travel app rome

Rome in your Pocket: Best apps for foreigners in Rome

Rome’s Must-Have Apps

When it comes to navigating the city like a local, Rome is such a popular destination that it can be a challenge to wade through the sea of books, blogs, websites, and magazines to truly find the best advice. But what could be easier than pulling out your phone? With these 16 apps , you can explore the city’s food culture, brush up on your history, learn Italian, find a doctor and more. It’s like having an expert on all the best things to do in Rome right in your pocket.!

BEST APPS TO LEARN ITALIAN

Starting with minimal to no Italian knowledge I downloaded Babbel hoping to start the learning process. Babbel is a very non-intimidating app. When you first download the app, it asks you how much time realistically you will spend on it per day, your preexisting Italian knowledge, and if you want to be reminded to practice. You can set weekly goals as well to keep yourself on track. I found that this was an approachable way for me to begin to learn because it is structured around my comfort level and allocates realistic amounts of time I intend to devote. Upon using the app, you will be given simple quizzes initially to familiarize yourself with common Italian words and phrases. It shows real time spelling and pronunciation as you take the quizzes so you can learn multiple ways at once. The app will advance your basic language understanding quickly, but the free trial only gives access to one lesson, after that it is subscription based.

CLICK HERE TO TRY BABBEL APP

Language doesn’t have to be a barrier , and when in Italy it most definitely shouldn’t be. Food, drink and destinations should be at the top of your Italian language list. Duolingo is the ultimate app to start learning some basic Italian before and during your trip to Italy. Each mini-lesson takes you through a language or grammar skill using pictures, short translations, listening activities and more to help you brush up on your Italian basics or solidify key language concepts all in a fun and easy to use format. Armed with the basics, you’ll have a lot of fun testing out your skills with the locals. Brava!

There are some words in Italian you simply don’t want to botch, whether it’s in spelling, meaning, or pronunciation. Like penne . Take our word for it. Enter iTranslate. This leading dictionary and translation app allows you to start voice-to-voice conversations in over 90 languages. The app also provides verb conjugations in different tenses, and can detect different dialects. You are bound to impress yourself when using this app abroad. They offer a 7-day free trial and then charge you € 4,99 monthly or € 59,99 / year.

INSPIRATION Best apps to learn italian

BEST APPS ON THE GO

If you can brave the public transportation system in Rome, power to you. But do it right. CityMapper provides users with the fastest routes, latest updated times, real-time locations, and the distances from metro/bus stops. The app also features the carsharing capability which enables users to check out available cars, scooters, and also cabs nearby.  The “issues” section lets you know of any problems occurring on your route in real time, like traffic, strikes, a closed metro station. CityMapper can also remember your recent and frequent trips so you don’t have to!

Your closest bet to an Uber experience is this trending app. FREE NOW, formerly My Taxi, has been around since 2015 and is arguably the most efficient way to get around using Rome’s competitive taxi services. Order your taxi in two taps, track your driver in real time, pay cashless, and take advantage of this app when continuing to move around Europe. It also allows you to pre-order service up to 4 days in advance. You can save your favorite drivers (pick up on that last in-depth convo) and…Heading to the airport at the end of the week? Try their pick-up and drop-off service on demand.

Urbi is the best solution to the multitude of car sharing, scooter sharing, bike sharing, and cab opportunities in Rome. They work with Enjoy, ShareNow, Lime, eCooltra, Helbiz, Acciona, and more companies. By allowing the app to see your location, Urbi shows you all the available vehicles nearby that you can reserve at any given moment. Say goodbye to opening a dozen different apps to check what is closest or cheapest, Urbi takes care of that for you! You do need to have an account for the apps that you want to reserve a vehicle with, but Urbi merges everything into one map which allows you to take faster decisions!

When in Rome, you’re likely going to use public transport, hopping from bus to tram to train regularly. Sometimes buying tickets can be a hassle, especially if you are getting single tickets for each ride or if you run out of time and need a ticket asap. MyCicero is Rome’s latest modern approach to traveling by public transport. With MyCicero, you can buy and store your tickets directly on the app. When needed, simply open up and validate your ticket in the app in seconds. You can buy a variety of tickets: 90min, 24hr, 48hr, 72hr or even a month pass. You can even pay for parking or buy Trenitalia train tickets and lots more. You need an internet connection for this app, but if you’ve got one, do yourself a favour and get MyCicero. You’ll save yourself precious time.

This app is your uber for scooters. Getting around in Rome is a lot less intimidating when you’re a passenger. But what better way to uncover the city than like a local, where scootering is first class transportation for Romans. Enter Scooterino, your best bet for adventure, so you can keep your impromptu itinerary but with a peace of mind. This app allows you to pick your driver, check prices before booking, request a ride from around the city within minutes, and even pay by card! Available in both English and Italian.

ESSENTIAL APPS

MEDINACTION

When you’re traveling or living abroad, the last thing you want to worry about is tracking down an English-speaking doctor when you’re sick. MedInAction is a medical service that will deliver a qualified doctor right to your doorstep 24 hours a day. Choose where and when you want the doctor to come. You can also book a video consultation with a a doctor. This app revives the tradition of Italian doctors making house calls, except it’s faster, more modern, customized, and all right at your fingertips!

TIME TRAVEL ROME

History and archeology lovers, this one’s for you. If you’re looking for Roman works in Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa you might no longer need a tour guide. TimeTravelRome app offers original content for >5000 ancient sites and monuments, 300 ancient texts and 10.000 photos. In addition to that, the new version displays on the map all ancient Roman roads, traced by academics from the AWMC and Mercator-E research centers – these new functions are free to all users. TimeTravelRome’s rich content and its unique features, which include 300 ancient texts and Roman roads maps, make it the ultimate ancient history app dedicated to the Ancient Roman Empire.

One of Rome’s greatest gifts is it’s 2500 free and safe water fountains spread out across the city. A very clever feature the ancient Romans were kind enough to leave behind for us to enjoy. The WeTap App is exclusive to Rome, helping you locate water fountains near you. When in Rome, you’re likely going to walk a lot, and along the way, you’re bound to get thirsty. Don’t waste money buying mineral water, just fill up your reusable bottle at the nearest fountain and never go thirsty again. And… at the same time you’re saving the environment.

BEST APPS FOR FOOD LOVERS

Obviously if you could eat out in Rome every night, not only would the Italian economy embrace you, but your palette would be redefined. However, it’s not practical. Eating in is the new way to dine with Deliveroo: enjoy premium cuisine on demand in the comfort of your Roman abode. This trendy startup has mastered the mobile kitchen, foodie locales, and great offers. Zip code friendly and diet approved, enjoy the perks of takeaway with this easy-to-use app.

TOO GOOD TO GO

So much food goes to waste every day because of over-production. Too Good To Go alerts you of any food shops, cafes, or restaurants nearby that have a surplus of produce they can no longer sell the next day. You can reserve a box full of goodies for a very discounted price, usually around €5. All you have to do is go pick it up at the time the app tells you. You are helping the environment by helping consuming extra food that would be otherwise thrown in the trash, and also eating full meals for unimaginable prices. Be a part of the change!

It can be overwhelming looking for somewhere to eat in Rome, because the options are limitless. Forget all that time wasted looking for recommendations online, and start using TheFork. What’s great about this App is that it recommends places to eat with photos taken by other people who’ve enjoyed the food themselves. Yes, please! This is a fantastic new approach that makes a foodie hunt fun, visual and full of discovery. The app also provides menus for every restaurant, lets you reserve a table, and also enjoy great discounts on the bill! The more you reserve, the more Yums points you gain, the more discounts you get. Now you can find great food quickly and pay less, what are you waiting for?

BEST ALL AROUND

Why we love it? All content, navigation and reviews are available offline. Score. There’s an effective way to get lost on a side street in Rome so you can explore the off-the-beaten-path with confidence. Triposo is super customized mapping your trip based on your favorite places worldwide. It also offers information on where to eat, drink, shop, find a hotel, and sightsee and even allows you to book reservations. These features are all available offline so you don’t have to worry about racking up roaming charges. Organize your trip, save your favorite places, discover nearby spots and hidden gems like a pro. Leave your Lonely Planet at home? Maybe.

For all those social butterflies coming to Rome, especially the solo travelers, this app is for you. Meetup is all about bringing people together. With this app, you can discover groups in the city that are doing things you love to do, and join in on the fun! After signing up and selecting your interests, you will see a huge selection of activities happening in the city to choose from. Think weekend adventures, social dinners, photography workshops, walking the dogs, wine and food tasting, you name it! If you want to meet like-minded people while in the city, this is your go-to app.

Check out the best travel apps for Europe .

AUTHORS: SIAN LLOYD –  LAUREN MOUAT  – MARGARET FLENNER – ANGELA GLEASON

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Really amazing apps. Thanks for sharing information

Thanks for sharing this app information

Coming very soon: Lookals – find your Italy experience! Starting from Rome 😉

Don’t forget my app Rome for Expats! available for both iPhone and android.

Thanks so much for the feature! Don’t foget to download the Triposo world app to use us all over the globe! Happy travels.

This website is amazing. I will tell about it to my friends and anybody that could be interested in this subject. Great work guys!

a great app for cultural tourist is Nolli App. It offers the famous great plan by Giambattista Nolli from 1748 as modern tool for experiencing the roots of Rome. An app to loose your way and find it back, an app for who enjoys exploring this magnificient city from the inside by strolling around. http://nolli-app.com

FYI Katie Parla’s app needs to be updated so it works on the new iOS platform.

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13 Essential Apps for Travellers Visiting Rome in 2023

Imagine exploring the eternal city of Rome with the best apps for visiting Rome at your fingertips, making your trip seamless, enjoyable, and budget-friendly. This blog post will guide you through the must-have apps for every aspect of your Roman adventure, from navigating the city to savouring authentic Italian cuisine. Get ready to make the most of your Roman holiday with these essential tools!

Best apps for Rome in 2023

1. Urbs Travel

2. Google Maps

3. Duolingo

4. Street Art Cities

7. Free Now

8. Too Good To Go

9. The Fork

10. Deliveroo

11. Roma Meteo

12. MedinAction

13. Maps.me

Essential Free Phone Apps for Rome Travelers

Rome is a city rich in history , art, and culture, but even the most seasoned travellers can benefit from a little digital assistance during their trip to Rome. Our list of the 13 best free phone apps for Rome travellers, which includes essential free phone apps, will help you navigate the city, learn the local language, and discover hidden gems like Rome’s vibrant street art scene.

1. Urbs Travel for GPS city routes with expert audio guides

Urbs Travel is a fantastic app for tourists visiting Rome, offering GPS city routes with expert audio guides, bespoke routes, and essential travel knowledge. Designed by cultural experts and local writers, this app provides unique content that gives you an immersive and personalized experience while exploring Rome’s historic sites.

Unlike other navigation apps like Google Maps, Urbs Travel focuses on the city’s attractions and creates a more engaging sightseeing experience. The expert audio guides offer fascinating insights into Rome’s history and culture, enriching your visit and allowing you to appreciate the city’s treasures fully.

Download Urb's for self-guided audio tours of Rome !

2. Navigate the City with Google Maps

While Urbs Travel is great for exploring specific attractions, Google Maps is a reliable app for navigating Rome’s streets and finding points of interest. It provides detailed maps of the city, turn-by-turn navigation, and real-time traffic updates to help you steer clear of congested areas.

Before heading out, check the map to plan your route and avoid getting lost in Rome’s maze of ancient streets. With Google Maps, you can easily locate points of interest like restaurants, museums, and other attractions, making it an indispensable tool for any traveller in the eternal city.

Download from Google Play or Apple App Store .

3. Learn Italian with Duolingo

While many Romans speak English, learning some Italian before and during your trip can enhance your experience and help you connect with locals. Duolingo is a popular language-learning app that offers a fun and engaging way to learn Italian, the local language of Rome. The gamified approach of Duolingo makes it enjoyable to learn new vocabulary and practice grammar, while the app’s lessons, multimedia, peer feedback, and live tutoring can help you learn Italian quickly and effectively.

With Duolingo, you’ll be ordering your morning cappuccino like a true Roman in no time!

4. Uncover Global Street Art with Street Art Cities

Beyond the ancient ruins and Renaissance art, Rome is part of a global network of vibrant street art, a network you can explore with the Street Art Cities app. This app not only covers Rome but also cities around the world, offering a fresh perspective on their creative landscapes.

Street Art Cities provides an overview of artworks on a map, allows you to like artworks, and view pieces by specific artists. It also offers walking and bicycling routes for easy exploration. The app is a hub for a global community of street art 'hunters' who ensure the quality of artworks and collect background information.

With Street Art Cities, you can connect with this global community and discover the stories behind the art.

Must-Have Apps for Public and Private Mobility

Navigating Rome’s public and private transportation can be challenging, especially for first-time visitors. Fortunately, there are several must-have apps to help you get around the city with ease.

Whether you prefer public transportation or exploring Rome on a bike, scooter, or in a car, these apps will ensure you travel efficiently and comfortably throughout the city.

5. Moovit for Real-Time Public Transport Info

Moovit is a popular app for real-time public transportation information, making navigating Rome’s buses, trams, and metro system easy. With Moovit, you can plan your trips, stay up-to-date with public transportation schedules, and find the most efficient routes to get around Rome's city centre.

The app also provides real-time traffic updates, so you can avoid busy areas and make the most of your valuable sightseeing time. With Moovit at your fingertips, exploring Rome’s public transportation has never been easier.

6. Urbi for Car, Scooter, and Bike Sharing

Urbi is a one-stop app for car, scooter, and bike-sharing services in Rome, partnering with companies like Enjoy, ShareNow, Lime, eCooltra, Helbiz, and Acciona. Urbi simplifies the process of finding and booking shared vehicles by consolidating multiple services in one user-friendly platform.

To get started, download the Urbi app and create an account. Once logged in, you can explore the available car, scooter, and bike-sharing services in Rome, and easily book a ride based on your preferences and location. With Urbi, navigating Rome’s streets has never been more convenient and eco-friendly.

7. Free Now for Booking Taxis

While public transportation and shared rides are popular options in Rome, sometimes you may prefer the comfort and convenience of a taxi. Free Now is an app that allows tourists to easily book taxis in Rome, providing an alternative to traditional taxi queues.

With Free Now, you can enter your destination, select your preferred vehicle type, and see the estimated fare and ETA before confirming your booking. You can also choose your preferred payment method, including major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or even cash. Booking taxis in Rome has never been more hassle-free.

Foodie-Friendly Apps to Savor Rome's Cuisine

Italian cuisine is world-renowned, and Rome is no exception. From traditional trattorias to modern fusion restaurants, the city offers a diverse culinary landscape for food lovers to explore.

To help you savour Rome’s cuisine, we have handpicked a selection of foodie-friendly apps that will enhance your dining experience, from discounted meals to restaurant reservations and food delivery.

8. Too Good To Go for Discounted Leftover Food

Too Good To Be True. Go is an innovative app that helps you find discounted leftover food from nearby cafes and restaurants, reducing food waste and saving you money. By connecting users with local establishments that have unsold food at the end of the day, you can purchase delicious meals at a fraction of the original price and do your part in reducing food waste.

Simply download the app, create an account, and search for participating restaurants and cafes near you offering discounted leftover food. Once you find a location you like, purchase the food and pick it up at the designated time. It’s a win-win situation for both your wallet and the environment.

9. The Fork for Restaurant Reservations

The Fork is a restaurant booking platform and app that allows you to find and book restaurants in Rome based on your preferences and real-time availability. The app also features special offers at partner restaurants, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a great meal at a discounted price.

To use The Fork, simply download the app, create an account, and search for restaurants in Rome based on your desired criteria. Once you find a restaurant you like, you can book a table directly through the app and enjoy a seamless dining experience in the eternal city.

10. Deliveroo for Food Delivery

When you prefer to enjoy Rome’s delicious cuisine from the comfort of your accommodation, Deliveroo is the app for you. Deliveroo offers food delivery from various Rome’s restaurants, allowing you to indulge in local dishes without stepping outside.

The app is user-friendly and offers various payment options, making it convenient for tourists to order meals from their favourite restaurants. So whether you’re craving a classic Roman pasta dish or a delectable dessert, Deliveroo brings Rome’s culinary delights right to your doorstep.

Stay Connected and Informed with Essential Utilities

While exploring Rome, staying connected and informed is important to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. This section will cover essential utility apps that will help you stay updated with accurate weather information, access medical assistance, and navigate the city without an internet connection.

11. Roma Meteo for Weather Updates

Roma Meteo is a reliable weather app that provides accurate and up-to-date weather information for Rome, helping you plan your activities accordingly. Knowing the weather forecast is crucial for making the most of your trip, whether it’s deciding when to visit outdoor attractions or packing the right clothing.

Simply download the app and check the current weather conditions and the forecast for the upcoming days. With Roma Meteo, you can stay prepared for Rome’s ever-changing weather and enjoy your visit to the fullest.

12. MedinAction for Medical Assistance

While we all hope to stay healthy during our travels, it’s important to be prepared in case of any medical issues. MedinAction is an app that connects tourists with English-speaking medical professionals in Rome, offering 24/7 assistance through visits or free chats with doctors.

Whether you need a prescription, a diagnosis, or advice on a medical issue, MedinAction provides easy access to qualified doctors, ensuring you receive the care you need during your visit to Rome. With this app, you can know that medical assistance is just a few taps away.

Download from Apple App Store .

13. Maps.me for Offline Navigation

Navigating Rome can be challenging, especially when you don’t have access to the internet. Maps.me is a popular offline navigation tool for Rome, ensuring tourists can find their way around the city without internet access.

To use Maps.me, simply download the app and the map of Rome. Once downloaded, you can access the map offline and use it to explore the city. With its detailed maps and user-friendly interface, Maps.me is an essential app for staying on track while discovering the beauty of Rome.

In conclusion, these must-have apps will help you make the most of your Roman adventure by enhancing your sightseeing experience, navigating public and private transportation, savouring Rome’s cuisine, and staying connected and informed. By incorporating these essential tools into your trip, you can ensure a seamless, enjoyable, and budget-friendly visit to the eternal city.

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Must-Have Apps for Tourists in Rome

Written by: Kate Zusmann

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If you want to navigate Rome like a local, here is a list of the must-have apps for tourists to make your Roman experience more convenient and exciting.  Using your phone will allow you to have all the answers to your questions right in your pocket.

All these apps are available both for iOS and Android

City Tour of Rome: Audio Guide App

Inside Rome Audio Guide App , you can explore over 130 attractions in Rome on this self-guided sightseeing tour, all in a cool new mobile app! Get full audio commentary, offline digital maps, walking routes, suggested bus and tram routes…even tips for the best photo spots! The price is only 9,5 euros, so why not try it?

That app is also included in The Vatican City Pass or Rome Tourist card package, which you can order online:

Roma Meteo – is the best weather app that shows an accurate forecast for Rome. The application is designed specifically for the Romans, but it will also be helpful for tourists to plan their holidays.

The application has a unique feature in the Premium version – a forecast for any day of the year based on historical data. Moreover, a monthly subscription costs only 2 euros/dollars, equivalent to one cup of coffee.

Download for free:

The Fork is the leading online restaurant discovery & reservation platform in Europe.  It allows you to find a restaurant quickly based on your preferences, check availability in real-time, book a table in a few seconds, and instantly confirm 24 hours a day. Customer choice is guided by reviews left by other community members and filters on items such as area, cuisine or restaurant type, or average price.

MedinAction

MedinAction is revolutionizing health care in Rome: you can access English-speaking medical services 24/7 from your smartphone. You can book a visit to a doctor or chat for free with a doctor about your symptoms through the app.  Moreover, MedinAction collaborates with many hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies. This is one of the essential apps for tourists in Rome!

• Read about pharmacies and first aid in Rome

JUMP – by Uber

Fix price transfer from the Fiumicino Airport to Rome

JUMP – by Uber makes renting a bike or scooter easy and affordable.  Their dockless system makes it easy to find a ride, unlock it, and go. You have to open the JUMP app and create an account or log in with your Uber password if you have an Uber account. JUMP bikes feature an electric motor that boosts riders and helps make biking more enjoyable for people of multiple skill levels.

