in the world!

Is it shamelessly touristy? Yes, but it’s a cheap souvenir to send to loved ones.

My main tip to you though is to bring your own pen – they don’t provide them and the cheapest ones cost 1.50. During my brief visit, they had even sold out of the cheap pens!

Cool down in Rome’s green spaces

With all the sightseeing you’ll inevitably do in Rome, one major tip I have for you is to schedule a more relaxing stop each day (e.g. a park) so you can catch your breath and enjoy a calmer side to Rome.

I can highly recommend both Villa Borghese’s Gardens (the 3rd largest public park in Rome and filled with beautiful sights and plenty of shade!) as well as Giardino degli Aranci (AKA Parco Savello).

Both offer amazing views as well as lots of shady spaces to hide from the sun.

Be wary of outdated information about “the 1st Sunday in Rome”

In the ‘Before TImes’, the first Sunday in Rome had traditionally been a day of free entry for Rome’s state run sights and attractions, including Galleria Borghese and Palazzo Barberini.

While this has been paused due to COVID-related crowd control issues, other sources from 2019 actually say they were planning on rehauling this program so that each museum decided their own free days, and the free 1st Sunday would be paused in peak season.

Anyways the point is, as I mentioned above – when looking for information about attractions in Rome, always go to the official source (i.e. that attraction’s actual official website) for the best info.

There are a TON of blogs out there that look official but are actually run by third parties, and most of them have outdated information.

For example, many websites said that Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana in Tivoli were both free on the 1st Sunday, but when we went, the ticket office seemed VERY confused when we asked about it, so I’m not convinced the free 1st Sunday will be making a comeback there any time soon!

Safety Tips for Rome

Is Rome dangerous? This is one of the most common questions that first-time visitors ask. 

As someone who was robbed literally 15 minutes into my first visit here, my answer is this: Rome isn’t dangerous for tourists in terms of violent crime, but you need to take smart precautions to avoid theft or scams. 

Don’t worry – that’s what these Rome safety tips are for! 

Know the common pickpocketing scams

The #1 threat to tourist safety in Rome is petty theft. Pickpockets are everywhere in Rome, particularly in hot spots like transport hubs and crowded tourist areas.

So, if you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading my guide on how to avoid pickpockets in Europe for a crash course on staying safe in pickpocket-heavy cities. I’ll share some more tips on that below.

Avoid Bus 64 

This is a bus that has earned the nickname “Rome’s Pickpocket Express” because of its popularity with tourists (and therefore pickpockets). 

Its route connects Termini Station with a variety of sights in central Rome, ultimately ending up by the Vatican. 

Due to the popularity of this route with tourists, it’s common for the bus to be packed and therefore an easy place for pickpockets to work their magic.

If you’re able to avoid this bus (or honestly, buses in general), I’d recommend doing so.

Otherwise, just ensure you have a firm hold on all your belongings (lock up your zippers if you need to!) and stay vigilant.

Avoid crowds and getting close to strangers

I know we’re all masters of social distancing by now, but that is honestly the #1 defense you have against pickpockets in Rome, who usually thrive on close contact/bumping into you as a distraction.

My most recent trip to Rome (July 2021) is the one where I felt safest because social distancing has become so normalized.

Remember, people can’t pickpocket you if they can’t get close to you, so try to always remove yourself from crowded situations.

Keep valuables out of sight

Leaving your phone on a terrace table, or your purse hanging on your chair are both easy ways to get your valuables stolen!

Sure, it’s easy to let your guard down when you’re trying to relax, but remember that keeping your valuables out like that can be an easy way for them to get snatched.

Whenever I’m dining anywhere, I always keep my bag between my feet so they’re hard to access, and make sure to not leave my phone out on the table (on my lap, under a big napkin is often a safer bet!)

Bring a money belt

I’ve never been a money belt person because I find them uncomfortable, but this is a common accessory many travelers swear by to keep their most precious items safe.

My boyfriend bought this one for our trip and said it was light, secure & comfortable.

For me personally, I prefer the following methods…

Store your stuff in tough-to-reach pockets

Remember, pickpockets thrive on quick movements, so if you inconvenience them even in the slightest, your risk of theft decreases dramatically.

Instead of a money belt, I always have either:

• A backpack with a zippered pocket in the back, which makes it inaccessible to anyone else when worn
• A crossbody purse with a pocket on the backside, again making it inaccessible to anyone so long as I hold it close to me 
• A jacket with inner pockets so it’s impossible to reach in without getting super super close

These anti-theft methods are a LOT more comfortable to me than a money belt.

Buy some small locks to put around your zippers

Another great travel hack I’ve picked up over the years is simply buying a set of small cable locks like these and keeping one in each bag.

That way, you can quickly lock your zippers together in crowded situations and prevent anyone from randomly opening your bag.

Simple, but effective.

Know the emergency numbers

If you are wondering what the 911 equivalent is in Rome, here are the numbers to keep in mind:

• 112: General European emergency number which will connect you to the relevant service you need
• 113: Police
• 118: Medical emergency

Don’t accept bracelets from strangers

Particularly around tourist hotspots like the Colosseum and the Spanish Steps, there will often be men offering bracelets to you. Don’t take them!

They’re cheap bits of string that they tie on your wrist then demand payment for. In other words, they’re not free gifts.

Don’t accept free roses

On a similar note, if someone offers you a free rose, odds are that will also not be free and they’ll demand payment for it after.

This often happens to couples, when the rose is offered to one partner then payment is hounded from the other partner. 

Food and Drink Tips for Rome

When in Rome, eating and drinking well is a must! Here are some of my best tips for making the most of Rome’s excellent food culture.

Make sure you try some classic Roman dishes

Rome is a huge metropolitan city with incredible restaurants representing tasty cuisines from around the world.

But if you’re anything like me, your main priority might be to eat quintessentially local dishes first and foremost.

If that’s the case – great news! There are tons of tasty dishes for you to try in Rome that the region is known for.

Here are some (note that the pasta shape can differ from restaurant to restaurant, hence why they’re in brackets):

• (Spaghetti) Carbonara : Pasta with eggs, cheese and cured pork
• (Tonnarelli) Cacio e Pepe: Pasta with cheese and pepper
• Pizza Al Taglio: Rectangular pizza usually sold by weight
• Suppli: Deep fried rice balls with tasty sauce inside
• (Bucatini) All’amatriciana: Pasta with tomato, cheese, and cured pork
• Trapizzino: A street food that’s like a hybrid between a pizza and a sandwich
• Pasta Alla Gricia: Pasta with cheese, black pepper and cured pork
• Porchetta: Slow roasted pork, often served in a sandwich

NOTE: The beauty of Roman cuisine is that it’s simple. I know some of these dishes don’t sound like much but trust me, they are SO GOOD. Make sure to try as many as possible!

Dine away from main tourist attractions

It’s a good rule of thumb to follow in Rome that you should never eat near tourist hotspots, particularly restaurants arranged along main squares as these tend to have hyperinflated prices and mediocre food.

It makes sense after all – when your target market is tourists who aren’t likely to return, why bother trying too hard?

There are some exceptions of course! Particularly around the Pantheon – Armando was a great lunch spot with fair prices and absolutely delicious food. La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro was also a wonderful coffee spot.

Double check that places have prices on display before ordering

This may be the oldest scam in Rome’s “let’s extort tourists” playbook, but any restaurant with fair pricing will be transparent with their pricing.

If you come across a restaurant that doesn’t list prices upfront, then run for the hills.

Never assume “it can’t be that bad” because odds are they’ve omitted their prices for a reason and plan to charge you an extortionate amount, like this place which went viral for a 500 euro lunch bill.

Make sure you reserve tables in advance

Rome is BIG on reservations. Virtually every restaurant we visited asked first if we had a booking, then only squeezed us in with hesitation… and this was at a very non-busy time! 

When regular crowds return to Rome, I can’t imagine getting a table at any highly reviewed place without a reservation in advance, so make sure to book a table (or ask your concierge to help). 

For those of you who fear making phone calls like me, there are a few online places you can book tables to, although note that many of the most popular restaurants in the city will only take phone bookings.

Here are some sites where you can make reservations online:

NOTE: Many websites will also have their own reservation info on their websites, so be sure to check on there as well.

A quick check of reviews is a must

While I don’t believe reviews are accurate 100% of the time, I do think they’re very helpful for establishing patterns, especially when there’s a bunch of reviews all saying the same thing.

A quick search of the restaurant (even on Google Maps Reviews) can help prevent you from getting scammed or being subject to mediocre food/service.

Know that water won’t be free and they’ll ask if you want still or sparkling

When you sit down at a restaurant in Rome, often the first question asked is if you want water. 

If you do (and I bet you probably will after so much sightseeing), then be prepared that tap water isn’t really served in restaurants and the default will be bottled water that comes at 2-3 euros a bottle. 

Be sure to specify still or sparkling though – usually they will ask, but sometimes they’ll default to one or the other.

Be prepared for the coperto and pane charge

Most restaurants in Rome will charge an additional fee per person (around 2-3 euros) as a “Coperto” charge.

You can think of this a service/sit-down fee, usually including bread too.

This is not a scam – it’s fairly standard, and evens out as tipping culture in Italy is very modest compared to North America, with rounding up or 5-10% being the max.

In fact, some restaurants even refused when we tried to tip! 

Make sure to enjoy aperitivo

Rome is a hectic city to explore, so make sure you take some time to enjoy yourself and unwind a bit!

Aperitivo is a classic ritual that is perfect for this – an early evening pre-meal drink intended to whet your appetite for dinner.

There’s a million and one terraces/bars where you can enjoy an aperitivo in Rome, but if you’re feeling especially fancy, consider booking a table at one of Rome’s top rooftop bars.

Drink coffee at the bar

In Italy, “bars” aren’t restricted to alcohol-slinging establishments. In fact, most of them actually serve coffee. 

For a very budget-friendly caffeine fix, be sure to mimic the locals and order your coffee at the bar and drink it while standing.

While many places now offer a sit-down option (especially in touristy areas), sit-down coffees will cost you extra as these prices aren’t regulated and often not advertised. 

In contrast, having a coffee at the bar will usually be only 1 euro for a regular caffè (espresso shot) and 1.30-1.50 for a cappuccino.

NOTE: Takeaway options are also becoming increasingly popular, but it’s nicer to just drink it quickly at the bar and go.

Know that one “Caffè” is one espresso shot

If you waltz into an Italian bar and ask for a “Caffè”, you will be given a single shot of espresso served black, not a drip coffee or anything like that which most bars will not have.

If this is what you want, then order “1 caffè”, rather than “1 espresso”. While they’ll probably understand what you mean, caffè will sound a bit more normal.

If you want something closer to a larger drip coffee, then a caffè americano (1/3 espresso, 2/3 water) is what you should order.

Know that Latte means milk

“Lattes” in Italy do not exist. In fact, that word on its own means milk, so you might be ordering yourself a giant…. milk.

Instead, the closest match to what you want is a “caffè latte”, which is espresso with hot milk and a bit of foam. A cappuccino is more common though (same concept but more foam).

Again, if this is a bar used to serving tourists, then they’ll probably clarify what it is exactly that you want, but I’ve had friends before who have been served literal cups of milk when ordering a latte… so be warned!

Eat gnocchi on Thursday

Okay, this maybe isn’t a must, but if you want to stick to tradition, gnocchi is a dish conventionally consumed in Rome on Thursdays, to the point where more traditional restaurants will only offer it on Thursdays. 

Why Thursday? As with many things in life, it all goes back to religious tradition!

According to Catholic tradition, Friday was typically a day for abstaining from heavy meat dishes, opting instead for lighter meals like fish, hence why people would fill their stomachs with decadent gnocchi on Thursdays (like stocking up on calories).

Understand the basic structure of an Italian menu 

When you see the word “menu” in Italy, often this refers to a set meal that includes multiple courses, so if you see something like “Menu – 25 euros” that means they are offering a set deal that is 25 euros, not that every dish costs that much.

Italian menus are fairly easy to understand – most are separated into the following:

• Antipasto: Appetizers like cured meats, cheeses, etc.
• Primi: Usually a carby dish like pasta or risotto
• Secondi: Usually a meat-based dish
• Contorni: Side dishes like roasted vegetables
• Dolce: Desserts

If you are trying to have an indulgent 4 course meal the traditional way, then you would order some antipasto to start, a Primi, then a Secondi, and finally some dessert. 

Practically speaking though, it is completely normal to just have a Primi (a plate of pasta is plenty filling on its own) or a Secondi with a side dish. Don’t feel pressured to have a giant 4 course meal every time.

Check out some food markets

If you want a true foodie adventure, then heading to one of Rome’s many food markets might be a great activity to add to your itinerary!

I love visiting food markets to get a feel for local culture, and of course to enjoy a more immersive food experience than just sitting down at a restaurant.

Here are some options for food markets in Rome to visit.

• Mercato Testaccio: 100+ stalls selling ready-to-eat meals and fresh produce
• Mercato Centrale: Centrally located right at Termini Station with lots of street food options
• Mercato Trionfale: Rome’s largest food market, selling fresh produce rather than ready-to-eat meals
• Mercato Campo de’ Fiori: One of Rome’s oldest food markets, with lots of fresh produce and goodies on display

Take a food tour

On a time crunch and want to try as many Roman specialties as possible? Then a food tour might be a great idea for something fun and unique to do in Rome!

I’ve been on many food tours in the past (sadly not any in Rome) but I’ve never regretted it.

Here are some options:

• This Rome Street Food Tour 
• This Trastavere Street Food Tour
• This 4h food tour and wine tasting

Take a cooking class

Last but not least, if you want to take a piece of Rome home with you, then booking a cooking class would be a great idea.

After all, feed a man some pasta and he eats for a day, teach a man to make pasta and he’ll be food coma-ing for the rest of his life.

… As they say.

• This pasta and tiramisu workshop
• This cooking class from the birthplace of Fettucine Alfredo
• This countryside cooking class

Packing Tips for Rome

Not sure what to wear and what to pack for Rome? Here are my top Rome packing tips.

Good walking shoes are a must

I cannot explain to you how much walking you’ll end up doing, so comfortable shoes are much more important than cute stylish ones.

Rome is a city with uneven sidewalks and plenty of cobblestones, so it’s best to leave those heels at home.

Bring a water bottle

As I keep saying, visiting Rome in any season involves a lot of walking, which is why having a water bottle is essential for staying hydrated! 

Luckily, Rome is filled with “Nasoni” – free water fountains with cold & delicious water you can bottle up for free.

You’ll find them at virtually all major sights, and randomly around the city so there are plenty of opportunities to get tasty drinking water for free. 

Bring a scarf (or two)

Again, the dress code for Rome’s churches is that your shoulders and knees need to be covered, so having a light scarf with you is an easy way to ensure you’re safe.

Plus, in a city with 900 churches, you might randomly stumble upon one that you want to explore, unplanned. 

NOTE: I suggest bringing one scarf if you’re wearing a longer skirt or dress, but maybe even two scarves if you’re wearing shorts and a tank top.

I recently saw a woman trying to go into the Vatican with only one scarf, but both knees and shoulders exposed. The security wouldn’t let her in until she found a weirdo way to tie her scarf that covered both areas (a truly impressive feat if you ask me).

Make sure you have a universal adapter

Power sockets in Rome have two round holes and if you’re visiting from overseas, odds are you’ll need an adapter for your plugs to fit.

I’d strongly recommend buying a universal adapter  like this one  if you don’t have one already.

It’s cheap, can be re-used for every trip, and covers you in all situations. Definitely some of the best money I’ve ever spent!

DIY your own travel sized toiletries

This is a very basic  packing tip  I always recommend, but it’s very easy these days to buy small reusable bottles that you can fill with your own toiletries of choice.

This allows you to bring your favourite products with you, and saves needless one-use toiletries from ending up in the landfill.

Need help picking the right one? Read my guide to  reusable toiletry bottles  for more info.

Have a re-usable bag handy

You can’t go wrong with a tote bag or two, and I always like to keep one in each purse when I travel.

You never know when you’ll need an extra bag, whether to haul goodies back from the market or simply carrying whatever souvenirs you’ve gotten that day, so remember to pack some.

Bring protective wraps

If you’re travelling with an expensive camera, or anything else fragile, I highly recommend  these amazing protective wraps.

I bought mine a few years ago and use them every trip. They’re padded velcro wraps that you can use to protect…. pretty much anything! So handy and they don’t take up too much space.

Alternatively, you can also look into product-specific protectors, like  these awesome wine protectors  to ensure your precious cargo doesn’t break in transit.

Miscellaneous Travel Tips for Rome

Last but not least, I have some final Rome travel tips that don’t really fall into a particular category, but are VERY good to know. Here they are!

Bring cash but not too much at once

While these days, many bigger places will take card, cash is always handy to have for quick purchases like gelato.

I wouldn’t advise carrying more than 200 euros of cash with you at a time though in case you get pickpocketed.

Some visitors like this poor fella report losing 800+ euros in cash after getting pickpocketed in Rome… so yes, don’t bring too much cash at a time out with you.

Prepare for the tourist tax

While small, the mandatory tourist tax in Rome is something to factor into your budget.

This is a mandatory tax paid per person per night, ranging from 3-7 euros depending on your accommodation. 

Because this tax is often asked for in cash, you might think it’s a scam (particularly when it’s just an AirBNB) but it’s definitely a real thing, and you are entitled to a receipt for it if you wish.

Your accommodation will usually tell you in advance what the tourist tax is, so come prepared!

Beware the “Pausa” 

Similar to the Spanish Siesta, you can expect many shops and restaurants in Rome to close in the late afternoon for a few hours, often between 1 and 4.

While you’ll certainly have no trouble finding food or supplies (Rome is a big city catering to tourists, so you’ll often find an option), keep this in mind as most places aren’t open continuously like we’re used to in North America.

Public toilets often don’t have toilet seats 

So yes, I hope you’ve got a good squat game.

Looking for a flush? Check the floor or wall 

I find that Italian bathrooms can be very creative with hiding their toilet flush mechanisms.

While you’ll of course find standard flushes in many bathrooms, you’ll also encounter more unique ones like….

• A random button on the wall
• A random button on the floor
• A random chain dangling from the ceiling

Confused about your faucet? Look for a floor pedal

Similarly, faucets and taps can be quite fun in public washrooms as well.

Often they will be activated through a floor pedal, which (if you ask me) is actually way more sanitary and smart.

Make time if your train leaves from Platform 25-29 at Termini Station

This is one of those oddly specific Rome travel tips that you can tell comes from a particularly traumatic experience.

This experience was me trying to catch a train on Platform 27 at Termini with 3 minutes to spare, thinking it would be close to all the other platforms.

…. This is not the case!

Platforms 25-29 are really far down the station, and I had to literally sprint for a solid 3 minutes to make it on time. I ended up just catching it – the train was in movement before I even caught my breath.

Binge on movies set in Rome before your visit

I love watching movies set in a place before I visit, and luckily with Rome, you have lots of options! 

So, before you head out, be sure to watch plenty of  travel movies  set there, like…

• Eat, Pray, Love
• The Lizzie McGuire Movie (of course!)
• Angels and Demons
• La Dolce Vita (a classic)
• Roman Holiday (the film that propelled Rome to the top of most American bucket lists)

Use Instagram, Pinterest and Blogs to research more offbeat Rome activities

Guidebooks and Google are great, but if you really want to find Rome hidden gems that are specific to your interests, be sure to dig deeper!

I mean, if you’ve gotten this far on my blog, you’re probably off to a good start, but make sure you also sleuth through Roman Instagram accounts and blogs, in addition to Pinterest to find more great stuff to do.

You might find my guide on  How to Find Cool Stuff to Do Near You  helpful.

Use Google Maps to save spots you want to see

Google Maps is an amazing resource not just for navigating a new city, but also for saving spots you might want to visit in the future.

One of my favourite  travel hacks  is starring every location I deem interesting on Google Maps. You can do this by pressing the Save button when you search up that spot.

This allows you to have a visual map of all the cool cafes, street art murals, attractions, restaurants, etc. that you’ve saved during your research, which means you can easily organize your itinerary/sightseeing.

I love doing this because I’ll often end up in new areas during my explorations, and I can just look at my map to see if anything interesting I read about happens to be nearby. Saves a lot of planning!

… But beware when searching places by name only on Google Maps

A very peculiar thing I noticed when using Google Maps in Rome is that many businesses like to name themselves after famous landmarks/sights… and sometimes Google Maps will auto-suggest the wrong one!

So, for instance, you might find that searching “Spanish Steps” might lead you to the “Spanish Steps Apartments” if you’re not careful.

This is often the case too for sights that have a colloquial name known in English that isn’t recognized on Google Maps.

The Aventine Hill Keyhole (actually known as Buco della serratura dell’Ordine di Malta, or the Knights of Malta Keyhole) is a great example, because if you just type in “Keyhole” on Google Maps, you get directed to a bar!

No joke, I even found a bed and breakfast that had labelled itself as “Rome Fiumicino Airport” on Google Maps. Imagine getting those two mixed up!

So, just double check before navigating that you are indeed being directed to the place you thought (easy to verify through swiping through reviews and photos).

Lastly, visit more of Italy Besides Rome 

Okay, here’s a bonus Rome tip: I beg you to explore more of Italy than just Rome!

I adore Italy and it has so many diverse destinations to offer, from the mighty lakes and mountains in the North to the gorgeous coastal towns like in Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast.

From Rome, you can do day trips to Tivoli (or more ambitiously) to Naples, Sorrento , and Pompeii.

With a bit of extra time, you can also schedule in a wonderful few days along the Amalfi Coast. In fact, this is one of my favourite 1 week in Europe itineraries. 

So, remember – roam beyond Rome!

I Hope This List Of Rome Travel Tips Was Helpful!

Quite frankly, if you made it this far, you deserve some kind of medal! This was a VERY long list of tips for Rome, but if you have any more questions, let me know in the comments.

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

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Rome for beginners: complete Rome guide for first time visitors

Expert first timers’ guide to the Eternal City: what to do, what not to do and the all the Rome tips and tricks you need for a safe first time in Rome. Updated November 2021 .

Rome makes a strong impression on the first time visitor.

Its beauty, personality and chaos envelop you the moment you step out onto its busy streets and, for many, it is love at first sight.

For others, however, Rome’s overwhelming personality feels more like a slap in the face and no matter what tricks the city ends up pulling, many leave feeling Rome is just not for them.

This happens for many reasons. Rome can indeed be an infuriating overly chaotic place, however I believe it has much to do with expectations and planning.

In this first timers guide to Rome, I share my best advice for a first visit to Rome.

I believe these tips will help you know what to expect, plan your time at best and make you skip some of the traps that make some visitors leave disappointed.

Ready for my Rome’s tips and tricks? Let’s go!

First things first! Double check on official sources the travel rules and restrictions that may affect your trip. Find all info on our guide >>> Can I travel to Rome right now ?

Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission.

Table of Contents

Rome tips and tricks for first time visitors

Visiting Rome for the first time? Bookmark or pin this guide for easy access!

Pick the right season

Rome can be visited all year round but there is no doubt that some seasons are better than others.

The best time of all to visit Rome for the first time are the spring (with the exception of the Easter weeks) and fall, especially May and October .

At these times, the weather is pleasant, dry and the city sparkles under bright skies, dressed up in blossoms (March to May) or autumnal foliage.

The worst time of all to visit Rome is the summer. July and August are hot and sticky, mosquitoes reign supreme and locals are scarce: at this time, Romans escape to their air-conditioned offices or the coast and the city is full of tourists.

This is a truly unpleasant time to visit the city and is responsible for so many bad reviews of the city from the unlucky ones who get caught in the city’s relentless sun.

Winter in Rome is hit and miss. The weather is usually dry but chilly and the biggest issue you will find are the short days: many attractions close early in winter so make sure you check beforehand if you are planning to cram a lot into each day.

Decide how many days to stay

Deciding how many days to spend in Rome depends on your interests and expectations.

If you are interested in seeing Rome’s main sights only, you will be able to cover a lot of grounds even just with two days in the city.

If you want to see museums and go for a bit of shopping in town, you need a minimum of four days.

To help you narrow down how many days you may need to see Rome, I wrote detailed itineraries for 1 to 5 days in Rome. You can find here >>> my guide to deciding how many days are enough to see Rome .

Decide where to stay:

Find accommodation in the city center

The most beautiful part of Rome is its historical center and there is no better place to stay in Rome to enjoy it that with a hotel or apartment right in the center of the action.

Staying here you may have to put up with slightly higher prices but you will be rewarded by easy access to all the major attractions in Rome , a plethora of restaurants and the chance of wandering around Romes’ dusty cobbled streets after the crowds of day trippers have left.

Best area to stay in Rome for first time visitors

You can find a full overview of Rome’s neighborhoods here but for your first visit, I recommend you choose.

Monti district

Old and hip, the Monti neighborhood is the best area to stay in Rome if you want to be walking distance form the main sites, have easy access to the train station and love alternative bars and vintage shopping.

Check our the Fifteen keys hotel for boutique accommodation in this area

At the very heart of Rome, this location is so central you will be able to walk everywhere. This is the part of Rome famous for cobbled streets and small restaurants and it is ideal for first time visitors both for charm and ease of access.

Check out Le Clarisse al Pantheon for a charming and reasonably priced option in the area or find our full guide to the best hotels near the Pantheon .

Piazza Navona

Rome’s most famous square is a wonderful backdrop for accommodation in Rome. This is a wonderful area to choose as your base for your first visit to Rome as it allows easy access to both the historical center and the Vatican as well as a vantage point to visit Trastevere.

Check out 5 star Raphael Hotel for something really special in this area or find our list of recommended hotels near Piazza Navona

The dress code is enforced in Rome basilicas too (San Giovanni, Santa Maria Maggiore) but is less strict in other churches however, always carry a large shawl with you should be in short sleeves and avoid shorts.

Please be advised: while a shawl around your shoulder will do, one around your waist to cover your legs won’t be deemed sufficient.

You can find my complete guide to dressing for the Vatican and Rome churches here.

Avoid public transport

Few experiences are more irritating in Rome than having to deal with the city’s public transport system.

While the network of buses, trams and metro is extensive (especially the first two), buses follow a schedule that is erratic at best and are often so crowded you will find hard to believe locals can put up with it at all.

Granted, this is not the experience on all buses and at all times but if you rely on bus journeys every day, this will impact on the quality of your stay significantly.

If you can, especially on your first visit, walk and only use the bus when absolutely necessary.

You can find our full guide to public transport in Rome here

Bring comfortable walking shoes

In Rome, you will find yourself walking a lot, part because of the lack of good transport and part for the pleasure of it.

This means that you absolutely must be equipped with a good pair of walking shoes, a pair that will protect your feet from the hard cobbles of the city and will give you enough support to clock in up to 25000 steps a day (this is what many people average sightseeing in Rome)

In case you have heard that in Rome you should not wear sneakers if you want to feel like a local, let me tell you: this is complete nonsense!

I see this piece of advice over and over again on internet and is simply nonsensical. Sneakers are the best type of shoes to wear in Rome and the only ones to avoid if you want to feel fashionable are actual runners (you know the ones: high soles, neon colors).

If you wear fashion sneakers like Adidas foam, Vans or New Balance style, you will fit in perfectly and save your feet from very sore days.

Of all the Rome tips and tricks I share on this page, this is the one I hope you will remember the most: put practicality above fashion! You can find my recommended walking shoes for Rome here.

Dress for churches

On the topic of look and gear, you may have heard that Rome enforces a dress code for churches in general and for the Vatican in particular.

This is correct and not abiding by this rule may cost you in terms of access to some of Rome’s most beautiful churches.

The Vatican is the place with stricter rules: here, you must avoid sleeveless tops, shorts (this is true for men and women) and skirts above the knee.

While flip flops are not officially banned, there are also frowned upon – in general, they are not considered proper footwear for the city, in Italy.

But do visit them

The idea of a dress code may put you off visiting churches, especially in the warmest months, but some really should not be missed.

San Luigi dei Francesi has a wonderful Caravaggio, Santa Prassede and Santa Maria in Trastevere have incredible mosaics and San Pietro in Vincoli has a Moses by Michelangelo, just to name a few – all worth a fashion compromise!

Have a crossbody bag

Rome is crowded and pick-pocketing misadventures are not unheard of. Opt for a cross-body bag for maximum security and never ever leave it unattended or hanging off the back of your chair at a restaurant.

Rome is not the jungle but unattended stuff gets snatched fast so a little extra caution goes a long way.

