Rome
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Rome
Rome, known as the Eternal City, has attracted visitors for over 2,000 years. It is one of the most magnificent and romantic cities in the world, boasting an attractive mix of grandiose sights — the likes of the Colosseum, Roman Pantheon and Forum — and bustling city life. Life is sweet: the cake is there for eating. Italian designer shopping, smooth ice cream, frothy cappuccino, tasty pasta and pizza, and exquisite wines to name but a few things that draw in over 4.2 million tourists in search of a taste of the Italian "dolce vita" every year.Find your trip
Built under Emperor Vespasian in A.D. 70-72 and completed by his son Titus 10 years later, the Flavian Amphitheatre or the Colosseum is a massive stone arena, which at its peak, could accommodate 80,000 spectators. As in the movie "Gladiator", it has hosted violent and brutal displays of gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights, all just for the delight of crowds. Inauguration lasted one hundred days, and approximately 9,000 animals and 2,000 gladiators were killed during the event. Today, the Colosseum is Rome's most visited sight, which never fails to leave visitors awe-struck. Be sure to also come here at night when it looks even more magical.
Designed by Salvi and completed by Pannini in 1762, the striking Trevi Fountain amazes onlookers with its 26.3-metre (86 ft) height and 49.15-metre (161.3 ft) width, making it the largest Baroque fountain in the city and the most famous one in the world. Several movies, including Roman Holiday and Fellini's La Dolce Vita, have contributed to its fame. In 2016, Fendi chose the fountain as the stage of one of its memorable shows ever, wherein a clear plexiglass runway stretched across the Trevi Fountain. Some useful tips before visiting Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain: - It's illegal to fish out coins from the fountain. - It's strictly forbidden to bathe in the fountain.
Sandwiched between the Palatine and Capitoline hills, the Forum Romanum (Roman Forum) is an open-air forum that was once the commercial, political, social, and religious hub of Ancient Rome. Throughout the Imperial period, Emperors like Julius Caesar and Augusts expanded the Forum to include temples, statues, monuments, a senate house, and low courts. Today, the Forum Romanum is one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world and offers insights into the Roman civilization.
An astonishing 2,000-year-old temple, now a church, the Pantheon is a remarkable building to see when in Rome. The Pantheon, built as a temple to all gods, is the best-preserved marvel from Ancient Rome. Its main and most fascinating feature is the design of the dome and open oculus, the only source of natural light. Tourists from around the world flock into the Pantheon to see what Michelangelo defined as an “angelic and not human design”. The Pantheon also houses the tomb of the great painter Raphael. The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda. It is located near Piazza Navona and Campo de Fiori, so take the opportunity to stroll around in this area, there is much to see.
Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the Pope, the Vatican City is an ecclesiastical state and the smallest state in Europe, both in dimension and population. Though teeny tiny, the state holds 11 noteworthy museums, including the Michelangelo-decorated Sistine Chapel (perhaps the greatest gem), St. Peter's Basilica, and St. Peter's Square. Marvel at Vatican's treasures with your booked-ahead tour and avoid lining in notoriously slow-moving queues.
The late Renaissance St. Peter's Basilica is an iconic landmark of the Vatican City, a monumental structure that the likes of Michelangelo helped bring into existence. Today, the basilica is open to visitors wishing to explore its inside naves and chapels and see works of art by great masters such as Raphael and Bernini. While here, don't miss out on climbing to the top of the dome, where the stunning view of St. Peter's Square awaits you.
Located on the right bank of the Tiber River, guarding one of Rome's oldest bridges, the Castel Sant'Angelo is an imposing cylindrical building, initially commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. It was later converted into a fortress, a papal residence, and a prison. Now, it's a museum offering beautiful views of Rome.
The elongated Piazza Navona with its three impressive fountains, including the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi with the Egyptian obelisk at its centre, is Rome's most famous and vibrant square. Built in the 1st century AD, the square used to be a stadium for athletic competitions and could accommodate over 20,000 spectators. The backdrop of Baroque architecture, tourists, street artists, restaurants, and bars make it the perfect setting to cherish the moment.
Built under Emperor Vespasian in A.D. 70-72 and completed by his son Titus 10 years later, the Flavian Amphitheatre or the Colosseum is a massive stone arena, which at its peak, could accommodate 80,000 spectators. As in the movie "Gladiator", it has hosted violent and brutal displays of gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights, all just for the delight of crowds. Inauguration lasted one hundred days, and approximately 9,000 animals and 2,000 gladiators were killed during the event. Today, the Colosseum is Rome's most visited sight, which never fails to leave visitors awe-struck. Be sure to also come here at night when it looks even more magical.
Designed by Salvi and completed by Pannini in 1762, the striking Trevi Fountain amazes onlookers with its 26.3-metre (86 ft) height and 49.15-metre (161.3 ft) width, making it the largest Baroque fountain in the city and the most famous one in the world. Several movies, including Roman Holiday and Fellini's La Dolce Vita, have contributed to its fame. In 2016, Fendi chose the fountain as the stage of one of its memorable shows ever, wherein a clear plexiglass runway stretched across the Trevi Fountain. Some useful tips before visiting Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain: - It's illegal to fish out coins from the fountain. - It's strictly forbidden to bathe in the fountain.
