Rome is without doubt one the most beautiful cities in the world; every year millions of tourists come from around the world to admire the treasures and masterpieces of Roman art and architecture. Rome is such a huge tourist draw, choose the date for your trip carefully. The best times of the year to visit are April, May, and late September through October. In the depths of summer, the heat and the crowds make the city nearly unbearable. August in particular should be avoided because this is the month that the entire country of Italy seems to go on vacation. Traveling too late or too early in the year can also be risky because the opening hours for many attractions are shorter, and some are closed completely. Airfares typically drop quite a bit when "shoulder season" begins in the early autumn, making this the optimal time to visit in my book. The days are still warm, the nights are slightly cool, and the tour groups and student mobs have mostly disappeared. If you can plan to stay as long as a week, you won't run out of things to do and you'll still feel like you're leaving too soon.

What to see???

1. The Colosseum - The Flavius amphitheatre is the biggest and most imposing in the Roman world, but is also the most famous monument in Rome and is known as the "Colosseum" or "Coliseum". Started by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavia family, it was opened by his son Titus in 80 A.D. The highly ostentatious opening ceremony, lasted one hundred days during which people saw great fights, shows and hunts involving the killing of thousands of animals (5000 according to the historian Suetonius). For the opening, the arena space was filled with water for one of the most fantastic events held in Roman times, naumachias – real sea battles reproducing great battles of the past.

2.Trevi Fountain - You will not find any other place in the world that celebrates the ever-mutating and incredible power of water like Rome. The Trevi Fountain is a fantastic work of art that is much more than a mere sculpture. This triumphant example of Baroque art with its soft, natural lines and fantasy creatures embodies movement as the soul of the world. The fountain is a true wonder, a jewel of water and stone that is nestled between the palaces of the historic centre of the city. You can already hear its presence from the nearby streets. Indeed, as you get nearer the sound of its gushing waters grows constantly more intense, reaching a crescendo in the square, where you will find the most breathtaking sight. Suddenly, the space seems to open out and you stand before a symbolic representation of this great force of nature, a tumultuous spring that seems to flow out of the ground.The light and shade effects on the marble make the wind seem to bellow through the drapes and locks of the statues, agitating the waves, creating an extraordinarily intense and spectacular scene. In this Baroque creation, the architecture itself seems to come alive with the current of the revitalising waters.  

3. Castel St. Angelo: The Hadrian's Mausoleum - Powerful guardian of the most sacred place in the city, for almost 2,000 years, Castel Sant’Angelo has towered over the Tiber, first as a symbol of Rome’s imperial power, later as papal fortress. The stones that form it tell a story of stratification, transformation and fascinating events that have occurred over the centuries. It was built in 123 AD by Emperor Hadrian as a monumental tomb for himself and his family. The land on which it was built had been used for burial purposes since ancient times and was in a favorable position next to the river. It was connected to land by a bridge named “Helius”, one of the names given to the emperor. But Hadrian died before the construction was finished and the emperor Antoninus Pius was the one who completed it and used it as sepulchre for his family members, of which his son, emperor Caracalla, was the most famous.

4.The Pantheon: temple of Roman Gods - The Pantheon in Rome is the Roman monument with the greatest number of records: the best preserved, with the biggest brick dome in the history of architecture and is considered the forerunner of all modern places of worship. It is the most copied and imitated of all ancient works.
Michelangelo felt it was the work of angels, not men. Where it stands was not chosen by chance, but is a legendary place in the city's history. According to Roman legend, it is the place where the founder of Rome, Romulus, at his death was seized by an eagle and taken off into the skies with the Gods.

5. Piazza Navona - From the shadows of the ancient, winding streets of the historic center you suddenly come upon the breathtaking magnificence of Piazza Navona, born as a place of spectacle and still today a spectacular open air show; an architectural miracle in the heart of the Eternal City, filled with masterpieces in perfect harmony with each other. This piazza, which displays the genius of Bernini and Borromini, is one of the finest Baroque Masterpiece in papal Rome. Its harmony and colors, combined with its elegance, give it a charm that is enhanced by the surprising contrast of architecturally sober houses alternating with a number of monumental Buildings. Piazza Navona is one of the Roman's most treasured piazzas; here, in centuries past, acrobats and jugglers performed and even today, it's still lively with painters and street performers that put on their shows for tourists and passersby, new spectators of that life that's always flowed though the piazza with movement and joy.

