Explore Rome

1. Getting around

• Reaching Rome:  Many airlines fly to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport daily so getting in and out of the city is pretty easy. Also, if you’re planning to visit Rome from another city in Italy, you can always travel by train. Most train lines run into Roma Termini, Rome’s central train station. Train lines in Italy are convenient, clean and easy to travel in.
• Out and about in Rome: We opted for wandering around by foot – this is the best way to discover this gem of a city.
• Taxi: This is an option, but they tend to be very expensive. They also charge more when they realize you’re a foreigner.

2. Where to stay

Hotel Hassler

Sitting adjacent to the Spanish steps, this downtown luxe hotel is an 8-minute walk from Trevi fountain 2km from the Colosseum.

USD 675 / LKR 125,000

Rome Cavalieri Waldof Astoria

Offering panoramic views of Rome, this luxury hotel is 3.9 km from St. Peters Basilica, 4.7 km from the Piazza Navona and 7 km from the Roman Forum.

USD 285 / LKR 52,000

St. Regis Rome

Between the fountain of Moses and the Piazza Della Republica, this lavish hotel occupies a belle epoque palace and a 14-minute walk from Trevi fountain.

USD 560 / LKR 103,000

Villa Spalletti Trivelli

In an early 20th-century villa facing the Quirinale public gardens, this upscale hotel is a 7-minute walk from the metro stop and Trevi Fountain, and a 13-minute walk from the Pantheon.

USD 490 / LKR 90,000

Gran Meliá Rome

On the banks of the River Tiber, this sophisticated hotel is 1.6 km from the Pantheon and 3 km from the Colosseum.

USD 320 / LKR 59,000

Hotel Splendide Royal

This luxe hotel in a grand stone building is a 7-minute walk from Barberini metro station, 3 km from the Colosseum and 5 km from the Vatican Museums.

USD 300 / LKR 55,000

Baglioni Hotel Regina

A 4-minute walk from Villa Berghese, this luxury hotel in an elegant stone building is 1 km from upscale shopping on Via Condotti and 3 km from the iconic Colosseum.

USD 325 / LKR 60,000

Residenza Napoleone III

Set in a 16th-century palace where Napoleon III once resided, this historic posh hotel is 700 m from Spagna metro and 9 minutes’ walk from the Pantheon.

USD 810 / LKR 150,000

Hotel Palazzo Manfredi

Offering views of the Colosseum, this elegant hotel in a 17th-century villa is close to the archaeological remains of the gladiator arena Ludus Magnus. It’s also a 6-minute walk from the Colosseum and a 9-minute walk from the Colosseo metro station.

USD 325 / LKR 60,000

Hotel Eden

Built in 1889, this luxe hotel is 2 km from both the Pantheon and the Colosseum, and 3 km from St. Peter’s Basilica church.

USD 810 / LKR 150,000

Source: (https://www.luxuryhotelsguides.com/Luxury-Hotels-Rome & Wikipedia)

*All above amounts are approximate figures with foreign exchange rates from Oct 2020. 

3. Where to eat

Ristorante Pizzeria Navona

One-minute walk from the Piazza Navona, you could stop for a glass of delicious Moscato or a creamy seafood risotto at this beautiful Italian restaurant. Delicious food, traditional flavors and a wonderful view of the square represent a winning trio!

Nannarella, Trastevere

Established in 1930, Nannarella serves delicious authentic Italian food in the heart of Trastevere. Do keep in mind to sit outside which provides you with fantastic views of the streets of Trastevere. You’ve got to try their carbonara.

La Casetta A Monti

For those of you who love a good insta pic, then this is the place for you. They also serve delicious pancakes and savory quiche for breakfast. But do keep in mind that it is a very small restaurant with very limited seating available.

Panella Rome

An absolute favorite of ours. Panella was a 2-minute walk from our apartment hence we ended having breakfast here almost every day during our Rome trip. Panella serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and also serves the most delicious Italian pastries and cake. A must visit.

That’s Amore by Fabio Bongianni
This is an absolute must visit if you visit Rome. And make sure to try their truffle and porcini with homemade fettuccine because it is simply delicious! But the highlight of our meal was the dessert. Their homemade millefeuille (mille foglie cake) was the best I’ve ever tasted in my entire life. It is also only a 4-minute walk from Trevi Fountain.

Trattoria Da Danilo

If youre looking for an Intimate & rustic, bare-brick trattoria for artfully prepared Roman cuisine, plus local wines? Then this is the place for you! They serve the most delicious cheese wheel pastas in Rome!

Sweety Gelato Roma Ponte Milvio

For your ultimate gelato fix, try this amazing gelato place in the heart of Rome.

