Complete Rome Travel Guide: Colosseum, Vatican and Italian Food

romeitalyeurope

Why Visit Rome

Rome is an open-air museum. The Eternal City combines 2,800 years of history with extraordinary cuisine and a lifestyle that defines la dolce vita. Every street corner reveals layers of history, from ancient ruins to baroque fountains.

LHR → FCO

Find cheap flights

Best Time to Visit

Spring (April–June): Ideal. 15–25°C, long days and vibrant atmosphere.
Autumn (September–October): Perfect. Fewer tourists than summer, pleasant temperatures.
Summer (July–August): Intense heat (35°C+), very crowded. Many Romans leave the city.
Winter (December–February): Mild cold (5–12°C), few tourists, lower prices.

Top Attractions

Ancient Monuments

Colosseum: The most famous amphitheatre in the world. Combined ticket with Roman Forum + Palatine Hill: €18. Book online to skip queues.
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill: Included with Colosseum ticket. Allow 2–3 hours.
Pantheon: The best-preserved ancient Roman temple. Free entry (online reservation required).
Trevi Fountain: Toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder. Visit at 6–7 AM to avoid crowds.

Vatican City

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: Entry €20 on site, €25 with online booking. Queues of 2–4 hours without reservation. Friday evening openings (April–October) are much quieter.
St. Peter's Basilica: Free entry. The dome costs €10 (lift + stairs) with spectacular views.
Papal Audience: Every Wednesday at 10:00 in St. Peter's Square. Free but tickets required (request online).

Info

Vatican Museums are free on the last Sunday of each month (9:00–14:00), but queues are enormous. Arrive by 7:00 AM.

Neighbourhoods

Trastevere: Rome's most charming neighbourhood. Cobblestone streets, ivy-covered facades, authentic trattorias and nightlife.
Monti: Rome's coolest quarter. Vintage shops, artisan cafes and Via dei Serpenti.
Testaccio: The food neighbourhood. Mercato Testaccio has incredible food stalls.

Getting Around

Metro: 2 lines (A and B). A single ticket costs €1.50 (100 minutes, one metro ride).
Roma Pass: 48 hours (€33) or 72 hours (€53). Includes unlimited transport and museum entries.
On foot: Rome is best explored walking. The Colosseum to Trevi Fountain is a 20-minute walk.

From Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to centre:

Leonardo Express: €14, 32 minutes to Roma Termini
SIT/Terravision bus: €7, 55 minutes to Termini
Taxi: Flat rate €50 to the city centre

Italian Food in Rome

Carbonara: Guanciale, egg, pecorino and black pepper. NEVER cream. €10–14. Try Roscioli or Da Enzo al 29 (Trastevere).
Cacio e Pepe: Pecorino romano and black pepper. Simple and perfect. €9–13.
Amatriciana: Guanciale, tomato and pecorino. €10–14.
Suppli: Rice croquette with melted mozzarella. €2–3. At any pizza al taglio shop.
Pizza al taglio: Pizza sold by weight. From €2–4 per slice. Bonci (Prati) is the king.
Gelato: Avoid neon-coloured ones. Fatamorgana, Giolitti and Come il Latte are authentic. €2.50–4.

Warning

Beware of tourist traps near attractions. If a restaurant has photos of dishes outside and a waiter trying to lure you in, it's probably overpriced and mediocre. Walk a block or two away for better food.

Hotels in Rome

Find the best deals

Practical Tips

Visa: EU/Schengen rules apply. UK citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days.
Water: Rome's nasoni (public drinking fountains) are everywhere. Free, clean, drinkable water. Cover the top hole to create a drinking fountain.
Tipping: Not mandatory. Coperto (€1–3 per person) is already on the bill.
Dress code: Covered shoulders and knees for Vatican and churches.
Scams: Watch for "gladiators" at the Colosseum who charge for photos, bracelet sellers and pickpockets on metro and buses.

Back to guides