Rome: A mini guide by Agness Walewinder

By:  Agness Walewinder
Travel blogger

I was thrilled when Agnes offered to write a guest post on Rome for   Home To Italy.     

 In the comments share with us your favorite place in Rome.

 

 

-A mini guide to Rome, Italy-

If you are looking for a historical city full of stunning monuments, mouth-watering dishes, great wine, romantic atmosphere and cozy narrow streets and alleys – Italy is the place.

Whether you are planning a relatively short stay or long holiday in the capital city of Italy, you can still manage to explore and eat your way around the city pretty well.

Although I don’t believe you could see everything that Rome has to offer in just 24 hours, here are some tips and sightseeing recommendations that can help you a lot and make your voyage much easier, cheaper and definitely more fun:

The Colosseum 

How can I get to Rome?

The prices and different ways of getting to Rome depend on your current location and your budget. Rome is an easy place to get to as the city is served by direct flights from across the world and hundreds of European connections such as Ryanair, Thomas Cook Airlines, EasyJet, CityJet and Swiss.

If you are somewhere nearby Rome, you can reach the city by train or local bus, for example there is a night train connection from Amsterdam to Rome. You should firstly book a ticket from Amsterdam to Cologne/Frankfurt/Munich from where you will be directly taken to Rome. Eurolines couches have also a very flexible schedule between Paris and Rome, London and Rome or Brussels to Rome so check them out when planning your route to Rome. They are definitely worth checking out if you are looking for the best transport in Europe on the cheap.

How can I get around the city?

You should never have a problem with getting around Rome as the city has a great variety of transportation you can use from early hours in the morning till late at night.
 

Taxis are definitely the most expensive and you should always go with the metered fare, never an arranged price. A single taxi ride costs between €8 and €20, so it’s a bit too pricey.
 

Buses and trams are very convenient, yet affordable. The main bus station is located in front of Stazione Termini on Piazza dei Cinquecento. There are approximately 20 different lines which departure every 20 minutes. The most useful route I would recommend is 29N. BIT (Integrated Time Ticket) costs  €1.50 whereas BIG (Integrated Daily Ticket) costs €6.00.
 

If you feel like exploring Rome in a different way, rent a bike. It costs around €3.00- €10 a day and you will be equipped with a map of the city and a bottle of water. If you get tired, you can always take your bike on metro.
 

 

Where should I sleep?
 

The good news is that Rome is packed with budget travel hostels so you can find dorms from even $6 a night. My personal recommendation would be M&J Hostel which is one of the most hospitable and safe places I’ve stayed in the city.

Location: Via Solferino, 9, 00185 Roma.

Price: €8 for dorms (10).

Review: Cheap breakfast, great hospitality, 24 hour reception and kitchen available. Perfect location, good value for money with many facilities and amenities for the right price.
 

Pizza:  is a special experience in Italy.

What and where should I eat?

When it comes to food, Rome can be a challenge for those travelling on a tight budget. However, you can still enjoy your meals without spending much money. The city is filled up with affordable coffee shops, local restaurants where you can find good value for money.
 

I would recommend visiting Navona Notte which is a cozy pizzeria where you can order some yummy traditional Italian pizzas, seafood and pasta dishes followed by healthy salads with delicious dressings. The prices here are reasonable, and you won't have to eat again for the rest of the day. Location: Via del Teatro Pace, 44, 186 Roma.
 

If you feel like having some pasta dishes on the cheap, you must visit Pastificio where you can eat freshly prepared pasta dishes for under €5. My favourite dish was spicy tomato pasta with mince sauce and parsley on top. Location: Via della Croce 8.
 

Obviously, a day without Gelato is a wasted day so make sure you visit Come il Latte (Via Silvio Spaventa, 24/26) and FataMorgana (mainly located in Monti area) to indulge in one of the most delicious Italian treats. A typical Gelato costs around €2. Believe me or not, but gelato in Rome beats all French sweets you must try before you die!

 

What should I see in Rome?

Compulsory, the Vatican City. It’s the smallest state in the world where you can find 11 Vatican Museums with the restored Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and Vatican Gardens. It’s a must see place not only for Catholics, but also for all fans of history of Rome.
 

After the Vatican City, you should definitely explore the Colloseum - one of the most frequently visited monuments in Rome. It is definitely the most beautiful spot in the city and it's very easy to get there by train ( just get off at the Il Coloseo stop and it's right there). It can get crowded given its status as an important historical and touristic site so it is best to try and get there early in the morning before the crowds.
 

Another place worth seeing is famous Trevi Fortain - the most famous and photographed fountain in Rome. As you may know, the legend has it that whoever throws a coin into the pond will return to Rome, so don’t forget to do it!
 

Finally, you can finish off your day with strolling down the streets of Campo de’ Fiori – busy market filled with local vegetables and slender bottles of olive oil. Here you can indulge yourself with some Italian goodies – from gelato, bruttiboni (almond-flavoured biscuits) to cannoli (tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough stuffed with cream).

How do you like this idea of spending a day in Rome?

Agness and Cez, from Poland

Agness Walewinder
Travel blogger

Email: agnieszka.walewinder@gmail.com

Website: http://etramping.com
Don't miss my latest eBook Travel Blogging: Build Audience, Improve Rankings and Earn Money



We are two adventurous tramps, best friends - Agness and Cez, from Poland. We call ourselvestramps, because we live without permanent home and for under 25 bucks a day, since 2011. While travelling the world, we find the time to write about it, share the tricks to do it cheaply and even help other people do the same. Come along with us!