Here are the 7 essential places to visit if it’s your first time in Rome and you don’t have a lot of time and/or money!
My friend Adrina and I visited a whole bunch of countries in Europe for a month, so you can expect we didn’t have much time to spend in one place before moving to the next. So! I thought it’d be useful for my fellow comrades out there who are limited by time and a budget to provide a short list of places to visit while in Rome. We were in Rome for about 3 days in mid-May, so the whether was just nice for a jacket but if you don’t feel the cold keenly like I do, you can probably go round without one.
First things first, if you’re a tourist, you probably need to get a Roma Pass.
I got the 72 hour one, but a 48 hour one is also available. The 72h Roma Pass costs €38.50, and it covers free entry to 2 museums (the link brings you to the page of museums part of this scheme), metro, bus & tram transport fares, and discounts for exhibitions.
You can find more information about the Roma Pass, and how & where to get one here.
1. Quartiere Coppedè
Quatiere Coppedè is a really nice neighbourhood to walk around if you wanna get the vibe of Rome in a quaint neighbourhood straight out of a fantasy novel.
Just a random street in the neighbourhood being understatedly picturesque.
Wherefore art thou etcetera, etcetera.
The arch was probably the highlight of this neighbourhood. Whoever that lady’s face is, she’s one magnificent goddess.
Is it just me, or does she kind of resemble the bow of a pirate ship? Maybe just me.
Did you notice the balcony? Someone’s house just opens into this gorgeous archway? *pouts in jealousy*
2. Piazza Navona
There are quite a lot of artists selling their work in Piazza Navona, so if you were planning on looking at Roman street art, here’s the place to do it.
Honestly, the clouds in Rome were unreal. It felt like the sky was a painting. Like half my pictures from the Rome trip was just me trying to capture the brilliance of the Roman skies. UN. REAL.
And I took this SICKENINGGG photo while I was there. Definitely a favourite from the whole trip!
After walking around and exploring the area, we had lunch at a place called Il Corallo. The prices weren’t too bad, and my pasta was just 👌
We found Il Corallo while walking around the area. This is the address: Via del Corallo, 10-11, 00186 Roma RM, Italy.
We walked by some pretty cute food shops on the way to the Pantheon from Piazza Navona. Look how colourful!
3. Pantheon
For all my cheap-ass homies out there, good news! The Pantheon is FREE TO ENTER.
And look, horsies!
We didn’t ride in the carriage cause your girl ain’t got money nor time for that. 💸
The whole room (if you can even call a large dome a “room”) is lit by this single hole in the ceiling called an oculus. Science is amazing, huh?
Also!
There’s a gelato place pretty much right outside the Pantheon that we went to called Fiocco Di Neve.
Shoutout to the lady behind the counter (I’m not sure if she was the owner 🤔). She gave us a discount on our gelato cause we didn’t have the change. She was super nice! And the gelato was SENSATIONAL. I had the lemon/lime sorbet of course, since I LAV IT, SO REFRESH!! And also, I’m lactose intolerant. 🤷🏽♀️
This is their address of you’re planning to go: 51, Via del Pantheon, 00186 Roma RM, Italy. Gotta support the nice people in business!
4. Trevi Fountain
Try and go to the Trevi Fountain in the morning. We went at around 9:30 am. That way, you get to take pictures like the one below, without anyone else in your picture! I took way more than that picture down here since it was so empty, but the really nice one is going on my Instagram. 😉
5. Basilica di Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio
What a mouthful!
Santo Stefano Rotondo is unlike any Basilica I’d ever seen. From the ‘Rotondo’ in its name, you can probably guess that it’s rotund; round. Inside, the walls of the church are decorated with numerous pictures portraying 34 scenes of martyrdom. AKA, pictures depicting a lot of violence. If you’re into that sort of morbid symbolism, this is the place to visit! If you’re not, like me, it’s still a nice place to look at the paintings!
The paintings were so beautiful, I came back home to Singapore and bought a set of paints and canvases. I’m going to be an artist! Now the only thing left is to be talented…
The place was pretty empty when we went, and I don’t think it’s a very popular site for tourists. I’m sure you’ll be able to get the pictures you want without a random person inadvertently photobombing you.
6. Roman forum
Our 72h Roma Pass allowed us to enter the Roman Forum/Palantine Hill for free, so make sure you take advantage of the 2 free-entries when you visit!
It was really crowded when we went, but I don’t think you can expect anything else from this famous touristy place!
The clouds, I swear. I’m obsessed.
Clouds.
Clouds.
And more clouds!
7. COLOSSEUM
The Colosseum was the other location we go into for free using our Roma Pass. Look at this majestic marvel. I got nice pictures here so I’m happy. 😬
How can anyone visit Rome and not visit the Colosseum? It’s a MUST that you go. No exceptions! It’s the largest amphitheatre ever built, and it was super versatile too. There were gladiator fights, animal hunts, public executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. An ancient multi-purpose hall! 😁
Just close your eyes and imagine gladiators down there fighting for glory! Che bello!
If you’re feeling peckish, there’s a tiny little Gelataria just round the corner from the Collosseum. There are A LOT in Rome (see above: Fiocco di Neve). I’m no food expert so, to me, it seems like all gelato is good gelato in Rome. All I know is that the gelato here was good enough to satisfy cravings! And I’d go back just for the convenience.
*lazy people high-five*
This time I got my standard lime scoop and a mango scoop. Not a fan of the mango flavour in general, but Lime/Lemon can do no wrong for me!
+1! The Vatican
And BONUS! Vatican City, while not technically part of Rome, is basically within the boundaries of Roma, so it’s pretty easy to get there if you wanna go! Use the very handy dandy Google Maps App and it’ll tell you exactly how to get there from your location.
It’s definitely worth the visit!
The lines were pretty crazy, but that’s expected.
The interior of St. Peter’s Basilica was opulent and golden it felt like I was walking into a Palace instead of a Basilica. Lots of red and gold and marble. Very regal indeed.
I hope you find this list useful! If you have extra time on your hands, I recommend visiting Villa Borghese, Trastevere and the countless number of museums available in Rome. There’s so much to see and do in Rome, so if you have the opportunity to take your time, take it!
I’d love to chat about uncommon places to visit all over the world! Any other places you feel should be a MUST when visiting Rome? Let me know in the comments!
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