Do you know the difference between real travelers and fake ones? Both the first and the second dream of distant countries. Only the first ones take it and go there, while the second ones continue to dream without doing anything ... I call them “dreamers”.

If you, dreaming of getting to Rome, and after such a detailed briefing, you are not going to go there, then you can safely write yourself into the category of “dreamers”. Because a real traveler, having finished reading this story, will already open a booking site in the next tab and start looking for a suitable hotel ...

How to travel to Rome on your own or the budget option Dolce Vita

I fly to the Third Rome (Moscow) very often, I visited the Second Rome (Istanbul-Constantinople), probably for the 6th time. It's time for the very first Rome.

Since I have long preferred to travel on my own, the trip to the Eternal City was also completely organized by me. I prepare carefully for each new place: blogs, guides, reviews on hotel websites, movies, TV shows, even Instagram accounts - everything will come in handy. This time I was inspired by the legendary "Dolce Vita" by Fellini and, of course, "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn.

Before the trip, you need to be puzzled by a visa (I have entry until 2019) and medical insurance (I issue it without leaving home on the Internet).

Turkish Airlines has consistently low prices for tickets to Europe. When choosing flights, you can arrange a pleasant long transfer in Istanbul. Take an hour to get to the center by metro, walk around the Egyptian Bazaar, drive to Istiklal, feed the seagulls with simit near the Bosphorus and return. Air tickets for 21-23 thousand rubles. include friendly service, great airplane food, a wide selection of movies and music, a guarantee of a normal attitude towards any client.

But do not repeat my mistakes: the transplant should not be too short (1-2 hours). Ataturk Airport is huge and sometimes you can not have time to reach the next flight, even if you try very hard.

You can get from any airport in Rome to the center in at least three ways:

• by taxi (price on request);
• by train with the sweetest name "Leonardo Express" to Termini station (14 €). By the way, this railway and bus station seemed to me much cleaner and neater than many of our shopping centers. Inside - cute coffee shops, boutiques. Travel time 30 minutes. http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en/Services/Fiumicino-Airport
• by bus also to Termini (6 €). Travel time is about 1 hour depending on traffic. And they are. Therefore, it is better to lay a little more time on the way back. Here, for example, one of the carriers: http://www.terravision.eu/airport_transfer/bus-fiumicino-airport-rome/?

Where to live in Rome

When choosing a hotel, I usually follow the main criteria: location in the very center or walkability (walking distance to the main attraction), a rating of at least 7-8, a private room with a private bathroom. Everything else is unimportant to me, since I only go there in the evening to sleep. In Rome, I stayed in a small hotel two blocks from the Termini metro station (1.5 km from the Colosseum). By metro (1.5 €) you can easily get to the Vatican and other attractions.

For accommodation in Rome, tourists pay a tax. I was charged 3.5 €/ per night.

About nutrition

No wonder the heroine of Julia Roberts in the film "Eat, Pray, Love" implemented the gastronomic part of the mission (EAT) in Rome!

Prices in cafes and restaurants do not bite: pizza + wine in a restaurant near the Roman Forum = 14 €.

Breakfast set for a young traveler in the nearest supermarket: mozzarella + ricotta + prosciutto + panini + olive paste + water + chocolate bar = 9 €.

Specially for me (!) baked delicious pizza with tons of mozzarella + local beer = 5 €.

Homemade pasta with any filling, which is made right for you, in a mini cafe for Italians near Piazza Navona - 5 €.

Espresso in the Trastevere area - 1 €.

In general, everything is available. Or maybe after Israel, nothing else will scare me? ;-)

What to see in Rome is a must

The first meeting with Italy was very exciting and emotionally intense: on the way from Fiumicino, suddenly such a powerful Colosseum turned up around the corner. Right after the traffic lights of an unremarkable busy four-lane. As if this building is not two thousand years old. Marvelous.

Throughout the city, the ancient Roman spell S.P.Q.R. In fact, it is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase from the Roman Empire "Senatus Populusque Romanus" ("Senate and Citizens of Rome").

Badass cats are everywhere. As well as absolutely imperturbable plump seagulls, whose cries at first lead to a stupor.

Carabinieri are very beautiful! There are many of them in the city - they are watching Italian emotional rallies from the sidelines.

Italian Pigna pines are touching. And the coniferous smell in the city is just bombing.

It is better to come to the most popular attractions early - even before opening. Huge queues at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and at the Colosseum can slightly spoil the general state of euphoria.

In my opinion, on the first trip it would be good to see with your own eyes and walk with your own feet the following places:

The rest of the time, you can wander endlessly through the streets of the Eternal City, constantly discovering something new for yourself.

When I was asked what city Rome is like, I did not find the answer. Rome is unique. Grandiose, solid, masterpiece, and at the same time cozy and calm.

Only in this city you can:

• Hear from the waiter at 12 noon: “Since it is MORNING (!), I would like to offer you this breakfast.”
• Hear how workers on the street, drivers, waiters, sellers, and in general everyone, whistle songs, sing, embarrassing no one and nothing.
• Every morning, passing by pizzerias and coffee shops, which are miraculously open at such an early hour, to hear "Ciao, bella!"
• To see beautiful and relaxed, just happy people, even on the subway, bus and at the courthouse.
• Around the corner suddenly discover a magnificent building, a luxurious basilica or even a palace.
• Tasting every possible flavor of gelato (even in a hot bun), pasta, pizza and wine that might just happen to be the best you've ever tasted, no matter where they're served and the price
• It's easy to walk past the grandiose Colosseum several times a day or sit on the steps for a breather with a gorgeous view of it.
• In the evening, buy fresh mozzarella, olives and wine for a penny.
• In majestic squares, sing along to street musicians Knockin' on heaven's door, for example.
• Get stuck in traffic on the bus, take a different route and see the gigantic ruins of the Baths of Caracalla.
• Accidentally find yourself in an ancient temple, in which the lights suddenly go out and the projector reproduces and finishes pieces of frescoes on the walls.

• Go to the filming locations of your favorite movies.
• Evaluate how a motorcycle driver tells something to a seated passenger and always gesticulates with one hand. Even if he can't see.
• Admire miniature fiats.

After such a pleasant Italian adventure, there is a significant change in the ranking of my favorite cities: now Rome is in first place. I would even say that he is out of competition. At first, I planned to visit Venice or Florence, but I didn’t want to leave Rome ... I would return here more than once - to live this dolce twisted for at least another week!

Ksenia Borisova

The largest European city with a worldwide reputation, annually attracting millions of tourists. Known since the exemplary era of antiquity and leading its own richest history full of victories and upheavals, now over twenty nine centuries.

Amazing ancient city with a magical atmosphere. Meet Rome!

Undoubtedly, your meeting with this wonderful city should be thoughtful. Do not let things take their course: think in detail, what sights would you like to visit.

But it is important to be informed: only the appropriate preparation will help you evaluate historical center of Europe.

So, let's explore the sights of Rome on our own.

The main symbol of the country: exploring the Colosseum

Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, at one time it became the largest building for cultural events of those times. The queue for the Italian wonder of the world is often exceeds the wildest expectations.

However, some "passwords and appearances" will help you avoid a long stop at the tail of those who want to wander around the Colosseum. Time saving guarantee- purchase of a single entrance ticket to the territory of the Roman Forum, which includes a visit to the Colosseum, the Forum itself and the Palatine.

