Hotels in Rome, Italy

Best time to visit Rome

Rome is hot, humid, and buzzing with activity through the summer months from June – August. Due to the large tourist crowds, hotel rates are considerably higher and you may find it difficult to find a hotel of your choice unless you book several months in advance. To experience less crowds and pleasant average temperatures of approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit, visit Rome in the shoulder months of May or September. During the rest of the year between October – April, average temperatures remain around 40 – 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Pack a warm jacket, or dress in layers, and enjoy the cool weather as you explore the city during this time.

Getting around Rome

One of the best ways to truly admire Rome’s historic landmarks and top sites is to explore the city on foot. Moreover, many of the attractions are clustered in a compact, pedestrian-only zone. To visit Vatican City, you can hail a taxi or use the Rome Metro (subway system) which costs €1.50 EUR for a time-integrated ticket of up to 100-minutes. A bus ticket costs the same as the metro, but the city does see its fair share of traffic jams that tend to cause delays in on-ground transportation, be it buses or taxis. You can consider buying a Roma Pass, which will allow you discounted access to several popular tourist attractions, and free use of all modes of public transport (operated by ATAC) up to card validity. A 48-hour card costs €28.00 EUR, while a 72-hour card is for €38.50 EUR.

Best places to stay in Rome

A sprawling metropolis with over 3,000 years of globally inspiring art, architecture, culture and history, Rome is every bit true to its nickname of the ‘Eternal City’. There is so much to see and do here, that tourists often joke they need an eternity to truly experience Rome. Each part of the city is unique, catering to different moods and interests. Choose your neighborhood and accommodation depending on the kind of vibe that appeals to you.

Centro Storico – For the romantic side of Rome

A labyrinth of cobbled streets, narrow alleys, ornate Baroque churches, and lively piazzas (plazas), Centro Storico (historic center) is the Rome you see in the movies. Many of the tourist attractions are in this area and within a short walk of each other. Just a minute’s walk from the 1st-century Piazza Navona, enjoy elegant accommodation at Hotel Raphaël, set in a magnificent mansion with an ivy façade. Or check out the Navona Loft, an art gallery converted into a loft-style guest house, set in a 1650-dated building in the heart of Centro Storico.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do! Gorge on delicious gelatos, feast in the Campo de’ Fiori Market, find the best pizza places, and unwind with an ‘aperitivo’. But if you are visiting Rome for the first time, it is understandable that you wish to see the city’s top sites and attractions. Here is a list of what should not be missed on your first Roman holiday.

• Visit the 2000-year old Pantheon, one of the most famous landmarks in Rome. It’s known for its perfect proportions created as early as in 120 A.D.
• Book a guided tour of Vatican City and get fascinating insights into the world’s smallest independent city-state. Pay your respects at the Basilica di San Pietro (St. Peter’s Basilica), wander through the treasures of the Vatican Museums, and check out the awe-inspiring frescos of Michelangelo on the walls and ceilings of the Sistine Chapel.
• Head to the Campo de’ Fiori markets during the mornings to look at some of the freshest produce, flowers and food stalls. At night, watch this plaza transform into a vibrant party place.
• Wander around and appreciate the fine architecture of stunning historic churches such as Santa Maria della Vittoria, Basilica di San Clemente, and San Luigi dei Francesi. The latter also displays a large collection of artist Caravaggio’s paintings.
• Visit the Musei Capitolini (Capitoline Museums), the world’s first public museum, where you can learn about Roman history through art, artifacts and sculptures. To add something quirky or unusual to your trip, check out the Piccolo Museo Del Purgatorio (Museum of the Holy Souls in Purgatory ) or Museo Nazionale delle Paste Alimentari (National Museum of Pasta Foods.
• Admire masterpieces such as Canova’s ‘Venus Victrix’, Bernini’s sculptures ‘David’ and ‘Apollo and Daphne’, Caravaggio’s ‘Boy with a Basket of Fruit’ and ‘David and Goliath’ at the Galleria Borghese, a half-villa half-museum with resplendent gardens.
• Circle the Colosseum, inside and out, for incredible insights into ancient Roman life.
• Click postcard-worthy pictures at the alluring Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps). Enjoy fine city views from the top of the steps. Also visit the 16th-century Trinità dei Monti church, and Obelisco Sallustiano, a Roman obelisk at the top of the steps.
• Go on a shopping spree at the scores of small, designer boutiques on Via Condotti, a chic and fashionable street at the foot of the Spanish Steps.
• Lounge around at the Piazza Navona and enjoy a drink or meal at the scores of eateries and cafés housed within the plaza.
• Admire the marvelous Baroque-style architecture of Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain). Remember to throw a coin or two in the Trevi Fountain and wish for a speedy return to the city, so that you can plan a few off-the-beaten path itineraries during your next trip to Rome!