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Cancel reply Enter your comment here Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: Email required Address never made public. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Less popular routes may arrive every half hour or less. If heading outside the centre beware that bus schedules can be seriously disrupted by heavy traffic.
Quite often trips just get cancelled. Do not rely on counting the number of stops from your current location to the destination. The signs on the stops mention only the major streets where the bus stops, but there may be 3 or 5 stops for each one. Instead, ask the driver or consult with your GPS. The and are little electric buses which wind through the Centro Storico; does not work on holidays. The Tram routes mostly skirt the historic centre, but there are stops convenient for the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the Trastevere area. The number 8 does run into the centre to Largo Argentina, not far from the Pantheon, and terminate at Piazza Venezia.
If you want to catch a soccer game at one of the stadiums in the north of the city, catch the tram 2 just north of the Piazza del Popolo. Number 19 links the Vatican with Villa Borghese. There are two lines that cross at Termini station: All lines open at The Metro is the most punctual form of public transportation in Rome, but it can get extremely crowded during rush hour.
See safety warning in the Stay Safe section. There is a network of suburban rail lines that mostly connect to smaller towns and conurbations of Rome. Tourists are unlikely to use these, except when arriving from Fiumicino, but they can be very convenient if you fancy a day-trip out of Rome see Go next. There is the possibility to hire motor bikes or scooters. Many Romans prefer this way of transportation, even in winter you can see them driving scooters equipped with raincoats, blankets, and rain boots.
Motorbikes are not particularly safe in Rome and most accidents seem to involve one or two! Nevertheless, Roman traffic is chaotic and a scooter provides excellent mobility within the city. The traffic can be intimidating and the experience exciting but a bit insane.
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There is the possibility to hire any kind of bike in Rome: Some shops are even specialised only on high quality ones while street stands will hire you cheaper and heavy ones. Bicycling alone can be stressful because of the traffic. The best way is to discover first how to move around and avoid traffic and stress with a guide thanks to one of the tours offered by almost all rental shops. The experience is well worth it and you would reduce also your impact on the city environment and on the traffic. Even moderately experienced cyclists, however, may find that cycling through Rome's streets offers an unparalleled way to learn the city intimately and get around very cheaply and efficiently.
While the Roman traffic is certainly chaotic to someone from a country with more regimented and enforced rules of the road, Roman drivers are, generally speaking, used to seeing bicycles, as well as scooters and motorcycles, and one may move throughout the city relatively easily. If you are in a car's way, they will generally let you know with a quick beep of the horn and wait for you to move. A particularly spectacular, and relaxing, cycle trip is to pedal out along la Via Appia Antica , the original Appian Way that linked much of Italy to Rome.
Some of the original cobblestones, now worn by over 2 millennia of traffic, are still in place. With exceptionally light traffic in most sections, you can casually meander your bike over kilometres of incredible scenery and pass ancient relics and active archaeological sites throughout the journey. It is now possible to rent a Segway in Rome.
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It is a fast and convenient way to get around in the city centre. In Rome, a person on a Segway is considered a pedestrian, not a motorist, so Segways are only allowed on the sidewalks, not in the streets with vehicles. Moreover, it is possible to book online several Segway Tour in Rome, focused on certain attractions or itineraries. Some of the main rental websites are:.
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Italians are very fond of their landmarks; in order to make them accessible to everyone one week a year there is no charge for admittance to all publicly owned landmarks and historical sites. This week, known as " La settimana dei beni culturali ", typically occurs in mid-May and for those 7 to 10 days every landmark, archaeological site and museum belonging to government agencies including the Quirinale presidential palace and gardens, the Colosseum and all of the ancient Forum is accessible and free of charge.
For more information and for specific dates see [4] or [5]. Government-owned museums and historical sites have free admission on the first Sunday of every month. If you'll be staying in Rome for at least 3 days, consider purchasing the Roma Pass. Check the expiration date at the back of the Roma Pass card. If the card's validity has expired it does not work in the metro's ticket gate. Be sure to buy the passes at official tourist offices. There are also small booths on the streets that sell tickets, but they could charge you a higher price. Another advantage of the Roma Pass is that you can often skip the waiting queues if it's one of your first two free entrances.
It costs euros for 3 days. Constructed between and , at the time of Mussolini, this road destroyed a large area of Renaissance and medieval buildings constructed on top of ruins of the ancient forums and ended forever plans for an archeological park stretching all the way to the Appian Way.
