Rome is an open-air museum

and most of its attractions can be easily reached on foot or by public transport. Using the car is highly discouraged due to the traffic, the ZTL (Areas forbiddend for cars) and the strong difficult for finding parking. Anyway the car can be very useful for visiting the very beautiful city surroundings (Villa Adriana and Villa D’Este in Tivoli, Ostia Antica, Castel Gandolfo and much more).

My advice: Without any doubt, the best way to visit the eternal city is by walking.

ST. PETER SQUARE and VATICAN MUSEUMS

Reaching St. Peter square from the apartment takes few minutes, the dome is right there, few steps from your home. And do not be frightened by the queue to enter in St. Peter’s Basilica, the wait it will be amply rewarded by the sight of the majestic nave and the works that you will find inside it (first of all the famous Pietà by Michelangelo). You cannot miss the Vatican Museums whose entrance is located at north of the Papal State not far from St. Peter square. Here you will find one of the largest art collections in the world: a huge collection of works accumulated over the centuries by the popes, in addition to the Sistine Chapel and the wonderful papal apartments frescoed by Michelangelo and Raffaello. My advice is to buy the entry tickets online BEFORE your travel to Rome. Buy the ticket at the official website: www.museivaticani.va to be sure for buying the tickets at the correct price, then just go to the entrance about 15 minutes before the time indicated on your ticket. Important! especially in summer season, remidn to dress appropriately, the pants and skirts must cover the knees, and also the shoulders and arms must be covered (wearing a scarf to take off once you leave the Basilica can be a good idea).

CASTEL SANT’ANGELO

Castel Sant’Angelo is only at few hundred meters from St. Peter square and my opinion is that visiting the castle should not be missed in any good city tour. The view of the Basilica from here is breathless.

THE ANCIEN CITY

Cross the Tiber through the Sant’Angelo bridge, one of the few pedestrian bridges in Rome, and when you will be on the other side of the river, don’t forget to take a picture of Castel Sant’Angelo from there. Now you are ready to get lost in the narrow streets of the historical city center and it can be the best way for experience Rome. Some treasures can be discovered behind every corner, as a church or a tavern to eat a real “carbonara” or a “cacio e pepe” with a good glass of red wine. You cannot miss  Navona square, Campo de ‘Fiori, the Pantheon and a little further Piazza di Spagna and Trevi’s Fountain.

Via del Corso is the main Roman shopping street and in Via dei Condotti you will find the most prestigious roman shops. Via del Corso starts from Popolo square and it reachs the large Venice square located next the Campidoglio. From here, by via the Via dei Fori Imperiali, it is easy to reach the Colosseum. The visit of the Colosseum is a MUST for every traveler. The standard ticket includes the entrance for the visiting of the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. My first advice for your visit to the Colosseum is to buy the ticket online before your travel (it is not easy to find it in high season). My second advice is to join a group with an official guide, so you can understand what the Colosseum was for Rome. My favourite tour is the FULL EXPERIENCE – UNDERGROUND LEVELS AND ARENA – GUIDED TOUR.

TRASTEVERE

Trastevere is a very characteristic district of the eternal city, it’s known due to its traditional trattorias, pubs, breweries and craft shops. Here there are really many excellent taverns and pizzerias (some of my favorites “osteria” is here!). More it is one of the main evening meeting points for young Romans and foreigners.