Rome

Rome Travel Guide

The Eternal City — where 2,000 years of history live on at the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain. The working-class lanes of Trastevere, the vintage charm of Monti, and the luxury shopping around the Spanish Steps offer a rich variety of experiences. Sip an espresso at an outdoor cafe overlooking ancient ruins — Rome is a city that rewards the walker at every turn.

Essential Rome Travel Info

Must-Visit Places in Rome

★ 4.8

Colosseum

Completed in AD 80, the Colosseum is the Roman Empire's great amphitheater, once seating up to 50,000 spectators. It hosted gladiator combats and wild-beast hunts, with animal pens and stage machinery hidden in the hypogeum below. Earthquakes and looting over 2,000 years have damaged parts of the structure, but its scale and beauty - the pinnacle of Roman engineering - still astound. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Combined ticket (includes Roman Forum and Palatine Hill) about EUR 18 (online booking recommended). Right outside Metro Colosseo station (Line B).

Hours09:00-19:15 (varies by season; closed Jan 1 and Dec 25)

LocationCelio, Rome

TipsA combined ticket with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill is the best value. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.

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★ 4.9

Vatican City

At 0.44 km², Vatican City is the world's smallest independent state and the seat of the Catholic Church. The Vatican Museums hold Renaissance masterpieces including Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment (painted over four years) and Raphael's School of Athens. The dome of St. Peter's Basilica - the world's largest church - offers sweeping views over Rome, and Bernini's colonnade around St. Peter's Square is a breathtaking sight in itself. Vatican Museums admission about EUR 17 (online booking essential). 10-minute walk from Metro Ottaviano station (Line A).

HoursVatican Museums: 08:00-19:00 (closed Sundays; free entry on the last Sunday of the month 09:00-14:00); St. Peter's Basilica: 07:00-18:30

LocationVatican City, Rome

TipsBook the Vatican Museums online in advance; the last Sunday of each month is free but extremely crowded. The dome of St. Peter's Basilica has a separate entry fee.

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★ 4.7

Trevi Fountain

Completed in 1762, the Trevi is Rome's largest Baroque fountain, an imposing 26 m high and 50 m wide. Its central figure of the sea god Neptune rides a shell chariot, and the fountain became famous through films such as Roman Holiday and La Dolce Vita. Legend says tossing a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand ensures a return to Rome; about EUR 1.5 million in coins is collected each year and donated to charity. Free to visit. 5-minute walk from Metro Barberini station (Line A).

HoursOpen 24 hours (illuminated at night)

LocationTrevi, Rome

TipsVisit very early or late at night to enjoy it in peace. Watch out for pickpockets in the crowd around the fountain.

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★ 4.7

Roman Forum

The Roman Forum was the political, religious, and commercial heart of ancient Rome roughly 2,000 years ago, packed with the Senate House, temples, basilicas, and triumphal arches. The Temple of Caesar where Julius Caesar was cremated, the Temple of Vesta where the Vestal Virgins guarded the sacred flame, and the Arch of Septimius Severus all witnessed pivotal moments in Roman history. Climb the adjacent Palatine Hill for the ruins of the imperial palaces and panoramic views of the city. Included in the Colosseum combined ticket (about EUR 18). 5-minute walk from Metro Colosseo (Line B).

Hours09:00-19:15 (varies by season; closed Jan 1 and Dec 25)

LocationCentro Storico, Rome

TipsThere's almost no shade in midsummer, so bring a hat, water, and sunscreen. An audio guide makes the ruins much easier to interpret.

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★ 4.8

Pantheon

First built in 27 BC by Agrippa and rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian in 125 AD, the Pantheon — 'temple to all the gods' — is the pinnacle of ancient Roman architecture. Its 43.3m unreinforced concrete dome remains the world's largest after 2,000 years, and light streaming through the 9m oculus at its center creates a mystical atmosphere. The Renaissance master Raphael and several Italian kings are buried inside. Admission EUR 5 (free on Sundays). 10-minute walk from Metro Barberini (Line A).

Hours09:00-19:00 (Sundays 09:00-18:00)

LocationCentro Storico, Rome

TipsWatching rain fall through the oculus on a rainy day is a unique experience. Combine the visit with nearby Piazza Navona.

