Tips for Visiting the VaticanWhat to know before you goHere is what you really need to know about visiting the Vatican:When to go(what time of year and time of day)What to see(St Peters Basilica and the Vatican Museums)How to get tickets / skip the line to the Vatican museumsCan you just visit the Sistine Chapel?

A rare uncrowded view of Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican CityThe first time I came to Rome as an adult, I missed seeing the Sistine Chapel because I had no idea the Vatican Museums closed at 2pm. Luckily, the museums are now open later.Now I've been many times to the Saint Peter's Basilica, Saint Peter's Square and the Vatican Museums, and have helped thousands of our guests plan their visit there. I know how to tell you what to do and what not to do.You can avoid a stressful visit to the Vatican, by reading my tips first!

Visiting the Vatican - When to go

Waiting in the queue to get into Saint Peters Basilica in summerThere really is no "best" day for visiting the Vatican, i.e. when there are fewer people. The Vatican is Rome's most popular tourist destination and is pretty much always busy. In the mornings, all the tour groups show up, and many people come early to try to "beat the line," so you may find the Vatican Museums slightly less crowded in the afternoon. Saint Peters Basilica and the Vatican museums tend to be even more crowded on Saturdays, when Rome fills up with weekend visitors from other parts of Italy and Europe. The Vatican museums are closed Sundays, except for the last Sunday of every month, when they are free. This is the most crowded day you can imagine for visiting the Vatican museums.On Wednesdays (except for late July and August when the pope goes on vacation to Castel Gandolfo, and holds audiences there), the pope holds an audience at Saint Peters. In warmer months, it will be in the square. In colder months, it will be in an auditorium-type hall just to the left of the basilica. This means that the Vatican Museums may be slightly less crowded in the morning, but, overall, the whole area will be packed due to the tens of thousands of people who attend the papal audience.If you do visit the Vatican on a Wednesday when the papal audience is held in Saint Peter's Square, know that Saint Peter's Basilica will be closed until the papal audience is over.As for time of year, winter low season months are best if you want to be more relaxed and find smaller crowds. This means most of December (exceptDecember 8, and Christmas through the epiphany, January 6), January and February. Believe it or not, it is just as crowded at the Vatican between Christmas and January 6 as it is during summer.

You will find large crowds at the Vatican the week after New Years in Rome

IMPORTANT TIP: To visit St Peters Basilica, you must be properly dressed: no bare knees, midriffs or shoulders. Sandals and jeans are fine. Be careful when wearing knee-length shorts and skirts; the opinions of the Vatican guards as to what is acceptable may vary. You may wish to bring a sarong or wear the kinds of shorts that have attachable legs, such as hiking trousers. In a pinch, you will find plenty of vendors just outside the Vatican, who sell t-shirts or scarves.

Visiting the Vatican - What to seeThe main things most want to see when visiting the Vatican are Saint Peters Basilica and the Vatican Museums. (Just to be clear, Michelangelos piet is inside Saint Peters basilica, and Michelangelos Sistine Chapel is inside the Vatican Museums.)You can see one and not the other. However, visiting both in a single day is very do-able. Just be aware you should not really plan anything else for that day, as you will likely be pretty exhausted after this.

You might also spy one of the Swiss guard at the gate to Vatican City. They all have different outfits, depending on their duties, but they are all dressed in costumes originally designed in the early 1500's.Don't miss a visit to the Vatican Post Office if you want to mail any postcards. It'seasierand more efficient and going to the Italian Post Office, and your mail will get there faster!

Saint Peters Basilica

Saint Peters Basilica as seen from a bridge on the Tiber river in RomeSaint Peters Basilica is a Renaissance-era church and one of the worlds largest.The Vatican is a basilica but not a cathedral, as it does not have its own bishop. The main cathedral of the bishop of Rome, as the pope is called, is San Giovanni in Laterano, or Saint John in Lateran.(But the pope is of course head of Vatican state, where he resides.)It's a little confusing isn't it? Anyway, just think of the Vatican as a huge church, with a lot to see inside.

Dome inside Saint Peter's BasilicaIt's very much worth visiting the Vatican dome, but you should know it's a little crowded up there, and, you should also know, you use the same staircase to go down that you use to come upwhich means that as you are descending you are passing people coming up. I say this as someone with a close relative with vertigo: you may want to avoid climbing the dome at the Vatican if you suffer from vertigo or claustrophobia. But if none of that is an issue, then do it! You'll love the views from up there, both of the church and of the surrounding city-scape.Michelangelos Pieta

Michelangelo's piet inside St Peters BasilicaMy favorite piece of art at the Vatican, perhaps one of my favorite statues ever, is Michelangelos piet. When visiting the Vatican, don't miss this. Its on your right as soon as you walk into Saint Peters. When I visited it with my mom, she cried, saying look at her face, its just about a mothers love for her child."Unfortunately, someone wielding an axe once attacked it, and its now behind glass. But you can still see it very well. And do take note of Marys face. Its really special when you see it in person.A little note: This was one of Michelangelos first works ever. He was not sure people would know he did it, so he snuck in late one night and carved his name (Buonarotti) on Marys sash. Its the only statue he ever signed.

The Tombs of the PopesWhen visiting the Vatican, you can go down one level and see the area where some of the popes are buried. Saint Peter is said to be entombed just underneath the church. This is why many popes are also buried here.It's quite interesting to visit the popes' tombs - there is a lot of history down there. Don't worry, it's not dark or claustrophobic. On the contrary, it's a huge open space full of light and lots to see.If you want to visit Saint Peters tomb, called the necropolis, you must book long in advance (Click here to book thisthrough the Vatican.) It is an archeological site, and there is a limit to how many visitors they will allow, so you should book way in advance.

The Vatican MuseumsThis is the part about visiting the Vatican that will take most of your time and energy. The Vatican Museums contain the worlds largest private art collection (and just imagine that most of the art they own is not even on display!)No, you cannot just see the Sistine Chapel. To see the Sistine Chapel, you must go into and through the entire Vatican Museums, which can take about 2 hours (for art-lovers like my dad, it can take more like 4-5!) The Sistine Chapel is at the very end.Visiting the Vatican museums is absolutely worth doing in its entirety, even if you really only wanted to see the Sistine Chapel. The rest of the museums are truly wonderful as well. You have the Rafael rooms, the map room, the floor-to-ceiling tapestries, papal apartments, Etruscan art and so much more. I would suggest pre-booking your tickets and I would definitely suggest doing a tour (at the very least, get the Vatican audio guide.)If you are visiting Vatican City in the morning, you could visit Saint Peters Basilica first, and the museums later, because the lines at the Vatican museums are more crowded in the mornings. If you go to the Vatican Museums first, just make sure to leave enough time to visit Saint Peters while there is still some daylight, so you can enjoy the sun coming through all the stained glass.IMPORTANT TIP: Once you have seen the Sistine Chapel, you will be in a sort of anteroom just before exiting the building. If you leave the building, you will then have to talk all the way around the museums exterior and back through Saint Peters square, to get to the entrance for Saint Peters Basilica. That walk takes about 10-15 minutes, and, you will have to wait on line to go through security again.To avoid this, when possible, take the secret passageway straight from the Sistine Chapel right into Saint Peter's basilica. Well its not secret, but its supposed to be used only by official tour groups. So follow one of them and go through that way. You cannot do this, however, if you have an audio-guide, as you will need to return to the entry to turn it back in.Skipping the line to get into the Vatican Museums:You may pre-purchase tickets to the Vatican Museums through the Vatican's website. (This means that you will not have to stand in the line waiting to buy tickets. You will, however, have to stand in the line of others like you, who have pre-booked tickets and have to pick them up. You will also still need to go through security as everyone does. So you do not entirely skip the line, but your line will be shorter.)You may book a tour to the Vatican Museums through the above website. In this case, you will have a guide appointed to you through the Vatican Museums. These tours have about 30 people on them so youll need to try to get up close to the guide during the tour. I am absolutely not trying to discourage you from taking these tours, only letting you know what to expect.You may purchase an Omnia Pass. This is also going to get you a tour with a guide from the Vatican Museums, as above. Its not as simple as it sounds and you will need to be careful to understand what you are getting into. Click here to go to my page about the Roma Pass and Omnia Pass to see if it's worth getting this.You may book a semi-private or private Vatican tour, in which the guide/tour company pre-purchases tickets for you and you enter the Vatican Museums with your guide/tour without having to wait in line.

Visiting the Vatican Museums with a GuideWould you like help booking a tour of the Vatican? Most guided tours consist primarily of a visit inside the Vatican Museums. Some then also include a visit inside Saint Peter's Basilica. You may expect a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Basilica to last roughly three hours total. Only licensed tour guides may give tours inside Vatican City.You may consider these types of tours when visiting the Vatican Museums:A guide you reserve directly through the VaticanA group walking tourA private walking tour

Rome Italy Colosseum - A Must See!The first time I visited the Rome Italy Colosseum, I thought, where is the floor?It turns out that since it was made of wood, its long gone, and now, the underneath is exposed. What went on under there?

Inside the Colosseum in Rome - there's no floor!

