Rome Travel Guide

Written By stephanie mendez
 

Rome is such a magical and life-changing city. It will teach you how to fall in love with food again, how to truly drink wine, how to appreciate history, how to be present with the people around you, and so much more. If there is one place you visit in your lifetime - it should be Rome (bold statement, I know!).

I’ve been to Rome twice now. I spent 5-6 days in Rome each time, and it was just enough time to see some of the major sites, try a few restaurants, have a day to hang out, and adjust to the jet lag. I wouldn’t recommend anything shorter than this if you really want to get a “taste” of Rome. However, I’m sure it can take a lifetime to truly explore the city.

Below you will find my recommendations on where to stay, places to eat, sites to see, and where to workout. I didn’t include every restaurant I went to, just the ones I felt were worth recommending and that I would go back to. I also included a list of recommendations I received that I didn’t get a chance to try out. But be sure that I will be back and adding to this list as soon as I can!

Where to Stay

 

The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel: A modern 5-star boutique hotel that is a part of the Autograph Collection (Marriott-owned). It is in the perfect location and just a short walk to destinations like the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, the Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain.

  • Pros: I absolutely loved the location and walking through the small cobblestone streets every night to get back to the hotel. I never ate at the hotel restaurants but had yummy cocktails on the 6th-floor terrace.

  • Cons: The rooms were nice but small and the walls weren’t very sound proof so I could hear anytime someone got off the elevator which was right next to our room. With a different room, I would stay here again. Learn more here.

Airbnb: I stayed at this Airbnb rental during my second trip to Rome.

  • Pros: The location was amazing! It was right in the Piazza Santa Maria square in Trastevere, which is a lively neighborhood with plenty of restaurants and bars. The unit had AC and a beautiful back terrace.

  • Cons: If someone is sleeping on the living room sofa it can get a bit loud since people on the square stay out until 4 am. However, the rooms were in the back, and you couldn’t hear any of the noise. I also wish the Airbnb was better stocked. The unit didn’t have any shampoo or bath products and we ran out of TP quickly because they only provided two rolls and had to get some ourselves. The unit is also on the 3rd floor up a tiny staircase and doesn’t include an elevator.

 

Where to Eat

 

Il Marchese: This was one of my favorite restaurants during my visit to Rome! My partner and I went here on the first night of our trip with some friends who live in Rome. The restaurant was a lively and fun place to be at night.

Its name even comes from the film “Marchese del Grillo” which symbolizes the spirit of Rome. It lives up to its name and will give you a very Roman nightlife experience. I ordered the pasta carbonara, which was oh-so-delicious, a bottle of the I Cerri wine, and had tiramisu for dessert. I highly recommend this place! See more here.

Taverna Trilussa: My partner argues that this was his favorite restaurant in Italy. I put it as second and only because I loved my dish at Il Marchese (mentioned above) slightly more. So it’s up for debate, but either way, I obviously recommend it.

The restaurant focuses on tradition and quality of food which is prob why it’s so good! The place is boasting with plenty of people enjoying their food, drinks, and company. The staff is also incredible. The waiter was kind enough to make me a special simple pasta dish with veggies because I was feeling so stuffed by this point of the trip. I also ordered a bottle of the Brunello Di Montalcino, and the tiramisu for dessert. You might be starting to see a trend here on my go-to items lol. See more here.

*I tried to make a reservation here during my second visit to Rome. I reached out two months early via Instagram (their recommended method), and they said to reach out again 30 days prior. I did, and they didn’t have any tables available for the date I needed. I still recommend this place but definitely make a reservation. It’s very popular now, especially since celebs like Oprah have dined here.

Mimi e Coco: I got to try this restaurant during my second visit to Rome. I had their cacio e pepe and it was delish! I even brought my family back 2 days later to try the food, and they all loved their dishes - especially the lasagna. There are three locations and they take reservations but only for the “Roma” location which is in central Rome.

