Europe · Italy

Rome

An open-air museum that still serves dinner at midnight

Three thousand years of layered history — Etruscan, imperial, papal, modern — under umbrella pines, with carbonara worth queueing for at the end of the day.

Best season

Apr – Jun · Sep – Oct

Currency

EUR €

Language

Italian

Visitors / yr

10.8M

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Find attractions, hotels, and transport hubs across the city.

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Getting around

Transit & arrivals

Three metro lines, an extensive bus network and the historic centre's car-restricted Limited Traffic Zone make walking the most efficient option in the centro storico.

Airport → City

FCO → Termini on the Leonardo Express (~32 min, €14)

Day pass

Roma 24h BIG pass €7

Network size

4 primary modes

Metro

A · B · C

Lines A & B cross at Termini; line C still being extended

Tram

6 historic lines

Tram 8 crosses the Tiber into Trastevere

Bus

ATAC + N night buses

338 lines including night service from Termini

Train

FL regional rail

Reaches Ostia Antica, Tivoli and the Castelli Romani

Operating hours

Metro 5:30 – 23:30 (1:30 Fri/Sat); buses 5:30 – midnight

Ticketing

MyCicero · contactless tap on metro & some buses

Taxis & rideshare

White metered taxis at official stands; FreeNow & itTaxi apps; fixed €50 to FCO

Accessibility

Most metro stations step-free; line A older stations stair-only

Local tips

Buy the 24/48/72h Roma pass if you'll take the metro more than 3 times
Validate paper tickets in the yellow machines or risk a €50 fine
Refill at the city's 2,500 free nasoni drinking fountains — keep a bottle on you

Rome Itineraries

Plan Your Perfect Rome Trip

Professionally curated day-by-day itineraries that combine Rome's iconic landmarks, local favourites, practical travel tips, realistic budgets, and efficient routes—helping you experience more while spending less time planning.

Rome · Suggested itinerary

3-Day Rome

Ancient emperors, the Vatican and hidden catacombs — Rome's essential first-timer route.

At a glance

Your trip at a glance

Duration

3 days

Walking level

Active

Difficulty

Estimated budget (total)

