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When I was growing up and started dreaming about traveling the world, Rome was the first place I thought of. Yes, maybe it was because Lizzie McGuire threw her coin into the Trevi Fountain and all her pop star dreams came true. But I like to think I have a little more substance than that.
Note to the readers: I don’t.
Going to Rome lived on my bucket list for years in a way my little travel bug simply would not let go of. Now, many years later, it’s one of the cities in Europe I’ve been to the most, and for me it never gets old. So whether you are a first-timer or a fifth-timer, I think there is something to learn in this Rome travel guide.
Who Should Go to Rome
While I think the Eternal City is just that, eternal, I personally believe Rome is a great destination for any traveler.
Rome is a perfect destination if this is your first time in Europe. Flights may not be as fast, easy, or inexpensive compared to places like London, for example. However, you make up for the lack of travel ease with incredible history, drool-worthy food and a city that truly transports you back in time. Rome is a place that makes you feel like you are genuinely in another country and experiencing a new culture.
You don’t mind big cities. Rome is actually incredibly manageable on foot, with the occasional cab or bus when needed. But there is a reason why Rome is popular and guess what? I’m not the first person to realize it. So while Rome doesn’t feel like a huge city in the way NYC does, the cat is very much out of the bag, and you should expect lines, crowds, and waiting at many of the main attractions.
Food is important to you. In my opinion, Rome has some of the best food in Italy and that is due in part to the regionality of Italian dishes. In Florence you don’t skip the Florentine steak, in Sicily you have pasta alla Norma, and in Rome you get the best of the best. Their local pasta dishes are cacio e pepe, gricia, carbonara, and amatriciana. A white sauce, crunchy pork bits, a peppery cheese situation, and a spicy red sauce, we have covered all the main pasta moods. Add in the street food, like supplì, and you absolutely will not go hungry here.
You want to see and learn about history. Ancient Rome was the building block of seemingly everything in the world: art, architecture, religion, governance, drama, all of it. Having even a small insight into how Roman culture influenced the world is eye-opening. Plus, sites like the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain are jaw-dropping and memorable in their own right.
How Long to Spend in Rome
With a lot of destinations I can easily say, “Stay 2–3 days, but if you really want to know the city, stay a week.” And to be honest, Rome is incredible, but I also don’t think you need a full week to enjoy and embrace it. Some places are best when you leave them still head over heels, rather than staying just a bit too long and falling out of love with the experience.
Here is what I recommend, along with an idea of what is possible in each time frame.
2 Days
This is both the bare minimum and, honestly, maybe the perfect amount of time. If you are motivated and love to walk, you can do a lot in Rome in two days.
In just one morning, you can see many of the sights in the center: the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and the famous Campo de’ Fiori market, all before 10 a.m. Explore the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, and the Borghese Gardens.
Spend the next morning at the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Castel Sant’Angelo before lunching at Da Enzo in Trastevere. Add in an afternoon tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill before strolling to Giardino degli Aranci for the optical illusion and insane city views. Then have dinner in the hipster and nearby Monti neighborhood before scoring gelato on your way home.
3–4 Days
Perfect for those who don’t want to be rushed and want more time to nibble around the city. Since you can cover many of the major sights in two days, this gives you the chance to spread things out and save one “big sight” per day, think Colosseum, Vatican Museums, or the historic center.
Now you have more time to visit a few of the 900-plus churches in Rome, like St. John Lateran, Santa Maria in Trastevere, or San Clemente. This is the sweet spot for people who want to see the city without feeling like they are being chased through it by their own itinerary.
5 Days
This is the absolute maximum amount of time I would spend in Rome in one go. You have plenty of time to see everything Rome has to offer, and with that freedom, you can opt into more specific tours and experiences.
I have done the Key Master tour in the Vatican Museums and it is single-handedly the best tourist experience I have ever had. You could also opt for a food tour, like the one I took in Trastevere. And if you want a break from history and the hustle of Rome, you can take a day trip out of town.
Ready to Explore? Book Here ↓
Neighborhood Overview
If you want a full breakdown of where I think the best areas to stay in Rome are, check out my Rome neighborhood post, which also has great hotel recommendations. Otherwise, here is a quick overview of what you may find in each part of the city.