Yes, Duolingo is one of the most famous apps in the world. Why?  Because it allows you to learn at least the basic language level, trust me, in Italy, it is mandatory.  Many Italians do not speak English, and they all appreciate it when foreigners speak their language. Thus, Duolingo can help you a lot during your stay in Italy. My advice is to learn the basics of the beautiful Italian language before moving to Italy.

• Moreover, it would help to read a couple of books about Rome before traveling to this historically rich city. You will feel much more comfortable and confident with at least basic knowledge of history.

Moovit offers a real-time journey planner mobile and web app to navigate public transit networks with GPS navigation across transit modes, including buses, ferries, rapid transit (metro/subway/underground, etc.), trains, trams, trolleybuses, ride-hailing, shared bicycle, car sharing, and scooters.  Users can access a live map, view nearby stops and stations based on their current GPS location, and plan trips across transportation modes based on real-time data.

Probus Rome: Live Bus & Routes

Public transport is one of the biggest mysteries of the Eternal City . Unfortunately, it is an infrequent occasion that buses come on time.  However, Probus Rome helps a lot since this app shows you real-time information on public transport.  Moreover, you’ll be able to find the best routes to your destination’s respective waiting times.

• Read about the cost of living in Rome

Free Now is the most convenient app to book a taxi .  There are many taxi stands in Rome, but the price will not be much different by ordering via this app. Moreover, Free Now often gives discounts and offers various promotions. Therefore, this app will be helpful if you stay in Rome for a long time. However, do not book Uber since prices are much higher than the Free Now app.

• Use a taxi calculator to know the price for your trip

Maps.me is also one of the most famous apps globally.  It is convenient and allows using the map of Rome offline.  Even though most Roman main points of interest are located not far from each other, sometimes you will need to use maps.

• Here you can find the best route to visit the 30 main attractions of Rome

Rome Metro Map

Rome Metro Map works offline and allows you to choose the best route to quickly reach a destination you need.  Moreover, it has a convenient and straightforward interface. If you live nearby the metro station during your stay in Rome, this app will be helpful for you.

The plan in Rome is to extend Line C to  Piazza Venezia  and  the Colosseum . Unfortunately, nowadays, the Roman subway misses much of the city center and has limited coverage. Therefore, although using the Metro is a fast way to reach the point you need, it is not the most convenient type of public transportation in Rome, especially if your main aim is the historical center of the Eternal City.

The Underground system is frequently crowded, but still it is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to reach most points of the city

Google Translate

Google Translate is one of the most used and useful apps on my smartphone and one of the must-have apps for tourists in Rome.  If you find any words in Italian that you need to translate, this app manages the task brilliantly most of the time.  Moreover, it is getting better from year to year to use the Google Translate app for translations from any language.

MyCicero does not have the most developed interface, but it is quite a helpful app for tourists in Rome. When you are in the Eternal City, you will need tickets to use public transport.  In MyCicero, you can buy and store your tickets directly on the app.  Then, when needed, open it up and validate your ticket. There are several types of tickets: 90 min, 24 hours, 72 hours, and a month pass. Of course, you need to have an Internet connection to use this app.

Deliveroo provides the delivery service as well as marketing and order taking, allowing it to provide food from restaurants that do not typically offer a delivery service. As a result, the  variety of restaurants is impressive, delivery prices are low, and food quality is always at the highest level.

Author: Kate Zusmann

For the last 10 years, I live in the Eternal City. Traveling, exploring new things, writing blogs, and shooting vlogs are my main hobbies, but the thing that I like even more is sharing my experience and thoughts with you! Explore Rome with Us :)

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10 essential free phone apps for a visit to Rome

Our 10 essential apps for visiting rome will help have an even more pleasant vacation!

Sort out everything from taxis to public transport to toilets with the best free phone apps to help you get the most out of a trip to Rome with 10 essential free phone apps for a visit to Rome.

Lengthy guidebooks and enormous maps not only take up more than their fair share of your baggage allowance. They often contain out-of-date or confusing information – and they don’t exactly help you blend in with the locals.

Luckily, these days you can have all the information you’d ever need in your pocket, allowing you to pack more into both your suitcase and your trip.

STREETART ROMA  

If you want your visit to go beyond the tourist staples of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and the Pantheon, download  this free guide  to Rome’s street art. With descriptions and information about more than 100 artworks dotted around the city. This app will help anyone seeking an alternative taste of Roman culture, far from the masterpieces you’ll find in the museums.

WC Rome          

Rome is sadly not known for its provision of public toilets, so getting caught short can be stressful.  WC Rome  shows you the nearest public loos, with addresses, opening hours and navigation to over 120 toilets in the city. This means you no longer have to waste valuable sightseeing time hunting for a café with a clean toilet and sympathetic owner. You can update the map to ensure it helps even more users.\

FOUNTAINS IN ITALY

Rome’s many fountains aren’t just beautiful to look at, they can also save tourists money in the often scorching heat. But that doesn’t mean you can dip your water bottle into the Trevi Fountain for a quick refill. Use this guide to locate the city’s drinking fountains, called  nasoni  (‘big noses’ – due to the shape of the spout).

The water is perfectly clean and safe – in fact, it’s the same stuff that comes out of Rome’s taps.

ROME TRAVEL GUIDE

There are plenty of travel guide apps for the eternal city, but  Ulmon’s  is on top of the list. It includes offline maps, information on thousands of attractions, restaurants and hotels plus insider tips from tourists and locals alike. GPS services and all of the content are available offline after the initial download. You won’t have to shell out for pricey roaming charges.

PROBUS ROME

Many tourists remain mystified by Rome’s buses and fail to take advantage of them. Which is a shame because they cover much more of the city than the metro system. They’re particularly useful in the summer as a rare source of air conditioning!

This app  simplifies the system, helping you to locate your nearest stop, get real time updates and plan your connections.

Rome Pocket Guide

This audio guide  is GPS-activated, meaning you can learn about the history behind Rome’s many monuments and attractions without having to stop to leaf through chunky guidebooks. It will also alert you to nearby curiosities you might otherwise easily have missed.

It covers a wide range of attractions. From the obvious sights to more quirky things and little-known facts, as well as local tips on places to eat and drink. You can choose tours on a variety of themes. Either listening to them for free online (but bear in mind roaming costs) or paying to download them. Perhaps the most exciting part is that you can later download a personalized 3D video of the sights you passed on your walk.

BABY OUT ROME KIDS FAMILY GUIDE

This handy app  takes at least some of the stress out of travelling with children. As well as information about attractions and events in Rome and the Lazio region. You will find a big range from parks to zoos and museums. You can also get information about which restaurants and hotels are most family-friendly. And just in case of emergency, it can also direct you to the nearest shops for baby or child items, the pharmacy, or children’s hospital.

LEARN ITALIAN

This free app  has 30 lessons which are focussed on teaching short sentences applicable to real-life scenarios. There’s an abundance of language-learning apps out there. For free version which is geared towards tourists, this is one of the best. Using a combination of audio and text, you’ll be able to read menus and directions. Also you will be able to ask simple questions before your holiday’s over.

Until recently, Uber was not available in Italy. Until even more recently, once introduced in 2021 in only Rome and Milan, it could only be used to book luxury transfers with NCC (Noleggio Con Conducente – “Rental with Private Driver”) companies.

Since July 2022 however, after intense negotations with Italy’s heavily-regulated taxi sector, followig many angry protests from taxi drivers to proposals to end the regulation and allow Uber to operate as we know it in many other countries, a compromise was reached, whereupon the app can now be used to book taxis, but only licenced taxi drivers can register on the app. 

This means that, while Uber is not the same service as you may know in your country, it remains the best app for booking a taxi service, and of avoiding the handful of notorious taxi drivers who try to rip off unsuspecting tourists! 

it Taxi  allows you to book and pay for cabs. Formerly known as 3570.it (3570 is the local number for the official white cab services provided by the City of Rome), the service finds you nearby drivers, meaning you avoid taxi queues, and checking prices in advance helps you avoid tourist rip-offs. If you’re looking for alternatives, you can also use  Wetaxi ,  appTaxi , or  Uber Rome .

AEROPORTI DI ROMA

This app  proves useful before you’ve even arrived in the Italian capital, offering up-to-date flight tracking for both Fiumicino and Ciampino airports. You can also find information about your destination and options for contacting your airline.

These 10 essential free phone apps for a visit to Rome will make your life easier and will help you to have even more pleasant vacation!

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10 Rome Apps to Download Before You Go to Italy

B ack in the day, tourists had to lug around guidebooks and phrasebooks while looking like idiots gawking at outstretched maps and wandering aimlessly trying to find their way or a decent place to eat. While it still may be easy to pick out the tourists , at least you don’t have to haul all that gear. Now all you need is a smartphone and these Rome apps (and perhaps an extra battery pack.)

Even if you turn off your voice and data roaming while over seas, your smartphone can still be handy for more than just a camera when traveling. I have a number of mobile apps that I recommend when traveling internationally, but here some specific Rome apps to download before you leave on your trip.

Make Sure you Download These Rome Apps

Google maps.

I used to always download the local metro and maps apps when I traveled internationally, but recently I’ve found that Google Maps works just fine. In addition to driving and walking directions, the public transportation options are spot on and can be helpful in letting you know which platform to take, how many stops to go, etc.

There are times when I prefer Apple Maps for walking directions, as they can be a bit more descriptive. The key to either is to download maps to use offline if you plan on leaving your phone in airplane mode or turning off your data roaming.

Google Translate

As prevalent as English is in a modern city like Rome, it is still helpful to have Google Translate in your back pocket. This is helpful in scanning menus and signs using the camera function and overcoming language barriers with locals using the microphone. Just make sure you download the Italian dictionary before you go so that it is available offline and remember that the translation isn’t perfect!

Learn Italian

Learn Italian is an Italian phrases app. There are many on the app store and whichever one you go with, just make sure you pick one that operates offline and you download the content before you go (if needed.) I like to have a phrases app because it makes it easier to quickly look up common words and phrases based on different settings (restaurant, hotel, medical, greetings, etc.) This way the few words you need are easy to review and learn right before you need them.

For language learning before the trip, I use DuoLingo Italian and I’m on a streak of over 2 years!

Rick Steve’s Audio Europe

I’m a big fan of Rick Steve’s podcasts and guidebooks and his Rick Steve’s Audio Europe app offers guided walking tours of popular attractions in Rome like the Colosseum, Forum, Jewish Ghetto, Pantheon, St. Peter’s and the Sistine Chapel, Trastevere, and the Heart of Rome. So if you don’t want to hire a tour guide, this might be the next best thing.

The LivTours app from one of my favorite tour companies offers an overview (with a map) to some of Rome’s popular or more off-the-beaten-path attractions. You can find attractions or shops, filter by points of interest, and learn the history of each attraction.

The real wow factor is with their virtual reality features, which can only be unlocked when you are on one of their tours.

While you can use Uber in Rome, it will cost you more as only Uber Black is available. If you prefer to take a taxi, you usually have to find a local taxi stand or ask the restaurant to call one for you. Now, consumers have a little more control and you can call a taxi using Free Now. You need to download the app and set up an account (so maybe you prefer to pay the Uber premium for simplicity.)

This app can also help you locate and rent e-scooters. Another app that I use to set up airport transfers is Welcome Pickups .

If you use OpenTable in the United States, you can also try that in Rome, but you might find more options on its sister platform, The Fork . You can read reviews, sort by price, type, or neighborhood, and book reservations online.

If you enjoy fine dining, you can also download the MICHELIN Guide app to find and sometimes book Michelin star restaurants.

Italian Menu Decoder

Italy is probably one of the easier countries to travel to because most of us are fairly familiar with the menu. However, sometimes if you want to avoid foods like tripe or just get a better understanding of what something is before you order, download the Italian Menu Decoder . Someday I’ll have to tell you the story of how an app like this would have saved my husband a lot of embarrassment in France! This app provide an alphabetical index of foods and their descriptions so you can decide if that is really what you want to eat or not.

Acea Waidy WOW

Rome has public water fountains throughout the city so instead of buying bottles of water, you can bring along a refillable bottle and this app can help you find where to fill it. The digital map on Acea Waidy WOW includes the location of 3,000 public fountains. Other apps include I Nasoni di Roma and Fountains in Italy.

There may not be a lot of free public restrooms in Rome, but to find them, you can use the WC Rome app. There are also other apps such as Flush Toilet App and Whizzier.

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Travel Apps for Italy: Tools to Make Your Trip Easier

Italy, the land of delicious food, beautiful landscapes, opulent history, and remarkable cities is a dream destination for many travelers. However, navigating through the country isn’t always a breeze, especially for those visiting for the first time. Requests for directions can be muddled by language barriers, finding an authentic restaurant can become a quest, and identifying the public transport schedule can turn into a mini-nightmare. But don’t worry, we live in a digital age, where all kinds of guidance can be held in your hand within your smartphone. Here are some essential travel apps that will ensure an easier and smoother Italian trip.

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Language and Communication Apps

Understanding the local language sets the foundation for any great travel experience. Communicating with the locals, interpreting signs or menus becomes smoother. Here are two apps to assist you in overcoming the language barrier in Italy.

Google Translate

iOS | Android

This undoubtedly deserves the top spot when it comes to travel apps. Whether you want to order a pizza in Naples or understand what ‘Caldo Affogato’ is in Milan, Google Translate will become your real-time interpreter. The app can translate words, phrases, and even whole conversations in multiple languages. The real-time conversation feature is quite impressive and extremely useful when interacting with locals.

While Google Translate is wonderful for on-the-spot translations, learning a bit of Italian before your trip can enhance your experience. Duolingo is a renowned, interactive, and user-friendly app for learning languages. It uses game-like lessons to teach you the basics and beyond. Pick up some Italian phrases, greetings, and questions before your trip, and impress the locals with your skills!

Navigation Apps

Navigating through the picturesque yet sometimes confusing streets of Italy can be a challenge. But fear not, because these travel apps can help you reach your destination without any bothersome detours.

Google Maps

Any list of travel apps would be incomplete without mentioning Google Maps. From iconic tourist destinations to hidden local spots, Google Maps has you covered. The app can guide you through streets of Rome or trails in Cinque Terre, all while giving you the estimated travel time, alternative routes, and traffic updates. It’s hard to get lost if you have Google Maps on your disposal.

Rome2Rio simplifies the logistics of traveling from point A to point B in your journey. It gathers information about all possible modes of transport – starting from walking or biking to buses or flights, providing you all alternatives with the costs. Whether you’re trying to navigate from Rome’s Termini Station to the Colosseum, or planning a day-trip from Florence to Pisa, Rome2rio will lay out the quickest and cheapest travel options for you. 

Restaurant and Food-related Apps

Italian cuisine needs no introduction. But finding the perfect restaurant or trattoria amidst the countless options can be daunting. Fear not, foodie travelers, these apps will guide you to the authentic flavors of Italy.

Hungry in Milan and want to find a local Osteria (a place serving wine and simple food)? TheFork, owned by TripAdvisor, can be your guide. The app includes thousands of restaurant listings in major cities, complete with genuine reviews, photos, and bookings. It’s a reliable way to find quality eating places and avoid tourist traps.

Whether it’s a quick ride to your accommodation or an easy transport option after a long day of sightseeing, taxi apps can be a savior. Here are four taxi apps that offer ease of travel and comfort across various Italian cities.

Free Now (Previously MyTaxi)

Free Now is one of Europe’s best taxi apps and works splendidly in Italy. This app allows you to book a taxi instantly or schedule a pickup in advance. This app also provides an estimated fare calculation, so you have an idea of how much the ride will cost. 

IT Taxi is an app used mainly by local Italians. Apart from booking a taxi, you can track your journey, pay through the app, and even receive an email receipt. It operates in many Italian cities, including Rome, Florence, and Milan. One of its main advantages is the ability to book a taxi even in less touristy areas.

Depending on the city, Uber can be quite handy in Italy. While it may not be as common as other places in the world, Uber is operational in major cities like Rome and Milan. It provides you with the fare upfront and offers three different services: UberBlack (luxury cars), UberVan (for large groups), and UberX (the most economical option).

Welcome Pickups

Not exactly a traditional taxi app, Welcome Pickups offers private airport transfers to and from the main airports in Italy. What sets this app apart is that you’ll be greeted at the airport by a Welcome Pickups driver who will provide you with a city guide and local tips for your stay – it’s like having a personal concierge.

Delivery Apps

Sometimes the comforts of your hotel room or holiday rental may be too enticing to leave. For those times when you fancy a quiet evening in or when you need personal essentials, here are some delivery apps to cater to your needs.

Operational in several Italian cities, Deliveroo is known for its quick delivery time and offering food from upmarket restaurants. Whether it is typical Italian pasta from a renowned local restaurant or a burger from international food chains, you can get them all delivered at your doorstep.

With extensive coverage across Italy, Just Eat allows you to order from a range of restaurants and cafes. From breakfast pastries to late-night pizza cravings, this app has you covered. Also, Just Eat includes certain grocery and everyday essentials stores, making it a versatile app.

Besides food delivery from restaurants, Glovo is your go-to app for all kinds of deliveries in Italy. Need medication from the pharmacy but don’t want to go out? Want to send a document across the town? Or simply craving gelato? Glovo is at your service.

Finance Apps

Managing your finances while traveling is crucial. From budgeting your expenses to exchanging currency – these apps will keep you financially savvy and prevent any unpleasant surprises on your Italian trip.

Revolut is a digital bank offering fantastic travel-friendly features. You can hold and exchange multiple currencies, including Euro, at competitive rates. Other benefits include budgeting tools, instant payment notifications, and even travel insurance options. As it works globally, you can use Revolut to keep track of your travel expenses in real-time. 

TransferWise

Now known as Wise, this platform allows you to send, receive and spend money internationally at lower costs than most traditional banks. If you’re planning a longer stay in Italy or need to regularly send or receive funds between different currencies, this app can simplify the process significantly and save you some money on conversions. 

Getting Around Apps

Exploring a new city often involves navigating through unfamiliar public transport systems or finding the best routes on foot or bike. Here are some apps that can guide you throughout your Italian journey, whatever your preferred method of getting around.

ATAC Mobile

For those visiting Rome, ATAC mobile can be a valuable app. It is the official app of Rome’s principal public transportation company and provides information about routes, schedules, bus stops, and much more.

Offering more than just car rentals, Enjoy also provides scooter rentals in cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence. This app eliminates the need for car park scouting and is perfect for a quick ride around Italian cities.

Italy’s train system is extensive, affordable, and offers some breathtaking views. However, understanding the train schedule, fare, and booking tickets might be an uphill task, especially if you’re not familiar with Italian. TrenItalia tackles this issue efficiently. It’s an all-in-one app with timetables, fare information, and an online booking feature.

Moovit is a terrific public transit app that provides detailed information about routes, schedules, and fares from over 100 cities across Italy. It gives step-by-step directions for travel by bus, tram, metro, and more. It also provides real-time updates, so you know if your bus is delayed or your train is running early.

If you are not in a hurry and want to save money, BlaBlaCar is a great option for intercity travels in Italy. This carpooling service connects drivers and riders who are heading in the same direction. It’s an inexpensive, green, and sociable way to travel.

In the contemporary digital age, traveling through a diverse and historically rich country like Italy has never been more accessible. From language barriers to navigating the intricate streets, from finding that hidden gastronomical gem to managing finances on the go, the myriad apps available today have revolutionized the travel experience. This comprehensive list encapsulates the must-have apps for a smooth, efficient, and enriching Italian journey. So, as you pack your bags and set forth on your Italian adventure, remember to equip your smartphone with these tools, ensuring that Italy’s charm, culture, and cuisine are at your fingertips. Buon viaggio!

Explore our walking maps of Rome:

Rome in a day.

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Panoramic Views in Rome

📌 Allotted Time: 1 day 🐾 Walking time: Flexible

Fountains of Rome

📌 Allotted Time: 5 hrs 🐾 Walking time: 4-5 hours

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Rome2Rio: Trip Planner 4+

Trip and holiday organizer, rome2rio pty ltd, designed for ipad.

