Rome, Italy by Gautam Khattak

Last updated: June 29, 2014

Disclaimer: These are notes I’ve written or gathered from various sources. I have not experienced all things in this document nor is it intended to be a definitive guide.

General Tips

Currency: Euro

Conversion Tool: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=100+usd+to+eur

(Update for current rates)

100 USD = 78.09 EUR

1 USD = .781 EUR

100 EUR = 128.05 USD

1 EUR = 1.281 USD

Tipping:

As strange as this may seem to you, the truth is you don’t need to tip in Italy. Seriously, you don’t need to tip in Italy. If the service is exceptional, be my guest but it’s not expected and it’s not really done by the locals. Rounding up the bill to the nearest Euro is normally how I handle it. If you absolutely must tip or you feel your soul will be damaged, aim for a 5-10%.

Again it’s not necessary to tip for anything in Italy but it is customary to round up taxi fares to a convenient amount.

Local Customs:

Scams:

Crime in Rome isn’t too high but you have to be careful of pickpockets in the crowded, touristy areas of Rome. Also especially be weary on crowded buses like Route 40 and 64. Don’t assume the stereo type pick pocket will look like someone hanging on the street. The thieves on bus 64 are distinguished gentlemen, well dressed…with a suit jacket folded over their arm to cover their roving hand. Also be weary of anyone making you hold something, (I’ve even read about a baby being put into someone’s arms while their wallet was stolen and they didn’t have the hands to stop it).

Also be weary of people coming up to you and tying a string bracelet on your wrists and then asking you to give them money. Just because they gave you the bracelet, don’t give them any money. Have them cut it off if they have to, otherwise treat it as a free souvenir. This can be a major annoyance in places like Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps.

Transportation

I thoroughly enjoyed walking around Rome. It’s not too big of a city the way I broke up my Itinerary.

Airport

Rome has two airports – Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) FCO and Ciampino  (CIA). Fiumicino is Rome’s main airport and is well-connected with the center during the day by an express train.

The express train between Fiumicino Airport and Stazione Termini (Rome’s main train station) costs €9.50 and the journey takes about 30 minutes. The train departs from and arrives at Termini station at track #27 and runs from 6.30am till 11.30pm. Ciampino (CIA) is Rome’s smaller airport, is mostly used by charter flights and budget airlines.

Taxi’s from FCO are a set fair at €48 and from CIA it’s €30 or €33. There is also a few bus companies that will take you to Termini station from either airport for around €4. I used this and it was convenient and cheap. It only took about 30 minutes so similar to the taxi or train. Not a bad option if you’re going solo. However when I got to Termini the line to get on the bus to go to back to the airport was very long so if you plan to use it to catch a flight out of Rome plan for at least an extra hour queue time (you cannot book more than an hour in advance I believe).

Public transport

Public transportation tickets must be purchased in advance from tabacchis (Tobacco Shops), newsstands, bars, or vending machines (exact change only!) at metro and major bus stops. For the most part you cannot buy a ticket on the bus or tram, so make sure you get one in advance. It’s €1.5 to ride for 100 minutes and its €6 for a day pass.

The Bus system is convenient especially if you have a day pass but they do make a lot of stops and I was never on a bus that wasn’t really crowded (again watch your pockets). The #40 and #60 bus follow most of the tourist destinations so be extra careful on those.

Rome does have a Metro system which is easy to navigate if you’ve been in other cities. Sorry I’m spoiled living in Hong Kong because to me the Roma Metro system seems like it was built in the ancient times. It’s not air-conditioned but it gets you from A to B.

Getting to cities outside Italy is very easy via train. ItaliaRail and  TrenItalia for example are easy to get tickets online and you go to Stazione Termini (Termini Station) to board the train and head out. Just watch your pockets and bags when you’re in the trainstation as its crowded. You can book in advance or you can buy tickets day of via the kiosks. The machines come in multiple languages. When you buy-online you have to get your ticket from the kiosk, then you have to go to another machine (typically near the platform) to validate the ticket. I don’t know why, it seems redundant but you have to do it BEFORE you get on the train.

