Rome
I am sure that there is almost no one who visits the Eternal City of Rome and does not fall in love with it. The City of the Seven Hills fascinates every traveler with its rich history, architecture, culture, and cuisine. I will take you on a special tour of one of the oldest cities in Europe.
The City
Rome is the capital of Italy and its largest city. It is located on the Tiber and Aniene rivers. The city has existed for 2800 years. It was the capital of the Roman Empire. Later it became the center of the Italian Kingdom. It houses the sovereign state of the Vatican, which is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Pope. Rome is also the most visited city by tourists in Italy.
- Area – 1287 sq. km.
- Population – 2.9 million people
- Attendance – 27 million people
- Official language – Italian
- Airports – Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino); Ciampino; Roma Urbé
When is the right time to visit Rome?
In late spring and early summer. Then the weather is pleasantly warm, but not hot. The chance of precipitation is low and the peak tourist season has not yet begun.
- Minimum temperatures – about 3 ° C
- Maximum temperatures – about 32 ° C
- Hottest months – July and August
- Coldest months – January and February
- Chance of precipitation – during the autumn months
Transportation
Public transport
To get on public transport you need to buy a ticket in advance. You may need to validate your entry and exit tickets in the subway. On buses and trams, you will need a validation only on entry.
Tip: You can get a standard ticket, valid for one subway trip or 100 minutes on all buses. A 24, 48, 72-hour or weekly ticket is also available, valid for all lines. Children under 10 years travel free of charge only with an adult.
- Subway -The subway in Rome has 4 lines – A, B, B1, and C. Its lines are far from the city’s historic center, so get ready to take long walks if you want to explore the ancient artifacts.
- Buses – There are over 350 bus lines and over 8000 stops. They only serve the main thoroughfares. It means that again you will have to hike downtown.
- Trains – Trains are frequent, fast and comfortable, but not for sightseeing in central Rome. The main train station is Termini. The second-largest station is Roma Tiburtina. Now it is a high-speed rail terminal.
- Trams – The tram network is small. The most used tourist line is # 19 – from the Vatican to Villa Borghese. The other favorite tourists’ line is # 3, which goes around the east side of the city.
- Port – Lido di Ostia has a marina and a small canal for fishing boats. The main port, serving the city is Civitavecchia, which is about 62 km northwest of Rome.
Rental Car
There is a restriction on car access to the main city center, during the daylight hours. If you want to explore Rome by car, you better think twice. They just won’t let you go with it to the most visited tourist attractions.
Coach Buses
City Sightseeing is one of the most popular tourist bus options. It operates year-round with one eight-stop route serving all the major attractions in the center. Buses have an open roof, allowing you to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views. There are also personal audio guides, available in 8 languages (Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese). The whole tour lasts about 2 hours.
Rental Bicycles
With the bikes, you can enter pedestrian and restricted areas, which make up 50% of the center of Rome. Therefore, they are a good option to explore the city.
Taxis
Only get in the licensed yellow and white taxis. I advise you not to use taxi fares in the city, but most of all for airport transfers to the hotel.
Tip: Make sure the driver switches on the counter when you get in, not before. If you order a taxi over the phone, the driver turns the counter on from where the taxi is, before it gets to you.
Food
If you want to eat classic Italian pizza or pasta, visit Pizza E Mozzarella, Il Laboratorio Della Pizza or Pane e Salame. If you are dreaming of visiting a nice restaurant offering cuisine, choose CiPASSO. For delicious Italian appetizers arranged with a fine wine or tasty dessert, choose The Loft. Want to have a nice coffee in a pleasant company? Head to Feffo or the extravagant Coffee-Library Bibliobar.
Rome is the Italian city with the most Michelin starred restaurants – totaling 23. La Pergola is the only one with a full 3 stars review and you will need to make a reservation at least 4 months in advance. In addition to divine food, you will enjoy magnificent views of Rome and the Vatican. Other Michelin starred restaurants include: Il Pagliaccio, All’Oro, Il Convivio Troiani. They serve traditional Italian cuisine in a new and avant-garde way.
Activities
Three things are must-have in Rome: sightseeings, food, and shopping. But my advice is to get something non-standard, unique and free. Thus, you will feel more from the city spirit. Take a walk in the narrow streets, enjoy the pleasant views and weather, and see some wonderful street performances. For God’s sake, do not neglect churches and cathedrals! You can see, feel and touch many things there. Still, they are like free museums.
Nightlife and Entertainment
The real nightlife in the Eternal City begins after midnight. Until then, you can start with a nice place for an aperitif. Then go to the night bars, clubs, and discos. A mandatory stop, especially during the warm months, is the panoramic clubs on the roof of a building. I recommend Rooftop Life, where are the coolest DJ parties. For live jam sessions, visit the Live Alcazar. If you want to dance and have more fun, go to one of the Circolo Degli Illuminati halls. There you can enjoy a mix of house, techno, hip-hop, and other music styles. If you love a blend of dancing, cocktails and partying people, then the GUS is the right place for you.
Tip: Most nightclubs are open from May to September.
Vatican City
Vatican City is the smallest sovereign country in the world. It is situated on the hill of the same name in the western part of Rome. Vatican City is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. Its main entrance is in front of St. Peter’s Square. Vatican City also houses the largest Catholic church in the world, the Basilica of St. Peter. The official languages in the Holy City are Latin and Italian.
Vatican Museums
It is a huge complex of several museums with paintings, sculptures, Pope mobiles, numismatics, and many others. There you can see works by Botticelli, Bernini, and Rafael. The most famous landmark is the Sistine Chapel, whose ceiling and one of the walls are painted by Michelangelo. This is where the election of a new pope takes place. It is better to buy a museum ticket online, so you don’t have to wait in line.
St. Basil’s Basilica Peter
The Basilica is the most famous monument of Renaissance architecture and one of the most sacred places for Catholics. They believe that St. Peter, one of the 12 Apostles of Christ, is buried there. Michelangelo himself painted its huge dome. There has been a Christian church in this place since the 4th century. The construction of the basilica began in 1506 and was completed just in 1626. The Pope personally runs some services, gathering between 15 and 80 000 people in the Basilica and the square around it.
Vatican Gardens
These beautiful gardens occupy almost half of the Vatican’s territory. The public cannot see them, but you can still visit them with a tour guide. Their creation began in the 13th century by Pope Nicholas III. His will was to have gardens with orchards, lawns, and flower, so he can think in solitude. Today, the Vatican Gardens are a great place to walk and relax.
Top Attractions in Rome:
Colosseum
Roman Forum
Roman Pantheon
Vatican Museums
Vatican Gardens
Saint Peter Basilica