What to see in Rome: my 16 tips and the best day trips

I don’t think Rome is a city for a single weekend. It’s worth coming back rather than trying to see everything at once. For a first visit, pick a few places such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican, and leave time for Trastevere. If you have a spare day, take a day trip to Tivoli or to Lake Albano.

Quick factsby Milan Bez Mapy

How many days

At least two full days, ideally three or four; for a first visit, May or September is best

Airport to the centre

From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express train to Termini in about 30 minutes; from Ciampino, a bus in 40–60 minutes

Where to stay

In Trastevere, within a 20-minute walk of the Trevi Fountain; read the reviews, I once stayed above a bar

Getting around

On foot, expect 25,000 steps a day; a car makes no sense in Rome

Trevi Fountain

Come early in the morning or late in the evening; since February 2026, access right up to the fountain costs €2

Seeing the Pope

I saw him at the Way of the Cross by the Colosseum in 2026; these events are mostly free

What to see in Rome? Writing about Rome is a double-edged sword. Why? The city has so many sights and interesting places that if I tried to cover absolutely everything, I’d have to publish a book.

I’ve been to Rome several times, and this article comes from those trips. In it I pick out practical advice, the places worth seeing, what caught my eye and what you really shouldn’t miss. But as I say, in Rome it all depends on how deep you want to go. I’m convinced Rome deserves more than one visit, so that you also have time for a good prosecco and a pizza and can soak up the atmosphere outside the museums.

I wrote this article to mark the launch of a new Wizz Air route between Rome and Košice. I have a long-standing partnership with Košice Airport on the ‘Z Košíc do sveta’ (From Košice to the World) campaign, which promotes destinations you can also fly to from Košice Airport.

Visiting Rome for the first time: what to know before you go

Cheap flights to Rome and getting from the airport to the centre

You can almost always find cheap flights to Rome, except around big events.

• Tip from Milan Rome has two airports, Fiumicino (the main one) and the smaller Ciampino. From Fiumicino, the direct Leonardo Express train runs all the way to Roma Termini, the main station, in about 30 minutes. From Ciampino, buses leave right outside the terminal, and the ride into the centre usually takes 40 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.

Which airport is better to fly into? Getting into town is quick from either. Ciampino is a little closer to the centre, but Fiumicino has the faster and more comfortable rail link.

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Getting around Rome: public transport and car hire

The best way to get around Rome is on foot. Most of the main sights are fairly close together, and walking is how you discover the most: alleys, squares and places you’d never stumble upon otherwise. For longer distances there’s public transport, especially the metro. It only has a few lines, but they link the most important parts of the city. Be prepared for 25,000 steps a day.

The buses work, but they’re often late and packed, so treat them as a back-up. Uber is worth it mainly in the evening or when you’re going further out of the centre, but the prices are astronomical. Bolt isn’t available in Rome yet; it is expected to arrive by the end of 2026. Hiring a car in Rome makes no sense. The traffic is chaotic, parking is complicated, and you can’t drive into the historic centre anyway.

Where to stay in Rome: my tip for a great neighbourhood

Trastevere. I say it every time, and I’ll keep saying it. For me it’s one of the most authentic parts of Rome, with lovely Airbnb flats in historic buildings, nightlife, my favourite restaurant Mimi e Coco Trast, and all of it within a 20-minute walk of the Trevi Fountain.

Just make sure you read the reviews before you book. I’ve stayed here several times, and last time I ended up in a flat right above a bar. Not ideal. And we all know Italians are loud, and happy to stay loud until five in the morning.

How many days to spend in Rome and the best time to visit

At least two full days, ideally three or four, so you can enjoy it rather than rushing from one sight to the next. The best time to visit Rome depends on what you want from it, but in general spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) are ideal. Temperatures are pleasant, the city is comfortable to explore on foot and the crowds aren’t as extreme as in summer. That’s when Rome strikes the best balance between weather and atmosphere.

How to split your visit: if you have two full days, spend one in the centre (Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Monti district). Keep the second for the Vatican and an evening in Trastevere. With three or four days, you can take things more slowly and add the Orange Garden, Parco degli Acquedotti or a day trip. Choose according to what interests you, and check current entry conditions and booking rules before you travel.

