tour to rome

Deals of the Week   European Long Weekends   Up to 50% OFF

Rome Tours & Trips

Find the right tour for you through Rome. We've got 1382 adventures going to Rome, starting from just one day in length, and the longest tour is 61 days. The most popular month to go is June, which has the largest number of tour departures.

Filters applied

250+ rome tour packages with 22,860 reviews.

• Train & Rail
• Sightseeing

Highlights of Italy

The tour was great but maybe a day should be added for Rome and Venice

• Christmas & New Year

The Italian Dream

My Italian tour was an absolute dream come true. Italy's beauty, culture, and cuisine captured my heart, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to explore this enchanting country. If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure filled with rich history, breathtaking scenery, and mouthwatering food, I wholeheartedly recommend an Italian tour. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Classical Italy

The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable about the history and culture of each city and each tour was very informative.

• In-depth Cultural
• Coach / Bus

The Best of Rome

The Best of Rome tour was the perfect snapshot of all the culturally important parts of Rome. Unfortunately, due to a late cancellation the tour company couldn't book a fully guided tour but they were able to help me book a self-guided tour and make last minute arrangements for accommodations. I would highly recommend booking with them again!

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Discover Italy end Milan

The first day of arrival, the transport was not flexible with the pick up time of airport. Tour guide, Patricia, had no early posted itinerary for tour or introduction, expectation, rules, important information about tour. Left behind tourist under her care during the end of 1st day tour. She was late to start the tour, and never took count of the tourist she had under her care. On the way to Florence, Patricia left behind tourists , and placed them in danger. Luckily, the tourist had the proper connections with other people in tour to help them catch up with bus. The tour guide did not put safety first, and placed tourist under her care at risk. With several tourists complaining about the logistic thinking for the tour guide, Europamundo was able to switch all the non-spanish speaking tourist to new tour guide, Marsha. From then on, the tour turned around for the best. She introduced herself and driver, provided important details, rules, expectations about tour. She provided insightful information about each place we visited. She ensured that her group was not lost, and not left behind. She ensured for our safety. On the last day of tour she managed to fullfill my request to change the time of airport transfer to ensure we have enough time to get to airport and go through check in. Marsha made us feel safe to enjoy the tour. The accommodation are ok. Continental breakfast is ok. Tour buses in good condition and comfortable. Europamundo needs to imporve the tour guide to tourist proportion. 50 tourist is too much for 1 guide. If this is your first trip to a destination and/or not use to venturing on your own, do not use Europamundo. Tourradar and Europamunfo service is slow with replies. Europamundo Emergency does not provide quick response. Touradar insurance policy can't accommodate adding additional person ones a policy is purchased. Best to purchase the insurance policy else where. Overall, I give this tour 3.7

Italy City Break - 5 Days

Clara and Luigi were excellent as host and driver. This is an ideal tour to see Italy fast and all planed out for you. We even made some wonderful friends among the tour group. Highly recommend it.

• Hiking & Trekking

Cultural, Culinary & Walking Experience in Abruzzo

If you want to be a traveller not a tourist, if you want to experience life in Italy like a local not an outsider, if you like to be treated like family, and especially if you would like to enjoy the best food and wine on Earth, then I highly recommend Italia Sweet Italia! Fabrizio, the owner, is the best!

UNESCO Jewels: Best of Italy - Rome, Florence, Venice in 8 days

I had a great experience and would proudly recommend your tours gladly. Rome is beautiful and I will definitely be returning. Thank you very much.

Italian Holiday (7 Days)

My husband and I are usually "do it yourself" travelers, but am I SO glad we went with Trafalgar on this "Italian Holiday" trip, and I'll tell you details of why I think this is a GREAT way to see Italy! First off, there are venues like the Vatican that an individual simply can't get into without waiting for hours in a long line, but Trafalgar guides shepherd you past endless lines, and get you in early. The day we saw the Vatican, people had gotten into lines hours early, but the Pope was set to visit at 10 am, so those poor folks were going to be very disappointed to learn they weren't going to get in after all. We were escorted in early, because Trafalgar arranges everything for you. Then a local guide who was extremely knowledgable gave us a fascinating tour, which made everything we were seeing that much more meaningful and interesting. You wear little headsets that are NOT a prerecorded thing, but enable you to hear her live tour. You can ask questions, which is so nice. I'm not even Catholic, but was utterly mesmerized and blown away by the Vatican. I'm sure you CAN do it on your own, but you'll wait forever, and not learn half as much. It's not like I'm going to Italy every week, so why not do it right and get a real tour? ( I'm so enthused, I should let everyone know I'm not a Trafalgar employee, and don't get any perks from sharing my enthusiasm!) . That was true of a lot of other places too; the local guides were all wonderful. Depending on your sophistication, you may or may not love the hotels. None took my breath away, but they were clean and in good areas, and some were quite attractive.Our main tour guide was Martin, and he assured us and reminded us that if we had any problems, please tell him so he could fix it. Well, at our first hotel, we were put into a room with one bed, but we'd requested 2 since hubby's a snorer and I'm a thrasher, so we did call Martin, and he did straighten it out very soon. This is something to say in Italy, because their hotels aren't usually up to US standards, frankly, and if you have a problem with your hotel and you are only staying somewhere one or 2 nights, how responsive do you think a hotel clerk will be? But if you are part of a tour group which brings that hotel lots of business, they are much more motivated to take care of you. This is another advantage to taking this tour, if you have limited time to see Italy, and want to see as much as possible in just over a week. We are penny pinchers, and this was expensive for us, but after going on it, neither of us begrudges the money, and my independent husband admits we could never have had all the wonderful experiences on our own. The breakfasts were very good, except Italians seem to like runny scrambled eggs, but there is LOADS to choose from, and I NEED a big breakfast! (I admit, I always stashed a bit of food in my purse for later too, but I was discreet!) Another thing we could not have done on our own was one of our favorite experiences: they took us to dinner at the most beautiful old villa in Tuscany! The owner was the soul of graciousness, and it was a spectacularly beautiful site; the grounds were like something gorgeous from a movie. There were lemon trees, roses, lavender, statues, paths, huge planters with blooming hydrangeas, and it all overlooked a valley of olive trees and grape vineyards. We spent the most relaxing evening, and were allowed to take all the pictures we wanted, and the dinner was delicious. You really got to appreciate Tuscany. A few of our dinners included as much wine as you wanted, and they don't add sulfites in Italy, so I became very European for a week! Another thing to be aware of is hidden costs in any tour company; they can really add up. Trafalgar did include quite a few meals, and quite a few amazing sites, so that makes a difference, and it ended up less expensive overall than others which had lots of "" that our tour included.. My husband and I paid for 2 optional tours: the Parthenon, and seeing "David" at the Academia. Again, we are ridiculously cheap, so we used a Rick Steve's book for our free time in other places. I think it's a good idea to buy his latest book and bring it with you, AND download some tours, because you can use it to do your own sightseeing, IF you are on a budget. We did the Rick Steve's tour in Verona, and we kept bumping into the folks on the optional tour, so I can't say that was an extra I minded missing! The biggest risk we took was in Florence. We could easily have seen a very famous cathedral where an amazing array of famous people are buried, but we really wanted to see the Uffizi Museum. Martin advised us to see the cathedral, because we might very well not get in to the Uffizi by the time we'd need to leave. We thanked him, then promptly RACED to wait in line at the Uffizi for more than an hour. You can arrange to get tickets days in advance, but we hadn't. (I guess to do that, we'd have had to know what time we'd be there..) We were super lucky to have about 45 minutes left to run around seeing our favorite statues and paintings that we'd researched on the Rick Steve's app while in line, including Botticelli's Venus Rising! It was one of the best days of my life; we were just so incredibly lucky. We waited in the general line, because the fast pass ticket do not tell you before you purchase them what time you'll get in; what good is that?!! I can't really recommend you do this though, because we might very well have not gotten in in time... Anyway, the glass blowing exhibit in Venice and the leather making exhibit in Florence were both very interesting, and were another thing available to you only as a Trafalgar guest. We didn't buy any glass or leather because we're cheapskates, but some of the ladies in our group bought stunning earrings at the glass factory, and they weren't expensive at all for such stunning, unique mementos...I wished I had! I wasn't thrilled with seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa for so long; I'd have been happy with 15 minutes of corny photography and then hit the road. But hubby and I went off site to an Indian restaurant near the back entrance, and had a great lunch cheap. (BTW, this review is completely helter skelter in terms of itinerary; I'm hopping all around out of sequence, sorry.) I'd been afraid Venice would be smelly and dirty, but despite a bad heat wave, it wasn't smelly or dirty. In fact, it was beautiful, absolutely amazing!! There's no other place like Venice - you MUST see it - and the cathedral and buildings and churches are incredible. We're musicians, so we had to go see the church where Antonio Vivaldi worked, Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pieta, and St. Mark's where all Gabrielli's antiphonal brass pieces were performed. Photos aren't allowed in St. Mark's, and a lady in front of us was actually caught and escorted out for taking a pic, but hubby snuck one anyway because he's a music nerd. Never mind that it's the tomb of ST. MARK WHO WROTE THE GOSPEL - hubby had to photograph the balconies where trumpet players of old performed! We didn't go on the optional tour of St. Mark's. I'm sure it was interesting, but the long line for the public moved surprisingly fast, and we wanted more free time in Venice to explore back streets, old bookstores, etc. I think people in our group basically found all the optional tours worthwhile except perhaps the one in Verona, but we had our own ideas, so we picked and chose, nothing wrong with that. We didn't pay for the gondola tour, but everyone else was unanimous in raving about it, and it was a lot of folks' favorite thing! We also went on the Trevi Fountain tour, and I think we could have done that one on our own, but they did also show us little neighborhoods of charming narrow streets, and Martin treated us all to the best gelato of my life: I chose "blood orange", and am salivating just writing that... My husband was afraid this would be an "old farts tour" - meaning very slow paced, but I teased him about this as we hurried to keep up! This tour involved a lot of walking and a pretty rigid wakeup schedule, so if you have mobility issues, it's not the tour for you. It's PERFECT if you want to see a big range of Italy in only 8 days though, so we really appreciated the pace. If you go when it may be hot, take an umbrella for shade. Yes, I know it sounds silly, but even my semi-macho husband was using one to ward off the scorching sun when we got a 95 degree heatwave. It makes a huge difference. I wore a hat the entire vacation, so if you're fair, pack one. Fortunately for us, everyone on our tour was just great, and we really enjoyed getting to know lots of fun, interesting people from all over, and of various ages. I can't imagine every batch of tourists are so great, but our group was a total pleasure. We never saw the Lake Cuomo area, but that's something we could do on our own someday. For getting a wonderful experience of Italy- seeing Rome,Florence, Tuscany, Venice, Pisa, etc. - you really get a fabulous tour with this group. Lastly, Martin talked an awful lot, (bring earplugs for the bus if you want to sleep!) but he was a great guy and very professional and knowledgable. Our driver Vincenzo was incredibly competent navigating tight squeezes and traffic, and everything was planned like clockwork for our convenience. I gave this 5 stars, and hope you love it if you go!! <3

UNESCO Jewels: Best of Italy - Rome, Florence, Venice in 5 days

The tour was well planned with knowledgeable tour guides. However it will help to give pamphlets with brief information about the different towns and monuments, this willallow reading at leisure. The hotels were ok. The food was horrible, I expected to experience cuisine on the tour but it was substandard.

The Tuscan Dream

• Walking Adventure

Rome, Assisi & Magical Umbria - Premium Adventure

This is a new itinerary and was a fabulous experience. A great way to get to the smaller hill towns in Umbria as well as the well known sites. Food and accommodation were fantastic.

Rome City Break - 3 Days/2 Nights

((REVIEW IS FOR VENICE CITY BREAK, WHICH WAS NOT LISTED AS AN OPTION)) I (32 year old solo male traveler from NJ, USA, attorney by trade) had the distinct pleasure of dealing with Veronica from Italy on a Budget when I travelled to Italy this past July/August 2021. She was personable, knowledgeable, above-and-beyond helpful, responsive, and was absolutely instrumental in making my Italian vacation as great as it was. Before my trip, she helped as I had to reshuffle my plans due to my changing personal calendar as well as the effect of Covid on travel, and she patiently answered all of my questions over the phone and via chat in a straightforward manner. I also had various specific requests of how I wanted my trip to be personalized (adding certain activities to the itinerary, adding a day, upgrading my hostel stay), and she was able to complete every one. While in Italy, she kept in contact with me to ensure that I was happy with the trip, and she even provided helpful tips when I independently travelled to other parts of Italy outside of my Italy on a Budget itinerary. She deserves a 12/10. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Italian Discovery

This was one of the best trip I ever had! Beautiful scenery, great food, but most importantly friendly people. Mario, our guide for the ten days, made the holiday extra special as she was a superb leader who always was kind to everyone. Breakfasts were good. The red wine was much appreciated.Well, I highly recommend.

Sorrento, Pompei, Amalfi and Positano: 4 days escape from Rome

Very good trip. Pick ups all on time. Hotel exceptional

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

What people love about Rome Tours

The tour itself was amazing! A lot of value for money. The tour guide did seem to be a bit annoyed at us at the end when we wanted to get transport back to the hotel, after walking over half a marathon. This is notable considering a few members had lower body injuries/ health concerns. Other than that, I really loved my trip. I made friends for life, memories I’ll cherish for years

Tour really amizing, the driver and tour guid, food and location was very good, but a first day and last day hotel accomodation is not good very small shower, the bed is like rocking, the last tour scheduled from vasilica to collesium there no travelling car and is not good for us to take a taxi by our own and some a taxi driver is not honest.

