Top places to visit in Rome

• Trevi Fountain

  Fountain · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · entry €2 (≈ ₹210)

  Rome's most spectacular Baroque fountain (1762) by Nicola Salvi, fed by the 2,000-year-old Aqua Virgo aqueduct. Tossing a coin is said to guarantee your return to Rome.

• Colosseum

  Amphitheatre · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The world's largest ancient amphitheatre (80 AD), once seating 70,000 spectators for gladiatorial combat. Its 4-storey travertine facade is the enduring symbol of Imperial Rome.

• Pantheon

  Roman Temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Built by Hadrian c. 125 AD — the best-preserved ancient building in Rome, with an unreinforced concrete dome and 9-metre oculus that remained the world's largest dome until Brunelleschi's Florence masterpiece.

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

  Art Museum · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Over 7 km of galleries housing five centuries of papal art collections, culminating in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling (1508–12) and the Gallery of Maps.

• Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

  Archaeological Site · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The ceremonial heart of ancient Rome — temples, arches, and basilicas of the Forum alongside the Palatine Hill, birthplace of the city and home of its emperors. Included in the Colosseum combined ticket.

• Piazza Navona

  Piazza · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Rome's most theatrical Baroque square on the site of Domitian's Stadium, dominated by Bernini's 1651 Fountain of the Four Rivers, flanked by Sant'Agnese church and pavement cafes.

• Villa Borghese

  Nature · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry

  Rome's largest English-style landscaped park, home to the Borghese Gallery, a boating lake and the Temple of Aesculapius — a beloved green lung at the heart of the city.

• Borghese Gallery

  Art Gallery · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The finest private art collection in Rome, housed in Casino Borghese (1613): Bernini's Pluto & Persephone, Apollo & Daphne, Caravaggio's David, Titian's Sacred and Profane Love.

• Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

  church · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of Rome's four major basilicas, built in the 5th century over the reputed site of an August snowfall, with stunning 5th-century nave mosaics and a golden coffered ceiling.

• Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

  church · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The oldest and highest-ranking of Rome's four papal basilicas, founded by Constantine in the 4th century — officially the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the Pope's episcopal seat.

• Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill)

  Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · free entry

  The highest of Rome's viewpoint hills, with a sweeping panorama across the historic centre from the Passeggiata del Gianicolo terrace, lined with Risorgimento-era busts.

• Bioparco di Roma

  Wildlife · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · entry €18 (≈ ₹1,920), Adult ~€18; child ~€13; closes 19:00 on weekends

  Rome's city zoo inside Villa Borghese park, home to white tigers, penguins, giraffes and over 200 species — a family favourite in a leafy parkland setting.

Things to do

• Colosseum Skip-the-Line Tour Museum · 3 h · from EUR 50 per person
• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Museum · 3.5 h · from EUR 62 per person
• Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel Skip the Line Heritage · 3.5 h · from EUR 57 per person
• Pantheon & Centro Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from EUR 16 per person
• Colosseum Arena Floor Access Tour Heritage · 3 h · from EUR 49 per person
• Borghese Gallery Tour Museum · 2 h · from EUR 41 per person
• Pompeii & Naples Day Trip Day Trip · 12 h · from EUR 120 per person
• Skip-the-Line Colosseum Underground & Arena Floor Tour Sightseeing · 3 h · from EUR 29 per person

Day trips and tours

• Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Skip-the-Line Tour 3 h · from EUR 33
• Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Tour 4 h · from EUR 41
• Rome Food Tour: Testaccio Market & Neighbourhood 3.5 h · from EUR 37

Where to stay in Rome

• Vatican / Prati about EUR 150 per night

  Quiet residential area; closest to Vatican, excellent restaurants, easy metro access

• Centro Storico / Pantheon about EUR 280 per night

  Heart of ancient Rome; walking distance to Pantheon, Navona, Trevi; premium prices

• Trastevere about EUR 180 per night

  Bohemian medieval neighbourhood with cobbled lanes, lively restaurants, and nightlife; most atmospheric area to stay

