Things to do in Rome: sights, accommodation, restaurants and many other tips

Rome was one of those cities that I have always dreamed before it was possible for me to travel outside my country.  I was arriving for the first time in the Eternal City in August 1994. I had an Italian Transit Visa for two days, ripped away with hard work from the most chaotic consulate I have ever seen and I spent here six unforgettable days (it’s true, I did run up to Naples one day and another one to meet Michelangelo in Florence)… since then I have returned many times also because I have relatives in Rome!

When to go to Rome

Summer time, during August, it is extremely hot, but the city is pretty empty – all the Romans go away for the holidays, either those being the marine resorts 20 km distance from the city, or around the world. The emptiness comes with pluses and minuses – pluses: it isn’t crowded, minuses: you will find many family restaurants and shops closed. Overall, I’d say plus… Oh well, and 40 degrees in the shadow. Probably, best seasons are spring and autumn. Avoid the period around the 25^th of April (National Day) and 1^st of May when half of Italy seems to be visiting Rome.  Believe me or not, the best I have ever felt was in February – I was coming from Romania that was overwhelmed by snow drifts and wind, while in Rome, there were already 15-20 degrees …What a feeling! However, there is really no bad time to go to Rome and enjoy a city break.

How to get to Rome:

Almost all the European airlines fly into Rome, The biggest low-cost airlines of the continent, Ryanair, Easyjet or WizzAir connect Rome to all the corners of the continent, so there is no problem to find a cheap flight.

How to get from the airport to Rome City

From Fiumicino: Fiumicino Airport is about 33 km away from Rome, somewhere near the sea shore (take a window seat for a nice view!). There is a Cotral bus that takes you up to the Lepanto subway station (costs 5 euros), but the majority of passengers opt for the train. The quickest way is the Leonardo Express, train that connects the airport with the major railway station in Rome, Roma Termini. The price of a ticket is 14 euros (one way). If you look for a cheaper railway option, there is one, but it is complicated. You take the Metropolitan Train Line FM1 from the airport to Ponte Galeria, you change here to trains that go to Fiumicino Citta and, in order to take the subway, you descend at Ostiense. In this case the ticket costs 5,50 euros.

From Ciampino: the Ciampino airport is closer, only 15 km south fromRome. From here, you can take the ATTRAL buses that take you either to the Anagnina subway station (which is the final station of the metro network), or directly to the Termini train station. The bus to Anagnina costs 1, 20 euros and the one to Termini – 5 euros (plus the 1, 20 euros for larger luggage). The tickets can be purchased from a kiosk in the arrival area of the airport. If you will buy a ticket from the bus driver it will be an extra 10 cents.

 

How to travel through Rome

A whole ticket (it can be used at the subway but also in the bus as well) costs 1, 50 euros, one for a full day – 6 euros and one for 3 days – 16 euros. More details on the ATAC  site. The tourist areas are pretty wide spread so it is possible to use the public means of transportation even if you are an avid lover of the walking per pedes apostolorum.

Beware though in the public means of transportation, there are very many pickpockets (theirs as well as ours). Be careful especially on the 64 bus line from the Termini train station to theVatican…it is famous worldwide for its skillful pickpockets!

Top 5 tourist objectives in Rome

Ohhh…it is really tough, there are so many, but let me try

1. Vatican– I would include here the VaticanMuseumas well as the San Pietro cathedral. In order to visit this wonderful place quietly, book a whole day. Do not miss climbing on the rooftop of the cathedral for a dreamy view! Unfortunately the queues from the Vatican Museum aren’t so dreamy, but rather nightmarish, so you would better buy your ticket online

2. The Roman Forum – behind the Altare della Patria (the great monument built by Mussolini and nicknamed “the typewriter”) is situated in the center of the Ancient Rome. Here, it is mandatory to have a guide (any type of – human or guidebook) in order to understand what you see. Do not miss Trajan’s Column located in a corner of the Piazza di Venezia!
3. Fontana di Trevi. I am sure that Rome will grow close to your heart. If you want to come back, it is mandatory to stay with your back to the fountain and throw a coin in the fountain (it can even be 50 cents, it still works!)
4. Piazza di Spagna – especially in April, when the famous steps are flooded by potted azaleas… From far away you do not see the pots, but only the gorgeous flowers!
5. Trastevere – a neighborhood that is further away from the historical – tourist’s axe, but where you can stroll around peacefully and without so many tourists. It appears that it is the area preferred by the locals!

Rome couldn’t miss having a free tour so, if you want to stroll around by foot with a knowledgeable guide, take a look here.

Rome doesn’t lack specialized tours as well – starting from See Rome on a Segway http://www.romebysegway.com/site/  to culinary tours or photography ones.

Where to sleep in Rome

Here, I have an advantage… I have relatives, I sleep in their homes. I have slept in hotels one time or the other, but only during business trips and they were far away, in the Eur district, somewhere where I had work to do. The cheapest hotels you will find in the area of the Rome Termini train station, but the area may seem pretty weird – there are a lot of thieves, dubious looking immigrants and hookers…but the hotels are safe and OK. You can find on Booking numerous options, but beware so they wouldn’t be located far away from the subway station (traffic is awful in Rome). Look also at the rented apartments if you are more people. Tripadvisor recommends La Ducchessa a Roma where the single rooms start from 40 euros and doubles from 75 euros. The disadvantage is that it is located somewhere further away from the center, near the Trastevere train station. Another recommended hostel by Kash  is The Beehive  where the bed in a dorm costs starting from 25 euros, and the double from 70 euros (off – season). The location is central, near the Termini train station.

Where to eat in Rome

It is very difficult not to find a good and cheap eating place in Tome. Do not eat right in the tourist squares because it will be very expensive…Take a few steps on the lateral alleys and you will find super food at reasonable prices. One sort of place you can find at two steps away from the Piazza Navona, it is called Ponte e Parione, the only place in the area where they make an oven pizza!

Pictures of Rome:

Swiss Guard inRome

San Pietro Square

San Angelo Castle

A Pharaoh in …Rome:)

Whoever tosses the coin, you’re coming back toRome!

Piazza di Spagna

Trajan’s Column

The Roman Quorum

The Ponte e Parione Restaurant next to the Piazza Navona