What to do in Rome Discover the fantastic ancient city in just a few days!

Rome, it’s more than just a crush. I hadn’t been back there in many years, but it’s a city that has absolutely everything to please me. It’s an imperial city, with a big history, a very (very) beautiful city, good food and lots to do. So when the opportunity arose to return to Italy, we didn’t hesitate to land in Rome. Again. And it’s not over yet, because even after several visits, more than 2 weeks on the spot, there are still a lot of monuments, places and little neighborhoods that I haven’t discovered yet.

In short, I’m going to try and condense everything I know and love about this city into this long article. Let’s get started!

Why visit Rome

Because it’s beautiful, of course! Well, not only that, fortunately. Let’s just say that Rome has just about every quality a city should have:

• superb architecture. And I’d even go so far as to say several kinds of architecture. Between the historic center, Trastevere, Coppedè and the different eras, it’s all very varied
• over 2,700 years of history. Rome wasn’t built in a day (well, we had to get that one out of the way), so we’ll go through the creation of Romulus and Remus, Ancient Rome, the Empire, then the transition to Catholicism with its various basilicas.
• These are exceptional monuments that embody this history. What’s more, they’re all so well preserved! The Colosseum, the Forum, the Sistine Chapel, the various basilicas, the Baths of Caracalla… it’s all simply fantastic!
• how good the food is! Honestly, Italian food is already good, so just imagine what you’re in for in Rome. Pasta and pizza, of course, but that’s not all. The charcuterie is magnificent, the cheese excellent, and the little delicatessens absolutely everywhere. And for dessert, the best gelato in the world, of course.

Honestly, do you really need me to convince you any more?

The most beautiful things to see in Rome

That’s the hardest thing about coming to Rome. What are we going to do? And to be honest, there’s just too much to see. Sorry, but we’re going to have to make some choices! Rome is an open-air museum (I think that expression was invented for this city), the remains of the famous Roman civilization, but also religious buildings, museums, it’s really amazing. It’s a city where you’ll turn every corner and say “roh look at that!

Anyway, here’s what you can see:)

The Colosseum

How could we not start with the Colosseum? It’s considered one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It’s a place steeped in history and so much more. Imagine one of the largest amphitheaters in the world, with a capacity of 50,000 people, dating back 2,000 years, where gladiator fights, animal games and killings were held. They knew how to have fun back then.

All in all, a visit to the Colosseum is a real step back in history, and well worth the effort. However, you’ll need to book in advance, as places are limited and go fast (at least 1 day in advance, easy). And do you have to visit the inside or just the outside? Frankly, the inside is worth it. Especially since they’ve renovated the building to offer fun activities and tours.

Booking information

There are different tours and kind of visits. You can do a single visit, the main places, or you can visit the upper floor, the ground. I would advice you to take a guide so that you can learn the History of that place.

Oh, and ticket always includes an entry to the Roman Forum

• Information and available options

The Roman forum

Vatican – Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome

Warning, big slap in the face. Quite honestly, whether you’re a believer or not, you can’t remain indifferent in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica. It’s a marvel, really. It exudes history, and it’s very (very) beautiful. Quite simply.

In Rome, there are 4 so-called “major” basilicas. We’ll see the others a little further down (because you’ve got to see them too!), but there’s something special here. For a start, we’re in another country! The Vatican is tiny, but it’s an independent country, which includes the Basilica, the museum and 2/3 other buildings, and that’s it. Then, arriving on the esplanade offers a superb view, with its semi-circular columns. Finally, the interior is impressive. Very high, very gilded, very elaborate. And don’t hesitate to go to the very top for a splendid view!

And don’t miss the magnificent ceilings, which you should always have your nose in the air for (see photo for an example), and Michelangelo’s famous Pieta sculpture.

And admission is free. Except for the dome, which must cost €8.