Did the Classic Italy tour with my 90 year old mum. Eva our tour guide is very helpful and funny.I think Rome needs to be 2 days. Roman Forum and Batican and walking tour in a day is just too much.

Tours starting from Rome

• for 10 Days (146)
• for 7 Days (132)
• for 2 Weeks (104)
• for 3 Weeks (42)
• for 3 Days (14)
• for 4 Weeks (6)
• to Europe (440)
• to Italy (340)
• Italy Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Itinerary Ideas for 10 Days in Italy, 2022-2023
• Best 7 Day Italy Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• Discover the Best Italy Vacation Packages 2024/2025
• What is the best time to visit Italy in 2024/2025?

Protect Your Trip »

19 best rome tours of 2024: food, the vatican & more.

These top-rated Rome tours are led by experts who bring the city's history to life.

The Best Rome Tours

Getty Images

Considered one of the world's best places to visit , Rome offers countless things to do and an endless selection of delicious cuisine. But given the overwhelming crowds and restricted access to ancient sites, it can be difficult to fully enjoy all that Italy's capital has to offer on your own. That's where a guided tour can help.

Based on recent traveler reviews and expert opinion, we've selected the best tours in Rome. Whether you're gliding past the Colosseum on a Segway or savoring Italian wine in the countryside, you'll benefit from fun and informative guides leading the way.

Fat Tire Tours Rome – Rome Day Segway Tour

Price: From 73 euros (around $79) Duration: 3 hours

Hop on a Segway to see the Eternal City's many sights. After receiving your helmet and tuning in to a quick training session, you'll receive a headset to follow the lively commentary from the experienced Fat Tire Tours guide. Along the three-hour ride, you'll glide past sights like Trajan's Forum, Capitoline Hill and more. Plus, you'll don a virtual reality headset during your stop outside the Colosseum that reconstructs the famous arena's past grandeur. Travelers appreciate that Segways make getting around and seeing Rome's sights easier and more fun, especially for families with older teens. Reviewers also appreciate the engaging local guides.

Tours run daily at 9:30 a.m. Participants must be at least 16 years old and weigh between 100 and 260 pounds. Pregnant women are not permitted on this tour. The company also leads a night tour, which visits the city's illuminated monuments after sundown, among other outings.

Check prices & availability on:

LivItaly Tours – Colosseum Underground Tour with Arena, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum

Price: Adults from 159 euros (around $173); kids from 144 euros (around $156) Duration: 3 hours

Enjoy swift entry to the Colosseum underground and see the arena floor, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum on this small-group tour. LivItaly leads up to six travelers to the restricted lower level of the Colosseum, where dungeons once confined gladiators and their opponents. In three hours, learn about ancient Rome's social order on Palatine Hill and everyday life at the forum. Travelers, especially those with children, agree that having a passionate guide with a deep knowledge of Roman history enriched the experience. Reviewers also appreciate the small size of the tour group.

Tours depart daily at multiple times beginning at 12:15 p.m. Book the company's 90-minute Express Colosseum Underground & Arena Tour if you're short on time.

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz Dec. 19, 2023

TopBike Rental and Tours – Ancient Appian Way, Catacombs and Aqueducts Park

Price: From 65 euros (about $71) to 89 euros (about $97) Duration: 4 or 6 hours

Travelers have been using the Ancient Appian Way for 2,300 years and you'll traverse it with a friendly, knowledgeable local on this electric bike excursion. Along the ride, you'll pass archeological sites, Christian catacombs and picturesque Roman aqueducts framing the unspoiled countryside. The tour covers roughly 17 miles, 60% of which requires off-road cycling, so TopBike recommends this tour for intermediate riders. Some tourgoers say you might not even break a sweat though, thanks to the ease of the electric bikes.

Tourgoers can opt for the Short Tour (four hours) or the Plus Tour (six hours), the latter of which follows the same path as the shorter excursion and also includes a guided tour of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus (or Saint Sebastian) and a stop at the Baths of Caracalla. Exact tour departure times vary by season, but you can expect to start around 9 a.m. TopBike also leads cycling tours within the city center.

Gourmetaly – Campo de' Fiori, Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Rome Food Tour

Price: Adults from 93 euros (around $101); kids from 65 euros (around $71) Duration: 3.5 hours

Tantalize your taste buds on this Rome food tour, which covers three distinct neighborhoods known for their cuisine. As your local guide leads you through the Jewish ghetto, Campo de' Fiori and Trastevere, you'll stop by top-rated food markets, grocery stores, coffee shops, gelaterias and restaurants. Among the food samples included in the tour are fried artichokes, pizza, mozzarella, fresh pasta and gelato. Tours are capped at 12 participants. Reviewers call this a delightful experience thanks to the informative guides who offer an interesting lesson on Roman history, food and culture. They also recommend taking this tour on your first day in Rome to make the most of the guides' recommendations.

Tours are offered several times each day in the morning and afternoon. Note that the afternoon tour does not visit the Campo de' Fiori market (a highlight for many recent tourgoers). In addition to food tours, Gourmetaly also hosts cooking classes.

Eyes of Rome – Colosseum and Roman Forum Tour

Price: Adults from 453 euros (around $491); kids from 35 euros (around $38) Duration: 3 hours

With your private guide leading the way, you'll visit the Colosseum, explore the ancient city along paths that served the Roman Senate and learn the legends of the House of the Vestal Virgins. Tourgoers value the attentive guides who share history and lore in an entertaining way. They also say the tour is well-paced.

Tickets cover pick up at centrally located hotels and skip-the-line admission. Note that prices can vary significantly depending on the number of people in your party. A couple can expect to pay roughly $500 for tickets. Eyes of Rome also conducts private walking tours of the Vatican.

Private Tours of Rome – Vatican & Sistine Chapel Private Tour

Price: From $364 Duration: 3 hours

One of the best tours of the Vatican , this intimate excursion includes skip-the-line access to the complex and a guide who shares the Vatican Museums' top attractions in just three hours. See the artistic highlights in the   Gallery of Ancient Roman Sculptures, the Gallery of Tapestries and famous Raphael paintings. You'll then experience Michelangelo's masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel. Your guide will ensure you see the Pietà   in St. Peter's Basilica, the Apostolic Palace and the famous balcony where the pope delivers his blessings. Travelers praise the excellent guides who tailor the tour to groups' interests and keep children engaged.

Tours operate Monday through Saturday in the morning and afternoon. Ticket prices vary depending on your itinerary and group size. The company suggests you book at least one month in advance to ensure a specialist authorized by the Vatican is available. Private Tours of Rome also offers tours of the Colosseum and the Borghese Gallery, among others.

Courtesy of Roman Food Tours

The Roman Food Tour – Prati By Sunset

Price: Adults from 99 euro (about $107); kids from 90 euros (about $98) Duration: 4 hours

Devoted foodies skip lunch for the more than 20 food and wine pairings on this four-hour evening tour of some of Rome's top eateries. Throughout the tour, you'll feast on gourmet delights, such as homemade pasta, pizza, fresh cheeses and gelato. More importantly, you'll learn tips to enhance your knowledge and pleasure in Italian cuisine. Travelers praise the expertise of the fun guides who explain each dish's origin and quality with gusto.

Tours, which are offered daily multiple times starting at 3:30 p.m. The Roman Food Tour also offers day tours and cooking classes.

Rex-Tours – Rome City Segway Tour

Price: From 79 euros (about $86) Duration: 3 hours

Roll in comfort past many of ancient Rome's major sights on this three-hour Segway tour. Rex-Tours' expert guides lead up to eight travelers for an effortless overview of must-see landmarks, such as Capitoline Hill and the Colosseum. Reviewers applaud the knowledgeable guides who offer a wealth of information without overwhelming travelers. What's more, guides provide restaurant recommendations and tips for making the most of your visit to Rome, according to tourgoers.

The Rome City Segway Tour departs twice daily at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Travelers also recommend enjoying the company's evening Segway tour if you're visiting during the summer and need a break from the peak daytime heat.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Eating Europe – Twilight Trastevere Rome Food Tour

Price: Adults from 114 euros (about $123); kids from 81 euros (about $88) Duration: 4 hours

Travelers suggest you skip lunch before this evening walking tour of Trastevere, so that you can savor the street food and sweet treats served at each stop. As you meander through the neighborhood (often compared to New York City's Greenwich Village), you'll enjoy mouthwatering bites of everything from classic supplì , or fried risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella, to porchetta, homemade pasta and gelato. Foodie guides share each chef's story and culinary traditions, along with tips on how to find and make the best Roman cuisine on your own. Reviewers praise the guides for their insider knowledge and gush about the quality of the food and wine featured on the tour.

Tours run daily at multiple times and there is a maximum of 12 people per tour. Eating Europe also operates a tour that explores Testaccio, considered Rome's "original foodie neighborhood."

Rolling Rome – Rome Squares & Fountains Golf Cart Tour

Price: From 100 euros (about $108) Duration: 3 hours

Avoid Rome's congested traffic and keep the family entertained on this three-hour, private golf cart tour of the city. Whizz past major sights in the historical center and piazzas Venezia, Navona and del Popolo, plus the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and more. Since the tour is customizable, you can also ask the guide to take you to lesser-known spots in the city – a highlight for reviewers. Along with the knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, reviewers appreciate the golf cart's ability to avoid traffic using Rome's narrow back lanes.

Tours, which can accommodate up to seven participants, depart daily at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. One week's advance reservation is recommended. Rolling Rome also offers daylong golf cart tours, as well as a variety of Segway and electric bike tours.

Food Tours of Rome – Jewish Ghetto and Campo de' Fiori by Night Food Tour

Price: Adults from 89 euros (about $96); kids from 75 euros (about $81) Duration: 4 hours

Combine sightseeing with snacking and drinking on this evening tour of the Jewish ghetto and the Campo Marzio area. Fun, knowledgeable guides make seven stops for food and wine between explaining major historic attractions like Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori. Stop in delis, family-run shops and restaurants to sample gourmet cheeses and hams, pasta, espresso, and gelato. First-time visitors especially appreciate this informative introduction to the city and the family-run vendors featured on the tour.

Tours depart nightly at 6 p.m. Food Tours of Rome can accommodate some special diets with advance notice. The company also offers a dessert and sightseeing tour of Rome, among various other options.

What A Life Tours – Skip-the-line Vatican Small Group Tour

Price: Adults from $87; kids from $82 Duration: 3 hours

Travelers say this tour is worthwhile thanks to the personable guides, who bring the history of the Vatican Museums to life. Reviewers also appreciate that groups are capped at 12 participants, which they say creates an intimate experience that fosters engagement between guides and tourgoers. You'll start the three-hour tour with skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums to admire highlights like the Gallery of Maps and the Pinecone Courtyard. Then, you'll head to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica to marvel at Michelangelo’s Pietà. Along the way, your guide will share commentary that you'll be able to hear via an audio headset.

Tours generally operate Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m.; tours depart at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. In addition to its variety of Vatican tours, the company also offers tours of the Colosseum and daylong tours of Rome.

Rome's Ultimate Free Walking Tour

Price: Free Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours

According to reviewers, this free walking tour is a great way to start your visit in Rome. During the nearly three-hour stroll, you'll visit several photo-worthy piazzas, the Pantheon, Ponte Sant'Angelo and Castel Sant'Angelo, among other sights. Guides, who have backgrounds in subjects like history and architecture, earn praise from reviewers for their entertaining storytelling and thoughtful restaurant and activity recommendations.

Tours, which are limited to 15 participants, operate twice daily at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. In total, you'll walk less than 2 miles. According to the company, the tour is suitable for travel strollers and wheelchairs. Though the tour is free, it's recommended that you reserve your spot in advance via the company's website (guides do not wait at the departure point unless reservations are booked). At the end of the tour, you can tip your guide based on your experience.

Check availability on:

Courtesy of Secret Food Tours Rome

Secret Food Tours – Rome Food Tour

Price: Adults from 79 euros (about $86); kids from 69 euros (about $75) Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours

Dine your way through the historical center of Rome, visiting cafes, markets and shops for a total of up to seven stops. During the tour, you'll walk through neighborhoods like the Campo de' Fiori and the Jewish quarter with an enthusiastic guide who ties together history and insights about traditional dishes. The focus is on Italian-style dining: savoring the perfect cappuccino, sampling fresh pizzas and homemade pastas, pairing wines with a variety of cheeses, gelato and more. Travelers praise the guides' knowledge of Roman cuisine and the amount and quality of the food.

Tours depart daily at 11 and 11:30 a.m. An additional 5 p.m. tour may be available depending on the day. Private tours are also an option.

The Roman Guy – Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Price: Adults from $119; kids from $56 Duration: 3 hours

Hoping to see the Vatican sans enormous crowds? This three-hour tour from The Roman Guy convenes at 7:45 a.m., allowing you to enter the Vatican Museums an hour before they open to the general public. First, relish the tranquil Sistine Chapel, which welcomes upward of 25,000 visitors daily during the summer. Afterward, follow your guide to museum highlights, including Raphael's paintings, the Borgia Apartments and the Gallery of the Maps. Travelers rave about the knowledgeable guides and say the opportunity to see the Sistine Chapel without the crowds is worth the tour price (though reviewers warn that you will still encounter quite a few other tour groups enjoying early access to the site).

