Rome: Cheap Flights & Best Hotels

Rome Travel Guide

They call Rome the Eternal City for good reason. Nearly three thousand years of history are stacked on top of each other here: ancient temples turned into churches, Renaissance palaces built with stone taken from the Colosseum, and baroque fountains splashing in squares that were once Roman stadiums. Yet Rome is not a museum. It is a noisy, warm, chaotic capital where people linger over espresso at the bar, scooters weave through cobbled lanes and dinner stretches late into the evening. Wear comfortable shoes; the best way to discover it is on foot.

When to Visit

Spring (April–June) offers pleasant warmth and blooming terraces, but Easter brings huge crowds to the Vatican. Summer (July–August) is hot, and many Romans leave the city around the Ferragosto holiday in mid-August, when some small businesses close. Autumn (September–November) is warm, golden and a favourite for food lovers. Winter (December–February) is mild and the quietest season outside Christmas, with shorter queues at the major sites and often lower hotel rates.

The Sights

• Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill – The heart of ancient Rome, usually visited on a combined timed ticket. Booking ahead is essential in busy months.
• Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel – Miles of galleries culminating in Michelangelo's ceiling. Go early or late, and dress modestly.
• St Peter's Basilica – The vast church and its dome climb, with views over St Peter's Square.
• Pantheon – A two-thousand-year-old temple with a perfectly preserved concrete dome and an open oculus.
• Trevi Fountain – Toss a coin over your shoulder to ensure your return; visit early morning or late at night to avoid the crush.
• Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps – Baroque squares perfect for people-watching.
• Trastevere – Ivy-draped lanes across the Tiber, lively at night with trattorias and bars.
• Borghese Gallery and Villa Borghese – Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings in a beautiful park; entry is by reservation only.

Eating in Rome

Rome has four signature pastas: cacio e pepe (pecorino and black pepper), carbonara, amatriciana and gricia. Try supplì (fried rice balls), Roman-style thin pizza al taglio by the slice, carciofi alla giudia (fried artichokes) in the Jewish Ghetto, and maritozzi cream buns for breakfast. Gelato is everywhere; look for shops with natural colours and covered metal tubs. Vegetarians have plenty of choice with cacio e pepe, pizza and vegetable antipasti. Avoid restaurants with touts and picture menus near the big sights.

Arriving and Getting Around

Fiumicino (FCO) is Rome's main airport, linked to the centre by the Leonardo Express train to Termini, regional trains and buses. Ciampino (CIA) serves many low-cost flights and is reached by bus. High-speed trains connect Roma Termini with Florence, Naples, Venice and Milan.

Rome's metro has only a few lines, because digging uncovers archaeology, so buses and trams fill the gaps. Contactless cards work on the metro and many buses. The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot. Taxis must be taken from official ranks or booked by app.

Neighbourhoods to Stay In

• Centro Storico (around the Pantheon and Piazza Navona): Walk everywhere, but pay a premium.
• Monti: Bohemian streets near the Colosseum, with good restaurants.
• Trastevere: Atmospheric and lively at night.
• Prati: Elegant and calmer, close to the Vatican, with good metro access.
• Near Termini: Convenient for airport trains and usually cheaper, though the immediate station area is less attractive.

Budget Tips

• Drink coffee standing at the bar, where it is cheaper than at a table.
• Refill your bottle at the free nasoni drinking fountains around the city.
• Many churches, full of priceless art, are free to enter.
• State museums are free on the first Sunday of the month (check current rules), and the Vatican Museums have a free last Sunday with long queues.
• Eat pizza al taglio or a set lunch rather than tourist-area dinners.
• Book accommodation midweek and outside major religious events.

Practical Information

• Visa: Italy is in the Schengen Area. Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa; check the official Italian visa centre or embassy for your country.
• Currency: Euro (EUR).
• Language: Italian; English is spoken in hotels and tourist areas.
• Safety: Rome is generally safe, but pickpocketing is common on crowded buses (especially route 64), the metro and around major sites.
• Etiquette and fees: Cover shoulders and knees in churches. A city tourist tax is added to hotel bills, and sitting on the Spanish Steps or wading in fountains can bring fines.

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