Billy & Britny Top 10 things to do in Rome
1. Vatican City – Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum, and St. Peters Basilica
We booked an early morning tour with breakfast at the Vatican and a tour of the Vatican museum before it opens to the public. A tour is really the only way to go if you don’t want to spend your precious vacation time standing in line. I’ve learned from experience, the first time I went I wasted half day in a massive line. We booked our tour with City Wonders and had a wonderful & knowledgeable local guide. We have always been lucky to have a guide that is passionate about history and can give little tid bits that you may not hear on other tours or on your own.
2. Colosseum
We also booked with City Wonders for a tour of the Colosseum. In busy cities where we are short on time we love skip the line options and companies that limit their group sizes. For this tour we were able to walk around the arena floor and the upper ring. It was absolutely amazing hearing about the history and to see this incredible site in person. Since my other half is obsessed with Gladiator and Roman history it was an especially moving experience walking through the Gladiator entrance. Once we finished our tour of the Colosseum we exited to the Forum.
3. Roman Forum
We had no idea how many ancient ruins were in this area and how impressive it is. Our tour guide from the Colosseum brought us into the forum and gave us some history before we were on our own to explore.
4. Pantheon
The Roman Pantheon is the most preserved and influential building of ancient Rome. It is a Roman temple dedicated to all the gods of pagan Rome. As the brick stamps on the side of the building reveal it was built and dedicated between A.D 118 and 125. All around it there are shops and restaurants, perfect to soak in the history with a drink, ahh the and let the Dolce Vita.
5. Scout the best Gelato in Rome
We recommend Angelino ai fori or Giolitti’s, but everyone has a favorite so try as many places as you can!
6. Enjoy some of the best coffee in the world
Have a cappuccino for breakfast and espresso or macchiato the rest of the day. We are obsessed with good coffee so it’s fair to say we were in coffee heaven in Italy. Try cafe sant eustachio for a really great cup of coffee.
7. Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain and walk over to the Spanish Steps to shop and people watch
8. Explore a new neighborhood
We recommend Trastevere or Centro Storico. These neighborhoods have an electric energy and a good mix of locals and some tourists. The restaurants here are amazing.
9. Splurge on an unforgettable meal
We highly recommend 2 restaurants:
Roma Sparita – Where the Cacio e pepe is to die for. It’s a pasta dish made with pecorino romano and black pepper. We once saw this on a Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown episode where he would not give out the name of the restaurant because he didn’t want it ruined by flocks of tourists. It worked because when we went it was all locals.
AROMA at Palazzo Manfredi – This is a rooftop Michelin starred restaurant with the BEST view of the Colosseum in Rome. Their Kobe beef and chocolate souffle is absolutely amazing.
10. Enjoy an Aperitivo
Aperitivo is like an Italian happy hour and generally includes a drink and light snack before dinner. Most restaurants are closed until 7:30 PM so it’s a great time to get a light snack and have drinks with friends in the afternoon. The aperitivio drink of choice is usually a spritz made with white wine or prosecco with campari and sparkling water.
