Rome is an eternal city where ancient ruins Renaissance art and passionate Italian culture combine to create one of Europe's most unforgettable and inspiring travel destinations.
Italy: Rome – The Roman Forum and Colosseum
🏛️ Rome — The Eternal City and Why We Went
There are cities, and then there is Rome. We had been talking about visiting for years, and honestly it wasn’t a difficult decision in the end. The culture, the food, the sheer weight of history packed into every cobbled street — it had the lot. The problem with Rome, of course, is that there is almost too much to see. You could spend a month there and still feel like you’d barely scratched the surface, which is precisely why I did what I always do before any trip: I sat down with a cup of tea, opened my laptop, and started planning. My wife regards this as an affliction. I regard it as essential.
🗺️ Choosing a Tour — Italy Wonders to the Rescue
One of the things that was absolutely non-negotiable on our Roman itinerary was the Colosseum. You simply cannot visit Rome and skip it — it would be like going to Paris and not bothering with the Eiffel Tower, or going to Edinburgh and ignoring the castle. It would be wrong. So I set about researching the options, and after a fair bit of internet trawling — the kind of research that eats up an entire evening and leaves you wondering why you started — I settled on a combination tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. After comparing various operators, we went with Italy Wonders.
We chose the small group three-hour tour at €50 per person, which I’ll be honest, made me wince slightly. Fifty euros each is not nothing. But the more I read about the queues — and we are talking serious, soul-destroying, standing-in-the-blazing-Italian-sun queues — the more it seemed like very decent value. Getting into the Colosseum and the Roman Forum is not expensive in itself, but the waiting time in the summer months can run to an hour or two, sometimes more. The idea of standing in that heat, slowly turning red like a British tourist lobster while the queue barely moves, was enough to justify the extra cost without further argument from me.
👋 Meeting Silvia — Our Guide for the Morning
We met our guide, Silvia, at the agreed meeting point with the rest of our small group. It was still relatively early — around 9:30 in the morning — and yet the temperature was already beginning to feel distinctly threatening. There is something faintly alarming about feeling genuinely hot before 10am. Silvia gathered us together, did a quick head count, and explained the plan: we would begin with the Roman Forum, spending around 90 minutes there, before moving on to the Colosseum, where our entry slot was booked for approximately 11:30. Sensible, logical, and delivered with the kind of calm efficiency that made me feel we were in safe hands.
🏺 The Roman Forum — Ancient Rome’s Town Centre
The Roman Forum is, to put it plainly, staggering. It attracts more than 4.5 million visitors every year, and having been there, we can entirely understand why. Located in the historic centre of Rome, close to both the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, it is a sprawling, open-air labyrinth of ancient ruins — temples, triumphal arches, civic buildings — all crammed into one magnificent, crumbling space. Among the highlights are the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus, and the House of the Vestal Virgins.
What the Forum was, back in the day, was essentially the beating heart of Ancient Rome — the place where public and political life happened. Trials were held there. Important speeches were delivered there. Ceremonies took place there. Julius Caesar was cremated nearby. It was, in short, the place to be seen if you were a Roman of any standing whatsoever.
💧 How It All Began — Marshland, Sewers and Market Squares
Remarkably, none of this started out in any grand fashion. The site of the Roman Forum was originally marshland — boggy, unpleasant ground that sat between the famous Seven Hills of Rome. The Romans, being nothing if not practical, dealt with this by constructing one of the world’s earliest sewage systems: the Cloaca Maxima. The name translates, rather magnificently, as “Greatest Sewer,” which is the sort of name that suggests the Romans were not given to false modesty. Dating back to around the 6th century BC, it drained the marshy ground and converted the area into a usable public space known as the Comitium — a meeting place and marketplace.
From around the 5th century BC onwards, the area gradually evolved into the Forum proper, as temples, public buildings and monuments were added over the centuries. The Temple of Saturn, one of the oldest in Rome, was constructed around 498 BC and became one of the most important religious and civic buildings in the city. The Forum grew to house the Senate House — the Curia Julia — as well as triumphal arches, temples, basilicas and various other structures that reflected the extraordinary wealth and ambition of the Roman Empire at its peak.
