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One of the most historic cities in one of the most historic countries in the world, Rome is a staple of culture and history in every way, from its stories about two brothers that founded Rome, through the turmoils of the Roman empire, Rome has developed in an amazing city for everybody, romantics and modern people. Exploring Rome can be amazing and fun, so check down everything about it in Rome Travel Guide.
Keep in mind that Rome is a very large city, therefore I would recommend staying in Rome for around 4 days to visit all the main attractions, but even if you spend a whole week or two, you will barely scratch the surface of this historic and amazing city.
Rome is a very friendly city, but there a few hints right of the bat that I would like to tell:
- Be sure to know where your backpack/purse is, mostly because there are a lot of pickpocketers just like in any major city of Rome’s magnitude.
- Also similar to its magnitude, Rome is fairly dirty and full of graffiti on some of the most iconic buildings in the city center which I think that in the long term Italian government needs to clean up.
- Tourists are everywhere, and when I say everywhere I mean it, crowds in Barcelona are nothing compared to the ones in Rome, so be sure to prepare for a lot of bumping and trying to squeeze to get to your destination.
What to expect in Rome
Language in Rome
Just like most of Italy, Italian is the primary language in Rome, keep in mind that you will rarely find Italians that want to speak English or any other language than Italian, so be sure to learn some Italian words before you go.
Currency in Rome
Euros are the main currency of payment in the whole of Italy, it is very beneficial if you are going on a European trip so you won’t have to change the currency in most of the countries.
Credit cards and ATMs
Rome is a huge tourist and modern city, but it still relies mostly on cash as a payment method, mostly because a lot of restaurants do not accept cards. There is a decent amount of ATM-s where you can withdraw money from.
Cost of food in Rome
Just to say – Be careful where you will sit to eat, and I would recommend that you explore a lot and write it down where you will go to eat and not just sit down in the first restaurant that you see, most of the restaurants offer overpriced and terrible food that you will not like (can say from experience which I learned from).
Most meals in restaurants cost around 28 Euros give or take, but in some restaurants do not be surprised if you pay a sit down fee and a tip which in total is about 10 Euros. Quick meals are about 5 to 10 Euros and are a great option in my experience since you will feel the real Italian culture.
Getting around Rome
Public transport in Rome
Rome is one of the better-connected cities in Europe, and you can choose from buses, trams, trolleys, metros, and light railways, but in general I would recommend that you go through Rome on foot to soak in all the culture and romantic spot that you will visit.
The prices of public transport are the following:
- A single ticket ride (‘Biglietto Integrato a Tempo’ or BIT) – €1.50 – you can change buses or go into and out of the Metro on one journey (valid for 100 minutes).
- 24-hour ticket (‘Biglietto 24 ore’) – €7 (valid for 24 hours).
- 48-hour ticket (‘Biglietto 48 ore’) – €12.50 (valid for 48 hours).
- 72-hour ticket (‘Biglietto 72 ore’) – €18 (valid for 72 hours).
Taxis in Rome
Taxis are not recommended since they are fairly pricey, and taxi drivers are a little bit of scammy when it comes to prices that you will pay, so be aware.
Renting in Rome
Hotel Des Artistes
A family-run hotel that is located just 200 meters from Castro Pretorio Metro Station, offers an amazing location and accommodation for the price. It also has a terrace on which you can see Rome for an aerial view and have a romantic drink if you like. Check out the amazing Hotel Des Artistes.
Location: Via Villafranca, 20, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Accommodation: Hotel
Price range: €97 +
Generator Rome
Generator Rome is one of the rare hostels in Rome that offers a private room and private bathroom at an amazing price in the close center and close to all main attractions. Generator Rome is equipped with modern appliances and everything that you might need. Check out Generator Rome.
Location: Via Principe Amedeo, 251, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Accommodation: Hostel
Price range: €87 +
The Inn At The Roman Forum
If you are looking for some luxury, then The Inn at the Roman Forum is your accommodation, having that rustic/modern feel, this hotel is located in a narrow Roman street and walking distance from Colosseum and Roman Forum. Equipped with the most modern appliances, it is pure luxury accommodation. Check out The Inn At The Roman Forum.
Location: Via degli Ibernesi, 30, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Accommodation: Hotel
Price range: €200 +
Relais Le Clarisse
Mid-range priced hotel with an amazing garden where you will be served breakfast it is a pure romantic experience for any couple just wishing to relax and have a great time in one of the most romantic cities in the world. Check out Relais Le Clarisse.
Location: Via Cardinale Merry del Val, 20, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Accommodation: Hotel
Price range: €133 +
La Controra Guesthouse Roma
The guesthouse that is located in the center of Rome with private bathroom and wardrobe in every room, it is a perfect accommodation for anybody that does not like to spend a lot of money on hotels and hostels and just want to sleep somewhere and leave in the morning to start roaming around Rome. Check out La Controra Guesthouse Roma.
