ROME.

There are no words able to describe the beauty of Rome. The Eternal City has no rivals to the title of the most awe-inspiring tourist destination. While being just perfect for a city break, do not expect to be able to explore all the iconic monuments, sights and museums which Rome has to offer in one trip. From the vast museums of Vatican City to the stunning Villa Borghese, all the way through the Pantheon, Roman Forum and Colosseum, not to mention dozens of other must-sees located all around the city, every second spent in Rome is a dream come true and will leave you hungry for more. Of course, Rome is much more than just the historical legacies. It is also a place full of wonderful art, which can be encountered in any of the many museums. It caters to the body as much as it caters to the soul, giving you plenty of occasions for entertainment in the nightclubs, pubs, and bars. When it comes to the food, the locals really know how to feast, be it a simple pizza or a sophisticated European meal that you desire. At the end of the day, Rome offers everything one could desire from a tourist destination, and more.

Rome Money Saving Tips

Money Saving Tips

Best Period to Visit Rome

Best Period to Visit Rome

Accomodation Tips for Rome

Accomodation Tips

Getting Around Rome

Getting Around Rome

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Rome

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Rome

Other Things to See and Do

Other Things to See and Do

Money Saving Tips

Book the flight and hotel in advance

An easy way to save some money right from the get-go is to book the flight online a couple weeks back when the prices are substantially lower. You might also want to book the hotel the same way to make sure there are free spaces, as Rome is often swarmed by tourists, especially during the summer months.

Check if you’re eligible for free entrances

There are many monuments and museums in Rome which grant free entry for specific groups of people. If you are under the age of eighteen or over the age of sixty-five, have a disability, are a journalist or a professor or student of architecture, archeology, art history or fine arts, you might have the right to enter for free.

Visit the museums on Sundays

If you do not qualify for a free entry or forgot to book in advance, you may always come to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel on Sunday, as that’s when they are free. Just make sure to come early, as the lines to both attractions are immeasurably longer than during the week.

Check for discounts

If you’re a student between the age of 18 and 25, you are eligible, in most cases, for a discount when buying tickets to the major attractions in Rome. Just make sure to take your student card with you as you will be asked to show it on entry, and make sure it is valid for the whole length of your vacation.

Get the Roma Pass

The Roma Pass was specifically designed for foreigners over twenty-five and under sixty-five years old and allows you free access to two museums, many archeological sites, and discounts for almost all of the Rome’s attractions.

Save on food

If you plan to eat out every day of the stay, it might and will cost you a lot of money, especially on holidays and during the tourist season. You might prefer to prepare food yourself or look for parlors which sell pizza by weight, which is quite a bit cheaper. Paninis are also a good choice and are very cheap.

Do not use public transport

Public transport in Rome is quite expensive so you might prefer to walk on foot around the main part of the city unless you’re going far away from the heart of the city. If you absolutely have to use commute, the Roma Pass also provides a couple of discounts on the metro, which is the fastest way to travel around.

Always carry a water bottle

During summer the weather in Rome is exceptionally hot, reaching temperatures that are far above comfortable for most people. Vendors tend to exploit that and sell bottled water very expensively, but if you carry your own bottle or canteen, you can fill it up at any public water outlet free of charge every day.

Avoid pubs and restaurants near tourist attractions

Places in the near vicinity of museums and monuments tend to have over-inflated prices with really average quality so you might prefer to stay away from those. Instead, look on the internet or ask the staff at your hotel for tips on where to eat a quality meal at a reasonable price and you are sure to find something that suits you.

Stand up while drinking coffee at the bar

Sitting down feels like a natural way to drink coffee in a café, but in Rome, it will cost you another five euros to an already expensive cup of cappuccino or espresso. Standing at the bar not only saves you money, but also lets you blend with the locals and feel the genuine Italian atmosphere.

Best Period to Visit Rome

Tourism

Rome is wonderful, but a bit crowdy. Those of you who prefer to explore alone should consider visiting it between October and April, as that’s when the crowds dissipate, and the prices get lowered. May and September are when there is a moderate amount of tourists and warm weather, while June, July, and August are when the city is swarmed.

Weather

Rome is warm throughout the year, with temperature hardly ever dipping below freezing. It is the hottest from June to August, with around 31 °C high. It gets colder from November till April, with around 3 °C low.

