Rome has a long history which takes us back to BC times when it was founded by twin brothers Romulus and Remus on the Tiber River. During the 1st century, Rome was under the rule of powerful emperors like Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Octavian (later Augustus).
Later on, Rome expanded from Britain to the Middle East under emperors Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius.
Rome faced a decline and economic challenges during the time of the last Roman Emperor Romulus Augustulus. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire also known as Byzantine Empire started rising and it influenced the city's cultural and religious landscape, and the Papal State was established as a Vatican City.
During the Renaissance times, Rome become the center of classical art, culture, and intellectuals and artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini.
Rome became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy in 1871 and played a major role in World War II.
How to reach Rome:
By Air:
Rome–Fiumicino International Airport is well-connected with all over the world including within Europe and Italy. If you’re coming outside of Europe, Rome has an International Airport which accommodates flights from all over the world. There are also lots of local flights within Europe.
As we traveled to Rome from Munich, we took a short flight of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
By Train:
There are many different train connections from different European cities to Rome and it’s highly accessible reaching to Rome by train. You can check the train tickets using the app called Omio. It’s also possible to take a Night train from Munich but it’s a long journey.
If you’re traveling within Italy, you can also check the tickets at Trenitalia.
By Bus:
This is one of our least favorite ways to travel to use long journey buses, but there are lots of different buses from local and European cities that come to Rome.
How to reach to Rome City from Rome–Fiumicino International Airport:
Rome–Fiumicino International Airport is a little far from the city, but it is highly accessible to reach to Airport by public transport. Once you go out from the baggage collection area, just follow the signs to the train station and it has a walk of around 10 minutes inside the airport.
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There are ticketing booths outside the train station but you can also buy it online using the Trenitalia app. Don’t forget to validate the ticket whether it’s online or physical ticket before entering the train. The cost of the ticket is Euro 14 for the direct train and it takes around 50 minutes to reach the Roma Termini (Rome Central station).
You can also book an Uber from the airport but be aware that the Uber has a specific pick-up point depending on the type of Uber you’re booking. The price of uber to Rome city varies from Euro 50-60.
How to use Public Transportation in Rome:
To make your trip easy in Rome, it’s important to get a little familiarity with public transportation so you can easily commute within the city.
Roma has a well-connected public transport system and all the main tourist landmarks are easily accessible by public transport. Many of Rome’s attractions are within walking distance of each other. It has Metro lines, Trams, and Buses covering the entire city. The Metro has three different lines A, B & C and it’s a quick way to travel from one place to another.
But you have to be careful in public transport from pickpockets, especially in crowded metro stations.
If you’re using a Metro, it’s important to take the right exits by following the signs where you want to exit.
Validate your ticket using the machines onboard buses or at tram stops before you start your journey.
You can either take a single ticket which is valid for one journey and valid for up to 100 minutes and it costs Euro 1.50 or you can also take a 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour ticket as it helps to avoid the hustle of buying the ticket every time.
You can purchase the ticket at the booths near the metro stations but it’s often crowded or you can also buy a ticket from newsstands and tobacco shops but we would recommend you to buy the ticket online. We used the App called “Mooney Go” to buy the online tickets and be aware that you should validate the ticket.
There’s also another difference between the Metro stations in Germany and Italy there’s a barrier/gate to enter the Metro station near the Tram area and you have to scan the ticket to open the Barrier.
You can also buy Roma Pass which allows you to use public transport for 48 or 72 hours along with free entry to two museums or archaeological sites. Check more details about Rome Pass.
The Metro normally doesn’t run after 11:30 so be aware to check the connection using Google Maps or “Mooney Go”. This happened to us when we reached Rome after 11:30 and we couldn’t find any public transport to reach our Hotel so we had to take Uber.
Note: Be sure to validate your ticket before boarding and keep it with you until the end of your journey, and avoid eating or drinking on public transportation.
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Where to stay in Rome:
Rome is a huge city and it’s suggested to live in the center of the city but the hotels are normally pretty expensive over there. The other suitable option to stay would be any hotels which are accessible by public transport.
We stayed at Club House Hotel Rome and it was a 5-minute walk from the Metro station and we needed 15 minutes reaching to the old town.
