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35 photos for inspiration & travel tips for Rome

ByAnne

Rome. The Eternal City. A highly sought-after destination for as long as people have travelled. Colosseum. The Trevi Fountain. Forum Romanum. The Spanish Steps. Pantheon. Piazza Navona. The Vatican. Pasta Carbonara.

There are so many highlights to list and so many recommendations about things to do. Most of it shared perfectly well by others. Instead, let’s look at some pictures that shows true Rome vibes for inspiration mixed with my top travel tips for Rome!

People walking on a sidewalk along a street in Rome in dim sunlight.
A man in red t-shirt and white helmet driving a scooter in Rome.
Two women walking down an alley in Rome, pastel coloured buildings on each side.
The Trevi fountain in Rome, with turquoise water in front.
A pastel coloured row of buildings in Rome.

Rome travel tip #1: Use your feet

Rome is a very walkable city and strolling around is the best way to explore it. Put on a comfy pair of shoes walk from highlight to highlight.

The Colosseum next to palm tree and an yellow and an orange building.

#2: Skip Colosseum 1st Sunday of the month

If you are not on a very tight budget or got lots of time, don’t plan to visit Colosseum on the first Sunday of the month. Especially not in summer. On this day, entrance is free, but it’s also not possible to book tickets in advance. Meaning: the queues go on forever… To skip the lines, book tickets online in advance for any other day of the month.

A coffee cup in front of view of Rome.
A woman in black dress smiling at the camera, a cup of coffee, glass of orange juice and a croissant on a table.
A coffee cup in front of views towards the Colosseum in Rome.
View of old buildings in Rome.

#3: Coffée with a view

Instead of queuing outside the Colosseum, walk past the remnants of Forum Romanum and up on the roof of the impressive Vittoriano monument on Piazza Venezia. Here you’ll find Caffeteria Italia al Vittoriano with matchless views! What better place to enjoy an Italian coffee or a cold beer?

#4: Panoramic views from Villa Borghese

Another great viewpoint is the green lung, Villa Borghese. From here you have all of Rome beneath you. When your’re first here, get some peace and quiet on a walk in the park.

An old house in the Jewish ghetto in Rome. Pink and green plants.
A woman seen from the back looking at ornaments in a church.
A man sitting near an alley in Rome, looking at his phone.
Two women laughing by a restaurant table.

Rome travel tip #5: Join a guided walking tour

I opted for a free walking tour of the Jewish ghetto and Trastevere and learnt so much. It covered everything from Piazza Venezia and the construction of Colosseum to the jewish history in Rome and life in the worker’s district Trastevere. A big bonus to booking a guided tour, is the possibility to meet other travellers.

A glass of beer in front of pink flowers and colourful buildings in Rome.

Accomodation tip #6: The Hive Hotel Rome

For a modern, comfortable hotel with spacious rooms, and good location to a decent price, check out The Hive Hotel. I simply loved the large roof top terrace with bar and restaurant, perfect for coffees in the morning sun or a relaxing aperitivo in the afternoon!

Alley in Spello with lots of flower decorations on each side.
A man holding a tray of yellow flower petals in Spello.
A woman in red and white dotted dress and straw hat smiling at the camera while standing in a flowery alley in Spello.
Views of Assisi in Italy.

#7 of my top Rome tips: Go on a day trip

Get on the train escape the hustle and bustle of the big city to see more of Italy. I recommend going on a day trip to the Umbrian towns Spello and Assisi. Click here to find out why and how!

A man standing behind his fruit stall on a market in Rome.

#8: Experience Campo de’ Fiori both day and night

Roma is full of pretty piazzas, and Campo de’ Fiori is one of them. Although the name, which means meadow, sounds cute, the square’s history isn’t all glorious. It is also where public executions found place in late medieval times. Today, you can’t miss noticing the gloomy statue of the philosopher Giordano Bruno in the middle of the square. He was burnt alive for heresy in 1600.

Today, Campi de’ Fiori holds a lively fruit, vegetable, and flower market during the day and cleared to give space for charming restaurants in the evening.

A plate with pizza and a glass of red wine in front of views of Campi de Fiori.
A plate of fried artichokes.

#9: Indulge in local delicacies

There is no way around it: food and drink are major parts of a trip to Rome. Make sure to try some of the local specialities such as the well-known Pasta Alla Carbonara (no cream included) or the lesser known Cacio e Pepe consisting of tonnarelli pasta, pecorini cheese, and black pepper. Deep fried artichokes are another Roman delight to taste – believe me, it tastes way better than it sounds! And lets not forget about gelato. The typical Italian ice cream is a must – preferably several times a day!

Street restaurant full of dining people, a man selling roses walking by.

Bonus tip: If you sit down for a drink in the afternoon, you’ll get a selection of snacks included. Not just the regular bar nuts you get everywhere, but everything from mini-pizzas and other baked goods to salty crisps.

Buildings with laundry hang to dry outside the windows, a bicycle and lots of green plants in Trastevere, Rome.
A street restaurant by an alley in Trastevere, Rome.
People walking and dining on a narrow street in Rome.
People sitting outside on a restaurant, the facade covered on climbing plants.

See my best tips for marrakech

Rome travel tip #10: Explore Trastevere

Spending an evening in Rome’s old worker’s neighbourhood is a must. The maze of charming, narrow streets filled with outdoor restaurants and bars, is perfect for a night out. I also recommend walking by during day. Among other things, you will find one of the oldest churches in the city here.

A woman leaning down to refill a bottle from a fountain. One person standing in line.
A woman in straw hat, vest, and shorts kneeling to refill a water bottle from a fountain in Rome.

#11: Use the drinking fountains

The world is drowning in plastic, and we all agree we need to do our bit to help right? One easy thing to do, is to limit our use of plastic bottles and bring reusable bottles along instead. This is surprisingly easy in Italy! The Romans were way ahead of their time when they constructed a brilliant water system throughout their cities. This infrastructure is still in use, and all around Rome (and Spello & Assisi) you find drinking fountains on the streets. Refill your bottles with cold, clean, and refreshing water straight from the fountains. It’s a typical win-win situation: Not only does it help reducing plastic waste, it’s also saves you money!

Phanteon in Rome at night.
A square with fountains in Rome at night.
People sitting and standing on steps in front of Phanteon in Rome.
Colosseum seen at the end of a street lined with cars.
Two pastel coloured buildings with window shutters in morning light in Rome. A man can be seen on the lower right window.

#12: Stay up late or get up early

One thing is certain, you will not be the only one visiting Rome at the time you are there. If you want to see the main sights, such as the Trevi fountain and Phaneton without the crowds, go there late in the evening or really early in the morning.

The absolute best travel tips for exploring Rome without masses of other people on the same quest, is to travel in low season. Next time, I’ll visit in winter. It may not be as warm and sunny, but I’m sure the Roman vibe will make up for it.

Have you been to Rome and got a great tip to add? Let me know in a comment!

Anne

I’m Anne, a Norwegian travel writer and photographer with a background in tourism and social anthropology, with a long-standing love for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

When I’m not working my full-time job in the tourism industry, I’m usually planning my next journey focused on culture, nature and meaningful travel experiences.

Through Heritage Wanderlust, I share practical itineraries, honest travel tips and personal stories for travellers who want to make the most of limited vacation time without rushing through the world.

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