It’s been a while since I was a first-timer in a new metropolitan city.
What surprised me the most about Rome was the scale of the ancient ruins scattered throughout the city. It’s incredible how residents are so accustomed to being surrounded by global history on a daily basis.
Staying in Rome for a few days reminded me that I need to start checking off more major cities off my travel bucket list. Why? Because cities like Rome are a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and diversity of its country at large.
Of course, Rome does not represent the entirety of Italy—just like how New York City does not represent the entirety of the United States—but witnessing the melting pot at work is fascinating.
Since my husband and I were mostly focused on seeing the most famous sites in Rome, we didn’t get to explore the city as deeply as we would have liked.
There’s so much more that I want to check out in Rome—smaller museums like Galleria Borghese, the ancient baths and thermal spas, and more local neighborhoods like Testaccio.
I feel like my first visit to Rome was just a pre-game in preparation for a triumphant return.
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Main Attractions and Activities in Rome, Italy
Before setting foot in Rome, I felt like the main attractions and activities in Rome were pretty obvious—this belief was immediately reinforced when we got there and spent time walking around the city.
Even though you could see most of the major sites in Rome for free from the street, it’s worth booking tours with experienced guides for some destinations to fully appreciate the history.
Please keep in mind that the list of monuments featured in this blog post can hardly be described as exhaustive. Like any metropolitan city, there are so many museums or lesser-known monuments in Rome that are great for visitors who have already been to Rome several times before.
Walk through the streets of Rome
Many of Rome’s well-known monuments are within a reasonable walking distance from each other. Excluding the Vatican and Castel Sant’Angelo, it is possible to do a self-guided walking tour of many Roman historical sites in one day.
Free self-guided walking tours available online that provide more information on each historical site—just be sure to wear comfortable sneakers.
Featured Destinations* on Google Maps:
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum/Palatine Hill
- Palazzo di Venezia
- Campo de’ Fiori
- Piazza Navona
- Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
- Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
*missing the Spanish Steps, which is 9 minutes north of the Trevi Fountain (Address: Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Roma RM, Italy)
Google Maps estimates the scenic stroll will take 90 minutes without stopping, which seems a bit unrealistic, considering the crowds and potential detours due to construction. By the time you include the time to stop at each monument, take a few short breaks, or have lunch, expect to have a much longer day and enjoy a great night’s sleep.
Get a closer look at the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and other Roman archaeological sites
It’s absolutely worth buying tickets to go inside the Colosseum, then walk through the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and SUPER sites to observe the ruins as well as the panoramic views of the city.
For reference, the seven archaeological SUPER sites are:
- House of Augustus
- House of Livia
- Domus Tiberiana
- Aula Isiaca
- Santa Maria Antiqua
- Curia Julia
- Palatine Museum
My husband, who studied abroad in Rome over a decade ago, never entered the Colosseum and its sister sites until our visit, and he admitted that the tickets were worthwhile.
The 24H ticket allows you to visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the SUPER sites on the same day—you must go to the Colosseum first during your designated time of visit then you can visit the other sites at your leisure. Keep your ticket after the Colosseum, since you will need it for entry at the Roman Forum.
There is a lot of walking. To keep up your energy—and prevent a total mental breakdown—I would recommend seeing the Colosseum first, taking a break for lunch nearby, then heading to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. There are bathrooms and light concessions available throughout the historic park, but I would advise making the experience more enjoyable with a hearty Roman lunch and afternoon coffee at a proper restaurant.
The Parco Archeologico del Colosseo (PADC) sells the official tickets for the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill—when you search on Google, tour vendors like GetYourGuide and Walker Tours (which owns the website domain colosseumdiroma-tickets.com) will pop up before the official PADC website. If you don’t want to book a guided tour, then book directly from the PADC website.
Be sure to confirm the operating hours of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill before your visit.
I absolutely loved this modern water feature display at Palatine Hill that pays homage to the former bathhouse that once stood at this site.
