FREE | Rome Travel Guide 🇮🇹

ℹ️ General Info

🔹Destination: Rome, Italy

🔹Currency: Euros 💶

🔹Language: Italian

🔹Main Airport: Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport

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Rome–Fiumicino International Airport "Leonardo da Vinci" is the main airport in Rome, Italy. See the link attached below for frequently asked questions about the airport.

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🔹Main train station: Roma Termini 

Roma Termini

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Roma Termini is the main train station in Rome. Find the link below regarding accessibility, services, and train timetables.

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🔹 Average Daily Cost: €60-€200

🔹Best time to visit: Spring (Mid-March to May) and Autumn (Mid-September to November)

🔹Recommended Duration: 3-4 days to see the main attractions, 5-7 days to see the city at a more leisurely pace

🔹Current Weather:

🛬 How to get to the city center from the airport

I found the following video by Leonard Shea to be really helpful:

ROME AIRPORT TO ROME CENTER BY TRAIN - LEONARDO EXPRESS TRAIN TO TERMINI - FIUMICINO TO TERMINI

youtu.be

🏨Where to Stay

🔹Near the Roma Termini train station (a great area to stay in, if you are planning to do day trips from Rome)

Seven Kings Relais Hotel

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I stayed here for 4 nights and enjoyed my stay here. The room was clean and tidy and the staff were helpful! There is also a gelateria across the street from the hotel and I couldn’t get enough of the gelato! 🍨😋 Seven Kings Relais is a 10-minute walk from Roma Termini Train Station and a 5-mintue walk from Repubblica Metro Station. The hotel includes heating, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, non-smoking rooms, lockers, and pets are allowed. Languages spoken: English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

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Hotel NH Collection Roma Palazzo Cinquecento

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Hotel NH Collection Roma Palazzo Cinquecento is only a 5 minute walk from Roma Termini! This hotel includes non-smoking rooms, room service, facilities for disabled guests, family rooms, private parking, free WiFi, a fitness centre, a bar, and 2 restaurants. Their breakfast includes Italian, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Languages spoken: English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

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Hotel Cortina Rome

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Hotel Cortina is a 10 minute walk from Roma Termini and a 3 minute walk from Repubblica - Opera House Station. What's nearby? - Trevi Fountain (13 minute walk) - Spanish Steps (14 minute walk) - Colosseum (17 minute walk) The hotel has air conditioning (climate-controlled), luggage storage, free WiFi, laundry facilities, daily housekeeping, an elevator, a 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle on request for a surcharge, and self parking on site (EUR 25 per night). Languages spoken: English, French, Italian, Romanian, Spanish

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🔹 Near Vatican City

Hotel Roma Vaticano

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Hotel Roma Vaticano is only a short distance away from must-see attractions, such as the Vatican, Piazza del Popolo, and Piazza Navona. The hotel includes air conditioning, heating, free WiFi, lockers, private parking, soundproof rooms, family rooms, and an airport shuttle. Languages spoken: English and Italian.

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St.Peter Central Rooms B & B

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St. Peter Central Rooms B&B is only 600 metres from Ottaviano Metro Station and it is less than a 10 minute walk to St. Peter's Square (in Vatican City)! This bed & breakfast has air conditioning, heating, free WiFi, non-smoking rooms, a lift, and an airport shuttle. Languages spoken: English, Spanish, and Italian.

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Vatican Relais Rome

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Vatican Relais Rome is only a 5-minute walk from St. Peter's Basilica and only 500 meters away from Ottaviano Metro Station! This bed and breakfast has a hot tub, a tour desk, a lift, continental breakfast (with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options), lockers, air conditioning, free WiFi, concierge service, and an airport shuttle. Languages spoken: English and Italian

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🔹Near Piazza Navona

Garden Palace

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Garden Palace is located in the Spagna district of the Eternal City and is only 500 meters from Piazza Navona. This property has air conditioning, heating, 24-hour security, soundproof rooms, shuttle service, and a fabulous continental and Italian breakfast. Languages spoken: English and Italian

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Hotel Pensione Barrett

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Hotel Barrett is situated in the historical center of Rome. Piazza Navona is only a 5 minute walk and Campo de' Fiori is 500 meters away. The hotel offers walking tours and a tour or class about local culture. The property has a 24-hour front desk, air conditioning, heating, free WiFi, family rooms, non-smoking rooms, and good breakfast. Languages spoken: English, Spanish, and Italian

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🚏Mode of Transportation

🚌 Hop on, Hop off Bus Tour

When I visited Rome for the second time, I travelled with my family.  Based on the knowledge I gained from my previous trip to Rome, I knew that there was going to be a lot of walking and my parents were going to be tired, so we bought tickets for a Hop on, Hop off Bus Tour! This is great for those who are not fond of walking for long periods of time. Don't get me wrong, you HAVE TO walk when you're in Rome, but when you need a break from walking, this bus tour is a great way to take a break and admire the panoramic views of the Eternal City.

