Rome Hotels

Sightseeing

Rome is sometimes described as 'the world's largest open-air museum'. The preserved architecture and ancient ruins around the city are tourist hotspots. The Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and the Spanish Steps are all within Rome's boundaries. The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City is just as unmissable, with the iconic ceiling fresco painted by Michaelangelo.

Be brave and put your hand into the mouth of the Bocca della Verita – the mouth of truth. It's inside the Basilica de Santa Maria Maggiore and is visited by thousands of people every year. The basilica itself is a short walk from Rome Termini rail station.

Italy's café culture

You haven't truly tried coffee until you see how the Italians make it. When in Rome, do as the locals do and try a plain black coffee served at the perfect temperature. Sip your drink outside on one of Rome's many piazzas and watch the world go by. The Piazza Navona was built in the first century, and is on the site of a former Roman stadium. It's where Rome's annual Christmas Market is held.

Food and drink in Rome

Some tour operators run special food tours of the city, where you can sample a range of dishes, food and wine as you explore the sights. The typical staples of Italian cuisine are pizza and pasta, and in the city dishes are based around fresh vegetables – especially the artichoke. On summer holidays in Rome, relax in the afternoon sun with some gelato.

Regardless of the menu or size of the restaurant, eateries typically get cheaper the further you head away from the Vatican and the city centre.

Shopping and entertainment

Rome has a very fashionable image, and as such you'll find plenty of boutiques and clothes shops around. High-end shops are clustered at the Piazza di Spagna. Fans of retro items can take a wander round Rome's many antique sellers and second-hand clothing shops. Outlets of all kinds typically close for lunch.