Rome is one of the most fascinating cities in the world and offers a great experience to travelers of all ages. Want to learn more about this incredible historical city? Let’s dig in…
Rome was referred to as the “Eternal City” by the ancient Romans because they believed the city would always remain standing for eternity, no matter what happened in the rest of the world.
Rome Tourism and Travel Guide – Visitors Travel Guide
The Eternal City is one of the most visited cities in the world for a reason. A visit here is like stepping into history itself. Ancient ruins, magnificent buildings, incredible art – there are countless reasons why it’s been voted the number one travel destination around the globe.
This guide will take you on a journey through some of the best things to see and do in Rome and a lot of other details you need to know to make the best of your trip.
Why visit Rome?
Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is the 3rd most visited city in Europe and one of the top 20 worldwide tourist destinations!
Roman history goes back thousands of years, and it is home to some of the best museums and art galleries in the world. From ancient ruins to modern skyscrapers, there is no shortage of things to see here.
And while you’re here, don’t miss out on the food. Italy’s capital is known for its delicious pasta, pizza, ice cream, wine and coffee. But there is much more to do here than just eat and drink. Rome offers a wide range of activities, such as hiking, cycling, horse riding, sailing, shopping, sightseeing and learning about Roman culture.
What to Expect in Rome
Rome is a big city that has a great transportation system. Many or most people speak English but it is always a good idea to have a few key Italian phrases to use along the way. And the locals will really appreciate your gesture and effort.
What Currency Is Used in Rome?
Currency: Italy uses the euro (EUR).
Credit Cards and Banks: Credit cards are used all over Rome. It is more common and customary to use Euros (cash) for small purchases. Also if you are used to living in America with ATM’s seeming to be everywhere, just remember they are much harder to find in Italy so you may want to pull out larger amounts of money than usual.
Also if you pay transaction fees for these transactions, it makes more sense to pull out more money per visit so you will have fewer visits during your stay and less overall fees.
So it is a good rule of thumb to make sure you bring some euros with you wherever you go.
What to Expect in Rome
Rome is a large city with so much to see and do. It has ancient historical places you can visit and also modern pizzerias. In my opinion, there is no other city in the world like it!
Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Language: Italy is the native language of modern day Romans of course. Many people also speak English. But I recommend learning at least a few Italian phrases to help you bond with the locals.
Transportation: Public Transportation is easy to figure out. There are maps posted inside each train station and bus stop. Trains run frequently throughout the day. Buses are plentiful, too.
Trains: Italy has a very good train system with older and newer trains. Roma Termini is one of the biggest railway stations in the country – it offers high-speed lines for fast access to Naples, Florence, Milan, and many other cities. Also, there are fast trains that go directly to the main airport in Rome, the Fiumicino airport.
Buses: Rome has a fairly good bus network but with minimal coverage in the historical center (where tourists mostly go).
If you are in the tourist spots, you can find day passes for hop on/hop off busses. If you need to get outside of the city walls, it is easy to get out to places just beyond the city walls, such as Testaccio, Piramide, and the Via Appia Antica.
How to Get Around: The Roma Pass allows you unlimited travel within the city. Buses and trams are widely available, including hop on and hope off double decker buses. These are a fun way to get an overview of the city and ticket booths are located all around the city.
Taxis are widely available but you may encounter a driver that does not speak English so make sure you can communicate and have an idea of cost before agreeing to a ride. And you will even find romantic horse drawn carriages which are perfect to share with your loved ones!
Time Zone: Rome is in the Central European Standard Time. This is the name given to the time zone covering most of central Europe, including Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and parts of Germany, parts of western Romania, southern France, and Italy.
Best Time to Visit Rome
Most people think the best time to visit Rome is fall, when the weather is warm and sunny and the climate is mild in September, October and November.
In the winter, Rome tends to see fewer tourists, so if you want to travel off the beaten path, it’s a good time to visit and you will find fewer tourists. Just be sure to check your itineraries because some tourist attractions have limited hours or are sometimes closed. Summers in Italy tend to be hot and humid and make outdoor activities like walking, biking, hiking more challenging.
Best Hotels in Rome
There are so many excellent places to stay in Rome. Here are a few of our top choices.
Must See Locations in Rome
There are so many locations to check out in Rome – here a few of our favorites!
The Ancient Forum of Rome
The Ancient Forum of Rome (Latin: Foro Romano) was the central public square of ancient Rome. It is located on the Palatine Hill, and was surrounded by a number of important buildings, including the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, the Basilica Aemilia, the Curia Julia, the Temple of Vesta, and the Temple of Castor and Pollux
It is located at the foot of Capitoline Hill, on the site of the Roman forum. The area had been a sacred space since the time of the Etruscans, who built their city there around 700 BC.
The forum is surrounded by the ruins of several important and ancient government buildings that were at the center of the city of Rome. For centuries, the Forum served as the center of Romain daily life.
It served as a venue for public speeches, processions and even gladiator matches! Statues and monuments were even erected to commemorate the great Roman leaders.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is a large and famous fountain in the Piazza di Spagna in Rome. It was built by Nicola Salvi between 1732 and 1737 to commemorate the marriage of Maria Amalia of Saxony-Coburg and Gotha with her cousin King Charles III of Spain.
The fountain’s design is based on that of Bernini’s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in Piazza Navona. The original basin was replaced in 1853 by one designed by Giuseppe Valadier.
The fountain has been restored several times since then, most recently in 2004–2005. Its present appearance dates from the restoration work carried out in 2005–2006.
Millions of tourists visit the fountain every year as it is a very fun spot.
Remember to toss a coin over your shoulder for good luck!
The Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheater in the center of Rome, Italy. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.
The Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology.
The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
Ancient Roman coliseums were similar to the modern day sporting arenas, but on a much larger scale. They were built without any walls around the outside of the building and many times were used as a place for public executions. The amphitheatre was typically oval in shape with seats for 50,000 people.
The Colosseum is located just east of the Roman Forum. Today it is one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions.
Video: Rome, Italy Walking Tour Part 1 (4k Ultra HD 60fps) – With Captions
Rome Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Rome famous for?
Rome is known for its incredible ancient history, including famous historical locations like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain.
Is Rome in Italy or Greece?
Rome is in the country of Italy and it is located in the central portion of the Italian peninsula.
Related Posts:
The Most Instagrammable Places in Rome
Hi I’m Jay. I grew up in Seattle, Washington and live in Los Angeles, California. I have travelled to 23 countries so far and planning to go explore more countries soon! My Favorite trips so far have been to Israel, Japan, Rome, Iceland and Australia. I started this site to share my love of travel with everyone and build a community of like-minded, free thinking, free exploring people.