It is valid for two days, the issue price is 12 euros. The price of a regular ticket at the box office of the Colosseum is 15.5 euros, a reduced ticket (valid for persons under 18 or over 65) costs 4.5 euros.

For those who do not want to go in an unfamiliar crowd with a guide, but at the same time feel the tour is inferior without additional information, there are special audio guides that will tell you a lot of interesting things for a small fee.

Opening hours depend on the specific time of stay in Rome. If your trip lasts for from mid-April to the end of September, visit the Colosseum anytime from 9 am to 7 pm.

From October to mid-January - from 9 am to 3 pm; from January to mid-March - from 9 to 4; from mid-March to mid-April - from 9 to 5.

Get to the Colosseum you can take the subway: on the "B" line is the Colosseo stop of the same name. Among the nearby places where you can eat and relax, you can highlight the art restaurant "Royal", located at a distance of 164 meters from the Colosseum itself.

The main menu here is represented by dishes of meat, fish, there is an excellent list of Italian wines. On the roof of the building in the summer months there is a platform with a wonderful garden, from where stunning view of the Italian capital.

The Cavour restaurant (474 ​​meters from the Colosseum) also deserves your attention. In addition to meat and fish dishes, you will be offered national snacks and salads, a rich assortment of chocolate, fruit desserts and cakes.

More about the architecture of Italy! The ancient palace - you can see the description and photos in our article.

Spiritual Uplift: The Atmosphere of the Spanish Steps

Considered to be the most elegant staircase in Europe, this Baroque masterpiece has become a favorite meeting place for Romans and tourists from all over the world for a reason. On summer evenings, a considerable number of people often gather here, but one can feel the spirit of unity.

It happens that someone starts humming famous melodies with guitar chords - and then the whole area begins to sing along. The fact that these people have never met before is irrelevant.

Yes, the comfort of the Spanish Steps unites. You can see for yourself in the Plaza of Spain (Piazza di Spagna), the exact address - Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti.

To climb the 138 steps and enjoy panoramic views of the trendy district, you need to get to the Square itself. You can do this by metro: get off the track at the Spagna station.

At the very top of the stairs is the Baroque Church of the Holy Trinity. By the way, the famous sculpture by Daniele da Volterra, called "Descent from the Cross", is kept inside. If possible, do not miss the chance and be sure to familiarize yourself with both.

You can eat nearby at the inexpensive Ristorante al 34. The cuisine here is varied. creative and inexpensive. The basis of the menu is Italian classics: pasta, meat, fish dishes, delicate home-made desserts and a wine list, without which almost no meal in this hospitable country is complete.

Rome Map and Photos of Attractions

Temple of All Gods: Pantheon

To be in Rome and not visit the Pantheon means to take a sin on your soul. This majestic masterpiece of architecture is not without reason called the Temple of All Gods: you will understand it as soon as you enter inside and raise your head up.

Huge, but at the same time elegant hemispherical the dome is 43 meters in diameter, which is exactly equal to its height. There are no windows in the Pantheon, therefore, in clear weather, the rays of the sun penetrate through the hole in the dome, illuminating the territory of the temple.

And when it rains, you will not be able to see the accumulation of water above the dome. Its uniqueness means the unity of all deities. Amazingly, it is not supported by any supports.

It is also worth visiting the Pantheon because it is there that the grave of the greatest figure of the Renaissance is located - Rafael Santi, as well as several tombstones of the first kings of Italy.

You can look into the temple from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm on weekdays, on weekends this time lasts from 9 am to 6 pm. The Pantheon is located on Piazza della Rotonda, which can be reached from the Barberini metro station. The route on the eighth tram is also valid: follow to the Argentina stop.

Not far from the temple is the famous Piazza Navona, which has been the main leisure area of ​​the city since time immemorial. And opposite the Pantheon there is a small comfortable restaurant Armando al Patheon.

The basis of the menu is the classics of Roman cuisine, delicacies and gourmet meat dishes. However, it is better to book a table in advance: There may simply not be any vacancies here..

Breath of Ancient Time: Roman Forum

The ruins of the ancient central market, once the center of the Roman universe, are now part of the square on ancient territory cities.

By the way, the word “forum” itself originates from here: in ancient times, the most important decisions were made here, decrees were issued, held various consultations and referendums. The forum was founded during the years of the Republic (509 - 27 BC).

Thanks to archaeological excavations of the last century, today we can see such ancient buildings as the Capitol, 8 remaining columns from the temple of Saturn, built in 497 BC. e., the three columns of the Temple of the Dioscuri (484 BC), the Sacred Road and many others.

Entrance ticket price - 12 euros, reduced - 8, you can accompany the walk with an audio guide, which is offered at the entrance for a price of 4 euros.

The Roman Forum is open from 8.30 to 16.30 in November-February, from 8.30 to 17.00 in March, from 8.30 to 18.30 in October, from 8.30 to 19.00 in September, and finally from 18.30 to 19.15 in April-August.

You can get to it by metro from the Colosseo stop or by the third tram, which you need to go to the ParcoCelio stop.

The exact address - Via della Salaria Vecchia, 5/6. Not far from the forum is a quiet restaurant Luzzi (Via di San Giovanni in Laterano, 88), where not only tourists, but also the Italians themselves eat. The pride of the place is pizza.

Information about historical city and many more interesting things about the rest in these amazing places find on our website.

Perhaps, the most famous Italian fountain. without visiting this the most beautiful place full acquaintance with the Italian capital is impossible.

The architect Bernini created an amazing scene, thought out to the smallest detail: Neptune, sitting in his luxurious shell-cart, as if “viewing” the area in front of the fountain. Numerous nymphs and a girl showing the way to the source of the Roman soldiers add to the observers reasons for admiration.

It is worth noting that opposite the fountain is the church of San Viancenzo e Anastasio, in which the ashes of Zinaida Volkonskaya are buried, Russian princess.

In addition to its own luxury, the fountain is famous for its large presence of signs. The most popular is to throw a coin into the fountain, turning your back to it, in order to return to this city later.

There is an opinion that if you toss a coin twice - find your love in Rome, and three times - soon you will get married or get married. The most common tradition among loving hearts is to drink water from the tubes on the right side of the fountain, the so-called lovers' tubes.

This is done in order to always live in peace and harmony.

You can reach the Trevi Fountain via the famous shopping street Via del Corso, moving along it to Via delle Muratte.

Then you will reach Piazza de Trevi, where, in fact, the fountain is located. You can also take the line "A" of the metro, the desired stop is Barberini Fontana di Trevi. You can admire the spectacle completely free of charge: we recommend evening time, although the fountain looks fantastic during the day.

Take a step back from the traditional hiking trail and you'll find a stylish but quiet restaurant [email protected] His address is Roma, Vicolo Scavolini, 63.

Delicious pastas, carpaccio, ravioli, steaks and soups will be made for you, it is really worth a try. The restaurant does not have house wine, but there is an excellent Tuscan.

But what you really should not do is to recklessly go to the nearest cafes near the top tourist places: the food there is good, but due to the workload of visitors, service is not fast, and prices are constantly increasing in arithmetic progression. Vkontakte

How to get from Fiumicino airport to the center of Rome?