Budget traveller

€250–€400

Mid-range traveller

€650–€950

Luxury traveller

€2,000+

Best for

First-time visitorsCouplesFamiliesHistory loversFood lovers

Best season

SpringSummerAutumnWinter

Day
1
Theme
Ancient Rome
Walk through the empire's greatest amphitheatre and forum, then end with a moonlit coin toss at Trevi.
- Morning9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  Colosseum & Roman Forum
  Colosseum — arena, hypogeum and upper tiers of the ancient amphitheatre
  Roman Forum — the political, religious and commercial heart of imperial Rome
  Colosseum + Forum + Palatine≈ €18
- Lunch12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
  Traditional trattoria near the Colosseum
  Classic Roman pasta such as cacio e pepe or carbonara in the shadow of the Colosseum
  TryLuzziTrattoria al MonteAroma (splurge with Colosseum views)
- Afternoon2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
  Palatine Hill
  Wander the legendary birthplace of Rome
  Imperial palaces, Farnese gardens and panoramic views over the Forum
- Evening6:00 PM onwards
  Trevi Fountain & Piazza Venezia
  Toss a coin over your left shoulder at Trevi Fountain
  Piazza Venezia and the Victor Emmanuel II Monument lit at dusk
  Gelato walk through the historic centre
  TryGiolittiFatamorganaCome il Latte
HighlightsColosseum arenaRoman Forum ruinsPalatine Hill viewsTrevi Fountain at nightRoman gelato walk
Walking
≈ 7 km · 1 hr 45 min walking
Sturdy walking shoes — ancient stone, uneven paving and hills.
Sightseeing
≈ 9 hours sightseeing
Family
Couples
Transport tips
- Colosseo
  Metro B
  Exit directly at the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
- Circo Massimo
  Metro B
  Short walk to the Palatine Hill entrance.
- Barberini
  Metro A
  10-min walk to Trevi Fountain through the Trevi district.
Estimated daily budget
Budget traveller
€70–€110
Mid-range
€180–€260
Luxury
€500+
Travel tip
Book the Colosseum and Roman Forum entry online in advance to avoid the longest queues.
Money saver
A standard combined ticket covers the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for 24 hours.
Best photo spot
The Colosseum from Via dei Fori Imperiali at golden hour, with the arch in the foreground.
Best time to visit
Visit the Colosseum at 8:30 AM opening for the quietest experience; Trevi Fountain is least crowded before 8 AM.
Book ahead
Book Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tickets online ahead of time.
Transport tip
Metro B is the fastest way to the Colosseum; Metro A serves Trevi and the Spanish Steps area.
Food recommendation
Luzzi near the Colosseum serves solid Roman classics at fair prices — go early for lunch.
Rainy day alternative
The Colosseum and Roman Forum have limited cover; on wet days extend your museum time or visit the Domus Aurea.
Alternative option
Instead of Palatine Hill: Visit the Capitoline Museums and the Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo.
Packing tips
- Refillable water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Portable charger
- Light jacket
Accessibility
- Colosseum has lifts and accessible routes
- Roman Forum has uneven stone paths and some stepped areas
- Trevi Fountain area is cobbled and can be crowded
Today's highlights
- 5 major attractions visited
- ≈ 9 hours sightseeing
- ≈ 7 km on foot
- Mid-range budget ≈ €180–€260
- Evening around Trevi / Historic Centre
End the day around Trevi / Historic Centre
View on Google Maps
Day
2
Theme
Vatican & Historic Rome
The Vatican's artistic treasures in the morning, then the Pantheon and the charming lanes of Trastevere by night.
- Morning8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
  Vatican Museums — Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps and classical sculptures
  Sistine Chapel — Michelangelo's ceiling and Last Judgment
  St. Peter's Basilica — Bernini's colonnade and the Pietà
  Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel≈ €20St. Peter's dome climb≈ €10
- Lunch12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
  Café near Vatican City
  Light Roman lunch within walking distance of St. Peter's Square
  TryPizzarium BonciDa Enzo al 29Armando al Pantheon
- Afternoon2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
  Pantheon & Piazza Navona
  Pantheon — the best-preserved Roman temple and its soaring dome
  Piazza Navona — Bernini's fountains and baroque square life
  Pantheon entry≈ €5
- Evening6:30 PM onwards
  Trastevere dinner
  Cross the Tiber into Rome's cobbled nightlife quarter
  Traditional Roman dinner of antipasti, cacio e pepe and local wine
  TryDa Enzo al 29Trattoria da TeoPianostrada
HighlightsSistine Chapel ceilingSt. Peter's BasilicaPantheon domePiazza Navona fountainsTrastevere dinner
Walking
≈ 6 km · 1 hr 30 min walking
Comfortable walking shoes — Vatican corridors, cobbled piazzas and Trastevere lanes.
Sightseeing
≈ 9 hours sightseeing
Family
Couples
Transport tips
- Ottaviano
  Metro A
  Direct access to Vatican City and St. Peter's Square.
- Barberini
  Metro A
  Short walk to the Pantheon and Trevi district.
- Piazza di Spagna
  Metro A
  Close to the Pantheon and Spanish Steps.
