I'm in ROME! I can't believe I'm finally here. I also can't believe how long it's taken for me to get here. I've been to Italy twice - once in 2022 to visit Milan, and once in 2023 to hike the Italian portion of the Tour du Mont Blanc. I am thrilled to be back again this year for an incredible Italian summer adventure.
Rome is Italy's gorgeous capital city, steeped in history and absolutely bursting with things to do, home to some of the most iconic landmarks arguably in the entire country. It's the perfect spot to start my six-week train trip around northern Italy and I was thrilled to get to spend six nights - a whole week! - exploring one of the best cities in Italy.
To be honest, Rome overwhelmed me a bit. There seems to be SO MUCH to do. Like, countless places to visit, museums to explore, monuments to spot, places to eat. And there are literally countless blog posts, articles, guides, books and lists out there about Rome - it's just one of those places everyone seems to want to go. So I'm not going to give an exhaustive list of every single thing to do, because we'd just be reinventing the wheel.
Instead, I've included just the things I did during my week here to give you an idea of how you might want to spend your time and because sharing my experiences to inspire you is what I love to do most of all.
How to Get to Rome
The Leonardo da Vinci Airport is Rome's International Airport, the busiest airport in all of Italy, servicing Rome, the capital of the country. It is apparently the ninth busiest airport in all of Europe - not surprising given how popular of a destination Rome is! The Leonardo Express brings you direct from the airport into the city centre.
I am traveling around Italy on a six-week backpacking trip and taking only ground transport; mostly trains and a handful of buses and ferries. I traveled to Rome by NightJet from where I live in Salzburg, Austria, as Rome is the first leg of my Italian trip. The NightJet was surprisingly easy to navigate; I boarded in Salzburg, found bedding on my little bunk in the four-person couchette I was assigned to and slept for a solid six hours most of the night through, bar a few loud conversations throughout the night.
I booked my NightJet train with ÖBB, Austrian's national rail company. The ticket included a basic breakfast of some bread rolls, jam and coffee in the morning, which was a nice touch.
Check out my reel documenting my experience on the NightJet!
A train station in Italy
Breakfast on the Nightjet
How to Get Around Rome
Rome is a big city and it's super busy. I tried to spend most of my time on foot walking, and ended up covering a lot of kilometres. And it can get really hot in the summer months - it was about 35°C every day of my week there, so please do ensure you stay hydrated. I also saw lots of people carrying fans.
The buses in Rome are available, but I never used them because they took just as long as walking and didn't go everywhere I wanted to go. I used the metro once to go out to Tivoli.
Where to Stay in Rome
Rome, being Italy's capital city, and with a population of nearly three million people, has countless options of places to stay to suit all budgets, neighbourhoods and preferences.
I'm doing Italy the backpacking way, so am primarily staying in hostels on this trip. I checked in for six nights into the lovely New Generation Hostel and actually loved it. It is the perfect location; about 15 minutes walk from the Colosseum and 20 minutes from Trevi Fountain. It was also only 15 minutes from the Rome train station which made arriving in the city a total breeze.
The whole hostel features brick exposed walls, comfy beds, air conditioning and a 24-hour manned front desk. Highly recommend!
Where to Eat in Rome
Okay so this being Italy, obviously we're here for pizza, pasta and gelato.
Gelateria del Teatro
Gelateria S.M.Maggiore
Manny's Gelateria Artigianale
Gelateria dell'Angeletto
The Gelatist Via Nazionale 160
La Nuova Piazzetta
Er Polpetta
Best Things to See in Rome
There are literally countless blog posts, articles, guides, books and lists out there about Rome - it's just one of those places everyone seems to want to go. So I'm not going to give an exhaustive list of every single thing to do, because we'd just be reinventing the wheel. Instead, I've included all the things I did during my week here to give you an idea of how you might want to spend your time:
The Colosseum
Okay, well no trip to Rome is complete without a visit to The Colosseum. I had tears in my eyes as I turned the corner and spotted this magnificent beauty for the first time. I walked the entire loop around The Colosseum so as to fully absorb the views from every single angle and it really does take your breath away to stand in the presence of something so iconic. Construction began on The Colosseum in 72 AD and it opened eight years later. It is the largest amphitheatre ever built and the largest still standing in the world.
