RomeItaly
When should you go?
The best time to visit
Pick the window that matches the trip you want.
Late April - mid May
Good weather, Rome's birthday (21 Apr), the Italian Open, and spring in the parks and gardens.
Late September - October
The strongest pure city-break window: comfortable temperatures, Romaeuropa, the Rome Film Fest and beautiful evening light.
Early December
Christmas atmosphere, lower crowds than spring or summer, and Rome at night.
What to actually do
The places
Grouped by how essential they are — tap any place for more on it, how long to allow and what to pre-book.
Don't get caught out
What to book ahead
Where to base yourself
The neighbourhoods
The city changes completely by area — pick the one that matches your trip.
Centro Storico (Pantheon / Navona)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Choose it for: Your first Rome trip
+ Walk everywhere - Trevi, Navona, Spanish Steps, Campo de' Fiori
– Expensive and touristy
Monti
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Choose it for: Cool Rome, next to the Colosseum
+ Restaurants, wine bars, vintage shops, real character
– Some busy streets
Trastevere
⭐⭐⭐⭐½Choose it for: Nightlife and atmosphere
+ Beautiful evenings, trattorias, ivy-clad lanes
– Noisy, and now very touristy in the core
Time it right
Events worth building a trip around
Discover Rome first, then find a reason to travel on a very particular weekend. Several of these are worth building a trip around.
Six Nations Rugby
Italy's home fixtures at the Stadio Olimpico change the whole weekend around Foro Italico.
Rome Marathon
Runs past the Colosseum, St Peter's, Piazza Navona and Piazza di Spagna.
Natale di Roma
Rome's birthday - free history, music and cultural events. The perfect day for Ancient Rome.
Through the lens
Rome in images
Tap any image for the full story — and where to go next.
Field notes
