Rome is incredible, attracting more than 30 million visitors annually. But if you want to fall in love with your Roman holiday, you NEED a plan! Imagine breezing past lineups and seeing the city’s top sites without being overwhelmed by crowds, all while enjoying a few gelatos. It’s possible! This Rome Guide is filled with insider tips, the best tours, where to stay and more!
Plan the trip of your dreams with this guide to Rome, the eternal city!
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Where to Stay in Rome Guide
Trastevere
Trastevere feels like a dream; wander down its narrow, cobbled alleyways lined with gold and terracotta-hued houses. During the day, it’s quiet when the tour groups are off visiting the Vatican and Colosseum. But even though it’s not in the city center, most of Rome’s must-see sights are walkable within 30 to 40 minutes.
At night, Trastevere comes alive. Tourists and locals crowd the streets, heading to some of Rome’s best pubs, cafes and restaurants.
If your ideal holiday includes nights out sipping spritz and dining alfresco in cobblestone courtyards draped in leafy vines, put Trastevere on your list. While there aren’t as many hotels, and it can be a little noisy in some parts at night, it’s perfect for foodies who want a short walk to bed after a plate of cacio e pepe.
Donna Camilla Savelli
Donna Camillia Savelli is a boutique hotel in Trastevere. It’s a splurge, but it’s worth it! This former 17th-century monastery was designed by renowned architect Borromini. If you’re an architecture fan, it’s a must-stay! I loved its grand, high-arched hallways and checkered marble floors. But its gorgeous interior garden was my favourite spot.
When I was there, it was a warm March night; the magnolia trees were already in bloom. I savoured the hotel’s signature cocktail (“La Rosa del Borromini,” made with Rose petal liquor)in its tranquil garden before heading to my comfy bed, wishing I was staying more than just one night.
Centro Storico
The Centro Storico is the historic heart of Rome; many tours are focused on this area, which includes Piazza Navone, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. There is something magical about getting lost in the tangle of Centro Storico’s narrow ancient streets.
The benefit of staying here is its proximity to pretty much everything! But that is also the downside. Centro Storico is almost always crowded. And because of its popularity, hotel prices tend to be higher. Rome’s metro doesn’t reach large portions of this area, so you may find yourself dragging your suitcase down cobblestone streets to reach your hotel.
Parisii Bocca di Leone 88
Parisii Bocca Di Leone 88 is a hidden gem, just a few minutes walk from the Spanish Steps. I stayed here on my last visit to Rome.
It’s located on a quiet side street on the second floor of a Renaissance building. And there’s an elevator and air conditioning, a big plus for Roman hotels.
I loved the thoughtful touches, like the bowl of fresh fruit and delicious Italian cookies waiting for me in my room. And the space was so tranquil that I didn’t want to leave. I also loved that the keys were digital and sent to my phone through WhatsApp. And you can’t beat the location, just a few minutes walk from the Spagna metro stop.
The Parisii Luxury Relais Rome is a sister property near the Barberini metro stop. It looks lovely with a similar tranquil vibe. I didn’t stay here, but the concept and owners are the same, so I wouldn’t hesitate to book a few nights here, given my experience at the Parisii Bocca di Leone 88.
Prati
Prati is my favourite area to stay in Rome. I love that you’re in a neighbourhood with real Romans versus being constantly surrounded by other tourists in Centro Storico. This upscale area is close to Vatican City, with wide boulevards and wonderful century-old apartment buildings.
As a solo traveller, I felt safe here, even at night. I loved alfresco dining at the small side street restaurants, shopping at local markets, and the proximity to the Vatican. While Rome’s famous sites aren’t far, staying on the other side of the Tiber River adds time to your walk. But the Ottaviano and Cipro metro stops made sightseeing and getting to the Termini Train Station easy.
Villino Noël
While a few of the hotel recommendations in this Rome Guide are a little upscale, I love saving money! So, I was thrilled to discover Villino Noël. This guesthouse is run by the Suore Oblate dell’Assunzione. People are often amused that I love staying with the nuns when in Rome. But I have stayed here often enough that the sisters now recognize me!
The rooms are basic but immaculate. You have your own bathroom, and there’s excellent Wi-Fi. The price includes breakfast at the cafe next door. Several monasteries in Rome offer accommodations. Book your accommodations through Monastery Stays. Check out Affordable Italy: Monastery Stays to learn more about staying with nuns.