Tours are available Monday through Saturday. Groups are capped at 14 people. If you're short on time, consider The Roman Guy's abridged Vatican Highlights tour, which last 2.5 hours.

City Wonders – Tuscan Countryside Day Trip from Rome with 3-Course Lunch & Wine Tasting

Price: Adults from $112; kids from $102 Duration: 12 hours

If you want to visit Tuscany while in Rome, but don't want to drive the approximately 175-mile journey yourself, consider this 12-hour excursion from City Wonders. You'll depart from Rome at 7:30 a.m. via an air-conditioned coach bus to see famous hilltop towns, such as Montepulciano and Pienza. You'll also visit the Renaissance church of St. Biagio before enjoying a three-course lunch and wine pairing in the famed Montalcino. Travelers say guides are informative and thoughtful, giving tourists ample time to explore the towns and take pictures. All agree that leaving the driving to a professional made the trip worthwhile.

Tours are offered daily. City Wonders also offers a variety of tours in Rome, including tours of the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Borghese Gallery.

Through Eternity Tours – Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Sistine Chapel: Essential Experience

Price: From 1,345 euros (about $1,458) Duration: 6 hours

Conquer Rome in six hours with Through Eternity Tours. With your skip-the-line tickets , you'll visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Professional, engaging guides – all fluent English speakers – allow you to set the pace, absorbing as much history and archeology as you want at each stop. Travelers say you'll see much more on this half-day tour than you would if you were to visit each site on your own, as guides point out unexpected gems along the way.

Rates can vary considerably depending on the number in your party, and the company offers discounts for students and children. Bring stamina, a water bottle and wear comfortable walking shoes . When you're ready for more, try one of Through Eternity's other tours, such as its evening tour of Rome's piazzas and fountains.

Walks of Italy – Gladiator's Gate: Special Access Colosseum Tour with Arena Floor

Price: Adults from $105; kids from $99 Duration: 3 hours

On this three-hour tour, you'll enter the Colosseum through the "Gladiator's Gate" – the entrance that was once used exclusively for gladiators 2,000 years ago. Once inside, you'll enjoy 360-degree views of the Colosseum on the reconstructed arena floor as your guide shares the gory history of this famous landmark . Then, you'll bypass the lines to tour the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Highlights include the cremation point of Julius Caesar, senate buildings and the Temple of the Vestal Virgins. Guides win kudos from travelers for their ability to discuss dense history topics in an engaging manner. Reviewers say the tour flies by thanks to the guides' entertaining storytelling. They also appreciate the skip-the-line access to these must-see sights.

Tours, which are capped at 25 participants, are offered three times daily at 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Rates may vary based on the time of year, and they include all entrance tickets and the use of audio headsets during the tour. Walks of Italy also hosts cooking classes in Rome and organizes day trips to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.

Maya Tours – Skip-the-Line Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Group Tour

Price: Adults from 45 euros (about $49); kids from 35 euros (about $38) Duration: 2 hours

If you're interested in visiting the Vatican Museums, but don't want to devote more than a couple hours of your Rome vacation to the experience, consider this kid-friendly tour. In addition to skip-the-line access, your guide will show you the must-see artworks, several courtyards and galleries, and the Sistine Chapel. Reviewers praise guides for their interesting and informed commentary (which tourgoers can hear via audio headsets). Parents are particularly impressed with guides' ability to engage children.

Tours are offered Monday through Saturday multiple times in the morning and afternoon. Maya Tours also operates longer, semiprivate tours of the Vatican.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Hotels in Rome
• The Best Places to Visit in Italy
• The Best Italy Tours + Small-Group Trips
• The Best International Travel Insurance

Tags: Italy , Tours , Travel , Vacations , food and drink , Europe Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best kauai boat tours.

Lyn Mettler April 11, 2024

The Top-Rated NYC Food Tours

Ann Henson April 11, 2024

The Best Things to Do in Maine

Mariya Greeley and Nicola Wood April 10, 2024

The Best Pearl Harbor Tours

John Rodwan and Amanda Norcross April 9, 2024

The Best Pigeon Forge Dinner Shows

Korrin Bishop April 9, 2024

Flight Canceled or Delayed? What to Do

Amanda Norcross April 8, 2024

Carry-on Luggage Sizes by Airline

The Best Charleston Tours

John Rodwan April 4, 2024

The Best Napa Valley Wine Tours

Amanda Norcross April 4, 2024

The 10 Best Denver Tours

Lyn Mettler April 4, 2024

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Rome Vacations from $1,232

Book a hotel + flight or car together to unlock savings.

• Things to do

I only need accommodations for part of my trip

Your Rome Vacation

Reserve a Rome vacation package that has everything you need and nothing you don't. Good for shopping, bars and pubs and history, think about basing yourself in the neighborhood of Rome Historic Centre. Fill your itinerary with visits to St. Peters Basilica , Roman Forum and Pantheon , some of the things you should see during your trip to Rome. Expedia can help you escape the everyday. Tailor your vacation to Rome to suit your style of travel, whatever that may be!

The Latest Rome Vacation Packages

Rome Ciampino Smart Hotel

River Château Hotel

Reviewed on Aug 25, 2023

Best Western Plus Hotel Spring House

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2024

River Palace Hotel

Reviewed on Apr 10, 2024

Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & SPA

Reviewed on Apr 1, 2024

Where to stay in Rome

Rome City Centre

Follow in the footsteps of ancient Romans when you tour the Eternal City's most well-known historical sites and see where it started almost 3,000 years ago.

Rome Historic Centre

Enclosed by Aurelian Walls, this UNESCO-listed historic district boasts numerous museums, including the Capitoline Museums and Scuderie del Quirinale. Well-connected by public transport including the Roma Termini and Roma Ostiense stations which are nearby.

Municipio I

If you're spending time in Municipio I, check out sights like Trevi Fountain or Spanish Steps and hop on the metro to see more the city at Spagna Station or Barberini Station.

Narrow cobbled streets lined by ancient houses give this area a charming character. Enjoy lively pubs and restaurants at night, while being close to international academic institutions and the River Tiber.

Discover magnificent squares, art-filled churches, museums that celebrate Roman history and charming al fresco cafes and restaurants in this part of Rome’s Historic Centre.

Rome Essential Information

Rome hotel deals.

Reviewed on Apr 9, 2024

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

Explore other types of vacation packages

All Inclusive Vacations

Beach Vacations

Kid Friendly Vacations

Golf Vacations

Luxury Vacations

Romantic Vacations

Ski Vacations

LGBTQ Friendly Vacations

Adventure Vacations

Where to go when

Frequently asked questions, discover the most popular places to visit in rome.

A true architectural heavyweight, the 2,000-year-old Colosseum is often considered one of the seven “modern” wonders of the world.

Trevi Fountain

Rome is a city abundant in world-class water features, but none more stunning, or more famous, than the Trevi Fountain.

Spanish Steps

A monumental stairway with a monumental past, the Spanish Steps are literally and figuratively at the heart of Rome.

What to do in Rome

Skip-the-line group tour of the vatican, sistine chapel & st. peter's basilica, skip the line premium colosseum tour with roman forum & palatine hill, other vacations you might like.

• Rome Vacation Packages for any type of traveler
• Destinations similar to Rome
• Vacations from
• Best vacation destinations by month
• Expedia's Latest Trends
• Rome All Inclusive Vacations
• London Vacations
• Paris Vacations
• Barcelona Vacations
• Amsterdam Vacations
• Berlin Vacations
• Venice Vacations
• Istanbul Vacations
• Madrid Vacations
• Dublin Vacations
• Vacations from Atlanta
• Vacations from Austin
• Vacations from Boston
• Vacations from Chicago
• Vacations from Dallas
• Vacations from Houston
• Vacations from Las Vegas
• Vacations from Los Angeles
• Vacations from Miami
• Vacations from New York
• Vacations from Orlando
• Vacations from Philadelphia
• Vacations from Phoenix
• Vacations from Pittsburgh
• Vacations from Seattle
• Vacations from Washington
• January Vacations and Deals
• February Vacations and Deals
• March Vacations and Deals
• April Vacations and Deals
• May Vacations and Deals
• June Vacations and Deals
• July Vacations and Deals
• August Vacations and Deals
• September Vacations and Deals
• October Vacations and Deals
• November Vacations and Deals
• December Vacations and Deals

Rome Tours & Vacations

The Eternal City, a place that can never be visited too many times. History, style, culture, food – the Italian capital is overflowing with it all. Take a tour to Rome and finish an  Italy  adventure through the likes of Venice, the Cinque Terra and Florence in the home of the Vatican, the Colosseum, and cacio e pepe. Rome is also the perfect place to wrap up a European exploration – zigzag your way through Germany and Central Europe, or kick off in Spain and circle back down to Italy’s heart.

Tours to Rome

Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.

Tours from Rome

Head north to Venice and the Italian Lakes, or dip down to the heel and toe of  Italy’s  boot with our tours from Rome. Explore the city that is home to the Pope, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, endless boutiques and more delicious food than you can shake a fork at. Take the train up to the beautiful Renaissance city of Florence and onto the watery wonderland of Venice, or head the other direction to the glamour of the Amalfi Coast, the beautiful simplicity of Puglia, and the unique history of the volcanic island of Sicily.

Rome tour reviews

Filter by rating

Highlights of Italy in Winter

Italy Experience

Articles of Rome

A budget guide to the highlights of Italy

10 scams in Rome and how to avoid them

From Venice to Rome: 21 photos of a trip through Italy’s highlights

I often travel solo; here’s why I chose a group tour in Italy

5 offbeat attractions in Rome

Everything you need to eat in Italy: a city-by-city guide

How to get off the beaten path in Rome

What to do with 8 days in Italy

When in Rome Tours

Guided tours in rome, vatican city and pompeii, italy.

Rome is open, travelers are here and our tours are back on schedule.

• Most Popular!

VATICAN TOUR & ST. PETER'S DOME CLIMB

The original all-inclusive Vatican City experience featuring a climb to the top of St. Peter’s Dome for an incredible view of Rome followed by our award-winning tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.

• Tag Vatican Tours
• Hour Glass 5 Hours

ROME, THE VATICAN, WINE EXCURSIONS & POMPEII

Guided tours of rome.

Learn More »

Guided Vatican Tours

Rome food & wine tours, guided pompeii tours, private tours.

• Hour Glass 3 Hours

Entire Vatican & Vatacombs: Flagship Vatican Tour

Our Flagship Tour of the Vatican and Vatacombs. Spend hours browsing world-class art and sculpture inside the Vatican City with an expert art historian guide!

• Tag Rome Tours
• Hour Glass 4.5 Hours

Entire Vatican & Heart of Rome Tour

Enjoy two days in Rome, Italy. See all of the most important landmarks and still have both afternoons free to explore, eat, drink, and people watch on your own.

• Hour Glass 2.5 Hours

Vatican Ticket & St. Peter's Dome Climb

Visit St. Peter’s Dome in the Vatican. Meet your guide on St. Peter’s Square and stroll across the piazza into the Vatican City, where your climb begins.

5-STAR REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS

Massimo gave an insightful, humorous and non-forgettable tour. It was my first time in Rome and I could not have spent it better! Also great to skip the lines for the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

I recently had a tour at the Vatican and dome climb amazing experience, our guide was chiara and couldn’t of asked for a better guide, so friendly knowledgeable and enthusiastic and definitely made the day fun enjoyable and an incredible experience, I would highly recommend the company and chiara as a guide.

The best guide in Rome you can wish for. We spent with Chiara a beautiful day in the Vatican. She was absolutely the best, energetic, funny and knew all about everything. She answered all our questions with a smile. I have never experienced such an amazing tour of the city in my life. Thank you and we totally recommend.

We missed the start of the tour.but Roberta let us join later,and allowed us to come back the next day to see the bits we missed..our guide massimo was super.funny and very friendly...not disappointed.

Our tour guide was Luigi, he was great. From the start Luigi made it a point to connect with each person, from learning our names to speaking with us each. You could see his passion for what he was telling us about each room and the contents. He gave us information and explain it in a way that it made sense.

Top Tours in Rome, Italy

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Walking Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

2. Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group

3. Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

4. Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

5. Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour

6. Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter 6 PAX Group

7. Rome: Guided Group Tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

8. Skip the Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel with St. Peter's Basilica Access

9. Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Underground OR Arena and Forum

10. Private Classic Rome Photoshoot in Trevi Fountain & Pantheon

11. Rome: Early Morning Vatican Small Group Tour of 6 PAX or Private

12. Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip from Rome

13. Rome in a Day Small Group Tour with Vatican and Colosseum

14. Colosseum by night with Underground Access, Arena Floor (Skip the Line)

15. Ancient Rome tours Roman Forum and Domus Tiberiana

16. Colosseum with Arena Access and Ancient Rome Tour

17. 3 in 1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu

18. VIP, Small-Group Colosseum and Ancient City Tour

19. The Roman Food Tour in Trastevere with Free-Flowing Fine Wine

20. Rome: Colosseum by Night Guided Tour

21. Rome to Pompeii Guided Tour with Wine & Lunch by High Speed Train

22. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Skip the Line & Basilica Tour

23. Skip the Line: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour

24. Rome: Borghese Gallery Small Group Tour & Skip-the-Line Admission

25. Tuscany Guided Day Trip from Rome with Lunch & Wine Tasting

26. Colosseum Arena Floor & Ancient Rome | Semi Private Max 6 People

27. Rome: Complete Early Morning Vatican Tour | Small Group

28. Private Early Bird Vatican Museums Tour

29. Rome: The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter's Dome Climb

30. Rome Highlights by Golf Cart: Private Tour

What travellers are saying.

• Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
• Guided Group Tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
• Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Underground or Arena and Forum
• Skip-the-Line Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group
• Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour
• Treni Eurostar Italia
• Best Rome Driver Private Tours
• Rome Guides
• Turtle Tour Rome
• Stefano's RomeCabs
• Roma Esoterica
• Deutsche Romerin
• Rolling Rome Tours & Rents
• Jewish Roma Private Walking Tours
• Free Bike Tours Rome
• Marvels Of Rome - Guide Turistiche Abilitate.
• Rome Private Excursions
• Guida Turistica Roma

THE 10 BEST Rome Tours & Excursions

Tours in rome.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Walking Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

2. Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group

3. Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

4. Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

5. Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour

6. Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter 6 PAX Group

7. Rome: Guided Group Tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

8. Skip the Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel with St. Peter's Basilica Access

9. Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Underground OR Arena and Forum

10. Skip the Line Ticket to Colosseum Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

11. Rome: Early Morning Vatican Small Group Tour of 6 PAX or Private

12. Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip from Rome

13. Rome in a Day Small Group Tour with Vatican and Colosseum

14. Colosseum by night with Underground Access, Arena Floor (Skip the Line)

15. Colosseum with Arena Access and Ancient Rome Tour

16. 3 in 1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu

17. VIP, Small-Group Colosseum and Ancient City Tour

18. The Roman Food Tour in Trastevere with Free-Flowing Fine Wine

19. Rome: Colosseum by Night Guided Tour

20. Rome to Pompeii Guided Tour with Wine & Lunch by High Speed Train

21. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Skip the Line & Basilica Tour

22. Skip the Line: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour

23. Rome: Borghese Gallery Small Group Tour & Skip-the-Line Admission

24. Essential Rome Small Group Walking Tour & Food Tastings

25. Tuscany Guided Day Trip from Rome with Lunch & Wine Tasting

26. Colosseum Arena Floor & Ancient Rome | Semi Private Max 6 People

27. Rome: Complete Early Morning Vatican Tour | Small Group

28. Private Early Bird Vatican Museums Tour

29. Rome: The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter's Dome Climb

30. Rome Highlights by Golf Cart: Private Tour

What travellers are saying.

• Richard S 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Brilliant tour of Roman Forum & Colosseum Absolutely brilliant tour with a fantastic tour guide (Giorgio). He was brilliant at interacting with the group and really brought his knowledge of Ancient Rome to life. I would highly recommend anyone looking for a family friendly, informative tour of the colosseum and Roman Forum to book. Read more Review of: Colosseum with Arena Access and Ancient Rome Tour Written 12 April 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
• Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
• Guided Group Tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
• Skip-the-Line Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group
• Colosseum with Arena Access and Ancient Rome Tour
• Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour
• Treni Eurostar Italia
• Best Rome Driver Private Tours
• Rome Guides
• Turtle Tour Rome
• Stefano's RomeCabs
• Roma Esoterica
• Deutsche Romerin
• Rolling Rome Tours & Rents
• Jewish Roma Private Walking Tours
• Free Bike Tours Rome
• Marvels Of Rome - Guide Turistiche Abilitate.
• Rome Private Excursions
• Guida Turistica Roma

Explore Rome with Our Expert Guided Tours

Discover every facet of the Eternal City and beyond with our extensive range of Rome tours. From iconic landmarks to surprising day trips, our expertly crafted tours deliver nothing less than Rome's best. Book your Rome tour today and immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of this historic destination.

More Access than Anyone

Local experiences, passionate guides.

Colosseum Tours

Vatican & Sistine Chapel

Pompeii & Amalfi

Day Trips from Rome

Something Different

Food & Wine Tours

Our top-selling rome tours.

Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Small Group Tour

Tours of rome for all tastes.

Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip from Rome

Tuscany Day Trip from Rome with 3-Course Lunch and Wine Tasting Included

The Original Crypts, Catacombs & Roman Undergrounds Tour with Coach Transfers

Semi-Private Colosseum Tour with Special Access to the Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Volcano Day Trip from Rome with Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Lunch

Semi-Private Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Tour

When in rome with city wonders.

Tag us on social media or use #citywonderstours to feature your content from the Eternal City!

Discover Rome Your Way with Our Expertly Guided Tours

Rome is a city that boasts romantic fountains, wide piazzas, shopping, culture, and culinary masterpieces. If these are the things you're looking for in a trip, then Rome is a must-visit destination for you. And what better way to experience Rome than with one of our Rome tours?

Our Rome guided tours offer an immersive experience that takes you back in time as you walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators . Our expert guides will bring Ancient Rome's past to life for you as they share stories and commentary of this fascinating city. With our tours, you'll discover the hidden gems and iconic landmarks that make Rome a city like no other.

Experience Rome in a different light with our Rome night tours , where you'll see the city come to life as the sun sets. If you're feeling adventurous, explore Rome's dark side with a descent into the city's crypts and catacombs. We offer a wide range of tours so you can choose the one that suits you best.

Rome is not only an incredible city to visit, but it's also an excellent base for exploring other parts of Italy. Italy is a country that delights at every turn, from its food and drink to its coastline and history. Join us on one of our Rome day tours to Pompeii , the Tuscan countryside , or the Amalfi Coast for a limoncello tasting and a cruise .

With our Rome tours, you'll experience the best that this city has to offer. Book with us today and get ready for an unforgettable journey through the heart of Italy.

20 years of Experience

Award-Winning Tours

Small Groups

More Experiences and Culture in Rome

Recommended rome posts.

Europe Chevron

Italy Chevron

Rome Chevron

19 Best Tours in Rome

By Maresa Manara and Erica Firpo

Vacation tours can be a divisive topic, particularly for people who feel passionately about exploring a city independently. But the truth of the matter is that exploring it with a local by your side will bring you to parts of it you might never find on your own. And no locals have as many stories to tell their city as the Romans. You'll find the most intellectual and personable tour guides to take you around vineyards, through olive groves, on vespa rides, through film studios, food markets, cemeteries, medieval churches, and the most iconic ancient sites. Without further delay, these are our picks for the very best Rome tours.

Click the link to read our complete Rome travel guide.

City Wonders: Ostia Antica Half-Day Tour from Rome Arrow

Ostia Antica is a historic seaside village an hour from Rome and these half-day tours of the coastal archaeological site are well-planned. Groups visit Ostia’s amphitheater, temples, historic baths, and ancient market. Guides seem to have real passion for the subject, talking visitors through the entire tour, peppering their commentary with anecdotes and fun facts. This is a slam-dunk for true history buffs who want to get deeper into the greater Rome area.

Elizabeth Lev: Rome's Historical Center, An All-You-Can-See Smorgasbord of Art Arrow

Elizabeth Lev is something else. Rome is her city, and this tour is her work of art. She has an incredible way of engaging with the history, the art, the monuments, and the stories. You'll find yourself wanting to spend all your time with her. The tour explores the ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque art periods; and it visits sites like 13th century frescos above the church of Santa Cecilia and art collections behind the facades of the Spada palace. You'll be wowed by all of the layers of the city and how it feels like Rome has been hitting a string of never-ending home runs since antiquity.

Elizabeth Lev: Borrowed but Never Baroque, Bernini & 17th Century Rome Arrow

This tour of Elizabeth Lev's meets up outside the beautiful Piazza della Repubblica . Our group was tiny, but Liz will accommodate larger private groups. She is both an incredible academic brain and a witty storyteller. And her tour shows of the dramatic  range of Baroque art and architecture within Rome. This tour is great for anyone who wants a deep dive into the city's Baroque history, and anyone who wants to appreciate Rome in an experience that's not quite in the guide books.

LivItaly Tours: Vespa Sidecar Tour Arrow

The Vespa Sidecar tour is entirely private and can be customized for return visitors who may have already seen the highlights. It is not, though, a show-up-when-you-want activity. It can be organized for up to six participants, but you'll only be in a group if you choose to be. My tour was perfect because it was just me and the driver/guide Luca.  As a licensed guide, he knows his history, is easy to understand, and is very friendly. He always has a plan, but is quick to change it at the first request. We talked Rome and food and went to all the right places, from big names to more under the radar finds. 

Laura Kiniry

Blane Bachelor

Stacey Lastoe

Rome 500 Experience: The 7 Hidden Gems of Rome Tour in an Antique FIAT 500 Arrow

There's a lot of reasons to sign up for this tour through greater Rome, not least is that you get to drive yourself with the top down in a vintage Fiat 500. Another nice perk: Rome's traffic is seriously easier to deal with when traveling in convoy (the group can have up to 50 cars in it). And, as you will get your own car to drive, it can feel like a private tour, although groups are also organized by language, so communication shouldn't be a problem for anyone.  But most importantly, you just look so much better behind the wheel of a classic Italian car.

Top Bike Rental & Tours: Ancient Appian Way, Catacombs, and Aqueducts Park Tour Arrow

This tour will take the better part of your day (it's six hours start to finish). But going by bike to these outer city sites —the old Appian Way via the ancient aqueduct—is the easiest and most entertaining way to see them. Plus you won't want to cut out early: it ends with wine and some nibbles in Caffarella Park, which is so expansive it feels like you're in the countryside even though it's smack in the middle of the greater city. Bikes feel brand new and the confidence of the tour guides will put any nervous riders at ease.

Rome Tram Tracks Tour Arrow

This tour is a rocking dance  party on a vintage tram that rumbles through Rome. It lasts two hours, during which you'll cut up the dance floor, drink, and cheer as you roll past some of Rome's most iconic sites . This is really an evening activity for those who don't just want to go get dinner somewhere in town. The greatest part, however, may have been how the senior citizens on our ride managed to upstage all the thirty- and forty-year olds on the dance floor.

Casa Mia Tours: Rome Cinema & Food Arrow

Rome has a rich history of cinema, and while you could take any tour with any guide, there is nothing quite like seeing its cinematic history with Eleonora Baldwin, Cinecittà Studios veteran and granddaughter of famed director Vittorio de Sica, four-time Academy Award winner and father of Italian cinema. This tour is both Rome's history and Eleonora's story, and she is so passionate that it will make you want to spend all day with her, and all night watching films. There are only three requirements—a pair of comfy shoes, an empty stomach, and a reservation.

Non-Catholic Cemetery Tour Arrow

You should always visit the truly Roman neighborhood of Testaccio when in Rome, but this tour of its historic non-Catholic Cemetery gives you reason to stay in the area after you've hit its prime trattorias. It's a beautiful, unusually tranquil space, filled with bougainvillea and museum-worthy sculptures in the middle of the city. The informative guides will school you on the cemetery's 400-year history as you amble past the tombstones of Keats, Percy Shelly, and other famous expats.

Context Travel: Fall and Rise of Rome Arrow

This historical tour starts at a medieval church in San Clemente and ends at the church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo. Its chronology spans from the Roman Empire's fall to the Renaissance's beginnings. The guide Philip was total pro. He's an archaeologist with a great sense of humor and passion for every site. He knew exactly what to show me and could even point out where to stand so I had the best understanding of the sights. People who enjoy Roman, religious, and art histories will  love this tour. It's also a great opportunity for people who have already seen the main tourist attractions to see some gems off the beaten path.

The Roman Guy: Cocktail Bars in Rome, Evening Walking Tour Arrow

This English-speaking tour will take you to some of Rome's most popular bars, including Trastevere's Freni e Frizioni , with stop offs to major attractions along the way. Plus, company founders Sean and Brandon are always quick to offer tips on the best spots for gelato or pizza in the city as you pass by for that next negroni. It’s actually a fantastic way to experience life in Rome with locals—far more relaxing that spending time trying to avoid tourist traps. 

Katie Parla: Vineyard Visit to Cantina Ribelà Arrow

Sommelier Maurizio di Franco meets you at your hotel and accompanies you via hired car to Cantina Ribelà while enchanting you with a bit of Lazio history and winemaking background on Ribelà. Maurizio is a certificated sommelier, and it doesn't hurt that he's also super charming. His love of wine is contagious, he tells great stories, and his patience is wonderful. At the winery you'll be struck be the natural beauty of the landscape, close as it is to a city as big as Rome. 

LivItaly Tours: Virtual Reality Tour of the Colosseum and Domus Aurea Arrow

Imagine if you could physically see the sites, monuments, and reference points that tour guides bring up when ushering you around a city as ancient as Rome. This virtual reality tour lets you, by creating enhanced versions of the way the Eternal City appeared during the days of the empire, all visible through the glasses you'll wear as you make your way through the Roman Forum and Colosseum .