Money

The most expensive season in Rome lasts from June to August. May and September are somewhat cheaper but don’t count on any stunning discounts. From November to April, you can expect substantial savings on accommodation and food.

Events

Rome Marathon (April)
Holy Week and Easter (April)
International Horse Show (May)
International Literature Festival (May-June)
Cosmophonies (June-July)
Festa di Noantri (July)
Rock in Roma (July)
Piazza Navona Christmas Market (November-January)
Christmas Blessing of the Pope (December)

Accomodation Tips

Apartments

Short-term rental of apartments in Rome may not only be a more convenient, but also a cheaper alternative to staying in a hotel. Especially bigger families should consider this form of accommodation in Rome, as apartments offer a higher degree of privacy and convenience.

Budget (1-2 star) hotels

Budget hotels in Rome are usually located further away from the centre, but given that the city isn’t all that big, and exploring it on foot is a real pleasure, it’s not that bad. Prices of 2-star and 3-star hotels in Rome start around €30 and reach about €60.

Standard (3-4 star) hotels

It’s good to book a 3- or 4-star hotel in Rome well in advance, especially if you plan on visiting the city during the peak season. Such hotels are conveniently located close to the most popular attractions of Rome and cost anywhere between €60 and €200.

Luxury hotels in Rome

If you’re interested in nothing but the finest service and the best location, then Rome offers a wide choice of luxury hotels. From Palazzo Manfredi overlooking the Colosseum to the seaside La Posta Vecchia, luxury hotels in Rome leave nothing to be desired. The prices for these hotels start around €250 and reach about €1000 per night.

Getting Around Rome

Bicycle

While it may seem like a good idea to get around the centre of a large city by bicycle, Rome is one of those towns in which it might be a better idea to think of another way. While on the outskirts of Rome you will surely find some places with sufficient infrastructure for riding a bike, the centre of Rome is rather unfriendly when it comes to cyclists: the terrain is uneven, and the cobblestone roads make it easy to lose your balance and crash. Moreover, the traffic in the centre of Rome is so terrible, that you will be stuck in jams anyway.
If you're planning to go cycling in a park, specific bus and tram routes allow for bike transport. The metro also allows it on weekends and during the week from 5.30 a.m. to 7 a.m., from 10 .a.m. to 12 .p.m., and from 8 p.m. until the last route.
The train to Lido di Ostia, the neighborhood of Rome which is situated near the ancient port of the city, accepts bikes aboard on Saturdays and Sundays for the whole day, and during the week from the first route to 12.30 p.m., and later on from 8 p.m. to the last route. Keep in mind that an additional ticket will be required if you are to have your bike on the train.
When riding by a regional train, make sure to look for small bike icons on the timetable, which mark the trains that allow bike transport. A separate ticket is required for the bike and costs €3.50.
There is also a handful of rentals which provide bikes if you have not brought one with you on the trip, and these generally cost from about €5 per hour to around €20 a day.

Bus

A good way to get around the city of Rome is to take a bus, which is both money and time-saving. The main bus station of the city is located in front of Stazione Termini, which in itself is placed on Piazza dei Cinquecento. A couple of information kiosks are also placed amidst the bus station, which will provide you with the information required to move around the city effectively.
The buses generally start their service from 5.30 a.m. and last all the way up to midnight, and there are even some night buses which will get you from place to place during the night. Do not be afraid if you don’t manage to leave your pub or club before midnight, as the night bus service has more than twenty-five lines of buses, all of them marked with an “n” before their number and a picture of a blue owl on bus stops.
Keep in mind that the night buses have more delay between departures, generally ranging from fifteen to thirty minutes, but it is possible that you will have to wait even more, depending on the specific line and eventual traffic problems.
The two most useful lines of the night bus service are the n1 and n2, which follow the two metro lines, A and B, respectively. As such, they can easily get you quickly across the town. There is also the n7 line, which follows some central spots in the city, such as the Piazzale Clodio, Corso del Rinascimento, Largo di Torre Argentina and Stazione Termini.

