My 12 Year Love Affair with Rome Turned Into a Rome Travel Guide
I first came to Rome in 2013 on an interrail route that took me from Amsterdam to Dubrovnik. My pal Jenny (who I was going to meet later in Dubrovnik) messaged me one afternoon to say her friends were also in Rome and we should meet up for a drink.
We wandered through Monti that evening and ended up in Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, sitting on the fountain with a cheap bottle of prosecco, talking to people we’d met minutes earlier.
The piazza had a familiar and relaxed vibe, even though I’d never been there before. Locals came and went, and many more bottles of prosecco were consumed as the hours ticked on!
Table of Contents
Introduction: My 12-Year Love Affair with Rome Turned Into a Rome Travel Guide
- Best Budget Hotel: Hotel Piemonte
- Best Neighbourhoods in Rome
- Where Not to Stay
- Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
- Spanish Steps
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- Pantheon
- Best Viewpoint in Rome: Gianicolo Hill
- Best Sunset in Rome
- Hidden Gems in Rome
- An Experience You Shouldn’t Skip
- Pasta Imperiale
- Trapizzino
- Roscioli
- Mercato Centrale
- Classic Roman Street Food
- Best Bars & Aperitivo Spots
- Rome’s Signature Drink
Basic Italian Phrases to Know Before You Go
Practical Travel Tips for Rome
- Currency
- Language
- Transport
- Etiquette
- Best Time to Visit
- Population
Above: The Colosseum in Rome (2013 vs 2025) Not much has changed, apart from my photography skills!
In 2025 we came back, this time on a different journey – travelling all the way from Venice, through Bologna, Rimini and San Marino – with our final stop being Rome. And, I wanted to find that fountain again. We didn’t bother with maps, we just followed some familiar paths and soaked in the city. And, somehow, it worked. The square looked almost exactly the same.
We grabbed drinks from Edicola Bevande, and, no joke – the same man was behind the counter, all these years later. The only major change is that on weekends the police now close the fountain at 10PM, something that definitely didn’t happen in 2013. Still, the mood of the place hadn’t shifted. It felt like coming back to somewhere that had held onto its warmth.
“This is why we can’t have nice things…” I was sad to learn that the fountain is closed off late in the weekend now. I assume the fountain was attracting rowdy crowds and upsetting locals. A sign that people should always be respectful of the environment around them when travelling.
This Rome travel guide threads together both trips – the landmarks, the small corners, the food, the neighbourhoods – so you can get a real feel for Rome in 2025/2026 and find the places that stay with you long after you leave. We last visited in August 2025, so most of the tips below will still apply for your 2026 trip – as always, be sure to do your own homework when booking trips. Feel free to ask me any questions too if I haven’t answered them in this detailed Rome travel guide.
Where to Stay in Rome
Best Neighbourhoods & Budget Hotels
Choosing where to stay in Rome will shape your whole visit. The city looks large on a map, but in reality most of the central neighbourhoods are walkable, and each has its own vibe. This Rome travel guide will help break it down.
Best Budget Hotel in Rome: Hotel Piemonte
For an affordable, comfortable base with good transport links, Hotel Piemonte near Termini is genuinely reliable.
We stayed in mid August when prices climb and availability is low. Our budget was stretched after a month in Valencia, but Piemonte turned out to be a great choice. The room was spotless and cool, the air con steady, and the reception staff warm and friendly. He even practised a bit of Portuguese with us ahead of our Brazil trip.
I can’t remember her name, but the lady who kept the breakfast kitchen running was an absolute gem. She reminded us of our grannys back home and was genuinely such a lovely person. Nothing was ever too much.
The location of Hotel Piemonte meant we could explore the city on foot and really soak in everything it had to offer.
Price: €74 / £65 per night in peak season (Prices may change, shop around)
Best for: budget travellers who prioritise safety, comfort and convenience
Rome Travel Guide: Best Neighbourhoods in Rome
Monti
A maze of small streets, local shops and cosy bars. Feels lived-in and warm. My personal favourite.
Trastevere
Beautiful in the evenings, full of colour and great spots for dinner.
Testaccio
Straightforward, local and brilliant for food. A quieter side of Rome.
Prati
Wide, elegant streets near the Vatican. Calmer and more residential.
Where Not to Stay in Rome
Avoid hotels directly overlooking Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona or the Pantheon. The noise doesn’t stop, and prices are inflated. Staying a few streets back gives you better value and a more relaxed stay.
Rome Travel Guide: Things To Do 2025/2026
Rome works best when you mix the big sights with quieter moments. Here’s our tried-and-tested balance of both.