By train. The Leonardo Express runs every 30 minutes. It takes about half an hour to get to Termini station in Rome, the fare is €14. The station is located on the territory of the airport (pointers will help you find your way). The express runs every day from 6:23 am to 11:23 pm.

By bus. Terravision buses run from 5:35 am to 11:00 pm, leaving every 30 minutes. The stop is easy to find, it is located near Terminal 3, platform 14. Buses arrive at Termini Station. The ticket costs €7. Travel time is about 55 minutes.

By taxi. The journey to the airport will cost approximately €40.

How to get there from Ciampino Airport to Rome?

By bus. Terravision buses leave upon the arrival of each aircraft. Passengers are expected at the exit of the airport, the transport goes to the final station of the Rome metro, and then to the Termini station. The journey takes about 40 minutes. Ticket price €7.

Termini station can also be reached by the Autostradale bus, which departs from the airport building every hour from 7:45 to 23:45. Travel time is about 45 minutes. Ticket price€7.

By taxi. The base fare is €35.

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Where to stay in Rome's neighborhoods?

Rome is divided into many zones, districts, districts, quarters, and we will talk about some of them. The area where you stay during your trip will determine your mood and impression of the city.

Celio

Perfect option. The area is adjacent to the Roman Colosseum, but, despite this, it is calm and quiet here. And how beautiful! Drinking coffee with a view of the main attraction of the city is, of course, a great happiness.

Pantheon

Great place in the center of the old city. Here you can fully immerse yourself in the culture and history of Rome. And this is the best location if you plan to walk around all the most interesting and iconic.

Trastevere

There is a very pleasant atmosphere here. Old houses, restaurants with homemade pasta and delicious wine, cozy squares, beautiful streets fascinate. It takes about half an hour to get to the main sights, along the way you can admire the amazing streets.

Roman Ghetto

Once upon a time, Jews lived in this place in very difficult conditions, and now there are many luxurious boutique hotels, art salons, expensive restaurants and family trattorias with Jewish cuisine. Today the Ghetto is one of the most respectable districts of Rome.

Prati, Vatican

From here it takes about 15 minutes to go to the Colosseum by public transport, but the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, Castel Sant'Angelo and even Piazza Navona are within walking distance.

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How much does a hotel cost in Rome?

The price of housing in Rome depends on the location of the hotel, conditions and level of service. Here is the estimated cost.

• 3-star hotel - from €60 per night.
• 4-star hotel - from €149 per night.
• 5-star hotel - from €226 per night.

You can book a hotel, hostel or apartment in Rome right now in our section.

Where not to live in Rome?

Termini

There are extremely cheap hotels in the Termini station area, but the atmosphere, to put it mildly, is not very good. It's noisy and almost nothing Italian. It does not feel at all that you are in beautiful Rome. Homeless people and drunk people spoil the impression of the city in 5 seconds.

Tor Bella Monaca

If the Termini area is simply not very comfortable, then Tor Bella Monaca is really dangerous. This is a crime area where you can easily get robbed.

• Save on travel and museum tickets. Buy tourist map Roma Pass for three days (€38). With it, you can ride public transport for free and visit many museums without queues and entrance fees.
• Use everything that is free, save your budget for other things. There are many places in Rome that are free to enter. For example, some free museums are the Napoleonic Museum, the National Academy of Saint Luke, the Pietro Canonica Museum, the Roman Republic Museum, the Piazzi Museum, the Carlo Bilotti Museum, the Museum of Ancient Sculptures, and the Villa di Massenzio.
• Buy tickets online in advance. Rome is one of the most touristic cities in the world, and absolutely all the tourists who come here want to visit the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums. To avoid standing in line, for example, to the Colosseum, buy a ticket online for one of the excursions. You can also take a combined ticket for two days with the possibility of visiting the Colosseum, Palatine and Roman Forum, this will significantly reduce ticket costs.

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• Dress properly. If you are going to Rome in the summer, keep in mind that shorts, flip flops, and bare shoulders are not allowed in churches and basilicas. Be sure to take comfortable shoes. There is a lot to go.
• There are fountains throughout the city. fresh water. Drink to your health, it's perfectly safe, the locals will confirm.

Where to eat cheap in Rome?

If you are not ready to spend a lot on food, do not go to tourist restaurants. In places located away from the main attractions, you can eat inexpensively and tasty. Seasoned travelers recommend Carlo Menta restaurant, Da Baffetto pizzeria, Pinsere, Casetta di Trastevere.

Many cafes and restaurants initially include coperto (€2-3) in the bill. This is a mandatory serving and service charge. It is not customary to give a separate tip in Italy.

What to see in Rome?

Rome Attractions: Opening Hours

When planning your route in Rome, keep in mind the opening hours of the places you are going to visit. Here are the opening hours of the main attractions.

• Coliseum: every day from 8:30, closes one hour before sunset. December 25 and January 1 closed.
• Roman forum: every day from 8:30, closes one hour before sunset. December 25 and January 1 closed.
• Castle of the Holy Angel: from Tuesday to Sunday: from 9:00 to 19:00.
• Pantheon: Monday to Saturday: 8:30 to 19:30. Sunday: from 9:00 to 18:00.
• Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano: every day from 7:00 to 18:30.
• Vatican Museums: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00 (last access at 16:00). Last Sunday of the month from 9:00 to 14:00 (last access at 12:30), closed on all other Sundays.
• Saint Paul's Cathedral: from October to March: from 7:00 to 18:30. From April to September: from 7:00 to 19:00. The dome opens at 7:30.
• Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore: every day from 7:00 to 19:00.
• Church of Santa Maria del Popolo: Monday to Saturday: 7:00 to 12:00 and 16:00 to 19:00.

What to see in Rome in three days, what a tourist needs to know, safety tips, where to stay, how to get to the Vatican and Rome museums without a queue. In this guide, we will share with you our well-trodden and proven walking routes in Rome. The capital of Italy for us is one of the most romantic cities in Europe. This is a real open air museum. the eternal City". The ancients said: "All roads lead to Rome." The capital of Italy is a "must have" for every traveler.

Rome is a city on seven hills: Capitol, Palatine, Aventine, Esquiline, Caelius, Quirinal, Viminal. The city is divided into two parts by the Tiber River. The left-bank part is the place of the ancient city, the right-bank part is called Trastevere, here in ancient times visiting guests settled. The Vatican is also located on the right bank of the Tiber. small state in the world, the capital of the Catholic world.

Rome won our hearts with an amazing combination of antiquity, Renaissance art, sophistication of different styles of architecture, classical music sounding in the subway, from the windows of cars and buses (we didn’t hear chanson and pop songs)), romance, delicious Italian national cuisine, emotional and pleasant people .Rome has its own special atmosphere and unique energy. It is very diverse and every traveler will perceive the capital of Italy in his own way.

How to get to Rome

The most convenient and fastest way is by plane. We flew direct flight Kiev-Rome. 2.5 hours and you are in the capital of Italy! The top view is amazing. Italian mountains!

Sea and coast of Italy!

An excellent service that we, our relatives and friends use - Skyskanner.com.ua - search for cheap flights. It quickly compares offers from hundreds of airlines and selects the best deals. At the same time, you book air tickets directly on the airline's website, receiving all the bonuses that are due. It is easy to find a ticket to Rome on the website. Enter the data in the search and choose the best flight for you.

