Travel Guide: Rome
Teeming with ancient history, indescribable foods, and some of the very best sightseeing, Rome is one of the most traveled places in the world, and now I know why! After 3 nights in beautiful Florence, we took the train to Rome for the final stretch of our Italy adventure.
From monuments like the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum to out-of-this-world pizza and Cacio e Pepe, Rome is special in its own way. Even though we only stayed 2 nights in this wonderful city before returning home, we really made the most of it!
Where to Stay in Rome
After doing extensive research, we decided to stay in a neighborhood called Trastevere, which is west of the city center below Vatican City. It’s a less touristy area but still close enough to all the action, so it was perfect! With cobblestone streets and plentiful restaurants, bars, and shops, it was quaint and lively.
We stayed in this charming Airbnb, which I’d highly recommend! Stefano was extremely accommodating with our check-in and checkout times, and the space was clean and stocked with everything we needed. He also provided restaurant suggestions, which I really appreciated. I always recommend asking your host for their favorite restaurants and activities since getting a local’s perspective is the best way to experience a place, in my opinion.
We loved exploring the surrounding area of Trastevere, perusing shops, wandering narrow stone streets, and grabbing dinner and drinks outside. It felt very safe, and we were able to easily walk to all the sites Rome has to offer by way of the Ponte Garibaldi Bridge, which spans the Tiber River.
The cobblestone street where our adorable Airbnb was located
I’d stay in Trastevere again in a heartbeat, but other top-rated areas to consider staying in are:
Piazza Navona: Region close to major attractions like the Pantheon.
Piazza di Spagna: Upscale area with luxury shopping and high-end hotels.
Monti: Hipster hotspot near the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Prati: Residential area ideal for visiting Vatican City.
Testaccio: Neighborhood with thriving nightlife and restaurants.
Where to Eat in Rome
The 3 Ps—pastries, pasta, and pizza—were the staples of our diet in Rome (and everywhere else we traveled in Italy), and I’m not complaining! I had the best pizza of my life in Rome at a place called Antico Forno Roscioli—a buzzing little bakery serving up bread, pastries, and, of course, pizza. We devoured an assortment of slices topped with everything from prosciutto and figs to pesto, mozzarella, and tomatoes, and it was completely delectable. Definitely add this place to your list, but be prepared to wait in line!
My favorite pizza at Antico Forno Roscioli—messy but amazing!
Per a food blogger’s recommendation, we made dinner reservations at Antico Forno Roscioli’s sister restaurant, Roscioli Salumeria Con Cucina, which was equally phenomenal! I had to try their carbonara and tiramisu for dessert, and both were positively delicious. My mouth waters just thinking about it. You must make reservations here, as it’s a very popular place.
Carbonara of my dreams at Roscioli Salumeria Con Cucina
Other memorable restaurants and bars we tried in Rome were:
Tonnarello: We sat outside, and I had traditional Cacio e Pepe and warm focaccia bread—SO scrumptious.
Mimì e Cocò: The cutest wine and cocktail bar! We went for aperitivo (happy hour), and my mezcal cocktail was to die for. The complimentary spread of snacks they brought us was so yummy, too.
Bonci: A renowned pizza shop with extraordinary pizza. Stop here after touring Vatican City since it’s close by, and arrive early before they open to grab your number—the line gets long!
Bar San Calisto: We enjoyed morning pastries and cappuccinos here on our final day. It was the perfect little spot to sit and soak in Rome one last time.
A Rome staple—Cacio e Pepe at Tonnarello
We didn’t get a chance to try them, but our Airbnb host suggested these restaurants:
How picturesque is this aperitivo at Mimì e Cocò?
What to Do in Rome
When in Rome…see as much as you can! While we didn’t have a ton of time, we packed in as much sightseeing as possible. We saw all the hotspots from the Colosseum and the Pantheon to the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Vatican City. Experiencing these places in person was surreal—photos don’t do them justice!
Absolutely extraordinary seeing the Colosseum in person
We did A LOT of walking while we were in Rome. I love exploring new places on foot because I can really soak everything in. But, if you’re not as into that, there are some great Hop-on Hop-off bus tours available that will drop you off and pick you up at all the major attractions. You can ride as many times as you’d like within your ticket’s valid dates, and enjoy the sites at your own pace.
Jaw-dropping artwork at the Vatican Museums
A few of our favorite activities in Rome were:
Touring the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: The artwork was breathtaking! Be sure to make skip-the-line reservations, as it gets very crowded. We booked ours through Get Your Guide, and it was seamless. We didn’t do a guided tour since we preferred to go at our own pace, but definitely book that option if you’d like.
The Colosseum (of course!): Up close and personal, it’s even more breathtaking than I could’ve imagined. We didn’t tour the inside since we were short on time, but even from the outside, it was spectacular.
The Roman Forum: Witnessing these ancient ruins on our walk to the Colosseum was so neat, whether you’re a history buff or not.
Throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain: It’s a must! Unfortunately, the fountain wasn’t running while we were there due to construction, but it was gorgeous nonetheless.
Campo dei Fiori Market: This centrally located open-air market is where many locals do their grocery shopping. We enjoyed some fresh fruit while we browsed.
Walking around Trastevere: The idyllic neighborhood we stayed in was so hip and fun. We loved going out to eat and just walking around aimlessly!
Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere—one of the oldest churches in Rome
When to Visit Rome
April to May and September to October are said to be the best times to visit Rome if you want to avoid some of the crowds but still experience pleasant weather. Mid-October was a gorgeous time to be there, so I would highly recommend a trip then. We had some rain the first day, but otherwise, it was beautiful! The mornings and nights were a little chilly, so definitely bring a light jacket if you’re traveling to Rome in the fall.
The iconic Trevi Fountain—don’t forget your coin toss!
I will say that October in Rome was still quite crowded, but I think that just goes with the territory being that it’s such a popular destination. All of the main attractions were pretty congested, so just be prepared to wait in lines and make as many reservations ahead of time as you can. You’ll thank yourself later if you book your tours and dinners in advance.
How to Get to Rome
Since Rome is the capital of Italy and one of the most visited cities, it’s easily accessible. We took the high-speed train from Florence to Rome, and it was a breeze. You can also get to Rome via train from Milan, Venice, and Naples, among other places. Definitely book tickets in advance since they can sell out. It’ll also save you time and stress if you pre-plan your transportation. I booked our tickets through ItaliaRail, and we didn’t have any issues. Our train ride only took about an hour and a half, so it was a very quick journey!
Having a car in Rome isn’t ideal for a few reasons. First, parking is expensive and often hard to find. Second, it’s not easy maneuvering the roads of Rome, and many streets surrounding the city center are restricted, so you can get a hefty fine for driving on them. Third, Rome is very walkable! You really don’t need a car, especially since there are trams, trains, taxis, buses, and even Uber.
Our final pastries and cappuccinos of the trip—boy, how I miss those!
I had a feeling Rome would be a spectacular place to visit, but now I understand why it’s so special! I’d love to go back one day and spend more time in its historic beauty and thriving restaurant scene. There are so many nooks and crannies to explore, but I’m so glad to have gotten a little taste of it!
So cool checking this site off the bucket list!
And that’s a wrap on our 10-day Italy tour! It was truly an indescribable trip, and I fell in love with each city we traveled to. It’s safe to say I officially have the travel bug—now, time to start planning the next European adventure!
In case you missed them—check out my Amalfi Coast and Florence guides.
Ciao!