The Ultimate Travel Guide to Rome

If you’ve been dreaming about going to Rome or you already planned a trip and need some advice – don’t worry I got you covered.

I spent 4 days in the amazing city of Rome last summer and it is one of my favorite places in Italy and should be on everyone’s bucket list. Between the amazing culture, food, people and history of this ancient town you’ll fall in love.

Whether you plan to bask in the amazement of the Colosseum, ride over to St. Peter’s Basilica, or make a wish at the Trevi Fountain – Rome has everything and more that you could ever want in a city.

There are so many things to do – I’m breaking it down with my top recommendations and some tips on how to travel in Rome.

Don’t forget to check out my hotel and restaurant recommendations here!

How to Travel Around Rome

Getting around Rome is fairly easy and very safe! As just a general rule of thumb when traveling – be away of your surroundings and always use caution.

Some of the attractions in Rome are close enough that you can walk (a few blocks) and some are so far out that you may need to use public transportation.

I recommend using the Hop On/Hop Of Bus – you can purchase an all-day ticket for 30 Euros. The bus takes you around the main attractions of the city and you can literally hop on and hop off it! You just then wait for another bus to arrive and get back on it again.

The second fastest way to get around is by taking the Metro – which is just Rome’s version of a subway system. You can hop on the A, B, or C to get where you need to go.

I don’t ever recommend using taxis in Rome since the traffic almost comes to a standstill every day in the city.

What to Wear

When visiting Rome it’s important to note that it’s a very holy city with a lot of ancient history. Make sure to plan your days accordingly!

When visiting any of the cathedrals or the Vatican – knees and shoulders need to be covered or else you won’t be allowed in.

I brought a lot of long dresses, cardigans, long skirts, and t-shirts that were light enough to walk around in June but also appropriate for walking into Cathedrals.

Rome can reach up to 80 degrees in June so cute hats and sunglasses are a plus as well! Wearing sturdy sandals or sneakers is also a must! The cobblestone roads can be really hard to walk on and a lot of Rome is traveling on foot uphill.

Top 3 Things to Do in Rome

It’s easy to be overwhelmed when visiting another country – especially if you’re only there for a short amount of time. I compiled a list of my top 3 things to do while you’re in Rome!

Colosseum and the Roman Forum

The Colosseum is obviously a must see and one of the major attractions in Rome. The easiest way to see the Colosseum and the cheapest is by buying a ticket for a timed entry.

I don’t recommend buying tickets online because prices are extremely marked up!

The best part? When you buy a ticket for the Colosseum – you also get access to the Roman Forum. The Roman Forum sits right next-door (walking distance) from the Colosseum. The Forum consists of ancient ruins and cobblestone the Romans traveled on and built.

Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel

The Vatican!! Always a must if you’re going to be in Rome – even though it’s considered another country.

I was absolutely blown away by the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica. I’ve never seen anything like it in this whole world. Pro tip for getting a tour around the Vatican and Basilica – book a private tour. It’s worth looking into Italian students within the area to have a guided tour!

I booked my tour guide through my travel agency and I couldn’t have been happier with the immense amount of knowledge our tour guide knew.

It’s also cheaper to hire a student then to go through the tours via the Vatican.  So make sure to do your research online and don’t be afraid to reach out to the locals within the area!

Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain is the most famous spot in Rome and it’s certainly the most photographed – you can find tourists there all hours of the day lining up to take the perfect selfie.

It’s completely free to see and I recommend seeing it at least twice! Once during the day and then you must stop by at night. Grab a gelato and grab a seat to bask in the magic of Trevi Fountain.

Don’t forget to keep the tradition alive by throwing 3 coins into the Trevi Fountain – the first one guarantees you’ll come back to Rome, the second is for a wish of new romance, and the third is for a wish of marriage! After every night – the coins are collected and are donated to a supermarket to fund the poor.

No matter where you are in Rome or what you decide to do – you’ll fall in love every time with this ancient City. As the Romans would say – “Do as Romans do!”

Be sure to check out my tips on how to book a cheap flight!

Get out there and set your calendar to out of office.