Vatican Museums: “Out of Hours” Guided Tour, Good Morning Vatican Museums Arrow

There is nothing like opening the doors to an empty Sistine Chapel . The exclusive private Out of Hours Good Morning Vatican tour must be booked months in advance and is subject to permission of the Vatican. You will be greeted by Vatican personnel and escorted through the complex by the Clavigero, holder of the 300 keys of the Vatican Museums. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it does begin quite early in the morning. At 6 a.m. you and no more than 19 others will accompany the Clavigero to open the doors of the Vatican Museums.  

Johnny Madge: Olive Oil Tours Arrow

You'll have to trek well outside the city (close to an hour) to reach the olive groves in the Sabina country, but it's well worth the trip. Johnny Madge is an olive oil authority , judging competitions all over the world and this is his backyard. He clearly loves it, and that love is contagious. Tourees will learn to distinguish extra virgin olive oil from everything else and importantly that you do not drizzle oil on your food. You pour it. This  is best for foodies who want to get out of the city and deep dive in Roman food. 

Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini: Multimedia Tour Arrow

The Domus Romane are ancient Roman villas and other structures, 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. On this tour, in situ multimedia renderings recreate an Imperial Rome domus, as well as some aspects of Roman life. The guides are actual archaeologists, and the fact-checked audio is delivered cleanly. These language-specific multimedia tours are popular though, and must be booked in advance.

Tavole Romane Food Tours: The Rome Food Walking Tour Arrow

Think of Tavole Romane, the food-and-wine-focused walking tour of Rome, as getting access to the little black book of those who know the city's food scene best. Owners Gabriele and Silvia customize the tours based on the interests of each intimate group, which could mean wine bars in Trastevere or an aperitivo-heavy hop through the centro storico, led by somms, chefs, or another tapped in member of Rome's food scene.

Latteria Studio: Market to Table Arrow

This market tour and cooking class began with a wonderful walk through the market to Latteria Studios, a functional cooking studio and photo set. Alice, Rachel, and Carla, who head up the activities, are real professionals. They know everyone at the market, and they know all about food. Sitting at the table at the end of day fosters a real sense of community with what may have been a group of strangers from different countries and continents. You'll immerse yourself in Rome and make new friends at the same time. 

Cinecittà Studios: VIP Tour Arrow

This is your chance to see the studio that was once home to Fellini and Leone. It's still a working studio though, so you'll need to follow the guide's itinerary to the letter. She will know about Cinecittà though: its history, and its film productions, and its famous alumni. Also, Cinecittà owns every set that was built on the lot. Master artisans created them all—ancient Rome, a 1940s submarine, and fantastical, imagined worlds. They perfectly accurate to their settings, as well as pristinely preserved.

Recommended

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Italy Travel Experts Tours and Vacations

The Complete Guide To Planning Your Trip To Rome: Tips, Restaurants, and More

Sean Finelli Last Updated: August 29, 2023

Traveling to Rome for the first time? Nobody wants to pick a hotel in the wrong part of town or sit down at a bad restaurant. The good news is you’re reading this article, so you won’t have these problems! This guide will cover some of the Rome basics and links to a ton of great resources to make planning your trip to Rome easy and fun. 

Pro Tip: Bookmark this post and other helpful articles, like where to stay in Rome in a trip folder on your browser so you can quickly find them when you need them. Rome is an expansive city worthy of a tour or two, explore our top-rated Rome tours and experiences . Also, check out our other resources on planning your trip to Rome .

How To Plan Your Trip To Rome: A Complete Guide

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan a memorable vacation in the Eternal City, with plenty of additional resources to explore. From the logistics of where to stay and how to get around the city to the finer details of how to get your coffee, basic Italian phrases, and top things to do, we’ll help you prepare for your dream trip in Rome.

• Airports and Public Transport (Metro)
• Where To Stay
• Things To Do
• Food Culture
• Credit Cards, Tipping, and Communicating

When To Travel To Rome and What To Pack

Rome airports and public transport, rome airports.

There are two main airports in Rome, Ciampino and Fiumicino, and they are both roughly the same distance from the city center.

Fiumicino (FCO)

In short, to get from Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Rome’s city center, the train is the most popular means of transport, taxi is the most convenient, and the bus is the least popular.

By far, the most popular way to get from Fiumicino airport to the city center is by train. For €15, you can get the Fiumicino Express from FCO to Termini station (main station).

A taxi is the most convenient way to get to the center. There are regulated rates from the airport to the city center that fall between €45 – €50, depending on a few difficult-to-explain criteria, such as what type of license the taxi has. If you’re staying outside the historic center of Rome, you may also have to pay more or less. You can normally pay with a credit card in taxis but always ask.

Ciampino (CIA)

The bus is the most popular way to get from Ciampino Airport (CIA) to the city center. Buses tend to cost around €6 – €7, depending on the airport and the coach company. They run based on arrivals. Terravision has been around for a long time and is pretty cheap. 

Taxi, again, is the most convenient. They cost between €35 – €45 depending on the same factors mentioned above, which are difficult to understand.

Rome Transportation Options

Rome has plenty of transportation options. How you decide to get around Rome on any given day on your trip will depend on your preferences, what you have planned to do, and where you’re going. We’ll go over all of them:

Walking in Rome

Rome is an extremely walkable city. If you’re in reasonably good shape and the weather isn’t overly hot, you can walk Rome’s historical center very well. However, the streets can sometimes be confusing. If you aren’t using a mobile map app, it could get tough.

The Colosseum is a 35-minute walk from the Piazza del Popolo and around a 60-minute walk from the Vatican Museums Entrance. However, it’s important to pick your battles. For example, you may not want to walk to the Vatican from the Colosseum, considering that you’ll be on your feet for at least three hours when visiting the Vatican Museums with a guided tour. Some of our top-rated Vatican tours last up to 5 hours to give visitors an enriched experience of the museums. In this case, it might be better to take the subway or even a taxi to conserve energy.

That said, be prepared to walk when you’re in Rome. If you aren’t already doing so, walk at least an hour each day to get your legs ready for your trip!

Rome Bus System

We have a great video on what you need to know to use the buses in Rome . It’s a little dated but fun to watch, and you’ll see exactly where to get bus tickets, how to ask for one, and how to conquer Rome’s bus system. There are three fundamentals that you need to know when using the buses:

• Buy a ticket before you get on and validate it when you’re on the bus.
• The bus signs are pretty confusing unless you know the city really well. So, download an app .
• The buses go literally everywhere. They’re a good option but get hot and crowded in the summer—just something to keep in mind.

Walking around Rome can get really tiring. Hopping on a bus for a kilometer or two can make all the difference. Save your energy for the highlights of your trip.

Rome Metro (Subway) System

The Roma metro system has two lines: the red A-line and the blue B-line. As a visitor, you’ll find yourself on the A-line the most. It goes from Termini past the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, and most importantly, the Vatican.

The B-line will get you from Termini Station to the Colosseum and Circus Maximus. These are the most popular stops for visitors using the metro to get to Rome’s top attractions .

You can’t get to Trastevere by metro, but you can get close to Testaccio by getting off at Piramide. Both Trastevere and Testaccio are known for their lively nightlife and great food. Your hotel and most Airbnbs will have a metro map that you can keep handy.

Getting a Taxi in Rome 

I use public transportation for short, direct rides to get from place to place. For example, going from the Vatican to the Spanish Steps or from Termini Station to the Colosseum. For anything complicated, I normally pony up and take a taxi. They’re relatively cheap if they don’t rip you off—which they will try to do.

A good workaround is to search for your destination in your phone’s map app, get directions from your current location, and hit go. Then, show that map to the taxi driver when they ask where you want to go. This way, they know you’re tracking. Otherwise, there’s really nothing you can do. Just don’t pre-negotiate the rate. There’s a meter in the vehicle that determines the cost.

Renting a Scooter in Rome

If I’m in Rome for more than a couple of days, I’ll rent a scooter. It’s a good option if you have scooter experience. If you don’t, I wouldn’t recommend it. It can be dangerous getting around an unknown city when you don’t even know how to drive the thing, let alone negotiate traffic and figure out where to go.

Where To Stay in Rome

Rome is a large metropolitan city, but the area most visitors are interested in is the historical center or  Centro Storico because it’s pretty condensed. You can walk from the Colosseum to the Vatican, almost on opposite sides of the historical center or “center” for short, in an hour.

The center is the place to be in Rome, and each neighborhood is really great. I prefer the northern sections like Piazza Navona and Spanish Steps.  To me, they are classical Roman/Italian and super nice. Here are the best areas to consider with links to in-depth neighborhood guides:

• Spanish Steps
• Pantheon/Piazza Navona
• Prati (Vatican)

Again, I really like anything near the Spanish Steps, as I like being in the thick of it. It will come with a price tag, but savvy travelers find deals. Check out our in-depth guide on where to stay in Rome, covering the city’s best neighborhoods.

Top Things To Do in Rome

From visiting the Sistine Chapel to an underground apothecary run by priests, there are unlimited things to do in Rome. One of the best ways to see a city with this kind of history is to join local guides on fun tours with exclusive access and endless stories to tell. There are so many things to see and ways to see them. Check out all our Rome tours that include the top monuments and museums, plus incredible day trips.

This is a list of the top things to do while you’re in the Eternal City. Be sure to follow the links for more in-depth information on visiting each one of these monuments and museums.

Top Museums

Rome has over 60 incredible museums containing some of the world’s most important works of art. It may be difficult to decide which of them you’ll see. Check out our guide on the seven best museums to visit in Rome for details. Here’s a quick list:

• The Vatican Museums
• The Borghese Gallery
• The Capitoline Museum
• Palazzo Barberini
• Palazzo Altemps
• Palazzo Massimo alle Terme
• MAXXI Museum

Top Monuments

Rome is filled with historical monuments and attractions. Some of them you have likely heard. Others may be new to you. Here is a list of what you should see on your Rome trip. Check out this guide for the stories behind these top monuments and attractions in Rome .

• The Colosseum
• The Basilica of St. Peter
• The Catacombs of Domitilla
• The Roman Forum
• The Pantheon
• The Palatine Hill
• The Trevi Fountain
• Piazza Navona
• The Spanish Steps
• Belevedere of Gianicolo Hill
• The Tiber Island
• The Mouth of Truth
• Trajan’s Column
• Il Pincio and Piazza del Popolo

Must-See Gardens and Parks

If you love beautiful manicured gardens and green spaces, this is for you. There are a number of must-see gardens and parks in Rome . The Villa Borghese and Vatican Gardens are the more well-known among them, but you may also want to visit some of these:

• Villa Doria Pamphili
• Villa Borghese
• Park of the Acquedotti
• Giardino degli Aranci
• Vatican Gardens
• Villa Ada Savoia
• Villa Sciarra

Absolutely Free Things To Do

You may be surprised by the cool free things you can do in Rome . Some of the city’s most well-known sites are completely free to explore. Check out this list:

Food Culture in Rome

Where to start with Italian food? It’s often one of the top reasons why tourists come to Italy, and for good reason. Every region serves amazing, fresh, handmade delicacies.

A traditional Italian meal will go like this: antipasto (starter), primo (pasta), secondo (meat and vegetables), dolci (dessert), followed by coffee and liquors. Do Italians eat like this every day?

Fortunately for those of us who live here, no! But these are typically the headings that you’ll see on a menu, so it’s best to have an idea of what they mean. There’s a lot to cover in this section, here’s a breakdown: 

• How to Find Local Restaurants

Types of Restaurants

Rome meal times.

• Coffee Culture
• Drinking Fountains

How To Find Local Restaurants in Rome

Rome is a very touristy city, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t good places to eat in the city center. Check out our Rome restaurant master list that we regularly update . From there, you can navigate and see our restaurant recommendations near every major Roman attraction. 

In general, avoid restaurants within sight of a tourist attraction, particularly if they have pictures of the food on the menu or people standing outside trying to hustle you in. Even in the most authentic restaurants, don’t expect particularly friendly service.

Some of the best food is often flung at you without so much as a “hello,” but it’s guaranteed to be worth it. Areas a little more off the beaten track are where you’re more likely to have an authentic experience. For example, the area of Testaccio is well-known for being a classic Roman foodie area, packed with local restaurants.

A really great way to experience a wide variety of Roman cuisine in good restaurants is to join a food tour. They’re a trendy and fun way to get to know the local food scene. Check out our top-rated  Trastevere food tour in Rome .

In Italy, there are stereotypical classifications for almost anything, including restaurants. When you’re in Rome, you’ll notice restaurants don’t just have a name, like “Tony’s,” but also a classification, such as “Trattoria.”  Each one means something specific, and it lets you know what kind of food and experience to expect. Unfortunately, very few visitors to Italy know the difference between an osteria and a trattoria . We’ll solve that for you right here.

Imagine waking up at 6:30  am, rolling over to your significant other, and saying, “Want to head to the bar?” This is what happens almost every morning to millions of Italians.

No, they are not alcoholics. You can get alcohol at an Italian Bar, but you normally don’t. It’s where you get breakfast. You’ll see the “Bar” sign all over Italy, and when you walk in, you’ll find espresso drinks, cornetto, and panini. You can also get freshly squeezed orange juice or vegetable juice. I highly recommend it!

Unlike the bar, you definitely shouldn’t wake up at 7 a.m. asking you’re significant other to go to the enoteca . This is where you go for an alcoholic drink like a glass of wine or a beer.

