Your Pocket Guide to Visiting Rome, Italy

 

It’s nearly impossible to fit the majesty of Rome into one travel guide, but making the attempt certainly has us ready to hop on the next flight. Rome is the European epicenter of art, food, and a culture always moving towards the modern while staying connected to the past. Not to mention, the weather in Rome is nearly always relatively comfortable, and it’s a wonderful jumping-off point for visiting many other Italian cities and sights. When in Rome, here are the accommodations, restaurants, bars, and attractions we’d recommend for a pasta-packed visit to one of the most unforgettable cities in the world.

 

Resting up is an essential piece of your romp around Rome. Instead of endlessly scrolling through AirBnb, consider a few of our favorite hotels, like the Palazzo Ripetta.This former convent has been noted as “one of the few remaining independent five-stars in Rome” by CNTraveler. Recently redone by a renown Italian designer and architect, the bright and innovative visuals of this hotel are the perfect backdrop for your Roman adventure. Our favorite part? Browsing the owner’s personal art collection before heading out into the city.

 

 

The Bulgari Hotel Roma has done the most for their hometown hotel. This luxury brand is known for pulling out all the stops at their properties worldwide, but their Rome hotel is truly in a league of its own. Hotel service offerings include chauffeured cars, vintage Fiat 500 sightseeing tours, personal shoppers, and more. You’ll feel right at home—or maybe a touch more elevated—among Bulgari’s custom art pieces and pristine terrace bar.

 

 

Indulge in the quiet luxury of Six Senses. Rome is one of their first big-city sanctuaries, offering the peace of remote paradise among Rome’s busy streets. Locals and travelers alike can be find reading a book or grabbing a drink in the smartly furnished lobby. We also love the Hotel Maalot. This is a five-star pick for hip travelers looking for fresh and modern accommodations with a certain vintage twist. The Maalot is an aesthete’s dream with an eclectic mix of textures, colors, and artwork. Finally, if you need us, we’re daydreaming about laying by the pool at the Gran Meliá. This hotel is straight out of your favorite summer romance novel with daybeds, palm trees, and a crystal blue pool to match.

 

Travel pro-tip: having a drink in a hotel lobby—even if not your own—is a great way to meet fellow travelers from all over the world. Hotel d’Angleterre is the perfect spot for this endeavor, especially because the former palazzo is a piece of Roman history itself. Argot Bar is the place to go if you’re in the know. Vintage glassware paired with innovative drinks makes Argot Bar a favorite late-night spot for speakeasy vibes.

 

 

If you wander for long enough through the Sacripante Gallery, a convent-turned-art-gallery, you’ll find one of the most unique bars in Rome. Keep an eye out for medicine cabinets and apothecary decor, and you’ll know you’re in the right place. When it comes to Co.So, we’re not using the word “innovative” lightly. No other cocktail bar in Italy (or possibly the world) takes their influences more seriously. At Co. So., you can enjoy hints of Roman, Sicilian, and Japanese inspiration in every sip. Book the speakeasy space for a private experience. Oh—and this list wouldn’t be complete without Drink Kong. Drink Kong is a world-renown global stable because of its well-versed cocktail menu, expert mixologists, and mixture of fun and mysterious vibes. Don’t miss their surprising food menu either!

 

Did you know it’s customary to eat gnocchi on Thursdays in Italy? Our favorite gnocchi stop is Trattoria Da Teo, a neighborhood eatery that’s not messing around on the quality of their classics. For finer dining, check out Almato. All 28 seats in this fine dining establishment are always reserved, either by savvy travelers or locals eager to see the latest tricks up Chef Tommaso Venuti’s sleeve.

 

 

Eat authentic Italian pizza among locals at A Rota Pizzeria Romanesca. You’ll find this spot set apart from the typical tourist drags, and the usual clientele is groups of Romans catching up over really, really good food. You’ll find classic pizza options, like four-cheese and margherita, but the sausage and potato pizza is the best-seller. For an authentic Italian experience, look no further than Trattoria Da Danilo. It’s a classic trattoria like the ones that have fed Romans for centuries. Known around the globe for their carbonara, Trattoria Da Danilo will set your Italian food standard to new heights.

 

 

For a more casual yet modern pit stop, La Rinascente Food Hall is an upscale market and food hall. Consider it your one-stop shop for high-end Italian meat, pasta, and produce. Grab some goods to build your own picnic, or head up to the rooftop to rest, have a bite, and enjoy the view. If you’re looking for the new and the next, Roscioli is Rome’s hottest reservation! This hip and upscale restaurant offers the best in classic Italian dishes with a modern attitude. Have the charcuterie board of your dreams thanks to a nearby butcher and cheese shop, also run by the owners of Roscioli.

 

Surely you have the classic must-dos on your Roman itinerary: The Trevi fountain, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Sistine Chapel…the list goes on! In fact, we highly recommend booking a ticket for a hop on, hop off bus tour so you can knock these out with efficiency. Savvy travelers know that while these sites are important, they only skim the surface of important things to see and do in Rome. Here are some lesser-known stops we think you should add to your list.

 

 

History, religion, and architecture buffs should visit the Basilica of San Clemente. Among all the fantastic religious structures in Rome, visitors confirm that there’s something unique about this one. The Basilica of San Clemente offers literal layers of Roman history. Underneath this church is another church, and underneath that church is one of the first settlements in the city, complete with roads and homes. The Baths of Caracalla are also a neat spot to soak in some history. In the 3rd century, these were public baths. Today, you can visit the ruins by day, or catch the Rome Opera company performing in the open-air theater by night.

 

 

Biking the Via Appia is a wonderful way to hit the ancient pavement and see one of Rome’s oldest streets in all its well-preserved glory. Many tours recommend an itinerary that’s about 17 miles long, making cycling a fun and efficient way to travel through the area. We also love the Monte Mario Nature Reserve for travelers who want to take a rest from the city bustle and enjoy Rome’s natural beauty. This park takes you to the highest hill in Rome and offers incredible views among its nature trails, animal sightings, and green sprawl fit for picnicking.

 

 

You could spend months in Rome and still run out of time to see all of its art galleries, but let Palazzo Spada be one you don’t miss. Located inside a Baroque palace, you’ll find a lot of grand Renaissance work, including Caravaggio. Palazzo Spada offers a similar experience to more well-known museums, but without the crowded exhibits. For a more contemporary museum, visit the MAXXI Rome, designed by renowned Italian architect Zaha Hadid. The MAXXI is a breath of modern air among the rich history of Rome. From photography to immersive installations, you won’t want to miss the unique exhibits they have on rotation here.