The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel

This one’s crazy. You’ll need quite a bit of time to discover this fantastic museum. Initially, you’ll wander through dozens of rooms, discovering collections such as Egypt, with mummies, sarcophagi and thousands of superb antiquities. But of course, there’s a great deal on the history of Ancient Rome, with sculptures such as Michelangelo’s Pieta (I’m talking nonsense, it’s in St. Peter’s Basilica) and the Laocoon. Paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio… And super-interesting collections like the Etruscans.

One place I really loved: the map room (with a whole host of antique globes).

But the museum’s masterpiece is obviously the Sistine Chapel. So, yes, it’s crowded and a bit cramped. But as everything (or almost everything) is on the ceiling, it’s no big deal.

And it’s a masterpiece, really. You can spend a very long time observing the details of the frescoes that adorn this chapel. The different scenes on the ceiling are really top-notch.

A visit to the Sistine Chapel concludes a visit to the Vatican Museum, and it’s the same ticket, the same visit.

• Information and booking

Trevi Fountain

One of the most famous fountains in the world, and it has to be said it’s pretty damn beautiful. But touristy! So my first tip would be to come early in the morning to enjoy it without anyone else. Or late at night, when it’s beautifully lit.

I think the Trevi Fountain has a lot of class. Rococo style, it’s the god Neptune, in a shell, pulled by winged sea horses and preceded by tritons. Well, when you put it like that, it sounds ridiculous, but in fact it’s not!

It’s the biggest in Italy, very elaborate, and in a magnificent setting, right in front of the beautiful Palazzo Poli. The custom is to throw in one or more coins and, of course, make a wish. It’s said that to marry an Italian, you have to throw 3 coins. So if you’re coming as a couple, be careful how many coins you throw!

In short, it’s a must!

The Pantheon

A fine slice of Roman history is here. In fact, several slices. The Pantheon is the best-preserved monument in ancient Rome. Originally a temple dedicated to the deities, it was gradually transformed into a church, then a basilica. It now houses the tombs of many Italian personalities, including the painter Raphael and King Victor Emmanuel II.
The surrounding area is also magnificent, in the heart of Rome’s historic district (well, one of the historic districts!), so really take the time to wander around it too.

Visits used to be free. It has recently been raised to €5, and you have to book in advance. In itself, that’s not too bad, as it will help to preserve the site.

• Information and booking

Castel Sant’Angelo

Well, this is a (double) miss, because in 2 trips to Rome, I’ve never managed to visit it. And yet it’s beautiful! And the arrival via the Sant’Angelo Bridge is majestic, lined with numerous statues.

Originally the mausoleum of the emperor Hadrian (a bit of a megalomaniac, it seems), and therefore also dating from the 2nd century, like the Pantheon, the building was later transformed into a fortress against barbarian invasions, then into a prison, a papal residence and finally a museum.

It’s just 2 steps from the Vatican, hence its status as a papal residence (and prison). So you can visit it at the same time as your tour of the city-state.

• Information and booking

The monument to Victor-Emmanuel II

I must confess that the first time I saw this building, also known as the Vittoriano, I thought “wow, that’s ugly”. But it’s actually pretty! A big neoclassical temple, all in white marble, made in honor of King Victor-Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy.

It’s surprising, though, because it’s not at all in the style of the Rome we know, especially as it backs onto a medieval quarter and the Roman Forum.

Inside, you’ll find the Museum of Italian Unification. I confess I haven’t visited it, only seen it from the outside.

The Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore

Ultra impressive, both inside and out. It is one of the 4 major basilicas, along with St. Peter’s in Rome. Located close to Termini station, it’s easily recognized by its tower, the tallest in Rome, its large esplanade offering a magnificent view, and its beautiful Baroque facade.

Inside, I loved the coffered ceiling. But above all, you’ll find numerous mosaics, some dating back to the 5th century (no less), richly decorated domes… Did you know that Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister had her own chapel and tomb here?

Frankly, it’s one of Rome’s big must-sees. Another one, I know!

