Rome Travel Tips: 4 Ways to Experience More of the Eternal City

Some Rome travel tips are practical. Others are simply about falling in love with the city.

Click your heels together three times and repeat after me:

There’s no place like Rome.

There’s no place like Rome.

There’s no place like Rome.

Perhaps the most important advice I could share is this: don’t experience Rome simply by checking famous sights off a list.

Ancient Romans called their city Caput Mundi, meaning capital of the world, and for good reason. Of all the places I’ve visited, Rome truly stands out.

Almost anywhere you walk, you’ll pass by thousands of years of history. One street might lead you past ancient ruins, medieval churches, and Renaissance palaces, all mixed gloriously together.

Rome is no hidden gem. Millions visit the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps each year. You should see them, too. Still, some of my favorite Rome travel tips are about what you can experience beyond or even right next to these famous spots.

Here are four experiences worth making time for.

AFTER THE COLOSSEUM, STAY FOR THE PIZZA

Whether it’s your first or fourteenth visit to Rome, seeing the Colosseum never ceases to impress.

This is one of those places where having a good guide really helps. Learning what happened here and how the Colosseum was part of daily Roman life adds a lot to your visit.

Afterward, you’ll probably be ready for something much more modern: a good Roman meal.

Rather than automatically choosing one of the restaurants surrounding the major tourist areas, consider Li Rioni a Santiquattro, a longtime Roman pizzeria tucked away on a side street just a short walk from the Colosseum. It specializes in thin, crisp Roman-style pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven.

This is a good example of what I suggest when visiting Rome: enjoy the landmark you came to see, but also take time to explore a bit beyond it.

ROME TRAVEL TIPS: MAKE TIME FOR VILLA BORGHESE

One of my favorite Rome travel tips is to build a little breathing room into your sightseeing. Not far from the Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese. is a wonderful place to do exactly that. After time on the busy streets, these gardens are a great place to slow down. Walk along the tree-lined paths, see the fountains and sculptures, or just take a break between sightseeing.

The park is also home to the Borghese Gallery, with an extraordinary collection that includes works by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian.

You’ll need to plan ahead for this spot. Reservations are required, and visits are set for specific entry times.

When I visited the Borghese Gallery in Rome, two hours felt too short. There was so much more I wanted to see, but once your time is up, you have to leave. I would happily go back.

Since time inside is limited, try to make the most of it. The gallery has audio guides, or you can join a guided tour for more background on the art. However you visit, those two hours will pass quickly.

EXPLORE ROME’S JEWISH QUARTER

Among the things to do in Rome that I think deserve more attention is spending time in the city’s historic Jewish Quarter.

Rome’s Jewish community has been here for over 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest outside Israel. The neighborhood also has a tough history, including more than 300 years when Jews were forced to live in the Jewish Ghetto. I visited the Jewish Quarter with a guide, and I’m glad I did. There’s so much history here that it’s easy to miss something important without help.

One of the things that stayed with me was something I might otherwise have walked right over. Set into the pavement in front of some former residences are small brass memorial stones called Stolpersteine, or stumbling stones. They commemorate individual victims of Nazi persecution, giving their names and information about what happened to them.

Seeing these memorials outside the places where people once lived makes the history feel personal.

The neighborhood also lets you discover unique Jewish-Roman food traditions. Take some time to wander the streets and notice the details around you.

From here, it’s a short walk to Tiber Island and then across the river to Trastevere.

SPEND AN EVENING IN TRASTEVERE

Across the Tiber River is Trastevere, a neighborhood famous for its narrow streets, old buildings, small piazzas, cafés, and restaurants.

I didn’t spend long in Trastevere, but I still remember having dinner in a private home there. It let me experience this part of Rome in a way that was very different from visiting a monument or museum.
 
That’s one of my favorite tips for visiting Rome: leave room in your itinerary for experiences as well as sightseeing. You might come to Rome for the Colosseum or the Vatican, but sometimes it’s an evening, a meal, or a conversation that becomes your favorite memory.

If you have time, explore Trastevere and enjoy the atmosphere rather than treating it as just another stop on your list.

ROME TRAVEL TIPS FOR EXPERIENCING MORE

The Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps are famous for a reason. I wouldn’t suggest skipping them just to say you’ve seen a different side of Rome.

Instead, try to combine the sights you’ve always wanted to see with experiences that let you enjoy the city around them.

When you travel can make a difference, too. If fewer crowds and a more relaxed pace appeal to you, consider visiting Europe during shoulder season.

A great trip to Rome isn’t always about seeing more places. Sometimes it’s about giving yourself enough time to really enjoy what you’re already seeing.

That might be one of the best Rome travel tips I can share.

Are you ready to experience Rome in a way that matches your travel style? Get in touch with me to start planning a personalized trip to Italy.

Ciao, ciao!