Things to do in Rome:
1st day at Rome:
Spanish Steps Rome
Piazza del Popolo
Terrazza Viale del Belvedere
Fashion street
Pantheon
Trevi Fountain
We started our 1st day by exploring the main attractions of Rome, the best way to start your day is from Spanish Steps.
1. Spanish Steps Rome:
The world-famous Spanish Steps are located in the heart of Rome. These steps connect Piazza di Spagna from the bottom to Trinita dei Monti Church at the top. This has a total of 135 stairs and it was constructed between 1723 & 1725 and designed by Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi.
Spanish Steps Rome
One of the interesting facts is that Spanish Steps was named after the Spanish Embassy located on the Piazza di Spagna in the 17th century. As you step down the Spanish Steps, you can find “Fontana della Barcaccia”.
This is also famous among locals and tourists as a gathering place to sit and relax and enjoy the vibes. There are also various cafes and restaurants located nearby. If you’re planning to start your exploration in Rome, this is the best point to start.
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How to reach Spanish Steps:
The best way to reach the Spanish Steps is using the underground Metro train number A and it takes you to the station called Spagna.
After ticking one of the main landmarks of Rome, we walked towards the famous square of Rome which is just 5 minutes away from the Spanish steps and it’s called Piazza del Popolo.
2. Piazza del Popolo:
Piazza del Popolo is a northern entrance of the Rome Center and it’s a huge gate to enter the square adorned with sculptures depicting a she-wolf feeding Romulus and Remus. The square is famous among locals and tourists to gather and enjoy the vibes of Rome. The square also has a monument, church, and landmarks.
In the center of Piazza, it has an ancient Egyptian Obelisk which was transported to Rome by Augustus in 10 B.C. The square also has various statues and fountains
The square also has Twin Churches Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesante designed by Carlo Rainaldi.
There are also lots of people selling different stuff in the square and often it’s full of crowd so be aware of the pickpockets.
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Moreover, you can also enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of Piazza del Popolo and Rome city from Terrazza del Pincio (Pincian Hill Terrace) which is Adjacent to Piazza del Popolo. The spot is perfect to enjoy the sunset of the city and historic center including the St. Peter's Basilica and the dome of St. Peter's Square.
3. Terrazza Viale del Belvedere:
There’s another spot at the edge of Pincian Hill called The Viale del Belvedere is a scenic to enjoy the stunning views of the city.
After enjoying the best view of Rome from Terrazza Viale del Belvedere, we headed towards the fashion street of Rome which is located at the heart of Rome's Old Town.
4. Fashion street:
Rome isn’t only famous for its historical significance but you can also find different famous districts in Rome. One of the most famous hubs for fashion and luxury shopping is located near the Spanish Steps. The street is called Via dei Condotti and it surrounds Piazza di Spagna.
The Via dei Condotti has a different range from international to local fashion brands like Gucci, Prada, Bulgari, Valentino, and Louis Vuitton and mid-range brands like Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, and Diesel. You can also enjoy shopping at the Alberto Sordi Gallery located in Piazza Colonna.
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As it was a Christmas day and coming from Germany, we expected that all the shopping & retail shows would be closed but that was not the case in Rome. Most of the retail shops opened in the evening and locals and tourists were out in the streets. It was decorated with Christmas lights and everybody was enjoying the Christmas vibes.
After roaming around fashion street, we walked around the narrow cobblestone streets towards the Pantheon. The narrow street has cafes and restaurants and most of them also have a sitting on the street. All of the restaurants were full of guests who enjoyed the Italian food.
5. Pantheon:
The Pantheon is one of the most iconic masterpieces from the Roman time and it’s still intact and well-preserved. It used to be a former Roman Temple and then it changed into a Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs.
The Pantheon is renowned for its dome, and the oculus which is on the top provides light. We entered the Pantheon through a large portico. There’s a square in front of the Pantheon called Piazza Della Rotonda. There are also several restaurants located in the square and nearby areas.
It’s one of the most famous tourist attractions in Rome which is always crowded with people where it’s day or night. So it needs to be vigilant from the pick-pockets.
Our next stop was Trevi Fountain which is also quite close to Pantheon.
6. Trevi Fountain:
Back in times in 19 BC, this used to provide water to Rome for over four centuries. The world-famous Trevi fountain is a masterpiece from the 18th century in the Trevi district and it was designed by Italian architects Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini.
