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Worth visiting

Colosseum. The most impressive of the ancient monuments of Rome. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, it was built in 80 AD as an arena for the masses. With a capacity of 50,000 it represents a barbaric tradition, as on its stage wild animals were let loose to battle with gladiators, or there were gladiatorial duels between human combatants until the death… Two thousand years later, it is the most visited monument in Italy. If you wish to avoid the queues, then book your tickets online.

Pantheon. One of the best-preserved ancient temples and certainly one of the most important monuments of world cultural heritage. The Pantheon, built in the 1st century BC and renovated by the Emperor Hadrian 150 years later, is still considered a marvel of engineering. Walk through its huge bronze doors to admire the largest concrete dome ever made, wisely bathed in the rays of the sun.

Roman Forum. Wander through the ruins of the once great quarter of palaces and public buildings, where the heart of ancient Rome was beating. First built in the 7th century BC, this, according to mythology, is the spot where Romulus killed his twin brother Remus and founded Rome – which was to grow into the political, social and commercial centre of the Roman Empire. The stunning views from the Palatine and Capitoline hills must not be missed.

The Vatican Museums. The smallest country in the world (the Vatican is an independent state) is home to some of the world’s greatest art collections, placing them in the top five of most visited museums. The foundations of the Museums were first laid when Pope Julius II witnessed the discovery of the sculptural group of the Trojan priest Laocoön and his two sons and asked Michelangelo to confirm its authenticity. The statue soon found its spot in the Vatican and was added to the collection of the Courtyard of Statues (Cortile delle Statue), which was the first collection of the Museums. The museum complex that can be seen today was built in the 18th century, over an area covering 42,000 square metres and in which approximately 70,000 objects are on exhibit. These include the celebrated collection of Roman art in the Pio Clementino Museum, the museums of Pope Gregory XVI featuring Egyptian and Etruscan treasures, the amazing Pinacoteca and, of course, the Renaissance-era Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo. It is essential that you book online to avoid long queues and dedicate at least one day to enjoy the rich collections.

St. Peter’s Basilica. If visiting the Vatican museum requires at least a day, then spare one more to become lost in the magnificent interior of this emblematic church. The largest and most beautiful basilica in Italy, built according to an original plan by Michelangelo and finalised by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, it took 120 years for St Peter’s to be completed and given to the city in 1626 AD. The square in front of the basilica (designed by Borromini) is awe-inspiring: dozens of columns and statues introduce us to the monumental grandeur that lies within, as we are moved by the emotional charge of the beauty of each work and our religious feelings. Major works of art, the most important being Michelangelo’s “Pietà”, are nestled inside the church, including pieces by Raphael, Bernini, Bramante, Maderno and Canova. It is well worth climbing the stairs to the dome of the basilica, from where an amazing view of the Vatican City and Rome is spread in front of you. Attention: there is a strict visitor dress code and it is a good idea to book your tickets online.

Borghese Gallery. If you do not have much time, then the most exemplary collection of Roman visual culture can be found here. Situated within the verdant gardens of the Villa Borghese, the Borghese Gallery is one of the most important museums in Rome and the cream of private collections. It is home, amongst other things, to the remarkable Borghese collection of Roman, Renaissance and Baroque art. Exceptional sculptures and paintings by Bernini, Caravaggio and Raphael make the Borghese Gallery a sight not to be missed.

Capitoline. On the most important of the seven hills of Rome, in the square designed by Michelangelo, is the Capitoline Museums, believed to be the first public museum in the world. The collection dates to 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV donated important bronze statues to the people of Rome. It is today considered the finest collection in Italy for ancient Roman art and much more: Roman bronze and marble statues, and medieval and Renaissance art.

Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain). Anita Ekberg’s dip in Trevi Fountain in the legendary film La Dolce Vita haunts anyone who visits this spectacular baroque sculptural composition: mythical figures ride in chariots pulled by wild horses, with the figure of Neptune, the god of the sea, at its centre. The “fountain of the three roads” (tre vi), created in the 18th century, was the final point of the main aqueduct of Rome. The restoration of the monument by the Italian fashion house Fendi, completed in 2015, further transformed the monument into the symbol of the modern history of Rome.

Piazza Navona. Perhaps the most popular square in Rome, amongst both locals and visitors. Three baroque fountains set the scene: the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), Fontana del Moro (Fountain of the Moor) and the Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune). In the background stands the baroque church of Sant’Agnese in Agone.

Piazza di Spagna. The Spanish Embassy to the Holy See in the 19th century gave its name to this square, which cannot be missed on your trip to Rome. Next to the Column of the Immaculate Conception and at the foot of the Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Boat), created by Bernini (father and son), ascend the 135 Spanish Steps, which are packed with crowds, especially in the summer months. At the top of the steps is the imposing church of the Trinità dei Monti, built on an order of Louis XII, the king of France, in the 16th century.

