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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!

By The Wellness Reporter Founder for and in collaboration with LaMarca Wellness