Bella di Roma! I can still smell the fresh pasta dough and hear the hustle and bustle that surrounds the Fontana Di Trevi. Rome is a city that holds a very special place in my heart as I lived there on and off for over two years. Having the great fortune to explore this ancient and absolutely magnificent city as a local and a tourist is something that I will forever be grateful for, so if you’re asking if I would recommend Rome for a city break, a long holiday, a university exchange, then the answer is yes, yes and YES.
The Eternal City is so much more than its stereotypes – although it is also everything people imagine it to be and so much more. Packed with history and restored ruins, Rome offers a glimpse into the days of the great Roman Empire, but if you’re also looking for sunshine, delicious hearty food, shopping, and a place that just oozes romance from every corner, then get booking!
Here are our top 10 things to do and see when in Rome, along with a few handy tips that I picked up whilst living in this glorious city as a local.
1. The Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Ancient Roma at its very best, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill are located in the same archaeological area, and lucky for tourists, they count as one admission with visitors given the option to walk freely between the two attractions. Your entrance ticket also gives you entrance to the Colosseum and is valid for 2 days covering all three attractions.
Originally a marsh, the Romans drained the area and turned it into a centre of political and social activity. The Forum was once the marketplace of Rome and also the business district and civic centre, making it an absolute must-visit for any history boffins or those really wanting to immerse themselves into Roman history.
Handy Tips!
– The ticket kiosk at the Colosseum has by far the longest queues whereas the ticket gate for the Palatine Hill entrance often has no queues at all – so be sure to start your day here!
– The standard admission ticket covers all three monuments, The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
– You can order tickets in advance and avoid the queues, although there are small booking fees.
– There is very little information displayed on-site, so be sure to bring a good guidebook, rent an audio guide, or join a tour.
2. Appia Antica
Appia Antica is definitely one for those who enjoy nature and being in the outdoors as it’s one of the very best ways to enjoy the beautiful Roman weather whilst feeling like you’ve taken a step back in time.
Otherwise known as The Appian Way, it was once Europe’s first highway and remains one of Rome’s best attractions, without a complete tourist minefield.
Handy Tips!
– The best day to visit is definitely a Sunday when the entire park is closed off to traffic.
– We highly recommend packing a picnic or renting a bike to get the most out of the ancient Appian Way.
– There aren’t many convenience stores nearby and if you’re visiting during the Summer, the days can be long and hot, so make sure to keep hydrated by pre-purchasing beverages to enjoy on your walk.
3. Tivoli Gardens
If you grew up watching The Lizzie McGuire Movie on repeat, as I did, then you’ll want to make time to visit the jaw-dropping Tivoli Gardens -it’s every bit as romantic as it looks on the big screen.
Villa d’Este, a masterpiece of the Italian Garden, is included in the UNESCO world heritage list and features an impressive concentration of fountains, nymphs, grottoes, plays of water, and music, it constitutes a much-copied model for European gardens in the mannerist and baroque styles.
Villa d’Este is easily reachable in the following ways:
Taking the blue regional COTRAL bus Roma Tivoli-Via Prenestina at the bus terminal just outside Ponte Mammolo station of metro line B; the stop Largo Nazioni Unite is about 100m far from the entrance of the Villa.
Taking the urban train line FL2 from Tiburtina station to Tivoli station, then, local bus CAT number 1 or 4/ to Piazza Garibaldi stop; the stop is in Tivoli’s main square in front of the Villa.
4. Trastevere
Take a trip across the Tiber river to Trastevere, Rome’s picturesque and charming medieval cobblestoned neighbourhood. A stroll around Trastevere, a formerly working-class district with a heady nightlife, will take you away from the crowds to the hidden corners of Rome.
And what else are you going to do when in Rome but eat, eat, eat?! One of the best parts about visiting Trastevere is the amazing array of food choices that are available – from pizzerias, to traditional corner-street cafès and incredible old school Trattorias.
Handy Tips!
- Getting there: Trastevere is walkable from the city centre; alternatively, you can take tram number 8 to Viale Trastevere.
- Sunday shopping: Porta Portese’s enormous Sunday flea market sells everything from antiques to clothes – prepare to bargain hard!
5. Colosseo
By far, the main icon of Rome and the city’s most famous classical ruin – the colosseum is absolutely unmissable, so grand and beautiful, it still somewhat takes my breath away every single time I see it.
