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The Colosseum in Rome under dramatic evening light
Italy · Lazio

Rome, Built in Layers

Three thousand years of history sit stacked on top of each other here, and half of it doubles as a lunch spot. Ruins by morning, Trastevere by night.

4.8 (7.2k travelers)·Best for: history, food, art
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Best Time to Visit
Apr – Jun
Flight Time
Direct (9h 05m)
Currency
Euro (€)
Language
Italian

Overview

Rome doesn't hide its age: a two-thousand-year-old wall might be the backdrop for someone's espresso break. The ruins are the headline, but the city works because ordinary life never stopped happening around them.

Neighborhoods like Trastevere and Monti keep their own rhythm well away from the postcard sites, all narrow lanes, ivy-covered walls, and trattorias with no English menu. Two days sees the icons; four gets you a favorite trattoria.

A view of Rome's historic center
Rome
Rome
Rome
Rome

Things to Do

Curated moments that make Rome unforgettable

Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
From £58
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour
Skip-the-line entry with an archaeologist guide
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
From £70
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Early-entry access before the public opening
Trastevere Food & Wine Walk
From £75
Trastevere Food & Wine Walk
Six stops through Rome's oldest neighborhood
Borghese Gallery Timed Entry
From £45
Borghese Gallery Timed Entry
Bernini sculpture and Caravaggio, two hours

Handpicked Stays

Hotels our travel experts vouch for

View across the rooftops of Rome
Limited Time Offer

Save on Roman Escapes

Book by October 31 and add a private Colosseum underground tour to any 4-night Rome itinerary.

22%Off Select Stays

Travel Guide

What our travel experts want you to know before you go

01
Book the Colosseum and Vatican Ahead
Both sell out daily in peak season. A walk-up ticket means hours in line, or no entry at all.
02
Wear Real Shoes
The ancient cobblestones (sampietrini) are uneven underfoot, so save the sandals for the coast.
03
Carry Cash for the Small Places
Neighborhood bars and trattorias still prefer cash, especially for a quick espresso at the counter.
04
When to Go
April, May, September, and October skip the August closures and the worst of the heat.