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★ 4.5

Spanish Steps

Stretching from Piazza di Spagna up to the Trinità dei Monti church, the Spanish Steps are 138 Baroque-style steps completed in 1725. Audrey Hepburn made them world-famous in 'Roman Holiday' while eating gelato, and together with Bernini's Barcaccia Fountain at the foot, they're one of Rome's top meeting spots. Azaleas in flower pots blanket the steps in spring, and adjacent Via Condotti is Rome's premier luxury shopping street. Eating on the steps is now prohibited by law. Free to visit. 1-minute walk from Metro Spagna (Line A).

HoursOpen 24 hours

LocationCentro Storico, Rome

TipsSitting on the steps to eat can result in a fine. Visit early morning or after dark for the most beautiful views.

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★ 4.7

Piazza Navona

Built atop the 1st-century stadium of Emperor Domitian, this elongated oval square showcases Roman Baroque art at its finest. At its center stands Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, personifying the Danube, Nile, Ganges, and Río de la Plata. The Sant'Agnese in Agone church on the west side was designed by Bernini's rival Borromini. Outdoor cafes, street artists, and buskers create a vibrant atmosphere, and a traditional market fills the square during the Christmas season. Free to visit. 15-minute walk from Metro Barberini (Line A).

HoursOpen 24 hours

LocationCentro Storico, Rome

TipsCafes facing the square are pricey - look for trattorias on the side alleys. The illuminated fountains are especially beautiful at night.

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★ 4.6

Trastevere

On the western bank of the Tiber, Trastevere is one of Rome's most charming neighborhoods, where cobbled lanes, ivy-clad buildings, and old trattorias create a bohemian feel. The Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere is among Rome's oldest Marian churches, preserving 12th-century Byzantine mosaics. By night, the squares and alleys fill with outdoor diners and wine bars — this is the heartland of authentic Roman carbonara, cacio e pepe, and saltimbocca. Free to explore. 5-minute walk from Tram 8 Trastevere/Mastai stop.

HoursOpen 24 hours (restaurants 12:30-15:00 and 19:30-23:30)

LocationTrastevere, Rome

TipsDinner reservations are essential, and pick restaurants with clearly printed prices. Sunday mornings, combine with the Porta Portese flea market nearby.

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★ 4.6

Piazza del Popolo

Historically the first sight greeting travelers entering Rome from the north, the square was redesigned in Neoclassical style by architect Giuseppe Valadier in the early 19th century. At its center stands the Flaminio Obelisk, brought from 13th-century BC Egypt, while twin churches - Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli - flank the southern entrance symmetrically. The Santa Maria del Popolo church on the north side holds masterpiece paintings by Caravaggio. Free to visit. Directly at Metro Flaminio station (Line A).

HoursOpen 24 hours (churches 07:30-12:30 and 16:00-19:00)

LocationCentro Storico, Rome

TipsWalk up to the Pincio Hill terrace on either side for a panoramic view of the square and Rome. Sunset is especially beautiful here.

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★ 4.6

Castel Sant'Angelo

Built in AD 139 as the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian and his family, the castle later served as a fortress, prison, and papal refuge through the Middle Ages. Its name comes from a 590 legend of the Archangel Michael appearing above it to signal the end of a plague. The secret passage linking it to the Vatican, the Passetto di Borgo, was actually used by a pope fleeing for his life during the 1527 Sack of Rome. The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of St. Peter's Basilica, the Tiber, and central Rome. Admission about EUR 15. 10-minute walk from Metro Lepanto station (Line A).

Hours09:00-19:30 (closed Mondays)

LocationPrati, Rome

TipsThe rooftop terrace at sunset is one of Rome's best photo spots. Don't miss Bernini's angel sculptures on the adjoining Ponte Sant'Angelo.

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★ 4.8

Galleria Borghese

Housed in the Casino Borghese, a 17th-century villa built for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, this museum sits within the Villa Borghese park. It holds Bernini's early masterpieces 'Apollo and Daphne' and 'The Rape of Proserpina', alongside Caravaggio's 'Sick Bacchus' and 'David with the Head of Goliath' - the pinnacle of Baroque sculpture and painting. Visits run on timed two-hour entry slots to protect the collection and limit crowding, allowing a relaxed viewing experience. Admission about EUR 15 (advance booking mandatory, plus a small booking fee). 15-minute walk from Metro Spagna (Line A), or take the park's shuttle bus.

Hours09:00-19:00 (closed Mondays)

LocationVilla Borghese, Rome

TipsBook tickets at least several days ahead - weeks ahead in peak season. The two-hour visit slot is strictly enforced, so arrive on time.

