Are you planning a trip to Rome, Italy? This comprehensive travel guide has everything you need to know, from the top attractions and landmarks to the best places to eat and drink. Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of this beautiful city.
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Best Time to Visit Rome
The best time to visit Rome depends on your preferences and what you want to experience. The peak tourist season in Rome is during the summer months of June, July, and August when the weather is warm and sunny. However, this is also when the city is most crowded and prices for accommodations and attractions are higher. If you prefer to avoid the crowds and save some money, consider visiting Rome in the shoulder seasons of spring (April to June) and fall (September to October). The weather during these months is still pleasant, and you’ll have a better chance of enjoying the city’s attractions without the long lines. Winter can also be a good time to visit Rome, as the city is less crowded and you may be able to find some great deals on accommodations. Just be prepared for cooler temperatures and the possibility of rain. Ultimately, the best time to visit Rome is whenever works best for you and your travel plans!
Personally, I visited Italy in May and it was great. The weather was very warm and it was of course crowded, but not too unbearable. Rome is always going to be crowded as one of the largest cities in the world and most popular travel destinations.
Getting Around Rome
Getting around Rome is relatively easy thanks to its extensive public transportation system. The city has a comprehensive metro system, buses, trams, and taxis that can take you to all the major attractions. The metro is a convenient option for traveling longer distances, while buses and trams are great for getting around within the city center. Taxis are also readily available, but they can be more expensive. Another popular way to explore Rome is by walking, as many of the city’s attractions are within walking distance of each other. Just be prepared for the cobblestone streets and wear comfortable shoes. Overall, there are plenty of options for getting around Rome, so you can easily navigate the city and make the most of your visit.
We opted for taxis and walking to get us around. You can use Uber in Rome, however, they have partnered with local taxi companies so it’s a great way to connect you with taxi drivers. You won’t always see ratings and the other features you are used to with Uber in other countries.
Where to Stay in Rome
When it comes to finding accommodation in Rome, there are plenty of options to suit every budget and preference. If you’re looking for luxury, there are many high-end hotels located in the city center, offering luxurious amenities and stunning views. For a more budget-friendly option, there are also plenty of affordable hotels and guesthouses scattered throughout the city. Another popular choice for travelers is to stay in an Airbnb or vacation rental, which can provide a more local and authentic experience. Additionally, there are hostels available for backpackers and budget travelers. No matter where you choose to stay, it’s important to consider the location and proximity to the attractions you want to visit.
There are SO many hotels in Rome and always something new on the scene. After months of research, here is where we stayed plus more of the top places I would stay for a visit to Rome.
The Hoxton Rome
I’m a big fan of The Hoxton hotels so we were excited to checkout the brand new one that recently opened in Rome. The Hoxton Rome was perfect for our short 2 night stay in the eternal city! Since we did Amalfi on the front end of our trip and it was quite the splurge, we tried to be more economical since this would be a quick stay spending most of our time outside of the hotel.
We booked the “cosy” room type and it was quite spacious with a king bed, sitting area, closet area, and bathroom.
I love these hotels for their community spaces. The Hoxton Roma has a spacious lobby with great restaurants, cafes, and bar areas. You’ll see locals and visitors alike enjoying drinks and snacks or working throughout. The restaurant, Beverly, has the best outdoor patio to enjoy an aperitivo!
Six Senses Rome
Six Senses Rome is 100 percent where we would have stayed if splurging on this trip! This is one of my favorite hotel brands and this one just opened in 2023. We visited for lunch and loved the chic interiors and incredible food & wines. Also, the spa here looks unbelievable!!
Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese
Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese is a 5-star luxury hotel conveniently located next to Villa Borghese (massive park) and the Spanish Steps. It’s only a 10 minute walk from the Trevi Fountain.
J.K. Place Roma
J.K. Place Roma is another option I highly considered. It’s a swanky boutique hotel with only 27 rooms. Located steps from the main attractions of Rome and the River Tiber, this hotel puts you in one of the most convenient locations for walkability. It’s only a short walk to Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and even Vatican City!
