Rome Travel Guide
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Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Rome
Rome is a vacation destination unlike any other. Combining history with a rich culture and beautiful scenery, Rome is the perfect place to do it all. The city itself is the capital of Italy, with an impressive population of 2.8 million people. It’s also home to Vatican City, both the smallest country in the world and home to the Pope.
Planning a visit to Rome can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing what popular attractions are waiting, as well as what to expect flying into the airports, can alleviate some stress. It’s also helpful to know where to stay and how to save some money.
This guide will cover everything mentioned above and more. By the end, you should be totally prepared to plan your trip to the great city of Rome!
Top Attractions in Rome
Rome is home to some of the most famous attractions in the world. From ancient ruins to beautiful architecture, there’s no shortage of sights to marvel at. This next section will cover some of the top attractions in Rome, including the Trevi Fountain and the religious center of the world.
The Colosseum
This large, ancient amphitheater opened in 80 AD and housed all sorts of games, including gladiator fights. Though the amphitheater itself hasn’t been used since the 18th century, it remains a popular place for tourists to visit.
Planning ahead before visiting the Colosseum is imperative to avoid hour-long lines. You can travel to the Colosseum itself using public transportation, but tickets must be purchased ahead of time. Admission to the Colosseum itself costs 12 euros (or around $14) per person, but the first Sunday of each month is free.
If you do go on the first Sunday of the month, be prepared to wait in line for quite a long time!
Make sure you familiarize yourself with the Colosseum’s rules before visiting. Certain items and photographs are not allowed.
Vatican City
The smallest country in the world and home of the Roman Catholic Church is a top place to visit when in Rome. There are only six entrances to the entire area, with three being open to the public. The rest of the state is enclosed by walls built during the Renaissance era.
Here, curious visitors can marvel at St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. If you’re nterested in learning more about the state’s history, you can book a tour; admission tickets to various attractions can also be purchased. It is free to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, but visitors should expect to pay 14 euros ($16) to enter the Sistine Chapel.
Trevi Fountain
The largest fountain in the entire city of Rome, Trevi Fountain is a must-see for anyone visiting the area. It was finished in 1762 and now serves as a tourist spot. In fact, you may see people throwing coins into the water — this practice dates back to a myth from 1954:
- One coin: You’ll come back to Rome.
- Two coins: You’ll come back to Rome and fall in love.
- Three coins: You’ll come back to Rome, fall in love, and get married to an
The Trevi Fountain is free to visit but can be extremely busy. Try to go as early or late as possible to avoid midday crowds!
The Experience Flying into Rome Airports
There are two main airports in Rome, Leonardo da Vinci Airport and Ciampino Airport. However, the majority of popular airlines fly into Leonardo da Vinci, while cheaper, budget airlines fly into Ciampino. For the purpose of this section, we will discuss the experience at Leonardo da Vinci.
Leonardo da Vinci Airport is situated approximately 20 miles away from the city, but there are several public transportation options. The quickest is the Leonardo Express, which is a train that takes passengers directly to the Stazione train station in Rome. Passengers may also take a taxi or use a ride-sharing app like Uber.
When arriving in a foreign country, passengers will need to display identification such as a passport and go through customs. Plan a little bit of extra time between deplaning and hopping onto the Leonardo Express; lines can get pretty long!
Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Rome
Visiting Rome doesn’t have to break the bank. Airfare can be a pretty big chunk of your budget, but there are some ways to save as much as possible. Below are the three top tips for flying cheap to Rome.
1. Avoid the summer season.
Summer is the most popular time to travel to Rome. You can avoid paying higher fares by traveling in the winter instead. According to Kayak, February is the best time to fly.
2. Be flexible
Airfare can change based on the time of day and day of the week. If you’re flexible in your travel rates, you’re more likely to save in the long run.
3. Fly into Ciampino
The Ciampino Airport is smaller and serves fewer airlines but it can also be cheaper. Look into travel options to both airports and choose the one that saves you money.
Popular Areas of the City to Stay
There are many great neighborhoods in Rome to set up your home base, but the most popular areas are Stazione Termini and Vatican City.