Admission is free (except for the museum, 3€)

But also…

These are the monuments or places I haven’t visited yet but which must be part of your stay:

• Domus Aurea, Nero’s palace, 2 steps from the Colosseum. You can really smell the history here! The only problem is that, due to a number of problems, you can only take guided tours, and only on weekends, and in limited numbers. When I tried to visit for the first time, it was being restored following another collapse.
  • Information and booking
• Villa Borghese, a large park with a beautiful museum, the Galleria Borghese, which includes an extensive collection of sculptures (Roman and Greek), paintings by Raphael, Rubens, Botticcelli, Caravaggio… There’s also an Etruscan museum and a zoological park.
  • discover a guided tour of the Villa Borghese
• Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, the emblematic building of the Fascist period. It’s nicknamed the Square Colosseum, and indeed, it suits it very well!
• Catacombs, of which there are many in Rome, are worth a visit. The best known is that of Santa Calixtus.
  • Information and booking
• Baths of Caracalla, the largest ancient thermal complex. Extremely well-preserved, the baths were one of the Empire’s most important sites.

Rome’s most beautiful churches and basilicas

Well, this is still VERY impressive. Around every corner you’ll come across a small church or a huge one, each more beautiful than the last, some superbly decorated, others overflowing with gold. Seriously, you need to see several of them (all of them would take up too much of your time), some of them are indispensable. I’m going to give you a dedicated article, but here are just a few examples:

• St. Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican, but we’ve already talked about it before
• the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
• the Basilica of Saint John Lateran
• the Basilica (yet another!) of Saint John Outside the Walls
• the church of Saint Louis des Français in Rome
• Saint Mary of Trastevere
• Saint Clement of the Lateran
• Saint Ignatius of Loyola
• Basilica of Santa Maria d’Aracœli

Rome’s must-see districts and squares

• the bohemian district of Trastevere: a neighborhood I discovered on my first trip over 10 years ago. Back then it was already very nice, but more popular, not particularly bohemian. Now it’s even nicer, with beautiful architecture, lots of little streets and now bars, and lots of great restaurants!
• Piazza di Spagna: one of the city’s most important squares and most famous stairways. And so photogenic! Right next door is the magnificent Piazza del Popolo.
• Piazza Navona: a lovely, long square, with a magnificent dei Quattro Fiumi fountain by the famous sculptor Bernini, enthroned in front of the beautiful church of St. Agnes en Agone
• Capitoline Hill: a small district just behind the “typewriter”, the monument to Victor-Emmanuel II. A medieval quarter, with a beautiful square designed by Michelangelo, and the Basilica of Santa Maria D’Aracœli.
• Campo de Fiori: another great square, with a morning market and plenty of bars and restaurants for drinks and food.
• The Coppedè district: what a surprise! A totally different district, with Art Nouveau architecture and 18 palaces.

Guided tours of Rome

Rome is a city with so much history, so many different eras, a city so interesting that it would be wrong not to take a greater interest in it with a guide. For starters, all the monuments can be visited with a guide.

My second regret is that I didn’t take a guided tour of the city to get the context, the history and simply more information. Walking around Rome is a wonderful thing, but I think a few hours with a guide could really be a plus.

Let’s see what you can do, for example:

• A free tour of Ancient Rome: Jacopo offers you a free tour of the Piazza di Spagna, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain.
  • Free tours are free, but operate on a tipped basis.
  • Information and booking here
• A night tour of Rome. I love visiting cities at night, and it’s usually superbly lit to show off the monuments to their best advantage. The tour is half on foot, half by minibus. You’ll go from the Capitol to the Vatican, from Trastevere to Piazza Navona. In other words, you’ll get the gist of the city in 3 hours.
  • Information and booking
• A gastronomic guided tour . In Trastevere or the Jewish Quarter, discover typical and artisanal dishes with several tastings.
  • Information and booking
• A walking tour of the center of Rome: Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the main squares
  • Information and booking
• A guided tour of the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum, available in French!
  • Information and booking

The best activities to do in Rome

As well as sightseeing, visiting monuments and strolling the streets, here are some other great things to do!

