I have a confession. I love Rome, and Prati is my favourite neighbourhood. Most tourists breeze through Prati on their way to visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. But I encourage you to spend the day here. Prati has wide boulevards, century-old cafes, yummy eats, great shops, local markets, and so much history. This is your one-day itinerary for Prati, Rome.
Heading to Italy; check out my itinerary for what to see and do in Prati, Rome.
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Pros & Cons of Staying in Prati, Rome
Most tourists stay in Rome’s historic center, Centro Storico, close to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. While Rome’s famous sights aren’t far, the main downside of staying in Prati is that it adds time to your walk (10-15 minutes). But the Ottaviano and Cipro metro stops help make sightseeing and getting to the airport easy.
Prati is an upscale neighbourhood in Rome. As a solo traveller, I felt safe, even at night.
There are fewer hotels, but there are some more affordable accommodation options. I loved alfresco dining at neighbourhood restaurants, shopping at local markets, and the proximity to the Vatican.
Favourite Places to Stay in Prati, Rome
Atlante Star Hotel
Atlante Star Hotel is a great place to stay in Prati. I initially visited for an aperitivo on its rooftop terrace. And I loved it so much that I returned on my next trip to Rome to check out the hotel.
Its location is convenient to Castel Sant’Angelo and the Vatican Museums, and it’s dangerously close to one of my favourite gelaterias.
The rooms are clean and spacious but a bit dated. I enjoyed the friendly service; the rooftop terrace and restaurant are incredible.
Insider tip:
My insider tip for finding an affordable place in Prati, Rome, is to stay at a Monastery. I loved “Villano Noel,” but there are several others to choose from at Monastery Stays.
Villino Noel
Villino Noël is a guesthouse run by the Suore Oblate dell’Assunzione. I have stayed at Villiano Noël so often that the sisters now recognize me!
The rooms are basic but immaculate. You have your own bathroom, and there’s excellent Wi-Fi.
But don’t expect amenities like bathrobes and a mini frig. Everything is simple: a bed, desk, wardrobe, towels, hairdryer and air conditioning. The price includes a Roman breakfast at the cafe next door… coffee, and a cornetto.
To book, go to the Monastery Stays website. Select a monastery and provide dates; you’ll receive a confirmation in 2-3 days. While it’s not as fast as booking on a hotel website with instant confirmation, the money you save makes the extra effort worthwhile.
Parisii Bocca di Leone 88
If you prefer staying in the Centro Storico, suggest booking a room at Parisii Bocca di Leone 88.
It’s just a few minutes from the Spanish Steps and the Sagna metro station. And it’s on the A-line, just three stops to the Ottaviano stop (heading towards Battistini), which gets you into the heart of the Prati neighbourhood.
Parisii Bocca di Leone 88 is on a quiet side street on the second floor of a Renaissance building. It has a casual luxury vibe. I loved the thoughtful touches, like the bowl of fresh fruit and delicious Italian cookies waiting for me in my room.
Planning your Day in Prati
Rome’s peak tourist season is from May to September. If you come off-season, you may score lower prices on your hotels and fewer crowds, but tourists flock to the Eternal City year-round.
A few of the main sights in the Prati area have specific closing days:
- Castel Sant’Angelo is closed on Monday.
- The Vatican Museums are closed on Sunday.
- Due to the weekly papal audience, you can’t climb St. Peter’s Dome on Wednesday morning.
The best days to visit Prati, Rome, are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
7:30 AM – St. Peter’s Dome Climb
Climbing St. Peter’s dome provides fantastic views of Rome. And it’s quite unique to get up close to the basilic’s gigantic dome and the towering statues along the rooftop that look down over St. Peter’s Square.
There are two options for climbing, but both involve stairs—a lot of stairs. You can take the elevator and then climb up the final 320 steps or go stairs only, which is a total of 551 steps.
RECOMMENDATION: Use the elevator (plus stairs), as there is little to see while climbing.
WARNING: The final few flights of stairs are in a tight space, so this climb might be challenging if you’re claustrophobic.
Insider Tip:
I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this if you’re not a morning person, but the best time to do the Dome Climb is first thing in the morning before the lineup gets too long.
