Roma is a traveler's dream. The ancient Italian city has something for everyone and has been featured in tons of famous movies throughout the years for good reason. The classic charm of Rome paired with amazing Italian food means there is never a dull moment in this vibrant city. I loved getting to spend a few days here on my southern Italy trip last year. Of course there is never enough time to see the whole city in just a few days but I feel like I covered quite a bit of ground so here is my guide for how to make the most of your trip to Rome!
Where to Stay: The Savoy Roma
This elegant hotel is part of the Fairmont collection and is located in the famous Via Veneto neighborhood of Rome. My favorite part about this hotel was the rooftop bar with amazing views of the city every day and night. My second favorite was the Italian buffet style breakfast every morning with as many Capuccinos as I could want and so many delicious pastries. The location was perfect for exploring the city with the Trevi fountain and Spanish steps both within walking distance! There was also a metro stop nearby that took me straight to the Colosseum and the forum. The Via Veneto neighborhood is great for souvenir shopping as it is historically known for celebrities and other famous travelers to congregate here. There were also tons of great restaurants only a short walk away near the Trevi fountain. I enjoyed some delicious pizza right across the street from the fountain at the cutest little cafe. The American embassy is also right down the street from the hotel and it is a very safe neighborhood so this is a great place to stay if you are traveling alone too!
What to See:
Villa Borghese Gardens: The green heart of Rome as it's known is right across the street from the Savoy hotel and it is definitely a must see. These beautiful Italian gardens are huge and have many areas to explore with gazebos and different types of flowers to see all over. The Villa also has an art collection you can view if you want but just wandering through the gardens is also a great activity!
The Colosseum
The Colosseum is a must see of course for Rome. It is located next to the Forum and has several metro stops. You can also get some great views from above on Colle Opio which is known for a great spot for taking pictures of the Colosseum. You can read more great photo tips on my Instaworthy spots in Rome photo guide here!
The Forum
After the Colosseum I recommend going straight to the forum as it is nearby and also a must see. The great thing about Rome is that all the historical landmarks are still very much part of the city so you are literally walking on history and you don't have to go out of your way to get to the sights for the most part. The forum is the ancient town center of Rome where village people used to live and you can also see the leftover columns and structures from other important government buildings. It is truly a beautiful sight even the cobblestone streets leading up to it are made from ancient Roman concrete. I learned that you can always tell the old roads from the new ones in Rome by the size of the cobblestones and how smooth the surface is.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is a really interesting stop in Rome and it is right next to a bunch of other cool sights so you should definitely take the time to stop by here. I loved seeing the architecture of this building as well as learning all about the cool history behind it. The ceiling is truly an amazing feat when you think about the tools they had available at the time. And the intricate tile work on the floor is another creation that took a ton of time and planning.
The Vatican
The Vatican is another famous tourist stop in Rome and I really enjoyed my tour of the grounds. The church, and museums have literally thousands of pieces of art and could take hours to explore on your own so I decided to pay for a tour and get the highlights from a knowledgeable guide but there is also an option to walk through on your own if you feel up to it. One of my favorites was obviously seeing Michelangelo's enormous masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel.
The Trevi Foutain
Another magical spot in Rome is the Trevi fountain. I would definitely recommend stopping by at night for the full experience. The fountain lit up at night with the twinkling lights of the city all around is such a classic Roman experience. Don't forget to throw a penny in and make a wish! It just might come true!
The Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are another famous location for pictures and tourists. I was able to walk to them from my hotel and definitely appreciated the views of the city from this perch.
What to Do:
Colosseum Tour: Every attraction in Rome has a tour that you can pay for and some of them are worth doing while others you can skip but I would definitely recommend making time for the Colosseum walk through. The Colosseum is over 2,000 years old and still standing so it is honestly a once in a lifetime experience standing inside this amazing structure! The tour is about 45 minutes long and it's self guided with tons of information posted along the way about each level of the Colosseum and what it was used for.
Chef With Rome Italian Cooking Class: I found this experience on Airbnb and it was one of my favorite memories from this Rome trip! It was so fun and I learned how to make some delicious authentic italian food! Since it was a weekday I got the class all to myself and the Chef, Igor gave me extra tips and tricks for making delicious home made Italian pasta. The experience is extra fun because you get to cook in a real working Italian Osteria and use the kitchen! I truly felt like an Italian chef whipping up pasta and Tiramisu. The best part is you get to eat everything you make at the end and Chef Igor also gives you a glass of wine to enjoy with your meal! I still use these recipes at home too!
Take lots of Photos! Check out my guide to the top 8 most instaworthy spots in Rome here for tips on where and how to get the best travel pics!
