Starter Guide to Visiting Rome
Rome, Italy’s capital city, is surely a top destination in many traveller’s list. And definitely one of the best cities I’ve been to so far. No matter how much time you will spend there, there will always be something new to discover.
Getting to Rome
by AIR: both from Italy, Europe and everywhere overseas. Thanks to the nearby Fiumicino International Airport, the main of the country. From there, you can easily reach the city centre by train or bus in less than one hour. For a few euros ticket.
By TRAIN: The main station is Roma Termini, literally translated as terminal. And served by the faster long distance trains. But it is possible to reach any other station taking a local convoy
by BUS: highway busses connect the city with pretty much everywhere around Italy. And also many European cities. Usually arriving at the Tiburtina bus terminal, close by the second train station of the city.
by FEET (or BIKE): it might sound strange, but there is pathway going from Canterbury, in England, right to the hearth Rome. It’s the Via Francigena, and old pilgrim way rediscovered in the recent years. A sort of Italian version of its well-known Spanish cousin, the path to Santiago de Compostela. It is both possible to follow it walking or riding a bike. And, if coming from the South, also walk the southern part. Connecting the Capital City with Santa Maria di Leuca, in Lecce.
by CAR: if you are travelling by car, there is also the possibility to drive to Rome. But I would really not suggest it, as the city traffic is really crazy. And there are no (free) parking possibilities.
A traditional Italian way of saying is “Every road leads to Rome”. And there is really plenty of possibilities to reach the city
Moving around Rome
Public Transports
all the city centre’s transports are covered by the same ticket. Allowing you to unlimited use of Busses, trams and the three metro lines. The fares are:
- 1,50 € for the cheapest ticket, valid for 100 minutes from the validation. Ur unlimited rides on the metro, as long as you don’t exit the subway.
On the subway, it is also possible to enter without a proper ticket. Just paying the same fee simply tapping your credit card at the entrance gate.
- 7,00 € for the Daily ticket, valid for 24 hours for unlimited journeys
other useful options are renal bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, cars, mopeds and even Vaspas! And obviously cars. But I won’t suggest anyone to get If you like the comfort of a private driver call a City Cab – no Uber in Italy.
And my always favorite one: WALKING
Rental opportunities
Pretty much everywhere around the city you will find plenty of scooters and e-bikes perked in the most unusual places. There are a few different providers, with pretty much similar costs and methods. Just remember to follow the traffic rules and wearing an helmet, if possible. The most common examples are:
- the Lime bikes from UBER. available at the price of 0,20 € per minute
- Helbiz Scooters, for about 0,15 € per minute, or 29,99 € monthly
- again Uber Lime Scooters. 0,25 € per minute and several different forms of passes
But the available options are even more! You can have a deeper overview of all Rome mobility sharing options here
In general, all you have to do is downloading their app and scan the QR code of the vehicle you are willing to use. Note that in most cases you will also pay an unlocking fee of about 1 or 2 euros
You can also head to one of the many private shops and stalls and ask about their offer. Also a good way to helping the locals!
What to DO in Rome
We could spend days just listing all the sites to see and visit around the City of Rome: From monuments to churches, museums, historical sites, gardens and plazas. And the many hidden treasures inside and around any of them.
As someone constantly looking to go off of the beaten track, like the options listed in this post.
But for here let’s start from a quick recap of the main and best known attractions around Rome
1) Visiting the COLOSSEUM
A walk around the famous Roman site is surely a must. While I would skip going inside, especially if you’re on a low budget or don’t have much time to spend waiting in line. Anyways, the entrance ticket is 16 € for the adult one. And it will allow you to also access the nearby Roman Forum, and the Palatino hill, homes of many ancient roman Ruins. Book your spot here to access the site
2) Exploring Saint Peter’s Cathedral and the Vatican
Another very important symbol of the Capital city, and one of the very few I like to visit every time I go back to Rome. You can’t believe how massive the church and its plaza are until you go there and see it by yourself. Be ready to wait on a long line before go inside, but I assure you won’t be disappointed. Plus, the entrance is free. As in pretty much every church.