A good enoteca will serve tons of wine by the glass in many different price ranges. They’ll often also serve cured meat plates for a snack or even warm meals at times. I definitely recommend stopping by one of these on your travels in Italy and Rome.

Tavola Calda

One of my favorite types of places to eat lunch is a tavola calda . They are normally unassuming and serve many different types of dishes, from cooked vegetables to lasagna and pasta dishes. The dishes normally change from day to day based on what is in season and other factors.

For example, gnocchi in Rome is only served on Thursdays. If you see it on the menu seven days a week, you may be in a tourist trap. Authentic Roman restaurants only serve this dish on  giovedí.  You have been warned.

These are pretty cool little sandwich shops. Dotted all over Rome, they range in quality. Don’t refer to your sandwich as a “panini” unless you get more than one. The “i” makes it plural. Italian’s order a  panino. 

Check out 200 Gradi by the Vatican. It’s an awesome place. Campo dei Fiori also has an awesome drive-up stand open for lunch that serves porchetta.

Osterie are pretty cool if you can find one. They are basically super cheap and simple places to eat. A true osteria would have communal-style tables and serve very cheap meals. Back in the day, when Italy was extremely impoverished, they’d even allow you to bring your own food and just drink there.  Imagine that today?

You can find restaurants with the title “Osteria” in Italy, but you shouldn’t bring your own food or normally expect to eat with strangers. There is a place in Florence, Da Mario , which says it is a trattoria, but it feels more like what a traditional osteria would have been like.

Expect a warm and cheap meal if you happen to go inside an osteria in Rome, and even more so in the Italian countryside. The menu will either be non-existent or small. In the countryside or in small towns, they can be really cool. The waiter may rock up to your table and say, “Today, we are serving pasta with clams. Would you like fettucini or spaghetti with that?” Enjoy!

The trattoria of Rome sits somewhere between osteria and ristorante . Almost all Italian restaurants are family-run, bu t trattories are quintessentially family-run. They are normally inexpensive but have a larger menu than an osteria.

Expect traditional regional cuisine at a trattoria. If you go to two different ones, you may find the exact same things on the menu. This is because they offer their family’s version of that regional dish.

This is basically the Italian equivalent of a more formal restaurant. They’ll have a menu with all the Italian courses, and you’ll be expected to eat each course. You should definitely find a top-rated ristorante in Rome and budget 3 hours for your meal. Really indulge in the food, wine, and desserts.

Pasticceria

This is an Italian bakery serving all types of delightful local treats. They are probably the best places to go for breakfast as they’ll make their cornettos fresh and supply them to all the bars.

You should be able to get a coffee here, too, but that isn’t a given. If you’re staying in an Airbnb or apartment rental, find a pasticceria close by and pick up a bunch of  cornetti  for your group. You’ll be everyone’s favorite person!

Rosticceria

You won’t find this is in Rome, but it’s worth mentioning. A rosticceria is a place you can go to find pre-cooked meals like roasted meats and high-quality products. If you do find one and you’re renting an apartment, consider doing take-out one night from a rosticceria.

Taverna or Rifugio

You’ll find restaurants in Rome with  taverna in their names, but this is more a colorful play on words.  Taverne  are secluded restaurants in the Italian mountains where you could get a hearty meal, something to drink, and possibly a warm bed to sleep in.

Today, you can still find a few dotted in the landscape, but you’re more likely to find an agriturismo, which is more of a B&B. A taverna in Rome is most likely going to decorate its interior in a rustic countryside style and have hearty meals on its menu. It’s kind of like going to a seafood restaurant that’s decorated in a nautical theme but nowhere near an ocean.

One of the biggest cultural differences is that Romans tend to eat much later than basically everyone except the Spanish. In fact, many of the best restaurants won’t open until at least 7:30 p.m.

Lunch: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Dinner: 7:30 pm – 11 pm

To avoid eating in an empty restaurant and to really make the most of your evenings in Rome, try and fit in with them and eat a bit later. Around 8 pm is a good time to sit down.

Coffee Culture in Rome

Italians take their coffee culture very seriously, and there are almost as many rules about coffee as there are for food. Here’s what you need to know to get your coffee fix in Rome:

Espresso “un Café”: A very small shot of coffee. Unless you’ve been to Italy, it’s never been this small.

Café Doppio: Double shot of espresso.

Café Macchiato:   Basically a mini cappuccino. Imagine an espresso and foamed milk all in a tiny espresso cup. Normally, men order these in the morning.

Cappuccino:  This is espresso and foamed milk in a small cup. It’s larger than a macchiato, but nowhere near that tall cappuccino you are used to. You won’t find a larger size.

Café Americano:  Espresso with hot water. The name is from WWII, when American troops would ask Italians to put hot water in the espresso.

Latte: A cup of milk—don’t order this if you want caffeine.

Café Latte: Warm, non-foamy milk with espresso.

The Coffee Rules (Yes, there are rules)

• No cappuccino or milk-based espresso after 11 a.m. You can do it, obviously, but it’s not really the culture.
• No cappuccino or milk-based espresso with meals. Don’t do this.
• It is cheap when you stand up at the bar (€1 – €2), expensive when you sit down. Same for everyone, not just tourists.

Rome Water Fountains

One of the best things to know about Rome is that there’s no need to buy plastic bottles of water when you get thirsty—there are tons of fountains dotted around the city, and Romans are very proud of them.

Bring a refillable water bottle, and fill it up whenever you see one. There’s also an app to help you find them called I Nasoni di Roma. If you’re going in the heat of summer, you’ll find this tip invaluable!

People are always surprised that you can drink from these fountains, which is crazy if you think about it. Their original purpose was to provide running water to each neighborhood since most houses didn’t have running water. Today, we forget that fact and are astonished by this basic concept due to our many creature comforts.

Credit Cards, Tipping, and Communicating in Rome

Cash or Credit?

The currency in Italy is the euro. An important thing to remember about Italy is that cash is still king. It’s necessary to carry a reasonable amount of cash around with you at all times to avoid getting stuck.

In general, most restaurants will allow you to pay on a card, as will large shops and tourist attractions. But for drinks, coffee, transport tickets, and small items, cards often aren’t accepted. There may even be a €10 minimum on card payments.

Rule of Thumb:  If it’s less than €10, pay cash. It’s more than €10, and you can probably pay credit as long as there isn’t a “Solo Cash” sign on the door.

The Good News:  The Italian word for credit card is carta di credito . Any Italian shop owner will understand when you ask, “Credit Card?” They’ll also know to respond, “Cash” if they don’t accept credit cards. So, there’s no need to stress.

Tipping isn’t really expected in Italy. I’ve tried to convince visitors that you just need to leave some extra change, a euro per person, regardless of check size, but it normally falls on deaf ears. To simplify things, I have created different levels of tipping to help people understand:

Don Corleone:  Leave 20%, and when you go back, the restaurant staff will celebrate your return as if you were the Godfather. You may get some sneers from other restaurant goers who can’t get your waiter’s attention.

Super Nice : Leave 10%. It’s less than you are used to but far more than anyone in Italy would expect.

Roman : Leave a euro or two extra per person. The wait staff will be very happy.

Nothing at All : Leave nothing and nobody will say anything. Your food will not be poisoned upon returning.

Communicating in English or Italian

One of my favorite things to watch is travelers trying to string together Italian words into sentences from a guidebook. I have been that traveler in many countries. The worst part, though, is when you actually make sense, and the person responds, much to your bewilderment.

Let’s not romanticize the key phrases part of a guidebook here and keep it simple. The phrases below will make you look like a pro because you’ll get simple responses such as si (yes) or a finger pointing to the bathrooms. Remember that c’s have a hard “ch” sound, unlike Spanish.

How much does this cost? Quanto costa?

Check, please. Il conto per favore.

Do you take credit cards? Posso pagare con la carte? 

Where is the bathroom? Dov’è il bagno? Or simply, “bagno?” 

Water?  Acqua?

Table for two, please. Tavolo per due, per favore.

Can you order for me? Fai te?

The last recommendation is by far my favorite. If your waiter is Roman, they will accept the challenge and bring some tasty food. A key phrase is certo (pronounced cherto), which means “of course”. Romans use this all the time, so you may hear it instead of si .

When To Travel

Part of the reason why people love Rome is the weather. It’s pretty much always nice, and bad weather is when it is too hot. That’s a good problem to have.

Temperature

The average monthly temperature in Rome ranges from a low of 37 degrees Fahrenheit (F) to a high of 89 F.  It snows once every 10 to 50 years, and people don’t know what to do when that happens—it’s the greatest.

To decide when you want to travel to Rome, you can use this equation to get a rough idea.

How much am I willing to spend / Am I ok with cooler weather = Daily budget

Cheapest Months:

• December (1st – 20th)
• Jan (7th – 31st)
• March (1st – 20th)

Mid-Range Months:

• March (21st – 31st)
• April (excluding 5 days on either side of Easter)
• October (although it can be higher in price early in the month)

Full-Price Months:

• Christmas to New Year
• Easter (5 days on either side)

What To Pack

Check out the infographic below on what to pack. While it’s very useful, the ideal amount to pack is one change of clothes and a mostly empty suitcase. Shopping in Italy is great, so the more space you can leave in your suitcase, the better.

You don’t need to pack an umbrella. As soon as it rains, hundreds of people will appear out of nowhere selling umbrellas. It’s magical. Also, you can’t wear heels in Rome. Let me clarify, you can wear flats and pack heels in your purse for when you are inside bars and restaurants. The cobblestones make wearing heels nearly impossible.

Rome has a rich cultural history and many iconic landmarks to explore. Plan where to stay in the magnificent Eternal City in the best neighborhoods.

Reader Interactions

Comments (12).

September 3, 2019

What a lovely description of Italy and Italians you have given to us! I love to read about the transport, food and most importantly the people. Awesome work done! Keep them coming!

September 4, 2019

Ciao Tanisha! What a lovely comment. We are so happy to provide you with helpful tips for your vacation!

October 24, 2019

A very informative article. Thank you so much for sharing these things.

October 28, 2019

Ciao! Thanks so much for reading our blog! It’s our mission to provide you with the most useful information possible for your trip.

November 19, 2019

Nice quality post. Thumbs Up from my side. Special thanks to theromanguy for sharing this valuable information. Once again appreciated!

January 6, 2020

Nice tips. I’d add the 48 euro fixed rate from the airport to the centre as the best option if there are at least 2 people. By the time you take the train then Metro or taxi from Termini it just about equals out.

January 21, 2020

Thanks for the tip, Gary!

May 15, 2020

Rome really such a beautiful city, wish more people will be able to experience it. Thanks for the insightful article.

June 9, 2020

It is nice you included few basic lines of Italian language everyone should know when visiting Italy or and other country. People are so friendlier to you if you can say “Hi” to them in their language.

July 21, 2020

Hey, thanks for sharing this, I enjoyed reading it looking forward to my next trip to Italy.

April 23, 2021

Admiring the time and energy you put into your blog and detailed information you provide.

September 27, 2022

thank you – very helpful and have taken notes for our trip 🙂

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• In The Press

POLICY & TERMS

• Cancellation Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

© Cristina Gottardi

A heady mix of haunting ruins, awe-inspiring art and vibrant street life, Italy's hot-blooded capital is one of the world's most romantic and charismatic cities.

Best Time to Visit

Best things to do, leave the planning to a local expert.

Experience the real Rome. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Vatican Museums

Vatican City, Borgo & Prati

Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century and enlarged by successive pontiffs, the Vatican Museums boast one of the world's greatest art…

Ancient Rome

Everyone wants to see the Colosseum, and it doesn’t disappoint, especially if accompanied by tales of armored gladiators and hungry lions. More than any…

St Peter's Basilica

In the city of outstanding churches, none can hold a candle to St Peter's, Italy’s largest, richest and most spectacular basilica. Built atop a 4th…

Roman Forum

An impressive – if rather confusing – sprawl of ruins, the Roman Forum was ancient Rome's showpiece center, a grandiose district of temples...

Sandwiched between the Roman Forum and the Circo Massimo, the Palatino (Palatine Hill) is one of Rome's most spectacular sights. It's a beautiful,…

Capitoline Museums

Dating from 1471, the Capitoline Museums are the world's oldest public museums, with a fine collection of classical sculpture.

Centro Storico

With its revolutionary design, this awe-inspiring temple has served as an architectural blueprint for millennia.

Piazza Navona

With its showy fountains, baroque palazzi and colorful cast of street artists, hawkers and tourists, Piazza Navona is central Rome’s elegant showcase…

Top picks from our travel experts

10 top things to do in rome in 2024.

Museo e Galleria Borghese

If you only have time for one art gallery in Rome, make it the Museo e Galleria Borghese.

Circo Massimo

Now a huge basin of dusty grass, Circo Massimo was ancient Rome’s largest chariot racetrack, a 250,000-seater capable of holding up to a quarter of the…

Villa Borghese

No one can resist the lure of Rome's most celebrated park, full of wooded glades, gardens and grassy banks.

Domus Aurea

Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo

Nero had his Domus Aurea constructed after the fire of AD 64 (which he is rumoured to have started to clear the area). Named after the gold that lined its…

Trevi Fountain

Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale

Don't miss a visit to Rome's iconic Fontana di Trevi, or Trevi Fountain.