Without getting paranoid about pickpockets, this is probably the most important tip for first time visitors in terms of safety.

Always have ID on you

In Italy it is compulsory to have ID on you at all times so make sure you have some form of identification on you.

If you don’t want to carry your passport with you, make sure you have a driving license or some other form of photo ID handy in the (unlikely) event of an officer asking.

While you should avoid carrying large sums of cash, some cash on you is important to have, in Rome.

Credit and debit cards are usually accepted in restaurants and hotels but they are no good for small purchases: you cannot buy gelato with them nor pay for taxis so having some cash is paramount.

Opt for small notes as much as possible: paying a 5 euro purchase with a 50 Euro not will not make you any friends and shops may simply deny to serve you if they don’t have (or don’t want to use up) change

Don’t rely on wi-fi

Wi-fi is dreadful in Rome. When you open the ‘available networks’ screen you may be surprised to see many are free stay assured: the vast majority of them do not work!

Get a local sim card or make sure you have a good data plan on your won if you cont on using maps or any other wi-fi dependent app.

Learn a few words of Italian

You do not need to speak Italian to enjoy Rome but a few words go a long way.

‘Per favore’ (please) and ‘grazie’ (thank you) will be sufficient in most touristy places to be treated a little better – Romans are notoriously grumpy but making an effort with the language may even win you a smile.

You can find here >>> a great introduction to basic Italian phrases and expressions for travelers

Start with an itinerary

Rome has loads of attractions and having an itinerary to follow is invaluable to make sure you can hit all the sites you want to see in the time you have.

Depending on the time you have in Rome and your party, you can use these itiernaries as a base and costumise them to your own needs.

Rome in one day : a whistle stop DIY walking tour of Rome

Rome in 2 days : a slow-ish pace itinerary around Rome hitting some of the main museums and all the main sites

Rome in 3 days : a good itinerary to allow you to see Rome’s most important attractions, plus time to shop and relaz

Rome in 4 days : our recommended itinerary with main Rome attractions and hidden gems over 4 days

Rome in 5 days : a complete itinerary to cover Rome main sites and some hidden gems, for a longer stay in Rome

Rome in 5 days (for families) : a family friendly sample itinerary over 5 days to discover the city as a family appropriate pace and hitting main sites and child- centered attractions.

If you prefer to make your own instead, you can start from our planning guide here , explaining what attractions are close to one an other and can be visited on the same day

Then ditch it and get lost!

A little bit like rules, I believe the best approach to itineraries is: know it then break it.

Once you have your main outline of the day, I believe allowing yourself to get lost in Rome is one of the most rewarding things you can do in the city.

The best areas for a planned ‘getting lost’ experience are the streets around the Pantheon, the area of Piazza Navona and Trastevere.

Areas I recommend you do not get lost into are the streets around Termini station: while these are not dangerous as such, they are not the most pleasant area for a stroll and, in the evening, get on the uncomfortable side.

See the main sites

Many will tell you the best of Rome is found off the beaten track but seriously: only go off the beaten track after you have seen the main sites.

They are on the beaten track for a reason and it would be crazy not to see them just to be different from anyone else!

At the very minimum, I recommend you see the Colosseum , the Pantheon , the Campidoglio Hill and Piazza Navona , even just from the outside if you really cannot stand the crowds. See below my Rome first time must-see sites .

I feel that not seeing these sites would take away massively from your experience and will make you miss you an important part of Rome’s personality.

But book skip the line tickets

The best way to visit Romes’ main attraction (actually, the only way for a pleasant experience) is to book skip the line tickets and to do it well in advance.

This is crucial especially for two attractions that are otherwise almost inaccessible: the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums.

You can find my best tips on how to skip the line at the Colosseum here while for the Vatican, I recommend you book tickets online from the museums itself here or book a guide here .

Venture off the beaten path

After you have seen the main sites, do take the advice of those who tell you to get off the beaten path and venture to some of Romes’ residential neighborhoods to seek out Rome hidden gems.

Rome has a very different personality outside of the center and each area has a distinctive flavor.

Go to Ostiense or Tor Marancia if you love street art, head to the Coppede’ district for an art deco fix or venture out to Ostia Antica for a magical walk among Rome’s ancient port.

Seek birds eye views

Rome is built on 7 hills and this means that it has several viewpoints from where you can admire the city.

The best time for photos and romance is the early evening, when the sun sets setting the okra and red colors of Rome’s buildings catch on fire.

Some of the most scenic locations are the terrace of il Pincio ( Villa Borghese , above Piazza del Popolo), Campidoglio (amazing view over the forum) and Giardino degli Aranci (on the Aventino hill , view over the river and the city).

Get out early / stay out late

Rome gives its very best early in the morning and late in the evening, when the crowds disappear and the silence falls on the city.

You don’t have to be out stupidly early or late to enjoy (I am not advocating a 6 am wake up call on your vacation!) but if you can be in the city center before 9 am, you will see the city at its most beautiful.

You can find here some of my favorite things to do in Rome at night .

Make the most of your hotel breakfast

Rome has amazing food but one meal it doesn’t do particularly well is breakfast .

Sure, you can get your fix of coffee and cornetto (Italian croissant) pretty much anywhere in the city but this is a treat more than a proper meal: if you are hoping for yogurt, cereals or a cooked breakfast, don’t venture out but rather, have it at your hotel or your will easily find yourself going hungry.

Have coffee at the bar

While not great if you are after a full breakfast, Rome bars are excellent for a coffee fix and the way to go about it is to do what locals do: order it at the bar.

Cafes often have small tables to sit down but there is a good reason locals avoid them: a sit down coffee costs easily 3 times as much as one sipped at the bar (find more tips for visiting Rome on a budget here )!

When ordering, make sure you stop at the till first to pay and get your receipt, then head to the bar and had the receipt while placing your order (many add a 20c coin to make the service faster but it is not compulsory. I never do it).

Ask for ‘Un caffe’ per favore’ if you want espresso or ‘un cappuccino per favore’ for a traditional cappuccino.

Don’t believe in those who tell you you should not order it after 11, this is another nonsensical myth. The only no-no for cappuccino is ordering it as a drink during a meal, the rest is totally up to you!

If you love coffee, don’t miss my list of the best coffee experience in Rome.

Taste Roman food

In Rome, you find all the usual staples of Italian food but if you want a very special food experience you must try the foods that are specific to the Rome tradition.

Some of the most noticeable are:

Pasta to try in Rome

Make sure you taste real carbonara (we Romans are evangelical about it and you will quickly understand why once you taste it), pasta alla gricia and the famous cacio and pepe for a burst of taste

Rome meat dishes

Try earthy abbacchio scottadito (lamb), light straccetti (veal, served with rocket salad and fresh cherry tomatoes), saltimbocca (veal, prosciutto and sage).

If you feel adventurous, also try coda alla vaccinara (ox tail) and trippa!

Vegetarian dishes in Rome

Rome cuisine is not known for its vegetarian options but two side dishes are so famous and unique they make up for all the rest: carciofi all giudia ( jewish style fried artichokes ), carciofi alla Romana ( Roman style artichokes ), and puntarelle alla romana (chicory heads, spring only)

Rome desserts

Rome’s mos famous sweet treat is il maritozzo, a special type of bread/brioche filled with cream

Fried Rome treats

As a starter before your pizza or as a bite during the day, don’t leave without trying Rome’s suppli’ (fried rice balls with a melting core of mozzaella), baccala (fried cod, the roman version of fish and chips, without chips) and fiori di zucca ( fried battered zucchini flowers ).

One of the two capitals of pizza in Italy (the other being Naples) Roma has amazing, thin pizza.

Order the traditional full ones for dinner and, for lunch, have a piece of what Romans call ‘pizza al taglio’ instead.

It comes in many styles and it’s one of the most budget friendly meals you can find in the city. Click to find our guide to the best pizza in Rome

Order vino della casa

The best thing to wash down a true Roman meal is with a glass of wine. In traditional establishments, order ‘vino della casa’ (house wine) for a budget friendly yet tasty option.

Have a drink in an enoteca

If you love fancier wine or cozy interiors with good wines and earthy meals, don’t miss having dinner in one of Rome’s wine bars (enoteche).

These are small, cozy places that pack a punch in terms of charm and taste: my favorite is probably Cul de sac, near Piazza Navona but the city teems with them.

These are a very popular option among locals and among the best places to have a somewhat authentic Rome experience.

Eat only gelato artigianale

The only thing more commong in Rome than pizza places are gelato places but don’t just venture into any: make sure the gelato you order is the real thing, the one we call ‘gelato artigianale’.

Gelato artigianale is tasty, not too fatty and less sugary than industrial style ice cream and a real delight. if you don’t want to run any risks in terms of taste, you can do to one of my favorite gelato places in this list .

Know where to shop

Rome is a wonderful destination for shopping but you need to know where to go not to find yourself out of pocket.

If budget is not an issue, the place for you is Via Condotti: elegant and stunning, this is the road with all the designer boutiques and ateliers. If you are looking for your Gucci or Prada fix, this is the place to be.

More affordable options can be found on nearby Via del Corso or, even better, in Via Cola die Rienzo, in Prati, where you will find a mix of high street brands and independent shops

For vintage, head to Monti and in particular to its market (help every weekend) which is fun and often has great finds.

Take a break in the park

Rome has some amazing parks .

Many are private estates of aristocratic Rome families now turned public parks and this means they have beautiful landscaping and sometimes gorgeous architecture.

The most famous of all is probably Villa Borghese, right in the center, but others are worth seeking out too. Villa Doria Pamphili in particular is a treat as it offers stunning views over St Peter’s dome.

Top things to do in Rome on your first visit: Rome first time must do

As I mentioned above, going to Rome for the first time and not seeing the main sites would be madness, so here are my top 10 things to see in Rome in your first visit

Visit the Colosseum

A wonderful first stop in any Rome itinerary, the Colosseum is impressive, beautiful and unique. If you can, take a visit inside and opt for a tour that includes the arena, the underground area and the top tier.

There are several you can choose from but you don’t need to break the bank for a good one. You can find my selection of best Colosseum tours and tips to skip the line here .

Stroll around the Roman Forum and Palatine hill

Beside the Colosseum and usually included in the Colosseum ticket, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are the areas where ancient Rome developed, from its very foundation to the empire years.

This area is poorly served in terms of information panels but it wonderful and scenic. Even just for the view and visual impact head to the top of the Palatine and the Emperors’ palace: one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Rome, ancient or modern!

Climb up Campidoglio

Ancient Rome meets the Italian Renaissance in this incredible corner of Rome: Piazza del Campidoglio.

Take the steps up to see Michelangelo’ masterpiece (the square itself) and then walk to the back of the main palazzo for unrivaled views over the forum.

Find our guide to the Capitoline hill here .

Rome first time must do for couples: the Spanish steps

They don’t need any introduction and are one of the easiest and more rewarding free things to see in Rome.

Catch the Spanish Steps in the evening if you can for beautiful views over the sparkling city. If you are looking for romance, it doesn’t get much better than this….

Throw a coin in the Trevi fountain

Can I be honest? I don’t think I am the only Roman who does not love Fontana di Trevi but I do understand is a must see and I recommend to go see if on your first visit to Rome.

Why I don’t love it? Because the area is so crowded you can hardly see the fountain itself and there is zero atmosphere not just on the square but on the surrounding streets.

With one exception: the evening. Head here after the crowds have left and you will quickly see why despite not loving it, I simply had to add it to this list. Find our guide to visiting the Trevi Fountain here.

Look at the sky from inside Pantheon

Two things stand out about the Pantheon : its stunning facade, gracing one of Rome’s most beautiful squares and the hole in its roof.

The Pantheon is one of the most beautiful attractions in the whole of Rome and its square a must see. You will find yourself passing by it often, pretty much no matter what itinerary you follow and, if you don’t find excessive lines, do go it and join the crowds who wonder: what happens when it rains)

Visit Piazza Navona and Campo de’ fiori

At the two sides of Corso Vittorio lie two of Rome’s most beautiful squares: grand Piazza Navona and dusty Campo de’ fiori. Visit both one after the other for a taste of how varied Rome can be even in small areas

Cross the border into St Peter’s Square

Technically a different country but in practice a square in Rome, Piazza San Pietro is stunning and should not be missed.

The square is part of the Vatican state but there is no border crossing or check as such and the only access difficulties you may find are the excessive crowds. You can read more about the Vatican here .

The square is free to visit and so is the main floor of the basilica both very worth a visit during your first time in Rome.

You can find here my tips for visiting St Peter Basilica , the Vatican Gardens and Vatican City and Museums or my complete guide to planning a visit to Vatican City here .

First time in Rome must do for foodies: take a stroll in Trastevere

I can think of several areas to recommend for an evening stroll but during your first time visiting in Rome I reckon the best one to start with is Trastevere .

Located on the opposite side of the river from the main historical sites, Trastevere is atmospheric and has a dynamic nightlife: head here fro a late afternoon stroll and pizza: it is known for having some of the best pizzerie in the whole of Rome.

See also >>> my guide to Rome for foodies, full of food finds!

First time in Rome must do for families:Villa Borghese

As a proud Rome mama of 2 I could not close this list without a mention of the best things do to in Rome with kids.

Rome is stunning for families and there is so much to see and do here I have a full list of over 50 things to do in Rome with kids – I recommend you have a look to pick those that attract your kids the most!

As well as many of the must see sites also on this list, make sure you seek out Villa Borghese .

This is one of the most beautiful parks in Rome and has lovely playgrounds as well as the zoo and a small pond with rowing boats and turtles. Not to be missed on your first family visit to Rome!

I hope you enjoyed this first timer’s guide to Rome and helped answer the question: what Rome tips and trick should I know to visit the Eternal City?

My name is Marta, I am a travel-loving mama born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe-inspiring unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. A classics graduate and professional travel blogger, on this site I share my insider tips to help you plan your dream trip to Rome, Italy.

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30+ Important Rome Travel Tips You Need to Know

Beautiful, layered, historic Rome is one of our favorite cities in the world (and at this point, I’m pretty sure I’ve started at least half a dozen Rome blog posts in a similar way, but it’s so true!), and it’s a must-see for most visitors headed to Italy for the first time.

Like most cities with thousands of years of history and millions of visitors each year, though, visiting Rome also has its quirks–and that’s where these Rome travel tips come in.

After spending months exploring the city, including our most recent trip in the summer of 2022, we’ve compiled quite the list of travel tips for Rome !

Here’s what you need to know before visiting Rome for the first time.

Table of Contents

Rome Travel Tips for Sightseeing

Tips for eating in rome, travel tips for getting around rome, paying for things in rome, hotel + apartment travel tips for rome.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Don’t try to see the Vatican Museums and Colosseum on the same day.

It’s an absolutely exhausting endeavor, and won’t leave time for seeing much of anything else that day in Rome!

If you only have one day in Rome , we recommend touring one of the two and seeing the other from the outside.

I t’s easy and simple to walk through St. Peter’s Square or admire the Colosseum from the outside!

Add at least one offbeat attraction to your Rome itinerary.

The well-worn path from the Colosseum to the Roman Forum to the Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps to St. Peter’s Square is one that we absolutely love and highly recommend to visitors heading to Rome!

But, i n a city as layered and beautiful as this one, it pays to step off the beaten track a couple of times, too.

Even if you only have a short trip to Rome planned, make sure you head to a lesser-known spot at least once during your stay. 

For example, Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is one of our favorite museums in Rome and is just a 15-minute walk from the Colosseum–but it has only the tiniest fraction of the crowds. 

Galleria Spada , the top of the Altar of the Fatherland in Piazza Venezia, and Galleria Sciarra are a few other tried-and-true quiet corners of Rome we love that are easy to access from the most popular spots in the city.

We have plenty more suggestions for getting off the beaten path in Rome here !

Book tickets and tours for popular attractions in advance.

One of our favorite travel tips for Rome is to virtually always book either a tour or skip-the-line tickets before arriving at popular attractions.

This is m ost important at the Colosseum , the Vatican Museums , and the Galleria Borghese .

And, in a post-2020 world, it’s practically mandatory: all over Europe, cities are experimenting with keeping reservation requirements for popular attractions.

It requires a bit of extra planning but honestly makes for a better experience, too.

We book virtually all of our tours and tickets for Rome through either Walks of Italy or Get Your Guide , and highly recommend both companies.

Don’t forget about dress codes when sightseeing in Rome.

Many places in Rome, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Pantheon, have a dress code that is enforced–namely, that your shoulders, knees, and cleavage should be covered.

If you’re visiting Rome during the hot summer months, the easiest way to make sure you’re always ready to enter churches in Rome is to wear a longer dress or pair of long shorts/light pants on days you might want to visit religious sights.

T hen, throw a light scarf in your day bag and you’re good to go.

If you forget a scarf, though, don’t worry–there are always salesmen ready to sell you one as you line up to enter St. Peter’s Basilica!

Consider taking a tour of the Vatican Museums.

We’ve visited the Vatican Museums both independently and with a tour, and the context gained with a tour is truly incredible. 

If you have the time and budget for it, one of our best travel tips for Rome is to book a Vatican Museums tour for either the early morning (before the museums open to the public!) or on a Friday night between April and October (the museums don’t have Friday evening hours during the low season).

If you prefer to explore independently but still want to avoid the crowds, you can book skip-the-line tickets for those special hours, too.

We took this Friday evening tour of the Vatican Museums and absolutely loved it!

… and the Roman Forum.

Most tours will cover both the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, of course, but while having a tour guide for the Colosseum is a nice addition, it’s the Roman Forum where a guide can truly make the location come to life in a way that’s hard to do independently.

That’s e specially true if you don’t already have extensive knowledge of Ancient Roman history !

We took this tour and absolutely loved it, and this one gets amazing reviews as well.

Book your tour of the Colosseum + Roman Forum today!

When planning your Rome itinerary, keep museum closures in mind.

When reading through travel tips for Rome (as well as other Italian cities) and planning your itinerary, keep in mind that many museums in Italy close on one day of the week.

The Galleria Borghese, for example, is closed on Mondays, and the Vatican Museums (naturally) are closed on Sundays, with the exception of the last Sunday of the month, when it has free entry and is open until 2:00 PM (the ticket desk closes at 12:30 PM).

The Colosseum is open daily.

Be vigilant when watching for pickpockets.

Rome is infamous for its pickpockets, and while the same general rules you should use in any crowded, large city apply to keep yourself safe, there are a few places you should be extra vigilant.

When you’re near the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, and St. Peter’s Square , be very cautious!

Though it’s not entirely necessary, we love the peace of mind that our anti-theft backpack brings as we explore.

Taking a day trip to Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast from Rome is hard, but not impossible.

We really only recommend it if you really, really want to see those locations, are too short on time in Italy to do an overnight trip, and book a tour through a well-reviewed company that will handle logistics for you– this tour from Walks of Italy gets rave reviews.

… but there are plenty of other day trips from Rome to consider taking!

Consider hitting the beach at Santa Marinella, perusing the ruins at Ostia Antica, admiring the beautiful hilltop village of Orvieto , or even paying a quick trip to Florence .

We’ve rounded up some incredible Rome day trip ideas here .

The Pantheon isn’t free to visit… anymore.

While the Pantheon has traditionally been free to visit, the city of Rome introduced an entrance fee starting in 2023.

Today, base tickets for the Pantheon cost 5 Euro, purchased onsite or through  this website .

Alternatively, you can purchase  tickets to the Pantheon that include a downloadable audio guide .

Be sure to read the signs carefully when arriving at the Pantheon: there are separate lines for those who already have downloaded tickets and those planning to purchase one in-person.

Get your Pantheon tickets + audio guide  now!

Restaurant reservations are the norm in Rome, especially in the evening.

Romans love reservations, and popular places do fill up, especially in the evenings. 

If you have your heart set on a visiting particular restaurant or rooftop bar when traveling in Rome, give them a call to make reservations a few days in advance (or have your hotel concierge help you if you prefer).

Don’t have reservations and want to give yourself the best shot at getting a table?

Show up as soon as the restaurant opens for dinner (usually at 7:00 PM or 7:30 PM).

Get your stomach on Roman time.

Generally speaking, we’ve found that Romans tend to eat later in the day than North Americans.

Here’s a vague schedule to keep in mind:

Breakfast of coffee and pastry at the bar when you wake up (pretty flexible, the bars will stay open through the day, though the best pastries can go early-ish).

Lunch between 12-3. Aperitivo between 5-7.

Restaurants open for dinner from 7:30–occasionally 7. They’ll really start to fill up around 8:30-9.

Be sure to try at least a couple of the best pastas in Rome.

Rome is absolutely packed with delicious food, but if you’re looking for the most traditional pastas in Rome (and in our totally biased opinions, some of the best pasta in all of Italy and therefore all of the world), look no further than the four dishes.

C arbonara, pasta alla gricia, amaracitiana, and cacio e pepe are all absolutely sublime.

We don’t consider a trip to Rome complete unless we’ve at least sampled a few bites of each!

… and if you’re there in the right season, artichokes.

Artichokes in Rome are prepared in two traditional styles: Roman-style and Jewish-style.

Both are delicious , but you’ll need to visit Rome in the winter to catch them on menus.

They are an extra-special treat if you happen to be visiting Rome during the low season!

If you see an omelet for sale in Rome, you’re at a tourist restaurant.

Breakfast in Rome consists of coffee and maybe a pastry (a cornetto cioccolato is a delightful treat, take advantage of it), consumed standing at the bar and not sitting down at a table.

We have a full guide to coffee culture in Italy here !

A solid rate for a shot of espresso at the bar in Rome is 1 Euro.

You can easily find espresso for .80 or .90 Euro outside of the tourist zones, though. 

Up to 1.2 Euro is acceptable (at least to us) depending where we are and exactly how badly we want coffee at that moment, but if the price is higher than that, we move on.

Of course, these figures are only when you take your coffee standing at the bar–if you sit at a table, it can easily be twice as much!

Don’t be afraid to fill up at the water fountains!

The beautiful water fountains that you see all over Rome (and Italy in general) contain potable water.

B ring a reusable water bottle along with you as you explore Rome and fill up for free as you go.

The metro is useful, but it doesn’t go everywhere.

Rome’s metro is notoriously limited for a major European city, with very few lines.

This is d ue in part to the fact that every time they try to build another line, they keep finding more interesting things underground .

That being said, it is extremely useful for getting around Rome, and if you stay near a metro stop (which we highly recommend as part of this Rome travel tips post), you’ll no doubt use it regularly.

You can use tap to pay on the metro.

We saw this for the first time in 2022 and loved it!

Now, if you have tap to pay installed on your phone, you don’t need to purchase metro tickets separately when traveling Rome.

Simply tap to pay at the turnstile itself, and you’re good to go!

We also saw this rolled out in Milan on the same trip–definitely a huge timesaver.

The metro doesn’t reach many places in Centro Storico.

There’s a stop at the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and fairly close to the Vatican, so the metro is certainly useful for sightseeing!

… B ut if you’re not staying in the heart of Centro Storico, there’s a good chance you’ll have a bit of a hike in and out.

FreeNow is the local taxi app to use to hail taxis.

FreeNow has recently gone through a name change (we originally started using it when it was named MyTaxi), but it’s still incredibly useful.

Similar to Uber, it hails taxis and arranges a set price, taking the hassle out of negotiating with taxi drivers.

We use it regularly on trips to Rome (and many other places in Europe).

Avoid driving in Rome if at all possible.

It’s truly, truly not worth the headache.

Buy bus tickets before boarding.

Unlike in many cities, you can’t buy bus tickets onboard in Rome.

Pick them up at your local tabacchi before you get on, and you’ll be good to go.

If your trip to Rome includes a Sunday, be sure to buy enough tickets to get you through it, because you might not be able to buy more if the tabacchi is closed.

The Leonardo Express is the easiest way to get from Rome’s FCO airport to Roma Termini.

Roma Termini is Rome’s major, central train station, and the Leonardo Express train will deliver you comfortably right from the airport to the center.

However, it’s not the cheapest way to get into Rome!

Gr oup bus transfers like this are less expensive but take longer.

Always carry cash.

While most major tourist attractions and popular restaurants will take card, you never know when you’ll roll up to a cash-only restaurant or tourist attraction.

Plus, i n Rome, small purchases like coffee and gelato are virtually always handled in cash.

Be sure to always carry Euros with you!

Rome doesn’t have a coperto. Sort of.

An Italian coperto, or cover charge, is expected at restaurants across Italy… except in Lazio, the region where Rome is.

However, Roman restaurants have taken to having a “pane”, or bread, charge that covers a very similar purpose.

The fee is usually 1-3 Euro per person, and we go over more details about copertos in Italy here .

If you’d like to avoid the charge in Rome, you can ask for the bread to be removed from your table–that works sometimes, but so does giving into the delicious carbs and enjoying more food in Rome!

… and if there isn’t one, consider leaving a small tip.

A 5-10% tip for exceptional service is always appreciated (but absolutely not required), especially if there’s not already a coperto being charged.

However, t he typical US norm of a 15-20% tip is way too much and absolutely not expected.

You don’t need to tip your taxi driver.

However, if you feel the driver provided good service, it’s the norm to round up to the nearest Euro.

S o, if the fare came to 19.50 Euro, it’s not unexpected to hand the driver a 20 and not request change.

Centro Storico is the most central place to stay in Rome.

The biggest benefit of staying in Centro Storico when traveling to Rome is–quite obviously, perhaps–its central location.

If you’d like to stay within an easy walk of highlights like the Spanish Steps, you’ll very frequently end up staying in Centro Storico.

Of course, the downsides to that are that the area can be quite crowded and expensive!

… but Trastevere is also incredibly popular.

Touted for decades as an “offbeat” neighborhood in Rome, the Trastevere of today is incredibly popular… but without the same volume of hotels to stay in as in Centro Storico, so it can often be difficult to find a great deal on a place to stay.

If you’re staying further out, check for metro stops near your hotel.

Of course, Rome has plenty of neighborhoods to stay in, including Monti (student-centered and fairly central), Prato (located beyond the Vatican and one of our favorite places to stay in Rome), Testaccio, and more.

One of our favorite Rome travel tips is to not be afraid to look further out than Rome’s most central and famous neighborhoods, especially if you’re looking to save money.

However, if you’re not staying within walking distance of major sights, be sure that your hotel or apartment is near a metro stop!

… and you’ll need to pay the tourist tax.

These tourist taxes are paid to your hotel or Airbnb , and are calculated per person, per night of your stay when traveling in Rome (or most other major European destinations, for that matter).

They’re typically not included in pre-booked rates and are generally expected to be paid in cash.

You can read a bit more about them here if you’d like to know your exact rate before starting your Rome vacation.

Leaving your room key at the hotel is common.

It’s not done 100% of the time, but it’s a very common practice when visiting Rome (and Italy as a whole) to drop your key off at the front desk as you head out for the day and to pick it up when you come back to the room.

Your passport information will be taken when you check-in.

Generally, your hotel will either make a copy of your passport or take a photo of it.

This is very normal and done for tax purposes, so remember these Rome travel tips when you check-in and don’t stress about it!

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

6 thoughts on “30+ Important Rome Travel Tips You Need to Know”

Great blog, you guys! I am going to Rome in a couple of weeks and your travel tips are awesome. I appreciate you providing the info and wish you safe travels!

That’s great to hear, Heather! Have fun in Rome!

Hi Kate, I have no idea if you will see my posting in time but flying into Italy fco airport tomorrow morning and have no idea what to see in two (?) Days and where to stay!!! Can u help? Thanks so much for your great tips!!!!

You’re about to have a wonderful 2 days! 🙂

We actually have a full suggested 2 day itinerary for Rome, with hotel recommendations and everything. Here it is: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/2-days-in-rome-itinerary/

When you land you’ll likely want to take the Leonardo Express train into the city center–be sure to validate your ticket before boarding and enjoy the journey!

Thank you for taking your time and provide us with this helpful post.

We are traveling soon to Rome after spending 12 days in Morocco

It’s our pleasure, glad it was helpful!

Hope you have a great time in Rome and Morocco both. 🙂

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23 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Rome

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

In a city so filled with icons of antiquity and the Christian faith, it's hard to know where to go first. Of course, your own interests will govern your choices, but there are certain sites that are almost obligatory landmarks of Italy and top attractions in the world , such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon.

A word of caution: try to vary your experiences as you explore Rome, so that you don't visit too many ancient sites or churches in a row. And intersperse these more serious attractions with a few that are simply tourist icons: the Spanish Steps and that place all tourists must go to toss in their coin, the Trevi Fountain.