Must-See Attractions in Rome
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
These three are essential additions to this Rome travel guide. The Colosseum is everything, the Forum opens up a whole landscape of ruins, and Palatine Hill gives you a view worth pausing for. Return to the Colosseum at different points in the day to truly appreciate it – as the light hits differently depending on the hour.
Tip: book timed entry early.
Spanish Steps
Built in the early 1700s, the Spanish Steps link Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti church above, and they’ve been a meeting point in Rome for centuries. They’re worth visiting for the atmosphere alone. Go early and you’ll catch the steps in soft morning light with only a handful of people around. Later in the day, the area fills with life and the whole square feels energised in a very Roman way.
You can’t sit on the steps anymore (apparantely visitors didn’t get the memo when we went!) but it’s still a lovely place to wander through, especially if you’re already exploring the nearby streets. A quick stop, a bit of history, and one of Rome’s most photographed views.
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Busy, but full of incredible details. The Gallery of Maps is a standout. Also, who doesn’t want to be able to casually throw into conversation the fact that they’ve been to the smallest country in the world?
Tip: choose the earliest or latest slot if you can.
If you’re visiting in 2025 or very early 2026, be sure to take advantage of the Jubilee celebrations. We felt quite privilged to have been able to take the short pilgrimage through the Holy Door. It only opens for a short window every 25 years, so don’t miss out.
Pantheon
The light through the oculus shifts across the floor. It’s simple, beautiful and one of the best-preserved structures in the city.
Best viewpoint in Rome?
If you want a view that opens the whole city in front of you without the crowds or queues, head up to Gianicolo Hill. It sits just above Trastevere, and high enough to see Rome stretch out beneath you. Domes, rooftops, distant hills, all of it on display just for you.
It’s not one of the ancient seven hills, but it’s easily one of the most beautiful. Go in late afternoon if you can. The light settles gently across the skyline and Rome takes on a calm persona, even when though the city is buzzing below.
Price: Free
Rome Travel Guide: Best Sunset in Rome
Personally, for me, the best sunset in Rome was right by the Colosseum. We stopped and watched the sky explode with colour.
Rome Travel Guide: Hidden Gems in Rome
Quartiere Coppedè
A small pocket of ornate, almost fairytale architecture.
The Protestant Cemetery
Shaded and calm, with cats weaving through the stones. Keats rests here.
Aventine Keyhole
Look through the keyhole to see St Peter’s perfectly framed.
Via Appia Antica
An ancient road that feels peaceful even today. The oldest road in Rome. Ideal for a morning wander.
Rome Tram Line 3
Apparantely you get great views of the Colosseum on this route… I wouldn’t know!
An Experience You Shouldn’t Skip in Rome
A walk through Trastevere at dusk
The sky becomes a blend of colour, restaurants spill out into the streets and the whole neighbourhood settles into an easy evening rhythm.
Rome Travel Guide: Cheap Eats in Rome
Best Budget Spots to Eat in Rome
Rome’s best food isn’t always in restaurants. Some of the simplest places are the most memorable, and give you the freedom to enjoy them with views of some of the cities finest monuments.
Pasta Imperiale
Fresh pasta made to order with simple, rich sauces. We ate here a lot – and both the carnivore and vegetairan were impressed. The food is the star of the show. It’s evidently not fancy – but we didn’t come to Rome to spend our evenings in a restaurant!
Price: around €8 to €12
Trapizzino
Triangular pockets of warm dough filled with Roman classics. Vegetarian friendly!
Price: ~€4
I’m still dreaming of that crunchy, fluffy, gooey triangly today. Trapizzino has reinvented street food.
Roscioli
This bakery is a great option if you can’t get a table at the restaurant – in fact, skip the restautant and come here. That queue speaks for itself. Pizza, pastries and breads that never disappoint.
Price: Pay by weight, be careful if your eyes are bigger than your belly.
Roscioli served probably what was one of the nicest pizzas we had on our Italian adventure. And, we had a lot of pizza.
Mercato Centrale
A reliable food hall inside Termini Station with a huge range of cuisines to suit all budgets.
Price: Low to medium/high end. You have choices here.
Other great bites available across Rome:
- Supplì
- Pizza al taglio
- Porchetta sandwiches
Drinks and Nightlife in Rome
Evenings in Rome are more about atmosphere than big nights out.
Freni e Frizioni
A lively spot for aperitivo in Trastevere.
Bar San Calisto
Simple, cheap and very local.
Jerry Thomas Speakeasy
A password-protected cocktail bar with proper classics.
