Visit to Rome, the capital of Italy
Essential to remember
Rome can be explored on foot in 4 to 5 days: Roman Forum, Colosseum, Vatican, Trastevere, Piazza Navona. Be sure to book skip-the-line tickets for the Colosseum and Vatican museums well in advance, especially from April to October.
In one of my previous articles, I talked to you about my week-long stay in Milan. During this several-week trip to Italy, I also visited many cities such as Florence, Milan, Turin, Venice, Pisa, and today’s subject, Rome.
Why choose to go to Rome?
Several things made me dream of Rome:
My experience
First time in Rome, I wanted to do the Colosseum, Forum, and Vatican all in one day. By 6 pm, I was exhausted and in a bad mood. Spread out the major sites over several days: the city deserves to be enjoyed by walking slowly.
- The ancient ruins, it’s mind-blowing to see such places in a major European city. It’s also hard to imagine that people lived in this place several centuries ago.
- How can we talk about ancient ruins without mentioning the Colosseum of Rome which dates back several tens of centuries, it was actually built during the first century AD. Just imagine the historical monument! It could hold from 50,000 to 75,000 spectators, the size of a Stade de France!
- Going to the Vatican, yet another symbol to see. It is one of the must-dos during your stay in Rome. While at the Vatican, you will not miss seeing the Sistine Chapel; for art lovers, you will surely enjoy the paintings on the walls. It is truly a place not to be missed!
- The numerous churches with their centuries-old ornamentation; you should know that Rome has more than 900 churches scattered around the city.
These are the places that made me dream and that I had the chance to see. There are many other things to do, but these are the places that left a mark on me.
Advantages
- Unique ancient heritage in the world
- Authentic Italian cuisine
- Walkable on foot
- Trastevere and Testaccio for the local atmosphere
- Flights from Paris at €50 in low season
Disadvantages
- Over-tourism all year round
- Huge queues in summer
- Very active pickpockets
- Tourist restaurants near the sites
- Stifling heat in July-August
Several things to know about Rome and Italy.
Did you know?
The Colosseum could hold between 50,000 and 75,000 spectators at its inauguration in the year 80 AD, which is the capacity of the Stade de France. It served as an amphitheater for nearly 4 centuries.
You must not be in a hurry! Public transport runs slowly in this city. The city wanted to build several new metro lines, but they keep coming across new ruins and sites with a lot of history, just imagine the hassle :D. Besides, just because Rome doesn’t have a good metro service doesn’t mean the bus service is better :D. If you go to Rome, be aware that you will have to wait or walk if you like walking. Get some exercise, it will help you get to know the city better.
The classic trap to avoid
Do not buy your tickets for the Colosseum from touts on site: they inflate prices by 50%. Book on the official site coopculture.it or parcocolosseo.it 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
- Sunday is a day off just like in France.
- Finding accommodation in Italy is very difficult in some cities, notably Milan for example. I used accommodations from the Open House group during my stay in Rome and I was very pleased, so why not rent an apartment through the tourist office during your stay too?
- Italians only speak Italian and few speak English, but there is a growing trend and young people speak English more and more. I can even say their level is equivalent to the French level.
Thus this article on Italy and Rome ends, and what memory do you keep of Rome? And which place would you like to visit?
How many days to visit Rome?
4 to 5 days for the must-sees without rushing. 3 days in quick mode, 7 days to explore Trastevere, Testaccio, and the catacombs.
What is the best time to visit Rome?
April-May and September-October: pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists. Avoid July-August (heat + crowds).
Should you book the Colosseum in advance?
Yes, absolutely. Skip-the-line tickets sell out quickly, especially in high season. Book 2 to 3 weeks ahead.
Along the same lines, the article on most beautiful cities provides useful insight. Our feedback on visiting Kiev the capital also offers good tips, and the guide dedicated to Sydney places nicely completes the picture.
| Site | Visit Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Colosseum + Forum | 3h | ~€18 |
| Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel | 3h | ~€25 |
| St. Peter’s Basilica | 1h30 | Free |
| Trevi Fountain | 30 min | Free |
| Pantheon | 1h | ~€5 |