Felice a Testaccio is an esteemed trattoria, which has since 1936 been dedicated to serving tasty and original Roman cuisine. As you walk into this restaurant, you will notice many locals among the diners, which is always a good sign. Although all their pasta dishes, as well as meat courses, are delicious, most people come here for their scrumptious cacio e pepe pasta. Also highly recommended is the tiramisu, which is topped with melted chocolate.
On top of the Rome Cavalieri Hotel, La Pergola – an award-winning restaurant with three Michelin stars – offers not only exquisite, gourmet Italian fare but also a breathtaking panoramic view over the city of Rome. The wine cellar contains over 50,000 bottles of wine, and as for the accompanying water, there are over 25 different kinds to choose from.
Ristorante Ad Hoc, with its romantic setting, is the perfect restaurant to relax after a stroll in the city centre of Rome. Choose from a menu with typical Roman and Mediterranean dishes and well-reputed wines. Ad Hoc is also popular among locals and national celebrities.
Experience fine dining in one of the most ancient districts of Rome. Whether you prefer fish or meat, Ristorante Tema offers your protein of choice of the best quality and prepares it to perfection. Even if the restaurant is known for fine dining, the service is warm and relaxing.
If you are yearning for something other than Italian food, Sakana Sushi is the place to go. In a hip oriental setting, classic sushi, dumplings, and tempura are served from a conveyor belt. And if you feel like having your meal in a nearby park or just somewhere outside, Sakana Sushi also provides a takeaway menu.
In the heart of Trastevere, Spirito di Vino serves the very true meaning of "slow food". In their cavernous wine cellar, they house over 800 bottles of wines, where you will surely find the perfect combination to every dish and take the culinary experience to another level.
Taking advantage of its location—right in Piazza del Tritone—Osteria Barberini is a family-owned eatery that offers Italian fine cuisine. Jazz and swing music in the background, wooden tables, and a simple interior make the dining comfortable and a fave with locals and tourists alike. Refined dishes with black and white truffles made by chef Gabriel are the real stars here but don't miss out on the other innovative yet traditional plates. The menu also includes typical Roman dishes (such as ravioli, carbonara, and risotto) and seafood specialities.
Pane e Salame ('bread and salami' in English) with its long and narrow dining room is a snug yet comfortable eatery. Made-to-measure taglieri (wooden chopping boards) come loaded with cold cuts, cheeses, roasted eggplants, zucchini and pates, and are usually combined with a glass of fine wine to be enjoyed to the fullest. It is highly recommended to come early as the place gets busy, especially during rush hour.
Felice a Testaccio is an esteemed trattoria, which has since 1936 been dedicated to serving tasty and original Roman cuisine. As you walk into this restaurant, you will notice many locals among the diners, which is always a good sign. Although all their pasta dishes, as well as meat courses, are delicious, most people come here for their scrumptious cacio e pepe pasta. Also highly recommended is the tiramisu, which is topped with melted chocolate.
On top of the Rome Cavalieri Hotel, La Pergola – an award-winning restaurant with three Michelin stars – offers not only exquisite, gourmet Italian fare but also a breathtaking panoramic view over the city of Rome. The wine cellar contains over 50,000 bottles of wine, and as for the accompanying water, there are over 25 different kinds to choose from.
La Rinascente is a slightly more exclusive department store, carrying many high-end brands. They have everything from clothes to shoes, perfume and accessories. After a long day of shopping, you can enjoy a walk through the close-by Villa Borghese gardens.
Beautiful 19th-century arcade with enormous cut-glass chandeliers and a vaulted glass roof, this mall was recently named after the very popular, now late actor Alberto Sordi. Various shops and coffee bars, but mainly fashion clothes, but also the book shop Feltrinelli, which has a wide range of guides and books in various languages.
Coin specialises in men's and women's clothing and beauty items. Not only will you find shoes, bags, jewellery, and perfumes, but also a great selection of high-quality kitchen and bathroom gadgets.
Battistoni is a fashion institute that started its business in the year 1946 here in Rome and makes flawless tailoring for men and women. If it is an elegant Italian design you are looking for, then you have come to the right place.
Laura Biagiotti is one of Italy's greatest designers, crowned the "Queen of Cashmere". This line has everything from elegant clothing to shoes, bags, eyewear and underwear.
At Vanessa Foglia Abitart, you can get your hands on one-of-a-kind, colourful clothes. The designer comes from an artistic background that is reflected in their creative women's clothing.
Eataly is a famous megastore-chain offering high-quality Italian delicacies. In Rome, they are situated at Ostiense railway station and provide you with multiple floors of food heaven. You can pick up some souvenirs and attend cooking classes or visit one of their restaurants.
