Read our essential Rome travel tips and guide to make the most of your visit to the Italian capital.
Whether you call it the City of Seven Hills, the Eternal City, or simply Rome, Italy’s capital is a must to visit at least once in a lifetime. With so much to see and do, though, there’s no double that planning your trip can be overwhelming.
This guide is for first-time visitors to Rome, taking you through all you should know before you go. Covered here is where to stay, what to eat, what to wear, and more. There’s also a rundown of the top sights to see, as well as the best organised day tour options.
Once you’ve read this article, you’ll be much better placed to plan your perfect visit to the Eternal City. From accommodation, clothing, and food to day tours and the must-do tourist sights, these are the ultimate first-timer tips for visiting Rome.
Top 10 Things to Do in Rome
Let’s get started by taking a look at the best things to do in Rome.
Colosseum
The mighty 50,000-seater Colosseum in central Rome is the biggest ancient amphitheatre ever built. Officially called the Flavian Amphitheatre, it once hosted gladiator shows. 2,000 years later, it attracts over six million visitors annually.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum lies just west of the Colosseum, and was formerly the epicenter of the city. It was used for commercial, political, and social purposes, and even criminal trials. The remains of the most important meeting place on the planet are not to be missed.
Pantheon
This ancient Roman temple is famous for its geometrically flawless dome, which was specially designed to withstand rain. The oculus is the only source of natural light, yet very rarely allows any water to enter. When it does, cleverly placed holes in the floor means it quickly drains away.
Vatican City
The worldwide headquarters of the Catholic church and the Pope is where you’ll find the largest private art collection anywhere, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Square and Basilica. So many other treasures await within the Vatican Museums, too.
Trevi Fountain
The 18th century Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous in the world, and Rome’s largest Baroque fountain. Throwing in a coin or few is de rigueur, and it’s worth paying it a second visit after dark to see it illuminated.
Spanish Steps
This Rococo-style staircase leads between Piazza di Spagna at the base and Trinità dei Monti at the top. The latter is a late Renaissance church forming part of a monastery complex. It’s a great spot for taking in the views and people-watching.
Villa Borghese
The Villa Borghese complex comprises lovely landscaped gardens and a collection of museums. It feels like a world away from the city, even though it’s located close to the Spanish Steps.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Initially commissioned as a family mausoleum by Emperor Hadrian, Castel Sant’Angelo is now a museum. Visit for stunning city views, Hadrian’s rooms, and fabulous frescoes.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Novona is one of Rome’s most picturesque public squares. It’s filled with pretty fountains and lined with beautiful Baroque buildings.
Trastevere
This boho Roman neighbourhood on the banks of the Tiber offers colourful, sun-drenched streets featuring local trattorias, independent shops, and affordable accommodation.
12 Best Places to Stay in Rome
Pantheon / Piazza Navona
The area around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona makes the perfect base for first-timers visiting Rome. A major plus is that most sights you’ll want to see are walkable from here.
Where to stay
- 5 stars | Singer Palace Hotel Roma | Rooms & suites | Rooftop restaurant & bar | On Via del Corso
- 4 stars | Little Queen Pantheon | Rooms & suites | Room service | 500 metres from Piazza Navona
- 3 stars | Boutique Hotel Campo de’ Fiori | Rooms & apartments | Rooftop garden, restaurant, & bar | On Campo de’ Fiori
Spanish Steps / Piazza di Spagna
Stay close to Piazza di Spagna and Villa Borghese for upmarket hotels and designer shopping on Via Condotti. Again, many of Rome’s highlights are walkable, and there’s also Spagna and Barberini metro stations close by.
Where to stay
- 5 stars | J.K. Place Roma | Rooms & suites | Restaurant & bar | 500 metres from Piazza di Spagna
- 4 stars | Palazzo Nainer | Rooms & suites | Rooftop garden, bar & room service | 600 metres from Piazza di Spagna
- 3 stars | Charme Spagna Boutique Hotel | Rooms & suites | Terrace & garden, room service | 300 metres from Piazza di Spagna
Colosseum / Monti
If you want to wake up to or dine with Colosseum views, Monti could be the district for you. There’s also plenty of boho boutiques and cute cafes here.
Where to stay
- 5 stars | Hotel Palazzo Manfredi | Rooms, suites, & apartments | 2 restaurants, bar, & gym | 275 metres from the Colosseum
- 4 stars | Hotel Capo d’Africa – Colosseo | Rooms | Bar, room service, & gym | 550 metres from the Colosseum
- 3 stars | Hotel Colosseum | Rooms | Terrace, bar, & room service | 1km from the Colosseum
Trastevere
This central, character-packed district by the Tiber offers lots of unique dining, drinking, and shopping options with a local feel.
Where to stay
- 5 stars | Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá | Rooms, suites, & villas | 4 restaurants, pool, & spa | 400 metres from Piazza Navona
- 4 stars | Donna Camilla Savelli – VRetreats | Rooms & suites | Restaurant & bar | 400 metres from Piazza di Santa Maria
- 3 stars | Charme Spagna Boutique Hotel | Rooms & suites | Terrace & garden, room service | 300 metres from Piazza di Spagna
Rome Travel Tips – What to Eat
Whether it’s a quick snack on the go or a meal consisting of multiple courses at a Michelin-starred establishment, eating is always a pleasure in Rome. With so many restaurants to choose from, the best ones change all the time. Some offer authentic Roman fare, while others cater more to tourists.
