HOW TO SPEND YOUR TIME IN ROME
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This post is about the best things to see and do in Rome
Thinking about a trip to Rome? We spent 5 days in the Eternal City and I have lots of tips and advice to offer you. Rome is not just one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, it’s one of the most beautiful in the world and can feel a little like one big open air museum due to the vast number of ancient ruins, buildings and monuments that are around every corner.
You could spend just a day in Rome or up to a week.
To be able to fully enjoy what Rome has to offer you should aim to spend at least a few days here.
Let’s take a look at the must sees for your trip to Rome with some tips and advice for getting the most from your time in this beautiful city.
Planning your trip? Use my favourite resources!
🏨 Accommodation : I recommend Booking.com
✈️ Flights : for the cheapest flights, I use Skyscanner
🚗 Rental Car : I recommend Rental Cars
🛡️ Travel Insurance : for the best deals I rely on HeyMondo
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This post is about the best things to do in Rome, Italy.
Colosseum
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Like many, when I think of Rome one of the first things that comes to mind is the Colosseum. It is first on the must-do list when in Rome.
It dates back to 80AD and was the largest amphitheater ever built at the time. In it’s day 80,000 people would come to be entertained by the Roman Gladiators, lions, tigers, elephants and many other animals.
In 2019 it was the most popular tourist attraction in the world, with 7.6 million visitors.
Armed with that knowledge, you should expect large crowds and queues when you visit. We were lucky and there was virtually no queue when we arrived. I highly recommend booking your tickets online before you arrive to save as much of the queing as you can. When you book you will choose a time slot and you should arrive 30 minutes before that slot. We choose 3pm, which, as I mentioned, meant no queues at all.
Most visits to the Colosseum last between 1-3 hours and you can tour the place on your own, get an audio guide (costing €6.00) or join a guided tour (book this in advance).
Colosseum opening times
The Colosseum is open year-round, with exception of January 1st, May 1st and December 25th. Opening hours are from 8:30 AM until 7 PM (or one hour before sunset).
How to avoid the crowds at the Colosseum
We were incredibly lucky (or maybe highly skilled travellers who did it all just right) when we went to the Colosseum and we did not queue at all but everyone else tells me they’ve queued for a very long time to get in to the Colosseum. Here’s what I recommend for a hassle free Colosseum visit.
Buy your ticket in advance. I honestly can’t recommend this enough. I know a few people who didn’t buy their ticket in advance and they had to queue for a long time. You can get them direct from the Official Colosseum website but you generally have to book quite a bit in advance, especially during the peak season of July and August.
If tickets are sold out for the day you want to visit on the Official Colosseum website you should get a skip-the-line tour. You will pay a little extra for your ticket but who really wants to be standing in queues on holiday.
Try visiting during the low season which runs from November to February. Weekends are much busier than weekdays so visit on a weekday if possible and avoid any dates near a major holiday.
If you are visiting during peak season, which is March til October, weekend or weekday won’t really make much difference.
The best time of day to visit is early in the morning around 8:30am. If that isn’t an option aim to go 2-3 hours before closing. That should be plently of time to spend in the Colosseum and you will avoid the busier crowds of midday.
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
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The Roman Forum is the historial center of Rome. It was the center of day to day life in ancient Rome with government buildings, temples and market places. Rome was built on seven hills and Palatine Hill is one of these hills. It is right next to the Roman Forum, which are both right next to the Colosseum.
Your ticket to the Colosseum will include entrance to both of these places. You can either visit after the Colosseum or the following day as your tickets will be valid for 2 consecutive days.
If you want to learn more from your trip to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill you can visit with an experienced guide on this highly rated tour which includes access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Spanish Steps
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The Spanish Steps will be crowded. Prepare yourself. There are many tourists hanging around, taking pictures, chatting. At the top of the Spanish Steps is Trinita dei Monti. There is a great view from here back down over the Spanish Steps and the rooftops of Rome.
A word of caution - do not sit down on the steps! When we were there there was a security guard with a whistle that would tell anyone to get up if they dared to sit down. This is a law put in place in 2019 that you can not sit on the steps. If you do you face a €400 fine. If you need a relax, fine somewhere else or it could be a very expensive seat.
Trevi Fountain
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The Trevi Fountain is one of Romes most famous landmarks. I would recommend visiting it during the day (as early as possible as it gets very busy) and at night for two very different experiences. It is beautiful but wow, it’s busy! Legend has it that if you throw a coin into the fountain you will be assured a return to Rome.
Piazza Navona
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This huge, beautiful piazza is the perfect place to people watch. It’s filled with cafes, fountains and lots of people. There are artists painting pictures and drawing tourists charactures.
It’s a great place to relax by the fountains or grab a coffee or in one of the cafes whilst you watch the goings on around you.
WATCH THE VIDEO OF WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN ROME
Vatican City
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The Vatican City is home to the Pope and the smallest country in the world. There are two main areas to see in the Vatican : St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums (where the Sistine Chapel is). The queues for them can be, and probably will be, horrendous. It’s very common to be waiting 3+ hours and the line for the basilica can be in the glaring sunshine. To avoid the worst of the crowds it’s best to visit first thing in the morning (the museums open at 9am and the basilica opens at 7:30am) or later in the afternoon (museums last entry is 4pm and the basilica is 6:30pm)
On Wednesdays at 9:30am the Pope holds a Papel Audience. We visited on a Wednesday specifically for this, as do many others. The lines for this can be insane so get their early. You will have to go through security and no large bags or water bottles other than plastic ones are allowed in. Papal Audience tickets are free and even if you don’t have a ticket it’s likely you will still get in.
