Top 5 Insider Tips for Rome

The Italian capital has several airports: The main one is Rome-Fiumicino Airport. It is regularly serviced by German airports such as Dortmund, Cologne-Bonn, Berlin, or Memmingen. If you do a bit of searching and are flexible, you can find offers starting from $30. However, you can generally expect flight prices around $100. If you land at FCO airport, the best way to reach the city center is by taking the Leonardo Express train. The train takes only half an hour to reach Rome's main railway station, Termini. The second important airport in the city, Rome-Ciampino, is about 9 miles from the city center. The bus ride from the airport to the center costs about $6 and takes approximately 55 minutes.

A ride on the metro, buses, or trams always costs $1.50 - once you get off anywhere, the single ticket becomes void. You can buy tickets at newsstands, tobacco shops, or machines at the stations. If you plan to use public transport frequently during your stay in Rome, it's advisable to get a day pass for $7, which allows you to use all means of transport within the city for 24 hours from the time of stamping. The math is simple: If you use public transport at least five times within the 24 hours, the day pass is worth it. If needed, you can also purchase 48-hour tickets for $12.50 and 72-hour tickets for $18. If you stay even longer, a weekly ticket might be a good option.

The most convenient way from the airports to the city center is, of course, by taxi. Official taxis have set rates. For a ride from Fiumicino Airport to the city center, you shouldn't pay more than about $50. From Ciampino Airport, it's around $30. Make sure to get into the white taxis to benefit from the regulated rates. Of course, you can also rent a car at the airport to be even more flexible. But always remember the traffic congestion and the very confusing traffic, which seems almost typical for Rome.

Tourist tax in Rome:

1-3 star hotels: up to $4 per night

4-5 star hotels: up to $7 per night

B&Bs and vacation rentals: $3.50 per night

Campgrounds: $2 per night

Before we introduce you to the most important sights in Rome in detail, we have an exclusive sightseeing and therefore also Vacation Guru insider tip for you: Book a private tour with a local and discover Rome the way locals see it. The different guides have made it their mission to show you the most beautiful corners of the Eternal City and provide you with interesting background knowledge about Rome's history and sights. The special thing about this tour: You can specify your preferences in advance and which sights you definitely want to visit. Your guide will then tailor the sightseeing tour according to your desires.

Rome is not easy to overview. Once you arrive, you will hardly know what to visit first. It's best to gain an overview of your neighborhood and the sights you absolutely want to see before starting your tour. But before you begin your walk, one important tip in advance: Get yourself the Roma Pass. This pass not only includes transportation with public transport but also entry to one museum or archaeological site of your choice, reduced ticket prices to all other museums, and skip-the-line entry. We have dedicated a separate article to the diverse sights in Rome. Here we present the absolute highlights, including insider tips.

Video: Vacation Guru

Many of the popular sights are very crowded during the day, so we recommend visiting them in the evening or early morning when other tourists are not yet or no longer around. Especially the magnificent Trevi Fountain, where so many lucky coins land daily that the city fished out more than 1.4 million euros in total from the fountain in 2018, can be so crowded during the day that you sometimes cannot fully enjoy the view. However, early in the morning, you can have this sight almost to yourself, and although it is also very crowded in the evening, you should not miss the sight of the romantically illuminated landmark.

Vacation Guru Insider Tip #2: If the crowds at the Trevi Fountain are too much for you but you still want to take a self-shot picture of the sight home with you, we have the ultimate tip for you. Across from the sight is the fashion store United Colors of Benetton. Here, there is a balcony on the building that offers the best view of the Trevi Fountain. Just kindly ask the staff of the fashion chain if you can briefly step onto the balcony and enjoy the unbeatable view.

Also, the Spanish Steps with their total of 136 steps have always been a popular meeting point where young people gathered and planned their evening. Sitting on the Spanish Steps is no longer allowed, but you should definitely not miss this sight during your city stroll. You can best reach the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain via the orange metro line A. Simply get off at the Spagna or Barberini station and then stroll a bit along the Via dei Condotti, one of the most expensive streets in Rome.

