The best months to visit Rome are April and September. During these months, there are fewer tourists, and the city is green and warm for most of the day. Visiting on the weekend doesn't give you the chance to see all the important monuments, so the most important thing is to see the most famous sights.
Rome is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and for many, an unrivaled destination. Here you'll find it all: ancient monuments, unique works of art and architecture, delicious cuisine, and a romantic atmosphere.
The multitude of Roman monuments and attractions can be overwhelming, so it's worth preparing before your arrival and planning a list of places you plan to visit. On the other hand, don't rely on a rigid plan, as sometimes it's enough to get a little lost and off-route to discover a remarkable building, square, or fountain.
Start in the old part of the city. In this area of Rome, most of the monuments are located in close proximity to one another. Start with a tour of the Colosseum, the great amphitheater where gladiator fights took place. It is the most famous symbol of the Eternal City, as Rome is also known. Nearby is the Roman Forum, the former center of Roman civilization.
Continuing on, you'll reach the beautiful Piazza Venezia. Via del Corso will lead you to the Pantheon, a place of worship for all the gods. Then you can head to Piazza Navona. The square is shaped like an ancient stadium and features three fountains. The most famous is the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). The square is surrounded by numerous cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat, drink delicious coffee, and relax before exploring. The Campo de' Fiori market is located near the square. Some of the stalls here are 150 years old. You can buy fruit, spices, and souvenirs.
Strolling through picturesque streets and passing small squares, you'll come to Rome's most famous fountain, the Trevi Fountain. At its center stands Poseidon, standing on a shell, pulled by two horses led by Tritons. It was here that the renowned Italian director Federico Fellini filmed one of the most important scenes in cinema history. In La Dolce Vita, Anita Ekberg enters the fountain and invites Marcello Mastroianni to take a dip with her. An eight-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain brings you to the Spanish Steps and the boat-shaped Barcaccia Fountain.
Head to the Vatican to see its museums and basilica. You can't miss Castel Sant'Angelo, where the popes protected themselves from danger. The Trastevere district, full of cafes, picturesque squares, and alleys frequented by street artists, is also worth a visit.
Rome's historic center is small and easy to explore on foot. You can sense history in almost every corner of the Italian capital, and exploring on foot gives you the chance to stumble upon one of the Eternal City's hidden treasures. However, if you're short on time, it's worth using inexpensive public transportation. For tourists, the metro is the most convenient and easiest way to get around, but unfortunately, the suburban line bypasses most of the sights of the old town and Trastevere. An alternative to the metro are buses, which stop at virtually every corner of Rome. Metro tickets can be purchased from special machines at the entrance. Bus passes, however, are not available from the driver.
How much time should I spend exploring Rome? There's no good answer to this question. It's not enough to say: if you want to visit most of the monuments and churches, even a few months might not be enough. Of course, few can afford such a long trip around Italy and the Lazio region. If you carefully plan your route and limit the number of places you want to see, you can even fit it into two days, flying through the historic part of Rome and experiencing the main sights firsthand.
