Best Way to See Rome

Want to know the best way to see Rome? Our guide comes with a bunch of useful tips for sightseeing this amazing city.

Find out how to get around, the best sightseeing tips, where to eat (and not to eat), how to shop for souvenirs and much more.

The best way to see Rome is just to walk around. The city is compact enough to easily walk from one sight to another. Just grab a map (hotels usually offer free ones) and you are ready to go.

Don't worry if you get lost - you'll find some hidden gems that you never would otherwise.

Once you find yourself in the historic centre, you can easily walk from one sight to another. If you are staying in the parts of Rome that are away from historic centre you'll need to take bus, metro or taxi.

We suggest you to book your tickets and tours for Rome through either Tiqets or Viator, as they are both reliable companies.

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Book tickets for main sights in advance

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The best option is to book tickets for Colosseum and Vatican Museums in advance online. We suggest you to buy skip-the-line tickets to avoid long waiting to enter.

Consider taking guided tour (which usually include easy entrance) to learn more from local guide.

Sights/Museum that do require pre-booking:

Colosseum - Time slot is mandatory to visit this popular sight and your tickets will have your name on it, which cannot be changed. Children up to 17 have free entrance but they still need a reservation and everyone must show an ID. Ticket for Colosseum allows you to visit the Roman Forum and Palatine area. For visiting Underground or Arena you need to book full experience ticket.
Vatican Museums - you should book tickets for Vatican Museum online. We advice you to book skip-the-line tickets. Or opt for guided tour that will take you to the best parts of the museums.
Vatican Excavations - visits to the necropolis underneath the Basilica, where the tomb of St Peter is located are only possible with a special permission and have to be booked months in advance. Only a few visitors per day are allowed there and children under the age of 16 are not admitted.
Borghese Gallery - booking is mandatory for this museum and the tours are also available if you want to learn more
Papal Audience - these are always free of charge but reservation is mandatory. Audiences take place on Wednesdays. The Angelus blessing is on Sundays at noon and does not require booking.

Consider buying Rome cards/passes

A long line to Vatican Museums

Book OMNIA Vatican card to save on time and money as it covers unlimited public transport rides for 72 hours, fast-track entrances to the most famous sights (like Colosseum and Vatican Museums), discounted entrances to other sights...

There are Roma Pass that will allow you to get into main sights and museums for free. You can choose from 48-hour or 72-hour versions depending on how much do you stay in Rome and what you want to see.

Just be aware that you need to book entry to some sights in-advance, including the Colosseum, and there may be a small booking fee.

Tiqets is a great website for booking all Roma passes and cards, as it's very simple and easy.

Skip-the-Line
Rome Tickets:

Use buses, trams or metro if you are short on time

If you decide to use buses or metro, you need to buy tickets at any of the tabacchi (a tobacco shop) or newspaper stands around the city.

The ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 100 minutes on any public transport, including trams and metro. If you are short on time you can use one of 3 metro lines in Rome.

Take a guided tour of Rome

If you have only 1 day in Rome, we suggest you this tour combining the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and the historic centre of the city in just over 7 hours (with private group transport between central Rome and Vatican).

Avoid touristy restaurants & pizzerias

Avoid restaurants close to busiest Roman sights such as Piazza Navona, Pantheon or Campo de' Fiori. The food in these restaurants is not quality one and is overpriced.

Instead search for restaurants hidden in side-streets popular among locals with good food.

We recommend Al Forno della Soffitta (Via Piave, 62), cosy restaurant offering tasty pizzas, pasta, prosciutto and cheese platters, meat dishes and much more (you'll continue to come back here).

Join one of guided food tours and reveal the best places to eat locally.

We loved this Trastevere food tour and this Prati food tour that included a loads of tasty Italian specialities and drinks.