A night in Trastevere. It’s best to start in the afternoon so that you can get the most out of this photogenic part of Rome, next to the River Tiber. As its name indicates, it runs “along the Tiber”, where old cobblestone lanes and riverside palaces unfold and a bohemian wind blows. Trastevere is one of the most lively and fashionable of the city’s neighbourhoods, where you can wander around charmed without needing a car, among the crowds of Romans and visitors who whirl from restaurant to bar. It is definitely worth climbing up the Janiculum hill to enjoy the phantasmagoric view of Rome by night.

Excursions outside of Rome

Florence. This city-museum may deserve more than just one day but you can at least get a first taste with a trip from Rome. The high-speed trains operated by Trenitalia and Italo take just one hour and 15 minutes but can cost up to 100 euros. The Uffizi Gallery alone is enough to make it worthwhile, however.

Naples. The train again offers a high-speed solution as just over an hour separates Rome from Naples. A beautiful city with a historic centre that radiates an atmosphere of authentic Italy and which is, of course, dotted with important monuments.

Tivoli. By train, car or bus, this journey takes approximately 45 minutes and takes you to a town with two marvellous villas: The Renaissance Villa d’Este of the 16th century and the Villa Adriana (Hadrian's Villa), the summer palace of the Philhellene Roman emperor Hadrian.

Appian Way (Via Appia Antica). A huge green park of historic importance, and which connects Rome with the South, can be found just a stone’s throw from the capital. In addition to the ancient cobbled road (surrounded by nature and Roman villas), there is an atmospheric series of Catacombs, the Catacombs of Callixtus, which were the first cemeteries used by the Roman Catholic Church.

Eating in Rome

There are certain cities in the world which “feed off” good food. One such city is Rome. The social life of the Romans is defined by going out for a meal, so much so it is as though they come alive when they eat. Places where you can eat food, whether fast food, traditional or more sophisticated, can be found wherever you go in Rome: trattorias, restaurants, wineries and pizzerias await you. Aside from the tourist restaurants of the historic centre, Trastevere and Testaccio are two of the most delightful neighbourhoods in which to dine.

At the heart of Italian cuisine are the cheapest ingredients, such as meat and wild greens. In addition, the art of making pasta has evolved into a science, producing essential dishes, such as carbonara (pasta with eggs and pecorino cheese), amatriciana (with more tomatoes than in pasta alla gricia), and cacio e pepe (with pecorino cheese and plenty of pepper).

Other traditional Roman dishes include cod with chickpeas, saltimbocca alla Romana (fried beef scallops wrapped in prosciutto and cooked with white wine) and coda alla vaccinara (oxtail cooked in a tomato, celery and bitter chocolate sauce).

Wine in Rome – as in almost the whole of Italy – is another artform. Arrange some wine bar crawls, making the most of the institution of the aperitivo, which necessitates some early evening drinking.

Shopping in Rome

There can be no dolce vita without shopping and in every corner of Rome that you go to there are always amazing shopping choices. Start at the famous shopping street of the via dei Condotti, in which the bright windows of the Italian fashion houses define the latest styles. Other popular and busy streets are via Borgognona and via del Babuino, as well as the Via del Corso. Young designers are based in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Monti, where you can find the most inventive but also the cheapest creations.

Fans of vintage clothes should go to San Lorenzo for second-hand clothes and accessories. It may not have bright shop windows with displays worth several thousand euros, but the Campo de’ Fiori open-air market is particularly interesting. And you never know, you may discover some great original clothes.

If you have a little more time, visit the outlets in Prati (take the metro to Lepanto station), where you can find clothes by famous designers at half the price. Great deals can also be found in via Tuscolana (alight at Subaugusta station) with unlimited shopping choices.

If you can’t leave Rome without taking some souvenirs with you, then you will find what you are looking for in the outdoor market at Porta Portese.

Nightlife in Rome

The Eternal City dolls itself up at night. Trastevere again lies at the centre of the city’s nightlife, just make sure to avoid the tourist areas.

Even in the historic centre of Rome it is worth searching for the picturesque terraces and balconies, with perfect views of the city. For a livelier night out, go to Ostiense and Testaccio, where the clubs are based. In San Lorenzo and Pigneto there is a more alternative crowd, while towards the northern section of the city – such as Ponte Milvio – the picture changes, and most of the crowd here is affluent.

Getting from Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport to Rome

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport is situated 32 km south of Rome. The fastest way to reach the airport is to take the Leonardo Express train, which departs from Termini Station in Rome. Journey time is 30 minutes. From the airport you can also take railway line FL1, which connects to the metro. You can also take the buses operated by Cotral or Terravision, which connect the airport with various railway stations in the centre of the city. Alternatively, you can take one of the white Rome taxis in the rank outside the airport for a fare of approximately 30 euros.