You’re going to Rome for the very first time, right? Nobody wants to make the mistake of selecting a hotel in the wrong section of town or dining at a subpar establishment. The fact that you’re here, reading this post, means that you won’t have to worry about any of these issues. This travel guide will provide you with some fundamental information about Rome as well as connections to a large number of useful resources that will make it simple and enjoyable for you to organize a trip to the Italian capital.
Best time to visit
Rome has a pleasant temperature throughout the year, although the summer months (June–August) are often considered to be the best time to visit. With the sun shining and the days stretching on, this is the perfect weather for getting to know the city. In contrast, this is the city’s busiest and most costly period of the year.
From a financial perspective, the months of March through May or September through November make the most sense for a trip. There will be fewer people in the city, and the weather will be perfect for sight-seeing. Winter is the best season to visit Rome if you prefer the cold and want to save money on your vacation.
What to visit?
Colosseum
The amphitheater can hold over 50,000 people, making it the biggest of its kind in the Roman Empire. When visiting at peak times, expect to pay for admission and wait in line for many hours. However, there are ways to reduce the amount of time spent in line, such as purchasing skip-the-line tickets for Colosseum tours or the Rome Tourist Card, which grants unlimited entry to Rome’s top attractions without having to wait in line. Discounts of 20% or more are offered on additional services.
Roman Forum
Exploring the ancient remains of the Roman Forum is a must if you find yourself in Rome.
For centuries, the Forum was the focal point of city life, hosting everything from political rallies to religious festivals to mock trials and athletic competitions.
Perhaps more than everywhere else in this historic city, the past is palpable here. It’s easy to see why the Forum is a must-see while visiting Rome.
Vatican Museums
See masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, da Vinci, Caravaggio, and many more great artists at the Vatican Museums. Since there is so much to see, most visitors will feel overwhelmed and overlook important details unless they are trained art historians. Therefore, you should look for a tour guide to make this visit even more memorable.
Climb the hills
Janiculum Hill, from where you can take in one of the city’s best vistas, is well worth the hike. During the golden hour (the time just before sunset), Aventine Hill’s Giardini degli Aranci will provide a backdrop so stunning that no photograph could do it justice. As you make your way back down, don’t miss the Rose Garden, which has a stunning vantage point over the surrounding Palatine Hill.
Where to stay
There is no need to worry about finding a place to stay in Rome because of the city’s popularity. Rome’s many distinct neighborhoods are all easily accessible by metro or bus.
You can get the perfect accommodations for your trip if you know what you want out of your stay. Monti is a great place to stay if you want to be near the city’s top attractions, including the Colosseum. Not only are the major railway terminals and the metro easily accessible from this trendy area, but there are also many dining and drinking establishments to choose from.
Testaccio is a wonderful neighborhood in Rome for foodies. Here, you may enjoy delicious cuisine at reasonable prices, with the added bonus of seeing fewer visitors. Along the route, you may also do some sightseeing, since this area is home to several museums and tourist attractions.
How to get there?
Both Ciampino and Fiumicino airports provide convenient access to the heart of the Eternal City. It is a well-connected and popular tourist destination. You can get around fast thanks to the city’s extensive bus, rail, and metro systems. The difficulty is that there aren’t enough flights that land at downtown terminals. Taxis are also available, but they are significantly more costly, costing about 30 euros each way plus an additional night surcharge if you arrive after dark.
This city has everything, from excellent Italian restaurants and cafes to museums and bars. So we hope this guide will be useful to you on your journey to creating some lovely and long-lasting Italian memories.