Rome, Italy Destination Guide
Section 1: Intro to the Destination
Historic ruins, world-famous art, and vibrant street-life. Ah, Rome, the City of the Seven Hills, a place where life seems to simultaneously move at a slower pace and yet lightning fast. Revel in the beauty, the noise, the action, and the history in this wonder of the world.
Which of the Following Phrases Best Describes this Destination? (You can select more than one)
Romantic, Mysterious, Historic
What’s the Destination Known For?
World-class historic sites, amazing food and wine
Getting There
Airport: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino (FCO)
The airport is not in Rome proper, but about 30km west of the city, so you’ll need to take a train, bus, or private shuttle from the airport into the city.
We recommend avoiding taxis or ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft, as these are considerably more expensive than taking a public transportation or a private shuttle.
Local Etiquette
Polite greetings (buongiorno for ‘good morning’ and buonasera for ‘good evening’) are welcomed, even expected. Ciao is reserved for close friends.
While you may see people greeting each other with a peck on either side of the cheek, this too is reserved for friends. A handshake serves well for new acquaintances.
Brusque and to the point? Not in Italy. Observe the niceties of conversation by asking “how are you?” and engaging in small talk before diving into any questions or requests.
If you need assistance, mi scusi (excuse me) is the way to get someone’s attention.
A polite “Permesso” (literally ‘permission’) is expected when passing someone in a crowded space.
Italy is a culture of many things, fashion chief among them. Dress well in Italy. Worn-out clothing or sloppy dress (t-shirts and cargo shorts) should be avoided. When in doubt, dress more formally than you think you might need to. A jacket and tie are never out of place for gentlemen, nor is a dress for ladies.
If you ask a new Italian acquaintance to dinner, be prepared to pay. In Italian culture, the person who invites handles the bill.
Olive oil is the only acceptable condiment for a meal. Seriously.
Weather
Temperatures
Spring:
High: 68F / 20C
Low: 48F / 8C
Summer:
High: 86F / 30C
Low: 64F / 17C
Fall:
High: 72F / 22C
Low: 53F / 11C
Winter:
High: 57F / 13C
Low: 37F / 2C
Rome is quite pleasant in Spring and Fall, hot during the Summer, and cold during the Winter. Rome experiences a mild-to-moderate rainy season typically extending through the month of November.
69 ft / 21 m
Getting Around
Biking can be a fun way to explore the outskirts of Rome and the countryside, but avoid them in the congested city center, where traffic, bumpy cobblestone streets, and steep hills will mar your experience.
Public bus service (ATAC) is available through most of the city from 5:30AM until midnight.
Renting a car is not recommended, mainly because traffic and parking can be a nightmare. If you must drive, all valid EU driving licenses are recognized in Italy. Otherwise, you’ll need to apply for an IDP (International Driving Permit).
Metro/Subway service is available through most of the city from 5:30AM until 11:30PM (extending to 1:30AM on Fridays and Saturdays).
Taxis can be a great way to get around if you need to travel more than a few blocks and don’t want to wait on the bus or metro. Official, licensed taxis are white and display a Roma Capitale on the side doors. Hailing a taxi from the street can be tricky – instead, visit one of the many convenient cab stands or use the Chiama Taxi smartphone app to get a ride.
Contrary to popular myth, ride-sharing services like Uber are not illegal in Italy. Some taxi drivers will happily tell you contrary – for obvious reasons – and some even post official-looking signs claiming you’ll be hit with E5,000 in fines if you take an Uber. With that said, Uber in Italy only offers the Uber Black service (not UberPool or Uber X), so consider pricing versus a standard taxi.
