When In Rome... Sightseeing and travel tips

Me and Scott in the Colosseum, looking like typical brits abroad!

Until this year, I had never been to Rome, and to be honest, it had never really been up there on my bucket list (I know, I know, how terrible of me). However, I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone! We (Scott and I) visited the Italian capital in June this year as part of our main 2024 holiday. We tried to research everything before arriving, and we found it so overwhelming, so I’ve broken down all the different need-to-knows about this stunning place. This article features everything we learned about sightseeing, including a brief overview of our itinerary.

Sights To See

There really are so many places to see, and unless you’re going for a week or you’re a superhuman, you won’t be able to see everything in one visit—it’s impossible. I have made a list of all the main sights and included our itinerary so you can see how we made the most of our time.

• COLOSSEUM: This was at the top of our to-do list, so we booked this and worked the rest of our day around it. We wanted to be organised, therefore we booked the Colosseum before leaving the UK. We bought our tickets via the official site, which offers several options. The most basic ticket is currently €18, providing entrance to the Colosseum without access to the arena, and one entrance to the archaeological area of the Roman Forum, Imperial Fora, and Palatine. Tickets have changed slightly since we visited, as we bought this ticket with the addition of the arena floor. I will add that I thought this was a bit of a con, as everyone gets access to the arena floor on the other side of the stadium when exiting... very cheeky!

• VATICAN CITY: Although we were staying relatively close, we unfortunately didn't have the time to fit Vatican City into our schedule. You don't need tickets to enter Vatican City, but you will have to purchase a ticket for the Vatican Museum at €20.

• ALTARE DELLA PATRIA (Wedding Cake): This looked spectacular and we only saw it from a distance, so it is still on the list to visit one day. This colossal yet beautiful marble building is 135 metres wide and 70 metres high and can be entered with a ticket costing €17. The ticket includes access to the panoramic terrace.

• PANTHEON: We only admired the Pantheon from the outside. If you are thinking of taking a look inside, it opens daily and costs €15 for a standard ticket. You will book a 30-minute slot when you purchase your ticket, meaning you won't need to queue for this site.

• CASTEL SANT'ANGELO: We were lucky that this castle was only 10 minutes from our accommodation and on our route into the centre of Rome. It wasn't on our list to visit, but I'm so glad we had the chance to see it, as it was stunning. We took a couple of images on the famous St. Angelo Bridge too, which we wouldn't have done had we not stayed where we did.

• TREVI FOUNTAIN: This is free to visit but prepare yourself for crowds as the area it is located in is quite small and enclosed—not what I expected at all. We stopped by the fountain at around 8 am thinking it would be quiet, but it was still fairly busy. However, I will say that most people were considerate and there seemed to be an unwritten rule that you would move next to the fountain to have your photo taken, and then move away, letting others have their chance. Don't forget to toss a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand. According to popular belief, this act ensures your return to Rome.

• PALATINE HILL: Our access to Palatine Hill was included with our Colosseum ticket. It is possible to purchase tickets without the Colosseum, and they can be bought in advance or on the day. We entered the area through the Roman Forum, then climbed the small hill to reach the stunning panoramic views this historical site has to show. The climb isn't too big as Palatine Hill is only 40 metres high.

Here is a visual of our route from our apartment to the Colosseum, via Trevi Fountain.

Visiting Rome for the first time was an unforgettable experience. Despite our initial overwhelm, we managed to see a lot in a short amount of time by planning carefully and staying in a central location. From the awe-inspiring Colosseum to the charming streets, Rome offered a perfect blend of history, culture, and adventure. Our tips on transportation, hydration, and avoiding scams can help future travellers make the most of their visit. Remember to take it all in, savour each moment, and embrace the unexpected, as these are the things that make a trip truly memorable. Rome is a city that beckons you to return, and with a coin toss at the Trevi Fountain, you might just ensure that you will.