Hotels

• Hotel de Russie 5-star · INR 75,000 to INR 280,000 per night
• Palazzo Manfredi Rome 5-star · INR 55,000 to INR 180,000 per night
• Hotel Eden Rome 5-star · INR 60,000 to INR 220,000 per night
• Hotel Hassler Roma 5-star · INR 85,000 to INR 350,000 per night
• Hotel de Russie, Rome 5-star · EUR 620 to EUR 1,800 per night
• J K Place Roma 5-star · INR 55,000 to INR 180,000 per night

Where to eat

• Da Enzo al 29 italian, roman, trattoria · about EUR 38 per person
• Eataly Roma italian, food_hall, market · about EUR 35 per person
• Roscioli italian, roman, deli · about EUR 60 per person
• Tazza d'Oro italian, coffee, cafe · about EUR 3 per person
• Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè italian, coffee, cafe · about EUR 3 per person
• Giolitti italian, gelato, dessert · about EUR 5 per person
• Tonnarello italian, roman, trattoria · about EUR 30 per person
• Bonci Pizzarium italian, pizza, roman · about EUR 12 per person

Getting to Rome

Airport: Rome, Fiumicino (FCO)

How visitors arrive in Rome

• Fly into Fiumicino By air from Fiumicino Airport · common

  Rome's main international airport, Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino, has a rail link to Termini station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train to Roma Termini By train from Italian cities · common

  Termini is the main station; overnight long-distance trains mostly use Tiburtina instead. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Cruise ship via Civitavecchia By road from Civitavecchia · possible

  Most cruise ships dock at Civitavecchia and passengers continue to Rome by shuttle or train. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Long-distance bus (FlixBus) By road from Italian and European cities · possible

  Coaches stop beside Tiburtina station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Leonardo Express from Fiumicino to Termini

  The Leonardo Express runs non-stop to Rome Termini. Its ticket rules confuse people and conductors have fined passengers, so read the validation rules first. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Coaches from Fiumicino

  Several companies run coaches from Fiumicino to the centre. Source: turismoroma.it

• Official white taxi, fixed fare

  Official taxis use a fixed fare to anywhere inside the Aurelian Walls. Take only white metered taxis from the official rank. Source: turismoroma.it

• Coach or train from Ciampino

  From Ciampino take a direct coach to Termini, or an airport bus to Ciampino station and a regional train into Termini. Taxis also run at fixed fares to the centre. Source: turismoroma.it

• Ignore private cars posing as taxis at airports and stations. Use only licensed taxis showing a meter and ID. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Metro

  Rome's metro has Lines A, B and C; Line A passes the Vatican area and Line B the Colosseum, they cross at Termini, and buses and trams fill the gaps.

• Transit Pass

  Integrated tickets in Rome cover the metro, buses and trams; paper tickets are sold at tobacconists and kiosks and are validated in the yellow machines on boarding.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Overpriced Tourist Menus

  Restaurants near Colosseum and Vatican

  Menus without prices or with surcharges; €3 cover charge (coperto) added to every person

  How to avoid it: Ask for the full printed menu with prices; check coperto before ordering

• Rose Scam

  Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps

  Someone places a "gift" rose in your hand or onto your friend then demands payment

  How to avoid it: Refuse any item; say no firmly and keep walking

• Fake Gladiators at the Colosseum

  Colosseum entrance and Arch of Constantine

  Men dressed as gladiators invite photos and then demand €20+ cash with aggressive pressure

  How to avoid it: Decline photos, walk away; they are not official

Best time to visit Rome

• Jan 13°C
• Feb 14°C
• Mar 17°C
• Apr 20°C
• May 25°C
• Jun 30°C
• Jul 33°C
• Aug 33°C
• Sep 28°C
• Oct 23°C
• Nov 17°C
• Dec 13°C

More in Italy

• Venice
• Florence
• Milan
• Naples
• Cinque Terre
• Verona

Frequently asked questions about Rome

What are the top-rated places to visit in Rome?

The highest-rated places in our Rome guide are Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.

Where should I stay in Rome?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Rome: Vatican / Prati, Centro Storico / Pantheon, Trastevere.

How do I get around Rome?

Ways to get around Rome covered in our guide: Metro, Transit pass, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Rome?

Scams reported to us for Rome include Overpriced Tourist Menus; Rose Scam; Fake Gladiators at the Colosseum. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Rome?

Average daytime highs in Rome run from 13°C in Jan to 33°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Rome?

The nearest airport to Rome has the code FCO.