Trevi Fountain, Rome
From Vatican museums to the best Rome day tours, you’ll need a great Rome itinerary to explore the infamous Eternal City. Whether you plan to spend the weekend in Rome or stay a little longer, this travel guide has you covered from food tours in Rome to the best places to stay in Rome!
My Rome itinerary also includes sections on the top 5 things to do in Rome, where to eat in Rome, how to get around, Rome day tours, Rome travel tips and FAQs, and more! This guide can easily be adapted for a weekend in Rome, a Rome 4 day itinerary, or even longer. So pack your bags and get ready for the ultimate Rome vacation!
Page Contents
Rome Map
Also see: Italy Itinerary; Amalfi Coast Itinerary; Venice Itinerary; Milan Itinerary; Florence Itinerary
Book Your Flight to Rome!
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Top 5 Things to Do in Rome
1. Vatican Museums and Colosseum
The Vatican museums and Colosseum are two of Rome’s most iconic sites, and should not be overlooked on your trip! Even if you’re only spending a weekend in Rome, it’s worth it to visit both of these historic gems.
There are some awesome Colosseum and Vatican museums tours which include the Sistine Chapel and the top Vatican City sites. Definitely book your Rome day tour ahead of time and remember to show up a few minutes early.
*Tip: Be sure to wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders, chest, and knees on your Vatican tour. I highly recommend packing a lightweight shawl you can easily throw on over whatever you’re wearing to cover up.
My picks for best Vatican tours and Skip-the-Line Colosseum tours: Rome in One Day: Low Cost Vatican & Colosseum Tours; Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tours & Tickets; Skip-the-Line Colosseum Tours
2. Rome Historic Centre
Rome’s Historic Centre will definitely be central to your Rome itinerary. This area is home to the Eternal City’s most infamous sites, including the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, and more.
Most Rome itineraries will include plenty of time in the Centro Storico, as this is Rome’s true city center and the focal point for the majority of Rome day tours. There are some great walking tours of Rome in which your Rome tour guide will explain this area’s rich history and touch on its role in modern day.
Consider adding private tours of Rome to your itinerary which will offer you a more personalized and intimate experience. The Historic Centre is also one of the best places to stay in Rome, which is something I’ll touch on a bit more later.
My picks for best Rome Historic Centre tours: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Campo De’ Fiori Market Food and Wine Tour; Best of Rome Walking Tour: Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Trevi Fountain; Rome Combo: Colosseum & Forum with Rome Must-See Walking Tour
3. Trastevere Neighborhood
Another of the best places to stay in Rome, be sure to carve out some time for Trastevere as it’s one of the most charming and popular neighborhoods in the city.
Located just outside the Historic Centre, Trastevere is characterized by picturesque cobble stoned streets and classic Italian restaurants. Picture yourself enjoying a bottle of wine as street performers fill the air with the nostalgic sounds of Beatles tunes and time-honored Italian songs. That’s Trastevere!
The perfect place to spend an evening bar hopping or at a nice dinner, you won’t want to overlook this area during your trip. Many day tours and Rome walking tours will include a visit to Trastevere, so be sure to sign up ahead of time to get a taste for this lively neighborhood!
My picks for best Trastevere tours: Trastevere Tours; Rome: City Center Highlights Tour by Electric-Assist Bicycle; Hidden Rome Food Tour in Trastevere with Dinner and Wine
No trip to Rome is complete without a few amazing day tours! Especially if you’re only spending the weekend in Rome or if it’s your first time in the Eternal City, day tours are the best way to make the most of your vacation.
The best way to cover the city’s top attractions, private tours of Rome are a great way to experience Rome with kids or simply to explore Rome in a day. Day tours will allow you to experience the history of Ancient Rome and will reveal the glory of the Roman Empire. Be sure to explore the best Vatican tours, skip the line Colosseum tours or a Colosseum guided tour, food tours in Rome, or add a Rome walking tour that will cover it all to your itinerary.