6. St. Peter's Basilica - The great Basilica of Saint Peter, the most important in the Christian world, is the monument that manages to unite in a single place the religious faithful and lovers of art. It’s dedicated to Peter, first among the apostles, first pope and head of the Church. To understand the origins of the Basilica, we need to go back in time almost 2,000 years. It wasn’t by chance that it was built here; this was the place where the apostle was killed and then buried. Peter, given this name by Jesus because he would be the “pietra”, the rock, on which the Church would be built, was the most dynamic of the Apostles: he was put in jail and then miraculously liberated, he left Jerusalem for Rome, center of the Roman Empire. Here he was first bishop then pope for 25 years.

7. Vatican Museums - The Vatican Museums begin just beyond a massive bronze door that, like magic, takes you out of Italy and into the smallest country in the world: the Vatican. There are priceless works of art here, collected by the popes or often expressly commissioned by them.More than 70,000 pieces are on exhibition in over 42,000 square meters, with another 50,000 pieces preserved in the vaults and storerooms. Forget about seeing everything in a single visit: it simply can't be done.To the millions of visitors that come here from every part of the globe to admire these marvels, the whole complex seems to be one gigantic museum but the Vatican Museums, with their full name "Papal Museums and Galleries", are the Museum of Museums, the result of the union of various collections, collections that often take the name of the pope that began them. The most sought-after stop on the Vatican Museum trail is without doubt the Sistine Chapel however every room is rich in history and precious examples of life from every era.

8. Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna) - With its characteristic butterfly plan, the Piazza di Spagna is one of the most famous images in the world, as well as being one of the most majestic urban monuments of Roman Baroque style. In the Renaissance period, the square was the most popular tourist attraction in the city: it attracted artists and writers alike and was full of elegant hotels, inns and residences. At the end of the seventeenth century, it was called Trinità dei Monti, after the church that dominates the square from above, but it was later given the name we know today after the Spanish Ambassador who lived there. At the foot of the stairs, you will find the famous Barcaccia Fountain, the work of Pietro Bernini and his son, Gian Lorenzo. The latter went on to become the creator of some of the most important masterpieces of Baroque art in the city, including the renowned baldachino of St. Peter's Basilica. With its characteristic form of a sinking ship, the fountain recalls the historic flood of the River Tiber in 1598 and refers to a folk legend whereby a fishing boat carried away by the flood of the river was found at this exact spot. In reality, the sinking boat was ably invented by Bernini to overcome a technical problem due to low water pressure. The sun and bee ornamentation is a symbol of the Barberini family and a reference to Pope Urban VIII who commissioned the work. However, the main attraction of the square has to be the spectacular staircase of Trinità dei Monti.

9. Campo de' Fiori - The Campo dei Fiori in the Parione district is one of the jewels of Rome. In the morning it's a bustling marketplace, that transforms into a nightlife centre in the evening – all amid a beautiful setting steeped with history. It has always been the piazza for races, palios, and executions. It is located where the Temple of Venus Victrix stood in ancient Rome, attached to the Theatre of Pompey. The name of the piazza seems to have come from Flora, Pompey's beloved, for he had already built a theatre in the area. It could also have come from the fact that by 1400 the piazza was deserted and had become overgrown with wildflower meadows and vegetable gardens. At sunset Campo dei Fiori transforms into a beloved nightlife haunt. It is packed with young people – Italians and foreigners alike – hanging out at the numerous clubs in the piazza and the neighbouring streets. It is often patrolled by police, who try, sometimes without much success, to prevent excessive partying and rowdiness.

10. Capitoline Museums - Dating to 1471, the Capitoline Museums are the world's oldest public museums. Their collection of classical sculpture is one of Italy's finest, including crowd-pleasers such as the iconic Lupa capitolina (Capitoline Wolf), a sculpture of Romulus and Remus under a wolf, and the Galata morente (Dying Gaul), a moving depiction of a dying Gaul warrior. There's also a formidable picture gallery with masterpieces by the likes of Titian, Tintoretto, Rubens and Caravaggio. The museums' entrance is in Palazzo dei Conservatori , where you'll find the original core of the sculptural collection on the 1st floor and the Pinacoteca (picture gallery) on the 2nd floor. A tunnel links Palazzo dei Conservatori to Palazzo Nuovo on the other side of the square via the Tabularium , ancient Rome's central archive, beneath Palazzo Senatorio. Palazzo Nuovo contains some real show-stoppers. Chief among them is the Galata morente, a Roman copy of a 3rd-century-BC Greek original that touchingly depicts the anguish of a dying Gaul warrior. Another superb figurative piece is the Venere Capitolina (Capitoline Venus), a sensual yet demure portrayal of the nude goddess.

