Looking for advice on planning your first visit to Rome, the Eternal City?
To visit Rome in its entirety, discover its different facets and be able to say that you really know it, a single visit is not enough… but you have to start somewhere!
Here, then, are our top tips for visiting Rome for the first time and making your stay so perfect that you’ll want to return to the “Eternal City” as soon as possible!
Here are our tips for organizing a visit to the Roman city’s main monuments…
Top things to do: visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum (il Foro Romano)
The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are two of the must-sees on any first trip to Rome, but as everyone knows, the queues to get there are almost endless. However, to avoid wasting too much time, you can buy your ticket on the official website and go straight to the entrance, avoiding the wait.
If you haven’t thought of booking in advance, take a look at the side ticket offices: they are generally much less crowded than those at the entrance to the Colosseum and in front of the main entrance to the Imperial Forum. These “hidden” ticket offices are located in Largo della Salara Vecchia (next to Via dei Fori Imperiali), in Via dei Verbiti next to the Colosseum and in Via San Gregorio.
Each ticket guarantees entry to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
Note: don’t forget to ask how long your ticket is valid for (usually 2 days).
The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
Even to enter the Vatican Museums, the queue at the entrance can last for hours: that’s the price you have to pay to enter the Sistine Chapel, a veritable pilgrimage destination for art lovers the world over. But here too, the rule is that if you show up with tickets purchased on the official website, you can enter directly.
Visit Rome and experience a Roman day at the Baths of Caracalla
A visit to the Caracalla Baths is simply a must. It’s a rare example of a well-preserved imperial bath where you can recreate a typical day in the life of a Roman. Public baths were in fact very popular and considered a real meeting place where you could do sport, go for a walk, study and spend your free time in a variety of ways. Don’t miss the guided tour with the 3D viewer, which will take you on a real journey back in time!
What to do in Rome if you’re a film buff?
There’s so much to say about Italian cinema! If you loved Sorrentino’s latest film, “La Grande Bellezza”, winner of the 2014 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, don’t miss the chance to visit all the places you loved on the big screen.
Not to be missed:
- The Acqua Paola fountain
- The Knights of Malta Priory Villa
- Palazzo Barberini
- Villa Medici
Little-known but unmissable: Quartiere Coppedè
One of the capital’s most picturesque but least-known districts is Quartiere Coppedè, located between Piazza Buenos Aires and Via Tagliamento. It takes its name from the architect who designed its buildings mainly in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, with Gothic and Baroque traces.
A visit is recommended for lovers of art and architecture, who, in addition to the district’s special atmosphere, will be able to admire the beautiful Frog Fountain in Piazza Mincio and the Villino delle Fate, characterized by a mix of different styles and materials that create a very striking facade!
What to see in Rome for archaeology and heritage enthusiasts?
If you’re a fan of archaeology and ancient history, visit the catacombs of San Callisto, the first burial place of Rome’s first Christians, where you can experience a special, sacred atmosphere. The catacombs are divided into four levels. This visit is not suitable for people suffering from claustrophobia, due to the cramped nature of the spaces and the depth of the underground passages. Better to know beforehand!
Rome with a view of St Peter’s Dome
From via Piccolomini, you’ll have a beautiful view of St. Peter’s dome to photograph, but not only that: for a particular optical illusion, the further away you are from the basilica, the more the dome seems to enlarge and get closer. You’ll see…
La Sapienza University in central Rome
Rome is home to one of Italy’s oldest universities, “La Sapienza”, which dates back to 1303. At the center of the Palazzo della Sapienza architectural complex is the Church of S. Ivo, a 17th-century masterpiece by Borromini. The dome is particularly remarkable, both for its exterior appearance and for the luminosity it lends to the church’s interior.
Our advice:
📌 If you’re traveling with your dog, don’t forget that most monuments prohibit access. However, Rome is so rich in architectural beauty and picturesque streets that you can easily walk and see a lot, even with your four-legged friend! Dogs are allowed on public transport, but if they are of medium size, they must be kept on a leash and muzzled.
📌 Every first Sunday of the month, visits to the Colosseum and other tourist attractions are free. For more information: type in “Free museums every first Sunday of the month in Rome” on the Internet.
📌 July and August are the hottest months in Rome, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees. For this reason, it’s a good idea to plan long walks in gardens or parks at the beginning or end of the day. Particular care should be taken when stopping off in St. Peter’s Square for mass or the pope’s blessing, as it can get extremely hot in the middle of the day.