Visit Le Catacombe di Domitilla
The Domitilla Catacombs are the largest and oldest Roman subterranean burial grounds, which are estimated to be 10 miles long and as deep as 100 feet from ground level. Public tours only show a small percentage of the Domitilla Catacombs, and only two levels out of four. While most of the Domitilla Catacombs have been mapped out, archaeologists are still discovering new sections and ancient frescoes. Our tour guide, Andrea, was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging throughout the experience.
No photos are permitted during the tour at the Domitilla Catacombs. For a digital preview of the Domitilla Catacombs, view a 3D rendering made by a group of international archaeologists and researchers.
Full disclosure—I booked a third-party tour via Viator that bundled the Domitilla Catacombs with the Colosseum+, and it included transportation from Rome to the Domitilla Catacombs and from the Domitilla Catacombs to the Colosseum. Although the individual tickets for each site are significantly less than what we paid for with the bundle, it was convenient not having to worry about getting to and from the Catacombs, and we happened to avoid getting caught in a terrible downpour.
Visit the Pantheon
At first, I didn’t understand what made the Pantheon in Rome so special—it turns out that it is the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome that has survived over 2,000 years and counting. If you’re lucky enough to be there during a rainstorm, you can watch the rainfall come into the building through the open-air dome.
Book a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica
There is so much to see in Vatican City. After our experience, It’s hard to imagine going to the Vatican without a reputable tour guide.
… I don’t really have anything else to add here. It was a humbling experience to see the detail and scale of the art and architecture—you’ll have to see for yourself.
Bar & Restaurant Recommendations in Trastevere and Nearby
Whenever I make these lists, I try to focus only on places I experienced myself.
If we’re being totally honest, I really didn’t conduct thorough research for bars and restaurants in Rome. My husband and I were busy with work before leaving for our trip, so for the most part, we stuck to restaurants that were around the corner from our hotel in Trastevere.
Choosing a restaurant in Trastevere without researching in advance is akin to finding a restaurant in the theatre district in New York City. There are plenty of good options available for walk-ins, but chances are slim that the better or best options are going to be available without a reservation made weeks in advance.
It wasn’t until I started working on this blog post when I truly realized how many places we missed out on in Trastevere and elsewhere in Rome.
To compensate for these missteps, I included a handful of other restaurants recommended by multiple sources.
Trapizzino
If you’ve never tried Roman street food before, Trapizzino has the classics down to a perfect science. Trapizzino’s Trastevere location in Piazza Trilussa is a wonderful gathering spot for a casual lunch or apéritvo—it’s hard to imagine a better setting than Trastevere to indulge in several different trapazzini and suppli, especially paired with local wine from the Lazio region.
Address: (multiple locations in Rome; Trastevere location is at Piazza Trilussa, 46, 00153 Roma RM, Italy)
Suppli Roma
Suppli—fried rice croquettes with tomato and mozzarella—are similar to arancini, with the two main differences in origin and shape. Suppli come from Rome and are oblong-shaped, while arancini come from Sicily and are round like “little oranges” as the name suggests or conical to resemble to Mount Etna.
One day when we were walking through Trastevere, we noticed that several food tour groups were stopped in front of Suppli Roma and eating samples handed out by the restaurant staff. The following day, we saw a local holding two full bags from Suppli Roma while waiting for the bus. Suppli Roma has many positive reviews and is recognized for making the best suppli in the city—kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy, right?
Address: Via di S. Francesco a Ripa, 137, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Enoteca Trastevere
We stopped at Enoteca Trastevere for a quick drink on the terrace near Piazza di Santa Maria, a popular area in the heart of Trastevere. If you’re looking for a lively bar scene and a people-watching spot, grab a table here.
