The Ultimate To-Do List for Rome, Italy

Rome—the Eternal City. Trying to come up with an itinerary is about as overwhelming as it sounds. Luckily, I’ve compiled a basic list of dos and don’ts to help you prepare for your upcoming trip!

Must-See Monuments

Colosseum

Of all the monuments Rome is known for, the Colosseum is undoubtedly at the top of the list, and for good reason—it’s breathtaking, and every inch of it is swimming in history. I loved the Colosseum, and I especially emphasize that you need a tour guide. We used a guide that took us through the Vatican City, Roman Forum, and Colosseum, but if you want a slower-paced tour, there are a variety of options. Some tours allow you special access to the Colosseum floor, but whatever you choose, get a one that lets you skip the line!

Pantheon

The Pantheon is most definitely a must-see; it’s breathtaking on the inside and out. I don’t think you necessarily need a tour guide, though, since it’s pretty quick to see. Remember that admission is not free; tickets are around €5, and you may have to wait in line without a tour guide (though it moves pretty quickly).

Roman Forum

The Forum is another monument where you need a tour guide; that way, you can discover all the ancient Roman history for yourself. Since they’re walking distance from each other , I would do the Roman Forum and the Colosseum in one day. Whatever you decide, bring some water, since you’ll be walking a lot and it gets hot!

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is awesome to see, but it gets extremely crowded. The best time to see the fountain is early in the morning (7:00-8:00 a.m) or later at night, though sometimes the fountain is drained and cleaned on Monday and Friday mornings.

If you want to follow the legend, throw a coin into the fountain! To do it, just grab some euros and toss them with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain. One coin means you’ll come back to Rome, two coins means you’ll fall in love, three coins means you’ll get married! Whether or not the wishes come true is up for debate, but the money will be used for charity in any case.

Spanish Steps

I would see the Spanish Steps while you shop in the area. It’s a great place to see, though (shocker), it will be crowded. Just remember that there is no sitting, eating, or drinking on the steps allowed.

The Vatican City

There are a lot of things to remember when it comes to the Vatican City, but it is not to be missed! A rule of thumb for the Vatican City (especially women): dress modestly. If you do not cover your shoulders and knees, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to go into any of the chapels or churches.

St. Peter’s Basilica

The Basilica is the biggest church in the world, and it is truly awe-inspiring. The best time of day to see the Basilica is early in the morning (like, 7:00-7:30). This way, you can get through the line and into the church as soon as possible. If you want to climb the dome, which I recommend, be sure to do that first. You can take the elevator halfway (which saves you 231 steps), but you’re on your own for the last 320. I promise you that the view is worth it, and afterward, you get to go back downstairs and look at the church and artwork.

Do not order a tour to the Vatican City on Wednesday. The Basilica will be closed on Wednesdays, and you will have to skip that part of your tour.

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is nonnegotiable—it’s a masterpiece from start to finish, and I think it’s best to have a tour guide with you to explain the subtleties of the art and symbolism. Photography and video of any kind is strictly prohibited, though, so be forewarned.

Catacombs

Underneath Rome is an extensive network of catacombs that were used by Christian and Jewish believers for their martyrs and dead. Though I didn’t get the chance to go to the catacombs during my trip, I feel like it would definitely be worth seeing!

Villa Borghese

There are two places you can go at Villa Borghese: the museum (which costs money), and the gardens (which are free). There isn’t too much to do at the gardens other than walking around, but it’s a beautiful place to visit. We didn’t visit the museum, but I’ve heard it has a great collection of sculptures and artwork.

What to eat in Rome

There are countless options for food in Rome, but here’s a list of regional eats you have to try!

  1. Cacio e pepe. Cacio e pepe (pictured above) has got to be at the top of the list; it’s a simple dish made from pasta, Pecorino Romano (a typical Roman cheese), and pepper, and it is incredibly delicious.
  2. Carbonara. This is a rich pasta dish made with a creamy cheese sauce and crispy guanciale (similar to bacon). Need I say more?
  3. Artichokes.
  4. Maritozzi. These are slightly sweetened yeast buns that are sliced horizontally and filled with lots of whipped cream. They’re a light treat and the perfect accompaniment to a morning cup of coffee.

Where to eat in Rome

  • Tonarello. I ate here for lunch after a long day of walking, and it hit the spot. I got the roast lamb (pictured above), and it was heavenly.
  • Osteria da Fortunata. Osteria da Fortunata has gotten a lot of hype on social media recently, but for good reason. They have a dreamy cacio e pepe and a ricotta cheesecake that I still think about, and you get to watch women make pasta while you eat! It gets crowded, though, so be prepared to eat earlier rather than later if you don’t want to wait.
  • Felice a Testaccio.
  • Antico Forno Roscioli. This is the oldest bakery in all of Rome, and it’s a good one!
  • Come il Latte.
  • La Romana. For authentic gelato, I recommend Come il Latte and La Romana. For tips on how to find authentic gelato, check out my post here.

Helpful tips and tricks:

  1. Book a hotel in the city. Otherwise, you’ll spend a lot of money to taxi to the city, and you’ll have to get up early to get through the traffic (and let me tell you, those Roman drivers are no joke—literally the most intense thing I’ve ever experienced). Since a lot of the monuments are far away from each other, you’ll probably need to use a taxi at some point—just pack some euros since many don’t take card payments.
  2. Beware scammers and pickpockets. Just like in any big city, but especially in Rome. Here’s a run-down on some common scams: there will be lots of men selling toys for some reason, ladies with shawls who beg for money then pickpocket you, men offering you flowers, and oftentimes trying to sell you shawls near the Vatican City if you’re not in dress code. Just beware and keep your purses close.
  3. Bring comfortable shoes. If you’re anything like my family, you will not be taking a break during the sightseeing, and you’ll walk from one end of Rome to the other. Please, make it easy on yourself and order some comfortable shoes (you’ll thank me later).
  4. Bring a water bottle. There are fountains of water all across the city (both still and sparkling), and they’re all safe and clean to drink. If you pass them on your walk, you’re more than welcome to fill up a bottle for the long day ahead!
  5. A quick note on water. When you go to restaurants, you’ll most likely be asked to specify if you want natural or sparkling water. If you want still water, it will be labeled acqua naturale. If you accidentally get acqua frizzante, you’re actually buying sparkling water. It’s a small mistake, but it happens a lot!
  6. If you want authentic food, avoid eating in touristy areas. Places like the Trevi Fountain are swimming in tourist traps, so I would avoid eating there if you can. Check out this post for more information on how to spot good restaurants!

For more tips and tricks about travel, be sure to check out the posts below!