Rome
The eternal city Rome is one of the most significant European metropoles, pampering a visitor with gastronomy, rich cultural heritage and picturesque wievs from the seven hills guarding the city. The city has appr. 2,8 million people, whole metropolitan area having over 4 million. It is situated in the Lazio region of central Italy on the Tiber river. The original settlement developed on hills that faced onto a ford beside the Tiber Island, the only natural ford of the river in this area. The Rome of the Kings was built on seven hills: the Aventine Hill, the Caelian Hill, the Capitoline Hill, the Esquiline Hill, the Palatine Hill, the Quirinal Hill, and the Viminal Hill.
Significant areas
The core of the ancient part of the city. Here is the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, and Piazza Venezia.
The independent Vatican City and surrounding Prati, Borgo and Monte Mario districts. Here is the Apostolic Palace with the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and The Vatican Museums.
The nightlife district full of joie de vivre. Situating on the west bank of the Tiber, it has narrow cobble streets and romantic atmosphere.
Shopping
Top shopping districts filled with luxurious butiques in Rome are via del Corso, via Condotti with surrounding streets and via Cola di Rienzo. Via del Tritone and piazza Campo de’ Fiori offers cheaper prices.
Recreation
Trastevere district has many good cafés and trattorias. Shari Vari Playhouse (via di Torre Argentina 78) is a club and restaurant, which offers good food and e.g. electro and house music to dance the night away. Freni e Frizioni (via del Politeama 4-6 in Trastevere) is a good aperitivo place for chatting with glasses of grappa or enjoy eating like a Roman. Also vegetarian list available.
Crazy4Rome offers splendid tours concentrating e.g. food and wine.
Something to explore
Colosseum
This amphitheater situating on the via Dei Fori is one of the classical antique remains and main sights of the Italian Peninsula. It was constructed 72-80 AD and holding enough space for estimated between 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, it is the largest amphitheater in Roman Empire and ever built. It is also depicted on the Italian version of the five-cent euro coin. Attractions are including a museum dedicated to Eros located in the upper floor of the outer wall of the amphitheater, and a network of subterranean passageways once used to transport wild animals and gladiators to the arena. Very iconic and majestetic sight and a must-see for history enthusiast.
Galleria Borghese
This art museum is situated in the Villa Borghese Pinciana, former mansion of the wealthy and powerful Borghese family. Exhibition area includes twenty rooms across two floors and it depicts the Borghese’s private art collection, including e.g. classical antiquities of the 1st–3rd centuries, Classical sculptures, and Renaissance paintings. In the first room, the trompe l’oeil ceiling frescos are real eye-catchers.
Pro tip: With the Roma Pass a visitor has free entry to 1 or 2 museums.
Piazza di Spagna
At the bottom of the Spanish steps, this beautiful square widens in middle of the urban pulse of Rome. In the middle of the square lies its landmark, the Baroque fountain Fontana della Barcaccia. At the right corner of the Spanish Steps is located the house, where lived English poet John Keats until his death in 1821, curretntly it houses a museum dedicated to him and his friend Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Another attractions in the area are the Trinità dei Monti church, the Column of the Immaculate Conception and the Babington’s tea room for resting.
Campo de’ Fiori
This rectangular square in the Parione district is well-known as the centre of vivid nightlife and the meeting place due the proximity of several nightclubs and restaurants. It is also holding famous open-air market, where visitor can find cheap souvenirs, flowers and fresh bread among the other things.
Very suitable take a glass of wine or latte macchiato and rest.
Pincio Gardens
In the Prati district lies this beautiful green gem on the,hill where a tired visitor can relax and sense the tranquillity.
Area also consist several busts of famous persons lining the pathways.
Situated in the center of the gardens, lies an obelisk, which is believed to be a copy erected by the Emperor Hadrian as a tribute to his dead favorite friend and lover Antinoüs.
Here is also a famous water clock, originally constructed for the Paris Universal Expo in 1867. The balustraded Pincio Terrace offers divine panoramic view over the city and a must-see during sunset.
How to get around in Rome
The Roma pass entitles a holder full access to public transportation.
Public transportation in Rome is operated by the ATAC with buses, trams, trolleybuses, metro, and light railway. The journey planner and ticket prices are visible here.
Taxi cab tariffs in Rome:
If you board a taxi on a week-day between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM —> € 3.00
If you board a taxi on a week-end between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM —> € 4.50
If you board a taxi at night (between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM) ————> € 6.50
One should beware of operators who don’t display a licensed meter and ID.
There is 8 railway lines connecting the city with its conurbations other towns in the Lazio region; these lines are wholly owned and operated by Trenitalia. See timetables and ticket prices here.
How to get in Rome
The main airport serving the capital is Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino International Airport, located in Fiumicino, 35 kilometres southwest of Rome’s city centre. List of its airlines is here, destinations here.
The G.B. Pastine/Ciampino International Airport, located 12 kilometres south-east from the city centre, serves low-cost airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air. List of its destinations is here.
Trenitalia operates trains between Rome and main Italian cities. Timetables and ticket prices of the Trenitalia are here, all European train networks here.
Top 5 in Rome
- Colosseum
- Vatican City and the Apostolic Palace
- Piazza di Spagna
- Having good time in Trastevere
- Galleria Borghese
Text: Timo Hellman
Photos: With the CC licence / Tomisti, Andreas Tille, Ikiwaner, Tim Brighton, Myrabella, Lalupa