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What is Rome2Rio? Rome2Rio is the ultimate tool to make travel planning easy. We’ll show you the quickest, cheapest and most convenient transport options to get you where you need to go, anywhere in the world. From flights and trains to buses, ferries and rideshares and more; see in an instant all the combinations so you can compare and choose the best travel option for you. How to use the Rome2Rio app Enter any address, landmark or city as your destination We will show you: > All your travel options including by air, by land and by water > All that you need to know to plan and compare: * Prices * Durations * Schedules and connections * Company information * Booking details Planes I trains | subways | buses | coaches | rideshares | taxis | self-driving | shuttle buses | private transfers | ferries | watertaxis… in whichever combo wherever, however you want to go! Why use Rome2Rio? You can rely on our extensive global coverage – it comes from 5,000-plus companies in more than 160 countries. Whether you’re planning a short weekend getaway or an extended adventure abroad, it's easy to research, compare, and book the most efficient or affordable routes saving you time money, and hassle. Each month 50M+ global users trust us to plan their trips. With travel information from over 12,000 transport operators covering 10M locations, we are one of the top online travel resources used globally. Travel planning made easy. Contact www.rome2rio.com Got feedback? We’d love to hear it. Contact us on [email protected]

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Helped me so much

The first time i needed to use this app was when my sister was born. I got out of work early and everyone in my family was at the hospital waiting to see my sister for the first time. I had no car and nobody could pick me up, and I had never navigated the subways or buses on my own before. Somehow I found this app and was able to make a two and half hour trip through different methods of public transportation to get from my work in NY to the hospital in NJ where my sister was born. I surprised everyone when I got there, and would not have been able to see my sister for the first time with everyone else if it wasn’t for this app. It’s been 3 years since then, and I still use this app religiously. It’s the fastest and most reliable way to find ways to use public transportation to get where I need to be, whether its a job or class or a friend’s apartment. I wish everyone knew about this app who needs it. It’s so helpful.

This is my first ever app review, but I felt it my civic duty to sing its praises: I’d be lost in Europe begging on some corner with a crumpled up map in my hands and tears running down my face if it weren’t for this app. I live to travel, but I consider myself “directionally challenged,” and the idea of doing a bunch of research on the best way to get from point A to point B would be unimaginably frustrating. Rome2rio takes the stress out of traveling, and I recommend this app to people ALL the time! Yes, it helps you find the best route to get from country to country or city to city, but you can also narrow it down and put in an address or attraction. I can finally travel solo confidently with this app. It hasn’t let me down yet! I’d follow it to the ends of the earth and back. How this app isn’t more widely known or reviewed is beyond me, every traveler should have it.

Better than any travel site

I always wanted a way to see options for travel beyond flights. Maybe a train takes longer, but maybe you don't care and it's cheaper. Maybe a mountain bus ride in an economically developing country is scary and you'd like to experience it anyway. This app lays out great options for travel based on price. You don't have to search endlessly for different forms of travel that are independent of one another all the while trying to find linking times and places. This app saves you time, money, and shows you how you can be adventurous without a travel guide. I've had this idea for an app or website before, but they have done it so much better than I imagined!!

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The Best Apps for Your Trip To Italy in 2024

Sean Finelli Last Updated: January 8, 2024

Whether you’re planning a short or extended trip to Italy, here are the best apps for your trip to Italy to install before you go. There’s no need to feel like you’re living in ancient Roman times. Traveling around Italy will be super simple with these tools.

Pro Tip: Planning your trip to Italy? It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Bookmark this post along with our Italy Guide for more info and inspiration, plus our top-rated Italy tours .

The Must-Have Apps for Your Trip To Italy

In the age of smartphones, we all have a powerhouse in our pockets. And it’s particularly useful when you’re traveling. As you prepare for your trip to Italy, there are a few apps to download that’ll make life that much easier for you whether you’re looking for a place to eat or a way to get home after too many drinks during aperitivo and dinner.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  Italy Guide for more info and inspiration.

Preparing For Your Trip To Italy

These tools will help you plan and get ready for your trip to Italy. Here are a few of our recommended apps for finding flights, staying in touch with loved ones, and brushing up on the local language.

Get Online with a Local Sim Card

If you’re traveling and want to use the apps in this article, some of them require cell service or internet to work. You have a few options when it comes to accessing mobile internet abroad. In a nutshell, you can use roaming or get a local sim card.

Find out how to get a sim card in Italy .

Stay in Touch with WhatsApp

The best way to stay in touch with your family and friends back home for free is with WhatsApp. All you need is mobile or Wi-Fi internet for it to work, making it the best way to make calls in Italy.

Download WhatsApp

Find Cheap Flights with Skyscanner

Skyscanner is exactly what it sounds like. It’s an app that scans the internet for flights. Find and compare cheap flights from any location for major savings. The app also retrieves and compares the cheapest hotels and car rentals for your trip if you need them. Skyscanner is used by 60 million people per month!

Download Skyscanner

Learn the Local Language with Duolingo

Lots of people speak English in Italy, so even if you don’t know any Italian, you’ll get by. However, we highly recommend learning a few greetings and phrases before you go. Not only will you feel better equipped once you land, but you’ll also show the locals you care about their culture. Saying, “Buongiorno!” is sure to make Italians smile.

Duolingo covers languages from Spanish to Swahili and is, by far, the most popular language-learning platform. Learn by reading, writing, and speaking. Set goals and get daily emails to stay on track. It’s the perfect way to brush up on your basic Italian phrases.

Download Duolingo

Getting Around Italy

Once you’ve arrived in Italy, you’ll need to be able to locate places and navigate to them. To get around, you’ll also need to book taxis and buy train tickets. Here are our top picks for apps to help you find your way around Italy.

Find Your Way with Google Maps

You likely already have Google Maps on your phone and it is indispensable. Not only can you find out where pretty much everything is located, but it will also navigate you there. It will give you directions via public transportation, by car, on foot, and by bike depending on which tab you select.

Another very useful feature of Google Maps is the in-app public transport information and schedules.The Google Maps community also leave very helpful reviews, so you can find great restaurants and places to visit. I’m sure you already know this app is a travel must.

Pro Tip: Google Maps Did you know you can connect to google maps while on Wi-Fi even on airplane mode? Yep! Download your map, search for directions, and leave Wi-Fi on airplane mode. Your GPS will still work. It won’t reroute you if you go off the route, but the GPS will still show you where you are on the map.

Schedule or Hail a Taxi with Free Now

If you struggle to book a taxi on Uber or similar apps, try Free Now. It’s a reliable alternative and you may even be able to book eScooters and eBikes, depending on where you are.

This is especially good for Rome, but the service also operates in Milan, Turin, Naples, Palermo, Catania, and Cagliari according to their website. For more information, check out our post on Uber in Italy .

Download Free Now

Buy Cheap Italy-Based Train Tickets with TrenItalia

Whether you’re traveling between cities or need to get from the airport to the city center, Italy’s rail system is the best way to travel. TrenItalia is the country’s national rail company. On the app, you’ll be able to search train schedules and buy your tickets. Easy peasy!

Download TrenItalia

Buy Tickets on Major European Trains With Trainline

Trainline is a fantastic third-party app that will let you search and buy tickets for almost all available train and coach companies in Italy. TrenItalia isn’t the only train company in Italy. So, it’s a good idea to have the Trainline app to check the easiest way to get where you’re going across Italy and Europe. You’ll be able to easily buy tickets on the TrenItalia, Eurostar, and Italo lines through the app, plus many more!

Download Trainline

Figure Out How To Get There with Rome2Rio

Rome2Rio is a great app to use when you’re not sure of the best route or the best mode of transport to get somewhere. All you need is a starting point and a final destination. It’ll then show all the possible ways to get from A to B with schedules, prices, and links. It’s also a great way to discover which transport companies operate in certain areas.

Download Rome2Rio

Popular Rome Tours

Best-Selling Tour

Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums

Our “in a day” tour is best way to get your bearings all in one day. Visit the Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and more with a licensed, fun English-speaking tour guide. They’ll add tons of insights and make the entire experience so much more memorable. Also, you’ll get a feel for the city, so it’s a great option on one of your first days in Rome. Bring your walking shoes and water bottle!

Best Price!

Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

One of our most popular Vatican tours since it is such an amazing value. Skip the line to get inside with a super-knowledgeable, English-speaking guide who will bring the museum to life with stories of the artists, popes, conspiracy, love, and even tragedy! This tour has start times throughout the day so you can choose when to visit based on your schedule!

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  best Rome tours to take and why .

Finding Food and Drinks in Italy

If you’re looking for great places to eat in Italy, all you have to do is check out our various city guides. Our local experts have pooled all their favorite restaurants into our Best Restaurants article series.

Discover the best restaurants in Rome , Venice , Florence , Milan , and the Amalfi Coast . Want to eat close to a particular attraction? No problem, we have dedicated articles on where to eat near many top sites. Explore our Italy City Guides .

Stay Hydrated with WeTap

WeTap helps you locate water fountains, stay hydrated, and save the planet and money at the same time. It’s especially useful in Rome, which is home to 2,500 water fountains.

There’s no need to buy single-use plastic water bottles in the Eternal City. The water from Rome’s original aqueduct fountains is fresh, cold, and free. All you need is a bottle to fill up. WeTap is only available for Apple users, so a good alternative for Android users is the Fountains of Italy app.

Download WeTap

Restaurant Reservations Made Easy

In case you didn’t get a European SIM or have an international phone plan, you’ll need a way to easily book a restaurant reservation. Many restaurants don’t have online booking on their websites, so a great alternative is The Fork.

It’s a highly rated app that makes it easy to secure your spot at that exclusive, non-touristy spot with a view. I love that they include discounts that are automatically applied for you. Plus it works on Apple and Android phones!

Download The Fork

Find Vegan Restaurants with Happy Cow

Finding great vegan and vegetarian options in a new city can be a challenge. Download the Happy Cow and find great restaurants near you or across the city. It’s powered by the largest vegan community and has a helpful food map.

Download HappyCow

Food Delivered to Your Door with Deliveroo

If you’re traveling in Italy, we highly recommend going out to eat. Food is a huge part of Italian culture and you won’t want to miss out on it. If, for whatever reason, you need to have food delivered, go with Deliveroo.

It’s the Grub Hub or Doordash of Italy. I often travel for work and find myself exhausted at the end of the day, so I’ll order Deliveroo to my room. It’s a really convenient service.

Download Deliveroo

Discovering Awesome Things To Do in Italy

This is what we do best! We love guiding you on tours of Italy’s top attractions. We secure exclusive access tickets, hunt down the best activities, and build interesting itineraries with passionate local guides, so you can have meaningful and exciting travel experiences in Italy and beyond.

The Tour Guy’s Italy City Guides

Start with our Italy City Guides. Select the Italian city you plan to visit and explore our articles on the top things to do, how to visit specific attractions, and what to see there.

See our Italy Guide

The Tour Guy’s Italy Tours

To make your trip even easier, we’ve developed special itineraries and activities to help you see the very best of Italy. If you’re short on time, check out our tours that hit the top sites in a day—it’s the best way to see as much as possible in just one day. If you want to see more than one top attraction or megamonument at the best possible price, see our combo tours. Foodies will love our local food tours in various Italian cities!

See all our Italy tours

Learn From Pros with Most Traveled People

This is an interesting app recommended by my good friend and travel journalist Angel Castellanos . Basically, the app ranks the most avid travelers based on the countries they’ve visited. According to Angel, you can scroll through the map to find UNESCO World Heritage sites, world-famous beaches, and iconic hotel properties. You can even sign up yourself and start tracking your travels!

Download MTP

Find Outdoor Trails with AllTrails

If you love heading off into nature, this app is for you. All Trails has a huge database of trails around the world. It’s easy to use and details trails with tons of useful information and the ability to track your own times.

Download AllTrails

Where To Stay in Rome

Rome has a rich cultural history and many iconic landmarks to explore. Plan where to stay in the magnificent Eternal City in the best neighborhoods.

Reader Interactions

Comments (8).

May 7, 2017

There are a lot of bad apps for travel, These are definitely worth the download though

May 8, 2017

Cool! Already have most of them on my phone already 🙂

Nice checklist, i’ll try them all on my next trip to Italy

May 9, 2017

Thanks for this! Smartphone made traveling much easier, less easy it’s find the best apps for tourists

May 11, 2017

I’ll definitely try Duolingo to catch some Italian before my trip to Rome!

July 23, 2018

Thank you for sharing. All great apps and I look forward to using them on my trip to Italy in May.

February 21, 2019

Hi to every single one, it’s actually a nice for me to visit this web site, it consists of valuable Information.

Ciao Sunny! Happy to hear that you dig our website. We’re always looking to provide the best content possible for our readers!

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The Best Travel Apps to Use in Italy

• Planning your trip

February 21, 2023

Traveling to Italy and enjoying its gems has never been easier… thanks to your smartphone! With our list of best travel apps, you’ll avoid getting lost, find restaurants where the locals eat and learn key words and phrases right at your fingertips. Many of the apps are available on all platforms (Apple iOS, Google Play, Android) and don’t need an internet connection to function, so you can forget about expensive roaming costs while traveling abroad.

Frecciarossa train

Getting Around 1. Italy Travel Guide by Triposo: One stop for your complete mobile guide to Italy! The free travel app provides offline maps and useful information on landmarks and restaurants in over 100 cities. We also recommend TripAdvisor City Guides and Ulmon Travel Guide and Offline Maps interactive apps for larger cities.

2. ProntoTreno :  Exploring Italy by train? Download Trenitalia’s official app (free!) that lets you buy tickets in a few clicks and check the status of your trip in English. 

3. Museum Guides:  Let the apps guide you as you discover Italy’s artistic masterpieces and archeological sites. Most museums have official and unofficial apps to help you understand the museums and the works that make them beautiful, complete with insider information. Two of our favorites are the iMiBACT free app ( here for iPhone or here for Android) with maps and descriptions of over 40 of the countries museums and landmarks, and the Uffizi Art History Guide ($3.99)

Communicating with the locals 4. LingoLook :  Looking for a crash course in Italian? This offline app helps you prepare for your trip, with quick lessons on basic words and phrases, along with their pronunciation. Once you’re in Italy, you can search by situation – for example, explaining food allergies or asking directions – and communicate with ease.

5. Word Reference :   We love this free app when looking for a precise translation of specific words – from Italian to English or vice versa – which is especially helpful for scenarios like reading a menu with no translation ( check out our helpful on navigating menus here !). We also suggest using Google Translate to understand the general gist of phrases.

Looking for pizza in Naples? There’s an app for that!

Dining like a local 6.  Cibando :  What sets this free food guide app apart from others is its delicious photographs of dishes from local restaurants, giving non-Italian speakers an idea of the various specialties served. Be sure to check out the convenient map feature which allows you to circle the area you’d like to dine in and preview its restaurants!

7. Foodies by Gambero Rosso:  As one of the more costly apps on our list ($4.99), we’ve chosen this app from the acclaimed Italian food and wine guide for true foodies who love to try anything from elegant restaurants to street food.

8. Eat Rome, Eat Florence and Eat Venice :  Heading to Rome, Florence or Venice? You’re in luck! Check out these city-dedicated apps for expert picks from a foodie living in Italy. You can find these apps from $2.99 to $3.99 and an upcoming comprehensive Eat Italy app is in the works.

9. TripAdvisor :  Before choosing a restaurant, take a look on the famous free travel app for to see what travelers from all over the world  really  have to say about it. Use the “Near Me” function to find what’s in your area and even browse reviews on famous landmarks and hotels.

Which helpful travel apps do you use when traveling in Italy? Tell us about them in the comments!

by Elena Ciprietti

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Google maps can be used off line. Just download the map before you leave home

I have used these iPhone apps and it looks like most if not all have android versions too.

The Trip Advisor City Guide is very useful and I don’t go there without it. Self contained, has a good detailed map, attraction info, though you may find that a few restaurants have incorrect locations, but still worth it for the reviews to help you weed out the really bad places. Be sure to download the entire data update just before you leave. The main downside is that while it does let you build up a "saved" list of things to see, bars, restaurants before your trip, you cannot used them offline - defeating the entire purpose of generating such a list in the first place. See https://www.tripadvisor.com/apps

https://anamericaninrome.com/wp/2017/06/announcing-the-discover-rome-app-a-modern-travel-and-food-guide/

A really good free map is “mapsme”; you have to download the map for the area you’re interested in (Lazio for Rome, etc.); has several maps that are downloaded separately for all of Italy . iOS & Android version available;

http://maps.me/en/home

http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Maps.Me

Ulmon City Guide Rome - the free version is a self contained very detailed map on both iOS and Android platforms:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rome-travel-guide-offline/id317902596?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ulmon.android.playrome&hl=en

Rome2Rio is a general transportation route planning app for either car or public transportation for telling you how to take from, say, Rome to Venice :

https://www.rome2rio.com/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rome2rio-find-out-how-to-get-from-a-to-b/id569793256?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rome2rio.www.rome2rio&hl=en

Xe is a free currency converter that has some adds, but works well:

http://www.xe.com/apps/iphone/

http://www.xe.com/apps/android/

Rick Steves Audio Europe Travel App has iOS and Android versions - good for doing self guided tours of the major sites like the forum, Vatican,etc.;

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe

Google maps - now lets you download maps in advance, so you can use Google Navigator without an internet connection. I didn’t use it much, but my brother in law said it worked great in Italy. See

https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&hl=en

Among the web sites designed for use with mobile phones is ATAC, Rome's public transportation agency; mobile web site is at

http://www.muovi.roma.it/

moe moe mike,

But most tourists with very limited amounts of time there will need a map or map equipped smart phone app of some sort and this one looks interesting, though I haven’t used it in Rome - just played with the free version which does look useful if you do the in app purchases:

Rome Map and Walks By GPSmyCity.com, Inc.;

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rome-map-and-walking-tours/id349935223?mt=8

“ ..This handy application presents you several self-guided walks featuring the best of the city, from world famous attractions to hidden gems. There simply is no better way to see a city on foot, at your own pace and at a cost that is only a fraction of what you would normally pay for a guided tour.”

Below are some recent review articles of relevant travel apps:

10 Rome Apps To Download Before you Go

Posted on December 6, 2017

https://we3travel.com/10-rome-apps-download-go/

Ten essential free phone apps for a visit to Rome

15 February 2016

https://www.thelocal.it/20160215/the-ten-free-apps-you-need-for-your-visit-to-rome

The Best Travel Apps to Use in Italy

April 21, 2014

https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/travel-tips/best-travel-apps-italy

Rome in your Pocket: Best apps for foreigners in Rome

1 October 2016

http://www.romeing.it/best-rome-apps/

10 of the best travel apps … that you'll actually use

2 January 2016

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/jan/02/10-best-travel-apps-free-paid-for

I’ll use google maps well before my trip to plan walking itineraries (often to rather obscure places), then mark up a printed map to use while I’m there. If I do resort to an app-based map it’ll be to find a place to eat using Tripadvisor’s Rome City Guide, or getting back to my accommodation using it or the maps.me or Ulmon Rome maps.

Learning to use google maps is really worth investing some time in. Before your trip you can often find walks or maps someone else came up with of, say, Bernini's work in Rome, like this:

Rome Walking Tour - Bernini's Art in Rome

http://tinyurl.com/kj45bna ( Or http://goo.gl/maps/bb4W0 )

These kind of maps can be a great starting point for planning your trip. Other artists, sites, food, bars can be easily found by googling relevant keywords, like these found by googling “Caravaggio google map”;

Caravaggio Art Tour of Rome: https://tinyurl.com/y9jlcps5

(or http://tinyurl.com/jgvdgjb )

Chasing Caravaggio in Rome ( http://tinyurl.com/z7nun5j )

You get the idea. You can modify these maps to include your hotel and other sights and save or print them. Some regulars on this forum (like me) often help with these maps - I’ve done several for friends.