🐄 The Medieval Slump — Cattle, Debris and Creative Recycling
As with most things, nothing lasts forever — and the Forum was no exception. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, the site gradually fell into disrepair. The Tiber river, which had a tiresome habit of flooding, deposited layer upon layer of silt and debris over the ruins. By the medieval period, the Forum had been so thoroughly buried and neglected that it became known as the Campo Vaccino — which translates, somewhat unglamorously, as “cattle field.” It was used, as you might expect from that name, as grazing land.
The medieval Romans, ever resourceful, also helped themselves to the remains of ancient buildings for new construction projects. Marble was carted off and used for churches, castles and feudal towers. Some of it ended up in St Peter’s Basilica, which is either extraordinary or outrageous depending on your point of view. They were very much into recycling in those days.
🔍 Rediscovery — The Long Dig Begins
It was not until the 19th century that anyone took a serious interest in uncovering what lay beneath all that mud and livestock. In 1803, the archaeologist Carlo Fea began the first systematic excavation of the area, clearing debris and beginning the painstaking process of uncovering what remained of Ancient Rome’s greatest public space. The work has continued ever since, and in many respects is still ongoing — the Forum remains one of the most important and complex archaeological sites in the world.
🔥 The Vestal Virgins — Rome’s Most Important Fire Wardens
Silvia led us down into the lower level of the Forum, where the ruins of civic buildings and ancient temples lie in various states of preservation. One of the most fascinating sections was the House of the Vestal Virgins, the residence of one of the most important — and most unusual — religious institutions in Ancient Rome.
The Vestal Virgins were priestesses dedicated to Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and home. Their primary duty, above all else, was to maintain the sacred flame of Vesta burning in her temple. This was not a metaphorical responsibility — it was a genuine, round-the-clock obligation. The flame was considered to be directly linked to the safety and fortune of Rome itself, and allowing it to go out was, to put it mildly, not encouraged.
In return for their service — and their vow of chastity, which lasted for a minimum of thirty years — the Vestals were granted a remarkable range of rights and privileges that were entirely unavailable to ordinary Roman women. They could own property, make wills, and give evidence in court without an oath. They had reserved seats at the games. Senators were expected to stand when they entered a room. In a society that offered women very little in the way of autonomy or legal standing, the Vestals occupied an extraordinarily elevated position.
And if the fire went out? Well. There were consequences. Serious ones. The Vestal responsible could face punishment including flogging — which, by Roman standards, was actually getting off rather lightly compared to some of the alternatives. It was, to put it plainly, a job where you really did not want to have an off day.
🏛️ Up to Palatine Hill — The Birthplace of Rome
From the Roman Forum, we made our way up to Palatine Hill, which sits at the very centre of Rome’s famous Seven Hills. And when I say famous Seven Hills, I mean the ones that every guidebook mentions breathlessly but that most people couldn’t name if their lives depended on it. For the record: Palatine, Aventine, Capitoline, Caelian, Esquiline, Quirinal, and Viminal. There you go. Put that in your pub quiz.
Palatine is the oldest and arguably the most historically significant of the lot. It rises to around 40 metres above the Roman Forum below — that’s roughly 130 feet in old money — and it was up there that we stood, slightly out of breath and extremely sweaty, looking out across one of the most astonishing panoramas of ancient ruins anywhere on earth.
The hill has a history so long and so layered that it makes your head spin a bit if you think about it too hard. According to Roman tradition, this was the very spot where Romulus founded the city of Rome itself, in 753 BC. Yes, that Romulus — the one allegedly raised by a wolf, which is either the most Roman thing imaginable or a cover story that got wildly out of hand. Archaeological digs have actually found evidence of Iron Age huts dating back to around the 9th century BC up here, so there’s something real behind the legend, even if the wolf part remains, shall we say, unverified.
By the time of the Roman Republic, Palatine Hill had already become rather a desirable postcode. Cicero lived here. So did Mark Antony. In fact, the word “palace” comes directly from Palatium, the Latin name for this hill — which tells you everything you need to know about the sort of people who eventually moved in. The emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Domitian and others progressively built enormous imperial residences up here, each one grander and more absurdly lavish than the last, because apparently once you’re in charge of the known world, restraint becomes a bit of a foreign concept.