Imagine its 2000 years ago, you are a worker for the Roman empire, and its your job to get a lion in a cageYou are underneath the Roman colosseum, its hot, it smells of sweat, smoke and animals the lion is roaring, gladiators are down there with you, preparing for battle, your fellow workers are shouting at you and each other, there is a lot of marching and stomping on the wooden floor above, and the crowds are roaring. And now, youve gotten that lion in the cage, and you and your fellow workmen have to grab some pulleys and make the cage rise through a trap door so that it seems to magically appear in the middle of the amphitheaterWhen you visit the Rome Italy colosseum, think about this while looking at the labyrinth of chambers and passageways of what was once below the floor.

If you are planning to visit the Rome Colosseum, here's what you should know:Some quick facts about the colosseum(below)When is the best time to visit the colosseum in Rome?How can I avoid the line at the coliseum?How do I get colosseum tickets in advance?Can I visit the colosseum in Rome at night?How can I visit underground coliseum?When is the colosseum open?Where to eat near the colosseum?Facts about the Roman Colosseum

Briefly, here are just a few quick history facts about the Colosseum in Rome (also spelled coliseum):The ancient Roman colosseum is an amphitheater that was built by the Flavian dynasty (Vespasian, Titus, then Domitian), so it was originally known as The Flavian amphitheater.The word Colosseum came later. It was probably due to the colossal statue Nero had made of himself (prior to the amphitheatre being built.)In fact, the Romans built many amphiteaters across what is now Europe (and other regions.)But the Rome Italy colosseum is the largest amphitheatre in the world.When it was actively used for events, it could seat between 50-80,000 people.If youd like to know more about the floor of the ancient Roman colosseum and what went on under there, you might want to read this fascinating writeup in the Smithsonian magazine.Visiting the Rome Italy Colosseum

When is the best time to visit the colosseum in Rome?The Rome Italy colosseum is one of the city's top attractions, so it always has visitors. However, unlike the Vatican, it wont be crowded when tourists are not here. If you come in low season (November, December, January, February) , when there are fewer tourists, you will find it much less crowded. Note that the colosseum closes at sundown so in the winter months, youll need to come earlier in the day.If you are here from March October, a mix of high and mid seasons, the colosseum will always be crowded. But in hot months, you should avoid coming in the middle of the day, as there is virtually no shade and no place to sit down.You might try to come first thing in the morning, or late in the day, but you will still find crowds then (if in mid- or high-season.)

How can I avoid the line at the coliseum?OK so you may not be able to avoid the crowds, but you can do several things to avoid the line/queue.1. Purchase your tickets at the Roman Forum. There is one ticket, which is good for 2 days, that includes the Roman Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. In any case, you will at least want to visit the Forum as well anyway. Even though this is by now pretty well-known, there is always much more of a line at the entrance to the colosseum than at the Forum. The entrance to the Roman Forum is on via dei Fori Imperiali, right where via Cavour meets it.2. At the entrance for the Coliseum, go to the counter for getting the audio-guide. Its not a very good guide, but it doesnt cost much and you will have much less of a line than for the regular entry.3. Join a tour that has pre-bought tickets.4. Get the Roma Pass. I do cover this on another page, in which I dont actually recommend this as the best deal. But it does allow you entry to the colosseum in Rome without waiting in the line to buy tickets.5. Pre-purchase your own tickets (see below)How do I get colosseum tickets in advance?If you bought the Roma Pass, or if you already visited the Roman Forum or Palatine Hill, then you have a ticket for the colosseumyou go into the colosseum via the ticket-holders line, and do not have to wait in the line to purchase tickets (thats the one that takes so long.)You can skip the Roma Pass, and pre-purchase tickets on the Pierreciwebsite. It is not the official web site of the colosseum in rome per se, but they are the official concessioners for theSuperintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Rome (Beniculturali di Roma.)Can I visit the colosseum in Rome at night?

Yes, it is possible to visit the Colosseum at night, via thePierreciwebsite. Night visits to the colosseum in Rome are possible only from May through October.How can I visit the underground of the Rome Italy Colosseum?The underground of the ancient Roman colosseum has recently been opened to the public and it is now possible to visit it. You may purchase tickets through the official web site above.They have the exclusive right to tickets for Underground Colosseum. However, they do give a certain number of tickets to a select number of tour agencies, so you may also be able to go with one of these agencies on an underground tour of the colosseum.

When is the colosseum open?The Rome Italy colosseum is open every day during the year except for Christmas day, New Years Day and May 1 (a big holiday in Europe.)The colosseum opens at 8:30am, and closes at sundown. This means in winter months, the colosseum closes around 5pm, whereas in the late spring and summer months it closes around 7pm. The ticket office closes one hour prior to closing time. For more specific closing times, go here.

Where to Stay in Rome -7 things to considerRome neighborhoods are very varied and deciding where to stay in Rome can affect your visit here. The very first time I came to Rome as a back-packer, I stayed in a hostel near the train station, because it was cheapest and easiest. Today, Id probably pick a different area.If you want a central hotel in Rome, here are some things that you should consider (not necessarily in this order):SafetyEase of visiting sitesAccessibility (public transportation)CostNoiseA room with a viewEating options (my personal top priority!)

Perhaps not all of the above considerations are important to you when deciding where to stay in Rome. If, in fact, you don't care about being able to walk to most of the sights, then perhaps having good public transportation handy is more important. Maybe it's not an issue if you don't have a lot of great restaurants nearby, as you either don't care as much about the food (is that possible??) or you will take taxis to get to the restaurants you really want to try (that would be me!)SafetyRome is a pretty safe city with little violent crime, although pickpocketing is unfortunately rampant all over the city. (Always be vigilant when on crowded public transportation and when sitting at outdoor cafe's and restaurants.)When selecting where to stay in Rome, you should feel safe in almost all the neighborhoods I talk about. However, some of them look and FEEL less safe than others, just because they might be a bit grittier. And no matter where you are, it's best to always be aware of your surroundings, as you would in any big city.Walking around/Central locationsRome is a big enough city to wear you out, especially if you try to do too much in one day. But most of the major sites are quite central and within walking distance of the historical center. What do I mean by "historical center?" Technically, even the Termini train station is part of Rome's historical center, but most tourists use this term to refer to the part of Rome that includes the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and Pantheon (more or less.) If you stay near one of these four areas, then you will be within easy walking distance to most of the main sights.And if you stay around the historic center, you will have an easier time getting back during the day to rest or drop things off.Public TransportationRome has a fairly good public transportation system, including 2 metro lines, and a vast bus system. Rome's metro is a bit limited howeverevery time they try to dig, they find more ruins!In any case, between the bus and the metro, you should find it easy to get around Rome. I like to recommend and prefer walking myself, as you see more (and get more exercise), but it can be tiring, and might not be the best solution for everyone.Where to stay in Rome with the best transportation options? Consider staying relatively close to a Metro stop for the most options. To find out how to get from point A to point B, using Rome's public transportation system, go to ATAC. (This site functions better in Italian if you can manage it.)CostWhere to stay in Rome on a budget? For sure the area around the Termini train station has the most choice and therefore some of the lowest costs. Believe it or not, there are a lot of very inexpensive places to stay near the Vatican also. For one thing, there is a lot of competition there. For another, it's not actually very central and other Rome sights are less accessible from there.Other inexpensive (but nice) areas include neighbourhoods just outside the historic center, such as San Giovanni, Salaria and Testaccio.The most expensive places to stay in Rome are on the Via Veneto and around the Spanish Steps. These are indeed the most central and also the most luxurious neighbourhoods in Rome.Noise in RomeWell, this is Rome, a big, bustling, ancient city. There always seems to be work going on to renovate the old structures. On top of this, many buildings just don't have the internal structure (soundproofed walls and ceilings) that prohibits noise between rooms of a given building. On the other hand, many buildings are made of very thick concrete so noise between two buildings is minimal if non-existent.Where to stay in Rome that's quiet? Some residential areas that are upscale and have more space include Prati, Parioli and the Villa Borghese. You will not be as close to the historic center, but you will get a chance to see Rome as (some of) the Romans see it.There is no one quiet neighborhood in the historic center of Rome, and frankly even in many of the outer neighborhoods. Staying in certain areas will be louder than others, but you can also check with a hotel/B&B you are researching, and ask if they have sound-proofing or otherwise quiet rooms. Also, ask for a room not facing the street.Rooms with a ViewRome is not really a city that easily affords its visitors with panoramic views, especially from a hotel room. Yes, there are seven hills of Rome, and lovely views from some of these points (and other lesser hills), which I'll go over in more detail on another page. If you really want to have a view from your hotel room, you will greatly limit your options. Even some of the top luxury hotels on via Veneto do not have rooms with a view. The city is just not laid out that way. The buildings are all quite close to one another as in most big, old cities, so rooms/apartments/hotels with views are consequently not that common (with some exceptions of course! For where to stay in Rome with a view, see the Rome neighborhoods page.)RestaurantsWhat central Rome neighborhoods have the largest selection of easily accessible good eating? Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Campo Dei Fiori and Trastevere (although the other neighborhoods also have plenty to offer, these four have the highest concentration of good places to try.)