One specific neighborhood located in this area is Trastevere, which is just southeast of Vatican City. The neighborhood is praised for its location; only a hop across the River Tiber are sights like the Pantheon and Roman Forum! This next section will cover some popular hotels and Airbnbs in Trastevere to give you an idea of what’s available to you!
Popular Hotels in Rome
Visitors can choose from an impressive selection of hotels in Trastevere, ranging between $50 and $200 per night. Below are three popular options.
- Casa di Santa Francesca Romana: A charming stay offering free breakfast and WiFi on the banks of the River Tiber, for $84 per night.
- Hotel Santa Maria: Top-rated hotel with a rooftop terrace and free breakfast for $97 per night.
- VOI Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel: Upscale convent-turned-hotel with an on-site bar and lounge for $98 per night.
Popular Airbnb Places in Those Areas
For an alternative to the hotels in the area, check out some of the popular Airbnb options below:
- Apartment in the Historic Center: This one-bedroom is located in a historic building and rents for $15 per night.
- Green Loft: Beautiful ivy-clad building with modern decor for $35 per night.
- Terrace: Romantic studio with a private terrace for $39 per night.
Top Things to Do in Rome
There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained while visiting Rome. Whether you prefer historical sightseeing or tasting your way through the city, you’re sure to find an experience unlike any other.
Below are five of the top things to do when visiting Rome:
- Rome is home to some of the most famous landmarks in the world. Spend a day marveling at the Pantheon and Spanish Steps! Many of Rome’s sights are free, which is great news when it comes to your budget!
- Visit a museum. The Vatican museums hold over 70,000 pieces of artwork collected by various popes over the years. Dual tickets to the Vatican museums and St. Peter’s Basilica can be purchased for a deal.
- Check out Campo de Fiori. This Roman neighborhood is bustling with life and is free to visit. While guided experiences are available, this is a great one to experience on your own.
- Taste the city. Try some local Italian cuisine! You certainly can’t get it anywhere else. A food tour is a great way to sample just about everything without spending all of your money on snacks!
- Take a cooking class. Even better than tasting the cuisine is learning how to prepare it yourself! Leave Rome with a few extra recipes up your sleeve to impress all of your friends back home.
Coolest Airbnb Experiences in Rome
Are you looking for a more intimate outing led by a local guide? Experiences offered by Airbnb hosts enrich any afternoon. Below are some of the coolest Airbnb experiences in Rome!
Below are some of the best Airbnb experiences visitors can enjoy when visiting Rome.
- Learn how to make handmade pasta. This experience teaches guests how to make a handful of homemade pastas. The class is followed by an elaborate taste-test complete with Italian wine and rich tiramisu for dessert. Tickets cost $34 per person.
- Take a Renaissance tour. Join knowledgeable guides on a three-hour walking tour, focusing on the history of the Italian Renaissance. Tickets for this tour cost $31 per person.
- Explore the dungeons of the Colosseum. Get up close and personal with thousand-year-old dungeons located in the Colosseum, where gladiators and animals were kept before fights. Guests will also be taken to the Roman Forum to visit various temples and tombs. Each person should expect to pay $98.
- Model for your very own photoshoot. For $98 per person, anyone can partake in a photoshoot in front of the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. This is a great way to get some professional shots of your trip without breaking the bank! Pictures are emailed to guests three to four days after the shoot.
- Explore Rome on a Vespa. Enjoy a guided tour through the city while riding atop a Vespa! Guests will stop in virtually all of the best areas Rome has to offer before ending with a cup of coffee from the most famous cafe in Rome. Tickets cost $133 per person.
- Take a food tour. Spend two hours traversing through Trastevere and sampling all of the best eateries in the area. Guides will also share tips and recipes so that you can cook just like an Italian! Tickets cost $49 per person.
- Exclusive Vatican experience. Lastly, enjoy a semi-private tour of the Vatican to visit the many different landmarks and museums in the world’s smallest country. For $74 per person, guests can enjoy a backstage pass to one of the most famous places in the entire world!
Final Thoughts
Visiting Rome is a one-of-a-kind experience, complete with beautiful scenery and an impressive history. In order to prepare for your trip, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the many attractions and activities available, as well as where to stay and how to get to the city itself. We hope that this guide has served as a point of inspiration for planning your trip to Rome!