- Trastevere
  Tram 8
  Tram from central Rome across the river to Trastevere.
Estimated daily budget
Budget traveller
€65–€105
Mid-range
€170–€250
Luxury
€500+
Travel tip
Arrive at the Vatican Museums at 8:30 AM or book an early-access tour to see the Sistine Chapel in peace.
Money saver
St. Peter's Basilica is free to enter; the dome climb is €10 and well worth it for the view.
Best photo spot
St. Peter's dome from the top of the colonnade, or the Pantheon's oculus from inside at noon.
Best time to visit
Vatican Museums are busiest mid-morning; late afternoon is quieter and stays open until the evening. Sundays and religious holidays may be restricted.
Book ahead
Book Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tickets online well ahead, especially in spring and autumn.
Transport tip
Metro A links the Vatican to the Pantheon and Spanish Steps; Tram 8 takes you to Trastevere.
Food recommendation
Pizzarium Bonci near the Vatican is the go-to for Roman pizza al taglio and supplì.
Rainy day alternative
The Vatican Museums are entirely indoors; the Pantheon is also covered, so this day is very rain-friendly.
Alternative option
Instead of Trastevere: Spend the evening in the Jewish Ghetto trying carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style artichokes).
Packing tips
- Refillable water bottle
- Modest clothing for churches (shoulders and knees covered)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Portable charger
Accessibility
- Vatican Museums and St. Peter's have lifts and accessible routes
- Pantheon has a flat entry but can be crowded
- Trastevere has narrow cobbled lanes with some uneven steps
Today's highlights
- 5 major attractions visited
- ≈ 9 hours sightseeing
- ≈ 6 km on foot
- Mid-range budget ≈ €170–€250
- Evening around Trastevere
End the day around Trastevere
View on Google Maps
Day
3
Theme
Hidden Rome
Ancient burial tunnels, a villa-gallery in the city's green heart and a golden-hour stroll above the Spanish Steps.
- Morning9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  Rome Catacombs Tour
  Descend into ancient Christian catacombs along the Appian Way
  Underground burial chambers, frescoes and early Christian history
  Catacombs guided tour≈ €25–35
- Lunch12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
  Local Roman restaurant
  Hearty Roman lunch near the Appian Way or back in the historic centre
  TryFelice a TestaccioFlavio al VelavevodettoDa Enzo al 29
- Afternoon2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
  Villa Borghese Gallery & Gardens
  Villa Borghese Gallery — Bernini, Caravaggio and Raphael masterpieces
  Stroll through the gardens with views over Piazza del Popolo and Rome's rooftops
  Villa Borghese Gallery≈ €15
- Evening6:00 PM onwards
  Spanish Steps & sunset walk
  Spanish Steps — the grand baroque staircase and Trinità dei Monti church
  Sunset walk through Rome's designer streets to the Trevi district
  Evening aperitivo
  TryRosatiBabingtons Tea RoomAperitivo bars near Piazza del Popolo
HighlightsRome Catacombs tunnelsVilla Borghese Gallery artBorghese Gardens viewsSpanish StepsSunset aperitivo
Walking
≈ 5 km · 1 hr 15 min walking
Comfortable shoes — park paths, garden gravel and city streets.
Sightseeing
≈ 8 hours sightseeing
Family
Couples
Transport tips
- San Giovanni
  Metro A
  Near the Appian Way catacombs and San Callisto.
- Spagna
  Metro A
  Direct access to the Spanish Steps.
- Flaminio
  Metro A
  Gateway to Villa Borghese Gardens and Piazza del Popolo.
Estimated daily budget
Budget traveller
€55–€90
Mid-range
€150–€220
Luxury
€450+
Travel tip
Villa Borghese Gallery requires a timed reservation — book at least a few days ahead for your preferred slot.
Money saver
The Borghese Gardens are free and offer the same city views as the paid gallery terrace.
Best photo spot
The Spanish Steps from the bottom fountain looking up at Trinità dei Monti at golden hour.
Best time to visit
Catacombs are cool year-round; Villa Borghese Gallery is best in the afternoon light.
Book ahead
Book the Rome Catacombs tour and Villa Borghese Gallery entry in advance.
Transport tip
Metro A connects San Giovanni, Spagna and Flaminio in one straight line.
Food recommendation
Felice a Testaccio is famous for cacio e pepe — arrive right at opening or book ahead.
Rainy day alternative
The catacombs are underground and covered; the gallery is fully indoors — ideal for a wet day.
Alternative option
Instead of the Catacombs: Explore the Baths of Caracalla for a vast ancient Roman bath complex without the crowds.
Packing tips
- Refillable water bottle
- Light layers for cool catacombs
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Portable charger
Accessibility
- Catacombs have uneven, narrow paths and are not suitable for limited mobility
- Villa Borghese Gallery is accessible by lift
- Spanish Steps area is cobbled and crowded
Today's highlights
- 5 major attractions visited
- ≈ 8 hours sightseeing
- ≈ 5 km on foot
- Mid-range budget ≈ €150–€220
- Evening around Spanish Steps / Piazza del Popolo
End the day around Spanish Steps / Piazza del Popolo
View on Google Maps