Section 2: What to See, Do, and Eat
Breakfast
$-tier
Forno Feliziani
Italian Café
Via Candia, 61, 00100 Rome, Italy
https://www.facebook.com/Forno-Feliziani-377802310230/
Italian* casual
Pastries, bread, pizza
$$-tier
The Loft
Italian Brew Pub
Via Leone IV, 34, 00192, Rome, Italy
https://www.facebook.com/theloftrome/
Italian* Casual
Pancakes, panini
$$$-tier
Le Jardin de Russie
Italian / Mediterranean
Hotel de Russie, Rome, Italy
http://www.hotelderussie.it/dining/
Semi-formal (collared shirt and long pants recommended for gentlemen)
Buffet, vitello tonnato
Brunch
$-tier
Bread-in
Italian / Mediterranean
Piazza di Tor Sanguigna, 9, 00100, Rome, Italy
https://www.facebook.com/BreadInRoma/
Italian* Casual
Panini
$$-tier
Fresco coronari
Mediterranean
Via Dei Coronari, 94/96, 00186, Rome, Italy
https://www.facebook.com/FrescoCoronari/
Italian* Casual
Cheese, charcutier
$$$-tier
La Porta Del Principe
Italian / Mediterranean / European
Via Portuense, 1585, 00148, Rome, Italy
http://www.laportadelprincipe.it/
Semi-formal (collared shirt and long pants recommended for gentlemen)
Brunch buffet
Lunch
$-tier
Pane e Salame
Italian
Via di Santa Maria in Via, 19, 00187, Rome, Italy
https://www.facebook.com/panesalameroma/
Casual
Panini, buffalo mozzarella & grilled vegetable salad
$$-tier
Tonnarello
Italian Pizzaria
Via della Paglia, 1, 00153, Rome, Italy
http://tonnarello.it/
Italian* Casual
Tonnarelli, meatballs, pizza
$$$-tier
Pipero Roma
Contemporary Italian
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 246, 00184, Rome, Italy
http://www.piperoroma.com/
Semi-formal (collared shirt and long pants recommended for gentlemen)
Chef’s tasting menu, lamb, carbonara
Dinner
$-tier
Alchimia Foodlab
Italian Seafood
Via Vercelli, 6, 00182, Rome, Italy
https://www.facebook.com/alchimiafoodlab
Casual
Gnocchi, white fish carpaccio
$$-tier
Il Tamburello di Pulcinella
Italian Pizzaria
Via Pasquale Fiore, 23, 00165, Rome, Italy
https://www.facebook.com/iltamburellodipulcinella
Semi-formal (collared shirt and long pants recommended for gentlemen)
Stew, octopus, pizza
$$$-tier
Ad Hoc
Italian / Mediterranean / European
Via Ripetta, 43, 00186, Rome, Italy
http://www.ristoranteadhoc.com/en/default.html
Dressy (collared shirts, long pants, and jacket required for gentlemen)
Chef’s tasting menu, suckling pig
Other (Food Trucks, Late Night Bites, Ice Cream Shops, etc.)
Street Food: Pizza & Mortazza Food Truck (http://www.pizzaemortazza.it/), Trapizzino (http://www.trapizzino.it), Dar Filettaro
Desserts: Two Sizes Tiramisu (https://www.facebook.com/twosizes/), Gelateria Come il Latte (http://www.comeillatte.it/)
Top things to See and Do
Rome is world-renowned for its historic sites, most of which you can find within easy walking distance of each other in the city center, including the Colosseum, Palatino, Roman Forum, and Capitoline Hill.
Slightly Northwest in the historic center, you’ll find a maze of medieval streets leading you to the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Compo de’ Fiori, and the historic Jewish Ghetto.
Visit the conjoined districts of Trevi, Tridente, and Quirinale and admire the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, then shop in Rome’s most de jure fashion district.
Cross over the Tiber river and visit the Vatican. In addition to the famed St. Peter’s Basilica, you’ll also find the Vatican Museum, spilling over with history and art.
Take a bus out of town to Via Appia Antica, rent a bike, and pedal around the gorgeous countryside among a smattering of historic Roman ruins.
Festivals/Parades
Carnevale Romano (February)
Rome pulls out all the stops for its annual Carnevale, with fireworks, street performers, and throngs of people parading in costume. Largely held around Piazza del Popolo, Via del Corso, Piazza di Spagna, and Piazza Navona.
Natale di Roma (April 21st)
The day on which Rome celebrates her birthday. Expect music, fireworks, and historic reenactments at Via dei Fori Imperiali as well as many of the city’s historic sites.
Lungo il Tevere (June – September)
A nightly summer-long outdoor event featuring popup shops, clubs, bars, restaurants, cinemas, and dance floors along the Tiber river bank.
Romaeuropa (September – December)
Rome’s premiere arts festival, featuring established celebrities as well as rising stars. Events occur all across town and include dance performances, art installations, recitals, and poetry readings.
Nightlife
Once the sun goes down, it’s time for cocktails and, later, dancing.
Since dinner in Italy is typically a lengthy and later-in-the-evening affair (“normal” dinner time starts after 8PM, and dinners can last up to two hours), consider heading out to the local watering holes around 10PM.
Instead of saddling up to one bar, consider experiencing the majesty of Rome after-dark by hopping from one establishment to another.
Bars: The Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, Ai Tre Scalini, Salotto 42, Il Goccetto
Nightclubs usually begin spinning up around 1AM, so grab a caffè (espresso) and steel yourself for partying late into the night.
Nightclubs: Akab, Le Mura, Shari Vari, La Cabala
Hidden Gems
Santa Maria della Concezione Crypts
Visit these eerily beautiful crypts, decorated with the bones of over 4,000 Capuchin friars. (Bonus: includes an entire ‘crypt of pelvises’.)
Pyramid of Cestius
An Egyptian pyramid in Europe? Well, sort of. It’s an edifice of the same style, but built by the ancient Romans. It’s rumored to be the ancient tomb of Remus (of Romulus and Remus fame), but was actually built as a final resting place for Roman magistrate Gaius Cestius.
Lacus Curtius
A deep chasm, cloaked in myth and shrouded in mystery, right in the heart of the Roman Forum. Believed by some to be a gateway to hell. Believed by others to just be a really deep hole.