Summer (July and August), on the other hand, is very hot. Temperatures often go above 35°C and walking around the city can be hard work, even though the evenings have a great vibe. Winter is quieter, with fewer tourists and lower prices, but expect cooler weather and a less lively atmosphere. If it’s your first time in Rome, I’d go in May or September.

Can you see the Pope in Rome?

Yes, you can see the Pope in person in Rome, but you need to know when and where. I’ve done it myself. He most often appears at the general audience on Wednesdays in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican, where he greets the faithful and gives a short address. On Sundays at noon, he sometimes speaks from a window of the Apostolic Palace during the Angelus prayer.

• Tip from Milan I’ve written a whole article on where to see the Pope in Rome and what it costs.

I saw him during the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum in 2026. I’m not religious, but the atmosphere was phenomenal: thousands of people, silence, lights and an energy completely different from what you normally feel in Rome. The good news is that these events are mostly free, but you need to reserve a place in advance (especially for Wednesdays). Expect big crowds and arrive early to get a good view.

Things to do in Rome: Milan Bez Mapy’s picks

1. Piazza Navona and the Fountain of the Four Rivers: one of the most beautiful squares in Rome, busy from morning till night
2. The Pantheon: a building that wins you over with its silence and the hole in its roof open to the sky
3. The Trevi Fountain: famous, compulsory… and extremely crowded (that’s Rome for you)
4. The Spanish Steps: a quick photo stop, then move on
5. Monti: my favourite, fewer tourists and more of the real Rome
6. The Colosseum and the Roman Forum: history you can walk through, but be ready for crowds (and not small ones)
7. The Vatican: a full day’s experience, plus a good dose of patience in the queue
8. Trastevere: at its liveliest in the evening, with narrow streets, food and atmosphere
9. St Peter’s Basilica: just as impressive inside as out
10. The Sistine Chapel: Michelangelo up close, along with a crowd of tourists
11. The Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci): peace, quiet and one of the best views of Rome
12. MAXXI, Zaha Hadid’s gallery: a modern art gallery outside the centre
13. The Pyramid of Cestius: a little bit of Egypt in the middle of Rome that most people walk past
14. Parco degli Acquedotti: an escape from the centre among ancient aqueducts, in complete calm

Central Rome: the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum and Monti

Rome is a city where you feel there’s something you ought to see at every turn. Start, for example, in Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in the city, which is busy from morning till night. The Fountain of the Four Rivers in the middle is exactly the kind of place where you sit off to one side for a while and just watch the bustle around you.

Interestingly, the whole square stands on the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian. Look at it from above (on a map, for example) and you can still clearly see its long, narrow shape.

• Tip from Milan Look at the details on the fountain. Each of the four figures stands for a continent and a river. The Danube (Europe) touches the papal coat of arms, a reference to the Christian world. The Nile (Africa) has its face covered, because the source of the river was unknown when the statue was made. The Ganges (Asia) holds an oar, a symbol of navigable waters and trade routes. The Río de la Plata (South America) looks uncertain and has coins beside him, a symbol of wealth and of the unknown ‘New World’.

A few minutes away is the Pantheon. Its roof has the famous opening (the oculus), and rain falls right through it, which is why the floor is slightly curved so the water can drain away. These days you pay to go in, and I recommend booking online to skip the queue. Next comes the Trevi Fountain. Yes, it’s famous, and yes, you have to see it… but be ready for an enormous number of people. The best trick is to come early in the morning or late in the evening, otherwise you’ll be squeezing through a crowd. The fountain is the end point of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct, which brought water to the centre of Rome. People toss in about €1.5 million a year in coins for luck, and the money goes to charity.

Since February 2026, access right up to the fountain has been regulated, and it costs €2.

The Spanish Steps are just a short walk away. Stop for a quick photo and move on; there’s no need to spend long there. If you want more of the real Rome, head to the Monti district. It’s my favourite, with a more local vibe, small bars and lanes where you can have a glass of wine without feeling you’ve walked into a tourist trap. The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are a chapter of their own. This is living history you simply can’t skip. Expect crowds, though, and ideally buy your tickets in advance. If you only have time for one, the Colosseum is the more famous, but the Roman Forum gives you a better idea of how ancient Rome worked.

• Tip from Milan Here’s a great photo spot for a picture with the Colosseum, right in front of it, and these steps make a lovely photo too. And if you get hungry, Martini & Rossi does a decent pizza with a view of the Colosseum. Enjoy.