How to avoid the long lines at the Vatican
Book your tickets in advance. You can book your tickets in advance on the official Vatican Museums website. If you purchase your tickets online in advance you will skip the line to enter the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. These tickets go on sale 60 days in advance and they sell out very quickly. If they are sold out you can purchase them at GetYourGuide.
Join a Skip-the-Line Tour. There are many tours that enable you to skip the line for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, such as this highly rated tour.
Go early! You may just have to get out of bed a little earlier on the day you visit the Vatican. We left our hotel at 7:30am and were so glad we did. St Peters Basilica opens at 7:30am and you could completely avoid any queues by getting there that early, plus there’s the added benefit of avoiding the midday heat.
Visiting St Peters Basilica
St Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and is considered to be the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture.
It is a separate visit from the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Make sure you are wearing appropriate dress to ensure not being denied entry. For men this means no shorts or vest tops and for women this means no bare shoulders or skirts/shorts above the knee.
The lines for St Peters Basilica can get long as they spiral around the centre of the Vatican Square. As this is open before the Vatican Museums I’d recommend going here first. If you want to get a skip-the-line ticket you can get a guided tour which includes the dome climb.
View from the top of the dome
It is free to enter St Peter’s Basilica but there is a fee to climb to the top of the dome:
climb 551 steps to the top of the dome 8
take the lift to the terrace then climb 320 steps to the top 10
Visiting Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
As the Vatican Museums opens later (9am) than St Peter’s Basilica I’d recommend going there after lunch. You should book your ticket online to help avoid the queues.
To get to the Museums from St Peters Basilica, leave the Vatican Square on the right as you look at the basilica and walk around the edge of the Vatican wall for around 15 minutes until you arrive at the entrance to the museums.
You can get skip-the-line tickets to help avoid the crazy queues or you can get a guided tour which also allows you to skip-the-line.
Rome FAQs
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What are the must-see attractions in Rome?
Rome is filled with iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, Vatican City (including St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums), the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Piazza Navona.
When is the best time to visit Rome?
The best time to visit Rome is generally during the spring (April to June) or fall (September to October) when the weather is mild, and there are fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months.
How do I get around Rome?
Rome has an extensive public transportation system including buses, trams, and a metro system. Walking is also a great option as many of the city's attractions are within walking distance of each other.
Do I need to book tickets in advance for attractions like the Colosseum and Vatican Museums?
It's highly recommended to book tickets in advance for popular attractions like the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and St. Peter's Basilica to skip the long lines, especially during peak tourist seasons.
What are some traditional Roman dishes I should try?
Some must-try Roman dishes include pasta carbonara, cacio e pepe, supplì (fried rice balls), Roman-style pizza, and of course, gelato.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Rome?
Yes, the tap water in Rome is generally safe to drink. However, some people prefer to drink bottled water due to personal preference.
Are there any day trips I can take from Rome?
Yes, there are several day trip options from Rome including visiting the ancient ruins of Pompeii, exploring the charming town of Orvieto, or taking a wine tour of the Frascati region.
What should I wear when visiting religious sites in Rome like St. Peter's Basilica?
It's important to dress modestly when visiting religious sites in Rome. This means no shorts, sleeveless tops, or short skirts. It's best to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees.
How much time should I spend in Rome?
Ideally, you should spend at least 3-4 days in Rome to fully explore the city's main attractions and soak in its rich history and culture. However, if you have more time, there's always more to see and do!
So there you have it! That completes this guide to how to spend your time in Rome.
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You’re travelling in Italy? These articles will help you
ITALY TRAVEL GUIDE The place to go for all your Italy travel information. This comprehensive guide will help you plan your trip to Italy wherever you are planning on visiting. If you’re visiting Italy as a solo traveller you’ll want to read the solo womens guide to travelling in Italy.
ROME : If you’re wondering on what the best things are to do in Rome you should check out how to spend your time in Rome.
CAMPANIA : Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii is an interesting day trip you can do from Rome to learn the history of the huge eruption and the consequences. Are you wondering if you should visit Naples? This 24 hours in Naples will help you decide. If you’re visiting Naples and Mount Vesuvius you’ll want to know how to get to Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii from Naples.
AMALFI COAST : Is Positano worth the hype? Amalfi is a great little town on the Amalfi Coast but is Amalfi Town worth visiting? Visiting the Blue Grotto is a great thing to do when in Capri so you can read about our experience for more information. Hidden treasures in Sorrento takes a look at one of the most beautiful areas in Italy. You can also read about my first impressions of Sorrento.
Read all of my articles about Italy in my Italy Travel Guide.
ITALY ESSENTIALS
Planning a trip to Italy? Here are some of the resources and tools I personally use to organise my travel plans to anywhere in the UK.
FLIGHTS : Find the best deals on flights to Italy using Skyscanner.
VISAS : Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Italyand apply for an expedited visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application if needed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE : Insure your trip with my preferred insurance for single trip and annual cover HeyMondo
AIRPORT TRANSFER : Pre-book your hotel transfer from Rome Airport, Milan Airport or a water taxi from Venice Airport
ACCOMMODATION : Find the best hotel deals in Italy on Booking.com.
BUS TICKETS : It is easy to book your transport once you’re in Italy but if you’d like to book in advance you can buy private transfers online through Bookaway .
DAY TRIPS : Find the best city tours and day excursions in Italy on Viator or Get Your Guide.
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