What we walked through were the remains of the Domus Augustana — the personal palace of Emperor Domitian, completed around 92 AD — and the Domus Flavia next door, which served as the official state palace. Together they covered most of the hilltop and must have been staggering in their day: marble everywhere, enormous courtyards, fountains, banqueting halls the size of aircraft hangars. Now, of course, it’s all beautifully atmospheric brick and rubble, which is in many ways better, because you can actually stand in the middle of it and have a proper think rather than queuing behind a tour group.
The views from the top were, as promised by every travel writer since the invention of the printing press, genuinely impressive. Looking north across the Forum, you could pick out the Arch of Titus and the remains of the Via Sacra snaking through. To the west, the Circus Maximus stretched out below — the ancient chariot-racing stadium that once held up to 250,000 spectators, which makes Wembley look rather modest. To the east and south, the city of modern Rome carried on obliviously around the edges of it all, which is one of those slightly surreal things about Rome that you never quite get used to.
We spent a good while up there, longer than planned, which is something that tends to happen in Rome. You sit down on a chunk of ancient wall for a five-minute rest and somehow an hour goes by. There are worse problems to have.
🏟️ From the Forum to the Colosseum — Into the Madness
From the Roman Forum, it was a short hop, skip and jump to the Colosseum. We’d barely drawn breath after all that ancient marble when the great oval bulk of the thing loomed into view. And by the time we arrived, the crowds had swelled to something approaching a small invasion. It was absolutely heaving — a wall of tourists, selfie sticks and questionable decisions all jostling around the entrance. Rome in summer, eh? Lovely.
It was at precisely this moment that we realised the true genius of having booked a “skip-the-lines” tour. Yes, we still had to wait for our allotted entry time — nothing in Italy happens quite on schedule — but it gave us a chance to catch up with our guide, Silvia. We’d half-expected a brisk lecture on gladiatorial combat or the finer points of toga etiquette. Instead, she launched into a rather spirited commentary on the current state of Italy and its, shall we say, creative approach to government. Refreshingly honest. You don’t get that on a standard audio guide.
🏛️ A Building That Makes Everything Else Look a Bit Ordinary
The Colosseum — or Coliseum, if you prefer — was originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, which sounds considerably more impressive at dinner parties. Construction began in AD 72, commissioned by Emperor Vespasian, a man clearly not short of ambition or slave labour. His son Titus completed the job in AD 80, and the Emperor Domitian later added a few improvements — because apparently an enormous elliptical stadium seating 55,000 people needed touching up.
The building is genuinely staggering in scale. Elliptical in shape, it stretches 188 metres in length and 156 metres wide, making it the largest amphitheatre ever constructed. It was built from travertine limestone, tuff and brick-faced concrete — Romans weren’t messing about when it came to engineering. All 80 arched entrances were designed to allow those 55,000 spectators to find their seats efficiently, which they did — ranked by social class, naturally, because the Romans were nothing if not committed to knowing their place in the pecking order.
Originally, 240 wooden masts were fixed to stone corbels on the fourth level, from which a vast retractable canvas covering — the velarium — was stretched across the open top to shield the crowd from the baking Roman sun. Even 2,000 years ago they were worried about sunburn. Some things never change.
🏛️ What’s Left of the Colosseum — And What Isn’t
The Colosseum today is, to put it bluntly, a bit of a ruin. Which is, of course, entirely the point — but it’s more of a ruin than you might expect. Over the centuries since it fell out of use, a fair amount of its original travertine limestone was quietly helped on its way to other parts of Rome. Medieval popes and Renaissance builders had a wonderfully pragmatic attitude to ancient monuments: if it was just sitting there, why not use it? Great chunks of the Colosseum’s exterior facing ended up in the construction of St Peter’s Basilica, the Palazzo Venezia, and various other grand Roman buildings. It wasn’t vandalism — it was recycling, Italian-style, about 1,500 years before anyone invented the wheelie bin.
🧱 Propping It All Up
Where the stone went missing, brick support walls have since been built to stop the whole thing falling over, which does at least show a certain belated sense of responsibility. Restoration work has been ongoing for decades, and archaeologists continue to beaver away — particularly in the main arena area, which is currently the focus of some fairly intensive digging. There is, apparently, a sense of urgency to all this, and not just because Rome’s past has a habit of crumbling quietly in the sunshine.