If you are really running short on time there are some tricks to reduce the waiting time. Such as booking a guided tour, getting you a reserved entrance for about 10 euros. Plus, it will help you better understand what you are seeing; and be sure to don’t miss anything
3) The Vatican Museums
This one is a bit more demanding. At first, for the long waiting line of a couple of kilometres, on average. Even if the new online booking should save you some time. You could spend days wandering around all sort of art masterpieces. But the very great ending is surely the The Sistine Chapel. The ticket cost 17 euros for just the entrance with no guide. You can book your spot here
If you are willing to explore a bit more, you can also visit the Vatican Caves, the rests of the old cathedral, lying under the new one, and the Popes cemetery. The Vatican treasures museum, and even climb to the top of the dome. Just make sure you don’t suffer for being in very narrow spaces, as the last part of the steep staircase is pretty uncomfortable. The ticket is 8 euros for walking the full way, and 10 euros for running the fist part with an elevator. Actually just less than half way, as there is no way to escape the last 320 steps!
In return, I’m sure you’ll be repaid by the beautiful view: at first, from a balcony overlooking the cathedral from inside the base of the dome; and finally above all Rome from its top.
4) Trevi and the other Fountains
Throw a coin backwards into its waters to wish a future travel back to Rome!
That’s what the old legend says. And what most of the many visitors do. Other than that, the beautiful travertine fountain is really stunning to see. Especially with the night time lighting.
I know leaving a coin seems a pointless waste. But the good news is that every night the municipality takes all the money and give it for charity.
Rome is also blessed by a good abundance of flowing waters, thanks to the ancient roman waterworks. Which leads to plenty of drinkable water taps placed all around the city.
And many other beautiful sculptured baroque fountains, in as many wonderful plazas. Such as the boat looking Barcaccia of Piazza di Spagna; the Triton Fountain of Piazza Barberini and the three fountains of Piazza Navona. Just to name the main ones.
5) Walk around the most beautiful City
From Plazas, buildings, monuments and churches, to the many markets and even the tiniest streets of Trastevere. Everything around the Capital City is worth to be seen. And guess what? It is also FREE
Rome is surely not one of the smallest cities out there, and visit it all by your feet will take you some time and effort. But it is a very walkable city, and you’ll be surprised my the endless findings along the way. It is just too easy to reach the 20 kilometres without almost notice it.
Of course it is also possible to see them in other ways, but for me walk around a city will always be the best way to enjoy the smallest details.
And in case you ran out of energy, you can can readily take a nap under a tree in one of the many city parks. Or refuel from one of the many eateries along the way. The only struggle will be which one to choose!
What to EAT in Rome
Rome, like many other places around Italy, is pure heaven for the foodies from everywhere around the World!
As a very touristy city, there is a wide offer of delicacies from everywhere around the Country. But what to choose, if you are looking for the most local options?
PINSA
very local version of the worldwide known cousin, PIZZA. Different in the shape, oval instead of rounded, and also beacause of the different flour blend and tecniques used for the dough. Very soft and thin at the same time.
Also the traditional pizza here is slightly different from the best known sister from Napoli. As it is more thin and crunchy.
PASTA. in its most local versions:
CACIO e PEPE. A creamy pasta with roman cheese and pepper
CARBONARA. Probably the most famous all around the world, even if in many -usually bad- variations. It is traditionally made with Guanciale, eggs, freshly grated black pepper and a blend of grated cheese: roman Pecorino and Parmesan.
Head to the Roscioli shop for what is meant to be the best carbonara in Rome
AMATRICIANA. Inherited by Rome from the nearby city of Amatrice, it is a tomato sauce with guanciale, stir-fried onions and pecorino cheese
ARRABBIATA. Literally “angry pasta”. Is a spicy sauce made with stir-fried chopped tomatoes, chilli peppers and garlic. And a sprinkle of parsley, grated Pecorino cheese and good olive oil
Ice Cream and every possible pastry
Ice cream is not properly from Rome, but you can easily find some of the best ones there! From the more traditional recipes and flavors, to some more special and also vegan ones. Like every tourist spots, prices are slightly higher than in other places of Italy. But most shops will offer you some freshly wiped cream on top. A paid supplement in most other places.
Maritozzo
a soft raisins bun filled with freshly whipped cream. Probably the tastier and most local companion for your Morning Italian Coffee
Carciofi alla Giudia
Roman artichokes deep fried in a very special way
Supplì
A fried rice ball with an hart of melted cheese. Also available in many other filling versions
Saltimbocca alla Romana
Floured veal slices sautèed in butter and white wine with a piece of Parma ham on topNow you should be ready for your first visit to the Beautiful City!
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