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★ 4.7

Capitoline Museums

Opened in 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated bronze statues to the Roman people, this is the world's oldest public museum. It occupies two buildings on Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio - Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo - connected by an underground passage. Highlights include the bronze 'Capitoline Wolf' depicting Rome's founding myth, the colossal head fragments of Emperor Constantine, and the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, the only surviving ancient bronze of its kind. Admission about EUR 16. 5-minute walk from the Roman Forum.

Hours09:30-19:30 (closed Dec 25 and Jan 1)

LocationCampidoglio, Rome

TipsThe cafe terrace offers a free view over the Roman Forum. Easy to combine with the Forum and Colosseum for a full day of ancient Rome.

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★ 4.3

Circus Maximus

Set between the Palatine and Aventine hills, this was ancient Rome's largest chariot-racing stadium, in use from the 6th century BC and able to seat around 150,000 spectators at its peak. Chariot races like those depicted in Ben-Hur were held here, and the roughly 600m oval track outline is still clearly visible in the grass today. Now a grassy public park, it's a favorite spot for Roman joggers and strollers, and occasionally hosts concerts and large events. Free to visit. Directly at Metro Circo Massimo station (Line B).

HoursOpen 24 hours

LocationCirco Massimo, Rome

TipsViews from the Colosseum or Palatine Hill above reveal the full outline of the stadium. There's no shade, so visit early morning in summer.

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★ 4.5

Baths of Caracalla

Completed between AD 212 and 216 under Emperor Caracalla, this was the second-largest public bath complex in the Roman Empire, accommodating around 1,600 bathers at once. It combined cold, warm and hot bathing halls with a library, gymnasium and gardens, all decorated with elaborate mosaics and marble. Only towering walls and columns remain today, but the sheer scale still conveys the grandeur of Roman engineering, and opera performances are staged among the ruins in summer. Admission about EUR 8. 10-minute walk from Metro Circo Massimo (Line B).

Hours09:00-19:00 (varies by season; shorter hours on Mondays)

LocationCelio, Rome

TipsCombine a visit with the summer opera festival for a memorable night out. An audio guide helps you picture the original layout.

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★ 4.6

Santa Maria Maggiore

Built around AD 432, this is one of Rome's four papal basilicas and is considered the best-preserved of the ancient basilicas in its original form. Its 5th-century mosaics vividly depict Old and New Testament scenes, and the gleaming gilded ceiling is said to be decorated with the first gold Columbus brought back from the New World. Legend holds that snow fell here on August 5th, a summer day, as a divine sign to build the church - an event commemorated each year by scattering white petals in the 'Miracle of the Snow' ceremony. Free to visit. 5-minute walk from Termini station (Metro Lines A and B).

Hours07:00-18:45

LocationEsquilino, Rome

TipsIts proximity to Termini makes it easy to visit on your arrival or departure day, even with luggage. Bring binoculars to appreciate the gilded ceiling detail.

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★ 4.6

Appian Way

Begun in 312 BC by censor Appius Claudius Caecus, this was ancient Rome's first and most important highway, dubbed the 'Queen of Roads' (regina viarum). It once stretched roughly 540 km from Rome to Brindisi, and stretches of the original basalt paving survive intact today. The roadside is lined with ancient noble tombs and catacombs - underground early Christian burial sites - with the Catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano being the most famous. On weekends the road is closed to cars, making it ideal for a quiet walk or bike ride. Free to visit (catacombs admission about EUR 10). Reach the Appia Antica park visitor center by bus 118 or 218.

HoursOpen 24 hours (catacombs 09:00-17:00, closed Wednesdays)

LocationAppia Antica, Rome

TipsVisit on a weekend morning when cars are banned - renting a bike is a great way to explore. Catacomb visits are guided-tour only, so check ahead.

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★ 4.4

Vittorio Emanuele II Monument

Built between 1885 and 1935 to honor Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of unified Italy, this national monument is also known as the Altare della Patria ('Altar of the Fatherland'). Its dazzling white Brescia marble facade has earned Romans' affectionate nicknames like 'the typewriter' or 'the wedding cake.' The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame stands at the front, while the rooftop terrace offers a 360-degree panorama of Rome. The tomb and museum are free; the rooftop panoramic elevator costs about EUR 15. 10-minute walk from Metro Colosseo (Line A).