I did not go in but you can purchase tickets to admire this incredible feat of architecture from the inside. The Colosseum ticket also includes access to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Imperial Forum. However, a girl I met in my hostel said that going inside wasn't worth it and the best part about seeing the Colosseum is seeing the entire thing from the outside...
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is a rectangular living space next to The Colosseum in the heart of Rome where there was once a market and many government and public buildings. The ruins are seriously impressive here. According to Wikipedia:
Many of the oldest and most important structures of the ancient city were located on or near the Forum. The Roman Kingdom's earliest shrines and temples were located on the southeastern edge. These included the ancient former royal residence, the Regia (8th century BC), and the Temple of Vesta (7th century BC), as well as the surrounding complex of the Vestal Virgins, all of which were rebuilt after the rise of imperial Rome.
If you want to dive in further and have access to the Forum (it's free to wander around the entire outside), then your ticket to The Colosseum includes access to the Roman Forum.
Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
This impressive white building was built starting in 1885 in honour of Victor Emmanuel II, the first King of unified Italy. It is considered one of the national symbols of Italy thanks to its architectural design focused on unity.
Streets of Rome
Honestly, a moment for the streets of Rome. I spent hours just wandering camera in hand trying to capture every perfect little corner, hues of orange everywhere and a sense of serious history and beauty to be found everywhere.
Trevi Fountain
Oh my word. The gem of Rome. In the heart of the Trevi district, the Trevi Fountain is seriously gorgeous. Yes, it's as packed as the videos always show it on Instagram but you're still going to be inspired by this incredible feat of architecture, built from 1732 to 1762.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is the only ancient building from Rome that is still intact to this day. Although the entire city of Rome is filled with incredible architecture, the Pantheon absolutely takes the cake. It is not known exactly when it was built as the date of inscription notes the former temple which burned down on this same site, 126 AD.
Of course there were many people
Piazza Navona
While much of this plaza was under construction on my visit, so I couldn't see the fountains it is so known for, it was still a beautiful little spot, with some darling shops and busy restaurants dotted around the edge.
St. Angelo Bridge to Castel Sant'Angelo
Built in 134 AD, this gorgeous marble river spans the River Tiber, leading up to the Castel Sant'Angelo. I enjoyed just wandering along the river and taking in the pretty views. The Castel Sant'Angelo was built in the 2nd century and you can visit to explore what life was like during the Renaissance era.
Via dei Coronari
This adorable street is full of beautiful little shops, restaurants and amazing gelato shops tucked into the most aesthetic little storefronts. Highly recommend wandering down here.
Piazza del Campidoglio
Walk up the Cordonata Capitolina steps to this gorgeoys plaza, designed by Michelangelo himself. At the far corner, the view from Portico degli Dei Consenti is one of the best over the Roman Forum, with The Colosseum impressively in the background.
The Spanish Steps
Opened in 1725, the 135 steps of the Spanish Steps climb from the Piazza di Spagna at the bottom to the Piazza Trinità dei Monti and the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. It was, of course, crowded when I went, but I can really recommend climbing to the top and taking in the view back overlooking Rome from outside the doors of the church!
Looking back from the steps
The gorgeous view from the church
Passeggiata del Pincio
A little bit further along from the Spanish Steps, you'll come to the sprawling Passeggiata del Pincio, considered one of the best viewpoints in Rome. It overlooks the beautiful Piazza del Popolo which featurse Neptune's Fountain. In the park, you can also find many museums and statues. The Galleria Borghese located here is often considered Rome's best art gallery, with 15th- to 18th-century artworks, including famous pieces by Bernini and Caravaggio.
Trastevere
This fun colorful neighbourhood is across the river from the main part of Rome, near the Vatican City. It's known as the craft neighbourhood with many traditional crafts still being sold by the same families who have been here for generation. There are loads of fun restaurants and little streets to wander.
Day trips from Rome
While based in Rome for the week, I did two day trips. Click on the pictures below for my complete guides to Tivoli and its villas, and how to visit the Vatican City.
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
