One of Europe’s great cities, Rome is a bustling, vibrant metropolis that effortlessly pairs history with contemporary style. It is the city where Julius Caesar ruled, ancient gladiators fought and where Fellini created “La Dolce Vita.” As much as an open-air museum as a city, Rome is where past meets present.
Rome, Italy is world-famous for many reasons and we will offer a few of them. The city is ancient and has a rich and powerful past. The city is over 2,500 years old and was once the cradle of world power during the Roman empire days. The city is built on and around seven hills and is an hour or two from the ocean.
How much history and artifacts can one city call home? Well, Rome is full of both. From start to finish, Rome will have historical artifacts everywhere you turn. From the Coliseum to the Vatican, plan on spending time in and around Rome discovering and exploring the many historical sites you will find.
Rome has hundreds of hotels and other types of accommodations and lodging properties for any and all tourists and guests. The types of hotels will be rated by the star system and some of the nicer hotels in prime areas will tend to be on the very expensive side. There are plenty of other hotels in Rome that are reasonable and fairly priced.
For tours and any sightseeing in Rome, you can find tours or sightseeing information at any tourist center or most hotels will offer a wide variety of tours and sightseeing through their front desk.
When it comes to eating, you will not go hungry in Rome. On almost every corner you will find some type of restaurant or cafe serving the real Italian type of food and drink that you would expect. If you come to Rome in the summertime, you may want to book your hotel or lodging ahead of time by phone, fax, email or online.
Within Rome, you will find the separate country of Vatican City. The Pope calls Vatican City his residence. The Vatican contains many magnificent buildings and churches to visit. One of the better-known attractions within the Vatican will be Saint Peter Basilica.
Rome tours and Vatican tours are very popular and finding one is very, very easy. Just ask any hotel clerk in Rome about a Coliseum Tour, Rome Tour, Vatican Tour or any other tour. Private cars and transportation can be arranged also for private tours and sightseeing.
It would be hard to visit Italy without coming to Rome, the cradle of most civilizations. This is a very easy and friendly city and very much worth the visit. The noise from the scooters can be somewhat annoying, but other than that, a great time will be had when you visit Rome, Italy.
Attractions
The competition is fierce, but the city’s most impressive building is the Pantheon, the ancient temple renovated in the 2nd century to honor all pagan gods. Still as awe-inspiring today as it was upon construction nearly 2,000 years ago, the temple’s design draws your eyes up to its magnificent dome, the largest ever made until the 20th century.
If the Pantheon is Rome’s most impressive site, the Colosseum is a very close second. The structure’s size and design is certainly noteworthy, but the most extraordinary aspect of the Colosseum is the sense of gory history it evokes. There, doomed prisoners battled ravenous lions and gladiators warred in mortal combat. To avoid the crowds, get your ticket to see this wonder of the world at the Palatine ticket office, then march right into the fighting ring.
The city’s showcase square, the Piazza Navona, is quintessentially Roman with its crowded street level cafes, street performances and rust-hued houses lined with wrought-iron balconies. At the center of the square lies the extravagant Fountain of the Four Rivers. Carved by Bernini in 1651, the fountain depicts the Danube, Nile, Plata and Ganges rivers.
Writers and poets like Keats, Byron and Shelley drew inspiration from the Spanish Steps, and millions of travelers visit the nearby Piazza di Spagna each year to take in one of Rome’s most romantic scenes. After climbing the legendary staircase, pose for a caricature by a local artist, sample a scoop of sweet gelato and watch the sun set over the city.
The city’s most famous and largest fountain, the Trevi Fountain is a flamboyant depiction of Neptune’s chariot and the moods of the sea. A 1st-century BC aqueduct is the water’s source, and the name is a reference to the three roads that meet at the fountain. If you fall in love with the Eternal City, toss a coin in the fountain. Legend says that those who do will one day return to Rome.
Shopping
If you want designer style without the high price tags, spend an afternoon browsing the designer knock -offs at the Via Sannio flea market or shop for secondhand styles at the market at Porta Portese. Locals gather there every Sunday, creating one of the largest flea markets on the continent. There, you can find everything from music and antique housewares to original posters, jewelry, furniture and more.
Rome is a shopper’s paradise, and some of the most important names in Italian fashion can be found on the streets near the Spanish Steps. If high fashion is your passion, check out the boutiques on Via Sistina, Via Borgognona and Via Condotti. Familiar names like Ferragamo, Prada, Cavalli, Versace, Armani and Gucci line this haute couture hotspots.
Dining
Once the sun goes down, enjoy the hipper side of Rome in its eclectic bars, restaurants and clubs. Dance under the stars in the open garden at Akab to live music, mingle with the arty crowd at Freni e Frizioni and rub elbows with local hep cats at Les Affiches, an intimate boho bar with live music each evening.
Weekend Itinerary of Rome
Rome is an absolute classic, one of those must-see places when traveling around Italy. However, if you only have a weekend to spend in Rome, it is absolutely essential that you make the most of your time there. Be realistic; there’s only so much you can see in two days, so make sure you at least cover the top attractions. One of the best ways to get around is on foot, so wear comfortable walking shoes. Make sure you fill up on a hearty breakfast and get an early start. There’s no time to waste!
Saturday
Your first stop should be St. Peter’s Basilica, and you should make it as early as possible, preferably before 9 am; that’s when the crowds start pouring in. From there, head on over to the Vatican Museum and give yourself at least two hours to lose yourself in its treasures and history. Then, take the metro to Piazza del Popolo, where you’ll see its landmark Egyptian obelisk and Santa Maria del Popolo church. Now’s a great time to stop for some refreshments or a light lunch at one of the many nearby cafés. After lunch, your next stop should be Campo de Fiori, an open-air market, and a great place to stop for a cup of coffee. Finally, just head on over to the picturesque district of Trastevere to end a perfect day of sightseeing with a perfect meal.
Sunday
Start your day with an early tour of the Coliseum; keep in mind you’ll need least an hour and a half to take in all of its glory. Head on over to the Roman Forum and stroll around Palatine Hill, where you’ll see the ruins of ancient villas. Take the metro to Barberini and visit the breathtaking Pantheon. After grabbing some pizza, you can have the rest of the afternoon to explore the heart of Rome and visit some of its famous sights, like Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna. After you’ve had your fill of exclusive shops and boutiques, head on down to Piazza Navona, one of the most romantic squares in Rome, and definitely the place to be as the sunsets.
And don’t forget to toss a coin into Trevi Fountain; the locals say it ensures that someday you’ll return to Rome. And you’ll definitely want to!
Rome Geographical Location
Rome is located toward the western shoreline of Rome on the Tiber River. It is centrally located vertically and is the largest city in Italy.
There are approximately 2,780,000 inhabitants within Rome.
Italy has over 3,000 museums
Rome Language
Italian is the official language of Italy and is most common in Rome alongside English as a second language. Throughout different regions German, French, and Slovene are common.
Rome Predominant Religion
- 90% Roman Catholic
- 10% Other
Although the majority of the population is Roman Catholic, only thirty percent claim to be practicing. The “other” category includes Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim communities.
Rome Currency
The Euro is the official currency of Italy.
Rome Climate
The Mediterranean climate of Rome defines the mild spring and autumn as well as the long summer. Rome’s summer season grows quite hot at its peak in July and August. The winters are not very cold and snowfall is extremely rare.
Rome Main Attractions
- The Colosseum
- Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
Other Attraction in Rome
- St Peter’s Basilica
- Vatican Museum
- Chiesa del Gesu
- Piazza del Popolo