Rome Travel Guide: Top Attractions, Itinerary, Transports, FAQs
Last Updated on 25/03/2025
This Italy Rome travel guide is tailored for first-time visitors, featuring top things to do, including the 11 best attractions, a 3-day itinerary, ticket and tour budget, accommodation area recommendations, transportation information, advice on choosing between the Roma Pass and OMNIA Card, and answers to common Rome travel questions.
Other Italy Articles：Rome｜Milan｜Florence｜Cinque Terre｜Venice Main Island｜Venice Island Hopping
My Rome Story
Before the practical tips of Rome Travel, I’d like to share a personal story about my connection with this incredible city.
If there’s one regret from my school days, it’s probably choosing the science stream. Back then, in Hong Kong, we had to choose between arts and science in high school. Arts subjects included history, geography, and literature, while science covered additional maths, biology, physics, and chemistry. At the prestigious local school I attended, top-performing students almost always chose the science stream. Despite my keen interest in history, I went with the flow and chose science.
That said, my love for history never faded. I’ve always been fascinated by the Roman Empire and the Renaissance—such “wow” periods in history! (I’ll cover Florence in a separate article later.)
The first time I set foot in Rome, it felt like stepping straight into the pages of a history book—no exaggeration. If it hadn’t been for visiting during the peak summer holiday season in July, I might have stayed in the Vatican Museums all day long. (Unfortunately, I ended up buying an overpriced “resale ticket” because I booked too late, and my schedule wasn’t flexible. Pro tip: always plan ahead and book tickets as early as possible!)
Rome Top Attractions List: Map & Categories
This map features the Top attractions of Rome Travel, main metro stations, and a breakfast spot I personally recommend for its stunning views.
The map is set to English by default. Simply click on the 'Enlarge Map' icon in the top right corner to switch to your preferred language!
Click on the attraction names below for detailed reviews (with tons of photos!) and visitor information (including an introduction, opening hours, map links, and ticket guidance).
For attractions without individual reviews yet, you can still find an introduction and visitor details here ⬇️
Paid Attractions in Rome
- St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)
- Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani)
- Pantheon
- Colosseum (Colosseo)
- Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
- Palatine Hill (Palatino)
- Castel Sant’Angelo
Free Attractions in Rome
- Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)
- Piazza di Spagna
- Piazza Venezia
- Piazza Navona
Rome Attractions Map
How Many Days in Rome? 3-Day Itinerary
How many days is enough for Rome? For a first-time visit, I recommend setting aside at least 3 days to explore the classic city centre sights. You can refer to my actual itinerary to cover the must-see attractions first:
- Day 1：The Spanish Steps > Trevi Fountain > Pantheon > Piazza Navona > Piazza Venezia
- Day 2：St. Peter's Basilica (queue at 6 am) > Vatican Museums (lunch: light meal at the museum café) > Castel Sant'Angelo (sunset and night views)
- Day 3：Breakfast at La Licata > Colosseum (lunch at a nearby café) > Roman Forum > Palatine Hill > Leaving Rome
How to Choose Between the Roma Pass and OMNIA Card?
Rome offers various passes tailored to tourist needs, with the most common ones being the Roma Pass and the OMNIA Card.
Is the Rome Pass worth buying?
- Price：€36.5 for 48 hours, €58.5 for 72 hours (official adult prices for 2024).
- Included in the range：Out of the 45 attractions, you can choose 1-2 for free entry, and it also includes unlimited public transport within Rome. Other museums offer discounted entry.
- Not Included：The Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica.
If you don't plan to visit museums frequently, the Roma Pass is not essential. If your focus is on the Vatican Museums, it's recommended to go for the OMNIA Card.
OMNIA Card: Ideal for visiting key attractions
- Price：72 hours for €149 (official adult price for 2024).
- Included in the range：Includes all the benefits of the Roma Pass plus admission to the Vatican Museums.
If you plan to visit major attractions like the Vatican, the Colosseum, and Castel Sant'Angelo, it's recommended to choose the OMNIA Card. Many of Rome's historical sites, such as the Roman Forum, are not fully preserved. For visitors with less historical background, it's worth considering skip-the-line tickets or guided tours when the budget allows. This saves time and offers a deeper understanding of the sites.
Is the Rome transport pass worth buying?
- Price：A single journey ticket costs €1.50 (valid for one ride on the metro within 100 minutes, with transfers allowed between other modes of transport); transport passes are available for 24 hours at €7, 48 hours at €12.5, and 72 hours at €18.
