Rome
Rome
Short overview
Ancient ruins, Baroque piazzas and Renaissance art sit on every block of the Eternal City. Come for the history and the pasta — and expect heat, queues and a lot of walking on cobblestones.
Best times to go
April – May
Mild days, blooming terraces and outdoor dining, before the summer heat and peak crowds.
October – November
Warm light, fewer tour groups and lower hotel rates, with the occasional rainy afternoon.
Good for
first-timers in Italy, history buffs and food lovers happy to walk all day between ruins and trattorias.
Skip if
you hate crowds, heat or queues — the big sights are busy year-round and July and August are scorching.
Things to do
Colosseum and Roman Forum
Walk through the arena where gladiators fought, then wander the ruins of ancient Rome's political heart.
3–4 hours
€18–24 combined ticket
Colosseum and Roman Forum
Walk through the arena where gladiators fought, then wander the ruins of ancient Rome's political heart.
3–4 hours
€18–24 combined ticket
Colosseum and Roman Forum
Walk through the arena where gladiators fought, then wander the ruins of ancient Rome's political heart.
3–4 hours
€18–24 combined ticket
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Miles of galleries ending under Michelangelo's ceiling, followed by St Peter's Basilica next door.
3–5 hours
€20–30 entry (book ahead)
3–5 hours
€20–30 entry (book ahead)
Trastevere evening walk
Ivy-covered lanes, lively piazzas and the city's best aperitivo spots across the river.
2–3 hours
Free
2–3 hours
Free
Cheapest
€
70
/week
Free churches, piazzas and fountains, plus the Colosseum and one big museum.
Best value
€
220
/week
The Colosseum, Vatican, Borghese Gallery and a guided food tour.
Splurge
€
800
/week
Skip-the-line private guides, underground Colosseum access and a pasta-making class.
Cheapest
€
70
/week
Free churches, piazzas and fountains, plus the Colosseum and one big museum.
Best value
€
220
/week
The Colosseum, Vatican, Borghese Gallery and a guided food tour.
Splurge
€
800
/week
Skip-the-line private guides, underground Colosseum access and a pasta-making class.
Cheapest
€
70
/week
Free churches, piazzas and fountains, plus the Colosseum and one big museum.
Best value
€
220
/week
The Colosseum, Vatican, Borghese Gallery and a guided food tour.
Splurge
€
800
/week
Skip-the-line private guides, underground Colosseum access and a pasta-making class.
Food and drink
Rome is all about four classic pastas, crisp thin pizza and long aperitivo hours. Eat away from the big sights and prices drop fast.
Breakfast
Cheapest
Cornetto and cappuccino
Taken standing at the bar, the quickest and cheapest way to start the day.
€
3
Best value
Maritozzo
A soft sweet bun split and stuffed with whipped cream, a Roman classic.
€
4
Splurge
Bar breakfast with fresh juice
Cappuccino, pastry and a spremuta of blood oranges at a sit-down café.
€
9
Breakfast
Cheapest
Cornetto and cappuccino
Taken standing at the bar, the quickest and cheapest way to start the day.
€
3
Best value
Maritozzo
A soft sweet bun split and stuffed with whipped cream, a Roman classic.
€
4
Splurge
Bar breakfast with fresh juice
Cappuccino, pastry and a spremuta of blood oranges at a sit-down café.
€
9
Breakfast
Cheapest
Cornetto and cappuccino
Taken standing at the bar, the quickest and cheapest way to start the day.
€
3
Best value
Maritozzo
A soft sweet bun split and stuffed with whipped cream, a Roman classic.
€
4
Splurge
Bar breakfast with fresh juice
Cappuccino, pastry and a spremuta of blood oranges at a sit-down café.
€
9
Lunch
Cheapest
Pizza al taglio
Rectangular slices sold by weight, topped with everything from potato to zucchini flowers.
€
6
Best value
Supplì and a trapizzino
Fried rice balls with molten mozzarella, and pizza-bread pockets filled with Roman stews.
€
9
Splurge
Trattoria lunch
A plate of cacio e pepe or amatriciana with house wine at a family-run spot.