Rome Neighborhoods - where should you stay?The following descriptions of Rome neighborhoods are listed in order of location (most central first), and then followed by those areas just outside the historic center. These are my own impressions about them, based on severalcriteriayou should consider when deciding where to stay in Rome, and how staying in any one of them could affect your stay here.NOTE: I describe both plusses and negatives here. My goal is to give you real information, from living here, so that you can be better equipped to decide which neighbourhood in Rome to stay in.Spanish Steps, Piazza del PopoloVia VenetoTrevi FountainColiseum, Colle Oppio, Monti, via CavourCampo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona, PantheonTermini Train Station, Piazza Esquilino, Santa Maria MaggioreTrastevereVatican/PratiParioli/FlaminioAventino/TestaccioGianicolo/MonteverdeEURPigneto/San LorenzoAppio/San GiovanniSalaria/Nomentana/TriestePiramide/OstienseMost Central Rome Neighborhoods

Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo

The Spanish Steps and Trinit dei Monti - one of the most central neighborhoods to stay in RomeThere are some famous hotels at the Spanish Steps. There are also a few 3-star hotels, some B&Bs and a few self-catering apartments, however the selection of lower-cost options is not huge, and rates are among the highest in Rome.This is one of the few Rome neighborhoods where you can have a room with a view", if you select those at the top of the Spanish Steps such as The Hassler and the Intercontinental Hotel Rome (those at the bottom of the Spanish Steps are in Rome's shopping zone.)One big convenience is the Spagna Metro stop, making this a very easy place to get into and out of, for arrival/departure, and also visits to St. Peters.Another big convenience is that this is one of the most central areas of Rome, so most of the sites are about equidistant from where you stay.This is THE main shopping district, so if you are spending the day shopping, its quite handy to go drop off your purchases at your hotel and head back out again. Click here to read more about Shopping near the Spanish Steps.There is a fair (thought not great) selection of restaurants, and it's close enough to walk to the Pantheon area, which has an even higher concentration of great restaurants to choose from.The area really quiets down at night (with the exception of the actual steps themselves, where people tend to hang out day and night.) Unless you are staying right near a restaurant, you should find this a quiet place to stay (always ask before booking your hotel.)Click here to read more about the Spanish Steps.

Via Veneto

Boscolo Palace hotel - one of many luxury hotels on Rome's famed via VenetoThis is one of the Rome neighborhoods where you will find the best concentration of 5-star and luxury hotels in Rome (although other categories are available.) One of the most elegant streets in Rome, via Veneto is famous as the setting of Fellinis La Dolce Vita. The wide sidewalks and plethora of street-side cafes make this a lovely area to sit for a coffee or drink (an expensive one, mind you), and watch the world go by.The very central and convenient Barberini metro stop is at the base of the via Veneto.The beautiful Villa Borghese park (including the Galleria Borghese and other museums) is at the top of the via Veneto.This area of Rome is full of embassies, hotels and banks, and therefore always well-lit. You are likely to notice more security in this neighborhood as well.With a few exceptions closer to the via di Porta Pinciana (Splendide Royal, Sofitel, Eden), there are still not many choices for a room with a view (although most of the via Veneto hotels are elegant and have wonderful rooftop bars.)The via Veneto itself is quite upscale and tends to be tranquil at night. Another reason this is a quiet Rome neighborhood is that the inner streets are populated mostly by banks, embassies and offices.One downside of this area is that there is not a great selection of restaurants (although there are some exceptions), so you will need to go more towards the Pantheon/Navona area for more choices.

Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain - an icon in Rome, but a crowded neighborhood for staying inThe Trevi Fountain area is full of small hotels and B&Bs. It's a highly concentrated area with tiny cobblestone streets and there are not many options for large hotels with large spaces. You will be right in the thick of things, where it can feel like "old Rome" if you can find a really quiet street.If you are not staying on the square where the fountain is, or on one of the busier streets leading up to it, you can find some quiet accommodation options if they are on less-trodden back streets.The closest Metro stop is Barberini, and the fountain itself is about a 5 minute walk from there. There are buses that stop nearby also, but not much transportation other than taxis that can take you right into the Trevi Fountain neighborhood.This is a very central Rome neighborhood and you can walk to almost all the sites from here.Being so central, it's a safe area, although watch for pickpockets when you are on the crowded streets.There are quite a few good restaurants nearby and plenty more closer to the nearby Pantheon/Piazza Navona area.Other than one or two options right on the plaza of the fountain, you won't find options for rooms with a view.Despite a high concentration of B&Bs, residences and 3-star hotels, accommodations don't come cheaply here. This is one of the most central Rome neighborhoods, so expect to pay for that convenience.The downsides of staying here might include: noise, a touristy feel, and small rooms.Click here to read more about the Trevi Fountain.

Coliseum, Colle Oppio, Monti, via Cavour

The Colosseum in Rome - A very central neighborhood to stay inOne of my favorite Rome neighborhoods for strolling, eating and shopping is Monti, which includes via dei Serpenti and in particular, via del Boschetto. Its a great area with little boutiques and antique shops. But you are a bit far from the other major shopping areas such as the Spanish Steps, so if you do a lot of shopping, you may find you will want to take a taxi back to your hotel. From the Spanish Steps, this will cost around 8-15 Euros, depending on time of day and traffic.This is a pretty well-lit and again, very central Rome neighborhood, so its quite safe.Depending on where you stay, it might be noisy. For example, there is one really fun but loud square with a lot of cafes where people like to hang out late into the night (Santa Maria ai Monti), and part of the Celimontana/Capo DAfrica neighborhood that also have lots of nightlife. If you want a quiet central Rome hotel, check if your B&B, hotel or apartment is near or above one of these spots and if so, ask if perhaps its in the back of the building or otherwise sound-proofed.That said, there are indeed a lot of tranquil streets in this neighborhood, so read reviews, and ask before booking your hotel.The area is very well connected with the Metro Blue Line B (stops at Cavour and Coliseum), and also is served by lots of buses.This is a fantastic Rome neighborhood for restaurants. Some of my favorites such as i Clementini, LAsino dOro and Urbana 47, are all right here.Prices are moderate here. It's a very highly requested Rome neighborhood but it's also chock-a-block with B&Bs and rooms for rent, so you can come across some real bargains.As always, in the old neighborhoods of Rome, the streets are narrow and buildings are close together, so rooms with a view are not easy to come by. But there are indeed some notable exceptions, including the Hotel Forum and the Palazzo Manfredi. You may also be able to find an apartment or B&B with a view if its on a top floor.Click here to read more about the Rome Colosseum.

Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona, Pantheon

Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon really are some of the oldest Rome neighborhoods. They are right in the heart of the historic center. The streets are small and winding, leading to more small hidden streets. There are only a small number of 4 and 5 star hotels here, but a plethora of small 3 star hotels and B&Bs of every type. Space is at a premium so don't expect large rooms, views or balconies.This area is not as easy to get to as Spanish Steps or via Veneto, because are there no Metro stops nearby, but plenty of buses go into the area.You are in very close walking distance to the Vatican and Trastevere.Campo di Fiori is famous for its outdoor food market (although to me it's one of the more touristy markets in Rome, with prices to prove it), and piazza Navona is famous for its outdoor artists market. The Pantheon is a spectacular Rome monument to behold. I personally would not want to stay right on any of these squares. If you do stay in one of these Rome neighborhoods, I suggest a side street, away from the main piazza itself.These areas in Rome have some of the best selection and highest concentration of excellent restaurants of all types, from local Roman trattorias to authentic pizzerias with wood-burning ovens, to Michelin star restaurants.As for safety, it's quite safe but as always, beware of pickpockets, especially in the crowded squares.Like Monti, these are very popular Rome neighborhoods to stay in, but there is an enormous offering of lower-cost accommodation, so you are likely able to find a good rate here.Due to the small streets and very old buildings, and also the abundance of nightlife (bars), this is an area of Rome that may be most difficult to find a quiet place to stay. But they do exist, so check with your hotel about their soundproofing and/or location to be sure.Click here to read more about Piazza Navona.Click here to read more about the Rome Pantheon.

Termini Train Station, Piazza Esquilino, Santa Maria MaggioreThis is one of the Rome neighborhoods with the most options for places to say, including a few grand 5-star hotels, but also including very low-end hostels and pretty much everything in between.The main convenience of this area is that you are near the train and also the central bus station, making it easy to arrive in and depart from Rome, and easy to get transportation to sites around Rome.The other convenience of this area is that the wealth of choices means you will usually find lower prices and more places to select from than you will in other parts of Rome. This is undoubtedly the best option for the budget-conscious visitor to Rome to find an affordable central Rome hotel.The location is also one of the downsides, as its not a short walk to any of the major sites.Another downside is that parts of this area are not so nice. As I've said before, Rome is a safe city, but as in any major city, some areas around the main train station can be a little dodgy at night. Take a good look at a hotels web site and try to get a sense of the surroundings before you book.There are lots of fair restaurants nearby and a (very) few good ones. If you just want a simple and inexpensive (but not necessarily fantastic) meal in the evening, near your hotel, you will have plenty to choose from.

