Top Attractions in Rome
When in Rome, you may as well tick a few places off of your bucket list! The beauty of this city is that several of the world’s most important landmarks and beautiful artifacts are held within walking distance of each other, meaning you are guaranteed to see a variety of Rome’s top attractions no matter how long you’re staying in the city.
- The Colosseum: Built under the successive Emperors Vespasian and Titus from 70 to 80 AD, this Ancient Roman amphitheatre has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome, and an iconic symbol of Italy.
- Pantheon: This former Roman temple, built from 113 to 125 AD, is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings. Its eight Corinthian columns and topping, triangular pediment have become a well known example of Ancient Roman architecture.
- Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore: Construction started on this papal major basilica in 435 AD, and soon after its completion it was named as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. Legend says that the shape of the building was laid out by a miraculous snowfall in 358 AD.
- Roman Forum: At the base of Palatine Hill, in the city centre of Rome, lie the incredible remnants of the ancient Forum Romanum. This one time metropolis has left a fascinating collection of temples, basilicas, and monuments that date back as far as the 8th century BC. Among the remains you will find the Temple of Vesta, Regia, Casa delle Vestali, Curia (meeting place of the Roman Senate), and the Temple of Saturn.
- Trevi Fountain: Designed by Nicola Salvi in 1762, the Trevi Fountain is well noted as being one of the most famous fountains worldwide. The fountain’s popularity may be due in part to it being featured in a number of films, including La Dolce Vita and The Lizzie McGuire Movie, and to the magic associated with it. It is said that if you throw a coin from your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain any wish you then make will come true!
- Piazza Navona: Built on the site of the 1st century Stadium of Domitian, the Piazza Navona is one of the most visited squares in Rome. Here you will find such excellent examples of Baroque architecture as the famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1651, and topped by the Obelisk of Domitian.
- Sistine Chapel: The lavishly decorated chapel of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City has become a pilgrimage site for art lovers since the addition of Michelangelo’s ceiling painting of the nine scenes of the Book of Genesis (including the renowned The Creation of Adam), and his altar wall decoration The Last Judgment, in the 16th century. Commissioned by Pope Julius II, these masterpieces were later joined by several tapestries from Raphael, and frescos by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and Pietro Perugino.
- Spanish Steps: The 135 steps leading from Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti have become a popular tourist attraction, having been featured in such films as Roman Holiday in 1953 and The Talented Mr. Ripley in 1999, as well as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fifth novel Tender Is the Night.
Museums & Galleries
Italy has produced some of the most influential artists in history, and many of their key pieces are held in Rome. In the Vatican Museum you can see the phenomenal Sistine Chapel ceiling by altar wall Michelangelo, and the Stanze di Raffaello by Raphael. In the Galleria Borghese you will find Bernini’s most impressive work, including David, Apollo and Daphne and Truth Unveiled by Time, and in the Capitoline Museums, Romulus and Remus by Peter Paul Rubens.
- Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo: Lungotevere Castello, 50
- Galleria Borghese: Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5
- Vatican Museums: Viale Vaticano
- National Roman Museum: Largo di Villa Peretti, 2
- Capitoline Museums: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1
- National Gallery of Modern Art: Viale delle Belle Arti, 131
- MAXXI Museum: Via Guido Reni, 4/a
Where to eat in Rome
- Fast food/Street Food
- Pane e Salame: via de Santa Maria, 19
- Bread-in: Piazza di Tor Sanguigna, 9
- Panino Divino: via Dei Gracchi, 11
- Moderately Priced
- Il Tamburello di Pulcinella: via Pasquale Fiore, 23
- I Pizzicaroli: via della Fossa, 9
- Mimi e Coco: via del Governo Vecchio, 72
- Fine Dining
- La Pergola: via Alberto Cadlolo, 101
- Ad Hoc: via Ripetta, 43
- Ristorante Crispi 19: via Francesco Crispi ,19
Coffee
When ordering a coffee in Rome, it’s important to know what it is you’re ordering! Many Italian words are used in commercial coffee stores in Ireland, though they may have a different meaning in Italy. For example, a café in Rome is called a bar, as café means coffee in Italian, and asking for a latte may get you a glass of milk!
- Macchiato: Coffee with a spot of milk
- Espresso: A shot of coffee! (Ask for ‘un caffé’)
- Cappuccino: An espresso with hot, foamed milk on top
- Americano: An espresso with hot water added
- Lungo: A coffee with more water
- Caffé Corretto: Coffee with added alcohol
- Caffé Latte: An espresso with steamed milk
- Caffeé Shakerato: An espresso prepared with ice cubes
Top Rated Coffee Bars in Rome:
- Sant’Eustachio il Caffè, Piazza Sant’Eustachio (near the Pantheon)
- Caffè Tazza d’Oro, via degli Orfani (near the Pantheon)
- Sciascia Caffe, Prati (near the Vatican)
- Giolitti, via Uffici del Vicario
Shopping
Shopping in Rome is a must, and with such an impressive range of shops you may want to bring an extra suitcase! Shopping hours are generally from 9:30/10:00 - 19:30/20:00 with a 2 to 3 hour lunch break. Shops are traditionally closed on Saturday afternoon, all day Sunday, and Monday morning. Times may vary closer to the city centre, so make sure to check online before you go!