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To the left, after the Colosseum is a wide, tree-lined path that climbs through the Colle Oppio park. Underneath this park is the Golden House of Nero Domus Aurea , an enormous and spectacular underground complex restored and then closed again due to damage caused by heavy rain. Further to the left on the Esquiline Hill are ruins of Trajan's baths. In Old Rome you must see the Pantheon, which is amazingly well preserved considering it dates back to AD. There is a hole constructed in the ceiling so it is an interesting experience to be there when it is raining.
Until this was covered in narrow streets and small houses, which were razed to the ground when ruins of Roman temples were discovered. This is connected by a covered fortified corridor to the Vatican and served as a refuge for Popes in times of trouble. You can then head South-East on the old Appian Way, passing through a stretch of very well-preserved city wall. Returning to the Modern Centre , the Baths of Diocletian are opposite the entrance to the main railway station, Termini.
The National Museum of Rome stands in the South-West corner of the Baths complex and has an enormous collection of Roman sculptures and other artefacts. But this is just one of numerous museums devoted to ancient Rome, including those of the Capitoline Hill.
It is really amazing how much there is. In Catholic tradition, St. Peter is said to have founded the church in Rome together with St. The first churches of Rome originated in places where early Christians met, usually in the homes of private citizens. By the IVth Century, however, there were already four major churches, or basilicas.
Rome had 28 cardinals who took it in turns to give mass once a week in one of the basilicas. In one form or another the four basilicas are with us today and constitute the major churches of Rome. All pilgrims to Rome are expected to visit these four basilicas, together with San Lorenzo fuori le mura , Santa Croce in Gerusalemme , and the Sanctuary of Divino Amore. The latter was inserted as one of the seven at the time of the Great Jubilee in , replacing San Sebastiano outside the walls. Take a look inside a few churches.
You'll find the richness and range of decor astonishing, from fine classical art to tacky electric candles. Starting with several good examples of early Christian churches, including San Clemente and Santa Costanza , there are churches built over a period of years or so, including modern churches constructed to serve Rome's new suburbs. Some churches in Rome deny admission to people who are dressed inappropriately. You will find "fashion police" at the most visited churches. Bare shoulders, short skirts, and shorts are officially not allowed, but long shorts and skirts reaching just above the knee should generally be no problem.
However, it's always safer to wear longer pants or skirts that go below the knee; St. Peter's in particular is known for rejecting tourists for uncovered knees, shoulders, midriffs, etc. You also generally won't be told until right before you enter the church, so you will have made the trek to the Vatican and stood in a long security line for nothing.
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The stricter churches usually have vendors just outside selling inexpensive scarves and sometimes plastic pants. But relatively few churches enforce dress codes and you can wander into most wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts, or pretty much anything without problems. It is, however, good to keep one's dress tasteful, as these are still churches and houses of prayer for many people. Older Romans might comment on your attire and perhaps harass you if it is particularly revealing. To the modern visitor, the Seven Hills of Rome can be rather difficult to identify.
In the first place generations of buildings constructed on top of each other and the construction of tall buildings in the valleys have tended to make the hills less pronounced than they originally were. Secondly, there are clearly more than seven hills. In Roman days many of these were outside the city boundaries.
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The seven hills were first occupied by small settlements and not recognised as a city for some time. Rome came into being as these settlements acted together to drain the marshy valleys between them and turn them into markets and fora. The Roman Forum used to be a swamp. Legend has it that this was occupied by Romulus when he fell out with his brother, Remus, who occupied the Aventine Hill on the other side of the Circus.
Also clearly recognisable as hills are the Caelian , to the southeast of Circus Maximus and the Capitoline , which overlooks the Forum and now hosts the Municipality of Rome. These are less easy to distinguish as separate hills these days and from a distance look like one. Small bits of this wall can still be seen, particularly close to Termini railway station and on the Aventine hill. As Rome expanded new walls were required to protect the larger area. Lengthy sections of this wall remain all around the outskirts of Rome's centre.
Much is in very good condition. Among other hills of Rome, not included in the seven, are that overlooking the Vatican ; the Janiculum overlooking Trastevere , which provides excellent views of Rome; the Pincio on the edge of the Borghese Gardens , which gives good views of the Vatican, and the Monte Mario to the north. If you are in Rome for the Arts there are several world-class museums in the city. The Capitoline Museums in the Colosseo district opens their doors to the city's most important collection of antique Roman and Greek art and sculptures.
A visit to Rome is not complete without a trip to the Vatican Museum. You need to go to the museum if you want to see the Sistine Chapel, but there is an enormous collection. You cannot miss part of this, such as tapestries, maps and the rooms painted by Rafael, as they are en route to the Sistine Chapel, but there is much, much more to explore, including a stunning Egyptian collection, and the Pinacoteca, which includes a Portrait of St.