Taxis

Taxis are just like any major city. They will have a meter and will charge the price shown on the meter plus permitted extra charges of €1 for each bag after the first in the luggage area and €1 for each passenger after the fourth. Take care to always use an official taxi, licensed by the city. They are white, with a “TAXI” sign on the roof and the Rome crest (with “SPQR”) on the doors. Taxi’s are generally only available from a Taxi stand and they’re not everywhere so if you’re not staying at a hotel the easiest thing is to have a restaurant or coffee shop call. However, if you phone for a taxi or had your hotel call one, the meter starts running when the taxi left their stand to come to where you were. Therefore there will often already be a few euros on the meter when you get in. Again it’s not necessary to tip for anything in Italy but it is customary to round up taxi fares to a convenient amount.

There are a large proportion of illegal unmarked taxis that are on the road. Thus make sure you always enter a cab that is registered and has a meter. If the cab does not have a meter make sure you negotiate your price before accepting the ride. Strategically negotiating the price before you enter the vehicle is more viable.

Tourist Destinations, Museums & Art Galleries

Colosseo (The Colosseum)

• http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it/en/archaeological-site/colosseum
• http://www.the-colosseum.net/around/visit.htm
  • Arc de Constantine – Located outside the Colosseum is this 25m monument
• Price ~ €12
• GK Editorial – I did the tour inside the Colosseum while my friends did not. I found it well worth the 1 hour I spent there. If you buy the tickets online you can skip the 15-30 minute queue. I also did the audio guide    for €5 which I didn’t really listen to in its entirety. They also have video guides for  €6.

Foro Romano (The Roman Forum)  – The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) was the central area of the city around which ancient Rome was developed. This is right between the Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum so plan a trip then you’re in that area.

Basilica di San Clemente – This small church is a hidden gem of Rome. Inside the basilica is quite beautiful. Then if you go into the archeological excavations part (for €5). Here you’ll find 2 floors of excavated artifacts from the Roman and Pagan times. It is three floors of pretty cool.

Note they close from 12:30 – 3:00pm, so keep that in mind before visiting.

262 Via di San Giovanni In Laterano. (about 10 minutes walk from the Colosseum)

Piazza Venezia and Il Monumento nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II – The monument is open from 9:30am to 4:30pm and is truly spectacular. In the evenings even though the stairs are closed, the entire piazza is beautifully lit. Piazza Venezia is also a major bus stop so you can often connect at this location.

Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain) – Simply gorgeous. is the largest and most famous Baroque fountain in Rome. It will be crowded here even at night but it’s not difficult to get up to the water, toss in your coins and take pictures. (16 minute walk from Colosseo)

Piazza di Spagna & Spanish Steps – (30 minute walk from the Colosseo, 10-15 from Trevi Fountain). The Piazza is full of higher end stores for shopping. From the piazza you can climb the 135 steps to the top where there will be (another) obelisk. From the top you get a great view of Rome from above the roofs. From the top of the Spanish Steps I walked along Viale della Trinità dei Monti to the Piazza Del Popolo. The walk gives a great view of Rome from a higher angle and avoids the crowded streets.

Piazza Del Popolo (People’s Square) – One of the larger squares of Rome. About 30 minutes walk from the Colosseum)

The Roman Pantheon – The most preserved building of ancient Rome built between 118 and 125 AD. It is free to go inside the dome.

Location: Piazza della Rotonda, Rome

Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 9 am – 6.30 pm and Sun: 9 am –1 pm.

Tel: +39 06 68300230

Piazza Navona – One of the most popular and beautiful squares in Rome. This square has 2 Bernini works (Statues & fountains) one of which was depicted in the Angels And Demons novel & movie. Lots of people come here for a coffee or meal. Anticipate the prices will be higher.

