Rome
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Rome
Rome 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, such as the Colosseum, Roman Pantheon, and Forum. Amidst the awe-inspiring ruins and charming piazzas, you can savour the delights of smooth gelato, frothy cappuccinos, delectable pasta and pizza, and exquisite wines, all contributing to the allure that draws over 10 million tourists annually in search of a taste of the Italian “Dolce Vita”.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,' the Colosseum has hosted violent and brutal displays of gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights, all just for the delight of crowds. The 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 Fontana di Trevi 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 certainly contributed to its fame. In 2016, Fendi chose the fountain as the stage of one of its most memorable shows ever, wherein a clear plexiglass runway stretched across the Trevi 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 fascinating insights into Roman civilisation.
An astonishing 2,000-year-old temple, now a church, the Pantheon is a remarkable building to visit when in Rome. Built as a temple to all gods, the Pantheon 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 here 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,' the Colosseum has hosted violent and brutal displays of gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights, all just for the delight of crowds. The 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 Fontana di Trevi 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 certainly contributed to its fame. In 2016, Fendi chose the fountain as the stage of one of its most memorable shows ever, wherein a clear plexiglass runway stretched across the Trevi Fountain.
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.
Galleria Alberto Sordi is a beautiful 19th-century arcade with enormous cut-glass chandeliers and a vaulted glass roof, named after the very popular, now-late actor Alberto Sordi. It houses a variety of shops and coffee bars, but mainly fashion clothes, and the bookshop 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 tailored garments for men. If it is an elegant Italian design you are looking for, then you have come to the right place.
Vanessa Foglia, the daughter of the famous stylist Raffaella, who reigned over the Italian fashion scene in the last century, was immersed in the world of fashion from an early age. Her passion for art, fine fabrics, harmonious colours, and meticulous attention to detail was nurtured by her upbringing. Now, as a designer, she brings her artistic background to life at Vanessa Foglia Abitart, where you can find unique and vibrant women's clothing that reflects her creative flair. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, capturing the essence of her love for fashion and her dedication to creating colourful and captivating garments.
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, attend cooking classes, or visit one of their restaurants.
Peruse the high-quality leather creations of Carlo Cecchini, 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.
For a unique shopping experience, just 20 minutes from Rome you'll find the Designer Outlet Castelromano McArthurGlen with all your favourite labels offering discounts of 30-70%, all year round.
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.
Galleria Alberto Sordi is a beautiful 19th-century arcade with enormous cut-glass chandeliers and a vaulted glass roof, named after the very popular, now-late actor Alberto Sordi. It houses a variety of shops and coffee bars, but mainly fashion clothes, and the bookshop Feltrinelli, which has a wide range of guides and books in various languages.
Rome’s main airport, Leonardo da Vinci (FCO), is located in Fiumicino, 30 kilometres 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 Trenitalia website. The journey takes 32 minutes. Train: The FL1 train links the airport with regions like Fara Sabina, Orte, and Poggio Mirteto. Please note that the train 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 (CIA) is situated 12km 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 on 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 an urban railway (Ferrovie Urbane). The Termini station is the hub of 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. Ensure to use only licensed yellow and white taxis and that the cab has a meter for a safe and reliable ride. 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 on the street than get one at a taxi stand or book via telephone. Regarding the Uber app, in Rome, you can only request an Uber Black, which means nicer vehicles but also higher prices. Below are a couple of taxi companies in Rome: Taxi NCC Rome +39 389 510 6334 Cheap Taxi N.C.C +39 375 542 7433
Post offices in Rome are usually open from 9am to 2:30pm, from Monday to Friday and between 9:30am–1pm on Saturdays. Stamps can be bought at tobacconists that either carry a blue and white "Tabacchi" sign or are simply marked by the ”T” sign.
Rome’s main airport, Leonardo da Vinci (FCO), is located in Fiumicino, 30 kilometres 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 Trenitalia website. The journey takes 32 minutes. Train: The FL1 train links the airport with regions like Fara Sabina, Orte, and Poggio Mirteto. Please note that the train 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 (CIA) is situated 12km 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.