Car

It is ill-advised to drive around the centre of Rome by car, as the traffic jams can easily slow you down and even stop you entirely for a couple of hours. If you have a scooter or a motorbike, it goes somewhat smoother, but the place is still quite demanding regarding the driver’s skills.
The centre of Rome is also closed to traffic from 6.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. There are also some evening restrictions in certain parts of the Rome, such as Trastevere or Testaccio, and are in place generally between 9.30 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, but also on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the summer.

Metro

Being the most efficient when it comes to the time of travel, metro is generally the most recommended option for traveling around the city of Rome. The city itself has two main metro lines, A and B, which are respectively marked with orange and blue colors. Both of the lines cross at Termini, which is the most used transportation hub in the city.
There are also two secondary lines of the metro in the city. B1, which cruises in the north of Rome, and C, which travels through most of the southern part of the town.
Metro functions from 5.30 a.m. through 11.30 p.m., and even longer on Fridays and Saturdays.
Most of the stations have wheelchair access as well as lifts, including all of the line B stations (except Colosseo, Cavour, Circo Massimo) and two stations on line A – Cipro and Termini.

Tickets & Passes

• Day passes – a relatively well-priced way to get around using the public transport is to get a day pass. These passes are 24h, 48h, and 72h, and cost respectively €7, €12.50 and €18.
• BIT – If you're in a hurry or need to take an unexpected bus, tram or metro, the BIT is a good way to go. It is a single ticket which is valid for 100 minutes and can be used on every public transport. It costs €1.50, but keep in mind that it can only take you along a single metro line.
• The Roma Pass – Being the best value choice for tourists, the Roma Pass allows you not only to visit some attractions for free and skip the lines or get a discount in the others, but will also give you a two- or three-day travel pass, which is valid for bus, trams, and metro alike.

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Rome

The Vatican Museums

A premium visit to the Vatican Museums may be a bit pricey but is definitely worth it, as it allows you to skip the line, which can last for hours, and provides a guided tour of places such as Raphael's Room. There are options for a live guided tour and also for headset-prepared audio guides, which allow you to go at your own pace.

Sistine Chapel VIP tour

This three-hour long tour of the Sistine Chapel allows you to enter without waiting in a line and provides an exclusive entrance for your group only. The trip takes you along the hidden corridors and secret rooms of the Chapel and provides a guide, which under normal circumstances is forbidden as you need to remain quiet.

The Colosseum

Standing in the queue during the hot months of the year in Rome is not only uncomfortable but also dangerous, as you might get a heat stroke. This skip-the-line guided tour of the Rome's most renowned attraction site provides a half-day walking trip around the two-thousand years old monument of Ancient Rome.

Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius trip

An all-day guided trip which takes you around the outskirts of Rome and shows you the ancient city of Pompeii, as well as a hike to the summit of Mount Vesuvius with a well-oriented guide who will show you the correct way. Entrance fees are included in the price of the trip, and free history lessons from the guide are a nice bonus.

Palatine Hill guided tour

Palatine Hill, once the centre of both the political and religious life of Ancient Rome, features many amazing monuments, including the Arch of Septimius Severus, Temple of Saturn, House of the Vestals and Arch of Titus. This guided tour takes you through all of those and provides commentary on the history of the monuments.

Venice City sightseeing tour

This trip comes in two variants: 24-hour and 48-hour with a hop-on-hop-off boat tour around the Venice itself. The tour allows you to visit Venice and wander around at your own pace with guaranteed access to fast boats which take you around the city, circling places such as Murano Island, Venice Lido or Piazza San Marco.

Angels and Demons half-day tour

A tour which takes you around the iconic spots and moments of Dan Brown’s famous novel Angels and Demons. The tour explores many of the sites mentioned in the book, showcasing the statues of Bernini and many ancient churches. The ticket includes a knowledgeable guide as well as a free entry to the Castel Sant’Angelo.

St Sebastian Catacombs

This three-hour long walking tour of the catacombs of St Sebastian takes you along the ancient Roman road – Via Appia. Along the way, you visit the Basilica of St Sebastian, where you delve deep underground to explore its catacombs. A guide is included to tell you about the history of the ancient Christian burial chambers and their importance.

I Virtuosi dell'Opera di Roma: La Traviata

This one is a must-see for opera and theater enthusiasts which come to Rome for the first time. This two-and-a-half-hour-long concert allows you to enjoy Giuseppe Verdi’s most renown opera La Traviata, performed by the famous Virtuosi dell’Opera di Roma, which takes place in the gorgeous Salone Margherita Theatre.