Trastevere

Trastevere is an old and charming neighborhood across the Tiber river from central Rome. It may seem far but it's a pretty easy walk back into the center. However, it's not the most convenient place to stay for having easy access to all the sites. Choose Trastevere if you want to feel like you are in a different part of the city from most of the other tourists (although tourists abound here too.)This neighborhood does not really have any big luxury hotels but there are plenty of small 3 star hotels and B&Bs.There are no metro stops here, but buses and a tram go in. However, to get to the innermost of Trastevere's streets, you will need to walk a bit or take a cab.You are in very close walking distance to Campo di Fiori.Trastevere is one of the Rome neighborhoods best known for its restaurants. You will have lots of options for eating, everything from fantastic pizza, to seafood, to Rome trattorias, to excellent wine bars. And of course gelato.This is an area of Rome that is made up almost entirely of narrow picturesque streets, very old shops and bakeries, and hidden squares and doorways. It's a wonderful place to explore without having a goal in mind.As for safety, it's quite safe but as always, beware of pickpockets, especially in the crowded squares.It's a popular location, but it's still not quite as central as other Rome neighborhoods, soTrastevere is also a good option for some reasonably-priced accommodation.There are some very lively parts of Trastevere, that include a late night life, so when choosing your accommodation, check the location and proximity to the bars and other possible street noise.

Vatican/PratiPrati is one of the more upscale areas of Rome, filled with residential apartment buildings, professional offices and lovely shops and restaurants. The area closer to the Vatican itself is a bit more chaotic and touristy. Safety should not be an issue.These Rome neighborhoods are easily accessible by metro (red line A) and bus. Although it is across the Tiber river from downtown Rome, you can walk here easily crossing one of the many bridges.You can find some excellent deals on hotels and B&Bs in these neighborhoods, partly because they are not in the center of Rome, and partly because there is a lot of competition.Do not look for rooms with a view here.If you stay in the Vatican or Prati areas, you will of course have an easy time visiting the Vatican, but you are across the river from the historical center of Rome. It is easy to walk or take public transportation, but either of these options will take a little time.Hotels and B&Bs in Prati should be fairly quiet, particularly if you are on a more residential street. By the Vatican, you may encounter more noise, just because its more congested and more touristy.Prati in particular has an excellent selection of middle-range and high-end eating options. There are a lot of great, old-fashioned Rome restaurants here, and it also tends to be the home of many new, innovative ones as well.More Rome NeighborhoodsThe above are the most central, and probably most desirable Rome neighborhoods to stay in. The below are areas of Rome that you may find are more residential, and just a bit further from all the historic sites. They all do have something to offer, though:

Parioli/FlaminioThis area of Rome is very residential, and most of it pretty posh. You wont find as much graffiti on the walls, and youll notice larger, more elegant buildings and wider streets here.This is a very safe area of Rome.There are some elegant 5-star hotels in these Rome neighborhoods, but also some more modest categories. Dont expect rates to be much less than in the historic center.Some of the 5-star hotels, particularly near the Borghese Park, may offer some views from rooms on the upper floors, and certainly from their rooftops.There is a tram that goes into the Flaminia neighborhood, and there are plenty of bus options, although no Metro to either. You will be a bit far from all the sites and will need to use the bus system or taxis to get into the historic center of Rome to see the sites.Unless you stay near a busy street or square with a lot of nightlife or a popular restaurant, you should find this area to be very quiet.Parioli is a popular restaurant scene for locals, who enjoy a good selection of traditional and also innovative dining and bar options.

Aventino/TestaccioYou will enjoy these Rome neighborhoods just outside the center, for they do offer a glimpse of more lived-in Rome, but it is less convenient to get to all the sites, and you will need to use public transportation.The Metro blue line (B) arrives at Piramide, which is somewhat near the Aventine and Testaccio neighborhoods. Otherwise, there are plenty of buses serving these areas.The Aventine is home to some of the most elegant and private homes in Rome. There are barely any hotels or restaurants on the hill itself, but there is a lot to choose from in the Testaccio area. Both are safe neighborhoods in Rome.Since Testaccio is slightly removed from the city center, you may find some good rates for hotels and B&Bs here.Despite the fact that the Aventine is on a hill, you wont find hotel rooms with city or panoramic views here.If staying in one of the few hotels on the Aventine, it should be very quiet since it is such a residential neighborhood of Rome. Testaccio can be much livelier and is an excellent choice for having a real city experience in Rome, but check if you are near any popular pubs/restaurants or squares before booking your hotel.Testaccio offers some excellent selections for very local Rome restaurants and bars.

Gianicolo/MonteverdeStaying in the Gianicolo or Monteverde areas can afford you a nice stay in a more relaxed, neighborhood setting, but you are not close to any of the major sites and will need to take public transportation.Trams and buses will take you into these neighborhoods high above Rome and behind the Vatican, but there is not a close Metro stop.These are safe Rome neighborhoods.There is a huge selection of B&Bs, and due to this competition and the distance from the city center, you will likely be able to find some excellent bargains here.For a fantastic view of Rome, look for a hotel on the Gianicolo. There are not many of them, and expect to pay more for this privilege.For the reasons in the point above, you will likely find this a quiet neighborhood in Rome.There are plenty of restaurants in this area, mostly catering to the local crowd.

EUREUR is a neighborhood of Rome, but it feels like another city entirely. Built in the 1930s and 40s, it has a decidedly fascist architecture and feel. EUR is an absolutely lovely place to live, as there is a (man-made) lake, and lots of green space. There are some important museums and also business centers here, but it is far removed from the center of Rome.Most parts of EUR are very safe.Staying in hotels or B&Bs in EUR will not necessarily be much less expensive than in more central Rome neighborhoods. As noted above, there are a lot of business centers here, and its also close to some other government organizations, making it a popular place to stay for visiting dignitaries or other professionals.You may find a high-rise, modern hotel with some views of EUR, but you will not find any with views of Rome from here.If you choose to stay in EUR, and you stay right near a metro line (Blue line B), its pretty fast and easy to get between EUR and Rome. Alternatively, as EUR is part of Rome, you will find an extensive bus system. You may choose to rent a car, but then parking it in Rome will be a problem.You are more likely to find a quiet place to stay in EUR.There are plenty of restaurants in all parts of EUR, catering mostly to the locals. There are not (to my knowledge) any great ones, but there is enough to choose from.

Pigneto/San LorenzoThis funky bohemian area outside the tourist sections of Rome is full of student and nightlife, and has a bit of a seedy feel to it. Lots of graffiti and train tracks make it less attractive than other areas but it is well loved by some Rome residents for its fun and lively restaurant and night scene.Although it feels a bit downtrodden, like most Rome neighborhoods, its safe, but it can feel less so than some other more sedate or posh areas.Due to its location away from the center, and its huge student population, and the vast amount of small B&Bs here, you are likely to find very good bargains when looking for a place to stay in Rome.Dont expect to find any room with any view here.Its not on any metro line and youll need to take a bus or taxi to get into the center.As this area is known for its lively and local nightlife, be careful when choosing your accommodation: check reviews online, ask when booking for a quiet room, or room away from the street.Pigneto and San Lorenzo have an excellent selection of cafes, wine bars and restaurants, including some new, up and coming avant-garde restaurants, making their way onto the foodies lists.

Appio/San GiovanniI live in the Appio/San Giovanni area and really like it. From my house, I can walk to the Coliseum (20 minutes) and to the San Giovanni Basilica (15 minutes.) Its a pretty varied area: those parts right near the Basilicia, and all along the Metro line, are all quite congested and shopping oriented. My area, closer to the Latin walls, is much more residential.San Giovanni is very residential and well-lit. I feel safe walking here, even at night but as always, be aware of your surroundings.The non-center location, along with lots of competition, mean you will find excellent deals for accommodation in Rome here.Dont expect any accommodation with a view in this neighborhood.Its not the most central neighbourhood of Rome, but if you stay right near the Metro line (A), you will be easily able to go into the touristic center of Rome from here. There are also many bus lines that go into the center (remember, buses take a lot longer.)Depending on which area of San Giovanni you choose, you may find it loud if near a plaza, bar or popular restaurant.There are some very good restaurants in this area, including plenty of Slow Food options, enotecas and more innovative restaurants.

Salaria/Nomentana/TriesteThe Salaria/Nomentana/Trieste neighborhoods are decidedly residential. They are mostly slightly upscale and considered by most Romans to be desirable areas to live in. You will find some more modern architecture here (i.e. from the early 1900s as well as earlier.)For the most part, these Rome neighborhoods are considered to be quite safe.There are some B&B options in this area, but also some nicer hotels. Many of these hotels cater to business people and professionals. Dont expect costs to be that much lower than in the historic center, although they may be slightly less expensive just because they are further away from the touristic center.You may find some hotels with partial views onto a park such as villa Ada.This is not the easiest area from which to visit Rome. You will need to take buses or taxis. The traffic is almost always intense so either of these options will take a lot of your time.Overall, as this is very residential, expect to find more quiet accommodation in Rome here.This area is full of excellent restaurants, wine bars and, in particular, pastry shops!

