Rome
What you need to know before you go
At times, Rome feels like the world's biggest open-air museum. Its jaw-dropping historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to ancient architectural icons like the impressively intact Colosseum and the resplendent Roman Forum. Then of course there's St Peter's Basilica, the world's largest church and a preeminent masterpiece of Italian Renaissance architecture.
But the ostentatious Italian capital is in no way stuck in the past. On the contrary, it's a cosmopolitan modern metropolis, with edgy contemporary galleries, eclectic nightlife and a trailblazing fashion scene. Of course, it's also a gourmand's paradise, where you can feast on crispy wood-fired pizzas and creamy homemade gelato to your heart's content.
What to see & do in Rome
Featured stories & fun stuffIn Rome, there’s a historical landmark just about wherever you look. It could be a centuries-old religious site where people still come to pray to this day, or a vast expanse of ancient palatial ruins that hark back to the tumultuous days of the Ancient Romans. Well-preserved throughout the city’s pretty piazzas, Renaissance architecture and sculptures become part of your sightseeing experiences, all in plain sight. These nifty... Read more
12 Best Things to Do in Rome
There's no shortage of things to do in Rome, since the city brims with historical and architectural wonders. Few other cities have been able to build around ancient ruins and evocative palaces as successfully as Rome, and you'll find living...12 Most Popular Streets in Rome
The most popular streets in Rome are great for exploring on foot, with many iconic sights you’ll encounter along the...10 Best Spas and Bath Houses in Rome
Rome is an oasis of relaxation that offers an array of spas and bathhouses ranging from traditional to modern where...12 Best Places to Go Shopping in Rome
The best places to go shopping in Rome show that there's more to Rome than ancient monuments. The historic centre...11 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Rome
The most popular neighbourhoods in Rome imbue the Italian metropolis with irresistible charm and character. The city brims with historical...10 Iconic Buildings and Places in Rome
The city of Rome is filled with world-famous historic sites. One could spend a week in this ancient city...10 Haunted Places to Explore in Rome
These haunted places to explore in Rome highlight the city’s long and rather tumultuous past. You’ll find more than a...10 Best Road Trips Near Rome
Embark on these best road trips near Rome if you want to embrace the charming and welcoming greater Lazio region...10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Rome
Rome has no shortage of romantic places, often based around its rich collection of historical landmarks and charming piazzas. Quaint...
Where & what to eat in Rome
Food and dining in Rome covers traditional Italian cuisine and a world of flavourful dishes from pizza and pasta to bruschetta, panini, carpaccio and many others. Roman cuisine is focused on traditional Italian fare from crunchy salad to delicious meat and fish platters, all made with fresh, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. The best neighbourhoods for foodies to explore in Rome include the streets surrounding the Trastevere, restaurants around the... Read more
10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Rome
Wondering which places locals love to eat in Rome? Rome's culinary tradition is known for its strong and contrasting flavours. This hub of politics, religion, art and culture has kept its down-to-earth roots when it comes to food...10 Great Restaurants in Rome
Some of the great restaurants in Rome are modern and ever-changing – yet they always stay true to the flavours...10 Best Local Dishes from Rome
The best local dishes from Rome are as much a vital part of the city's culture as its stunning architecture...
Where to shop & what to buy in Rome
Shopping in Rome can be a cool experience, with a few scenes that you’d struggle to find elsewhere. Behind the façade of magnificent Ancient Roman ruins and preserved Renaissance architecture, Rome is also a shopping haven – you don’t need to walk too far from piazzas or old cobbled streets to stumble upon buzzing marketplaces. Such markets are great for bargain hunting, with fresh farmers’ goods and antique trinkets that can... Read more
4 Best Outlet Stores in Rome
The best outlet stores in Rome include dedicated complexes where you can spend a day out on a shopping adventure. They feature spacious open-air arcades lined with stores bearing some of Italy’s and the world’s top fashion brands. Even...10 Best Markets in Rome
Here’s a collection of the best markets in Rome, where you can go souvenir hunting and put your haggling skills to the test. The city is a shopping paradise, with some of its cobblestone streets abuzz with local vendors selling...