Vacation Guru Insider Tip #3: Do you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city or perhaps want to cool off from the summer heat? Then pay attention! Two streets away from the Trevi Fountain, in Vicolo del Puttarello, there are underground pathways. Here you will find the fascinating archaeological area of Vicus Caprarius, also known as the City of Water. It was accidentally discovered in 1999 during renovation work and turned out to be an ancient Roman residence. Today, this place still supplies the Trevi Fountain with water. The underground labyrinth is absolutely worth seeing and can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday between 11 AM and 5 PM. If you want to be safe, reserve a time slot in advance.

You can't leave Rome without visiting the legendary Colosseum and the Roman Forum. We recommend purchasing a combination ticket for $16, which allows you to visit both of Rome's attractions. You should buy this ticket directly at the Roman Forum, as the waiting time there is shorter compared to the Colosseum. It's best to buy your ticket only at the official counter and not from the vendors who stand around these attractions. They often charge a much higher price, and you usually don't get any additional benefits when purchasing such a ticket. If you really want to be on the safe side and ensure no waiting time, you can purchase an entry ticket online before your trip. Here, you also have to pay an additional booking fee of $2.

The Palatine Hill is also very worth seeing, which you can visit for free with your ticket for the Roman Forum.

A little tip: If you're interested in Roman history, you should do a bit of reading before your visit to the Forum or use an (audio) guide to get a good idea of how it must have looked here thousands of years ago. If you want to learn more about the magnificent Colosseum, we recommend our article about the Colosseum with all important information. Near the Colosseum, you will also find the 600-meter-long Circus Maximus, where chariot races like those of Ben Hur took place as early as the middle of the 5th century BC.

You can best reach the Colosseum with the blue metro line B, the Colosseo station is located, as the name suggests, right at the Colosseum. Alternatively, you can take tram line 8 and get off at the Venezia station. Here you are at the busiest square in Rome, Piazza Venezia, which you can hardly miss because it is at the foot of the enormous national monument, the Altare della Patria. You can also climb the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II for free and enjoy a magnificent view over the city.

You should also definitely visit the accessible areas of the Vatican, which include St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square, and the so-called Vatican Museum - where the world-famous Sistine Chapel is located. You should set aside at least three hours for visiting the Vatican Museums, as the papal art collection is one of the largest and most valuable in the world. Whether you're an art lover or not, this exhibition will surely blow you away! It's best to purchase your tickets online in advance, so you don't have to wait long at the entrance but can walk right past the queue, which is particularly long in the morning and at noon. Last-minute visitors should plan their visit for the afternoon, shortly before the ticket office closes. Invest in an audio guide that explains the artistically designed rooms like the Appartamento Borgia and the Stanze di Raffaello, as well as the valuable art treasures by artists like van Gogh, Michelangelo, Dali, and Rodin.

Vacation Guru Insider Tip #4: The Vatican Museums are generally closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of each month. On this day, you can visit the holy halls for free and save $17. So if you're planning a trip to Rome and happen to have time at the end of the month, or even booked in this period - don't miss this opportunity.

Near the end of the museum, you'll come to the absolute highlight, the Sistine Chapel, which was designed by Michelangelo himself. Stand in the middle of this impressive chapel and direct your gaze at the famous painting 'The Creation of Adam'. A once-in-a-lifetime sight! Photography, filming, and loud talking are, by the way, prohibited in the Sistine Chapel. Women must also cover their shoulders here (unlike in the rest of the museum).

After your visit to the Vatican Museums, you can head directly to St. Peter's Square, which is located nearby. You can visit St. Peter's Square and Basilica for free, you just need to go through a body check and dress appropriately. That means: Cover your shoulders and avoid shorts and flip-flops. Similar to the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Square is very crowded in the morning and at noon, so you should plan your visit for the early evening if possible. It is generally so empty by that time that you can pass the checks without waiting. Once you have passed all the controls, you can finally enter the impressive St. Peter's Basilica, one of the most important churches in the world. There is no denying that you will be left in awe, as such splendor is truly a rare sight. It is best to read our article about the St. Peter's Basilica so you know what to expect. You can top off your visit to the Vatican with a climb to the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, which you can enter for $8. The Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Square are best reached via the orange metro line A.

Vacation Guru Tip #5: If you go to the Swiss Guards at the southern gate of St. Peter's Square daily except Wednesdays between 9 AM and 12 PM and ask about the 'German Cemetery', you can enter Vatican City without waiting. Cool, right?

If your feet can still carry you, you should then take a kilometer walk along the Via della Conciliazione to Castel Sant'Angelo. This castle, known as the Castel Sant'Angelo in Italian, was once the mausoleum of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and now serves as a museum.

