Plan Your Trip to Rome: Best of Rome Tourism
Essential Rome
Exploring Rome’s underground
- Colosseum Underground and Ancient Rome Semi-Private Tour MAX 6 PEOPLE GUARANTEED3,527On this Colosseum tour, we learned all about the lions, and tigers, and bears (oh my!) that were held in the cellar—a space you can only access on a tour. (Tours are also the only way to skip the entry line that typically stretches beyond Palatine Hill.) Our guide also told enthralling stories of gladiators battling wild animals and the “special effects” launched from the basement, like flooding the stadium for boat battles.
- Museum and Crypt of Capuchins2,596A word of warning: If you’re at all squeamish about seeing bones (lots and lots of bones), this is one to skip. But kids, I discovered, tend to find these underground rooms—filled with the artfully arranged remains of 4,000 capuchin monks—more fascinating than frightful. There is a method to the macabre here: you’ll see mosaics, altars, and more, created from skeletal pieces dating from the 1500s to the 1800s.
- Catacombe San Sebastiano749Take the 118 city bus from the Colosseum to these catacombs (a route formerly known as the Appian Way and the origin of the saying “all roads lead to Rome”) to see the ancient underground grave where Saint Sebastian was buried in 350 A.D., along with many of Rome’s wealthy Christian families. It’s a fascinating combination of art and archaeology, with mosaic walls and marble sculptures preserved in a sunless space.
- Catacombe di Santa Domitilla448If you’re hesitant about seeing more crypts, I hear you. I felt the same way at this point in our explorations. But this catacomb close to San Sebastiano is actually an underground basilica dating back to 120 A.D., which still, amazingly, has its original frescoes. There are also tombs—15,000 of them to be exact, sprawled across four layers and 10 criss-crossing miles. If you venture down, bring a jacket; it can get chilly.
- Vicus Caprarius – the City of Water211Talk about under the radar. 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. The site, now known as Vicus Caprarius (City of Water), can be enjoyed on a guided tour, but we found it easy enough to visit the small, below-ground museum on our own (then head back to street level to toss a coin in the fountain).
Browse collections
- All about aperitivoGrab pre-dinner drinks (plus epic views)
- Rome on a dimeEats and activities that won’t break the bank
- If you’re feeling fancy-ishGo-all-out experiences worth every euro
- For the history buffMust-see museums, palaces, and more
- Rome, after darkThere’s lots to do when the sun goes down
- Take a detour from the crowdsLesser-known spots to add to your list
- Check out some (free) artMasterpieces that don’t cost a thing to see
- Go beyond the classicsDiscover the city’s modern side
- Do it like a localBest-kept secrets and hidden gems
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Rome
In the words of those who've been there before ...
What is the best way to get there?
Flying:
Rome is served by the Leonardo da Vinci–(Fiumicino) International Airport.
Train:
Stazione Termini is the main railway station in Rome with regular train services to all major Italian cities, as well as daily international services to Munich, Geneva, and Vienna.
Do I need a visa?
Italy is part of the Schengen Area with many other European countries. This means tourists from certain countries don’t require a visa for trips less than 90 days — as long as your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned departure date.
Find more information about the Schengen Visa and what countries are exempt here.
When is the best time to visit?
Late fall to early spring (October to April): Avoid Rome in July and August unless you can handle heat and humidity with temperatures reaching high 80s°F (26.6°C). Spring and fall offer perfect conditions with temperatures 60 - 70 °F ( 15.5 - 21°C), but the trade-off is peak crowds and prices.
Instead, visit during the off-season months of October through April, when you’ll trade shorter opening hours for fewer crowds. Winter is crisp, but nothing a light coat can’t handle.
Bicycle
Uber Jump offers electric bike hire through its bike-share app.
Train
The Rome Metro, run by ATAC, operates 3 lines which run from about 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily. On Fridays and Saturdays service ends later, at about 1:30 a.m.
When the Metro is closed, a night bus service operates with lines that follow the same routes and stop at the same stations as the Metro.
For more information about the network and fares, see here.
Bus
Rome’s public bus service, run by ATAC, operates services from about 5.30 a.m. to midnight daily. The city’s night bus service runs from 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.
For more information about the network and fares, see here.
Taxis
Licensed, metered cabs are white with a “TAXI” sign on their roofs. The symbol of Rome City Council is also clearly visible on the front doors.
You can hail a taxi from the street but it is recommended to go to one of the city’s many taxi stands or call to book.
For more information about fares, who to call and where to find a taxi stand, see here.
Ridesharing
Uber is available in Rome on your smartphone.
Are there local customs I should know?
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Rome, which include:
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Rome include:
- Rome is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Rome:
- Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
- Skip the Line: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour
- Self Guided Tour Colosseum Skip the Line Ticket
- Skip-the-Line Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group
- Colosseum with Arena Access and Ancient Rome Tour
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Rome between June and August, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between December and February.