If you don't plan to purchase the Roma Pass or OMNIA Card but need to use public transport frequently, the transport pass is a good option. However, based on the 3-day itinerary I suggested earlier, it's more cost-effective to buy single journey tickets or combine them with the OMNIA Card.
Rome Transport: City, Airport, & Train Connections
Public Transport Within Rome City
When getting around central Rome, walking is great, but the metro is the most convenient option. Use Google Maps to get real-time public transport routes, including transfer points and directions to your destination.
The metro stations most commonly used by tourists include:
- Rome Termini：The pick up point for airport-to-city centre shuttle buses | Connections to other cities
- Spagna：Starting point for the Spanish Steps, and walking distance to several attractions in the city centre
- Ottaviano：For Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica
- Colosseo：For the Colosseum and Roman Forum
You can use a credit or debit card with contactless payment functionality when travelling. A single metro ticket costs 1.5 euros (valid for one trip within 100 minutes, but you can transfer between other transport modes). Alternatively, transport passes are available for 24 hours at 7 euros, 48 hours at 12.5 euros, and 72 hours at 18 euros.
Transportation from Rome Airports to the City Centre
Rome has two main international airports:
- Fiumicino Airport (FCO): The primary airport for international flights.
- Ciampino Airport (CIA): Mainly serves European low-cost carriers.
This time, I flew from Liverpool, UK, to Amsterdam via EasyJet, then took the train to Brussels, and finally flew from Brussels to Rome's Ciampino Airport with Ryanair. For the return trip, I flew from Fiumicino to Liverpool.
Taking European low-cost airlines often results in cheaper flight prices than train tickets, but strict baggage size requirements must be followed (to avoid fines), and online check-in should be done in advance (to prevent the possibility of being bumped due to overbooking).
Trains from Rome to Other Italian and European Cities
When planning a trip across Italy via Rome, or traveling to Rome from nearby European cities, consider taking the train. Italy's two main train companies, Italo and Trenitalia (the national railway company), offer services to and from major cities.
- Official websites：Italo（Italian and English only）｜Trenitalia（available in Chinese and English）
- Eurail Global Train Pass for 33 European Countries
Ka's Tips：
- Italo has fewer routes and schedules, but all trains are reserved and more comfortable.
- Full-price tickets are similar to those of Trenitalia, but early bird prices can be as low as half-price!
- For flexible schedules, use Google Maps for real-time timetable checking and buy directly from the official website.
- For international routes, it's recommended to compare prices and purchase passes via platforms like Get Your Guide or KKDAY.
Ka's Personal Experience：I booked my ticket from Rome to Florence on Italo a month in advance and got a 50% discount. Unfortunately, for my later journey from Venice to Rome, I couldn’t plan ahead and missed the early bird fare, so the ticket ended up being really expensive!
Where to Stay in Rome
It is recommended to stay in a hotel near the city centre, close to the main train station (Rome Termini), as this can save you a lot of time and money on transportation and make it easier to travel to other cities and nearby attractions. Additionally, you could consider staying near St. Peter's Basilica. In the early morning at sunrise, before the crowds arrive, the basilica feels especially sacred. Being among the first to enter allows you to skip the long queues.
Ka's Actual Hotel Stay：
MDM Hotel, located near the Vatican. Click to view：Hong Kong｜Taiwan｜UK
- Rating：8.2/10 (555 reviews)
- Price：I booked it for around €100 per night
- Pros：Just a few minutes' walk to St. Peter's Basilica
>>> Accommodation Selection Guide <<<
Rome Self-Guided Trips FAQs
Q: Do I need a travel visa for Rome?
A: The EU has announced the implementation of ETIAS starting from the second quarter of 2025. Visitors from 59 visa-free countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the UK, will need to apply for and present an ETIAS authorisation for travel to Schengen countries for tourism, business, or transit purposes.
Q: Do I need to go through immigration again when traveling from Rome to Vatican City?
A: There is no need to go through immigration when traveling from Rome to Vatican City. There are no border checks between Rome and Vatican City, so you can easily walk or take public transportation without needing to go through customs.
Q: What payment methods are accepted in Rome, and how much cash should I prepare?
A: The main payment methods include credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), debit cards (Visa Debit, MasterCard Debit), cash, and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Cash is less commonly used, as most payments can be completed via card or mobile payment.
Q: What is the best season to visit Rome?
A: The best times to visit Rome are in the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October), when the weather is pleasant, and there are fewer tourists, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Q: What is the voltage and plug type in Rome?
A: The voltage in Rome is 230 volts, and the plug types are C and F (two round prongs). It’s recommended that travelers bring an adapter to use their electronic devices.
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