Rome is arguably one of the most famous cities in Italy, and it’s easy to see why (although Florence is still my favourite). It’s absolutely PACKED with things to see and do from every important era in history. From the impressiveRomann Forum to the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II, which houses the museum of Italian Unification.
I know when I started my research I felt completely out of my depth with the amount of “must do’s” I honestly didn’t know where to start.
Having visited a fair few of them over our 5 day trip I though I would share with you the things that I would do again, and wouldn’t want to miss.
Take the underground tour of the Colosseum
Getting tickets for this was about as stressful as trying to get Take That concert tickets on the day of release. I had release day marked in my calendar and I was up, bang on time one early Saturday morning to try with many, many others to secure tickets.
Thankfully I did and I was lucky, they were gone in minutes! If you are going, this is the link you’ll need to spend the morning on constant refresh.
Once you’re check in (via a separate queue to the main entrants so you avoid the big lines = BONUS!) you’ll be asked to wait at a specific numbered column for the rest of your tour before you are escorted into the restricted areas.
“Underground” is perhaps underselling it. Yes you do go under the arena floor but you also get to walk ON the rebuilt arena floor and also visit the restricted 3rd ring which gives you some amazing views
Yes, That’s the main queue you’ll be avoiding!
The tour itself went quickly, but given the access levels and the queue jump it’s well worth spending the extra €12 on top of your entrance fee.
After the tour you get the opportunity to visit the rest of the colosseum, so you really do get the best of both worlds
Be sure to visit again in the evening for some stunning external views that make great instagram fodder.
Take a stroll around Trasteveri
Trasteveri is by far my favourite area in Rome. Crossing the Tiber it feels like you’re entering a new city entirely.
Once the area where the less “desirable” residents lived, Trastevere is still a cultural melting today. A gathering place for locals, they are fiercely proud of their heritage and this can still be seen today
While exploring the pretty winding streets be sure to check out Dar Poeta, these guys do the most amazing pizza at a very reasonable price. Be sure to come prepared though, it’s cash only.
When I return to Rome one day Trastevere will definitely be the area I base myself, it’s just so peaceful!
Eat Gelato – Lots of it!
Goes without saying that you should do this everywhere in Italy but we found some really great Gelato in Rome this time. Our two favourites were:
Gelateria Come il Latte – they “line” the cones with melted chocolate to order AND drizzle it on top if you’d like, YUM!
Fatamorgana – amazing flavours and texture
Do a Food Tour
I LOVE food tours, I cannot get enough of them ever since I did a chocolate one in San Fransico 6 years ago. Anywhere we go, I’m looking for a food tour. I can honestly say though that the Twilight Trastevere Food Tour we did with Eating Italy was one of the BEST we’ve done.
They gave us just the right mix of tour, food and drink it was pretty much perfect. I loved the mixture of sweet and savoury stops, and the sit-down meal to rest in the middle was lovely.
I recommended it to a friend who did the Florence tour they run and apparently that’s awesome too.
Visit the Vatican… Early!!
I HATE crowds, I’m pretty sure that’s why I approach holidays like a military campaign, I want to get ahead of the crowds. Because of this I spent a long time researching the best way to do the Vatican with “minimal” crowd levels.
Having accepted that this wasn’t going to be a cheap option with ANY company. I soon opted for the Sistine Pristine Tour from Walks of Italy.
Some guidebooks offer 10% off so keep an eye out.
These guys don’t do the first to enter bit like some companies with partner status, you pay a premium for that. Now at first, as I saw all those tours filing on past us I thought I’d made a big mistake.
However, this wasn’t the case. You still get in earlier than the general public on this tour, but rather than head straight to the chapel with all the partner tours, Walks of Italy hung back in other areas and waited until they had gone… Then we had it alllll to ourselves, using the “lull” between the partner group and the general public.
Perfect!
