Must See~£18
Colosseum
Celio
The vast ancient amphitheatre where gladiators fought, still the symbol of Rome.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- Book ahead
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily, roughly 8:30–19:00 (earlier in winter)
Rome
Two thousand years of history on every corner, with pasta in between.
Overview
Why go to Rome
Rome layers ancient ruins, Renaissance piazzas and a lively neighbourhood food scene. The big sights are close together, but the real joy is wandering between them and eating well.
- Where
- Lazio, Italy
- Recommended stay
- 3–5 nights
- Best time to go
- April–June and September–October; August is very hot and many locals leave.
- Approx. daily budget
- £75–150 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.
What does Rome cost?
Full cost guide- Budget traveller£70–100a day
- Mid-range traveller£135–195a day
- Luxury traveller£270+a day
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
Things To Do
See all 32 Top picks in Rome
Must See~£18
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Forum
The ruined heart of ancient Rome, with temples, arches and Palatine Hill views.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily, roughly 9:00–19:00
Must See~£5
Pantheon
Centro Storico
A near-2,000-year-old temple with the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.
- Suggested time: 45 min
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily, roughly 9:00–19:00
Must SeeFree
Trevi Fountain
Trevi
Rome’s grandest fountain: throw a coin over your shoulder to guarantee a return.
- Suggested time: 30 min
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples
Open-air; always accessible
Hidden Gems
See all 11 Beyond the checklist
Hidden GemsFree
Aventine Keyhole
Aventine
A quirky keyhole on a monastery door that frames a perfect view of St Peter’s dome.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples · Photographers
Open-air; queue for the keyhole
Day Trips~£10
Ostia Antica Day Trip
Ostia (30 km)
An impressive ruined Roman port town, far quieter than Pompeii, reached by train.
- Suggested time: 5 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Everyone
Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 8:30–18:30
Hidden Gems~£12
Basilica of San Clemente
Celio
A medieval church built over a 4th-century church, which itself sits over a Roman house and a temple to Mithras: three layers of Rome in one stop.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily, roughly 9:00–18:00; Sunday mornings limited
Hidden GemsFree
Quartiere Coppedè
Trieste
A fairytale mini-district of Art Nouveau and neo-medieval villas with fantastical carved details, hidden north of the centre.
- Suggested time: 45 min
- No booking needed
- Suits: Everyone
Open-air; always accessible
Food & Restaurants
See all 13 Where to eat
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
A deli and wine-shop-turned-restaurant, known for exceptional cured meats, cheeses and Roman pasta dishes.
Known for: Carbonara, cured meats, wine list
About £30–55 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Groups
Da Enzo al 29
A small, cheerful trattoria in the lanes of Trastevere serving classic Roman dishes.
Known for: Cacio e pepe, carbonara, artichokes
About £16–30 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Pizzarium
Gabriele Bonci’s tiny pizza-by-the-slice shop, with seasonal toppings and crisp, airy dough, near the Vatican.
Known for: Pizza al taglio
Under about £16 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Giolitti
A historic gelateria, open since 1900, with a huge choice of flavours near the Pantheon.
Known for: Gelato
Under about £16 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Families
A suggested Rome itinerary
3 nights Couple
Rome · Highlights
Rome in 3 nights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Rome picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
- Day 1 · Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori, St Peter’s Basilica and Dome
- Day 2 · Tivoli: Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa Day Trip, Trevi Fountain
- Day 3 · Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, Pantheon, Borghese Gallery and Gardens, Spanish Steps and Trinità dei Monti
Plan Rome your way
Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you enjoy. We’ll build a first draft you can edit.