Location: Via Umbria, 7, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Price range: €95 +
Mercato food hall is a marketplace/food hall that is a must-visit place. Filled with over 18 food artists, a pub and a bar you will be sure to find something for anybody from Italian traditional dishes to international dishes that people love.
Location: Via Giovanni Giolitti, 36, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Price range: €
If you are looking for pizza slices, this is a must destination. Arguably the best pizza in city Pizzarium is a hole-in-a-wall pizza stand that is always crowded but trust me it is well worth it to wait.
Location: Via della Meloria, 43, 00136 Roma RM, Italy
Price range: €
Restaurant that is known to be standing there for the past five decades, Armando al Pantheon is a known restaurant for its traditional dishes such as spaghetti Ajo Ojo e peperoncino (spaghetti with garlic, oil, and chile) and coda alla vaccinara (oxtail braised in tomato and celery) which are one of the best in the whole city. The prices are modern and you won’t break a bank here.
Location: Salita dei Crescenzi, 31, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Price range: €€
Offering a mixture of Napolitana and Roman pizza, this restaurant is a local favorite so book ahead if you wish to go here.
Location: Via Federico Ozanam, 30-32, 00152 Roma RM, Italy
Price range: €€
Opened in 1968, this restaurant does not only offer traditional Italian food, it offers amazing meat meals and lasagne is a crowd favorite on Sunday’s. Wines from Slovenia and Italy round up this excellent restaurant menu.
Location: Via Giovanni da Castel Bolognese, 63, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Price range: €€
One of the best Gelato in Rome, this shop opened in 2012 and has been a crowd favorite since then. Otaleg’s rich and creamy all-natural gelato is made from high-quality ingredients like Valrhona chocolate, bourbon-Madagascar vanilla beans and much more, so be sure to visit.
Location: Via di S. Cosimato, 14a, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Price range: €
Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
I will start with the must-visit attractions and probably the most crowded ones. Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are all located in the same area, and all three attractions are covered if you buy a single ticket that costs 12 Euros, but I would recommend that you buy it online for extra 2 Euros since you will save a LOT of time or if you like tours, you can book a tour which has everything included!
As you may already now Colosseum is the biggest amphitheater ever built that was opened in 80 AD, and it is a must-see attraction.
Palatine Hill is where Rome was founded in 753 BC and where the famous Romul and Rem story was born. But the more important part is that it is located on the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome, so it offers excellent views of the city.
Roman Forum is one of the most impressive architectural structures ever built next to the Colosseum, but the Roman Forum is better known to be the main square of ancient Rome and currently is full of ancient ruins.
Pantheon
This striking 2000-year old temple is the most well preserved old structure in the whole Rome. It has lived through all the wars and turmoil of Italy and it is still one of the most influential buildings of the Western world. The entrance is free, but keep in mind that it is crowded.
Vatican city
If you are ever in Rome, be sure to visit Vatican city, it has some of the most interesting and historically influential attractions that you can visit.
Attractions consist of The Vatican Museum and The Sistine Chapel. You can buy your ticket for both attractions for 17 Euros + 4 Euros if you buy them online (which I would recommend).
St. Peter’s Square is probably the most famous square in all of the world. This is the place where the Pope addresses the people and where it gets really crowded at any time of the day.
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and a world-class example of Renaissance architecture. The entrance is free, but if you wish to skip the line you can pay extra or you can take a tour guide.
Castle Sant’Angelo is an enormous castle that was built as a mausoleum for Roman Emperor Hadrian but later it was reconstructed to be a fortress that protects the Pope. The castle is famous for its appearance in the James Bond movie Spectre.
Climb up to GIANICOLO HILL
The second highest point in the whole city, Gianicolo Hill offers an amazing view of the whole city and most of the major attractions that you can visit on foot.
Piazza di spagna and spanish steps
One of the most romantic places that you can see in Rome, Piazza Di Spagna is also one of the most famous piazzas in all of Rome. There you will see a crowd of people sitting and just talking on the famous spanish steps.
The Trevi fountain
This Famous fountain is a crowd favorite and there are tourists there any time of the day. Throwing coins in the water is considered to give you luck, and there are around 3,000 Euros worth of coins being dropped there every day.
Piazza Navona
The most famous square next to the Roman Forum, this square is decorated with grand fountains and mansions. Here you will find a number of artists that offer their paintings for sale.
Walking tours
Since there is so much to see in Rome, I highly recommend that you go on a walking tour (just like I did), because you won’t be able to see all the main attractions in just 3 days, but if you go on a walking tours for a one day you will have a great shot at just experiencing the Rome at your own pace for the next two days.
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