Rome is so big that it can overwhelm you, so even the most devoted sightseer needs to take some time to kick back and enjoy la dolce vita in a park or sidewalk café.

You'll be able to choose the best places to visit with this handy list of the top attractions in Rome.

1. The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine

2. vatican city, 3. the pantheon, 4. roman forum, 5. trevi fountain, 6. vittorio emanuele ii monument, 7. centro storico & the spanish steps, 8. via del corso, rome's shopping street, 9. santa maria maggiore, 10. piazza navona, 11. piazza del popolo & santa maria del popolo, 12. palatine hill, 13. villa borghese gallery and gardens, 14. castel sant'angelo national museum, 15. trastevere, 16. capitoline museum, 17. baths of caracalla, 18. san giovanni in laterano (basilica of st. john lateran), 19. the catacombs and via appia antica (appian way), 20. palazzo doria pamphilj, 21. basilica of san clemente, 22. domus aurea: nero's golden house, 23. terme di diocleziano (baths of diocletian national museum), where to stay in rome for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to rome, rome, italy - climate chart, more things to see and do in rome.

As the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, the silhouette of the Flavian Amphitheatre is to Rome. The largest structure left to us by Roman antiquity , the Colosseum still provides the model for sports arenas - present-day football stadium design is clearly based on this oval Roman plan.

The building was begun by Vespasian in AD 72, and after his son Titus enlarged it by adding the fourth story, it was inaugurated in the year AD 80 with a series of splendid games. The Colosseum was large enough for theatrical performances, festivals, circuses, or games, which the Imperial Court and high officials watched from the lowest level, aristocratic Roman families on the second, the populace on the third and fourth.

Beside the Colosseum stands the Arch of Constantine , a triumphal arch erected by the Senate to honor the emperor as "liberator of the city and bringer of peace" after his victory in the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312.

Lines are long and move slowly, so you can save time by joining the Skip the Line: Ancient Rome and Colosseum Half-Day Walking Tour and have a knowledgeable guide, as well.

Author's Tip: For an unforgettable experience, especially in the heat of mid-summer, visit the Colosseum on a special night tour. Not only is it cooler then, but the monument is magical with its interior bathed in golden light.

• Read More: Visiting the Colosseum: Highlights, Tips & Tours

The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world , with an area of less than half a square kilometer, most of it enclosed by the Vatican walls.

Inside are the Vatican palace and gardens, St. Peter's Basilica , and St. Peter's Square , an area ruled by the Pope, supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church. This compact space offers a lot of things to see, between its museums and the great basilica itself.

Inside St. Peter's Basilica is Michelangelo's masterpiece, Pieta , along with statuary and altars by Bernini and others.

The unquestioned highlight of the Vatican museums is the Sistine Chapel , whose magnificent frescoed ceiling is Michelangelo's most famous work.

In the Vatican Palace are the Raphael Rooms ; the Borgia Apartments ; the Vatican Library , and a number of museums that include the Picture Gallery, Museum of Secular Art, Etruscan Museum, and others. The collections you can see in these cover everything from papal coaches to 20th-century art reflecting religious themes.

Ticket lines for the Vatican's attractions are incredibly long, and you can spend several hours waiting in line. To save time, purchase a Skip the Line: Vatican Museums with St. Peter's, Sistine Chapel, and Small-Group Upgrade tour in advance. This three-hour tour allows you to bypass the long lines and walk straight into the museums with a knowledgeable guide. Headsets are provided, and you can choose from several different departure times or upgrade to an evening or small-group tour.

The Pantheon - the best-preserved monument of Roman antiquity - is remarkably intact for its 2000 years. This is despite the fact that Pope Gregory III removed the gilded bronze roof tiles, and Pope Urban VIII ordered its bronze roof stripped and melted down to cast the canopy over the altar in St. Peter's and cannons for Castel Sant'Angelo.

The Pantheon was rebuilt after damage by fire in AD 80, and the resulting brickwork shows the extraordinarily high technical mastery of Roman builders. Its 43-meter dome, the supreme achievement of Roman interior architecture , hangs suspended without visible supports – these are well hidden inside the walls – and its nine-meter central opening is the building's only light source.

The harmonious effect of the interior is a result of its proportions: the height is the same as the diameter.

Although the first Christian emperors forbade using this pagan temple for worship, in 609 Pope Boniface IV dedicated it to the Virgin and all the Christian martyrs, and since then, it has become the burial place of Italian kings (Victor Emmanuel II is in the second niche on the right) and other famous Italians, including the painter, Raphael.

Author's Tip: If you visit the Pantheon on a rainy day, be careful of the floor in the center. There is no umbrella over the hole in the roof, and the floor can get very slippery when wet.

• Read More: Visiting the Pantheon in Rome: Highlights, Tips & Tours

Walking through the forum, now in the middle of a throbbing modern city, is like stepping back two millennia into the heart of ancient Rome. Although what survives of this center of Roman life and government shows only a small fraction of its original splendor, the standing and fallen columns, its triumphal arches, and the remains of its walls still impress, especially when you consider that for centuries, the history of the Forum was the history of the Roman Empire and of the Western world.

Roman political and religious life was centered here, along with the courts, markets, and meeting places. After the seventh century, the buildings fell into ruin, and churches and fortresses were built amid the ancient remains. Its stones were quarried for other buildings and it was not until the 18th and 19th centuries that systematic excavations brought the ancient buildings to light from under a 10-meter layer of earth and rubble.

Highlights of the Roman Forum are the Temple of Antoninus Pius, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Septimus Severus, the Curia, the Temple of Vesta, and the Arch of Titus.

Tip for Parents: If you're traveling in Rome with children, unless they are fascinated by the Romans, the Forum might be a place best seen from above, instead of by walking through its five acres of largely ruined buildings. It is one of Rome's most popular and important tourist attractions, but it's a lot for kids to take in and it doesn't have the lure of the Colosseum's tales of lions and gladiators.

One of the city's most popular tourist attractions, this 17th-century masterpiece has been immortalized in films until it is almost a required visit. Throwing a coin (not three) into the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is a tradition that is supposed to assure your return to Rome.

Rome's largest fountain, Fontana di Trevi is supplied by an aqueduct originally constructed by Agrippa, the great art patron of the first century BC, to bring water to his baths. The fountain was created for Pope Clement XII between 1732 and 1751 by Nicolò Salvi, and built against the rear wall of the palace of the Dukes of Poli.

It depicts the sea god Oceanus (Neptune), with horses, tritons, and shells. The water swirls around the figures and the artificial rocks and collects in a large basin, always filled with coins.

What happens to all that money? Twice a year it is gathered using long-handled brushes, and donated to Caritas, Rome's Catholic charity.

It's ironic that this grandiose monument, considered one of the national symbols of Italy, is rarely admired by Romans, who liken it to a wedding cake or a giant typewriter. Like it or not, the vast neo-classical structure crowns Capitoline Hill, the symbolic center of ancient Rome, overlooking the later city across Piazza Venezia.

Built between 1885 and 1935, it is a monument to King Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of the unified Italy, represented here in an equestrian statue. Italy's tomb of the unknown soldier is here, along with a museum of the Italian unification. A lift will take you to the topmost terrace for 360-degree views of Rome.

Address: Piazza Venezia, Rome

Take a look at a Rome tourist map, and you'll see one area so filled with things to do that it's hard to read the street names. This is the Centro Storico, the historic center of Rome , with so many art-filled churches, resplendent palaces, and lively squares that you could spend your whole vacation strolling its ancient streets and lanes.

Spend some time just to absorb the neighborhood's atmosphere instead of going from one of its must-see sights to the next. Along with Piazza Navona , the Trevi Fountain , and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore , stop in less well-known churches, such as Santa Maria del Popolo, where you'll find works by Bernini and Caravaggio.

Pause at the Spanish Steps, the flight of irregular stairs and landings that lead up to the French church of Trinità dei Monti. The stairs take their name from Piazza di Spagna , the plaza at their base and one of Rome's most typical squares. The stairs have long been a favorite haunt of tourists.

You can no longer channel your inner Audrey Hepburn and eat gelato on the steps as she did in Roman Holiday . Sitting or eating on the steps is banned to protect them after a complete cleaning and restoration, and the ban is enforced.

The boat-shaped fountain at the foot of the Spanish Steps is known as the Barcaccia and was created by Pietro Bernini, father of the great Baroque architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Via Condotti , leading southwest from Piazza di Spagna, is Rome's most fashionable shopping street , where the Caffè Greco is famous for the artists, writers, and musicians who have frequented it.

Address: Piazza di Spagna, Rome

Marking a straight line from Piazza the Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo, Via del Corso is Rome's Main Street . Lined with shops and places to eat, and a few palaces housing art museums, including the magnificent Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. Work is underway to restore and re-design the century-old landmark Alberto Sordi Gallery, which will reopen as Agorà, with fewer shops and more public space for arts and entertainment.

While the shops are mostly name brands, you'll find some designer boutiques here and on the radiating side streets. Not all of Italy's fashion comes from Milan's catwalks, and fashionistas will find more high-end boutiques and prestigious names on streets around Piazza di Spagna, especially Via Venizia and Via dei Condotti .

Between Piazza del Popolo, at the end of Via del Corso, and Piazza di Spagna, look for antique shops and art galleries on Via del Babuino . To mix charm and cinema history with shopping, and find small shops and galleries on the parallel Via Margutta .

Note to Movie Fans: Federico Fellini lived on Via Margutta and Gregory Peck's apartment scenes in Roman Holiday were filmed at No. 51.

One of the most majestic of the churches in Rome , Santa Maria Maggiore has stood here since the fourth-century Pope Liberius had a vision of the Virgin directing him to build a church where snow fell the following day. Although it was August, snow did fall on the Esquiline hill the next morning, so here the great basilica was built.

Mass has been celebrated here every day since the fifth century. The three aisles of its 86-meter-long interior are separated by 40 columns of marble and four of granite, and the apse added in the 13th century is lined with mosaics of Old and New Testament themes, masterpieces of Rome's famous mosaic artists.

Rome's oldest mosaics, as old as the fourth century, decorate the upper walls, and the floor is inlaid with colored stone in the style of the expert 12th-century artisans of the Lake Como region. The first gold to reach Italy from the Americas shines on the coffered ceiling. Two popes are buried here; it's one of Rome's four papal basilicas, an important place of pilgrimage.

Author's Tip: Although admission to Rome's churches is free, you may need to put a euro in the meter to illuminate some artworks or chapels. Keep some coins handy for a better look at the mosaics in Santa Maria Maggiore. It is also a nice gesture to put a few coins in the offering boxes to help the churches maintain their priceless treasures.

Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome

One of Rome's most characteristic Baroque squares, Piazza Navona still has the outline of the Roman stadium built here by Emperor Domitian. It was still used for festivals and horse races during the Middle Ages, and was rebuilt in the Baroque style by Borromini, who also designed the magnificent series of palaces and the church of Sant'Agnese, on its west side.

Its facade, campanile, and dome highlight the way Baroque architecture weaves convex and concave surfaces, gables, windows, columns, and piers into a unified design. In the crypt of Sant'Agnese are Alessandro Algardi's 1653 The Miracle of St. Agnes and the remains of a Roman mosaic floor. Sant'Agnese provided a model for Baroque and Rococo churches in Italy and elsewhere.

Although Borromini designed the square and its surrounding facades, it was his archrival, Bernini, who created its centerpiece, the beautiful Baroque fountain, Fontana dei Fiumi . The spirited fountain represents the four rivers then thought to be the largest on each of the known continents, with figures personifying the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la Plata around the large basin, each accompanied by plants and animals of their respective regions.

The two other fountains in the square are the 16th-century Fontana del Moro in front of the Palazzo Pamphili, erected by Giacomo della Porta, and the 19th-century Fontana del Nettuno with its figure of Neptune. Today, the square is filled with Romans, tourists, street artists, musicians, souvenir kiosks, cafés, and during December, one of Rome's best Christmas markets.

Nearby, between the Piazza and the Pantheon, the church of San Luigi dei Francesi contains three major paintings by Caravaggio from the late 16th century, including one of his most famous, The Calling of St. Matthew. No information about the paintings is available in the church, but you can download an audio guide in English on the San Luigi dei Francesi website. The church itself is worth seeing for its elaborate ceiling and inlaid marble floors. Like others in Rome, the church is free to enter

Symmetrically situated at the apex of a triangle of streets that include Via Corso, Rome's main shopping street, Piazza del Popolo was designed in the early 19 th century as the northern entrance to the city center. At its center, the Egyptian obelisk, called Flaminio, rises above a fountain, where four white marble lions spout fans of water into four round travertine pools.

Facing one side like mirror images at either side of Via della Corso are the twin churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, and at the opposite side of the grand piazza is the Augustinian Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo.

Inside, you'll find Pinturicchio frescoes and two tombs by Andrea Sansovino in the choir, and two beautiful chapels. The Chigi Chapel was designed by Raphael in 1515, and the Cesari Chapel holds two important Caravaggio paintings.

Next to the basilica, climb the steps to the Pincio Terrace for views down onto the piazza and across the city of Rome.

Strategically set 50 meters above the Tiber, the Palatine Hill shows evidence of Rome's earliest settlement: rock cuttings found in front of the Temple of Cybele show human activity as long ago as the ninth century BC. Later, this was the site chosen by the emperors and great aristocratic families for their palaces.

The Farnese Gardens were laid out on the hill in the 16th century for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, a pleasure park of terraces, pavilions, lawns, flowerbeds, trees, and fountains designed as a kind of stage-setting for social gatherings.

Highlights of the Palatine Hill are the House of Livia (Augustus' wife), the semi-subterranean Cryptoporticus , Domus Flavia , Domus Augustana, and most imposing of all, the Baths of Septimius Severus. The Palatine Hill is a lovely place to explore, combining a park with magnificent and impressive ruins of ancient Rome.

One of Rome's largest parks, the Borghese Gardens contain multiple attractions that include two museums, the most prominent of which is the Villa Borghese. Built as a party villa and to house the Borghese art collection, the gallery contains paintings, sculptures, mosaics, and reliefs, most from the 15th to the 18th century, and include works by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Bernini, Dürer, and Rubens .

Elsewhere in the park, Villa Giulia was built as a summer residence for the 16th-century Pope Julius III and houses the Etruscan Museum . More villas are from the world exposition that was held in Rome in 1911.

The park is an English-style landscape garden, with walking paths and ponds where you can rent row boats. You can also rent bikes or a surrey to explore the park. There is a good zoo, Bioparco di Roma , with naturalized enclosures and a miniature trail connecting its various sections. A number of its attractions will appeal to children, including playgrounds, weekend pony rides, and occasional puppet shows.

Many of its attractions will appeal to children , including playgrounds, weekend pony rides, and occasional puppet shows, making it one of the most popular things to do in Rome for families .

One of the secrets of the Borghese Gardens is the replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, where you can watch opera performances or Shakespeare plays. Plays are always in Italian, but an occasional opera is in English. You can rent a cushion and sit on the floor or you can sit in the balconies that ring the interior.

Address: Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5

Begun in AD 135 as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian and his family, Castel Sant'Angelo is a massive drum-shaped structure overlooking the Tiber near the Vatican. Over the millennia of its existence, Castel Sant'Angelo has been used as a papal residence and a fortress, and more recently as a National Museum.

In AD 271, Emperor Aurelian took advantage of its position guarding the northern approaches to the city and incorporated it into his new system of walls surrounding the city. As a bastion, it protected the city from barbarian attacks, and by the Middle Ages had become a substantial fortress. In times of peril, popes fled here across a secret elevated corridor, the Passetto di Borgo , and stored their most precious riches in the castle's treasury.

Visitors reach the castle across a pedestrian bridge lined with statues of angels (by Bernini), and ascend to its five floors on a spiral ramp. At its various levels are prison cells, a large collection of weapons, and splendidly decorated papal apartments covered in Renaissance frescoes. At the top is a terrace with stunning views of the city.

Address: Lungotevere Castello 50, Rome

Across the Tiber River and off the most popular tourist routes, Trastevere feels like an earlier Rome, with its medieval lanes and narrow alleys . You'll find bits of Roman stonework in its old buildings, and occasional inscriptions that remind you that this was for three centuries the Jewish Ghetto, its gates closed and guarded at night.

Today it is a charming neighborhood with two outstanding churches that are rarely on tourist itineraries. In the third century, before Rome's Jewish population gravitated to this side of the river, Santa Maria in Trastevere was one of the first places where Christians could worship except in secret.

Renovated several times, the last in the Baroque period, the church interior is decorated with patterned marble floors, a gold-washed coffered ceiling, and exceptional medieval mosaics. Also with good mosaics, and a fine 13 th -century fresco, Santa Cecilia in Trastevere hides the foundations of a Roman home.

Author's Tip: It's no secret that Trastevere is a good place to find restaurants serving authentic Roman dishes, but you'll find them less crowded than those in the popular tourist areas.

Two palaces on Piazza del Campidoglio house Europe's oldest public collection of art, founded in 1471. Primarily devoted to sculptures from across the ancient world, the highlights of the Capitoline Museum treasures include the realistic Hellenistic bronze Boy with a Thorn ; Capitoline Venus , from a 4 th -century BC original by Praxiteles; a 4.24-meter-tall Roman equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius; a Roman sculpture of the Dying Gaul ; and the Capitoline She-Wolf , an Etruscan work from the 6th century BC.

More "modern" sculptures include a head of Medusa, by the 17 th -century Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Although the Capitoline Museum is best known for its outstanding collection of classical sculptures, its Capitoline Picture Gallery exhibits paintings by Titian, Veronese, and Rubens, along with Caravaggio's compelling John the Baptist.

Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome

Completed by Caracalla in 216, these were much more than public baths. They were a complete sports center, with hot and cold baths, a swimming pool, dry and steam saunas, gymnastics and sports facilities, social rooms, gardens, libraries, hairdressers, and shops.

The massive and imposing structure covered an area of 300 square meters, a complex of gigantic halls whose domes and vaulting were supported by huge columns and piers. It could accommodate 1,500 people at a time. The floors and walls were covered with marble, mosaics, and frescoes; even in ruin, their splendor is still evident.

Address: Via delle Terme di Caracalla 52, Rome

As you might expect for the episcopal church of the Pope, St. John Lateran is one of Rome's most impressive churches. After centuries of alterations, it still retains its original form from the age of Constantine, when it was built.

Its façade, by contrast, is a purely Baroque embellishment and a fine example of that period. Along with the mosaics in the apse, be sure to notice the beautiful 16th-century wooden ceiling. If the octagonal baptistery, San Giovanni in Fonte , looks a bit familiar, it's because it provided the model for later ones throughout Europe.

Built by Constantine, it is the world's oldest Christian baptistery. Across the piazza, in the church of the Scala Santa, is the Holy Staircase, 28 steps believed to have been brought to Rome in the fourth century by St. Helen, from Pilate's palace in Jerusalem.

The Catacombs of San Callisto (St. Calixtus) and San Sebastiano , both underground burial places in the Via Appia Antica, are extensive — the San Callista Catacomb fills an area of 300 by 400 meters — with intricate multi-layered networks of passages and chambers carved into the soft tufa. In addition to the tombs, St. Calixtus has six sacramental chapels, constructed between 290 and 310, with both pagan and early Christian wall paintings.

In the Papal Crypt are the tombs of most of the martyred Popes of the third century identified by Greek inscriptions. San Sebastiano, one of Rome's seven pilgrimage churches, was built in the fourth century on the site of old cemeteries and catacombs that, along with the foundations of a Constantinian basilica, can be explored.

Tomb chambers are on several levels with fine paintings, stucco decorations, and inscriptions dating to the first century AD. Although venerated remains are thought to have been brought here for safekeeping during persecutions, these were cemeteries, not hiding places for Christians.

A little west of the Via Appia Antica, not far from the catacombs of San Callisto, the Catacombs of Domitilla are the largest and among the most impressive in Rome, with 15 kilometers of underground chambers and passages and a complete subterranean basilica.

Dedicated to the martyred saints entombed there, Nereus and Achilleus, the basilica was a major pilgrimage destination until the Middle Ages. More than 80 painted tombs and a second-century fresco of The Last Supper survive in its galleries.

Outside the Porta San Sebastiano, the Arch of Drusus is near the beginning of the Via Appia Antica, one of the oldest and most important of the Roman highways, built around 300 BC and extended to the port of Brindisi about 190 BC.

Running parallel with the road are the ruins of some of the aqueducts that supplied the city with water, and among the cypresses along its sides are remains of tombs belonging to aristocratic Roman families. The most prominent of these is the first-century tomb of Caecilia Metella and her husband.

Address: Via Appia Antica, Rome

Rome's finest private collection of art is displayed in the magnificent Baroque galleries, state rooms, and chapel of the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. Representing works by European masters from the 15 th through the 18 th centuries, the collections include paintings by Filippo Lippi, Brueghel the Elder, Correggio, and Raphael, along with major works by Caravaggio ( Rest in the Flight into Egypt) and Titian ( Salome with the Head of John the Baptist).

Velázquez's Portrait of Innocent X is one of the collection's highlights. Another image of the same Pope is a sculpture by Bernini. The palace itself almost outshines its contents, with frescoed ceilings and Baroque decoration; a good audio guide in English enlivens the tour. The gardens are beautiful, with an intricately patterned parterre with labyrinth elements.

Address: Via del Corso 305, Rome

One of Rome's oldest churches and with the city's most beautifully decorated apse, covered in mosaics of Old and New Testament scenes, San Clemente has a further fascination: the multiple layers of its history as each era built upon the last.

You can descend from the 12 th -century church into a previous church, a 4 th -century basilica with Romanesque frescoes of New Testament scenes. Below that are the excavated foundations of a Roman home from the 2 nd century AD, with a shrine to the sun god Mithra, with a carved relief on the altar. From the foundations of the house, you can walk on the ancient streets of this former Roman neighborhood.

But do take time to look around the upper church, to see the mosaics, the inlaid marble floors, and the early Renaissance frescoes by Masolino in the St. Catherine's Chapel.

Address: Via San Giovanni in Laterano 108, Rome

In July of 64 CE, a six-day fire destroyed almost three-fourths of the city. The cruel and unpopular emperor Nero took advantage of the cleared land to build a palace of unheard-of proportions, the Domus Aurea, or Golden House. Rooms were lined in rare marble and elaborately decorated in gold and precious stones.

The palace was never finished, and Nero's successors, attempting to erase all memory of the hated ruler and his reign, buried it, and Rome grew over it. Excavations continue to disclose more of its splendors, and you can tour the active archaeological site to see the halls and rooms that have been uncovered, some with excellent frescoes.

With the help of a video outlining the history and virtual reality technology that recreates the atrium and one hall , you can get a sense of what the palace looked like in Nero's time. Both are included in tours.

Tip: Even on the hottest days, bring something with long sleeves, as the underground excavations site is quite cold year-round.

Historical Note: Did Nero really fiddle while Rome burned? Although he took advantage of the destroyed city to build his extravagant villa, and there was disgruntled mumbling at the time that he had ordered the fire set to clear the land, no historical evidence or contemporary account mentions his playing any musical instrument.

Address: Via della Domus Aurea, Rome

Diocletian's baths were so enormous that today, they contain two churches, large parts of a Carthusian monastery and a major museum. Michelangelo used the vast tepidarium (hot baths) as the shell for his church of Santa Maria degli Angeli , and the Museo Nazionale Romano , Rome's National Museum, fills another section with treasures of antiquity: Greek and Roman sculpture, pre-Christian and later sarcophagi, and beautiful mosaics and frescoes.

The late-16th-century church of San Bernardo alle Terme was built in a rotunda at the corner of the baths; its dome is like that of the Pantheon, but only half its size.

While Rome's main tourist attractions don't exactly cluster, most of the major ones are within a 20- to 30-minute walk of each other, so several areas are convenient for sightseeing. The Monti neighborhood is perhaps the most central to the Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and even the Spanish Steps and Borghese Gardens. Here are some highly rated hotels in Rome's best locations for sightseeing:

Luxury Hotels :

• Palazzo Manfredi - Relais & Chateaux is next to the Colosseum, and you can overlook it while enjoying breakfast in the rooftop restaurant.
• Boutique Hotel Campo de Fiori has a rooftop garden overlooking the colorful daily market in one of Rome's most traditional neighborhoods, near the Pantheon and an easy walk from Palatine Hill and the Vatican.
• Two blocks from the Colosseum, Hotel Capo d'Africa is in a neighborhood filled with small restaurants.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• The four-star Mercure Roma Centro Colosseo is an easy walk from the Colosseum, which you can see from the hotel's rooftop swimming pool and from some of the guest rooms.
• In Monti, close to both the Colosseum and Forum, Hotel Fori Imperiali Cavalieri is surrounded by restaurants and shopping.
• Opposite the Opera House in Monti, iQ Hotel Roma has a covered rooftop terrace and modern décor.

Budget Hotels:

• Amid restaurants and shops in Monti, between the Forum and opera house, Hotel Artorius is not adjacent to any major attractions, but lies within a 20- to 30-minute walk from the Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Vittoriano, and museums.
• Also in the lively Monte neighborhood, and an easy walk from the Colosseum and other attractions of ancient Rome, Hotel Grifo offers a rooftop terrace and free breakfast.
• On the west bank of the Tiber, south of Vatican City, Trastevere is one of the city's most colorful neighborhoods. Although Trastevere has several small B&Bs, Cassiodoro is one of its few hotels, surrounded by traditional restaurants and shops.
• Sightseeing Tour by Bus : For maximum flexibility while you're seeing all the top attractions, sign up for the Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour on an open-air double-decker bus. Accompanied by audio commentary, this convenient ticket covers all the top sights, with eight different stops, and you can hop on and off at your favorite attractions. You can choose a tour that's valid for either 24 or 48 hours and upgrade to packages that include time-saving skip-the-line admission to attractions like Palatine Hill, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum.
• Segway Tour: Another way to see the top sights without worrying about navigating your way around the city is on the Rome Segway Tour . Included in this three-hour excursion are a brief orientation session, helmets, wet weather jackets (if needed), and audio commentary. Meet your guide near Piazza Venezia and see the sights of Ancient Rome, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Circus Maximus, learning all about them as you zoom around the city.
• Gladiator Experience : If you've always wondered what it's like to brandish a sword like Spartacus, consider signing up for the Roman Gladiator School: Learn How to Become a Gladiator experience on the Appian Way, near the Colosseum. This two-hour private lesson is suitable for anyone aged six years and older and includes entrance to the Gladiator School of Rome Museum as well as clothing and weapon hire.
• Tivoli Day Trip : Organized tours are a great way to explore the attractions in the beautiful countryside around Rome. You can relax and let a professional guide do the work without the hassle of driving, finding your way, and parking. On the Tivoli Day Trips from Rome: Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa tour, you can explore two World Heritage-listed historic villas, built as vacation homes for the Roman elite, as well as their gorgeous gardens. The tour includes transportation in a comfortable coach, villa admission, and headsets so you can easily hear the guide.
• Pompeii Day Trip : Another popular excursion is the Pompeii Day Trip from Rome . On this full-day tour, you can hike to the crater of Mt. Vesuvius (in summer) or visit the National Archeological Museum of Pompeii (November 16 through March 31), as well as see the sights of Pompeii. Entrance fees and lunch are included.

Where to Go near Rome: When you have seen Rome's ancient sites, you'll want to explore some of the city's surroundings. The town of Tivoli lies 30 kilometers east of Rome, with Hadrian's Villa and one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy .

Places to Visit from Rome: In just over an hour by train, you can step into the exuberant street life of the vibrant city of Naples . From here, you are only a short ferry ride from the idyllic island of Capri , across the Bay of Naples. Or take a train the short distance to the ancient city of Pompeii , under the still smoldering cone of Mt. Vesuvius.

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Where to Stay in Rome (For First-Time Visitors)

• December 26, 2023

Rome is located in the central part of the Italian peninsula. Initially built on seven hills, the city has spread during its 3000 years of existence.

Rome was the heart of the ancient Roman Empire and today it’s the capital city of Italy. Also, the city is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. It has always been a centre of power, religion and culture. No wonder why it’s called the Eternal City.

Choosing where to stay in Rome can be overwhelming, especially when it’s your first time to the city. What is the best location to stay in Rome? Should you choose a place near to Colosseum or Spanish Steps or Termini station?

River Tiber divides the city into two halves. On the east side, you’ll find most of the tourist attractions like the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain. The west part is dominated by Vatican City and Trastevere, the most picturesque neighbourhood.

