Pizza, pasta, vino. Live by these words and you’ll find eternal happiness. Italy was really one of the first countries abroad I got to explore. Yes, I did have a long layover in Madrid for a couple days, but it wasn’t really the same as actually having a trip there. This city is absolutely incredible, with so much history and so much to see and do, so long as you watch where you’re walking and don’t get run over by a Vespa or a Smart Car.
Four days in Rome was seriously not enough, and the days flew by like a whirlwind. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and remember – carbs don’t exist in Italy.
Villa Borghese
One of the most famous and largest parks in Rome, and easily one of the most beautiful. You can spend hours getting lost among the trees and wandering along the winding paths that snake through the park. Every corner has something new to explore, and the perfect place to relax and have a picnic. The Galleria Borghese sits at the northeastern edge of the park, overlooking the grounds. This museum houses some of the great Italian works from artists such as Bernini and Caravaggio. The main lake in the park is definitely a must see, the Temple of Asclepius sits in the center, which makes the perfect backdrop for rowboating. There’s also a small zoo and a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in the park, as well as dozens of gorgeous statues and fountains dotting the paths.
Pantheon
A nearly 2,000 year old Roman temple (now a Catholic church) located smack dab in the middle of the city, surrounded by new and old buildings alike. The continuous use of the temple is reason for its survival and upkeep throughout the centuries. The inside of the Pantheon takes your breath away. The dome towers above you as you walk inside, and the oculus (the window at the top of the dome) gives off such a beautiful ray of light. It’s crazy to think how such an architectural marvel was made so long ago and still stands today. The 43 meter tall ceilings are unsupported, and when the sun is in position the whole courtyard lights up.
Free Walking Tour
We joined the New Rome Free Walking Tour and were thoroughly impressed. Our group was small, only six of us, and our guide was very knowledgeable and funny. We were able to fully appreciate and understand the stops on the tour since the group was so small, and we could ask as many questions as we wanted. We started at the Spanish Steps, and continued around the area learning about all types of little-known facts about the monuments. The Marcus Aurelius Column was built to show the citizens of Rome what was going on in the war, and depicted the victories of Marcus Aurelius. Sant’ Ignazio is a 17th-century church with breath-taking paintings, and a false dome (it’s painted on!). There is a mirror in the center of the church so you can see the ceiling paintings without straining your neck.
Try some authentic Italian food
Italy is known for having one of the best cuisines in the world, from the unknown tiny hole-in-the-wall bistro to the 3 Michelin Star restaurant, you’re gonna get a decent meal.
One place that I always recommend to people visiting is Pastificio Guerra, you can get a tub of freshly made pasta for €4, an extra Euro if you want a cup of house wine.
For great street pizza, head to Pinsere and then have a picnic in Villa Borghese. With pizzas starting at €1, you won’t be breaking the bank for great Italian food.
La Casa Del Caffè Tazza D’oro, a bit touristy, but for good reason. This coffee shop has been around since 1944 and is always buzzing. A cappuccino set me back only €1.30 and it was perfect.
Pallini Limoncello is one of the more popular traditional limoncellos in the country, I grabbed a bottle to take home and wow is it sweet. It’s mainly used as an after-dinner apéritif, served chilled, but can also be used in desserts and ice cream.
Vatican City
This independent city-state settled on the west side of the River Tiber should be on everyone’s list while visiting Rome. You don’t need a passport to enter, but you can visit their post office and receive a stamp. The Vatican Museums house some of the world’s finest collections of art, including the Sistine Chapel. You can’t actually take photos inside the chapel, and there are several guards constantly running up to tourists yelling at them to put their cameras away. You’ll hear “Silencio! No photo!” on a repetitive basis while inside. We booked our tickets ahead of time, and wow was that worth it. We booked our entrance for the 9 am slot, and once we arrived at 9:05 the line to buy tickets was wrapped around the corner – almost half a kilometer line. It was an extra €4 each for the tickets but well worth it not to have to wait in line. Security took maybe 5 minutes, no more than 10. The whole museum is enormous, so set aside at least 3-4 hours to really take in what you want to see. We had also planned to go into the dome at St Peter’s Basilica, but as you can’t buy tickets online, by the time we got out of the museum, the line was easily over an hour and a half wait. Since we only had 4 days we wanted to make the most of the little time we had, and wasting all that time waiting in line wasn’t really something we wanted to do. Next time.
Trevi Fountain
Of course everyone comes to the fountain to make a wish, but can you do it correctly? You throw the coin with your right hand over your left shoulder. The first coin is to make sure you come back to Rome, which is what most people know. The second coin thrown is to fall in love, and the third is to get married (to an Italian in Italy of course!). Come back to the fountain at night for a truly magical experience.
Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill
This place is enormous – I mean, massive. You can tell how big it is from photos, but when you’re standing next to it or inside, you feel so tiny. You have to stop and appreciate this magnificent structure. How it stood the test of time, and how it’s still standing in such great condition. A wonder of the world for sure.
Entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are included in the ticket with the Colosseum, but be aware that the Colosseum is separate and the Form and Palatine Hill are in one location. I thought it was three separate entrances, and didn’t think to check beforehand. My bad. We were exhausted by the time we got to the Forum, and didn’t really stop to look at everything like we did in the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. You do get some spectacular views from atop the hill.
Piazza Navona
This cute little plaza has tons of places to sit and grab a cup of coffee, a bite to eat, or you can sit and people watch. The fountains dotting the middle of the square are absolutely beautiful and exquisite for being almost 500 years old.
Eat as much gelato as possible
Gelato is one of my love languages, and if you don’t try it at least three times while in Rome, you’re not doing it right. As a general rule, if you’re paying more than €1-2 per scoop, you’re paying too much.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Originally built to be the resting place for Emperor Hadrian and his family, this massive castle sits on the star-shaped grounds just outside Vatican City. Over the centuries the castle had many uses, such as a fortress, a residence and a prison. Tons of secret passageways going in and out of the castle can be found, some were specifically used as an escape route for the Pope, ensuring safe passage out of the Vatican if it were under attack. Today it’s a museum, it’s maze-like structure makes for an interesting visit.
Secret Places to Visit
- Aventine Keyhole – for an absolutely epic view of the Vatican
- Largo di Torre Argentina – the site where Julius Caesar was stabbed, and now home to a cat sanctuary
- The Mouth of Truth – Are you brave enough to test the legend? The story goes that if you put your hand inside the mouth of the statue and tell a lie, it will bite your hand off.
- Pyramid of Caius Cestius – the only pyramid in Rome, the tomb of Caius Cestius
- Meridian Line – this 18th century sundial, that still works to this day, was commissioned by the Pope as a way to show the more efficient way of keeping time over the Pagan time-keeping
- Altare della Patria – great place to sit and watch the city from up above
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International Itinerary 