Rome, Italy is one of my favorite cities in the world, if not my VERY favorite, and I'm already planning my next trip. I've returned several times because I love the combination of ancient ruins, beautiful piazzas, incredible food, and some of the world's most famous works of art. There's simply something about Rome that feels unlike anywhere else, and I'm so excited that you're considering a trip to the Eternal City.
In this Rome Italy travel guide, I'll cover the best things to see and do, where to stay, how to get around, what to eat, how many days you need, and my tips for making the most of your time in Rome.
About Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and one of the most historically significant cities in the world. Ancient ruins, Renaissance art, Baroque architecture, and modern Roman life all exist side by side, often within the same neighborhood.
The city is home to some of Italy's most famous landmarks, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Vatican City. But Rome isn't a city I'd recommend experiencing as a checklist of attractions. Give yourself some time to wander, sit down for a long lunch, and simply enjoy being there.
Rome is also a city where staying in the historic center can make a big difference. Many of the major sights are close enough to walk between, and some of my favorite memories in Rome have been discovering hidden gems along the way.
Best Time to Visit Rome
Rome is a year-round destination, but I particularly enjoy visiting in the fall. October offers a nice balance of comfortable weather and manageable crowds compared with the peak summer months.
Summer can be beautiful, but Rome gets very hot and crowded, particularly in July and August. If you're visiting during the summer, I'd recommend planning your sightseeing for the morning and evening and leaving the middle of the day for a long lunch or a break at your hotel.
Winter is another option worth considering, especially if you'd like to experience Rome at Christmas. I loved seeing the city's festive decorations, and visiting Rome's Christmas markets.
How Many Days Do You Need in Rome?
I recommend spending at least three full days in Rome if it's your first visit. Four days would be even better.
Three days gives you enough time to see the major highlights, including the Colosseum and Roman Forum, Vatican City, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and some of Rome's historic neighborhoods.
If you have four or five days, you'll have more time to slow down and explore some of the places beyond the major tourist attractions. You can visit another museum, spend an afternoon in Trastevere, explore Villa Borghese, or take a day trip outside the city.
How to Get to Rome
Most international visitors arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport, the city's main international airport. From the airport, you can take the Leonardo Express train directly to Roma Termini, the city's main train station.
If you're already traveling through Italy, Rome is also very easy to reach by train. High-speed trains connect Rome with cities including Florence, Venice, Milan, and Naples, making it easy to incorporate Rome into a larger Italian itinerary. I've both flown into Rome and taken the train from other cities in Italy, and I've found both options to be convenient and easy.
Once you're in the city, you really don't need a car. In fact, I wouldn't recommend renting one. Between the traffic, narrow streets, limited parking, and excellent train connections, a car is more of a hassle than a help for most visitors. Thankfully, I've always found walking, a taxi or Uber to be convenient.
Things to Do in Rome
Rome has no shortage of things to see, and you could easily spend a week here without running out of places to explore. If it's your first visit, these are a few of the sights and experiences I'd consider must-dos.
See the Colosseum and Roman Forum
No first trip to Rome would be complete without seeing the Colosseum. The ancient amphitheater is one of Rome's most recognizable landmarks and a fascinating introduction to the layers of history you'll find throughout the city.
I definitely recommend booking a skip-the-line tour. I've done these tours twice now, and both times I found it incredibly helpful to bypass the long lines and have a guide to put everything I was seeing into context. I also enjoyed getting a different perspective each time, as each guide brought their own stories and insights to the experience.
Don't forget to explore the adjacent Roman Forum, which is typically included with Colosseum tours. The sprawling ruins were once the center of ancient Roman life, and a guide can help make sense of what you're seeing.
Visit the Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of those places that is easy to walk past without fully appreciating just how remarkable it is.
The ancient Roman building has survived for nearly two thousand years and is particularly impressive once you step inside and look up at the enormous dome.
It's located right in the historic center, so it's easy to combine with Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and some of Rome's other central sights.
Toss a Coin at the Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of Rome's most famous sights, and definitely one not to miss!
One thing to keep in mind when planning your visit is that access to the lower basin is delayed on Mondays and Fridays for routine maintenance and coin collection. On most Mondays and Fridays, the basin opens around 11:30 a.m. or noon, while every other Monday, deeper cleaning can push the opening back until around 2 p.m. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, access generally begins at 9 a.m. If getting close to the fountain is important to you, make sure to check the current schedule before planning your visit.
Spend Time in Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is one of my favorite spots in Rome.
The long, elegant piazza is surrounded by Baroque buildings, restaurants, cafés, and fountains, including Bernini's famous Fountain of the Four Rivers.
Piazza Navona is also close to the Pantheon, making it easy to visit both in the same part of the day.
Explore Vatican City
If you love art and history, consider spending a half day at the Vatican. Inside the Vatican Museums, you can see Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel ceiling and Raphael's famous fresco, The School of Athens, pictured above.
