Discover the Eternal City: The Ultimate Rome Travel Guide

The magic of Rome is waiting for you! With this Rome Travel Guide, immerse yourself in ancient ruins, art, and delectable cuisine in the Eternal City.

A look into Rome's Colosseum. Photo by Vittoria Urzetta.

Back in May of 2019, I had my first taste of Rome. At the time, I had debated writing about the city, let alone a standalone ‘Rome travel guide,’ because I had spent so little time there—just a few hours in the city, mainly on the upper deck of a tour bus, and an hour and a half in Vatican City. Though it was only a short time, one thing it did do for me was stir up the desire to return in the future. Flash forward to the summer of 2023, in a post-pandemic world, and I finally returned to Italy’s illustrious capital and explored it more thoroughly over a long weekend.

I finally realized to the fullest extent that this is a place to visit if you’ve ever dreamed of walking in the phantom footsteps of gladiators or if you ever wanted to sip an Aperol Spritz under the shadow of an ancient fortress. This is where you come to shop, explore, and wander aimlessly while being completely captivated by the most beautiful architecture.

In this (expanded and more thorough) Rome travel guide, you will find yourself on a journey through the heart of a city that blends timeless history with vibrant modernity. Fill your visit with ancient ruins, breathtaking art, and delicious Italian food that will leave you eager for more.

The Colosseum and Roman Forum, a Rome Travel Guide Must-See

There's a certain magic in standing where gladiators once fought for glory—or, rather, where the spectators watched them fight each other to the death for sheer entertainment (we didn’t score the timed tickets to wander through the Colosseum’s pit, so we walked around the seated area an audience once filled). That said, the Colosseum, with its enduring grandeur, is a testament to Rome’s indomitable spirit. Walking through its ancient arches, you can almost hear the crowd’s roars and the swords clash.

Inside of Rome's massive Colosseum. Photo by Emily Fata.

Seeing it all in person and taking the time to look at the mini exhibits demonstrating the intricate systems in place to put on each spectacle was worthwhile. Plus, reading through the signage and detailed explanations is a must-do, as it gives you incredible insights not only into how everything worked (seeing how advanced they were is incredible!), but also what was important to them in their entertainment. After all, the Colosseum was intended for everyone’s enjoyment, not just a select number of people in Rome’s elite. What happened within its walls is exactly what the citizens of Rome wanted to see.

Plus, a short stroll from the Colosseum will lead you to the Roman Forum, the epicentre of ancient Roman life. We accessed both of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a dual ticket, making visiting the two a breeze.

Part of the Roman Forum. Photo by Emily Fata.

As you wander through the Roman Forum’s ruins, it feels as if the whispers of the ancient city are still breathing life into the earth. Imagine the bustling marketplace, the political debates, and the daily dramas of Roman citizens happening all around you; doing so is easy, as most of the buildings are still in excellent condition (all things considered) and it seems like those moments in time are still lingering. You can spend a few hours wandering through the many paths and streets, looking around and reading the occasional signage to learn more about each area’s past. This is history you can literally touch, see, and feel—a true immersion into the past, making it a must-see in any Rome travel guide.

The Religious Architecture of Vatican City and the Vatican Museum

Vatican City is not just a religious pilgrimage for Catholics; it’s a journey into art, architecture, and history. I’m not a religious person, and no part of me felt the need to visit Vatican City for any ‘holy’ purpose. I wanted to go for the other reasons—the aforementioned art, architecture, and history (that I have qualms about, admittedly). Not to mention that visiting Vatican City is technically visiting an entirely different country, with it being the world's smallest city-state. Fun fact: This was made official on February 11th, 1929, with the signing of the Lateran Treaty. It was intended to help ease political and religious upheaval in Italy—which, I guess, did help somewhat.

Looking up inside of the Vatican Museums. Photo by Emily Fata.