The tour isn’t just about the Sistine Chapel, although that is the main reason. They do give you a bit of a tour of some other areas of the museums, but really this is the main bag. I mean who doesn’t want to experience this without the noise and pushing and shoving of others.
We actually headed back through at the end of the tour and it was so NOISY (not helped by the guards shouting silence every few minutes!). Here’s a before and after of one of the corridors, big difference in crowd volume!
You also get the added bonus of getting straight into St Peter’s afterwards, a BIG bonus since the queues were HUGE and wrapped right around the square by noon.
Extra – Torre Argentina
ok, yes, I’ve already done 5, so we’ll call this one an “extra”.
If you are a cat lover like me you HAVE to visit here. You may stumble upon it completely by accident as we did. At first you see the ruins.
Then you realise those ruins are FULL of cats. LOADS of them! And there’s a very good reason…
It’s a CAT SANCTUARY!!
Head on down the steps and meet the residents who call these ruins their home. Inside you’ll find even more in the rehoming centre.
A fun little experience I hope you find the time for.
So will you be planning a trip to Rome soon? Are there any places you think I’ve missed?
note: some editorial photos are some shutterstock as my camera died!
I’ve never been to Rome, or Italy for that matter. I would love to though. In fact I was just think today about the possibility of getting a TEFL or nannying job there in a couple of years.
Author
ooo that sounds like quite an adventure!
Beautiful pictures! There is something just so magical about these ancient streets and alleyways, as well as the historical monuments of course! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Akshita,
http://www.cateyesandchai.com
I love Rome and have been there a few times! I would definitely love to visit again, I just never get bored of this city.
Rome is definitely on my bucket list someday and I think you might have just moved it FAR up on the list! The tour of the Colosseum sounds like such an amazing experience!
it looks so beautiful!!! one day I hope go to Rome. All of the pictures you took were stunning and that pizza thoughhhhh!!!
Sophia xo // sophiaaaxo.com
Wow, this looks amazing, I went to Europe for the first time last September and went to Germany and France This is next on my list. How Amazing I would love to see the Colosseum in person.
I love Rome I went there a few years ago and saw the Vatican. Love the food to.
I’ve always wanted to visit Rome, it looks incredible! All of these pictures are stunning x
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
I’m visiting Rome this September so I’m excited to do all these things, especially eat my weight in gelato and pizza haha x
Kayleigh Zara ?? http://www.kayleighzaraa.com
Author
ahh yes, gelato, oh how I miss it 🙁
Your photography for this post is beautiful, I’ve just text my boyfriend and told him this is the next place I want to go away to! It all just looks amazing! x
Beth – http://bethcarney.com/
Author
haha sold!
I just adored Rome best place so amazing. Of course the gelato was my fave part! X
Lola Mia // http://www.lolitabonita.co.uk
I’d love to go here it just looks like such a beautiful place. If I ever go I will keep your list of things to do in mind! Love your pictures xx
I have always wanted to go to Rome it’s so picturesque. Loved reading your post all about your time there xx
Wow the photos are amazing! I really want to visit Vatican and see all the pretty sights ?✨ x
Having never been to Italy, never mind Rome, Rome has always been on my travel bucket list! And now you’re making me want to book a mini break away ?
Wow this all looks amazing!! Rome is at the top of my list to visit and your tips for the Colosseum are super helpful!
Rome is beautiful! Love these pics x
I love this! I went to Italy back in 2011 and had an absolute blast, I had no idea there was a cat sanctuary! That’s a must-see on my list when I go back! Thanks for sharing!
Author
careful though, if you’re like me you’ll be trying to package them into your suitcase
I would love to visit rome and your guide is just perfect for anyone wanting to go and explore. Your photos are phenomenal. I would for sure be at that cat sanctuary first haha
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
I’ve always wanted to go to Italy, this post has made me wanna go even more!
Beth http://allthebrightplaces.co.uk xx
I’ve always wanted to visit Rome. I think the Colosseum and the Vatican would be my first two stops 🙂
Louise x