Rome

Main sights

• Colosseum and Roman Forum

  The great amphitheatre and the ruined civic centre of ancient Rome, best visited early with timed tickets booked ahead.

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• Pantheon

  A Roman temple turned church, with a dome open to the sky at its centre; a short walk from Piazza Navona.

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• Piazza Navona

  A long Baroque square built on the outline of an ancient stadium, with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers.

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• Trevi Fountain

  Rome's most famous fountain, tucked into a small square; crowded by day, calmer early in the morning.

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• St Peter's Basilica

  The vast church at the centre of Vatican City, reached from the city along Via della Conciliazione.

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• Spanish Steps

  A broad flight of steps rising from Piazza di Spagna to the church of Trinità dei Monti; sitting on them is no longer allowed.

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

• Centro Storico

  The historic heart between the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori: narrow lanes, churches and cafés.

• Trastevere

  Across the Tiber; ivy-covered lanes, small squares and lively evening restaurants.

• Monti

  An old district just north of the Forum with independent shops, wine bars and a village feel.

• Jewish Ghetto

  One of the oldest Jewish communities in Europe, known for Roman-Jewish cooking and the ruins of the Portico d'Ottavia.

• Testaccio

  A working-class district south of the centre, known for its food market and traditional Roman cooking.

Best areas to explore on foot

1. Ancient Rome

   Colosseum, Forum, Capitoline Hill and Circus Maximus, linked by Via dei Fori Imperiali, which is partly closed to traffic.

2. Pantheon to Piazza Navona

   The classic centro storico walk, through lanes and squares that are largely free of traffic.

3. Along the Tiber to Trastevere

   Cross Ponte Sisto from Campo de' Fiori into Trastevere, then climb the Gianicolo hill for a view over the domes.

4. Villa Borghese

   Rome's central park, above the Spanish Steps, with shaded avenues and a terrace overlooking Piazza del Popolo.

Practical walking notes

• Surfaces

  Basalt cobbles (sampietrini) cover much of the centre. They are uneven and slippery when wet; wear comfortable shoes with good soles.

• Hills

  The centre around the Pantheon is mostly level, but the Capitoline, Palatine, Quirinal and Gianicolo hills all involve climbs and steps.

• Distances

  The Colosseum to the Pantheon is about 25 minutes on foot; the Pantheon to St Peter's about 25–30 minutes.

• Water

  Public drinking fountains (nasoni) run with fresh water all over the city. Carry a bottle and refill it.

• Traffic

  Drivers and scooters do not always stop at pedestrian crossings. Cross with confidence but watch carefully.

When to visit

• April–June

  Warm and pleasant, with long evenings. Very busy, especially around Easter.

• July–August

  Hot, often above 30°C. Walk early and late; many locals leave the city in August.

• September–October

  Warm, with softer light and slightly smaller crowds; excellent for walking.

• November–March

  Mild and quieter, with some rain. A good time to see the main sites without long queues.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

• By air

  Fiumicino airport is about 30 km from the centre, linked to Termini station by the Leonardo Express train in about 30 minutes. Ciampino handles some low-cost flights.

• By rail

  High-speed trains reach Roma Termini from Florence in about 1 hour 30 minutes, Naples in just over an hour and Milan in about three hours.

Local transport

• On foot

  The best way to see the historic centre. Many of the most beautiful streets have no metro station nearby.

• Metro

  Three lines; useful for the Colosseum, the Vatican (Ottaviano) and Termini, but they skirt the historic core.

• Buses and trams

  Extensive but sometimes slow and crowded; tram 8 links the centre with Trastevere.