But I digress. This is all interesting information, but don’t worry about having to cross borders or needing a passport to get into Vatican City. You just waltz right in and notice, if anything, that the Italian police are now replaced by the Swiss Guard wearing their blue, red, orange, and yellow Renaissance-reminiscent uniforms.

When you arrive, start in St. Peter’s Square, where the grandeur of the basilica looms above you. Even if you skip the interior (as I did this time, since I had already seen the interior and its crypts during my 2019 visit), the exterior alone is worth a thousand photos. Most of the buildings in Vatican City's architecture, which are predominantly ecclesiastical, date from the medieval and 16th to 18th centuries. Various architectural styles—including Roman, Baroque, and Gothic—are associated with these periods, and you can see them all married together in the breathtaking structures. Yes, a bunch of peasants were absolutely exploited for their money to build this at the time, but I have to say…the place is stunning.

While you’re there, be sure to visit the Vatican Museum. The vast collection of art and artifacts is staggering, all from various popes’ personal art collections. They are not necessarily religious in theme or style, but were purchased and displayed simply because they are beautiful. How lovely is that?

Of course, the Sistine Chapel is the main space to see amongst this museum's many interconnected chambers and halls, primarily because of its worldwide fame. Gazing up and around at Michelangelo’s masterpiece is a humbling experience, each brushstroke telling stories of divine inspiration. However, I found that many of the other rooms were equally breathtaking; it wasn’t just the Sistine Chapel that stole the show, it was the entire museum, including paintings from other well-known artists of that same period.

Rome’s Historical Evolution at Bibliobar and Castel Sant’Angelo

Part of Bibliobar. Photo by Emily Fata.

As evening creeps in after a hot and sunny afternoon, a cold Aperol Spritz in hand and the serene view of Castel Sant’Angelo is the perfect reprieve. That’s exactly what you get at Bibliobar, a charming little spot where books and cocktails blend perfectly along with live music and idle chatter of patrons enjoying views of the Tiber River. It was also a great spot to admire Ponte Sant’Angelo without being right on the bridge and swirled around by the busy crowds.

Originally known as the Aelian Bridge, Ponte Sant'Angelo was originally built by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 134 AD to cross the Tiber River from the city centre to his recently built tomb…the Castel Sant'Angelo. In 1669, Bernini himself, in one of his final major projects, worked on the replacements of two of the deteriorating plaster angels along the bridge; he only completed two versions, the Angel with the Crown of Thorns (superscribed with In aerumna mea dum configitur spina, or ‘in my affliction, whilst the thorn is fastened upon me’) and the Angel holding a banner that reads “INRI.” (inscribed with Regnavit a ligno deus, or ‘God has ruled us from the wood’).

After quenching our thirst at the bar (which, admittedly, was a bit on the pricey side), we ventured inside Castel Sant’Angelo. With its rich history starting as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum and eventually becoming a papal refuge, this fortress offers panoramic views of Rome from its terrace. The night we went, we could see the beautiful full moon shining in the night sky, along with rooftop spotlights, brightly illuminating the giant statue of Saint Michael the Archangel, who looks over Rome from the top of the castle.

Admiring the view from the top of Castel Sant'Angel. Photo by Maria Rosa Urzetta.

Because it was regarded as a precious piece of architecture with each passing century, the structure stayed pristine and was taken care of over many years due to its constant use. Each level of the castle unravels a new chapter of its storied past, making it a captivating stop on your Roman adventure and a key component in any comprehensive Rome travel guide. After all, what better place to see the evolution of Roman history, from ancient times to a present-day museum, than right here at Castel Sant’Angelo?

The Quintessential Walk to Trevi Fountain and Beyond

Inside of an antique shop. Photo by Emily Fata.

I found that Rome is a city best explored on foot, as each step reveals another layer of its charm—at least, this is the case in the downtown or city centre. Thus, when exploring the Italian capital, my cousin (who once lived in Rome) took me around walking and I was able to see more of the sights and admire the city by travelling this way. Seeing so much of Rome had me falling more and more in love with the city, so I naturally felt that I would need to come back to it one day.