St. Peter's Basilica is equally impressive, and it's worth spending some time exploring the church and surrounding area.
The Vatican can be overwhelming, particularly if you're trying to see everything in one visit. I've found that booking a skip-the-line tour of the highlights is definitely helpful.
Walk the Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are another Rome landmark that you'll probably pass more than once during your trip.
The staircase connects Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti church above, and the surrounding neighborhood is filled with beautiful streets, boutiques, cafés, and some of Rome's best shopping.
Wander Through Trastevere
Across the Tiber, Trastevere has a very different feel from some of Rome's more monumental sights.
The neighborhood is known for its narrow cobblestone streets, ivy-covered buildings, small piazzas, restaurants, and lively evening atmosphere.
It's a great place to visit for lunch, or make an evening of it with dinner and drinks.
Visit the Borghese Gallery
The Borghese Gallery is another museum I'd put high on your list.
The collection includes works by artists including Bernini, Caravaggio, and Raphael, and the museum itself is housed in the former Villa Borghese estate.
Tickets are limited, so this is another attraction where planning ahead is important.
After your visit, spend some time walking through Villa Borghese, one of Rome's largest green spaces.
Wander the Historic Center
One of my favorite things about Rome is that you don't always need a destination.
Some of the best moments come from simply walking between the major sights and seeing what you find along the way.
Explore the streets around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, and wander toward Campo de' Fiori. This is the perfect neighborhood to stop for a slice of pizza, a cup of gelato, or a little shopping.
Rome is a city where the architecture and history are everywhere, so don't feel like every part of your day needs to be planned.
Where to Eat & Drink in Rome
From the iconic Aperol spritz to a slice of tiramisu, Rome has some of the best food and drinks in the world. Here are my favorite places around the city:
Cielo Terrace
Via Sistina, 69, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Located at the top of Hotel de la Ville, minutes from the Spanish Steps, this rooftop bar is hands-down the best place to enjoy an Aperol spritz at sunset.
Le Jardin
Via del Babuino, 9, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
This gorgeous outdoor restaurant is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch.
Osteria Di Ponte
Via di Panico, 83, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Dine inside or out and enjoy a wide variety of traditional Italian dishes. Great for dinner.
Roma Sparita
Piazza di Santa Cecilia, 24, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
I love stopping here for lunch in Trastevere. Don't miss the cacio e pepe, which was also a favorite of Anthony Bourdain when he visited this restaurant.
Gelateria de Teatro
V. dei Coronari, 65/66, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
One of my favorite gelato shops in Rome. Located in a great area for strolling and shopping, too.
Where to Stay in Rome
For a first trip to Rome, consider staying in the historic city center, where you’ll be close to many of the city’s most famous sights, or across the river in Trastevere, a more atmospheric neighborhood known for its narrow streets, restaurants, and lively evenings. Both are excellent choices, depending on whether you prefer to be right in the middle of the sightseeing or somewhere a little more residential and relaxed.
Hotel de la Ville
Via Sistina, 69, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Hotel de la Ville is a beautiful 5-star hotel from Rocco Forte Hotels, located on Via Sistina near the Spanish Steps. The hotel combines classic Roman architecture with contemporary design and has a beautiful rooftop terrace.
Its location makes it particularly convenient for exploring the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti, Trevi Fountain, and the historic center.
Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel
P.za della Repùbblica, 48, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
A gorgeous, stately hotel overlooking Piazza della Repubblica, with an elegant historic feel and beautifully appointed rooms. The hotel is comfortable and luxurious, and its location makes it a convenient base for exploring Rome on foot.
Buonanotte Garibaldi
Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 83, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
An intimate, art-filled guesthouse tucked away in the heart of Trastevere. Created from the home and studio of fiber artist Luisa Longo, the three-room B&B blends art, textiles and eclectic design with a peaceful garden courtyard. A lovely choice if you prefer a more personal, boutique experience over a traditional hotel.
Final Thoughts on Rome
Rome is truly one of my favorite cities in the world, and I'm so excited for you to experience it. I hope this guide has been helpful as you plan your trip to Italy. Below I've included a few resources to assist you with trip planning, and please leave a comment if you have any questions or would like to share any gems I've missed!
Rome Italy Travel Resources
Planning your trip to Rome? Here are the hotels, restaurants, attractions, and travel resources mentioned throughout this guide.
Where to Stay
- Hotel de la Ville
- Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel
- Buonanotte Garibaldi
Where to Eat & Drink
- Cielo Terrace
- Le Jardin
- Osteria Di Ponte
- Roma Sparita
- Gelateria de Teatro
Things to Do
- Colosseum & Roman Forum
- Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
- Piazza Navona
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Spanish Steps
- Trastevere
- Borghese Gallery
- Villa Borghese
Getting to Rome
- Rome Fiumicino Airport
- Leonardo Express
- High-speed trains from Florence, Venice, Milan, and Naples