🎤 Concerts in a Colosseum? Seriously?
The reason for the rush is that the Italian government has been rather keen on turning the Colosseum into a venue for events — concerts, that sort of thing. This has gone down about as well as you’d expect. Many Romans, and a good number of archaeologists, are deeply unhappy about it, and rightly so. The concern is that the vibrations from thousands of excited concert-goers and industrial-sized speaker stacks could cause serious damage to a building that has already survived two thousand years and frankly deserves a quiet retirement. It is, to put it diplomatically, highly controversial. The Colosseum opened in 80 AD under Emperor Titus, and in its first hundred days alone reportedly hosted games in which some 9,000 animals were killed. It has seen quite enough drama already, thank you very much.
👀 Expectations vs Reality
I will be honest — I went in with a rather rosy picture in my head. I’d somehow assumed the Colosseum would be more complete than it is, that there would be more of the original structure still standing, more of the detail that made it so extraordinary in its day. In its prime, it seated somewhere between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, had a retractable linen roof called a velarium to keep the sun off, and featured an elaborate underground system of tunnels, lifts and trapdoors beneath the arena floor — the hypogeum — through which animals and gladiators were hauled up dramatically into the light. With a bit of imagination, you can piece together something of the original grandeur. But it does take imagination. What’s actually there is considerably more battered than I’d anticipated.
That said — and I mean this sincerely — it was still utterly worth the visit. Even in its much-reduced state, it remains an astonishing thing to stand in front of. Sometimes the gap between expectation and reality is a disappointment. Here, it was merely a reminder that two thousand years is a very long time, even for Romans.
Planning your visit to the Forum & Colosseum
🏛️ Overview
Few places on earth carry the weight of history quite like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Together, they form the beating heart of ancient Rome — a vast, open-air museum where two thousand years of civilisation meet the modern visitor face to face. Whether you are drawn by gladiatorial legend, architectural wonder, or sheer curiosity, a visit to these monuments is one of the most extraordinary travel experiences Europe has to offer.
📍 Location
The Colosseum and Roman Forum are situated in the centre of Rome, Italy, within easy walking distance of one another.
Colosseum (Anfiteatro Flavio) Piazza del Colosseo, 1 00184 Roma, Italy
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill lie directly adjacent, accessible via entrances on Via Sacra and Via Nova, just a short walk from the Colosseum.
The nearest Metro station is Colosseo (Line B). Bus routes 51, 75, 85, and 87 also serve the area. Trams 3 and 8 stop nearby.
🖥️ Website
The official website for the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo is colosseo.it
Tickets must be booked through the official ticketing portal at ticketing.colosseo.it. Tickets go on sale exactly 30 days before your chosen visit date and timed entry slots for the Colosseum are compulsory. Booking well in advance is strongly recommended, particularly during spring and summer when popular time slots sell out quickly.
📞 Contact
Telephone (same-day admissions): +39 06 21115843
Email (booking assistance): helpdesk@ticketcolosseo.com
The helpdesk email service responds within 48 to 72 hours, in order of receipt and priority. For urgent, same-day issues, the telephone helpline is the recommended point of contact.
🕘 Opening Times
The Colosseum opens daily at 8:30 am throughout the year. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill open at 9:00 am. Closing times vary seasonally, following daylight hours. Last admission is always one hour before closing time.
| Period | Closing Time | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Late October – late February | 4:30 pm | 3:30 pm |
| Mid-February – late March | 5:30 pm | 4:30 pm |
| Late March – 31 August | 7:15 pm | 6:15 pm |
| September | 7:00 pm | 6:00 pm |
| 1 October – late October | 6:30 pm | 5:30 pm |
The site is closed on 25 December (Christmas Day), 1 January (New Year’s Day), and 1 May (Labour Day).
🎟️ Entry Fees
All Colosseum tickets include access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Tickets are issued in the holder’s name and a valid form of identification must be presented at entry.
