MuseumsFree cancel
3 hours
Italy
Rome Travel Guide
Rome, the capital of Italy, has nearly three thousand years of history visible in its streets, from the Colosseum and Roman Forum to Renaissance churches and baroque piazzas. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Vatican City, with St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, sits within the city.
- Best time: April to June and September to October
- Airport: FCO / CIA
- Euro
Overview
About Rome
Rome, the capital of Italy, has nearly three thousand years of history visible in its streets, from the Colosseum and Roman Forum to Renaissance churches and baroque piazzas. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Vatican City, with St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, sits within the city.
The centro storico is compact and best explored on foot, with the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain close together. Trastevere across the Tiber is known for its trattorias and evening atmosphere.
- Best time to visit
- April to June and September to October
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Time zone
- Central European Time (UTC+1), summer time UTC+2
- Language
- Italian; English is common in hotels and at major sights
Hotels in Rome
Where to stay in Rome
Each area links to places to stay on our Rome hotels page.
- Centro StoricoThe historic centre around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain, with boutique hotels on cobbled streets.
- Monti & the ColosseumA characterful neighbourhood of wine bars and shops next to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, with Metro line B.
- Vatican & PratiAn elegant, residential district close to St Peter’s and the Vatican Museums, on Metro line A.
- TrastevereIvy-covered lanes across the Tiber with trattorias and bars; lively in the evenings, with fewer large hotels.
Getting there
Flights to Rome
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is the main international airport, 30 km west of the centre. Ciampino (CIA), south-east of the city, is used mainly by low-cost airlines and is reached by bus.
- FCO
- Rome Fiumicino Airport (Leonardo da Vinci)
- CIA
- Rome Ciampino Airport
Things to do
Things to do in Rome
Popular tours and tickets from our activity partner.
Popular attractions
- Colosseum & Roman Forum
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- St Peter’s Basilica
- Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
- Borghese Gallery
- Piazza Navona
LandmarksFree cancel
40 minutes
MuseumsFree cancel
3 hours
Cruises & BoatFree cancel
5 hours
MuseumsFree cancel
3 hours
Cruises & BoatFree cancel
Full Day
Cruises & BoatFree cancel
7 hours
MuseumsFree cancel
2h 30m
When to go
Best time to visit Rome
Spring and autumn are warm and pleasant for walking. July and August are hot and crowded, and Easter and Jubilee events bring large numbers of pilgrims. Winter is mild and quieter, with occasional rain.
Transport
Getting around Rome
The centre is walkable; the Metro has three lines, and buses and trams fill the gaps. The Leonardo Express train runs from Fiumicino Airport to Roma Termini in about 32 minutes.
Travel tips
Rome travel tips
- Book the Colosseum and Vatican Museums online in advance — timed tickets often sell out.
- Cover shoulders and knees for St Peter’s Basilica and other churches.
- Hotels in Rome charge a city tourist tax per person per night, usually paid at check-in.
- Refill water bottles at the city’s free drinking fountains, the nasoni.
Rome essentials
Rome travel FAQs
What is the best area to stay in Rome?
The Centro Storico for walking to the main sights, Monti for the Colosseum, Prati for the Vatican and a quieter base, and Trastevere for restaurants and nightlife.
How do I get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome?
The Leonardo Express train runs non-stop to Roma Termini in about 32 minutes; taxis charge a fixed fare to the historic centre.
How many days do you need in Rome?
Three days covers ancient Rome, the Vatican and the historic centre; four or five allows day trips and slower sightseeing.
Plan your trip
Plan your Rome trip
- Hotels in RomeExplore hotels in Centro Storico and Monti & the Colosseum and more.
- Things to do in RomeExplore Colosseum & Roman Forum, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel and other experiences.
- Italy travel guideItaly travel guide starting with Rome: the Colosseum and Vatican, where to stay, the best time to visit, trains and getting around.
Nearby and related destinations
- Paris, FranceParis travel guide: the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Montmartre, the best arrondissements to stay in, the Metro from CDG and Orly, when to visit.
- Barcelona, SpainBarcelona travel guide: Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the Gothic Quarter, the beaches, the best neighbourhoods to stay in and when to go.
- Athens, GreeceAthens travel guide: the Acropolis and Parthenon, Plaka and Monastiraki, ferries from Piraeus to the islands, when to visit and where to stay.
Facts last reviewed 27 September 2026. Hotel, flight and activity availability is provided live by our booking partners, and bookings are completed with them.