RomeTravel Guide

You'll find most of Rome's historic landmarks at Centro Storico, an area declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don't be afraid to wander around the streets – most of them are closed to traffic. You'll also find plenty of boutiques and eateries for your shopping and dining needs. Stay here if you want to be in the centre of the action.

Stay near Campo de' Fiori if you want to experience la dolce vita. By day, this piazza is a farmers' market, so you can sample fresh produce and regional specialities. At night, the square transforms as coffee bars, restaurants, and clubs open up to serve patrons. You can linger after dinner to people-watch or join them in their lively fun.

Testaccio is a rione (district) packed with character. Stay here if you want to experience a more authentic, less touristy Rome. There are plenty of restaurants serving delicious and authentic Roman food as well as bars serving drinks until dawn. Be sure to wander into the MACRO, Rome's Museum of Contemporary Art to see what today's artists have created.

There are three streets that diverge from the Piazza del Popolo, and these form the Tridente. Stay here if you want to experience Rome as a shopping mecca. Via del Corso is Rome's historic main street and the current site of many international brands. Via del Babuino and Via di Ripetta are smaller, but they pack a lot of character with local shops, eateries, and accommodation.

Locals and visitors alike consider Trastevere one of the most beautiful places to stay in Rome. Wander its narrow cobbled alleys to discover palazzos, gardens, and churches. Don't forget to go to Isola Tiberina, a small island in the middle of the Tiber. If you get hungry, just choose from the myriad interesting eateries serving authentic and delicious food.

Forever immortalised in La Dolce Vita by Federico Fellini, Via Veneto is one of the best areas to stay in Rome if you want to experience local life. Here you'll be within walking distance of famous landmarks such as the Villa Borghese. You'll also be close to the Spanish Steps, which lead down to streets that are a shopper's paradise

When in Rome, you must visit two of its most famous landmarks: the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Skip the long lines and book an advanced entry ticket. Better yet, book a tour to hear stories about these ancient monuments from knowledgeable guides. Afterwards, visit the nearby Arch of Constantine, the largest of Rome's triumphal arches.

A visit to the Basilica di San Pietro (St Peter's) is a must when you're in Rome. It holds a wealth of art and history. Inside the Vatican, you'll also find the Sistine Chapel with its ceiling and altar wall painted by Michelangelo. When visiting the Vatican, be sure to dress conservatively, check for any planned closures of St Peter's, and book your tour beforehand.

Before you leave, you must visit the Trevi Fountain. Tradition has it that when you turn your back to it and throw a coin into the fountain, you'll return to Rome. Around €3,000 worth of coins is thrown into the Trevi Fountain daily. These are collected and given to an Italian charity called Caritas.

Originally built as a temple to Mars, the Pantheon is the best-preserved ancient Roman monument. It's well-known for its dome with a hole (called an oculus) in the centre, which allows light to enter the building. In 609 AD, it was transformed into a Catholic church and remains active to this day.

In 1723, the French Ambassador wanted to symbolise his country's friendship with Spain. He did so by paying for a hill to be converted into the Spanish Steps. Today, people flock to go up and down these 135 steps. Join them and you'll find the Fontana della Barcaccia, a fountain in the shape of a boat, at the bottom.

Within the district of Trastevere, you'll find universities, Julius Caesar's villa, a botanical garden, and more. Wander the narrow alleys to discover this character-filled area. Enter the Palazzo Corsini and the Basilica of Santa Maria to see different kinds of art. Don't forget to go to the island in the middle of the Tiber River to see an old church and a hospital.

Since all roads lead to Italy's capital, Rome food markets contain products from all over the country and the world. If you want to sample seasonal produce and regional specialities, visit the Mercato di San Cosimato. Alternatively, if you want more multicultural fare from China, India, the Middle East and more countries, go to the Nuovo Mercato Esquilino. For ready-to-eat food, stop by the Mercato di Testaccio between sightseeing destinations.

In the Eternal City, a night on the town can stretch into forever. Join the locals in their unhurried dinners that often start around 9:30pm. Then have a leisurely stroll on cobblestone streets to a coffee bar or order some digestifs at a pub. Find Rome's best bars and nightlife in Navona, Ostiense, and San Lorenzo.

Rome is one large restaurant precinct full of locals who love to eat good food. Grab pizza al taglio (by the slice) to taste different toppings, then cool off with an authentic gelato. Be sure to try fettuccine Alfredo made by the family of its original creator at Il Vero Alfredo. Save some time to wander foodie districts like Testaccio and Trastevere, where you'll find eateries serving fantastic fare.