Piramide/Ostiense/GarbatellaThe Piramide/Ostiense/Garbatella area can be sort of close to some of Romes tourist sites, as long as you stay RIGHT by the Piramide station. Even then, its still not really walking distance to any of the major sites.Parts of this area can be a little seedy at night, particularly right by piramide station along the Ostiense.There are not a lot of great accommodation options here, but there are some, and prices will be reasonable, considering the area is quite industrial and far from the center of Rome.There are not accommodations with rooms with a view in this neighborhood.If you stay near the Piramide station, or otherwise near the metro line, then you will have an easier time getting into the center. Otherwise, you are kind of out of the way.The level of noise will depend on whether you stay close to a bar or popular plaza.There are some ok local restaurants and pizzerias here, and the enormous and fun-to-visit Eataly is here, but otherwise, it is not the best area in the city for dining.

Rome Neighborhoods - Where would I stay?If I were coming to Rome as a tourist, and had to pick between these Rome neighborhoods for my stay, I'd probably opt for Piazza Barberini or the Spanish Steps, as they are both so central and also have metro stops. If I was trying to save some money, I'd opt to stay near Santa Maria Maggiore, as it's still pretty central but there is so much competition, you can find really good bargains. No matter which Rome neighborhood you choose, most of them are quite safe, and with either the bus or metro system, it's almost always easy to get around and to central plazas, monuments and sites. So don't worry, you can't really go wrong!

Money in RomeThere is a lot I want to tell you about using money in Rome, and it's not about how to spend it (that part is easy! Food! Wine! Gelato! Shoes!)

Euro bills and coins - money used in RomeRunning a Rome boutique hotel, I get a lot of questions about money matters, by people trying to plan their trip to Rome. This page is to help you prepare the money part of your trip by answering:About how much you will spend per day in RomeWhat's the conversion rate to Euros from Dollars(or any currency)How much cash you should bring with you to RomeIf you should bring traveller's checks with you to RomeIf most places accept credit cards in RomeWhere you can convert Pounds/Dollars to Euros once in RomeWhere you CANNOT change money in Rome (hint: banks and American Express)Where you can find ATMs in RomeWhat one very important thing you should buy before you come to Rome (that nobody asks about)!

How much will money in Rome will you spend per day?This is obviously pretty subjective. For the purposes of budgeting, here is what you might spend minimally per day (per person) in Rome:Accommodation can cost you anywhere from 30 Euros per person per night, depending on the season, location and type of accommodation. To stay in a fairly nice B&B or 3-star hotel in the center of Rome, during mid-high season, count on spending closer to a minimum of 80 Euros per person per night.Breakfast is often included in many hotels/b&bs, but if not, you can eat breakfast, standing at a bar, for about 2.50 (a croissant and cappuccino.)Water is free, just drink from the little fountains you find all over Rome.Lunch can be under 5 if you have a sandwich or panino.Dinner can be had for under 20 but plan for about 30.Much of Rome is walkable, so you don't need to spend a lot on transportation but if you want to use the metro/bus system, consider getting a 1, 2 or 3-day pass. One ticket costs 1.50, a day-pass is 6, a 2-day pass is 12.50 and a 3-day pass is 16.50 (going up in 2015 to 18.) Or you might consider getting the Roma Pass, which gives you unlimited use of the metro/bus system in Rome for a 3-day period (along with entry to museums. Click here to see if this will indeed save you money.)There is so much to see in Rome that costs nothing. But if you plan to visit the 3 main sights, without any tours, it will cost about 20 Euros for the Vatican, 10 for the Coliseum and 10 for the Galleria Borghese (I am rounding here.) This is an average sightseeing cost of about 13 per day for a 3-day trip in Rome.Accommodation aside, for meals, sight-seeing (the main sights), and transportation, you could spend as little as about 50 Euros per day (rounding again.) Plan to spend more if you want to hire any tour guides, get laundry done, take taxis, shop, and/or splurge a bit on meals.

Money in Rome - Conversion rate into EurosOanda is the standard for looking up currency exchange rates. If you use the tool below, you'll have a good idea of the exchange rate. Some things to note:The above only shows interbank rates. This means that is the rate that banks get when they move money between them. You cannot ever get this rate. There will always be a surcharge when you exchange money. Usually, with credit cards and ATM machines, there is a 2-3% surcharge. An average money exchange office can charge from 5-12%. If you want to see real exchange rates with these possible surcharges, go to the Oanda full currency converter.If you want to know how much something in Euros will cost you in your own currency, go to the online converter. Make sure that "currency I have" is selected on the left side, and "currency I want" (Euros) is selected on the right. Then enter the Euro amount on the right side (selecting any surcharges you think apply to you) and you will see, on the left side, what you need to spend in your own currency to get that many Euros.BOTTOM LINE: To get the best exchange rate,use credit cards when you can. And use your ATM card to get cash out. Avoid bringing/changing your own currency in Rome.

Money in Rome - How much cash to bring?Regardless of your budget, you should plan to arrive in Rome with at least a little cash, especially if you are flying here. There are no ATMs in either airport. You will need some cash to get into Rome, whether by car service, train or bus. And even if you have prepaid a car service, you should always have some Euros on hand. Get at least 100 at your bank at home before you travel.Bringing traveller's checks to RomeI remember when it was a must to get traveller's checks before any trip. But now, it seems a bit outdated. You won't be able to spend them anywhere. You will only be able to exchange them at currency exchange offices or banks. You would do better simply using your ATM to get cash as you need it.If you don't have an ATM card, or prefer not to use one, then yes, traveller's checks are safer to carry than cash. But if you have an ATM card, skip the traveller's checks.

Money in Rome - Do most places accept credit cards?The answer to this is...yes and no. Italy has a large cash-based economy. Credit card fees are high, so very often, merchants will not even accept them: If they do, they often don't take American Express (higher fees.)Or, they will encourage you to pay with cash (by offering a cash discount), and in some cases, will say their POS is out of order, or their lines are down, or today their credit card system is not working, etc. Believe me this is very common, so be prepared to pay cash.

Look how easy it was for me to find these signs in Rome. And I only posted these 3.This is especially true of small businesses, little boutiques, mom-and-pop trattorias and small-priced service items like tours, laundry, audio guides etc.You may rest assured that large hotels and restaurants will accept credit cards.

Money in Rome - Convert Pounds/Dollars to EurosAs I've said above, you should actually avoid bringing your own currency to Rome. Plan to use credit cards when possible, and take cash out of ATMs as needed. But, if you do have your own currency, and want to change it to Euros, there are plenty of currency exchange offices in Rome. Avoid the ones at the airports, where you are held hostage to a much higher fee or lower exchange rate. Sadly, the American Express office at the Spanish Steps is gone.

A currency exchange at the bottom of via VenetoThe biggest concentration of currency exchange offices is at or near Termini Train station. There is an office at the bottom of via Veneto, and one each at Piazza Mignanelli and Piazza di Spagna, the two plazas at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. There are two by the Trevi Fountain and about 3 by the Vatican. For a complete list, and to see them on a map, look in the Italian Yellow Pages. Expand the map and then zoom in on Rome.Money in Rome - places you cannot change currencyI've seen these questions asked over and over, by my hotel guests, and on several Italy expat online forums I follow, so here goes:You cannot go to a bank in Rome and exchange currency unless you have an account in that bank.There are not branches of many foreign banks in Rome (with a few exceptions like Barclays, but even then, they are not set up for currency exchange.) So unless you have an account with an Italian bank, you cannot exchange money in any of the banks in Rome.The American Expressoffice that used to be at the bottom of the Spanish Steps is gone, never to return. The new Valentino flagship store is going there instead.

The new Valentino store in Rome, going into the space once occupied by the long-gone American Express office

Money in Rome - ATMsATMs are everywhere, and you should be able to use your ATM card or credit card at most of them to get cash out. I get asked this a lot so I will answer here: There is not a Citibank ATM in Rome, but you can still use your card at ATMs on the same network to withdraw money.Most ATMs have a 250/day limit. Your bank at home may also have a daily limit. But some banks, such as Banca di Roma and Credem, will let you take out more. Just try a higher amount and see if the machine will let you. Keep in mind it may be convenient to take out more money at once, to avoid per-use ATM charges.Highly recommended: Alert your bank and credit card companies before you leave home that you will be travelling to Rome. This will help you avoid stress and hassle if your charges are denied by over-protective banks that see a foreign charge as a reason for alarm.

The Best Money in Rome Tip I Can Give You: Get Travel Insurance!!!This is possibly the best money-tip I can give you. It amazes me that more people don't think about getting travel or trip insurance. I think it may be because a lot of people don't know it exists.Travel insurance will protect you for a variety of travel-related problems and subsequent money losses/charges. Plans range the gamut for flight cancellation-compensation, to medical evacuation. You can get a plan that covers you on a yearly basis or on a per-trip basis.I have mine with American Express (I am not specifically endorsing them, just saying I do think it's important to have some insurance when you travel.) Every time I buy an airline ticket with my Amex card, I get charged a $25 fee automatically. This protects me from a whole lot of problems in case of delayed or cancelled flights. It's not a major plan but it's something. I say, don't leave home without it!

