With nearly three thousand years of history, Rome is one of the oldest cities in Europe. As an artistic and cultural centre throughout several empires, monarchies and republics, the Eternal City has a lot to offer to every architecture and history lover out there.
Location: Rome, the capital its own region of Lazio, as well as its country, Rome lies in Western Italy at the knee of the boot
Language: Italian
Population of city: 2, 868, 000
Nearest airport: There are two main airports that are both easily reached by public transport or transfer bus – Fiumicino (for pricier but more frequent flights) and Ciampino (budget airlines tend to reign supreme here).
Main train/bus station(s): Termini is the main train station, whilst Tibertina (which also has a large train station), is the main bus station.
Best time to visit? October to April to avoid the hoards of tourists! Autumn is still great weather-wise, so it’s worth it to shorten queuing time at attractions.
Budget level? £££
Best for: History & Museums, Landmarks, Nightlife, Romantic Escapes, Arty
You could spend anywhere between 2 nights and 5, in our book! A city of this size with so many sights demands your full attention!
Between the 17th and 18th centuries, fountains started to turn more into artworks than functional water sources. Decorated with allegorical figures, full of emotion and movement, these fountains turned water into a decorative element. The Trevi fountain is one of the many notorious fountains in Rome. At 86 feet tall and 161 feet wide, it is tradition to throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder – guaranteeing your return to Rome some day.
Certainly the most famous landmark in the city, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire. The Colosseum is able to host over 60,000 spectators and was used for all sorts of public events and games during Ancient Rome, including the famous gladiator fights. Did you know they even had trap doors for special effects?
Rome is one of the greenest European capitals and this is partly due to the numerous ancient villas and their parks. With their art galleries and landscaped gardens, they make for great places to visit. Villa Borghese and its art gallery hosts the collection of paintings, sculptures and antiquities, originally owned by the Cardinal Scipione Borguese in the 17th century.
The Pantheon is another important place to visit in Rome if you’re interested in the legacy of the Roman Empire and the genius of their architects. Step 2000 years back into history when walking into this temple. It is the oldest preserved temple from the Roman era and was originally meant to worship all the gods.
The largest district in Rome! This up-and-coming transport and nightlife hub, located south of the main train station, is ideal for getting to know the city’s vibe as the locals see it.
Equidistant from the Vatican, the Pantheon and the Castel Sant’Angelo, this part of the city is at the heart of old Rome. For quiet nights and jam-packed days, this is the place to be!
Head to Testaccio if you’re an avid foodie to try classic Italian dishes as they’re meant to taste! Aventine Hill is home to the world-renowned Knights of Malta keyhole.
On the west bank of the river, this neighbourhood is criss-crossed with narrow cobbled streets lined with quaint eateries and beautiful churches.
Italy’s high-speed trains mean that Rome is always within easy reach of other big Italian cities. Elsewhere, you can get here from Southern France and parts of Switzerland and Austria in a day. Night trains here from Germany and Austria are direct if you fancy sleeping your way there instead!
There are two main airports that are both easily reached by public transport or transfer bus – Fiumicino (for pricier but more frequent flights) and Ciampino (budget airlines tend to reign supreme here).
Rome’s metro can be a good way to get around, although it is a bit small for a city of its size. Bus tickets must be bought from stations, news stands or tobacconists in advance – you can’t buy them on the bus. Lots of the tourist attractions are within walking distance though, so you might not need to use public transport too much.
