Rome Travel Guide: What to See and Do in Rome
Why Travel to Rome?
With more than 2,500 years since its foundation, Rome has been declared since the I A.C century as "The Eternal City" by the poets of the age. Also, they used to call Rome "Caput Mundi" (Capital of the World), and with the help of cinema, literacy and culture, have consolidated through the years.
Italy's capital is among the top 20 most-visited cities in the world, representing the most popular touristic attraction of the country. UNESCO also declared the Historic district of Rome as a World Heritage site. Also, the well-known saying "All roads lead Rome" is practiced by thousands of tourists every year. These are only some of the reasons to highlight and gives us reasons to discover "The Eternal City" and its charming near towns.
Rome is more than a historic city. The culture of its people, the famous gastronomy and even the romantic air that you breathe, offer a unique destination in the world.
When Is the Best Season to Travel to Rome?
Spring, especially between March and April (with exception of Holy Week from April 14 to 21), is a good moment to travel to Rome. Weather usually is comfortably warm (between 14° and 17°), and in general, there is not a huge amount of visitors in comparison with high seasons (between May and September). Another ideal period to visit the city is finishing September and starting November, with optimal temperatures during the day (between 18° and 27°)
While it is true that it is a nice season to visit Rome, it is highly recommendable to reserve lodging 3 or 4 months in advance to avoid setbacks. The most important events between March and April are the following:
- Commemoration of Caesar's death: on March 15, many events are held at the historic Roman Forum. One of the most important is the recreation of the assassination of Caesar in the Argentinian Tower (Largo di Torre Argentina).
- Rome Marathon: it is celebrated on March 29, athletes from all over the world participate. It takes place between the Roman Forum and the famous Colosseum, in a route through the most emblematic places of the eternal city.
- Holy Week: represents a week of multidinary events held in the Vatican. Pope's Mass in Saint Peter's Square, with the Blessing of the Palms on March 20. It finishes with Easter Mass on March 27.
- City anniversary: It is celebrated on April 21, a huge amount of monuments, museums and archeological sites offer free entrance in commemoration. Also, there is a wide amount of events, parades and musical concerts over the city. It may coincide with culture week.
What to Do and See in Rome?
Visit museums and historic monuments of the city
Discover Roma means to walk through its emblematic historic district, therefore, it is recommended to find lodging in a close area. You will have the chance to explore the old Roma with a tour around the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Catacombs of Rome and Palatine Hill (called the first nucleus of the Roman empire), and to see the famous Temple of Caesar.
If you are asking what to do in Rome in 3 days, the tour guides offer all the information related to the history and legends of the Roman Empire. Also, you will discover the most famous fountain in Rome, the Trevi Fountain, a place with a romantic ambiance where tourists throw a coin to "guarantee" a future visit.
Among the things you can do in Rome, is to visit the Vatican city, its churches and museums. It is part (almost traditional) of the walk around the Eternal City. You can discover Saint Peter's square, and one of the biggest churches in the world, the famous St. Peter's Basilica, the cradle of catholicism (decored by the best artists of the Baroque and Renaissance period). Access to the square is through the metro or by the famous Via della Conciliazione, an avenue of 500 meters long that connects Saint Angel's castle with Saint Peter's square. For a better experience, remember to manage the online tickets on the Vatican official website.
Taste Italian-style espresso coffee
Drinking coffee is something inevitable when arriving in Italy. La Piazza di Spagna is surrounded by numerous cafeterias well known for their traditions. Without doubts, El Antico Caffee Greco is one of the most visited. Try authentic espresso coffee at the second oldest cafeteria in Italy.
Go shopping in Rome
Surrounding La Piazza di Spagna you will find stores to shop. You will not only find well-known brands like Gucci or Prada but also local brands as Fausto Santini. Also, there are shops that offer clothes and goods less expensive, in any of the streets of Via Borbognona, Via Condotti, Via del Babuino and Via Frattina you can find elegant and trendy clothing.
Excursions Recommended from Rome
Excursion from Rome to Florence
The route between Florence and Rome will take you to the cradle of the Renaissance, where you breathe art in medieval alleys, in shops and palaces. Traveling in tren from Rome Termini to Florence is quick and comfortable. The distance between Rome and Florence is 280km, and high-speed trains make the distance in about 1 hour and 29 minutes.