Tips

• FREE SITE ACCESS: If you have the freedom to choose your exact travel dates to Rome, I advise you to visit on the first Sunday of any month because access is free to some sites and museums. Click here to find out more!

• DRESS CODES: Some sites, especially religious ones, have a dress code. Ensure to cover shoulders and knees, as these are not allowed to be bare.

• HAPPY HOUR: If you enjoy an alcoholic beverage, opt for bars and restaurants offering happy hour, with spritzes from as little as €6.00 (usually €10-€12).

• HYDRATION: Italy has thousands of Le Fontanelle (little fountains) offering free, fresh drinking water. We took reusable bottles, saving money and the planet. It was 38 degrees during our sightseeing day, so we needed frequent refills, especially around Palatine Hill, but the fountains were plentiful.

• QUEUES: When we arrived at the Colosseum, the queue was massive, and I was so confused because we had a time slot. We asked the attendants if we needed to queue, and thankfully they said no. All we needed to do was wait until 10 minutes before our allotted time and then head to the front of the queue where we would be granted access.

• FOOTWEAR: It was a tough decision between trainers and sandals for the daytime. I originally thought trainers would have been the best option, so I opted for those, however, due to the high temperature, my feet were so hot, which made me feel warmer. I wore sandals for our evenings and had no issues with walking around in those, but if you're going to wear sandals make sure you've worn them for long periods previously.

• TOILETS: Be prepared for some public toilets to be less than ideal, often without seats and charging for use. Carry change (50 cents to 2 euros). Make the most of the free toilets at paid sites, but expect long queues.

• CONSTRUCTION: Be aware of ongoing construction for the 2025 Jubilee, affecting many attractions and making it hard to capture the perfect photo. There are currently 1,400 building sites across the city, impacting Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona Square, the Pantheon fountain, the Colosseum area, and St. Angelo Bridge.

• SCAMMERS: Beware of scammers targeting tourists, especially British and Americans. If someone offers you something for free, like a bracelet or scarf, decline politely and walk away. Accepting it may lead to a demand for money.

These photos were both taken on St. Angelo Bridge.

Getting Around

When planning our trip to Rome, I expected to be constantly hopping on and off public transport. To my pleasant surprise, we didn’t set foot on any! Everywhere we wanted to go was within walking distance from our accommodation in the district of Prati. Our location was ideal: just a 10-minute walk to Castel Sant'Angelo, a 30-minute stroll to the Trevi Fountain, and a 45-minute walk to the Colosseum. If you want to pack your day with numerous sights, then you will probably need to jump on a bus, a tram, or the metro, as this will obviously save you time. I've researched a little bit, and the tickets seem fairly priced. MooneyGo provides advance tickets from €1.50 for 100 minutes, and a 24-hour ticket for only €7. I have read that you need to validate tickets before travelling, otherwise, you could be issued a fine of €50!

Our Itinerary

We spent two nights in Rome and had only planned one full day for sightseeing. Determined to make the most of it, we set off from our apartment at 7:30 am and headed straight for the Colosseum, stopping at the Trevi Fountain along the way. The early morning light at the fountain was magical and less crowded, which made for some fantastic photos.

After our Colosseum tour, we ventured to the charming Monti district for a delicious lunch. This area is known for its quaint streets and excellent eateries, providing a perfect spot to recharge before our afternoon adventure.

Next, we made our way to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. These historical sites are vast and offer a deep dive into ancient Rome, but be prepared for a lot of walking. By the time we finished exploring around 4 pm, we were exhausted. Looking for a quick rest and a bit of fun, we decided to jump on a scooter for a 5-minute ride. It was a refreshing break and a fun way to see more of the city.

We parked the scooter nearby Piazza Navona, then headed for a refreshing Aperol Spritz at a small roadside cafe before shooting back to the apartment for a freshen-up for our evening. We spent the evening in the Ponte area, which seemed to have a vast choice of restaurants, some situated down the cutest streets.

The view of the Roman Forum from Palatine Hill.