You can also get to Rome by bus from other European cities. Tickets can be purchased at the following services:

Pros: The price of a taxi is fixed when ordering, they meet you with a name plate, adjust to your flight, help with luggage. Calculate the cost of a taxi, fill out the form below:

Car rent.

Do I need to rent a car. You don't need to rent a car to visit Rome. It is more economical and convenient in the city to combine public transport with walking. Renting a car is suitable if you plan to travel outside of Rome. It is profitable and inexpensive to rent a car on the website rentalcars. This service compares car rental prices in well-known companies and helps you choose the best option.

Public transport in Rome.

In the capital of Italy, it is convenient to travel by public transport: buses, metro, trams, commuter trains. At the tram or bus stop there is a board with transport numbers and points of its route. It's hard to get lost))) From Fiumicino Airport to the center of Rome, you can easily get by train or bus. Travel time is about 35-40 minutes.

Metro in Rome has 3 branches: A, B and B1, C. Outside of Rome, for example, to the beaches of Lido di Ostia, there is a ground metro line. We cannot say that the subway in Rome is beautiful. It is decorated simply, without design frills, it is perceived as an ordinary means of transportation.

Metrebus (or BIT) tickets for public transport in Rome are valid for all modes. Metro, bus, tram, as well as commuter trains Roma-Lido, Termini-Giardinetti and Roma-Civitacastellana-Viterbo, form a single system of the ATAC transport company. The company's website http://www.atac.roma.it - ​​here are the current prices and transport routes. A ticket for 100 minutes costs 1.5 euros, you can use it once in the metro, including transitions from line to line, and many times during this limited time you can change to different bus and tram routes.

Ticket price with unlimited number of trips: for 1 day - 7 euros, for 48 hours - 12.5 euros, for 72 hours - 18 euros and for a week - 24 euros. The ticket must be validated, from this moment the countdown of its validity begins.

Helpful advice: It is advantageous to purchase tickets for an unlimited number of trips for any type of public transport in Rome. We bought tickets for 72 hours at the metro ticket office and traveled around Rome for 3 days by metro, buses and commuter train to the town of Lido di Ostia to swim in the sea. In our case, when the hotel was on the outskirts of the city, this is an economical option.

But, if your hotel is close to the center, then there is no need to buy a travel card with an unlimited number of trips. After all, Rome is a compact city, convenient for tourists. You arrive at one “point”, inspect everything around on foot and drive back. An example is our routes in Rome below in the article. The calculation is very simple: a ticket for 1 day costs 7 euros, in order to recoup it, you need to make at least 5 trips per day. And in compact Rome it will be difficult to do in one day))).

Tourist buses also run around Rome. Hop On Hop Off Bus (tickets from 24 euros for 24 hours). There is another suggestion - Bus tour Hop-On Hop-Off “Museum Express”- a blue bus that passes through the most popular museums in Rome. The price depends on the route and time of action (24, 48 or 72 hours). As for me, it makes sense to take such a bus if you plan to visit Rome for only a few hours or one day and you want to quickly see the main sights of the city. Getting around on foot and using public transport is also a great opportunity to see Rome. After all, it is always interesting to find out how real Rome lives, and not ostentatious - touristic.

Where to stay. Hotels and apartments in Rome.

You can book accommodation in the center of Rome using these links:

Advantageous promotions of hotels in Rome and Special offers Discounts can be found here:

Maps of Rome, guidebooks, phrasebooks.

Maps of Rome, as well as a schedule of upcoming events in the city, can be taken free of charge at any tourist office.

Helpful advice: We noticed that in any country they are very friendly to tourists who speak or at least try to say a few words in the local language.

Before the trip to Rome, we stocked up on an Italian phrasebook. He helped us on this trip, although in the city center you can easily ask for directions in English)))

Also purchased a guide to Rome with a map. He helped us with the preparation of routes in Rome. In it, we added the necessary places or coordinates with a pen.

Food and water in Rome.

Bravo! Benissimo! Fantastic! Wow! - and many more such words I want to say in honor of Italian cuisine. This is my favorite cuisine: pizza, lasagna, ravioli, pasta, risotto, minestrone and for dessert tiramisu, panna cotta, gelato, Italian coffee, fine wines and liqueurs, different types of cheeses.

Where to eat in Rome. There are no problems with this in the capital of Italy. There are many restaurants, cafes, osterias, trattorias, pizzerias, gelaterias. It is better to go not to a tourist place, but to the institution where the most local residents. Usually they are a little further from the center. The prices are cheaper and the food is delicious authentic. Restaurants in Italy are expensive and prestigious places, cafes - usually self-service, trattorias, pizzerias and osteria - establishments with affordable prices and Italian cuisine. (Although you need to be careful, sometimes expensive restaurants can be called Trattoria or Osteria). Usually, at the entrance to a cafe or trattoria, a menu with prices is posted.

Helpful advice: In Italy, there is an unspoken rule: If you drink coffee at the bar, then the price is the same. But as soon as you sit down at a table and you are served by a waiter, the bill for the order increases almost 3 times. After all, this bill includes service and maintenance fees. For example, a cup of coffee-latte (emphasis on A)) in the Castel Sant'Angelo at the bar cost 1.5 euros, and at a table in a romantic setting and with views of Rome - 3.5 euros.

Rome. In the castle of St. Angel

A separate story about ice cream. We once met with friends who also traveled to Rome. We exchange impressions. And then the phrase sounds: “We ate such delicious ice cream in Rome ... Ice cream !!! called. Bought near the Colosseum.” We ask: “Have you tried gelato?” - "And what is it?" Curtain… Gelato is a must-try in Italy!

Gelato is an amazing Italian ice cream. They sell it in gelateria. There are many in Rome. We “chosen” one of these at the San Paolo metro station. While waiting for the bus, each time we bought ourselves a gelato. We tried different flavors, the choice is very large. The system is like this - you choose a waffle cone for 1.5, 2, 3 or more euros. (the more, the more expensive). And the seller fills this cone with those gelato flavors that you like. It turns out such an impressive pyramid of ice cream balls of different types. Incredible yummy!

Helpful advice: In Rome, you can drink water from the fountains. It is absolutely safe and very convenient. The only thing is that the water is very cold. You can always freshen up, take a bottle of water and wander further, getting to know this unique city.

Interestingly, in Ancient Rome a real aqueduct was built. Fountain means "source". Once upon a time, fountains served only to supply the Romans with water and did not jet upwards. From the slopes of the hills, long aqueducts supplied water to Rome. At the same time, it underwent triple filtration: it was cleaned with coal, sand, and then with herbs. Therefore, the Romans did not suffer from stomach problems due to poor quality water. In the 4th century, there were more than 800 fountains in the city, and a hundred thermal baths also worked.

Shopping in Rome.

Italy is one of the fashion trendsetters. Rome is a city where acquaintance with unique historical, cultural and architectural sights is perfectly combined with shopping. Boutiques of famous designers can be visited while walking along the streets of Rome. In addition, in the capital of Italy there are large shopping centers and outlets outside the city.

The opening hours of shops in Rome are from 9-00 to 19-00 or 20-00. In many, except for outlets and shopping centers, there is a break from 13-00 to 15-00 (siesta)) and a day off (or a short day) on Sunday.

