Step back in time and experience ‘la dolce vita’ in one of the most beautiful and iconic cities in Europe. Of course, Italy is home to many amazing cities, but Rome is certainly up there in the top 3!
From delicious cuisine and fine wines, to incredible history, architecture and culture- Rome has something to offer every type of traveller and its charm and beauty is like no other city I have visited!
I spontaneously decided to visit Rome for the weekend to watch England in the Euros and loved the city so much, I ended up staying 10 days!
Hopefully this guide will give you a few recommendations of some of the best things to do/see, great places to eat and what to expect for your trip to Rome.
What to expect:
Currency– Euro €
Cash/card– Both cash and cards are accepted, however in smaller shops/cafes/ market venders’ cash is preferred.
Language– Italian is the official language spoken in Rome. (Many young people and individuals that work in the hospitality/tourism industry can speak English, however it is useful to know a few Italian phrases)
Temperature– Summers are usually hot with temperatures averaging 25-30+ degree. Temperatures begin to get cooler around October/November.
Safety– Overall, Rome is a vibrant and lively city and considered relatively safe. If you stick to the main areas, you will always be surrounded by people- whether than be at midday or midnight. Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag snatching and theft does happen and even more so in peak tourist seasons. Be vigilant and precautious of your belongings at all times and never leave anything unattended. Thieves will often use techniques to attempt to distract you in order to steal your belongings- asking for directions, engaging in conversation, pretending to fall off their scooters/bikes. If you’re taking public transport, again be mindful of your belongings and stay alert, especially around the Termini Station area at night. If you plan on taking taxis, look for license cabs or take an Uber.
Where to stay?
Budget (€15-25 per night)
- The Yellow Hostel – social hostel
- Hostel Alessandro Palace and Bar – lively and social
Mid-range (€50-80 euro per night)
- Adrianus Hotel (clean and central rooms- 2 minutes’ walk from Piazza Navona)
Luxury (€150+)
Spa
The One boutique hotel and spa (2 minutes from the Trevi fountain)
A.Roma lifestyle hotel (Voted one of the best luxury spa hotels in Rome)
Tourism Tax: Rome requires all hotels, hostels and rentals to collect a tourist tax. It’s usually around €3.50/night/person so don’t be surprised by this extra fee. This is normally collected when checking in/out of the accommodation.
Where to eat?
Italy is known for having some of the best food in the world and you certainly won’t be short of choice in Rome. There is an overwhelming choice of restaurants in Rome and you could easily spend hours wandering around and deciding where to eat.
Some of my favourites from my trip were:
(Near the Trevi fountain)
- Hosteria de pastini (very popular with locals and large dish sizes)
- –Il Chianti restaurant
- -La taberna
Trastervere
- -Ristorante la lanonica
- -Nannarella
- –Suppli Roma (street food shop)
And for desert lovers…
- Gelateria Della Palma – This place has over 150 different flavours of home-made gelato!
- Tiramisu: Pompi (Spagna)
What to do in Rome?
Stroll around the beautiful Villa Borghese Park
If you’re looking for a cool spot to escape the busy city, check out this gorgeous park. Villa Borghese is the third largest park in Rome and is the perfect place for a stroll, picnic, or to exercise. Take advantage of the various rental services (bikes, scooters and go karts) or wander through the gardens and admire the fountains, monuments and lakes.
One of the most charming spots in the park is the small artificial lake, located close to the Bilotti Museum. Here you rent rowing boats for just 3 euros per person for 20 minutes!
Colosseum
A trip to Rome is not complete without visiting the famous and iconic wonder of the world, the Colosseum. The Colosseum is not only the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, but the largest amphitheatre ever built.
We decided to take a guided tour which was super interesting and informative. We ended up organising the tour right outside the entrance for 10-euro pp and it lasted around 40minutes. If you’re wanting to take a Colosseum tour, you can either book online with a company (Get your guide/viator) or if you’re a last-minute kind of person (like me) you can find plenty of guides offering tours in various languages outside the Colosseum.
Over 6 million people visit the Colosseum every year so prepare for crowds and long queues. If you can, book your ticket online in advance and try to book a late afternoon slot when the temperature is a little cooler.
Best photo spot- As you exit the Colosseum metro stop, turn left and then head up the steps. As you walk along the north side of the Colosseum, you will find this great spot!
Roman Forum
At the heart of ancient Rome was the Roman Forum. The Roman Forum consists of the Colosseum, Palatine hill and the recently excavated Domus Aurea (Golden House). It was the city’s main Piazza- a place for locals, traders and business dealings as well as religious ceremonies, gatherings and important meetings/elections. Visit the iconic temples and the glorious arches and learn more about the inner workings of daily life in Ancient Rome.