€
18
Lunch
Cheapest
Pizza al taglio
Rectangular slices sold by weight, topped with everything from potato to zucchini flowers.
€
6
Best value
Supplì and a trapizzino
Fried rice balls with molten mozzarella, and pizza-bread pockets filled with Roman stews.
€
9
Splurge
Trattoria lunch
A plate of cacio e pepe or amatriciana with house wine at a family-run spot.
€
18
Lunch
Cheapest
Pizza al taglio
Rectangular slices sold by weight, topped with everything from potato to zucchini flowers.
€
6
Best value
Supplì and a trapizzino
Fried rice balls with molten mozzarella, and pizza-bread pockets filled with Roman stews.
€
9
Splurge
Trattoria lunch
A plate of cacio e pepe or amatriciana with house wine at a family-run spot.
€
18
Dinner
Cheapest
Roman pizza
Paper-thin, blistered pizza from a busy neighbourhood pizzeria.
€
12
Best value
Classic trattoria dinner
Carciofi alla giudia, a pasta course and saltimbocca, with a carafe of wine.
€
35
Splurge
Rooftop tasting menu
Modern Roman cooking with a view over the domes and rooftops.
€
130
Dinner
Cheapest
Roman pizza
Paper-thin, blistered pizza from a busy neighbourhood pizzeria.
€
12
Best value
Classic trattoria dinner
Carciofi alla giudia, a pasta course and saltimbocca, with a carafe of wine.
€
35
Splurge
Rooftop tasting menu
Modern Roman cooking with a view over the domes and rooftops.
€
130
Dinner
Roman pizza
€
12
Paper-thin, blistered pizza from a busy neighbourhood pizzeria.
Classic trattoria dinner
€
35
Carciofi alla giudia, a pasta course and saltimbocca, with a carafe of wine.
Rooftop tasting menu
€
130
Modern Roman cooking with a view over the domes and rooftops.
Cheapest
€
160
/week
Bar breakfasts, pizza al taglio lunches and pizzeria dinners.
Best value
€
320
/week
Trattoria meals most days, aperitivo in Trastevere and a food tour.
Splurge
€
750
/week
Long lunches, wine bars every night and one rooftop tasting menu.
Cheapest
€
160
/week
Bar breakfasts, pizza al taglio lunches and pizzeria dinners.
Best value
€
320
/week
Trattoria meals most days, aperitivo in Trastevere and a food tour.
Splurge
€
750
/week
Long lunches, wine bars every night and one rooftop tasting menu.
Cheapest
€
160
/week
Bar breakfasts, pizza al taglio lunches and pizzeria dinners.
Best value
€
320
/week
Trattoria meals most days, aperitivo in Trastevere and a food tour.
Splurge
€
750
/week
Long lunches, wine bars every night and one rooftop tasting menu.
Don't leave without trying
Don't leave without trying
Spaghetti alla carbonara
Pasta coated in egg yolk, pecorino romano, black pepper and crisp guanciale — no cream, ever.
Spaghetti alla carbonara
Pasta coated in egg yolk, pecorino romano, black pepper and crisp guanciale — no cream, ever.
Where to stay
Stay central near Campo de' Fiori or Monti to walk everywhere, or in Trastevere for evenings out. Termini is cheapest but less charming.
Cheapest
Hostel near Termini
Simple dorms or private rooms next to the main station, with metro and buses on the doorstep.
€280/week
/night
€
40
Cheapest
Hostel near Termini
Simple dorms or private rooms next to the main station, with metro and buses on the doorstep.
€280/week
/night
€
40
Best value
Boutique guesthouse in Monti
A small B&B in a lively, village-like district a short walk from the Colosseum.
€910/week
/night
€
130
Best value
Boutique guesthouse in Monti
A small B&B in a lively, village-like district a short walk from the Colosseum.
€910/week
/night
€
130
Splurge
Hotel near the Spanish Steps
Five-star rooms with a rooftop bar overlooking the domes of the historic centre.
€3,360/week
/night
€
480
Splurge
Hotel near the Spanish Steps
Five-star rooms with a rooftop bar overlooking the domes of the historic centre.