Inscription "Skonti" means "discounts" in Italian. The season of big discounts for the most economical purchases is in winter in January-February, and in summer in July-August. During the sales period, prices fall by 50-70%. In the stores with the inscription Tax Free foreign buyers are eligible to receive a VAT refund on purchases of 155 euros and above. For this, a special ticket is issued. At customs, in a special window for Tax Free payments, it is provided along with a check and unpacked purchases. (it is better to arrive at the airport earlier, because there may be a large queue of people who want to). Sometimes, right in the shops, the owner or the seller immediately makes a discount, it was the same with us)))

Expensive and respectable boutiques located next to Plaza España (Spagna metro station) on Condotti, Gregoriana, Babuino, Borgognona, Frattina streets. Here are such brands as Gucci, Valentino, Armani, Tods, Trussardi, Dolce & Gabbana and many more famous fashion houses.

Shops in the middle price range with more affordable prices, you can find Via Nazionale (- there are many shops on this street with a good selection of leather goods and fur coats), Via del Corso, Via Barberinini, Via Vittoria, near the Vatican and Ottaviano-Via Cola di Rienzo metro station.

For shopping in Rome are also popular big shopping malls Oviesse, Coin, Euroma, Upim, La Rinascente, Galleria Alberto Sordi. They work on Sundays, and there is a siesta break on these shopping malls No. Same as in outlets.

Outlets in Rome These are whole towns outside the city. You can go here for almost half a day)))

Castel Romano Outlet located 25 km from Rome. It presents last year's collections of elite and mass-market brands with discounts: Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Fendi, Armani and other well-known brands. There is a regular bus service from Termini Station and Piazza Risorgimento to Castel Romano.

Outlet «Valmontone» popular among the local population, located 40 km from Rome. It has goods of an average price range, but at the same time of excellent Italian quality. There are such brands of clothes and shoes as Baldinini, Twin Set, From By Vestebene, Kocca, Feyem, Manila Grace. The bus to the Valmontone outlet also leaves from the Termini railway station.

Techer Outlet Convenient location in the center of Rome. It is close to Plaza España and Via del Corso. In this outlet, in fact, the same brands as in "Castel Romano". At Techer you will find discounts on clothes, shoes and accessories of such famous brands as Armani, D&G, RoccoBarocc, Gigli, Fendi, Versace.

Safety in Rome

On hot days, walking around the capital of Italy simply requires water, a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Heels and stone-paved streets of Rome are simply incompatible))) But that's not all ...

Before the trip, our relatives warned us about theft in Italy right on the street. Unfortunately, they had a bitter experience. Although they knew about such a problem, they seemed to be holding handbags at the ready, but they stared at the Roman beauty and took the bag off their shoulders. And the thief on a motorcycle (he did not admire Roman beauties, but only tourists) snatched his purse and left.

Helpful advice: Do not carry all your money, cards and documents with you. Leave in the hotel safe. Always make photocopies of passports and visas at home. Travel with photocopies of documents in your backpack. Put the bag not just on the shoulder, but “at the ready” - over the neck and shoulder, so that it would be impossible for passing or running “slickers” to remove your bag on the go.

How tourists are “bred” for money is a separate issue. For example, gladiators near the Colosseum. Before going to Rome, we read about this on many websites and decided not to deal with such “photo-gladiators” at all. You won’t have time to look back, but you already owe a good amount of money for a photo with arrogant “legionary muzzles”. How does this happen? You agree on the price of one photo. In the process of filming, the “gladiator”, while you are in “tourist nirvana”, quickly changes positions, hands you a sword, a shield and ... bills you for several photos instead of one. The second type of "gladiator" divorce - during the photo session, several more "legionnaires" run up to you. Now you have to pay extra for each photo separately.

And such a “divorce” for money was already observed near the Colosseum. We went to the fountain at the Roman Forums to drink water. Here we look at a man collecting water in half-liter bottles. There were 10-15 pieces of containers. We think, probably, he is trying for his entire tourist group. Well done))) BUT… when we approached the Colosseum, we saw how this “caring” little man was selling water from the freezer in the same bottles with might and main. The heat is unbearable, tourists are happy to buy bottles of ice. This is business!!!

We read a lot about the fact that Roman taxi drivers are cheating and demanding much more money for the fare than agreed at the beginning. We have not encountered such a phenomenon. On the contrary, taxi drivers not only did not take tips, they even gave us a discount, and on the way they also told us about the city)))

And one more thing - do not buy tickets to the Colosseum (with a promise to skip the line) from the hands of illegal guides in the Colosseum Square. I wrote about this below - in the itinerary of the first day.

What to see in Rome in three days. Walking routes. Sights of Rome.

The capital of Italy pleasantly surprised me with its compactness. Attractions are located at every step and close to each other. This is very convenient for the traveler, because to see the most interesting one does not need to go from one end of the city to the other. We enjoyed walking along the picturesque Roman streets and beautiful squares with fountains, enjoying the atmosphere of the "eternal city".

I love these colorful streets. By the way, “area pedonale” is a pedestrian zone. Just for the curious hikers))

And when the brain already refused to perceive architectural masterpieces and the ancient sights of Rome, it's time to treat yourself to delicious Italian dishes, pizza, lasagna, pasta, wines or gelato ice cream.

We built our acquaintance with the capital of Italy according to this principle: we arrive by metro at one point in Rome and inspect everything that is nearby. For three days, these routes turned out.

Walking route in Rome. The first day.

Colosseum Square - Palatine Hill - Roman Forums - Amphitheater Colosseum - Imperial Fora - Venice Square - Capitol Hill

The route takes a whole day. It starts from Colosseo metro station and Colosseo Square and ends at Capitol Hill. It is dedicated to Ancient Rome.

The famous amphitheater Colosseum impresses with its scale, grandeur and…. a huge winding line of tourists to the ticket office. Right there, in addition to the “gladiators”, illegal guides can come up to you with an offer for denyuzhka (in addition to the ticket price) to visit the Colosseum without a queue. Another deception of gullible tourists.

Helpful advice:How to get into the Colosseum without a queue

The secret is simple. Single tickets are sold for the Palatine Hill, the Roman Forums and the Colosseum. The cost is 12 euros. The ticket is valid for 2 days, but you can visit these attractions only once. At the box office of the Colosseum, the longest line. A single ticket can also be bought at the box office of the Palatine, the box office of the Roman Forums, as well as booked online on the Colosseum website. (but on the website the booking surcharge is 2 euros).

We bought single tickets at the Palatine box office and started our walk through the antiquities of Rome from this hill. It’s easy to find the Palatine cash desks: go behind the Arch of Constantine in the Colosseum Square, go along Via di San Gregorio following the signs Monte Palatino. There were only 5 Pilatino in front of us at the box office !!! Human. (at a time when the line to the Colosseum consisted of about a hundred tourists). The ticket offices of the Roman Forums are located on the street. Via Sacra and on the street. Largo Romolo e Remo.

Read more in this article:

The route is very interesting. A sea of ​​impressions for lovers of antiquities and history. He has one drawback - this is an “overload” at the end of the day)))) I will write more about the Colosseum-Capitol route in a separate article. In the meantime, a few photos of the first day in Rome))

Coliseum. Photo at the exit from the metro station "Coliseum"

Arch of Constantine

Hill Palatine. Here it is pleasant to wander through the ancient ruins to the loud singing of cicadas. Pine-Italian pines create a special flavor.

