Is Rome Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Rome is the first city I visited in Italy several years ago and I immediately fell in love with both Rome and Italy as a whole. Rome has some of Italy’s most iconic structures and are absolutely worth exploring. Rome travel guide
Best Time to Visit Rome
We traveled to Italy in October and absolutely loved it. For Rome in particular, we saw so many benefits. There were fewer crowds and the weather was perfect for long days of walking.
How Many Days to Spend in Rome
Rome is one of those cities that you could spend weeks exploring. However, for a first time trip to Italy, I would be sure to spend no fewer than three days in Rome. Ideally, allocating five days to Rome would allow plenty of time for exploration. Rome travel guide
Where to Stay in Rome
Best Areas for First-Time Visitors
We stayed near Campo de Fiori which was centrally located making it easy to get around. I would recommend staying around this area, especially as a first time visitor. An alternative I’d also recommend is Trastevere. This area boasts one of the best food scenes in Italy. Therefore, staying in this area ensures that after a long day of walking you will be just a short distance from a fantastic dinner. Rome travel guide
Top Things to Do in Rome
Colosseum & Roman Forum
The first time I visited Rome, I explored these locations on my own. While it was still a fantastic experience, I would highly recommend booking a tour to get the most out of these historical places. There is so much history and information to absorb about these monuments that it is best experienced through stories told by a guide. We had a wonderful guide who was a little quirky but really brought the history to life through her storytelling. Rome travel guide.
Vatican City
Similarly to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum, when I had visited Vatican City the last time I was in Rome, I explored on my own. After having approached the Vatican both independently and with a group, I highly recommend booking a tour. There is simply too much to see and it can be overwhelming, so a tour makes it easier to not only enter the Vatican, but also to learn the history along the way. Rome travel guide
One activity we did not do was climb to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica. I did this the first time I visited Rome, and I would highly recommend baking this into your time in Vatican City.
Borghese Gallery
The Borghese Gallery is an absolute must when travelling to Rome. Not only are the grounds beautiful, the gallery itself has stunning architecture and works of art. The catch here is that you have to book well in advance for your time slotted tickets. I booked directly through the Borghese Gallery website and presented the tickets on my phone upon arrival. The process was very smooth and it was well worth it to be able to explore this museum. Rome travel guide
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Tip: The Borghese Gallery is a bit farther out from the main attractions in Rome, such as the Trevi Fountain. Therefore, if you’re feeling tired by this point in the trip, I would recommend taking a taxi to and from the gallery to save yourself some time and steps. I am a big fan of walking everywhere, but this round trip walk left us feeling exhausted. FreeNow is the taxi app that we use to book taxis which was very handy at several points in our trip. Rome travel guide
Trastevere
We dined in Trastevere two of the nights that we were in Rome, which I would absolutely recommend you do as well. Rome offers some of the best food in all of Italy, so as long as you steer clear of tourist traps you will have the best pasta and pizza that you’ll ever have in this area. Rome travel guide
A First-Timer’s Guide to Eating in Rome: Food Culture, Etiquette & What to Expect
Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter in Rome holds so much history from a beautiful synagogue to ancient Roman ruins, it is worth setting aside at least an hour to explore (even more if you have time to stop for lunch). This was the first time I noticed metal squares on the ground in front of buildings to indicate where people were forced from their homes during World War II. Walking through this space feels heavy, but the experience is important. Rome travel guide
Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps
When in Rome, you have to go to the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. They are about 10 minutes apart walking distance so they are easily accessible from one another. I would recommend setting the expectation that these spaces are going to be very crowded and touristy. Rome travel guide
This should not deter you from going to see these iconic spots, rather I’d recommend that you approach with this mindset that snapping a picture and a selfie then keep moving is the best approach. However, if it is your dream to get a stylized picture with the Trevi Fountain, then you should plan to go early – like being there at sunrise early, to avoid the crowds. Otherwise, admiring the fountain on your regular walks through Rome is perfectly acceptable.
Crypts & Catacombs Tour
This tour was one of the best activities we did during our whole two week journey through Italy. This tour took place in the evening and gave us exclusive access to see the 5 bone chapels of the Capuchin Friars. These monks created art out of the bones of their fellow monks who had passed, creating stunning chapels made of bones. Rome travel guide
The next stop was the Priscilla Catacombs where a Sister living at the church led us on the tour of the catacombs below. We were not allowed to take pictures in this space, which allowed us to fully immerse in the experience. There were tombs dating back several centuries and drawings dated to the B.C. timeframe. I wish I had taken better notes on the tour, but I was so awe-stricken by the catacombs. This experience was so unique and you can only access these spaces by reserving a tour like the one we booked. Rome travel guide
Pantheon
The pantheon is an architectural marvel and an icon in Rome. It is located near several other key spots in Rome making it easy to walk by or book tickets to go inside on your journey.
Castel Sant’Angelo
The last highlight to add to your Rome itinerary is Castel Sant’Angelo. This is a castle dating back to the second century that has a Renaissance art gallery, but also has a lovely lookout over the city of Rome. Rome travel guide
What First-Time Visitors Should Prioritize
Rome, in particular, has so much to see. Packing in every attraction in a three day time span will leave you sprinting all over the city. I highly recommend prioritizing a few key iconic attractions and leaving some space to explore.
What Made Rome Feel Most Special to Us
The most special moments for us were relaxing dinners in Trastevere followed by a slow walk recapping the day back to our Airbnb. We loved every attraction and activity in Rome, but those paired with the smaller moments culminated in a really special trip.
Plan your trip to Italy with ease:
How to Plan a Trip to Italy: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Visitors
Best Time to Visit Italy: Why October is Perfect
Packing for Italy in October: What to Wear & What You Actually Need
What Coffee Culture in Italy Reveals About Everyday Life
A First-Timer’s Guide to Eating in Rome: Food Culture, Etiquette & What to Expect