Via Appia Antica

Southern Rome

Via Appia Antica is a beautiful cobbled thoroughfare flanked by grassy fields, ancient Roman structures and towering pine trees.

Palazzo Colonna

The guided tours of this opulent palace are among the city's best, introducing visitors to the residence and art collection of the patrician Colonna…

24 free things to do in Rome

Jewish Ghetto

Visit the atmospheric Jewish Ghetto neighborhood for art studios, kosher food and Rome's main synagogue.

Piazza del Campidoglio

This hilltop piazza, designed by Michelangelo in 1538, is one of Rome's most beautiful squares. There are several approaches but the most dramatic is the…

Tempietto di Bramante & Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio

Trastevere & Gianicolo

Bramante’s sublime tempietto (Little Temple) is a perfect surprise in the courtyard of the Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio.

Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi

This opulent baroque church is home to a celebrated trio of Caravaggio paintings.

Pincio Hill Gardens

One of Rome's best viewpoints, Pincio Hill is worth the climb.

Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vittoria

This modest church is an unlikely setting for an extraordinary work of art – Bernini’s extravagant sculpture, the Ecstacy of St Teresa.

Arco degli Acetari

For one of Rome’s most picture-perfect scenes, head to this dark archway just off Campo de’ Fiori. The arch in itself isn’t especially memorable...

Giardino del Lago

Designed and laid out in the late 18th century, this leafy area is centred on a small, romantic lake where you can hire a rowing boat. The highlight,…

Cimitero Acattolico per gli Stranieri

San Giovanni & Testaccio

Despite the roads that surround it, Rome’s 'non-Catholic' cemetery is a verdant oasis of peace. An air of Grand Tour romance hangs over the site where up…

Campo de' Fiori

Il Campo is a major focus of Roman life: by day it hosts one of the city's best-known markets; by night, people come for its lively bars and restaurants.

Via Margutta

Visit the antique shops, commercial art galleries and artisanal boutiques of Via Margutta, one of Rome's prettiest pedestrian cobbled lanes.

Quartiere Coppedè

The compact Quartiere Coppedè, centering around the magnificent Piazza Mincio, is one of Rome's most extraordinary neighbourhoods. Conceived and built by…

Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli

This 5th-century basilica draws pilgrims and art lovers to marvel at its treasures.

Explore monuments, fountains and gardens on the verdant hill of Gianicolo (or Janiculum).

Piazza di Spagna & the Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps are the perfect place for some people watching and great views over Rome.

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

Piazza Navona's flamboyant centrepiece, Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is an ornate, showy work. Completed in 1651, it features a…

The most dramatic approach to Piazza del Campidoglio is via this graceful staircase from Piazza d'Aracoeli. Designed by Michelangelo, it was built with…

Villa del Priorato di Malta

Fronting an ornate cypress-shaded piazza, the Roman headquarters of the Sovereign Order of Malta, aka the Cavalieri di Malta (Knights of Malta), boasts…

Chiesa della Trinità dei Monti

Sitting in majesty above the Spanish Steps, this landmark church was commissioned by King Louis XII of France and consecrated in 1585. Apart from the…

Imperial Forums

The forums of Trajan, Augustus, Nerva and Caesar are known collectively as the Imperial Forums. They were largely buried when Mussolini bulldozed Via dei…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Things to Know

Rome is a sensory overload in the best way but that can also make it overwhelming for first-time visitors. Here's what you need to know before you go.

Best Neighborhoods

A trip to Rome is as much about lapping up the dolce vita lifestyle as gorging on art and culture. Here's a look at the city's top neighborhoods.

From Rome's surrounding Lazio region to Florence, Naples and Pompeii, amazing sights are all within day-trip range of Italy’s capital.

Money and Costs

There’s no need for the Eternal City to leave you eternally broke. The city offers myriad ways to visit in style while saving money.

Transportation

Find your way around in Rome with this guide to transportation and tickets.

Free Things to Do

Visiting Rome on a budget? These are the best free experiences in Italy's capital city.

Traveling with Kids

From the Colosseum to the catacombs, and sprawling parks to virtual time travel, Rome promises a memorable trip for the whole family.

Discover architectural jewelry, local design, vintage finds, and tiny treasures in Rome's independent shops and markets.

Plan with a local

Experience the real Italy

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

Latest stories from Rome

Mar 27, 2024 • 5 min read

Want to travel from Rome to Tuscany on a day trip? Lonely Planet writer, Paula Hardy, tells you how to make that happen.

Mar 15, 2024 • 10 min read

Feb 29, 2024 • 13 min read

Feb 27, 2024 • 9 min read

Jan 15, 2024 • 3 min read

Jan 3, 2024 • 4 min read

Dec 13, 2023 • 10 min read

Oct 18, 2023 • 9 min read

Jul 7, 2023 • 2 min read

Jun 29, 2023 • 8 min read

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Rome

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks.

Get to the heart of Rome with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

Rome and beyond

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.

• Accommodation in Rome - find the best deals​

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 !

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 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!

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.

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!

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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 .

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 .

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!

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.

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!

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 .

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!

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.

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

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 !

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.

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 .

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!

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.

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 .

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.

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 !

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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!

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 Tuk Tuk Tour 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.

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 !

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.

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 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. 

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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 .

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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 .

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 !

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.

Puzzle Hunt: Angels and Demons, the Illuminati Hunt 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!

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.

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 .

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 .

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.

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 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.

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 .

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!

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.

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!

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 .

Our travel guides

• top attractions
• where to stay
• and much more

The 15 Best Things To Do In Rome, Georgia

T he South is home to dozens of beautiful college campuses , but few measure up to the grandeur and scale of Berry College in Rome, Georgia. Set on 27,000 acres, Berry College claims the title of having the world’s largest campus. While the campus, partially modeled after Oxford University’s Christ Church in England, should definitely be at the top of your list of things to do in Rome, there are plenty of other reasons to visit the small town. Shop and dine your way through the charming downtown, see the state’s largest Victorian era district, and discover the history behind this quintessential Georgia town that’s just an hour’s drive from Atlanta. Here are the 15 best things to do in Rome, Georgia.

Visit Oak Hill & Martha Berry Museum

Get a glimpse into Berry College’s history at the Greek Revival home of its founder Martha Berry. Tour the historic home that tells the story of the Berry family and how they came to create a four-year liberal arts college. Make sure you allow time to visit the Oak Hill Colonial Revival garden that was designed and constructed in the late 1920s and is a great example of 20 th century landscaping trends.

Tour Berry College

Founded in 1902, there’s more than a century of history holding up the hallowed walls on Berry College’s campus . Two major places to make sure you see are the Ford Complex, named for Henry Ford who donated the funds to construct the legendary buildings, and the Mountain Campus. The Ford Complex brings British grandeur to a pastoral Georgia scene thanks to Neo-Gothic architecture inspired by Oxford University’s Christ Church College. The Mountain Campus features pastures, hills, lakes, log cabins, an old mill, and hiking trails leading to the House O’ Dreams, a large stone and board-and-batten cottage on top of Lavender Mountain.

Learn About Native American History at the Chieftains Museum

Enter the former home of Major Ridge, a Cherokee leader who played a major role in Native American history by signing the Treaty of New Echota, which resulted in the relocation of the Cherokee people. Called the Chieftains Museum , his home is designated as a National Historic Landmark, is a site on the National Parks Service’s Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, and is dedicated to preserving and sharing Cherokee history and culture.  

See the Capitoline Wolf and Rome Clocktower

You wouldn’t travel to New York City and not see the Empire State Building. So, you can’t travel to Rome without seeing the Capitoline Wolf and the Rome Clocktower . Both major landmarks are located in historic downtown Rome. The Capitoline Wolf, a bronze sculpture depicting the legend of the founding of Rome, presides over town from its perch in front of City Hall. A few blocks away, the Clocktower offers one of the best views of downtown if you’re willing to climb the 107 steps to the top.

Ride or Walk on the ECO Greenway

This 16-mile paved multipurpose trail runs through historic downtown Rome and along the Coosa River. Spend as much or as little time as you please, biking, walking, or jogging on the trail that connects several public parks, attractions, and landmarks.

See a Live Performance at a Historic Theater

If you’re looking for live entertainment while in Rome, head to the Desoto Theatre, a historic cinema that’s been reimagined as the Rome Little Theatre . In addition to staging several plays each year, it’s also one of the venues for the annual Rome International Film Festival.

Go Shopping in Downtown Rome

Support local businesses by shopping the many boutiques and retailers in Downtown Rome . There’s a little something for everyone at places like Cecil T’s Mercantile and Do Good Boutique , which sell everything from home goods and apparel to gifts and art. Music lovers should check out the vinyl and Capitoline Records , and treasure hunters wil delight in the antiques and art at Yellow Door Antiques .

Grab a Meal at Blossom Hill BBQ & Burgers

Located in Downtown Rome’s River District, this restaurant, bar, and gathering place is a hit among locals thanks to its delicious food and expansive indoor-outdoor dining and play spaces. Blossom Hill’s lunch and dinner menu features everything from smoked meats to chicken tenders and salmon burgers. Complete your meal with a seasonal fried pie or milkshake, then head outside to chow down and maybe get in a round of ping pong or cornhole.

Enjoy a Wine Tasting

Head to the downtown tasting room for Newby Farm + Vineyard to sample the local winery’s available vintages, sip on a glass, or purchase a bottle to take home. The vineyard isn’t currently open to the public, so this is your best chance to try their seasonal varieties, as well as more traditional rosés, whites, and reds. If you’re traveling with a large party, reserve the barrel room table for a more private experience.

Stay the Night at Hawthorne Suites

Located just off bustling Broad Street, book a room in Hawthorne Suites for a comfortable stay that’s within walking distance of some of Rome’s most popular shops and restaurants. The renovated 1890s warehouse has maintained its original wood floors, brick walls, and sky-lit atrium for an old-meets-new feel.

Escape to Kingston Downs

Step away from city center and onto 5,000 acres of natural beauty at Kingston Downs . The property offers several lodging options, from idyllic cottages overlooking wildflower meadows to safari-style glamping tents to a clubhouse complete with an outdoor kitchen and firepit. Guests have access to all kinds of outdoor activities including hiking on seven miles of trails, mountain biking, swimming in the Etowah river, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and even guided quail and turkey hunts or pheasant and dove shoots.

Dine with Locals at Harvest Moon Café

This farm-to-table restaurant is a beloved spot for everything from brunch to late-night drink and everything in between. Create your own meat-and-three plate starting with entrees like smothered grilled chicken, fried catfish, and meatloaf with Creole Bourbon ketchup and finishing up with sides like collards, grits, and sweet potato souffle. In addition to the restaurant , the building is also home to top-floor hangout Moon Roof Bar and cozy downstairs bar and music venue Dark Side of the Moon.

Go Paddling on the Etowah River Trail

For those who love to get out on the water, spend an afternoon kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding on the Etowah River between Grizzard Park and Heritage Park. The easy six-mile route takes about 2.5 hours to complete and is easily accessible from Dixon Landing at Grizzard Park. Rentals can be found at River Ratz or The Canoe House .

Spend the Night in a Treehouse

For a one-of-a-kind overnight adventure, book the Black Bear Treehouse by Treeline Vacations. Built near the highest point in Rome, atop Lavender Mountain, this private oasis offer stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding area and beautifully designed interior living space. You’ll feel like you’ve left reality and stepped straight into a fairytale after just a few minutes lounging on the treehouse’s back porch.

Hike the Historic Jackson Hill Trail System

There’s so much to see on the Jackson Hill Trail System , a public recreation area that includes winding trails; historic exhibits, landmarks, and interpretive markers; and a unique attraction called the Labyrinth of Rome . Before being redeveloped by the Works Progress Administration, this area was the location of Fort Norton, which was used during the Civil War. Today, the public is invited to learn about the area’s history, enjoy the natural beauty, and maybe even find some time for meditation as they wander along the labyrinth’s singular path.

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living .

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

The Midwest Now Has a New Nonstop Flight to Rome

ITA Airways, Italy’s main airline, launched new service connecting Chicago and Rome.

Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure

A visit from the Windy City to the City of Seven Hills just got easier. On Sunday, ITA Airways, Italy’s main airline, launched new service connecting Chicago and Rome. The route will initially operate six times a week, and will soon increase to seven times a week in June, the airline shared in a press release. The 9 hour and 20 minute flight will depart Chicago's O'Hare International Airport at 3:00 p.m. and arrives in Rome's Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport at 7:20 a.m. the next morning. The route will operate with three different cabins (Business, Premium Economy, and Economy) on an Airbus A330neo aircraft.

Tickets for future flights are now available on ITA's website . "This new destination, the seventh in North America, further enriches the intercontinental network of ITA Airways and consolidates our expansion towards the United States, which is the first international market for our Company,” ITA Airways' Chief Commercial Officer Emiliana Limosani said in a statement. ITA Airways is a part of the SkyTeam Alliance loyalty program which allows travelers to redeem or earn miles from other member airlines including Delta. Contrarily, Chicago’s O’Hare is a large hub for United Airlines, a member of the competing Star Alliance network, which operates multiple flights to Italy.

The new Chicago route is an expansion of the airline’s' presence across North America. During the peak summer travel season, ITA will operate 140 weekly flights between North America and Italy.

