Rome
Italy, Europe
Three thousand years of history layered under every street, piazza, and trattoria.
Italy's capital, where nearly 3,000 years of history layer together in plain sight. Ancient ruins like the Colosseum and Forum sit among baroque piazzas, fountains, and some of the country's most beloved food.
Our honest take
Rome is chaotic, loud, and magnificent. The tourist sites are worth it (yes, even the Colosseum) but the real Rome is in Trastevere at 10pm, a €4 supplì from a hole-in-the-wall, and getting lost in streets that haven't changed in 500 years.
Why go
- The Colosseum and Forum genuinely transport you to ancient Rome
- Food is incredible and cheap if you avoid tourist traps
- Every corner has something beautiful, fountains, churches, ruins
Skip if you can
- Restaurants with photos on the menu near major sites, tourist traps
- Trevi Fountain at midday, go at 7am or 11pm
- Hop-on-hop-off buses. Rome is a walking city, the bus misses everything
Things to do
Where locals eat
Spaghetti with pecorino romano and black pepper, three ingredients, deceptively hard to get right
Roscioli Salumeria in Centro Storico or Felice a Testaccio (the purist benchmark)
Fried rice ball with molten mozzarella centre. Rome street food, sold at pizza al taglio shops
Supplizio near Campo de Fiori (dedicated supplì shop) or any pizza al taglio with a glass case
Rigatoni with guanciale, egg yolk, pecorino, no cream, ever. The Roman hill to die on.
Da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere (queue early) or Luciano Cucina Italiana near Trevi
Brioche bun split and stuffed with unsweetened whipped cream. Romans eat this for breakfast
Regoli in Esquilino (since 1916) or Pasticceria Bompiani in EUR
Costs
Per person, per day on the ground, lodging, food, local transport and activities. Excludes international flights (see Getting there).
Colosseum+Forum: €18. Vatican Museums: €17. Pizza al taglio: €3-5. Pasta meal: €10-15.
Official pricingGetting there
Where to stay
Best nightlife, restaurants, cobblestone charm
Near Pantheon/Navona, walkable to everything, pricey
Bohemian, vintage shops, near Colosseum, local feel
Foodie neighbourhood, authentic, off-tourist-path
Good to know
- Pickpockets on Metro A and around Termini station
- Gladiator photo scam at Colosseum, they demand €20+ after
- Restaurants near Vatican/Colosseum are 2-3x overpriced, walk 5 minutes away
- Cobblestones destroy wheeled luggage, pack light
Prices, visa rules, and transport details may change. Always verify with official sources before booking. Last updated: July 2026.