Standard Ticket (24-hour validity) Covers a single timed entry to the Colosseum (first and second levels) and unrestricted entry to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Imperial Fora within 24 hours. €18 per person (including €2 booking fee)
Full Experience — Arena Floor (48-hour validity) Includes all of the above plus access to the reconstructed Arena Floor. €24 per person
Full Experience — Underground & Arena (48-hour validity) Includes all of the above plus access to the underground hypogeum (the tunnels beneath the arena floor where gladiators and animals were held). This is the most comprehensive daytime ticket available. €24 per person
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Only For visitors who wish to explore the Forum and Palatine Hill without visiting the Colosseum. Available separately — check the official website for current pricing.
Free Admission Days Entry is free of charge on the first Sunday of each month, as well as on 25 April, 2 June, and 4 November (Italian national holidays). No booking fee applies on free days, though timed entry to the Colosseum is still required.
Concessions Reduced rates apply to EU citizens aged 18–25. Children under 18 from EU member states enter free. Non-EU visitors under 18 qualify for a reduced rate. Always carry proof of age or eligibility.
🏟️ The Colosseum
Completed in 80 AD under Emperor Titus, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre ever built, capable of holding between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. For nearly four centuries it hosted gladiatorial contests, public spectacles, animal hunts, and dramatic re-enactments of famous battles. Its elliptical form, constructed from travertine limestone, tuff, and brick-faced concrete, remains one of the finest examples of Roman engineering in existence.
Inside, visitors can explore the first and second tiers with a standard ticket, taking in the vast oval interior and the exposed network of underground passages below the arena. The Arena Floor and Underground sections, available with upgraded tickets, offer an immersive sense of what this space meant to those who fought and died within it. Informative displays throughout the building trace the monument’s long history, from its construction to its use as a quarry in the medieval period and its eventual restoration.
A free official app, MyColosseum, is available for iOS and Android and includes interactive audio guides in English and Italian to enhance your visit.
🏺 The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum (Foro Romano) stretches between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, covering roughly two hectares of open-air archaeological remains. It was once the political, religious, and commercial centre of the Roman Republic and Empire — the place where senators debated, priests performed rites, and citizens gathered for public life. At its peak, the Forum was surrounded by temples, basilicas, triumphal arches, and administrative buildings that collectively defined the idea of civic power in the ancient world.
Today, visitors walk among the ruins of the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Basilica of Maxentius, the Temple of Vesta, and the Via Sacra — the ancient road along which victorious generals once processed in triumph. Entry to the Forum is untimed and can be taken at any point during your 24-hour ticket window, allowing you to combine it flexibly with your Colosseum visit. A visit of two to three hours is recommended to do justice to the site.
🌿 Palatine Hill
Included with all tickets, Palatine Hill rises directly above the Forum and is considered the oldest inhabited area of Rome. According to tradition, it is the site where Romulus founded the city in 753 BC. The hill is home to the remains of imperial palaces, most notably those of Emperor Augustus and his successors, as well as beautiful terraced gardens with sweeping views over the Forum below and the city beyond. Many visitors find Palatine Hill to be the quietest and most atmospheric part of the whole archaeological park.
ℹ️ Practical Information
Getting there: The site is well served by public transport. Metro Line B to Colosseo station is the simplest option. Taxis are readily available across Rome.
What to wear: Comfortable, flat-soled shoes are essential — the ground is uneven and there is a considerable amount of walking involved. In summer, light, breathable clothing and sun protection are strongly advised, as shade is limited, particularly at the Forum and on Palatine Hill.
Accessibility: Lifts are available at the Colosseum for visitors with reduced mobility. Some areas, including parts of the Forum and Palatine Hill, involve uneven terrain. The official website provides detailed accessibility information.
Photography: Personal photography is permitted throughout the site. Tripods and professional equipment require prior authorisation.
Luggage: Large bags and rucksacks may be subject to security checks. Oversized luggage is not permitted inside the monuments.
Guided tours: A range of official guided tours is available, including general tours of the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill, as well as specialist tours of the Underground and Arena Floor. Night tours run during the warmer months and must be booked separately well in advance.
