Travel Guide: Rome, Italy

While Rome can definitely get some mixed reviews, no trip to Italy is complete without a trip to the metropolitan city. There are endless number of fantastic restaurants, incredible historical architecture and iconic buildings, and awe-inspiring scenes such as the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi fountain, located throughout the city.

Things to Know:

• Rome has the largest airport in Italy. Rome can be busy during tourist season since many choose to fly in and out of Rome and travel other destinations. It is easy to travel to other parts of Italy such as the Amalfi Coast, Florence, or Cinque Terre from Rome.

• The main currency used in Rome is the Euro

• The main language spoken in Rome is Italian. However, most people do speak English throughout the city.

• The main methods of transportation throughout Rome are public transit (bus, train, etc) and by foot. There has also been an influx of shared scooter companies that have established themselves in Rome.

• There are two major airports in Rome: Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) and Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA). FCO is the larger airport- located about 30 minutes from the city center.

When to visit:

The glamour, variety in activities, and popularity of Rome makes the city a popular destination year-round. The busiest months are July and August. The best time to visit Rome is from May – early June and late-September to November. .

Things to do:

• Roman Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill: The Roman Colosseum is a huge amphitheater known for its showcase of gladiator games and animal fights. The pure magnitude of this ancient structure is incredible, especially considering that the Colosseum was built in 70AD. The Colosseum exemplifies the advancement and architectural ability of the Romans- they were definitely way ahead of their times!

• Vatican City/Sistine Chapel: While not officially part of Rome, Vatican City is an independent city state and the smallest country in the world. Vatican City is one of the most popular attractions in Rome and currently serves as the residence of the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.

• Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna: The Spanish Steps, built between 1723-1725, gets its namesake from the Spanish Embassy located at the steps.

• Trevi Fountain: The Trevi Fountain is one of the most popular sites in Rome. It can get extremely busy throughout the day. If you arrive in the early morning, there will likely be fewer crowds.

• Piazza Navona: Piazza Navona is one of the largest and most famous piazzas in Rome. It is known for the many restaurants, cafes and fountains that are in close proximity to it. Piazza Navona is often buzzing with artists that spend their days in the area.

• Pantheon: The Pantheon is the most preserved building in Rome. It is known to house the tombs of the Italian monarchy as well as Raphael.

• Trastevere is a charming, laid-back neighborhood, known for its incredible restaurants, and bars.

• Villa Borghese Park: If you are looking for your escape from the city within Rome, Borghese is the one of the largest parks in Europe. There is a ton to do in Borghese including the Villa Borghese, a museum, Galleria Borghese, a zoo, and Villa Medici, a French academy.