The Baroque fountain is one of the centers of tourists and whether you go during the day or night, it’s always full of crowd. Most of the time, it’s even impossible to click a perfect picture in an iconic landmark due to the excessive crowd. The best time to visit the Trevi is early in the morning when there’s less crowd as compared to daytime.
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2nd day in Rome:
Colosseum:
Roman forum:
Palatine hill
Circus Maximus
As the Colosseum gets very crowded during the daytime, so we booked our ticket to the Colosseum at 8:30 in the morning. So we started our day at the Colosseum.
1. Colosseum:
Who’s not aware of the magnificent Colosseum? Is it even possible to tick your Rome in your traveling list without the visit to the Colosseum?
How to reach Colosseum:
You can take the Metro B from Rome Termini or bus to reach the station called Colosseo which is just next Colosseum.
Where to get the tickets for the Colosseum:
Due to the high demand and being a top tourist destination in Rome, it’s very hard to get the spot tickets for the Colosseum. You might find a few people near the Colosseum, who’re selling the ticket unofficial but we won’t recommend it as you might end up in the hands of scammers.
When you’re planning for your trip to Rome, it’s best to book your Online and Line skippable ticket in advance for the desired dates. In this way, you can save lots of time. It’s always advisable to look for the combo ticket in which you can book a ticket for 2-3 different activities.
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In our case, we booked a combo ticket which includes a Lane Skippable ticket for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill from Headout. It costs us Euro 24.50 per person but the price varies depending on the date.
Let’s find out more details about it - Colosseum also known as Colosseo is still the largest ancient amphitheater ever built in the world. The construction of the Colosseum was started in 72 AD and it was completed in 80 AD.
The Theatre used to have a capacity of 50,000 to 80,000 audience and it was built for public spectacles and for the entertainment of the public. The activities include gladiator contests, Animal Hunts, and executions.
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Other than entertainment, the Colosseum was also used as a means of social control, diverting the population's attention from political and social issues.
In the earlier Medieval period, the building ceased to be used for entertainment and started reused as housing, workshops, and religious purposes.
The Colesseum survived many earthquakes, fires, and stone-robbers and it’s still partially restored. Once we entered the Colesseum main entrance, we had a first glance at the Colesseum and then, we went to the second floor where it has the exhibition with some historical information then, we enjoyed the 360 view of the architecture and walked around it and then went to the 1st floor.
Roman Forum is located just next to the Colosseum, less than a 2-minute walk. We already booked our combo ticket for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill so we walked towards the Roman Forum.
2. Roman forum:
The Roman Forum is situated within walking distance from the Colosseum and it’s suggested to plan your trip in such a way that you visit the Roman Forum and surrounding in the same way.
The Roman Forum is a plaza that has several ruins of ancient government buildings of the ancient city of Rome. It took back to the 7th Century BC and it used to be a Marketplace known as a Forum where day-to-day activities used to take place including trading among different merchants, public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches.
The Forum used to have various government buildings, temples, and monuments. The Curia, the Senate House, and the Rostra, a platform for public speeches, were important structures that played a role in the political life of Rome.
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The forum used to have several religious activities and it has several temples. The Forum was also destroyed due to the Barbarian invasion and earthquakes.
3. Palatine hill:
Palatine Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome and it used to be a part of ancient Rome and associated with the founding of Rome. According to the myths, it’s where Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers raised by the she-wolf. The Romulus chose Palatine Hill to establish the city in 753 BC. This area used to be a residential area of Roman Emperors.
The Palatine Hill has two different areas - Domus Flavia, which was for the public and for official functions & Domus Augustana, which was a private residence for the emperor.
Normally, with the ticket to the Roman Forum, you can also visit Palatine Hill it’s also above the Roman Forum. You can enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of Rome including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Circus Maximus.
There’s also a beautiful Garden called Farnese Garden located on the hill and it used to be the first botanical garden in Europe.
As Circus Maximus is around 500 meters away from Palatine Hill, so we walked towards Circus Maximus.
4. Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus is located between the Aventine & Palatine hills and it used to be a Racing stadium and center of entertainment back in Roman times. It used to accommodate over 150,000 spectators and all the state events used to take place there. Now, you can also experience the VR tour at Circus Maximus. It’s highly recommended to buy the ticket in advance.
