Rome, the capital of Italy and of the Lazio region, is a city of about 2.7 million people on the Tiber, built on and around its famous seven hills. Its history spans some 28 centuries, from the legendary founding date of 753 BC through the Roman Empire, the papacy and the Renaissance to the capital of modern Italy since 1871.
Few cities pack so much into a walkable centre. The Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Baroque squares and fountains, and the Vatican, an independent state inside the city with St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, lie within a few kilometres of one another, and UNESCO lists the historic centre as a World Heritage Site. Renting an apartment in a residential rione lets visitors shop at local markets, return for a rest in the hot afternoons and live among Romans rather than among tour groups. It suits families, couples and long stays, and day trips lead to Tivoli's villas, ancient Ostia and the Appian Way.
The centro storico, around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori, puts most sights on foot and suits first-time visitors who want to step out into Baroque squares, though streets can be noisy at night. Monti, the 1st rione, lies between the Colosseum and Via Nazionale, with small streets, artisans and wine bars. Trastevere, whose name means beyond the Tiber, is picturesque and lively in the evenings, so couples and younger travellers like it, while families may prefer a quieter street on its edges.
Prati, outside the Aurelian Walls beside the Vatican, has wide, regular streets, a residential feel and metro line A, which makes it good for families and longer stays. Testaccio, the old slaughterhouse district, is known for its food market and traditional Roman cooking. The Esquilino around Termini station is practical for train and airport connections and has international food, though it is less charming.
The Colosseum, begun under Vespasian in AD 72 and completed under Titus in AD 80, stands just east of the Roman Forum, the ancient heart of civic life, with the Palatine Hill above it. The Pantheon, built under Augustus and rebuilt under Hadrian, has served as a church since AD 609 and keeps its great dome and open oculus. The Capitoline Museums on the Capitoline Hill hold some of the city's ancient sculpture.
Across the river, Vatican City, the seat of the pope, includes St Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums, and its whole territory is a World Heritage Site. Castel Sant'Angelo, built as Hadrian's mausoleum, guards the bridge nearby. Later Rome is just as rich: the Trevi Fountain, completed in 1762, the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo and the gardens and gallery of the Villa Borghese, the city's large central park.
Roman tradition dates the city's founding to 753 BC, though the site was inhabited earlier, and its first people were a mix of Latins, Etruscans and Sabines. Rome grew from a kingdom into a republic and then the capital of an empire that ruled the Mediterranean world. Its seven original hills, among them the Palatine, the Capitoline and the Aventine, still shape the city.
After the fall of the western empire, Rome became the centre of the Catholic Church. In 1300 Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed the first Jubilee, drawing pilgrims from across Europe, a tradition that still brings large crowds in Holy Years. Renaissance and Baroque popes rebuilt the city with churches, palaces, piazzas and fountains. In 1871 Rome became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, which in 1946 became the Italian Republic. The historic centre is divided into 22 rioni, most of them inside the Aurelian Walls.
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), officially Leonardo da Vinci, is about 35 kilometres by road from the historic centre. The non-stop Leonardo Express train runs to Termini station in about half an hour, and the FL1 commuter line serves other city stations. Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA), about 12 kilometres south-southeast of the centre, is used mainly by low-cost airlines. Roma Termini is the city's main railway station, with high-speed trains to Florence, Naples, Milan and Venice.
The metro has three lines, A, B and C, but much of the centre is reached on foot or by bus and tram. Comfortable shoes matter, as distances add up and streets are often cobbled. Driving is not advisable: large parts of the centre are limited traffic zones (ZTL) where unauthorised cars are fined, and night-time ZTLs also cover Trastevere and Testaccio. Use a car only for countryside trips.
Tivoli, about 30 kilometres north-east at the falls of the Aniene river, has two World Heritage Sites: the Villa d'Este, a 16th-century villa with terraced Renaissance gardens and fountains, listed in 2001, and Hadrian's Villa, a vast palace complex the emperor built around AD 120 on the plain below the town. Both can be visited in one long day.
Ostia Antica, about 25 kilometres south-west near the mouth of the Tiber, preserves the streets, houses, baths and theatre of ancient Rome's port city, and the modern seaside of Ostia is close by. The Appian Way, one of the earliest Roman roads, which joined Rome to Brindisi and entered the UNESCO list in July 2024, can be followed on foot or by bicycle for about 16 kilometres from near the Baths of Caracalla, past tombs and catacombs. With fast trains, Florence and Naples are also within reach for a long day.
Rome has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, damp winters. In August, the warmest month, daytime averages are around 32°C, and heat can be tiring for sightseeing, so plan visits early and late and look for an apartment with air conditioning. In January, days average about 13°C and nights about 2°C; snow is rare.
April to June and September to October are usually the most comfortable months, with long days and pleasant evenings for eating outdoors, though they are also busy. August is hot and some Romans leave the city for the holiday around Ferragosto on 15 August. Winter is quieter, apart from the Christmas period, and good for museums. Church services, papal events and Jubilee years can bring very large crowds to the Vatican and the centre, so it is worth checking the Church calendar when choosing dates.
Holiday rentals anywhere in Italy must have a national identification code, the CIN, issued through the Ministry of Tourism's accommodation database. The code has to appear in every advertisement and be displayed outside the building, so guests can check that a listing is registered. Hosts are also required by law to send each guest's identity details to the police through the State Police's Alloggiati Web service, within 24 hours of arrival, so expect to show a passport or identity card on arrival.
Rome charges a city tourist tax, the contributo di soggiorno, for each night of a stay, collected by hosts on behalf of the city. Italian rules on short lets, check-in and keyboxes have been debated and changed several times in recent years, and the city has discussed further limits in the centre, so owners and visitors should check the current national and municipal rules before booking or listing.
The centro storico near the Pantheon and Piazza Navona is best for walking to sights. Monti is central and characterful, Trastevere is lively and picturesque, Prati near the Vatican is calmer and good for families, and the area around Termini is practical for trains and airports.
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is about 35 kilometres by road from the historic centre. The non-stop Leonardo Express train reaches Termini in about half an hour, the FL1 line stops at other city stations, and taxis and buses are available. Low-cost flights often use Ciampino (CIA), closer to the city.
April to June and September to October offer warm, pleasant weather for walking and eating outdoors, though they are popular. July and August are hot, with daytime averages above 30°C. Winter is mild and quieter, good for museums, except over Christmas and during major Church events.
Three days cover the Colosseum and Forum, the Vatican, the Pantheon and the main squares at a fast pace. Five days to a week allow time for the Villa Borghese, smaller churches and museums, neighbourhoods like Trastevere and Testaccio, and a day trip to Tivoli or Ostia Antica.
No. Much of the historic centre is a limited traffic zone where unauthorised cars are fined, and parking is difficult. Walking, buses, trams and the three metro lines cover the city. Trains reach Tivoli, Ostia Antica, Florence and Naples, so a car is only worth it for rural touring.
Yes, with some planning. Children often enjoy the Colosseum, the Villa Borghese park, the Appian Way by bicycle and the ruins of Ostia Antica. Summer heat and long walks can tire them, so a centrally located apartment with air conditioning, where you can return at midday, helps a lot.
Yes. Every holiday rental in Italy needs a national identification code (CIN), shown in each listing and at the building. Hosts must also register guests' identity documents with the police, and Rome adds a nightly tourist tax. Rules have changed recently, so check the current guidance.
Italy uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted, including on public transport, but cash is handy for small cafés, markets and tips. Vatican City is an independent state but also uses the euro, and no border checks apply when walking between it and Rome.
Researched and written with AI assistance, then fact-checked against the sources below. Last checked .