Campo De’ Fiori – The geographic center of Rome, this square wasn’t anything too spectactular but like the others has decent restaurants and café’s to hang out at.

The Vatican –

Papal Audience – The Pope does a Mass on most Wednesdays. If you want to see the Pope pick up tickets without a reservation from the Swiss Guards at the “Bronze Doors” located just after security at St Peter’s Basilica.

Hours are from 8am-6.30pm Summertime and 8am – 6pm Wintertime You can usually collect tickets 1, 2 or 3 days in advance (not sooner) for the papal audience/mass with the pope subject to availability without a reservation. Be sure to read the excerpts on the dress code from the link above.

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel; the Museums have many different sections and those usually included in every guided visit are: the Pio-Clementino (classic antiquities); Gregorian Etruscan and Egyptian museums; the Raphael Rooms; the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of Maps and Gallery of Tapestries; and, of course, St. Peter’s Basilica

Enter before 3pm because that’s when the Sistine Chapel closes they also starting doing Night Openings on certain times of the year. I definitely suggest getting tickets online beforehand because the lines are long!  The line for the museum did seem to stop at around 2:30pm if you can time it right.

1. Peter’s Basilica – This place is amazing inside! But you have to actually get inside which can prove to be difficult. Once I saw the line to get into St. Peter’s Basilica I decided to talk to the one of the tour guide companies that solicit people as they wait in line.

The outfit I used was called Maya Tours and they were a legit business. I can’t remember what they wanted, I think they asked for €39 and I paid €30. Since they had empty seats and wanted to fill up the tour they let me do it for less. I honestly can’t remember if I got a €5 or €10 discount but I suggest booking online or finding a tour agent online. The tourguide was VERY informed but after a while I didn’t really care about every single statue and all the history. The tour took 3 hours and about 30 minutes to get into the museum because they have to print the tickets right before. But they did let us get to St. Peter’s Basilica through the back door.

Dining & Nightlife

Most restaurants and bars have specific opening times, and they will close in the afternoon. Others only serve certain dishes at certain times (brick oven pizza not available until after 6pm etc). I didn’t really find this to be much of an issue in any restaurant I went to, but I’ve heard about this so I’m just warning you. I won’t put much in this section because every five feet is a restaurant with delicious food!

L’800 – This was just a café next to the apartment we were staying at. But it was delicious! The Pizza & Lasagna were great.

278/B Via S. Giovanni in Laterano

There were several other restaurants all along Via. S. Giovanni that we dined at. For example Naumachie Pizzeria & Wine bar (7 Via Celimontana) and across the street

Trastevere is the fun nightlife section of Rome. LOTs of restaurants, lots of bars, lots of younger people. I recommend spending an evening or if its your repeat visit to Rome, staying in this vicinity. It’s further from the major sites so I wouldn’t recommend staying here the first time in Rome unless you don’t mind a 20-30 minute journey to get to the sites by bus, train or tram (or pay for a taxi). I bought my ticket on Agoda.com. When you book it you’ll be contacted by the office because they want to know what time you’ll arrive as he doesn’t spend the entire day at the location.

There are many places to eat in Trastevere. Since I only had two meals there, my personal experience is limited but I did enjoy both places especially the pizza:

Dar Poeta – Vicolo del Bologna 45 , Trastevere Tel. +39.06.78.98.93

GK Editorial: WOW. Like WOW! This place was amazing. I had the signature Dar Poeta pizza. I didn’t realize it was a white pizza but still, I was not at all disappointed. This was definitely a great last meal in Rome, or maybe it wasn’t because I can’t stop thinking about it. There was a long line of people waiting to get a table so book something or be ready to wait. I lucked out and only had to wait about 5-10 minutes for a table.

La Canonica – Grilled Calamari + Canenoli + Tiramisu. Pesto looked great. Carbonara was just okay.