If you purchase a ticket for the Colosseum, the Roman Forum/Palatine hill is included in the price. The ticket is valid for 24 hours so you can combine both.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is another iconic structure in the city. It was built as a temple dedicated to the worship of the Pagan Roman gods. A visit to the Pantheon gives you a taste of what ancient architecture was like back in the day!
The Pantheon is located in the centre of Rome, just 15 minutes from the Spanish steps and 10 minutes from the Trevi fountain!
It is open daily until 7.00pm and entrance is free.
Aventine Keyhole
This spot is one of the coolest and unique photo opportunities in Rome! It is a little walk from the centre, but in my opinion, worth it! Head up to the top of the city and peer through a tiny keyhole and you will be greeted with an incredible sight- The Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican City
Visit the home of the Pope and the smallest country in the world, covering just over 100 acres. The Vatican City is the only UNESCO world heritage site to encompass an entire country! It has a population of around 800 people, most of which are members of staff/guards and officials and although it is very small, it has its own flag, anthem and laws.
Marvel at the beautiful interior and artwork of St. Peter’s Basilica and climb the steps to observe the stunning view from the top of the Dome.
If you’re planning on going inside the church, you need to ensure you have shoulders and knees covered. Wear appropriate clothing or buy a shawl from one of the venders. Make sure you buy this before you wait in the queue/pass through security as there are no venders inside.
Spanish steps
This iconic staircase is a great place to visit during the day or a night. Completed in 1725, the stairs quickly became a popular spot for social gatherings, photographers and artists. They were later made famous by Audrey Hepburn’s 1953 film Roman Holiday. Whilst in Rome, admire the steps, enter the 16th-century Trinità dei Monti church and enjoy a great view of the city from the top!
The Trevi fountain
At almost 20 meters wide and 26 meters high, the Trevi Fountain is the largest fountain in Rome and one of the most famous in the world.
Whatever time of day you visit the fountain, it will most certainly be crowded. Protective barriers were introduced during the pandemic and also to stop people sitting on the monument. When we visited in August, the barriers were present, preventing you from descending down the stairs to the fountain and sitting on the edge to take a picture however, a few days later we visited on the evening, the barriers had been removed and you were able to go right in front of the fountain.
Don’t forget to join in the tradition of throwing a coin into the fountain!
Legend says that:
- -If you throw one coin into the fountain: You will return to Rome.
- -If you throw two coins into the fountain: You will fall in love with an Italian.
- -If you throw three coins into the fountain: You will get married to that person.
Alter of the Fatherland
You cannot miss this huge and symbolic national monument located between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill. It is one of the most eye-catching monuments in the city and was built in honour of the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel ll. Entering the gates, climbing the marble staircase and viewing the tomb is free, however if you would like to visit the top rooftop terrace, you need to pay a fee. The price is 7-euro per person and the ticket booth is located next to the lift.
We only visited the first terrace and the panoramic view from here was beautiful. There is also a bar at the back of the monument where you can enjoy cocktails with a view of the Colosseum and Roman forum.
Castel Sant’Angelo and Sant’Angelo bridge
Castel Sant’ Angelo is an iconic castle overlooking the Vatican City and the Tiber River. The castle is open daily until 7.30pm and tickets cost 12 euro per person. Head to the top of the castle for a great panoramic view!
Getting around
Rome has an extensive public transport network- buses, metros, trains and trams. You can also rent electric bikes and/or scooters (which are a lot of fun!) Simple download the app on your phone and scan the QR code on the bike/scooter to begin using it. You will find the scooters/bikes scattered all over the city!
The metro is simple, easy to use and also the fastest way of getting around the city. You can purchase single tickets or daily/weekly passes from the stations or from local shops
Buses are frequent but due to the large amount of traffic, much slower than the metro system.
Taxis are quite expensive and most will be on the metre. Take an Uber instead.
Want to study Italian?
Studying a language is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture, meet new friends and be able to communicate with the locals. If you are interested in studying Italian whilst in Rome, check out Scuola Leanardo. It is a great language school, located only 5 minutes from Piazza Navona.
The school offers a wide range of courses from total beginner level to advanced. Choose between private lessons, flexible studying, intensive courses or if you just want to dip your toe in, introductory courses.
You can also take advantage of the social activities organised by the school or if you really want to fully immerse yourself in the language, opt for a home stay with a local family.
I studied with this school whilst in Rome and I highly recommend it. Even if you are on a tight timescale and only have a week, you will have a great experience with this school!
(This is not an AD) https://www.scuolaleonardo.com/learn-italian-in-rome.html
Whatever you get up to in Rome, you will be sure to have a blast! If you have any more recommendations of what to do in Rome, please drop a comment below or get in touch 🙂