Rome, known as the Eternal City, has attracted visitors for over 2,000 years. It is one of the most magnificent and romantic cities in the world, boasting an attractive mix of grandiose sights and bustling city life. Life is sweet—the cake is there for the eating. Italian designer shopping, smooth ice cream, frothy cappuccino and exquisite wines to name but a few things.
Euro, €1 = 100 cents
Emergency: 112
Fire brigade: 115
Medical: 118
Police: 113
Shops in Rome are normally open 9.00-13.00 and 15.00-20.00. Department stores are usually open all day.
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The City
Where do you start to summarize the history of the Eternal City? A good date might be 21 April 753 B.C. The day when Romulus is said to have founded the city after murdering his twin brother Remus. During the following centuries Rome grew into a powerful empire, peaking during the rule of Marcus Aurelius in 161-180 A.D.
Just like the ancient city, today's Rome is built on seven hills: Capitolino, Palatino, Quirinale, Viminale, Esquilino, Celio and Aventino. The central area is called Campo Marzio, named after the Roman god of war, and was the ancient army’s training grounds. This is where many of the famous sights are located. Other well-known areas are Trastevere, on the other side of the Tiber river, and Monti. Little Pigneto is considered the most typically Roman neighbourhood.
Do & See
Rome is one of a kind. No other city - not even Athens, Istanbul, London or New York - has as many world-class sites as Rome. Walking down Via del Fori Imperiali towards the Colosseum will impress even the most spoiled and shopping-crazed teenager. The city has so much to offer. In addition to the Roman heritage there are also Medieval neighbourhoods, well designed squares, colourful markets and of course, Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica. This Rome guide suggests a few other places that must be seen.
Colosseum
Fontana di Trevi
Pantheon
Forum Romanum
Galleria Borghese
Piazza Navona
Domus Aurea – Nero’s Golden House
Santa Costanza
Museo di Roma
Spanish Steps
The Vatican City
Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia
San Clemente
Ara Pacis Museum
Aventine Hill
Villa Doria Pamphili
La Voce dell'Opera
VIGAMUS - The Video Game Museum
Scuderie del Quirinale
St. Peter's Basilica
Thermae of Caracalla
Wax Museum
Villa Adriana
Palazzo delle Esposizioni
Explora: the Kids' Museum
The National Museums Of Ancient Rome
Sant'Agnese in Agone
Keats–Shelley Memorial House
Casa di Goethe
MAXXI
Raphael in the Villa Farnesina
Dining
Rome restaurants cater to all tastes. There are American steakhouses, Lebanese meze restaurants, Vietnamese eateries, and a number of haute cuisine establishments celebrated in the Guide Michelin, but ”when in Rome, do as the Romans do” and choose the less extravagant restaurants and trattorias for a memorable dining experience.
The Italian word for dinner, "cena," comes from the Latin convivum. A word which means “live together”, and that is precisely what you do. Eating is a social get-together which lasts at least three courses—often even at lunchtime. The Romans do not eat dinner until nine in the evening.
The traditional Roman pasta is called Carbonara and is made from pork and whipped egg yolk with lots of parmesan and black pepper, or all’Amatriciana with bacon, tomato and onion.Vegetables are ordered as a side dish ("contorno"), accompanying the main dish, e.g. tossed spinach or chicory with garlic and pepperoncino (Spanish peppers).
Hostaria Da Cesare
Harry’s Bar
Baghetto
Rinaldi al Quirinale
Ristorante Camponeschi
Ad Hoc
Ristorante Tema
La Pergola
Sakana Sushi
Spirito Divino
Osteria Barberini
Cafes
Italy is a Mecca when it comes to coffee and ice cream, the Romans know exactly which cafés to visit and don’t mind going across town to reach the best.
Caffè Sant' Eustachio
La Casa Del Caffè Tazza D'oro
Forno Campo de' Fiori
200 Gradi
Caffetteria-Bistrot Chiostro del Bramante
Sora Mirella
Gina
Bars & Nightlife
The Romans love to meet over aperitivo around 19.30, after which they either go on to a restaurant or home for dinner. The drinks need not necessarily be alcoholic. Many bars serve light snacks which are included in the price.
After 23.00 most of those looking to party head over to the Testaccio area. Named after the mountain of discarded amphoras, the area is home to many sites, ranging from small piano bars to equally small discos. Make sure you take at least a night out to experience the bar and club scene in Rome.
