Rome wasn’t built in one day… You might have heard this saying a lot. Italy’s capital has been on my bucket list for quite some time and it was surreal the moment when I got to the Colosseum and I got to walk on the beautiful and narrow Italian streets. Oh, Rome… there is no place like you.
Ancient monuments, Vespa’s, gelato, Italian food… well I have seen them in all the beautiful pictures, but when I got the chance to see it in person, it was breathtaking.
Preparing for Rome
When preparing for your trip to Rome, you must take into account the following:
- Italy has as its official currency EUR
- You can use your card for payments (Revolut is accepted as well)
- Bring some cash upon you, just because some boutiques and sellers accept only notes
We traveled to Rome in mid-September and the weather was perfect (not too warm and not too cold), not raining at all, and the temperature was mild.
Tip: You might want to consider traveling to Rome during fall/spring since it is not so crowded and has excellent prices.
From the moment we arrived, we started to get a feel for the place.
One important thing to keep in mind is that Rome has 2 airports: Fiumicino Airport and Ciampino Airport. We arrived at the Ciampino airport and in order to get to Roma Termini, you will have to get a bus ticket along with a train ticket and the approximate time for traveling is 30 minutes (you can buy the ticket from the airport and it costs approximately 2.70 €). For this very reason, I think you should consider traveling by plane, landing at the Fiumicino Airport. From there, express trains run every 30 minutes to Rome Termini, so you won’t have to worry about any bus shuttle.
Where we stayed
In terms of accommodation, we stayed near Roma Termini and close to Rome-Esquilino (Double B Carlo Alberto- via Carlo Alberto 26). It was about 30 minutes of walking distance from the Colosseum and close to the Metro Station, which made it easy to get around. We had a self-check-out, based on a code, a comfortable bed, and a shared kitchen, but the host was incredibly nice and offered us a deal for breakfast at two locations nearby, where we had a discount and delicious food.
How to get around Rome
To get around, I would recommend using the hop on hop off busses, because besides a great deal they offer, they have a guided audio tour, which is just delightful (you can hear about the places the bus is going to). You won’t just have a sightseeing tour, but rather it has 9 stops and you can just hop off whenever you want. In Rome you will find 5 different companies, which offer different tours: Big Bus, Gray Line, Green Line, City Sightseeing, and Roma Cristiana.
We opted for the Gray Line and they had various offers, but we went for a one-day ticket and paid 20 €. They have a discount for children if you plan a trip with your little ones. Their schedule differ, because from April to October it runs from 8:30 AM to 6:40 PM.
It worked wonders and you can have various stops and you also get an audio tour with the history of the places as the bus drives by them. It is honestly a great deal!
What to see & do in Rome
Art in Rome is incredible, no doubt. It is on another scale. Everywhere you look you will find a piece of history. Even if you take a walk on the romantic and cozy streets, I can guarantee you will find amazing architecture. Needless to say, our first night was dedicated to seeing Colosseum and I can guarantee that seeing it by night is by far one of the most experiences you can have.
A tip that would help you is that the city’s transportation works well, but opting for wandering around on foot, may be the best option there is, to discover the hidden gems Rome has to offer.
Tip: Fontana di Trevi, Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II can be visited all together since they are within a walking distance from each other.
P.S. Fontana di Trevi was my favorite and I enjoyed it so much that we went twice there (basically every night). The tradition is to toss a coin in so you’ll return to the Eternal City.
Exploring Vatican is just a must! I can guarantee you will love and enjoy everything it has to offer. It is crowded, but climbing to the top of the St Peters basilica is definitely worth the view.
The Pantheon is the only ancient Roman temple that is intact. It is free of charge to visit it, but unfortunately, the line was huge and we did not get a chance in doing so. Nonetheless, I strongly recommend going for it.
The Spanish Steps, not only offer you an incredible view but they have the perfect vibes-135 stairs getting the leg day perfect! 
Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful and lively squares in Rome, as well as famous. It is filled with terraces, cafés, and street artists and if you visit it during winter time, it is transformed into the largest Christmas market.
Other things you can do in Rome:
- Visit Villa Borghese
- Visit Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore
- Piazza del Popolo
- Joining a pizza and food-making tour
- Walk along the Passeggiata del Gianicolo
Where to eat in Rome
Some places with good food worth trying while in Rome:
- Ristorante Elettra (one of the best pizzas)
- Klass Restaurant (best tiramisu
) - Pompi Tiramisu
- Cantina e Cucina
- Tonnarello
- Antica Gelateria Trevi
- Venchi Ciocolato e Gelato
Have you traveled to Rome?
If yes, what are some tips and tricks or recommendations you would like to share? Let me know in the comments below! I would love to know them! Other than that, you can follow me on Instagram to see more adventures. 😉