I imagine standalone apps like the Tripadvisor city guide might be enough for some first time visitors, but Rome is so rich in history that you will find it well worth having a more thorough guide to consult before and during your trip. Ebooks towards that end are so common now that it’s a bit overwhelming to decide which ones to use, but the ones I keep going back to are these:

Unfortunately only in printed versions, "Art & Architecture of Rome" by Brigitte Hintzen-Bohlen is a small paperback guide crammed with info & pics (no info on food, transportation, hotels, etc.); it’s a compact encyclopedia on Rome with brief but useful illustrated summaries of roman history, special topic essays, loads of photos to help you find and identify the art and architecture of Rome and small but useful maps that help you find what you are looking for. Several essays help you decode the history of Rome as well a timeline of the Popes, maps of the Vatican, Ostia Antica, Tivoli, Ville d'Este, an appendix that includes in illustrated summary of architecture found in Rome, a glossary, short biographies of important roman personalities, indexes of people & places - all in a compact 626 pg./1.2 x 6 x 6.8 inch 1.8 lbs. package. Published by http://H.F.Ullmann Publishing Gmbh (April 27, 2012 version). You can usually pick them up for $10-$16 online. Combined with a good travel reference like the Rick Steves or Eyewitness Rome book, you'll find they cover most of what the casual Rome traveler will see.

As nice as ”Art & Architecture of Rome" is, it is still by necessity a shallow treatment so I have other reference ebooks on my phone to consult once I’m at my destination museum, gallery, monument, etc.. Many I’ve already read during pre-trip research. Titles I always have on my phone or on the bookshelf :

Rome: An Oxford Archaeological Guide (Oxford Archaeological Guides) by Amanda Claridge

The Oxford guide is a must if you really want to decode the Roman Forum and most ancient roman sites and ruins. Very comprehensive and authoritative treatment of the visible remains of ancient Rome.

“A Tourist in Rome” by Jeff Bondono (ebook format only) is the one I found very useful while walking in Rome and decoding ancient roman archeology. Combined with the Oxford guide, it’ll cover almost all the ancient layers of Rome. It has many photos by the author of monuments and ruins that really help in identifying them and just enough historical notes to put them in context. Complements the Oxford guide very nicely.

A Journey Into Michelangelo's Rome (ArtPlace) - Angela K. Nickerson

Kindle Edition Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Though this is a children’s book it is still a very useful quick read / reference.

For more general all-inclusive overviews of Roman History, Art and Architecture I have these ebooks on my phone:

“The Blue Guide Rome” is my favorite one-stop Rome reference book. While it is not a “walking” guide with itineraries & walking routes it does have maps with enough detail to find your way around in Rome, though the kindle version maps have street names that are harder to read. Very good for historical, architectural information, but it doesn't have much in the way of hotel, restaurant recommendations. Though not nearly as well illustrated as Hintzen-Bohlen's "Art & Architecture", it does have more descriptions of what work of art you will find in what part of what museum.

Many say the very good Michelin Green Guide Rome is the other contender for one volume Rome references but it is not available in ebook format, but it does have mapped walking routes.

Rome Walks (On Foot Guides) - John Fort, Rachel Piercey

This is by the same author who updated the classic “Companion Guide to Rome” by Georgina Masson (Author),‎ John Fort (Editor), though not nearly as comprehensive as the Masson book. Walking maps are focused on narrow areas of Rome, but useable.

The Rome Guide: Step by Step through History's Greatest City - Mauro Lucentini

A very good one-stop walking guide to all important eras of roman history with several mapped walks, though the maps are small, black and white and not very easy to use of you are unfamiliar with Rome. The text however does a good job of placing what you see in historical context.

Rome Secrets: Eleven Self-Guided Walking Tours - Elan Zingman-Leith, Susan Zingman-Leith

Another decent attempt at a one-stop walking guide.

by Augustus Hare, both late 19th century travel books or guides. It is interesting to see what sites and artists have gone in and out of fashion.

Thanks so much for all these great suggestions. I appreciate the information, and the time it took to provide so many options.

Wow.Great information ❤❤❤

Now for the food apps:

Italian food decoder by Dana Facaros and Michael Paul’s is pretty comprehensive.

Elizabeth Minchilli’s Eating my way through Italy is great also.

Buon appetito!

Downloaded talian food decoder by Dana Facaros and Michael Paul

Thank you so much! So much great information! Thank you!

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Rome Hotels and Places to Stay

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• Money matters in Rome
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• Crime and safety in Rome, including helpful tips
• Special free events in Rome
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• Day trips from Rome, including Naples/Pompeii, Florence, and beaches
• General information about train travel in Italy
• General Italy travel tips

80+ Helpful Rome Travel Tips & Tricks: Must-Knows Before You Visit Rome!

Last Updated: August 24, 2023

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

For a lot of first-timers visiting the Eternal City, many find it to be an eternal disappointment.

From crafty pickpockets and heaving crowds to tourist traps around every corner, Rome is not an “easy” city to enjoy…

But don’t worry – if you’re visiting Rome any time soon, I’ve put together a list of oddly specific Rome travel tips to ensure your trip is a roaring, calorie-packed success.

I’ve been to Rome three times now, with each visit better than the last. I chalk that up to learning through painful trial and error all the eccentricities and traps that this magically frustrating city has to offer.

(Although full disclosure: the first time, I literally got robbed within 15 min of arrival, so I guess that’s a pretty low bar.)

So, if it’s your first time in the Eternal City, here are some highly important must-knows before you visit Rome. Trust me – with these Rome tips in hand, you’re guaranteed to have the trip of a lifetime.

Save this list of Rome travel tips for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

Rome Travel Planning Tips

Let’s start with some planning-related Rome tips to help you with flights, booking hotels in Rome, choosing dates, the best times to visit Rome, etc.

Learn the tricks to getting cheap flights TO Rome

If you haven’t booked your flights to Rome yet, be sure to check out my guide on  how to get the cheapest flights to Europe . I promise it’ll save you hundreds of dollars on your flight!

Consider flying into Rome’s cheaper, smaller (and more central) airport

Rome Fiumicino Airport (AKA the Leonardo da Vinci Airport) is Rome’s main international airport. If you are coming from overseas, this will likely be your point of entry. 

This airport is located in Fiumicino, about 40km west of Rome’s historical centre, right by the sea.

Getting to/from Rome’s Termini (central) station can be as quick as 32 minutes if you take the Leonardo Express Train (14 euros) or as long as an hour or so if you take some regional trains with stops and connections.

If however you are flying from within Europe, then a cheaper alternative may be Rome Ciampino Airport, which is only 12.5km away from Rome’s historical center and services budget airlines like RyanAir and WizzAir.

A train from Ciampino to Rome’s Termini station can be as quick as 14 minutes and costs only 1.50, so it’s a great way to save time/money if you’re on a budget. 

NOTE: Budget airlines come with their own set of unique struggles, but if saving money is a big priority for you, then flying into Ciampino is worth looking into.

Avoid peak season in Rome if you can

I’ve visited Rome in June, July, and January. By far, January’s temperatures and crowds were the most pleasant.

Not only are July and August extremely popular times to visit Rome (meaning inflated prices and crowds), the heat will destroy you completely.

One afternoon on my most recent visit, my boyfriend and I were so exhausted by the heat that we literally sat down next to a water fountain, and wordlessly sipped water for a solid 30 minutes. It was weird – and for that bizarre chapter, I blame that scorching Roman sun.

Of course, Rome in the peak summer months is still worthwhile to visit, but if you have the luxury of choice, visiting outside of July and August will mean thinner crowds and more tolerable temperatures.

Plan your trip for minimum four days

If you are currently planning your first visit to Rome, I strongly encourage you to plan for at least 4 days in the city.

There is SO much to do in Rome – after three visits I still feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.

I think the beauty of this city is that there are huge powerhouse attractions that are a must-do (e.g. the Colosseum, Vatican City, etc.) alongside quirkier and more offbeat sights that many visitors miss.

4 days will allow you to experience both of these (equally worthwhile) sides of Rome, while making time for lengthy, relaxing meals and aperitivos.

Book your Rome hotel early

Hotel options in Rome are overwhelming, with over 700 hotels in the historical center alone.

And honestly? I feel like the value for money with Rome accommodation is pretty mediocre. While there are of course many beautiful hotels, most come at a high price point, and a lot of budget/mid-range options leave much to be desired in terms of facilities and decor.

That’s not to say you can’t find some gems! I stayed at this hotel ON the Spanish steps for only 120 euros a night, a complete bargain for the location.

But anyways, when it comes to getting a good hotel in Rome, your best bet is to book early. 

TIP: If you use Booking.com , you can find hundreds of hotels that offer free reservations and cancellations, ensuring peace of mind even if you aren’t 100% committed to that property.

Staying somewhere central is key

It goes without saying that where you stay can have a huge impact on your experience in Rome, but I didn’t realize what a big difference it made until I finally stayed somewhere ‘nice’ on my most recent trip.

Staying right on the Spanish Steps meant I was within 30 min of all major sights on foot, and getting back to the hotel after along day of exploration was always filled with beautiful sights, lovely monuments and a hopelessly rome-antic ambiance.

Being able to explore as soon as I stepped out was invaluable, and worth every penny.

Public transportation in Rome is also not super reliable (more on this later), and time is money, so if you’re prioritizing your needs for accommodation, I highly recommend location being high up on your list.

Consider booking an airport hotel & spending your last evening in Fiumicino 

As I previously mentioned, hotels in central Rome can be expensive, and if you happen to be flying out earlier in the day, then I highly recommend spending your final night in Fiumicino (assuming that’s the airport you’re departing from).

There are many accommodation options in Fiumicino that are MUCH cheaper than central Rome. We stayed at this hotel for only 66 euros a night, and they even had a pool. 

If you love seafood, there’s also the added bonus that Fiumicino is right along the sea, meaning an abundance of excellent seafood restaurants for cheap.

We dined at Ristorantino Da Giorgio and enjoyed an epic menu of gorgeous seafood antipasto, spaghetti with clams, and a main meat course (I had calamari) for only 25 euros, including water and coperto. Unreal!

After a hectic city break in Rome, a final evening in Fiumicino is the perfect relaxing end. My boyfriend and I felt like we’d been dropped off in a Spanish resort town – it was so nice.

NOTE: The Terravision bus from central Rome to the airport has a stop in Fiumicino town, which means you can get there for cheap too.

Don’t forget travel insurance

I personally believe that travel insurance is a must for every trip, but especially in tourist cities like Rome, where pickpockets are a dime a dozen.

Trust me, when visiting a dream destination like Rome, the peace of mind is worth the cost!

Click here to check rates with WorldNomads.

Download helpful apps before you visit Rome

There are plenty of apps you can download that will make your time in Rome 100x easier.

I’ve previously written a full list of the  best travel apps for Europe  so be sure to check that out, but here are some especially good options for Rome:

• MyCicero : An app that allows you to buy tickets for public transport, trains, and even parking
• FREE NOW:  Great for ordering taxis with a transparent price so you know you’re not getting scammed
• Google Translate:  A must for translating signs/menus on the go. Download Italian to be used offline if you can
• The Fork:  Great for making restaurant reservations

Use Omio to search transport options if you’re headed elsewhere

If Rome isn’t your only destination on the trip, then another helpful app/website to know is  Omio , which allows you to compare and book transport options from Point A to Point B.

That means you can compare buses, trains and flights for your route at the same time, making it much easier to find the best option in terms of cost, speed, etc.

Rome Transport Tips And General Tricks For Getting Around

Getting around Rome can be really daunting for a first-time visitor, so here are all my best Rome tips related to getting around the city.

Get ready to walk… a LOT

In my opinion, Rome is a city best explored on foot. My hotel receptionist though would disagree – his jaw just about hit the floor when we said we wanted to walk everywhere.

Admittedly, in the summer, walking from Point A to Point B is exhausting, but you get to see so much more that way! 

I also find using my own leg-stumps to be more reliable than Rome’s bus/tram system. We tried to catch the bus a few times but on each attempt, it was either packed or delayed for no reason – maybe it was bad luck, but even after three visits I still haven’t ever taken the bus in Rome!

For context, each day of my recent trip, I averaged 25,000 – 30,000 steps… so I hope you enjoy explorations on foot!

Prepare to cross the street like a maniac

Crossing the street in Rome is a guaranteed adrenaline rush and a half.

At least for me, living in Germany where jaywalking is treated akin to murder, trying to navigate the chaotic streets of Rome is… intimidating to say the least.

In Rome, drivers don’t like to stop for you, even when there’s a zebra crossing. They also don’t always signal turns, and crossing the street is pretty much a free-for-all that rewards the boldest and most shameless…. AKA not me.

My tip? Walk out and cross with confidence, or simply wait for a local to step out so you can meekly shuffle alongside them, praying not to die.

Bus & Metro tickets are the same

The ticket is 1.50 and good for 100 minutes after you validate them.

While historically, you needed to have your ticket before you boarded the Metro, bus or tram, these days there’s the new Tap & Go System that allows you to pay with contactless cards instead.

Read more about it here.

Remember to validate your tickets

This goes for bus tickets, Metro tickets and even train tickets.

Validating your tickets in Rome is just as important as buying them, because if you get caught with an unvalidated ticket, you get fined the same as not having one at all. 

You can validate your tickets at special machines (usually found on train platforms, on the bus near the doors or at metro stations).

Validate train tickets by sticking it way in and to the left

Here’s an oddly specific tip for validating train tickets!

Trenitalia ticket machines are super finnicky and I’ve seen more than a few people struggling to understand them, so remember: validate your train ticket in one of these (usually green/white) machines by aligning your ticket to the left side, then pushing all the way in with the back side of the ticket facing up.

Your stamp should be on the BACK of the ticket.

Know that the Metro is limited

For a city as huge as Rome, the Metro system is surprisingly limited, with only 3 lines to offer (A, B, and C). 

While the Metro is punctual compared to buses/trams, the platforms can be excruciatingly hot and stuffy in the summer, and they can be a hot zone for pickpockets, so always be vigilant!

On the bright side, there are Metro stops near many of Rome’s main attractions (e.g. Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Circus Maximus), so it’s a very affordable way to get from sight to sight quickly.

Consider getting a 24h, 48h, 72h or week long pass (though you likely won’t need it)

Bearing in mind that a single public transport ticket in Rome costs only 1.50, it likely won’t be worth it for you to get a transport pass, but if you intend to rely a lot on buses, trams and the Metro, then you should know that day/week passes exist, and could potentially help you save some money.

Here are the pass prices (last updated July 2023) and how many trips you would need for them to be worth it:

• 24 Hour Ticket: €7 – 5 trips needed to break even
• 48 Hour Ticket: €12.50 – 9 trips needed to break even
• 72 Hour Ticket: €18 – 12 trips needed to break even
• Integrated Weekly Card: €24 – 16 trips needed to break even

FREE NOW is a must-have app for taxis

The best way to not get scammed by a taxi is hands down ordering one through FREE NOW.

It’s similar to Uber but works with actual licensed taxis, and these days they even have options that show you your maximum fare you’re expected to pay.

This provides great ease of mind, and prevents common taxi scams like bait and switch rates and taking long routes to drive up the price, since the route is tracked through the app.

Always use official Rome taxis

These are the white taxis that have the maroon Roma Capitale logo on the side.

Particularly when you’re getting a taxi from the airport, it’s important you go with one of these rather than an “unofficial” taxi or private transfer company because those rates aren’t regulated, and are more prone to scams.

NOTE: Just because you get an official Rome taxi though doesn’t mean you’re exempt from scams! Still be vigilant and when possible, order through FREE NOW or another app.

Know the flat rates for taxis from the airport to central Rome

Luckily for your wallet, there are flat rates for taxis from both of Rome’s airports into the city center (within the Aurelian Walls). They are as follows:

• Rome Fiumicino: €48
• Rome Ciampino: €30

NOTE: If your hotel is out of this zone (call ahead with the hotel to double check), then the taxi may subject you to payment by the meter. 

Easily rent a bike or scooter

For another Rome transportation option, consider looking into the bike and e-scooter sharing options in Rome.

This has become an increasingly popular way to get around the city, and involves paying per minute/distance for various modes of transport like bikes or e-scooters.

Here is a guide on how to find and use them.

Rome Tips For Attractions

Odds are, if you’re visiting Rome, your plans involve a lot of sightseeing. So, here are some of my best Rome travel tips related to attractions and itinerary planning.

Be prepared for a lot of construction and restorations

Rome is an ancient city, and with that millenia-old history comes the inevitable fact that something will always be undergoing some kind of restoration or renovation.

On my first trip to Rome, I was left SO disappointed because the Trevi Fountain had been closed and scaffolded up (without warning on any official channels), a large part of the Colosseum was scaffolded up, and the fountain by the Spanish Steps was entirely covered by a big advertisement.

On my most recent visit, I had booked a lovely hotel with a view of the Spanish Steps… only for the hotel to be covered in scaffolding, blocking 80% of my view. There were also large chunks of the historical center that had been dug up for road/sidewalk repairs.

While this may be frustrating, at the end of the day, it’s not a situation you have much control over, so just make sure you have your expectations in check!

Remember that there’s a dress code for churches in Rome

Enforcement isn’t always consistent, but out of respect, you should ensure that you’re adhering to the dress code of Rome’s churches, which is that shoulders/knees must be covered. 

An easy way to ensure you’re always church ready (in the summer) is wearing a long skirt/dress and bringing a thin scarf to drape over your shoulders when needed. 

The place where they’re strictest with this dress code is usually St Peter’s Basilica, although I did notice a lot of visitors with exposed knees (mostly men in shorts!).

Whether or not you get let in depends on how the security feels that day, but it’s definitely easier to stick to the known dress code just in case.

Pick only one major sight to do per day 

Rome is a city of heavyweight attractions, and sightseeing in this city can really take it out of you! 

Instead of trying to cram a lot of attractions into one day, I highly recommend breaking up your itinerary so that you only do one (or two max) big attractions in a single day, then leave the rest of the time for exploring, enjoying some food, etc. 

Buy your tickets in advance

Rome is a hugely popular city with most attractions offering some kind of “skip the line” ticket option. The best part is you can easily get your tickets online.

In fact, these days, a lot of attractions require pre-booking (e.g. the Colosseum) to ensure crowd control. 

If you are looking just for an entry ticket (without any kind of tour or guide), the cheapest place to buy them will always be the official website of that particular attraction.

Otherwise, if you are looking to combine your experience with a tour, guide, etc. then I can highly recommend GetYourGuide . They have a lot of great options with an easy to use interface that makes booking super simple.

Consider booking tours for context

Rome is a fascinating city, but it has an expansive history that’s tough to grasp for a first-time visitor…

That’s why having a tour guide can really help in a lot of situations, particularly for Ancient Roman sights like the Colosseum and Forum, where you’re basically just looking at ruins without any idea of what it used to be/look like.

While I’m usually quite an independent traveler, Rome is one of those cities where I’ve never really regretted having a tour guide. 

Think twice before buying a Roma Pass or Omnia Card

I’m usually a huge fan of city passes that give you unlimited access to museums and attractions, like for example the I amsterdam card which offers incredible value and helped me save over 100 euros last time I went to Amsterdam.

… but I’m not so quick to recommend Rome’s equivalent passes, because of the following reasons:

• None of the passes are “all inclusive” – most include only a few attractions and then discounts for the rest, which makes the deal a lot less sweet
• None of the passes include guided tours of any kind, which I think are valuable for some of the main sights (including the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum, who only just opened up their underground to visitors, and is only currently accessible by guided tour)
• If you can buy tickets at a reduced price (e.g. EU Citizens aged 18-25), then buying tickets on your own is much cheaper
• These passes are only really worth it if you use all the benefits (e.g. the Hop on Hop Off bus) which I don’t think is the best way to see the city 

The most tempting perk of these passes is the promise of a “skip the line ticket” but honestly these are easy to book on your own these days.

In short, the benefits of these passes are not unique, and I don’t feel like the deal is good enough to make it an absolute must-buy.

Wake up EARLY

The morning/late night hours are the best time to explore Rome if you hate crowds a much as I do.  