Getting to and Around Rome
🛬 Getting to Rome
By Air
Rome is served by two international airports. Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino, FCO) is the main gateway, handling the vast majority of long-haul and European flights, and sits around 30 kilometres south-west of the city centre. Ciampino Airport (CIA) is smaller and primarily serves low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air, located roughly 15 kilometres south-east of the centre.
🌐 Aeroporti di Roma: www.adr.it
By Train
Rome sits at the heart of Italy’s high-speed rail network, making it easy to arrive from cities such as Milan (around 3 hours), Florence (1.5 hours) and Naples (just over 1 hour). The main terminus is Roma Termini, which also connects directly to the metro. Roma Tiburtina handles some high-speed services too. Trenitalia and Italo are the two main operators. Booking in advance typically secures the best fares.
🌐 Trenitalia: www.trenitalia.com 🌐 Italo: www.italotreno.it
By Coach
Long-distance coach services connect Rome with many European cities and are one of the more budget-friendly options. FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus serve a wide range of routes, with services arriving at Tiburtina bus station.
🌐 FlixBus: www.flixbus.co.uk
🚆 From Fiumicino Airport to the City Centre
Leonardo Express The fastest and most straightforward link between Fiumicino Airport and Roma Termini is the Leonardo Express, a non-stop train journey taking approximately 32 minutes. Trains run every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes in the evening. A single ticket costs €14 per adult. Children under 12 travel free when accompanied by an adult.
FL1 Regional Train A cheaper alternative, the FL1 regional train stops at several suburban stations (Trastevere, Ostiense, Tuscolana, Tiburtina) before terminating at Fara Sabina. A single ticket costs around €8. Useful if your accommodation is closer to these stations rather than Termini.
Bus Several coach services run from Fiumicino to Termini and other central stops. Providers include Terravision, SIT Bus Shuttle and TAM. Journey times vary between 50 minutes and 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Tickets are typically €6–7 when booked online in advance.
🌐 Terravision: www.terravision.eu
Taxi An official fixed fare of €50 applies for journeys between Fiumicino Airport and destinations within the Aurelian Walls (the historic centre). Always use licensed white taxis with a metre or agree the fixed fare before setting off.
🚌 From Ciampino Airport to the City Centre
Bus Terravision, SIT Bus Shuttle and Cotral all run coaches from Ciampino to Roma Termini. Journey times are around 40 minutes, with tickets costing approximately €5–6 online.
Taxi A fixed fare of €31 applies for journeys between Ciampino and destinations within the Aurelian Walls.
🚇 Getting Around Rome — The Metro
Rome’s metro (la metropolitana) is efficient for covering longer distances quickly, though the network is limited to just three lines:
- Linea A — runs from Battistini in the west to Anagnina in the south-east, passing through key stops including Ottaviano (for the Vatican), Spagna (Spanish Steps), Barberini and Repubblica.
- Linea B / B1 — connects Laurentina and Jonio, stopping at Colosseo (for the Colosseum) and Termini.
- Linea C — currently under construction and expanding; connects the eastern suburbs to the city.
The metro runs from approximately 05:30 to 23:30 Sunday to Thursday, and until 01:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.
🌐 Rome Public Transport (ATAC): www.atac.roma.it
🎟️ Travel Cards and Tickets
Rome uses a unified ticketing system across the metro, buses, trams and urban rail lines, managed by ATAC. The same ticket or travel card is valid across all modes within the city.
| Ticket | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| BIT (single journey) | €1.50 | 100 minutes from validation; one metro ride |
| 24-hour pass | €7.00 | Unlimited travel for 24 hours |
| 48-hour pass | €12.50 | Unlimited travel for 48 hours |
| 72-hour pass | €18.00 | Unlimited travel for 72 hours |
| 7-day pass (CIS) | €24.00 | Unlimited travel for 7 days |
Tickets can be bought at metro stations, ATAC kiosks, newsstands (edicole) and tobacconists (tabaccherie). The MyCicero and Moovit apps also allow mobile ticket purchase.
🌐 ATAC tickets: www.atac.roma.it
🚌 Buses and Trams
The bus network is the most extensive in Rome, covering areas the metro does not reach, including much of the historic centre. Key routes include:
- 40 Express / 64 — from Termini to the Vatican
- H — a high-frequency route linking Termini to Trastevere
- Tram 8 — connects the city centre to Trastevere and beyond
- Tram 3 — useful for reaching the Colosseum area from Trastevere
Buses can be crowded during rush hours and can be slowed by traffic. Validate your ticket on board as soon as you board.
