Destination guides
Rome Travel Guide
It's hard to describe Rome in a few words; a city so vast and rich in art, monuments and exquisite views, a historic city, which has preserved its charm and independence throughout the centuries.
Of all Italy's historic cities, it's perhaps Rome which exerts the most compelling fascination. There's more to see here than in any other city in the world. You could spend a month here and still only scratch the surface. As a historic place, it is special enough; as a contemporary European capital, it is completely unique.
Aside from the Classical and Renaissance sights, the city is also a haven for good living. It boasts numerous first-rate restaurants, upmarket shopping around the Spanish Steps, luxury hotels and romantic piazzas (easiest to navigate on foot), which, combined with the historic resonance of the city, make for an unforgettable stay.
Thankfully, despite being a busy, chaotic collection of ancient and new streets, central Rome is actually fairly easy to navigate. The winding River Tiber divides Rome from north to south, with most historical attractions on the east bank. Via del Corso borders the elaborate, square-filled old town with piazza Venezia at its southern end. The Capitoline and Palatine hills, rise above it, while the Villa Borghese dominates the street's northern end. The Vatican sits on the west bank, as does the charming, bustling Trastevere.
Rome is halfway down Italy's western coast, about 20km inland. It's a vast city, but the historic centre is quite small. Most of the major sights are within a reasonable distance of the central railway station, Stazione Termini. All the major monuments are west of the train station. While it can be enjoyable to get off the beaten track in Rome, it can also be very frustrating and time-consuming.The Palatine Hill and the Forum are the centre of ancient Rome. Via del Corso runs north from the Forum to Piazza del Popolo, with the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain just to its east. The Vatican is northwest of the Forum, across the River Tiber. Rome is not an easy place to absorb in one visit and there is no point in even trying. It is part of the city's allure to stumble across things by accident!
The main tourist season starts at Easter and runs until October; peak periods are in spring and autumn, when the tour buses pour in. Numerous outdoor festivals and concerts and the fact that Romans desert the city for the beaches and mountains, which means very light traffic and a less-crowded city centre, makes summer almost worth the heat. If you do visit in summer, try to hit the sights early, take a long lunch and a nap, and then head out again around 18:00 to take advantage of the cooler evening. Winters are usually mild with few tourists and some fun events around Christmas time. Ipini parc is a great base for a budget holiday in Rome.