Visiting the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel

The Vatican takes a whole day. Huge crowds and long queues, but also something worth seeing at least once in your life. The Sistine Chapel will floor you with its frescoes, St Peter’s Basilica with its sheer size. And if you still have the energy, climb up to the dome.

The Vatican is also the smallest country in the world, and the only place where you can stand in another country right in the middle of Rome. The papal election (the conclave) takes place in the Sistine Chapel, and that’s where the famous white or black smoke comes from.

• Tip from Milan Book tickets for the Vatican Museums online in advance, ideally for an early morning slot. Entry to St Peter’s Basilica is free, but expect a security check. For the Colosseum, check the official booking options too and buy your ticket in advance, so you can plan your visit.

What to see in Rome: Trastevere, the Orange Garden, the Pyramid of Cestius and MAXXI

In the evening, head over to Trastevere, which I love. Narrow streets, restaurants, wine and a completely different atmosphere from the centre during the day. For me this is the best time in Rome, when the city slows down a little and starts enjoying itself. By day it’s a quiet neighbourhood, but in the evening it comes alive and the streets fill with people, music and laughter.

If you’re having dinner here, I recommend Mimi e Coco Trastevere, a very pleasant place with good food and atmosphere, exactly the ‘Roman vibe’ you’re looking for. Just bear in mind that without a reservation you may have to wait a while, but the queue moves quickly. I’d go for their spaghetti carbonara.

If you want a break from the crowds, go to the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci). Peace, quiet and one of the best views of the city, ideally at sunset. Right next to it is the famous Aventine Keyhole, through which you’ll see St Peter’s Basilica perfectly framed in the middle. It’s a small detail that many people miss.

• Tip from Milan If you want to step away from classic Rome for a while, go to MAXXI, the National Museum of 21st Century Arts, designed by the architect Zaha Hadid. The building alone is an experience, full of curves, concrete and unusual spaces that feel completely different from the rest of historic Rome. Inside you’ll find modern art, architecture and temporary exhibitions that change regularly.

Also away from the main tourist bustle is the Pyramid of Cestius, an unusual sight right in Rome that takes you to Egypt for a moment. Most people walk past it, but if you’re in the area, do stop for a minute.

Parco degli Acquedotti

If you have more time and want a little break from Rome, it’s well worth heading out of the centre to Parco degli Acquedotti. It’s part of the larger Appia Antica park, and here you’ll find the monumental remains of the ancient aqueducts that once supplied Rome with water. Walking among them, you feel you’ve left the city altogether, and yet you’re still in Rome.

The biggest difference from the centre? Hardly anyone around, peace and space. You can sit on the grass, have a picnic or just wander among these historic ‘bridges’ and take in the atmosphere. Getting here isn’t difficult: a combination of metro and bus takes about 30 to 40 minutes from the centre. The best time to come is early evening, when the light is soft and the whole place feels different. Google Maps will plan the whole route for you.

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Day trips from Rome

Castel Gandolfo and Lake Albano

If you want a day’s break from Rome, this is one of the best options. Castel Gandolfo is a small town above Lake Albano (Lago Albano), and it’s also the Pope’s summer residence. The journey itself is a nice change: you leave the chaos of the city for a peaceful place with views over the lake.

The easiest way to get here is by train from Roma Termini, the main station (about 40 minutes). From the station in Castel Gandolfo you walk up to the centre or down to the lake (expect a hill). Here’s my article on a day trip from Rome to Lake Albano and Castel Gandolfo.

What to do there?

• Stroll through the historic centre and the main square
• See the Papal Palace (if it’s open)
• Walk down to Lake Albano and hire a boat
• Have lunch or a drink at one of the restaurants by the water

A day trip to Tivoli and Villa d’Este

Tivoli is another great day trip from Rome, best known for Villa d’Este, whose gardens are among the most beautiful in Europe. Expect dozens of fountains, terraces, staircases and green corners where you can easily spend several hours. You can get here by train from Roma Termini. Here’s my guide to a day trip to Tivoli from Rome.

Is Rome worth visiting?

Rome isn’t a city you tick off in one weekend. It’s a place you come back to. The first time for the sights, the second for the food and the atmosphere, and the third simply because you want to feel it all again. Don’t try to see everything. Pick a few places, walk between them, have a coffee and a glass of wine, and let Rome find you.

Happy travels!
Milan Bez Mapy