Tours & experiences

Tours & Experiences

Curated cruises, day trips, walking tours and iconic experiences worth building a day around in Rome.

Ancient historyFamily friendly

Rome

🏟️Colosseum Guided Tour

Step inside the largest Roman amphitheatre ever built, opened in AD 80 with 100 days of games. A guided tour brings the gladiator arena, underground hypogeum and imperial tiers vividly to life.

Duration

About 2.5 – 3 hours

Best for

First-time visitors, history lovers, families

Departure

Piazza del Colosseo, Rome

Highlights

Arena floor and hypogeum access
Imperial gladiator stories
Views across the Roman Forum
Skip-the-line entry with reserved slot

Official website Google Maps

Art & cultureFamily friendly

Rome

⛪Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour

Walk seven kilometres of Vatican galleries with a guide who cuts straight to the masterpieces — the Raphael Rooms, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling and Bernini's St Peter's colonnade.

Duration

About 3 – 3.5 hours

Best for

Art lovers and first-time visitors

Departure

Viale Vaticano, near the Vatican Museums entrance

Highlights

Sistine Chapel ceiling and Last Judgment
Raphael Rooms and Gallery of Maps
St Peter's Basilica shortcut access
Early-entry and after-hours options

Official website Google Maps

Ancient historyFamily friendly

Rome

🏛️Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour

The political and religious heart of ancient Rome — temples, basilicas and triumphal arches spread beneath Palatine Hill, where emperors built their palaces overlooking the city.

Duration

About 2 – 2.5 hours

Best for

History lovers and first-time visitors

Departure

Via della Salara Vecchia entrance to the Forum

Highlights

Arch of Titus and Temple of Saturn
House of the Vestal Virgins
Palatine Hill imperial palaces
Panoramic view over the Forum

Official website Google Maps

Iconic landmarkFamily friendly

Rome

⛲Trevi Fountain Experience

Nicola Salvi's 1762 baroque masterpiece pours from the rear wall of the Palazzo Poli. Tradition says a coin tossed over the left shoulder ensures a return to Rome.

Duration

1 – 1.5 hours

Best for

Couples, families and first-time visitors

Departure

Piazza di Trevi, Rome

Highlights

Oceanus on a chariot of hippocamps
Coin-toss tradition (~€3,000/day for Caritas)
Dramatic evening illumination
Underground Vicus Caprarius aqueduct nearby

Official website Google Maps

Ancient historyFamily friendly

Rome

🏛️Pantheon Guided Tour

The best-preserved building of ancient Rome and still home to the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome, with a nine-metre oculus open to the sky above Raphael's tomb.

Duration

About 1 – 1.5 hours

Best for

History lovers and architecture fans

Departure

Piazza della Rotonda, Rome

Highlights

43-metre unreinforced concrete dome
Oculus open to the sky
Tombs of Raphael and Italian kings
Piazza della Rotonda and its fountain

Official website Google Maps

Food & drink

Rome

🍝Rome Food Tour

Eat your way through Trastevere or the Jewish Ghetto with a local guide — cacio e pepe, supplì, carciofi alla giudia, artisan gelato and small-producer wines at family-run trattorie.

