If you're interested in going to Rome but you're not sure where to begin with planning, then this could be the post for you. I can't give you the ultimate guide since I wasn't able to see absolutely everything, but I'm happy to share some tips and lessons learned from my recent trip!
BEFORE YOU GO
Check out my "Going to Paris?" post for some basic travel tips that can also apply for a trip to Rome! For the most part, my tips would be the same. However, when it comes to currency, Rome has more places that don’t take cards so you’ll need more cash than you would in Paris. As for the language, less people speak English in Rome than they do in Paris (which is saying something), but as long as you stick near the touristy spots, you’ll be okay.
SITES TO SEE
There are plenty of things to see in Rome and unfortunately I was only there for a short three days. But with that being said, I can say that these are the essential attractions you must see if you’re limited on time like I was!
Trevi fountain - Get your wish list ready, because if you’re anything like me, you’re going to need plenty of wishes to capture the perfect picture (or boomerang).
Make sure to get coins ahead of time - it was surprisingly difficult for me to get a handful of pennies once I got there, so get them beforehand or settle for some bigger coins you have lying around!
Colosseum (Coliseum) - I highly recommend you get a tour while you’re there. I did the simple 5€ tour, which was way more satisfying than I expected considering how cheap it is. There’s so much to learn about the Colosseum and you’d be surprised how much you learn from the guide in such a short amount of time.
However, if you can plan ahead for the in-depth tour that gives you access to the third and underground floors, that’s probably the best experience. And it only costs 4€ more!
St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican City) - At first, the Vatican may seem a bit out of the way since it’s on the other side of the river, but it really doesn’t take long to get there at all.
I would recommend planning ahead to actually go inside the Vatican museum. But don’t feel bad if you don’t - because of the long lines and lack of planning, I didn’t get to go in, yet I still feel like the exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica was worth the trip.
Heads up, if you do go inside to see the Sistine Chapel, don’t be disappointed that the famous “Creation of Adam” painting is just a small piece of the ceiling of what was once a huge epic painting.
HOW TO GET AROUND
The metro is pretty much a straight shot so it’s pretty easy to figure out on your first try. However, it doesn’t stop that close to the main points so I also recommend getting a 24 hour pass with a giant tour bus. There are numerous hop-on hop-off bus tours, so just take your pick. What’s cool is that they’re audio tours so you can choose to listen if and when you’d like.
If you aren’t on a tight schedule, you can hop off the bus and hang around the area however long you choose. A new bus will come around around every 10-15 minutes, so you can take your time and enjoy the sights. I thought the 24 hour pass was the perfect way to get a ride to all the main tourist points in Rome.
Also, if you plan ahead and do your research I heard there are tour bus packages that come with access into some of the museums. I will definitely look into that next time to find the best way to get my money’s worth!
FOODS TO EAT
I didn’t get to try all the top spots I found online, but out of all the places I did try, there are two spots that I need to bring to your attention: Osteria Barberini and Giolitti.
I found Osteria Barberini online as it has many awards from TripAdvisor. Heads up, they only take reservations, as do most popular restaurants in Rome. I had a classic Italian caprese salad and their famous truffle pasta - both beyond amazing.
In general I’m not a huge fan of tomatoes nor mozzarella that’s not melted, but I loved the caprese salad so much that I was very, very close to ordering a second one. I tried a caprese salad the next day somewhere else and I was surprised to find that there is such thing as a good and bad version. Osteria Barberini definitely did it right. The truffle pasta is 24€ for a tiny serving, but boy was it worth it. The flavor was rich yet perfectly light. It also helped that all the employees were delightful. Our waiter was such a sweetheart and the chef even came out to shake our hands. Osteria Barberini is very classy and their food is amazingly delicious.
Each of my friends that have been to Rome before said I would be a disgrace if I didn’t try Giolitti. After trying it for myself, I understand why! It really was the best gelato I have ever tasted or even imagined. You would think that being in Italy means that all the gelatos must be amazing, right? Wrong! I tried the first place I found next to the Trevi the first day, and I can honestly say I barely remember eating it. I’m sure it was good, but it just didn’t leave an impression on me.
At Giolitti on the other hand, I remember my eyes just widening in amazement after the first lick. I had raspberry and white chocolate - the flavors were just so rich that I demanded to go back the next (also my last) day. The second time I got strawberry and hazelnut, and my friend Keemia got chocolate and pear - all very satisfying! If I went back to Rome, you can believe that getting more of this gelato would be the first thing I do.
A few other classic Italian foods you must try while you’re there:
Risotto - I had it at a whole-in-the-wall cafe right by my Airbnb and it was scrumptious. It doesn’t matter where you go. Be adventurous and try places in your area!
Pizza - I tried it from Sapori e Delizie since I found it as one of the best pizzas on Yelp. I had the potato sausage pizza and I very much liked the flavor, but my friend got a pizza with eggplant and she was not as happy
All different types of pastas - here are just a few that I had:
Carbonara - my favorite
Gnocchi - I tried it with a four cheese sauce
Lasagna - I was surprised it had less layers than I’m used to, but it was still delicious!
Cacio e pepe - My online research recommended that I try cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper pasta), which is a very popular Roman dish. Unfortunately I tried it at a random spot I found called Le Foodie Cafe Bistrot and the flavor was way too strong. It’s possible it was just that restaurant though, I wouldn’t write off cacio e pepe just based off this one experience.
Similarly to Paris, you should sit outside and enjoy the ambiance of local cafes as much as you can! One thing I love about coffee in Rome is how cheap they are! The cappuccinos only cost 1-2€, and although they are small, I thought it was the perfect amount to give me a little caffeine boost each day!
And I’ve gotta say, I like my coffee extra sweet (some coffee to my sugar/cream as people like to say), but when I was in Rome I never added a single grain of sugar to my cappuccinos and I still enjoyed every drop blissfully! The quality was so good I didn’t need any additives!
SHOPPING
Unlike Paris, souvenir shopping is a little easier in Rome. Want the perfect gifts that are “so Italian” and not food related? Two words - Italian leather. You can easily find purses, wallets, belts, etc. for decent prices. There are a ton of shops near the touristy spots and you’ll still find great prices there.
However, for unbeatable prices look for mini flea markets away from the touristy spots. I found the perfect one on the street right next to Le Foodie Cafe Bistrot and I would definitely recommend it! I had already bought myself a purse prior to finding this little paradise of shopping, but the prices were so unbelievable that I couldn’t pass it up! You can easily buy a quality leather purse (or even multiple) for less than 30€!