3rd Day in Rome:
Piazza Navona
Portico of Octavia
Basilica di Santa Maria
Capitoline museums
Victor Emmanuel II Monument - Altar of Fatherhood
After having breakfast, we started our 3rd day from Piazza Navona which is also located in the center of Rome.
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1. Piazza Navona:
Piazza Navona is a large open space that was built in the 1st century as an open stadium in ancient Rome. The people used to come to the square to watch the games and it served as a Competition arena.
In the 17th century, it turned into a Baroque style with the fountain of four rivers and Church Sant’Agnese in Agone. There are also two fountains on each side of the Piazza. As we visited the Piazza during the Christmas season, it was turned into a Christmas market with stalls and vendors.
The Palazzo Pamphili is also located in Piazza Navona and it was built from 1630 to 1650 by Family Pamphili which used to be a notable Italian family.
After spending some time at Piazza Navona, we walked towards Portico of Octavia.
2. Portico of Octavia:
The Portico of Octavia is located in the heart of the historic Jewish Ghetto and this neighborhood is rich with culture and history. We had a walk of around 20 minutes from Piazza Nouva and passed through different narrow streets of Rome.
The Portico of Octavia is named after Octavia, the sister of Emperor Augustus. It was built in 27 BC and served as a walkway, library, and place for public functions. Nowadays, you can only find the ruins and get a glimpse of the lifestyle of Rome.
The Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli is located around a 2-3 minute walk from Portico of Octavia.
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3. Basilica di Santa Maria:
The Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli is located on Capitoline Hill and it is a symbol of religious devotion. The Basilica is located just next to the Altar of the Fatherland and it’s elevated so you can see the Roman Forum.
The famous Ara Coeli Staircase has 28 marble steps and you can enjoy the stunning view of Rome.
Capitoline Museum is just next to Basilica di Santa Maria, after climbing down the stairs, we entered the area of Capitoline Museum.
4. Capitoline museums:
There are a group of different Museums located on the top of Capitoline Hill. The museum has two different buildings. As we had a limited time, so we only chose to visit Palazzo dei Conservatori and it’s highly recommended to buy the ticket online to avoid long queues.
One more thing to be noted is that the museum has tight security, it wasn’t allowed to take our cameras inside although you can use a mobile to take pictures. There are lockers where you can also put your belongings like bags etc.
Palazzo dei Conservatori has a collection of ancient Roman sculptures and statues and one of the main highlights of the museum is a bronze sculpture of a she-wolf who was feeding twins Romulus and Remus, who placed the foundation of the Rome City. The museum also has a statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
The second main building of the museum is Palazzo Nuovo and it has ancient Roman sculptures. Moreover, the museum complex also has amazing architecture designed by Michelangelo in the 16th century. The complex is also a great place to relax and enjoy the hustle and bustle of people. You can also see the Roman Forum from there.
After exploring Palazzo dei Conservatori, we went to the Altar of Fatherhood which is also next to Capitoline museums.
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5. Victor Emmanuel II Monument - Altar of Fatherhood:
While you’re amazed at the beautiful architecture of Rome from ancient times, in the heart of the city, there’s a magnificent monument from the 19th century called the Altar of Fatherhood. The monument is located on the Capitoline Hill in front of Piazza Venezia.
This monument holds significant importance in Italian history as it symbolizes Italian unification and the first king of united Italy, Victor Emmanuel II. The building has a collection of museums highlighting the unification of Italy, the Italian language, and the tomb of the unknown soldier. You can also enjoy the beautiful view of Rome from the top of the monument.
4th Day in Rome:
Castel Sant'Angelo
Ponte Sisto
Villa Borghese & Borghese Gallery and Museum
Market at Campo Dei Fiori
We started our day with a visit to Castel Sant'Angelo.
1. Castel Sant'Angelo:
Castel Sant'Angelo is known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian and it’s situated on the bank of the Tiber River near the Vatican City. The architecture of the Castle is like a cylindrical building and played a vital role in history.
It served as a museum, fortress, and Pope’s residency. We entered the Castle by passing through a Bridge known as Ponte Sant’Angelo which has statues of angels designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini during the 17th century.
Back in time, this castle also used to be a Pope’s residence and it has luxurious apartments and it also has Pauline Chapel. You can also find the museum and national monument which includes art, artifacts, and historical exhibits.
We have also enjoyed a panoramic view of Rome and Vatican City from the terrace of the Castle.