In this article, I cover the most preferable places to stay, plus the most popular Rome hotels in these areas.

I’ve been several times to Rome, staying in a different location every time. However, my favourite area is around the Trevi Fountain. It’s the heart of the city, the most central location, ideal for first-time visitors. Rome is not a small city, but from here you can walk almost everywhere. And in case you need public transport, the red metro line A is at hand. 

And being not far from Vatican City is a huge advantage, as you can get there early and avoid the crowds (which are huge). Plus, you can take late-night photos of the beautifully illuminated St. Peter’s Basilica.

Most popular hotel in Rome

Looking for the best hotel to stay in the heart of Rome?

Then check out H10 Palazzo Galla – it’s the most popular hotel in the historic centre of the city.

H10 Palazzo Galla occupies a beautiful bourgeois building from the end of the 19th century. The hotel features a fantastic location, right in the historic centre of Rome, a few meters from Piazza Venezia and the Roman Forum. Many historic sights, including the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Colosseum are only a short walking distance. Why book – great location for sightseeing, modern spacious rooms, panoramic rooftop terrace

Where to stay in Rome (for first-time visitors)

• Piazza Navona and Pantheon – for sightseeing
• Termini Railway station – for one night
• Spanish Steps – for a honeymoon
• Trastevere and Campo de’ Fiori – for nightlife
• Colosseum – to experience ancient Rome
• Vatican City – for a more local feel

Best area to stay in Rome for a first-time visitor

If you look for the most central place, choose the area around Piazza Navona and Pantheon. It’s the perfect location for first-time visitors because you’ll be within a few minutes walk to most of the major attractions.

This area, overload of beauty, is the heart of the Historic Centre. Tiny cobblestone streets lead to quaint piazzas and picturesque fountains. Ancient ruins, Baroque churches, Renaissance palaces, you’ll find it all here. Just walk out of your door and you’ll find yourself surrounded by centuries-old history.

It’s a wonderful place to wander both day and night. Moreover what could be more magical than looking out of your hotel window to the incredible sights of the Eternal City.

Why stay near Piazza Navona and Pantheon

• stay here if you want to experience the real Rome and to walk everywhere
• a great number of good restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops around
• you’ll be at walking distance from the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trastevere and Castel Sant’Angelo
• Campo De’ Fiori, a lovely area for aperitivo, is just around the corner

Hotels near Piazza Navona (Best for couples)

The hotel has an unbeatable location – right next to Piazza Navona. Housed in a historic 17th-century palace, the hotel features unique rooms. A rooftop bar gives you the chance to enjoy a fabulous 360 degrees view over the city. The rooms are spacious with every modern facility available. It’s the perfect place for your Roman vacation. Why book – ideal location for tourists, right on Piazza Navona, unique rooms with original frescoes, awesome staff

It’s a stylish 4-star hotel less than 100m away from Piazza Navona. A great, convenient location to explore the highlights of the city. Modern and tastefully decorated rooms. In addition, the hotel provides a smartphone so you can easily navigate your way around the city. Don’t miss the happy hour at the rooftop bar. Why book – prime location, next to Piazza Navona, modern air-conditioned rooms, comfortable beds, great rooftop bar

Hotels near Piazza Navona (Best for families)

Lunetta is a 4-star spa hotel only 200m away from Piazza Navona. The air-conditioned and soundproofed rooms feature an elegant design. The spa area boasts an indoor pool, a Finnish sauna and a Turkish bath. Plus, the rooftop bar is great for some coffee or cocktails. Why book – 200m from Piazza Navona, air-conditioned and soundproofed rooms, indoor pool and rooftop bar

Hotel Martis Palace is one of the best-rated hotels near Piazza Navona. The location is fantastic – only 50 away from the piazza. Most of the attractions are easily walkable from here. The hotel boasts a rooftop bar with 360° panoramic views of the historical city centre. The rooftop bar is a perfect place to enjoy sunset views and a drink before dinner. Why book – next to Piazza Navona, rooftop bar with panoramic views, comfy soundproofed rooms

Luxury hotels near Piazza Navona

If you look for a luxury stay just right next to Piazza Navona, then Hotel Raphael is your place. The location is ideal both for sightseeing and going out at night. Good-sized rooms with excellent amenities, comfy beds and huge bathrooms with Bvlgari toiletries. It’s all you need for the perfect Roman holiday. Why book – next to Piazza Navona, amazing rooftop restaurant, delicious organic breakfast, air-conditioned luxurious rooms

The 5-star hotel is located just a few steps away from the Pantheon. It’s the best place to stay in Rome if you’re looking for a luxury vacation. The air-conditioned rooms come with a Nespresso coffee machine and Acqua di Parma toiletries. Also, a free smartphone with internet access and unlimited calls is provided. The continental breakfast features seasonal and local products. Why book – next to Pantheon, panoramic terrace with city views, free smartphone with internet access

Apartments near Pantheon

Sant’Ivo Apartments are perfectly located, 200 away from the Pantheon. Quiet, bright and airy apartments, close to grocery stores and restaurants. Beside the apartment’s private balcony, there is a wonderful shared rooftop terrace. Why book – 200m from Pantheon, close to grocery stores, shared rooftop terrace

Eve Luxury Apartments are only 50m away from the Pantheon. Well equipped, modern and tastefully decorated, it’s a great base to explore the city. It’s close to a grocery store, a 24-hour taxi stand and countless restaurants. Why book – 50m from Pantheon, modern air-conditioned apartments, close to grocery stores

Termini – Where to stay in Rome for one night

If you’re in the city for a night, choose accommodation near Termini Railway station . The area is very convenient for transport links and travelling to the rest of Italy. Getting to both airports is also easy – just take the Leonardo Express train or any of the numerous shuttle buses.

Both metro lines intersect here at Termini station. The blue one takes you to the Colosseum, while the red one to Spanish Steps and Vatican City. Plus, a lot of the tourist attractions are within walking distance. The Historic Centre is about 1km away.

Why stay near Roma Termini

• stay here if you need a convenient area and want to be close to all public transport
• numerous shuttle buses to Ciampino and Fiumicino Airports (plus an express train to Fiumicino)
• the two metro lines give easy access to the city
• Termini station is a starting point of the hop-on-hop-off bus tours

Artemide is set in a 19th-century building, 500m away from the Termini Station. It has a great location, near restaurants, bars and shops. In addition, you can enjoy an excellent rooftop restaurant and a spa centre with a sauna and a Turkish bath. Why book – 500m from the Termini Station, excellent rooftop restaurant, wellness centre, modern air-conditioned rooms

iQ Hotel Roma is in a safe area, only 300m away from the Termini Station. Comfy, well-equipped rooms with memory foam beds and blackout curtains. The breakfast is excellent and has plenty of vegan options available. It’s a great place to stay in Rome for families and couples. Why book – 300m from the Termini Station, comfy rooms with blackout curtains, excellent breakfast with vegan options

Palazzo Naiadi is one of the closest 5-star hotels to Termini Station. Plus, it’s just a few steps from the Repubblica metro station. The hotel features a wellness spa area and a rooftop bar with amazing views of the city. Why book – next to Termini Station, panoramic rooftop terrace with seasonal plunge pool, mahogany bathrooms

Where to stay in Rome for a honeymoon

Rome is great for honeymooners! Around every corner, you’ll encounter charming squares, centuries-old ruins, elegant palaces and cosy little restaurants. The perfect setting for your romantic trip. Yet, there is one important question – what is the best area to stay for a honeymoon?

If you’re visiting Rome for a honeymoon, the area around the Spanish Steps and Trevi fountain is the ideal choice for you. It’s a fancy and cosmopolitan place with a lot of history, home to many high-end boutiques, chic restaurants and gorgeous Neoclassical buildings.

The beautiful gardens of Villa Borghese are just around the corner, providing the perfect setting for a romantic walk. Plus, the area is less touristy than Piazza Navona (except around the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps of course). Still, most of the tourist attractions are within walking distance.

Why stay near the Spanish Steps

• stay here if you’re planning a romantic trip (or some serious shopping)
• you’re at walking distance to Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant’Angelo and many more
• the metro provides quick access to the rest of the city
• Via Condotti hosts some of the best haute-couture boutiques
• the romantic Villa Borghese gardens are just around the corner
• take an evening walk along the Tiber River

The hotel is set on a quiet street close to Via Condotti and Via Del Corso, two of the most famous shopping street in Rome. Trevi Fountain is just a 5min walk. The romantic boutique rooms give you a feeling like staying in an old Italian palace. And the best part – the breakfast is served on a rooftop terrace with gorgeous city views. Why book – 200m from Spanish Steps, next to shopping street, luxurious air-conditioned rooms, rooftop terrace

Housed in a 19th-century monastery, this unique hotel overlooks the beautiful gardens of Villa Borghese. The spacious rooms are designed with extreme elegance and class. The Mediterranean restaurant offers magnificent views of the city’s rooftops. It’s the most romantic place to stay for a honeymoon! Why book – next to Villa Borghese, housed in a 19th-century monastery, restaurant and terrace with views of city’s rooftops

If you look for a 5-star treatment with an ideal location, then Hassler is all you need. The hotel is located on top of the Spanish Steps and a few minutes from the main shopping street. In addition, Hassler boasts a wellness spa and a rooftop restaurant with stunning views. Why book – right next to Spanish Steps, Michelin-starred restaurant, wellness centre with sauna and Turkish bath

Where to stay in Rome for nightlife

If you’re visiting Rome for nightlife, stay in Trastevere or Campo de’ Fiori.

• Campo de’ Fiori – the best location for nightlife with numerous aperitivo bars (and close to tourist attractions)
• Trastevere – a charming area with hundreds of little trattorias, restaurants and bars (a little far from historic sites)

Trastevere is a good area to stay in Rome for nightlife. The neighbourhood is situated across the Tiber within a short walk from the Historic Centre. It’s a picturesque district with winding cobbled streets and vibrant piazzas. Filled with hundreds of little trattorias, restaurants and bars, it boasts some of the best nightlife in Rome. It’s the ideal spot for a nighttime aperitivo.

The only drawback is that there is no metro nearby. The closest metro station is Circo Massimo, about 1.5km away. Yet, if nightlife is what you’re looking for, there is no better place to be.

This 4-star boutique hotel is perfectly situated for exploring Trastevere. A lot of local trattorias, bars and shops within reach. You’d feel like stepping back in time as the hotel is housed a 16th-century historic building. Why book – in the heart of Trastevere, inner garden, quiet air-conditioned rooms

Campo de’ Fiori

However, if you look for a more central area with a vibrant nightlife, then Campo de’ Fiori is the place for you. It’s a popular aperitivo area right in the heart of the city. The best part is that it’s on a walking distance from the major attractions. However, it misses the charm of Trastevere.

Hotel Smeraldo is the most popular hotel in Campo de’ Fiori area. It’s perfect for travellers interested in nightlife and sightseeing. The hotel features modern comfy rooms and a rooftop terrace. Why book – 200m from the popular square of Campo de’ Fiori, roof terrace with a cocktail bar, air-conditioned rooms

Where to stay in ancient Rome

The area around the Colosseum is the oldest one in the Eternal City. It’s the perfect location to stay if you want to experience ancient Rome.

It’s a charming place, filled with ancient ruins and centuries-old history. Plus, you’ll find also a lot of traditional trattorias, wine bars and great aperitivo spots.

Moreover, the area is very convenient, as there is a metro station right opposite the Colosseum. It’s easy to get to Termini Station, Spanish Steps and Vatican City. As for the Historic Centre, it’s only a 15min walk from here.

Why stay near the Colosseum

• you’ll be in the heart of ancient Rome, surrounded by history and centuries-old buildings
• easy access to the Colosseum (to beat the queues in the morning)
• getting to Roma Termini and Vatican City is easy (using the metro)

Hotels near Colosseum (Best for couples)

Hotel Capo d’Africa is one of the closest 4-star hotels to the Colosseum. Although located in a very touristy area, the hotel is down a quiet side street. Breakfast is served on a rooftop terrace overlooking the Colosseum. It’s a great way to start your day. Why book – 300m from Colosseum, rooftop terrace overlooking the Colosseum, quiet air-conditioned rooms

Roma Luxus Hotel is only 300m away from the Roman Forum and 600m from the Colosseum. Housed in a historic 18th-century palace, it’s a very chic place. The breakfast is good and features plenty of choices and a great coffee. Why book – 600m from Colosseum, spacious air-conditioned rooms, excellent breakfast

Hotels near Colosseum (Best for families)

Although situated 600m away from the Colosseum, the location is more than convenient. The metro station Cavour is right next to the hotel. Modern and stylish rooms with a contemporary touch. Why book – 600m from Colosseum, next to metro station, rooftop bar

For a view to Colosseum right from your hotel window, stay in Hotel Palazzo Manfredi. It’s a 5-star luxury hotel less than 100m away from the Colosseum. Why book – 100m from Colosseum, next to metro station, rooftop terrace, spacious rooms

Where to stay near the Vatican City

If you look for a quieter area close to public transport and attractions, then the Prati neighbourhood is the best choice.

The location is great, especially if you plan to visit the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica and attend the Papal Audience . It’s a huge plus, as you can get there early and avoid the crowds. You’ll also be close to Castel Sant’Angelo, which is a lovely sight at night.

The area is well connected to the rest of Rome, as the red metro line A has two stops near the Vatican.

Why stay near Vatican City

• easy access to Castel Sant’Angelo and Vatican Museums (to beat the queues in the morning)
• well connected to the rest of the city and Roma Termini (red metro line A)
• quiet area with many local trattorias and gelato shops

Vespasiano is a boutique 4-star hotel housed in a typical Roman building. It’s one of the closest hotels to Vatican City. Also, the hotel is just a short walk from the metro station Ottaviano. A perfect base to explore the Vatican and the rest of the city. Why book – next to Vatican City, close to metro station, spacious air-conditioned rooms

Della Conciliazione is located on a cobblestone street with many restaurants, cafes and shops. It’s right in the middle between Vatican Museums and Castel Sant’Angelo. The rooms are spacious and comfortable with excellent air-conditioning. Why book – 250m from Vatican City, direct link with Termini train station (bus line 40), spacious air-conditioned rooms

Gran Melia is one of the best places to stay in Rome, near the Vatican. The location is more than ideal – 400m away from the St. Peter’s Basilica. Plus, Trastevere and the Historic Centre are within a walking distance. This 5-star hotel features a beautiful garden and a wellness spa centre with swimming pool and a Turkish bath. Why book – 400m from Vatican City, wellness centre with outdoor swimming pool, Nespresso machine

The aparthotel offers comfy and modern apartments with a fully equipped kitchen. Breakfast is served on the top floor with some amazing views of St. Peter’s Basilica. In addition, a big grocery store is available just around the corner. A great place for a family stay. Why book – 200m from Vatican City, rooftop terrace, quiet spacious apartments, next to grocery stores

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About the author

We stayed at IQ Roma . Perfect location – close to Termini station and major attractions! In fact, it was one of the best hotels we stayed in Europe during our vacation.

Hi Peter, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed your time in Rome.

Hi I’m staying at Eitch in 2 weeks. When is the last time you stayed there ? I’m reading mixed reviews. Thank you .

Hi Barbara,

I stayed there before the covid pandemic, about 4 years ago. Still, when I look at the reviews at the moment, more than 90% are excellent (not only on Booking.com, but also on Tripadvisor and Google Maps). Keep in mind, that in general the 4-stars hotels in Italy have the quality of 3-stars, especially if they have a central location. In addition to this, many are lacking a real reception, or they occupy only a few floors of a building, etc. Noise is often a problem if the hotel is housed in an old building or the location is central. Breakfast is usually limited and focused on sweet pastries.

You can find better hotels near Roma Termini (please see my recommendations in this article), but in this case you have to sacrifice the location. 🙂

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Where to Stay in Rome – Best Areas for Tourists

Last Modified: September 19, 2023 //  by  Anda //   61 Comments

Getting ready for your first trip to Rome and not sure where to stay? Finding the best area to stay Rome can be an overwhelming task. We’ve spent a few good weeks in the Eternal City before moving to the United States .  so I know firsthand how difficult it is to decide where to stay when you don’t know the city.

Table of Contents

Best Area to Stay in Rome for Sightseeing

Most romantic neighborhood in rome, best area to stay in rome for local vibe, where to stay in rome as a budget traveler, safest area to stay in rome for families, a final thought, where to stay in rome.

There are many beautiful neighborhoods and safe areas in in this great city but people’s interests, preferences, and budgets are quite different. In this article I’m going to take you through some of the best areas in Rome in order to help you decide which one is a good place for you to stay. 

1. Centro Storico (Historic Center)

Location, location, location! One of the best places to stay in Rome is the historic center ( Il Centro Storico)  – the area around the Colosseum , Campo Fiori and Piazza Navona. Centro Storico    is everything you ever dreamed about Rome: ancient ruins, baroque architecture, old churches, charming squares and winding medieval streets.

This is where you’ll find the most beautiful squares and fountains and you’ll be surrounded by incredible sights. The historic center is one of the best parts of Rome, so it’s hard to beat this location.

Staying here will insure that you are within walking distance from most of Rome’s attractions, therefore Centro Storico is one of the most convenient areas to stay if you are a first time visitor.

Hotels in this area tend to be small (boutique style) and very expensive. But if you want to be within a few minutes walk to most of Rome’s major attractions, you can’t beat this location.

Where to Stay in Centro Storico

Here are some excellent  hotels in Centro Storico, Rome, to can choose from. 

2. Trastevere – a Great Neighborhood for Couples

Trastevere is one of the best places to stay in Rome. A lovely medieval neighborhood with great restaurants, beautiful baroque architecture, narrow cobbled streets, and charming  piazzas . Some of my favorite places to eat in Rome are in Trastevere,  so I visit this neighborhood quite often when I am in Rome.

Trastevere is one of Rome’s most lively districts and the best neighborhood for nightlife. If you are looking for a quieter area not far from the historic center that buzzes with activity and crowds of locals, then Trastevere is the right place for you.

From here you can easily visit the Coliseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Forums, and other attractions in the historic center. Hotels in Trastevere are a little more affordable than in the historic center. 

Where to Stay in Trastevere

Here is a list of  hotels in Trastevere you can choose from.  Or you can book an apartment on  VRBO – Vacation Rentals By Owner website.

3. Monti – Best Neighborhood for Local Vibe

Monti would probably be my second choice for staying in Rome. This tiny area that spreads between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum was once the red-light district of ancient Rome. Today, Monti is packed with traditional trattorias, chic boutiques and lots of bars and hip cafés where the locals hang out. 

Monti is not as touristy as Trastevere and Centro Storico, although it’s just a stone’s throw from Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The area has good access to public transportation.

In terms of accommodations, there are a number of nice boutique hotels in the area, apartments and bed-and-breakfasts in the area. 

Where to Stay in Monti

Here is a list of great hotels in Monti you can choose from. If you are a budget traveler, you might want to check out this article for the best hostels in Rome for backpackers .

4. Termini – a Good Place to Stay if You Are on a Budget

Termini Station is the main transportation hub and Rome’s main train station. The place where the airport express train arrives and the two metro lines intersect. Also, at Termini is where all hop-on-hop-off sightseeing buses stop.

The immediate surrounding of the Termini Station are a maze of hectic streets with cheap shops and food markets. 

The area around Termini station is often considered to be a more dangerous part of town, so you should be on your guard on streets like Via Giolitti. 

As you move away from the station, you’ll find hotels and restaurants on almost every street and for every budget. This area is probably the best location to stay in Rome if you are on a tight budget. It is also very convenient if you want to be close to all public transportation.

In terms of sites, Termini isn’t blessed with much and is not particularly charming. You won’t find the same atmosphere as in the Historic Center, or in Trastevere. 

The two biggest attractions to see here are the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Diocletian’s Baths. Because of the number of hotels in the immediate vicinity, room rates are very competitive.

Although major crime is very unlikely, petty crime (particularly pickpockets) is more frequent in this area. Termini is a good location to stay in Rome for budget travelers and for people who want mobility.

Where to Stay around Termini Station

Here are some hotels around the Termini Station area to choose from. Around Termini are also some of the best hostels in Rome , in case you are traveling on a budget.

5. Prati – the Best Neighborhood for Families with Children

Despite being Rome’s designer shopping district, Prati is one of the quietest areas in Rome. It is an affluent residential neighborhood, very close to the  Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Prati is a well-connected part of town, without being stuck in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s easy to get to by metro and has loads of good hotels and eateries to choose from. Because of its close proximity to the Pope’s residence, Prati is also of the safest neighborhoods in Rome.  

If you are  visiting Rome with children, this would be a great neighborhood for you. (For a complete guide on visiting Rome with a baby read this post .) If you plan to stay in Prati, you will need to use public transportation in order to visit the tourist attractions in Rome .

Where to Stay in Prati

Here is a list of good hotels in Prati you can choose from.

So What’s the Best Area to Stay in Rome as a Visitor?

I’ve covered some of the best areas to stay in Rome for visitors. I tried to give you a fell of each one of these neighborhoods in order to help you make an informed choice. Your decision will ultimately be based on your interests, preferences and budget.

I hope the information I provided will make it easier for you to decide where to stay in Rome. Don’t get intimidated by the popularity of this city. Most areas are quite safe and with some careful planning you can find pretty good deals.

If you are traveling on a budget, I recommend you check out this post about the best budget hotels in Rome . Another good place to check for hotel deals is on HotelsCombined , a World’s Leading Hotel Comparison Website.

Rome is one the world’s most fascinating cities, so no matter where you choose to stay you’ll have an amazing time here. Because there is just so much to see and do in Rome, you should plan on spending at least 4-5 days here. You can always add Rome to a bigger European itinerary .

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Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

Hari Sitaula

July 14, 2023 at 4:13 am

For those of us who are unfamiliar with the city, like me, that is an excellent overview of the city. We appreciate you sharing this content.

January 16, 2023 at 3:43 am

What would have been helpful is a map showing where each of these areas are located – possibly also including dots for some of the major sites. I realize I can work this out going back and forth to Google Maps, but it would have been a nice visual here.

January 16, 2023 at 9:25 am

Thanks for the suggestion, Bryan. I’ll try to add maps to my guide.

September 23, 2020 at 12:59 am

Hello, of couse depends on financial capabilities and sympathy, Trasteve is very atmospheric area and absolutely fantastic. Piazza della Repubblica is very beautiful too, but not so popular but whole area location is great, thanks for article, wish all the best!!

September 23, 2020 at 1:18 pm

Thanks, Sam.

Yukti Agrawal

April 3, 2020 at 10:56 am

Your guide to stay in Rome, Italy is wonderful and it is very helpful for first timers. I would love to to stay in Rome at its historic center (Il Centro Storico) – the area around the Colosseum, Campo Fiori and Piazza Navona. It would be good to admire ancient ruins, baroque architecture, old churches, charming squares and winding medieval streets in this area. Monti too looks worth staying due to its history of red light area and also some rustic cafes and eatouts.

Marina Springer

April 5, 2019 at 11:54 am

Loved the article: very informative and just made my planning easier. Thank you!

Anda Galffy

April 5, 2019 at 6:37 pm

Thanks, Marina. Hope you have a wonderful trip in Italy.

Clarice / Camping for Women

March 4, 2019 at 7:52 am

My husband is visiting Rome in the latter part of the year. He had been asking me to help him look for places where he can stay. Thus, I am so happy to see your post. It is very helpful.

March 4, 2019 at 9:49 am

WHope my post was of some help to you then.

Medha Verma

February 11, 2019 at 10:29 pm

That is a fantastic post detailing all the areas to stay and the key USP of each. Although I usually choose to stay in the historical centre when I travel to Europe, given my love for ancient architecture and cobbled stone streets, I also love how Trastevere looks. Out of all these, it would be my choice to stay in Rome.

Shreya Saha

February 10, 2019 at 4:45 am

That’s an important article on which neighborhood to stay in Rome. In a city, often there are more than one or two important places or areas to stay in and I get confused. I would be at rest when it will come to Rome, thanks to your blog. I will settle either with Centro Sortico or Trastevere. Well yes, still I am keeping two options.

February 10, 2019 at 3:22 am

I’ve only ever spent two quick nights in Rome, so I really want to go back and discover it all over again. Trastevere looks like a charming location to spend time in Rome. I love the old-world charm that seems to engulf the area, as seen through your photos. I do like how you have divided the city as per the characteristics particular to the regions. Thanks and this will come in handy when I plan my Roman Holiday.

emman damian

February 9, 2019 at 11:36 pm

Rome is one of my favorite cities in Italy. I went to Trevi fountain and Colloseo! It was so fun! I lived near Colloseo. It was a good neighborhood. Not so expensive too!

February 9, 2019 at 11:05 pm

This article is on point, my three trips to Rome and where I stayed was reflected in my budget situation, on my very first trip I stayed at the area near the Termini station which was way cheaper. Most recently I stayed at Centro Historico which was perfect for visiting the main sites just by walking. I wish I had this article when I was planning my Rome trip.

Soumya Gayatri

February 9, 2019 at 11:04 pm

This is such a comprehensive post. I visited Rome more than 5 years ago and we stayed somewhere in the historic center, dont remember exactly where. It was such a wonderful experience. After reading through your post, I feel like I should try out one of the other neighborhoods this time. Some of them look really interesting, the Trastevere for example.

February 9, 2019 at 2:22 pm

This is one brilliant post and a great summary, Anda. I visited Rome on many different occasions and I stayed in a lot of the areas you mentioned here and I think you truly did cover the best areas to stay in Rome. My personal favorite (until now) is Trastevere

Jane Dempster-Smith

February 9, 2019 at 1:50 pm

We have only visited Rome once and stayed around Termini. This is a very informative article Anda because we are always being asked where is the best place to stay in Rome which is close to the attractions. We will bookmark this article for our future reference.

February 9, 2019 at 1:59 pm

Thanks, Jane. I’m glad you found it useful.

Carrie Ann Karstunen

February 9, 2019 at 10:35 am

This is a great resource for a first-time visitor to Rome! It’s always difficult to choose a location to stay in an unfamiliar city. As I don’t like to break my budget by staying in the most expensive area, but I still like to be somewhat near the action, I think I would choose Trastevere. Thanks for providing so many options with pros and cons!

Kavita Favelle

March 3, 2018 at 8:15 am

I have visited Rome only once, and certainly loved it, mostly for the sense of history around every corner. I’d like to go again though, and your guide on where to stay is super helpful, we hardly thought about it last time, which was at least two decades ago! I’d likely go with your first or second choices of Trastevere or Monti, both are appealing, I think we have similar taste!

February 28, 2018 at 7:24 pm

That is a wonderful breakdown of the city for people like me who are not so familiar with the place. The B&Bs rarely share such insights and whenever I go down to booking them, I get confused about the areas. The center city would be my first choice given its proximity to places that I want to visit. I would definitely be looking for bargains on that one. Cheers and thanks for such a lovely and informative post.

Jennifer Melroy

February 28, 2018 at 8:15 am

I am a big fan of staying as close to historical city centers as possible. I make it easy to get up and get to the historical sites and beat the hordes of tourists. I love getting to spend time by fountains and in squares and almost be alone.

Samantha Sparrow

February 28, 2018 at 2:35 am

I stayed in the Centro Storico when I visited Rome (overlooking the Pantheon and it was great for a first time visit as i was so close to everything. I think if I was to visit again I’d try Trastevere or Testacchio which both have an incredible food scene and would definitely be a little more laid back!

February 27, 2018 at 9:11 pm

Very useful post, Anda. Travellers (even seasoned ones) get incredibly overwhelmed when choosing an area to stay in a new city. For me, it is the most stressful experience in planning a trip and I often feel, even after hours of research, that I am not entirely sure of my choice. In Rome we stayed near Spanish Steps and it was a good choice for us. Like you, though, I was overwhelmed by the crowds (which made the entire experience…an underwhelming for me), but that is another story (I did read your other Rome story:)

February 27, 2018 at 6:53 am

Incredible guide for first timers like me. Rome is truly one of the best places in the world that we should’ miss out. Although couldn’t help but notice that Piazza della Repubblica has a resemblance to the Opera house in Hanoi, the architecture, and the color. Termini could be my suitable location, and yes how true that Rome has numerous pickpocketers? Nevertheless, Rome should be on everyone’s bucket list!

Stevo Joslin

February 27, 2018 at 6:10 am

Thank you so much for this guide. We are planning to visit Europe next year and we’d love to visit Rome. It’s good to know there are affordable rooms so close to all the sights in Trastevere, and to get more of a feel for the way people live in Rome. It’s nice to see how life is lived in big cities all over the world. Thank you for the inspiration.