Hours09:30-19:30

LocationPiazza Venezia, Rome

TipsThe rooftop panoramic elevator gives one of the best views taking in the Colosseum and Roman Forum together. Don't miss the changing-of-the-guard ceremony at the steps.

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★ 4.6

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Built in the 4th century under Emperor Constantine over the burial site of St. Paul after his martyrdom, this is one of Rome's four papal basilicas and the second-largest church in the city after St. Peter's. A devastating fire in 1823 destroyed most of the structure, but Catholic donations worldwide funded a faithful reconstruction. A mosaic frieze of portrait medallions circling the upper nave depicts every pope from St. Peter to the present, and the beautiful 13th-century cloister garden is also worth seeing. Free to visit (cloister admission about EUR 4). Directly at Metro Basilica San Paolo station (Line B).

Hours07:00-18:30

LocationOstiense, Rome

TipsSet apart from the city center, it draws fewer tourists, making for a peaceful visit. Don't miss the mosaic-inlaid columns in the cloister.

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Things to Do in Rome

Culture

Colosseum Night Tour

Guided after-hours tour into the gladiators' underground chambers. About EUR 35-50

Price EUR 35-50Duration 2 hours

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Adventure

Vespa City Tour

Ride pillion on an iconic Italian Vespa as a guide whisks you across Rome's seven hills and landmarks. About EUR 90-130

Price EUR 90-130Duration 3 hours

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Culture

Trastevere Food Tour

Walk the lanes of Trastevere with a local guide, sampling salumi, wine, supplì, and gelato. About EUR 75-95

Price EUR 75-95Duration 3-4 hours

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Culture

Pasta-Making Class

Hands-on class with a local chef making carbonara, fettuccine, and ravioli, paired with wine. About EUR 70-100

Price EUR 70-100Duration 3 hours

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Culture

Vatican Early-Access Tour

Premium guided tour entering the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel an hour before regular opening. About EUR 70-95

Price EUR 70-95Duration 3 hours

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Tour

Rome Vespa Tour

Zip through Rome's streets and hidden gems on a classic Vespa scooter tour.

Price EUR 80-120Duration About 3 hours

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Must-Try Food in Rome

Carbonara

🍱 Traditional

A traditional Roman pasta made with egg, Pecorino cheese and pancetta. About EUR 12-16 per serving. Da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere or Felice a Testaccio are top authentic picks.

Gelato

🍰 Dessert

Italian-style ice cream, denser and more intensely flavored than regular ice cream. About EUR 2.50-4 per scoop. Giolitti near the Pantheon or Il Gelato di San Crispino near the Trevi Fountain are famous spots.

Supplì

🍢 Street Food

A fried rice croquette with a melted mozzarella center, a Roman street-food staple. About EUR 2-3 each. Supplizio in Testaccio is a local favorite.

Cacio e Pepe

🍱 Traditional

A traditional Roman pasta of just Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper. About EUR 10-14 per serving. Da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere or Roscioli serve the most authentic versions.

Saltimbocca alla Romana

🍱 Traditional

Veal topped with prosciutto and sage in a white wine sauce, a Roman specialty. About EUR 16-22. Enjoy at a traditional trattoria near Campo de' Fiori.

Pizza al Taglio

🍢 Street Food

Roman-style rectangular pizza sold by weight. About EUR 3-6 per slice. Forno Campo de' Fiori and Bonci Pizzarium in Prati are the legendary spots.

Tiramisu

🍰 Dessert

Italy's signature dessert of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream. About EUR 6-9 per slice. Pompi in Monti is Rome's most famous tiramisu shop.

Rome Travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Rome?

April-June and September-October are best. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds than peak summer.

How much does it cost to travel in Rome?

Daily budget about $85-155 (lodging $50-95, food $20-35, transport and entry $15-30).

How do I get around in Rome?

The Leonardo Express links Fiumicino Airport to Termini Station in about 30 minutes. Use Metro lines A and B and buses to get around; a Roma Pass is recommended. Prepaid SIMs are available at the airport (TIM, Vodafone, etc., about EUR 10-15/week). Card payments are widely accepted. Restaurants add a coperto (cover charge) of EUR 1-3 automatically; additional tipping is optional.

Do I need a visa to visit Rome?

Korean passport holders may enter the Schengen Area visa-free for 90 days.

Is Rome safe for tourists?

Watch for pickpockets at tourist sites and on public transport, especially around the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Termini Station.

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