You MUST buy your tickets at the Vatican Dome Climb ticket booth, NOT online. A sign near the basilica’s entrance points the way. The climb is closed on Wednesday mornings for the papal audience.
BONUS: The Dome Climb ends in St. Peter’s Basilica. If you climb early, you’ll be among the first people inside. Take a look around, but I still recommend doing a guided basilica tour later in the morning. There is so much to see, so having a guide is nice.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Book an earlier Vatican Museums tour if you decide not to do the Dome Climb. The museums are a little less crowded first thing in the morning.
9:30 AM – Breakfast: Love Specialty Croissants
A typical Roman breakfast is simple: coffee and a cornetto, the Italian version of a croissant. Love Specialty Croissants has become a popular spot. I’ve noticed line-ups, but it’s worth it if you can spare the time!
You’ll be welcomed by the aroma of coffee, which greets you as soon as you enter. Their coffee blend is from a local roaster in Rome. They offer a range of sweet and savoury pastries that are as beautiful as they are delicious. While I plan to work through the menu, my current favourite is the Vittorio! It’s a luxurious upgrade to a pain au chocolate, partially dipped in mouthwatering chocolate and sprinkled with salted hazelnuts.
LOCATION: Via Tunisi, 51, Prati, Rome
11:00 AM – Guided Tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica
Over 6 million people visit the Vatican Museums annually! So if you want to visit, you must have a plan. This isn’t the place to be spontaneous!
Book a skip-the-line tour. People without a reservation wait in line for 2-3 hours. The busiest days to visit are Saturday and Monday. The Vatican Museums are closed on Sunday.
With over 20,000 pieces of art on display, having a guide helps ensure you see some of the world’s most remarkable pieces of art!
If you don’t want to go back inside St. Peter’s Basilica, book the Vatican Museums plus St. Peter’s Square Tour. However, I recommend doing a combined tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Insider Tip:
If you have a tiny bladder, use the toilets after passing security. It will be difficult to impossible to access bathrooms during the tour!
The combo tour includes time in the Sistine Chapel. Inside, you cannot take photos or talk, but most of your time will be spent gazing up at the ceiling. Michelangelo took four years to paint the ceiling’s frescos and another four years to complete the Last Judgement on the chapel’s altar wall.
The tour ends in St. Peter’s Basilica, which took over 100 years to build. The walls are covered with mosaics made of glass and stone.
You’ll also see the bronze Baldacchino canopy, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. And lots of statues, the most famous is La Pietà, carved by Michelangelo at the age of 23. It’s to the right when you first enter.
REMINDER: The Vatican has a mandatory dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered.
2:00 PM – St. Peter’s Square
Before lunch, spend time in the dramatically beautiful St. Peter’s Square. Bernini designed it in the 17th century to welcome people to receive the Pope’s blessing.
The most spectacular feature is the elliptical colonnade, which stretches out from the basilica’s facade. Two hundred eighty-four columns form the colonnade, creating an optical illusion.
Look for the marble circle inlaid into the ground near the central obelisk to witness the illusion. Stand on it, and the columns appear in a single row, even though they are staggered and set 4 columns deep.
In the center of St. Peter’s Square is a 4,500-year-old red granite Egyptian obelisk. Nearby are twin fountains. Remarkably, they are almost identical, even though they were built 60 years apart.
2:30 PM – Lunch: Bonci Pizzarium
Bonci’s is THE place for Roman-style pizza al taglio, which means pizza “by the cut.” The thicker crust pizzas are baked in large rectangles and loaded with yummy topping combos. Then, they are cut with scissors to your desired size and sold by weight.
Bonci’s menu changes frequently and is based on the availability of local ingredients. But there are typically 12 – 15 types, including classics like Margherita. When you arrive, take a number and place your order. It’s a very casual experience. Cards only, no cash.
LOCATION: Via della Meloria, 43, Prati, Rome
3:30 PM – Sciascia Caffè 1919
This historic cafe is worth the walk through Rome’s lovely Prati neighbourhood. Sciascia Caffè (pronounced: Sha-Sha) opened in 1919 and has been at its current location on Via Fabio Massimo since 1937.
