Rome

Best time to visit Rome

• Spring (March to May): Mild spring is a great time to visit Rome, when there are often deals on flights and accommodations. 
• Summer (June to August): Summer is Rome’s busiest season, with hot temperatures and buzzing streets. Enjoy the long summer evenings with outdoor events such as opera at the Baths of Caracalla.
• Fall (September to November): Fall is one of the best times to visit Rome. The Romans have a term, Ottobrata romana, to refer to October’s period of beautiful weather, romantic sunlight and harvest festivals. 
• Winter (December to February): Winter is cool, but temperatures rarely dip below freezing. With quieter hotels, it’s great for deals.

How many days to spend in Rome

With four days in Rome, you’ll have time to marvel at ancient ruins, see major landmarks like the Spanish Steps and visit Vatican City. With five days or more, you can venture to Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli or the beach at Ostia, or plan a day trip to Naples, Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast.

The vibe of Rome

With iconic landmarks around every corner, Rome feels like a massive open-air museum. Beyond the big-hitting attractions like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and the Roman Forum, it’s home to quaint neighborhoods with cobbled streets, while local coffee shops and trattorias form the hubs of daily life. The Roman aesthetic is one of relaxed, casual elegance. Allow a little time in your Rome trip to live like the Romans do: stroll around a quiet piazza at dusk, sip a cocktail in lively wine bars or cheer for the home teams AS Roma or S.S. Lazio in a soccer match.

What is Rome famous for?

Rome is often considered one of the cradles of Western civilization. Visit the Colosseum and stand where Ancient Romans would have watched gladiators face off, as famously seen in the movie Gladiator. The architectural landscape of Rome is a patchwork of important periods in European history, from ancient ruins to Romanesque, Renaissance and neoclassical landmarks. Rome is also an important religious center, with over 900 churches in the city. Vatican City State, the seat of the Catholic Church, was part of Rome until 1929. Masses and celebrations during Holy Week draw thousands of visitors to the Vatican. Today, films like Roman Holiday and Eat, Pray, Love have made Rome famous as a romantic vacation destination.

Events in Rome

Celebrate the city’s birthday at Natale di Roma (April 21), an iconic Rome event featuring historical reenactments with gladiators and a huge parade through the city center. For sporting action, time your visit for the Rome Marathon (March) or catch a tennis game at the Italian Open (May). The summer is full of festivals highlighting Roman and international arts and culture, like the Estate Roma (June-September), the Romaeuropa Festival (September-November), the 100 Painters of Via Margutta (April-May and October-November) and the International Rome Film Festival (October). And if you’re visiting in winter, don’t miss the Christmas Markets in Campo de’ Fiori.

Food in Rome

Romans are fiercely proud of their regional cuisine, known for its rich pastas and assertive flavors. You might be familiar with Roman carbonara, but be sure to try the city’s other three iconic pastas: pasta alla gricia (cured pork with pecorino cheese), cacio e pepe (pecorino cheese and black pepper) or amatriciana (tomato, cured pork and black pepper). The streets of the Testaccio neighborhood are packed with trattorias dishing up some of the finest pasta in the city. Visit the Jewish Quarter for carciofi alla giuda (deep-fried artichoke) and other kosher delicacies. Across the city, grocers and delis sell artisanal food like buffalo mozzarella and fresh pasta.

Nightlife in Rome

Start your night in true Roman fashion and join the locals for an aperitivo, a before-dinner drink. Some of the best spots to enjoy this daily ritual are the city’s charming squares: Piazza Testaccio, Campo de’ Fiori or Piazza Madonna dei Monti. After dinner, check out a performance or dance the night away in Monti or Ostiense, just south of the city center. At night, Pigneto, often called one of Rome’s coolest neighborhoods, turns into a buzzy hub for live music, dancing and some of the city’s best LGBTQ+ bars and clubs.  

Shopping in Rome

The three main streets around the base of the Spanish Steps, known as the “Tridente,” are where elegant Romans and tourists alike go shopping for luxury fashion, accessories and more. Major Italian designers like Gucci and Prada have boutiques along Via Condotti. Even if you’re just window-shopping, this bustling street makes for great people-watching and many of the smaller side streets have more affordable shops. In the winter holiday season, its historic facades are transformed under the glow of twinkling lights. For lovers of independent fashion and handmade homewares, check out the boutiques in Monti. Vintage lovers and bargain hunters will also appreciate the neighborhood’s Sunday consignment market.