Punita Malhotra

February 27, 2018 at 6:04 am

We just loved the one week we spent in Rome. I would love to go back again and concentrate purely on photography this time, now that the sights are out of the way. 🙂 Love all your photos.

February 27, 2018 at 4:03 am

I stayed pretty far from the city center on my first visit to Rome, but next time I go to Rome I definitely want to stay in Trastevere, I loved it there 😀

February 27, 2018 at 1:44 am

I’ve heard really good things about Trastevere from people so I think that is where I’d like to stay next trip to Rome. My last visits I stayed in Via Aurelia which is past the Vatican. Whats good I think is that Rome’s public transport is decent so it wasn’t hard getting into the city centre. Great write up! #TheWeeklyPostcard

February 26, 2018 at 8:28 pm

Thank you for this informative post, the one thing I research before I visit any city or town is ‘the best areas to stay in..’ so this is actually very helpful! I don’t plan to visit Rome again, I’ve been there some 6 years back and I don’t even remember where I stayed. But if I return, I know this is one of the first posts I will look for. Cheers!

February 26, 2018 at 5:21 am

I lived in Italy for seven years. Centro Storico actually is the area of Rome that’s bordered by the 3rd-century Aurelian walls and by the mura gianicolensi, which include the Vatican walls – in other words, it’s massive and divided by neighborhoods. All the other neighborhoods you discussed are in Centro Storico.

I really like the Campo dei Fiori and Jewish Ghetto neighborhood. You’re an easy walk to the major monuments like the Colosseum, but also a short walk to the great and less touristy restaurants of Trastevere.

February 25, 2018 at 3:29 pm

I think I’ll choose Trastevere anytime. It’s not far from the historic centre and the attractions that made Rome famous are within easy reach. Also, as you said, hotels are more affordable in this area.

February 25, 2018 at 10:23 am

Thank you for this very inclusive post. I absolutely love Rome and has something to offer for all tastes and interests, so it is good to know in advance which area fits your taste. I personally like Trastever best hehe

February 24, 2018 at 9:50 pm

I find picking where to stay in big cities always overwhelming. I was in Rome 13 years ago, I think I stayed in Monti, but I can’t remember. I always want to be close to the centre

February 24, 2018 at 6:56 pm

My first visit to Italy was with Trafalgar Tours in 2008 – can’t remember exactly where we stayed in Rome – I believe it was outside of the city. But I would really love to return to Rome again and explore the sights on my own at my pace. Have read quite a bit on Trastevere, this might be the location I would consider the next time 🙂

Jessica Norah

February 24, 2018 at 10:23 am

We have been to Rome a few time and have stayed in a few different areas around the center (most of which you noted), and we loved being able to walk to many of Rome’s top attractions. Although we found the public transit easy enough it is nice to be centrally located!

February 24, 2018 at 6:09 am

When I was in Rome, I stayed in a tiny hotel in front of the Trevi Fountain. It’s called Hotel Fontana and it’s the only hotel that overlooks the fountain. Marvelous!

February 24, 2018 at 1:02 am

I stayed in a hotel in Trastevere almost 10 years ago and I was really happy that I did.

February 23, 2018 at 7:04 pm

I’ve been trying to figure out where to stay when we go back to Rome in April. We’ve stayed near Repubblicca on our last two trips… and it’s a good location, but we’re hoping to stay somewhere more central on this trip! This gives me some good ideas to look at!!

February 23, 2018 at 7:27 pm

I hope you’ll have a great time in Rome, Sara.

February 23, 2018 at 6:25 pm

I’ve never been to Rome so this will definitely be helpful to me if I go as I am totally clueless about the city. Trastevere – and your photos of it – looks appealing to me though so I guess that is where I would be inclined to stay.

Mary (The World Is A Book)

February 23, 2018 at 3:41 pm

We just booked our tickets to Rome a few days ago! Such a timely and useful post right now as I’m searching for lodging. It’s been 7 years and the place where we stayed at is all booked. Thank you for this!

February 23, 2018 at 7:25 pm

Have fun, Mary. I’m sure Rome will not disappoint you, no matter where you decide to stay.

February 23, 2018 at 1:51 pm

I agree – nothing like staying in the centre for visiting the attractions. We stayed via Veneto when we visited many years ago.

California Globetrotter

February 23, 2018 at 1:45 pm

Last time I visited Rome in college, we stayed at a resort like an hour by shuttle bus out of the city which made for a hassle to get in and out because we were stuck to the hotel’s times. Next time, I’m definitely staying IN Rome or probably more like Trastevere would be my ideal location!!

An hour away from Rome sounds way too far. You definitely have to go back and stay somewhere close to the historic center. We’ve stayed in many places in Rome and although not all were close to the city center, I liked all of them. Each neighborhood has its own charm and there is so much to see and do everywhere in Rome.

February 23, 2018 at 1:04 pm

Last time I was in Rome, I stayed in the city center. Yes, it was expensive but it was so nice to be able to walk to everything.

February 23, 2018 at 12:14 pm

Great info and beautiful pictures, Anda! Oddly enough, I haven’t been in Italy yet. But now I know where to stay when we finally end up going. I’ll have to bookmark this post until we do. My choice would probably be the Trastevere.

February 23, 2018 at 7:20 pm

I think you’ll love Italy, Emese. Their culture is quite similar to ours, so you’ll feel very “at home” there.

Vibeke Johannessen

February 21, 2018 at 1:01 pm

I went to Rome as a kid so don’t really remember the area we stayed in. I want to go back and would definitely stay in Trastevere. Looks amazing and charming. It seems like a typical and charming Italian area, just like I imagined it to be 😀 I hope I can go back to Rome. Will save this post until then 😀

LaiAriel Samangka

February 21, 2018 at 3:16 am

Wow, I haven’t been to Rome and these places are really beautiful. I love all those intricate design of building, which is only in Rome. Will surely stay with these beautiful places if I get the chance to visit Rome soon. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

I’d probably like to stay in the historic areas but would like end up like you and stay in Trastevere. I’ve gotta get on planning a trip to Rome. Oh the history and the beauty.

Marta Cunha Grilo

February 21, 2018 at 3:14 am

A good friend of mine just went to Rome 2 days ago and she wasn’t sure about where to stay. I’ll be sending your post 😉

Rhonda Albom

February 21, 2018 at 3:05 am

I only spent the day in Rome when I was in Italy so I didn’t need a hotel. If I were to spend some time there, I think I’d want to stay in the Centro Storico area. I can revisit all the sites I saw before and others that I didn’t have time to see last time I was there.

February 21, 2018 at 11:57 am

Staying in the historic center has only one downside Rhonda: you’d probably be so comfortable there that you won’t go anywhere outside that area. And that would be a pity because Rome has many outstanding areas that deserve to be visited.

Ryan Biddulph

February 21, 2018 at 1:59 am

Trastevere would work for me too Anda. Gotta get off the beaten path to see and experience a different side of these major cities. Like a full 180 in some cases from heavily touristed centers. As for Roma it’d be my first visit as I have barely been to Europe. I am too addicted to the tropics methinks. But I have a score of Italian expat buddies here in Chiang Mai who have painted a pretty picture of both Rome and Italy itself. Gotta go one day.

Signing off from Thailand.

February 21, 2018 at 11:59 am

Oh, you surely go to Europe more, Ryan. You may have a change of heart and abandon the tropics for a few years. The only downside to it is that life in Europe is so much more expensive than on these tropical islands.

Iuliana Marchian

February 21, 2018 at 12:31 am

This is such a wonderful post. I was in Rome 20 years ago. Honestly, I don’t remember where I stayed, I was a student, so it didn’t matter so much where I slept but I remember the beautiful Trastevere and the area of ancient Rome.

February 21, 2018 at 12:47 am

That’s how I actually closed my article, Juliana. I closed saying that regardless where you stay in Rome, you will have a great time.

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Where to Stay in Rome: A Complete Guide for First Timers

Wondering where to stay in Rome? We have some good news for you – you’re in the right place! We’ve spent a total of two weeks in Rome over the past couple of years, and Alysha lived in Rome for six months when we were younger.

We love Rome – the history and culture, the food, the energy – and we’re here to help you figure out where to stay to make your trip an unforgettable one.

There aren’t a whole lot of places in the world where you can walk by a column that was completed in 113 A.D on your way to a massive amphitheater that was built more than a millennium ago.

The preserved history that exists in Rome is one reason why the Eternal City is consistently in the top 10 most visited cities in the world.

Every time we’re in Rome (and the rest of Italy, really), we’re reminded just how young the cities we’ve called home really are (Seattle, San Francisco, and now Portland, Oregon). 

Despite each having visited Rome multiple times before, there’s something about it that is always drawing us back in.

Part of it is the novelty of just how old some of the things in Rome are, which consistently makes our jaws drop as we marvel at the accomplishments of a group of people who built things without the technological power we have today. 

But there’s something beyond that. Rome is romantic. The people are warm. And, arguably most importantly in our book, the food is simple and delicious. Which is why we decided to spend a full 10 days in Rome last year. 

Alysha lived in Rome for six months, and Matt loved his first trip to Rome so much (nearly a decade ago now, we’re getting old!) he made the return trip just two years later.

Then, a couple of years ago, we spent a full 10 days in Rome to dive a little deeper into the city (and we have another weeklong stay planned this year!).

In 2024, I (Matt here) made a triumphant return to Rome, my fifth time in the Eternal City, for a nice springtime trip full of gluten free pizza and pasta. I was there at the end of April and it was BUSY, so it’s important to book your place to stay well in advance. I made some wholesale changes to this guide based on that more recent experience, doing my best to streamline it and give you all the information you need to figure out where to stay in Rome for your particular style and budget.

Between us, we’re certainly not locals, but we have a solid working knowledge of Rome beyond a typical tourist who has been once for a couple of days. 

We’re here to help you learn from our decisions so that you can skip staying somewhere mediocre (like Matt did on his first trip) and find an amazing place to stay in Rome. 

In this guide to the best places to stay in Rome, we’re going to cover five excellent areas to stay that would make a good home base for your trip to the Eternal City.

We’ll give you our experience with the neighborhood, a list of pros and cons of staying in each area, our favorite discoveries in the area (think coffee shops, bars, and parks), and some cool places to stay. 

Our intention is that, by the end of it all, you’ll have the information you need to choose the perfect place to stay in Rome based on your particular style, budget, and preferences. 

Sound good to you? Let’s get into it. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Where to Stay in Rome: A Detailed Guide to the Best Places to Stay

Our philosophy when it comes to deciding on a place to stay is to first choose the neighborhood , then move on to finding a great hotel, hostel, or apartment in that area. 

The beauty of Rome, like most big cities, is that each neighborhood has a unique personality. The best neighborhood in Rome for you totally depends on what you’re looking for. 

The downside of that fact is that it can be REALLY confusing when it comes time to decide on where to stay. 

With so many great neighborhood options, each with their own quirks and unique charm, which area should you choose? 

It seems impossible to do, but we’ve narrowed down the list of the best places to stay in Rome to just four neighborhoods. 

When it comes to choosing a place to stay in Rome, there are an astounding number of possible neighborhoods you COULD stay in.

In the guide below, you’re going to find the four that we think you SHOULD stay in, depending on what you value.

Rather than take a shallow look at every neighborhood in Rome, we’re going to go deep on the four we think are best for 99% of people visiting the Eternal City.

Now, we’re well aware that a few of you are currently ready to throw your left shoe at the screen, saying “I don’t have time to read all of that, JUST TELL ME THE BEST PLACE TO STAY!” 

Well, here’s a quick summary of this guide if you’re short on time (though we’d recommend reading the section of the place you end up staying for tips and places to add to your list!). 

• Our overall recommendation is to find a charming hotel or guesthouse in Trastevere , which is far and away our favorite part of Rome. Cobblestone streets, energetic piazzas, and some of the best bars and restaurants in Rome? Sign us up! For what it’s worth, we recently stayed at Horti 14 , a beautiful hotel in a quiet part of Trastevere that’s walkable to the Vatican and the Centro Storico, and loved it.
• If it’s your first time in Rome , you can’t go wrong with the Centro Storico . Stay at Casa Pietra or Coronari Palace if you’re looking for a charming guesthouse with helpful, friendly staff and a great location. If you’re looking for an apartment with more space and a kitchen, check out these apartments near Piazza Navona , where we spent five days on our latest trip. 
• If you’re looking for a slightly different experience , look at Monti , a hip part of Rome that’s near the Colosseum and Forum, and is packed full of bars, restaurants, cafes, and more. Matt stayed here on his last trip to Rome, and found it to be a pretty perfect location to use as a home base. It’s a good central location, and generally feels much younger than, say, the Centro Storico. Salotto Monti is a great combination of stylish and affordable (it’s also where Matt stayed). 
• If you’re traveling with family or are looking for something a little more quiet and low-key, consider Prati . It’s a good location right next to Vatican City that’s walkable to both Trastevere and the Centro Storico, and it’s more residential (especially as you get further from the Vatican). Also worth noting, Alysha lived here for six months in college. If we were you, we’d stay at the charming Hotel Rovere , which is a great location (though it’s outside of Prati’s main center). 

Here’s a map to help you visualize what we’re talking about in this guide.

We’ve given you the five areas we’re recommending below, along with the main landmarks in Rome (e.g. the Colosseum, the Vatican, Termini Station, etc) with yellow pins so that you can see what we’re talking about when we mention things about location. 

Pro-tip: If you want to open the map in a bigger window, hit the “expand” button in the top right corner.

Where We’ve Stayed in Rome

Our own personal experience might be a good place to start this guide. 

As a reminder, we’ve been to Rome several times over the past couple of years, including a 10 day trip in 2021 and a shorter trip in the spring of 2024. Over those trips, we’ve stayed in three places that we think are worth your time and consideration.

We spent a full five days staying on the southern end of the Centro Storico , near Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori, and it was a fantastic place to base ourselves for our reintroduction to Rome (also, if it’s your first time, this is where you should stay).

Salotto Monti: A Mid-Range Hotel in a GREAT Location

On my latest trip to Rome (Matt here – I was in Rome in April of 2024 on a solo trip), I decided to use the charming neighborhood of Monti , which is sandwiched between the Colosseum, Centro Storico, and Termini (more on Monti in the specific neighborhood section below). 

Salotto Monti is a hotel on the third floor of a nondescript office (ish) building right on Via Nazionale, across the street from the heart of Monti, so it’s a bit removed from the action, but within a five minutes walk of it. Which is exactly where we like to be (we value our sleep).

From the hotel, you’re a 10-15 minute walk from… almost everything. You can walk to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, and Termini Station. 

And the buses that run down Via Nazionale right in front of the hotel will whisk you off to wherever else you need to go (there’s also a metro stop within a 10 minute walk of the front door). 

The hotel basically takes up most of one floor in the building, and they’ve expanded to include some of the apartments on the lower floors, which is where I stayed. I was traveling solo and was planning on doing some writing during the course of my trip, so a room with a bit more space is always a plus for me.

The best part is probably the rooftop terrace, which overlooks the beautiful Banca d’Italia building across the street, where you can have breakfast in the morning (it does cost extra, though). I also just hung out on the terrace a couple of times during my trip because it’s a lovely, sunny patio. 

Overall, given the excellent location in the very middle of just about everything you’re going to want to see in Rome, I think this is a great choice. And, to be honest, the prices weren’t as high as I was expecting for their standard hotel rooms. 

Horti 14 Borgo: A Beautiful Modern Hotel in Trastevere

I had this boutique hotel bookmarked for my next trip to Rome for YEARS before we decided to stay here for the tail end of our last trip to Rome.

My expectations were high – it gets stellar reviews, it looks beautiful, and it’s in one of my favorite parts of the city – and I would say that it lived up to the expectations I had, if not exceeded them. 

It’s on the northern edge of Trastevere, about a 10 minute walk outside of the center of the neighborhood.

At first, I saw that as a negative, but then I realized that, given the nightlife scene in Trastevere and the fact that we need our sleep or we’re grumpy messes, the quiet location is actually nice. 

It’s a small hotel with just 17 beautifully furnished rooms with modern touches and floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in plenty of natural light. They also have a terrace on the top floor, where you can enjoy breakfast in the morning or aperitivo in the afternoon. 

We grabbed a bottle of cider – yes, cider – from a beer and wine shop in Trastevere (Les Vignerons) and enjoyed a nice sunset on the rooftop patio. 

Another surprise, at least to us, was the incredible spread for breakfast, which is included in the room rate.

I have Celiac Disease, and there were plenty of options for me, but Alysha was the real winner here. Pastries, fruit, toast and jams, cheese and cold cuts – you name it, they probably have it. Plus, made-to-order coffee. What a nice way to start the day. 

It’s a little more expensive than most of the places we tend to stay, but given the breakfast, the location, and the ambiance, we’d say it’s worth the splurge if you can afford it. 

Rome As You Feel – Grotta Pinta: Apartments in the Perfect Location

We were looking for an apartment in the Centro Storico for a part of our latest trip to Rome, and we could not have been happier with the location, amenities, and basically everything else about the Grotta Pinta Apartments . 

The apartments are tucked away in an old building with a slow elevator (classic) on a quiet street within walking distance of the entire Centro Storico, but Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori in particular are literally a few blocks away. 

Around the corner are Fatamorgana , one of our favorite gelato shops in Rome, and Antico Forno Roscioli , which is basically a must-visit place for foodies in Rome. 

The apartments are surprisingly spacious, and they have a range of layouts that can accommodate between one and six people. 

The kitchen, which is part of the reason we look for apartments when we travel, was perfect, and the view from the windows over the rooftops of Rome was a very pleasant thing to look at as I made my morning coffee. 

If you’re interested in an apartment in the center of Rome, we’d recommend looking at these.

While you’re in Rome, you’re probably going to want to see some of the main sights, like the Colosseum and Vatican . Don’t miss the best tours in Rome with Walks of Italy . They’re experts in all things Rome. From their early morning tours of the Vatican, to the after hours Colosseum tour, they are hands down the best tours in Rome. We have personally done this tour of the Colosseum with them , and it was incredibly informative – our guide was an expert, and dispelled some of the common myths about the structure and what it was built for as we moved through it. If you’re going to do a tour in Rome, do it with Walks of Italy. We’ve now done at least four tours with them over our travels the past few years – you can read about our experience on their Colosseum Tour in Rome here . 

Trastevere: Our #1 Recommendation for Just About Everyone

Trastevere is hands down our number one recommendation for the best area to stay in Rome. In fact, we’ve literally stayed in Trastevere every single time we’ve been to Rome.

To us, it feels like one the most authentic areas of Rome – with winding cobblestone streets opening up onto vibrant piazzas filled with markets and locals going about their day.

Sure, there are definitely tourists (I mean, it’s Rome), but it’s far less tourist-centric than an area like the Centro Storico or Monti. 

The neighborhood is about a 30 minute walk to all of the main attractions, and less on the metro system, so the location is plenty convenient for exploring the main sights of Rome. 

However the neighborhood is an attraction in itself with little shops and markets and beautiful churches that you will have seemingly all to yourself. It’s just far enough off of the beaten path to avoid the throngs of tourists (although it is certainly getting more busy by the day).

Here you will be among the locals as they go by their daily lives. Which makes it the best place to stay in Rome if you really want to immerse yourself in the true culture and lifestyle of the Eternal City.

Personally, this is our favorite neighborhood in Rome, and it offers a little bit of everything. 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Trastevere

Pros of Staying in Trastevere

• All of the charm . Cobblestone streets. Greenery. Bars and restaurants with people spilling out into the streets after dark. Trastevere is as charming as it gets, in our opinion. 
• Great nightlife . Trastevere is great during the day, but it really comes alive when the sun goes down and people settle into the numerous terraces and piazzas for dinner and drinks, which can last until the early morning hours. 

Cons of Staying in Trastevere

• It’s not particularly central . While you’ll be able to walk to the Centro Storico (particularly the southern end, around Piazza Navona), it’s not walkable to much of the northeastern side of the city (think Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese). 
• There’s no easy connection from Termini (Rome’s main train station). It’s just not that easy to get there from Termini – we had to take a taxi. 

Trastevere Highlights

Here are some places in Trastevere that we love, and think you probably will too. 

Freni e Frizoni : The staff at Horti 14 suggested this place to us when we asked where to go for an afternoon drink, as did Alysha’s friend who used to live in Rome. The aperitivo buffet is a thing of the past, but it’s still a nice place to go for an afternoon drink before dinner. It’s a little more expensive, but that’s because their cocktails are legitimately good and interesting. 

Les Vignerons : A cozy little beer and wine shop on a side street in Trastevere. Great selection and friendly staff. They even have a bunch of Italian cider, which was a lovely surprise for us (we LOVE cider). 

Enoteca L’antidoto : A tiny little natural wine bar / bistro in Trastevere. 

Belvedere del Gianicolo : I’m not sure if this viewpoint up above the neighborhood technically counts as Trastevere, but we’re going to include it. It’s a lovely walk to do in the morning or around sunset, and it ends at a viewpoint with an incredible view out over Rome with all of its towers and churches. Here’s an excellent walking route up to the viewpoint, which includes an interesting history lesson on Italian independence along the way. 

Piazza Navona + Campo de’ Fiori: Our Favorite Part of the Centro Storico

When the sun went down on my first day in Rome almost a decade ago (I’m getting old!) I found myself wandering the narrow streets near Piazza Navona in Rome’s Historic Center during blue hour, that glorious period just after sunset where it’s almost dark, but not completely. 

As I followed the sometimes narrow streets in this part of the city, the streetlights started to come on, and the first thing I noticed was that they are designed to look like torches, invoking the feeling that you’re experiencing the Eternal City in the heyday of Ancient Rome. 

A soft golden light washes over the streets of the Centro Storico, transporting you thousands of years into the past. It’s SUPER romantic. 

Not in a “let’s kiss under the mistletoe” way, more in the sense that you’ll feel immersed in the rich history and culture that Rome has cultivated over the course of many, many years. 

Until, of course, a drunk tourist stumbles out of a bar on Campo de’ Fiori and ruins your vibe, which is a distinct possibility, unfortunately. 

Still, if you’re looking to be immersed in that Rome feeling, then this is the place for you.

Previous iterations of this guide combined the area around Piazza Navona and the Pantheon with the area around Piazza di Spagna and Trevi Fountain, but after this latest stint in Rome I decided that these two areas are actually pretty different, and deserve to be separated. 

We think the Centro Storico is the best area to stay in Rome for first time visitors because of the central location, good selection of hotels (some of Rome’s best hotels are here), and, for lack of a better word, the vibes.

And, to be honest, the area around Piazza Navona is our favorite part of the historic center, and it’s not particularly close. 

Pros and Cons of Staying Near Piazza Navona

Pros of Staying in the Centro Storico

• It doesn’t get more central . You’ll be right in the heart of Rome, walking distance to pretty much anything you want to see. 
• The most romantic version of Rome . Cobblestone streets. Torchlight ambiance. This is one of the more romantic places to stay in Rome. 

Cons of Staying in the Centro Storico

• Where are the locals ? If you’re looking for a slice of local life, this ain’t it. You’ll be surrounded by tourists, and you’re probably going to hear the majority of words spoken in languages other than Italian.  
• It’s pricey . You’re going to pay for the convenience of staying in one of the most central parts of the city. If you’re able to pay for it, it’s a worthy splurge to be able to walk out your front door to the Pantheon or the Spanish Steps. 
• It can be loud and boisterous . Thousands of tourists pass through each and every day. Especially near the southern end of the neighborhood, namely Campo de’ Fiori, it can be particularly loud and rowdy after dark as many of the bars cater to tourists. 

Highlights near Piazza Navona

One of my favorite things to do in Rome – and a staple of my 4 day Rome itinerary – is a walking tour that takes you from one end to the other. 

Here’s a map of what that might look like. 

In addition to some of Rome’s main attractions, there are squares and fountains tucked away within the narrow, lamp-lit streets. It’s one of the best places to wander and get a little lost. 

However, generally speaking (though there are some exceptions, especially the places below), we’d recommend eating elsewhere, because there are a LOT of places with great locations serving very mediocre food at very high prices in this part of the city. 

Piazza Navona: Our favorite of the main sights in this part of the city (closely followed by the Pantheon), this used to be the Stadium of Domitian, hence the oblong shape. The Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune) at the northern end is a great example of Baroque architecture. 

The Pantheon: A pagan temple built in the 100’s AD that now holds Raphael’s tomb, and has been turned into a church. The square outside is a perfect place to people-watch (it’s ALWAYS packed). 

Campo de’ Fiori: A normal-shaped square, Campo de’ Fiori was actually built far later than other parts of this area – somewhere in the 1500’s AD. During the day, it’s home to a market (the name means flower market in Italian), but it’s rowdy and loud at night.

La Casa Del Caffè Tazza D’oro and Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffè: Two of the best coffee shops in Rome to experience the classic Italian coffee culture of standing at the bar are just a few short blocks away from each other near the Pantheon. Pro-tip: order at the register and ask for a coffee at the bar, which will be cheaper than sitting at a table and a more authentic experience (because that’s how locals do it).  

Enoteca il Piccolo: Our favorite wine bar in Rome! We sat down on the patio here on a nice fall evening, and the owner sauntered up and asked us what we wanted. In broken Italian, I asked for one glass of dry white wine, and one glass of sparkling wine. Rather than give me options, he just walked away. Alysha and I were a little confused, but when he came back a few minutes later with two perfect glasses of wine, that confusion turned to delight.

Monti: Hip Neighborhood Adjacent to the Colosseum & Centro Storico

Prior to my (Matt here!) latest trip to Rome this year, we weren’t quite sure how we felt about Monti. We had spent an evening in Monti eating, drinking, and wandering the cobblestone streets and piazzas packed with people, but we didn’t have a sense for what the neighborhood is all about. 

So, on this latest trip, I decided to spend my time staying in Monti to get a sense of what it would be like to use it as a home base for exploring Rome. 

Turns out, it has just about everything we love in a neighborhood. It’s a great location (more on that in a second) with good transit connections (for Rome, at least) and a cornucopia of places to eat, drink, and shop in a relatively small section of the city. 

We still slightly prefer Trastevere, which scores higher on places to eat, drink, and shop for us, but Monti is a somewhat more convenient location for most people, which might be a consideration for shorter trips. 

Monti is a little slice of the city that forms a triangle, bordered by Piazza Venezia at the western end, the Colosseum and Forum on the southern end, and Termini Station on its northern edge. It’s hard to argue against the location – when I stayed here on this trip, I walked just about everywhere (including to Termini to catch the Leonardo Express to and from the airport). 

And when something was just a little too far to walk – like the Vatican for my early morning Pristine Sistine tour with Walks of Italy – I was within walking distance of the bus or metro.

Pros and Cons of Staying in Monti

Pros of Staying in Monti

• It’s central . If you choose to stay in Monti, you’ll be well positioned between the main train station (Termini), the Centro Storico, and the Colosseum and Forum. It’s a convenient location, and it’s well connected via the metro if you need to go elsewhere. 
• Restaurants and bars galore . Monti, which has made the transition from up-and-coming / hipster to flat out trendy over the past decade, is full of bars and restaurants of all kinds. In particular, look around the Chiesa di Santa Maria ai Monti along via Urbana and the surrounding area for some of the best food and drinks in Rome. 

Cons of Staying in Monti

• It’s pricey . This is a sought-after district, which means there’s plenty of demand to call for higher prices. You’ll be in a hip, convenient location, so be prepared to pay for it. Probably not the best place to stay for budget travelers. 
• Lots of tourists . Given its proximity to the Colosseum, Forum, and train station, there are going to be a lot of people here. Which is fine, but it’s something you should know going in. 

Highlights in Monti

Here are some spots we enjoyed, and think you will too. 

Blackmarket Hall: I tried to go here on my last night in Rome, but they turned me away because I didn’t have a reservation. My interest came from a tip from a local, who said this was their favorite cocktail bar in Rome. 

Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli: Another tip from said local, this church – which was consecrated in the 400’s! – is in a nondescript location near the Colosseum that I had a little trouble finding because it literally doesn’t look like a church from the front. But inside, you’ll find a statue by Michaelangelo of Moses (along with others forming the tomb of Pope Julius II). Allegedly, the chains of St. Peter are also here (the name translates to “Basilica of Saint Peter in Chains”). 

The view of the Colosseum: There’s a great view of the Colosseum from basically every point along Via Degli Annibaldi, which takes you from Monti to the Colosseum and Forum, but especially from the Giardinetto del Monte Oppio ( here on Google Maps). 

