What to see in Rome?

Cliché though it may sound, you could spend a lifetime in Rome and barely scratch the surface. The area around the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill preserves a wealth of monuments from ancient Rome. But the City of the Caesars is not confined to this area; turn any corner throughout the Baroque city centre and you’ll encounter ancient temples like the Pantheon, military columns like that dedicated by Marcus Aurelius, and imperial mausolea to the dynasties of Augustus and Hadrian.   

Over time the City of the Caesars came to be replaced by the Rome of the Popes, a sublime but labyrinthine ensemble of grandiose Baroque monuments. The historic centre alone boasts Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps – all within walking distance of one another. Cross over the River Tiber and you have the delights of the medieval neighbourhood of Trastevere and, of course, the Vatican City to the north.

Rome needs time to explore, but here are some sites you should make a special effort to see.

• The Vatican City. You cannot come to Rome without visiting the Vatican. Step through Bernini’s encircling colonnade into Saint Peter’s Square and stand in the shadow of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church and the spiritual centre of Catholicism. The Vatican Museums house priceless collections of art, culminating in the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s magnificent frescoes adorn the ceiling and altar wall.

• The Colosseum & Roman Forum. The Colosseum is one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks and an enduring symbol of ancient Rome’s grandeur. Constructed in the 70s AD, this massive amphitheatre once hosted gladiatorial games, public spectacles, and perhaps even naval battles. Colosseum tickets also grant 48-hour access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, giving you time to explore ancient Rome at your leisure.

• The Four Papal Basilicas. St. Peter’s Basilica is the most famous of Rome’s basilicas, but all four papal basilicas should also feature on any spiritual itinerary. These are San Giovanni in Laterano (Saint John in Lateran), San Paolo fuori le Mura (Saint Paul outside the Walls), and Santa Maria Maggiore (Saint Mary Major).

• The Appian Way. Constructed in the 4th century BC, Rome’s first consular road ran 132 km southeast of the city to the ancient town of Capua. Because the Romans prohibited burial within their city walls, the first stretch of Appian Way outside the city is lined with tombs, mausolea, and catacombs, including the world’s first catacombs (the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian) and the Catacombs of San Callisto. During the Middle Ages the Appian Way became an important part of the Via Francigena pilgrimage route, with the Church of Domine Quo Vadis, where Peter encountered Christ, one of the most important stops.

Monastery accommodation in Rome 

Rome offers all the accommodation options you would expect from a popular European capital. Soaring visitor numbers in the post-pandemic years, however, mean that affordable accommodation can be difficult to find, especially in peak season. Fortunately, the presence of the Vatican means that there is plenty of monastery accommodation in Rome, situated throughout the city. If you’re travelling on a budget, Rome monastery stays are the way to go. 

Visiting Rome for Jubilee 2025? Check out our accommodation guide
 

What to eat in Rome?

TasteAtlas recently voted Rome the Best Food City in the World, and it’s hard to disagree. Roman cuisine is as simple as it is delicious, consisting of few ingredients but cooked with care.

Rome’s four main pasta dishes are creamy carbonara, tomatoey amatriciana, tangy cacio e pepe, and the lesser-known gricia (think carbonara without the egg). 

Pizza lovers are in for a treat with the typical pizza romana (Roman-style pizza). Served by the slice, Roman pizza is thinner and crispier than its Neapolitan counterpart and comes with a range of local toppings, from crispy carciofi (artichokes) and fiori di zucca (pumpkin flowers) to salsiccia e friarelli (sausage and broccoli rabe).

Getting from Rome’s airports

Rome is served by two main airports: Rome Fiumicino, and Rome Ciampino. Fiumicino is the larger of the two and accommodates long-haul and short-haul international flights. Rome’s secondary airport, Ciampino, mainly serves budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air. 

The train is the cheapest and most convenient way to get from Rome Fiumicino to the centre. The Leonardo Express runs every 15 minutes and goes directly to/from Rome’s central station, Roma Termini, in just over 30 minutes. There’s also a regional train that stops at several other stations, including Roma San Pietro, Roma Trastevere, and Roma Ostiense. Tickets are available either online or from ticket machines at the airport. 

→ Download MooneyGo on Android or Apple & purchase train tickets and travel passes online

Please be aware that a flat rate applies to all taxi transfers to/from Rome’s airports and the centre. (€50 from Fiumicino and €30 from Ciampino for four passengers and their suitcases).
 

How to get around Rome?

Rome’s public transport network consists of buses, metros, and trams. 

The metro is the most reliable of the three and consists of two main lines (A and B) which intersect at Roma Termini. The metro runs from 5.30 am until 11.30 pm during the week (excluding line A which closes at 10 pm and until 1.30 am on weekends).