Atlante Star Hotel
Initially, I visited this hotel for an aperitivo on their rooftop terrace. The views from Les Etoiles Terrace are spectacular. And their apertivo was generous and tasty; it included a basket of cacio e pepe fries… so good!
I returned on my next visit to check out the Atlante Star Hotel. Its location is very convenient, close to Castel Sant’Angelo and the Vatican. And dangerously close to one of my favourite gelaterias. The rooms are clean but a bit dated. If you want to stay in Prati and have a nice place to relax with a cocktail at the end of a busy day of sightseeing, Atlante Star Hotel is the place!
Guide to the BEST Tours in Rome (or Skip-the-Line Ticket)
Is it possible to visit Rome without taking a tour? Yes, but you’ll spend a vast chunk of your vacation waiting in line. This section is a mini guide on must-take Rome tours and a summary of places that you can easily visit on your own.
Rome in a Day
Can you see Rome in a day?
Yes! However, I’d encourage you to stay longer! For me, a day isn’t long enough in Rome. But if you’re short on time or this is your first visit to the eternal city, doing a tour is a good idea. I was pleasantly surprised by this Rome in a Day Tour.
The guide was extremely knowledgeable, helped us navigate crowded sites, and sped the group through entrances with skip-the-line tickets.
The tour started at 8 am at the Vatican Museums. Then it went on to St. Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navone, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Roman Forum before ending at the Colosseum around 3 pm.
There was a pause for lunch (cost not included in tour price), where we fueled up on pasta for our afternoon adventure. While the tour moved quickly, the guide shared many interesting insights and provided sufficient bathroom breaks. Finding a restroom in Rome is a real skill.
The Vatican
If there’s one place you NEED a tour guide in Rome, it’s at the Vatican. The Vatican Museums have over 20,000 pieces of art on display and are visited by over 6 million people annually!
People who attempt to visit without reservations wait in line for 2-3 hours. Even with a skip-the-line ticket, the museum is crowded, and the massive collection can be overwhelming.
I’ve visited the Vatican Museums four times and can attest that a good guide ensures you see the most important pieces while providing fascinating backstories. For the best experience, suggest you book this Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St.Peter Basilica tour. Select the earliest slot in the morning. There’ll still be many people, but the crowds will be manageable.
But for the ULTIMATE experience, book the Friday Night at the Vatican tour. This small group tour is a real gem, as few people know about it. You need to book well in advance as spaces are limited, and it is only available on Friday nights. But it feels like you have the Vatican all to yourself, no crowds!
The busiest days to visit the Vatican Museums are Saturday and Monday (closed on Sunday). And don’t forget the dress code; your knees and shoulders must be covered.
The Colosseum
For many people, seeing the Colosseum is an absolute must while in Rome! And the nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheatre is quite impressive. But don’t try to visit without a skip-the-line ticket. And even though the Colosseum is free on the first Sunday of the month, the lineups are insane.
While I won’t want to dissuade you from touring the Colosseum, it was my least favourite tour in Rome.
The guide was brilliant, with an in-depth knowledge of Roman history and architecture. But in my opinion, the Colosseum is most impressive from the outside, especially at night when it’s all lit up.
The interior is enormous, but much of the seating has vanished over the centuries. You can see hints of a hidden world under the arena floor, the rooms and hallways where the gladiators once waited, along with all sorts of exotic animals.
If you want to see it inside, I recommend a combo ticket that takes you inside the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill. And if you want a more in-depth tour, this Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour is highly rated. (Note: I didn’t do the underground tour).
The Pantheon
I’ve visited the Pantheon a few times, and every time, it’s mesmerizing gazing up into its ancient dome. But to be honest, I never thought a tour was necessary until I took the Panteon Timeless Marvel Guided Tour with Entry Ticket.
The tour was brilliant! And led by the best guide that I’ve had in Rome. I learned that the Pantheon had survived barbarian lootings, earthquakes and the wear and tear of nearly 2000 years. And that is just the tip of the iceberg!
If you love history, architecture and quirky facts about one of the world’s greatest masterpieces, don’t hesitate to book this tour while in Rome.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo is my favourite sunset spot in Rome. You get 360-degree views of the city from the Angel’s Terrace; it’s breathtaking. The photo featured shot at the top of this post was taken there.
The 1900-year-old structure was initially built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and later became a Pope’s fortress.
You don’t need a guided tour but recommend a skip-the-line ticket. While the lineups are nowhere near as crazy as at the Vatican, it is a popular spot at sunset. So don’t waste time in line; breeze in with the Castel Sant’Angelo Skip-the-Line ticket and enjoy the views immediately!