Historic Center
This one is easy. You are right in the center of Rome, which makes it perfect for first-time visitors. No, I wouldn’t recommend most of the restaurants in this area, but you really can’t beat stepping out your hotel door and being minutes away from gorgeous piazzas, unknown churches and crumbling stone monuments around every corner. You’ll find Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and more.
Prati
This neighborhood sits west of the river and feels more modern than much of the rest of the city. It’s convenient if you are prioritizing the Vatican and is well connected by public transit to the rest of Rome. Here you will find posh restaurants, bars and boutiques.
Monti
Best for quick and easy access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, Monti sits just above the historic center. Here you will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with locals while enjoying a spritz on cobblestoned streets. It’s stylish without being unbearable about it.
Trastevere
The most popular district in Rome, and very much alive. This is a great place to base yourself if your focus is delicious food and you don’t mind walking a bit. You’re just across the bridge from the historic center and near Vatican City. The energy is high, it attracts a younger crowd, and you won’t be disappointed by the cute corners and warm people of Trastevere.
Aventine Hill
Located up a hill past the Colosseum, you’ll find this peaceful and quiet side of Rome. Home to many wealthy locals, and the views absolutely explain the real estate prices. This unspoiled part of the city is great for exploring Giardino degli Aranci, the Aventine Keyhole, and some truly insane views. It is also well connected by public transit.
Getting Around
Like I have said before, Rome is extremely walkable. Yes, some of those walks can be a bit long if you are heading to sights on opposite edges of the city, but a lot of it is totally doable on foot, especially if you group your visits by area.
However, if you are not up for big city-crossing treks just to see the Vatican Museums and the Spanish Steps in the same day, you can always opt for the metro. While it doesn’t go everywhere, major misses include the historic center and Trastevere, it is very useful for longer distances.
Using the Roman Metro
There are underground and overground trains, and both accept the same tickets, despite being run by different operators.
A single ticket costs around €1.50, but there are also passes available for 24 hours up to a full week.
You can always opt for the Roma Pass if you want discounts on some tourist sights and unlimited use of public transportation around the city for a few days.
You can buy tickets at the stations, just make sure to validate your single-use tickets before entering the train.
If you want to use your phone instead, you can opt for the Tap & Go option available in Rome. Tap to enter through the barrier on the circular disc and tap out the same way to exit. The system then charges you accordingly.
You’ll notice above that there are a few places not serviced by public transport, and for good reason. Even now, Italy is working on adding an additional metro line that could open up the transport system immensely, but it is a slow process for a lot of reasons. One of them being that they keep finding gorgeous preserved statues, frescoes, and historic items as they dig to create the underground. Incredible. Inconvenient maybe, but incredible.
Ride Share
Uber is available in Rome, but be aware that they only have black car options. So you will be paying a slight premium if you take an Uber around the city.
You can also try other options like Free Now, which links you up with a taxi and lets you pay everything in the app, or the itTaxi app, which is Italy’s taxi app.
Safety
Where there are tourists, there are pickpockets. Always stay alert when visiting a foreign country or a big city. People are practiced and experienced in the art of being sly.
While I haven’t found as many scam opportunities in Rome as I have in Paris, you should still keep an eye out for those things. Pay special attention in the following scenarios:
- Arriving by Train: there is something about not knowing where you’re going and schlepping your bags around a train station that makes you an excellent option for a pickpocket.
- Big Crowds: Speaking from experience here, watch your bag and your pockets closely when you are stuck in a big crowd. Learn from the mistake I made in Marrakech.
- Metro Stations and Bus Stops: these are prime target spots for thieves. Be especially on guard in these locations, particularly during rush hour.
Emergency Numbers
And as always, I would be remiss if you didn’t know how to get help if you needed it. When in doubt, dial 112.
112 = National emergency number (police, ambulance, firefighters)
118 = Ambulance
115 = Fire department
113 = Police
What’s Actually Worth Seeing
Rome is a city where it is pretty clear what the main sights are. But of course, I would always encourage people to get off the beaten path and explore some of the lesser-known things too. And don’t forget to make time for food. Update Later Travel believes food is just as important, and thus we aim for no bad meals while on vacation.