Further afield, the Museo di Civilta Romana Museum of Rome's Civilization , in EUR is most famous for an enormous model of Imperial Rome, but also has an extensive display of plaster casts, models and reconstructions of statues and Roman stonework. If you have plenty of time there is absolutely no shortage of other museums covering a wide variety of interests. Check museum opening hours before heading there. Government museums are invariably closed on Mondays, so that is a good day for other activities.
The Rome municipality itself operates some 17 museums and attractions. Info at Musei In Comune Roma. These are free to European Union citizens under 18 and over Websites for other museums are listed on the relevant District pages. Much of the attraction of Rome is in just wandering around the old city. You can quickly escape from the major tourist routes and feel as if you are in a small medieval village, not a capital city. If you can do so while watching for uneven cobblestones, keep looking upwards.
There are some amazing roof gardens and all sorts of sculptures, paintings and religious icons attached to exterior walls. Look through 2nd and 3rd floor windows to see some oak-beamed ceilings in the old houses. Look through the archway entrances of larger Palazzos to see incredible courtyards, complete with sculptures, fountains and gardens. Take a stroll in the area between Piazza Navona and the Tiber river in Old Rome where artisans continue to ply their trade from small shops.
The narrow streets frequently broaden out into small or large squares piazzas , which usually have one or more churches and a fountain or two. On the other side of Corso Vittorio Emanuele are Piazza Farnese with the Palazzo of the same name now the French Embassy and two interesting fountains and the flower sellers at Campo dei Fiori , scene of Rome's executions in the old days. All of these squares are a short distance from each other in Old Rome. The enormous Piazza del Popolo in the North Centre , which provided an imposing entrance to the city when it represented the northern boundary of Rome, is well worth a visit.
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A short walk back towards the centre brings you to Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the Spanish Steps. Yet another fascinating fountain here. On the other side of the river is, of course, the magnificent square of St Peter's at the Vatican. Further south, in Trastevere is Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere , a great place to watch the world go by, either from one of the restaurants or bars that line two sides of the square or, if that is too expensive, from the steps of the central fountain.
The square attracts many street entertainers. Moving back to the Modern Centre you have to see the Trevi Fountain , surely a part of everyone's Roman holiday. Visitors are always amazed that such a big and famous fountain is tucked away in a small piazza in the middle of side streets. Take extra-special care of your possessions here.
Further up the Via del Tritone you will come to Piazza Barberini , now full of traffic but the lovely Bernini fountain is not to be missed. This would be an interesting place to visit after seeing the Colosseum to compare their differences and similarities. With no tall buildings in Rome, views of the city come from climbing the many hills, either the original seven hills of Rome or others that surround them. The two most popular views of Rome are from the Janiculum hill overlooking Trastevere and the Pincio at the edge of the Borghese Gardens. The former, best reached by car, has sweeping views of the centre of Rome, as long as the authorities remember to prune the trees on the hillside in front of the viewpoint.
Cross over the piazza for an excellent view of the dome of St Peter's. Less popular, but just as nice, is the orange grove at Parco Savello on the Aventine Hill. Even less popular among tourists, as it is better accessed by car or moped, it the small square in front of the Zodiaco Restaurant in Monte Mario, a very popular spot for young Roman couples. If you are planning some serious sightseeing then leave the kids with their grandparents!
A common sight in Rome is miserable looking kids traipsing after their parents. If you are a family, do not try to do too much. It will be a big strain on kids and in the end everyone will be tired. Apart from the major attractions Rome has relatively little to entertain kids. If you noticed a big Ferris wheel on your way in from Fiumicino Airport, think again. Lunapark at EUR was closed down in A few of the other ways to bribe your kids, however, are:. Rome is replete with foreign language and cultural institutions.
Of course, learning Italian is a worthwhile activity if you plan to stay for any length of time. If you plan to combine a stay in Rome with academic study, there are several English-language universities. If you want to work ask around at the hostels, hotels and restaurants. There are differing views on how easy it is to get a job in Rome, however.
There is high unemployment and most jobs seem to go on a family - friends - other Romans - other Italians - white EU - other foreigners pecking order. And be wary about making any financial commitments before you've actually been paid -- late and non-payment is common here, and you may find as a non-Roman you are more likely to be seen as an easy target for this.
You will also need a permesso di soggiorno, whether or not you are an EU resident. Legally, you are required to have a working visa, although it is very easy to work and live without one. There are numerous schools to teach the English language in Rome and if you are a mother-tongue this may be the best opportunity of picking up part-time work. In Rome, obviously, the population speaks Italian. If you are staying in the city there are plenty of English alternatives to be found.
