Roma

Top Tips for Visiting Rome

Rome is a beautiful city full of incredible monuments, architectural and dozens of world-famous tourist attractions from over 3000 years of history.

Not only is Rome beautiful and historically fascinating, it also has a temperate climate which makes it the perfect rear round destination. It is no coincidence that it is one of the most loved and known Italian tourist destinations by travellers from all over the world.

 

Visit Rome Colosseo

1 - Colosseum

The Colosseum of Rome is probably the most iconic monument of the city and possibly of the entire country. The building is an undisputed symbol of the greatness of the Roman Empire.

For this reason, it is at the top of the list of things to see in Rome. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre in the world, easily accessible as it is located in the centre of the city. Moving by metro you will have to take Metro B and get off at the Colosseo stop.

Its construction dates back to 71 AD and for centuries it was the scene of bloody battles between gladiators. It was also a site of major public events, such as hunting shows of animal hunting from all regions of the Roman Empire, but also reconstructions of important battles won by the Romans or even shows based on the history of classical mythology.

 

Tips for visiting the Colosseum:

Opening times:

from the last Sunday of October to February 15 every day from 8:30 to 16:30

from February 16th to March 15th every day from 8:30 to 17:00

from the last Sunday of March to August 31 every day from 8:30 to 19:15

from 1st September to 30th September every day from 8:30 to 19:00

from 1 October to the last Sunday of October from 8:30 to 18:30

 

Tickets:

A ticket for a visit to the Colosseum also includes the possibility of visiting the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum and cost:

Full ticket: € 12.00

Reduced for teachers and students up to 24 years: € 7.50

Under 18 and over 65: Free

 

Visit Rome Trevi Fountain

2 - The Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is undoubtedly the largest and best-known fountain in Rome.

Built in marble in the Baroque style in 1732, the project was initially entrusted to the French sculptor Lambert-Sigisbert Adam. The Trevi Fountain was then completed by the Italian Giuseppe Pannini.

The Trevi Fountain celebrates the sea and at its centre there is an imposing statue of the Greek God of the seas Ocean. He is represented on a shell-shaped chariot pulled by two winged horses, shot in two diametrically opposite poses to depict the calm and stormy sea.

Over the years, the Trevi fountain has been the setting for some unforgettable films, such as the iconic Dolce Vita by Fellini.

A visit to the fountain is free and therefore does not require the purchase of any ticket and is located in Piazza di Trevi in ​​the city centre. It is an unmissable sight when visiting Rome!

 

Visit Rome Lungotevere

3 - Lungotevere

The Lungotevere di Roma is a very beautiful avenue that follows the bank of the River Tiber, the river that crosses Rome and to which many attribute the origin of Roman civilization.

Walking along the River Tiber is a pleasant and relaxing experience, which we recommend all year round but, for charm, particularly in autumn. The walk is suitable for all ages and does not present particular difficulties, but only the pleasure of discovery.

In addition to a fantastic walk along the river at different points of the Lungotevere, it is possible to take some boats that will take you to discover the city for a visit to Rome that you will not easily forget.

Tips for visiting the Lungotevere by boat:

The boats depart every day from 10:00 until 18:30, with a frequency of about 30 minutes from different piers along the river:

  • Tiber Island
  • Bridge and Castel Sant'Angelo
  • Justice palace
  • Piazza del Popolo

The boats have a panoramic platform offering you some of the Eternal City’s top sights such as:

  • Sant'Angelo castel
  • Piazza del Popolo
  • Mausoleum of Augustus

The route usually lasts between 60 and 75 minutes and the cost of a ticket is € 18 for adults and it is free for children under 10.

 

Visit Rome - Vatican Museums

4 - Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are definitely a must if you have decided to visit Rome.

The Vatican museums are in fact located in an architectural complex of incredible beauty and host works of art of inestimable value.

Inside the museums you can in fact find works dating back to the era of ancient Greece, passing through the Roman Empire to treasures from the Egyptian world and the Etruscan period.

Probably, however, the works that have made the Vatican Museums famous all over the world are the works of the very important Italian painters such as Raphael and Caravaggio plus a collection of works, studies and projects by the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, kept in the picture gallery of the Vatican Museums.