Main Sights
- Colosseum & Roman Forum
- Vatican Museums
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- Vatican City
- Trevi Fountain
- Campo de’ Fiori
- Pantheon
- Spanish Steps
- Borghese Gallery
- Giardino degli Aranci
- Gianicolo Hill
- Piazza del Popolo
- Altare della Patria
- Aventine Keyhole
- Castel Sant’Angelo
Lesser-Known Spots
- Aqueducts
- Basilica di San Clemente
- Capuchin Crypt
- Domus Aurea
- Palazzo Colonna
- Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
- Via Appia Antica and the Catacombs
- Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
- San Giovanni in Laterano
- Circus Maximus
- Piramide di Caio Cestio
- Baths of Caracalla
Plus, if you are a movie buff, you could follow Robert Langdon from Angels and Demons and traipse through all the churches and sights mentioned there.
This is one of those cases where I think almost everything is worth it. Yes, this is a giant list of sights, and not everyone wants to spend their time in Rome slogging through churches they don’t have context for or waiting in lines all day. But for me, so many of these places give that “wow” or “is this a green screen?” kind of feeling that I wouldn’t want to miss.
Visiting the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums has been epic every time I’ve been there, which is now three times. It’s a total pinch-me moment when I think about the history that has transpired there and how Michelangelo painted those epic biblical scenes on his back. While security guards are scanning the room with military intensity to see if you’ll snap a picture against the rules and occasionally yelling “shhhh” at everyone, there is still a reason I go every single time I’m in town.
And I feel like that is the true test of Rome. These places really are epic if you are into that sort of thing.
Because there is so much to do and historical context matters, check out a few walking tours around Rome that may help open some doors for you or at least ease the stress of tackling this big list.
Ready to Explore? Book Here ↓
Dining
There is one big rule I have when visiting Rome: do not eat in a piazza.
For the most part, when people are standing outside the restaurant trying to wave you in, or there is a giant laminated menu on display showing every possible thing they serve, you are not getting the best food or the best deal. Head down a small quiet street, even in the historic center, and enter a restaurant where it looks like they genuinely could not care less whether you came in or not. Those are the spots that are going to be serving Nonna’s amatriciana, authentic, delicious, and without breaking the bank.
The only time its okay dine in a piazza is for aperitivo. It absolutely will not break the bank to grab an aperol spritz in a square and dine on little nuts and crunchy bits while you people watch.
Don’t miss trying the big four Roman pastas that I mentioned above. But while visiting Rome, make sure to dip your toe into some of the street food too. Supplì, porchetta, focaccia, panino, and of course gelato.
If you want the opportunity to try many of the Roman delicacies in one go, a food tour would be a great idea. I took this evening food tour in Trastevere and was smitten with each bite.
When to Visit
I truly believe shoulder season is the best time of year to travel.
Visiting Rome in the spring allows you to see the city as flowers are blooming, windows are opening and that sense of freshness and newness is everywhere. Yes, you may have a few select days of cooler temperatures or even rain, but those are also the best opportunities to spend your day exploring a museum.
The other time of year I would recommend visiting Rome is early fall. September and October allow you to see the city without the overwhelming crush of summer crowds. So many places in Europe don’t have air conditioning, so visiting during milder temperatures can make tromping around the city much easier.
With all of that said, Rome is a popular destination. There are going to be crowds all year long, no matter when you go. So while spring and fall may be a bit less intense, the city will never exactly be empty.
The Bottom Line
Wow, I love Rome.
I loved writing this and reminiscing on my many trips to the Eternal City. Yes, there is so much history embedded in the museums, the architecture, the churches, and frankly around every corner. But while the sights are great, Roman culture itself is really unmissable. It’s lively, kind, welcoming, and full of the kind of energy that makes you want to come back before you’ve even left.
I think everyone should visit Rome at least once in their lifetime. And if you’re lucky enough to drop a coin in the Trevi Fountain, then Rome will be waiting to welcome you back on your return.