Buses in Rome are unfortunately unreliable, with chronic underinvestment and traffic-clogged roads combining to form the perfect storm. However, if you are arriving into Roma Termini, the bus might be the best way to get to your monastery accommodation in Rome. You can tap to pay on most buses; otherwise, you can purchase your ticket online (on MooneyGo) or at most tabacchi shops. 

Trams, like buses, are fairly unreliable since at least one of their 6 lines is often closed for repairs. But when running, the tram is the best way to get to the otherwise poorly connected districts of Trastevere, Monteverde and San Lorenzo. 

Insider tips for visiting Rome

• Come out of season. Summers in Rome are sweltering, with temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F), and many Romans vacate the city for the entire month of August. If you don’t fare well in the heat, time your visit between late September and early May. 
• Buy entry tickets in advance. Timed entry tickets for sites like the Vatican Museums and Colosseum often sell out months in advance, so make sure you book yours well in advance. The best place to do this is through the official Vatican and official Colosseum websites respectively. 
• Book accommodation early. More than 35 million tourists visited Rome in 2023, giving you an insight into the strain on the availability of mainstream hotel accommodation. And while Airbnbs can be hit and miss, monastery guesthouses in Rome offer security, comfort, and affordability. 
• Bring a reusable water bottle. Rome has more than 2,000 fountains that provide a constant stream of delicious mineral water sourced from the mountains nearby. 

FAQs for staying in Rome Monasteries 

What are the typical curfew hours in monasteries?

While many Rome monasteries do not operate curfews, those that do tend to set their curfew from 11 pm to as late as 2 am.

Can non-religious travellers stay in these accommodations?

Of course! While monastery stays in Rome can include the opportunity to participate in daily prayers, attend Mass, or experience moments of reflection, there is no expectation for guests to take part in religious activities. Many solo travellers stay in Rome’s monasteries because they are safe, affordable, and offer a peaceful space for reflection and contemplation. 

How do monastery stays differ from traditional hotels?

Monastery accommodation predates traditional hotels, with some institutions dating back more than 1,500 years. Guests can expect a more peaceful environment than the more bustling atmosphere of city centre hotels. Monasteries and religious guesthouses are also more affordable since they are not run entirely for profit. On the other hand, some Rome monasteries will forgo certain hotel amenities, such as Sky TV, air conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms. 

Known by the epithet “the Eternal City,” Rome is the capital city of Italy as well as the regional capital of Lazio. Incorporating around 4.3 million residents within its municipal area, it is the most populated city in the country and the third-largest city in the European Union, after Madrid and Berlin.

We can loosely divide Roman history into two significant eras: the City of the Caesars and the Rome of the Popes. According to legend, Rome was founded on April 21st, 753 BC, when Romulus, the city’s first king, killed his brother Remus. Initially ruled by kings, Rome transitioned into a Republic in 509 BC, after overthrowing the last Etruscan king, Tarquin the Proud. 

This new system of government was led by two annually elected consuls, who made decisions in conjunction with the Senate and popular assemblies. The governance of the Roman Republic was embodied in the city's enduring motto, SPQR — senatus populusque romanus — meaning “the Senate and the People of Rome,” a phrase encapsulating Rome’s foundational belief in shared power and a symbol still found throughout the city today. 

The fall of the Roman Republic ushered in the dawn of the Roman Empire, and for centuries the Caesars exerted Rome’s authority throughout the ancient world, influencing law, governance, art, architecture, literature, and philosophy. However, Rome’s fortunes shifted dramatically in 476 AD, when Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman emperor, was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer, marking the Fall of the Western Roman Empire.

During the early Middle Ages, from the 5th to the 10th century, Rome saw its population dwindle, its grandeur fade, and many of its monumental buildings fall into ruin. The city was no longer the centre of a powerful empire but rather a provincial town struggling under repeated invasions, political fragmentation, and economic stagnation. Rome’s glory seemed all but lost as power shifted towards the Byzantine Empire and Charlamagne’s emergent Frankish Kingdom.

Rome’s revival came under the influence of the Papal States in the late Middle Ages. With the rise of the Catholic Church, the city became a vital centre of religious power. The Popes took on both spiritual and temporal authority, and Rome once again became a seat of influence, this time as the capital of Christendom. By the time of the Renaissance, the city experienced a remarkable resurgence as the Papacy commissioned grand architectural projects such as Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. This transformation continued through the Baroque period, leaving a legacy of stunning churches, fountains, and palaces that visitors still admire today.

In modern history, following Italy’s unification in the 19th century, Rome was declared the capital of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy in 1871, after brief periods when Turin and Florence held the title. Today, Rome’s rich and layered history — from its imperial beginnings, through its medieval decline, to its papal revival — makes it one of the most visited and revered cities in the world and a UNESCO world heritage site, embodying centuries of cultural, religious, and historical significance.