In the summer, this has the bonus perk of being a lot cooler (temperature-wise).

PRO TIP: Pick the #1 attraction you’re most excited for, and plan to see it as soon as it opens, with some sunrise explorations beforehand. I’ve heard sunrise at the Roman Forum is especially magnificent!

Visit big sights at the end of their opening hours

While most guides advise that you visit the main sights early, another sneaky hack that works quite well is visiting right before it closes.

I did this once with the Vatican Museums, entering about 1.5 hours before closing time and it I practically had the place all to myself!

In contrast, one time I did an early morning tour of the Vatican and it was already quite busy because other tour groups were starting at the same time. 

NOTE: In Italy right now, booking a time slot is mandatory due to COVID regulations so this hack won’t work if you’re currently travelling, but hopefully these restrictions lift soon.

Plan around closure dates

While it’s easy to assume that all of Rome’s sights are open daily, this is actually not the case.

The Vatican Museums for example are closed on Sundays (apart from the last Sunday of the month which is usually a free day), while Museo di Roma and Villa Borghese are closed on Mondays.

When in doubt, search up the entry times for each attraction on their main website. 

Always search for information on the official websites of attractions (even in Italian)

These days, hours/entry requirements can change quickly and thirty party guides (yes, even Google Maps!) may be inaccurate. 

So, if you’re trying to find information on how to book tickets or what opening times are, make sure you always go straight to the source rather than other sites or blogs (even mine!)

For example, on my most recent visit, the Pantheon had changed its policy to be open only for reserved time slots on weekends, which would have been really unlucky because I saw no information about this anywhere else. Luckily, we went on a Friday.

Don’t rely on Google Maps for opening hours

On a related note, on several occasions throughout this past trip, I found that Google Maps was simply incorrect with a lot of the attraction opening times in the city.

For example, it had listed the Pantheon as temporarily closed for the entire week, when it was in fact open for visitors as usual.

So, again, remember to only check official websites.

Get familiar with the many free things to do in Rome

Rome is often regarded by many as an expensive city, but this doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, there are tons of excellent free activities in Rome that you can enjoy, in addition to the city’s slew of paid attractions.

Here is a list of great free things to do in Rome.

Climbing up St Peter’s Basilica? Time your visit with the hour mark

Rome is a city with 900+ churches, and getting to hear all of them ring their bells while standing at the top of the world’s largest cathedral is truly an epic experience.

This is why I would time your visit so that you hit the hour mark when you’re up top! If you’re climbing stairs the entire way, about 30min before the hour should give you enough time.

Don’t sit on the Spanish Steps

This has been banned since 2019, and doing so risks a fine of 400 euros, although practically speaking, I don’t think anyone actually gets fined.

We stayed on the Spanish Steps this past trip, so it was a great source of entertainment to hear “the Whistle Police” enforce this rule. Yes, they’re there all hours of the day whistling at anyone who dares to sit down even for a second, so don’t do it! 

PS: It goes without saying, eating on the Spanish Steps is also prohibited.

Take my suggested route for visiting St Peter’s Basilica

On my most recent visit, there were certain one way systems in place to ease the flow of crowds in St Peter’s Basilica, and I happened to accidentally do a really breezy route that I highly recommend.

Here it is as follows:

• Enter the cathedral, have a quick look around to get a feel of the grandeur of it
• Head down to the papal tombs, and the exit will take you back outside, conveniently where the ticket office is for the climb up the basilica dome
• Climb up the tower, enjoy the views from above
• Climb back down (the exit will actually bring you back into St Peter’s) and finish your explorations 

Bring a pen to the Vatican

Just outside of St Peter’s Basilica, you’ll find a mandatory tourist stop: the Vatican Post Office, where you can purchase a (very Popey) stamp and send a postcard from the smallest country in the world!

Is it shamelessly touristy? Yes, but it’s a cheap souvenir to send to loved ones.

My main tip to you though is to bring your own pen – they don’t provide them and the cheapest ones cost 1.50. During my brief visit, they had even sold out of the cheap pens!

Cool down in Rome’s green spaces

With all the sightseeing you’ll inevitably do in Rome, one major tip I have for you is to schedule a more relaxing stop each day (e.g. a park) so you can catch your breath and enjoy a calmer side to Rome.

I can highly recommend both Villa Borghese’s Gardens (the 3rd largest public park in Rome and filled with beautiful sights and plenty of shade!) as well as Giardino degli Aranci (AKA Parco Savello).

Both offer amazing views as well as lots of shady spaces to hide from the sun.

Be wary of outdated information about “the 1st Sunday in Rome”

In the ‘Before TImes’, the first Sunday in Rome had traditionally been a day of free entry for Rome’s state run sights and attractions, including Galleria Borghese and Palazzo Barberini.

While this has been paused due to COVID-related crowd control issues, other sources from 2019 actually say they were planning on rehauling this program so that each museum decided their own free days, and the free 1st Sunday would be paused in peak season.

Anyways the point is, as I mentioned above – when looking for information about attractions in Rome, always go to the official source (i.e. that attraction’s actual official website) for the best info.

There are a TON of blogs out there that look official but are actually run by third parties, and most of them have outdated information.

For example, many websites said that Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana in Tivoli were both free on the 1st Sunday, but when we went, the ticket office seemed VERY confused when we asked about it, so I’m not convinced the free 1st Sunday will be making a comeback there any time soon!

Safety Tips for Rome

Is Rome dangerous? This is one of the most common questions that first-time visitors ask. 

As someone who was robbed literally 15 minutes into my first visit here, my answer is this: Rome isn’t dangerous for tourists in terms of violent crime, but you need to take smart precautions to avoid theft or scams. 

Don’t worry – that’s what these Rome safety tips are for! 

Know the common pickpocketing scams

The #1 threat to tourist safety in Rome is petty theft. Pickpockets are everywhere in Rome, particularly in hot spots like transport hubs and crowded tourist areas.

So, if you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading my guide on how to avoid pickpockets in Europe for a crash course on staying safe in pickpocket-heavy cities. I’ll share some more tips on that below.

Avoid Bus 64 

This is a bus that has earned the nickname “Rome’s Pickpocket Express” because of its popularity with tourists (and therefore pickpockets). 

Its route connects Termini Station with a variety of sights in central Rome, ultimately ending up by the Vatican. 

Due to the popularity of this route with tourists, it’s common for the bus to be packed and therefore an easy place for pickpockets to work their magic.

If you’re able to avoid this bus (or honestly, buses in general), I’d recommend doing so.

Otherwise, just ensure you have a firm hold on all your belongings (lock up your zippers if you need to!) and stay vigilant.

Avoid crowds and getting close to strangers

I know we’re all masters of social distancing by now, but that is honestly the #1 defense you have against pickpockets in Rome, who usually thrive on close contact/bumping into you as a distraction.

My most recent trip to Rome (July 2021) is the one where I felt safest because social distancing has become so normalized.

Remember, people can’t pickpocket you if they can’t get close to you, so try to always remove yourself from crowded situations.

Keep valuables out of sight

Leaving your phone on a terrace table, or your purse hanging on your chair are both easy ways to get your valuables stolen!

Sure, it’s easy to let your guard down when you’re trying to relax, but remember that keeping your valuables out like that can be an easy way for them to get snatched.

Whenever I’m dining anywhere, I always keep my bag between my feet so they’re hard to access, and make sure to not leave my phone out on the table (on my lap, under a big napkin is often a safer bet!)

Bring a money belt

I’ve never been a money belt person because I find them uncomfortable, but this is a common accessory many travelers swear by to keep their most precious items safe.

My boyfriend bought this one for our trip and said it was light, secure & comfortable.

For me personally, I prefer the following methods…

Store your stuff in tough-to-reach pockets

Remember, pickpockets thrive on quick movements, so if you inconvenience them even in the slightest, your risk of theft decreases dramatically.

Instead of a money belt, I always have either:

• A backpack with a zippered pocket in the back, which makes it inaccessible to anyone else when worn
• A crossbody purse with a pocket on the backside, again making it inaccessible to anyone so long as I hold it close to me 
• A jacket with inner pockets so it’s impossible to reach in without getting super super close

These anti-theft methods are a LOT more comfortable to me than a money belt.

Buy some small locks to put around your zippers

Another great travel hack I’ve picked up over the years is simply buying a set of small cable locks like these and keeping one in each bag.

That way, you can quickly lock your zippers together in crowded situations and prevent anyone from randomly opening your bag.

Simple, but effective.

Know the emergency numbers

If you are wondering what the 911 equivalent is in Rome, here are the numbers to keep in mind:

• 112: General European emergency number which will connect you to the relevant service you need
• 113: Police
• 118: Medical emergency

Don’t accept bracelets from strangers

Particularly around tourist hotspots like the Colosseum and the Spanish Steps, there will often be men offering bracelets to you. Don’t take them!

They’re cheap bits of string that they tie on your wrist then demand payment for. In other words, they’re not free gifts.

Don’t accept free roses

On a similar note, if someone offers you a free rose, odds are that will also not be free and they’ll demand payment for it after.

This often happens to couples, when the rose is offered to one partner then payment is hounded from the other partner. 

Food and Drink Tips for Rome

When in Rome, eating and drinking well is a must! Here are some of my best tips for making the most of Rome’s excellent food culture.

Make sure you try some classic Roman dishes

Rome is a huge metropolitan city with incredible restaurants representing tasty cuisines from around the world.

But if you’re anything like me, your main priority might be to eat quintessentially local dishes first and foremost.

If that’s the case – great news! There are tons of tasty dishes for you to try in Rome that the region is known for.

Here are some (note that the pasta shape can differ from restaurant to restaurant, hence why they’re in brackets):

• (Spaghetti) Carbonara : Pasta with eggs, cheese and cured pork
• (Tonnarelli) Cacio e Pepe: Pasta with cheese and pepper
• Pizza Al Taglio: Rectangular pizza usually sold by weight
• Suppli: Deep fried rice balls with tasty sauce inside
• (Bucatini) All’amatriciana: Pasta with tomato, cheese, and cured pork
• Trapizzino: A street food that’s like a hybrid between a pizza and a sandwich
• Pasta Alla Gricia: Pasta with cheese, black pepper and cured pork
• Porchetta: Slow roasted pork, often served in a sandwich

NOTE: The beauty of Roman cuisine is that it’s simple. I know some of these dishes don’t sound like much but trust me, they are SO GOOD. Make sure to try as many as possible!

Dine away from main tourist attractions

It’s a good rule of thumb to follow in Rome that you should never eat near tourist hotspots, particularly restaurants arranged along main squares as these tend to have hyperinflated prices and mediocre food.

It makes sense after all – when your target market is tourists who aren’t likely to return, why bother trying too hard?

There are some exceptions of course! Particularly around the Pantheon – Armando was a great lunch spot with fair prices and absolutely delicious food. La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro was also a wonderful coffee spot.

Double check that places have prices on display before ordering

This may be the oldest scam in Rome’s “let’s extort tourists” playbook, but any restaurant with fair pricing will be transparent with their pricing.

If you come across a restaurant that doesn’t list prices upfront, then run for the hills.

Never assume “it can’t be that bad” because odds are they’ve omitted their prices for a reason and plan to charge you an extortionate amount, like this place which went viral for a 500 euro lunch bill.

Make sure you reserve tables in advance

Rome is BIG on reservations. Virtually every restaurant we visited asked first if we had a booking, then only squeezed us in with hesitation… and this was at a very non-busy time! 

When regular crowds return to Rome, I can’t imagine getting a table at any highly reviewed place without a reservation in advance, so make sure to book a table (or ask your concierge to help). 

For those of you who fear making phone calls like me, there are a few online places you can book tables to, although note that many of the most popular restaurants in the city will only take phone bookings.

Here are some sites where you can make reservations online:

NOTE: Many websites will also have their own reservation info on their websites, so be sure to check on there as well.

A quick check of reviews is a must

While I don’t believe reviews are accurate 100% of the time, I do think they’re very helpful for establishing patterns, especially when there’s a bunch of reviews all saying the same thing.

A quick search of the restaurant (even on Google Maps Reviews) can help prevent you from getting scammed or being subject to mediocre food/service.

Know that water won’t be free and they’ll ask if you want still or sparkling

When you sit down at a restaurant in Rome, often the first question asked is if you want water. 

If you do (and I bet you probably will after so much sightseeing), then be prepared that tap water isn’t really served in restaurants and the default will be bottled water that comes at 2-3 euros a bottle. 

Be sure to specify still or sparkling though – usually they will ask, but sometimes they’ll default to one or the other.

Be prepared for the coperto and pane charge

Most restaurants in Rome will charge an additional fee per person (around 2-3 euros) as a “Coperto” charge.

You can think of this a service/sit-down fee, usually including bread too.

This is not a scam – it’s fairly standard, and evens out as tipping culture in Italy is very modest compared to North America, with rounding up or 5-10% being the max.

In fact, some restaurants even refused when we tried to tip! 

Make sure to enjoy aperitivo

Rome is a hectic city to explore, so make sure you take some time to enjoy yourself and unwind a bit!

Aperitivo is a classic ritual that is perfect for this – an early evening pre-meal drink intended to whet your appetite for dinner.

There’s a million and one terraces/bars where you can enjoy an aperitivo in Rome, but if you’re feeling especially fancy, consider booking a table at one of Rome’s top rooftop bars.

Drink coffee at the bar

In Italy, “bars” aren’t restricted to alcohol-slinging establishments. In fact, most of them actually serve coffee. 

For a very budget-friendly caffeine fix, be sure to mimic the locals and order your coffee at the bar and drink it while standing.

While many places now offer a sit-down option (especially in touristy areas), sit-down coffees will cost you extra as these prices aren’t regulated and often not advertised. 

In contrast, having a coffee at the bar will usually be only 1 euro for a regular caffè (espresso shot) and 1.30-1.50 for a cappuccino.

NOTE: Takeaway options are also becoming increasingly popular, but it’s nicer to just drink it quickly at the bar and go.

Know that one “Caffè” is one espresso shot

If you waltz into an Italian bar and ask for a “Caffè”, you will be given a single shot of espresso served black, not a drip coffee or anything like that which most bars will not have.

If this is what you want, then order “1 caffè”, rather than “1 espresso”. While they’ll probably understand what you mean, caffè will sound a bit more normal.

If you want something closer to a larger drip coffee, then a caffè americano (1/3 espresso, 2/3 water) is what you should order.

Know that Latte means milk

“Lattes” in Italy do not exist. In fact, that word on its own means milk, so you might be ordering yourself a giant…. milk.

Instead, the closest match to what you want is a “caffè latte”, which is espresso with hot milk and a bit of foam. A cappuccino is more common though (same concept but more foam).

Again, if this is a bar used to serving tourists, then they’ll probably clarify what it is exactly that you want, but I’ve had friends before who have been served literal cups of milk when ordering a latte… so be warned!

Eat gnocchi on Thursday

Okay, this maybe isn’t a must, but if you want to stick to tradition, gnocchi is a dish conventionally consumed in Rome on Thursdays, to the point where more traditional restaurants will only offer it on Thursdays. 

Why Thursday? As with many things in life, it all goes back to religious tradition!

According to Catholic tradition, Friday was typically a day for abstaining from heavy meat dishes, opting instead for lighter meals like fish, hence why people would fill their stomachs with decadent gnocchi on Thursdays (like stocking up on calories).

Understand the basic structure of an Italian menu 

When you see the word “menu” in Italy, often this refers to a set meal that includes multiple courses, so if you see something like “Menu – 25 euros” that means they are offering a set deal that is 25 euros, not that every dish costs that much.

Italian menus are fairly easy to understand – most are separated into the following:

• Antipasto: Appetizers like cured meats, cheeses, etc.
• Primi: Usually a carby dish like pasta or risotto
• Secondi: Usually a meat-based dish
• Contorni: Side dishes like roasted vegetables
• Dolce: Desserts

If you are trying to have an indulgent 4 course meal the traditional way, then you would order some antipasto to start, a Primi, then a Secondi, and finally some dessert. 

Practically speaking though, it is completely normal to just have a Primi (a plate of pasta is plenty filling on its own) or a Secondi with a side dish. Don’t feel pressured to have a giant 4 course meal every time.

Check out some food markets

If you want a true foodie adventure, then heading to one of Rome’s many food markets might be a great activity to add to your itinerary!

I love visiting food markets to get a feel for local culture, and of course to enjoy a more immersive food experience than just sitting down at a restaurant.

Here are some options for food markets in Rome to visit.

• Mercato Testaccio: 100+ stalls selling ready-to-eat meals and fresh produce
• Mercato Centrale: Centrally located right at Termini Station with lots of street food options
• Mercato Trionfale: Rome’s largest food market, selling fresh produce rather than ready-to-eat meals
• Mercato Campo de’ Fiori: One of Rome’s oldest food markets, with lots of fresh produce and goodies on display

Take a food tour

On a time crunch and want to try as many Roman specialties as possible? Then a food tour might be a great idea for something fun and unique to do in Rome!

I’ve been on many food tours in the past (sadly not any in Rome) but I’ve never regretted it.

Here are some options:

• This Rome Street Food Tour 
• This Trastavere Street Food Tour
• This 4h food tour and wine tasting

Take a cooking class

Last but not least, if you want to take a piece of Rome home with you, then booking a cooking class would be a great idea.

After all, feed a man some pasta and he eats for a day, teach a man to make pasta and he’ll be food coma-ing for the rest of his life.

… As they say.

• This pasta and tiramisu workshop
• This cooking class from the birthplace of Fettucine Alfredo
• This countryside cooking class

Packing Tips for Rome

Not sure what to wear and what to pack for Rome? Here are my top Rome packing tips.

Good walking shoes are a must

I cannot explain to you how much walking you’ll end up doing, so comfortable shoes are much more important than cute stylish ones.

Rome is a city with uneven sidewalks and plenty of cobblestones, so it’s best to leave those heels at home.

Bring a water bottle

As I keep saying, visiting Rome in any season involves a lot of walking, which is why having a water bottle is essential for staying hydrated! 

Luckily, Rome is filled with “Nasoni” – free water fountains with cold & delicious water you can bottle up for free.

You’ll find them at virtually all major sights, and randomly around the city so there are plenty of opportunities to get tasty drinking water for free. 

Bring a scarf (or two)

Again, the dress code for Rome’s churches is that your shoulders and knees need to be covered, so having a light scarf with you is an easy way to ensure you’re safe.

Plus, in a city with 900 churches, you might randomly stumble upon one that you want to explore, unplanned. 

NOTE: I suggest bringing one scarf if you’re wearing a longer skirt or dress, but maybe even two scarves if you’re wearing shorts and a tank top.

I recently saw a woman trying to go into the Vatican with only one scarf, but both knees and shoulders exposed. The security wouldn’t let her in until she found a weirdo way to tie her scarf that covered both areas (a truly impressive feat if you ask me).

Make sure you have a universal adapter

Power sockets in Rome have two round holes and if you’re visiting from overseas, odds are you’ll need an adapter for your plugs to fit.

I’d strongly recommend buying a universal adapter  like this one  if you don’t have one already.

It’s cheap, can be re-used for every trip, and covers you in all situations. Definitely some of the best money I’ve ever spent!

DIY your own travel sized toiletries

This is a very basic  packing tip  I always recommend, but it’s very easy these days to buy small reusable bottles that you can fill with your own toiletries of choice.

This allows you to bring your favourite products with you, and saves needless one-use toiletries from ending up in the landfill.

Need help picking the right one? Read my guide to  reusable toiletry bottles  for more info.

Have a re-usable bag handy

You can’t go wrong with a tote bag or two, and I always like to keep one in each purse when I travel.

You never know when you’ll need an extra bag, whether to haul goodies back from the market or simply carrying whatever souvenirs you’ve gotten that day, so remember to pack some.

Bring protective wraps

If you’re travelling with an expensive camera, or anything else fragile, I highly recommend  these amazing protective wraps.

I bought mine a few years ago and use them every trip. They’re padded velcro wraps that you can use to protect…. pretty much anything! So handy and they don’t take up too much space.