Hotel Maalot
Hotel Maalot is situated between the Trevi Fountain and Colosseum which are two places you will absolutely be visiting. In fact, it’s about as close as you can get to the fountain so perfect if it’s important for you to see it super early! And on the other side, it has easy access to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. On top of the great location you can expect well appointed rooms, 5-star service, and fantastic onsite restaurant, Don Pasquale.
Rocco Forte Hotel de La Ville
Okay, I love how cute Rocco Forte Hotel De La Ville is! If you are like me and love a hotel with amazing outdoor spaces, this is IT! Book a room of relaxation with your own private terrace and dine in their inviting courtyard at Mosaico restaurant. I think this video is the best way to do it justice:
Things to Do in Rome
Rome is home to countless iconic attractions that draw millions of visitors each year. From the ancient ruins of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to the breathtaking beauty of the Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica, there is no shortage of must-see sights in Rome. Other popular attractions include the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or simply looking to soak up the atmosphere of this historic city, Rome has something for everyone.
These are the things we saw in Rome during our Italian babymoon! I highly recommend a private tour guide here because there is so much history in Rome. I contacted several and they were all booked so do this well in advance! We only planned our trip about 6 weeks in advance so not the best idea 🙃
We only had one full day in Rome so walked all over the city getting to see a little of everything. This was great because I got to see SO much of the city taking our time wandering around. Next time though, I will plan to spend more time and do tours because it is all so fascinating to me.
Trevi Fountain
You can’t go to Rome and not see the Trevi Fountain. It truly is absolutely stunning. More so than I could have imagined in pictures. If you want to see it without crowds go very early. Before 7:30am! We got there at 8am and it was already buzzing. Likewise, it was just as busy at 8pm too.
Note: Some days, they do have it roped off so you can’t get up close to toss a coin and have your Lizzie McGuire moment. You may have to try different days and times if this is important to you.
Great photo op: if you are looking at the fountain, go over to the right and sit up on the ledge on the far side. There will likely be a bunch of influencers here with their photographers in tow, but it’s a great spot for a picture without pushing through to the front of the crowd!
Colosseum
The Colosseum is iconic in Rome. We did not go inside because I really only wanted to SEE it for this trip. Half the beauty is the exterior! I would love to do a tour next time when we spend a few more days in Rome. If you do want to go inside, book a small group tour that includes your tickets. It does SELL OUT! People were lined up bright and early to purchase tickets onsite.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are another popular site in Rome. The steps were built between 1723 and 1726 leading from Piazza di Spagna square to the Tinita dei Monti. They have 135 steps and three terraces offering a beautiful path to the top. At the top, the view over the rooftops in Rome is incredible. We went early ~9am and it was practically empty, but gets busy throughout the day.
Vatican City
We walked over to Vatican City and admired from the outside. We weren’t sure what we would have time for so did not plan ahead to visit this trip. It does sell out so be sure to get tickets or join a skip the line tour in advance. 10/10 recommend skip the line tickets – the line was SO long!! You will want to see St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and of course the Sistine Chapel.
Leisurely Tip: You need to have your shoulders and knees covered to enter! I didn’t even think about this so make sure you pick an appropriate outfit for Vatican City.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the most well preserved buildings from Ancient Rome. It was built between 118 and 125 AD by Hadrian. It is open daily from 9am until 7pm, however, you do need to adhere to the dress code. Be sure your shoulders and knees are covered to enter. You could do a guided tour, audio tour, or just walk through on your own.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is one of the most famous squares in Rome. It was built in the first century AD and features a massive fountain in the center known as the Fountain of the Four Rivers. It’s a beautiful place to walk around or have dinner at one of the many restaurants. Definitely plan to have dinner/drinks at the rooftop space called Terrazza Borromini.
Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese is a beautiful and massive park located right in central Rome. It features museums, gardens, and other attractions across its almost 200 acres. It’s a great place to escape the hustle of the city on a stroll or run through the park.
