There is no city like the Eternal City! Past and present are so lively in Rome, you’ll never get tired of the many things to do: alternate visits to ruins and major sights with shopping in exclusive boutiques or at colorful markets. Taste the traditional Roman cuisine and take time to discover trendy new happy hour spots. Start planning your Roman holiday with our tips.

      By plane: Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport is located about 20 miles southwest of the city. You can take a shuttle train from the airport to Stazione Termini, Rome’s central railroad station. You can also take a train to Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina.
Rome’s other airport, Ciampino is located about 10 miles southeast of the city. Ciampino Airport serves mostly domestic or charter flights. Take the COTRAL bus to the underground subway that will take you to Stazione Termini.
      By car: We do not recommend renting a car during your stay in Rome, as driving can be difficult and parking is expensive. If you have a car during your stay, you can generally stop your car in front of the rental property for unloading baggage, but you will want to park the car in a garage. Remember that most streets in the historic district and other sightseeing areas are closed to traffic.

      It is very easy to explore Rome on foot, as most of the historical sites are close to each other. Many of the streets are closed to traffic, so you are best off walking.
      Rome’s buses are operated by ATAC and service the entire city. There are many different lines and buses are frequent. It is an inexpensive way to get around the city, especially if you buy daily passes, which are also valid on the Metro subway sytem. The buses generally run from 6am to midnight. A few buses run throughout the night.
      Rome’s Metro (underground subway) is much faster than the buses. However, there are only two metro lines – Line A and Line B – and they only cover part of the city. Many tourist sites are not within easy walking distance of a Metro stop. The two Metro lines connect at Stazione Termini.
      Another way to get around Rome is by taxi. You should only take the licensed white or yellow taxis. The best way to get a taxi is by either calling one by phone or waiting at a taxi stand. You can not hail a taxi at curbside as you might be able to in New York City, London or other cities.

      The Historic District of Rome is located on the east side of the Tiber River. Important sites not to miss in this section of Rome:

Colosseum. The Roman Colosseum was built during the reign of Titan. The Colosseum was the prime venue for the spectator sports of the day, gladiator battles and battles between man and animal. The Romans also held mock naval battles and oratory performances here. It is also where Christians were fed to the lions. Today, the dungeons and underground passageways can still be seen.

Circus Maximus. This is among the largest sporting arenas ever built and could accommodate approximately 150,000 spectators. The Romans held chariot races at the Circus Maximus. Today, it is a park and was the site of the Live 8 Concert on July 2, 2005.

Roman Forum. The Roman Forum was the center for commerce, politics and religion during the ancient Roman times.

Temple of Vesta. The Temple of Vesta was where six vestal virgins would guard the eternal fire of Rome.

Piazza del Campidoglio. The equestrian statue of Marcus Aurilius is located in center the Piazza del Campidoglio, which was designed by Michelangelo. It is also the location of the Capitoline Museum, which holds a collection of artifacts, art and archeological findings. Some of the more famous works found there are the Etruscan Bronze statue of the She-wolf with Remus and Romulus and the statue of the Dying Gaul.

Monument of Victor Emmanuel. Also known as the Altar to the Fatherland, this monument was built as an honor to the first king under a united Italy. It is also the site of Italy’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Boca della Verita & Santa Maria in Cosmedin. The Boca della Verita is actually an ancient drain cover, but more famous for its legend. (Insert your hand in the “Mouth of Truth”, if it’s bitten off, you are a liar!) Santa Maria in Cosmedin was originally a Greek Church and was the place of worship for Greek merchants traveling to Rome. Today, the church is open to the public and serves the Melkite Community in Rome. Masses are said in both Arabic and Greek.

      This area is located south of Corso Vittorio Emanuele, across from Trastevere. Here you will find plenty of antique shops, art galleries, restaurants and Renaissance homes.

An outdoor flower and vegetable market is held daily in the Piazza Campo dei Fiori.

The Palazzo Farnese, which was designed by Michelangelo for the Farnese family, is now the location of the French Embassy.

The Jewish Ghetto is the area of Rome where Pope Paul IV relocated approximately 8,000 Jews to segregate them from the Romans during the 16th Century.

      The area around Piazza Navona is very lively and surrounded with popular cafes and restaurants. The piazza itself is filled with artists and street entertainment. This piazza boasts three incredible fountains.

Fountain of the Four Rivers, This fountain by Bernini represents the four major rivers known at that time – the Ganges, Danube, Niles and Plate Rivers.

Fountain of Neptune fighting with a sea monster

Fountain of a Moor wrestling a dolphin.

      Not far from Piazza Navona is the Pantheon, one of Rome’s most extraordinary and most intact monuments. The Pantheon, originally built as a temple to all the gods and was rebuilt by King Hadrian the original burnt down. More recently, it serves as the location of the tombs of important Italian kings and also the tomb of Raphael, which he designed himself.

      A very remarkable aspect of this building is that the height of the dome is the same as the diameter of the circular inside of the building. The dome has an opening in the center, an oculus, which represents the all seeing eye of heaven.

      The Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps is surrounded by restaurants, art galleries and clothing shops. Many designer and chic boutiques are located on via Condotti at the bottom of the Spanish Steps.

Piazza d. Spagna and the Spanish Steps is always crowded and has always been a meeting place for people. Tourists love to sit on the steps and enjoy the atmosphere. At the bottom of the steps is a fountain of a sinking boat, representing the floods in Rome during the late 1500’s when the Tiber overflowed and many people in Rome lost their lives.

