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You’re planning a trip to Rome and have no idea where to start? Forget all the top ten things to do in Rome lists. Here’s the ultimate list of things you need to do and some don’ts so you can enjoy your trip to Rome to the fullest AND you won’t look like an unprepared tourist!
The ultimate things to do in Rome (and some don’ts):
DO: Throw one, two or three coins into the Trevi Fountain. One is for returning to Rome, two are for falling in love with a Roman and three are either for getting married to this Roman or getting divorced, the sources weren’t that clear about it. Worth a try, right?
DON’T: Go to the Trevi Fountain by day, way too crowded. Better go there late during the night (so much more romantic too)
DO: Eat a Quattro Formaggi in “Berzitello”. In my opinion the best pizzeria in town. And the waiters have tattoos. Period.
DON’T: Eat a Quattro Formaggi in a pizzeria next to the Pantheon. Not worth the HIGH price. Nice view, but I recommend to have just a coffee there instead of lunch or dinner.
DO: Have a gelato in a REAL gelateria. My tip: Giolitti!
DON’T: Have a “fake” gelato. You can easily spot the fake one as the color is verrrrry colorful. (Too colorful)
DO: Go on a foody Rome Tour with Eating Italy Food Tours*, say hi to Kenny from me!
DON’T: Start a diet before your trip to Rome
DO: Go on a VIP Colosseum Tour with WalksofItaly, you not only get to the underground but also to the top, where no one else is allowed to go.
DON’T: Go to the Colosseum when everyone else wants to go, way too crowded and the waiting line is looong.
DO: Book an apartment. I prefer staying in an apartment, as it really makes you feel like living in the city you’re visiting. Are you using Airbnb? If not: sign up via this link and you’ll get a $20 voucher.
DON’T: Save money and book something OUTSIDE of Rome, as it’s such a lovely city to explore by foot if you’re staying somewhere central. Location is key.
Here are some hotel recommendations in Rome if you don’t want to book an apartment:
- N°3 Town House Pantheon*
- Hotel 87 eighty-seven*
- Giuturna Boutique Hotel*
- Parlamento Boutique Hotel*
- Colonna Palace*
AND (last but not least): The only time it’s ok to drink a Cappuccino is in the morning for breakfast with a Cornetto. Don’t ever order a Cappuccino after lunch – everyone will immediately know you’re a tourist (but if you really really like Cappuccino and want to order one – just do it, they might judge you but who cares, right?)
Here are 25€ FOR YOU! Need some extra money for you next trip? If you book your accomodation through THIS LINK, then you’ll get 25€ after your trip added to your credit card (cash back) you use for your booking.com account. Plot twist: I also get 25€ and through this you not only do something nice for yourself but also for me and this blog, so I can provide you with more stories on this blog. Are you getting excited about your trip to Rome? Here’s a video about my trip… ENJOY!
What are your favorite things to do in Rome? Anything you would add? Leave your tipps for Rome in the comments!
*Some Links in this post are affiliate links. It doesn’t cost you any cent more if you book through these links, but I’ll get a small provision for sending you that way.
Discussion19 Comments
Haha, nice post. I totally agree with your points when it is about when to go 🙂 and about Cappuccino I also just found out before my trip!
haha, yes, here in Germany it’s totally fine to drink Cappuccino after lunch. BUT try to order one in Rome at this time of the day…. hahahha 😀
Liebe Yvonne,
fahr nochmal nach Rom und check die wirklich guten Plätze aus, denn das, was Du hier aufgelistet hast, steht in jedem mittelalten Reiseführer, sorry. Eis bei Giolitti? Das war vielleicht vor 20 Jahren hip. Ein Tipp: Das nächste Mal einfach das richtige Insider-Blog lesen: http://www.parlafood.com. Kleine Empfehlung am Rande.
Wow, this is such a comprehensive list of tips, full-choked of information yet very interesting to read. Anyway, Rome is one of my family’s favorite holiday destination. And whenever we visit Rome, we never tend to forget throwing some coins in Trevi Fountain. As the old folks say, this would ensure a come back trip to Rome. And I guess, this is true… Because we keep coming back to Rome… This is such a great post. Thanks for the sharing…
Actually DON’T just go book a tour with “walks of italy”
The tour is 89 euros.
Shop around for other tour companies. Ive found an awesome tour of the colosseum at night that includes the top and underground of it. and the price is only 26 euros
plus on the regular ticket you pay 21 euro for the normal access including the underground. So thats an extra 68 euro to go one level up.
rip off much.
How do I find the tour of the Colosseum your talking about that includes the underground? Going for second time in July cant wait thanks Shirley [email protected]
When we went to Rome the Trevi fountain was on the list and the coliseum.
We actually found the Trevi fountain not to be that busy but the coliseum what packed.
We went on a cruise so we just had one day there but we managed to do both.
So recommend the EatingItalyFoodTours, Kenny was fantastic. One of the best things we did on our visit to Rome
yay! Happy you liked it! 😀
I love the video! Your apartment looks so cosy. Rome is a fantastic city, but I especially like the food. 🙂
Thank you Milena, happy you liked it!
DO a hop-on hop-off open top bus tour. Always one of the best ways to see any city. A few different ones to choose from in Rome but the City Sightseeing is probably the best (http://bit.ly/citysightseeingroma). Tickets give you un-limited travel for either 24, 48 or 72hrs and you can hop on and off as much as you like! There are always discount offers connected to the tickets like free walking tours and money off vouchers. Enjoy!
Hi Yvonne
Loved your video , thank you. First trip to Rome in a couple of weeks and getting more excited as it gets closer. Trevi fountain by night looks like a great idea and I certainly will be throwing not one but three coins in the fountain :-). Happy travelling
Great recommendations! Especially the gelato tip – if it’s a color not found in nature – walk away! And I also agree about taking a food tour. We took on and were able to make our own Roman style pizza. Fantastic! http://goo.gl/eJAdQJ
Nice tips! Thanks for sharing!
Highly recommend checking out La Romana! It’s a pretty popular, and so worth the hype, gelateria near Bourghese park and also near the Castro Pretorio metro stop (only like an 8 minute walk) AND also pretty close to the Baths of Diocletian, which I also highly recommend checking out!
My name is also Yvonne..
I really enjoyed the video
My daughter..Granddaughter And sister and myself of course.
Did a trip to Italy..splendors of Italy..loved it..
Going back this may..for a longer stay.
Am very interested in seeing the coliseum at night..
Will bring it to our guides attention..
Thank you for letting us know there is an option
Going to be in Rome for a week in June 2017, and this list was very helpful. Thank you for all your advice.
Side note: your video was not available ?
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