Roman forums. View from Palatine Hill. The Forum was the center of the cultural and political life of Ancient Rome.

Coliseum. It is very interesting to see this building from the inside.

Geographic maps with the history of the Roman Empire . Placed on the wall of the Basilica of Maxentius. It's on the other side of the forums. You can find them by moving along Via dei Fori Imperiali from Piazza Colosseum to Piazza Venezia.

Imperial forums. Trajan's Market and the Militia Tower.

Trajan's Column and the Church of Santa Maria di Loreto. Do you know what links this ancient column of Emperor Trajan and the city of Kamenetz-Podolsky? The answer is in our article:

Piazza Venezia and the Altar of the Fatherland. This monumental building is often referred to by the Italians as the “typewriter” or “wedding cake”.

Capitol Square. Palazzo Senatori. Here is the City Hall of Rome.

Capitol Museum.

Walking route in Rome. Second day.

Vatican City (St. Peter's Basilica and Museums) - Castel Sant'Angelo - St. Angelo's Bridge - Piazza Navona-Pantheon

A full day sightseeing tour of Rome.

Unfortunately, we did not have time to climb the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel. The reason for this was the huge queues and the desire to see other famous sights in Rome. But now tourists have the opportunity to avoid the queues at the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and even St. Peter's Basilica. How to do it?

Helpful advice: How to skip the line at the Vatican Museums.

The answer is simple! This will help online booking tickets on the official website of the Vatican Museums, on this page. Buy a ticket in advance. This can be done up to 60 days before visiting the museums. Enter all the people who plan to go to museums with you, select the date and time of the visit. The price is 16 euros + 4 euros for booking, i.e. only 20 euros. Pay with a credit card and immediately after that you will receive a voucher with a QR code on your email. Entrance to museums with vouchers received by e-mail. In an hour!! before the scheduled time, enter to the right of the main queue and the main entrance, present a printed voucher (you can also show your QR code on a tablet or phone, the main thing is that the code is well read) and an identity card. After scanning the code, you are handed a standard ticket to the Vatican Museums. Come in without a queue.

How to skip the line at St. Peter's Basilica.

Entrance to St. Peter's Basilica is free. (Paid - a museum inside the Cathedral and climb to the dome). But at the same time, to get to St. Peter's Basilica, you need to stand in a long line at any time of the year. It "winds" around St. Peter's Square. It moves quickly, but with such a large number of people, it will take at least two hours to defend. But even here there is an opportunity to skip the line. There is a paid service - "Visiting St. Peter's Basilica without a queue." The cost of saving your time - from 15 euros. The price includes an audio guide. You can purchase this service online. on that website.

How to buy tickets to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel read here:

I will make a detailed description of this route Vatican-Pantheon in a separate article. But some photos from this bright walk of the second day will be posted here with pleasure))

Vatican - the smallest state in the world. Saint Paul's Cathedral.

St. Peter's Square.

In St. Peter's Basilica. Greatness, beauty, spirituality.

Vatican Post. Be sure to send a postcard home from the Vatican's unique mail.

Castle of the Holy Angel. named after Archangel Michael, who, with his miraculous appearance at the top of the castle, informed the Romans about the end of the plague.

Statue of the Archangel Michael on top of the castle of St. Angelo.

Castel Sant'Angelo offers stunning views of Rome.

And in the distance - the Altar of the Fatherland on Venice Square (a wedding cake, as the Italians say)

Bridge of the Holy Angel. It has 10 statues of angels.

Navona Square. There is an amazing atmosphere here. Although there are a lot of people around, you just want to sit on a bench by the fountain or at a cafe table and enjoy the surrounding beauty without hurrying anywhere. Three beautiful fountains adorn Piazza Navona: the Fountain of the Rivers, the Fountain of the Moor and the Fountain of Neptune.

Fountain of the Rivers in Piazza Navona.

Fountain of the Moor in Piazza Navona.

Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva and statue of the Elephant. In this Gothic church, unique for Rome, the trial of the heretic Galileo took place. Here the scientist said his famous phrase: “And yet it spins!”. The elephant by Bernini holds on his back an obelisk column, which in the 6th century BC. brought from Egypt by Julius Caesar as a trophy.

Pantheon- ancient Roman temple of all gods. Now it is a national mausoleum in which worthy citizens of the Fatherland are buried.

The dome of the Pantheon is colossal. Its diameter is larger than the diameter of the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral (43.5 meters. "Eye of the Pantheon" - the hole in the dome has a diameter of 9 meters, through which sunlight enters the temple.

Walking route in Rome. Day three.

Sea trip to Lido di Ostia - Pyramid - shopping on Via Nazionale - Piazza di Spagna - Trevi Fountain

This itinerary for the whole day is very diverse: the sea, shops, architecture, the romance of evening Rome and the unique flavor of the city.

We got to the Tyrrhenian Sea in the town of Lido di Ostia by metro train from the Vasilica San Paolo station. Drive 35-40 minutes. The ticket price is the same as for any public transport in Rome. We were traveling on an unlimited ride ticket that we bought for 72 hours. Lido di Ostia is a typical Italian resort town. By the way, it is very similar to the resort town of Rimini, on east coast Italy. Read about this town here:

The same small family hotels, beaches across the road, boutique shops and a lot of vacationers. The sea is wonderful. At the bottom there are large stones, it is convenient to swim away from the shore and rest, standing on them. The sand on the beach is dark and hot. After a busy two days in Rome, a seaside vacation is a great solution. For half a day we just swam and sunbathed.

In Lido - di Ostia there are free beaches and paid ones - for 3 euros per person. They differ in that there are no sun loungers, umbrellas and much more people on the free ones. Showers, toilets, bars with water, beer, sandwiches are on all beaches.

For the first time I came across such a “walking clothing store” on the beaches of Rimini. In Lido-di Ostia, as well as on all the beaches of Italy, there are merchants of various clothes, bags, scarves. “Walkers” do not sell corn, seeds and other food here. Only the Chinese sell chopped coconuts.

Pyramid in Rome - an unusual building for Italy. Located next to the Pyramid metro station. Built by praetor Gaius Cestius in the 12th century BC. from marble. He thus sought to surpass the greatness of the Egyptian pharaohs. The height of the pyramid is 35 m, but partly it has already gone into the ground.

Plaza of Spain and famous spanish stairs . There are a lot of people here, but very comfortable and romantic. Nice to meet up with friends and colleagues here.

A lot of people in the Plaza de España - it's something like this)))

Trevi Fountain - one of the most romantic places in Rome. Especially in the evening! To return to Rome, you need to throw a coin into the fountain. While standing with your back, throw your right hand over your left shoulder. But there are so many people that you can’t easily get to the fountain)))

Excursions in Rome.

We talked about the routes of independent walks in the capital of Italy. Can also be ordered private tour in Rome and surroundings with a local guide.

In the following articles, I will describe in more detail each of our routes. Read also how we traveled from Rome to Naples and Pompeii.

Therefore, stay with us - join our groups in the social. networks (column on the right of the site) or subscribe to our blog updates at the bottom of this article and you will definitely not miss new stories and helpful tips about traveling to Rome.