Peruse the high-quality leather creations of Carlo Cecchini himself, whose strong creativity and imagination result in a vast range of designs conceived for a varied crowd of all ages and styles. His production of bags, totes, wallets, shoes and purses, follows the guiding principles of the old Italian leather making traditions, only using top quality raw materials treated and manufactured according to centuries-old traditions.
La Rinascente is a slightly more exclusive department store, carrying many high-end brands. They have everything from clothes to shoes, perfume and accessories. After a long day of shopping, you can enjoy a walk through the close-by Villa Borghese gardens.
Beautiful 19th-century arcade with enormous cut-glass chandeliers and a vaulted glass roof, this mall was recently named after the very popular, now late actor Alberto Sordi. Various shops and coffee bars, but mainly fashion clothes, but also the book shop Feltrinelli, which has a wide range of guides and books in various languages.
Rome’s main airport, Leonardo da Vinci, is located in Fiumicino, 30 kilometres (18.5 miles) from the city. There are several ways to get into the city centre from the airport: Leonardo Express The Leonardo Express leaves every half hour in each direction and connects the Roma Termini station with Fiumicino airport. Tickets can be bought at machines, travel agencies, ticket desks and on the website. Train You can reach Rome by train directly to the Termini railway station. Metro The metropolitan train FM1 links the airport with regions like Fara Sabina, Orte and Poggio Mirteto. Please note that the Metro does not stop at central station Termini. Terravision Shuttle Bus This bus line takes you to the central station Termini.
The city’s second airport Ciampino is situated 12.0 km southeast of central Rome and is mainly served by low-cost and charter airlines. Bus Some low-cost airlines have their own buses. The regular buses depart from the nearby underground station Anagnina. Taxi A taxi ride from the airport and central Rome takes 20 minutes.
Rome is a traveller's darling throughout the year. The summer brings peak visitor numbers to Rome, and some of the year's highest temperatures fall in July and August. If your visit happens to be during these two months, make sure to check that your accommodation is equipped with air conditioning. Having said that, the best time to visit Rome is from October to April when there are fewer tourists and airline fares and accommodation tend to be lower.
Is Rome safe? Despite being a major European capital and one of the most visited cities in the world, Rome is a fairly safe city for travellers. However, as with most main tourist destinations, pickpocketing and scams are the biggest concerns here. So be careful with your belongings when taking public transport and around the city's main attractions, and avoid canvassers. Is Rome expensive? Yes, Rome is quite an expensive city to visit but slightly cheaper than other European destinations, such as London and Paris, especially when it comes to accommodation. As of today, the average cost per traveller in Rome is between €80-130 per day. Does Rome have Uber? Yes, the Uber app does work in Rome, and it is totally legal to take one, despite what a few taxi drivers may tell you. However, because there is no UberX or UberPOOL and only Uber Black, Uber Van, and Uber Lux, fares do tend to be higher. For more information on how to get around in Rome, read our sections Taxi and Public Transport.
Italy can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Getting around Rome is very affordable if you use public transport. The system includes three metro lines, buses, trams and urban railway (Ferrovie Urbane). The Termini station is the hub for Rome’s transportation network. The name of the local bus and streetcar company is ATAC. All tickets must be purchased from ATAC ticket machines, newsagents, or ticket outlets on the underground. The underground runs until midnight. Night buses stop at stations marked ”N”. There are also different choices of travel passes for 1, 3 or 7 days that are valid on all public transportation.
Taxi stands can be found throughout the city centre. It is recommended that tourists only use licensed yellow and white taxis. An extra fee is payable per suitcase to and from the airport. There is also a surcharge at night, on public holidays, and Sundays. It is cheaper to hail a taxi in the street than get one at a taxi stand or book via telephone. Tipping at 5-10% is encouraged. Regarding the Uber app, in Rome, the UberX and UberPOOL options are not available. You can only request an Uber Black, Uber Van, or an Uber Lux, which means nicer vehicles but also higher prices. Another way to get around Rome is by requesting a taxi through the Mytaxi app. It works similar to Uber, but it costs less.
Rome’s main airport, Leonardo da Vinci, is located in Fiumicino, 30 kilometres (18.5 miles) from the city. There are several ways to get into the city centre from the airport: Leonardo Express The Leonardo Express leaves every half hour in each direction and connects the Roma Termini station with Fiumicino airport. Tickets can be bought at machines, travel agencies, ticket desks and on the website. Train You can reach Rome by train directly to the Termini railway station. Metro The metropolitan train FM1 links the airport with regions like Fara Sabina, Orte and Poggio Mirteto. Please note that the Metro does not stop at central station Termini. Terravision Shuttle Bus This bus line takes you to the central station Termini.
The city’s second airport Ciampino is situated 12.0 km southeast of central Rome and is mainly served by low-cost and charter airlines. Bus Some low-cost airlines have their own buses. The regular buses depart from the nearby underground station Anagnina. Taxi A taxi ride from the airport and central Rome takes 20 minutes.
