I have a 3-day holiday in Rome, what are the best things to do and see?

Question

I love history, museums but also open-air sightseeing and nice restaurants and bistros which are not too expensive. I am over fifty- so please not too strenous exercise for me!!!

Answer 1

Number 1 - get a good city map. Don't just use the ones in guide books, they're not detailed enough if you're walking around (sorry but it's the best way, see below).
Number 2 - if you don't speak Italian at least learn the numbers and how to ask a price, or you'll get conned.

I assume that you'll do the usual things such a a trip to the catacombes and join a guided tour of the Coliseum. Licenced guides are available in the piazza outside the ampmphithre itself. Don't let your hotel book it or you'll get ripped-off.
Find an English guide not an American one or you may get confused. Make sure that your guide is wearing the official licence badge. There are usually plenty to choose from.

St Peter's basilica and the crypt is an easy visit. Open any time and free last time I went. Fabulous sculptures inside and the Swiss Guards are good for a laugh (don't let them see you though).

The Vatican (Papal) Appartments are well worth the entrance fee. It's round the side of St Peter's and fairly well signposted. The rooms and Cistine Chapel are fantastic.
There is always a queue so if you can't be in the queue by opening time then forget it for that day (honest).
When you're inside there is only one long windy route through the papal appartments and finishing in the Cistine Chapel.

It really is a wonderful few hours but it also continuous "shuffle shuffle" throughout, whatever time of day or year. You will probably not be able to sit down throughout the whole visit because there are only a few seats, and they're in the chapel at the end. So, if you have dodgy legs or feet then I'm sorry but you may have to give that a miss.

If you do go and manage the whole way round then finish off with lunch in the restaurant. Unlike outside it's clean and good value. In the Vatican I have eaten the best pizzas in Rome and not paid much for them either. ("Pope's pizza", yummy).

Do NOT EVER enter any cafe or restaurant within sight of St Peter's. You WILL be Ripped-Off, even if you speak Italian. They're expensive and poor quality. The Romans are the most rip-off merchants of tourists outside London in that respect.

Find somewhere to eat further down river or use the ristorantes to the south side of the arcade in front of the main Termini railway station (not the north side, it's a bit cheaper but also a bit sleazy).

The Temple of Vesta near the Circus Maximus is very classical (imagine the charriot races along what is now a car park). If you can find it there is also the Bucca Veritas near the temple of vespa. You're suppost to stick your hand in it and if you tell a lie it bites your hand off.

Personally, I always enjoy a visit to the Pantheon. Especially if it's raining. The rainfall through the hole in the roof is spectacular (it was bult that way). There are some good restaurants near the Pantheon and you will get reasonable value meals.

The Trevi Fountain ("three coins in ..." etc.) is too ornate, surrounded by Yanks and students and a bit disapointing.

Unfortuantely, Rome is expensive and it really is a hilly city and most of the attractions involve a lot of walking. The busses and trams are cheap but always very crowded and if you use taxis your money will soon vanish.

Good luck and, especially if you're in the Forum, pray it doesn't rain.

Answer 2

I went to Rome for a long weekend last April and it wasn't long enough to see everything. There are open-air tour buses you can get from the Terminus at a cost of around 18euros per person for a day ticket and these take you round the city stopping at all the major sites. You can hop off the bus at any of their stops, have a look around and then just get on the next bus and continue sightseeing. You can get to the Terminus via the Metro which is right opposite the Colosseum, it is only a couple of stops on the train and is extremely cheap - this is the easiest way to get round the city. My reccommendation for the 3 must see sites in Rome have to be the Trevvi Fountains, the Colosseum and the Vatican. If you do decide to visit the Colosseum, you really need to have a guide as the information they give about the place is absolutely fascinating. When it comes to eating, choose the back street restaurants and bistros, their food is excellent and a fraction of the price of the ones in the main streets. You will have a fantastic time, it is a beautiful place to visit and I will definitely be going back.

Answer 3

The obvious places such as St Peter's Square, St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, The Pantheon (amazing), Fontana de Trevi, Colosseum, the column of Marcus Aurelius, the remains of Ancient Rome on the Palatine, the Capitoline and the Forum - so many places!!! We walked between all of these one ONE day last summer but would take longer next time.
You must explore the small narrow streets between the Pantheon and the Fontana de Trevi - full of character and packed with those small bistros you like.
I wouldn't bother with the Spanish Steps as they are are a bit of an anticlimax but right next to them is the house that Keats lived in which is quite nice so it's up to you really.
If you get a chance take a trip just outside Rome to Tivoli and to Castel Gandolfo where the Pope has his summer residence - both lovely.
Hope you have a wonderful time.

Answer 4

Rome is a great place to visit. Most hotels have a tour desk, I would suggest you check out the excursions available. The reason I say this is because in Rome you need a guide the first time visiting. Unless you can speak Italian, do yourself a favor and do a tour. The things you can do on your own, visit the Spanish steps. go to St Peter's Cathedral, Vatican City, the Borghese Gallery, the Jewish quarter, Trevi Fountain(toss a coin in the fountain), Roman forum, Pantheon and Colosseum. A great place to enjoy is Piazza Navona. Many artist display their art in the plaza. Good place to people watch and get a bite to eat. Love it there.

You need a good pair of working shoes. Enjoy and happy travels.

Answer 5

There's some good suggestions above and I'm sure you know the three most prominent monuments in Rome -

Try the National Tourism Website and then find a hotel in the centre of where you want to go. Chances are you'll want to hang out close to the Colesseum

Answer 6

Vatican & Sistine Chapel, Colesseum and ruins, Villa Borgehese, Spainsh steps, Trevi fountain. There's a nice Etruscan museum over by the main train station.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

You can visit the "Seven Aqueducts park".
It's a wanderful place, but it isn't turistic place.
You take underground. "A" line (orange line) and go out "Giulio Agricola". At the end of via Giulio Agricola you find a church. On the right there is a garden and enter here.
Walk aronun the park. You can find Ancienet Roman aqueducts and ancient roman villa (the ruins).
You can visit the park at lunch time and you will have a lovely pic nic.
You'll see a photo here:

http://sullestradelmondo.vivilastminute.it/sulle_strade_del_mondo/2007/01/dagli_acquedott.html

Answer 9

Wow 3 days is short, just wander around there are awesome landmarks EVERWHERE. Start at St. Peters Square

Answer 10

you could give the pope a call +Coliseum, Catacombs, Vatican Where they burnt and hung Mussolini and his wife Where the great chariot races were held. It is a great place to visit you need a week to see everything