ULTIMATE Rome Guide: Best things to eat and do in Rome
Walking around Rome is akin to meandering through a free, world class museum. The city is littered with ancient history at every corner; your eyes get so accustomed to it that you really need to remind yourself to sit back and take it all in. I have been fortunate enough to visit Rome on a few occasions, and each time I come away feeling as if I haven’t even started to scratch the surface of what this ancient city has to offer.
When approaching the planning of a trip to Rome, it can be quite daunting. There are countless museums, landmarks, and sites to see. Hopefully this list helps a little with the trip inspiration, but I would be remiss if I said the buck stops here with this list. You can go to Rome again and again and always find more to explore. So take this list with a grain of salt and try to just enjoy Rome to the fullest.
Where to stay?
Maybe the first question on your mind is what hotel to book. There are countless high brow and expensive options you can snag, often within close walking distance to the main Rome tourist attractions. These will be higher cost and may not give you much reprieve from the crowds (and you will encounter crowds no doubt).
We recommend basing yourself out of the less touristy neighborhoods, but still be within short walking distance to some popular sites. We booked a stay in the Trastevere (open in Google Maps) neighborhood and could not recommend it more. We booked an AirBnB as we were traveling in a group of four, but we also think we would have loved this adorable boutique hotel. You are close to many cafes and popular restaurants and bars, while also being close to the Vatican and city center. This was once the working class neighborhood, and maintains much of its bohemian feel, with loads of character. Be sure to check out Piazza di Santa Maria which is the center of the neighborhood. Check out the Basilica of Santa Maria (open in Google Maps) before jetting off for some tasty bites.
The Highlights
#1: St. Peter’s Basilica
An architectural achievement and a true marvel of Renaissance opulence, St. Peter’s Basilica (open in Google Maps) will always be a delight to visit and should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Rome. It was famously (or maybe infamously) financed through the sale of indulgences, which were tickets to heaven that any person could purchase for themselves, or even deceased loved ones. And while the church today does not maintain the sale of indulgences, it is a good reminder when visiting how the church operated long ago, and how such luxury and opulence was afforded.
While entrance to the church is free, expect lines on lines if you are visiting in peak season. There are also exhibits that require paying for a booking, which is recommended to be booked well in advance. You can expect to spend a fair amount of time here and in the Vatican in general. If you are interested in learning more about the Vatican and Roman history, buying a ticket to the Vatican museums is highly recommended.
#2: The Vatican Museums
Please please please book a skip the line ticket. PLEASE. The Vatican Museums (open in Google Maps) are one of the most popular visits in Rome. We booked a skip the line ticket through GetYourGuide (click here to book your ticket) and saved loads of precious time because of it. We saw the line stretch back a ways and saved probably 3 hours of waiting, in the beating sun mind you.
The museum itself is jam packed with historical artifacts and paintings collected by the papacy for centuries. The most popular piece is without a doubt the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo. If there is one museum to visit during your stay in Rome, make it the Vatican museum.
#3: Borghese Gallery
If crowds aren’t your thing, a visit to the Borghese Gallery (open in Google Maps) may be a better option. You need to book a ticket in advance and for a selected reservation time (click here to book through Get Your Guide). The gallery gets sold out, and therefore does not get as busy as other museums with no cap on visitors. Top pieces include the Lady With Unicorn by Raphael, Diana And Her Nymphs, and many other priceless artifacts.
#4: Pantheon
The Pantheon (open in Google Maps) is an ancient Roman temple constructed under Emperor Hadrian, famous for having the largest unreinforced dome in the world. It used to be free entrance but unfortunately has changed to requiring tickets, which you can pay for at entry or book through Get Your Guide via this link. If you prefer to not pay, the square where the Pantheon is located is also a fun place to sit and people watch.