Rome is an amazing city. He falls in love with himself instantly and for a long time))) Of course, you can’t see everything in three days. We still haven’t had time to see so many things: the Villa Borghese park, the Appian Way and the Roman catacombs, the Baths of Caracalla, the Mouth of Truth, the Turtle Fountain, Piazza del Popolo with the twin churches - you can’t list everything)))

I think that you can’t get acquainted with Rome in a hurry, running around all the sights according to the drawn up plan and ticking the boxes in the guidebook - “visited”. Rome should be enjoyed slowly, soaking up the unique and unusually romantic atmosphere of the “eternal city”.

By the way, New! Now insurance "Green Card" - Green card You can also apply online on the website hotline.finance . And get it delivered to your home. When traveling by car, "Green Card" is required

To go on an independent trip to Rome, to the wonderful capital of sunny Italy, you need to know a few important features of a vacation without travel agencies. Thanks to them, you can relax in two cheaper and spend your time much more interesting. Every year the number of travelers who went to Rome on their own is increasing, and those who choose ready-made all-inclusive tours from travel companies are becoming less and less.

There are several reasons for this:

• Independent trips 30-70% cheaper
• Independent rest is much more interesting and varied
• Traveling on your own, you can create your own itinerary and not depend on the tour program
• Traveling on my own You will never be left to the mercy of fate travel agency in case of its bankruptcy, because you buy only reliable air tickets and book high-quality accommodation
• You can take a vacation to Rome any day convenient for you and extend the trip for as long as you want, because only you decide on what dates to buy tickets

Comparison of a tour and independent travel

Let's now more accurately go through the prices of tours and independent travel. Sometimes it happens that tours are more low prices than the amount spent on independent trip but, most often, this is only the first impression. Cheap tours are almost always offered with cheap, terrible, hard-to-find hotels included in which to live is to spoil your overall holiday experience. Let's be more specific with examples.

Tours should be viewed on websites or, it’s cheaper and more convenient than walking or calling a lot of travel agencies, yet the age of high technology, you need to take advantage of it. For ease of use, I prefer Travelata, so the examples will be from this site.

Here is an example of a tour search.

The cheapest tour costs 62254 rubles. Let's look at it more carefully.

The distance to the center is -5.5 km (it will be uncomfortable to drive from this hotel to the city center for sightseeing + add the fare to this), which means that this is not the most comfortable accommodation option in Rome (but this is the type of accommodation they offer cheap tours. More characteristics of the hotel: studio, no cleaning, no meals.

And now let's check how much it costs to book the same hotel room, for the same dates, only on our own. We do it through .

The screenshot shows that: 1) the rating of the hotel is 6.5 out of 10, which is quite bad (Roomguru has its own rating, which, in my opinion, is much more objective than on, because on the latter, hotel owners often wind up the rating, they add fake reviews, in general, guided by my experience and the reviews of friends and acquaintances, I trust Roomguru more), I recommend booking hotels with a rating above 7.5, so you will not end up in a hotel where cockroaches crawl on the walls, non-working air conditioners in incredible heat (in Rome until mid-September, even at night it is very hot for most Russians who are used to lower temperatures, rude staff and non-working locks on the doors (and you also want to keep your things when you leave the hotel); 2) you can book a room for only 21144 rubles (the hotel is the same, the room is exactly the same, the dates are the same), let me remind you that the tour costs 62254.

Of course, the tour also includes flights, medical insurance, group transfers. Let's go over those points too.

Item number 7. Get a visa

To visit Rome, you need to get a Schengen visa. Usually the term for consideration of the application is one to two weeks, but there is also an accelerated consideration (3 days). You can submit documents to the Italian Consulate or to one of the Italian visa centers, which are in most million-plus cities, and not only in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Tourist Schengen visa allows you to stay in the countries that have signed the Schengen agreement, up to 90 days in half a year.

The cost of processing a regular application for a Schengen visa is 35 euros, and an accelerated one is 70 euros. If you want to save money, then submit documents directly to the consulate, so you will not pay a service fee to the visa center, which now amounts to 2200 rubles.

For more details and types of visas, documents, terms of consideration and possible reasons for refusal, read in.

Item number 8. Select Rome attractions to visit

There are a lot of sights in Rome, you can see them on almost every street. But since everyone has different interests, I will give a general advice based on my experience and my impressions: less ruins, more museums with guides. This is a subjective opinion, it may not coincide with yours, but I think so.

There are a lot of ruins in Rome, it is enough to visit the Colosseum with the Roman Forum "for show" that you have visited the most famous sights of Rome. The fact is that if you are not a historian, and not a person wholly absorbed in architecture, history, then visiting a large number ruins will do nothing but spend on entrance tickets, fatigue due to walking, and allocate a lot of time to the same type of places. Yes, these places (the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the baths of Caracalla, the Palatine, the Circus Maximus, etc.) were once great buildings in the past, but now they are ruins. The Colosseum stood abandoned for many centuries, of no interest to anyone, until they turned it into a famous landmark, designed to attract tourists to enrich the city budget.

You will spend more useful and interesting time in museums with a guide who will tell you truly exciting moments from Roman and Italian history. You will have something to remember after the holidays.

I will list the attractions according to my rating (the higher the attraction in the list, the more it is recommended to visit):

• Coliseum
• Roman forum
• Vatican Museums
• The Sistine Chapel
• Gallery Borghese
• St. Peter's Cathedral (bewitching view of the city from the dome)
• Castel Sant'Angelo
• Capitoline Museums
• Trevi Fountain
• Pantheon

Item number 9. Choose interesting excursions

Visit as many sights as possible in a short time - this plan is good if you want to SEE interesting places and structures. But in order to understand, imbue and supplement your worldview with something, you need to “savor” every attraction.

It is better to visit fewer attractions in Rome, but with greater benefits. For example, let's take the Vatican Museums - a great place to get acquainted with Italian culture. There are so many exhibits here that it would take half a day to see at least some of them. But just looking at works of art and not understanding their history, when, for whom, why it was created, will not bring you much impression. But if you learn all this from a reliable source, then this is already interesting and instructive. Visiting sights with and without a guide are completely different things. It is better to visit 1 museum with a guide than 3 without one.

But keep in mind that it will be interesting only with a professional guide, selected according to the positive reviews of tourists. You can often see "guides" who offer their services near famous sights, but by choosing them, you will most likely fall into a group of tourists of 30-40 people, the guide will speak the memorized text in a monotonous voice, you'll be lucky if this text is a retelling some printed guide, not a Wikipedia article. Of course, there are good guides who meet at the entrance to the sights, but, unfortunately, there are very, very few of them.

Of all the services where you can choose an excursion with a good guide in advance, the best, in my opinion, is. The undoubted advantage of this site is that the excursions presented are quite unusual (when compared with offers from tour operators) and are conducted by local guides who permanently reside in Rome. Each excursion has its own reviews, trusted guides, you can choose a date convenient for you, everything is safe and reliable. Decide which sights you want to visit, and then choose the most suitable excursion on this service.

Here is a list of excursions that I consider to be among the best:

Item number 10. Find out how to get from the airport to the center

If you do not arrive at night, then you can safely go to the center of Rome from the airport by public transport. Most tourists first go to Termini Station, and then get on the metro (the metro station of the same name is located in the same place as the station) or buses to their hotel.