One Day in Rome Unique Itineraries for Everyone!Even if you only have one day in Rome, you would be surprised at how much you can get out of this day! I've made this page for anyone coming to Rome for just a day, who wants suggestions to make the most out of their short visit.Suggested itinerariesFor years, running our boutique hotel in Rome, I've helped thousands of Rome visitors get the most out of their stay, even if it's just one day long. And there is no one solution for everyone. So on this page, I've outlined some options for one-day-in Rome itineraries for the unique traveller in you.You have one day in Rome and...You just want to see the highlights, but as many as possible.You really want to see the Vatican Museums and inside the Coliseum.You think one day in Rome is too short to try to see everything, so just want to leisurely enjoy walking around the center.You are here to shop!You really don't want to sight-see, but rather just soak up some Roman atmosphere.You have been to Rome before, and you want to see something new.You are here with young children and want them to have fun without exhausting them.One Day in Rome - seeing the highlightsThere are a few options for just seeing the highlights in one day in Rome:Open Bus tour - hop on/hop off

Take an Open Bus Tour. These bus tours usually have an enclosed bottom (for cold/rainy weather), and an open top for better sight-seeing. There is some kind of audio guide that you can listen to as you pass the sights. (Beware, sometimes the bottom part has stickers and publicity on their windows, making it harder to see out.)They are all hop-on/hop-off so you can use the bus throughout the day and decide where you want to get off for a better look. They all include the main sights such as the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain and the Vatican. You can board these buses at any point along their route, so you can start closest to wherever you are staying. You can pay when you board.You should know that many of the sights in the historic center are not visible from the bus (and the bus cannot get into where these sights are), so you will have to get off the bus and walk in to actually visit some of the sights.There are several companies that run this type of tour. I'd recommend the one run by the city, called 110 OpenBus. It costs 15 Euros for a 24-hour all-day pass. (They give you a discount for booking ahead online, and their ticket also gives you discounts to other Rome sites. If you have a Roma Pass, there is a discounted price as well, although I don't recommend the Roma Pass for one day in Rome.)One Day in Rome - Highlights on your ownIf you want to visit the highlights in one day in Rome on foot (or mostly on foot), follow this route below. I'm not getting into too much detail about special churches but I will throw in a few great gelato and lunch spots. If you keep shopping and eating times to a minimum, you can do the whole thing in an 8-hour day:Start at Piazza Barberini. (You can easily get there from the Termini train station by Metro, 2 stops.) At Piazza Barberini, you are already seeing a beautiful site in Rome, Bernini's Tritone fountain.

One of the streets leading up and away from Piazza Barberini is the famous and elegant via Veneto. It's a beautiful, wide, street and lovely for strolling if you have extra time, but it's mostly lined with upscale hotels and restaurants, soI don't recommend visiting this street as part of a one-day itinerary.From here, take via Sistina to the right, and in about 5 minutes you will come to thetop of the Spanish Steps. (Below)

Head down the steps and you will be smack in the shopping zone, Piazza di Spagna. (Click here to read more about the Spanish Steps, and here to read more about Shopping at the Spanish Steps.)Walk a little to the left until you come to Piazza Mignanelli, then turn right to go down via Frattina.At the bottom of via Frattina, cross via del Corso to come to Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina. Time for a gelato break! Pop into the back entrance of Ciampini and get a scrumptious cone of some of Rome's best gelato.

From here, walk along via di Campo Marzio (a great shopping street.) This is one of the oldest parts of Ancient Rome. Keep walking pretty much straight, and you will come to the Pantheon.

Are you ready for a lunch break? If you want to take the time for a sit-down lunch, you might try Armando al Pantheon, Salita d Crescenzi, 31, but it's nearly impossible to get in without a reservation. Or, for a nice light lunch, try Enoteca Spiriti,Via di S.Eustachio 8. Click here for more restaurants near the Pantheon.From the Pantheon, make your way (about 3 minutes' walk) to piazza Navona. Don't miss this! It will be one of the highlights of your one day in Rome.

From Piazza Navona, go behind the Brazilian Embassy towards via del Governo Vecchio. This is a fun and cute cobblestoned street, full of boutiques, vintage shops and cafs.Another excellent lunch spot is Cul de Sac, just behind the Piazza Navona on Piazza di Pasquino.

Presumably you've had lunch by now. It should be around 2-3pm.Via del Governo Vecchio turns into via dei Banchi Nuovi. Take this street and follow it all the way across the bridge to Castel Sant'Angelo.

From here, you can see Vatican Square. Visit Vatican Square from the outside (unless you want to make time to go inside Saint Peter's Basilica. It's free but there is a queue to go through security.)

If you are a little off schedule, or tired, and need to cut things short, you could get on the metro near the Vatican, at the Ottaviano stop, and take it back to Piazza Barberini, or to Termini train station.After visiting Vatican Square, come back towards Castel Sant'Angelo, and this time, make your way towards the via Giulia.Come all the way up the via Giulia until you come to the archway with hanging vines. This is the back of the French Embassy.

Turn left and follow the walls of the French Embassy, which is called Palazzo Farnese.You'll be on Piazza Farnese, one of the prettiest squares in Rome.

Those two giant bathtub fountains you see on Piazza Farnese were originally from the Caracalla Baths. Yep, the ancient Romans bathed in them!

From Piazza Farnese, head towards Campo di Fiori. This is an historic piazza in Rome (it was once the main site for public executions), and used to be the real city center market (until it became the tourists' market). But now it's best known for its pubs and nightlife.

From Campo di Fiori, walk up via dei Giubbonari towards Largo Argentina. These are the ruins where you can see where Julius Caesar was assassinated.

From here, make your way towards Piazza Venezia. Walk to the top of the ramp behind the big white monument (Vittorio Emanuele), and you'll be on Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio.)

This is where City Hall is, and also the Capitoline Museums. You won't have time to visit the museums, but right in the square (designed by Michelangelo), you can see a bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius (one of the emperors of Rome.) The statue is a replica; the original is inside the Capitoline Museums.

From the back of this plaza, you have a wonderful view of the Roman Forum from above.

Walk down the back side of this hill to the left, and you'll be on the via Fori Imperliali. From here you can see the Coliseum.

Walk around Piazza Venezia, and take a right on via IV Novembre. Make a left onto via della Pilotta and you will end up at the Trevi Fountain. From here you can walk five minutes up to Piazza Barberini, back where you started. In one day in Rome, you have really seen the highlights!

One Day in Rome - A Driving TourAre you interested in a private driving tour of One Day in Rome? Whether you are arriving from a cruise and want a shore excursion, (to be picked up at the cruise dock at Civitavecchia), or just want a car and driver in Rome, I can book your tour for you. Please contact me with dates and the number of people in your party and I'll be glad to get back to you with a quote.One Day in Rome - a Walking TourWould you like a private One Day in Rome walking tour? I will personally take you around to show you the above highlights, but with lots of insider info, tips and some very special churches to show you along the way.Please contact mewith dates and the number of people in your party and I'll be glad to get back to you with a quote.