€3,360/week
/night
€
480
Unique stay
Rooftop apartment in the centro storico
A top-floor flat with a private terrace for sunset aperitivo over the rooftops.
€1,400/week
/night
€
200
Unique stay
Rooftop apartment in the centro storico
A top-floor flat with a private terrace for sunset aperitivo over the rooftops.
€1,400/week
/night
€
200
Unique stay
Rooftop apartment in the centro storico
A top-floor flat with a private terrace for sunset aperitivo over the rooftops.
€1,400/week
/night
€
200
Getting around
The historic centre is best on foot. Metro and buses cover the rest, but are slower than you'd expect.
Public transport
Coverage
Three metro lines skirt the centre, and buses and trams fill the gaps. Service is reliable enough, but buses get crowded and strikes happen.
Single ticket
€
1.50
Weekly pass
€
24
Which modes are available?
Metro
ATAC buses
Trams
Public transport
Coverage
Three metro lines skirt the centre, and buses and trams fill the gaps. Service is reliable enough, but buses get crowded and strikes happen.
Single ticket
€
1.50
Weekly pass
€
24
Which modes are available?
Metro
ATAC buses
Trams
Car rental
Car usefulness
Not worth it in the city. Traffic is chaotic and most of the centre is a restricted ZTL zone. Only rent for day trips into Lazio.
Price
€
45
/day
Young driver fee
€
20
/day
Parking
€
25
/day
Very difficult. Blue-line street spaces cost about €1.50 an hour, and garages charge €20–35 a day.
Car rental
Car usefulness
Not worth it in the city. Traffic is chaotic and most of the centre is a restricted ZTL zone. Only rent for day trips into Lazio.
Price
€
45
/day
Young driver fee
€
20
/day
Parking
€
25
/day
Very difficult. Blue-line street spaces cost about €1.50 an hour, and garages charge €20–35 a day.
Cheapest
€
24
/week
A weekly pass and lots of walking.
Best value
€
60
/week
A weekly pass, the airport train and a couple of late taxis.
Splurge
€
350
/week
Taxis and private transfers, plus a day trip by private driver.
Cheapest
€
24
/week
A weekly pass and lots of walking.
Best value
€
60
/week
A weekly pass, the airport train and a couple of late taxis.
Splurge
€
350
/week
Taxis and private transfers, plus a day trip by private driver.
Cheapest
€
24
/week
A weekly pass and lots of walking.
Best value
€
60
/week
A weekly pass, the airport train and a couple of late taxis.
Splurge
€
350
/week
Taxis and private transfers, plus a day trip by private driver.
Total costs
Everything you’ll spend once you’re there, per person. Getting there isn’t included.
Cheapest
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Food costs
€25–€35
Accommodation
€35–€50
Getting around
€5–€8
Activities
€8–€15
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€78–€118
PER WEEK
€550–€830
Per person in shoulder season. Summer and Easter can add 20–40%, mostly on accommodation.
Cheapest
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Food costs
€25–€35
Accommodation
€35–€50
Getting around
€5–€8
Activities
€8–€15
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€78–€118
PER WEEK
€550–€830
Per person in shoulder season. Summer and Easter can add 20–40%, mostly on accommodation.
Cheapest
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Food costs
€25–€35
Accommodation
€35–€50
Getting around
€5–€8
Activities
€8–€15
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€78–€118
PER WEEK
€550–€830
Best value
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Food costs
€45–€65
Accommodation
€110–€150
Getting around
€8–€12
Activities
€25–€40
Miscellaneous
€10–€15
PER DAY
€198–€282
PER WEEK
€1,390–€1,970
Per person in shoulder season. Summer and Easter can add 20–40%, mostly on accommodation.
Best value
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Food costs
€45–€65
Accommodation
€110–€150
Getting around
€8–€12
Activities
€25–€40
Miscellaneous
€10–€15
PER DAY
€198–€282
PER WEEK
€1,390–€1,970
Per person in shoulder season. Summer and Easter can add 20–40%, mostly on accommodation.
