Rome is one of those rare cities where nearly every street tells a story. One moment you're walking through ruins built more than 2,000 years ago, and the next you're enjoying handmade pasta, sipping world class cocktails, or discovering quiet neighborhoods that feel untouched by time.
While iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Vatican deserve their reputation, our favorite memories came from experiences that immersed us in the city. Riding through Rome on a vintage Vespa, cycling the ancient Appian Way, tasting authentic Roman cuisine in Trastevere, discovering one of the world's best cocktail bars, and peering through the famous Aventine Keyhole gave us a completely different appreciation for the Eternal City.
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Whether you're visiting for your first trip or returning for another adventure, Rome rewards travelers who venture beyond the major attractions.

Quick Facts
​Recommended Stay
4 days
Best Time to Visit

• April–May

• Late September–October

Perfect For

• History lovers

• Luxury travelers

• Food enthusiasts

• Cocktail lovers

• Wine lovers

• Photography

• Walking tours

Why Visit Rome?
✔ Ancient Roman history unlike anywhere else
✔ Incredible restaurants ranging from neighborhood trattorias to Michelin-star dining
✔ World-class cocktail scene
✔ Beautiful luxury hotels
✔ Walkable historic neighborhoods
✔ Amazing day trips
✔ Some of Italy's best food

Our Favorite Experiences
​🚴 Bike the Ancient Appian Way
One of the biggest surprises of our trip was cycling along the ancient Appian Way.
Only a short distance from central Rome, this historic road offers a completely different atmosphere. Riding past centuries-old aqueducts, Roman ruins, catacombs, and shaded countryside feels worlds away from the busy city center.
If you're looking for a break from the crowds, this experience is highly recommended.

🛵 Ride Through Rome on a Vintage Vespa
​One of the highlights of our visit was exploring Rome on a classic Vespa. It allowed us to cover much more of the city than walking while stopping at scenic viewpoints and charming neighborhoods. Cruising past the Colosseum, Piazza Venezia, Circus Maximus, and the Tiber River gave us a unique perspective of Rome that few visitors experience.
Travel Tip: Morning tours generally have lighter traffic and softer light for photography.

🍝 Take a Trastevere Food Tour
We joined an evening food walking tour through Trastevere that included Roman street food, local wine, a visit to a historic wine cellar, and dinner at family-run restaurants. It ended up being one of the highlights of our time in Rome because we discovered places we never would have found on our own.
Expect to sample:

• Supplì

• Cacio e Pepe

• Carbonara

• Local cheeses

• Italian wines

• Artisan gelato

It was one of the best ways to experience Roman culture beyond the major tourist attractions.

🔑 Discover the Secret Aventine Keyhole
Hidden on Aventine Hill is one of Rome's most famous secrets.
Looking through a simple green keyhole reveals a perfectly framed view of St. Peter's Basilica at the end of a beautifully manicured garden.
The experience lasts only seconds, but it's one of Rome's most memorable hidden gems.
Visit early in the morning or near sunset to avoid the longest lines.

​🌅 See the Colosseum After Dark

Must See Attractions

• Colosseum

• Roman Forum

• Palatine Hill

• Pantheon

• Vatican Museums

• St. Peter's Basilica

• Trevi Fountain

• Piazza Navona

• Spanish Steps

• Castel Sant'Angelo

• Trastevere

• Appian Way

• Orange Garden

• Aventine Hill

Best Places to Eat & Drink
Restaurants
Our favorites and recommendations include:

• Roscioli

• Armando al Pantheon

• SantoPalato

• La Pergola

• Pipero

• Rimessa Roscioli

Cocktail Bars
Drink Kong

One of the highlights of Rome's cocktail scene.
Ranked among the World's 50 Best Bars, Drink Kong combines futuristic Tokyo-inspired design with exceptionally creative cocktails. The bartenders are knowledgeable, the atmosphere is unlike anywhere else in Rome, and every drink feels thoughtfully crafted.
If you enjoy craft cocktails, this should be at the top of your itinerary.
Other favorites include:

• The Court

• Jerry Thomas Speakeasy

• Freni e Frizioni

Wine Bars

• Il Goccetto

• Cul de Sac

• Enoteca Ferrara​

Where to Stay
​Luxury

• Six Senses Rome

• Hotel de Russie

• Bulgari Hotel Roma

• Portrait Roma

• Hotel Eden

Premium

• Hyatt Regency Rome Central

• Anantara Palazzo Naiadi

• NH Collection Roma Fori Imperiali ​

Best Day Trips from Rome

Explore Ostia Antica

Often overlooked in favor of Pompeii, Ostia Antica was one of the biggest surprises of our trip. Once the bustling port of Ancient Rome, the archaeological park is remarkably well preserved and far less crowded than many of Italy's famous historic sites.
Walking through its ancient streets, theater, bathhouses, and beautifully preserved mosaics gives you a vivid sense of daily life in the Roman Empire. We especially enjoyed exploring the amphitheater and discovering intricate mosaic floors that have survived for nearly two thousand years.
If you have an extra day in Rome, this is one of the best excursions you can make.