Finally, the Sistine Chapel deserves an honourable mention! The impressive work by Michelangelo is one of the most famous and enigmatic works of art in the history of art. You may need to queue to get in but it is more than worth it. Gaze up and be fascinated by the wonder of the frescoes.

Tips for visiting the Vatican Museums:

Opening times:

Monday to Saturday: 9am to 4pm

Sunday: Closed except for the last Sunday of the month, when access is free for all

 

Tickets:

Full ticket: € 16.00

Reduced ticket: € 8.00

Discounted ticket for students: € 4.00

 

Visit Rome St Peter's Basilica

5 - St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica is another of the symbols of the city of Rome with its famous dome visible from almost the whole city.

The basilica of San Pietro is the result of the work of two of the greatest Italian artists of all time, namely Michelangelo, the author of the project for the basilica, and Bernini who took care of the colonnade of the square.

In addition to being the symbol of the city, St. Peter's Basilica, is part of the smallest state in the world. The Vatican City is also the emblem of the Christian religion and for this reason it attracts the faithful from all over the globe who visit Rome to attend the pope's homily and numerous events related to Catholicism, which during the year take place in the most important square in Rome.

Finally, we remind you that inside St. Peter's Basilica it is possible to admire some of the most famous and important works of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque era, especially Michelangelo's Pietà.

Tips for Visiting the Vatican Museums:

Opening times:

From 1 October to 31 March from 7:00 to 18:30

From 1 April to 30 September from 7:00 to 19:00

 

Tickets:

To visit the basilica and the tombs of the Popes: Free

To visit the Dome of the Basilica: € 7.00

Tickets can also be purchased online on the official website of the Vatican Museums

 

Recommended Tours of Rome

One of the best ways to explore the Eternal City is on a tour with a local expert. There are plenty of different options to choose from whether you are looking for walking tours or even a food tour of the city. Below you will find some of our favourites! With these companies you get the most out of your time in the city.

Through Eternity Tours

With over 20 years’ experience in providing culturally engaged travel experiences in Italy and in Rome especially, Through Eternity Tours are a great choice for in-depth cultural tours of the city. Group sizes have been kept small to ensure that guests have the best possible experience with the expert English-speaking guides and the company has been recommended by Rick Steves, Pauline Frommer and Forbes Magazine! You can take a private tour of the Colosseum, a tour focussing on Caravaggio, multiple day VIP tours of Rome and even excursions outside of the city, such as to Tivoli and Ostia Antica. You will be in very capable hands with a tour from Through Eternity Tours!

The Roman Food Tour

If you are visiting Italy to experience its amazing culinary culture, then make sure to join a Roman Food Tour for an unforgettable way to explore the city. Tours are run by guides who are experts in local foods and the history of the city and you have a range of different options to choose from. You can discover Prati or Trastevere by sunset, take the Trionfale full day tour or take a wine tour at a local vineyard. Most of the tours include more than 20 different food and drink tastings and you will learn about its history, how it is made and more. The tours are recommended by Forbes Magazine, CNBC and Harpers Bazaar, so you are guaranteed a memorable experience! 

Italy4Real

For personalised custom tours of Rome, you will not find much better than the experiences offered by Italy4Real! This mother and son family business has been providing unforgettable tours of the city, Italy and much of Europe since 1995 and know exactly what they are about. You will get to explore Rome in a small group of up to 6 with your interests and budgets catered for to provide you with the best experience of the city. Italy4Real has local experts run its tours and always ensures that they are comfortable, enjoyable and informative. You can join them on a tour as part of a wider exploration of Italy or simply base yourself in Rome. Whatever part of Rome or Italy you want to discover, you can do it best with Italy4Real.

 

Where to stay in Rome

Where to stay in Rome

Choosing where to stay in Rome is no easy task.

Rome is truly a boundless metropolis, but luckily for the millions of tour operators who visit it every year, most of the tourist attractions are in the historic centre or in its immediate vicinity.

Rome has been one of the main tourist destinations in the world for centuries and for this reason there are over 20000 accommodation facilities scattered around the city.

The is therefore a wide offer available designed to satisfy every type of tourist. From the refined and elegant hotels in the historic centre to the many B&Bs or even the cheapest offer available outside the Grande Raccordo Anulare.