Things to do

1. Find your own treasures at Monti's vintage market - Not far from the Colosseum you'll find the hip quarter of Monti, which hosts a fantastic "urban market" every weekend – held in the conference hall of Grand Hotel Palatino. Founded in 2009, the market is a blend of contemporary creativity and vintage fashion: expect to find everything from handicrafts from cutting-edge designers to retro clothing, furniture and homeware items. The colourful and diverse array of trinkets and fashion on sale makes Mercato Monti an ideal place for a weekend wander, and the perfect excuse to explore the other independent stores and galleries dotted around the rest of the area's small streets.

2. Enjoy a film for free- In the beautiful Villa Borghese – a public park well worth a stroll around – the Casa Del Cinema is the result of an ambitious project, launched in 2001, to transform a derelict pavilion into a hub for the silver screen. With state-of-the-art projection equipment making it the most modern cinema in the city, the Casa Del Cinema (also home to a film library and a cafe) is a dreamland for film fans. The cinema has special presentations where you may get the chance to mingle with directors, producers and stars. There's an emphasis on screening classic original language films, but you can also expect to see films from the most recent Venice film festival, and the City of Rome subsidises screenings every afternoon and evening – meaning you can always catch a cinematic treat for free.

3. View contemporary art at the Sala 1 gallery - When Sala 1 opened in 1970 it was one of the city's first galleries to showcase experimental and contemporary art; hosting shows such as an exhibition of South African art in 1993, and more recently projects from Iraq and Bangladesh. Today, the not-for-profit gallery, which was founded by priest-sculptor Tito Amodei and is directed by American curator Mary Angela Schroth, continues to programme dynamic exhibitions that visitors are unlikely to find elsewhere in a city traditionally more focused on its historical trophies. With that in mind, the gallery's location inside an ex-basilica owned by the Vatican and offered to Amodei by the Holy See, only makes the space all the more fascinating.

4. Diggin' the blues at Big Mama - Opened in 1984, this blues joint offers free admission to most shows and with a hall of fame that includes the likes of Chet Baker and Jeff Healey, it is one of the best live music venues in the city. In the Trastevere district, the cosy venue – which can only seat around 150 people – puts on hundreds of gigs each year. Having just celebrated its 30th birthday, there's never been a better time to drop by and don't be put off by the blues tag: the venue hosts a wide range of acts, playing jazz, rock, disco and soul.

5. Discover the work of sculptor Hendrik Christian Andersen - The ambitious yet somewhat obscure Norweigan-American artist Hendrik Christian Andersen moved to Rome at the end of the 19th century where he lived for over 40 years. When he died he left all his works to the Italian state, and his studio home – an art-nouveau villa between the river and via Flaminia – was eventually converted into a museum where some 200 sculptures, 200 paintings and 300 graphic works are now displayed. With an interest in urban planning and architecture, much of Andersen's work is inspired by the idea of a great "world city", an intriguing concept to explore in the context of a visit to Rome itself.

6. Take in the view from the Gianicolo hill - It is outside the ancient city, so Gianicolo may not be counted among the proverbial "Seven Hills" of Rome, but it makes up for it by providing one of the best views across the rooftops. The hill provides a spectacular view of the domes and spires that make up the historic skyline. Up on the hilltop itself is a statue of Garibaldi: a charismatic figure in the Risorgimento (a movement that sough to unify Italy), and this marks one of the best spots to enjoy that great view and, in true militaristic style, every day at midday a cannon is fired, part of a tradition that started in 1847 to signal the time to the surrounding bell towers.

Where to stay???

There is no universal “best” hotel or “best” district to stay in Rome, there are better districts than others for your own individual preferences and budget.

Want A Benchmark Hotel District To Beat? - It Has To Be Around Termini Station- In terms of numbers, the largest accommodation district is around Termini Station, just to the south of the ancient city centre. Termini Station is the main transport hub in Rome City Centre. The two metro lines intersect here and the main central bus station is in front of the terminus. Termini is also the terminus of most long distance trains out of Rome on the Italian rail network. Trains to Fiumicino airport and the cruise port Civitavecchia also run from the station and the airport buses to Ciampino and Fiumicino terminate here. In short, unless you use a taxi or are on a tour bus, Termini Station is likely to be your gateway to Rome. As the main transport hub, if you are independently minded you will probably pass through Termini on a daily basis wherever you stay. The station is quite a modern affair with lots of shops, travel agencies, fast food, even a supermarket on several levels. Termini is the public transport hub for Central Rome. From Termini it is possible to go direct by the limited Rome Metro service to the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and Vatican. The dense network of buses will take you everywhere else.

Want A Familiar Branded Hotel Chain You Have Heard Of ?-  In the centre of Rome there are very few large chain hotels with familiar brand names. At present the only global chain with a relatively large presence in most districts is the Best Western Hotels franchise. Best Western hotels are independently run and use the Best Western franchise name for marketing and sales and some global parameters like free wi-fi. Do not count on the Best Western hotel in Rome being similar to the one you know back home.