Alternatively, you can also look into product-specific protectors, like  these awesome wine protectors  to ensure your precious cargo doesn’t break in transit.

Miscellaneous Travel Tips for Rome

Last but not least, I have some final Rome travel tips that don’t really fall into a particular category, but are VERY good to know. Here they are!

Bring cash but not too much at once

While these days, many bigger places will take card, cash is always handy to have for quick purchases like gelato.

I wouldn’t advise carrying more than 200 euros of cash with you at a time though in case you get pickpocketed.

Some visitors like this poor fella report losing 800+ euros in cash after getting pickpocketed in Rome… so yes, don’t bring too much cash at a time out with you.

Prepare for the tourist tax

While small, the mandatory tourist tax in Rome is something to factor into your budget.

This is a mandatory tax paid per person per night, ranging from 3-7 euros depending on your accommodation. 

Because this tax is often asked for in cash, you might think it’s a scam (particularly when it’s just an AirBNB) but it’s definitely a real thing, and you are entitled to a receipt for it if you wish.

Your accommodation will usually tell you in advance what the tourist tax is, so come prepared!

Beware the “Pausa” 

Similar to the Spanish Siesta, you can expect many shops and restaurants in Rome to close in the late afternoon for a few hours, often between 1 and 4.

While you’ll certainly have no trouble finding food or supplies (Rome is a big city catering to tourists, so you’ll often find an option), keep this in mind as most places aren’t open continuously like we’re used to in North America.

Public toilets often don’t have toilet seats 

So yes, I hope you’ve got a good squat game.

Looking for a flush? Check the floor or wall 

I find that Italian bathrooms can be very creative with hiding their toilet flush mechanisms.

While you’ll of course find standard flushes in many bathrooms, you’ll also encounter more unique ones like….

• A random button on the wall
• A random button on the floor
• A random chain dangling from the ceiling

Confused about your faucet? Look for a floor pedal

Similarly, faucets and taps can be quite fun in public washrooms as well.

Often they will be activated through a floor pedal, which (if you ask me) is actually way more sanitary and smart.

Make time if your train leaves from Platform 25-29 at Termini Station

This is one of those oddly specific Rome travel tips that you can tell comes from a particularly traumatic experience.

This experience was me trying to catch a train on Platform 27 at Termini with 3 minutes to spare, thinking it would be close to all the other platforms.

…. This is not the case!

Platforms 25-29 are really far down the station, and I had to literally sprint for a solid 3 minutes to make it on time. I ended up just catching it – the train was in movement before I even caught my breath.

Binge on movies set in Rome before your visit

I love watching movies set in a place before I visit, and luckily with Rome, you have lots of options! 

So, before you head out, be sure to watch plenty of  travel movies  set there, like…

• Eat, Pray, Love
• The Lizzie McGuire Movie (of course!)
• Angels and Demons
• La Dolce Vita (a classic)
• Roman Holiday (the film that propelled Rome to the top of most American bucket lists)

Use Instagram, Pinterest and Blogs to research more offbeat Rome activities

Guidebooks and Google are great, but if you really want to find Rome hidden gems that are specific to your interests, be sure to dig deeper!

I mean, if you’ve gotten this far on my blog, you’re probably off to a good start, but make sure you also sleuth through Roman Instagram accounts and blogs, in addition to Pinterest to find more great stuff to do.

You might find my guide on  How to Find Cool Stuff to Do Near You  helpful.

Use Google Maps to save spots you want to see

Google Maps is an amazing resource not just for navigating a new city, but also for saving spots you might want to visit in the future.

One of my favourite  travel hacks  is starring every location I deem interesting on Google Maps. You can do this by pressing the Save button when you search up that spot.

This allows you to have a visual map of all the cool cafes, street art murals, attractions, restaurants, etc. that you’ve saved during your research, which means you can easily organize your itinerary/sightseeing.

I love doing this because I’ll often end up in new areas during my explorations, and I can just look at my map to see if anything interesting I read about happens to be nearby. Saves a lot of planning!

… But beware when searching places by name only on Google Maps

A very peculiar thing I noticed when using Google Maps in Rome is that many businesses like to name themselves after famous landmarks/sights… and sometimes Google Maps will auto-suggest the wrong one!

So, for instance, you might find that searching “Spanish Steps” might lead you to the “Spanish Steps Apartments” if you’re not careful.

This is often the case too for sights that have a colloquial name known in English that isn’t recognized on Google Maps.

The Aventine Hill Keyhole (actually known as Buco della serratura dell’Ordine di Malta, or the Knights of Malta Keyhole) is a great example, because if you just type in “Keyhole” on Google Maps, you get directed to a bar!

No joke, I even found a bed and breakfast that had labelled itself as “Rome Fiumicino Airport” on Google Maps. Imagine getting those two mixed up!

So, just double check before navigating that you are indeed being directed to the place you thought (easy to verify through swiping through reviews and photos).

Lastly, visit more of Italy Besides Rome 

Okay, here’s a bonus Rome tip: I beg you to explore more of Italy than just Rome!

I adore Italy and it has so many diverse destinations to offer, from the mighty lakes and mountains in the North to the gorgeous coastal towns like in Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast.

From Rome, you can do day trips to Tivoli (or more ambitiously) to Naples, Sorrento , and Pompeii.

With a bit of extra time, you can also schedule in a wonderful few days along the Amalfi Coast. In fact, this is one of my favourite 1 week in Europe itineraries. 

So, remember – roam beyond Rome!

I Hope This List Of Rome Travel Tips Was Helpful!

Quite frankly, if you made it this far, you deserve some kind of medal! This was a VERY long list of tips for Rome, but if you have any more questions, let me know in the comments.

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

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Rome was called the “ Eternal City ” by the ancient Romans because they believed that no matter what happened in the rest of the world, the city of Rome would always remain standing . Exploring the city center by foot surrounded by glorious monuments and colossal remains takes you back in time to the “glory that was Rome”.

Rome Travel Guide

• General Information
• Top Attractions
• Getting to Rome
• Public Transport
• Money-saving tips
• Where to Eat
• Where to Stay
• 3-Day Itinerary

Why visit Rome?  

With its unparalleled history, Rome is the third most visited city in Europe and the fourteenth worldwide. It attracts visitors from all over the world who are impatient to discover the city’s impressive monuments and archaeological sites ; not to mention its renowned cuisine and its lively atmosphere.

When exploring the Colosseum , visitors will easily imagine how the gladiators fought for their lives in the arena, cheered by the crowd. In the Circus Maximus , travelers will picture the chariots crashing into each other in order to be first in the race, and in the Roman Forum visualize what the Roman public life was like.

Looking for accommodation?

If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, we suggest visiting our search engine , where you’ll find all types of hotels, hostels, and apartments with the best rates guaranteed . You can get up to a 75% discount and pay once you get to your destination.

• Accommodation in Rome - find the best deals​

top activities

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour Skip the endless queues for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel—explore the most iconic landmarks in the Vatican City accompanied by an expert guide .

Colosseum Tour + Gladiator's Entrance When in Rome, don’t miss the eternal Colosseum! Access the arena through the Gladiator’s Gate, the entrance used by the ancient Roman fighters.

Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums + St Peter's Basilica On this tour, you'll get access to the Sistine Chapel first thing in the morning, avoiding all the crowds . We'll also visit  St Peter's Basilica .

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour Travel back in time to Ancient Rome and discover the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on this guided tour with priority access !

Pompeii & Naples Day Trip Set off on a full day trip and discover the ruins of Pompeii , followed by a panoramic tour of Naples , one of the world's oldest constantly populated cities.

Rome Ciampino Airport Shuttle Bus With this shuttle service between Ciampino Airport and Rome, you'll be in the centre of the Italian capital in less than an hour. The eternal city awaits you!

Audience With Pope Francis An audience with Pope Francis is a unique spiritual experience . Your guide will take care of everything, so you can go relaxed.

St Peter's Basilica Guided Tour + Dome Climb Enjoy the best views of Rome by climbing the 320 steps leading up to the dome of St. Peter's . We'll also visit the interior of the Basilica!

Trastevere Food Tour Feast your eyes and stomach during a 3-hour food tour in Trastevere, one of Rome’s most bohemian neighborhoods and sample the delicious Italian gastronomy.

Borghese Gallery Guided Tour Discover the extraordinary collection of paintings and sculptures housed in the Borghese Gallery , one of Rome's must-see art museums .

Day Trip to Venice by High Speed Train Experience a day trip from Rome to Venice on a high-speed train and explore its beautiful canals and historic centre at your own pace.

Rome Catacombs Tour & Appian Way Visit the catacombs of Rome with an expert English-speaking guide during a 3-hour half day-trip, also discovering the fascinating Villa di Massenzio.

Rome Fiumicino Airport Shuttle Bus Are you travelling to Rome? Book this shuttle bus between Fiumicino Airport and Rome so you can get into the city centre comfortably and quickly.

Florence & Pisa Day Trip Discover two incredible jewels in Tuscany on our Florence & Pisa Day Trip from Rome. You'll see the Duomo , the Ponte Vecchio and the Leaning Tower .

Ostia Antica Half-Day Tour from Rome Discover the legacy of the Imperial City on a guided tour of Ostia Antica, an ancient harbor town only 30 km from Rome. Travel back in time with this tour!

Papal Audience & Vatican Museums Tour Enjoy this unique experience of the Holy See with this combination tour which includes an  audience with Pope Francis and a visit to the Vatican Museums .

Visit the largest Roman amphitheater in the world on this guided tour of the Colosseum. An absolute must if you're in the Italian capital!

Rome Bike Tour Tour the Italian capital on two wheels whilst you enjoy an electric bike tour of the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and much more .

Rome Sightseeing Cruise on the Tiber River Take a sightseeing cruise along the Tiber River and enjoy spectacular 360º views of Rome from the water. You can hop on and off as many times as you want!

The Three Tenors Concert The church of  St. Paul's Within the Walls in Rome opens its doors to you to offer you the show The Three Tenors. Enjoy an unforgettable opera concerto.

This tourist bus is the perfect way to discover Rome . You can choose different routes with numerous stops and hop on and off as many times as you want!

Set off on a day trip from Rome across the Italian countryside to discover the birthplace of St Francis  in the charming town of Assisi .

The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi With this classical music concert, you'll experience all Four Seasons of the famous Antonio Vivaldi . An unforgettable concert in an incomparable setting!

Castel Sant'Angelo Tour + Terrace Access A refuge for popes and an ancient Roman mausoleum , Castel Sant'Angelo harbours great secrets. On this guided tour we'll unveil its most hidden mysteries.

Welcome to Rome Tickets Immerse yourself in Rome's thrilling history when you buy a ticket for the fascinating Welcome to Rome multimedia experience .

Castel Sant'Angelo Ticket + Audio Guide Explore the intriguing history of Castel Sant'Angelo with this admission ticket + audio guide. Uncover the mysteries of one of Rome's most cryptic monuments !

Italian Pizza Workshop Visit Rome and enjoy a delicious pizza made with your own hands . Try this Italian Pizza Workshop and learn how to make one of the country's most famous dishes.

Lake Albano Kayak Tour If you're in Rome and want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city , join us on this kayak tour on Lake Albano .

Italian Pasta & Tiramisu Workshop If you love Italian cuisine, then don't miss out on this  Italian Pasta and Tiramisu Workshop . You'll learn how to make some staple Italian dishes!

Rome Night Tour On this night tour of Rome ,   we'll visit the most iconic piazzas , streets and monuments of the Italian capital when the city comes to life at dusk.

Palazzo Santa Chiara Opera Concert Treat yourself to a unique experience during your stay in Rome when you attend a fantastic opera concert at the Palazzo Santa Chiara .

La Traviata with Ballet Entrance Ticket Enjoy one of the most famous operas of all time in the magical setting of the St Paul's Within the Walls Church with this La Traviata Ballet Entrance Ticket.

Private Walking Tour of Rome Explore the Eternal City's most iconic sights accompanied by an expert guide just for you and your partner, family or friends.  Discover the best of Rome !

Rome Mysteries & Legends Free Tour Wandering ghosts and enigmas in Caravaggio's works ... Discover the hidden side of the city with this free tour of Rome's mysteries and legends.

Rome Squares and Fountains Guided Tour Set off on a walking guided tour of Rome and discover some of its iconic landmarks, such as the Fontana di Trevi, Piazza di Spagna, and Piazza Navona .

Mostra di Leonardo Ticket Discover some of the most amazing inventions by the Italian genius Leonardo da Vinci with this ticket to the Mostra di Leonardo museum.

Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto Tour Enjoy a walking guided tour of Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto and soak up the neighborhood’s bohemian atmosphere with numerous landmarks to visit.

OMNIA Rome & Vatican Card The OMNIA Card is a sightseeing pass that includes priority access to Rome’s main attractions like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican City .

Go City: Rome Explorer Pass The Go City: Roma Explorer Pass  tourist card gives you access to the  main attractions in the Italian capital, such as the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum.

The impressive dome of the Pantheon of Agrippa has fascinated the whole world for centuries. Discover it with this guided tour of Ancient Rome .

St. Peter's Basilica Tickets: Dome Access + Audioguide Secure your ticket to St. Peter's Basilica for an experience that includes access to its magnificent dome and a self-guided tour with an English audio guide .

Baths of Caracalla & Circus Maximus Guided Tour Go back in time on this walking tour of the Bath of Caracalla, the most luxurious thermae of the Roman Empire . Then marvel at the remains of the Circus Maximus.

Capitoline Museum Guided Tour Marvel at one of Rome’s most important museums , the Capitoline Museums, followed by a visit to Piazza del Campidoglio on top of the Capitoline Hill.

Day Trip to Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti On this tour to Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti , we'll discover the beautiful region of Tuscany - including medieval towns, and a visit to a wine cellar!

Basilicas Tour and Secret Underground Catacombs Discover some of the most symbolic sites in Christian history: the Catacombs and two of the world's most important Basilicas on this tour of the Eternal City.

Rome Tuk Tuk Tour Tour Rome in the most comfortable way on this tuk tuk tour. We'll explore its seven hills and learn tons of historical fun facts about the eternal city.

Rome Photo Tour Discover the most Instagrammable locations in the Italian capital and show off your trip with this Rome Photo Tour.  Benvenuti a Roma !

Tiber River Cruise with Appetizer Discover Rome from a privileged perspective as you relax with this Tiber River Cruise with Appetizer. You'll see symbolic places such as the Umberto I Bridge.

Rome Private Tour with Driver Fall in love with Rome with this private tour with driver. Choose your route, and enjoy a comfortable tour solely for you and your travel companions.

Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Day Trip Visit the two treasures of Tivoli on this day trip: Hadrian's Villa, Roman Emperor's retreat, and Villa d'Este, a Renaissance mansion with magnificent gardens.

Rome Hard Rock Cafe Come to the Rome Hard Rock Cafe and enjoy an exquisite menu of American food in an emblematic place where the rhythm of rock is felt in every corner. 

Rome Fascist History Tour discover the architecture designed in Rome at the time of Benito Mussolini's fascist dictatorship with this Rome Fascist History Tour.

Wine Tasting in Rome Italy is world-renowned for its tradition of wine-making. Indulge your senses on this wine tasting tour of Rome with an expert sommelier!

Bioparco di Roma Ticket With your ticket to the Bioparco of Rome you will discover this zoo located in the heart of the city, inside Villa Borghese, an ideal plan for families!

Janiculum, Trastevere and Jewish Quarter Guided Tour On this fascinating tour of the Gianicolo , Trastevere and   the Jewish Quarter  in Rome, we'll gain a truly unique perspective of the Italian capital.

Rome Street Art Tour Discover secrets and the most interesting glimpses throughout the most colourful district with this Rome Street Art Tour. Explore the captivating capital city!

Entrance to IKONO Rome Looking for a unique plan in the Italian capital? With a ticket to IKONO Rome , you'll get to explore this creative space and become a part of the art!

Roma World Entrance Ticket Don't miss out on your ticket to Roma World , a theme park in which you'll travel back in time to the ancient and powerful Roman Empire .

Cinecittà World Ticket With this entrance ticket to Cinecittà World you can visit real film sets and travel to the imaginary worlds of movies and TV series .

Rome Private Day Trips Explore the beautiful Italian cities of Naples, Pompeii, Ostia or Assisi with these Rome Private Day Trips. You'll have an exclusive guide just for your group.

Rome Layover Tour Take advantage of your time at Rome airport to explore the Italian capital with this Rome Layover Tour. You'll discover the charm of the beautiful Eternal City.

Private Photoshoot outside of the Colosseum Remember your trip to Rome forever with this private photoshoot outside the Colosseum - we'll make sure you look your best beside the iconic monument!

Florence Excursion by High Speed Train Known as the "City of Art", Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. On this day trip, we'll tour its historic centre and the Uffizi Gallery.

Rome Pub Crawl Are you ready to discover the vibrant nightlife of the Italian capital ? Join us on this pub crawl through Rome and experience it for yourself!

Trevi Fountain and its Underground World On this  tour of the Trevi Fountain and its underground world , we'll reveal the hidden treasures and history of the most  fountain in Rome . 

Ischia 5-Day Tour Are you in Rome? Join us to visit the most beautiful islands in the Napolitan archipelago  on this  5-day tour of Ischia . You'll love it!

Private Tuk-Tuk Tour of Rome Would you like to see the Eternal City in the most comfortable way ? On this private tuk-tuk tour of Rome , we'll tour the capital of Italy in an exclusive group.

Rome Electric Tuk Tuk Tour Explore the Eternal City through an eco-conscious lens with our electric tuk tuk tour of Rome  and roam the Italian capital's streets in a zero-emission vehicle!

Naples to Capri Tour: 2/3 Days Relax in southern Italy with this Naples to Capri Tour lasting 2/3 days. Discover Pompeii's incredible history, Sorrento's cuisine and Capri's beauty .

Roam the underbelly of Rome on this tour of its underground system . Walk  the Appian Way and Caffarella and   dive into the lesser-known side of the Eternal City !

5 Day Tour: The Best of Italy The best of Italy in just 5 days! Asisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padua, Venice and Montepulciano  are the cities we take in on the tour.

Rome: Angels and Demons, the Illuminati Adventure Quest Impersonate Robert Langdon himself for a day in this puzzle hunt in Rome: Angels and Demons , the Illuminati Hunt. The best way to explore the city!

Pompeii & Minori Tour: 3 Days Discover the impressive ruins of Pompeii , explore the Almafi Coast  & enjoy 2 nights in Minori on this incredible 3-day tour.

Free Walking Tour of Rome The city of the Caesars, of Baroque and, of course, The Eternal City. Discover Rome with this free walking tour of the Italian capital .

Colosseum Guided Night Visit Visit one of Rome's most iconic monuments all lit up at the most magical time of day on our  Colosseum Guided Night Visit at dusk .

Capri Tour: 2/3 Days Be captivated by the glamour of the Italian island with this Capri Tour lasting 2 or 3 days. Explore the fascinating Mediterranean cave, the Blue Grotto.

Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo Day Trip From Pope Alexander VII to Benedict XVI , numerous popes have spent the holidays at the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo . Explore its links with the Vatican!

Vatican Gardens + Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Ticket Discover the green lung of Vatican City on this tour of its gardens. You'll also visit the Sistine Chapel and take a self-guided tour of the Vatican Museums.

Capri Day Trip Like the writers and artists before you, you'll fall in love with Capri on this unmissable tour. Discover the island's myths, legends and Blue Grotto .

Ponza Island Day Trip Enjoy a  day trip from Rome to Ponza Island . Cruise along the waters, feel the breeze in your hair and cool off with a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea!

Colosseum Private Tour Discover the World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World with this  Colosseum Private Tour . Explore the Roman site with an exclusive guide.

Vatican Museums Private Tour Step into the legacy of the Italian city-state on this Vatican Private Tour. Visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with just your family or friends!

The most complete guide of Rome

This guide has been written by travelers like yourself and it's designed to help you plan your stay in Rome, so that you get the most out of the city as possible, whether you're staying for 2 days or a month. Find out what the top attractions  and the best places to eat are, which museums are worthwhile, and where to stay in Rome. If you’re traveling on a budget, we have also an article on how to save money while visiting this fascinating city, and the daily costs , so that you're prepared before getting to Italy.

