Rome: The Eternal City

History

Rome’s history is layered and vast: founded, according to legend, in 753 BCE, it grew from a small settlement to the capital of an empire that shaped law, language, architecture, and religion across Europe and the Mediterranean. Over centuries the city absorbed medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and modern influences, each era leaving monuments and streets that tell overlapping stories of power, devotion, and creativity.

Current status

Today Rome is Italy’s political and cultural capital and a bustling metropolis of roughly three million residents in the metropolitan area. It balances its role as a living, working city with global tourism — trains, scooters, and street markets move alongside international embassies, universities, and contemporary art scenes.

Local culture

Roman daily life centers on piazzas, neighborhood cafés, and small markets where conversations spill into the street and time feels pleasantly elastic. Romans are proud of their traditions and family ties; social life often revolves around long lunches, evening passeggiata (strolls), and a warm, sometimes blunt, local humor that quickly becomes endearing to visitors.

Food

Roman cuisine is straightforward, ingredient-driven, and deeply regional. Classics like cacio e pepe, carbonara (made without cream in authentic Roman style), and amatriciana dominate pasta menus, while supplì, pizza al taglio, and gelato provide perfect on-the-go bites. Markets and trattorie offer seasonal produce and simple preparations that reward curiosity: try local pecorino, artichokes Roman-style, and espresso sipped at the bar.

Attractions

The Colosseum

The Colosseum stands as Rome’s most iconic ancient monument, an immense amphitheater that once hosted gladiatorial games and public spectacles. Visiting its stone tiers evokes the scale and social life of ancient Rome and the complex history of entertainment, engineering, and power.

The Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica

Although technically an independent state, the Vatican is an essential part of the Roman experience: St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel house some of Western art and religious history’s most important works. Even if you aren’t religious, the architecture, frescoes, and the sheer devotion of the place provide a profound cultural and artistic encounter.

The Pantheon

The Pantheon is a remarkably preserved ancient temple with a striking oculus that frames the sky above its vast interior dome. Its continuous use across centuries—from Roman temple to Christian church—makes it a living monument where architecture and daily life intersect.

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

A short walk from the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill assemble the political, religious, and social heart of ancient Rome into evocative ruins and viewpoints. Wandering the ruins, you can trace the city’s development from republic to empire while imagining marketplaces, temples, and triumphal processions that once filled these streets.

Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona

Trevi Fountain remains one of Rome’s most visited and romantic sites: tradition says tossing a coin ensures a return to the city. Nearby Piazza Navona, with its Baroque fountains and lively street artists, captures Rome’s blend of history and everyday conviviality — cafés, gelaterie, and people-watching make it a perfect afternoon stop.

Practical note for visitors

Rome invites slow exploration: plan time to wander, sit in piazzas, and let chance encounters with small churches, artisan shops, and neighborhood trattorie shape your days. Carry comfortable shoes, learn a few Italian phrases, and allow both the famous sites and quieter corners to define your Roman story.

Rome — Practical Travel Tips

Local customs

• Greet with a simple "Buongiorno" (good morning) or "Buonasera" (good evening). Politeness matters.
• Dress modestly when visiting churches (shoulders and knees covered).
• Mealtimes: lunch ~1–3pm, dinner ~8–10pm; many places close between lunch and dinner.
• Tipping: service is often included; small cash tip (5–10%) or rounding up is appreciated but not required.
• Respect quiet hours in residential areas (often after 10–11pm).

Transportation options

• Metro: 2 main lines (A and B) cover central sites; buy tickets before boarding and validate them.
• Buses & trams: extensive but can be slow — validate ticket on board. Expect strikes occasionally.
• Trenitalia/Italo: for regional or day trips; stations like Termini and Tiburtina are main hubs.
• Taxis: use official white taxis with meter; prefer taxi stands or phone apps rather than hailing in traffic.
• Walking: central Rome is compact; many historic streets are pedestrian-only—comfortable shoes recommended.
• Scooters & bike sharing: available but traffic can be chaotic—use only if experienced.
• Airport transfer: from Fiumicino (FCO) the train to Termini is efficient; arrange pickup for convenience if late-night arrival.

Safety

• Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas (Colosseum, Vatican, trains, buses). Keep valuables secure and use front pockets or money belts.
• Avoid displaying expensive gear or large sums of cash.
• Be cautious at ATMs—use machines inside banks when possible.
• At night stick to well-lit, populated streets; Trastevere and Centro Storico are lively but exercise normal precautions.
• Scams: beware of unofficial ticket sellers, persistent beggars with a story, and offers to help with tickets/doors. Politely decline.
• Emergency numbers: 112 for general EU emergency services.

Insider tips

• Buy timed-entry tickets for the Vatican Museums and Colosseum to skip long lines; early morning or late afternoon visits are quieter.
• Explore beyond Centro Storico: Testaccio for food culture, Garbatella for local architecture, and Villa Ada/Villa Borghese for green space.
• Aperitivo: enjoy a pre-dinner drink with small snacks—good value and social.
• Coffee culture: order espresso at the bar for best price; sitting at a table often costs more.
• Gelato: look for places that display real ingredients and avoid overly bright colors.
• Water: public drinking fountains (nasoni) provide safe, free water—bring a refillable bottle.
• Siesta & small businesses: some shops close in the afternoon; plan major shopping in the morning.
• Currency: carry some euros for small purchases; many places accept cards but small cafes/markets may be cash-only.
• Photo etiquette: ask before photographing people, especially inside churches or markets.
• Pace yourself: Rome is best enjoyed slowly—leave time to sit at a piazza, people-watch, and discover side streets.

Quick practical checklist

• Validate public-transport tickets on boarding.
• Keep a copy of passport and travel documents.
• Comfortable shoes, light rain layer, and a scarf for church entry.
• Small euros in coins for buses, tips, and public toilets.