Rome’s Signature Drink
Caffè Corretto
Espresso with a splash of sambuca. I mean… if you insist.
Rome Travel Guide: Practical Travel Tips for Visiting
Currency
Euro.
Language
- Italian
- English common in central areas, but don’t rely on it. Get a few basic phrases before you go.
Rome Travel Guide: Basic Italian Phrases to Know Before You Go
Greetings & Polite Basics
- Ciao – hi / bye (casual)
- Buongiorno – good morning
- Buonasera – good evening
- Per favore – please
- Grazie – thank you / Grazie mille – thank you very much
- Prego – you’re welcome / here you go (you’ll hear this constantly!)
Useful Everyday Phrases
- Scusa – excuse me / sorry (informal) / Mi scusi – excuse me (polite)
- Permesso – excuse me when squeezing past someone
- Parla inglese? – do you speak English?
- Non parlo italiano – I don’t speak Italian
- Va bene – all good, okay
- Quanto costa? – how much does it cost?
- Dov’è il bagno? – where is the toilet?
- Posso avere…? – can I have…?
- Un tavolo per due, per favore – a table for two, please
- Il conto, per favore – the bill, please
Transport
- Walk when you can
- Metro for longer distances
- Buses can be busy
- Leonardo Express from Fiumicino
- Use official white taxis
Population
- Around 2.7 million in the city
- Roughly 4.3 million in the metro area.
Etiquette
- Cover shoulders in churches.
- Avoid sitting on or eating near monuments.
- Keep a close eye on your bag in busy areas.
Best Time to Visit Rome
- Spring and autumn are ideal.
- Summer is extremely hot.
- Winter is great for museums and quieter streets.
Is Rome Safe to visit?
Rome is a generally safe city, and most people visit with no issues at all. The city centre is busy, well lit and full of people late into the evening, especially around Monti, Trastevere and the main piazzas. You can walk around comfortably, even at night, as long as you use the same common sense you’d use in any major European city.
The main thing to watch out for is pickpocketing, which is still common in crowded spots like Termini Station, buses and trams, tourist queues and around Trevi Fountain. Keep your bag zipped, don’t leave your phone in your back pocket and avoid hanging anything off your chair at cafés.
Scams are the usual ones: friendship bracelets, “free” roses, overpriced taxis parked up near major landmarks. Easy to spot once you know they exist.
In recent years, Rome has also added more police presence in busy areas and around monuments, which makes evenings feel even more relaxed. If anything, the biggest safety concern is the heat in summer, which catches people off guard (stay hydrated!).
We actually saw a lady faint at the Trevi fountain and it wasn’t a great experience. It’s very crowded there and there was a risk she could have gotten hurt had people not stepped in.
So yes, Rome is safe – just stay aware in the crowds and you’ll be absolutely fine. Walking home after dinner, exploring side streets, late-night gelato runs… all perfectly normal!
Know Before You Go: Rome Travel Guide 2025/2026
Visiting Rome FAQs
How many days do you need in Rome?
Three to four days is a great starting point, but you could easily spend a week.
Is Rome expensive?
It can be, but eating local and staying in neighbourhoods like Monti or Testaccio keeps costs down.
Is Rome walkable?
Yes. Most major attractions are surprisingly close together.
Can you drink the tap water in Rome?
Yes – the tap water is safe and the drinking fountains (nasoni) are excellent.
What’s the best month to visit?
April, May, September or October for pleasant weather and manageable crowds.
- The fountain at Piazza della Madonna dei Monti closes at 10PM on weekends
- Timed-entry tickets required for Colosseum and Vatican
- Tourist tax added to hotel stays
- High fines for damaging protected monuments (as if you would do that anyway)
- Pickpocketing can be common in crowds – keep your wits about you
- Summer temperatures are noticeably hotter than previous years
TL;DR – Quick Rome Travel Guide Summary
- Stay: Hotel Piemonte for an affordable, central base.
- See: Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican Museums.
- Eat: Pasta Imperiale, Trapizzino, Roscioli, Mercato Centrale.
- Drink: Caffè Corretto, Freni e Frizioni, San Calisto.
- Do: Walk through Trastevere at dusk and wander Monti slowly.
- Plan: Book ahead, expect heat, trust the side streets.
Why you can trust this Rome Travel Guide
Written by me, Ryan. I’ve visited Italy and Rome multiple times over 13 years and explored over 250 cities across 40+ countries across the world. This Rome travel guide is based entirely on my first-hand experience. All prices and details reflect our latest trip.
Last Updated on 2 months ago by Ryan | Irish Travel Addict
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Your love for Rome shines through on this post. What a journey!