Rome, Italy is one of the most impressive cities in the world! It is also one of the most iconic and most-traveled cities in Europe. It is often referred to as a city-museum because it really feels as if you are walking through a museum with a mixture of cultures from around the world. From archeological sites such as the Colosseum and Roman forum to incredible museums such as the Vatican or Borghese Gallery, every street, every church, every building breaths history. Rome is also a foodie’s heaven, indulge in renowned Italian cuisine and immerse yourself in the sociable aperitivo scene. It’s a city everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. It is also a great city to start your trip to Italy and is well connected to Florence, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii.
Despite its historical and cultural significance, Rome also manages to be a modern metropolis with a thriving social scene and fashionable edge. It is the third most visited city in Europe and the fourteenth worldwide. Rome attracts visitors from all over the world and is suitable for every type of traveler.
What to Expect
Language: Italian is of course spoken throughout Rome – recognized as the language of love and romance. There are a lot of English speakers around Rome as well. We suggest you get a good English-Italian guidebook and/or app on your phone and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
Climate: Situated off the Mediterranean Sea, Rome enjoys a temperate climate weather with averages of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Expect hot and sunny days in the summer and much more rainfall during the winter months.
The best time to visit Italy is during spring and fall, when temperatures are comfortable and there are fewer crowds. The scenery is vibrant, prices are lower, and the weather is ideal for exploring all the country has to offer. Read more about the Best Time to Travel to Italy!
Currency: The official currency in Italy is the Euro, since 1999.
Credit Cards are used all over Rome, especially Visa, but it’s more common to use cash for small items. As a general rule of thumb, bring a few euros in cash with you wherever you go.
In regards to the tipping culture in Rome, and Italy in general, you may leave change of a few coins after a meal or when buying a coffee, but Italians certainly don’t work to a 20% structure like we do in the U.S. Check out our guide on Tipping in Italy which covers most situations that you will encounter as a tourist.
Where to Stay: There are plenty of accommodation options in Rome. We recommend basing yourself around the area you are most interested in seeing in doing. Those visiting Rome for the first time may like to be right in the heart of the key Rome attractions. Look for hotels around the Piazza Navona or Campo de’ Fiori. Trastevere is another popular place to stay, as it’s where a lot of the restaurants are. Check out these neighborhoods to decide what area is best suited for you.
Check out our FAQ of Rome and learn more about what to expect.
Getting Around
You can get to most key places relatively easily by walking. The main forms of public transport are the metro, bus, tram and train. If you think you’ll be using public transport a lot, then it’s worth getting a 24-hour (around €7), 48-hour (around €12.50) or 72-hour (around €18) ticket, which gives you unlimited use of the metro, bus and train. For more detailed information check out getting around in Rome.
What to Eat
Food is at the heart of the Italian culture and a trip to the Eternal City wouldn’t be complete without exploring the local delicacies, costumes, traditions, and truly authentic cuisine. However, you’ll learn that “Italian food” is a bit different depending on where you are in Italy. For example, typical dishes and cultural practices actually differ quite a bit from Nothern to Southern Italy. Knowing which dishes to look out for when visiting a city is of the utmost importance since they will be better there than anywhere else.
And when visiting Rome, there is a huge number of dishes to choose from. A lot of Roman cuisine includes meat, vegetables, and pasta, while also incorporating a lot of fried foods, as well.
A significant chunk of traditional Roman cuisine eaten today originated in the Testaccio neighborhood, which was once a thriving hub for the butcher trade in this part of the country. This led to an emphasis on meat dishes.
Learn more about the cuisine in Rome and all of Italy to know more about the various geographic and cultural influences.
What to Do
Check out a sample itinerary of how to spend 3-days enjoying Rome.
The Colosseum
The Colosseum has become synonymous with Rome. It is one of the most iconic landmarks attracting over six million visitors every year. Its status is so legendary that it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. With a staggering 2,000 years of history, there is plenty to learn about this famous Roman monument. And despite how many photos you have seen of the Colosseum, it is one of the most astonishing sights to see in person.
If you plan to visit, it is strongly advised that you pre-book a ticket. The lines can sometimes take hours during peak visiting times. Book either ‘skip the line’ tickets or a guided tour. Many of the guided tours include the Colosseum along with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Trastevere
The popular neighborhood of Trastevere is home to some of the best hidden gems of Rome. With its medieval houses and winding cobblestone streets, it is wonderfully charming.
Enjoy wandering the narrow streets to find the best spots to stop for dinner or lunch. This is the beating heart of Rome’s social scene, perfect for shopping, enjoying a cup of coffee, or an ‘aperitivo’.
Highlights in Trastervere include the Piazza di Santa, that main square that sits right in the center. It is home to one of the oldest churches in Rome and oftentimes is a hangout in the evening. Also be sure to see the beautiful Basilica Santa Maria or take a hike up Colle del Gianicolo, the eighth hill of Rome.
Vatican City
The Vatican City is an independent city state ruled by the Pope with a prestigious history. It is the smallest state in Europe with a population of only 800 people surrounding only 110 acres. It is a significant religious site and the center of authority over the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican City is home to some of the world’s most infamous artistic masterpieces, especially from the Renaissance and Baroque eras.
Here you’ll find St Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest Catholic church. It is considered to be one of the holiest temples for Christendom and can accommodate a staggering 20,000 people. Visitors can climb to the top of the dome for fantastic views of St Peter’s Square. The Sistine Chapel is an unmissable attraction in the Vatican City. It is perhaps best known for the frescoes painted onto the ceiling by Michelangelo.
Piazza Novona
The public square is built on the site where the Stadium of Domitian (Circus Agonalis), founded in 86 AD, once stood. It was redesigned in the fifteenth century to the Baroque-style Piazza Navona, the most charming and popular squares in Rome. You’ll find several examples of baroque architecture and artwork, including three notable fountains: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), Fontana del Moro (Fountain of the Moor), and Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune). There are a lot of shops and restaurants surrounding Piazza as well.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps is an unusual architectural gimmick, considered one of Rome’s top attractions. The cascade of polished stone stairs majestically descends from the top of Pincian Hill right to the foot of Spanish Square (Italian: Piazza di Spagna).
This sightseeing is one of the unmatched architectural landmarks of Rome. Wide baroque steps attract thousands of visitors and serve as a leading source of inspiration to cinematographers and artists. In addition, such modern fashion houses as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Bulgari, and Dior located their boutiques within easy reach of this marvelous construction.
Popular Rome Itineraries:
- Rome – Florence – Venice By Train – our #1 Best Seller and the perfect introduction to Italy!
- Check out Rome – Florence – Venice – Milan By Train another excellent introduction package to Italy!
- Combine Italy and Greece with this customizable fantastic vacation package!
- Sample all that Italy has to offer from north to south, and take your vacation into your own hands with the convenience of a rental car!
- Combine glorious cities in Italy (Rome – Sienna – Florence – Venice By Train) with this fun vacation!
