Discover Rome: Eternal City of Ancient Wonders and Timeless Things to Do

Step back 2,000 years at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, then descend into the ancient Catacombs and walk the Appian Way. Rome's ancient core is the world's greatest open-air museum, where gladiators once fought and emperors ruled.

Stand beneath Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, explore the vast Vatican Museums, and climb the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. Rome also guards Caravaggio canvases and Bernini sculptures in churches and the Borghese Gallery, making it one of Europe's richest artistic cities.

Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, climb the Spanish Steps, gaze up inside the Pantheon's perfect dome, and people-watch in Piazza Navona. Rome's squares and Baroque fountains are free to enjoy and utterly magical after dark.

Twirl cacio e pepe and carbonara, sample supplì and Roman-Jewish fried artichokes, and graze the Campo de' Fiori and Testaccio food markets. After dark, enjoy aperitivo, wine bars, and gelato in the lively piazzas of Trastevere and Monti.

Wander Trastevere's cobbled lanes, watch the sunset from the Gianicolo and Pincio terraces, and stroll the Tiber's riverside paths. Rome rewards aimless walking just as much as its ticketed sights and monuments.

Rome's historic heart packs the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Trevi Fountain into a maze of cobbled lanes. Stay here to walk to most major sights, though expect higher prices and lively crowds both day and night.

Across the Tiber, Trastevere charms with ivy-clad alleys, artisan workshops, and some of Rome's best trattorias and nightlife. Atmospheric and authentic, it's ideal for travellers who want character and great food right on the doorstep.

Tucked between the Colosseum and Termini, Monti is Rome's hip urban village of vintage boutiques, wine bars, and a buzzing central piazza. Central yet local, it's perfect for visitors seeking style without the heaviest tourist crowds.

Bordering Vatican City, elegant Prati offers wide boulevards, excellent shopping, and easy access to St. Peter's and the Vatican Museums. Quieter and residential, it's a calm, well-connected base just a short metro ride from the centre.

Once home to Rome's slaughterhouse, Testaccio is now the city's culinary soul, with a beloved food market, classic Roman eateries, and lively late-night bars. Largely free of tourists, it's a favourite among serious food lovers.

Home to Rome's main train station and the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Esquilino is the city's most multicultural quarter. Budget-friendly and superbly connected, it suits travellers who prioritise transport links and value.

We recommend: Rome in 3 Days

We recommend: Ancient Rome Itinerary

We recommend: Rome Lifestyle Itinerary

We recommend: Best Day Trips from Rome

We recommend: Vatican & Masterpieces Itinerary

Just an hour from Rome, Tivoli is famed for two UNESCO villas: the lavish Renaissance gardens and fountains of Villa d'Este and the sprawling ruins of Emperor Hadrian's Villa. A perfect blend of nature and ancient history.

Rome's remarkably preserved ancient port lies just 30 minutes away. Wander complete streets, mosaics, baths, and a Roman amphitheatre with a fraction of Pompeii's crowds — one of Italy's most underrated archaeological sites.

Take a high-speed train south to explore the haunting ruins of Pompeii, frozen in time by Vesuvius in 79 AD, and the lively city of Naples, birthplace of pizza. A long but rewarding day trip from Rome.

In the hills southeast of Rome, the Castelli Romani towns offer volcanic lakes, the papal palace at Castel Gandolfo, and crisp Frascati wine. A relaxed escape into the countryside and local food traditions.

Reachable in about 1.5 hours by high-speed train, Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance, home to the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and Michelangelo's David. An ambitious but unforgettable day trip.

Perched dramatically on a volcanic plateau in Umbria, Orvieto dazzles with its striped Gothic cathedral, underground caves, and crisp white wine — an easy, scenic stop on the Rome–Florence rail line.