Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world. No wonder. The romantic city is literally overflowing with monuments and history. Prepare for basilicas and ruins almost at every corner. There is truly a lot to photograph in Rome, each landmark more famous than the next. Rome also exudes an amazing romantic atmosphere. Nothing beats a stroll through the classic Italian streets at sunset. After a full day of sightseeing, you can stop at one of the cozy restaurants and enjoy a pizza with a glass of wine right on the street, accompanied by one of the local musicians playing the violin, adding to the atmosphere.
However, a downside is the number of tourists, who are seemingly everywhere, every single day. People come to Rome not only from all over the world but also from all over Italy, with school trips being common. Therefore, it’s necessary to arm yourself with patience. You’ll find lines almost everywhere for everything.
When to Visit?
The ideal time to visit Rome is in the spring—April and May. It’s warm but not as hot as in the summer. The days are already relatively long, and above all, everything is in bloom! Unfortunately, the prices for accommodation are higher than, for example, in the off-season winter months.
Transportation
Rome is easily and affordably accessible by plane. If you really want to save, it’s better to fly from one of the German (Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt) or Polish airports with a budget airline. A ticket from Prague can be several times more expensive.
From Rome’s Ciampino airport, you can reach the city center by bus with a transfer to the metro. From Fiumicino airport, you can reach the center by train. It takes about an hour from both airports. You can also use the services of local companies that provide direct buses to the city center, but this will be more expensive. Public transportation in Rome itself is not very complicated, but it’s advisable to use map apps on your phone to check routes. A simple ticket costs €1.50 (2018) and is valid for 100 minutes on all types of transport (buses, trams, metro). You can also purchase the ROMA PASS for 2 or 3 days, which allows unlimited travel on public transport and cheaper entrance to monuments (with one or two free entries). The fastest way to travel around the city is by metro, as the streets can get congested, and buses and trams often run late.
A convenient transportation option is cycling, but this is more practical between further distances since one monument follows another in the center. Rome has a public bike rental system, like many other European cities. If you’re staying in the center or nearby, walking around the city is not a problem.
Dining
Italian cuisine probably doesn’t need much introduction; excellent pizza and pasta are famous worldwide. Restaurants are everywhere, and you’ll often be approached by “street recruiters” inviting you to their tables. Most dining takes place right on the street, ideally with a view of one of the monuments, which is also part of the experience. However, watch out for the prices. A service charge of a few euros per person is usually added to the bill. This is often listed at the end of the menu. It might even happen that you pay a different price for eating inside the restaurant than for eating on the terrace.
On the other hand, you can save a lot on water. There are drinking fountains all over the city (including inside the Roman Forum). Just bring a bottle and refill it during your walk through the city. Although the fountains might sometimes look unreliable (a spout sticking out of an old, chipped wall), the water is drinkable. You can easily find these fountains on mapy.cz. So, don’t fall for the ubiquitous water sellers offering bottled water for a few euros (chilled water is even more expensive) when water in Rome is free.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Rome is not cheap. It’s advisable to start looking for accommodation early, as cheap rooms are in high demand. If you want cheaper lodging, you’ll probably need to stay farther from the center and commute by public transport. It’s necessary to weigh whether it’s worth it. It’s also quite common to stay in shared rooms in hostels (even in the city center). This means you’ll be sharing a room with other people (for example, eight). If you’re traveling alone, this is a great opportunity to avoid paying for a double room and also meet other travelers.
What to See in Rome?
Rome originally spread across seven hills that formed the city. These hills are still present today, and on their tops, you can find ruins of original buildings, basilicas, parks, and more. The hills are named: Aventine, Capitoline, Caelian, Esquiline, Palatine, Quirinal, and Viminal.
There are a lot of monuments to visit in Rome, so you need to carefully consider what to visit, where to invest your money, and what to skip. Here are some of them:
Colosseum
Probably an unmissable landmark, worth dedicating around 2–3 hours of time, plus waiting in line. This monumental structure is about 2,000 years old. Unfortunately, only about two-thirds of the original Colosseum remains. What we see today is largely the result of several reconstructions, and some parts are completely missing. After its establishment, naval battles, public executions, wild animal exhibitions, and gladiatorial games took place here. It’s estimated that up to half a million people lost their lives during these games. Exotic animals were imported from all over the world for the games, bringing over 400 species of plants to Rome.
