Photo: Claudio Hirschberger / Unsplash
Rome
The Colosseum, the Vatican and two thousand years of history.
Ancient ruins, free churches and piazzas, and some of the best cheap food in Europe. Very walkable.
Places to see
Colosseum, Forum & PalatineSight · The largest amphitheatre the Romans ever built, then the temples and arches of the Forum…≈ A$32
Aventine: Orange Garden & KeyholeViewpoint · The Orange Garden's terrace looks across the Tiber to St Peter's dome.Free
Piazza NavonaSight · A long oval square lined with Baroque churches and palaces, with Bernini's Fountain of…Free
PantheonChurch · A temple nearly 2,000 years old, with a vast concrete dome and an open hole (the oculus)…≈ A$12
When to go
- Jan12° / 3°Some rainQuiet
- Feb13° / 4°Some rainQuiet
- Mar16° / 6°Some rainBusy
- Apr19° / 9°Some rainVery busy
- May23° / 13°Some rainVery busy
- Jun28° / 17°Mostly dryVery busy
- Jul31° / 19°Mostly dryBusy
- Aug31° / 20°Mostly dryBusy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Monti. Village-like lanes of bars and small shops between the Colosseum and Termini; lively evenings.
Termini and Esquilino. Around the main station: most of Rome's hostels, cheap eats from everywhere; busy at night, so keep an eye on bags.
Vatican and Prati. St Peter's and the Vatican Museums, with quieter streets and good-value places to stay in Prati.
Trastevere. Cobbled lanes and trattorias across the river; Rome's liveliest evenings, noisy at night.
Flying in
Rome Fiumicino (FCO): Shuttle bus to Termini, about 55 min, ≈ A$12. The Leonardo Express train is faster: 32 minutes, about €14.
Rome Ciampino (CIA): Shuttle bus to Termini, about 40 min, ≈ A$11.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Rome; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$3. Metro, buses and trams share one ticket (about €1.50 for 100 minutes, check). You can tap a contactless card at the metro gates and on most buses instead of buying one.