Roma’s Stadio Olimpico

An attraction perfectly fitting sports fans who come to Rome during the season of football matchups. Take a seat in the biggest stadium in Rome and watch a game with an included gourmet buffet and an open bar. You also get the best view possible inside of the Tribuna d'Onore VIP section, and after the match, you get a complimentary football scarf.

Other Things to See and Do

Chiesa di San Pietro in Vincoli

Take a trip around the Chiesa di San Pietro, located in Vincoli, which holds a grand monument of Moses sculpted by Michelangelo himself. The muscular statue is located in the star turn of the fifth-century church. The church also holds the chains of St Peter, which he supposedly wore during his captivity.

Arco degli Acetari

Take a walk through the famous arch in the city of Rome, which is called the vinegar maker's arch. The arch appears to be constantly under construction, but if you take a route around the wheelbarrows and bags of cement, you will find yourself in an internal courtyard, which is the place of the best vinegar makes in Rome for centuries.

Trevi Fountain

If you believe in such things, according to a legend throwing a coin down the Trevi Fountain will make sure you get back safely on the trip back from Rome. Take a photo while chucking the coin behind your back, with the gorgeous fountain decorated with numerous ancient sculptured lurking in the background.

Via Margutta

Via Margutta, located in the centre of Rome near Piazza del Popolo, is a narrow street which was originally the home of many craftsmen and their workshops, as well as a few stables. Now the street hosts a variety of art galleries and fashionable restaurants, which are all worth seeing while in the vicinity.

Take a stroll around Villa Borghese

This park is one of the Rome’s most famous strips of terrain, with a plethora of shaded walkways which are a blessing in the summer. The park is home to many picturesque temples which are stylised to resemble ruins, with their array of sculptures and copies of other monuments, such as the Arch of Septimius Severus.

The Pantheon

For more than a thousand and eight-hundred years the Pantheon was the biggest tribute to the ancient gods of Romans. This greatest living artifact of the Rome’s ancient culture is standing in the Piazza della Rotonda, and you can admire its granite columns and unreinforced concrete dome from Monday to Sunday for free.

The Roman Forum

This spot was probably the most important place in the Ancient Rome, acting as the main centre for all political activities, such as public speeches of philosophers, elections, trials, and even gladiator matches. The Roman Forum is decorated with numerous sculptures of Rome's most important individuals and can be visited free of charge.

Trastevere

Take a stroll by the Tiber river through Trastevere, the charming medieval district with a vibrant nightlife. Trastevere is a former working-class district and provides a sight worth seeing with its labyrinth-like streets and glittering mosaics. In the evening, tens of bars and clubs open up to the public, providing a place to spend your time.

Cimitero Acattolico

This non-catholic cemetery of Rome is also often referred to as the Protestant Cemetery, placed in the region of Testaccio. It is home to many famous personas after their demise, mostly from the United Kingdom, and as such holds the graves of famous English poets – John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Museo Storico della Liberazione

Take a history lesson on the times of the Second World War and see for yourself the effect of Nazi occupation in Rome. This museum will chill your spine and allow you to visit the old SS headquarters of the city, located at Via Tasso, which was once used to torture captured members of the Italian Resistance.

Chiesa di Santa Prassede

This easy-to-miss titular church is a minor basilica in Rome, located near the papal basilica of Saint Mary Major. The church was commissioned to be built around the year 780 and was built on top of a fifth-century structure. The church is most famous for its gorgeous mosaics, depicting Jesus, St Peter and St Paul.

Take a part in passeggiata

If you have a free evening while visiting Rome, make sure to pay a visit to the Via del Corso and join the locals in their early-evening stroll around the streets of Rome. The tradition is to slowly walk through the main streets of the city, making for a perfect opportunity to show off new and stylish clothes to the public.

Campo de' Fiori

The name of this square means "a field of flowers," and is located to the south of Piazza Navona in Rome. The name of the square dates back to the Middle Ages when it was just a meadow filled with various flowers. Now the square hosts a daily market, placed around the monument of the philosopher Giordano Bruno at the centre.