- Piazza di Spagna
At the base of the Spanish Steps is the Piazza di Spagna, which was famously featured in the movie Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn in 1953. This square is home to various Italian landmarks including the 19th century Column of the Immaculate Conception, the former house of the English poet John Keats, the Victorian Babington’s Tea Room and the Fontana della Barcaccia commissioned by Pope Urban VIII and completed in 1627-1629. Stretching out from the square are some of the most prestigious shopping streets in Rome, where you will find both luxury and high-end brands.
- Via Condotti: Bulgari, Cartier, Céline, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo, Gucci, Hermès, Jimmy Choo, La Perla, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, Missoni, Miu Miu, Moncler, Montblanc, and Prada.
- Via Borgognona & via delle Carrozze: Balenciaga, BluMarine, Bruno Cucinelli, Emilio Pucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, Malo, Roberto Cavalli, and Stella McCartney.
- Monti
It may seem strange, but one of the hippest urban areas in Rome is actually located in one of the city’s oldest villages. Dating back almost 3000 years, Monti has become one of the most popular areas with tourists to find handmade crafts, vintage shops, clothing, and antique dealers.
- via del Boschetto: Ashanti, C.A.M., Colpo di Tacco, Eliodoro, Kokoro, Le Gallinelle, Le Nou, Mikiway, Pulp, and Tina Sondergaard.
- via Urbana: Candle’s Store, Lol, Moll Flanders, Pifebo Vintage Shop, Raw Raw Chocolate, Studio Silica, and The Raffaella Jewels.
- Prati
Within walking distance of the Sistine chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica is Prati, a surprisingly uncrowded shopping and dining area in Rome. Along with dozens of wine bars, restaurants, and live music venues, Prati is also home to an excellent selection of high-end stores stocking both Italian and global brands.
- via Cola di Rienzo: Abitart, Coin Excelsior, Falconieri, Liu Jo, Stefanel, and Twinset.
- Mercato Trionfale: As one of the biggest corner markets in Italy, the Mercato Trionfale is home to hundreds of stalls boasting fresh fruit, vegetables, and other foods every day.
Nightlife
- Pubs
- Bar del Fico, Piazza del Fico, 34/35, 00186 Rome
- Black Market, Via Panisperna, 101, 00184 Rome
- Ice Club, Via della Madonna Dei Monti 18/19, 00184 Rome
- Clubs
- Lanificio 159, Via di Pietralata, 159A, 00158 Rome
- Live Alcazar, Via Cardinale Merry del Val, 14, 00153 Rome
- Elegance Café Jazz Club, Via Francesco Carletti, 5, 00154 Rome
Transfers
With Best4Travel you can have a transfer arranged for you from
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino, or Ciampino Airport straight to your hotel! Take the stress out of navigating a new country by letting us help you get to your destination.
The approximate transfer times from Fiumicino Airport and Ciampino Airport to Rome’s top hotel and tourist destinations are as follows:
- Aventine Hill: 35 minutes from Fiumicino, minutes from 35 Ciampino
- Central Rome (Colosseum): 30 minutes. from Fiumicino, 30 minutes from Ciampino
- Monteverde: 30 minutes from Fiumicino, 35 minutes from Ciampino
- Pantheon: 45 minutes from Fiumicino, 55 minutes from Ciampino
- Piazza Venezia: 35 minutes from Fiumicino, 35 minutes from Ciampino
- Termini: 45 minutes from Fiumicino, 40 minutes from Ciampino
- Trastevere: 45 minutes from Fiumicino, 40 minutes from Ciampino
- Trevi: 55 minutes from Fiumicino, 50 minutes from Ciampino
Best4Travel Tips
- Currency: Euro
- Language: Italian
- Time Difference to Ireland: +1 hour
- Flight Time: Approx. 3 hours
- Local Phrases:
- Hello : Ciao
- Good morning : Buon giorno
- How are you? : Come sta?
- Good afternoon : Buona sera
- Good night : Buona notte
- Goodbye : Ciao
- Please : Per favore
- Thank you : Grazie
- You’re welcome : Prego
- Where is…? : Dove…?
- Do you speak English? : Parla inglese?
- I am from Ireland : Sono irlandese
- My name is… : Mi chiamo...
- Public Holidays
- 1 January: Capodanno (New Year's Day)
- 6 January: Epifania (Epiphany)
- March/April:
- Pasqua (Easter)
- Pasquetta (Easter Monday)
- 25 April: Giorno della Liberazione (Liberation Day)
- 1 May: Festa del Lavoro (Labour Day)
- 2 June: Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day)
- 15 August: Ferragosto (Feast of the Assumption)
- 1 November: Festa di Ognissanti (All Saints' Day)
- 8 December: Festa dell'Immacolata Concezione (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
- 25 December: Natale (Christmas Day)
- 26 December: Festa di Santo Stefano (Boxing Day)
