or learn which food to try and souvenirs to buy on your next trip to Europe
Rome travel guide
Guide me through rome
Former caput mundi (capital of the world), Italy’s charismatic capital is a mix of ancient ruins, churches packed with masterpieces, awe-inspiring art, lively piazzas, vibrant street life, and Roman feasting that goes beyond traditional Carbonara. You could spend an eternity exploring Rome – so grab your guide and let’s go!
Not yet sure where to travel after Rome?
Rome Top 5
Colosseum
Trevi Fountain
Trastevere
Villa Borghese and Borghese Gardens
The hills. Gianicolo Hill, Capitoline Hill, and Aventine Hill for spectacular views
Best things to do in Rome
The Highlights
Like other world-famous European capitals with a long and exciting history, Rome is jam-packed with things to see and do. And so it happens that you will see the most iconic attractions without even seeking them out while passing some infamous gems on your way as well. Therefore, it’s wise to set your priorities beforehand and make a choice of things you don’t want to miss out on – just according to your interests.
Here I have created a small collection of attractions from which you can choose. If you are in Rome for the first time and would rather be guided, check out the 72 Hours in Rome section – and let’s start the adventure!
Special things to see in Rome
Rome's Sights
Top 5 • Highlights • Delicacies • Travel Tips • On a Budget • Transportation • Itinerary
Ancient Rome / Ruins
- Colosseum
- Forum Romanum
- Palatine Hill
- Pantheon
- Arch of Constantine
Churches
- St. Peter’s Basilica (come at 7 am to avoid the crowds)
- Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
- Church of San Giovanni in Laterano
- Church of Saint Peter in Chains (Chiesa di San Pietro Invincoli)
- Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura
- Basilica de Santa Maria de Popolo
- Basilica de San Clemente
- Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola
- Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi
- Basilica di Sant’Agnese Fuori le Mura & Mausoleo di Santa Costanza
- Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere
Museums
- Galleria Borghese
- The Vatican Museum & The Sistine Chapel Museo
- Nazionale Castel Sant’Angelo
- Capitoline Museum
- National Museum of Rome
- National Gallery of Modern Art
- Galleria Doria Pamphilj / Palazzo Pamphilj
Viewpoints
- Capitoline Hill
- Gianicolo Hill
- Aventine Hill
Piazzas and Monuments
- Vittorio Emanuele II Monument & Piazza Venezia
- Piazza Navona
- Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
- Trevi Fountain
- Piazza di Spagna & Spanish Steps
- Piazza del Popolo
Others
- Castle Sant’Angelo
- Catacombe di San Callisto
- Trastevere Neighborhood
- Tiber Island
- Borghese Gardens
- Mercato Centrale Food Hall
- Campo de’Fiori Market
- Via Appia Antica
- Terme di Caracalla
- Villa Medici
- Palazzo Farnese
- Boca della Verita & Circo Massimo
Best food to try in Rome
Local Delicacies
When it comes to food, Romans truly know how to dine. Try Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe (pasta dish with cheese and pepper), a traditional Carbonara (pasta dish made from egg, cheese, pork cheek, and pepper), Supplì (fried and stuffed rice balls), Bucatini all’amatriciana (pasta dish made from tomato sauce, pork cheek, pecorino cheese), Carciofi alla Giudìa (fried artichokes, available during the spring season) and of course Italian classics like pizza, gelato, and espresso.
When dining in a restaurant, pass on the bread to avoid charging you extra for it and ask for tap water instead of bottled water.
Best travel tips for Rome
Useful travel tips
Top 5 • Highlights • Rome’s Sights • Delicacies • On a Budget • Transportation • Itinerary
To get the most out of your trip to Rome, I have put together a few recommendations to make your trip unforgettable.
Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans and learn about Rome’s centuries-old history on one of the many free walking tours on offer.
Don’t miss a visit to the Aventine Hill with its orange trees and a view through Rome’s most famous keyhole.
Watch the sunset from Piazza del Campidoglio and stroll over the bridges of the Tiber and along Castel Sant’Angelo when the sun has set. Don’t miss out on exploring Rome at night – it lights up spectacularly.
Whenever your time allows, drop by a church on your way. They’re like free mini museums and especially elaborate in Rome – just make sure to wear appropriate clothes.