Travelers on ITA will immediately feel immersed in Italian culture upon boarding as its aircrafts' interiors are designed by car designer Walter De Silva, and crew uniforms styled and designed by the famed Italian fashion house Brunello Cucinelli. Its in-flight menu is also by Italian chefs.

Rome was recently ranked as one of the top five most popular summer destinations of 2024, according to Google Flight data . American Airlines also recently announced its largest schedule to Italy this summer, also with daily service to Rome from Chicago.

Accessibility Links

Tracing Caravaggio’s secret history in Rome

From his former home and studio — to where the artist committed murder — this tour takes you behind-the-scenes.

I n Rome’s Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi, with its baroque Cupids and vaulted gold ceilings, the tour groups that gather for the Caravaggios are regularly shushed by an invisible priest. “Shhhh,” says a voice over the sound system. The lights flick off, someone drops a euro in the coin slot and, as the lights flick on, the murmuring continues.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (Caravaggio, in Lombardy was his home town) painted three masterpieces devoted to St Matthew here — The Calling , The Inspiration and The Martyrdom (1599-1600). A shaft of sunlight that falls across The Calling , illuminating the faces of five men, has been painted to line up with the real spring sunshine that floods through a high window. It’s an absorbing painting, full of contrast and tension — and like much of Caravaggio’s work, its meaning is contested. Federica Dal Palu, my charming art historian guide for the day, is sure that St Matthew is the bearded older man. I like to think he is the young man who looks away, on whom the light and Christ’s finger seem to fall.

Separating the man and the myth is one of the many pleasures of seeing Rome through Caravaggio’s eyes. As his last great painting, The Martyrdom of St Ursula , arrives in the National Gallery in London, Federica’s three-hour walking tour is part of a package offered by Rome’s Hotel Eden — a lemony mansion that sits high above the Spanish Steps. At the nearby Galleria Borghese, you can see six Caravaggios including the Boy with a Fruit Basket , Young Sick Bacchus (a self-portrait when the artist was, it is thought, ill with malaria) and David with the Head of Goliath (£11; galleriaborghese.beniculturali.it).

Caravaggio lived in Rome for the most eventful, chaotic years of his life, arriving as a 19-year-old and fleeing in 1606 after killing a man. He left more paintings here than anywhere else (26), but much of what we know comes from the extensive police records: a 3am sword fight here, an attack on a lawyer there.

For all his modern fame, it is possible to walk in the artist’s footsteps and encounter no crowds today. Just 150m north of the shushing priests, and a four-minute walk from Piazza Navona, Federica and I have Caravaggio’s Madonna of Loreto to ourselves at Chiesa di Sant’Agostino: a glowing portrait of Mary, barefoot and scandalously sensual, painted from one of the courtesans Caravaggio favoured as models. The artist lived nearby in the area known as Ortaccio (literally, “awful garden”), a 16th-century ghetto reserved for prostitutes, which today borders the central Sant’Eustachio and Campo Marzio districts. Sant’Agostino was the only church they were permitted to attend, as long as they sat in the front row and did not distract the congregation.

Advertisement

What was once a slum is now crossed with roads carrying designer stores: turn a corner and you will see a queue for Louis Vuitton; turn another and you will see a quiet alley hung with Roman underpants. In one square 200 young men wait outside a shop with their phones held aloft. Is it a footballer? No, a local sandwich maker who has gone viral on TikTok.

It’s a blend of old and new, wealth and poverty that Caravaggio would have known too. His patron Cardinal Del Monte gave him a room in his palace (now the Italian Senate), but he preferred to paint in his lodgings at No 19 Vicolo del Divino Amore. We walk past both, and in the courtyard behind Caravaggio’s former home a man has set up an easel to paint copies. There is no museum here, just a plaque, but this narrow back street where the artist insisted on having the ceiling raised (for ever-larger canvases) and then defaulted on the rent tells you as much about his life as any exhibition panel. It was here that his landlady asked the police to raid the flat, hoping to seize paintings in lieu of payment, finding only books and wine.

A ten-minute walk away is the osteria on via Maddalena where Caravaggio got into a fight over a plate of artichokes. Were they cooked in butter or oil, he asked. These things matter: the artichoke is venerated in Rome, and in spring heaped bowls are displayed outside restaurants. Try the delicious shallow-fried carciofi alla giudia at Giggetto (mains from £14; giggetto.it). Back in 1604, Caravaggio’s waiter suggested he smell them to see, and had them thrown in his face; when the artist drew his sword he ran to file a police complaint.

Three minutes from the osteria is the Via di Pallacorda , the site of Caravaggio’s final Roman crime. It was here, after a game of 17th-century tennis ( pallacorda ), that he severed his opponent’s femoral artery, killing him and earning a papal death sentence. He died of a fever four years later in Porto Ercole, aged 38.

Four hundred years on, Caravaggio’s name still troubles the Roman courts. Until recently his only known ceiling painting, Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto , could be seen by appointment at the Villa Ludovisi. But a dispute between the villa’s owner, the Texan widow of Prince Boncompagni Ludovisi, and his three sons from an earlier marriage, has seen the principessa evicted, the sale of the villa stalled and its art cut off from view.

You can see the villa, where Cardinal Del Monte once conducted science experiments beneath Caravaggio’s muscular gods, from the top-floor roof terrace of the Hotel Eden. In fact you can see most of Rome — looking west towards the Vatican, south towards the Forum. This is a great spot for a sundowner (there are four negronis on the menu) or a buffet breakfast that will last you until dinner.

• 26 of the best hotels in Rome • Rome travel guide

The Eden’s rooms are spacious yet cosy, with walk-in wardrobes and sitting rooms; the penthouse suite has a telescope, shelves for your art collection and a private lift. The staff are too discreet to name previous occupants, but the stairs to the (excellent) Il Giardino restaurant (mains from £30) are lined with thank yous from world leaders and Hollywood royalty, among them Nelson Mandela, Keanu Reeves and Meryl Streep (“ grazie per tutti — it was so wonderful to stay above the gardens of Rome!”).

Would Caravaggio have stayed here? It’s more likely that he would have made for the rowdiest hostel in search of models and a fight. After walking for hours I was grateful for the Eden’s deep bath and epic bed, but you could cover much of Federica’s tour on a budget: nothing we saw required an entry fee. Two more free Caravaggios are off limits while the Basilica Santa Maria del Popolo is restored (reopens December 2024) butit is more than worth the entry fee for Narcissus (on loan until June 2024) and Judith Beheading Holofernes at the Palazzo Barberini (£13; barberinicorsini.org).

This last painting, lost for centuries and rediscovered in 1951, casts the greatest spell — the young woman recoiling from her own violence, the blood streaming from his neck. The surrounding walls are hung with works by Carravaggio’s rivals but none matches his immediacy.

• 21 of the best things to do in Rome

His Judith was his great muse Fillide Melandroni, a courtesan whose honour the artist may have been defending when he committed murder. The day before seeing Judith , Federica took me to the site of her tomb, an unmarked spot outside Basilica di San Lorenzo in Lucina (Melandroni was refused a Christian burial). Like Caravaggio she lived fast and died young; their stories remain blurred by myth, immortalised in paint, and forever part of Rome’s secret history.

This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue

Melissa Denes was a guest of Hotel Eden, which has a Caravaggio: Rebel and Rome package from £874, including breakfast and a two-hour tour ( dorchestercollection.com). Fly to Rome

Six fabulous hotels in Rome for all budgets

By Julia Buckley

1. Soho House Rome

A brutalist building sandwiched between Termini and Tiburtina railway stations doesn’t sound like the most auspicious of locations. But Soho House Rome, which opened in late 2021, is its own little world. Of course it’s a private members’ club, but non-members can book plush mid-century rooms, which gives you access to all but one of the lounges with their lashings of contemporary art on the walls. The eyrie-like rooftop is home to Cecconi’s Terrazza restaurant and a rare-for-Rome pool with sweeping views of the city and the surrounding hills. And it’s down the road from the resting places of Marcello Mastroianni and more, in Rome’s historic Verano cemetery. Details Room-only doubles from £367 (sohohouse.com)

2. Donna Camilla Savelli

Reopening at the end of April after a refurb, Donna Camilla will whisk you straight back to 1642, when the building opened as a convent in the heart of Trastevere. Rooms still have a slightly monastic feel, with terracotta floors, simple wrought-iron bedsteads and plain white drapes. Down the grand, stuccoed and gilded staircase you’ll find a meditative garden courtyard filled with citrus trees — today it’s perfect for aperitivos — around which the horseshoe-shaped convent is wrapped. Details B&B doubles from £171 (vretreats.com)

3. The Glam

Chic and cheerful, the Glam opened just before the pandemic — then swiftly closed, reopening again in 2021. It perches on the edge of trendy Monti, one of Rome’s best areas for restaurants, nightlife and local designer shops (though being on said edge means you don’t suffer the noise). The rooms are functional-chic but immensely comfy, while breakfast is on the rooftop, with glorious views of the skyline. Details B&B doubles from £124 (theglamhotelroma.it)

4. Palazzo Roma

Tourists tramping between the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon walk obliviously past this magnificent 16th-century palazzo on Via del Corso, which opened in November as a fearsomely glam hotel that’s already part of the Leading Hotels of the World portfolio. The main staircase may be marble and the restaurant may be floor-to-ceiling frescoed, but instead of a po-faced reconstruction they’ve gone for zany modern Italian style, with one of the several lounges themed around world time zones, and vestibules sporting modern-looking portraits of popes and philosophers. The huge rooms combine five-star luxe with art deco fittings, brightly painted walls and the odd humbug stripe. Details Room-only doubles from £363 (palazzoroma.com)

5. Hotel Hassler

The Hassler is hardly new — it’s been swaggering at the top of the Spanish Steps for over a century — but it was the end of an era when its charismatic owner, Roberto Wirth, died in 2022. Wirth had charmed everyone from Princess Diana to Tom Cruise, and proudly kept the hotel as Rome’s only family-owned grande dame as the big chains moved in on the city — all while doing charity work behind the scenes (Wirth was born profoundly deaf). It’s now his children, the fifth-generation hoteliers Roberto Jr and Veruschka Wirth, at the helm. Rooms are as elegant as the price suggests, restaurant Imàgo has a well-deserved Michelin star, and the seventh-floor rooftop bar has one of the finest views of the city. Long may it stay in the family. Details Room-only doubles from £857 (hotelhasslerroma.com)

6. The Hoxton

Vintage London meets posh Parioli — the Hoxton, which opened in 2021 in the neighbourhood above Villa Borghese, is a brilliant value stay. The 192 rooms go from the honestly named “Shoebox” to “Roomy” — whatever the size, they’re all beautifully furnished with a mid-century feel — and there’s also a nice scene, with locals popping in for drinks at the lobby bar, brunch on the terrace at Cugino and long lunches at Elio. Details B&B doubles from £162 (thehoxton.com/rome)

7. Six Senses Rome

Another recent opening on Via del Corso, Six Senses — the first urban resort in Europe for the brand — is going for the modern classic crown, with contemporary rooms clad in local travertine, cocciopesto plaster and wood, and gentle pastels breathing colour into all those neutrals. Underground they’ve built a spa complex worthy of ancient Rome — an itinerary takes you from frigidarium through tepidarium to the caldarium steam bath. It has set the bar for a series of five-star brands that will be arriving in Rome over the next few years. Details B&B doubles from £860 (sixsenses.com)

Sign up for our Times Travel newsletter and follow us on Instagram and X

Related articles

Zendaya Wore a Fitted White Blazer for Her Latest Challengers Press Tour Look

On Monday, April 8, Challengers had its Italy premiere in Rome. Zendaya’s stylist, Law Roach , dressed her in a custom white Calvin Klein set, with of a side-slit maxi skirt and fitted blazer. To complete her monochromatic look, Zendaya stepped out in a pair of white stiletto pumps. She added sparkle with an assortment of Bulgari jewelry, including a snake choker necklace that wrapped itself around her neck.

Zendaya’s hair was swooped back into a low bun. Her makeup was bronzed and extra glowy.

For her ELLE cover last year, Zendaya described her role in Challengers as her “first time really being a leading lady, if you will.”

This film shows Zendaya like we’ve never seen her before.

“I felt like it was a good step into a more, I guess you could say, ‘grown-up’ role and into that next phase,” she said. “It was a little bit scary to take on, which I think is a good feeling. To be like, ‘Ooh, can I do this?’ You could run from that feeling and stay safe and comfortable, or you can go, ‘You know what, fuck it.’”

She also spoke about what it was like playing a character that she is so different from.

“I still don’t understand the decisions she makes, and we had so many conversations about the psychology of her and why she is that way,” she recalled. “What was important to me was that she was unapologetic about it. Sometimes characters who are messy and conflicted and wield power over other people are reserved for [actors] who don’t look like me, so when I get an opportunity to play a character like that, I’ma take it!”

Celebrity News 2024

Zendaya Channels SATC at Challengers Event

Zendaya and Tom Kissed at a ‘Challengers’ Premiere

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s Timeline

A Timeline of Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn’s Romance

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Are ‘Very Serious’

A Timeline of Taylor and Travis’ Whirlwind Romance

Taylor and Travis Seen Looking ‘Stylish and Happy’

Zendaya Wears Thom Browne to Challengers Premiere

Kim K and North West Coordinated in Leather Looks

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen's Relationship Time

All About Malcolm, Anya’s Husband