Campo de’ Fiori (Farmer’s Market)
Take a stroll through the farmer’s market and flower markets! We enjoyed walking around and seeing a more local perspective. There are tons of things including clothing, produce, pasta, flowers and more in this large square.
Where to Eat in Rome
One of the highlights of visiting Rome is indulging in the delicious food and drinks the city has to offer. From traditional Italian dishes to local specialties, there is something to satisfy every palate. Don’t miss out on trying classic Roman dishes like carbonara, cacio e pepe, and supplì. For pizza lovers, a visit to Rome wouldn’t be complete without trying a slice of authentic Roman-style pizza. And of course, you can’t forget about gelato! Rome is home to some of the best gelaterias in the world, where you can indulge in a variety of flavors. Wash it all down with a glass of local wine or a refreshing Aperol Spritz. Exploring the culinary scene in Rome is a must for any food lover.
If you know me, you know we love a great meal! We were so excited to try the world class cuisine in Italy. Below I am sharing a few of the places we ate in Rome and a couple we wished we had time to explore. Be sure too make reservations in advance in Rome if available.
Marzapane
Marzapane was easily our favorite spot of the trip. It has the most charming dining room as you head up the original wood staircase to the second floor. You can choose the chef’s menu or order a la carte from the ever changing menu.
We had so many creative dishes with my favorite being the ravioli with peas, broad beans, and horseradish. We also tried the tempura zucchini, fresh catch of the day, and white asparagus gratin which was so unexpectedly amazing. To end, we tried both desserts (because, pregnancy obviously) which was a cannoli with oranges and a chocolate cake made with black olives. We were hesitant about the cake, but so surprised by the flavor of the olives. Must try!
Note: the first two dishes pictured are half size! We shared things so they graciously split them on separate plates for us. They also made my zucchini without blue cheese since I’m pregnant – I wasn’t even thinking about that, but was so impressed that they did!
Osteria da Fortunata
Osteria da Fortunata is located right around the corner from Piazza Navona so it was perfect to have dinner then a stroll through the piazza and to the Trevi Fountain. Get there early because they will have a line! They serve the best homemade pastas and you can even watch as the roll the pastas. I had the gnocchi with tomatoes and my husband got the cacio e pepe which was so good!
BIVIUM at Six Senses Rome
I mentioned above that I am a huge fan of Six Senses so we had to stop in to their new hotel for lunch at BIVIUM! It’s a beautiful space and I recommend dining on the open air terrace! We had one of our favorite pizzas of the trip here and great salad. They also have plenty of plant based options so it’s a great spot to *try* to have something healthier!
Aroma
Aroma is a Michelin star restaurant with views overlooking the Colosseum. It’s on the most popular places to dine in Rome so definitely make a reservation as soon as you can. We booked our trip about 6 weeks out and it was already too late to score a table.
Ristorante Roscioli
Another one I really wanted to try. Roscioli is a family owned gourmet food shop, wine bar, and restaurant in Rome. I’ve heard you have to try the burrata with sundried tomatoes and stick to the classic dishes like carbonara, cacio e pepe or amatriciana. The wine list is extensive and the best seats are the bar, main floor or outside. Book here in advance – I watched for cancellations for weeks and there were never any!
Retrobottega
Retrobottega is a super trendy spot in Rome for dinner. You’ll enjoy a tasting menu experience paired with wines while dining at their communal tables or chef’s counter.
Bistrot64
We heard of Bistrot64 via Stanley Tucci’s Italy show! I was dying to try their famous take on cacio e pepe. The chef is Japanese so he creates a super creative menu by blending elements from Japanese and Italian cuisines. He earned a Michelin star in 2017.
The Court
The Court is one of the top bars in Rome located at the Palazzo Manfredi hotel overlooking the Colosseum. It’s listed on the World’s 50 Best Bars round up! Make a reservation early to have drinks here before moving on to dinner!
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