One Day in Rome - Visiting the Vatican Museums and the ColiseumDo you want to see the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and the Coliseum all in one day in Rome? It can be done! Of course I'd recommend more time in Rome but I realise sometimes people only have one day.To fit this into a one-day in Rome visit, just know that a visit to the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter's Basilica takes about 3 hours. A visit to the Coliseum and the Roman Forum also takes about 3 hours.Given that, you might be able to fit in just a few other things in between, such as Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. (This won't really leave you time for the Spanish Steps. Hopefully you'll come back to Rome!)Visiting the Vatican and the Colosseum on your ownIf you are doing this on your own, I'd recommend going straight to the Vatican and visiting the Vatican Museums and then the Basilica. Then, make your way either on foot or by bus to the Forum, visiting that first, then the Coliseum last.To get to the Vatican take the Metro red line A to the Ottaviano stop. When you come out of the stop, you can see the crowds moving towards Vatican Square, which is about a 5-minute walk from this stop.If you walk from the Vatican to the Coliseum, you can go through the center, passing Piazza Navona and the Pantheon on your way to the via Fori Imperiali. If you have time, you could also take a small detour to visit the Trevi Fountain before going to the via Fori Imperiali.If you take a bus from the Vatican to the Coliseum, you'll skip Rome's historic center but will have a little more time at the Coliseum and/or Vatican. From the Vatican, there are plenty of buses that take you to the via Fori Imperiali, including the 64 and the 40. To see all the possible bus routes, go to the Maps at google. Choose Get Directions, and in the From field (A), typepiazza padrepio xii. In the To field (B), typevia deiforiimperial. Click the bus icon (between the car and the walking icons) to show the Rome ATAC bus routes available at the time of your request. This works amazingly well, much better even than ATAC's own site (ATAC is the official site for transportation in Rome.)Visiting the Vatican and the Colosseum with a guideI strongly recommend you consider having a guide for both of these sites. You will also want to hire a licensed guide. Only licensed guides are allowed to give tours of the Vatican. And for the Coliseum, this is also true, although harder to patrol. But they do check the guides sometimes to make sure they are licensed and it would kind of ruin your short time in Rome if your Coliseum guide is stopped in the middle of the tour for not having a license.The reason I recommend guided tours is that both are vast and very intense places to visit, and a good guide can bring them to life, and bring out the best parts, so you get a real feel for them, without being overwhelmed. At least not too much.One option is to do the audio tour for both. Another is that each site also have their own guides you can hire. Third, you may wish to join group tours of both. And finally, you can hire a licensed private guide, who will take care of showing you the best of both sites, and making sure you easily get between the two as well.If you are interested in taking a group tour, or hiring a licensed guide, I will be happy to give you information on either of these, and if you like, help you to hire your licensed Vatican and Coliseum guide. Please contact me for more information.One Day in Rome - at a Leisurely PaceIf you have one day in Rome, and want to sight-see but at a slower pace, I'll give walking options, and some less strict suggestions about where to go. This is for the independent traveller, who does not want to be rushed, or have a guide, or have a must-see list for their one day in Rome. This kind of visit might include lots of sitting and people-watching or coffee/gelato tasting so I'll give plenty of options for those too.I would suggest starting at Piazza Barberini, since it's a convenient metro stop, and very central.From there, take via Sistina to the the top of the Spanish Steps, for a great, first-impression rooftop view of Rome.Option 1 - Borghese ParkFrom here, keep walking along the wall along the top of the Spanish Steps. Now you can see that gorgeous view, but without the crowds. You mostly have it to yourself. As you walk along this road, you will come to a street that ramps up (not the first one, the second one.) Take the street and you will wind up on the Pincio, a lovely spot for beautiful views of Saint Peters Dome, Piazza el Polo (below you), and general rooftop views of Rome.Depending on the weather, you may want to wander back into the park, which is actually pretty large. There are lakes, cafs, fountains, museums and gardens and it can be a lovely way to spend some time in a one-day in Rome visit, without the rush of monument sight-seeing.Come down from the Pincio into Piazza Del Popolo. Hang out at Canova or Rosati caf (they are the only two cafs on piazza del Popolo), and do some people-watching.Sitting at a caf in a main square comes with a price. When you sit at a bar or caf in Rome, you will pay more for what you order. Don't forget, this means you do not need to tip.From here, you might stroll down via di Ripetta towards the mausoleum of Augusto. Make your way along via Monte D'Oro towards Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina.Great lunch spot: Arancio D'Oro, run by the younger brother of, and around the corner from, the better-known but more upscale Settimio All'Arancio. Here you will find other Romans eating typical Roman food for lunch, at every reasonable prices.Via di Monte D'Oro, 17Option 2: Meandering around the Spanish stepsFrom the top of the Spanish Steps, walk down them on either side and you will wind up in the Shopping Zone. Spend some time wandering the streets both across and down, especially if you are a shopper or even window-shopper. Here there is something for everyone. Click here to read more about Shopping at the Spanish Steps.The rest of your leisurely visit in Rome centerEventually make your way towards piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina. (See just above for a nice lunch stop nearby.)Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina is another lovely spot for sitting and people watching. At Bar Vitti, you can get granita, which is a kind of iced coffee. At Ciampini, try their exceptional gelato.From here, walk down the small back streets until you come to via della Scrofa. Take this towards Piazza Navona. Once you visit Piazza Navona, either head towards the Campo Dei Fiori, or towards the Pantheon.Last stop will be the Trevi Fountain, and then back to Piazza Barberini to get the metro to wherever you need to go.One Day in Rome - a Shopping TripMaybe you've been to Rome before, or maybe you just realise that with only one day here, it's not feasible to do much sight-seeing so you might as well go shopping! Either way, Rome is a shoppers' paradise and you can spend the whole day visiting various shopping neighbourhoods.The below is an ambitious itinerary covering most of the main shopping areas of Rome. If you wind up spending a lot of time in any one area, obviously you won't hit all these neighbourhoods I mention. But just in case...Start at the Spanish StepsTake the Metro line A to Spagna (the Spanish Steps). This is the main shopping area of Rome.When you are done with this area and its more well-known shops and brands, make your way towards Campo Marzio, on your way to the Pantheon. There is plenty of great shopping around the Pantheon as well.Behind Piazza Navona - via del Governo VecchioIf time permits, go to Piazza Navona, and heard towards via del Governo Vecchio, the street leading away from Piazza Navona to the left of the Brazilian Embassy there. This is an excellent shopping street full of fun cafs, boutiques, vintage clothing stores and more.You may also want to stop at Cul de Sac for a nice glass of wine and light lunch.Otherwise, if you are running short on time, or just done shopping, you could start making your way back towards the Trevi Fountain and then to the Metro stop on Piazza Barberini.Campo dei Fiori - via GiubbonariIf you do decide to go down via del Governo Vecchio, then when you reach Piazza dell'Orologio, cross over Vittorio Emanuele, and start walking up via dei Banchi Vecchi towards via del Pellegrino. This is a funky shopping area with lots of cute boutiques and cafs.Pass through Campo dei Fiori and walk up via dei Giubbonari. This is a more heavily trafficked, and less "interesting" shopping street but there are some interesting food stops along the way, namely Roscioli bakery (on via dei Giubbonair) and Dar Filettaro (on Largo dei Librari, 88), where you can get a Rome specialty treat, battered fried cod.If time has run out, you might go to Largo Argentina and catch a taxi or bus to where you need to be. Many buses stop here and go to Termini.Monti - via del Boschetto and via UrbanaAbout a 20-minute walk from the end of via Giubbonari, you can head to one of my favourite shopping areas, Monti neighborhood (are you carrying all your purchases? Weighed down? You might consider a taxi, which you can get from a taxi stand at Largo Argentina.)Walk from the top of via del Boschetto to via Leonina, then up via Urbana. So many cute shops, so little time!!One Day in Rome - Soaking up the atmosphereI once went to Paris with a sick friend. We decided to just spend the time hanging around and soaking up the atmosphere. We didn't visit a single monument or museum. It was a different and wonderful way to experience the city. I will have a great memory of that trip always, particularly because of my friend. We ate, drank and were merry.This suggestion is a tribute to him. I think it's how he might have spent the time if he only had one day in Rome:

BreakfastFirst things first: a yummy breakfast (and a newspaper for the maximum caf-sitting experience.) That means great cappuccino and a really superb pastry. So you need a pasticceria.A bar has basic pastries that are normally frozen and heated in a convection oven. They are fine, even delicious. But a pasticceria is a place that specialises in pastries. Now we're talking.There are lots of amazing pasticcerie (pastry shops) in Rome. Most of them are places to get your pastries to go. But, it would be nice to sit and enjoy this lovely Roman breakfast.So let's start in Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina. As I've said on other pages, this is one of my favourite piazza's for sitting, people-watching and soaking up some of that Roman atmosphere (and sunshine!) Try Bar Vitti. They have tables outside, and with umbrellas in summer and heat lamps in winter, and a vast array of delectable pastries.The electric bus and panoramic views of RomeAfter a leisurely morning of pastries and people-watching, head down the via di Campo Marzio, and take a right on via dei Prefetti. Go to the first bus stop there and wait to hop on the electric city bus, 116 (this is a normal city bus, not a tour bus. You need a ticket before you board, so before starting your day, get one at a newspaper kiosk or tabacchi (tobacco vendor, where bus/metro tickets are sold in Rome.)Take the 116 through the city center, near Piazza Navona, into Campo dei Fiori, onto the picturesque via Giulia, and along the Tiber river. When you get to the very end of the line, you will be across the river. Get off the bus, and with your ticket still valid for one transfer, get onto the 115 bus, and let it take you all the way to the top of the Janiculum hill (Gianicolo). Get off at Piazzale Garibaldo and spend some time looking around, and enjoying the views. Your view from the left is a panoramic view of Rome. From the right, you will be looking over Vatican City and Saint Peter's Basilica.While facing the view of Rome, walk towards your right, and take the left-most street, Passegiata di Gianicolo. Follow this all the way to the huge fountain Fontanta Dell'Acqua Paola(or, if you want to know the Roman dialect for it, Er Fontanone,which means Big Fountain.)Continue your descent along via Garibaldi, coming to the Mausoleum for the War Dead, or Ossarium.Just after the mausoleum, you will come to a hairpin turn to your right, but on your left, there is a church, San Pietro in Montorio.It's a beautiful church with very special frescoes inside, but it is almost always impossible to go inside this church, as it's privately owned and usually open only for weddings. I have gone in during a random wedding (shhhh!) so if you find the doors open, turn off your cell phone, and respectfully pop in, staying in the back.Right next to this church is the wonderful Tempietto del Bramante, which is in fact, housed in the private courtyard of the above-mentioned church. So again, you cannot go inside, but it is worth a peek through the gate.Continue descending via Garibaldi. At one point there is a kind of dangerous street intersection, so be careful! Just after this intersection is a staircase going down. This will take you through the back way into the heart of the charming and quirky Trastevere neighbourhood.Trastevere - lunch and strollingOnce in Trastevere, you can find a nice spot for lunch, stroll through the cute streets, hang out at a wine bar or do some shopping. For a bit of culture, stop into the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches in Rome, and a spectacular example of Byzantine mosaics.Last view and site for the day - Campidoglio and the Roman ForumFrom Trastevere, make your way back across the river, crossing the Tiberina Island just for fun. This will put you into the heart of the Jewish Ghetto, but also close the the Capitoline Hill. You could spend a little more time doing more neighbourhood exploration in the Ghetto, or, go up the hill of via del Teatro Marcello to get a glimpse of one of Rome's most important sites, The Roman Forum. You can see this from the top of the Campidoglio Hill.Time For a Wine BarIf I was spending this one day in Rome with my friend, as we did in Paris, we'd be just about ready for a late afternoon/early evening wine bar to sit, relax and review our day. A perfect end to our very laid back day in Rome would be at the Enoteca Provincia di Roma, right near Trajan's Forum. Free wifi, wine, and a gorgeous view of the ruins just outside your window. What more could you want in one day in Rome?One Day in Rome - Something NewYou have been to Rome before. You've seen the major sites. Now, you have just one day in Rome, and want to see something new. In this case, I'll give you a list. While not an itinerary per se, it's a good list to give you ideas of some things to do in Rome that most people don't do on their first visit, but that are absolutely worth seeing. I'd go so far as to say that some of them should be included in a must-see list...but of course many people just don't have the time. So now's your chance:One day in Rome - some museums you may not have seenPalazzo Altemps - a wonderfully presented collection of Greek and Roman sculpture, shown inside an old ducal palace. Right near Piazza Navona.Villa Torlonia - Il Duce's party palace. Mussolini did not live here, but he used to have parties here. And today it houses several museums, including a museum of futuristic art. It's worth going here just to visit the grounds and see the buildings. There is also a nice restaurant, where it's wonderful to sit outside in warm weather.Palazzo Doria Pamphilij - this has to be the most under-rated and under-visited of Rome's art museums. It was the palace of the noble family Doria Pamphilij (in the height of their wealth and power in the 1500's and 1600's), and it will take your breath away. You can visit the palace as the family lived it, and then see some of their vast and amazing art collection in the galleries. It's like a mini-Versailles, although not even that mini. It's right on via del Corso, in the heart of Rome's historic center, so don't miss this!The modern art museums of Maxxi and Macro - Rome's modern art scene has been flourishing in the past several years. The Maxxi museum is worth visiting just to see the building itself (and it has a great cafe.) The Macro museum recently expanded and is now very worth the trip to see it.The Criminology Museum (isn't that cool?) - This one is a bit quirky but it's a very extensive collection of the history of crime and much more. For example, you can find many objects belonging to the most famous executioner of his day (1700's), Mastro Titta: his blood-stained cloak and his axe.The museum of the Ara Pacis - this museum was built entirely to house one thing: the Ara Pacis, or Arch to the Peace. It seems silly to go to a museum to just see one thing but actually, there is much more: the building was designed by architect Richard Meyer and is a superb use of light and glass to showcase this incredible archeological find. Also, you will often find students restoring this ruin. And, I love the diorama of ancient Rome that you see when you first walk in. It shows you where the arch would have been originally but you will also see the placement of other ancient Roman monuments such as the pantheon. On the lower level, there are more relics from Ancient Rome that were found near the arch. And finally, there is often a secondary exhibit there. I once attended the very last showing of all of Valentino's gowns, before he retired. I will never forget that, and the special ambiance of that building, which was perfect for the show.

