The Ultimate Guide to Rome - Part 2
All things aperitivo, the best places to stay and what you should do
Now we’ve covered where to eat in Rome, let’s delve into aperitivo, what to get up to in your visit and where you should stay…
Aperitivo:
A very important part of the day in Italy and it is not to be missed. A a pre-dinner drink (or 2) and selection of small bites, usually enjoyed between 6:30pm - 9pm. Common aperitivo drinks include an Aperol Spritz or a Negroni (bitter drinks are favoured as they cleanse your palette before the meal, which is often filled with richer, stronger flavours). You’ll find almost every bar in Rome serves up these cocktails, but if you are after specific recommendations, here mine are below:
A tiny unassuming bar just off Campo de Fiori square, perfect for a quick espresso or cocktail.
Ciampini: A popular bar/cafe in the centre of Rome with a large number of outdoor tables. Perfect for an aperitivo, people watching and a game of cards!
A very cool wine bar with both indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a snug fit, and always busy but worth the visit to experience the laid-back atmosphere and delicious wines. They have a hefty wine list filled with bottles from Italy and other parts of Europe.
Perched at the top of the Spanish Steps, this bar arguably has one of the best views of Rome, especially at sunset! Enjoy your drink whilst people watching the steps and taking in the gorgeous sunset.
After dinner drinks - Looking to extend your night further? Below are the perfect places to finish your evening with some more tasty cocktails and wines…
A stone’s throw from the Trevi fountain and Pantheon. It’s an intimate cocktail bar with unique interiors. This would be the perfect after dinner spot for drinks, before walking off your meal and finishing your evening wandering past some of Rome’s most famous sights, without the crowds.
Located on Piazza Farnese, there's a lovely outdoor terrace, fantastic wine list and great selection of cocktails. Enjoy the bustling atmosphere in the centre of Rome!
Situated in the Hassler Hotel, this bar is intimate, romantic and incredibly glamorous! Enjoy a drink or two in their cosy cocktail lounge which often has live music. According to Hotel Hassler, this was where ‘Princess Diana had the best “Bellini” ever’.
What to see
There is nowhere quite like Rome, with historical sights dating back to the Roman empire dotted around the city, there is so much to see and do. With this being my first time in the city, I felt like I had to do all of the touristy sights. They’re definitely worth seeing. I’ve listed below the places I would recommend giving a visit…
It’s one of the seven wonders of the world for a reason! Synonymous with what we think of when we picture Rome, it’s the largest amphitheatre ever built, and it’s not until you see it in person do you realise how truly large it is. Whilst it’s a very busy sight to visit with tourists everywhere, there are many quiet spots whilst you walk around the outskirts where you can take in the view for free. If you want to go inside the Colosseum make sure to pre book your tickets, as the queues were incredibly long if you didn’t have them.
Make sure you allow a day to discover the Vatican City, it is so much bigger than I expected. You can easily spend hours in the Vatican museum itself without realising that half the day has gone. When you visit the Vatican City, make sure to visit the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo. And no, you don’t need your passport, even though it’s a new country!
Enjoy sunrise or sunset strolling up the Spanish Steps to get a beautiful view over Rome
Trastevere has a lovely feel and vibe to it. Just across the river from the centre of Rome, it’s quieter and more relaxed. Allow yourself lots of time to explore the area and eat in all the traditional restaurants. You could easily spend endless hours walking from Trattorias, to cafes to bars!
An ancient Roman temple situated in the middle of a small square. I recommend visiting out of peak times during the day to visit inside, and make sure to pop by at night time with an ice cream to take in the buildings exteriors without the crowds. The doors of the Pantheon are the oldest standing original bronze doors in Rome and stand at 7.5 meters tall, which are an incredible sight to take in when you stand right next to them.
Obviously you can’t visit Rome without making a stop to take in the views of the Trevi fountain, but if you try and visit during the day there will be swarms of crowds and you’ll struggle to get a good view. I recommend visiting early in the morning before 9am (they introduce a queuing system starting at 9am every morning to access the actual fountain) or after dark around 8pm onwards, when the crowds will be smaller and you can enjoy it all to yourselves.
Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola:
You may have come across this church on TikTok as the viral mirror selfie church. Skip the queue to take a photo in the mirror and just enjoy the beautiful ceilings for free!
There are so many beautiful churches in Rome that are worth popping your head into. This one is situated in Piazza Navona which is worth a walk around (it used to be an open oval stadium) and the church itself has the most incredible ceilings, plus it’s free to enter.
Top Tip
Make sure to buy your tickets to the sights before hand. I don’t tend to pre-plan my itineraries when I travel or book anything, and very quickly realised in Rome that most of the sights here do need to be pre-booked online. Don’t make the same mistake I did!
Where to stay:
I’ve listed below a few suggestions for where to stay during your trip to Rome. I recommend picking the location you want to base yourself first, and then looking into accommodation in the area. Airbnb can be a great shout for more affordable stays.
Where I stayed:
We stayed at Hotel Hassler, which is one of the last family run hotels in Rome with a LOT of history, and were lucky enough to be able to stay in Audrey Hepburn’s favourite suite, overlooking the Spanish Steps with the most incredible views. The interiors of the hotel are very grand and luxurious and the staff make you feel right at home as soon as you arrive. There is a lovely rooftop bar at the top of the hotel where you can enjoy cocktails at sunset overlooking Rome’s beautiful skyline. In total there are 4 restaurants / bars, including Imàgo a 1 Michelin star restaurant. If you’re looking to stay central, in walking distance to see the sights, and in a hotel bursting with history, then this is a great option! It’s also very close to the metro.
Central Rome:
The perfect location if you’re looking to stay within walking distance / a short taxi ride to most of the sights. You’ll likely be paying a bit more for the location, but if your main goal of the trip is to be able to access everywhere quickly, it’s a great place to base yourself. I have listed below a few Airbnb finds that have great reviews and are in ideal locations:
Trastevere:
If you’re looking to stay somewhere away from the busy crowds in a more relaxed area, but still not too far from the hustle and bustle, then Trastevere is your best bet. Whilst I didn’t get to stay in Trastevere this time, it seems like a lovely place to stay with a great atmosphere. It’s near to lots of trattorias and bars, you’ve got cobbled streets and coloured terraces on your doorsteps and an overall great vibe. I have listed below a few Airbnb finds that have great reviews and are in ideal locations:
My Rome Top Tips
I have listed a few of the main things I took away from my first trip to Rome that I hope can help if you’re planning a trip there soon.
Leave enough time to explore Trastevere, I left exploring the area until my last day in Rome and felt like I’d missed out spending more time here, I will definitely be back to see more!
Allow a whole day to see the Vatican, whilst Vatican City might be the smallest country in the world, there is still a lot to see and do. If you allow yourself more time, you can take it all in and enjoy whilst not having the pressure to rush off to your next stop, plus you’ll be exhausted afterwards!
Try both Roman (braised) and fried styles of artichoke. They are both delicious in their own ways and not to be missed.
Pick up a focaccia sandwich filled with porchetta & creamy stracciatella for lunch or as an afternoon pick-me-up
Eat a LOT of carbonara (it has to be done!)
View the pantheon at night time, it will be much, much quieter and you can grab some gelato and take in the view
Pre book tickets for tourist spots if you’re going to go in peak season and don’t want to miss out in seeing anything
Look up!! The ceilings are beautiful everywhere you go. Make sure to pop into any of the churches you walk past. They’re free to enter and each are incredible in their own way
Eat dinner late (8pm onwards). There will be a better atmosphere and it allows time for a delicious aperitivo before.
A Key Takeaway from Rome:
I spent four days in Rome, and whilst this was not enough time to see everything (surprise, surprise), it’s definitely enough time to get a real feel for the city, explore the historical sights and most importantly, try lots of incredible food and drink. Prepare to feel tired after a long day of walking (pack comfy shoes) and enjoy where the city takes you. This city has so much to offer and it will leave you wanting more. I will definitely be back!