🚡 The Roma–Lido and Suburban Railways
For day trips, two useful suburban rail lines extend beyond the ATAC network:
- Roma–Lido (FL8) — connects Piramide station to the seaside at Ostia Lido, taking around 30 minutes. Useful for visiting the ancient ruins of Ostia Antica as well.
- Roma–Viterbo — a regional line departing from Flaminio station, passing through the Villa Borghese area and heading north.
These are included on standard ATAC travel passes within the urban zone.
🚲 Cycling and E-Scooters
Rome has expanded its cycling infrastructure in recent years, though it remains a challenging city for cyclists due to cobblestones and traffic. Several bike-sharing and e-scooter services operate in the city, including:
- Helbiz (e-scooters and e-bikes) — www.helbiz.com
- Bird (e-scooters) — www.bird.co
- Cityscoot (electric mopeds) — www.cityscoot.eu
Dockless scooters must be parked in designated zones and ridden on cycle paths or roads — not pavements.
🚕 Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Official taxis in Rome are white and metered. You can find them at designated ranks (many near major attractions and stations) or book by phone. The main operator is RadioTaxi:
🌐 RadioTaxi: www.radiotaxi3570.it
Ride-hailing: Uber operates in Rome in its Uber Black (professional driver) format rather than the standard UberX model, so fares tend to be higher than in other cities. The app FREE NOW (formerly mytaxi) connects passengers with licensed taxi drivers and is a popular alternative.
🌐 FREE NOW: www.free-now.com
🚶 Walking
For the historic centre — the area containing the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and Campo de’ Fiori — walking is genuinely the best option. Many of the key sights are within 20–30 minutes of each other on foot, the streets are atmospheric, and some of Rome’s best discoveries happen between the main attractions. Comfortable shoes are strongly recommended given the cobbled streets.
Best time to visit Rome
🌸 Spring (March–May)
Spring is widely regarded as the finest season to visit Rome. Temperatures are pleasantly mild, ranging from around 12°C in March to a comfortable 22°C by May, making it ideal for exploring the city on foot. The days are long and bright, the city’s piazzas burst into bloom, and the famous wisteria cascades over ancient walls and villa gardens. Crowds are building but have not yet reached the overwhelming levels of summer. Easter, which falls in spring, draws large numbers of pilgrims and tourists to the Vatican, so accommodation should be booked well in advance if your visit coincides with Holy Week. The Roman countryside is lush and green, and al fresco dining becomes an evening pleasure rather than an ordeal.
🧳 What to Pack: Lightweight layers, a waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a light scarf, sunglasses, SPF 30 sunscreen, a compact umbrella, smart-casual evening wear, and a crossbody bag for sightseeing.
☀️ Summer (June–August)
Summer in Rome is hot, often intensely so, with temperatures regularly reaching 32°C to 36°C and humidity making it feel even warmer. July and August are the peak tourist months, meaning long queues at major attractions, packed public transport, and inflated prices for flights and hotels. That said, summer has its charms. The city hosts outdoor film screenings, concerts at ancient venues, and vibrant evening street life that extends well past midnight. Many Romans leave the city in August, so certain neighbourhoods take on a quieter, more local character. Early morning visits to the Colosseum or the Roman Forum can be magical before the heat builds. Hydration and sun protection are non-negotiable.
🧳 What to Pack: Breathable linen or cotton clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, high-factor sunscreen (SPF 50+), a refillable water bottle, sandals and light trainers, a portable fan, a light cardigan for air-conditioned museums and churches, a modest cover-up for basilica visits, and insect repellent for evenings.
🍂 Autumn (September–November)
Autumn rivals spring as the best season to visit Rome and, for many seasoned travellers, surpasses it. September retains the warmth of summer — often 26°C or above — without the relentless crowds. October brings golden light, cooling temperatures, and the grape harvest in the surrounding Lazio countryside. Rome’s markets overflow with mushrooms, chestnuts, and seasonal produce, and the city’s restaurants are at their most enticing. By November, temperatures drop to around 12°C to 15°C and rainfall increases, but visitor numbers thin considerably and the great monuments can be enjoyed with far more space and serenity. Autumn light lends a particular beauty to Rome’s ochre and terracotta facades.