#5: Piazza Navona
Just west of the Pantheon is Piazza Navona (open in Google Maps), a beautiful town square lined with cafes, ornate buildings, and museums. It is a fun area to sit back and relax by the fountain, but as always beware of scammers who will do anything to disturb your relaxation time.
#6: Trevi Fountain
Another masterwork, the Trevi Fountain (open in Google Maps) is an impressively intricate public fountain and is free to view. If you can get here earlier in the day, you might be able to be one of the only people and get some amazing photos done. We came here in the early evening and were swamped with other tourists, but it was still an enjoyable experience.
#7: Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps (open in Google Maps) is a super fun area with loads of things to see and do, including shopping, museums like the house of John Keats, and plenty of dining options. We especially enjoyed coming here for sunset at the top of the 135 step staircase. Do be careful of scammers with flowers. They can be very aggressive and are not afraid of touching or getting in your face. I recommend ignoring them completely, and if they persist, just keep moving along.
#8: Colosseum
The Colosseum (open in Google Maps) is an imposing structure in the center of Rome and hosted the infamous gladiator games. You will notice a recurring theme here: BOOK IN ADVANCE. The area outside the Colosseum can get quite hectic at times, especially in the lines for admittance and ticket purchase. Highly recommend booking a skip the line ticket (click here to book through Get Your Guide) or a personal tour, so you can get the most out of your time at this fascinating monument. While we did not book a tour, we made due with the Rick Steves audio guide, which did a great job at giving you a brief history tour of the interior and exterior of the Colosseum, as well as other monuments in the nearby Roman Forum.
For a particularly special view of the Colosseum away from the flurry of tourists, check out Via Del Colosseo (open in Google Maps) near Caffe Roma. We loved the chance to stand and gape at the massive structure away from all the hubbub.
#9: Roman Forum
Entrance to the Roman Forum (open in Google Maps) is included with any Colosseum ticket. What once was the center of Roman life now sits a wide area with ruins of ancient government buildings and other monuments. It is an open air museum where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll and imagine life as a Roman, assuming you don’t go in the heat of the afternoon like we did, in which case it's more of a damp trudge.
#10: Campo de Fiori
Monday through Saturday you can find a fun market square at Campo de Fiori (open in Google Maps), full of stalls ranging from spices, fresh produce, flowers, and more. It's a fun and lively area to peruse stalls and people watch. Nearby is a great little cafe called Bar Farnese (open in Google Maps), manned by the sweetest old Italian man. Brush up on your Italian, sip a cappuccino, and walk around the market before venturing off for some more food.
Food
Supplizio (open in Google Maps) is known for serving up Suppli, which are fried rice balls. They make for a perfect afternoon snack or meal, and they make them in all four of the famous Roman pasta flavors.
Frigidarium (open in Google Maps): Extremely tasty gelato with some sometimes crazy long lines. Was the wait worth it? I can't say for sure. But what I can say is after eating a cup of decadent hazelnut gelato, I forgot all about that line.
Bar San Calisto: For a lively night out in the Trastevere neighborhood, we happened up Bar San Calisto (open in Google Maps). The place is packed with young and old alike who want to drink a beer in an old town square. We had a blast sipping on some peronis, people watching, and listening to live music.
La Prezzemolina: For some outstanding Roman style pizza, within close distance to the Colosseum, make sure to check out La Prezzemolina (open in Google Maps). You pay by weight here, and that loads of different toppings. We really enjoyed the carbonara pizza, as well as the escape from the heat.
Nanarella: Located in the heart of the Trastevere neighborhood, Nanarella (open in Google Maps) is a staple in the area for perfect Italian pastas. Make sure to try all four of the classic Roman pastas (cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, and alla gricia) during your trip. For a little more protein, the meatballs in oxtail sauce were exceptional.
Roscioli: For a bougie night out, try Roscioli (open in Google Maps) which is a deli turned restaurant that serves up some seriously eye-catching dishes. The foie gras ravioli was insanely tasty, especially when paired with excellent wine and company.
Rome Guide
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