When in Rome...
Vatican City
In this city of outstanding churches, none can hold a candle to St Peter's, Italy’s largest, richest and most spectacular basilica. This is the home of the Catholic Church. Its lavish interior includes three of Italy's most celebrated masterpieces: Michelangelo’s Pietà, his soaring dome, and Bernini’s 29m-high baldachin over the papal altar. Expect lines and note that strict dress codes are enforced (no shorts, miniskirts or bare shoulders). Try going either early in the morning or around lunchtime to try and get shorter lines. We also recommend checking out the Vatican Museums. You can book your tickets through the button below. You will not need a passport to enter Vatican City, despite being its own city state.
Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere
Completed in 1143, it is one of the oldest churches in Rome. The church’s exterior is known for the stunning mosaics on its facade and for its bell tower, which dates from the twelfth century. Trastevere is well known part of Rome for drinks in the evening, but it is also the perfect place for an afternoon stroll and a quiet coffee. It is very easy to become turned around on the narrow lanes, but becoming lost in this part of Rome is part of the fun. Cobblestone pathways wind through Trastevere’s trattorias and old apartments, opposite the multitude of outdoor cafes, tattoo shops and microbreweries.
Il Pantheon e Piazza della Rotonda
Formerly a Roman temple, today it’s a 2000-year old church that is considered to be one of the most unique architectural structures in the world: its intersecting arches, dome, and oculus make it a fascinating feature of the ancient Roman Empire. This is a monument that many tend to “stumble upon” and it’s such a nice surprise when you do. The entrance is free, so please don’t be too discouraged if you see a line. To avoid this, try going around lunch time or a bit later in the afternoon. Piazza della Rotonda, the small, compact piazza that the Pantheon is located in, is an excellent people-watching spot on a fair-weathered day. Great street musicians also tend to congregate and perform there.
Colosseo e Foro Romano
The Colosseum is probably the most iconic monument of Rome, built around 80AD and to this day is the top attraction. You might find yourself amazed at the massive scale of it. It’s the best preserved amphitheatre in the world. Nearby you will notice the Roman Forum's confusing, but still impressive sprawl of ruins. Originally a burial place, this spot grew into the central hub of politics, business and social life during the Roman empire. Below you can learn more information about tickets and entrances for the Colosseum and Roman Forum. We suggest getting the integrated entrance to both. You will receive one ticket with admission for the two sites. It is valid for 2 days, so you can decide to do the Colosseum one day and go back to the Forum the next, just don’t lose your ticket!
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is Rome’s liveliest and perhaps best-loved square. The plaza’s ovular shape is the only reminder of its origins as a Roman chariot track. Today it remains a hub for both locals and visitors. Come to this piazza to enjoy street vendors, jugglers, and artists.
Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta
This piazza sits atop a Roman hill. It’s not too steep, so take your time and as long as you’re not running, you won’t be winded. You may notice a short line with people waiting to look through the keyhole of a door. Just join the line and enjoy a nice little surprise.
Via di Villa Borghese
This is Rome’s answer to NYC’s Central Park. Villa Borghese offers views, museums, galleries, a “lake,” restaurants, a cinema and tons of other activities. The extravagant Galleria Borghese houses artworks by Caravaggio, Bernini and Titian. Both the art and the building are breathtaking. Galleria Borghese requires a reservation made in advance. More information on that can be found through the link below.
Trevi Fountain
Rome’s most iconic fountain is a wonder to behold. This will most likely be packed 99% of the time… We personally enjoy the fountain when it’s after midnight and you can actually see it without feeling like you’re a sardine. Throw a coin and make a wish to guarantee your return trip to the eternal city!
Campo de' Fiori
During the day, it boasts one of the most famous fruit/vegetable and flower markets of Rome. By night it is filled with tourists and young drinkers who spill out of its many bars and restaurants. This is where Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for disagreeing with the Catholic Church and then later honored with a statue once people figured out what he was saying was probably not that heretical…
Piazza di Spagna
A beautiful, lively piazza, surrounded by some pretty luxury-brand shopping and home to the widest (and most iconic) staircase in Europe. Recently, the city of Rome is banning folks from lounging on the steps made famous by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. While it’s a bit of a shame, if you do briefly sit and someone asks you to stand up-- just do it. The 400euro fine isn’t worth an argument.
Piramide & Cimitero dei protestanti
While hanging out at a cemetery might not be your first choice for a way to pass the days, Rome’s Cimitero Accatolico, non-Catholic cemetery, is a totally non-creepy sanctuary. Yes, it is the final resting place of Romantic English writers Keats and Shelley, among others, but the cemetery is also home to a small park and many striking tombs. While there you won't be able to miss the nearby pyramid. What is an Egyptian-style pyramid doing in the heart of Rome? It’s a tomb, constructed shortly after the Roman’s empire’s conquest of Egypt, at a time when anything to do with the culture of this new province was extremely fashionable in Rome. There is the cat colony down in the ruins near the pyramid, and the cats, normally fed by the groundskeeper or locals, come out of the cemetery for food and water.
DA MANGIARE: STREET FOOD
o For a great panini we suggest Due Cento Gradi (Piazza del Risorgimento, 3). They have a large variety to choose from! o For a delicious trapizzino, or the Roman version of a pizza pocket, visit Trapizzino (Via Giovanni Giolitti, 36). o Supplì is the king of Roman street food. Our favorite spot to get it is at Supplizio (Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 143). o A great cod filet can be found at Dar Filettaro (Largo dei Librari, 88). They are only open in the evenings and their filetti di baccalà has a light, crunchy batter with a dash of salt. If you say you want to take it “a portare via” (to-go), don’t be surprised if you’re led right back to the kitchen where they’re frying everything in real time on the spot. Please note that this spot is cash only.