Big Bus Tours Rome | Rome Hop on, Hop off Bus Tours

www.bigbustours.com

Big Bus Tours Rome

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A great way to see the city of Rome is to book a bus tour. Big Bus Tours Rome is a good option. They have tickets for 24, 48, and 72 hours, as well as a Night Tour. The first stop is at Termini Railway Station and ends at Piazza Barberini / Spanish Steps.

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🚇 Metro

Rome's metro consist of only three lines. Currently, there are plans for a fourth line. The reason the city's metro system is small is because each time a new tunnel is built, more archaeological remains are discovered.  In the link below you will find the Rome Transport Map and a list of the most important metro stations: 

Rome Metro - Lines, hours, fares and Rome metro maps

www.rome.net

🚌 Public Bus

The public bus in Rome has over 350 bus lines (338 buses run during the day and 22 at night). Keep in mind that the public buses are not always punctual, so be prepared for delays. The link below outlines the most popular bus lines, how to catch a bus, where to buy a bus ticket, and where to find a map of the bus routes.  

Rome Buses - Routes, hours, fares & map of the city buses in Rome

www.rome.net

🚊Tram

Rome does have a tram, but it is rarely ever used by visitors. The best tram line for travelers is number 8, which links Trastevere with Largo di Torre Argentina. 

Rome Trams - Lines, hours, fares and map of the tram network

www.rome.net

🥕Food Markets

Campo de' Fiori

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Campo de’ Fiori is known for its flower, fruit, and vegetable market. You can find fresh produce, dried fruit, souvenirs, and more! It is best to visit the market early since the stalls close in early afternoon. This is also a great place to eat since you are surrounded by restaurants!

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Testaccio market

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This is a popular food market among the locals in Rome. Some of the food stalls are still run by families that have settled in Testaccio 150 years ago! Also, the best time to visit is around 12pm before it gets too busy.

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Mercato Centrale

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Mercato Centrale is located inside Roma Termini train station, so if you happen to be waiting for your train to arrive and you're hungry, this is a great place to find something to eat! There is a great selection of food: ramen, sushi, pizza, and even empanadas!

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🥄 Cheap Eats ($)

PÒMÒ FLAVIA

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This is the perfect place for a quick meal and when you're looking for something that doesn't break the bank! During lunch time, you can find many locals here enjoying delicious pizza.

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Pastasciutta

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Pastasciutta serves freshly handmade pasta daily! At such a small price and with great quality ingredients, you can't go wrong!

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Sarap Filipino Restaurant

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One day after taking a tour of the Vatican (and after days of eating delicious pasta and pizza), I was starting to miss eating rice and home-cooked Filipino dishes 😅 Luckily, we bumped into a friendly group of Filipinos that suggested we try Sarap Filipino Restaurant and OMG the food was delicious 🤤 If you have the chance to go here, try the Adobo Chicken (a Filipino classic 👍). Also, it’s super affordable so that’s always a plus!

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🍴Casual Dining ($$)

Ristorante Fuocolento

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If you have the chance to have dinner here out on the terrace, I highly recommend it. The decor is beautiful with their sparkling fairy lights. In addition, the food is delicious! The staff is very friendly and the service is exceptional.

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La Grande Bellezza

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At La Grande Bellezza, you can expect delicious traditional Italian food matched with a classy ambiance. The service is great and the staff is friendly! Also, if you're planning to stay at Seven Kings Relais, this restaurant is only a 2-minute walk away!

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🍃 Rifugio Romano (vegan & vegetarian options)

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This is a great place to eat for vegetarians and vegans!

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🍽️ Upscale Dining ($$$)

Il Convivio Troiani

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This restaurant offers imaginative dishes and à la carte menus. Every single produce is sourced from local farmers, so you will expect to eat healthy, nutritious, and local food here at Il Convivio Troiani.

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Casa Bleve

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This upscale restaurant is located in the heart of historic Rome. You can expect great food, great service, and a vast selection of Italian and French wines!

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🍽️✨Fine Dining ($$$$)

PER ME - Giulio Terrinoni

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PER ME Giulio Terrinoni is located in the heart of Rome between Via Giulia and Via dei Banchi Vecchi. With its inventive and modern take on Italian food, this Michelin starred restaurant is a gem that you don't want to miss!

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Acquolina

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At this two Michelin star restaurant, you will expect a great ambience paired with creative and delicious seafood.

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🍨Gelato Shops

Gelateria La Romana

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I absolutely love this place! When I was staying at Seven Kings Relais, this gelataria was only a 1-minute walk away, so you can imagine I was here a countless number of times 😅

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Come il Latte

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This gelato shop offers a variety of flavours and they even make their own cones! It is a 9 minute walk from Piazza della Repubblica and a 15 minute walk from Roma Termini.