• A Vivaldi concert in a Roman church: I did this (well, Mozart, not Vivaldi) in Salzburg and it was great! I do it once a year in Paris too. So I recommend it 🙂
  • Information and booking
• A cruise on the Tiber to discover Rome and get around. A 24-hour package to get around the Eternal City by boat.
  • Information and booking
• An Italian cooking class! Rome is THE place to learn all about pasta, pizza and tiramisu!
  • Information and booking

Sleep in the historic heart or wake up facing the Colosseum, it's possible!Find your accommodation in Rome!

How to buy tickets and tourist passes

First of all, you need to know that Rome is a VERY touristy city. And places are limited. So, if you don’t want to do what I did, you need to book your tour tickets in advance. At least a day in low season (yes, yes) and several days, even weeks, in advance in high season. We had to change our schedule because I thought booking in the morning would be enough, but it wasn’t. Some slots for the following day were already taken. Some of the next-day slots were already taken, and that was in January. And this is especially true when the monuments close early (e.g. 4.30 pm for the Colosseum).

So, how do I book tickets for the monuments and tours?
For my part, I book in advance (I’ve learned my lesson) on Getyourguide. You can go through the official websites, but I find them more complicated, not always translated (okay, Italian is easy to understand, but still) and I’m not always sure I’ve found the right one. So Getyourguide, or Tiqets sometimes , the prices are the same and the buying experience simpler I find (you can obviously choose your visiting times). But be careful, sometimes it can be more expensive!

Here are the direct links to the main monuments:

• Tickets for the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
• Tickets for the Colosseum and Roman Forum
• Tickets for the Villa Borghese
• Tickets for Castel Sant’Angelo
• Tickets for Domus Aurea
• Tickets for the Baths of Caracalla
• Tickets for the Pantheon

If you’re planning to see it all, then you might be interested in the Rome Tourist Card below

The Rome Tourist Card

This is a combined ticket where you get entry to the city’s most important monuments:

• Colosseum, Roman Forum, Mount Palatine, Mamertine Prison
• Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel (remember that admission to St. Peter’s Basilica is free)
• The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

And two audio guide applications:

• for the Pantheon
• and Rome’s historic center

It’s valid for several days, so there’s no time problem. When you buy the pack, all you have to do is choose the days you want to visit. It costs 116€.

• Information and booking

There’s also the Omnia Card, which looks more complete but is incomprehensible. The monuments included are not clear, but it does include the tourist bus, which is interesting. What’s more, you have to collect your tickets from a kiosk. Not very practical, but I think that once you’ve got the hang of it, it can be pretty good

What to see near Rome

Rome already takes up a lot of time. But there’s plenty to see outside too! An hour away, on the coast or even day trips much further south, there really are so many possibilities! As I’ve been concentrating on the city of Rome, I haven’t yet had time to discover these places (except Pompei, which is fantastic). So I’ll tell you much more when I’ve been there, as I have a feeling it’ll happen quickly 🙂

• Tivoli, a magnificent little town dating back to before the Roman Empire, and boasting 3 major sites to boot, no less! Just an hour from Rome.
  • Hadrian’s Villa, a monumental 2nd-century archaeological site.
  • Villa d’Este, an immense and magnificent 16th-century residence.
    • Easy to visit from Rome. 1h15 by train. Alternatively, tours are organized daily
      • Information and booking
• Ostia Antica, the most important port city of Ancient Rome, just 30km west of Rome! One of the country’s major sites, it can be reached quickly by train from Rome.
  • • Information and booking
• Pompei, the Amalfi Coast and the village of Positano. It’s possible to discover Pompei and the Naples area in just one day from Rome! It’s dense, but you’re totally taken care of and the returns are excellent.
  • • • Information and booking

Itinerary idea for 3 days in Rome

Pfuuu difficult! It depends a lot on your own pace. For example, I recommend a full day at the Vatican, between the museum, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. But it also fits into half a day.