DA MANGIARE: PIZZA
Napoli (Naples) may be the birthplace of pizza, however; Rome has its fair share of good pizza places throughout the entire city. There are different types, but to name a few, you have pizza a taglio (pizza by the slice), pizza napoletana has a thicker crust, and pizza romana tonda is round with a super thin crust. Some of our favorite pizza spots are: o La Montecarlo (Vicolo Savelli, 13) o Dar Poeta (Vicolo del Bologna, 45) o Ai Marmi (Via del Governo Vecchio, 114) o Da Baffetto (Viale di Trastevere, 53) o Bonci (Via Trionfale, 36)
DA MANGIARE: RESTAURANTS
Listed here are a few of our favorite spots and you may be surprised to find that dinner is typically served after 7:30PM. We strongly recommend making a reservation. In some spots they won't take them and you’ll have to wait. o Osteria da Zi’Umberto (Piazza di S. Giovanni della Malva, 14) o Vecchia Locanda (Vicolo dei Sinibaldi, 2) o Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (Via della Madonna dei Monti, 9) o La Villetta dal 1940 (Viale della Piramide Cestia, 53) o Osteria dell’Anima (Via di Santa Maria dell'Anima, 8) o Tonnarello (Via della Paglia, 1) o Old Bear (Via dei Gigli d'Oro, 3) o Il Grappolo D’Oro (Piazza della Cancelleria, 8) o Il Brillo Parlante (Via della Fontanella, 11) o Il Giardino del Gatto e la Volpe (Via Buccari, 14) o Fiorentina 1942 (Via Andrea Doria 20/22) o Osteria de Memmo (Via dei Soldati, 22/23) o Grazia e Graziella (Largo M.D. Fumasoni Biondi, 5) o Armando al Pantheon (Salita dei Crescenzi, 31) o La Reginella (Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 65)
GELATO ED I DOLCI: SWEET TREATS
Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? Rome has plenty of options for that! o Giolitti (Via Degli Uffici del Vicario 40) - Try their fruit/sorbet flavors. o Gelateria dei Gracchi (Via dei Gracchi, 272) - An Anthony Bourdain favorite. o Old Bridge (Viale dei Bastioni di Michelangelo, 5) - This is Mike's go to spot! o Neve di Latte (Via Federico Cesi, 1) - They use milk and cream from a biodynamic producer in Germany whose cows graze at around 1,400m above sea level. Not kidding. o Gelateria del Teatro (Via dei Coronari 65-66) - This spot is friendly towards dietary restrictions. o Gelateria Fassi: Palazzo del Freddo (Via Principe Eugenio, 65) - Established in 1880, this family run gelateria is said to be the oldest in Rome! Try their signature sampietrini, little squares of gelato coated in chocolate to resemble the cobblestones. o La Dolce Maniera (Via Barletta, 27) - This 24/7 bakery will offer you a huge variety of sweet treats and baked goods.
DA BERE: COFFEE
The coffee culture in Italy is very different from the States. You drink coffee at a bar. You first pay at the register, get the receipt and go to the barista at the counter, order, drink at the counter, and go. Some places will charge you a small service fee if you sit down and enjoy at the table. Another pro tip: a cappuccino (or anything with milk in it) shouldn’t be ordered after 11am/noonish. It’ll definitely make you stand out as a tourist. o Sant’Eustachio (Piazza di S. Eustachio, 82) - The cappuccino here is lovely. If you’re ordering some pastries, try the arragosta con cioccolato bianco. It’s a crunchy pastry filled with white chocolate. o Scia Scia (Via Fabio Massimo 80/A) - This place is filled with locals and feels like time has stopped. Their drinks sometimes come with a piece of dark chocolate on the side. o Artigiano del Caffè (Via Famagosta, 14) - Owned by two brother that are always are very friendly and they make beautiful foam art for each cappuccino.
DA BERE: APERITIVO ("HAPPY HOUR")
This tradition emphasizes that there should always be food accompanying your drinks. Since dinner in Italy is served late, the Roman's happy hour typically starts at 7PM and ends at 9PM. During this time you buy a drink and usually get some finger food/appetizers with it. Chances are if you visit one of the spots below you'll find Mary sipping a spritz (or two). o Freni e Frizioni (Via del Politeama, 4) o Cantina dei Papi (Via del Politeama, 4) o Piccolo Diavolo (Piazza Cola di Rienzo 33-35) o Analemma (Via Leonina, 77) o Caffe Bohemien (Via degli Zingari, 36)
DA BERE: ALCOHOL
Self explanatory. Grab some friends and enjoy the drinks! o The Abbey (Via del Governo Vecchio, 51) – An Irish pub where you'll find Magners and Guinness. o Emporio della Pace (Via della Pace, 28) - Great aperol spritzes and they have Lagunitas on tap. o Open Baladin (Via degli Specchi, 6) - Italian craft beer. o Bir & Fud (Via Benedetta, 23) - Specializes in Italian micro-beers. o BeRe Beer Hall (Piazza del Risorgimento 7) - A good range of craft ales from across Europe as well as some local brews. o Bukowski’s Bar (Via degli Ombrellari, 25) - They offer 12 different kinds of spritz! Wine lovers, go for the good stuff with Bukowski’s wine selection of Italy’s tastiest. o Il Covino (Via Ostia, 21) - Wine bar that sometimes has live music! o Alexanderplatz (Via Ostia, 9) - Rome’s oldest jazz bar. o Osteria della Birra del Borgo (Via Silla, 26a) - The modern space integrates a small brewery with a capacity of 350 liters which feed into some of the 24 beer taps that line the bar.