Quartiere Coppedè

Make sure to pay a visit to the Quarterie Coppedè, a neighborhood that stands in contrast to the serious and sophisticated sights of Rome. The neighborhood is filled with various turreted villas, fairy-tale towers, gargoyles and many more, providing an Art Nouveau vibe to this little district of the city of Rome.

Largo di Torre Argentina

This square, located in the Campus Martius, holds four Roman Republican Temples and the remains of Pompey's Theatre. Part of the square was reconstructed in 1909, which demolished the zone of Torre Argentina, but during that time a large marble statue was discovered. It is also the place of Julius Caesar's assassination.

Estate Romana

Holding a variety of different late-night museums and book fairs, Estate Romana is definitely a place to see for culture enthusiasts. The place also holds many event stages during the summer months, ranging from concerts and dance performances to theatre pieces, some of which are free for the public to see.

Piazza del Campidoglio

The symmetry of this renowned square is famous even outside of the city of Rome. Michelangelo designed the square with care, placing a mosaic-like pattern around the street. The middle of the square is fitted with a large statue and is located on a hill once dedicated to the glory of the god Saturn.

Trajan’s Column

If you’re visiting the Imperial Forums, take a detour to see the marvelous ancient landmark which is the Trajan’s Column. The column depicts the military campaigns of Trajan and honors his victory in the Dacian Wars. The column was most probably constructed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus and was completed in 113.

All state museums

There is plenty of state museums to visit in Rome, and while they are generally paid to visit, there is a brief moment where anyone can take a trip without any cost. If you come to one of the museums on the first Sunday of the month, you will be eligible for a free tour, but mind to come early since the lines are long.

The Jewish Ghetto

Nowadays this famous ghetto is filled with small vintage shops, artisan studios, bakeries and small restaurants, all worked by Jewish people of Rome. The ghetto was established in 1555 in the Rione Sant’Angelo, and its life was of severe poverty, due to restrictions and limitations placed on its people by the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the best hotels for Rome city break?

    Our list of the best hotels in Rome are: Rome Cavalieri A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Radisson Blu Es Hotel Roma, Palazzo Naiadi The Dedica Anthology Autograph Collection, Grand Hotel Plaza and Hotel Raphael - Relais & Chateaux. Discover the full list of best hotels in Rome.

  • What are the luxury hotels in Rome?

    The finest examples of luxury hotels in Rome include Aldrovandi Villa Borghese - The Leading Hotels of the World, The Westin Excelsior Rome, Hotel Majestic Roma, Gran Melia Rome, Hotel Homs, Ambasciatori Palace Hotel and Grand Hotel De La Minerve. Discover the full list of luxury hotels in Rome.

  • What are the cheap hotels in Rome?

    Those trying to visit Rome on a tight budget will find everything they need in hotels such as Hotel Nord Nuova Roma, Piazza di Spagna Suite de Charme, Hotel Cinquantatre, Hotel Contilia, Hotel des Artistes, Hotel Raffaello Rome and Hotel California Rome. Discover the full list of Cheap hotels in Rome.

  • What is the best period to visit Rome for a city break?

    Taking factors such as weather, crowds and prices, the best months to visit Rome for a city break are April, May, July and August.

  • What are top 5 things to see and do in Rome?

    Rome offers plenty of exciting attractions and things to do. Must-sees in Rome include: The Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel VIP tour, The Colosseum, Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius trip and Palatine Hill guided tour.

  • How much does an Rome city pass cost?

    A city pass in Rome costs around €56.

  • How much does public transport in Rome cost?

    24-hour ticket for public transport in Rome costs around €7.

  • What are the best night clubs in Rome?

    The best night clubs in Rome include: Akab, Le Mura, Shari Vari, La Cabala and Goa.

  • What are the best bars in Rome?

    Judging on the reviews and customer opinions, the best bars in Rome are: Bar Necci, Bar del Fico, Enoteca Carso, Cul de Sac and L'Oasi della Birra.

  • What are the best places to eat in Rome?

    Your choice of the best restaurants in Rome may vary depending on your taste, however, Cesare al Casaletto, Otaleg, Pizzarium and Panificio Bonci are some of the most popular choices.

  • What are the top 5 best restaurants in Rome?

    Top 5 restaurants in Rome include: L'Osteria di Birra del Borgo Roma, Antico Arco, Litro, Mostò and Il Goccetto.