A pilgrimage to Italy, the birthplace of espresso, is a must for any caffeine lover. Coffee in Rome is served at bars, often to patrons standing up, downing their hot drinks, and leaving. Some places have tables outside so you can enjoy a more leisurely drink with pastries. Be sure to visit well-established coffee shops such as Giolitti and Sant'Eustachio il Caffe to sample their take on coffee in Rome. Remember that coffee with milk is generally only served in the morning, espressos are commonplace for the rest of the day.

Apart from food markets such as the Mercato di Testaccio, you can also visit markets dedicated to clothes and furniture. You'll find many locals going to Porta Portese, the biggest flea market in Rome, every Sunday morning. For anyone looking for literature, art and antiques, visit the Fontanella Borghese Market. Here you'll find sellers who can tell you the history of their wares.

Although its name literally means ‘baboon's street' because of a hairy statue, Via del Babuino is actually quite sophisticated. This character-filled street is lined with Italian and international brands carrying the latest in Roman fashion. You can also browse antique stores and art galleries. If you need a new novel to read, drop by a bookstore to find some books in English.

Visit Via del Corso when you're in search of international brands. Rome's main thoroughfare is also the address of Galleria Alberto Sordi. Covered by a stained glass ceiling, this shopping and leisure centre is a great place to wander around. Via del Corso gets packed around noon, so be sure to do your shopping in the morning.

Although it's only a short street, Via Margutta is full of interesting things. This was where artists such as Caravaggio, Picasso, and Fellini resided. It's also where Gregory Peck's character in Roman Vacation lived. Today, it's lined with small local shops selling high-quality items. You'll find genuine leather goods, furniture, and jewellery all along this stretch of shops.

After walking down the Spanish Steps, keep strolling down the Via Condotti. It's an excellent place to go window shopping as the stores have interesting displays. You'll also find Italian designer brands such as Gucci, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Dolce & Gabbana. Enter their stores to get excellent customer service provided by knowledgeable staff.

When hailing a taxi, make sure that it's official and licensed. Rome taxis should be white, with a sign on the roof, and an ‘SPQR' crest on the door. The driver should use the meter, except when travelling on a fixed-priced route (e.g. to and from the airport). Rome's taxis have cooperatives that allow you to book taxis by using an app or calling their number.

Rome has a few dedicated bicycle lanes as well as narrow alleyways and wide pavements. If you're an experienced cyclist and you want to see a new side of the city, you can rent a pushbike for a couple of hours or a few days. You can also hire motorbikes and scooters in Rome – just check the requirements of the rental companies on their website before you go.

Rome is served by a variety of public transportation options: buses, trams, subways, and local trains. You can purchase tickets from vending machines, newsstands, and tobacconists. If you're staying in Rome for at least three days, invest in a ticket that can last for a few days. You can also buy a Roma Pass, which allows you to go to different museums as well as hop on and off Rome's public transport.

Spend at least a couple of hours walking the cobbled streets of Rome. You'll find something interesting in every corner of the Eternal City, such as ancient landmarks, Renaissance fountains, and authentic cafes. Just make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes and bring a camera.

After enjoying the work of mankind, you can savour the work of Mother Nature at the Villa Borghese Gardens. This park, the third largest in the city, has many attractions to offer. It has a replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, a water clock, a lake, and a zoo. Like Rome itself, it has plenty of statues and other artworks around to enjoy, too.

The Piazza di Spagna connects the Spanish Steps to Via Condotti and Via del Babuino, two streets dedicated to shopping. In the centre, you'll find a fountain sculpted by Pietro and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. At the southeast end of the piazza, you'll find La Colonna dell'Immacolata, a monument of the Virgin Mary with various biblical figures at the base.

One of Rome's biggest squares is actually circular in shape. The Piazza del Popolo lies at the top of the trident streets: Via del Corso, Via di Ripetta, and Via del Babuino. It's surrounded by churches and areas of greenery. An Egyptian obelisk stands tall in the centre of Piazza del Popolo while fountains and statues are scattered around it.

Built over an ancient racetrack, the Piazza Navona is an elegant oval surrounded by palazzos and churches. You'll find three magnificent fountains that add to the beauty of the piazza. The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) is at the centre. Meanwhile, the Fontana del Moro (Moor Fountain) lies south and the Fontana di Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune) is at the northern end.

On most mornings except Sundays, you can find a farmers' market at Campo de'Fiori. This is one of if not the oldest market in Rome. It's known for its fresh fruits, veggies, meats, seafood, and other produce. At night, this piazza turns into a lively spot for dinner and drinks. At the centre of Campo de'Fiori stands a large statue of a philosopher, Giordano Bruno.

The Piazza di Pasquino holds the first and most popular of Rome's talking statues. The crumbling figure was named ‘Pasquino' after a famously witty tailor who worked in the area. Since the early 16th century, locals have been anonymously posting poems, witticisms and political commentary on or near the statue. Come to the piazza to see what Pasquino has to say.