Are you looking for taking more Instagram-worthy pictures? Via della Pace is one of the city’s most photogenic streets.
Rome is a walkable city, but make a plan for which attractions you want to visit and where they are – otherwise your feet will kill you at the end of the day. Sort your must-sees by neighborhood, priority, and time (prebooked tickets, opening hours, sunset).
Last but not least, watch out for pickpockets around Rome’s main attractions, and don’t be ripped off by buying (skip-the-line) tickets from unofficial ticket sellers.
Best budget travel advice for Rome
Rome On a budget
Top 5 • Highlights • Rome’s sights • Delicacies • Travel Tips • Transportation • Itinerary
- Bring a bottle and refill your drinking water. There are fountains all over the city with potable water.
- Get a tourist card or Roma pass if it suits you. Buying one of Rome’s many budget cards such as the Roma Pass, Archeologia card or the Biglietto 4 Musei (Four Museum Combination Ticket) can pay off if you plan on visiting a lot of sights
- Don’t eat in the restaurants and cafes in Centro Storico.
- Have a picnic in Borghese Gardens.
- Treat yourself to gelato, a wine, or a snack, and enjoy sitting on the Spanish Steps.
- Lunch menus are often cheaper than dinner in a restaurant. Paninis or Pizza are great snacks that can be stored in your backpack to take with you.
- Visit Rome’s churches, most of them are free of charge!
- Some sights can be enjoyed from the outside without paying an entrance fee, such as the Colosseum and the Forum Romanum.
- Sit on Piazza Navona, do some people-watching, and marvel at Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi.
- Stroll through the center and find Via della Pace – one of Rome’s most picturesque streets.
- Soak in the panorama of Rome’s viewpoints, such as Gianicolo Hill, Capitoline Hill, and Aventine Hill. Don’t forget to spy through the Aventine keyhole to see St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Visit the Pantheon! One of Rome’s highlights is free of charge.
- Stay in a hostel, Airbnb, or cheap hotel outside the city center.
Transportation tips for Rome
Transportation
Top 5 • Highlights • Rome’s Sights • Delicacies • Travel Tips • On a budget • Itinerary
Would you like to give your feet a break? Use Rome’s public transport system including buses, trams, trolleys, and the metro. The metro is your fastest option and you can pick up tickets from tobacco shops, newsstands, and vending machines at the stations. Buses are quite slow due to the constant traffic jams in Rome.
For money savers: Get a Roma Pass (full access to public transportation, admission to two museums, and discounts) if you’re in town for at least 72 hours and an active tourist. Another option is a three-day tourist pass for public transport if you’re planning to be using the transport system a lot.
How to spend 72 hours in Rome
72 hours in Rome
Day 1
- Start your day the Italian way with an espresso.
- Join a free walking tour to learn about Rome’s rich history.
- Get lost in Centro Storico and toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain.
- Hang out at Piazza Novana for people-watching and marvel at Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi.
- Visit the Pantheon.
- End your day with an afternoon walk and dinner in Trastevere.
Day 2
- Start your day early at 9 am in ‚Ancient Rome‘. Visit the Forum Romanum and walk the historic streets as Julius Ceasar once did.
- Climb up on Palatine Hill to see the ruins of the imperial palaces.
- Visit the Colosseum (from outside or inside) and the Arch of Constantine.
- Go to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.
- Relax at Borghese Gardens near the Asklepios Temple and lake.
- Explore Villa Borghese.
- Sit on the Spanish Steps and treat yourself to a gelato.
- Go to Castel Sant’Angelo
- Take in the views from the bridges above the Tiber when the sun sets. There are great options for food and cocktails along the river.
Day 3
Get up early and visit the Vatican. Start with St. Peter’s Basilica & St. Peter’s Square followed by the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Option 1:
Be your guide and do what you want. In the evening, climb up to Gianicolo Hill to enjoy the sunset and great views of Rome.
Option 2:
- Take the metro to Catacombe di San Callisto. Explore the catacombs.
- Take the metro to Cerchi/Bocca della Verrita and dare to hold your hand into the sculpture’s mouth.
- Walk to Giardino degli Aranci and spy through the Aventine Keyhole. Spent time in the area during sunset for some great panoramas of Rome.
- Grab dinner in nearby Trastevere.