Food Tours in Rome
One thing I try to do in every new city is take a food tour. Not only do you get to discover incredible local food, but it’s also one of the most fun tours you can take. Everyone is in the best mood as they enjoy good food and wine. I loved the Twilight Trastevere Food Tour with Wine Tastings. The food and wine were plentiful, and the group discovered some of the best restaurants in Rome.
One of the stops was at Trattoria Da Enzo Al 29, which has a famously long line and doesn’t take reservations. But with this group tour, there’s a special table, so you sail on past and head right to your seat. We also visited a wine cellar that is 150 years older than the Colosseum. If you want a fun and delicious night in Rome, this tour is a must!
Domus Aurea
I haven’t seen the Domus Aurea or Nero’s Golden House in any Rome guides. But it’s such a unique place, and I had to include it here.
Nero’s Golden House was all but forgotten, believed to be destroyed after the infamous emperor’s death. But recent archeology digs have discovered its long-lost rooms and incredible art. It is an excellent spot to visit when Rome is blazing hot in the summertime.
The Domus Aurea Small Group Tour takes you down into the excavation site. While I loved exploring the ancient rooms, the most amazing part was the virtual reality experience at the end. Unbelievable to see what Nero’s Golden House actually looked like while you sit amongst its ruins.
Guide to Places in Rome that don’t require a Tour
The good news is not everything in Rome requires a tour or even a skip-the-line ticket. And there are many places that you can visit for free!
Free Places in Rome
It’s free to visit Rome’s churches, and many of them contain art by famous names, like Michelangelo, Raphael, and Caravaggio.
Visiting Piazza Navona and its fabulous fountains by Bernini is also free, but it gets crowded. Visit early in the morning or evening to avoid the hordes of tourists.
The Trevi fountain is another top destination in Rome. It’s free to toss a coin over your shoulder in hopes of returning to the city. But you’ll likely have to fight through the crowd to get to the water’s edge. It’s always busy, even late at night. One morning, I went at 6 am and wasn’t alone.
You have to pay to climb the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, but it’s worth it! The views are stellar. Buy your ticket on-site; if you go when it first opens, there’ll be little to no line. The bonus is that post-climb, you end up in St. Peter’s Basilica when it is practically empty.
Rome is often called an open-air museum, and you’ll see statues, ruins, and magnificent architecture everywhere! But if you want to see more incredible art showcased in impressive palazzos, here are a few good ones to check out.
Galleria Borghese
Galleria Borghese is worth a visit; you’ll be blown away by the lifelike works of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who can make marble look as soft as flesh.
You need a timed entry ticket in advance for the Borghese. Unfortunately, you can’t just show up and go inside. Book your ticket here. The tickets give you two hours inside the gallery.
A little tip: the gallery has two floors; head up and check out the artwork on the second floor first, then spend most of your time admiring Bernini’s sculptures downstairs. This is the opposite of how most people visit and gives you the best chance to have time with the art without many people around.
Galleria Doria Pamphilij
A hidden gem for art lovers is Galleria Doria Pamphilij. This private art collection is spread out across several gilded halls.
Not only is the artwork fabulous, but wandering through the ornate palace admiring the collection feels like you are in a fairytale.
While the Doria Pamphilij is central and easy to access, it’s less visited, and I honestly don’t understand why. While you can book a guide in Rome for a private tour, I don’t think that is necessary for this gallery.
I booked the first time slot in the morning and had the place to myself. Other people arrived, but it was never busy. An amazing experience!
Guide for Getting to Rome from the Airport
When you arrive in Rome, you’ll most likely land at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO), about 30 km outside Rome. The easiest way to get into the city is on the Leonardo Express, which leaves from the airport and heads straight to Termini Station. It only takes 32 minutes. Termini Station is connected to the metro, which you can take to the stop closest to your accommodations.
Even when jetlagged, it is easy to find the train station at the airport. Follow the yellow signs, cross the street, and take the escalator to the platform. You can purchase your train ticket in advance, but I buy it at the station since you never know about flight delays or how long you’ll wait to get your luggage. There are machines with an English option. But I use the Omio App. It is handy for train travel throughout Italy, and you can buy your tickets instantly online. Just make sure you book and board the Leonardo Express versus the local train, which takes much longer to get to the city. Check the digital sign to confirm the platform.
If you are planning a trip to Italy, you may also want to check out Affordable Italy: Monastery Stays and Taking Trains in Italy.