Seeing as Rome is a popular place to visit there are maps and information in many languages available. Police officers and transit drivers are more than willing to help you get around and usually provide easier ways to get around. Some residents still speak the ancient local dialect, Romanesco ; nowadays, however, Italian is the more common mother tongue. English is widely spoken in Rome by the younger generations and by people working in the tourist industry.
Since many people have a limited knowledge of English, it is wise to speak slowly and simply. Romance languages other than Italian, especially Spanish, Portuguese and French, are also fairly widely understood due to their similarity to Italian, although not necessarily spoken. Rome has excellent shopping opportunities of all kinds - from clothing and jewellery to art and antiques. You also get some big department stores, outlets and shopping centres, notably in the suburbs and outskirts. Main shopping areas include Via del Corso, Via Condotti, and the surrounding streets. The finest designer stores are around Via Condotti, whilst Via del Corso has more affordable clothing, and Via Cola di Rienzo, and the surroundings of Via del Tritone, Campo de'Fiori, and Pantheon are the places to go for cheaper items.
Upim is a good shop for cheap clothing of workable quality. Some brands like Miss Sixty and Furla are excellent, some are not as good - be sure to feel garments and try them on. There are also great quality shoes and leather bags at prices that compare well with the UK and US. If you really need to buy clothiers for kids try the Oviesse chain. Summer sales in many stores begin around July 15 and Rome also has New Year sales. So once in the city, the big boutique names aren't absent. In these luxurious streets, however, you needn't only do clothing shopping - there are some really good and funky jewellery e.
Mont Blanc and artsy stores peppered here and there in these streets. If you want to spend a day in a large shopping mall , there's the Euroma2 with about shops mainly clothes and accessories and restaurants, to be found near the EUR district. Take Metro B line from Termini to EUR Palasport station, cross the road and take the frequent free bus ride takes 5—15 minutes to the mall. In addition to many shops and food, the conditioned air and free toilets may be a welcome relief if you are in Rome during mid-summer. There are lots of fake plastic 'Louis Vuitton' bags being sold at the side of the road.
Be aware, that buying of fake products is illegal in Italy. If you want to buy souvenirs or gifts, a museum would be the worst choice since there are many stalls along the streets of touristic areas that offer reasonable prices. It is likely that the same item in the gift shop of any museum will cost much more. Rome is full of good restaurants, many in attractive settings, particularly when you sit outside in the evening.
No one location can be recommended to search for a good restaurant: Restaurants in guidebooks can be good but prices can be inflated because it is more than likely a "tourist trap". To find an authentic restaurant that won't break the bank, try to find a place in a more residential area or somewhere that isn't in the middle of the tourist locations. Many of the good restaurants in Rome are hard to find, but a good tip is to go where Italians live and eat.
On the top of the green, old mountain Monte Verde Vecchio there are some trattorias with authentic Italian cuisine at an affordable price. Rome also has many beautiful spots to eat, so buying some delicacies to make up a picnic can be a great experience. In Via Marmorata you find Volpetti's which is known for its amazing selection of cheese, prosciutto and delicious pastries and also for its prices!
A more affordable choice is to go to a local supermarket which will also have good fresh foods for lunch. Most pizza restaurants serve it only in the evening. Try some of the fried things like baccala battered salt cod for a starter, followed by a pizza for a really Roman meal. Roman pizzas tend to be very thin crusted.
Avoid the tourist areas where you'll often pay double the going rate just to get a badly reheated frozen pizza. Your best bet is to cross the river and find a restaurant in Trastevere--the food is authentic and a lot cheaper than in the rest of downtown Rome. Make sure you eat it with a fork and knife; Romans don't eat this kind of pizza with their hands. Pizza al Taglio is pizza with a thicker crust, cooked in a large pan. This is served by the piece, usually to take away, and is a good cheap way to get something to fill you up. Point to the one you want, indicate if you want more or less than your server is indicating with the knife.
It's sold by weight the listed price is usually per g, known as an etto , short for ettogrammo , i. This kind of pizza is eaten with the slices stacked on top of each other like a sandwich. Look for a gelateria. Remember that it usually costs extra to sit inside. You pay for your ice cream first You will be asked " Panna? If you've already paid, this is free. There are a few signs to keep in mind: If the colours seem dull and almost ugly it is probably natural, the bright colours being just a mix. Keep in mind, Italians usually won't queue, but if they are in line for gelato, get in line yourself: Vegetarians should have an easy time.
Buffets in many restaurants usually have a good range of delicious vegetarian stuff - e. Vegans should do all right too; pizzas don't always have cheese - a Marinara for example, is just tomato, garlic and oregano. While there is not much choice, at least Rome's Kosher cooking is truly excellent. More places can be found near the synagogue in via Padova, close to the "La Sapienza" university and the Bologna underground station. You can get cheap food in Rome, the problem is that if you don't know the city well or are forced to eat out in the centre, the prices go up.
