THE ULTIMATE ROME TRAVEL GUIDE
Ahh Rome, The Eternal City; a bustling, historic, and romantic place. I have been to this city twice and have loved it each time. There is so much to see and plenty of good food to be had.
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HOW TO GET TO ROME
Plane
There are two airports in Rome – Fiumicino FCO and Ciampino CIA. FCO is Italy’s main airport and a gateway for plenty of international flights. Chances are if you are coming from an international flight, you will land here. From the airport you will have to make your way into the city via a train, shuttle bus, taxi, or uber.
Trains
Trenitalia is the main train company in Italy and has an in-airport train station directly to the city centre (Stazione Termini). Tickets cost about 14 Euro.
Bus
Both airports offer shuttle buses and require you to purchase tickets in advance. These are usually pretty cheap at about 7 Euro.
Taxi and Car Services
This is by far the most expensive option to getting yourself from the airport to the city. Rome has a set flat fee for travelling inside the walls of the city (including Monti, Trastevere, Centro Storico and Testaccio neighbourhoods) – 50 Euro from FCO and 30 Euro from CIA. There is also a 1 Euro per bag charge for more than 1 bag.
GETTING AROUND
The best way to get around Rome is by walking. It is a very walkable city and you can spend many hours wandering down cobblestone alleys and between beautiful buildings getting lost. You may stumble upon charming piazzas and cute restaurants and shops.
In saying this, if walking isn’t your thing or you get too tired, public transport is readily available and easy to use. Purchase a 48hr or 72hr public transport pass which can be used for the metro, buses or trams. These can be purchased in convenience stores or stations. Just make sure you validate your ticket before getting on each time!
Taxis are also an easy option for getting to exactly where you need to be. You can hail a taxi nearly everywhere you go or use an app if you can’t see one hanging around.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Rome would be during the shoulder seasons from April-May or September-October. During these times the weather is mild and there are less tourists. In the Summer months, the temperatures can rise to the mid 30s, making some of the attractions unbearably hot – particularly places like the Roman Forum, which has no shade. If you prefer colder weather, consider going in the Winter months where tourism is at its lowest and you can enjoy the city with far fewer crowds.
RECOMMENDED STAY TIME
I would recommended a minimum of 3 full days in Rome, however you could spend much longer.
TOP TRAVEL TIPS
Book everything in advance
The best way to maximise your time in Rome is to pre-book the most popular attractions, such as the Vatican and Colosseum. You can book these as a tour or as skip-the-line tickets online and they will save you hours. I’ve seen the queues to get into these top attractions, and trust me, you’d rather pay the little bit extra to not have to wait for so long! You may even want to consider the Rome City Highlights card which will give you skip-the-line admission into many of the major attractions as well as free public transport!
There is free water everywhere
Make sure you carry a reusable water bottle because Rome is known for their free-flowing water stations which can be seen throughout the city. The largest one can be found in front of the Spanish Steps.
Never eat at a restaurant with a name
This is probably my favourite tip that I have been given by Rome locals. If you are looking for the best Italian food, stay a few streets away from the main tourists attractions. Your meal will be way more tasty and definitely cheaper. Look for the restaurants which don’t have a ‘proper name’ and people standing at the door shouting at you to look at their menu and come inside. Instead, look for places that have just a number – such as Restaurante 67 – as this will be some of the best Italian food you will find, and most likely family run businesses.
WHAT TO DO
Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
Of course the first thing you think of when you hear the word “Rome” is the Colosseum. The Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre in the world and is titled one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is at the top of everyone’s bucket list who visits the city. The Roman Forum was the location of important religions, political and social activities in Ancient Rome. Palatine Hill used to be one of the most sought after neighbourhoods in the city and was home to some of the richest people.
My advice is to book a morning tour to skip queues, avoid crowds and avoid the heat of the day. Most tours will include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. There are different levels of access to the Colosseum for you to choose from; including general admission to underground and arena floor. If you want priority entry without a guide, book this ticket which will give you entry into the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. If you want to learn more about the history of Rome, I would definitely recommend this guided tour. Alternatively, if you want an even more special and up close experience, this tour will give you access to underground and the arena floor.
These three attractions are all located within a 10 minute walk of each other; making it a good full day activity. A tour will give you great information about the architecture and history of the area, which makes it a lot more enjoyable than walking around by yourself.
The Colosseum is open from 10:30 – 19:15 every day except Christmas Day and New Years Day. The Roman Forum is open daily from 09:00 – 19:15, whilst Palatine Hill is open from 10:30 – 19:15.
Vatican City and St Peter’s Basilica
The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and another popular reason people visit Rome. It will require you to jump in a train or uber to get there. Inside the Vatican Museum you will find the Sistine Chapel and 53 other beautifully decorated art rooms. You will need to be here early to avoid crowds or you can buy this entrance ticket in advance to skip the line. If you prefer a guide, opt for this tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel instead. You can find a nice cafe inside here, good for a quick bite to eat.
St Peter’s Basilica is a gorgeous cathedral and free to enter. It is the most important Catholic Church in the world and home to the Pope. If you want a good view of Rome, pay €10 and head up to the Dome. Make sure you visit the crypts, home to 148 tombs. This guided tour will give you access from the Dome all the way to the Underground Grottoes.
The Vatican Museums are open Monday – Saturday from 09:00 – 18:00, with last entry at 16:00. St Paul’s Basilica is open daily from 07:00 – 18:30.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is probably the best preserved Ancient Roman buildings. You will most likely stumble upon this temple when roaming the city streets and it is definitely worth a quick visit. It is free to enter or you can get an audioguide for €9.
The Pantheon is open from 08:30 – 19:15 from Monday – Saturday. Sunday has reduced opening hours of 09:00 – 17:45.
Trevi Fountain
What trip to Rome is complete without making a wish at the famous Trevi Fountain?! Throw one coin in the fountain and you will return to Rome some day; so the myth says. If you throw two coins, you will fall in love with an attractive Italian. If you throw three coins, you will marry that person.
Piazza Navona
Piazzo Navona is one of the largest squares in Rome. There are many fountains here and you can also visit the excavations of the old stadium of Domitianus.
Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna
The Spanish Steps is a popular place to hang out. These steps lead from the Piazza di Spagna to the French church Trinita dei Monti. There are 135 steps in total with a beautiful view on offer from the top. In the piazza you will find the Fontana della Barcaccia. This area is home to many luxurious shops.
Trastevere
If you feel like getting out of the city a little bit, head across the Tiber river to the neighbourhood of Trastevere. It is a very typical old-style Italian neighbourhood where you can spend a day getting lost among the cobblestone streets and medieval houses.
Villa Borghese
I unfortunately did not have enough time to visit Villa Borghese, but it looks stunning. It is dubbed the most beautiful park in Rome and belonged to the very wealthy Scipione Borghese. Galleria Borghese can also be found inside the grounds and houses some impressive artwork. Spend your time wisely by booking this tour.
Castel Sant’Angelo
This is another place I didn’t get a chance to get to. Castel Sant’Angelo, or Castle of the Holy Angel, was initially a mausoleum for emperor Hadrian.