Check out some awesome day trips from Rome, including Pompeii tours from Rome or a Rome to Florence day trip.
My picks for best Rome day tours: Rome Top Things to Do; First-Timer’s Guide to Rome; Top Rome Unique Experiences, Pompeii tours from Rome
Colosseum
5. Villa Borghese Park
Head to the Villa Borghese park for a lovely picnic and stroll through the Borghese Gallery for a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. It’s not necessarily off the beaten path but it’s certainly less touristy than some of Rome’s other, more congested destinations, and won’t be included on typical Rome day tours. Spend the afternoon meandering through the gardens to the natural soundtrack of street musicians playing classic Italian songs, and taking in the view overlooking the iconic Piazza del Popolo.
If you have a bit more time, be sure to visit the Belvedere del Gianicolo, not far from Villa Borghese. A terrace on a hill overlooking the entire city, the Belvedere del Gianicolo is one of my absolute favorite places in Rome. Enjoy the gorgeous view while the music of street performers floats through the air and experience something truly out of an Italian dream.
My picks for best Villa Borghese tours: Rome: 3-Hour City and Villa Borghese Authorized Segway Tour; Rome: Borghese Gallery Entrance Ticket; Rome: 2-Hour Borghese Gallery Small Group Tour
Check Out Some of My Favorite Rome Day Tours
These day tours are just what your trip is lacking! Make the most of your weekend in Rome by adding a few of the following Rome city tours:
Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tours
Where to Stay in Rome
My picks for best places to stay in Rome: Sonata Hotel; Spanish Hill Luxury Apartment; Funny Palace Rome Hostel
Some of the best places to stay in Rome include the Trastevere neighborhood, Rome’s Historic Centre, and around the Vatican. Where to stay will greatly depend on which tours you have planned and what you plan to do during your trip, but the city is relatively easy to navigate so any of these three main areas are all good options.
If you’re on a tighter budget, the Trastevere neighborhood is the best place to stay in Rome, as it’s just a short walk from the city’s Historic Centre and it’s known for its charming atmosphere, variety of shops and restaurants, and lively nightlife.
How to Get Around in Rome
Luckily the Eternal City is incredibly easy to navigate, and you have lots of options for how to get around in Rome. Much of the city is very walkable, which makes for a great way to burn off some of that pizza and gelato while knocking off sites on your Rome agenda at the same time! Keep in mind that most Rome day tours will also provide transportation to and from your hotel or pickup point.
For farther distances, Rome has an extensive public transportation system which includes trams, metros, and busses, which all conveniently use the same public transit ticket. Taxis and Uber in Rome are also widely available throughout the city, though will be a bit pricier than taking public transportation. That said, this will likely be your easiest option if you’re only spending a weekend in Rome.
You’ll want to make sure to pack a few travel basics to help your trip run as smoothly as possible, especially if your trip will continue on after Rome! These include a travel-size neck pillow for long rides, TSA approved toiletry case for ease at airport security, and luggage tags to keep track of your belongings.
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Where to Eat in Rome
If you’re looking for some good restaurants to add to your Rome itinerary, look no further! Here are a few of my favorite places to eat in Rome.
Breakfast/Late Night:
Mammo Street Food: Perfect for a quick bite or some good late night eats in Trastevere.
Lunch:
Bar del Cappuccino: A great spot for lunch in Rome. The pastrami sandwich is the best you’ll ever have!
La Tavernetta 29 da Tony e Andrea: Another great Trastevere spot for lunch or a casual dinner with AMAZING food!
Dinner:
Tonnarello: This is the perfect spot for dinner in Trastevere; great atmosphere and great food.
Pimm’s Good: A charming spot for lunch or dinner in the Trastevere neighborhood, get the mushroom risotto or the risotto of the day!
