Begin your trip with a visit to Vatican City, the world's smallest country and the center of the Catholic Church. Home to the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Museums, take a guided tour to learn about the history and art that lies within. Be sure to dress appropriately as there is a strict dress code including covering shoulders and knees.
Explore the iconic Colosseum, an ancient amphitheater that once held gladiator contests and other public spectacles. From there, walk to the Roman Forum, a sprawling plaza filled with ruins of ancient government buildings, temples and markets. Guided tours are available.
Experience the charming neighbourhood of Trastevere, home to bustling outdoor cafes, artisan shops and street musicians. Walk across the Tiber river to the Jewish Ghetto, steeped in history and renowned for authentic Roman-Jewish cuisine.
Finish your trip by visiting the Villa Borghese Gallery, home to masterpieces by Caravaggio, Bernini, and Raphael, to name a few. The lush gardens and serene lake are perfect for a stroll before ending your trip with an espresso at the on-site cafe.
While Rome is a walkable city, investing in a 3-day Roma Pass for unlimited public transport and free entry to one or two attractions is recommended (€28). Taxis and ride-sharing services are also readily available, but can be expensive and subject to traffic.
If you have more time, consider a day trip to Naples or Pompeii. For less time, shorten visits or consider attractions that are close together like the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Don't forget to avoid visiting major attractions on Mondays as many places are closed for maintenance.
Rome has two main airports: Leonardo da Vinci - Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Ciampino Airport (CIA). FCO is the main airport and is located 30km southwest of the city center. There are several direct transport options including train, taxi (€48 flat rate), ride-sharing services or bus (€6 one-way). CIA, located 15km southeast of the city center, is the second option which primarily serves budget airlines. A taxi ride can be expensive (€35-€50) but budget bus options (€5 one-way) are available.