Waiters have been known to take advantage of patrons by bringing more expensive items than what was ordered or asking for a tip although it's not mandatory and should be included in the price by law. Starbucks has so far avoided Rome. Italian coffee is great so our friends from Seattle would face a lot of competition. A latte in Italian is just a glass of milk. If you're expecting coffee in that glass, you should ask for a caffe latte.
A latte macchiato meaning "marked" is steamed milk stained with a smaller shot of espresso. Espresso doppio means a double shot of espresso, while espresso macchiato is espresso 'marked' with a dab of steamed milk. Americano — the one to order if you like filter coffee — is espresso diluted with hot water and not drunk much by Italians. Cappuccino is well known outside of Italy, but be warned: Decaffeinato is self-explanatory, but often referred to by the common brand-name Caffe Hag.
House wines are almost always drinkable and inexpensive unlike, say, in the UK. You are better off ordering a bottle rather than house wine in most establishments in Rome due to some places watering down their wines. You may often find a bottle of wine on the table for you. Believe it or not: This does not always apply to those places that look really tourist-trap-like!
Slightly better quality wines are usually sold at a relatively small mark-up on shop prices. Most Romans drink water with their meals. In restaurants it normally comes in 1 litre bottles and can be had normale still water or gassata carbonated water. Water is free at designated water fountains , called "nasone" big nose. Some of these date back to ancient times, and the water is still very good. It's fresh spring water coming from the famous underground springs of Rome and is safe to drink.
If you carry an empty bottle, fill it up for the rest of the day. Look for the drinking fountain with constant running water, plug the bottom hole, and cool water will shoot up from a smaller hole on top of the tap. Don't put your lips round the hole at the bottom, as stray dogs tend to like to get a drink. Pre-dinner drinks aperitivi accompanied with small hors d'oeuvres antipasti are very popular with Romans: Given a heart for exploration, Testaccio is the place to wander for after-dinner partying on the weekends.
Head down there around There are usually loads of people simply walking through the streets or looking for parking. Be brave, walk in, meet some wonderful Romans. This area is best in the winter. In the summer, the dancing moves to Ostia and Fregene, 45 minutes by car from Rome, at the seaside. Many clubs in Rome close in the summer months.
Many visitors like to go on Roman pub crawls. The Colosseum Pub Crawl for example, has been throwing parties since To the east of Termini Station , and near the first University of Rome "La Sapienza", is the San Lorenzo district, where you will find many pubs and clubs where university students and young Romans in their twenties spend their nights.
On Saturday night the streets are crowded with people moving from one pub to another. It's a good place to meet Romans who speak English. Also nearby are the Druid's Den and the Druid's Rock. Before midnight they sometimes host live music concerts. This is definitely worth a look but there is no room to dance. During winter American colleges students residents in Rome end up their highly alcoholic nights here. Also nearby there's the Trinity College Irish Pub. Drinks are quite expensive there. DJs play very good music there and there's room to dance, although few do.
Nearby in Campo dei fiori there are several crowded pubs. Beware, there have been huge and serious fights there. In the narrow streets behind Piazza Navona there are also many places to go. Try Jonathan's Angels in Via del Fico. On the other side of the River Tiber Tevere is Trastevere district where there are many places to eat and drink.
This is also a good place where to enjoy a walk in crowded streets at night. In summer time on Isola Tiberina , the island in the Tiber, temporary bar are built and there are all sorts of things to do. Far from the centre there are some other good places. The Palacavicchi in a small suburban town called Ciampino is a multi-dance room area where they play different kinds of music, mostly Latin American. All of them are nice places. At the Geronimo pub before midnight there usually are live music concerts with many bands covering different genres.
On Friday and Saturday nights after the concert they play disco music. Entrance is free and you may drink and eat as you feel. Very cool place and for every budget. Unfortunately you need a cab to get there. There are many beautiful discos. Unfortunately the city is huge and it's not very easy to find them, unless you have a very good guide. The best way to start is from the most established ones: Piper, Gilda, Alien, all of them run by the Midra Srl.
Their website is nothing to write home about but can be used to discover telephone numbers and addresses. Gilda is near the Spanish Steps, and the others not too far from Termini station. During summer they close to move to the seaside of Fregene north of Fiumicino and Ostia where Gilda on the Beach can be found. One of the places to be on Friday nights is Giardino delle Rose in via Casilina Vecchia 1 rather central but reachable only by taxi: