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 Rome has attracted visitors for over 2,000 years. It is one of the most magnificent and romantic cities in the world, boasting an attractive mix of grandiose sights, such as the Colosseum, Roman Pantheon, and Forum. Amidst the awe-inspiring ruins and charming piazzas, you can savour the delights of smooth gelato, frothy cappuccinos, delectable pasta and pizza, and exquisite wines, all contributing to the allure that draws over 10 million tourists annually in search of a taste of the Italian “Dolce Vita”.

currency

Euro, €1 = 100 cents

phone

Emergency: 112
Fire brigade: 115
Medical: 118
Police: 113

newspaper

Il Messaggero — www.ilmessaggero.it
La Repubblica — www.repubblica.it
Il Tempo — www.iltempo.it

hours

Shops in Rome are normally open 9pm–1pm and 3pm–8pm.

population

4.3 million (2023)

info

Tourist Information Centre (Castel Sant'Angelo)
Piazza Pia, Rome
+39 06 0608
Open daily 9:30am–7pm

website

www.turismoroma.it/en

Panorama of Rome from Spanish steps in the evening abxyz/Shutterstock.com

The City

Where should one begin to summarise the history of the Eternal City? A good date might be 21 April 753 BC, when Romulus founded the city after murdering his twin brother Remus. During the following centuries, Rome grew into a powerful empire, peaking during the rule of Marcus Aurelius in 161-180 AD.

Like the ancient city, today's Rome is built on seven hills: Capitolino, Palatino, Quirinale, Viminale, Esquilino, Celio, and Aventino. The central area is called Campo Marzio, named after the Roman God of war, and was the ancient army’s training grounds. This is where many of the famous sights are located. Other well-known areas are Trastevere, on the other side of the Tiber River, and Monti. Little Pigneto is considered to be the most typical Roman neighbourhood.

Rome tourists looking at Roman Forum landmark in Rome Maridav/Shutterstock.com

Do & See

Rome is one of a kind. No other city — not even Athens, Istanbul, London, or New York — has as many world-class sites as the Eternal City. Walking down Via del Fori Imperiali towards the Colosseum will impress even the most spoiled and shopping-crazed teenager. The city has so much to offer: besides the Roman heritage, there are also medieval neighbourhoods, well-designed squares, colourful markets, and the Vatican City with St Peter’s Basilica and its incredible museums.

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Colosseum

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Trevi Fountain

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Roman Forum

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Pantheon

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Vatican City

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St Peter's Basilica

Niccolò Chiamori/Unsplash

Castle of the Holy Angel

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Piazza Navona

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Spanish Steps

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Pasta Cooking Class in Rome

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Vespa Tour by Night

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Day Trip to Mount Vesuvius & Pompeii from Rome

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Mostra Leonardo da Vinci

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Baths of Caracalla

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Borghese Gallery & Museum

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Hadrian's Villa

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Villa d'Este

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Domus Aurea — Nero’s Golden House

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Rome Opera House

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Museum of Rome

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Park of the Aqueducts

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Santa Costanza

Jean-Pierre Dalbéra/CC BY 2.0/Flickr

National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia

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Basilica of San Clemente

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Ara Pacis Museum

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Aventine Hill

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VIGAMUS — The Video Game Museum of Rome

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National Roman Museum — Palazzo Massimo

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Sant'Agnese in Agone

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The Keats-Shelley House

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Wax Museum

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Scuderie del Quirinale

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MAXXI: National Museum of 21st Century Art

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Explora: The Children's Museum of Rome

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Villa Farnesina

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Palazzo delle Esposizioni

View of old cozy street in Rome, Italy. Catarina Belova/Shutterstock.com

5 Secret Spots in Rome

The vibrant capital of Italy is a unique fusion of rich history, culture, natural beauty, and monuments. It goes much further than the usual tourist sites: delve into Rome's hidden gems that are just a few steps away from the well-trodden paths and monuments.

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Villa Doria Pamphili

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Centrale Montemartini

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Tor Marancia Street Art

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Casina delle Civette Museum

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Templete de San Pietro in Montorio

Night view of restaurants on Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy Catarina Belova/Shutterstock.com

Dining

Rome's restaurants cater to all tastes. There are American steakhouses, Lebanese meze restaurants, Vietnamese eateries, and several haute cuisine establishments celebrated in the Michelin Guide. But when in Rome, do as the Romans do and choose the less extravagant restaurants and trattorias for a memorable and authentic dining experience.

The Italian word for dinner, "cena", comes from the Latin convivium, which means "live together". Eating is a social get-together which consists of at least three courses — often even at lunchtime. The Romans do not eat dinner until nine in the evening.

Rome is known for its Carbonara (made with egg, guanciale, hard cheese, and black pepper) and Amatriciana (made with guanciale, pecorino Romano and tomatoes).

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Felice a Testaccio

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La Pergola

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Ad Hoc

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Tema

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Sakana Sushi

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Spirito di Vino

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Osteria Barberini

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Pane e Salame

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Harry’s Bar

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Roma Sparita

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Trattoria Da Cesare al Casaletto

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Osteria Fernanda

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L'orso 80

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Supplì

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Ginger

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Clotilde

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Va.Do al Pigneto

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Reserva Restaurante y Cocteles

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Hostaria Da Cesare

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BaGhetto Ristorante Kosher

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Rinaldi Al Quirinale

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Camponeschi

Italian ice cream bar Catarina Belova/Shutterstock.com

Cafés

Rome's coffee culture is steeped in tradition and passion. The city's charming cafés exude an inviting atmosphere, where locals and tourists alike gather to savour the rich aroma and intense flavour of espresso, the quintessential Italian coffee. From bustling streets to historic piazzas, coffee serves as a delightful companion to daily life. Moreover, no Roman experience is complete without a creamy indulgence of artisanal gelato, crafted in a myriad of luscious flavours.

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Sant' Eustachio Il Caffè

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La Casa del Caffè Tazza d'Oro

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Forno Campo de' Fiori

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200 Gradi

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Giolitti

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Ciampini

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Sora Mirella

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Gelateria Della Palma

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Sciascia Caffè 1919

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Faro

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Antico Caffè Greco

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Mizzica

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Barnum

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Caffetteria del Chiostro

Night view at Piazza di Spagna from upstairs horizontal Pablo Debat/Shutterstock.com

Bars & Nightlife

The Romans love to meet over aperitivo around 7:30 pm, after which they either go to a restaurant or home for dinner. The drinks need not be alcoholic. Many bars serve light snacks that are included in the price.

After 11 pm most of those looking to party head over to the Testaccio area. Named after the mountain of discarded amphoras, the area is home to many establishments, ranging from small piano bars to bustling discos. Make sure you take at least a night out to experience the bar and club scene in Rome.

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Bar San Calisto

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Chorus Café

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La Conventicola Degli Ultramoderni

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Jerry Thomas Speakeasy

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Magazzino Scipioni

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Qube Disco

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Pub Cuccagna

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The Fiddler’s Elbow

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Gregory's Jazz Club

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Salotto42

Kzenon/Shutterstock.com

Caruso Latin Club

Rome - dummy in shop-window Renata Sedmakova/Shutterstock.com

Shopping

High fashion shopping in Rome is concentrated on two streets running parallel to each other from the Spanish Steps. Via Condotti is home to Prada, Valentino, Gucci, Armani, and Max-Mara. Over on Via Borgognona, one can find the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Gianfranco Ferré, Laura Biagiotti, and Gai Mattiolo. Closer to Piazza Navona is Via dei Giubbonari and its street fashion stores McQueen and Liquid. Also nearby is Via del Governo Vecchio with its elegant vintage fashion boutiques.

When it comes to food, Rome has several notable spots. Salumeria Volpetti, on Via Marmorata 47 in Testaccio, is as close to heaven as you can get. This bustling, high-paced place offers many deli options — Latini pasta from Osimo, salsiccia and spicy sandwich meats. Its speciality, however, is its cheeses, including the Formaggio di fossa, which is matured underground. Another deli to revel in is Castroni on Via Cola di Rienzo, which offers a slightly international selection. Campo de' Fiori is the site of a daily food market that embodies the terms picturesque and colourful. Come early when the shadows are long and the morning is at its freshest. Another nice market, with more of a food hall atmosphere, is Mercato di Testaccio.

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La Rinascente

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Galleria Alberto Sordi

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Coin

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Battistoni

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Vanessa Foglia Abitart

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Eataly

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Carlo Cecchini

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Designer Outlet Castelromano McArthurGlen

Woman looking at a map at St Peter's square in the Vatican City in Rome l i g h t p o e t/Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

Fiumicino International Airport (FCO)

Rome’s main airport, Leonardo da Vinci (FCO), is located in Fiumicino, 30 kilometres from the city. There are several ways to get into the city centre from the airport:

Leonardo Express: The Leonardo Express leaves every half hour in each direction and connects the Roma Termini station with Fiumicino airport. Tickets can be bought at machines, travel agencies, ticket desks, and on the Trenitalia website. The journey takes 32 minutes.

Train: The FL1 train links the airport with regions like Fara Sabina, Orte, and Poggio Mirteto. Please note that the train does not stop at central station Termini.

Terravision Shuttle Bus: This bus line takes you to the central station Termini.

Address: Aeroporto Internazionale di Roma–Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci", via dell'Aeroporto, Fiumicino RM

Email:

Phone: +39 06 65951

Website: www.adr.it/fiumicino

More Information: www.trenitalia.com/it.html

Ciampino Airport (CIA)

The city’s second airport Ciampino (CIA) is situated 12km southeast of central Rome and is mainly served by low-cost and charter airlines.

Bus: Some low-cost airlines have their own buses. The regular buses depart from the nearby underground station Anagnina.

Taxi: A taxi ride from the airport and central Rome takes 20 minutes.

Address: Aeroporto Internazionale di Roma–Ciampino "G. B. Pastine", via Appia Nuova 1651, Ciampino

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Website: www.adr.it/ciampino

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Best Time to Visit

Rome is a traveller's darling throughout the year. The summer brings peak visitor numbers to Rome, and some of the year's highest temperatures fall in July and August. If your visit happens to be during these two months, make sure to check that your accommodation is equipped with air conditioning. Having said that, the best time to visit Rome is from October to April when there are fewer tourists and airline fares and accommodation tend to be lower.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rome (FAQs)

Is Rome safe?

Despite being a major European capital and one of the most visited cities in the world, Rome is a fairly safe city for travellers. However, as with most main tourist destinations, pickpocketing and scams are the biggest concerns here. So be careful with your belongings when taking public transport and around the city's main attractions, and avoid canvassers.

Is Rome expensive?

Yes, Rome is quite an expensive city to visit but slightly cheaper than other European destinations, such as London and Paris, especially when it comes to accommodation. As of today, the average cost per traveller in Rome is between €80-130 per day.

Does Rome have Uber?

Yes, the Uber app does work in Rome, and it is totally legal to take one, despite what a few taxi drivers may tell you. However, because there is no UberX or UberPOOL and only Uber Black, Uber Van, and Uber Lux, fares do tend to be higher.

For more information on how to get around in Rome, read our sections on Taxi and Public Transport.

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Passport / Visa

Italy can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

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Public Transport

Getting around Rome is very affordable if you use public transport. The system includes three metro lines, buses, trams, and an urban railway (Ferrovie Urbane).

The Termini station is the hub of Rome’s transportation network. The name of the local bus and streetcar company is ATAC. All tickets must be purchased from ATAC ticket machines, newsagents, or ticket outlets on the underground. The underground runs until midnight. Night buses stop at stations marked ”N”. There are also different choices of travel passes for 1, 3 or 7 days that are valid on all public transportation.

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Website: www.atac.roma.it/en

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Taxi

Taxi stands can be found throughout the city centre. Ensure to use only licensed yellow and white taxis and that the cab has a meter for a safe and reliable ride. An extra fee is payable per suitcase to and from the airport. There is also a surcharge at night, on public holidays, and Sundays. It is cheaper to hail a taxi on the street than get one at a taxi stand or book via telephone.

Regarding the Uber app, in Rome, you can only request an Uber Black, which means nicer vehicles but also higher prices.

Below are a couple of taxi companies in Rome:

Taxi NCC Rome
+39 389 510 6334

Cheap Taxi N.C.C
+39 375 542 7433

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Post

Post offices in Rome are usually open from 9am to 2:30pm, from Monday to Friday and between 9:30am–1pm on Saturdays. Stamps can be bought at tobacconists that either carry a blue and white "Tabacchi" sign or are simply marked by the ”T” sign.

Address: Poste Italiane — Via di Porta Angelica 23, Rome

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Website: www.poste.it

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Pharmacy

You recognise a pharmacy in Rome by a green sign with a cross. They are usually open Mon–Fri 8:30am–1pm and 3:30pm–7pm. On Via Nazionale 228 (Farmacia Piram), Via Arenula 73 (Farmacia Arenula), and Piazza Barberini, there are pharmacies open during the night time.

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Telephone

Country code +39

Rome area code: 06 (also dialled in Rome)

If you call Italy from abroad, you must always dial zero in the area code (do not omit it as is the general practice when making international telephone calls), e.g. +39 06 + the number.

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Electricity

The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Plugs and outlets are of type F and L.

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