Best value
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Food costs
€45–€65
Accommodation
€110–€150
Getting around
€8–€12
Activities
€25–€40
Miscellaneous
€10–€15
PER DAY
€198–€282
PER WEEK
€1,390–€1,970
Splurge
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Food costs
€110–€170
Accommodation
€350–€550
Getting around
€30–€60
Activities
€70–€140
Miscellaneous
€25–€40
PER DAY
€585–€960
PER WEEK
€4,100–€6,720
Per person in shoulder season. Summer and Easter can add 20–40%, mostly on accommodation.
Splurge
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Food costs
€110–€170
Accommodation
€350–€550
Getting around
€30–€60
Activities
€70–€140
Miscellaneous
€25–€40
PER DAY
€585–€960
PER WEEK
€4,100–€6,720
Per person in shoulder season. Summer and Easter can add 20–40%, mostly on accommodation.
Splurge
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Food costs
€110–€170
Accommodation
€350–€550
Getting around
€30–€60
Activities
€70–€140
Miscellaneous
€25–€40
PER DAY
€585–€960
PER WEEK
€4,100–€6,720
Good to know
What to expect, what to avoid, and what nobody tells you before you go.
Reputation vs reality
Loved for
History, food, piazzas and the sheer number of sights.
Catches visitors off guard
Summer heat, long queues, pickpockets and how far apart some sights are.
Common misconception
You can't see it all in two days — even the highlights need four or five.
Reputation vs reality
Loved for
History, food, piazzas and the sheer number of sights.
Catches visitors off guard
Summer heat, long queues, pickpockets and how far apart some sights are.
Common misconception
You can't see it all in two days — even the highlights need four or five.
Watch out for
Pickpockets
Busy buses like the 64 and crowded sights are hotspots. Keep bags zipped and in front of you.
Tourist-trap menus
Restaurants with photo menus and staff calling you in near the big sights are overpriced and mediocre.
Dress codes
The Vatican and many churches require covered shoulders and knees, even in summer heat.
Watch out for
Pickpockets
Busy buses like the 64 and crowded sights are hotspots. Keep bags zipped and in front of you.
Tourist-trap menus
Restaurants with photo menus and staff calling you in near the big sights are overpriced and mediocre.
Dress codes
The Vatican and many churches require covered shoulders and knees, even in summer heat.
Common questions
How many days do I need?
Four to five days covers ancient Rome, the Vatican and a few neighbourhoods at a comfortable pace.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes for the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Borghese Gallery — slots sell out days ahead in high season.
How do I get from the airport?
The Leonardo Express train runs from Fiumicino to Termini in 32 minutes for €14. Taxis charge a fixed €55 to the centre.
Is the tap water safe?
Yes. Refill your bottle at the nasoni, the free public fountains all over the city.
Common questions
How many days do I need?
Four to five days covers ancient Rome, the Vatican and a few neighbourhoods at a comfortable pace.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes for the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Borghese Gallery — slots sell out days ahead in high season.
How do I get from the airport?
The Leonardo Express train runs from Fiumicino to Termini in 32 minutes for €14. Taxis charge a fixed €55 to the centre.
Is the tap water safe?
Yes. Refill your bottle at the nasoni, the free public fountains all over the city.
Money and payments
Currency
Euro (€). Use bank ATMs (Bancomat) and avoid independent Euronet machines with high fees.
Cards vs cash
Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, including metro gates. Keep some cash for small bars and markets.
Tipping
Not expected. A coperto of €1.50–3 is often added; rounding up or leaving 5–10% for great service is plenty.
Tourist tax
Hotels add €6–10 per person per night depending on star rating, for up to 10 nights.
Money and payments
Currency
Euro (€). Use bank ATMs (Bancomat) and avoid independent Euronet machines with high fees.
Cards vs cash
Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, including metro gates. Keep some cash for small bars and markets.
Tipping
Not expected. A coperto of €1.50–3 is often added; rounding up or leaving 5–10% for great service is plenty.
Tourist tax
Hotels add €6–10 per person per night depending on star rating, for up to 10 nights.
Ready to pick your next destination?
Browse every destination in the Passage catalogue and find the one that fits your trip.
Ready to pick your next destination?
Browse every destination in the Passage catalogue and find the one that fits your trip.
Ready to pick your next destination?
Browse every destination in the Passage catalogue and find the one that fits your trip.