European Cities · Destination Guide
Rome
Italy
Rome is extraordinary. There is no other city quite like it. A place where you can eat a cone of gelato in front of a two-thousand-year-old fountain, or stumble upon ancient ruins while looking for a coffee. History is not something Rome visits in a museum. It is everywhere, all at once, layered on top of itself across three millennia of continuous habitation. Chaotic, beautiful, overwhelming and endlessly rewarding.
Rome is one of those cities where you always leave with a list of things you still want to see. That is exactly as it should be.
The historic centre around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori is the most atmospheric place to stay, putting you walking distance from most of the main sights. The Trastevere neighbourhood across the Tiber is beautiful, full of cobbled streets, ivy-covered buildings and excellent restaurants with a more local feel. Prati, just across the river from the Vatican, is calmer and very well located. For luxury hotels with spectacular views, the area around the Spanish Steps has some of Rome's finest properties.
The Colosseum is simply unmissable, one of the great buildings of the ancient world. Book tickets in advance to avoid queuing in the heat. The nearby Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are included on the same ticket and together paint a vivid picture of ancient Roman life. The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel require a full morning at minimum, and again advance booking is essential.
The Trevi Fountain is best visited early in the morning before the crowds arrive. The Pantheon, still with its original dome after two thousand years, remains one of the most astonishing buildings on earth. The Borghese Gallery houses one of the finest collections of Baroque sculpture in the world and the gardens around it are perfect for a slow afternoon walk.
Roman food is simple, seasonal and delicious. Cacio e pepe, carbonara, supplì. Eat where the locals eat and you will not go wrong.
April, May, October and November are the ideal months. The weather is warm without being brutal, the crowds are manageable and the city is at its most liveable. July and August are very hot and very busy. Christmas and New Year bring a magical atmosphere to the city, though major sites will be crowded.
Direct flights from most UK airports serve Rome Fiumicino, with journey times of around two and a half hours. There is a direct train service from the airport to the city centre taking roughly thirty minutes.
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