Is There A “Downtown Area” I Can Walk To All The Sights From ? - The main area where leisure visitors spend nearly all their times is quite compact, but there is no downtown area in the North American sense. You will spend a big proportion of your time on your feet to get around. Walking is also the best way to visit and experience the best of Rome. In terms of sights the central area is the ancient city, just south of the River Tiber. This where you find the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish Steps. Its a maze of narrow streets with just a few arteries where dual lane traffic and buses can travel. There are very few hotels in this area, the hotels that are there tend to be small, boutique style hotels.

Service & facts

Food in Rome - Rome is a big city with a wide selection of places to eat. If you're looking for a budget meal or fast food, please avoid McDonald's and get an authentic slice of pizza from one of the many pizza shops – they’re on every corner! If you prefer eating at a restaurant, try a typical Roman trattoria. Better still, trust the places our locals have recommended – we guarantee you’ll taste the best Italian food and simultaneously skip all the tourist traps. Dishes not to be missed include pizza with supplì (fried rice balls), homemade ice cream, carbonara and amatriciana pasta.

Transport in Rome - Public transport tickets are valid for all city public transport, (city buses and trams, Metro and some rail services within the Rome urban area.Ticketing on Rome public transport is comparatively simple, there are no complicated travel zones or peak/off peak travel periods.

What Is Not Covered By Rome Public Transport Tickets? 

There are a few transport options you cannot use public transport tickets on. For the visitor the main choices not covered are:
- The Leonardo Express train running non-stop between Fiumicino Airport and Rome's Termini Station.
- Any airport bus or train to either of Rome's two airports, Fiumicino or Ciampino.
- The trains to and from Rome's cruise port, Civitavecchia.
- Rome's hop-on, hop off sightseeing buses.

Your Transport Ticket Choice

For short term visitors to Rome you have a very straight forward choice of ticketing options.Your only decision is whether you need single tickets or 24, 48 or 72 hour passes or a 7 calendar day travel pass. A single ticket is valid for 100 minutes, allowing you to switch bus lines if there is no direct service. On the metro you can switch Metro lines at Termini Station with one ticket. When you buy any transport ticket it is not stamped with a start date. You have the responsibility to stamp your ticket on machines provided for that purpose before you start your journey. If you travel with a blank unstamped ticket its no different to travelling without a ticket at all. The tickets themselves are card with a magnetic strip like the 7 day travel pass image here.

Rome Bus, Tram & Metro Fares & Ticketing

All local public transport is integrated in Rome. You have to purchase your tickets before you board any public transport in Rome. Most people will have a pass of one kind or another. Tickets for both the bus system and Metro can be purchased from tobacconists, bars, or vending machines at metro stations and major bus stops. On both buses and metro there is a flat fare. whether you go one stop or to the end of the line. On buses your ticket is valid for 100 minutes allowing you to change buses using a single ticket. At Metro Stations there are ticket barriers where you have to insert your ticket to enter and leave the Metro Station. On buses and trams you will find ticket validation machines similar to that pictured. If you have a single ticket then enter the ticket into the machine, if you have purchased a pass, you put the pass into the machine on your first journey. This stamps the date and time from which the pass or ticket is valid. Groups of ticket inspectors from time to time descend onto a bus or platform to check all passengers have valid tickets. If not you will incur a heavy fine, playing the innocent tourist doesn't work.

Rome Bus, Tram & Metro Ticket Prices

Ticket options are:
B.I.T. Standard ticket, valid for one Metro ride or 100 minutes on all buses allowing transfers. € 1.50
24 Hour Ticket - valid for unlimited metro, bus, and train travel within Rome for 24 hours from validation. € 7.00
48 Hour Ticket - valid for unlimited metro, bus, and train travel within Rome for 48 hours from validation. € 12.50
72 Hour Ticket - valid for unlimited metro, bus, and train travel within Rome for 72 hours from validation. € 18.00
C.I.S. €24.00. Weekly ticket - valid for 7 calendar days.

GOOD TO KNOW

Climate - Rome's weather varies from very hot in the summer to distinctly cool in the winter, and rather damp in the autumn. However, the weather is rarely severe or disruptive, and so your preferred season for visiting Rome will largely depend on what you want to get from your holiday.

Language - Italy's official language is Italian.There are around 58 million Italian speakers in Italy. English is really hit or miss when you look at the country as a whole, but in some of the major cities with a lot of travelers like Rome, Milan, Florence- people tend to have a decent amount of English to work with people coming in and out of town.

Currency – currency exchange - In Italy, as in most of  Western Europe, the official currency is the Euro (€).

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