After exploring the Castle, we headed toward the Ponte Sisto to enjoy the view of the River.
2. Ponte Sisto:
Rome is full of hustle and bustle of people but if you want to enjoy the beautiful view of the Tiber River and the surrounding cityscape, you should go to Ponte Sisto which is a bridge connecting the neighborhood of Trastevere which is medieval streets and Campo de Fiori which is famous for its markets and nightlife. Ponte Sisto was built during the 15th century and it’s a Renaissance architecture adorned with statues.
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3. Villa Borghese & Borghese Gallery and Museum:
The Borghese Gallery is surrounded by Villa Borghese Gardens. The gallery house was constructed in the early 17th century and the gallery has impressive collections of sculptures, paintings, and antiques by renowned artists like Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian.
Normally, the tickets are pre-booked in advance so it’s highly recommended to plan and book your tickets in advance.
4. Outdoor shopping Market:
You may heard about luxury shopping in Rome but there’s also another side of shopping in Rome. There are few outdoor Flea markets and shopping vendors in Rome.
a. Borghetto Flaminio:
There’s a second-hand market with some posh stuff near the Metro station of Borghetto Flaminio.
b. Market at Campo Dei Fiori:
This market is more famous among tourists as you can find the different stalls of vendors selling fresh products and also souvenirs and handmade products.
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5th Day in Rome:
Vatican City:
Vatican Museum
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Square
Vatican Gardens
Janiculum Hill
As we wanted to explore the different museums in the Vatican, we spared an entire day to explore and visit different monuments at Vatican City.
1. Vatican City:
Vatican City is the smallest independent country in the world and it holds significant religious importance in Christianity and it’s the official place of the Pope. Here the question is how you can plan your trip to the Vatican.
Normally, the tickets to the Vatican Museum and other places to visit are sold in advance, so it’s advisable to book your tickets in advance. Even if you don’t get the tickets online, there’s a possibility to buy the on-the-spot ticket for the tour from the agents who’re roaming around in the Vatican and often approach you.
These are normally high-priced tickets as compared to normal tickets available online.
You can start your trip by chilling and roaming around in St. Peter’s Square which is surrounded by the architecture of Vatican City. It’s free to enter the square and from there you can see a long queue of people waiting to enter St. Peter’s Basilica, which is one of the largest churches.
With the guided tour, there’s a skippable line and you don’t need to wait in the queue. One of the things, you shouldn’t miss is climbing up to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica and enjoying the panoramic view of Rome and St. Peter’s Square. You should also visit the Vatican Museum which has a collection of art and artifacts from different centuries.
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Don’t forget to indulge in the beauty of Vatican Gardens. To get the best price ticket, you should book a combo ticket.
Moreover, you can also get the chance to see the Pope in person if you’re visiting the Vatican during the Pope’s gathering.
2. Janiculum Hill:
Janiculum Hill is a western hill of Rome and it’s one of the best spots to enjoy the lovely view of Rome and its domes and Bell towers.
Ending Note:
If you have some more time, we would also like to recommend exploring the following landmarks in Rome.
Domus Aurea:
The Domus Aurea also called as Golden House was built by Emperor Nero after the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64. The palace is on Palatine Hill and it’s extended into the parts of Esquiline Hill.
Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore:
The Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore is one of four major Basilica in Rome and it was established in the 4th century.
Chiesa del Gesù:
The Chiesa del Gesù is a church with a beautiful Baroque interior and ceiling painted by Giovanni Battista Gaulli.
Baths of Caracalla:
The Baths of Caracalla are the ancient Roman Public Baths constructed during the reign of Emperor Caracalla in the early 3rd century AD.
Things to do in Rome:
Spanish Steps Rome
Piazza del Popolo
Terrazza Viale del Belvedere
Fashion street
Pantheon
Trevi Fountain
Colosseum
Roman forum
Palatine hill
Circus Maximus
Piazza Navona
Portico of Octavia
Basilica di Santa Maria
Capitoline museums
Victor Emmanuel II Monument - Altar of Fatherhood
Castel Sant'Angelo
Ponte Sisto
Villa Borghese & Borghese Gallery and Museum
Market at Campo Dei Fiori
Vatican City
Vatican Museum
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Square
Vatican Gardens
Janiculum Hill
Domus Aurea
Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore
Chiesa del Gesù:
Baths of Caracalla