Piazza degli Zingari: A small little piazza lined with bars that was absolutely packed every single time I walked by after 6pm or so. Very fun and lively. 

Fatamorgana Monti: After a thorough taste test of a bunch of (gluten free) gelato spots in Rome on this last trip, Fatamorgana is my favorite. And they have a little hole in the wall right off of Piazza degli Zingari where you can grab some gelato and stroll the liveliest part of the neighborhood. 

Prati: A Quieter Alternative Near the Vatican (Good for Families)

First of all, when Alysha lived in Rome for six months, she lived in Prati. Prati is the area immediately northeast of Vatican City – which is NOT a part of Rome, it’s a separate country – which makes it a convenient home base for a trip to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. 

However, that’s not the only thing that Prati has going for it.

It’s a more residential area, and as soon as you get a few blocks from the Vatican you’ll find yourself walking down streets lined with five story high apartment buildings.

While the main street – Cola di Rienzo – is full of stores and commercial real estate, once you get deeper into the neighborhood it gets quieter. 

There are also some great places to eat and drink in Prati, from Venezuelan street food to traditional Italian trattorias. We’ll cover a few of our favorite places in the “highlights” section below. 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Prati

Pros of Staying in Prati

• It’s super convenient for Vatican City . You’ll be within walking distance of the Vatican, so you’ll be able to walk to your early morning Pristine Sistine Tour with Take Walks (a company we love and recommend). 
• It’s connected to Termini with the Metro . Rome’s metro doesn’t go a whole lot of places, but one place it does go is between Termini (Rome’s main station, where you’ll arrive by train from other cities or the airport) and Prati. However, you do have to connect at Termini to get to the Colosseum on the metro. 

Cons of Staying in Prati

• It’s a little out of the way . Similar to Trastevere, which is on the southwestern end of the main city center of Rome, Prati is up on the northwest edge. It’s plenty close to the Centro Storico, but it’s a little bit of a journey down to the Colosseum and Termini (though Termini is connected via the Rome Metro). 
• There aren’t many places to stay . Because it gets a little more residential here, there aren’t nearly as many hotel options. And the proximity to the Vatican means that the ones that do exist are going to be a little pricier than they probably should be.  

Prati Highlights

Here are some places we enjoy in Prati / Vaticano. We’re not going to include the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica here, because those are obviously top things to do in this area. 

Pergamino Caffè : If you’re into specialty coffee at all, this is the place to go in Rome. They have beans from various roasters in Italy, including Gardelli and Garage (two of Matt’s favorite Italian specialty coffee roasters). It’s not the cheapest coffee in Rome, and it’s a different experience compared to most other coffee bars in Rome, but if you’re looking for a special filter coffee, go here.

El Maìz : If you know us, you know that we’re suckers for a good Venezuelan-style arepa, which is essentially a sandwich between two corn cakes stuffed with meats, cheeses, plantains, and avocado (among other things). We were not expecting to find this dish in Rome, but we did, and they were amazing. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something a little different than Italian food. 

Castroni : A huge specialty grocery store with primarily Italian offerings. A good place to pop into for a gift or souvenir, but definitely not your typical grocery store. 

Castel Sant’Angelo : Part castle, part mausoleum for Roman emperor Hadrian, this is a cool activity in Rome. The best part is probably the view of the city from the rooftop terrace, which includes the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Supreme Court building next door is also worth looking at. 

Pizzarium : The most famous place in Rome to get pizza al taglio, Rome’s signature type of pizza that is sliced in squares or rectangles rather than a triangle. They’ve been making amazing pizza for well over a decade, and the chef is very famous (and now is featured on Chef’s Table on Netflix). It’s super popular, and almost always busy, so be prepared for a line (and to navigate said line alongside Italians, which is an experience in its own right). 

Termini / Esquilino: The Best Area For Short Trips (Plus, It’s Affordable)

Choosing a place to stay is all about evaluating the pros and cons of a neighborhood, and making a decision based on what’s important to you. 

There is probably no other neighborhood in Rome that is more polarizing than the area immediately around Termini station, Rome’s main train station. 

On one hand, it’s not the nicest or most romantic/charming area to explore. On the other hand, it’s about as central as it gets if you want to be connected both to the main sights in Rome via public transportation, and to any day trips or next destinations on your Italy itinerary . 

In this section, we’re including the entire area around Termini, but the main area where you’re going to find the best places to stay is Esquilino , which is on the southern side of the station, adjacent to Monti. 

We’d avoid the section around Via Nazionale , which is always bustling, loud, and busy, and isn’t the most pleasant place to stay. Believe us, Matt stayed here on his first trip to Rome, and we stayed a few nights at a hostel here on our last trip (which was honestly very pleasant, but not the best location). 

There are a few other cool spots in San Lorenzo (which we don’t think deserves its own writeup, but is a good offbeat option with nearly zero tourists), a hip, young-feeling neighborhood on the northeastern side of Termini. We included one of them in the places to stay section below, but you should know it’s a bit further away from public transportation. 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Termini / Esquilino

Pros of Staying in Termini / Esquilino:

• It’s well connected . The proximity to Termini, the main train station in Rome, means you’re well connected, both to places within Rome (most of the public transportation, including metro and buses, passes through Termini), and to other places in Italy. When you arrive and depart, you’ll be no more than a 10 minute walk away from the station. 
• It’s affordable . There are a TON of places to stay within four or five blocks of Termini, which means it’s going to be just about the most affordable place to stay in Central Rome. If you’re on a budget, this is a great option, and there are tons of affordable hostels and B&Bs in the area. 

Cons of Staying in Termini / Esquilino: 

• It’s modern . You’ll get none of the charm here. It’s very modern, with a grid layout and tall buildings. This becomes less true as you move further away from the main entrance to Termini.
• It’s busy . As you can imagine, being near the main train station in Rome draws all sorts of people. At all hours, there are people running around trying to catch their train, or loitering and trying to sell you a cool new bracelet. Quiet is not exactly the first word we’d use to describe this area. 

Termini / Esquilino Highlights

If you choose to stay here, you’re probably going to spend most of your time outside of the neighborhood. That being said, there are a few places of note within the neighborhood itself. 

Grom Gelato: There’s a Grom – our favorite gelato in Rome – INSIDE Termini Station. YUM. 

Mercato Centrale: After the success of their market in Florence , the same company decided to take their chances with a location in Rome at Termini. There’s a collection of stalls in a big, open food hall, with communal seating and a bunch of unique options from all over the world. Plus a coffee shop and a beer bar. 

La Pasticciera: Tucked away on a side street on the north side of Termini, you’ll find the best gluten free bakery in Rome. Or at least top two. If you’re looking for gluten free cannoli, this is the spot!

San Lorenzo: This is a neighborhood on the northeastern side of the train station that is VERY hip. There’s a great selection of bars and restaurants here, from a beer bar with an unbelievable number of taps (at least for Italy, which is still working on the whole craft beer thing), to one of the best coffee shops in Rome, and just about everything in between. It’s well worth a visit, especially in the late afternoon and into the evening, when it comes alive with students from the nearby university. 

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

Great reviews. We are heading back to Rome in June 2021, I will be retired and my wife and I want to stay for a month and enjoy the old parts and the great real Italian food. After reading your article looks like Trastevere is the place. Now deciding on hotel or vacation rental. Any other ideas would be great.

We love Trastevere, and it would be a great place to spend a month. Monti would be another great option – it’s more central and is full of amazing food. Plus, it’s near Palatine Hill and the Colosseum / Forum, so you’ll be immersed in that “Ancient Rome” feeling.

Hi, just reading through this amazing and informative blog, thanks very much. Just wondering if you have any advice on accommodation to book for a family of 4, 2 adults. A 13 and 11 year old? Would love to bring them to Rome. I’ve been twice myself and loved it

I cannot thank you enough for your blogs! I am a brand new Travel Advisor and I have found them INVALUABLE! I had my very first request for a trip to Europe (Paris) and thanks to your blog, not only did I learn a LOT, but it made me look like a ROCK STAR when putting together the package for my clients! I cannot thank you enough! Now I have a request for Rome and can’t wait to dig into that blog next! I feel so much more confident in booking Europe thanks to you! 🙂

No problem, glad we could be helpful!

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Where to Stay in Rome in 2024 – Top 12 Rome Neighborhoods

So huge and diverse, deciding where to stay in Rome can truly be overwhelming. With so much to see and do , if you are not familiar with the city, booking a hotel in Rome can definitely take you more time than you expect.

As one of Europe’s most popular and cherished mainstream tourism destinations, all Rome neighborhoods have their own appeal. There are several factors that can impact your hotel booking decision.

Is it your first time in Rome? Do you want to enjoy the city’s nightlife? Is it your 2nd/3rd/4th trip and you are more into going offbeat and discovering hidden gems? Can you afford a longer vacation and you are looking for some budget options to stretch your stay further? You don’t mind using public transport?

Depending on what Rome holiday you plan , you might prefer one area instead of the other. With our guide, we hope to help you make a more informed decision about what’s the best neighborhood in Rome for your stay.

To do this, we will give you essential tools such as what to expect in each area, what are the best hotels, and also some options for local restaurants.

What is the best location to stay in Rome? Deciding what are the best neighborhoods in Rome to book your room is pretty personal and depends on the reasons for your trip and on your budget. Of course, deciding where to stay during a short holiday can be completely different than where you want to move to as an expat in Rome .

If you want to visit its historical landmarks, you might want to check out the hotels in Rome’s city center or near the Vatican. If you are on a short layover and need to catch a train, coach, or plane, you might want to stay near Termini station.

Below, I cover the most convenient areas for sightseeing and some of the best hotels in Rome’s city center, while in my eBook I suggest five itineraries to eat your way around five different Rome neighborhoods. For each of them, I mention the best restaurants and what to see and do. This can be very inspiring if you are still deciding where to stay in Rome.

Find out here what is the best area to stay in Rome for you and your family.

Table of Contents

Centro Storico (Historic Centre) – The best place to stay in Rome for first-time visitors

If you are wondering where to stay in Rome, keep in mind that the Centro Storico is where most major attractions are. Including two of Rome’s most famous squares, Piazza Navona with its baroque charm and fountains, and Campo de’ Fiori , the piazza symbol of the florist profession as it was in the past. This is considered the very heart of Rome and quite predictably, it’s always packed with tourists.

This Rome neighborhood is very safe as all around are the government and Parliament palaces, making it always full of police, Carabinieri and Army.

This is definitely the best area to stay in Rome for first-time visitors as all landmarks are within easy walking reach. Impossible to miss a visit to the Pantheon , a walk along Via del Corso, a stop in the Capitoline Museums and a visit to Campo de’ Fiori and the Jewish Quarter.

I would probably avoid the restaurants offering tourist deal menus right in Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, but even here you can find some nice eateries and gelaterias . Some restaurants that always deliver good quality in this Rome neighborhood are Da Armando al Pantheon (Salita de’ Crescenzi 31), Da Gino al Parlamento (Via Rosini), Ginger Sapori e Salute (Piazza Sant’Eustachio), Emma Pizzeria con Cucina (Via di Monte della Farina 28).

If you are looking for a good artisan gelato in the city center, some of the best places are Otaleg (Via di S. Cosimato in Trastevere), Fiordiluna (Via della Lungaretta), Gunther Gelato Italiano (Piazza Sant’Eustachio).

If you are wondering where to stay in Rome with kids , this is a great option for all the landmarks to visit, the restaurants to try and the several pedestrian areas.

Rome’s Centro Storico Map

Staying in Rome’s city center is for you if:

• You want a holiday of sightseeing but also trendy nightlife
• You don’t mind paying a little more for accommodation and restaurants as long as you are in the city center
• You don’t mind the traffic
• You want to be surrounded by ancient art and history
• You don’t mind stumbling on your stilettos as long as you can walk around Rome’s cobbled alleys

Top hotels in the city center for every budget:

• Luxury: Rocco Forte Hotel De Russie
• Mid-range: Hotel Indigo Rome – St. George
• Mid-range: D.O.M. Hotel Roma
• Mid-range: Hotel Lunetta
• Budget: Minerva Monks Inn
• Apartment (Suite/Luxury): Propaganda Suites
• Apartment (Budget): Glory House Navona

What to see in Rome’s city center:

• Campo de’ Fiori
• Piazza Navona
• Sant’Agnese in Agone Church
• Piazza Farnese
• Largo Argentina
• The Jewish Quarter and Piazza Mattei

Where to eat: Restaurants Rome’s Centro Storico

• Da Armando al Pantheon (Salita de’ Crescenzi 31) – Traditional Roman
• Ginger (Piazza Sant’Eustachio) – Casual bistro
• Pirò (Vicolo della Cancelleria 36) – Seafood
• Supplizio (Via dei Banchi Vecchi 143) – Street food

The Spanish Steps – The best location to stay in Rome near famous attractions

Check out the hotels near the Spanish Steps if you are looking for one of the most luxurious areas to stay in Rome. The Spanish Steps are extremely touristy and Via Veneto is the historical street where celebrities liked to hang out in Rome’s golden era, namely the ’50s and ’60s. Via Veneto is in the quarter called Rione Ludovisi and it borders the historical Rome area Campo Marzio.

Just to be clear, the vibe here is largely exclusive boutiques, opulent hotels, semi-hidden gems for the in-the-know traveler, and elegant restaurants. With all the main landmarks within a pleasant strolling reach and well connected via public transport , this is definitely one of the most exclusive places to stay in Rome.

Very close to the city center, here too, it might not be easy to find good quality restaurants. For a tasty and casual meal with a wide menu, head to Ginger Sapori e Saluti (Via Borgognona), for a delicious vegetarian dinner or buffet lunch, don’t miss Il Margutta (Via Margutta 118). For a great gelato near the Spanish Steps, head to Gelateria dei Gracchi (Via di Ripetta) or Fata Morgana (Via Laurina).

Spanish Steps/Piazza di Spagna area map

Staying near the Spanish Steps is for you if:

• You enjoy luxury in all its forms
• You like to feel like a celebrity
• You want to explore lesser-known Roman landmarks
• You want to go on a shopping spree
• You are not much into public transport
• You like to walk everywhere

Top hotels near the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna

• Luxury: Hotel Vilòn
• Luxury: Elizabeth Unique Hotel
• Luxury: Hotel Eden – Dorchester Collection
• Mid-range: Hotel Splendid Royal
• Mid-range: Margutta 19
• Mid-range: Hotel Degli Artisti
• Budget: Il Corso
• Budget: Rifugio degli Artisti
• Apartment (Luxury/Suites): Fendi Private Suites

Landmarks near the Spanish Steps

• The Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna
• Via dei Condotti luxury shopping street
• Via Margutta
• Piazza del Popolo
• Via del Corso shopping street
• Via del Babuino
• Mausoleum of Augustus
• Capuchins Crypt
• Palazzo Barberini

Where to eat near the Spanish Steps

• Il Margutta (Via Margutta) – Vegetarian
• Ginger (Via Borgognona) – Casual bistro
• DonnaE Bistrot (Via delle Colonnette 35) – Gourmet restaurant of Elizabeth Unique Hotel

Trastevere – Best neighborhood to stay in Rome for tourists and nightlife

Famous for its nightlife, Trastevere is a bustling neighborhood at any time of the day. Popular among American students for the presence of John Cabbott University, this is a young area of Rome.

The charm of this gentrified district stems from its old buildings, narrow alleys, and traditional shops and restaurants. Its quaint alleys and trendy nightlife are what make it one of the best Rome neighborhoods for first-time visitors. And the wide range of Trastevere accommodation makes it easy to stay here overnight.

Trastevere has it all. Here, you can lead the typical tourist life in the heart of the city as well as witness the local life of residents working and going about their daily life and chores.

Among the landmarks to visit, don’t miss Santa Maria in Trastevere Basilica, Raphael’s frescoes in Villa Farnesina, Santa Cecilia in Trastevere Basilica and the Museum of Rome, and Santa Maria della Scala ancient pharmacy.

Trastevere is also one of the best places in Rome’s city center for eating out. Some of the best restaurants in Trastevere? Da Enzo al 29 (Via dei Vascellari 29), Seu Pizza Illuminati (Via Angelo Bargoni 10), Glass Hostaria (Vicolo de’ Cinque 58). Craving gelato? Try Otaleg (Via di San Cosimato 14a), Fiordiluna (Via della Lungaretta 96) and Fatamorgana (Via Roma Libera 11).

READ MORE: The ultimate guide to the best gelato in Rome

Trastevere neighborhood easy map

Staying in Trastevere is for you if:

• You don’t mind daily crowds
• You like to walk and don’t need much public transport
• You want a vibrant nightlife
• You like quaint cobbled alleys
• You want a historical/traditional feel

Top hotels in Trastevere:

• Luxury: Gran Melia Rome
• Mid-range: San Cosimato House
• Mid-range: Nikis Collection Trastevere
• Budget: Hotel Domus Tiberina
• Apartment: Casa in Trastevere

READ MORE: For affordable accommodation in the city center and other neighborhoods, check out our guide to the cheaper hotels in Rome .

What to do in Trastevere:

• Trastevere neighborhood itself
• The Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica
• Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere
• Basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
• Villa Farnesina and Raphael’s frescoes
• Botanical Gardens
• Galleria Corsini Museum of Ancient Art

Where to eat in Trastevere

• Enzo al 29 (Via dei Vascellari 29) – Roman traditional
• Seu Pizza Illuminati (Via Angelo Bargoni 10) – Pizza
• Trapizzino (Piazza Trilussa) – Street food
• Zia Restaurant (Via Goffredo Mameli 45) – Gourmet fine-dining

Don’t miss our extensive guide to the best restaurants in Trastevere .

Trevi – The best area to stay in Rome close to most attractions

Trevi neighborhood is all about tourist places. This small quarter turns around its claim to fame, the gorgeous Baroque Trevi Fountain .

A central historical hub, this quarter was ruled by the Colonna family during the Middle Ages. In the Renaissance, it was dominated by the presence of the papal “royal mansion” that today is the Quirinale presidential palace. A notable resident of this upscale Rome neighborhood was Michelangelo Buonarroti , who died here very old and alone.

With some great hotels, this is probably the best location to stay in Rome if you want to be in the heart of tourist life. Major attractions, restaurants, shops, cafes and all you can think of are here. Plus, with an easy walk, you reach Via del Corso, one of the most store-packed streets in Rome, and from there you will easily reach the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps and the rest of the city’s attractions.

This is one of the best areas where to stay in Rome for 3 days if you are visiting for sightseeing and exploring the city center.

Many restaurants in this Rome neighborhood have probably tourist quality, but it’s not uncommon to find pretty good ones. For a delicious pizza a stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain, I suggest Piccolo Buco (Via del Lavatore 91) which is also one of our favorite pizza places in Rome , Trattoria Al Moro (Vicolo delle Bollette 13), Piccolo Arancio (Vicolo Scanderbeg 112). For a good artisan gelato nearby, rely on San Crispino (Via della Panetteria 42) and you won’t be disappointed.

Map of the Trevi neighborhood in Rome

Staying near the Trevi Fountain is for you if:

• You don’t mind crowds day and night
• You like to get lost in narrow Roman alleys
• You want to be the first one to photograph an empty Trevi Fountain in the morning
• You like to be where all the excitement is

Top Hotels in the Trevi neighborhood:

• Luxury: Harry’s Bar Trevi Hotel & Restaurant
• Mid-range: Brumble Luxury Suites
• Mid-range: Trevi QQ Rooms
• Budget: Residenza Ki
• Apartment: Penthouse Suite Rome

For more options, check out our guide to the best hotels near the Trevi Fountain .

What to see in the Trevi area:

• Trevi Fountain
• Vicus Caprarius
• Quirinale Palace
• Via del Tritone
• Piazza Ss. Apostoli
• Piazza Venezia
• Trajan’s Markets

Where to eat near the Trevi Fountain

• Piccolo Buco (Via del Lavatore 91) – Pizza + Roman traditional
• Colline Emiliane (Via degli Avignonesi 22) – Emilia-Romagna specialties
• Baccano (Via delle Muratte 23) – Fine dining traditional
• La Sandwicheria (Via del Nazareno 16/17) – Street food

Monti and Celio – The best areas in Rome for nightlife and visiting Ancient Rome

Trendy and historic neighborhoods in Rome, Monti and Celio are a stone’s throw from Termini train station yet it has lost the shabby feel the station around the area still has.

Here, you will find good restaurants and pubs that managed to find a good balance between the touristy and the “authentic”, giving foreign visitors a perfect experience. Weekends are crowded, and if you have your own car, make sure you know you are bound to walk as finding parking nearby is pretty hard. Adding to that, much of this area is ZTL so watch out the signs “varco/ZTL attivo” or “non attivo”.

Is Monti a good area to stay in Rome?

This is a great neighborhood where to stay in Rome for first-time visitors who want to discover the relics of the imperial times such as the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, and the Baths of Caracalla .

By booking one of the best hotels near the Colosseum , you won’t only be close to the main archaeological site in Rome, but you will also be able to enjoy great views from your own room.

READ MORE: Check out my best tips for visiting the Colosseum .

Map of the Monti/Celio neighborhood of Rome

Staying in Monti/Celio is for you if:

• You like trendy clubs and nightlife
• You don’t mind traffic and noise
• You have serious shopping intentions
• You want to visit Rome’s archaeological sites

Top hotels in Rione Monti and Celio:

• Mid-range: Hotel Palazzo Manfredi – Relais & Chateaux
• Mid-range: Villa Spalletti Trivelli
• Mid-range: Rome Glam Hotel
• Budget: Hotel Borromeo

What to see in Monti and Celio neighborhood:

• Via dei Fori Imperiali
• The Colosseum
• Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
• The Baths of Caracalla
• Museo Nazionale Romano and Baths of Diocletian
• Piazza Repubblica
• Fontana dei Catecumeni
• San Pietro in Vincoli Basilica
• Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
• Santa Pudenziana Basilica
• Santa Prassede Basilica

Where to eat in Rione Monti

• Trattoria Monti (Via di S. Vito 13) – Home-run trattoria
• La Licata (Via dei Serpenti 165) – Bar, for breakfast and light lunch
• Cuoco & Camicia (Via di Monte Polacco 2/4) – Modern trattoria with a rustic feel open only for dinner
• Aromaticus (Via Urbana 134) – Green, healthy bistro
• Grezzo (Via Urbana) – Raw vegan pastry shop

Aventine Hill – The Roman neighborhood to stay for history and great views

Close to the Celio area, Aventine Hill is the best place to stay in Rome for tourists who are not afraid of walking and want to explore ancient and medieval history. If you are wondering about the perks of this area of Rome, think romantic views and off-the-beaten-path landmarks.

Here, in fact, you will be close to plenty of historical sights and fascinating hidden gems like underground Mithra temples and ancient Roman houses. From the Aventine Hill’s Orange Garden, close to Santa Sabina Basilica, you can also enjoy a great view of Rome’s city center and landmarks.

This is definitely the best hotel location in Rome to be close to the city’s pulsing heart but not right among the crowds. This Roman quarter is all uphill and downhill and even though elegant and residential, you won’t really find opulent 5-start hotels. The Aventine Hill is more a place for cozy mid-range hotels and handy budget accommodation.

To eat, you will find something around the area but mainly in Testaccio, where you are going to find for sure a better selection of eateries of all types. You can also easily head to the city center, where there’s no lack of restaurants and coffee shops.

On the other hand, for your sweet tooth, there are quite a few delicious options. Try Torcé (Viale Aventino 59) and Biolee (Viale Aventino 30) for a fantastic gelato or Casa Manfredi (Viale Aventino 91) for scrumptious pastries.

Map of Aventine Hill in Rome

Staying in Aventine Hill is for you if:

• You want to be close to the city center
• You want to do historical sightseeing
• You want a quiet neighborhood
• You don’t mind uphill walks
• You want to discover hidden gems

Where to stay in Aventine Hill:

• Mid-range: Hotel Villa San Pio
• Mid-range: San Anselmo
• Mid-range: Hotel Santa Prisca
• Budget: Althea Inn Roof Terrace
• Budget: BePlace Aventino
• Budget: Hotel Major Aventinus

What to see in Aventine Hill:

• Santa Sabina Basilica
• Knights of Malta Keyhole
• Rome’s Rose Garden
• Sant’Anselmo Basilica
• The Orange Garden
• Santa Prisca Basilica
• Basilica of Saints Bonifacio and Alessio

Where to eat near Aventine Hill

• Ristorante La Villetta dal 1940 (Viale della Piramide Cestia 53) – Roman traditional
• Lo Scopettaro (Lungotevere Testaccio 7) – Roman traditional in Testaccio
• 100% Bio (Piazza di Porta San Paolo 6/a) – Organic vegetarian
• Il Grottino a Testaccio (Via Marmorata 165) – Pizza and Roman traditional

Prati and Trionfale – Where to stay in Rome near the Vatican

If you are still wondering what is the best area to stay in Rome, this is one of my favorites. Great restaurants, nice pubs and bistros, enticing shopping streets, and close to major tourist landmarks yet, it conveys a more residential type of vibe.

It’s well connected with public transport such as buses and the metro and has also a large daily market where you can do your own grocery shopping, Mercato Trionfale.

If you are looking for a hotel near the Vatican , this is the right area. You will definitely see a lot of tourists, but in the evening you can relax with a more “local” feel. This is one of the best neighborhoods in Rome for first-time visitors, sightseeing, and experiencing local life.

Prati and Trionfale easy map

Staying in Prati and Trionfale is for you if:

• You like to get out of the crowd in the evening
• You like to feel like a local
• You prefer a residential area rather than a touristy one

Top hotels in Prati and Trionfale neighborhoods:

• Luxury: The First Musica
• Midrange: Growel Exclusive Suites San Pietro
• Midrange: Hotel dei Mellini
• Budget: St. Peter’s Luxury Rooms
• Budget: Domus Terenzio
• Apartment: Popologrande Apartment
• Apartment: Stars Luxury Apartments 1

What to see in Prati and Trionfale:

• The Vatican Museums
• St. Peter’s Basilica
• Hadrian Mausoleum
• Piazza Cavour
• Via Cola di Rienzo shopping street
• Via Ottaviano shopping street

Where to eat in the Prati/Trionfale area

• Porto (Via Crescenzio 56) – Inexpensive seafood osteria
• L’Arcangelo (Via Giuseppe Gioachino Belli 59) – Gourmet traditional restaurant
• Il Sorpasso (Via Properzio 31/33) – Roman traditional
• Pizzarium (Via Meloria 43) – Pizza by the slice street food style
• Romanè (Via Cipro 106) – Revisited Roman traditional

Don’t miss our guide to the best restaurants in Prati.

Testaccio – One of the best areas in Rome to mingle with locals

With the diverse range of things to do and places to eat it has, I love this district. If you ask me, this is one of the best places to stay in Rome. It’s well-connected with the other areas via public transport including tram, bus, train, and metro and has a lovely, traditional vibe.

Testaccio is one of the best neighborhoods in Rome to experience genuine, traditional life, perfect if you are staying longer, 3 or 4 days in Rome . Between the lively Mercato Testaccio selling fresh local produce as well as hearty sandwiches and tempting Sicilian pastries, and the non-Catholic cemetery, here you can totally spend half a day or even a whole day.

Thankfully, it doesn’t lack excellent places to eat. Do you want a casual, hearty pizza/sandwich? Head to Trapizzino (Via Giovanni Branca 88). Do you prefer to sit comfortably while enjoying a delicious traditional meal? Da Felice a Testaccio (Via Mastro Giorgio 29) is your best bet. While for a vegan organic buffet lunch, 100% Bio (Piazza di Porta S. Paolo 6a) is excellent and so is Brivido (Via Giovanni Battista Bodoni 62) for fantastic artisan gelato.

If you are wondering what are the best neighborhoods to stay in Rome, Testaccio is a good choice for an authentic experience close to the most touristy piazzas. In Testaccio, you are likely to find budget accommodation rather than sumptuous palace hotels, but the genuine traditional vibe is guaranteed.