For example, a 3-day itinerary might look something like this:

• Day 1
  • Colosseum
  • Roman Forum
  • Palatine Hill
  • Basilica of St John Lateran
  • Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
  • Return to the Trevi Fountain for the evening (beautifully lit)
• Day 2
  • Visit the Pantheon
  • Piazza Navona
  • Campo dei Fiori to see the market
  • The Baths of Caracalla
  • End of the day in Trastevere
• Day 3
  • Piazza di Spagna
  • (Castel Sant’Angelo)
  • Vatican Museum + Sistine Chapel
  • St Peter’s Basilica and ascent to the dome

And with all that, you’ll have seen a lot and slept like a baby!

Where to stay in Rome

Boon, Rome is rather an expensive city, and accommodation is no exception.

My advice is to concentrate on the historic center, between the banks of the Tiber, piazza del Popolo, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and south of the Colosseum. Okay, that’s a pretty small area with a lot of possibilities. Trastevere and the area around the Vatican are also very good options, though a little less convenient because they’re further from the center.

Well, the big problem is that the hypercenter is very expensive. Finding accommodation for less than €150 a night is a bit tricky, especially in very high season. But it can be done.

Two great hotels offering excellent value for money are :

• The Nikis Collection Navona, 2 steps from Campo dei Fiori, from 150€.
  • Information and booking
• Navona Theatre Hotel, next to Piazza Navona, from €115
  • Information and booking

A step up in price is the ELICAL Exclusive Private Suites, one of the hotels with the best reputation.

Right next to the Vatican, the best option is the Vatican Chic B&B, a great place from €100.

Finally, for accommodation in the bohemian district of Trastevere, a magnificent 17th-century house.

In short, as you can see, there are plenty of options, some super sexy and well placed, while a little further afield it will still be cheaper. But with transport, it’s still a good option

Find the best accommodation in Rome

4 recommended accommodations in Rome

Find all the best accommodations in Rome!

Where to eat and drink

First of all, I’d advise you to make a reservation if you’ve already found your restaurant. We were turned away several times, even when we arrived early.

One of our favorites was 100 tiramisu, next to the Pantheon. It offers 100 tiramisu recipes, of course, but also super charcuterie/cheese boards. Really good!
Also close to the Pantheon, for something to take away, All’Antico Vinaio ‘s focaccia sandwiches are marvellous.
Also near the Pantheon, Mastro Cono‘s hot chocolate and ice creams are magnificent.

When it comes to pizza, you’re spoilt for choice (logical!). We went to Pizza in Trevi, just opposite the fountain, and frankly, it’s not bad at all.

For a drink, there’s obviously a huge choice, from small terraces to large squares (where it’s more expensive), all very pleasant. We had some great Italian beers in a bar/resto called Pizzicaroli. Nice owners, cheap and good products.

Discovering Rome with children

The city of gladiators where you eat ice cream and pizza? I think Rome is paradise for children!

In my opinion, the must-sees are:

• a visit to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to get a feel for Roman life
• the catacombs, which we saw earlier. Some people find it creepy, but I think it’s actually quite surprising for children.
• the gladiator school! you and your children can learn to fight like in the old days, with the outfits and weapons of yesteryear, but above all it’s a great way to learn more about life in Ancient Rome.
  • Information and booking
• a virtual tour of Ancient Rome, to immerse yourself in the city’s evolution
  • Information and booking
• the Leonardo da Vinci Museum! For young and old alike, it’s a plunge into the world of the genius, with numerous reproductions of his inventions. I absolutely loved it!
  • Information and booking
• Villa Borghese is home to Bioparco, Rome’s zoo. Numerous species, including rare ones such as the Komodo dragon. The price is rather high (17€), but it makes for a different and fun visit if you like zoos.
  • Information and booking

And expect to suffer with ice cream vendors every 20 meters or so. Plenty of chocolatiers too, with super-tasty confectionery. The temptation is there, both for you and for your children!

