Last weekend saw Sam and I jet off for a romantic city break to Rome for my birthday, and what a weekend it was! Rome is home to many historical monuments, and tourists flock from all around the globe to soak in the magic of this ancient cosmopolitan city every year. Rome was full of history and life (as well as selfie sticks & vespers) but it really opened my eyes to another way of life. For someone who has not been before, it can be quite overwhelming. Between the crowds of tourists and busy streets, its easy to get lost and flustered if you haven’t planned where you are going and what you want to see. But with a little bit of planning, a city map and a few great recommendations, you can see and do everything in Rome in just one weekend! Which is exactly what we did! So I have put together a personal city guide for you all if you ever decide to visit Rome. You can also watch my vlog of our time in Rome below, which includes many of the places I have recommended in this guide and it gives you that little bit more insight into the beautiful city that is Rome.
Firstly, a few top tips:
- Rome can be a tad pricey, so instead of getting a taxi to and from your hotel, try using the metro and shuttle buses. We did this and it saved us so much money! They are easy enough to use and you can purchase train and bus tickets when you arrive at Ciampino airport. Everything is sign posted and it doesn’t take long at all.
- Buy a city map and take it everywhere with you (you may get given one when you arrive at your hotel). This way you can work out your way around Rome as the streets are relatively flat and easy to navigate around. But don’t stick to your map too much, it is such a lovely city to just explore and get lost in.
- Walk…everywhere! And do not step foot in Rome unless your foot is covered with a trainer because you will walk at least ten to fifteen miles a day. There is SO much to see, so you won’t want to do anything but walk!
Where To Stay:
Rome Times Hotel
The Rome Times Hotel is where we decided to stay; it is a modern boutique hotel in the heart of Rome that had a charming elegance about it. We decided to stay here after my cousin recommended it to us, as well as the fact it was only a 5 minute walk from the Trevi fountain and the Pantheon. It was quaint, pretty and served a fantastic breakfast each morning! If you are looking for a moderate priced hotel that is central in the city, then this is a great hotel to choose.
Savoy Hotel
If you are wanting something a bit more luxurious, then definitely splash the cash at the stunning Savoy Hotel. Rich in history and experience, The Savoy is another ideal hotel for a stay in the center of Rome. It also has a breath taking Roof Garden Terrace which is the perfect place to have a glass of prosecco early evening when the sun is setting. The views are also incredible!
Nerva Boutique Hotel
Nerva Boutique is similar to Rome Times and is another great boutique hotel located in the historic center of Rome between the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia, in front of the Imperial Forums! It is modern yet has a traditional Italian feel, and the family-run hotel is known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Where To Visit:
Colosseum
The Colosseum is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Rome and is the largest amphitheatre ever built. It has links to the Roman Catholic Church and each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit procession that starts in the area around the Colosseum. It was breathtaking to see in person and somewhere I recommend everyone goes to see when in Rome.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is a former Roman temple but is now a church in Rome. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon’s dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. When we went, there were gorgeous little cafes and street acts surrounding the Pantheon and seemed to be another key attraction for tourists.
Trevi Fountain
By far, my favourite thing to see in Rome! Standing 86 ft high and 161.3 ft wide, it is the largest fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. The fountain has appeared in several notable films, of course my favourite being the The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Sam and I decided to get up really early on our last day to make sure we got there when it was quiet and not full of tourists, so that we could take lots of pictures and throw our coins into the fountain. I absolutely loved it!
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are a set of steps in Rome climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti at the top. They are a stand out attraction, covered in the most vibrant beautiful flowers – they are the perfect place to stop and have an Italian gelato or an iced coffee!
Piazza Novoni
There are hundreds of piazza’s in Rome, but this was definitely our favourite. It features important sculptural creations including the famous Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi in the centre, as well as the church of Sant’Agnese and the Pamphilli Palace. It is another lovely spot to grab a pizza or coffee, and lap up the Italian local culture.
Vatican City
Vatican City, a city-state surrounded by Rome, is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. It’s home to the Pope and a trove of iconic art and architecture. Within Vatican City are religious and cultural sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. They feature some of the world’s most famous paintings and sculptures and to see the whole of the Vatican is at least a 3.5 hour round tour!
Where To Eat:
150 Gelato
Obviously, there is a gelato cafe on every corner and street of Rome. However, if you want to pick from 150 different flavours of ice cream (yep, I’m not kidding) then you HAVE to go to 150 Gelato right by the Trevi Fountain, for the best gelato in Italy.
That’s Amore
A favourite with the locals, That’s Amore is the perfect ‘pizza / pasta’ restaurant located down a stunning cobbled street near the Pantheon. The menu is the typical Italian selection, but it also has a great fish section. I went for the salmon and it was delicious (and the portion size was huge!) Sam had a tradition spaghetti Bolognese which was also great and really flavoursome.
Angelino Alforidal
Such a lovely cafe for a spot of lunch sitting outside in the sunshine. The exterior is decorated in the most beautiful vines and is the perfect place for a fresh thin crust pizza and a glass of vino! A special on the menu is there ‘…’ pizza – it was seriously good!
Il Ristoro dal Patriota
This gorgeous little restaurant serves the best of Italian cuisine in a unique atmosphere, and is known for its iconic delicately embroidered umbrellas on every table that sit above you for shade. The menu includes dishes such as lobster linguine, seafood risotto and shellfish fettuccine.
Pergola On The Roof
If you fancy something a bit more dressy and expensive, the you have to dine at Pergola and enjoy a bottle of prosecco or two on their rooftop. It is located about 20 minutes outside of the city centre so I would recommend getting a taxi if you do decide to go!
So there you have it, my personal city guide to Rome! I hope this gives you plenty of tips and recommendations to enjoy a wonderful city break away to Rome! It was definitely one of my all time favourite cities I have visited so far. All these places and recommendations you will also see in my travel diaries vlog on YouTube above – so please give it a watch and don’t forget to subscribe 🙂
Olivia x