Rome

The Eternal City of history and charm

Rome stands as a living museum where ancient ruins share streets with modern life. The city’s history stretches back centuries, visible in landmarks like the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Daily markets sell fresh produce alongside historic churches that have guided communities for generations. Public transport connects neighborhoods such as Trastevere and Monti, each offering distinct character through food stalls, cafes and local shops. Walking paths reveal layers of architecture from different eras, showing how Rome adapted while preserving its identity over time.

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City in Italy

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

Tourist areas have good English availability, especially in hotels, restaurants, and museums. However, outside the center, locals might only speak Italian, so a few basic phrases can be helpful.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Rome Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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World-class for history and ancient landmarks. Explore Roman ruins, visit grand churches, walk lively piazzas and enjoy renowned Italian food.

Place score

9.2

Best at:

Local cuisine

Architecture

Historic sites

Religious sites

Ruins

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

👩 8

Solo

Italy – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Italy, particularly in cities. While larger establishments and chains are fully cashless, smaller shops may still prefer cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Italy, especially in restaurants where 10-15% is typical. Tipping for taxi drivers is usually rounded up or 5-10%. Small tips for hotel staff are also appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Italy, especially in public squares and during festivals. In some regions, it is illegal to drink alcohol in certain areas like public transport or near schools.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Designated smoking areas are available outside.

Ferragosto (August)	Many businesses close, and Italians take holidays. It’s very busy in tourist areas.
Christmas (December)	Christmas markets and festivities are popular, expect higher prices and crowded attractions.
La Befana (January)	Celebrated on January 6, the Epiphany is a public holiday with festive events, and some businesses close.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Free Now, ItTaxi
Other:	Italy's tourist infrastructure is well-developed, but some rural or historical areas may require extra planning for accessibility.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Rome, Italy

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

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Jun

🔥

Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	April - July, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, Aug., Dec.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Vatican Museums and Colosseum need advance tickets, sold out for days from April to October

Mid August around Ferragosto (15 August): many local restaurants and shops close as residents leave

Easter week and Holy Year events bring very large crowds to the Vatican

Don't miss

⚔️ Stand inside the Colosseum and imagine ancient gladiator battles
🪙 Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck
🎨 Gaze at Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel
🌆 Climb the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica for panoramic views
🍦 Savor creamy gelato while strolling through Piazza Navona
🌇 Watch the sunset over the Roman Forum from Capitoline Hill

You've been here?

Why travel to Rome?

Rome is a living museum, with layers of history visible in every piazza and cobblestone street. From the grandeur of the Vatican to the charm of local markets, it’s a city where every corner has a story. Plus, the food – fresh pasta, crispy pizza and creamy gelato – makes every meal an event in itself.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Vatican City
The Vatican City, an independent enclave within Rome, boasts historic basilicas and museums under a dome that pierces the skyline. Its compact streets hide centuries of art, while surrounding gardens offer serene views over the Eternal City's rooftops.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 St. Peter's Basilica
The heart of Catholicism beats within this ancient basilica, its soaring dome framing centuries of art and history. Visitors walk through hallowed halls where light filters through stained glass, illuminating frescoes that tell stories of faith across millennia.
2 Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums house an extensive collection of art and historical artifacts spanning centuries, including masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael and Caravaggio. Visitors can explore the Sistine Chapel, the Gallery of Maps and numerous galleries.
3 Sistine Chapel
This Vatican masterpiece houses Michelangelo's breathtaking ceiling frescoes within the Apostolic Palace. Expect intense crowds; arrive early or book timed tickets to secure a view of this Renaissance pinnacle without the crush.
4 Villa d'Este
A Renaissance masterpiece just outside Rome, Villa d'Este features terraced gardens, fountains and grottos. Its historic elegance draws visitors seeking art and nature in a tranquil setting away from the city's bustle.
5 Colosseum
This ancient amphitheater stands as Rome's most iconic landmark, featuring a massive elliptical arena surrounded by tiered seating that once hosted gladiatorial combats and public spectacles for thousands of spectators.
6 Roman Forum
7 Trevi Fountain
8 Piazza Navona
9 Castle of the Holy Angel
10 Pantheon
11 Galleria Borghese
12 Catacombs of Saint Calixt

🎡Places for activities

1 Palatine Hill
2 Capitoline Museums
3 Trastevere

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Lake Albano
2 Tiber Island

🛍️Shopping

1 Via del Corso
2 Via dei Condotti
3 Galleria Alberto Sordi
4 Eataly
5 La Rinascente

🎈Events

Easter at the Vatican
Rome Marathon (March/April)
Estate Romana (Summer Festival)
Roma Jazz Festival
Carnevale Romano
International Film Festival (October)
Festa di Noantri (July)
Christmas markets & Nativity scenes
Settimana dei Musei (free museum week)
Ferragosto celebrations

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Prebook major sights like the Colosseum and Vatican to avoid queues.
Stay in the historic center so you can comfortably walk between ancient ruins, piazzas, fountains and lively restaurant areas.
Carry small change for espresso bars and public transport tickets; many traditional cafés still prefer paying directly at the counter.
Eat slightly away from main sights; look for busy spots without tourist menus where Romans stand at the bar or fill side streets.

How to travel to Rome

Rome is served by two main airports: Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) and Ciampino. The Leonardo Express train connects Fiumicino to Termini Station in 30 minutes. High-speed trains link Rome to Florence, Milan and Naples. Buses also connect Rome to major European cities.

Access summary

From Fiumicino (FCO): Leonardo Express train to Termini about 30–35 min.
From Ciampino (CIA): Shuttle bus to Termini about 40–50 min.
From Florence or Naples: High-speed trains to Termini about 1–1.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Rome

Stay in the historic center for easy access to landmarks, Trastevere for nightlife and charm or Monti for a hip, local vibe. Budget travelers can find hostels near Termini Station, while luxury hotels are near Piazza di Spagna and the Vatican.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

iQ Hotel Roma

9.4

THE INDEPENDENT HOTEL

8.9

Augusta Lucilla Palace Hotel

8.6

Hotel Nord Nuova Roma

8.5

Hotel Diana Roof Garden

Camplus Hotel Roma Centro

8.9

Genova Hotel

8.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Rome

Walking is the best way to experience Rome’s historic center. Public transport includes buses, trams and metro, but can be unreliable. Taxis are expensive and driving is chaotic. Buy a Roma Pass for unlimited transit and discounts at major attractions.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-10 %

Daily expenses in Rome are around 10% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£57	£148	£403
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£75	£188
🍝 Food per day	£28	£64	£187
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£8	£28

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£26
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£12.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£9.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£9.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£8.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£90
🤧 Cold medication	£8
💇 Basic haircut	£16

Safety information overview

General safety

Rome is generally safe, but beware of pickpockets in crowded areas, especially around Termini Station, the Colosseum and on public transport. Avoid walking alone in isolated areas at night.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are high-quality, with many pharmacies open late. EU travelers can use their EHIC for free or reduced-cost care. Private clinics offer English-speaking doctors.

Accessibility

Rome’s ancient streets can be challenging for those with mobility issues, with cobblestones and few ramps. Many major sites are improving accessibility, but public transport isn’t always wheelchair-friendly.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and excellent quality. Public fountains (nasoni) provide free drinking water throughout the city, perfect for refilling bottles while exploring.