Notes

• with all its cobbled streets, Rome is a difficult city for baby carriages.
• the metro and bus are free for children up to 9 years of age

Practical information

When to come to Rome

I’m not taking any chances when I say that Rome can be visited all year round, without exception. I went there twice in January and the weather was fine. A few drops of rain once, but that was it.

But I’ve mostly been at this time of year because it’s less crowded. It’s a VERY touristy city, and everyone concentrates on the historic center. So if you have the choice, I’d advise you to avoid the most touristy months: July and August. What’s more, I think it’s quite hot there (well, that’s mostly my problem, not necessarily yours 🙂 ).

But don’t worry about the weather, in winter it’ll be fine, in summer it’ll be hot and sunny. Spring and autumn, as is often the case, are two magnificent periods, but they’re still touristy.

So there are no bad periods, only good ones, but you do need to watch out for crowds, which will be very high in summer and during school vacations

How long to stay

This town is terrible. Terrible because there are so many things to see, so many nice neighborhoods, so many little churches, little corners, and lots of things to do around!

On my last visit, I stayed for 4 full days, and that wasn’t enough. Well, we weren’t in dare dare mode, but I’d say we did the essentials of the essentials.

So I’d say at least 3 days. During my first stay, I stayed for a week, and even then I had to do something every day, because I was enjoying myself, discovering the neighborhoods, there weren’t many people around.

A weekend from Friday to Sunday is complicated but manageable. You have almost 2 days on site, and you can see the Vatican and the Colosseum, for example. But I’d say it’ll be a foretaste, as all roads lead back to Rome! You’ll be back, I guarantee it:)

How to get here

Of course, the easiest way is by plane, especially if you don’t have much time.
A Paris – Rome flight takes 2 hours and doesn’t cost much. Without special offers, you’ll be looking at €150/200 return with traditional airlines like Air France and Alitalia, but there are regular special offers (the famous Air France offers every 6 months are great) and low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Easyjet, Vueling…) also make the trip.
I’ve just done a simulation for 2 months from now, for a long weekend, and it’s between €100 and €170.

From other cities :

• Madrid – Rome : around 100€
• London – Rome : from 65€
• Brussels – Rome : from 90€

So as you can see, many cheap possibilities.

Please note: flights vary enormously from day to day and from hour to hour. It’s important to compare prices in advance! I use Kayak, which I find very reliable

compare to get the best price

Getting to Rome by train

Well, you can get to Rome by train, but it’s not the easiest. Well, the most direct. It’s not very close.

• from Paris: you usually have to change trains in Milan. At best it takes 10h, usually about 15 hours. It costs 100€ (the single trip) for the 20-hour trip, and around 180€ for the 10-hour trip. Not cheap!
• from Lyon: it takes a good ten hours (often 15h…) and costs 150€ a way.

Unfortunately, there are no night trains.

How to get from the airport to the city center

Rome Fiumicino airport is quite far from the center of Rome, about 30 kilometers, but it’s easy to get there. There are quite a few different options for connecting the airport and the city center, including the Rome Termini train station, so let’s have a look:

• Cab: this will cost you 50€ (the price is fixed)
• Uber: it’s more expensive, Uber Black only, and costs 60€. To avoid unpleasant surprises with cabs, you can order one via the Uber app. Conveniently, for the same price!
• The Leonardo Express train: 30 minutes to Rome Termini, very practical! The ticket costs €18 (not cheap), but it’s fast and comfortable. Pay attention to the timetable: trains run between 6.40 a.m. and 11.40 p.m.
  • Information and booking
• Bus: convenient, cheap, a little slow. For €6 you can get from the airport to Termini station. About an hour’s journey, which is still about right.
  • Information and booking
• Shuttle bus: a minivan picks you up at the airport and takes you directly to your hotel, between €30 and €40 per head, a shorter and more convenient trip.
  • Information and booking

In the following article, I’ll give you much more detail on how to get from Rome Fiumicino airport to the city center. ville

Luggage storage facilities

There’s a super-reliable left-luggage service at Rome Termini station. They’re open from 9am to 7pm every day, and the price is a fixed €6, whatever the length or size of the luggage.