Italian Food Customs What to Know Before You Come to RomeItalian food customs in Italy may not be what you expect. If you want to eat like the locals eat in Rome, check out these tips for understanding food culture in Italy:

What do Italians eat for breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?What is the difference between a trattoria, osteria (or hostaria) and a restaurant?Rome restaurant hours and closing daysWhat to orderFood sharingHow to Italians stay so thin eating all that pasta?Rome dining costs; understanding the bill; service charges, bread charges; cover chargeTippingWhy cant I just get tap water?Is the house wine any good?How to dress in a restaurant in RomeItalian food customs - breakfastsIf at home, Italians usually have something hot like an espresso or caffe latte (its not common to make cappuccino at home; most Italians only have the little moka machine to make espresso, then they heat their milk in a little pan. Cappuccino requires steamed foamed milk, which requires a gadget most Italians dont have at home.) The usual home-breakfast is either sweet dried biscuits for dunking in the hot drink, or, dried toast (fette biscottate), with marmalade.

If Italians go out for breakfast, they will stop at a bar, stand at the counter and have their drink (this time, maybe a cappuccino or caffe macchiato, which both have foamed milk), and some kind of pastry, like a croissant (cornetto, which is definitely not as sweet and buttery as the French version), or stuffed pastry (cream, jam, etc.)

In Italian food customs, breakfast is something quick to start the day but never as an elaborate, sit-down event. This is often why its hard to find American breakfasts or English breakfasts in Rome. You will need to stay at a 4- or 5-star hotel that has a kitchen dedicated to this unusual kind of cooking, or a bar that is willing to make those foods.Lunch in RomeI have another page about this, but in a nutshell, if Italians have lunch during working hours, its very often just a slice of pizza, eaten while standing up; or a sandwich (panino) at the bar. A very popular lunch with Romans is the tavola calda an inexpensive and relatively quick way to have a nice hot lunch. At a tavola calda, you will find pre-made dishes, such as pastas, veggies, meat and fish, ready to be re-heated, at a caf (bar). Italians may go out for a longer business lunch as well. This is another kind of lunch, involving hours of sitting, eating and talking.Dinner in RomeIf Italians eat dinner out, probably the most common place to go among friends is a pizzeria. Lets go have a pizza together is a phrase my friends and I use the most when we want to see each other for dinner in Rome. It does not mean we will all have pizza, but its a way of saying, lets just go have something easy and casual. Many pizzerias also serve other food, so its easy for everyone to have something they like.One of the most typical Italian food customs is the family Sunday lunch outing. This might be at someones house, a restaurant out of town, so it feels like a getaway, or just a local trattoria in Rome. No matter where, that Sunday family lunch will be long, hours long, and very filling. If you want to see a slice of Italian family life, go out for Sunday lunch (from 1pm onward) in a local trattoria, or a small town outside of Rome, such as Frascati, and you will see this in action. Its fun, loud, warm and loving, and a great way to pass a Sunday.Types of restaurants in Rome

Aside from the pizzeria, here are the other types of eateries in Rome:Restaurant vs. Trattoria Basically, a restaurant (ristorante) is a more formal, sometimes upscale way of dining in Rome. Usually there will be a host to seat you, waiters, tablecloths and a printed menu. And a wine-list. And prices to boot. So expect a more elegant dinner in Rome if you eat at a restaurant. A trattoria is a more informal, casual place to dine in Rome. The menu may or may not be printed. It may be written on a chalkboard, or not at all. There might be tablecloths but there might also just be paper placemats, or nothing at all. In some cases, you might even share a table with people you dont know. Trattoria food is also casual, but can be wonderful, even exceptional. Its the ambiance and overall experience that differ the most between a restaurant and a trattoria.Osteria/Hostaria Historically, a Osteria or Hostaria was a low-key inn, often providing lodging, and serving a bit of local wine and maybe some food. This definition has pretty much fallen away, and now, you will find the words Osteria/Hostaria and Trattoria being used pretty interchangeably. Osterias and Trattorias in Rome tend to be small and family-owned and run.Some other terms you might find:An enoteca is a winebar, and these days, most of them serve food.A paninoteca is a panino bar or sandwich shop.A fiaschetteria is another way to say wine bar.A taverna is like an osteria.How to order dinner in a Rome restaurantItalian food customs vary a little across regions. But more or less, a typical meal in Rome (and the rest of Italy) consists of the following (the links below will take you to my page on Rome cuisine, where you will find examples, photos and more descriptions about each course):An antipastoA primo (pasta, soup or rice/risottoand in Rome, Thursday is gnocchi day!)A secondo (main course, of meat, fish or vegetable. By vegetable, I mean that green salads, eggplant parmesan (parmigiana) and caprese salad (mozzarella and tomato) are all considered typical second courses.)Contorno side dish, usually a vegetable (see above, you may also consider to order just a vegetable as your main course.)Dessert/DolceCaffeDigestivoSharing your dinner at a Rome restaurantDo Italians eat and drink all that? Not usually. I certainly do not. But as part of Italian food customs, that's the general order of a full-blown meal. And if you go to one of those Italian Sunday lunches I mentioned above, then yes, be prepared to try them all.Nobody expects you to eat/order all those courses. In fact, when I eat out with my Italian friends, we all almost always get about 2 items each (not including dessert and after-dinner drinks!)I also like to share with a friend: maybe one antipasto, one primo and one secondo, all to split. I do not know of any restaurant where this is a problem. Italian food customs do not prohibit sharing at all. I find they are always happy to oblige, and bring extra plates. Some even go so far as to bring the dish out already divided into two. This is true even in nice restaurants, so go ahead, sharing food in Rome restaurants is just fine.Italian Food Customs -Portion sizesPortion sizes for food in restaurants in Rome are generally much smaller than what you find abroad. The idea is to actually be able to finish what you order. In Italian food customs, taking left-over food home is generally not done, but there are exceptions. If you do leave over a huge portion of meat or fish, and want to take it with you, they will always wrap it up for you. But certainly not pasta, which is meant to be eaten hot, and freshly made.In some restaurants you may also ask for a half-portion (mezza porzione) of pasta. They dont all do it, but if they do, it will be slightly larger than a half-sized portion, and may cost slightly more than half