Rome is a city that is always busy with visitors. Tickets to most of the top attractions – the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums – get booked up months in advance.
Rather than trying to navigate the crowds yourself, consider a guided tour. These skip-the-line tours are led by experts who will bring the Vatican Museums to life and show you the best bits of the collection.
The best time to visit
Rome is a popular destination year-round, but the best time to visit depends on your interests. The city can get extremely busy during peak season, and the crowds can be overwhelming. If you’re looking for a quieter trip, you should consider visiting during the off-season.
During the off-season, you can enjoy the beauty of the Roman monuments without being overwhelmed by crowds. Tours to Rome are also cheaper and the weather is generally milder than in the summer.
April and May are the best months to visit Rome. The weather is not too hot and the days are longer, making them ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
October is another great time to visit Rome, as it is the beginning of the fall season. During this time, you can experience the harvest season in Rome, which is when many popular fruits and vegetables are in season.
November is another good time to visit Rome, as it offers a cooler climate and fewer crowds than during the high season. This makes it easier to enjoy your sightseeing and photography without the stress of being stuck in a line.
December is another great time to visit Rome, as Christmas in the city is celebrated throughout this month. You can experience the beautiful decorations and Christmas markets, as well as indulge in some of Rome’s excellent food.
Winter is the coldest and driest time of year to visit Rome, but it’s still an enjoyable time to spend in the city. You can take brisk walks in the streets, and you can find some great deals on shopping.
During this time, the temperature can drop below freezing, so you may need to bring a warm jacket with you. You will also want to bring some extra supplies, such as a small umbrella and a raincoat.
July and August are swelteringly hot and very busy, so they’re not the best months to visit Rome if you aren’t comfortable with the heat. You’ll also need to pack sunblock and stay hydrated.
In the spring, Rome blooms with the azaleas and roses that fill the Spanish steps. It’s also one of the best times to explore Rome’s museums, as the galleries and other historical sites aren’t as crowded. This is also the time when Rome’s festivals start up, including the Estate Romana and Lungo il Tevere events.
It is impossible to get acquainted with the sights of Italy in one day, as well as in a week, but you can see the maximum number of new places with the help of a rented car at one of the country's airports. For example, in Milan you can rent a car from 18 euros per day, in Rome - from 19 euros per day.
The best way to see the city
Rome is a huge, sprawling city that oozes history and art, and it’s no wonder that it’s such an iconic tourist destination. It’s one of the most visited cities in Europe, with over 4 million visitors a year.
There are many different tours to choose from, but they all have one thing in common: you’ll be visiting the best sights in Rome. If you’re short on time, it might be best to skip the big ticket sites and focus instead on smaller, more off-the-beaten path landmarks that are arguably just as interesting but less likely to attract crowds.
As a general rule, the best way to see Rome is by foot. The city’s public transport system is cheap and easy to use, and getting around on foot will let you experience the sights as they’re really meant to be seen: strolling along historic streets, taking in the vistas, and people-watching.
When you’re walking, be sure to make a stop at the Trevi Fountain, which is considered to be one of the city’s most romantic landmarks and a symbol of love, luck, and good fortune. Depending on your superstitious beliefs, you can also toss a coin into the fountain to ensure a return visit to Rome.
Another place to see is the Roman Forum, which once was the center of political and social life in Ancient Rome. This site is free to visit and offers a great way to get an introduction to the city’s history.
If you’re a fan of ancient Rome, consider combining your tour with a trip to the Vatican Museums, which is also included in the same package as the Colosseum. While it’s not possible to see both in one day, you can spend the majority of your time at the Colosseum and leave time for a quick tour of the Vatican Museums before heading back to the hotel.
The Vatican Museums are often a bit too overcrowded for a one-day tour, but if you’re willing to spend a few extra days in Rome, they’re an absolute must. They’re home to some of the world’s most famous works of art, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and the Papal State Gallery.
The best tour companies
Tours to Rome are an excellent way to see the city's many highlights, while also enjoying the company of expert guides. The best tours allow you to explore Rome's ancient sites, sample delicious foods and experience local culture without feeling overwhelmed.
A number of tour companies in Rome offer a variety of options to suit every traveler's preferences and budget. Some are focused on highlighting classic bucket-list attractions, while others focus on off-the-beaten-path activities and local stays.
One option is a hop-on-hop-off bus that offers a great overview of the city's main sights and ruins. You can ride the bus for either 24 or 48 hours and experience the city's storied history, architectural wonders and baroque squares on the way.
Another good option is a guided walking tour. These are typically free and take you past some of the city's most iconic landmarks, such as the Pantheon, Ponte Sant'Angelo and Castel Sant'Angelo. The guides are knowledgeable and friendly, and reviewers say they're an enjoyable way to learn about the city.
You can also try out a Segway tour with Rolling Rome to get a good feel for the city's major sights. These three-hour tours are led by guides who lead up to six travelers around for a more casual and streamlined approach to exploring must-sees.
If you're looking for a more intimate and interactive experience, consider a bespoke tour with Travel Italian Style. The company creates custom trips to Italy's most renowned regions and can plan everything from vineyard tours to cooking classes.
It's a good idea to book these tours well in advance, especially for summer and autumn. During these peak times, many of the best places to visit are crowded and tickets sell out early.
Among the most popular choices are tours to the Colosseum and Vatican Museums. Both are top attractions in Rome, and many tour companies offer combo packages that include both.
These tours are ideal for those who want to get a thorough overview of the Colosseum and Vatican Museums in one trip. The tour includes skip-the-line admission to both, plus private transport between each stop.
The best things to do in Rome
Rome is one of the world’s most visited cities, with a lot of people coming here to see famous landmarks and experience a different side of this historic city. While some of the popular attractions may be a bit pricey, there are also some very reasonable things to do that won’t break the bank!
Skip-the-line tours are a great way to see the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill without having to wait in line. These tours are led by an expert and allow you to explore the sites in a very short time.
For art and history enthusiasts, the Vatican Museums are a must-visit. Here you can admire a wealth of frescoes, mosaics, sculptures, and paintings from renaissance masters like Michelangelo, Raphael, and Da Vinci. The museum is free to enter, and there’s a special free tour that happens every Sunday.
Another great way to experience ancient Rome without having to wait in line is to book a walking tour with a guide. They’ll take you around the main sights in Rome, and tell you about the history behind them all.
You can find these tours around the city, but it’s best to book ahead to avoid any problems. These tours include skip-the-line entry to the most popular sites and a chance to explore the ruins of the Forum and Palatine Hill as well.
This is an excellent activity to get a taste of the city, and you can even walk through a time machine to visit both old and new Rome in just a few hours! You can even buy a ticket online that will give you access to both museums on the same day.
While you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the Villa Borghese park. This imposing Baroque masterpiece is home to a number of statues and monuments, as well as several other museums within the grounds. The park is also home to the Bioparco, a 17-hectare zoo that’s a nice addition to your day.
When you’re done exploring the parks, be sure to make your way down Via Appia Antica, a beautiful cobbled road with ancient sites on both sides. It’s a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center and relax in peace.