The top sights, museums, neighborhoods, flavors and little secrets that will make your trip to Rome unforgettable - A guide to unique experiences in the Italian capital.
Rich history, monuments of exceptional beauty, great museums, perfect food, dolce vita in squares and bars. Rome is a city that steals the hearts of millions of visitors every year. Its a city that will transport you to the past, charm you, inspire you, and leave you craving to visit again and again.
«Rome wasnt built in a day», says an old Italian proverb, so dont expect to discover everything in a single weekend. Italys capital demands to be explored on foot to feel its grandeur and imposing beauty. Below youll find 10 of the best things to do to get a full taste of the Eternal City.
See the Colosseum
Rome is an open-air museum and, since its historic center is small, you can easily walk from one landmark to the next. The jewel of the historic center is the Colosseum, one of Romes most popular sights and one of the worlds most famous. This magnificent gladiatorial arena is the largest and most imposing amphitheater of antiquity. Guided tours include exploring the monuments underground corridors and chambers, where gladiators and wild animals once prepared for battle, the ruins of the Ancient Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Arch of Constantine.
From neighborhood to neighborhood
Trastevere is one of Romes oldest quarters and one of the loveliest places to wander and lose yourself in labyrinthine medieval lanes that feel like a film set, savor good food in an authentic trattoria, and have fun in hangouts that will make you feel like a Roman among Romans. Between Campo de Fiori and Piazza Venezia lies Romes Jewish Quarter (Jewish Ghetto), where youll discover many small old and modern shops- from artisans studios and vintage clothing stores to bakeries and famed trattorias. Testaccio, the old butchers neighborhood, is where traditional Roman cuisine was born. Today its one of the best places to get a taste of everyday life- and the dishes- of the locals.
Soak up the sun in a piazza
The most iconic and bustling - yet always captivating - squares are the baroque Piazza di Spagna with the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Piazza della Rotonda with the imposing Pantheon and Piazza di Trevi where tourists toss coins into the Renaissance fountain. Quieter are Santa Maria in Trastevere and Campo de Fiori with its farmers market. Of course, theres also St. Peters Square in the Vatican, which is best avoided on Sundays.
Admire the art
You need a whole day to visit the Vatican Museums – to admire Michelangelos mesmerizing Sistine Chapel and the Renaissance art of Raphael and Caravaggio, and to wander the Vaticans lush gardens. The Capitoline Museums house a vast collection of masterpieces, including works by Titian, while the marble rooms of the Galleria Borghese host sculptures by Bernini and Canova. Modern art lovers shouldnt miss the noteworthy exhibitions at Maxxi.
Try street food
What better to pair with your city strolls than delicious Italian street food? Try pizza al taglio, supplì (rice croquettes with tomato sauce and mozzarella) and filetti di baccalà (fried cod fillets). Indulge your sweet tooth with maritozzi alla panna (brioche buns filled with whipped cream), bombe (fried cream doughnuts coated in sugar) and (of course) Italian gelato (try the distinctive flavors at Gelateria del Teatro as well as the gelato at Giolitti, the citys oldest gelateria). The deli-shops of Testaccio stock the finest of Italian gastronomy. At the central Mercato di Testaccio youll find all kinds of goodies and tasty street food.
Drink coffee like a local
Romans are addicted to ristretto (a strong, sharp espresso), which they enjoy standing at the bar counter at all hours of the day. Must stops for coffee lovers are the historic haunts La Tazza dOro and SantEustachio, as well as Caffé Greco, one of the oldest cafés in Europe. At Canova Tadolini, a former artists atelier, you can sip your espresso among statues!
Explore Rome on a Vespa
What could be more Roman than arriving at the Colosseum on a vintage Vespa? A Vespa tour is a great way to see sights even far from the city center. A good option is the Rome by Vespa tours (romebyvespa.com), which will also show you what the city looked like millennia ago via a 3D app.
Escape to a park
Villa Borghese is Romes most central and popular park, a wonderful place for strolls. However, despite its large expanse, its only the citys third-largest park. Romes largest public park is at Villa Doria Pamphili, in the Monteverde area, and is certainly worth a visit. Manicured gardens, age-old trees, ponds, fountains, cascades and sculptures create a gorgeous setting for escapes within the city. And if you want to enjoy the citys most wonderful panorama, head up to the Gianicolo hill, above Trastevere and the Vatican. Wonderful city views are also offered by the Giardino degli Aranci, a lovely little park on Aventine Hill near Testaccio.
Take a stroll through the markets
If you find yourself in the city over a weekend, dont miss the chance to visit the Mercato di Monti, perhaps Romes best urban market, where youll discover unique pieces from vintage clothes and jewelry to decor, furniture, and works by avant garde designers. Lovers of open-air markets shouldnt skip the Sunday Porta Portese which offers wonderful finds at excellent prices. Via Sannio in the San Giovanni area also has a popular second hand clothing market for collectors of denim and leather jackets.
Discover the Castelli Romani
If you have more time, its worth taking a day trip to the Castelli Romani, the little villages surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, about 25 km southeast of Rome. Frascati and Ariccia with their small taverns, are paradises for food lovers, while Castel Gandolfo is known for the Popes summer residence.
