A complete, honest guide to Rome, Italy — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. The Eternal City — 2,700 years of history.
Rome is a highlight of Europe, and Rome is an open-air museum where you turn a corner and stumble onto two thousand years of history. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in Rome
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in Rome
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — Colosseum & Roman Forum and Vatican Museums & St Peter's. Break for lunch and try cacio e pepe, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of Trastevere.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, then explore Monti at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Tivoli (Renaissance gardens and Hadrian's Villa) is the easy favourite, or swap in Ostia Antica (remarkably intact Roman port ruins).
Ready to book? Turn your Rome shortlist into reality
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and day trips for the sights you've saved — booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We may earn a commission.
Book Rome experiences →Rome on a budget — costs & money tips
Rome is on the pricier side by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in Rome
- Accommodation£35–£120 / night
- Food£20–£55 / day
- Local transport£6–£16 / day
- Typical attraction£12–£35 / entry
See how Rome compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in Rome
- Stay slightly outside the centre near a fast transit line — nightly rates drop quickly a stop or two out.
- Free museum evenings/days and city passes can offset the high cost of paid attractions.
- Self-cater breakfast and lunch; this is where a comfortable budget is most easily trimmed.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — Rome at a glance
A quick orientation for Rome. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in Rome
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around Rome specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in Rome
Rome is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
Trastevere
Cobbled lanes, trattorie and nightlife across the river.
Monti
Boutiques and wine bars near the Forum.
Centro Storico
Piazzas, fountains and gelato.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in Rome further down the page.
Food & drink in Rome
Roman cooking is simple and superb — pasta like cacio e pepe and carbonara, thin-crust pizza, and gelato on every corner.
Build your Rome food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around Rome
The historic centre is walkable; a couple of metro lines and buses cover longer hops, though traffic can be slow.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around Rome. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of Rome is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into Rome that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit Rome
April–May and September–October offer warm days without the brutal summer heat and crowds. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting Rome.
Day trips from Rome
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Tivoli — Renaissance gardens and Hadrian's Villa
- Ostia Antica — remarkably intact Roman port ruins
Practical tips for Rome
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, Trastevere is a smart base — cobbled lanes, trattorie and nightlife across the river. If that’s not your style, Monti works well too (boutiques and wine bars near the Forum).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave Rome without trying cacio e pepe, carbonara, supplì or gelato. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for Colosseum & Roman Forum and Vatican Museums & St Peter's. With a spare day, Tivoli (Renaissance gardens and Hadrian's Villa) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Rome, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across Rome — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in Rome, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Rome?
Three to four days is enough for Rome’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander Trastevere — with an extra day for a trip to Tivoli if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit Rome?
April–May and September–October offer warm days without the brutal summer heat and crowds.
What food is Rome known for?
Roman cooking is simple and superb — pasta like cacio e pepe and carbonara, thin-crust pizza, and gelato on every corner.
Where should I stay in Rome?
Trastevere is a great first-time base (cobbled lanes, trattorie and nightlife across the river). Monti is another good option for boutiques and wine bars near the Forum.
What are the best day trips from Rome?
Two rewarding day trips are Tivoli (Renaissance gardens and Hadrian's Villa) and Ostia Antica (remarkably intact Roman port ruins).
How do you get around Rome?
The historic centre is walkable; a couple of metro lines and buses cover longer hops, though traffic can be slow.