Rome’s highest obelisk, originally in the Circus Maximus, is located at the center of Piazza del Popolo. Also located in the piazza are two very similar churches, Santa Maria del Popolo & Santa Maria dei Miracoli, that mirror each other.

The Ara Pacis or Altar of Peace was built under the reign of Augustus and signifies the peace he brought to Rome.

      The Trevi Fountain is located on a small piazza off of via del Tritone. Throw a coin with your right hand over your right shoulder and you’ll be sure to return to Rome!

      This area of Rome is lined with elegant restaurants, upscale hotels and many shops and boutiques.

Bernini’s Fountain of Triton is located in the center of Piazza Barberini.

The National Gallery of Antique Art is now located in the 17th Century Baroque Palazzo Barberini.

Via Veneto became popular in the 1950s and 1960s after Fellini’s Dolce Vita was filmed there.

      Trastevere is situated on the west side of the Tiber River across from campo dei Fiori and Piazza Farnese. Trastevere is very charming, with its narrow maze of cobblestone streets and lovely homes with little gardens on their balconies and rooftops. The area around the main piazza is surrounded with numerous outdoor cafes and restaurants where you can experience classic Roman cuisine.
      Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of Rome’s oldest churches and most likely the first one dedicated to the Blessed Mother in Rome. It contains the most amazing mosaics portraying the life of Mary

      Villa Borghese is Rome’s largest park, filled with many beautiful gardens, statues and fountains. Inside the park are also several art museums, including the Galleria Borghese, Modern Art Gallery, an Etruscan Museum and a Zoological Museum. Villa Borghese Park is the perfect place to get away from the traffic and bustle of the city and relax by strolling or biking along the many paths, taking a paddle boat ride on the small lake or taking a hot air balloon ride for a spectacular view of Rome. The area surrounding Villa Borghese is a very residential area.

      Some of Rome’s most elegant neighborhoods are located in the Aventine/Testaccio section of Rome. The Cestius Pyramid, a monument dedicated to the Roman Magestrate Cestius, and the Porta San Poalo, the southern gates of the Aurelian Roman walls, are located on Aventine Hill.

      This area is considered one of the most attractive areas of Rome. There are many stylish boutiques and stores in this area. Some sights of interest:

You can still enjoy performances at the Historic Rome Opera House.

Museo Nazionale Romano has the largest collection of antique art in Europe.

Bernini’s famous sculpture, The Ecstasy of St. Theresa, is located at Santa Maria della Victoria.

      This is the center of the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican City is a separate nation-state; it is not a part of Rome. Below are some points of interest in Vatican City:

St. Peter’s Basilica. This is believed to be the burial site of St. Peter. St. Peter’s tomb is located beneath the papal altar under the cupola that was designed by Michelangelo.

Michelangelo’s famous Pieta is located in the first chapel in the basilica.

Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo’s magnificient creation. The frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel show scenes from Genesis, from the Creation of Man to the floods and drunkenness of Noah. One wall tells stories of the life of Moses, and the other wall tells stories from the life of Christ. Behind the altar is Michelangelo’s Last Judgment.

Vatican Museums. These museums include some of the world’s most important relics and artifacts.

Castel Sant’Angelo. This is one of the Vatican Museums. It was originally built as a mausoleum to Emperor Hadrian. It is linked to the Vatican by underground passages.

March/April:

On the Festa di Santa Francesca Romana, the patron saint of motorists, Romans bring their cars to the Church of Santa Francesca Romana for a blessing.

The Rome Marathon is held late in March. Crowds of spectators line the streets surrounding Rome’s spectacular sites cheering on the runners as they race on the cobblestone of Rome’s seven hills.

Rome’s birthday is celebrated on April 21st with fireworks on Aventine Hill.

Easter celebrations begin with a Papal mass at St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday. On Good Friday, the Pope leads the Procession of the Cross from the Colosseum to the Forum. The pope again gives his papal blessing on Easter Sunday at St. Peter’s Square.

The Festa della Primavera (Feast of the Springtime) is celebrated early in April. The Spanish Steps are decorated with azalea plants and orchestral concerts are held later in the day at the Trinita’ dei Mondi.

May/June:

The International Horse Show is held at Piazza di Siena at Villa Borghese.

The Festa della Repubblica is celebrated on the first Sunday in June featuring a military parade.

July:

The Festa di Noiantri to celebrate the Madonna del Carmine is held in Trastevere with outdoor music, food and fireworks.

Roma Alta Moda, or Fashion Week, is held in Rome in July; designers launch their new fall and winter collections.

September/October:

Rome stays open all night for the La Notte Bianca event. There are hundreds of cultural, shopping, music, sports and dining events.

The Fiera d’Arte di Via Margutta is an outdoor art festival held for two weeks in October.

December:

An outdoor Christmas market selling food and craft items is held in Piazza Navona from mid-December to January 6th.

Midnight mass is held by the Pope on Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Basilica.

A life-size nativity scene is displayed in St. Peter’s Square throughout the holiday season.

Christmas mass is held at St. Peter’s Basilica mid-morning and then the Pope gives a papal blessing in St. Peter’s Square.

RomaEuropa Festival: http://www.romaeuropa.net/

Rome Jazz Festival: http://www.romajazzfestival.it/

Vatican Museums: http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html

Villa Borghese: http://www.galleriaborghese.it/default.htm

Capitoline Museum: http://www.museicapitolini.org/en/index_msie.htm

Rome Tourist Guide Association: http://www.centroguideroma.net/

Public Transportation in Rome, ATAC: http://www.atac.roma.it/