The Fiddler’s Elbow
The Druid’s Den
Birreria Marconi
Caruso Cafè
Qube Disco
BeBop Jazz Club
Cuccagna Pub
Antica Enoteca
Shopping
High fashion shopping in Rome is concentrated on two streets running parallel to each other from the Spanish Steps. Via Condotti is home to Prada, Valentino, Gucci, Armani, and Max-Mara. Over on Via Borgognona, one can find the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Gianfranco Ferré, Laura Biagiotti, and Gai Mattiolo. Closer to Piazza Navona is Via dei Giubbonari, and its street fashion stores McQueen and Liquid. Also nearby is Via del Governo Vecchio, with its elegant vintage fashion boutiques.
When it comes to food, Rome has several notable spots. Volpetti, on Via Marmorata 47 in Testaccio, is as close to heaven as you can get. This bustling, high-paced place offers many deli options—Latini pasta from Osimo, salsiccia and spicy sandwich meats its speciality, however, is its cheeses, including the formaggio di fossa, matured underground. Two other delis to revel in are ancient Franchi and Castroni on Via Cola di Rienzo. Castroni offers a slightly more international selection. Campo de´Fiori is the site of a daily food market that embodies the terms picturesque and colourful. Come early when the shadows are long and the morning is at its freshest. Another nice market, with more of a food hall atmosphere is Mercato di Testaccio.
Carlo Cecchini
McArthurGlen Castel Romano Designer Outlet
La Rinascente
Galleria Alberto Sordi
Coin
Battistoni
Bottega Veneta
Laura Biagiotti
Boutique Roberto Cavalli
Abitart
Essential Information
Airport
Rome’s main airport, Leonardo da Vinci, is located in Fiumicino, 30 kilometres (18.5 miles) from the city.
There are several different ways for you to get into the city centre from the airport:
Leonardo Express
The Leonardo Express leaves every half hour in each direction and connects Roma Termini station with Fiumicino airport. Tickets can be bought at machines, travel agencies, ticket desks and on the website.
Train
You can reach Rome by train directly to the Termini railway station.
Metro
The metropolitan train FM1 links the airport with regions like Fara Sabina, Orte and Poggio Mirteto. Please note that the Metro does not stop at central station Termini.
Terravision Shuttle Bus
This bus line takes you to the central station Termini.
The city’s second airport Ciampino is situated 12.0 km south southeast of central Rome and is mainly served by low-cost airlines and package tours.
Bus
Some of the low-cost airlines have their own buses. The regular buses depart from the nearby underground station Anagnina.
Taxi
A taxi ride from the airport and central Rome takes 20 minutes.
Address: Via dell' Aeroporto di Fiumicino 320, Rome
Phone: +39 06 65951
Website: www.adr.it
Best time to Visit
The summer brings peak visitor numbers to Rome, and some of the year's highest temperatures fall on July and August. If your visit falls on these two months, do make sure to check that your accommodation is equipped with air conditioning. Rome is a traveller's darling all throughout the year, with spring being, the most pleasant time to visit.
Passport/Visa
Italy can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Public Transport
The Termini station is the hub for Rome’s transportation network. The name of the local bus and streetcar company is ATAC. All tickets must be purchased from ATAC ticket machines, newsagents, or ticket outlets on the underground. The underground runs until midnight. Night buses stop at stations marked ”N”.
There are also different choices of travel passes for 1, 3 or 7 days that are valid on all public transportation.
Taxi
Taxi stands can be found throughout the city centre. It is recommended that tourists only use the licensed yellow and white taxis. An extra fee is payable per suitcase to and from the airport. There is also a surcharge at night, on public holidays and on Sundays. It is cheaper to hail a taxi in the street than get one at a taxi stand or book via telephone. Tipping at 5-10% is encouraged.
Phone: +39 060609
Post
The Post Office is usually open 09.00-14.30 from Monday to Friday and between 09.30–13.00 on Saturdays.
Stamps can be bought at tobacconists that either carry a blue and white "Tabacchi" sign or are simply marked ”T”.
Address: Via di Porta Angelica 23, Rome
Phone: +39 06 68801276
Pharmacy
You recognise a pharmacy in Rome by a green sign with a cross. They are open Monday-Friday 08.30-13.00 and 15.30-19.00. On Via Nazionale 228, Via Arenula 73 and Piazza Barberini there are pharmacies open during the night time.
Telephone
Country code +39
Rome area code: 06 (also dialled in Rome) If you call Italy from abroad, you must always dial zero in the area code (do not omit it as is the general practice when making international telephone calls), e.g. +39 06 + the number.
Electricity
220 volt