Ah, Memories of Rome Italy, where do I begin? Rome is such a huge place with literally hundreds of sites, not to mention all the museums, restaurants, bars and tucked away places. It is impossible to really outline what to do. I suggest you review my lists, make your own highlights and set out on your own Experience. Do Not under any circumstance do Rome in only one day. That is a serious injustice. I suggest a minimum of six days with ten+ being the ideal.
Rome is easy to navigate and many of the top sites are concentrated in one area (near the Coliseum). But just going to the Rome museums will take two days or more. I suggest getting a public transportation pas, which is good for the Metro, bus and tram. Your feet will thank me later. Note the Metro is not extensive and you will need to navigate using the bus system more than usual. Also stay outside the Rome City Center for a substantial savings in room rates. The time spent on the tram will be worth is financially.
If you must join the thrones of tourists getting into the hot spots like the Sistine Chapel & the top museums – book your tickets in advance or you will, seriously, wait in line for 3-5 hours, just to get in & this is mid week. The weekends are nearly impossible.
From the Rome airport, take Terravision bus for 6€ to City Center & then the Metro anywhere. It is a very bumpy ride into town and takes about 70min. Once you arrive note that places are in no hurry to open- many many times I arrived at the printed schedule opening time and they were open 30-40 later. Also if you drive you better know how to parallel park – they pack them in tight – all small cars though & most with manual stick shift, so beware.
When you get pizza in Italy, and you must eat pizza in Italy, it is made in sheet pans and cut with scissors, so you pay by weight. Just let them know how much you want and they will cut the appropriate amount. My favorites are Pizza w/Italian Sausage, Roma Tomato & Romano Cheese &/or with truffle mushrooms on Margarita style. I did not care for the oyster, ricotta, Bottarga, olive oil pizza I tried though. I also suggest eating Suppli (rice croquettes), artichokes and stuffed zucchini flowers.
Do not buy bottled water in Rome– there is free water everywhere – by the Coliseum there is even a fountain that dispenses “fizzy” water. It is all cold, fresh and safe to drink.
I drank a bottle of Lemoncello (on sale for 3.60€) while exploring Vatican City – is that wrong? It was so damn good. Now I’m in a cemetery park where English poets John Keats and Shelley are buried & a real Pyramid. Really it’s an Egyptian Pyramid here in Rome. I love Rome.
Be sure to tour after dark when the nightclubs are buzzing and the City is transformed with lighting.
Notes:
- Pyramid of Cestius – The only “Egyptian” pyramid in Europe and the legendary tomb of Remus
- Mouth of Truth – do you dare?
- Theatre of Marcellus is well over 2000 years old
- The Temple of Hercules Victor (‘Hercules the Winner’) w/20 Corinthian columns
- Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola – painted ceiling like a Dome because of lack of funding
- Eataly – disappointment
- The Colosseum or Coliseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre took 8 years to build (made of concrete & sand), completed in AD 80 it has a capacity of 80,000 patrons.
- Palatine Hill
- Roman Forum
- Piazza Navona
- Pantheon
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- Trevi Fountain
- The Area Campo de’ Fiori
- Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, take your time here
- II Vittoriano for 360 view
- Priorato dei Cavalieri di Malta – St. Peter via Keyhole
- Piazza del Campidoglio
- Capitoline Museums – world’s oldest from 1471 w/beautiful view of the Roman Forum
- Drinks & nightlife in Trastevere
- Palazzo Spada
- Elefantino – Commissioned by Pope Alexander VII in 1667
- Pizzarium for Pizza & Suppli (rice croquettes)
- Very Roman to drink a Campari Spritz (Prosecco & Campari) or Negroni (Vermouth, Campari & Gin)
- The Spanish Steps
TripAdvisor Reviews:
Be sure to check out my “Visions of Rome” photos for more specificity with captions and write ups on all there is to do in Rome… Plus my TripAdvisor reviews will give detailed insight…