Here are some must-try dishes to sample when in Rome. Not all are local to the Lazio region, but they’re all lip-smackingly delicious!
Top 20+ foods to try in Rome
Starters, sides, and snacks
- Bruschetta | Bread with garlic, olive oil, and other toppings such as tomatoes
- Pecorino romano | A hard, salty sheep’s milk cheese often used in pasta dishes
- Porchetta | Boneless, herb-stuffed rolled and roasted pork joint
- Carciofi alla giudia | Roman-Jewish deep-fried artichokes
- Carciofi alla romana | Slow-cooked, softly braised artichokes
- Fiori di Zucca | Stuffed and deep fried courgette (or zucchini) flowers
- Fave al guanciale | Spring fava (or broad) beans with cured pork cheek
- Puntarelle | Winter chicory shoots served as a salad with anchovies
Pizza and pasta
- Pizza | Roman pizza has a thin base and is baked in a wood-fired oven
- Pasta e ceci | Pasta with chickpeas typical of peasant cuisine
- Pasta alla gricia | Pasta with cured pork cheek and pecorino cheese
- Pasta all’arrabbiata | Pasta, usually penne, served with spicy tomato sauce
- Pasta all’amatriciana | Pasta with cured pork cheek, tomato, wine, pepper, and pecorino cheese
- Pasta alla carbonara | Pasta – often spaghetti – with cured pork, eggs, pecorino romano, and seasoning
- Cacio e pepe | Pasta simply served with pecorino romano and black pepper
- Rigatoni con pajata | Rigatoni pasta with calf intestines, tomato, and pecorino romano
- Gnocchi alla romana | Semolina gnocchi with milk, butter, parmesan and seasoning
Meat and fish
- Baccalà | Salted cod served battered and fried, boiled, or braised
- Saltimbocca alla romana | Fried veal cutlets wrapped in prosciutto and sage
- Involtini alla romana | Rolled stuffed veal with carrots, celery, and tomato
- Coda alla vaccinara | Slow-cooked oxtail stew, often made with tomatoes
Desserts
- Crostata di ricotta | Baked ricotta cheesecake, often served with seasonal fruit
- Gelato | There are so many gelaterias in Rome for sampling all the flavours
2 best food tours of Rome
So now you know what to try, how do you know where to get the best cured meats, cheeses, pasta, pizza, and gelato? The best way to get to grips with Rome’s culinary scene is to take a food tour in the city. Neighbourhoods like Trastevere and Testaccio are the best places to go, as we found out when in Rome!
Don’t forget that the price of these tours includes a delicious lunch or dinner, plus plenty of other samples, snacks, and drinks.
Testaccio food and market tour
Take a food tour of Testaccio during the morning for a flavour of local life, as well as delicacies from Rome and Lazio. Lasting for three-and-a-half hours, this tour takes in a large, bustling market, where you’ll meet some of the traders and sample lots of goodies.
The tour ends with homemade pasta for lunch, washed down with wine.
Trastevere sunset food tour
This Trastevere food tour takes place as the sun sets over Rome. 12 or less of you will tour this appealing neighbourhood for three-and-a-half hours, commencing with aperitivo. The tour also includes street food, Italian wine, and a sit-down dinner of pasta at a local, family-run trattoria.
Last up is a stop at the best gelateria in the area.
What to Wear in Rome
The best clothing for Rome will ensure you feel comfortable, blend in (if you want to), and are modestly dressed where appropriate.
Comfortable footwear is the number one priority, as you’ll do a lot of walking, often on uneven surfaces. Our other top tip is to dress in layers that suit the season, so you can adjust your clothing as the temperature fluctuates.
Monochrome and neutral tones are good for those who want to blend in rather than stand out as a tourist. Smart casual attire like nice jeans plus stylish tops and scarves is ideal. Avoid sportswear and revealing clothing if you can.
As a religious site, do note that the Vatican city has a dress code. You can find out more in this guide to visiting the Vatican.
Best day trip from Rome
If you can spare the time to take a day trip from Rome, then it’s very much worth doing so while you’re in Lazio. We think the best option of all is to combine two of Italy’s other must-see places – namely the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii.
Pompeii and Amalfi Coast day trip
A day tour of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast covers some of the best Italy has to offer, in just 13 hours. You’ll be led around ancient Pompeii by an enthusiastic, archaeological expert, before heading off to the dreamy Amalfi Coast.
Free time in the delightful coastal town of Positano is included, so you can enjoy beach life, lunch, shopping, and more.
When in Rome… What Will You Do?
With so much scope regarding what to see, where to stay, what to eat, and even day tours from Rome, the Eternal City is one of the most appealing destinations on earth.
We hope this guide to Rome Travel Tips has inspired you, and helped you to plan your visit, too!
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