Rome

🏛️ Why Visit Rome, Italy?

The Eternal City – Rome has been drawing crowds for over 3,000 years! Where else can you chuck a coin in the Trevi Fountain, gawp at gladiator arenas, and gleefully say “when in Rome” for the tenth time that day as you scoff the best carbonara you’ve ever tried? The Italian capital is basically an open-air museum where every corner reveals another jaw-dropping piece of history, from the mighty Colosseum to the mind-blowing Vatican. It's like someone took a generous handful of European history's greatest hits and plonked them all in one brilliant city. Whether you're here for the culture, the carbs, the Catholicism, or just to people-watch in stunning piazzas, Rome delivers in spades.

Top reasons to visit Rome:

• 🏛️ Ancient wonders galore – From the Colosseum to the Pantheon, you're literally walking through 3,000 years of history

• 🎨 Vatican spectacular – Home to the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and enough Renaissance art to make your head spin

• 🍝 Pasta paradise – This is where carbonara, amatriciana, and cacio e pepe were born (and they taste nothing like anywhere else!)

• 🏘️ Neighborhood vibes – Each district has its own personality, from hipster Trastevere to posh Prati

• 💰 Budget brilliance – Loads of free attractions, cheap public transport, and proper Italian street food for pennies

🎭 Top Things to Do in Rome

History Buffs & Culture Vultures

🏛️ The Colosseum – Obviously! A normal ticket includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (valid for 24 hours) and you can visit all three in one day. Book online to skip the queues, and prepare your best Russell Crowe impression (“G’day mate, my name is Maximus Aurelious”).

🎨 Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel – Michelangelo's ceiling will give you proper neck ache, but it's worth every crick. The key is to buy tickets at midnight Rome time 60 days in advance on the official website to avoid the eye-watering third-party fees.

⛲ The Pantheon – Dedicated to the seven planetary divinities and featuring an interior of gorgeous marble, the Pantheon is one of the most impressive monuments of Augustan Rome. And it's completely free! Talk about Roman value for money.

Food Lovers & Street Wanderers

🍝 Campo de' Fiori Market – By day, this piazza is a fresh food market but by night, it transforms into a lively place to grab a drink. Perfect for picking up ingredients for a picnic or just soaking up the atmosphere.

🧀 Jewish Quarter – The Jewish Ghetto was where all of the Jewish residents of Rome were once forced to live... It's a small area but home to some of the best food in Rome. Try the carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style artichokes.)

🍕 Trastevere Food Scene – Cross the river for proper Roman trattorias where locals actually eat. The portions are massive, the prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is pure la dolce vita.

Adventure Seekers & Hidden Gem Hunters

🌿 Aventine Hill – If you need a break, head for the hills (literally) and check out Aventine Hill, a leafy-green suburb with peaceful gardens and some of the best views of the city. Plus, there's a secret keyhole view of St. Peter's dome!

🚇 Underground Rome – In the 1990s, an entire apartment complex, dating to the first century, and a still-working aqueduct were discovered beneath the neighborhood surrounding the Trevi Fountain. Proper archaeological gold!

🎨 San Lorenzo Street Art – Hit San Lorenzo—a student neighborhood with an edgy-but-charming vibe—for trendy shops, galleries, and street art. It's like Rome's answer to Shoreditch, but with better pasta.

🏨 Where to Stay on your Rome Holidays

For City Centre Convenience - Historic Heart

🏨 Capo d'Africa, Near Colosseum - Talk about location, location, location! You're literally a stone's throw from the Colosseum and Roman Forum. This might be your number if you want to wake up with gladiator views and be in the thick of ancient Rome.

🏨 Hotel Colosseum, Monti - Right in the heart of trendy Monti district, this boutique gem puts you walking distance from the Colosseum but in a neighborhood that's got proper local vibes. Great nightlife and authentic trattorias on your doorstep!

For Budget-Conscious Travelers - Great Value

🏨 Best Roma, Termini - Perfect for those who want central Rome without the eye-watering price tag. Near the main train station so you're connected to everything, plus the area's got loads of affordable eateries and it's walking distance to all the major sights.

🏨 Fragrance St Peter Hotel, Prati - Brilliant for Vatican explorers! You're in the Prati neighborhood near St. Peter's but away from the tourist chaos. This area's got excellent restaurants that locals actually use, plus metro connections to the rest of Rome.

For Luxury Lovers - Pure Indulgence

🏨 Palazzo Manfredi - Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Colosseum - If you're going to splash out, this is where you do it! With direct views of the Colosseum from some rooms and a Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant, this is peak Roman luxury. You'll be living like a modern-day emperor (and probably spending like one too, but hey – you're in Rome!).

💰 How to Have a Very Cheap Rome Holiday (that's still brilliant)

🗓️ When to Go

Experience the beautiful city of Rome in fall and winter months – the Roman winter (November to March) is considered off-season when you can score proper discounts! You'll dodge the summer crowds and still get brilliant weather for exploring. Plus, January and February offer the lowest airfares and hotel prices. Also, make sure to book your tickets to the attractions you want to see in advance and online, to make sure you get the best prices.

Of course, one way to save money (even if you spend more up front) is to try booking an All-Inclusive holiday to Rome, or anywhere else in Italy.

💡 Smart Savings

🚇 Public transport passes – Public transportation in Rome is cheap... the tickets currently cost €1.50, but the price will go up to €2 over the summer. It's still a very good deal. Get a day pass for €7 and you're sorted!

🏛️ Free museum Sundays – Visit the state-owned attractions of the city for free on the first Sunday of every month. That's the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and loads more for absolutely nothing!

💧 Water fountain magic – Water fountains are ALL over Rome, and they are drinkable. So refill your bottles of water frequently to enjoy a free drink! No need to spend €3 on bottled water like a mug.

🎉 Free Fun

🏛️ The Pantheon is completely free and mind-blowing! 💰 Piazza Navona people-watching costs nothing but entertainment value is through the roof. ⛲ Trevi Fountain looks stunning day or night – just bring coins for wishes! 🌉 Spanish Steps are perfect for a free sit-down and people spotting. 🏛️ Roman Forum views from Monument to Victor Emmanuel II – Take in the view of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum from the cafe... Take a quick look or order a shockingly affordable drink to stay longer.

🚌 Getting About

Walking is your best mate – Rome's centro storico is perfectly walkable and you'll stumble upon incredible ruins just wandering about! 🚇 When you need transport, the metro and buses are brilliant value. 🍝 For cheap eats, avoid touristy areas – local restaurants never put pictures on their menu so know that a menu full of pictures is geared to tourists, not locals. 🍕 Supplì (fried rice balls) and pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) are proper Roman street food that'll fill you up for under €5!

Rome might seem pricey at first glance, but with these insider tips you'll be living like a local emperor without the imperial price tag. Budget travelers preparing for a visit might be fretting about making their centesimi stretch, and wondering if it's even possible to enjoy Rome without wads of cash. The answer, luckily, is yes. Now get out there and conquer the Eternal City! 🏛️✨