Address: Via della Lungaretta, 86/87, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Nannarella
A reliable restaurant in Trastevere that specializes in tonnarello, the signature pasta shape of Rome. Vanessa of Let Her Go IT notes that Nannarella was founded after its big sister restaurant, Tonnarello, so the menus are similar on purpose. We ate at Nannarella twice for lunch for its fun, casual atmosphere and amazing service.
Address: [multiple locations; Piazza di S. Calisto, 7/a, 00153 Roma RM, Italy; Piazza Trilussa, 41, 00153 Roma RM, Italy]
Taverna Trilussa
Arguably the most upscale restaurant in the heart of Trastevere and Oprah’s favorite restaurant in Rome. The owner of Taverna Trilussa loves tennis and Roger Federer—the back dining room where we were seated reflects this by featuring an impressive collection of photos and memorabilia from various periods of Federer’s career. There’s even a pasta dish named after Roger Federer on the menu, which is not the pasta he’s pictured with in the photo hanging in the restaurant (it’s actually Strozzapreti zia Antonietta made with fettucine pasta instead). Stick to ordering the Roman classics, or even better, select the standard tasting menu or the black truffle tasting menu.
Address: Via del Politeama, 23/25, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Trattoria Da Enzo
According to a review in Condé Nast Traveler, “Da Enzo is the Roman trattoria you only see in dreams—and maybe The Godfather.” The small neighborhood trattoria is slightly removed from the craziness of central Trastevere, but is not spared from the crowds because of its frequent mentions on social media platforms. No reservations are available, so be prepared to head over early for the queue with everyone else trying to land a seat among the handful of tables available.
Address: Via dei Vascellari, 29, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Roma Sparita
For Anthony Bourdain fans, this is the restaurant featured in the No Reservations episode in Rome with the caio e pepe served in a parmesan bowl. I’ve combed through online reviews—even though the feedback isn’t totally consistent, most reviewers agreed that the cacio e pepe was worth the visit.
Was Bourdain’s review shared nearly two decades ago? Yes. Does quality of service at restaurants change over time? It can.
But why not do it for the plot and also pay a small homage to Bourdain’s memory?
Address: Piazza di Santa Cecilia, 24, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Tiberino
Located on Isola Tiberina, a small island on the Tiber River between Trastevere and Sant’Angelo, Tiberino is a family-run, chef-driven modern Roman restaurant that prides itself on using fresh and local ingredients to create exquisite seasonal dishes. To understand Tiberino’s commitment to quality ingredients, the restaurant has its own gelateria and makes the gelato in-house—the pistachios are roasted and ground by the kitchen before creating the classic gelato flavor. Tiberino also prioritizes true Italian hospitality—our waiter, Seppe, was warm, professional, and attentive from start to finish.
This was hands-down the best restaurant we ate at while staying in Rome.
Address: V. di Ponte Quattro Capi, 18, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Sora Lella
Although Tiberino and Sora Lella are next-door neighbors on Isola Tiberino, Sora Lella gets more attention because it has the part of the building with the medieval tower overlooking the Tiber River. A review in Eater recognizes Sora Lella as “a nostalgic but enduring pillar of Roman dining.”
Address: V. di Ponte Quattro Capi, 16, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Naumachia
After a long morning and afternoon spent touring the Catacombs di Domitilla and the Colosseum, we were in desperate need of lunch. We chose Naumachia since it was mentioned on several online forums with positive reviews for classic Roman dishes. We enjoyed lasagna and straccetti di manzo con rughetta in the air-conditioned lower level.
For reference, the word ‘naumachia’ means a specific type of ancient Roman theatre:
in ancient Rome, a mimic sea battle and the specially constructed basin in which such a battle sometimes took place. These entertainments also took place in flooded amphitheatres. The opposing sides were prisoners of war or convicts, who fought until one side was destroyed.
Address: Via Celimontana, 7, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Roscioli
One of the most commonly name-dropped eateries in Rome, Roscioli has evolved from a family-owned bakery into an Italian gourmet empire complete with a caffè, deli, restaurant, and wine cellar alongside the original bakery. Today, Roscioli is one of the most sought-after dinner reservations for visitors and locals alike wanting to experience some of the best Italian cuisine in Rome.
