Rome - CityTravelWiki.com

Rome City Guide - Under Construction

Last updated Nov 13 2014

Trevi Fountain

Rome is the capital of Italy and center of the ancient Roman Empire. Vatican City, capital of the Catholic religion and home of the pope, is located within Rome.

Visas

Money

Italy's currency is the Euro

Exchange Rates Live

Electricity

Italy's outlets are European, 2 pin round and 220 volts.

Phone

Toilets

Climate and Weather

Rome Weather Forecast

Language

Culture

Holidays

Airports

Getting Around

Single trip tickets on the Rome transportation network are €1.50 (B.I.T.) and valid for 100 minutes on buses, metro or trams. Day passes (B.I.G.) are available for €6 and there is a 3-day ticket for €16.50. Tickets can be bought at newsstands displaying a "T" or ticket machines. For buses and trams, tickets need to be validated onboard. https://goo.gl/8GNqUH

Buses

Metro

Taxis

Restaurants

Shopping

In Rome, there are two supermarkets in Termini Station. Conad is on the track 1 side and Despar is under track 29. Be wary of cover charges and surcharges for sitting in restaurants and cafes. There may be an additional surcharge for sitting outside vs inside. In popular cafes, you will see locals standing and drinking by the counter. Set menus at restaurants tend to be the best deals.

Day Trips

Sights

In the height of summer, the main sights in Rome may have long lineups. See the Day in Rome section for a sample itinerary. Also consider buying a Roma Pass if planning to visit many attractions.

St Peter's Basilica and Square - One of the grandest churches in the world. Free entry but you need to line up to go through security. Knees and shoulders need to be covered. There is a fee if you want to visit the crypt, dome or treasury. For the dome, an elevator can take you to the roof saving some climbing. When you exit the church, look for the Vatican post office on your right.
Vatican Museum - Contains the Vatican's extensive collection of art along with the Sistine Chapel.
Colosseum - Reconstructed at various periods, this ancient stadium is still an architectural masterpiece. Beware getting your picture with the gladiator guys outside since they expect a large tip. Entry ticket is good for two days and cover Palantine Hill and the Forum. Ticket lines may be shorter at these locations. http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it/en/archaeological-site/colosseum
Pantheon - This converted pagan temple has a large dome with oculus in the middle. Free.
Forum - The ruins of ancient Rome have little signage and may be better appreciated with a guide. Entry on the south side by the Colosseum though you can peer through the gate for free.
Trevi Fountain - this magnificent fountain is lit up in the evening. Throw a coin over your shoulder to guarantee that you will be back in Rome.
Spanish Steps - This popular meeting place is also popular with pickpockets.

If you want to enter churches such as St Peters Basilica, you need to have knees and shoulders covered. Be wary of begging gypsies asking if you speak English and pickpockets in crowded places and on the metro. Beggars also hang out at church entrances. Most churches do not charge for entry.

With your BIRG ticket, you can ride the metro in Rome as well. From Termini train station head off to either the Vatican or Colosseum. You probably don't have time to enter both so you may need to pick one. If it is busy, you may not have time to go to either sites. The Colosseum is reached from Colosseo metro and the Vatican from Ottaviano metro. At the Colosseum, be wary getting your picture taken with a gladiator since they want money for this service. From the Colosseum metro, take a quick detour to San Pietro in Vincoli church to see Michaelangelo's Moses statue. You can then walk through the forum towards the Vittorio Monument. Walking through the Forum requires an entry fee and the only entrance is on the Colisseum side. If you don't want to pay for entry, just walk along the fence and peer in for free. From Vittorio, walk north towards Via Del Corso to Trevi Fountain and throw a coin backwards over your shoulder to ensure you'll be back in Rome. Take a short detour over to the Spanish Steps nearby before continuing west to the Pantheon. Have a quick look inside and continue west to Piazza Navona. Admire the fountains before heading northwest toward Castel St Angelo. Next, head west to St Peter's Square where you'll have to queue to visit the basilica. It is free but you need to go through a security check so the line moves quickly. Make sure your knees and shoulders are covered or you might not get in. In the basilica, make sure you don't miss Michaelangelo's Pieta on the right side and you can also pay to get to the top of the dome. Metro station Ottaviano is nearby to take you back to the main train station. If you want to send a postcard from the Vatican, the post office is on the southwest side of the piazza (on your right when you exit the basilica).

Daytrips from Rome

Visit the roman ruins at Ostia Antica easily reachable from Rome and close to the airport. http://www.roninrome.com/sites-and-attractions/day-trip-from-rome-ostia-antica