The massive arena was inaugurated in 80 AD, and seated well over 50,000: from emperors to aristocrats. Some 5,000 wild beasts were killed for the gory opening event and by the time the last man vs beast fights took place in 523, the wild animal population of North Africa had been decimated.
The ticket office queues at the Colosseum can be eye-popping, so be sure to purchase your tickets at the much quieter Palatine Hill entrance, and during high season, try to prebook your ticket online.
6. Pantheon
The building with the hole in the ceiling – oh no, The Pantheon is so much more than that! The Pantheon is the best-preserved ancient building in Rome. It was built by Hadrian in AD 119-128 and so stunning that the great Michelangelo felt it was the work of angels, not of men.
Today, thousands of tourists flock to take a look inside the grand interior and the architecture. You can pay a visit to The Pantheon in less than 20 minutes, and most people tend to spend less than 10 minutes on their visit.
If you’re short on time, then definitely pop in as it won’t take up too much of your time in the evening, before you find a restaurant to eat in nearby.
The Pantheon is open to the public daily and with the added benefit of no admission charge or security screening. Aside from Sunday, standard opening time is 8:30 a.m and closing time 7:30 p.m. The Pantheon is closed on some national holidays and if a mass is taking place.
7. The Vatican & Vatican City
You will never see another place that looks like or that rivals Vatican City. The two major attractions that most visitors come to see within the Vatican City are the Vatican Museums & St Peter’s Basilica, but with so much to explore, make sure you set aside at least half a day for wandering.
Handy Tips!
– Do not take a backpack with you as you will need to check this in upon entering any of the major museums, which can be a waste of good exploring/pasta and gelato-eating time.
– If you are visiting first thing in the morning, make sure you bring smaller notes with you as the Vatican often cannot make change for large euros early in the morning.
– I have always found it a better use of time to visit the Vatican before St Peter’s Basilica. By visiting St Peter’s Basilica second, you will find yourself closer to the historic city upon finishing attractions.
8. Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is without a doubt one of my favourite squares in the whole world – packed with beauty everywhere you look, this gem is like something straight out of a romantic novel.
A vibrant place where both locals and tourists hang out; you’ll find artists gathering in the square to paint, street entertainers and vendors selling souvenirs of all sorts. At night the square is filled with people but if you want to really appreciate the beauty of the piazza, I would highly recommend visiting early morning to avoid the hoards of tourists.
If you fancy treating yourself to a sweet treat, then head to Tre Scalini on Piazza Navona for it’s famous Tartufo dessert, a rich handmade chocolate ice cream roll. If you don’t want to splurge on the costly outdoor seating then you can get the Tartufo to go, for half the price!
9. Trevi Fountain
The ultimate Lizzie McGuire attraction to check off your list, The Trevi Fountain! Make sure you throw three coins into this outstanding fountain before you leave Roma, with superstitious benefits ranging from finding love to returning to the city.
As you can imagine, at a normal non-covid time, the Fontana Di Trevi is extremely busy and with the most popular attractions, you’re best to visit first thing in the morning or late in the evening, so you don’t have to elbow too many people out of the way to gawk at the Baroque masterpiece, showing the God of Neptune riding in a shell-shaped chariot led by seahorses – elaborate, right?
Handy Tip! I love to pack a little picnic, pick up a takeaway lunch, or even a little gelato from a nearby cafe to enjoy next to the fountain.
10. Spanish Steps
Last but by no means least – a magnet to visitors from all around the world since the 18th century and known to be the longest and widest staircase in all of Europe, The Spanish Steps is the perfect place to take a break from all of that walking to watch the city go by as locals and tourists stroll in and out of nearby high-end shops, designer boutiques and restaurants.
A Barcaccia fountain, another magnificent piece of work by Pietro Bernini bubbles at the foot of the Spanish steps while the Trinita dei Monti church rises above the crowds at the top of the steps.
Tip! The steps might seem like the perfect place to bring out a tasty snack or sandwich – don’t do this as you’ll get a stern telling off for food is strictly prohibited on the Piazza Di Spagna!
KeiKei is a London-based award-winning journalist and videographer with a degree in Broadcast Media and Journalism from the University of the West of Scotland and an extensive reporting background in news, entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
KeiKei has travelled the globe interviewing, reporting and reviewing. Her work has been published in worldwide media outlets including, The New York Post, The Guardian, The Mirror, The Daily Mail, National Geographic and Conde Nast publications.
