Honestly: When you’re in Rome for the first time and have a couple of days, you must see the must-sees. You really MUST see it. Rome’s icons are really icons. And after watching ‚To Rome with love‘ and ‚Eat, Pray, Love‘, there was no way not to do it.
Nobody, not even a Roman, would claim to have seen everything in Rome. You literally find something which is not in your guidebooks behind every corner. Between the sights you get lost in small lanes, enjoy thousands of gelati or relax with a glass of wine.
Tourist menus – Top or Flop?
Rome is fantastic for all budgets. Thanks to a huge variety, you can eat in really expensive restaurants. The complete contrast is no problem, too.
There are many opinions about tourist-menus. They can be quite poor but also surprisingly good. We made good experiences. Just try it. Of course, in can be disappointing. We weren’t!
Here come the important things in life!
The Colosseo
It’s Rome’s main sight and a must-see at least from outside. Entry is free on the first Sunday each month. We took this opportunity. By 9 am, people queued already around half the building (it’s similar on normal days).
We did, what you shouldn’t do. We cut the line. Could have caused trouble, but we were lucky and could squeeze through the crammed Colosseo. Life’s too short to queue.
It was really crowded already in the morning. The upper and lower floors are only accessible for guided tours. We don’t like them (nothing against the guides, but it’s exhausting and boring doing this all in groups).
It’s beautifully illuminated by night. Selfie-Sticks are everywhere!
Forum Romanum
You should cross it once. It’s free if you have a ticket for the Colosseo. We were evil again and cut the line.
Rome is really sightseeing madness. Really extreme!
Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II
Impressing show-off building. We passed it. We didn’t enter the viewing platform. It’s not worth it as we had a better alternative.
Campo dei Fiori
Great marketplace. You can just enjoy the different aromas walking around, having a picnic with cheese, ham and olives or get a calzone. If we lived in Rome, we would definitely buy here (expensive but good).
Pantheon
The Gods‘ temple is one of the oldest buildings in the world. It ‚survived‘ because it was used as a church from 609 a.d. The huge dome is 43 metres wide. Worth visiting. You shouldn’t be claustrophobic as there are always many people here.
The Vatican and St. Peter’s Cathedral
There was no chance to cut the line here. It was almost noon, hot and the line was endless. We enjoyed the place from outside. Here you can see, what your church taxes are used for. It seems, God loves decadence. Amen!
Fontana di Trevi
It’s a pity, the most famous fountain in Rome was renovated while we were here. We threw coins nevertheless. You never know! (Reportedly, the City of Rome earns roughly € 600.000 p.a. with these coins – But hey, pssst!)
Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti at Piazza di Spagna – The Spanish Steps
Completely crowded. Not like in the Woody Allen movie. Whatever! Beautiful, especially as it was decorated with countless flowers.
Annoying: Probably the most “You need a selfie-stick?”-guys were here! I told him, I already have one. His reply: “ Take another colour!” OK, why not? But thanks, no thanks!
Trastevere
Just loafing around, having a drink or something to eat. It’s a very decent quarter!
Castel Sant’Angelo
Angel’s castle is not far away from the Vatican.
On the way there is a lovely park besides the Tevere river. It was closed, when we came here, but it’s sufficient from outside.
Piazza del Popolo
From here you can climb to marvellous Pincio!