Where to eat in Trastevere Website

Shopping

I didn’t do any shopping while in Rome. However if you go to the Spanish Steps there are a lot of higher end stores likewise near the Vatican and Termini Station there was some clothing shops.

Lodging

I stayed at a friend’s place near the Collesum on Via Di San Giovani in Laterano. The location was great to walk around the major sites of the city but be far enough to not be in the touristy food traps of the city.

Hip Suites

Via Della Lungaretta, 88, Rome, Italy

This is a series of larger apartments converted so each room is a hotel room (each has its own bed and bathroom). It was clean and comfortable and fairly inexpensive (43 USD).  I only spent one night at the here.

Helpful Links

• Angels & Demons Tour of Rome
• Get Your Guide – These prices are expensive and not worth it at the Colosseum but I think were good for the Vatican (at least on a Wednesday when the crowd is even more plentiful because of the Papal Audience).
• Hop On Hop Off Rome

Itinerary I followed (my first visit)

I am actually very pleased with what I covered in a few days in Rome. I did research from a variety of websites such as the Frommer’s link below. I didn’t leave the city to see the catacombs but in Rome proper I did it justice.

Night 1 (Monday):  I arrived late on Monday had was pretty exhausted but forced myself to do a 2 hour walk around the city. So happy I did because the monuments need to be seen both at night and day. I included the rough # of minutes it took me to walk it, but keep in mind I spent quite a bit of time at each place taking pictures. I left the Colosseum around 9:30pm and the streets were not too busy (which was great) except for at the Trevi Fontain which had a lot of people (for good reason). I walked for about 2 hours.

• Colosseo & Arc de Constantine
• Trevi Fountain (~16 minute walk from Colosseo)
• Pantheon (~3 minutes from Trevi)
• Piazza Navona (~5 minutes from Pantheon)
• Then I leisurely wandered around the side streets finding cool buildings, other piazza’s with various obelisks and statues.
• Piazza Venezia and Il Monumento nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II
• Foro Ramano (Just walked along it as the ruines were lit beautifully)

Day 2 (Tuesday): So now I woke up refreshed and basically did the same sites again plus a lot more. It was not boring the second time by any means. I’d say I did everything from the start until I was back at the Colosseo in 3 hours, then another 1 hour inside the Colosseum before calling it a day.

• Left apartment around 12pm
• Colosseo & Arc de Constantine – Pictures outside
• Lunch at Ristorante Mario – 9 Piazza del Grillo (behind the Foro Di Traiano)
  • Bruschetta, Gnocchi and Coffee – YUM!
• Piazza Venezia and Il Monumento nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II
• Trevi Fountain
• Spanish Steps (30 minute walk from the Colosseo, 15 from Trevi Fountain)
• Piazza Del Popolo – we walked here via the street above the Spanish Steps (Viale della Trinità dei Monti) It gives a great view of Rome from a higher angle.
• Walked to the Tiber River Bank to check it out but then walked back down Via Del Corso – a main touristy, food shopping street in downtown Rome.
• Pantheon
• Piazza Navona
• Campo De’ Fiori
• Then taxied back to the Colosseo for a tour inside (1.5 hours)
• Dinner at L’800 near the apartment

Day 2 (Wednesday): The Vatican!

• Took the Metro to the Vatican (Ottaviano-S.Pietro stop)
• Museum & Sistine Chapel
• St. Peter’s Basilica
• Foro Romano (The Roman Forum)
• Dinner at La Canonica

Day 3 (Thursday):

• Basilica di San Clemente – I did this before I left Rome but plan an extra hour when you’re at the Colosseo and you can fit this in. It doesn’t look like much from the outside but it’s seriously worth a visit! It’s only 10 minutes from the Colosseum but they’re closed from 12pm – 3:00pm.

Frommers Suggested Itineraries (1, 2 and 3 day)

Italian Phrases