4. What to do

Visit the Vatican Museums

Did you know that approximately 19,000 people visit the Vatican Daily? The Vatican is closely tied with Rome’s heritage, and there is a vast wealth of art and history to be explored in its Vatican Museums. We recommend you start early to beat the crowds.  You can pre-book your tickets on Viator. We highly recommend it. Here’s the link to ours. https://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Early-Access-Sistine-Chapel-and-Vatican-Museums-Ticket/d511-3731SISTINE

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Visit the Colosseum, Palatine Hill & the Roman Forum

The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an iconic landmark that should not be missed during your trip to Rome, Italy. It was the largest amphitheatre ever built at the time and it still stands mighty, long after the fall the Roman Empire. Again, we highly suggest you pre-book your tickets as many as 16,000 people visit the Colosseum every day. Here’s the link to our viator booking.

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Arch of Constantine

The Arch of Constantine sits in Piazza del Colosseo adjacent to the massive amphitheater and is a triumphal arch in Rome dedicated to the emperor Constantine the Great. It is the largest Roman arch and 1 of 3 arches still remaining in Rome.

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Palatine Hill

You can use your Colosseum admission ticket to enter the Palatine Hill. You can find this entrance on Via di San Gregorio, 30.  This is the most famous of Rome’s seven hills and where according to legend Romulus founded Rome. Up in the Palatine Hill you can see hundreds of ruins of the imposing buildings that were created for High Roman society during ancient times.

Roman Forum

The Roman Forum, also known by its Latin name Forum Romanum, is where religious and public life in ancient Rome took place. Visiting Rome without walking around the Forum is like going to Paris and leaving without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Walk along Via Sacra or Sacred way from the Piazza del Colosseo and you can reach the Roman Forum through the Arc of Titus. We highly recommend you walk through the beautiful ruins and explore it at your leisure.

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Walk through the Parco del Colle Oppio

The Oppian Hill is the southern spur of the Esquiline Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome, Italy. The Oppian Hill Park (Italian: Parco del Colle Oppio) covers about eleven hectares and offers magnificent views of the Colosseum.

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Visit the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica of Saint Mary Major, or church of Santa Maria Maggiore, is a Papal major basilica and the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome, Italy. It is only a 15-minute walk from Piazza del Colosseo.

Visit Trastevere for Evening Drinks and Dinner

Trastevere is one of the best areas for dining in Rome making it very pleasant for a walk through its streets, especially at dusk. It’s known for traditional and innovative trattorias, craft beer pubs and artisan shops that will make you keep coming back for more.

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Cross the Ponte Garibaldi

Ponte Garibaldi is a bridge that links Lungotevere De’ Cenci to Piazza Giuseppe Gioachino Belli in Rome, in the Rioni Regola and Trastevere . You will pass this on your way to Trastevere from the Colosseum.

Snap a click near Piazza Venezia

Piazza Venezia is the central hub of Rome, Italy. It takes its name from the Palazzo Venezia, built by the Venetian Cardinal, Pietro Barbo alongside the church of Saint Mark, the patron saint of Venice.

Visit the Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is a public open space and is arguably the most beautiful square in Rome or even Europe. It is filled with treasures in, above, and around the Piazza. The atmosphere at the square is ideal for a meal as there are plenty of restaurants you can choose from. It is a 25-minute walk from Piazza del Colosseo.

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Visit the Pantheon

The Pantheon is a former Roman temple, now a Catholic church. It is almost 2000 years old and standing in incredible shape. The Pantheon is widely considered as the world’s best-preserved structure up to date. It is only a 5-minute walk from Piazza Navona

Visit the Trevi Fountain

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Trevi fountain. It is the most beautiful and largest fountain in the city. One of the first things you’ll notice when you get here is that most people toss a coin into the fountain. Myth has it that if you throw one coin into the fountain, you’ll return again to Rome at some point in your life. Well we did toss a few coins, so now we will have to wait and see! It is only an 8-minute walk from the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps.

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Spanish Steps

It is mandatory that you snap a click in front of the Spanish Steps during your trip to Italy. It is a lively staircase of 135 steps that were completed in 1725 after two years. These steps gained more exposure to the world audience through the 1953 blockbuster film Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.

Walk up to Terrazza del Pincio

Walk up the steps from the Piazza del Popolo and you will be treated by fountains & prime views of the Piazza del Popolo & St. Peter’s Basilica. Sunset views are the best from here. It is only a 10-minute walk from the top of the Spanish Steps.

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Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is a landscape garden in Rome, and is home to interesting architectural elements, sculptures, monuments and fountains created at different times by famous artists. It is a 1-minute walk from Terrazza del Pincio and a 11-minute walk from the top of the Spanish Steps.