Rome Sightseeing

What to see in Rome

When in Rome there are an incredible amount of landmarks, historical sites, piazzas and so much more to see. The people of Italy are incredibly proud of their landmarks and make it easy to see them all with the no charge for admittance policy that they put into effect for one week in mid-May with all publicly owned historical sites and landmarks. Other than that, the fees are quite reasonable and vary depending on the site itself.

The Colosseum is one of the main attractions in Rome as is the Forum, and Palatine Hill which are all in close proximity to each other. You can buy a pass at the Forum which will allow you to see all three as well as the Baths of Caracalla, the catacombs, Terme di Dioleziano, Palazza Massimo alle Terme, Villa dei Quintill as well as other sites in the area. Just keep in mind the pass is only good for that day. Other attractions include The Pantheon which is an ancient temple to all the Gods, as well as several other historical sites.

Museums in Rome are incredibly popular and beautiful. They include The Capitoline Museums which contain an excellent collection of classical art and ancient sculpture, Palazzo Massimo which holds famous paintings from the Imperial era, Galleria Borghese which is a small but quality museum of notable works, and Villa Giulia Museum which is the most extensive collection of Etruscan art.

Of course Rome is known for its churches as well. They are full of astonishing décor, classic arts and beautifully done windows and architecture. St. Peter's Basilica in particular is stunning as is St. Pietro, San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, Santa Maria del Popolo and Sant'Agnese in Agone in Piazza Navona just to name a few.

Of course when sightseeing in Rome, you can't forget the public squares such as Piazza Venezia, Piazza di Trevi where you can find the famous Trevi Fountain, the Piazza di Spagna, the Piazza Navona, and Piazza della Minerva which is a small piazza just behind the Pantheon. There are literally piazza's everywhere you go with each one offering something different.

Accommodation in Rome

Accommodation in Rome runs from the high priced five star hotels to the budget hostels and are located all over the city. If you are visiting Rome during the high season it is essential that you book your stay as far in advance as you can, as it gets extremely busy. For backpackers the best area to stay is the area east of Stazione Termini where you can find very budget friendly accommodations. For families staying a long period of time there are plenty of apartment rentals that offer full apartments complete with kitchens and laundry facilities located in each district. There are also many Bed & Breakfast stays that offer some of the most quaint homes and locations. A little more expensive, they offer some of the most "homey" stays and offer a view into the way the Italians live. There are even camping sites that are located on the outskirts of Rome, some even situated on the Tiber river bank.

The Vatican area is one of the most popular places to stay with several elegant accommodations. With many four and five star hotels, it is often one of the most expensive, but well worth it locations. Also in the upper price range you will find a lot of hotels and Bed & Breakfasts in the city centre that offer all the modern amenities as well as high class services. In the historic centre you can find many of the older, yet very elegant hotels that are just minutes from the Colosseum or the heart of the city. To the east of the city centre near Termini Station is one of the most convenient places to stay. You will access to the entire east side of the city centre via foot and it is nearby to many of Rome's main attractions.

Rome Travel Advice

What to do and not to do in Rome

As with any city in the world there are the good people of the city, but there are also the ones that are just trying to con you into something or those who have only theft on their mind. Be very careful to keep yourself and your belongings safe from thieves. Although Rome in general is a safe place, try not to look like a tourist because you may become a victim of a scam.

Most of the crowded locations are perfect for pick pocketing so make sure you keep your money on either a money clip or in your front pocket. Women should never put down their purses or wear backpacks that can easily be unzipped from behind. In general, you should never carry anything of high value in any pocket and men should try to carry only cash rather than a wallet so that it won't look like they have anything in their pocket.