After the Colosseum lost its function, it was dismantled and the material was used to build other structures in Rome. The entire Colosseum was decorated with marble, of which only holes in the walls remain.
During the season, the Colosseum is open from 8:30 AM to 7:15 PM. Tickets can be purchased on-site for €12 for adults and €7.50 for EU citizens under 25 (2018). The ticket is valid for two days and also grants access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Buying tickets online in advance will cost extra, and you still won’t avoid the line, as both lines are approximately the same length and merge at the end. It’s worth buying tickets on-site. If you want to avoid the line, it’s good to arrive early, either just before opening or later in the evening. The worst time to visit is between 10:00 and 11:00 AM, when there are often several-hour-long lines and crowds inside the Colosseum.
Arch of Constantine
Named after the first Christian emperor, Constantine. In the past, triumphal processions passed through here. It is located right next to the Colosseum.
Roman Forum
It was one of the first centers of Rome, a center for religious and civic life in ancient Rome. It was composed of basilicas, temples, monuments, and shops. Today, only ruins remain. As life began to expand from the Roman Forum into other parts of the city, it slowly lost its significance, was damaged by a destructive fire, and was gradually dismantled (used for building other structures). As a result, only ruins stand here today.
You can spend several hours or even the entire afternoon inside. If you haven’t hired a guide, it’s a good idea to research what you can see and learn about the function of the various structures (same for the Colosseum). The ticket is the same as for the Colosseum. The Roman Forum is connected to Palatine Hill, which flows naturally from it.
Palatine Hill
It is one of the 7 hills of Rome. It is the oldest Roman territory, where, according to legend, the city of Rome was founded. It flows naturally from the Roman Forum. Palatine Hill was once a residential area for the rich and aristocrats, and today it is again full of ruins. From Palatine Hill, there are magnificent views of the city. You can see the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Roman Forum, and more from here. It is also a very pleasant place to rest. After a long day of walking, you can sit on one of the benches or lie in the grass and relax in the shade of the trees. There are also several water fountains with drinking water here.
Caracalla Baths
A massive bath complex that once accommodated up to 10,000 people. Today, it is also in ruins. If you don’t want to pay for admission but still want to take a quick look at the baths, you can walk around the back. The rear side is on a hill and offers a view of the complex.
Vittoriano
It’s a very prominent and grand monument dedicated to the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, and symbolizing the unification of Italy. It’s a good spot to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the entire city from the top. You can get to the top either by elevator (for a fee) or by walking up the stairs.
Rose Garden
Originally a Jewish cemetery, today it is a rose garden. Located at the foot of the Aventine Hill, on the side adjacent to the Circus Maximus. It is worth visiting during the rose blooming season. This place is perfect for relaxation, with plenty of benches, a drinking fountain, and a beautiful view.
Piazza Venezia
Also known as the Venetian Square, it is located in the center of Rome, where the city’s most important roads intersect. The main landmark of the square is the monument to Victor Emmanuel II. The Roman National Museum is also located here, along with a small park suitable for sitting and a bus station.
Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
Also known as the Vittoriano, it dominates the entire Venetian Square. It is a massive white limestone monument built in memory of Italy’s unification. The monument is visible from nearly every viewpoint in Rome. From here, there is a beautiful view, especially of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. An honor guard still stands at the monument, and there is an eternal flame. Inside, you can visit museums, but they require an entrance fee. The monument itself is free to enter.
Capitoline Hill
Also called Campidoglio, it is the most famous of the seven hills. It was the heart of ancient Rome. At the top is the highest square in Rome, with a statue of Marcus Aurelius in the center. A prominent feature is the Palazzo Venezia, a classic example of Roman Renaissance architecture. It was once used as the residence of Italian dictator Mussolini, and today it houses a museum. Across from it stands the Doria-Pamphili Palace, which contains a gallery of famous artists’ works (Caravaggio, Tintoretto, Velazquez, and Titian).
On the side of the palace is a significant, somewhat hidden statue of the Capitoline Wolf with the twins Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.