Map of Testaccio

Staying in Testaccio is for you if:

• You want to experience genuine Roman life
• You want to eat great traditional Roman dishes
• You like to explore lesser-known landmarks
• You don’t mind using public transport to the city center
• You want more affordable accommodation

Top hotels in Testaccio:

• Mid-range: Seven Suites
• Budget: Le Tre Sorelle a Testaccio

What to see in Testaccio:

• Non-Catholic Cemetery
• Pyramid of Cestius
• Mercato Testaccio
• Macro Testaccio Museum

Where to eat in Testaccio

• Felice a Testaccio (Via di Mastro Giorgio 29) – Roman traditional
• La Fraschetta di Mastro Giorgio (Via Alessandro Volta 36) – Roman traditional
• Piatto Romano (Via Giovanni Battista Bodoni 62) Roman traditional

Ostiense – Where to stay in Rome for modern history and street art

Former industrial district, in Ostiense you can see the relics of Rome’s industrial archaeology in the old Gasometer, the general warehouses, and the old power plant now turned into a fascinating museum, Centrale Montemartini . Even just a stroll around Ostiense will reveal its trendy and colorful side with a series of murals by international street artists along Via Ostiense, Via dei Magazzini Generali, and Via del Porto Fluviale.

With a short and pleasant walk, you can reach also the large and important Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls and the cobra-shaped bridge named after Settimia Spizzichino.

Once an entirely working-class district, now Ostiense is one of the cool Rome neighborhoods with plenty of restaurants and coffee shops. Some of the nicest restaurants in the area are Trattoria Pennestri (Via Giovanni da Empoli 5) for a blend of tradition and new age, Porto Fluviale open all day for every meal or casual snack (Via del Porto Fluviale 22) and Romeow Cat Bistrot (Via Francesco Negri 15). For a gelato, you can stop at La Romana (Via Ostiense 48) and for a great maritozzo for breakfast, you can try Andreotti (Via Ostiense 54).

Map of Ostiense Rome neighborhood

Staying in Ostiense is for you if:

• You like contemporary history
• You are interested in Rome’s industrial archaeology
• You like street art
• You like local restaurants

Top hotels in Ostiense

• Mid-range: Hotel Abitart
• Mid-range: Hotel Pulitzer
• Budget: Crossroad Hotel
• Budget: Roma Suite Piramide
• Apartment: Abbazia di San Paolo Appartamento Moderno

What to see in Ostiense:

• The Gasometer
• Centrale Montemartini
• Garbatella neighborhood
• Settimia Spizzichino Bridge
• San Paolo Fuori Le Mura Basilica

Where to eat in Ostiense

• Trattoria Pennestri (Via Giovanni da Empoli 5) – Modern trattoria with traditional dishes
• Romeow Cat Bistrot (Via Francesco Negri 15) – Vegan bistro
• Marigold (Via Giovanni da Empoli 37) – Hip restaurant with its own micro-bakery
• Porto Fluviale (Via del Porto Fluviale 22) – Large hip restaurant and pizza place in a former warehouse.

Castro Pretorio and Esquilino – Rome neighborhoods near Termini train station

Very busy and lively area, Castro Pretorio and Stazione Termini are well-connected to all other neighborhoods and are close to pretty much anything you will be looking for, from restaurants to landmarks to different nightlife options.

While the surroundings of Stazione Termini were once considered unsafe, especially at night, now it’s really not the case. Mind you, pretty much everywhere around train stations at night is not ideal, but Castro Pretorio is not an unsafe neighborhood.

Bordering the Sallustiano area, here you can find some of the best gelato (Come Il Latte) and pizza by the slice (Pinsere) in Rome. While on the other side of the Termini train station is the lively Esquilino neighborhood, Rome’s multicultural district. Here, you will find shops, goods, and ingredients literally from all over the world.

Between the Castro Pretorio and the Esquilino neighborhoods, you will be close to some of the most famous churches in Rome including Michelangelo’s Santa Maria degli Angeli and one of the four papal basilicas, Santa Maria Maggiore.

Map of Castro Pretorio and Esquilino neighborhoods

Staying near Termini station is for you if:

• You want to be in the middle of the hectic Roman life
• You want to be close to Rome’s main train station and bus hub
• You enjoy a multicultural vibe

Top hotels in Castro Pretorio near Termini Station:

• Luxury: The St. Regis Rome
• Mid-range: NH Collection Palazzo Cinquecento
• Mid-range: Palazzo Montemartini
• Budget: The Liberty Boutique Hotel

READ MORE: Are you on a short layover or on a business trip to Rome? Check out more hotels near Stazione Termini .

What to see in the Castro Pretorio neighborhood near Termini train station:

• Piazza della Repubblica (Piazza Esedra)
• Diocletian Baths
• Santa Maria degli Angeli Basilica
• Nuovo Mercato Esquilino

Where to eat near Termini station

• Rifugio Romano (Via Volturno 39/41) – Traditional Roman and vegan restaurant
• 50 Kalò (Via Flavia 3) – Pizza place
• Matò (Via XX Settembre 41) – Street food

Parioli and Villa Borghese – Where to stay in Rome residential areas close to a park

The “posh” district in Rome, Parioli is very much a residential area and at night, apart from some bars and restaurants, pretty quiet.

The area includes two of the most important parks in Rome, Villa Borghese , and Villa Ada. So it’s ideal if you like to spend time in nature and you cherish your jogging/cycling routine.

There are also several lesser-known landmarks to visit if you are a fan of offbeat traveling. Parioli is one of Rome’s neighborhoods where you are more likely to find locals rather than tourists. This is the best area to stay in Rome if you like quiet nights, a residential area, and want to enjoy walks in the park.

Map of Parioli/Villa Borghese areas

Staying near Villa Borghese is for you if:

• You like to stay in nature
• You prefer residential areas
• You don’t mind higher prices
• You don’t mind taking public transport to reach the city center

Top hotels near Villa Borghese

• Luxury: Sofitel Villa Borghese
• Mid-range: The H’All Tailor Suite Roma
• Mid-range: Parioli Place

What to see near Villa Borghese

• Villa Borghese
• Santa Ilaria Catacombs
• Villa Grazioli
• Mosque of Rome
• San Valentino Church
• San Roberto Bellarmino Church
• San Luigi Gonzaga Church

Where to eat near Villa Borghese and Parioli areas

• La Pariolina (Viale Parioli 93) – Pizza place
• Ristorante Sughero (Via Eleonora Duse 1e) – Seafood restaurant

Nomentano/Trieste elegant neighborhood in Rome

This is hands-down one of my favorite neighborhoods in Rome. If you are still wondering where to stay in Rome, I suggest checking this out. Elegant and residential-style, it’s made of large streets such as Via Nomentana and Viale Regina Margherita, as well as more narrow alleys like Via Nizza or Via Mantova. Even though it’s not in the immediate city center, it’s very well connected via public transport through several buses and three metro stations of the B line.

Apart from being a residential neighborhood, this is a strong office area, so don’t worry about tourist menus, here you will only find good-quality restaurants. While it’s hardly included in any guided tour itinerary and is located out of the Aurelian Walls, the Trieste/Nomentano neighborhood doesn’t lack fascinating landmarks.

Between charming hidden gems to discover, great eateries, and quiet alleys, I think this is a fantastic neighborhood of Rome to book your hotel. You are not going to find much of 5-star flashy resorts but rather B&Bs, apartments, and smaller hotels, but I think here you can better decide your own pace.

Even though an office area, towards Piazza Bologna, you will also experience the vibrant nightlife. If you know you are going to rent a car in Rome, this is the perfect area because it’s out of the ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone).

Read our guide to know everything about driving in Rome .

Trieste/Nomentano map

Staying in the Trieste/Nomentanto neighborhood is for you if:

• You want to go offbeat
• You want quality restaurants
• You don’t mind using public transport
• You want a more local Roman quarter
• You don’t want to stay in the midst of tourist crowds
• You are going to drive in Rome

Staying in the Trieste/Nomentanto neighborhood is NOT for you if:

• Your idea of a Roman holiday is all about Colosseo and Spanish Steps
• You want to stay in the pulsing heart of Rome’s Centro Storico
• You don’t feel like using public transport
• You want to reach all the landmarks by walking
• You know you won’t be renting a car

Top hotels in the Trieste/Nomentano neighborhood of Rome

• Mid-range: Hotel La Ville
• Mid-range: Rome Garden Hotel
• Mid-range: Palm Gallery Hotel
• Budget: La Breccia a Porta Pia B&B
• Budget: Bbrothershouse B&B

What to see and do in the Trieste/Nomentano neighborhood

• Villa Torlonia
• Casino Nobile
• Sant’Agnese Fuori le Mura complex with early-Christian sites
• Quartiere Coppedè
• Porta Pia gate
• MACRO Museum of Contemporary Art

Where to eat in the Trieste/Nomentano neighborhood of Rome

• Berberè (Via Mantova 5) – Delicious pizza place
• Osteria Maré (Viale Regina Margherita 225) – High-quality and affordable seafood restaurant
• Smor (Via Cesare Paoletti 23) – Scandi-style street food place
• Santi Sebastiano e Valentino (Via Tirso 107) – Bakery with kitchen.
• Perfecto (Viale Regina Margherita 103) – Great artisan gelato

What is the best part of Rome to stay in?

When deciding where to stay in Rome, you really need to consider your travel plans and how much time you can stay. If you are only planning to stay 2 days in Rome to visit the main central landmarks, I would probably suggest booking your hotel near the city center. By staying near the Centro Storico, you won’t need to use public transport because all landmarks will be within pleasant walking reach.

If you enjoy the traditional vibe, you can book your room in Trastevere, but knowing that most parts of the neighborhood are always busy with tourists, day and night. If you are a nightlife enthusiast, then this is the perfect spot so to go back to your hotel you won’t need a taxi.

For those who prefer to stay in a more quiet and residential area but still not far from the pulsing heart of the city and the main artistic, historical, and architectural masterpieces, quarters such as Monti and Prati are perfect.

If you don’t mind using buses, trains, and the metro, and also if you are staying longer, let’s say a week in Rome , then you can totally enjoy the authentic Roman spirit of neighborhoods such as Testaccio, Ostiense, and Garbatella.

Where should you NOT stay in Rome?

There is not really an area that is too dangerous to stay in Rome, but if it’s your first trip, I would probably avoid quarters like Tor Bella Monaca or San Basilio. They are far from the city so of little interest to tourists and probably at night they are not safe to go around. At night, I would avoid also the area around Stazione Termini, especially all along Via Giolitti.

I suggest staying near and around the city center even though it would probably cost a little more expensive, even though also in central neighborhoods there are budget accommodation options.

What is the safest area to stay in Rome?

Neighborhoods like Centro Storico, Prati, Monti, around the Vatican, Trastevere, and Testaccio are all very safe both day and night. With this, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t pay attention to your belongings, purse, camera, smartphone, and money.

Whatever the area, you never know who’s passing by at a certain moment in time, so always make sure your bag, purse, or backpack is tightly closed, especially if you are on a bus or on the metro.

Moving further north of Rome in areas like Flaminio, Monte Mario, and Ottavia you will certainly be surrounded by fewer landmarks to visit but also the traffic is less mental. These are mainly residential areas served with everything you might need from shops to pharmacies to the post office, and they are also well connected with public transport to the city center.

Monte Mario and Ottavia are near where I live and are served by the F3 railway line and several buses, while the lovely Flaminio neighborhood near Ponte Milvio and the Olympic Village is connected to Piazza del Popolo with tram n.2.

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Rome Tourist Card

Explore Rome’s Most Iconic Attractions With the Rome Tourist Card

From the Colosseum to the Sistine Chapel : if you want to go on a whirlwind tour of Rome’s most unmissable sights , the Rome Tourist Card is the perfect solution.

• Imagine the roar of thousands of spectators as you circle the upper floors of the Colosseum.
• Marvel at the breathtaking ceiling frescoes of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.
• Explore the ruins of the Roman Senate and ancient temples as you roam around the heart of Rome at the Roman Forum .

What’s Included

The Rome Tourist Card includes entrance to some of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. This is what is included:

The Colosseum

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Colosseum , and the Rome Tourist Pass grants you skip-the-line access tickets to Colosseum.

This ancient arena, built between AD 70-72, was once the stage for bloody gladiator fights and staged hunts. Though the ruins are crumbling, you can still envision the Colosseum filled with crowds of people, and the roar of 50,000 spectators, as you walk around the upper floors. In its heyday, the emperor would attend the games and order elaborate spectacles to celebrate events and victories. You can learn all about the Colosseum from information signs and displays as you walk around the amphitheater.

For an additional price, you can enter the labyrinth beneath the arena where gladiators would await their fates and access the arena floor itself. These aren’t included in the skip-the-line ticket available with the Rome Tourist Card but can be purchased as extras; it’s well worth the additional cost if you’re interested in the history of the Colosseum! 

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

These attractions are included in the same ticket as the Colosseum – you must visit them within the same 48-hour period. Though they are part of the same ticket, they are not on the same site. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are next door to the Colosseum but have separate entrance points. 

You can walk freely between the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill once inside the site, though these are again technically separate attractions. The Roman Forum was the heart of Ancient Rome ; the center of all commerce, politics, and religion. It was here that the Vestal Virgins tended to the eternal flame of Rome, Julius Caesar was cremated, and the ancient kings of Rome lived.

Neighboring Palatine Hill is the birthplace of Rome, where, according to legend, Romulus and Remus were raised by the she-wolf Luna in Lupercal Cave. It is here, on the most central of Rome’s seven hills, that Romulus founded the city . It was the most exclusive neighborhood in Ancient Rome, though the ruins of opulent palaces are all that is left. It is worth the climb for the panoramas over Rome alone.

St. Peter’s Basilica: Guided Tour

Renowned as the greatest church in Christendom, St. Peter’s Basilica holds a unique place in the Catholic religion: it is supposedly the burial site of Saint Peter.

Lavishly decorated and filled with spectacular works of art, St. Peter’s Basilica is one of Rome’s most popular attractions. It is one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in the city; it was built using many materials sourced from other ancient ruins around the city – the bronze in Bernini ’s baldachin came from the Pantheon , while much of the marble was originally in the Roman Forum.

One of the highlights is Michelangelo’s sculpture Pietà , one of his earliest works. Entrance to the basilica is free, but the Rome Tourist Card includes a guided tour of the church. With a guide, you can get insight into the history of the church and notice things you may have otherwise missed.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

The world’s smallest official country holds its own in cultural impact: is there anywhere with more beauty and historical significance per square mile? If there is anywhere in Rome you will need pre-booked tickets, it is here. Queues can take hours to enter the Vatican Museums : booking a time slot with your Rome Tourist Card allows you to skip all the stress.

Inside the Vatican Museums, you can expect an opulence unlike anywhere else in Rome. The palace houses one of the greatest art collections in the world – with paintings from Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci – as well as artifacts like Egyptian mummies and Roman sculptures.

Every corner of the Vatican Museums holds an item of great historical significance: when in Rome, it is a sight you just can’t miss.

The most famous of all is the Sistine Chapel . Michelangelo ’s masterpiece is the series of frescoes painted onto the ceiling: the Creation of Adam stands out as recognizable the world over. It gets incredibly busy, but witnessing the beauty of the Sistine Chapel is a moving experience that you should enjoy at least once in your lifetime.

Pantheon Audio Guide

Few buildings surviving from the ancient world are as intact as the Pantheon : this is one of the best-preserved Roman structures in existence and the finest example of ancient architecture in Rome.

Entrance to the Pantheon is free regardless of purchasing the Rome Tourist Card, but the audioguide included with the pass gives you some fascinating insight into the history of the building.

The Pantheon was built as a temple for the Roman gods, with the current iteration constructed during the reign of Hadrian – it was one of the first examples of a temple open to the people for worship (previously, access had been limited to priests and vestals).

What you will immediately notice is the Pantheon’s impressive domed roof. The huge dome is made entirely of brick and concrete and isn’t reinforced in any way; it’s an architectural and engineering feat that still has not been matched. 

How Does It Work

The Rome Tourist Card is really simple to use. Unlike many other tourist passes , you don’t need to pick up a physical pass: it gets delivered digitally straight to your phone.

You purchase the Rome Tourist Card online, and upon purchasing, select first the date of activation and then the individual tickets and timeslots for each activity. There’s no time limit on the Rome Tourist Card once activated – you could be in Rome for weeks and spread the attractions across that time; validity isn’t an issue.

Once you have selected the date and time slot for a specific tourist attraction, it works as an individual ticket. You will receive a digital pass on your phone, which will allow you to skip any purchasing queues – which are particularly long at the Colosseum and the Vatican – and head into the site; for certain attractions, you will meet a guide (meeting points will be mentioned in the pass).

There is little flexibility once you have chosen your time slots and dates, so you must stick to them, and you should bear in mind the individual validity of each attraction.

For instance, the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill ticket is valid for 48 hours upon activation, while the Vatican Museums ticket entrance is only valid on your chosen date.

Key Factors:

• No time limit – validity isn’t an issue for the card itself.
• You use the Rome Tourist Card to ‘purchase’ individual tickets for attractions on a certain date and timeslot.
• Includes skip-the-line access.
• It is a digital pass.
• You may be asked for a photo ID at attractions.
• Audio guides can be downloaded to your phone.
• The Rome Tourist Card can only be purchased a few weeks in advance of your visit.

Flannels or FlipFlops

The 10 Landmarks That Tell Rome’s Timeless Tale

Posted: May 17, 2024 | Last updated: May 17, 2024

From ancient Roman ruins like the Colosseum to iconic sites like St Peter’s Basilica, there is something for every traveler in Rome.

1. Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most iconic sights in Rome, Italy. It has a long and fascinating history that dates back to ancient Roman times, and it’s been a popular tourist destination for centuries.

The fountain is best known for its beautiful Baroque architecture, which was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1762.

It’s also famous for its many legends – one of the most popular is that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you will be sure to return to Rome someday.

Trevi Fountain is best visited at night when the fountain is lit up, and the sculptures are illuminated.

2. Colosseum

The Colosseum is one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Rome. Built-in 70AD and originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, this ancient Roman site has been the backdrop of some of history’s most important events.

The sheer size and scale of the Colosseum are breathtaking, making it one of Rome’s must-see landmarks.

I highly suggest purchasing tickets ahead of your visit to save yourself the time wasted standing in the ticket queue.

I also recommend either booking a guided tour or purchasing the audio guide to help you get a better understanding of the Colosseum.

Read our 21 Best Colosseum Quotes

3. Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is perhaps the most historically significant of all Rome’s landmarks. This ancient site was once the center of social and political life in the Roman Empire. As you walk around, you’ll set foot on paths that were once trodden by some of history’s greatest rulers.

​4. Vatican City

Vatican City is the world’s smallest sovereign state and the spiritual center of the Catholic world. The city is home to a number of impressive landmarks, including St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. Additionally, please note that modest dress is expected when visiting the Vatican.

5. St Peters Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy , is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and a must-see for any traveler to this incredible city.

This awe-inspiring church stands as an impressive testament to Renaissance architecture with its grand dome, intricate sculptures, and breathtaking artwork.

Inside you can explore five centuries of history while admiring some of Michelangelo’s most iconic works, like his Pietà sculpture. A visit to St Peter’s Basilica will leave you feeling inspired and humbled by its grandeur!

6. Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most famous landmarks in Rome, Italy . Located within Vatican City and adjacent to St Peter’s Basilica, this awe-inspiring chapel has been a popular destination for travelers since its inception in the 16th century.

You will be awed by the Renaissance architecture and artwork at this historic site. Inside, you can see Michelangelo’s famous frescoes on the ceiling, along with other captivating works spanning five centuries of history.

Read more about Rome Italy, one of the Unbeatable Destinations for Weekend Getaways in Europe

7. Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums in Rome, Italy, are a must-see for any traveler to this incredible city. Located within the walls of the Vatican City, these museums offer visitors an opportunity to explore centuries of art and history from ancient times until today.

You’ll find galleries filled with sculptures, frescoes, tapestries, and other stunning works representing various eras of art.

The vast collection includes masterpieces by renowned artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael.

8. Largo di Torre Argentina

Largo di Torre, Argentina, is one of the most famous landmarks in Rome, Italy. Located in the heart of the city, this historic site provides a unique opportunity for travelers to explore some of Rome’s oldest and most iconic architecture.

The Largo di Torre Argentina is best known as the location where Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC.

Today it serves as an archaeological excavation site with ruins from four Republican-era temples dating back to the 4th century BC.

9. Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four major basilicas in Rome named after St. Mary Major.

It stands out for its beautiful exterior decorated with marble and mosaics, as well as its elaborate interior featuring a wooden ceiling painted with frescoes.

Santa Maria Maggiore also hosts important religious events on special holidays, like Christmas and Easter.

10. Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is perhaps one of the most iconic landmarks in Rome. This grand fountain stands at the center of Piazza Navona and features four figures depicting four rivers from various continents.

This majestic structure was designed by Bernini in 1651 and has been considered a masterpiece ever since.

11. Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill is the centermost of Rome’s seven hills and one of the most famous landmarks in Italy. It was once home to the richest citizens and where many Ancient Roman emperors resided, including Augustus.

Today it is known for its archaeological ruins, outdoor gardens, and sweeping views of the city. Visitors can explore its rich history through its ancient ruins and breathtaking views.

12. Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps have been one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks since its construction in 1725. The 138 steps were designed by Francesco de Sanctis and Giuseppe Valadier and led up to the Piazza di Spagna.

The stairs are a popular spot for tourists, with its beautiful views of Rome and many shops and restaurants around the steps. Visitors can enjoy the views and stroll up the stairs for a closer look at this famous landmark.

13. Pyramid of Cestius

The Pyramid of Cestius , or Piramide di Caio Cestio, is a tomb built in 12 BC for the magistrate Gaius Cestius Epulo.

Standing 37 meters (121ft) tall, this pyramid is the only ancient Egyptian-style pyramid in Rome and one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Italy.

14. Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is a large public park located in the heart of Rome. It was originally established as a private estate in 1605 and opened to the public in 1903. The villa features three lakes, lush gardens, beautiful sculptures, and many attractions for all ages.

Visitors can explore the park’s various trails and admire its many monuments, including the famous Four Rivers Fountain and the Temple of Aesculapius.

15. Via Appia Antica

The Via Appia Antica is an ancient Roman road that stretches over 300km and was built in 312 BC. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved roads in Italy and a popular tourist destination for those looking to explore the ruins of ancient Rome.

Visitors can explore the many catacombs along the road, visit numerous historic sites, or walk along the iconic cobblestone path.

16. Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

Also known as the Lateran Basilica, this is one of Rome’s most famous landmarks. This incredible building is the official papal seat and home to many sculptures, frescos, and beautiful mosaic floors.

17. Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved temples in Rome and a must-see for all visitors.

Built during the 2nd century AD, it is made up of concrete and brick walls and features a huge, round dome that has been standing since its original construction.

18. Nero’s Domus Aurea

Nero’s Domus Aurea is an iconic landmark in Rome that served as Emperor Nero’s palace. Nero had planned to build a new city called “Neropolis” and the Domus Aurea was a part of that project to transform Rome.

It was built in 64 AD and is now a popular tourist destination for those interested in learning more about Roman history.

19. Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of the most famous squares in Rome.

It was built in the 15th century as a public square and featured three stunning fountains, including the Fountain of Four Rivers by Bernini.

The Piazza Navona is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to spend time outdoors, enjoy an Italian gelato, or even participate in the open-air art market.

20. Capitoline Museums

The Capitoline Museums are located on the top of Capitoline Hill and offer visitors a glimpse into ancient Roman history.

The museums house an impressive array of sculptures, including the iconic statue of Marcus Aurelius, as well as paintings and other artifacts from antiquity.

21. Piazza Venezia

Located at the foot of Capitol Hill, it is home to many famous monuments like the Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland).

This monument was built in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, who unified Italy and is also known as “the Unknown Soldier.”

22. Museo Nazionale Romano

Museo Nazionale Romano in Rome , Italy, is a must-visit for tourists and history buffs alike.

The National Roman Museum is actually 4 separate locations, each housing different artifacts, and exhibits.

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Rome’s New Six Senses Is One of the City’s Most Unique Hotels — Here’s Why

The wellness-focused brand is making a splash in the Eternal City.

Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor based in Rome. She has been contributing to Travel + Leisure since 2014, when she started as a fact checker before becoming a contributing digital editor in 2015 and going freelance in 2016. She has also held positions as a contributing editor at The Points Guy and the NYC cities editor at DuJour Magazine. In addition to Travel + Leisure , her writing has appeared in Architectural Digest , Surface Magazine , Brooklyn Magazine , T Magazine , The Wall Street Journal , Vogue, GQ, Departures, Afar, Fodor's, Town & Country , Condé Nast Traveler , Robb Report , Hemispheres, and others. When she's not jetsetting around Italy and beyond, she can be found in Rome, enjoying some cacio e pepe or relaxing at home with her husband and two dogs. Originally from the Boston area, Laura moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a master's degree in creative writing and translation at Columbia University. She also holds a bachelor's degree in French from Smith College. * 10+ years of experience writing and editing * Co-wrote "New York: Hidden Bars & Restaurants," an award-winning guide to New York City's speakeasy scene published by Jonglez Editions in 2015 * Contributed to "Fodor's Brooklyn," published by Penguin Random House in 2015, which won silver in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition * Contributed an essay to "Epic Hikes of Europe," published by Lonely Planet in 2021 * Updated the 2022 edition of "Fodor's Essential Italy"

Food and Drink

Activities and amenities, family-friendly offerings, accessibility and sustainability, how to get the most value out of your stay.

Courtesy of Six Senses

Rome is a city known more for historic charm and a fun, carefree lifestyle than for modern design and wellness, so the arrival of the wellness and sustainability-focused brand Six Senses has made quite a splash in the city’s hospitality scene. Opened in spring 2023 in the historic Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini on the bustling Via del Corso, it immediately became the talk of the town. As the first urban Six Senses and the first in Italy, it’s also a big deal for the brand — part of IHG Hotels & Resorts.

On a recent afternoon spent soaking and sweating in the hotel’s peaceful Roman Baths, I was struck by how unique the Six Senses Rome is in the city. As a travel writer based in Rome, I’m intimately familiar with the city’s five-star hotels — and no other hotel in the historic center has a spa like this.

Courtesy of Six Senses Rome

But even before you get to the spa, the first thing that makes an impression is the hotel’s sleek modern design. While the city’s other hotels may feel more traditionally Roman, the Six Senses is full of subtle touches that root it in the Eternal City. Patricia Urquiola, the acclaimed architect behind the design, drew inspiration from the ancient Villa of Livia to create a digital mural behind the reception desk, embedded mosaics in the floors of BIVIUM restaurant and the spa, and liberally used travertine, the ubiquitous local stone. The abundance of potted plants sprinkled throughout the lobby lounge, the floor-to-ceiling glass, and the low seating arrangements may make the hotel feel like it belongs in Los Angeles, but make no mistake: Rome has evolved countless times for more than 2,700 years, and it’s evolving again.

“After almost three decades away from my hometown, it is a pleasure and an honor to return to lead such an incredible project that represents both my personal philosophy and a wonderful opportunity for the city of Rome,” Francesca Tozzi, the hotel’s general manager, told Travel + Leisure . “Rome, the city of eternal beauty, has been for far too long a ‘layover destination’ in Italy, when it comes to high-end tourism. But now, with our opening and many more to come, the future of the city is looking bright. Rome, just like Paris or London, is about to become an essential destination for experiential travel at the highest level.”

I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I checked in as one of the hotel’s first guests when it opened last year and returned subsequently to soak in the Roman baths and sip a creative take on an Aperol Spritz at the rooftop bar. Read on for everything you need to know about the Six Senses Rome.

Six Senses Rome

• The sleek, modern design incorporates many natural materials and subtle nods to the Roman empire.
• Serene rooms have big, comfy beds and noise-blocking windows to ensure a good night’s sleep.
• The massive spa is one of the city’s best, with cutting-edge treatments, a Roman bath circuit, and yoga and meditation sessions to detox — and then retox — at the rooftop bar.
• It’s in the heart of Rome’s historic center, a stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.

John Athimaritis/Courtesy of Six Senses Rome

The 96 rooms and suites are modern and minimalist. Featuring a neutral palette of sandy beige and muted gray with natural materials like wood, cotton textiles, and travertine, they feel soothing—a welcome haven from the busy street outside. They range in size from about 300 square feet for a Classic room to 1,356 square feet plus an outdoor terrace that’s more than 1,000 square feet in the Lata Suite, which has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a spacious living room.

The Roman influence on the hotel continues in the restaurant, and fans of the Six Senses brand will find familiar healthy options. The breakfast buffet at BIVIUM includes detox juices and indulgent tiramisu croissants. (One thing you won’t find is smoked salmon, which isn’t sustainable.) In the evening, you can eat delicious pizzas and pasta, sustainably sourced fish, and meat. At NOTOS rooftop, fantastic city center views come with cocktails and light bites.

