Rome
The Eternal City — ancient ruins like the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and superb food down every backstreet.
Rome right now · August
In season now: 🎭 Estate Romana, ☀️ Hot summer
Coming up
- ✨Christmas & presepiDec 8–Jan 6in ~18 weeks
- 👑EpiphanyJan 6in ~22 weeks
- ⛪Easter / Holy Week~Apr 1–Apr 12in ~35 weeks
Travel videos from Rome
Videos belong to their respective creators
Rome cinematic (4K)
▶ mp photo
The beauty of Rome (4K)
▶ Roberto Piroddi
Rome cinematic travel (4K)
▶ ALEXTHEGREAT
ROMA — a cinematic film
▶ Oliver Astrologo
Rome in 4K
▶ Around The World 4K
Rome & the Vatican (4K)
▶ Tripping Toes
Scenes of Rome
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Top spots
1Colosseum
The ancient amphitheatre — still Rome's defining symbol.
2Roman Forum
The ruins of ancient Rome's civic heart, beside the Palatine Hill.
3Trevi Fountain
The Baroque fountain — toss a coin to ensure your return.
4Pantheon
A nearly 2,000-year-old temple with a perfect dome and open oculus.
5Vatican & St Peter's
The world's smallest state — St Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.
6Piazza Navona
A lively Baroque square built around Bernini's fountains.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
When to visit Rome
Best months & festivals — filled = recommended
🌸Spring
Comfortable weather, ideal for sightseeing.
☀️Hot summer
Very hot — pace yourself in the midday sun.
🍂Autumn
Cooler and very pleasant.
✨Christmas season
Nativity scenes and lights across the city.
Key events & festivals
- ⛪
Easter / Holy Week~Apr 1–Apr 12
Solemn ceremonies at the Vatican.
- 🎂
Natale di RomaApr 21
April 21 is Rome's birthday, marked with festivities.
- 🎭
Estate RomanaJun 1–Sep 1
A summer of open-air concerts, film and events.
- ✨
Christmas & presepiDec 8–Jan 6
Nativity scenes fill churches and squares.
- 👑
EpiphanyJan 6
A fair fills Piazza Navona.
What to eat in Rome
Signature local dishes to try
🍝Carbonara
Rome's classic pasta of egg, guanciale and pecorino.
🧀Cacio e pepe
Just pecorino and black pepper — deceptively simple and utterly Roman.
🍕Pizza al taglio
Rectangular pizza sold by weight — perfect on the go.
🍙Supplì
Fried rice croquettes with a gooey mozzarella centre.
🍨Gelato
Authentic gelato from the city's celebrated gelaterie.
About Rome
- ☀️ Best season
- Spring (Apr–Jun) and autumn (Sep–Oct) are most comfortable; July–August is very hot.
- ✈️ Getting there
- About 32 min from Fiumicino airport to Termini station on the Leonardo Express.
- 🚶 Getting around
- The historic centre is best on foot; metro and buses help, and the major ruins are close together.
- 🗣️ Language & currency
- Italian; the currency is the euro (EUR).
- 🕒 Time
- Central European Time (UTC+1, +2 in summer).
Tips & hidden gems
💡 Pre-book the big sites
Reserve timed tickets for the Colosseum and Vatican to skip the long queues.
💡 Use the drinking fountains
Refill at the city's 'nasoni' fountains — bring a bottle.
💡 Dress for churches
Cover your shoulders and knees to enter churches and the Vatican.
Travel essentials
Payments, transport, connectivity and safety — before you go
Payments
Contactless is common; carry some cash for small shops and markets. Wise/Revolut handy.
Getting around
Official taxis dominate; FreeNow/itTaxi apps; Uber is limited.
SIM / eSIM
EU eSIMs are convenient.
Plugs & voltage
Types F/L (C-compatible), 230V.
Tipping
Not obligatory; note the 'coperto' cover charge.
Tap water
Tap water is safe — including street fountains.
Safety
Generally safe, but watch for pickpockets at tourist spots.
Suggested routes
Ancient Rome — full day
~1 day / walking & metro
From the Colosseum and Roman Forum to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain — a full day of ancient Rome on foot.
- 1Colosseum
The ancient amphitheatre — still Rome's defining symbol.
- 2Roman Forum
The ruins of ancient Rome's civic heart, beside the Palatine Hill.
- 3Pantheon
A nearly 2,000-year-old temple with a perfect dome and open oculus.
- 4Trevi Fountain
The Baroque fountain — toss a coin to ensure your return.
Vatican — half day
~half day / walking
St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in a half-day.
- 1St Peter's Basilica
The world's smallest state — St Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.
- 2Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- 3Piazza Navona
A lively Baroque square built around Bernini's fountains.
Baroque piazzas — half day
~4 hrs / walking
A half-day strolling Rome's Baroque squares and fountains — Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi and the Spanish Steps.
- 1Piazza Navona
A lively Baroque square built around Bernini's fountains.
- 2Pantheon
A nearly 2,000-year-old temple with a perfect dome and open oculus.
- 3Trevi Fountain
The Baroque fountain — toss a coin to ensure your return.
- 4Spanish Steps
Live highlights
Live cameras for Rome are coming soon.
Plan your trip to Rome
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