The information provided in this guide was updated in  January 2023 . If you find a mistake or would like to make a suggestion, please do not hesitate to  contact us .

Our travel guides

• top attractions
• where to stay
• and much more

• 10 Must Have Apps For...

10 Must-Have Apps for Living in Rome

With so much information available about what to see and do in Rome , as well as practical advice for navigating the city, it can be difficult to discern what is useful and up-to-date from what is irrelevant and outdated. Culture Trip has put together a tightly curated list of the 10 best apps for living and travelling in the Eternal City, from transportation hacks and tips from locals to on-demand medical services and a map of the city’s drinking fountains, these apps will ensure you make the most of your time in Rome.

Rome may be an enthralling city full of artistic and historical riches but anyone who has visited the Italian capital knows its public transportation leaves much to be desired. Rome’s ever dwindling fleet of buses are woefully unreliable and bus stops rarely have digital displays so the Roma Bus app is essential to track buses. The app only begins to track buses once they have left their capolinea , or end-of-the-line, so the bus may appear sooner than expected, even if it hasn’t shown up on your screen yet. Apart from some kinks, however, the app is the best way to track buses and trams in the city for a smoother journey through Rome.

Download: Roma Bus

Download: Scooterino

Spotted By Locals

Spotted By Locals is a wonderful resource that consolidates the advice of hundreds of hand-picked locals, active across 65+ global cities, into one place. With constantly updated information covering a slew of cities, Spotted by Locals is a must-have for intrepid travellers who are looking to experience off-the-beaten-path attractions and local favourites during their trip. The Rome app features over 100 entries by seven ‘Spotters’ covering a range of restaurants, bars, shops, hangouts and more: each entry includes a personal write-up and practical information so it feels like you’re getting recommendations from a friend. And with each spot pinned onto an offline map, using the app on the ground is extremely easy.

Download: Spotted By Locals

Discover Rome

Popular Rome blogger Natalie Aldern, who writes about food and travel over at An American In Rome , has recently unveiled the Discover Rome app to help travellers navigate the Eternal City. Discover Rome provides recommendations for the best shops, restaurants, bars, museums and parks along with practical information on transportation, neighbourhoods and more. Suited for first-time travellers to Rome, as well as repeat visitors, it features 200 tried and tested suggestions on what to see, do and eat alongside great photography and easy-to-use offline maps. This stylish app that will ensure you get the most out of your time in the capital.

Download: Discover Rome

Locomotimes

If you’re planning on travelling in Italy by train, Locomotimes is an essential app to help you track your journey in realtime. The app draws information from Trenitalia and Italo for surprisingly accurate tracking, letting you know when a train has passed a stop and whether it is running behind schedule. By inserting your departure and arrival destinations, you’ll see available train options and by clicking into each option, a subsequent breakdown of each stop along the journey – constantly updated down to the minute once the train has started moving. Although you can’t purchase tickets in the app, it provides a useful overview of the different train options available to you so you don’t have to consult numerous websites to plan your journey.

Download: Locomotimes

With powerful taxi unions that protect Italy’s taxi drivers against the competition of chauffeur services like Uber, taxis remain a major presence in Rome’s urban landscape. The taxi services have, however, modernised their services by rolling out mobile applications, making taxi bookings easier than ever. You no longer have to look for a taxi stand or make a call to reserve a ride: with the FREE NOW app, you can request a ride through your phone, receive a fare estimate, and manage your booking through the interface. You can pay the taxi through the app or in person at the conclusion of your trip.

Download: FREE NOW

MedinAction

MedinAction is quickly revolutionising health care in Rome: the app allows you to access on-demand, English-speaking medical services 24/7 from the comfort of your phone, ensuring that you receive medical attention when you need it. Through the app you can book a visit from a licensed physician or chat for free with a doctor about your symptoms – and if you need more specialised attention, MedinAction has a reliable network of trusted clinics and hospitals that will provide further assistance in a timely manner. From house calls, health consultations and lab work to prescription refills, qualified physicians are available around the clock to assist you with all your medical needs. MedinAction works with numerous insurance companies so in many cases, it can bill your insurance directly.

Download: MedinAction

I Nasoni di Roma

Situated near the sea, surrounded by ancient aqueducts and famed for its numerous fountains, the Eternal City is well-known for enjoying copious amounts running water for much of its history. Its famous nasoni , or ‘big noses’ fountains, provide fresh drinking water for the pubic 24/7 and are a favourite way to hydrate during the hot summer months. The cheeky I Nasoni di Roma app has plotted hundreds of the fountains onto a handy map of Rome so you always locate the closest fountain to you as you make your way around the city.

Download: I Nasoni di Roma

Find out the latest events in Rome with Whazzo, an Italian-language app that covers film, sport, concerts, culture and more. Combing the functionality of Timeout, Ticketmaster and Facebook into one, users will be able to stay abreast on the latest happenings in the city, from current art exhibitions and festivals to upcoming clubbing nights and theatre performances. Many events in Rome stay under the radar due to limited marketing and outreach but thanks to Whazzo, you’ll be able to keep track of what’s going on in the Eternal City with just a few clicks.

Download: Whazzo

Culture Trip

With over thousands of local tips covered 300+ locations, Culture Trip always helps you stay inspired and informed with cultural stories and recommendations from around the world. Get insider recommendations about the best restaurants, attractions, bars and more while staying up to date with the latest news through the Culture Trip app. The app provides recommendations based on your interests and is tailored to your current location so you’ll always stay in-the-know, no matter where you are in the world.

Download: Culture Trip

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Places to Stay

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Food & Drink

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Bars & Cafes

Tasting the world at home with patrick pistolesi.

The Best Hotels with Pools in Rome

The Best Family Hotels in Rome

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The Best Spa Hotels to Book in Rome, Italy

Book a Stay at the Hotel Taking a Fresh Look at the Eternal City

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See & Do

Two days in rome here's a ready-made itinerary.

The Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Rome, Italy

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Rome Public Transport

Rome’s public transportation system consists of buses , trams , metro , and train lines conveniently connecting every corner of Rome.

Although Rome is a very walkable city, sometimes you need to rest your feet up or travel a little further afield. Public transport is a great, cost-effective way to get around the Eternal City – here’s what you need to know.

Types of Public Transport in Rome

For an ancient city, Rome has excellent modern public transportation. 

Receive the Rome Travel Card at home

You can now receive your 72-hour Rome Travel Card (+ audioguide) via mail at home. Read more on the website of Mobizz

The metro is an efficient and cost-effective way to get around Rome, even if it isn’t the most extensive system. Rome’s metro is the smallest in Europe, but almost a million people use it daily. 

There are three lines, A (orange/red), B (blue), and the smallest, C (green), but only the former two are likely to be used by visitors. You can get to the Vatican , Spanish Steps , and Colosseum easily via the metro, but it doesn’t connect to areas in the southwest of the center, making it slightly limited.

A train will arrive approximately every 5-10 minutes, from 5:30 am until 11.30 pm.

Buses are the most widespread means of public transportation in Rome, with 338 bus lines and over 8000 stops. They’re frequent, but I wouldn’t expect them to always come on time. You can reach practically every corner of the city via bus, so if you’re venturing out of the historic center, it’s likely you’ll become familiar with the system. 

Hop-on hop-off buses are not part of the public transport system, so don’t expect your ticket to be usable on them.

Trams aren’t as widespread in Rome, but there is a small network consisting of 6 lines and 192 stations. It’s a smooth and quick way to travel, perhaps the most comfortable of the four types.

Both buses and trams run from 5:30 am until midnight every day, but there is a scaled-back night bus service available after these hours.

There are urban trains in Rome, besides the inter-city lines stopping at Termini. The overground trains aren’t going to be used by people wanting to travel around the historic center, but are great for reaching outer boroughs or the cruise port of Rome, Civitavecchia.

How to Use Public Transport in Rome

How to buy tickets.

Buying tickets for buses and trams in Rome is a little different to most cities in Europe and, in many ways, a bit outdated. You don’t normally purchase tickets on the bus, for example – and there’s no contactless card system as of yet – but buy them beforehand from places such as:

• Newsagents (tabaccai or bar tabacchi) 
• Newspaper kiosks
• Ticket machines are located next to main bus stops and at metro stations
• Atac booths in metro stations

The Atac booths in the following metro stations sell the weekly CIS ticket and others:

• Line A: Anagnina, Battistini, Lepanto, Ottaviano/San Pietro, Piazza di Spagna , Termini.
• Line B: Laurentina, Eur Fermi, Ponte Mammolo,Porta San Paolo, Termini.

Buying tickets for the metro is very straightforward; the ticket machines are at each station, and you have to pass through a gate to enter, which immediately validates the ticket. There’s also a contactless system in place, meaning you can just tap your card when you enter and exit to pay.

For the buses and trams, however, it’s important to buy your ticket in advance from one of the places mentioned previously – you don’t want to be caught out rushing to catch a bus only to realize you forgot to buy a ticket. Many people will buy multiple single-use tickets at once for this reason (if they’re not buying a pass with a longer duration).

How to Plan Routes

It’s easier than ever to plan your route around the Eternal City. Gone are the days of staring at maps and asking for help in broken Italian – if you have a phone, you’re good to go.

Google Maps is a simple choice, as many of us already have it installed on our phones or can easily access it. You can get around Rome easily just by using Google Maps, as it will show you the quickest way to reach your destination through public transport, whether that involves a single journey on the metro or catching a bus, tram, and metro all in one trip.

It isn’t the best choice available, however, as it doesn’t give real-time updates on times and delays to the same degree of accuracy as some other apps.

Moovit is a great alternative to Google Maps, which helps you to plan your route while staying updated with any delays, while Probus Rome is another useful app for keeping an eye on time.

When on the metro, you may find it useful to have a downloaded version of the metro map. This will help you keep an eye on the number of stops left until you get off after you inevitably lose your connection to the internet.

How to Navigate the City

Using an app is the easiest way to navigate the city, but it’s important to remember just how walkable Rome is. 

It’s probably not worth jumping on the metro for one or two stops, and if you’re going from the Pantheon to the Trevi Fountain or another central site, it is far quicker to walk. Public transport in the city is great whenever you need it, and it’s easy to find your way around – but don’t rely on it completely and utterly.

Rome’s Public Transport Passes and Fares

Public transport fares are very reasonable in Rome – it’s one of the cheapest ways to travel around the city.

Types of Tickets and Fares

Besides finding a place to purchase your ticket (and later validating it), you’ll find that the ticket system in Rome is actually quite straightforward. You can buy a ticket that allows you to use the bus, metro, trams, and some urban trains, rather than having to buy a separate ticket for each.

Ticket Options Available in Rome

• Single-use (BIT) ticket : usable on buses, trams, and metro lines for up to 100 minutes from the first time it is stamped.
• 24-hour ticket: unlimited use of buses, trams, and metro lines, as well as some urban train lines for ticket duration; valid from the first time it is stamped for the next 24 hours.
• 48-hour ticket: same as above, except for a validity of 48 hours.
• 72-hour ticket: useful if you want to make the most of public transport for a long weekend.

the three-day option has an alternative worth considering: the Roma Pass. Also valid for three days of unlimited travel in the city, it additionally offers entry to two sites and reduced prices on many sights, museums , theatres , and cinemas. There’s also a 42-hour Roma Pass available.

Week Pass (CIS)

Starting on any weekday, usable on buses and metro lines from the first day, it is stamped until 24:00 of the seventh day.

For a next-level tourist pass, look to the Omnia Card . It’s expensive but includes access to several popular tourist sites , as well as unlimited use of public transport for 72 hours.

Ticket Validation

Always remember to validate your ticket. There are hefty fines if you’re found to be without a validated ticket – just having an unvalidated ticket on your person often isn’t enough.

On the metro, this isn’t a concern, as you will validate your ticket by simply passing through the turnstiles. The only thing worth noting with the metro is that if you’ve bought a single-use ticket, you can swap lines, but once you have exited through a turnstile, you won’t be able to get back in on the same ticket.

For buses and trams, you will have to remember to stamp the ticket in the machine onboard to validate it. The validity will depend on your ticket type, but a standard single-use ticket lasts for 100 minutes (and you can swap buses within that timeframe). Transportation to the airport isn’t included in the travel passes.

Navigating Popular Tourist Sites Using Public Transport

Getting to major tourist sites like the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Pantheon is simple using public transport. Remember that downloading an app like Moovit will help you plan.

You can catch a bus that will take you either right outside or very close to practically every popular tourist site in Rome, while the metro also leads to a handful of the most notable spots.

The Colosseum has a metro station, Colosseo, which is on Line B, as well as a tram stop (lines 3 or 8) and several buses that arrive just outside (including 38, 75, 175, and 271). This is also the best way to get to the Roman Forum and Monti neighborhood.

To get to the Vatican, you can catch metro Line A to Ottaviano or, again, several buses, including 62, 64, and 81. There is also an overground train that stops at the nearby train station, St Pietro, but this would be more useful for people traveling in from Civitavecchia.

Many of the other sites in Rome are very close to one another – the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and even the Spanish Steps are within easy walking distance of each other. You can catch metro Line A to Spagna station for the steps and walk down to the others from there. A few buses that stop near the Pantheon are 51, 60, and 62, but you should check an app for the best option.

Keep an eye out for the bus 40 Express, which is a special bus for tourists going through most of the famous sights:

• Vatican area and St.Peter’s Basilica – stop Borgo Sant’Angelo (beginning/end of the line)
• City center (Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona , Trevi Fountain) – stop Piazza Argentina
• Colosseum (Imperial and Roman Forum) – stop Piazza Venezia
• Termini Train Station (beginning/end of line)

Sometimes it’s better to walk if places are close to one another. Equally, if you’re hoping to avoid crowds – for example, if you’re going from the Colosseum to the Spanish Steps – public transport will allow you to skip the busy streets.

Best Times to Use Public Transport in Rome

Everyone knows that rush hour is a less-than-ideal time to travel, wherever you are. Rome is no different, so the mornings and evenings around the typical working day will see buses, trains, and all public transport rammed full of commuters.

An app like Moovit can give you updates on how crowded a train or bus is, making it a useful tool for avoiding the busiest periods. Generally, though, any time outside of these commuter hours is fine to use public transport – except perhaps in mid-afternoon in the height of summer, when these buses and trains tend to get very hot.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Public transport in Rome is relatively accessible, though some modes of transport are better than others. The buses are the best option for disabled passengers, with 98% of the fleet equipped with a boarding platform and wheelchair area. Newer buses are also equipped with next-stop announcements to aid the visually impaired.

Trams and the metro are a bit more mixed in terms of accessibility. Line B is accessible, but Line A is less so: stops Spagna, Barberini, Repubblica, Vittorio Emanuele, and San Giovanni all do not have lifts or stair lifts connecting with the platforms. 70% of trams have a platform-level floor to ease boarding, but many have steps instead.

The trains of the Termini-Centocelle line are also not accessible to passengers with reduced mobility, though there are some buses that run the same route.

Parents with strollers will also want to avoid the metro where possible or use a sling to carry small children as it can get quite crowded. Buses are a better alternative.

Benefits of Using Public Transport in Rome

While not always the most luxurious way to travel, there are some great benefits to using public transport in Rome:

• Cost-effectiveness – besides walking, this is by far the cheapest way to travel around the city. 
• Convenience – you can get pretty much anywhere in Rome with public transport, as you’re never too far from a bus stop or station.
• A time-saver – the metro comes regularly and skips all the traffic on the roads. The same trip in a taxi would take much longer.
• The environmentally -friendly way to travel – public transport is more eco-friendly, making it the greener choice.

Buses , trams , the metro (a subway system), and trains are all available in Rome.

You purchase tickets from any Tabbachi shop (newsagents), newsstands, Atac booths in metro stations, and ticket machines, which can be found at metro stations and larger bus stations. The ticket in Italian is biglietto .

Yes, besides the 24, 48, and 72-hour passes, there is a weekly pass. Limitless use of public transport is often a feature of tourist passes , including the Roma pass .

Download an app like Moovit to help you plan your route, see live times, and know when transportation is crowded.

The peak times are similar to most countries: morning and evening when commuters are traveling to and from work. Avoid traveling between 8 and 9 am and 5 and 6 pm when possible; use an app to see live updates on passenger density.

The options aren’t fantastic, but the buses are generally accessible. 98% of buses are equipped for wheelchair users. Metro Line B is another option, but Line A should be avoided.

Like any major city, you should have your wits about you in Rome and on public transport, as there is always a slight risk of theft. Keep your valuables in a zipped cross-body bag to avoid pick-pockets.

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Malaysian discovers why Rome is one of the 'world's most romantic cities'

Wednesday, 24 Apr 2024

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The writer and her husband managed to avoid the crowd of tourists at Trevi Fountain by going there really early in the morning. — Photos: SARAH ALIA AHMAD AFFENDY

In the Eternal City of Rome in Italy that has existed for three millennia, history crawls from every crevice and crack. From 2,000-year-old ancient landmarks to elegant 17th-century plazas, all of them were built to last ... forever. There’s just no shortage of amazing sights in Rome, all of which were eagerly immortalised by keen photographers, including my husband and me.

While I thought Rome’s city centre appeared crowded at first, during our exploration I found the place to be relaxing and even romantic. Everyone seemed to be a tourist on vacation wandering around, just marvelling at the sights, which we found ourselves mirroring. Strolling through the never-ending via (street in Italian) that’s full of charm quickly became the most enjoyable activity for us in this city.

During our exploration, we could smell the delicious aroma of food, particularly all sorts of pasta, almost anywhere we went. Rome’s cuisine, like the city itself, consists of many layers. We tried everything from pizza to pasta, suppli (rice balls) to calzone. It’s a carbohydrate-heavy diet, but I believe that when one is in Italy, one is allowed to eat like an emperor or empress!

When we walked into The Colosseum, we felt like we were part of the movie Gladiator . While the feeling of being in this ancient construction was something to remember, I could not stop thinking about all the suffering, as well as cruelty, that once took place here. It’s believed that over 400,000 people died at the Colosseum since it was built. Back in the day, watching people fight to their death was considered “entertainment”; I just can’t fathom cheering on something like this.

That feeling stayed with me throughout our visit, but despite that, I tried to take in the amazing architecture and simply marvel at the challenges the Colosseum has had to endure over the years. After all, not much of what is built today has that kind of grandeur.

We also went inside to tour the artefacts on display, many of which tell the history of the Colosseum.

I found the Roman Forum at Palatine Hill rather fascinating, too. Thousands of years ago it served as the commercial, administrative, and religious heart of Ancient Rome. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the Forum was no longer in use and people started pillaging the place, taking with them most of the marble and stone that formed the buildings. Later on, the land around it even became a cow pasture.

It was only around the 17th to 18th century that excavation work on the Roman Forum began, revealing much of what we see today. Wandering through the colossal ruins we tried to imagine how they once looked in their full glory.

Our trip would be incomplete without visiting Rome’s most famous Instagram attraction, the Trevi Fountain. Being the largest Baroque fountain in Rome, it is a monument we could visit again and again and still feel as though it’s the first time we’re seeing it. Every inch of the Trevi Fountain is adorned with intricate details, from the meticulously crafted acanthus leaves on the Corinthian pilasters to the naturalistic rock formations and cascading water.

With its enchanting beauty and rich history, the visit to Trevi Fountain was one of the highlights of our adventure. We visited early in the morning so that we could check it out at leisure, and take a lot of pictures without the huge crowd in the background. While the fountain is captivating during the day, there is an entirely different charm that emerges when the sun sets and it comes to life in a dazzling display of lights.

The surrounding area also holds many treasures. Just a few minutes from the Trevi Fountain is the iconic Spanish Steps. When we saw the piazza practically empty, we knew it was worth waking up early for; it felt like walking into a beautiful painting.

Tucked in the middle of this area is a well-known shopping street that’s lined with fashion stores and a few gelateria.