Six Senses Rome has a robust schedule of activities that are offered on a daily or weekly basis. During my stay, I did a healing sound bath meditation. Guests can also do yoga, sustainability tours, olive oil tastings, fermentation, recycled paper card workshops, natural color drawing workshops, and stretching sessions. 

In keeping with the brand’s emphasis on wellness, the Six Senses Rome boasts a massive spa spread over two floors. There are treatment rooms for massages and a proper Moroccan-style hammam; a nail salon; a studio for yoga, meditation, and sound baths; biohacking equipment like compression boots and a collagen-boosting face mask; an alchemy bar, where guests can learn to make salves and scrubs; and the Roman Baths, a circuit of pools, saunas, and a steam room at various temperatures, inspired by ancient Roman baths with a tepidarium, caldarium, and frigidarium.

Kids are welcomed with various amenities, including drawing books and pencils, backpacks, cookies, and one free scoop of gelato daily. They can participate in activities like yoga for kids and mocktail-making classes. The hotel’s Guest Experience Makers can also organize family-friendly tours of the city’s attractions.

Six Senses is on a mission to eliminate plastic from all its hotels, so you won’t find any single-use plastic here. At the Earth Lab, interactive talks and workshops educate guests about the hotel’s sustainability efforts. As part of the brand’s mission to give back to the local community, it’s also restored the façade of the adjacent Church of San Marcello al Corso.

The hotel is centrally located on the bustling Via del Corso, the main thoroughfare from Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Venezia. From here, getting around Rome on foot or by taking taxis, the metro, or buses is easy. The Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon are each about a five-minute walk away. The Colosseum is about a 20-minute walk or 15-minute taxi ride away. The area tends to get crowded with foot traffic, but the Six Senses is a serene retreat where you can forget about the crowds outside.

IHG One Rewards members can earn or redeem points during a stay at Six Senses Rome by booking through IHG.com . The hotel is also a member of Fine Hotels and Resorts, Virtuoso, Internova, and Signature, among others, and has related benefits.

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Holy Year or holy mess, Vatican and Rome begin dash to 2025 Jubilee with papal bull, construction

Pope Francis presides over the second vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 9, 2024, after reading the papal bull ‘Spes non confundit’ (Latin for, hope does not disappoint), the official decree establishing the Catholic Holy Year: a once-every-quarter-century event that is expected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to Rome (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis arrives to preside over the second vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 9, 2024, after reading the papal bull ‘Spes non confundit’ (Latin for, hope does not disappoint), the official decree establishing the Catholic Holy Year: a once-every-quarter-century event that is expected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to Rome (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A deacon brings the papal robe for Pope Francis who will preside over the second vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 9, 2024, after reading the papal bull ‘Spes non confundit’ (Latin for, hope does not disappoint), the official decree establishing the Catholic Holy Year: a once-every-quarter-century event that is expected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to Rome (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

General view of the construction site of a major underground hub in central Piazza Venezia in Rome, Thursday, May 9, 2024. The Vatican crosses a key milestone Thursday in the runup to its 2025 Jubilee with the promulgation of the official decree establishing the Holy Year. For the next four years at least, central Piazza Venezia and its Imperial Forum-flanked boulevard to the Colosseum are scheduled to be congested and blighted by giant, 14-meter (yard) high green silos that are needed for the subway drilling operation under way. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pilgrims crowd St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Saturday, May 30, 1998, on Pentecost Day. The Vatican crosses a key milestone Thursday, May 9, 2024, in the run-up to its 2025 Jubilee with the promulgation of the official decree establishing the Holy Year: a once-every-quarter-century event that is expected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to Rome and has already brought months of headaches to Romans. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Live signals from the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the surrounding streets are seen in the control room at the municipal police headquarters in Rome, Wednesday, April 6, 2005. The Vatican crosses a key milestone Thursday, May 9, 2024, in the run-up to its 2025 Jubilee with the promulgation of the official decree establishing the Holy Year: a once-every-quarter-century event that is expected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to Rome and has already brought months of headaches to Romans. (AP Photo/Corrado Giambalvo)

Tourists approaching the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica Saturday, July 11, 1998, walk through street works. The Vatican crosses a key milestone Thursday, May 9, 2024, in the run-up to its 2025 Jubilee with the promulgation of the official decree establishing the Holy Year: a once-every-quarter-century event that is expected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to Rome and has already brought months of headaches to Romans. (AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti)

People gather at the Fori Imperiali avenue, with the Colosseum in the background, during an event celebrating the ban on private vehicles, in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013. The Vatican crosses a key milestone Thursday, May 9, 2024, in the run-up to its 2025 Jubilee with the promulgation of the official decree establishing the Holy Year: a once-every-quarter-century event that is expected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to Rome and has already brought months of headaches to Romans. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)

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VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican crossed a key milestone Thursday in the runup to its 2025 Jubilee with the promulgation of the official decree establishing the Holy Year. It’s a once-every-quarter-century event that is expected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to Rome and has already brought months of headaches to Romans.

Pope Francis presided over a ceremony in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica for the reading of the papal bull, or official edict, that laid out his vision for a year of hope: He asked for gestures of solidarity for the poor, prisoners, migrants and Mother Nature.

“Hope is needed by God’s creation, gravely damaged and disfigured by human selfishness,” Francis said in a vigil service afterward. “Hope is needed by those peoples and nations who look to the future with anxiety and fear.”

The pomp-filled event, attended by cardinals, bishops and ordinary faithful, kicked off the final seven-month dash of preparations and public works projects to be completed by Dec. 24, when Francis opens the basilica’s Holy Door and formally inaugurates the Jubilee.

In a novelty, Francis announced in the papal bull that he would also open a Holy Door in a prison “as a sign inviting prisoners to look to the future with hope and a renewed sense of confidence.”

For the Vatican, the Holy Year is a centuries-old tradition of the faithful making pilgrimages to Rome to visit the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, and receiving indulgences for the forgiveness of their sins in the process. For the city of Rome, it’s a chance to take advantage of some 4 billion euros ($4.3 billion) in public funds to carry out long-delayed projects to lift the city out of years of decay and neglect.

Live signals from the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the surrounding streets are seen in the control room at the municipal police headquarters in Rome, Wednesday, April 6, 2005. (AP Photo/Corrado Giambalvo)

“In a beautiful city, you live better,” said the Vatican’s Jubilee point-person, Archbishop Renato Fisichella, who himself is not indifferent to the added bonus of Jubilee funding. “Rome will become an even more beautiful city, because it will be ever more at the service of its people, pilgrims and tourists who will come.”

Pope Boniface VIII declared the first Holy Year in 1300, and now they are held every 25 years. While Francis called an interim one devoted to mercy in 2015 , the 2025 edition is the first big one since St. John Paul II’s 2000 Jubilee, when he ushered the Catholic Church into the third millennium.

As occurred in the runup to 2000, pre-Jubilee public works projects have overwhelmed Rome, with flood-lit construction sites operating around the clock, entire swaths of central boulevards rerouted and traffic snarling the city’s already clogged streets.

The Tiber riverfront for much of the city center is now off limits as work crews create new parks. Piazzas are being repaved, bike paths charted and 5G cells built. The aim is to bring the Eternal City up to par with other European capitals and take advantage of the 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in special Jubilee funding and some 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) more in other public and post-pandemic EU funds that are available.

“It’s really putting our patience to the test,” said Tiziana Cafini, who operates a tobacco shop near the Pantheon and says she has taken to walking to work rather than riding a bus into the city center because it gets stuck in traffic. “And it’s not just in the center. There are an infinite number of construction sites all around Rome.”

Though she knows the discomfort will be worth it in the end, the end is still pretty far off. In addition to the Jubilee construction, there’s a longer-term, separate project to extend Rome’s Metro C subway line into Rome’s historic center which has encountered years of delays thanks to archaeological excavations of ancient Roman ruins that must be completed first.

For the next four years at least, central Piazza Venezia and its Imperial Forum-flanked boulevard to the Colosseum are scheduled to be congested and blighted by giant, 14-meter (yard) high green silos that are needed for the subway drilling operation.

“We’re upset, but we’re Romans, we’ll make do,” Cafini said.

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said recently he was satisfied with the pace of the Jubilee works so far, noting that they got off to a months-delayed start due to the 2022 collapse of Premier Mario Dragi’s government.

But Gualtieri promised they would be completed on time. And in a nod to Romans and tourists who have suffered from the traffic chaos and acute shortage of taxis already, he promised that an extra 1,000 taxi licenses had been approved and would be in use by December.

Yet as of late last month, only two of the 231 city projects had been completed; 57 were under way and another 44 were expected to be started by the end of May, Gualtieri told reporters. Another 18 are up for bids, seven have been assigned, 90 are planned. Thirteen have been canceled.

“We have recovered a lot from the initial delay,” Gualtieri told the foreign press association, adding that he expected the “essential” projects to be completed on time. Other projects were always planned to take longer than the Jubilee but were lumped into the overall project to take advantage of the accelerated timeframe.

The most significant project, and one that has caused the greatest traffic disruption to date, is a new Vatican-area piazza and pedestrian zone connecting Castel St. Angelo with the Via della Conciliazione boulevard that leads to St. Peter’s Square.

Previously, a major thoroughfare divided the two landmarks, causing an unsightly and pedestrian-unfriendly barrier.

The new works call for a tunnel to divert the oncoming traffic underneath the new pedestrian piazza. But that project required re-routing and replacing a huge underground sewage system first, which has only recently been completed. Now crews are working through the night to try to complete the tunnel in time.

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Here’s how the city of Rome is preparing for the 2025 Jubilee Year

By Kristina Millare

Rome Newsroom, May 18, 2024 / 06:00 am

Construction projects are underway in Rome as the city prepares for the 2025 Jubilee Year (Dec. 24, 2024, to Jan. 6, 2026). According to the city’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, the upcoming “Jubilee of Hope” is expected to draw in an additional 30 million to 35 million tourists to Italy during the Catholic holy year.

“The jubilee is an extraordinary global event with a great spiritual significance for which the city of Rome must be ready,” Gualtieri told EWTN News Vatican Bureau Chief Andreas Thonhauser. “We are working to make it more welcoming so that pilgrims can live the experience of the Jubilee in the best possible way.” 

The city of Rome’s online portal Roma Si Transforma currently lists approximately 358 planned projects in the Lazio region in which Rome is located. Each project is categorized as either a culture, innovation, inclusion, or sustainability intervention, with projects specifically funded for the jubilee including the 79.5-million-euro (about $86.4 million) Piazza Pia transformation and the 4-million-euro (about $4.3 million) Piazza Risorgimento redevelopment.

Next to Vatican City, the transformation of Piazza Pia into a more open and pedestrian-friendly square is close to halfway completed. It will connect Castel Sant’Angelo — a historic structure originally built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian but later used as a papal fortress — to St. Peter’s Square. 

“Piazza Pia will unite — in a kind of embrace — Castel Sant’Angelo, Via della Conciliazione, and St. Peter’s Square. Before, a highway passed through it, [but] I think it will become one of the most beautiful squares in the world,” Gualtieri said.

As the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums are two famous tourist attractions for visitors to Rome, Gualtieri explained that he has been closely collaborating with Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect for the Section of New Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization, and other Holy See representatives to support the crowds of pilgrims wanting to see the art collections and religious masterpieces contained within the walls of Vatican City.

“We had to work hard to imagine how to make Piazza Risorgimento more beautiful and make the arrival [of visitors] from the subway to the Vatican Museums more accessible,” Gualtieri explained. “[Archbishop] Fisichella is truly extraordinary in helping us always to find solutions. The whole Holy See is busy, starting with the Holy Father, [Cardinal Pietro] Parolin [Vatican secretary of state] and everyone else.”

The façade of the Basilica of St. John Lateran — one of four main papal basilicas in Rome that will have Holy Doors opened by the pope and remain open throughout the jubilee year — is under renovation in preparation for the millions of pilgrims expected to visit the city next year.

Besides the papal basilicas — St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls — there are also 12 “jubilee churches” in Rome to serve as places of gathering for pilgrims who wish to attend catechesis sessions on the year’s theme of “hope” or to receive the sacraments in varying languages.

According to Gualtieri, several local parishes spread across the city are also being refurbished ahead of the jubilee year to support the Catholic communities already living within Rome.

The city of Rome has also considered specific sites for the calendar events of the jubilee year in Rome and the wider Lazio region, which have the capacity to host hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

Tor Vergata will hold the Jubilee of the Youth and World Youth Day festival and overnight vigil in mid-2025, while Centocelle Park will be the location of several Mass celebrations for various groups including the sick and health care workers, artists, and even the armed forces.

Gualtieri also told EWTN that pilgrimage routes, including the ancient Via Francigena — which extends from England to Italy — would also undergo restoration work to improve usability, safety, and accessibility for pilgrims.  

On May 9, the feast of the Ascension, Pope Francis officially proclaimed the 2025 Jubilee Year through a papal bull at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, indicating further guidelines on the special year of pilgrimage and grace for Catholics worldwide. 

Through the announcement, the Holy Father invited “pilgrims of hope” to “travel the ancient and more modern routes in order to experience the jubilee year to the full” and “above all by approaching the sacrament of reconciliation — the essential starting point of any true journey of conversion.”

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Vatican and Rome begin dash to 2025 Jubilee with papal bull, construction

• By Associated Press

The Vatican crossed a key milestone Thursday in the runup to its 2025 Jubilee with the promulgation of the official decree establishing the Holy Year. It's a once-every-quarter-century event that is expected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to Rome and has already brought months of headaches to Romans.

Pope Francis presided over a ceremony in the atrium of St. Peter's Basilica for the reading of the papal bull, or official edict, that laid out his vision for a year of hope: He asked for gestures of solidarity for the poor, prisoners, migrants and Mother Nature.

"Hope is needed by God's creation, gravely damaged and disfigured by human selfishness," Francis said in a vigil service afterward. "Hope is needed by those peoples and nations who look to the future with anxiety and fear."

The pomp-filled event, attended by cardinals, bishops and ordinary faithful, kicked off the final seven-month dash of preparations and public works projects to be completed by December 24, when Francis opens the basilica's Holy Door and formally inaugurates the Jubilee.

In a novelty, Francis announced in the papal bull that he would also open a Holy Door in a prison "as a sign inviting prisoners to look to the future with hope and a renewed sense of confidence."

For the Vatican, the Holy Year is a centuries-old tradition of the faithful making pilgrimages to Rome to visit the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, and receiving indulgences for the forgiveness of their sins in the process. For the city of Rome, it's a chance to take advantage of some 4 billion euros ($4.3 billion) in public funds to carry out long-delayed projects to lift the city out of years of decay and neglect.

"In a beautiful city, you live better," said the Vatican's Jubilee point-person, Archbishop Renato Fisichella, who himself is not indifferent to the added bonus of Jubilee funding. "Rome will become an even more beautiful city, because it will be ever more at the service of its people, pilgrims and tourists who will come."

Pope Boniface VIII declared the first Holy Year in 1300, and now they are held every 25 years. While Francis called an interim one devoted to mercy in 2015, the 2025 edition is the first big one since St. John Paul II's 2000 Jubilee, when he ushered the Catholic Church into the third millennium.

As occurred in the runup to 2000, pre-Jubilee public works projects have overwhelmed Rome, with flood-lit construction sites operating around the clock, entire swaths of central boulevards rerouted and traffic snarling the city's already clogged streets.

The Tiber riverfront for much of the city center is now off limits as work crews create new parks. Piazzas are being repaved, bike paths charted and 5G cells built. The aim is to bring the Eternal City up to par with other European capitals and take advantage of the 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in special Jubilee funding and some 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) more in other public and post-pandemic EU funds that are available.

"It's really putting our patience to the test," said Tiziana Cafini, who operates a tobacco shop near the Pantheon and says she has taken to walking to work rather than riding a bus into the city center because it gets stuck in traffic. "And it's not just in the center. There are an infinite number of construction sites all around Rome."

Though she knows the discomfort will be worth it in the end, the end is still pretty far off. In addition to the Jubilee construction, there's a longer-term, separate project to extend Rome's Metro C subway line into Rome's historic center which has encountered years of delays thanks to archaeological excavations of ancient Roman ruins that must be completed first.

For the next four years at least, central Piazza Venezia and its Imperial Forum-flanked boulevard to the Colosseum are scheduled to be congested and blighted by giant, 14-meter-high green silos that are needed for the subway drilling operation.

"We're upset, but we're Romans, we'll make do," Cafini said.

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said recently he was satisfied with the pace of the Jubilee works so far, noting that they got off to a months-delayed start due to the 2022 collapse of Premier Mario Dragi's government.

But Gualtieri promised they would be completed on time. And in a nod to Romans and tourists who have suffered from the traffic chaos and acute shortage of taxis already, he promised that an extra 1,000 taxi licenses had been approved and would be in use by December.

Yet as of late last month, only two of the 231 city projects had been completed; 57 were under way and another 44 were expected to be started by the end of May, Gualtieri told reporters. Another 18 are up for bids, seven have been assigned, 90 are planned. Thirteen have been canceled.

"We have recovered a lot from the initial delay," Gualtieri told the foreign press association, adding that he expected the "essential" projects to be completed on time. Other projects were always planned to take longer than the Jubilee but were lumped into the overall project to take advantage of the accelerated timeframe.

The most significant project, and one that has caused the greatest traffic disruption to date, is a new Vatican-area piazza and pedestrian zone connecting Castel St. Angelo with the Via della Conciliazione boulevard that leads to St. Peter's Square.

Previously, a major thoroughfare divided the two landmarks, causing an unsightly and pedestrian-unfriendly barrier.

The new works call for a tunnel to divert the oncoming traffic underneath the new pedestrian piazza. But that project required re-routing and replacing a huge underground sewage system first, which has only recently been completed. Now crews are working through the night to try to complete the tunnel in time.

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How to get around in Rome

Jun 29, 2023 • 8 min read

Find your way around in Rome with this guide to transportation and tickets © TFILM / Getty Images

Whether or not you find it easy to get around Rome  will depend a lot on what your expectations are.

The most important thing to remember is that Rome is old. Like, old. Most of the streets have not been designed to accommodate people, buses, cars or bikes, and the underground network has been built in and around one of the most archaeologically rich locations on earth. The  very things we all come to Rome  to see are the very reason that it takes so long to get around it. Keep that in mind the next time you visit and remember that any confusing detours you go on may end up being the best part of your trip!

Here's what you need to know to find your way around in Rome.

Explore the city on mass transit

Just like any major city, the Eternal One has a comprehensive public transport network of buses, trams, and trains that will take you anywhere you want to go. Of course, they may also take you to a few places you weren’t planning on visiting, so it helps to get yourself familiarized before you’re on the ground. Atac, the company that operates all mass transit in Rome, has undergone a facelift in recent years and though some wrinkles are still visible, it’s a pretty convincing nip and tuck. Visitors can download maps in multiple languages from the Atac website , or download the Moovit app to get real-time info. 

Metro line C is best for sightseeing

It’s helpful to remember that the two metro lines A and B mostly travel north and south, with the C line heading further to the east. The C will be one of the most familiar sights if you pass through central Rome: archaeological finds at the Imperial Forum station are so proliferate that it’s taken decades to dig for tracks. As a result, the street between the Colosseum and the Forum is lined with heavy machinery and the promise that “it’ll soon be done.” Don’t hold your breath, but don’t sweat it either, and remember that the street is still open to some traffic, so be mindful when crossing the road.

Trams run east to west

Rome’s six small tram lines are primarily useful for traveling east to west and are a good way to see the Trastevere and Monteverde neighborhoods . The trams are a fun, somewhat nostalgic, slightly nicer way to travel as they tend to avoid a lot of the car traffic. Plus, some vintage trams are still in operation, so may get the chance to catch a bit of retro cool as you go.

The tram system plays an important role in the history of modern Rome and it’s worth getting to know a bit of the background (for all of our transit history fans out there). However, an ongoing improvement project on the number 3 tram line means that you’ll need to take a bus replacement service if you want to get across the Tiber, so some of the convenience, and thus the charm of the trams, might escape you. 

Rome's bus network is extensive

But consider that replacement bus service a good way to dip your toe in the vast bus network, which covers the most ground of any part of Rome’s mass transit system. Riding the bus is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the cacophony of the city and though the sheer size of the network might feel intimidating, it’s worth doing.

The Atac signage at almost every bus stop can help you go in the right direction, and the Moovit app has up-to-the-minute timetables that will tell you which direction to look. And as always, don’t be afraid to ask people waiting at the same stop: you may get a few grumbles but you’re much more likely to get someone who will not only tell you whether you’re in the right place but will also make sure you actually get on the right bus.

Tickets are valid on buses, trams and metro lines

Travelers can purchase daily or weekly farecards from machines or kiosks located at the entrance to nearly every metro station, and the Tap and Go system is available to anyone with a contactless card as well as smartphones and smartwatches. You’ll be charged for single rides and each is valid for 100 minutes, as with a standard travel card. While the Tap and Go system has become quite reliable in the past year, it still has its share of hiccups and is occasionally out of service for maintenance. It doesn’t hurt to have a ticket in reserve for just such an occasion. Oh and, the ticket machines don’t give more than €6 in change so be aware before you use a €20 note to pay for a €1.50 ticket! 

Walking is the best way to see some of Rome's key sites

Walking through Rome is as frenetic and romantic as you think it will be, and you’ll see icons at every turn. Much of the ancient center of Rome, which includes sites like the the Colosseum , the Forum  and the Pantheon , is easily within walking distance, and on a nice day, you could cover all of these and much more.

There is always something going on and if you slow down a bit, you’ll find yourself soaking up the ambiance that makes Rome so singular. After all, it’s only by walking that you’d catch the Rose Garden hiding above the Circo Massimo , or the path that winds along the Tiber River. If you want to see Rome for what it truly can be, stop and walk for a while.

Of course, for all its magic, the center of Rome can be extraordinarily congested with foot and car traffic, so navigating these areas sometimes takes a lot of time and even more patience.

Try to avoid peak hours at places that you’re not necessarily going to enter: if you only want to walk around the Colosseum, wait until after it closes at 6pm and the crowds largely dissipate. After all, that’s the magic hour, when the light hits it just right and everything is illuminated with pink and gold hues.

Driving in Rome is best avoided

Here’s the thing. Driving in Italy is an art form, and if you can drive in cities like Rome, you've reached a new level of mastery. Romans drive with an urgency and a logic that will escape everyone else, and while it may seem that they’re aggressive (and they can be) often they’re just moving into openings in traffic that only they can see. Do not attempt to mix in this, as it will inevitably result in confusion on your part and frustration on the part of everyone around you.

Taxis are easy to find

Leave the driving to the professionals, in this case the Romans. Taxis are proliferate, and can be easily ordered via the Free Now app , which will give you fixed rates and allows you to pay through it as well. Uber is also quite reliable around the city and will give you the option of both a taxi or private hire car called an NCC, which stands for Noleggio con Conducente (hire car with driver).

Bikes and scooters are popular, but not always wise

Exercise caution with bikes and scooters in Rome. These have become a popular mode of transportation here just as in other cities around the world. Tours guides are often skilled at helping riders navigate the streets on bikes and scooters, but if you’re not used to riding in busy lanes with uneven sidewalks, you could put yourself (and others) at risk.

Rome is not very accessible

Both the national and municipal governments have been working on improving the city’s infrastructure for people with disabilities, and the ATAC website offers a comprehensive overview of the metro, tram, train and bus services for people with disabilities. According to the ATAC website, 98% of buses are equipped with boarding platforms, 70% of trams have platform level flooring, and the vast majority of metro stations have elevators as well as tactile paths and maps for visually impaired passengers, displays for those with hearing impairments, and Braille messaging. The website also has a handy search function to check whether your station has these services available, and is updated in real time for any service interruptions.

Major sites around the city offer special access to visitors with limited mobility: it’s possible to reserve a wheelchair at the Vatican museums , and the Colosseum has both ramps and elevators to facilitate movement around the monument (that said, the underground parts of the Colosseum are not wheelchair accessible). But there’s no doubt that it’s still slow going on those picturesque cobblestone streets for those with any mobility challenges, including those who might be traveling with small children and strollers. Keep it in mind as you plan your day, and if you’ve got precious cargo in hand try to schedule your iconic visits for off peak hours.

This article was first published Apr 7, 2021 and updated Jun 29, 2023.

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Choose your own adventure: Where to go and how to save on summer vacations

Revenge travel is so last year.

“It's not necessarily about just getting out of the house anymore,” said Sydney Stanback, Global Insights and Trends lead at Pinterest, which has seen more than 1 billion travel searches and more than 10 billion travel saves over the past year. 

Sure, many of the usual suspects are once again among the most popular destinations across multiple search engines this year, but she said this summer, “It's more so about traveling with intention.” 

According to NerdWallet’s Summer 2024 Travel Report , 45% of Americans plan to take a trip requiring a hotel stay or flight this summer with expenses averaging just under $3,600. A fifth of those travelers expect to go into debt to pay for vacations.

Here’s what to consider when booking a summer trip, including where to go, when to travel and how to save:

Learn more: Best travel insurance

What is the best place to travel in summer? 

The answer is subjective, especially this summer.

“Everyone's kind of choosing their own adventure based off of what their needs are for travel,” Stanback said. 

Pinterest’s Summer 2024 Travel Report found summer travelers are most interested in adventure, exploring mysterious or uncharted destinations, and rest. Searches for “quiet life” jumped 530%, but that doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone.

“My mother actually just took a yoga retreat to Panama,” Stanback said. “That's what she needed to do in order to get the rest that she needed and the well-being that she needed. But for me, when I think of rest and restoration, I simply think about going to a beach spa and just sitting and being by myself.”

Solo travel remains popular. Solo travel searches reached an all-time high in Google in January, but again, not for everyone.

“For Gen Z specifically, that need is to gather and reconnect with their community because they were in isolation for so long and during very meaningful moments in their lives,” Stanback said. She noted group travel and road trips are of keen interest to Gen Z.

“It's not necessarily about traveling and going out and going to restaurants and going to bars and clubs,” she added. “We actually see that a lot with younger generations. They’re kind of stepping away from that and really considering their well-being when they're taking time off.”

Where do most tourists go in summer?

Expedia’s Summer Outlook and Google Flights identified the same cities among their most searched summer 2024 destinations based on flights, though rankings varied by platform.

Top 5 domestic destinations 

◾ Orlando, Florida

◾ Los Angeles

◾ Las Vegas

Top 5 international destinations

◾ Cancun, Mexico

◾ Paris, host of the Summer Olympics

Allianz Partners found slightly different results in their analysis of “more than six million flight itineraries for trips between five and eight days in length for travel booked between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.”

Instead of LA and Vegas, Allianz named Boston and Honolulu among this summer’s top five domestic destinations. Internationally, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, made Allianz’s top five, instead of Rome, Paris and Tokyo.

“I am expecting crowds to rival last summer's in popular overseas cities,” Expedia’s travel expert Melanie Fish said, noting how places like Barcelona and Venice are trying to curb overtourism. “They're trying fees and if that's not enough, they're going to have to go even further.”

How can I save on a trip?

Summer trips are already costly for many travelers. “Americans with household income under $100,000 accounted for nearly half (46%) of intended leisure travel spend in summer 2023,” according to Deloitte’s Facing travel’s future report from April.

Expedia’s Fish shared five tips for booking summer 2024 vacations:

◾ Bundle your trip. Booking airfare and a hotel at the same time can earn you deep discounts.

◾ Travel midweek or later in the summer if it's an option. You'll save money and save yourself from fighting crowds. 

◾ Fly early in the day … The early bird who takes the first flight of the day will typically get a better price and a lower chance of delays and cancellations.

◾ Book once, earn twice. You can stack rewards from your travel credit card (and) your airline.

◾ Just go. Don't pressure yourself to create the trip of a lifetime … Do it in a bite-sized chunk if possible. 

'Expensive in every way': What travelers should expect this summer

How far ahead should I book travel?

“The sweet spot is now,” Fish said. “We're within that 21- to 60-day pre-travel window to save around 15% on airfare, so now is the time to plan. That means ready, set, but maybe wait until August to actually go.”

She said travelers can save an average of $250 on international flights if they wait until the peak summer travel season passes. 

“It's 15% cheaper on average to fly domestically in August versus June, 30% cheaper to fly to Europe in late summer, and 55% cheaper to fly to Mexico and the Caribbean in August,” she said. “Of course, August is peak hurricane season , so that has something to do with that price dip.”