Duration

About 3 – 3.5 hours

Best for

Food lovers, couples and small groups

Departure

Trastevere or Campo de' Fiori (depending on operator)

Highlights

Classic Roman pasta tastings
Roman-Jewish artichoke and pastries
Artisan gelato and espresso stops
Small-producer Lazio wine pairings

Official website Google Maps

History & culture

Rome

🕯️Catacombs Guided Tour

Descend beneath the Via Appia into the labyrinthine early-Christian catacombs of San Callisto or San Sebastiano — kilometres of tufa passageways lined with burial niches and painted crypts.

Duration

About 2 – 2.5 hours

Best for

History lovers and curious travellers

Departure

Via Appia Antica, southern Rome

Highlights

Early-Christian frescoes and symbols
Crypts of the popes at San Callisto
Guided descent through tufa tunnels
Green Via Appia Antica surroundings

Official website Google Maps

Art & cultureFamily friendly

Rome

🖼️Borghese Gallery Experience

Cardinal Scipione Borghese's private villa holds Bernini's most electrifying sculptures and Caravaggio's darkest canvases, wrapped in Rome's most beautiful landscaped park.

Duration

About 2 hours (timed entry)

Best for

Art lovers and couples

Departure

Piazzale Scipione Borghese, Villa Borghese park

Highlights

Bernini's Apollo & Daphne and Pluto & Proserpina
Caravaggio masterpieces
Canova's reclining Pauline Borghese
Stroll through Villa Borghese gardens

Official website Google Maps

Outdoor & activeFamily friendly

Rome

🚴Appian Way Bike Tour

Cycle the original 'queen of roads' — the 2,000-year-old Via Appia Antica lined with umbrella pines, imperial tombs, aqueduct arches and open countryside just outside the city walls.

Duration

About 4 – 5 hours

Best for

Active travellers and history lovers

Departure

Porta San Sebastiano or Appia Antica visitor centre

Highlights

Original Roman basalt paving stones
Tombs, temples and aqueduct arches
Park of the Aqueducts detour
Countryside picnic stop

Official website Google Maps

Tivoli Day Trip (Villa d'Este & Hadrian's Villa)

Countryside day tripFamily friendly

Rome

⛲Tivoli Day Trip (Villa d'Este & Hadrian's Villa)

An easy day trip east of Rome to two UNESCO World Heritage sites — Emperor Hadrian's sprawling country palace and the Renaissance water gardens of Villa d'Este with their 500 fountains.

Duration

Full day (8 – 9 hours)

Best for

History lovers, couples and families

Departure

Rome Termini or organised tour pick-up

Highlights

Villa d'Este's terraced fountains
Hadrian's Villa ruins and Canopus pool
Renaissance frescoes and grottoes
Hilltop views over the Roman Campagna

Highlights

Mediterranean Beaches
Seafront
Castello Odescalchi

Explore Day Trip

Tours & experiences

Hop-on hop-off bus tours

See the city's headline sights on your own schedule — open-top buses, audio commentary, unlimited hops.

Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Big Bus Tours

Rome

Explore the city's most famous landmarks with unlimited hop-on hop-off access. Enjoy panoramic open-top buses, informative audio commentary, and the flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Hop-on hop-off service
Audio guide in multiple languages
Stops at major attractions
Mobile & online ticket options
Great for first-time visitors

Italian / Mediterranean

Monte Mario

price

€€€

Rome's only three-Michelin-star restaurant, offering refined Italian cuisine with panoramic views over the Eternal City.

Why we recommend it

One of Italy's most celebrated dining experiences—perfect for a special occasion or unforgettable dinner.

Open in Google Maps

What to try

Iconic dishes of Rome

Cacio e pepe

Tonnarelli tossed with pecorino romano and cracked black pepper — three ingredients, all technique.

Carbonara

Rigatoni or spaghetti with guanciale, egg yolk and pecorino — no cream, ever.

Amatriciana

Bucatini with guanciale, San Marzano tomatoes and pecorino.

Supplì

Fried rice croquettes with a molten mozzarella heart — Roman street snack.

Roman pizza al taglio

Rectangular slabs of long-fermented pizza, cut with scissors and sold by weight.

Gelato

From an artigianale gelateria — pistachio, stracciatella, fior di latte.

