Few cities can compete with Rome in historical significance and breathtaking architecture. Whether you’re looking for things to do on a budget or ways to immerse yourself in the culture, Rome has something for everyone. The city is full of awe-inspiring sites, but it’s also jam-packed with fantastic restaurants, hidden cafes, secret gardens and boutique hotels – even the most well-known attractions offer up some surprises if you dig a little deeper. This article will help you plan your trip to Rome in detail so that you don’t miss out on anything amazing. From where to stay to must-see sights and cheap tricks to save money while visiting this magnificent city – we have it all covered here.

Plan in advance: Don’t waste time and money

If you’ve ever planned a big trip, you know that the more you plan in advance, the easier it is to save time and money. With this in mind, we recommend that you start planning your trip to Rome a good six months in advance. This will enable you to check for the best flight deals and work out a rough itinerary so that you don’t miss out on anything you really want to see. We would also recommend that you invest in travel insurance and find out if you need a visa for Italy before you book your trip. Doing these two things will save you a lot of frustration, money and time if anything unexpected happens.

Rome at a glance

– Population: 2.7 million

– Currency: Euro

– Language: Italian

– Time Zone: UTC +1

– The best time to visit: April to October

– Pros: World-class food, culture, history, and architecture

– Cons: Limited public transportation, expensive and crowded during summer months 

– WiFi availability: Average

Hotel recommendations

When it comes to choosing the right hotel for your trip, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First of all, make sure that you find a good balance between the location and the price. You don’t want to spend all your money on the hotel, and you don’t want to walk miles to get to the attractions. We recommend that you avoid the “hip” places and hotels in the center of Rome as they tend to be overpriced and don’t offer good value for money. If you want to choose a place that offers good value for money, consider staying outside the city center. You will find plenty of good options outside the city center, but make sure that you choose a safe neighborhood. If you’re looking to save money, a hostel might be a good idea. Hostels are usually cheaper than hotels, but you need to make sure that you choose a good one.

Top 7 Things to do in Rome

These are some of the best things to do in Rome if you want to get the most out of your trip. 

1. The Colosseum – This is one of the most famous landmarks in the world. The Colosseum is an ancient amphitheater that used to host gladiator fights and wild animal hunts. There is a great museum inside the Colosseum that tells the history of this impressive structure.
2. The Spanish Steps – This is one of the most well-known places in Rome. The steps were built in 1719 and were initially known as the Gradenigo Steps after the then-governor of Rome, Prospero Pietro Gradenigo, who commissioned their construction. They were dedicated to the Spanish Embassy in Rome due to a pope having diplomatic relations with Spain at the time. After the steps were built, they were favored by travelers who visited Rome and wanted to climb to the top of Capitoline Hill to visit the Temple of Jupiter. These famous steps are the perfect place to go for a photo shoot.
3. The Trevi Fountain – This is another landmark that has become synonymous with Rome. Like the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain is a great place to go for a photo shoot. We also recommend that you throw a coin into the fountain. According to legend, this will ensure that you come back to Rome one day.
4. The Pantheon – The Pantheon is probably the most famous ancient architecture in Rome. The Pantheon is an impressive building that was built in the 2nd century. This is another great place to go for a photo shoot while in Rome.
5. The Vatican – If you want to see some of the most famous art and architecture in the world, you need to visit the Vatican. The Vatican is home to some of the most famous paintings in the world, including the Sistine Chapel.
6. Piazza Navona – This piazza was built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian where boats (“navae”) unloaded goods at the nearby River Tiber. The square is also home to the renowned “Statue of the Moor” – a bronze statue of a black African boy sitting on a bronze dolphin. It is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in the Eternal City and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7. Roman Forum – The site served as the core meeting and shopping area of the Roman Empire, and it was continuously rebuilt and expanded over the course of almost 1000 years. Roman Forum was also the center of Roman public life: it was here that citizens came to shop and trade, here that criminals were publicly shamed and here that elections were held. And at the very center of the Forum, right next to the Curia, was a small marble podium called the Rostra. The word ‘rostrum’ comes from the Latin word ‘rorari’, which means ‘to be clattering.’ This is because the Rostra was a speaking platform built in the form of a large marble semicircle, and speakers would use its curved surface to help project their voices when addressing the crowds.

Food recommendations

If there is one thing that Italy is known for, it’s food. If you are looking to save money while visiting Rome, make sure that you visit the local markets and try the street food. The best time to visit the markets is early in the morning when everything is freshest. As for street food, it is usually very cheap and very delicious. Some of the best dishes to try while visiting Rome include: Spaghetti alla carbonara – This is one of the most famous dishes in Rome. The recipe is simple, but the taste is out of this world. Spaghetti alla carbonara is made with eggs, pecorino cheese and black pepper. Risotto alla Milanese – This is a creamy rice dish that is very rich. This dish is not for everyone, but those who like the creamy and rich will fall in love with this dish. Rome is also famous for its gelato and there are some places that make it better than others. If you want to try the best ice cream in the city, make sure that you visit Giolitti.

Hidden Gems in Rome

As we mentioned earlier, there are many hidden gems in Rome. If you want to experience something truly authentic, we recommend that you visit Trastevere. This is one of the most authentic neighborhoods in Rome, but it’s still very close to the center of the city. If you want to try some of the best Italian cuisine in the city, consider visiting Trastevere. There are many hidden gems in Rome but if you follow this top things to do in Rome guide, you will not miss out on anything amazing.

Here is another cool thing – The Mouth of Truth – The Mouth of Truth is a marble mask in Rome. The story goes that if you put your hand in the mouth of the statue and told a lie, your hand would be bitten off. It was likely an ancient Roman custom to scare children into good behavior. The truth behind the existence of these statues is that they served as protection against potential liars. The statue was believed to have magical powers, and if anyone tried to tell a lie with their hand in the mouth of the statue, they would get bitten. The original location of this artifact is unknown. The Mouth of Truth can be currently seen in the Museo di Roma at the Palazzo Museo di Roma.

These are just a few things to do in Rome to help you make the most of your visit. Of course, there are many other things to see in Rome, such as the Baths of Caracalla, Piazza del Popolo, Tiber Island and many more. So, don’t forget to visit these places to get the most out of your trip. Rome is certainly a city that deserves multiple visits, and you will discover something new on every visit.

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