If your hotel is located near Termini station, you can use the regular train (you can get off at Tuscolana (metro line A), Ostiense (metro line B), Trastevere, Tiburtina (metro line A)), leaving from the airport (to find trains, it is enough to follow the signs showing train J). Tickets can be bought at special machines at the airport or at the box office, you will need to pay 8 euros.

Another option to get to the center is by bus. There are many of them near the exit from the airport, again there are signs. You can buy a ticket both from the driver (it will cost 6 euros) or online, for example, on the website www.terravision.eu (there are many carrier companies, this one is one of the best). The journey will take about 1 hour.

If you arrive at Rome's Ciampino airport, you can also get there by bus or regional train. Mostly low-cost airlines (low-cost air carriers) fly to this airport from domestic flights, from other Schengen countries, some charter flights. If you are flying from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, then you are most likely to arrive at Fiumicino Airport (which airport you are arriving at - see in tickets or when buying them).

You can also rent a car and move freely around Rome (albeit with a constant search for a free parking space). It is cheaper to rent a car (by 20-40%) in advance online on the website.

If you arrive at night (from 23:00 to 6:00), you will either have to wait for the start of public transport at the airport (which is quite inconvenient, after the flight it’s faster to go to the hotel, have a little rest), or order a transfer, for example, to, or use taxi, again, it is better to order online at (it’s cheaper and more reliable, taxi drivers near the airport ask for an amount 2-3 times more than you pay in advance online), a taxi ride costs from 45 €.

Item number 11. To make a plan

Now you know the basic steps by which you can relax in Rome on your own in comfort. It remains only to find out some features of this city + make at least an approximate plan for visiting places that will save a lot of time and effort, and upon arrival there will be no questions what to see and where to go.

Here are some tips to make your vacation interesting and varied:

• Set aside a lot of time to visit one place. No need to try to visit all the sights of Rome in one day, it is better to see one attraction thoroughly than 5 in passing.
• Make a rough plan for the whole vacation. This plan is best not to paint to the smallest detail. Visiting the Colosseum at 11:00 and visiting the Trevi Fountain at 12:00 is a losing plan. Leave time for freedom of action, if you want to go to a cafe - go in, if you want to sleep an hour longer - sleep, but the main places to visit should still be written in the plan.
• Look into ordinary residential areas. In the programs from tour agencies, the route is designed so that tourists see only the most visited places in the city, but some "non-tourist" areas can give much more interesting impressions, because Rome is an open-air museum, each street carries a part of history and has with its own charm. If you need to get from point A to point B, and there are only a few hundred meters between them, then it’s better to get there “on your own”, and not order a taxi or wait for a bus, walking will only benefit.

Roma Pass

The Roma Pass tourist card allows you to significantly save on transport and visiting attractions. There are two types of map:

• Valid 72 hours (38.5 €)
• Valid 48 hours (28 €)

On the first one, you can visit 2 attractions for free and without a queue, on the second - only one attraction. After free visits, the card entitles you to buy entrance tickets to most museums and attractions with a 50% discount. The card is sold in special kiosks that say Roma Pass (there are quite a lot of them in Rome). You can check the conditions, the list of attractions on the official website www.romapass.it (you can also buy it online there, just carefully read the terms of purchase and card activation methods).

It is better to use this card to visit the most popular attractions in order to bypass the hour-long queues. So if you are going to visit the Colosseum, Borghese Gallery, Castel Sant'Angelo, then it is better to get a card.

The Roma Pass also allows free use public transport, so if you settled somewhere on the outskirts and are going to visit many attractions, then the map will come in handy and save some money.

Urban transport

Public transport in Rome is represented by metro, buses and trams, all of which are operated by the same ATAC company, so the ticket is the same for all types. Vehicle. A characteristic feature of local transport is that the schedule is almost never observed, so do not plan any important transfers back to back, it is better to make a margin of time.

On popular routes (which pass through the main streets or through popular attractions), the traffic interval is small, every 5 minutes the right bus comes (but each of them is almost always packed to capacity in the high season). But if it's some kind of not too popular route, then the delay in the schedule can easily reach 30 minutes, and also, if there are few people at the bus stop, and no one waves their hand to the driver, then he will calmly drive on, leaving you at a slight bewilderment at the bus stop waiting for the next bus, so wave if you need this particular bus J.

The most convenient way to travel is by metro. Although there are not so many stations in comparison with Moscow, the lines stretch to many important places. Opening hours: from 5:30 to 23:30 (on Saturdays until 00:30).

Traffic jams in Rome happen, but they are usually small and short-lived.

Single tickets can be purchased at special machines with the ATAC logo, which, in most cases, are located in the metro and next to the most popular bus stops. The purchased ticket must be validated (put a mark on the start of the ticket) in a special device, in buses these are small yellow boxes fixed near the entrance, in the metro the mark is placed when passing through the turnstiles.

Ticket prices in Rome are as follows:

• Ticket for 100 minutes – 1.5 €
• Ticket for 1 day – 7 €
• Ticket for 2 days – 12.5 €
• Ticket for 3 days – 18 €
• Ticket for 7 days – 24 €
• Ticket for 1 month – 35 €

Rent a Car

If you do not have a goal after Rome to go to other cities in Italy, then it is better to use either public transport or a taxi. The fact is that in Rome it is very difficult to find a free parking place, most of them are paid. Therefore, to save money, you need to choose a hotel with its own parking.

Rome has its own way of driving, and, unfortunately, small accidents happen often. The streets are narrow, there is nowhere to turn around. When using a car for a week, new scratches almost always appear, so it is better to choose not partial, but full insurance, so as not to pay extra when returning a car.

You can rent a car quickly and inexpensively on the website (all conditions are also indicated there). When renting “on the spot”, you will pay significantly more and the choice of cars will be significantly smaller.

Cost of renting a car per day online booking is 15 € and more for cars like Opel Corsa in high season, the minimum price for Volkswagen Golf is 28 € per day. It is important to consider that these are prices for early booking (1-3 months before the start date of the rental) and rental for 3 or more days (when renting for 1-2 days, the rental price increases by 20-25 € per day).

Prices in Rome

Prices in restaurants

Cafe prices

Prices in supermarkets

Attraction prices

How to save money on your trip to Rome

• Book hotel rooms on, so you will find inexpensive and comfortable accommodation.
• If you are still going to rent an apartment, then do it on Airbnb - this is the most convenient service. To get some discount when renting, you can use.
• Use the Roma Pass Tourist Card. Thanks to it, you can save a lot on visiting attractions, museums, exhibitions, using public transport, and also get additional pleasant bonuses.
• Take advantage of free tours. Such excursions are organized by professional guides several times a week, on which you will see the main sights of Rome, but this walking tours so be prepared to walk long distances.
• It will be cheaper to rent a car online on the site
• Attend sales. In Rome, sales are constantly held, where you can buy things of excellent quality at low prices. The sales season falls on the end of January-beginning of February and in July-beginning of August, during these periods there are discounts from 20 to 70%.
• Are you planning to visit other cities in Italy? Then use . For example, you can use the services of low-cost airlines and fly to Milan for 15 euros.
• Be sure to use .

All the necessary information on how to relax on your own in Rome is presented in this article. If you don't understand something, read it again and take a look at my guide. And don't put off your journey, life is to be enjoyed!

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