Suggested 4-Day Itinerary
​Day 1

• Colosseum

• Roman Forum

• Palatine Hill

• Capitoline Hill

• Colosseum after dark

Day 2

• Vatican Museums

• St. Peter's Basilica

• Castel Sant'Angelo

• Piazza Navona

• Pantheon

Day 3

• Morning Vespa Tour

• Aventine Keyhole

• Orange Garden

• Circus Maximus

• Evening Trastevere Food Tour

Day 4

• Bike the Ancient Appian Way

• Catacombs

• Relaxing lunch

• Aperitivo

• Evening cocktails at Drink Kong

Hidden Gems

• Aventine Keyhole

• Orange Garden

• Appian Way

• Testaccio

• Jewish Ghetto

• Janiculum Hill

Travel Tips

• Book Vatican tickets several weeks in advance.

• Visit Trevi Fountain before 7 AM.

• Reserve Drink Kong early, especially on weekends.

• Wear comfortable shoes—Rome's cobblestone streets can be challenging.

• See the Colosseum after sunset for one of the city's most beautiful views.

Best Neighborhoods to Explore
Every neighborhood in Rome has a different personality. While the famous monuments deserve their reputation, some of our favorite memories came from wandering quieter streets, stopping for an aperitivo, and discovering places we never planned to visit.
Trastevere
Our favorite neighborhood in Rome. Narrow cobblestone streets, ivy covered buildings, excellent restaurants, lively piazzas, and some of the city's best cocktail bars make Trastevere the perfect place to spend an evening. If you only have one night to experience local Roman life, spend it here.
Centro Storico
Home to the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori, and countless churches and cafés. Nearly every street reveals another beautiful fountain or hidden piazza, making it ideal for first time visitors.
Monti
Located just north of the Colosseum, Monti offers boutique shopping, wine bars, independent cafés, and a more relaxed atmosphere than many of Rome's busiest tourist areas.
Prati
The elegant neighborhood surrounding Vatican City features wide boulevards, excellent shopping, and some of Rome's best traditional restaurants away from the largest tourist crowds.

Getting Around

Rome is surprisingly walkable, but combining several transportation options makes exploring the city much easier.

• Walking: The best way to experience the historic center. Many of Rome's most famous landmarks are within a 20-30 minute walk of one another.

• Metro: Fast for reaching the Vatican or Colosseum but limited compared to many European cities.

• Taxi: Readily available and reasonably priced for longer trips across the city.

• Vespa Tour: One of the highlights of our trip. Riding through Rome with a local guide allowed us to cover far more ground than walking while experiencing neighborhoods most visitors never reach. 

Best Time to Visit
While Rome is beautiful year round, we believe spring and fall offer the best overall experience.
April through May

• Pleasant temperatures

• Flowers in bloom

• Comfortable sightseeing weather

• Longer daylight hours

Late September through October

• Warm afternoons

• Excellent outdoor dining

• Ideal weather for walking

• Fewer crowds than peak summer

We visited during warm weather and found early mornings and evenings to be the perfect time to explore major attractions while avoiding the busiest crowds.

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Frequently Asked Question

​How many days should I spend in Rome?
We recommend four days. This gives you enough time to visit the major attractions while also enjoying Rome's neighborhoods, restaurants, and hidden gems.

What is the best time to visit Rome?
April through May and late September through October offer comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds than the peak summer months

Is Rome walkable?
Yes. Most of Rome's historic center is best explored on foot, though a Vespa tour is a fun and efficient way to see more of the city.

Is the Appian Way worth visiting?
Absolutely. It offers a peaceful escape from the busy city center and is one of the best places to experience ancient Rome beyond the famous landmarks.

Is Drink Kong worth visiting?
Yes. If you appreciate creative cocktails, Drink Kong is one of the best bars in Europe and was one of the highlights of our evenings in Rome.

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