It’s a charming spot with dark wood, dangling green pendant lamps, monogrammed cups, and outdoor seating.
The cafe’s founder, Dr. Adolfo Sciascia, spent decades perfecting its custom coffee blend, which remains a secret! And the coffee here is fantastic! I especially loved their “Caffè Sciascia,” espresso with dark chocolate.
LOCATION: Via Fabio Massimo n.80/a, Prati, Rome
4:15 PM – Gelateria Cremilla
There are many great gelaterias in Rome. I’ve made it my goal to visit as many as I can! But Gelateria Cremilla is one of my favourites. Their gelato is so creamy and delicious!
Their shop is beautiful, all cream and dark beige. The gelato is in silver-lidded containers to ensure it’s held at the perfect temperature.
Try the Zabaglione gelato! It’s a boozy, creamy delight! And the dark chocolate is divine.
LOCATION: Via di Porta Castello, 39, Prati, Rome
4: 45 PM – Ponte sant’Angelo
Sant’Angelo Bridge is an ancient bridge that spans the Tiber River. It was ordered by Emperor Hadrian and built in 136 AD to provide access to his mausoleum (now called Castel Sant’ Angelo). The bridge has five arches. The middle three arches are original, from the 2nd century.
It’s famous for the ten beautiful marble angels that line the bridge. Bernini designed all ten but only craved two; his students created the rest. Today, the angels on this pedestrian bridge are replicas.
5:00 PM – Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’ Angelo is one of the best viewpoints in Rome. The best time to visit is late afternoon. Explore all the rooms and exhibits before heading to the Angel’s Terrace at sunset for panoramic city views.
But before you go, book your skip-the-line ticket, walk past the line, and straight into this nearly 1,900-year-old fortress. What can you see from the Angel’s Terrace?
- Steeples of Rome’s fabulous basilicas
- The Dome of the Pantheon
- Monument of Victor Emanuel II
- Bronze statue of Archangel Michel
- Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica
Originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian in the second century, Castel Sant’Angelo was once the tallest building in Rome! It was later converted into a Pope’s fortress, connected to St.Peter’s Basilica by the Passetto di Borgo, which looks like a long wall but contains a secret passageway.
6:30 PM – Aperitivo: Terrazza Les Étoiles
Rome has many fantastic rooftop bars and terraces, but most are in Centro Storico. Terrazza Les Étoiles is unique because it’s in Rome’s Prati neighbourhood.
It has a beautiful rooftop garden with unbelievable views of the Vatican. The broad terrace is lined with intimate tables surrounded by shrubs and flowering plants. And you can’t get a better view of St. Peter’s dome and the Vatican.
The service was attentive, and their apertivo was generous and tasty. It included a basket of cacio e pepe fries… I didn’t know this was a thing, but I dream of returning for more.
Book your online reservation for the rooftop or restaurant in advance. The aperitivo is a fixed price, which includes your drink and finger foods.
8:00 PM Dinner in Prati, Rome
L’Archetto
There are many neighbourhood restaurants in Prati. If you want something casual and are up for pizza, go to L’Archetto. It’s a great local spot.
L’Archetto’s wood-fired oven has been turning out delicious Roman thin-crust pizzas since 1992. Their house wine is Inexpensive and good, but Romans typically drink beer with pizza. The pizzeria has indoor and outdoor seating. Call +39 06 323 1163 to book a table.
LOCATION: Via Germanico, 105, Prati, Rome
ZIG RISTORANTE ROMA PRATI
Located on Prati’s main shopping street, Via Cola di Rienzo, Zig Ristorante was founded in 1934 by the Cataldi family.
Zig Ristorante has outdoor seating, but I loved the cozy yet elegant vibe of the interior.
The menu is focused on Roman favourites. Their home-baked bread was excellent, and I had the best Carciofi alla Romana (Roman braised artichoke).
LOCATION: Via Cola di Rienzo, 263, Prati, Rome
Need more help planning your trip to Rome, check out my post, “Your Guide to Fall in Love with Rome.”