Committed Roscioli fans also have the opportunity to stay at R-House, an exclusive luxury condominium in Trastevere.
Address: Via dei Giubbonari, 21, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Maio Restaurant & Rooftop at Rinascente Rome
An underrated escape minutes away from the Trevi Fountain, the Italian department store’s rooftop bar is a great place to stop amid sightseeing in Rome. Guests can enjoy stunning views of Rome’s skyline while sipping on Moët et Chandon cocktails or artisanal beers.
If you’d rather skip out on the rooftop, Rinsascente has additional dining options available.
Fun fact—if you go to the basement of Rinascente, there’s a great display of an ancient aqueduct that continues to function today. In an article shared by Travel + Leisure, the aqueduct is estimated to date from 19 B.C.
Address: Via del Tritone, 61 La Rinascente, 6° & 7° piano, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Where to Stay in Trastevere
Villa della Fonte is an intimate guesthouse located in the heart of Trastevere, steps away from Piazza di Santa Maria, restaurants, and shops.
It’s hard to get a sense of the hotel’s layout from the property’s photos on their website, but I can promise that the charming 18th-century building is perfect for a romantic stay in Rome. There are two covered outdoor terraces, one of which is the designated breakfast area where guests can start their day over a generous continental breakfast from 7:45 until 10:00 AM. In the evening, despite the busy bar and restaurant scene below, we didn’t hear a lot of outside noise in our room.
The hotel manager was so kind and professional, and took great care of us during our stay.
Address: Via della Fonte D’Olio, 8, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Although I was tempted to book a room at Bob W Testaccio—especially after having an incredible experience in Florence at Bob W Ponte Vecchio—we ultimately decided on Villa della Fonte for a more traditional, intimate style and central location in Trastevere.
Useful Travel Tips in Rome for First-Time Visitors
Wear comfortable shoes
I am always the first person who will champion dressing nicely if the occasion calls for it.
If sightseeing and exploring Rome is said occasion, you better plan on wearing supportive sneakers.
If walking to dinner is said occasion, also plan on wearing supportive shoes—I don’t think I saw one pair of heels walking on the cobblestone streets the entire time we were in Rome. It’s also a different era now where sneakers are more widely accepted globally and can easily be styled in a more elevated way.
… Just plan on wearing sneakers. I would recommend packing two pairs of sneakers for a stay lasting more than 3 days.
I wore these Sorel sneakers every day in Rome, and they did not quit after tens of thousands of steps on cobblestones.
I always feel like Adidas classics like the Grand Court are reliable for comfort and versatility.
Pack a small reusable water bottle
Most major cities in Italy have accessible, constant-flowing, cast-iron water fountains in main squares called nasoni or fontanelle. The fresh spring water comes directly from the mountains and flows through the ancient aqueduct system, which feeds into the municipal water supply.
I don’t think there’s any reason to keep buying plastic water bottles if you can continue refilling an insulated reusable water bottle.
It’s also worth noting that most tourist sites in Rome permit visitors to bring a small water bottle through security.
I think water bottles like this stainless steel water bottle by S’well would work perfectly, depending on the size of the bag you plan on carrying. Americans, please leave your extra-large Stanley cups at home.
Wear a small crossbody tote with zipper closure
There are constant warnings on public transportation about pickpockets, which is understandable given how dense the crowds can get near places like the Trevi Fountain or the Colosseum.
Your best defense against pickpockets is paying attention to your surroundings. With that being said, give yourself additional peace of mind by choosing a small and secure handbag while you explore Rome.
I have the larger Cuyana system tote for the work week, but the smaller size is much better for traveling.
Longchamp Pliage bags in any format work so well for traveling. I also think it’s nice to wear an understated European brand while walking around major cities like Rome or Paris to try to blend in.