The train between Rome and Florence will take you to the north of the country through the colorful regions of Lacio and Toscana. The road will take you to the heart of the city, giving you the chance to visit the "Museo Dell'Accademia" where is the famous Michelangelo masterpiece, the statue of David. You can also walk through the streets of the historic center, meet the famous Florence Cathedral (formally the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) and its stunning dome of Brunelleschi, as well as "Il Ponte Vecchio", a symbol of the city.
Amalfi Coast from Rome
Amalfi Coast is one of the most attractive touristic destinations in Italy. The city of Amalfi has the perfect location where you can see the sea (it is in front of the Tyrrhenian sea), and the architecture offers a colorful design. One of the options to visit the Amalfi Coast from Roma is private excursions. This road can be made by train and bus, and they are about 280km and approximately 3 hours traveling (1 hour and 30 minutes by train + 1 hour and 15 minutes in bus from Salerno).
Amalfi is well known for its beautiful nature, history and arts. Starting in 1997 it was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Places as Amalfi Cathedral and the famous Valle delle Ferriere, are must-visit places. Also, such as all Italian regions, it offers amazing gastronomy including seafood meals and the famous Italian Cannelloni.
The famous beaches of Maiori and Minori are part of the traditional view of the Amalfi Coast, where you can relax in the sand or entertain yourself with activities near the beach.
How to Get to Rome?
From the Fiumicino / Ciampino Airport to Rome
The city of Rome has 2 international airports: Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) airport, located 30km from Rome, and the Ciampino airport, second in importance and 16km distant from the city.
From the Ciampino Airport, the most comfortable option to reach Roma is with a transfer service (in-car is approximately 47 minutes to the city), you can reserve the trip and save time when arriving. You can use the bus service to Termini station, the first bus departs at 08:15 am. Also, as another option, you can do the transfer by bus to the Capannelle train station, and from there, use Trenitalia to Rome (the route is made in about 30 minutes).
From Fiumicino Airport, you can take a direct route (without stops) to the Termini station in Rome. The route is made in less than 35 minutes, and it is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to reach Rome from Fiumicino. Also, you can get a taxi with a capacity of up to 4 passengers including the luggage. Also, there is a bus service that connects Fiumicino with Termini station, and the trip is made in 55 minutes, departing from 05:00 am to 23:00.
Flights to Rome from Argentina and Mexico
There is a wide variety of airlines (national and international) that covers the routes from Argentina and Mexico to Italy's capital. If you are in Argentina and you are crazy to discover the "Eternal City", you can find flights from Buenos Aires (with 12 or 16 traveling hours) and Cordoba (with 1 or 2 stops) to the Fiumicino Airport. If you are traveling from Mexico, there are different cities other than DF with flights to Rome, including 1 or 2 stops (with 13 to 16 traveling hours).
Gastronomy in Rome
Where to eat in Rome?
Italian cuisine is one of the most famous in the world, it has a huge variety of plates and ingredients. It is almost impossible to find someone who has not tried pizza, ravioli or lasagne. Italian restaurants in Rome offer a wide selection of delicious dishes to choose from, from colorful salads to exquisite meat and fish recipes.
La Montecarlo is known as one of the best pizzerias in Rome. It is close to Piazza Navona. If you are looking for traditional Italian pizza, this is the place! La Spaghetteria L'Archetto is also an excellent option if you want amazing food. A simple and small restaurant perfect for lunch or dinner. They are famous for the diverse types of pasta they offer.
Where to it in Trastevere?
La Tavernaccia is a restaurant in the famous Trastevere neighborhood, it is usually full of people who love authentic Roman cuisine. The menu is changed daily according to the season and chef's selections, and the specialties that they offer include roasted pig, oxtail and lasagne. It is a restaurant with a rustic aspect where big groups of people can join.
Le Mani in Pasta is also one of the most visited restaurants in Trastevere. Offers traditional roman dishes and it is famous for the fish, but also you can find pasta and Italian meat. Everyone high recommends tasting an Italian pasta especially called "el cacio e pepe".
OMNIA Cards and Rome Pass
Omnia y Romas Pass are touristic cards that give you access to museums, archeological sites, interesting places, and some transportation services in Rome.
The Roma Pass card offers discounts and promotions according to the time you acquire the card (48 for 28€ and 72 hours for 38,50€). Also, they give you access to museums and the Castel Sant'Angelo, but it is limited to museums in Vatican city and transportation from Airports to the center of the city.
Omnia card includes Roma Pass (with all the options), and access to Vatican museums and touristic places. Also, you can have access to touristic transportation services with a tour around the most emblematic places in Rome.
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