If you feel the same way, tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain is a must; legend says it ensures your return to Rome, and who wouldn’t want that? Plus, you can also make an extra wish, so choose wisely and toss the coin with your right hand over the left shoulder. I considered getting a bit greedy, because shouldn’t the Trevi Fountain gods (or whoever is in charge of granting wishes there—maybe faeries? Elves? Ghosts of gladiators past?) be able to handle multiple requests? But I thought long and hard about it and narrowed it down to just one, in addition to my return to Rome, then tossed my coin into the water. Anyways, I don’t think whoever is in charge of granting wishes there can lower the cost of Toronto real estate.

The Roman Pantheon. Photo by Emily Fata.

From the fountain, a leisurely walk will take you past the Pantheon, a marvel of ancient engineering that I’ve loved reading and learning about in the past. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to go inside on this particular trip, so we walked around the outside and I stared at it for a while before we continued on. Just one more place to add to my Rome bucket list for my return visit, I suppose.

Near the Pantheon, a quaint stationary shop caught my eye, and I went in to see what they had. I indulged myself in initialled wax seals and a quill pen—the perfect thing to buy myself as a travel writer—and a beautiful handmade quill pen for my best friend as a souvenir. This whole area, with its narrow streets and hidden gems, encapsulates the essence of Rome: a city where history and modernity coexist beautifully.

Elegance and Romance Along Via dei Condotti and the Spanish Steps

If luxury shopping is your style, Via dei Condotti will be right up your alley (see what I did there, with that pun?). It’s also another stop you can make while taking a beautiful walk through Rome.

Walking along the streets of Rome. Photo by Emily Fata.

This street is lined with high-end boutiques, each window display seemingly more glamorous than the last. Even if you’re just window shopping, it’s a worthwhile experience. Continue walking all the way to the end of the street, and you’ll find the Spanish Steps. Here, there’s a massive gathering of tourists and locals alike. Just remember not to sit on the steps or linger in one spot for too long while climbing up, as the police are roaming about and shooing these people along as if they were pesky pigeons.

Of course, you can still climb the steps (again, without stopping for long) for a stunning view of the city from a higher vantage point, or simply sit in the square and people-watch from below. There’s a romantic air here, especially at sunset when the city glows in a warm, golden hue.

Add Tranquility to Your Rome Travel Guide at Villa Borghese

Just around the corner from the top of the Spanish Steps, when the hustle and bustle of the city gets to be too much, Villa Borghese offers a peaceful escape. This expansive park is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a relaxing picnic, but because we went as dusk turned to nightfall, our time in the park was limited.

Nonetheless, in the 20 or so minutes we spent in Villa Borghese, it was undeniable that the lush greenery and serene ambiance provided a stark contrast to the urban energy of Rome. Whether you’re an art aficionado (there are plenty of beautiful statues lining the park pathways!) or just in need of some quiet time, this is an ideal sanctuary and an essential highlight when visiting Rome.

A selfie in Villa Borghese!

(Side note: If you’re there, you can visit the Galleria Borghese, a museum housing masterpieces by Caravaggio and Bernini. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to go this time around, but—as I keep saying—I’ll be back!)

All in All

Rome is not just a destination, but an experience that lingers long after you’ve left. Every corner of this city tells a story, from the ancient ruins that you can physically touch to its vibrant and bustling streets. Whether you’re savouring an Aperol Spritz at Bibliobar, tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, or wandering through Vatican City, Rome’s charm is undeniable.

In fact, I’ve been so captivated by its beauty and history that I’ve decided to move here for a few months next year in my year-long adventure through Europe. The Eternal City seems to be forever waiting to welcome you with open arms, and I’m taking her up on her offer.

So, plan your trip, soak in the history, indulge in the culture, and fall in love with the city’s eternal charm for yourself. I’ll see you in Rome!

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