What to do in Rome, Italy

Getting to Rome 

Whether you are coming from inside of Europe or halfway across the world, you can find an easy way to access this ancient city.

If you are coming from within Europe, you can utilize the main rail station, Rome Termini. The train station is very conveniently located to many of the major attractions and also a great area to find a place to stay as it is a central hub for the city transit.

If arriving by air, you will have two options. Both of the airports are located outside of Rome. Most likely, you will find a flight that goes to Leonardo da Vinci Airport (Fiumicino) as it is the major airport. The best way to get from the airport into the city is to take the Leonard Express leaving every 15 minutes to Rome Termini. Once at Termini, you can take the local public transit to your destination. (Travel time 30 minutes)

The second possible airport is Rome Ciampino. You are more likely to fly to this airport if coming from withing Europe. Unfortunately,  getting into Rome is not quiet as straightforward as it is at da Vinci. From here, you will have to catch a bus into the city. This trip will take you somewhere around 45 minutes dependent on where in the city you are headed.

Where to stay in Rome

When traveling around Europe, I primarily recommend staying in an AirBnb as it is a great way to get local advice on the area.

If you are not comfortable with an AirBnb, I would also recommend staying in one of the local hostels as this is a great way to meet other travelers and find out what they have loved most about the area.

Finally, if it is more of a luxurious or romantic get away that you seek, there are more than enough hotels to choose from in Rome. I recommend staying close to the central area as some areas outside of there could get a little sketchy.

What to do in Rome

Rome is a city frozen in history, full of beautiful architecture that influenced the generations that followed. The city is very walkable or accessible through public transit. You can walk in and out of beautiful basilicas and other attractions with ease. I'll highlight some of the major attractions below.

• Colosseum

  • The Roman Colosseum, what some would consider the most popular attraction of Rome, does not dissapoint. The only downside to this miraculous place is the popularity. Be sure to plan ahead if you are wanting to get in for a tour.

• Arch of Constantine

  • While you are in the area, be sure to make a stop by the Arch of Constantine. This nearly 70 foot structure depicts battle scenes from an ancient victory of Constantine.

• Church of San Pietro

  • In the area is this San Pietro in Vincoli, a low key basilica houses the relic of the chains that bound Saint Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem as well as the famous Moses sculpture by Michelangelo.

• The Vatican

  • You can spend a lot of time in The Vatican. The Vatican is home to St. Peter's Basilica (don't miss the climb to the dome), the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum. Again, come early. The security and line to get inside of the city-state is strict. If you have time, it is highly recommended to attend a Papal Mass in the Vatican.

• Roman Forum

  • For centuries, this was the center of life within the city of Rome. Today, it may appear as a pile of ruins, but it is much more than just that.

• Trevi Fountain

  • This beautiful fountain stands tall at 86 feet and 161 feet wide, and appears even larger and more detailed than I originally imagined. Be sure to join in on the tradition of tossing a coin over your shoulder!

• Pantheon

  • One of the greatest engineering marvels in the world even today, being the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. Take a moment to walk inside and marvel at this massive structure built around 126 AD, yes, almost 2,000 years ago!

• Spanish Steps

  • Take a moment to enjoy a cup of coffee or a nice dessert on these world famous steps.

• Circus Maximus

  • An ancient Roman chariot racing stadium and mass entertainment venue.

• Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

  • The largest Catholic Marian church in Rome!

• Possible Day Trip to Naples/Pompeii

  • As a part of our four days in Rome, we took a day trip down to Pompeii. While we most certainly had enough to do in Rome to keep us busy, we didn't want to miss out on this amazing place. The experience here was sobering, but one of the most amazing places that I have ever been.

Whatever it is that you decide to do in this magical city, you are sure to have your own "Prime Adventure." Want to tell us about your own trip to Rome or anywhere else in the world? Click here and let us know!