Each area of ​​the city has its advantages and its own unique features. You just need to decide which fits you best based on your needs and the type of stay you have in mind.

However, below we want to give you an overview of the different options available to you.

 

Spanish Steps Rome

Rome’s Neighbourhood’s

Historic Center: One of the most touristic areas and therefore one of the most sought after. Many of the main attractions are within walking distance.

Piazza di Spagna: Commercial area of ​​the city as well as one of the most elegant and refined.

Via Veneto and Piazza Barberini: among the most exclusive areas of the capital. The area is teeming with restaurants, hotels and luxury shops.

Vatican area: A few steps from St. Peter's Square, this is ideal for those looking for a quieter neighbourhood than the centre.

Termini area: Near the main train station you will also find the cheapest options in the city

Trastevere area: a more lively district recommended for lovers of nightlife

Colosseum and Monti: recommended for the historical beauty and the convenience given by excellent connections.

 

Visit the Colosseum of Rome

Best time to visit Rome

Finally, we want to leave you with some advice on the best time to visit Rome. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the city has a temperate and pleasant climate all year round meaning there is never a wrong time to plan a visit to Rome.

However, depending on the type of holiday you have in mind, it is a good idea to make a plan before leaving in order to be able to visit the city of Rome without missing a thing.

Rome attracts the most tourists during the summer, particularly in the months of July and August. If you too are one of the many tourists who decided to visit Rome in the summer, we have some useful tips for you.

 

Visiting Rome in Summer

If you are planning a visit to Rome during the summer, keep in mind that the city will be busy with tourists from all over the world and that temperatures can exceed 35 degrees.

Should you avoid Rome in the summer? No! With the right precautions and smart planning you can easily visit Rome, even in the hot summer months. Consider the tips below to enjoy your visit to Rome.

 

1 - Schedule the visit in the cooler hours

In the summer months it is particularly hot in Rome when you are directly exposed to the sun.

Pay attention to the activities you plan during the day and then schedule the most demanding visits, where you have to walk a lot, climb stairs or generally involve more movement, during the evening.

It will obviously be much cooler and you will be surprised by the number of outdoor concerts and shows that can be found everywhere in the city and throughout the region near Rome. The city is extraordinarily illuminated in the evening and has a unique charm. Another valid reason to explore Rome in the evening!

 

Visit the Roman Ruins of Ostia Italy

2 - Book a trip outside Rome

Rome does not have many urban green spaces and is mainly characterized by wide streets. The reflection of the sun can therefore make the days in Rome in the summer even hotter than they actually are.

The easiest way to escape the heat of the city? Discover the surrounding region! You will find numerous beauties to discover even outside Rome.

There are wonderful places outside the city that are worth visiting. A good example is the nearby coast which you can easily reach by train. Lido di Ostia is a welcoming and typical city of the Roman coast.

The Sacred Gardens and Castel Gandolfo are also worth a visit. Both surrounded by greenery, these attractions are a great a way to make the day much cooler, giving you a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

One of the best ways to discover Rome's surrounding is with a professional guided tour and Driver in Rome provides the perfect service! They provide tours to a host of different locations including Ostia, Castel Gandolfo, the Amalfi coast, Assisi, as well as tours in and around Rome. You will be picked up and dropped off directly at your accommodation and everything during the trip is taken care of for you. See the sights and relax at the same time with this service!

 

3 - Have lunch inside

Even if you, like most Italians, are used to eating outside in good weather, it is wise to have lunch inside during the hot summer months in Rome.

The heat also quickly reduces your appetite and diminishes your sense of taste. It would be a real shame not to fully enjoy the goodness of traditional Roman cuisine!

 

Fountain in Rome

4 - Always carry a bottle of water with you

When visiting Rome, you will find numerous drinking water fountains throughout the city.

This makes staying refreshed cheap and easy. Maps are available online with all the positions of the fountains and stands where free bottles of water are distributed to tourists.

 

All that remains for us is to wish you a pleasant trip to Rome!

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About

Hi there! 

We are Jacob and Taylor. Travel is our passion and we love sharing our experiences here at The Travelling Souk. Our hope is that you would be inspired by this little blog to try something new, embrace an adventure, and live life to the fullest. 

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