They’re called Capital Luggage Deposit, and it’s advisable to book in advance, as they’re very busy. You’ll find them in Via Giovanni Giolitti, 127.

• Information and booking

Getting around the city

There are lots of options. The easiest in my opinion is to get around on foot, for two reasons:

• firstly, it’s so beautiful! Just the pleasure of strolling through these alleys, this architecture
• it’s the most economical. But of course, you’ve got to have the time!

The center of Rome isn’t very big. At worst, the distance between the two furthest tourist spots (Saint John Lateran and the Vatican) is 1h30. But you don’t usually visit these two parts of the city on the same day

Uber and cabs

An efficient and economical way. Cabs have a meter, make sure they put it on when you get in. Make sure it’s a real cab (very important). Be careful with the price and they don’t charge you some extra stuff (which is a trap)

Otherwise, when I’m not too confident, I use Uber. Nice and efficient. And cheap (that’s a plus)

The Rome metro

There are 3 metro lines in Rome. However, I don’t necessarily find them super useful for getting around as a tourist. The Colosseum is served, as is the Vatican. Well, come to think of it, that’s not bad. The historic center isn’t served at the moment, but work is in progress. And we’ll be able to link the Colosseum to the Vatican via the center! Which will be great for avoiding cabs.

The one-way ticket costs 1.5€, while the day ticket costs 7€

Tourist transport

I mentioned above the boat, which allows you to travel on the Tiber in public transport mode, with the 24-hour ticket costing 19€ (see here). An interesting and fun option for getting from Trastevere to the Vatican, for example.

Alternatively, you can take the tourist bus. In a “hop on, hop off” style, these buses offer guided tours and you can get off wherever you like for a whole day. Honestly, it’s up to you. It’s great for getting an overview of the city and transport that actually goes to the tourist spots. But in some places it’s not crazy. In Rome, I think it can be pretty good.

• Information and booking

Currency and payments

Many things can be paid for by card, but this is still Italy, so cash is preferred in smaller places. But in Rome, you don’t need to withdraw much money.

Withdrawals are free with your European Union bank card. But if you do need to withdraw money, make sure it’s from a real cash dispenser. Ideally, you should withdraw from an ATM located in a bank branch.

Beware of scams!

Well, it’s not just a legend, but in Rome you have to be a little careful. Firstly, because it’s a super-touristy city, it attracts its share of scams and petty theft, but also because it’s Italy. So the essentials are :

• be extra careful with cabs, and make sure they’re real. Don’t take an illegal cab
• look carefully at the amount indicated on the CB machine when paying by card
• don’t let anyone leave with your CB if you want to pay
• when you go to the cash dispenser, make sure it’s real. Ideally, go to one located in a branch
• always check the tickets before paying (restaurants, bars) to make sure nothing is being added
• finally, check the change you’re given
• and cabs always have a fixed price, even if they try to charge you something extra.

Also: be SUPER careful of pickpockets

Conclusion

So there you have it, I think you know quite a bit about Rome. It’s a city you don’t visit just once. Firstly, because there’s so much to see, and secondly, because it’s so pleasant. Imagine a city steeped in history, where the food and drink are great, the architecture is magnificent, it’s not too expensive and it’s not far away.

You’ll just have to plan your visits a little to get the tickets, as the main monuments are booked at least a day in advance, but otherwise, frankly, there’s no difficulty at all, it’s really a very pleasant city. Just be careful if you’re going in summer, it can be a bit busy 🙂

But if this is your first visit, then the essentials will be :

• the Vatican, its museum and the Sistine Chapel
• the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Mount Palatine
• discover Trastevere
• the Pantheon

And that’s a good start! Don’t forget that even if the city is touristy, there’s nobody out in the early morning, so that’s when you’ll have the most beautiful places all to yourself