🧳 What to Pack: A versatile mid-layer (light wool or fleece), a waterproof coat, ankle boots or sturdy walking shoes, trousers and smart jeans, a warm scarf for evenings in November, an umbrella, SPF 30 sunscreen for September, and a tote bag for market shopping.
❄️ Winter (December–February)
Winter is Rome’s quietest and most affordable season for visitors. Temperatures hover between 4°C and 12°C, and while snow is rare, cold wind and persistent rain are common, particularly in January and February. Christmas, however, transforms the city. Piazza Navona hosts its traditional Christmas market, and the Vatican is especially atmospheric for Midnight Mass at St Peter’s Basilica. The major museums are less crowded, and queue times at the Colosseum and the Pantheon drop dramatically. Hotel rates fall sharply outside of the Christmas and New Year period. Those willing to brave the chill will find a more intimate, unhurried Rome — one closer to how the city actually lives and breathes.
🧳 What to Pack: A warm coat (wool or down), thermal base layers, a hat and gloves, a warm scarf, waterproof boots, thick socks, a compact umbrella, smart layers for Christmas concerts or dinners, and a small rucksack for day trips.
📊 Season Summary Table
🏆 The Overall Best Time to Visit
For most visitors, late April to early June and mid-September to October represent the sweet spot. The weather is reliably pleasant, daylight hours are generous, and the city’s most celebrated sights — the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps — can be enjoyed without the suffocating heat or exhausting queues of peak summer. Prices for flights and accommodation are more reasonable, and Rome itself feels more alive and less like a theme park. If budget is the primary concern, a late January or February visit offers extraordinary value and a genuinely authentic experience of the Eternal City. Whatever the season, Rome rewards those who arrive with comfortable shoes, an unhurried spirit, and a willingness to wander beyond the obvious.
Where to stay?
1. Rocco Forte Hotel De La Ville
Sitting directly above the Spanish Steps on Via Sistina, Hotel De La Ville is one of Rocco Forte’s flagship properties in Rome. The building is a restored early 19th-century palazzo with 104 rooms, many featuring traditional wooden floors, marble bathrooms with handmade terracotta tiles, and views over the city’s rooftops. Dining is a genuine strength: there are three restaurants overseen by chef Fulvio Pierangelini, ranging from fine dining to a classic Roman trattoria, plus a rooftop terrace with panoramic views. The two-floor spa covers around 167 square metres and includes a hydromassage pool, steam room, salt room and sauna. The Trevi Fountain is a seven-minute walk away, and the hotel holds two Michelin Keys.
2. Hotel Scalinata Di Spagna
Perched at the top of the Spanish Steps in Piazza Trinità dei Monti, Hotel Scalinata di Spagna is a three-star, owner-managed boutique hotel occupying a 19th-century building in one of Rome’s most central locations. The hotel spreads across five floors and two staircases, with rooms decorated in either classic or contemporary style, several offering rooftop views across the city’s domes and terracotta skyline. A covered rooftop terrace serves the breakfast buffet, which gets consistently good marks from guests. Rooms come with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a complimentary minibar. The Spagna metro station lift is just 50 metres away, making wider exploration straightforward. It’s a compact, well-run property that does what it promises — a reliable, well-located base for visiting Rome.
3. YellowSquare Rome
YellowSquare Rome sits in a large art deco building on Via Palestro, a ten-minute walk from Roma Termini station and within easy reach of the city’s main sights. It operates firmly in the hostel bracket, offering both dorm beds (for guests aged 18–45) and private en suite rooms, all air-conditioned and colourful. The social side is a big part of the appeal: there’s a bar with DJ nights, live music, a gourmet restaurant serving Mediterranean food, cooking classes, a hair salon, and coworking spaces for those who need to get some work done. A shared kitchen, outdoor patio, and bike hire round things out. It’s a well-organised, sociable base that suits independent travellers who want more than just a place to sleep.
More to Explore
