The City

Where should one begin to summarise the history of the Eternal City? A good date might be 21 April 753 B.C., when Romulus 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.

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 to be the most typically Roman neighbourhood.

5 Secret Spots in Rome

The vibrant capital of Italy is a unique fusion of rich history, culture, natural beauty, and monuments. It goes much further than the usual tourist sites: delve into Rome's hidden gems that are just a few steps away from the well-trodden paths and monuments.
Here's a shortlist of Rome's tucked-away treasures that will leave you taken with the city's seemingly endless offerings.

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: besides the Roman heritage, there are also medieval neighbourhoods, well-designed squares, colourful markets and Vatican City with St. Peter’s Basilica. Read on for more on the best of Rome.

Dining

Rome's restaurants cater to all tastes. There are American steakhouses, Lebanese meze restaurants, Vietnamese eateries, and several 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 convivium which means "live together". Eating is a social get-together which consists of at least three courses—often even at lunchtime. The Romans do not eat dinner until nine in the evening.

Rome is known for its Carbonara (made with egg, guanciale, and hard cheese, and black pepper) and Amatriciana (made with guanciale, pecorino Romano and tomatoes).

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.

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 be alcoholic. Many bars serve light snacks that 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.

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 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.

Tourist Information