Where to go & what to do at night in Rome
10 Best Nightclubs in Rome
Rome is an eternal city with a rich history dating back thousands of years, but you'll still find plenty of modern nightlife attractions to enjoy. The nightclubs available in Rome offer a variety of different experiences, so it's easier than...10 Best Rooftop Bars in Rome
Rome is a city with thousands of years of history, and there are few better places to take in the...10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Rome
This guide to the best things to do after dinner in Rome will help you discover the best late-night...
Useful information
Rome offers days of unique experiences through its varied attractions, ranging from magnificent Ancient Roman ruins to modern dining and nightlife scenes. You can even find the world’s smallest country inside the city. To make your visit to this remarkable place worthwhile, it’s good to know some basics of travelling to Rome, as well as useful tips that can make your visit even more pleasurable. Make use of our nifty... Read more
All You Need to Know Before You Take a Taxi in Rome
Taking a taxi in Rome, let alone any foreign country is never as easy as it seems. Throw in the language barrier and a conniving taxi driver into the mix, and you could very well start off on the wrong...10 Common Scams in Rome
These common scams in Rome can make your trip to the so-called 'Eternal City' eternally memorable... and not in...How to Visit Rome in Less Than 24 Hours
The city of Rome is filled with world-famous historic sites. One could spend a week in this ancient city...
More information about Rome
A Rome city break immerses visitors in history and culture. Book a Rome hotel to explore a fabled past and vibrant present of ancient Rome’s ivy-clad ruins, glittering baroque palaces and modern art galleries.
Get your bearings
The River Tiber winds north-south through the western edge of central Rome. St Peter's Basilica and the walled Vatican City look east over the river to Rome's historic centre and famous seven hills. Piazza Navona, dramatic Trevi Fountain and landmarks of medieval and baroque Rome are directly across the river. Further east is huge Central Station, while ancient Rome's Colosseum arena and the crumbling palaces of the Palatine Hill are south-east.
Roman dining
Open-air restaurants overlooking Piazza Navona serve iconic Italian dishes from Rome, like creamy spaghetti carbonara and saltimbocca veal. For Roman-style gnocchi dumplings head to a local trattoria restaurant in Trastevere, south of the Vatican. Fried artichokes and other Jewish-Roman recipes are a speciality in the Ghetto district, on the north side of a bend on the River Tiber by Tiberina Island.
Three thousand years of history
Peel back layers of history at every turn on a Rome city break. Visit ancient Rome's birthplace on Palatine Hill, and climb steps designed by Michelangelo from the Capitoline Hill to the ruined temples of the Roman Forum. Streets lined with Renaissance palaces lead north to the historic centre and the fountains of Piazza Navona, a former Roman stadium. Christian Rome's focus lies across the River Tiber in the Vatican City, home to the popes, and there are hundreds of churches to explore across central Rome.
Stylish shopping
Fashion-conscious Romans trawl the boutique-lined streets around the Spanish Steps in the east of the historic centre. This area is also home to treasure-filled antique shops, while Via Sannio market in the south of the city is the place to source vintage clothing. Food-lovers make a beeline for famous gourmet stores like Castroni, north of Vatican City, and the food market at Campo de' Fiori. The best flea market is held every Sunday morning at Porta Portese in Trastevere, south of the Vatican.
Romance in Rome
Rome is filled with tucked-away places for romantic moments. The streets outside your Rome hotel might lead down to the River Tiber, crossed by ancient bridges like Sant'Angelo, lined with fluttering statues of angels. Catch sunset views from the Pincio Hill terrace across Rome to St Peter's Basilica. Couples cosy up in candlelit restaurants in the centre's medieval backstreets, and throw coins in the Trevi Fountain to ensure a return visit to Rome.
Family fun
A Rome city break brings history alive for children. The sheer size of the Colosseum creates a lasting impression, and a trip on the Time Elevator helps make sense of the ruins with a reconstruction of ancient Rome. Exhibits are hands-on at the Explora children's museum, and the nearby Borghese Gardens have a zoo, train and puppet shows.