Sora Margherita: This restaurant was recommended to us by some local friends and it was so charming! It will give you a very local and familial experience. It’s located between a Regola and Sant'Angelo neighborhoods. It has outdoor tables to dine at on cobblestone streets.

The menu is written daily based on seasonal ingredients but they offer very classic Italian dishes. I had Cacio e Pepe for the first time (!) and we also ordered the meatballs, artichokes alla giudia, and grilled chicken breast dishes. If you want to try more local Italian dishes, this is the place to venture out of your comfort zone. See more here.

 

Gino Sorbillo: Gino’s was my favorite quick and casual spot to go to in Italy! They have a delicious take on Neopolitan-style pizzas and they are so freakin delicious! I loved it so much that I went again when I was in Milan. Both times I ordered the Margherita Bufala pizza and a bottle of the house wine. Highly recommend both!

It’s located near a shopping area and also within walking distance from the Pantheon. So it can be the perfect post-shopping meal or even for a later night meal as they are open until 11 PM. See more here.

L’Osteria De Memmo: This restaurant was also recommended to us but by another friend who said it was his favorite restaurant in Rome. While it wasn’t my favorite per se, I loved the local, familial vibe of the restaurant and the dishes were delicious. I ordered the prosciutto e melon to start (so good!) and the spaghetti al pomodoro. This restaurant was also within walking distance from the Pantheon and is located in a small alleyway that is hard to find at first try so just a heads up. See more here.

Ginger: As much as I loved all the pasta and pizza I was consuming in Italy, my body starting craving some fruits and veggies. I love Ginger for that. It's a modern health-focused restaurant that is perfect for breakfast and lunch as it offers items such as smoothie, juices, egg dishes, and sandwiches. I only had the smoothies from this place for breakfast, but everything looked delicious! There are two locations within the main area of Rome to check it out. See more here.

Faro: After our workout at Volt (see below), we stopped by Faro for a yummy brunch. This was the first time I ever had a cappuccino. The place was known for them so I had to try one and 1.5 years later I am still hooked. A traditional Italian breakfast consists of a pastry such as a croissant and espresso/coffee. I enjoyed this for most of my trip but it was nice to find an egg dish to switch things up. See more here.

 

Things to Do

 

Tour Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica

When it comes to sightseeing in Rome, Vatican City is a must-see! We booked a private tour which was incredibly helpful in understanding all of the art, details, and history of the things we were seeing but fair warning that it took over 4 hours to get through the whole thing. If you’re interested in learning the history then I would recommend a private tour. Otherwise, I’d recommend to just explore on your own.

See the Colosseum

As one of the most popular world landmarks, you probably already have the Colosseum on your list but including it here just in case as another must-see.

We visited Rome during the pandemic, so there were much fewer tourists than normal. So there was no line and we were able to walk right in. Normally, the lines can be pretty long, so I would recommend purchasing a skip-the-line pass to avoid waiting.

Walk through Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill is one of the centermost hills of Rome and is considered to be the birthplace of the city. Before imperial times, this area was home to the rich and wealthy.

People can now walk through this beautiful site and visit the museum. I loved seeing the ancient ruins and taking in the view at the top of the where you can see the Colosseum from above. You can book a combined ticket to see Palatine Hill along with the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Learn more here.

 

Stop by Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain is not only the largest fountain in Rome but one of the most famous in the world. Needless to say, you should see it!

This was within walking distance from our hotel and the Pantheon. I’d recommend grabbing some gelato, having a seat by the fountain to take in its beauty, and even throwing a coin in for good luck.

Go Shopping in Via del Corso and See the Spanish Steps

Via Del Corse is a historic street in Rome that holds some of the best stores to go shopping. Even if some of the stores are too high-end for your budget (as it is mine lol!), it’s so nice to still walk around and window shop.

If you go to Via dei Condotti street, you will also see the beautiful Spanish Steps.

Take a Pasta Making Class

Learn the Italian way to make delicious homemade pasta by taking a cooking class!

