Rome is three thousand years of history in one walkable city. The capital of Italy layers ancient temples, Renaissance palaces and Baroque fountains on top of each other – and still feels like a lively neighbourhood when the sun goes down. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Why visit Rome
Nowhere else can you walk from the Colosseum to the Pantheon, stop at the Trevi Fountain and end the day in St Peter’s Square – all in a few hours. Add the food, the piazzas and the light, and it is easy to see why visitors come back.
Top things to do in Rome
The Colosseum and the Forum
The great amphitheatre of ancient Rome, with the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill next door – usually visited on the same ticket.
The Pantheon
A 2,000-year-old temple with the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, open to the sky through its oculus.
The Trevi Fountain
Rome’s most famous fountain: throw a coin over your shoulder to make sure you come back.
The Vatican Museums and St Peter’s
The Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms and kilometres of masterpieces, then the immense basilica of St Peter’s.
Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps
Baroque squares made for strolling, with fountains by Bernini and the famous steps up to Trinità dei Monti.
Trastevere
Across the river, a maze of ivy-covered lanes and trattorias – the place for dinner.
Best time to visit Rome
April to June and September to October are ideal: warm, sunny and pleasant for walking. July and August are hot and crowded. Winter is mild and quieter, with shorter queues.
Getting to and around Rome
Fiumicino airport is linked to the centre by the Leonardo Express train to Termini; Ciampino is served by buses. The centre is best explored on foot; the metro (lines A, B and C), buses and trams cover longer distances.
What to eat in Rome
The Roman pasta classics – carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana and gricia – plus carciofi alla giudia (fried artichokes), supplì, pizza by the slice and gelato.
Rome travel tips
- Book the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and the Borghese Gallery online – timed tickets sell out.
- Cover shoulders and knees for churches and the Vatican.
- Refill your bottle at the public drinking fountains, the “nasoni”.