Rome Travel Essentials
World Nomads Travel Insurance: Planning a trip to Rome won’t be complete until you’ve added some solid travel insurance! It’s important to be covered in case of emergency, so I always choose WorldNomads.com to insure my trips. World Nomads allows you to buy and claim online, even after you’ve left home. It’s perfect for Rome travel, as it’s designed for adventurous travelers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities, too.
Italy Power Adapter: Make SURE to bring an Italy power adapter with you on your Rome vacation! You’ll need a reliable adapter in order to plug in any of your electronics while in Italy, so this is absolutely essential for Rome travel. This Italy Power Adapter is awesome because it works in several other countries as well, so you’ll be able to use it over and over again!
Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Backpack: This is my favorite and ONLY choice for a great backpacking backpack! I personally use this pack on all of my travels and I absolutely love it. It’s comfortable, durable, and it comes with a detachable daypack with a laptop sleeve which is super convenient. This pack will help you navigate every destination on your Rome itinerary with ease!
Charles Schwab Debit Card: I literally NEVER travel abroad without my Charles Schwab debit card! This card will save you countless dollars in foreign transaction fees which seriously start to add up, both when you use it at restaurants and shops, ATMs, and for booking your Rome day tours. I would definitely recommend this card as an investment for your Rome trip and all your overseas travels.
Quick Dry Microfiber Travel Towel: Lightweight and compact, this quick dry travel towel can easily be tossed in your daypack. Use it to keep cool during day tours, as a beach towel during your Italy trip, or as a bath towel should you need one at your accommodation. 10/10 would recommend!
Check out my Recommended Travel Essentials page for more useful resources for your Rome vacation!
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Rome Travel Tips and FAQs
Is Rome safe?
Yes, overall Rome is typically safe for tourists. Though there is minimal violent crime, you’ll still need to watch out for pickpocketing, scams, and petty theft, which are common in any big city. Be sure to always have your wits about you and avoid walking alone at night, and consider signing up for some day tours to experience the city in a safe way.
I would recommend bringing a TSA approved combination lock with you to secure your luggage and your valuables in your hostel or hotel accommodation locker or safe. Definitely pack a travel-size external battery charger to keep your devices charged while you’re out and about because you won’t want to get stuck without access to your smartphone for navigation or communication emergencies.
Finally, I always like to keep a small journal and pen on me to write down my hotel address and other vital information should my smartphone get lost or stolen.
What is the currency in Rome?
You will use the Euro on your trip to Rome. Many shops in Italy will accept credit cards but you’ll also want to carry some cash for smaller vendors and souvenirs you encounter while exploring.
Should I purchase my Rome day tours ahead of time?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you purchase the majority of your tours online ahead of time. Booking these in advance will save you a lot of stress during your trip and will keep you a bit more organized, even if you’re just spending a weekend in Rome.
You will definitely want to purchase your skip-the-line Colosseum tours, Roman Forum tickets, and Vatican tours before you go. Doing so will also ensure tours are available for the dates and times that you want, which is especially important if you only have one day in Rome or if you’re just there for the weekend.
Can you drink tap water in Rome?
Yes, you can drink tap water in Rome! That said, you may have to pay for bottled water at restaurants unless you ask for tap water specifically. Be sure to bring plenty of travel-size electrolyte packets with you during your trip. These will keep you hydrated during tours in the hot sun, and will cure your wine hangovers after you’ve hit all the bars and restaurants on your itinerary!
My siblings and I enjoying a night out in Trastevere
Traveling Alone or Want to Join a Tour?
If you’re a solo traveler, traveling with a friend or partner, or simply want to explore Rome in a small group setting, consider joining an Intrepid Italy tour! Intrepid tours do a great job of showing you the sites from a local perspective and will offer you the absolute best Rome tour guide.
Other great reasons to choose Intrepid Italy tours are that they engage in sustainable travel, offer truly authentic local experiences, and they’re affordable, making them the perfect choice for your Rome vacation!
*Please note that some of the above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I make a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. Please know that I ONLY recommend products that I personally use or believe to be helpful to other travelers!