Rome offers numerous options for cooking classes. I just found one through Viator but I don’t personally recommend it as it wasn’t in a real kitchen and we didn’t put our own dishes together. We just practiced making noodles and then ordered a dish from the restaurant we were in. I still had a great experience though and learned a lot about pasta.

 

Go to a Wine Bar

I’m a sucker for wine bars and even more so in Italy! We went to Salotto 42 which had such great vibes, wine, and cocktails. It’s the perfect place if you want to go out after dinner as it’s open until 2am.

It was another great find within walking distance from out hotel, which made me love the location we stayed in.

See more here.

Walk Around Trastevere

Travestere was one of my favorite neighborhoods in Rome! It’s located right across from the Tiber River and gives major bohemian-hipster vibes that I love. It’s not a very large neighborhood but filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. You can definitely walk through during the day but this neighborhood comes alive at night. Definitely check it out!

Visit a Local Bookstore

I’m a book nerd and have to check out at least one bookstore whenever I travel and purchase a book. Near my hotel, I found this Anglo American Bookshop which was perfect since I cannot read in Italian (yet).

There is also La Feltrinelli, a larger chain bookstore if you want to check out some books in Italian.

 

Where to Workout

 

Take a HIIT Class at Volt

With all of the walking you’ll do in Rome, you might not be eager to take a workout class. But… if there is one place I’d recommend it is Volt.

Full disclaimer - a friend of ours owns this gym. I went to take a class during my trip and it was such a great workout and just what I needed to help me feel better during my trip! Sign up for a class here.

 

Take a Yoga Class at Zem

If you follow me, then you know I love yoga. I’ve practice weekly for a decade and absolutely love trying out different yoga studios when I’m traveling. I went to Zem yoga studio in Rome and loved it! I took a heated yoga class with Titti who is an incredible instructor. She taught a powerful yoga class and even reminded me how to be okay with slowing down. I will definitely be back on my next visit. Sign up here.

Here’s a list of some other spots that were recommended to us that we didn’t get a chance to try.

  • Gelato:

    • Gelateria I Caruso

  • Coffee:

    • Rosati

    • La Casa Del

  • Bars/Wine Bars:

    • Litro Wine Bar

    • Hassler Hotel Terrace

    • Lion Wine and Cocktails: Modern cocktail bar

  • Restaurants:

    • Pierre Luigi: (Recommended to us by several people.) Good seafood and a nice outside eating area but pricey.

    • Da Cesare al Casaletto

    • Osteria Bonelli

    • Near Pantheon:

      • Clotilde: Excellent wine list and a menu with pizza, pasta and meat

      • Clemente alla Maddalena: Contemporary elegant winery and Italian restaurant

      • Maxela: Great for meat lovers

      • La Rosetta: Excellent fish food restaurant

      • Pirò Osteria di Pesce: Excellent seafood restaurant

      • Il Corallo Italian: Regional cacio e pepe pasta, pizza & seafood dishes in a buzzing venue

      • Pizzeria da Baffetto: Great to try typical Italian pizza

      • Osteria Del Sostegno

      • Osteria del Pegno: Small spot on a shady back street but amazing food for a reasonable price.

      • Divinity Terrace Restaurant: Great views of Pantheon and Roman rooftops. Top of Pantheon Iconic Rome hotel.

    • In Trastevere Neighborhood:

      • Checco er Carettiere

      • VII Coorte

      • Tonnarello

      • Roma Sparita: (Recommended to us by several people. Good. for pasta lunch.

    • Michelin-Star

      • Mirabelle: Restaurant with a terrace that has an amazing view over the city

      • Il Giardino: Restaurant in the Eden Hotel serving traditional Roman food with a unique touch

      • La Terrazza: Restaurant in the Eden Hotel with a view over the city

      • Idylio by Apreda

    • Near Colosseum:

      • Aroma: Near the Colosseum with great views. Make a reservation ahead of time.

      • Trattoria Monti: Bomb spot in Monti, 5-10 mins from the colosseum. The ravioli is amazing.

stephanie mendez