Beyond the city limits, we spent one afternoon exploring the charming neighbourhood of Trastevere. Dubbed the foodie neighbourhood of Rome, it is a bohemian area with lots of narrow streets and plenty of small cafes and restaurants.

The atmosphere here was incredibly lively, making it a great place to people-watch.

We stopped in the piazza in the middle of the neighbourhood to admire it. The scene was enough to draw a smile from our tired lips.

We took a leisurely stroll and came across a gelateria and treated ourselves to a scoop of pistachio-flavoured gelato that was very delicious.

It was also a huge treat for us to visit Galleria Borghese, home to an impressive collection of artworks, including masterpieces by some of Italy’s most well-known artists like Raphael, Botticelli, Caravaggio, and Titian. Walking around, we saw stunning frescoes, breath- taking mosaics and impressive sculptures in every hall.

I was overwhelmed with the feeling of appreciation and respect for all the people working on the masterpieces on display.

Nestled within Rome’s historic centre is the Vatican City, where we first visited the famous Basilica. An event was happening coincidently during our visit so we were able to hear the church choir perform.

Listening to the choir gave me the feeling that I was standing in a special sacred place. It was one of the moments I will remember forever.

Next to the Basilica is the Vatican Museums. This museum holds more than 70,000 pieces of art, from the time of the ancient Egypt to modern religious works. I thought the massive building with dozens of columns was a piece of art in itself, and seeing it from the outside made me eagerly excited to go inside and see the paintings and sculptures it holds.

There were so many remarkable rooms and hidden gems inside the Vatican Museums. Among the best ones are the Gallery of Maps, the Raphael Rooms, and the Gallery of the Chandeliers. The key attraction inside the Vatican Museums is the famous Sistine Chapel, which has frescoes that Michelangelo spent four whole years to complete.

These frescoes were simply jaw-dropping amazing.

A place where history was made and an empire was born, Rome certainly did not disappoint. Five days of exploring the city’s seemingly endless atmospheric streets, trying delectable Italian food, and soaking up inspiring, romantic vibes just wasn’t enough and left us wanting so much more.

It’s a city so enchanting that it actually bewitched this traveller.

No doubt, I’m planning a return soon to uncover more of this city and its culture.

The views expressed are entirely the reader’s own.

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Tags / Keywords: Rome , Italy , Readers Share , Colosseum , Vatican City , Vatican Museums , Basilica , Trevi Fountain , Spanish Steps , Roman Forum , tourism

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6 Best Places To Stay in Rome in 2024

Updated : April 18, 2024

AAA Travel Editor, SMT

Table of contents.

• Centro Storico

Plan Your Trip to Rome With AAA

Rome has been a popular tourist destination since Caesar’s time, and it’s easy to understand why. The Eternal City’s rich history comes alive through its ancient landmarks, stunning museums and galleries, religious sites and spectacular food and culture. After a busy day experiencing the things to do in Rome , knowing the best places to stay in Rome can make or break your stay.

Whether you’re heading to Rome for a romantic getaway or to immerse yourself in the culture, we have the perfect place for you to stay. Read on to learn the six best places to stay in Rome, plus specific attractions and hotels in the area.

1. Centro Storico

Best For: First-time visitors who want to see it all

Centro Storico is the heart of the Eternal City in the oldest and most central part of Rome. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, its narrow streets are home to many of Rome’s most famous—and oldest—attractions.

Pack your walking shoes or hop on an electric bike tour to explore this area of the city, which has a lot of pedestrian-only areas. It tends to get crowded since it’s one of the most popular destinations in Italy, so be prepared to stand in lines to enter attractions and have other tourists in every photo you take.

Go with a plan, or just wander the narrow, cobblestone streets and pop into any cafe, boutique, museum or wine bar that sparks your interest. 

Can’t Miss Attractions in Centro Storico:

• The Pantheon  
• Piazza Navona  
• Largo di Torre Argentina
• Trevi Fountain  
• Piazza di Spagna

Popular Hotels in Centro Storico:

• Hotel Ponte Sisto
• 9Hotel Cesari
• Terrace Pantheon Relais
• Grand Hotel de La Minerve

2. Trastevere

Best for: Travelers wanting to experience Roman nightlife

Trastevere is a picturesque Medieval working-class neighborhood that’s now home to Roman nightlife. Its name comes from the Latin “tras tevere,” which means “beyond the Tiber,” and was once home to Julius Caesar’s villa Horti Caesaris , where he entertained Cleopatra. 

Many narrow, winding streets are closed to cars, so the area feels quieter and like you’ve stepped back in time. As you stroll through the charming markets and little shops on cobblestone streets with vine-clad buildings, you’ll feel like a local.

During the day, visit the many historic churches and museums before sitting down for some of the best food in the city. At night, join the locals for lively nightlife, street performers, live music and al fresco dining.

Can’t Miss Attractions in Trastevere:

• Piazza di Santa Maria  
• Basilica of Santa Maria (Basilica di Santa Maria)
• Villa Farnesina
• Ponte Sisto
• Corsini Palace (Palazzo Corsini)
• Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi

Hotels in Trastevere:

• Ventisei Scalini a Trastevere B&B
• B-B Hotel Roma Trastevere
• Sonder Trastevere

Best for: Travelers looking for a romantic stay

Once the slums of ancient Rome, Monti is now a hipster residential neighborhood bordered by the Colosseum and Via Nazionale. There aren’t as many cultural attractions in the area, so it’s quieter than some other neighborhoods while still being within walking distance of many major Roman attractions. It gives small village vibes nestled in the middle of the city, making it a great neighborhood if you’re looking for a quiet or romantic stay.

Monti is home to trendy and unique shops and nightlife popular with the locals. You won’t find many hotels, especially chain hotels, so you may need to book one of the many vacation rental apartments in the area instead. The nightlife means the area can get a bit noisy at night, but the cobblestone streets and local charm make it a popular place for romantic getaways.

Can’t Miss Attractions in Monti:

• Trajan’s Market (Mercati di Traiano)
• Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore)
• Golden House of Nero (Domus Aurea)
• Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
• Colosseum  

Hotels in Monti:

• Hotel Palazzo Manfredi
• Hotel Raffaello, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western
• Mercure Roma Centro Colosseo
• DoubleTree by Hilton Rome Monti

Best for: Travelers with families or older travelers

Prati, located just outside the city center north of the Vatican, is an elegant residential area of Rome. During the day, it’s filled with business people and lawyers who work at one of the offices or tribunal courts in the area. You’ll also see locals shopping at the blend of high-end and affordable shops along the Via Cola di Rienzo. At night, the neighborhood transforms into a social scene, with live music, wine bars and restaurants with tables spilling into the street. 

The family-friendly neighborhood is predominantly white-collar residential, so there aren’t a lot of major attractions, meaning you won’t be surrounded by as many tourists as you would be in other areas of Rome. You are within walking distance of the Vatican and have access to plenty of transportation to get you to any major attraction you want to visit during your stay.

Can’t Miss Attractions in Prati:

• Saint Angelo Bridge Methodist Church (Chiesa Metodista di Ponte Sant’Angelo)
• Castel Sant’Angelo National Museum (Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo)
• Sant’Angelo Bridge (Ponte Sant’Angelo)
• Tiber River (Fiume Tevere)
• Via Cola di Rienzo
• Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani )
• St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)

Hotels in Prati:

• Hotel Orazio Palace
• Atlante Star Hotel
• Le Meridien Visconti Rome
• Atlante Garden Hotel

5. Esquilino

Best for: Travelers on a budget

The largest of Rome’s seven hills is home to Esquilino, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Rome. Known for its beautiful churches and monuments, Equilino is a multicultural hub for the city thanks to its large immigrant population (be sure to check out the area’s Chinese, Ethiopian and Indian restaurants). 

Esquilino is a popular neighborhood for travelers on a budget. It’s quieter than Centro Storico, but you can still get to most of the major attractions in Rome on foot if you don’t mind a bit of a walk. The Roma Termini makes getting around Rome easy for travelers, and there are great restaurants in the area, including Fassi Gelataria, the oldest gelateria in Rome.

Parts of Esquilino are a bit run-down, and you’ll want to watch out for pickpockets (especially near Termini), but you’ll be safe during the day, no matter where you are in the neighborhood. 

Can’t Miss Attractions in Esquilino:

• Basilica di Santa Prassede
• Oppian Hill Park (Parco del Colle Oppio)
• Porta Maggiore
• Rome Opera House (Teatro dell’Opera di Roma)

Hotels in Esquilino:

• Hotel Artemide
• Hotel Nord Nuova Roma
• SHG Hotel Porta Maggiore

6. Testaccio

Best for: Travelers interested in food and seeing authentic Italy

The historically working-class neighborhood of Testaccio was once the site of the shipyards of ancient Rome, then home to the city’s slaughterhouse. Now, the neighborhood south of Aventine Hill is a bustling destination with a party reputation thanks to its many discoteques and street parties. 

The area isn’t touristy, so you’ll see Italian parents shopping at the local market while their kids play in the piazza. The area is the origin spot for many of Rome’s famous dishes, and you can’t go wrong with any restaurant you pass. 

Explore the beautiful street art, excellent restaurants and one of the best produce markets in Rome at the Mercato Testaccio. While you can walk to a handful of the major attractions, such as the Colosseum, you’ll probably need to catch a bus or use the Metro to get to popular tourist spots.

Can’t Miss Attractions in Testaccio:

• The Original Taste of Testaccio Food Tour
• Testaccio Neighborhood Food and Market Tour
• Protestant Cemetery of Rome (Cimitero Acottolico di Roma)

Hotels in Testaccio:

• There aren’t many hotels in the Testaccio neighborhood, but there are plenty of apartments or Airbnbs you can rent short-term during your stay.

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This Luxury Hotel in Rome Was Named One of the Best Hotels in the World by T+L Readers — and Has the Most Beautiful Courtyard I've Ever Seen

Here's what makes Hotel de Russie Travel + Leisure readers' favorite hotel in Rome.

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Courtesy of Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel

Walking through Rome’s Villa Borghese gardens, my husband and I came to a lookout point with a view of Piazza del Popolo. I, however, paid little attention to the neoclassical elliptical square, even with a 79-foot obelisk in the center. I was too busy photographing the most enticing courtyard I’d ever seen. It had three rows of bright-white umbrellas abutting a pale-pink building with turquoise shutters — the kind of scene that made me crave a Spritz and castelvetrano olives because I couldn't help but picture the chic, linen-clad folk enjoying aperitivo on that patio.

About three hours later, I checked into Hotel de Russie , which I picked because it was named T+L readers’ favorite hotel in Rome in 2023 and among the best city hotels in Europe . These 2023 World’s Best Awards landed the Rocco Forte hotel — one of two in Rome — a coveted spot on this year’s T+L 500. 

Hotel de Russie, Rome

• The location: it's a minute's walk to Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps and five to 10 minutes on foot to the Villa Borghese gardens and the Trevi Fountain.
• The idyllic courtyard is one of the most iconic in Europe and the perfect place for aperitivo .
• The luxurious rooms — with turquoise-trimmed shutters on the windows — made me feel like I was staying at my own chic apartment in Rome, with all the amenities of a Rocco Forte hotel.
• The spa has a hammam, a sauna, Irene Forte facials, and a gym.

And yet somehow, even knowing the details of Hotel de Russie’s accolades, I was shocked when, after check-in, I walked across the lobby, through the open doors, to the exact venue I’d painstakingly photographed a few hours before. I didn’t even make it up to my room. I asked the concierge if he could hold our bags while we had a drink on the patio, and a few minutes later, I was seated beneath a bright-white umbrella as a server put down a Negroni for me, a gin martini with a twist for my husband, and a trio of snacks — potato chips, almonds, and olives. I couldn’t believe my luck. I was a pair of really short bangs, a striped silk scarf, and a vintage Vespa away from living out Audrey Hepburn’s "Roman Holiday" life.

Maya Kachroo-Levine/Travel + Leisure

We lingered for a few hours, leisurely succumbing to the snack menu — tissue paper–thin prosciutto on crusty bread, the perfect complement to a second Negroni. I checked my Google Map of Rome recommendations and found we were stumbling distance from my cousin's go-to Roman wine bar, Buccone Vini e Olii , and a cozy restaurant favored by one of my colleagues, Hostaria Da Pietro . Evening plans? Check. The problem? I had no interest in ever leaving this courtyard.

Here, my review of the iconic Hotel de Russie — a Rocco Forte hotel and longtime T+L reader favorite.

Once we wrapped up our prolonged patio stint, we ascended to our spacious Deluxe Room. It was nearly 450 square feet, which is impressive for a standard hotel room in a major European city (the entry-level rooms are just a touch smaller, at about 375 square feet; the junior suites start at 540 square feet; and the Superior Suites start at 650 square feet). For a true taste of Roman luxury, the special suites and Forte suites have terraces or French balconies, with heavenly views of the hotel's courtyard or the surrounding historic buildings.

When I got to our room, I twisted the gold knob on one of three dual-paned windows. I poked my head out the window — no screens, this is Europe — taking in the light yellow, beige, and bright coral facades of the apartment buildings across the street, all with bright blue and green shutters. Across the street, I could see friends gathering on a balcony for sunset and laundry swinging in the breeze on an adjacent rooftop. It felt like I had my own little Roman apartment — with a marble bathroom and Rocco Forte hotel amenities.

Hotel de Russie has two restaurants; the Stravinskij Bar is a magical, umbrella-shaded terrace with a small indoor operation as well. The main restaurant is Le Jardin de Russie, which inhabits the upper terrace (up a set of alfresco stone stairs from Stravinskij Bar) and an adjacent dining room. Le Jardin serves a fantastic breakfast buffet and elevated classics — like grilled whole branzino. For something a little less formal, Stravinskij Bar serves dinner, too, and makes a lovely pasta all'Amatriciana, which is admittedly plentiful in Rome, but can you ever really have too much crispy guanciale?

The concierge team at Hotel de Russie can help you set up tours or book tickets to museums or attractions. We visited in the summer when advance ticketing was crucial, but the concierge could easily book us same-day entry to the Colosseum. The hotel also offers tours that are exclusively available to de Russie guests; one of the newest experiences, called a Journey Through Time at the Roman Forum, visits sites such as the Basilica Ulpia with an art historian, with the option to add on an extravagant tasting menu at Rimessa Roscioli afterward.

My husband and I spent a fantastic morning in the spa, starting with a seven-mile run in the gym, an ill-conceived attempt to work off all the amatriciana. From there, we went to the hammam, slipping into the massive blue-tiled warm pool. After a long soak, he hit the sauna while I read my book on a poolside lounge chair, enjoying the calming effect of the silver- and blue-tiled walls that seemed to glow as if the room were encrusted with precious gems. The spa also offers facials using Irene Forte skin care products and massages, and the hotel is expanding the space.

Hotel de Russie can make a family room by connecting two Deluxe Rooms. While I didn't encounter a lot of children during my stay, I love to see families bring children of any age to a European city — There's so much to experience! The food and culture more than make up for the transatlantic flight! — and would definitely return to the hotel with a kid in tow. The concierge can assist parents in coordinating family-friendly activities, and there is a Rocco Forte kids program for children aged 0 to 16, where each young visitor gets a Rocco Forte passport.

Six of the hotel's 120 rooms are accessible, and wheelchairs are available upon request. The hotel's ground-floor common areas are accessible, though there are "some limitations in the upper side of the historical garden," according to a hotel spokesperson. As a brand, Rocco Forte is keen to reduce its carbon footprint, and at de Russie, there is an electric e-tuk for guest rides and charging available for electric cars. To reduce energy use, all Rocco Forte hotels (including de Russie) hosted candlelit evenings once a week during the winter months, where the restaurants and bars were illuminated only by flickering candles. The hotel also prioritizes digital check-in to eliminate paper waste and frequently donates furniture and amenities to local charities (recently, while refreshing the de Russie gym, all the old equipment was donated to the Blind Association on nearby Via Margutta).

Check the hotel website for deals because Rocco Forte offers generous ones. The occasionally offered Forte Escapes discount, for example, gets guests up to 25 percent off a stay of two nights or more. I'm a traveler who swears by her American Express Platinum card, and card members will be glad to know that Hotel de Russie is indeed part of Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts. Those booking their stay with an American Express will get a 12 p.m. check-in, 4 p.m. check-out, room upgrade if available, daily breakfast for two, and $100 credit for food and drink.

Southwest to exit 4 airports and limit hiring following profit loss, Boeing plane delays

Southwest Airlines said it will limit hiring and suspend operations at four airports in the U.S. and Mexico following a loss of profits and delays getting planes from Boeing .

In a release posted after the company's earnings call Thursday, the Dallas, Texas-based budget airline reported a net loss of $231 million in the first quarter of 2024. Southwest President and CEO Bob Jordan called those losses "disappointing," and said the airline is adjusting to "slower than planned growth for this year and next."

In an interview with CNBC ahead of the earnings call Thursday, Jordan said the company was weighing options for cabin reconfiguration to address its recent revenue shortfall.

“We’re looking into new initiatives, things like the way we seat and board our aircraft,” Jordan told the network.

The airline said it now expects to end this year with approximately 2,000 fewer employees than 2023 through cost control initiatives, including limiting hiring and offering voluntary time off programs, not through furloughs or layoffs.

And with aircraft delivery delays from Boeing that could continue into 2025, Southwest said it is also planning to mitigate any operational and financial impacts while keeping reliable flight schedules for customers.

'Roughest landing': Watch video of plane bouncing off runway as it attempts to land at LAX

What airports is Southwest leaving?

After reporting financial losses in the first quarter of 2024, Southwest said it is closing operations at four airports, three in the U.S. and one in Mexico, the first time the airline has exited an airport since 2019.

• Bellingham International Airport in Bellingham, Washington
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas
• Syracuse Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, New York
• Cozumel International Airport in Mexico

Southwest also announced plans to cut about half its flights out of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and one third from the Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Although Southwest is pulling out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the company will maintain operations out of the William P. Hobby Airport in Houston.

Contributing: Zach Wichter, USA TODAY.

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• A Brief Guide to All the Key Hotels in Washington D.C.

Seven hotels earned at least one MICHELIN Key in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. MICHELIN Keys Travel Hotels

On April 24, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide announced its very first Key hotels in the United States — a brand new distinction recognizing the most outstanding hotels in the country. We're thrilled to report that, in Washington D.C., seven hotels earned at least One Key. And while hotels in the capital have historically skewed towards the traditional, our seven Key hotels run the gamut of styles. Among the newest and hippest, the Eaton DC sports a boho aesthetic and a firm commitment to a progressive ethos — this hotel, set downtown on K Street, is a launchpad for progress, where rotating art exhibits fill the first floor and activists and political groups make use of its radio station, screening room, and co-working space. Representing the more traditional luxury hotels, the Hay Adams has been an institution — set in a monumental Italian Renaissance building just across from the White House — since 1928. Here, the feeling is of old-world elegance. Between the Eaton and the Hay Adams, we find the rest of our Key hotels somewhere in the stylistic middle. For waterfront views try the Pendry , with its modernist, Parisian-influenced aesthetic set on the Potomac in the city’s Southwest Waterfront. Or head to Georgetown and the Rosewood , where vistas from the rooftop bar overlook the C&O Canal. Other highlights: the  Dupont Circle Hotel , one of the only hotels privileged enough to set up in Dupont Circle, with its sophisticated restaurant and a swanky cocktail bar. The Jefferson , another option downtown, has the Quill, an upscale cocktail bar and lounge in its historic building dating back to 1923. At the Riggs , in the city’s Penn Quarter, there’s both an enchanting cafe and a subterranean bar. You can hardly go wrong. Below, explore the map of every Key hotel in Washington D.C. And scroll down to learn more each accommodation.

The Seven MICHELIN Key Hotels in DC:

The Jefferson - 2 Keys

Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf - 1 Key

Eaton DC - 1 Key

Riggs Washington DC - 1 Key

The Dupont Circle Hotel - 1 Key

The Hay-Adams Hotel - 1 Key

Rosewood Washington, D.C. - 2 Keys

Top image: Riggs DC

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