Getting here

Airport information

Which airport to fly into for Rome and how to reach the city centre.

Which airport should I choose?

Quick guide for Rome

Fiumicino (FCO)

International, long-haul & major airlines

Ciampino (CIA)

Low-cost European carriers

International airport

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport

Italy's largest airport and the main hub for ITA Airways and international carriers.

FCO

Distance to centre

~32 km southwest of central Rome

Travel time

32 min – 1 hr

Best for

International flights

Getting to the city

Train

Leonardo Express

€€

Fastest rail link direct to Roma Termini.

⏱ 32 min non-stop to Termini· Every 15 min

Train

FL1 regional train

€

Cheaper regional line stopping at Trastevere, Ostiense & Tiburtina.

⏱ 45–55 min· Every 15 min

Bus

Airport shuttle bus

€

Terravision, SIT and Cotral run direct coaches.

⏱ ~60 min to Termini· Every 30 min

Taxi

Taxi flat rate

€€€

Fixed white-taxi tariff within Rome's Aurelian walls.

⏱ 45–60 min

Airport services

Duty freeRestaurantsCafésCurrency exchangeFree Wi-FiBaggage storageCar rentalAccessibilityAirport hotels

Travel tip

Only use official white taxis from the marked rank and confirm the flat-rate tariff before boarding.

Official airport website View on Google Maps

International airport

Rome Ciampino Airport

A smaller airport used mainly by low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air.

CIA

Distance to centre

~15 km southeast of central Rome

Travel time

25–50 min

Best for

Low-cost European

Getting to the city

Bus

Airport shuttle bus

€

Terravision & SIT operate frequent coaches.

⏱ ~40 min to Termini· Every 20–30 min

Bus

Cotral + Metro A

€

Bus to Anagnina, then Metro Line A to central Rome.

⏱ ~50 min· Every 30 min

Taxi

Taxi flat rate

€€€

Fixed white-taxi tariff to central Rome.

⏱ 25–40 min

Airport services

Duty freeRestaurantsCafésCurrency exchangeFree Wi-FiCar rentalAccessibility

Official airport website View on Google Maps

Travel times and prices are approximate. Please check the official airport and transport websites for the latest schedules and fares before travelling.

Keep exploring

Where to next

United Kingdom

London

Ireland

Dublin

Netherlands

Amsterdam

Germany

Berlin

Rome

Explore the City

Transit & arrivals

Plan Your Perfect Rome Trip

Your trip at a glance

Ancient Rome

Colosseum & Roman Forum

Traditional trattoria near the Colosseum

Palatine Hill

Trevi Fountain & Piazza Venezia

Vatican & Historic Rome

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Café near Vatican City

Pantheon & Piazza Navona

Trastevere dinner

Hidden Rome

Rome Catacombs Tour

Local Roman restaurant

Villa Borghese Gallery & Gardens

Spanish Steps & sunset walk

Tours & Experiences

🏟️Colosseum Guided Tour

⛪Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour

🏛️Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour

⛲Trevi Fountain Experience

🏛️Pantheon Guided Tour

🍝Rome Food Tour

🕯️Catacombs Guided Tour

🖼️Borghese Gallery Experience

🚴Appian Way Bike Tour

⛲Tivoli Day Trip (Villa d'Este & Hadrian's Villa)

Beyond Rome

Tivoli

Ostia Antica

Orvieto

Castel Gandolfo

Frascati

Viterbo

Bracciano

Santa Marinella

Hop-on hop-off bus tours

Big Bus Tours

Hotels & stays

Hotel de Russie

The Hoxton, Rome

Hotel Santa Maria

The Yellow Hostel

Best places to eat

Armando al Pantheon

Pizzarium (Bonci)

Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè

Roscioli

Il Margutta

La Pergola

Iconic dishes of Rome

Cacio e pepe

Carbonara

Amatriciana

Supplì

Roman pizza al taglio

Gelato

Airport information

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport

Rome Ciampino Airport

Where to next