Trevi Fountain
No need to introduce the famous Trevi Fountain. It is the largest and most beautiful fountain in Rome, built at the intersection of three aqueducts on the site of an ancient aqueduct. Legend says that throwing a coin into the fountain ensures you will return to Rome. It is a popular tourist spot, so expect large crowds.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved ancient temples in the world. The current structure dates from 118-125 AD, when the temple was rebuilt after a fire. Today, it is a national monument housing the tombs of Italian kings and painters. The Pantheon’s dome remains unfinished, with a 9-meter-wide hole at its center. Rain enters through this opening, and drainage holes were built into the floor to allow the water to flow out. Entrance is free, but visitors must remain quiet and appropriately covered.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. Originally, this area was a stadium where naval battles were held. In the center of the square stands Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, symbolizing the four known continents (Asia, Africa, Europe, America). There are two additional fountains at the sides of the square, and at the center is the Church of St. Agnes, located at the site where, according to legend, St. Agnes was martyred. The church can be visited for free.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo is a large round building located on the banks of the Tiber River, just a short distance from the Vatican. Initially built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, Castel Sant’Angelo is connected to the Vatican (St. Peter’s Basilica) by an 800-meter-long corridor within the city walls, serving as a refuge for popes. Today, it houses a museum offering insights into the castle’s and Rome’s history. Visitors can also enjoy panoramic views of the city. There is an entrance fee, and tours are available either self-guided or with a guide.
Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo is located north of the old center of Rome and prominently displays Egyptian architectural style. At the center stands an Egyptian obelisk from the time of Ramses II. The main highlight is the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, which houses two paintings by Caravaggio. Also notable are the twin churches, Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, which look identical.
The best view of the square is from the Pincio Gardens, located to the east. Here you will find a viewpoint and a lovely park, perfect for a walk, as well as Villa Borghese, filled with architectural elements, sculptures, monuments, and fountains created by famous artists throughout history.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are the largest and oldest staircase of their kind, connecting the Spanish Square with the Trinità dei Monti church with 138 steps. The steps are especially stunning in spring when azaleas are in bloom. They are a popular gathering spot for socializing, fashion shows, and cultural events. However, sitting or eating on the steps is now prohibited, and fines may be issued.
Below the steps is the Spanish Square, home to the Fontana della Barcaccia, a fountain in the shape of a boat, which commemorates the flood of 1598 that brought a boat into the square.
Circus Maximus
Located between the Palatine and Aventine hills, this is essentially a natural stadium that fits well into the terrain. Various types of races and sporting events were held here, and they could be seen from the neighboring hills. The stadium’s capacity was 320,000 spectators, although little remains of the seating. Today, the western side hosts events like reenactments, concerts, and other cultural performances. At the opposite end is an archaeological site, and there is an entrance fee.
The Pyramid of Cestius
The last remaining pyramid of the four that were once built in Rome. However, this pyramid is different from those in Egypt. It is made of bricks and covered with slabs of Carrara marble. Roman architecture was often inspired by Egypt during the time when the Romans conquered Egypt. It is open only one day a month, and you need to make a reservation for a tour.
Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
The Lateran Basilica, part of the Lateran complex. Until the 14th century, the complex was the residence of the popes, and the Lateran University is also located here. Inside, you can admire beautifully decorated ceilings and walls, and there are often religious services held. There are free toilets inside.
Trastevere
This is not just a single landmark but an entire district that used to be a working-class neighborhood, home to poor and working people. Here, you can admire the architecture of old apartment buildings with narrow casement windows and metal railings on the balconies. The streets are full of local vendors selling various trinkets, as well as unique handmade items. The narrow streets often have restaurants or cafes with outdoor seating. Just walking through these alleys is a pleasant experience.
The main attraction is the central Piazza di Santa Maria, where you can find the beautiful Santa Maria in Trastevere Basilica from the 3rd century. In the center of the square, there is also a fountain of the same name.
Aventine Hill
One of the hills in the city center, best accessed from the Rose Garden. It is a pleasant and easy walk uphill. At the top, there are many places worth visiting. It is definitely worth visiting the parks with beautiful views of the city both during the day and at night. The parks close some time after sunset. On the Aventine Hill, you can also find the Santa Sabina, S.S. Boniface, and Alessia Basilicas, among others.
What you definitely must not miss is the keyhole. Through this hole, you can see St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican through an alley of specially trimmed bushes. It is located in a gate leading to the Roman residence of the Order of Malta Knights. There are often queues here, lasting from a few minutes to up to an hour.
When visiting Rome, make sure not to miss a visit to the Vatican, which is located not far from the center.