Do you need a few hours of break from the hectic hustle of the big city Rome? Then take the orange metro line A and get off at the Flaminio station. Here you are not only directly at Piazza del Popolo, one of the most famous squares in Rome, but also near a very expansive park in the city, Villa Borghese. Here you can rent bikes, ride boats over a small lake, admire numerous fountains or simply find a shady spot to relax. A must for art lovers is the Galleria Borghese located in the park, which houses one of the most valuable private art collections in the world. The entrance tickets for the Villa cost $13.

You can enjoy the best view of the city completely for free. To enjoy this, you just have to walk to the Gianicolo Hill near the Trastevere district towards the large Garibaldi Monument. From here, you have a fantastic panoramic view of Rome and can see the sights from above.

Rome is simply so rich in great attractions that the list seems never-ending. Therefore, here is a small selection of additional popular sights in Rome that are definitely worth visiting if you have a few days:

Guru Tip: You can easily discover all the sights using the metro or even by renting a bike. Don't be discouraged by the horror stories about the disastrous traffic in the metropolis. The Romans are currently discovering cycling for themselves and have already created some good bike paths. With a bike, you're flexible and can also enjoy the beautiful routes along the Tiber River. Here you can easily avoid the traffic. One tip we also want to give you: You will find drinking water fountains scattered throughout the city where you can refresh yourself and refill your water bottle. The water is of excellent quality and nice and cool; you can drink it without worry.

Rome has particularly enchanted us with its culinary offerings. We want to show you the most important places for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you can enjoy delicious and affordable meals even without food provided by your hotel. If you want to have breakfast with the Romans, you should visit San Calisto, where you can find delicious breakfasts at moderate prices. But a visit is also worthwhile around 6 PM when the Romans are off work, as cocktails are served then. The smaller restaurants usually offer a lunch menu that is worth it: For $10-$15, you get a menu with a starter, main course, and a drink or dessert. By the way, we highly recommend Trapizzino in Trastevere for a snack on the go, where you can get delicious sandwiches.

When in Rome, you should also treat yourself to at least one pizza. But not at one of the typical tourist hotspots. We were particularly impressed by Pizzeria Loffredo. The pizzas here are not only super delicious but also affordable. By the way, don't be surprised if many restaurants open late in the evening, as in Rome, dinner is eaten later. Accordingly, the places are also busy until midnight. You must also try real Italian gelato. Of course, we have a recommendation for you. Gelateria Cremeria Monteforte is a traditional family business whose homemade ice cream has won many awards. Give it a try; it's divine!

Vacation Guru Insider Tip #6: During a visit to Rome, you must not miss a detour to the Trastevere district. Here you will find not only small cute markets but also good and above all cheap restaurants, hidden palm gardens, and many places where you can party. This district is absolutely hip and should definitely be on your list for Rome.

If you want to let a local show you the culinary hotspots of the city or even cook your own pizza and pasta, you can find great food tours offered by Get your Guide, which you can easily book online with just a few clicks. We have put together a selection for you here:

In Rome, the evening begins with the first sundowner. You can experience a special view with the first cocktail on the rooftop terrace of Hotel Forum. Those who have seen the Oscar-winning film 'La Grande Bellezza' know exactly how impressive the night view of the illuminated sights of the city is. Of course, you can go to one of the many nightclubs, but we recommend sitting in one of the cozy bars in the Trastevere district and letting yourself be swept away by the murmurs of the Italians. We are still enchanted by this wonderful district, where restaurant after restaurant lines the streets, and where usually young night owls meander until deep into the night. After a wonderful dinner at the popular yet affordable restaurant Grazia & Graziella, which serves delicious pizza, we strolled a bit through Trastevere, bought a souvenir or two from the numerous little stalls, and finally settled at Piazza Santa Maria to watch the street performers. An unforgettable evening!

We are looking forward to the Eternal City of Rome every time. There is so much to discover and experience. Just let yourself be swept away through this fantastic city with a great history and enjoy the atmosphere! Once there, you're sure to want to return because it's almost impossible to visit all the many famous attractions in a single short trip. Plus, there are so many great restaurants and cafes you should absolutely visit. La bella Italia indeed has a lot to offer, so don't wait! You can find the best offers for your city trip with us as always.