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Discover the Eternal City: Rome, facts and travel tips
Discover the best things to do in Rome with our expert travel guide. From must-see attractions to hidden gems, we'll show you how to experience the city like a local. With insider tips on the best restaurants, tours, and activities, our guide has everything you need to make the most of your Rome vacation.
Rome is without doubt one the most beautiful cities in the world; every year millions of tourists come from around the world to admire the treasures and masterpieces of Roman art and architecture.
Rome is an enchanting city where you'll discover a romantic blend of culture and history spiced up with a vibrant street and nightlife. Add to the mix delicious gastronomy and excellent Italian wines, and you have an inspiring and beautiful destination that our Rome travel guide will help you make the most of.
What are the best things to do in Rome?
From exploring the majestic Colosseum and Roman Forum to visiting the awe-inspiring Pantheon and Vatican Museums, the beauties of Rome sprawl across its landscape, presenting a compelling blend of ancient history and Renaissance art.
Discover the ornate fountains and statues that greet you at every twist and turn of the city’s landscape, including the iconic Salvi’s Trevi Fountain. Dominating the charming cobbled avenue, this outrageous example of Baroque sculpture is instantly recognizable, having graced classic films like ‘Three Coins in a Fountain’ and Federico Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita’.
As you step inside Rome's churches, cathedrals, museums, and galleries, you'll encounter awe-inspiring works that span all the great eras of Western art. From Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling to Raphael’s frescoes, Caravaggio’s dramatic paintings, and Bernini’s glorious fountains, the city is a living museum. Yet, a visit to Rome goes beyond art and architecture. Sipping coffee or an aperitif at a street café, or enjoying a glass of wine while taking in views from terraces and piazzas, is just as essential to the experience of this most romantic of cities.
It's easy to while away a whole day in The Vatican City, west of the River Tiber. When you do, you're entering the world's smallest state. Cross the Tiber and pass the imposing might of the Castel Sant'Angelo before entering the Vatican along the Via Della Conciliazione. At the end, the vastness of St. Peter's Square with its grand Bernini colonnade and central obelisk opens up before you.
Across the square is St. Peter's Basilica topped by the tallest dome in the world. Taking the stairs or elevator to the viewing gallery is a must for splendid views of the Eternal City.
While it's easy to fill a visit to Rome with the cultural wonders found in every guidebook, it also has a secret side. Some of the city's population of wild cats live pampered lives at the Torre Argentina excavation site, happily posing for the cameras of passers-by while the French-style gardens of Doria Pamphili near the Trastevere district are often overlooked by visitors. The final resting place of the English Romantics, Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats, is in Rome. They lie in the beautiful Protestant cemetery on Via Caio Cestio. With its grand marble monuments, it provides a peaceful respite from the city bustle.
What is the best time of year to visit Rome?
Rome is a popular tourist destination right around the year so use our travel tips to help plan your visit. In August, many locals take their vacations and head to the coast, so although the city is quieter be prepared for some neighbourhood shops and restaurants to be closed. Easter's Holy Week is always a busy period so booking your hotel well in advance is advisable.
With most museums closed on Mondays, the Vatican museums closed on Sundays, and the city filling up with short-break visitors every weekend, be flexible with your travel plans and visit from Tuesday to Friday. Not only museums and visitor attractions, but cafes and restaurants will be slightly less crowded.
What is the weather and climate like in Rome?
Try and avoid the summer months when temperatures rarely dip below 30°C. In contrast, the ideal months for getting the most out of Rome's cafes and terraces are April, May, September, and October. To really beat the crowds, though, think about visiting during the winter months. You'll need a warm coat and probably an umbrella, but temperatures never dip below freezing.