Rome Travel Guide: The Best Places to Visit in the Capital City of Italy
Best time to go in
Any time of the year, is a great time to visit Italy’s capital city and one of the most charming and beautiful cities in the world. However, the best time would be from April to October (Spring, Summer period).
Language
Italian
CurrencY
Euros, €
Transportation
The best way to move around Rome would be by car, as the city is very big. You can either rent a car, or book a taxi or an Uber. My favorite way to travel around Rome is by feet or with an e-bike. The city is so charming and unique, that it is quite a shame not to walk around it! Every street is incredibly fascinating, and you will probably end up having to stop every 10 minutes to take some memorable pictures with your camera!
What to take ?
Some nice evening dresses for your romantic and unique dinners at night, along with a couple of activewear clothes to use during your morning or evening runs in the incredible Roman parks!
If you visit the city during the summer period, make sure that you bring light clothes, as the temperature can get extremely hot!
Last but not least, do not forget to bring a great positive spirit as you are about to visit one of the most beautiful cities you will ever see in your life!
What to know before you go ?
The city has so much to offer! Try to really make an effort to visit as much places as possible, and most importantly, try to walk from one destination to another (if feasible).
Walking in Rome will make you feel like you are walking in an outdoor museum. All of the streets, the churches, the historical buildings, the fountains, the gardens are a dream and you can only feel better once you are there!
BEST PLACES TO EAT
Breakfast
Ginger Sapori e Salute (one of my favorite brunch places whenever I crave some good scrambled eggs with an avocado toast. Their açai bowls and pancakes are even more exquisite!)
Ciampini (cannot go to Rome without stopping in one of the most historial café of the city! Add a toast to your cappuccino or make sure that you try their Pistachio and Hazelnut ice-cream, when the heat wave becomes almost unbearable).
Il Cigno (one of my favorite coffee’s in the “Parioli” area. Fresh baked sandwiches and fresh focaccia’s pair perfectly with a good Ginseng coffee. If you are a sweet tooth, make sure you try their crostata!)
Marigold (make sure you order either the cinnamon bun or the toasted banana
bread!)
Lunch
Hosteria del mercato (fresh, organic and healthy meal options)
Roscioli (one of the best fresh pasta’s in the city)
Cugino Restaurant found inside the Hoxton Hotel (delicious and great brunch
options)
Al forno in Campo de fiori (best take-away pizza in town)
Zuma (fresh high-end sushi with an extraordinary view of Rome)
Dinner
Due Ladroni (always one of my favorites when in Rome! I love their fish tartare’s and their oven-baked sea bass).
Trattoria al Moro (amazing pastas of all kinds and delicious sautéed Roman vegetables such as: cicoria ripassata, broccoli romaneschi, puntarella alla romana).
Le Serre by Vivi Bistrot (stunning venue with healthy and nutritionally balanced meal options).
Dal Bolognese (best Italian food, with a Roman twist! Make sure that you book a table outside to admire the beautiful Piazza del Popolo while enjoying a good mozzarella and tomato pasta!).
Mirabelle Rooftop Restaurant at Hotel Splendid (amazing food with an impeccable view of Rome).
Where to buy fresh foods, fruits or vegetables. Markets or organic farms
HEALTHY Supermarkets
Hosteria del Mercato
Naturasi
Castroni
La Capra Rampante
local markets
Mercato di Campo de Fiori
Mercato Rionale di Testaccio
Mercato Rionale Nomentaneo
Mercato Rionale Trastevere
What to see or visit?
museums
Vatican Museums
Colosseum
Palazzo Colonna/ Gallerie Colonna
Galleria Doria Pamphilj
Musei Capitolini
must-see in the city
Fontana di Trevi
Piazza Navona
Piazza di Spagna
Foro Romano
Castel Sant’Angelo
Giardino degli Aranci
Pantheon
quick and unique escape from the city
Villa Adriana – 34 minutes car dive
Villa Lante- 18 minutes car drive
Villa d’Este – 43 minutes car drive
yoga studios
Zem Yoga
R Yoga
Bikram Yoga Roma
best spas
Eden Spa
Cavalieri Grand Spa
Kami Spa
Best Parks for a morning or evening run
Villa Borghese
Vatican Gardens
Villa Doria Pamphilj
Villa Ada
Park of the Aqueducts
Close-by Beaches to enjoy the sun, the sand and a lovely lunch with a sea view
Albos, Fregene
La Dogana, Capalbio
Il Tramonto, Giannella
Ultima Spiaggia, Capalbio
BEST PLACES to stay
Hotel de la Ville
Hotel de Russie
J.K. Place
Hotel Locarno
Where to shop (vintage stores, local boutiques, antiques, bookstores, markets)
Streets to stroll and shop till your drop
Via Cola di Rienzo – Boutique and Street Shopping
Via del Corso – High Street and International Chain Brands Shopping
Via Condotti- Luxury Shopping
Via Urbana and Via del Boschetto– Boutique and Vintage Shopping
Trastevere – Vintage and Artisanal Shopping
Via Margutta- Art Galleries Shopping
Via Monserrato- Vintage and Antique Shopping
Via Frattina- Leather Goods Shopping
Via del Governo Vecchio- Boutique and Vintage Shopping
stores
La Rinascente- Multi-Brand and Luxury Store
Coin Excelsior- Multi-Brand and Luxury Store
Castel Romano Outlet- Outlet store with discounted designer brands
Galleria Alberto Sordi- Gallery mall in the city center with great designer picks
Castroni- Best coffee and Gourmet Foods Selection
Why do you love this place and why would you recommend it to a friend?
I love Rome because it is home for me, and as we all know, there is not such place as home! Half of my family was born and raised in Rome and I could not be prouder. Rome for me is: beauty, passion, culture, travel, gastronomy, and well-being, all perfectly combined together!
I only have beautiful childhood and now adulthood memories in this city. In fact, whenever I feel a bit lonely or lost, I always travel back home and find myself again.
The charm and the quality of life that the city offers, also known as “la grande bellezza” fully describes and resembles how I feel when I am in Rome.I believe every person in this world, should visit my magical city at least once in their lifetime. But... be aware, because it may result extremely challenging not to come back again!