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🛍️Where to Shop

Via dei Condotti

Via dei Condotti (near the Spanish Steps)

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This street is known for its luxury fashion brands, such as Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Dior. It is located near the Spanish Steps.

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Via del Corso

Via del Corso (near Piazza Venezia)

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This is Rome’s most famous shopping street, located right near the Piazza Venezia. There are a wide variety of boutiques with local and international brands. You can find popular brands such as Zara and H&M along this long street, which ends at Piazza del Popolo with Villa Borghese behind the square. Also, if you’re hungry from shopping so much that you feel like you’re going to drop, not to worry! There are bars, restaurants, and gelaterias along Via del Corso!

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Monti

Monti

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As you stroll through the cobble stones streets of Monti, you will find a variety of vintage shops and boutiques.

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🏟️ Main Attractions

The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill

Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill

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Book a skip-the-line, guided tour for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Don’t stress about waiting in line and book ahead of time. Learn about the rich history of the Colosseum and admire the ancient ruins. Click the link below to book!

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Vatican City 

Vatican City

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Book a guided tour for the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. This a definite must-see that you do not want to miss! You will be amazed by the art and the architecture 😍 The tour linked below includes skip-the-line entry to all three attractions.

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Trevi Fountain 

Trevi Fountain

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The Trevi Fountain is a popular must-see! This fountain is known for the following myth: If you throw one coin over your left shoulder with your right hand, you will return to Rome. If you throw two coins: you will fall in love with an Italian. If you throw three coins, you will marry the person that you met. FUN FACT: I threw one coin in the Trevi Fountain, and I did indeed return to Rome after 5 months. Perhaps, the myth is true! 😅

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Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

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The Victor Emmanuel II National Monument is located in Piazza Venezia. One of the main attractions of this monument are the panoramic views from the terrace.

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Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant'Angelo

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Located in Parco della Mole Adriana, Castel Sant'Angelo is famous for being the mausoleum for Roman Emperor Hadrian and his family. This building is just a short distance from Vatican City.

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The Pantheon

Pantheon

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This must-see attraction is the best-preserved Roman monument in the Eternal City. Also, the oculus is the only source of light and when it lightly rains, a stream of air vaporizes the rain droplets before it hits the ground!

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⛲️ Piazzas

Rome has an abundance of Piazzas, which are a great place to walk around, relax, and admire Rome's beautiful architecture. Some of my favourites are listed below. 

Piazza Navona

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Piazza Navona is probably one of the most famous piazzas in Rome. It is one of the most beautiful squares and you can find its most famous fountains here: Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Fountain of Neptune.

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Piazza del Popolo

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A lot of visitors come to Piazza del Popolo to see Santa Maria del Popolo, a basicila. Some of the most famous paintings by Caravaggio can be found here. You can also easily identify this Piazza by the Egyptian obelisk (called Flaminio Obelisk) located at the centre of the square.

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Piazza San Pietro (Saint Peter’s Square)

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Saint Peter’s Square is one of the largest squares in the world! This is a great free attraction to just walk around and admire the views at any time of the day 😊

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Piazza di Spagna

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This is a great spot to relax after hours of walking. I spent a good half hour just sitting on these steps just people watching 😅

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Piazza della Rotonda

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This piazza is where the Pantheon is located! 😊

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💎 Hidden Gems

Galleria Sciarra

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Just a short walk from the Trevi Fountain, this hidden gem showcases architecture and paintings that date back to the late 19th century. This is definitely a must-see and you can't help but admire its elegance.

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Mouth of Truth

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Probably one of the most well-known hidden gems, the Mouth of Truth is known for the following myth: liars who placed their hand inside the sculpture will immediately lose it! FUN FACT: this sculpture was featured in one of my all-time favourite films, Roman Holiday (which starred Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck).

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Villa Borghese

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Villa Borghese Gardens is one of the largest public parks in Rome and is known as the "park of museums". The park is located on the Pincian Hill, close to Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. This is a perfect place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It is also easily walkable from the city center! If you're interested in booking a tour, click the link below.

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🛣️ Day Trips

Pompeii

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I highly recommend booking a Pompeii tour with an archaeologist. You will learn about the history of the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD and how the people of Pompeii lived during that time period. See link below to book a tour!

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Florence

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Florence has a very special place in my heart. If you have the time to visit, I highly recommend adding this place to your itinerary. It is only about an hour and a half train ride from Roma Termini!

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Naples

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I only was able to pass through Naples on my way to Pompeii, but if you have the chance to add this to your itinerary, do it! Naples has a lot to offer. If I were to do it all over again, I would have dedicated 1-2 days of my trip to explore the city.

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