Why go to Rome? The 10 good reasons to go Rome
The seven churches tour
An urban pilgrimage to discover the four major and three minor basilicas.
The Rome of museums and culture
Caravaggio, Michelangelo and Raphael: all the greats have left their mark in Rome.
The Italian way of life
La dolce vita, like Fellini's major work, wonderfully translates the atmosphere of Rome.
Nature just a few steps from the center
There are many gardens in the heart of the city, offering pleasant oases of coolness in summer.
A unique heritage in the world
Rome's historic center is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The smallest state in the world
Vatican City is the seat of the Catholic Church, but also the smallest state in the world.
The succulent local specialties
From the famous pasta alla carbonara to pinse and gelati!
The warm Roman nights
From VIP evenings like Grande Bellezza to neighbourhood bars, Rome comes alive at nightfall.
A warm and smiling welcome
Although Rome is a large city, its inhabitants are friendly and welcoming.
A city full of paradoxes
A mixture of ancient and modern, religious and profane, harmony and chaos.
What to visit Rome?
Interview: My Rome
Aurélie Hannier, author
From her personal travel diaries to the Petit Futé guides, there was only one step! Aurélie Hannier has been working with our publishing house for several years. Passionate about transalpine culture and in love with Rome, she presents you with the city's treasures, as well as her best addresses, carefully noted during her many strolls through the alleys of the Eternal City.
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Rome
Timetable
The Italian national museums are closed on Mondays. It is best to visit during the week, even if Rome is always very busy, at least you will avoid the weekend tourists.
To be booked
Rome is a very popular city in all seasons. The year 2025 also heralds increased tourism for the Jubilee.
We strongly advise you to reserve your ticket for certain sites, such as the Colosseum.
Book your ticket for the Colosseum, the Forums and the Palatine online, on the official website (https://ticketing.colosseo.it/), before you leave: there are always long queues on site. The Colosseum entrance is located near the Sperone Valadier, while the Forum Palatine entrance is near the Arco di Tito or Varco Vignola (via di San Gregorio). It may be useful to download one of the two applications for the visit: MyColosseum (in English or Italian only) and/or Y&Co (You and Colosseo).
Different types of ticket are available for the Colosseum, Forums and Palatine : the 24-hour ticket (€18) gives access to the Colosseum (first and second tiers + panoramic terraces) for a maximum of 75 minutes, the Roman Forum, the Imperial Forums and the Palatine; the Full Experience Arena ticket (€24), valid for 2 days, gives additional access to the Colosseum arena and the SUPER sites (https://colosseo.it/super/), including the Domus Tiberiana exhibition halls; the Forum Pass Super ticket (€18) gives access to the Roman Forum, the Imperial Fora and the SUPER sites, but does not include entrance to the Colosseum.
Don't forget to make a reservation for the Galleria Borghese: https: //www.gebart.it/
To avoid long waits, it's a good idea to buy asaltafila ticket for the Vatican Museums in advance (https://tickets.museivaticani.va)
Budget & Tips
Entrance tickets to Roman monuments and museums are often combined, so remember to keep your tickets and check that you haven't already paid when you return!
Remember, too, that admission is often free for EU residents under 18, and reduced up to the age of 25. If you're a Parisian, thanks to Rome's twinning with Paris, you can enjoy free admission to municipal museums. You'll find the list on the website(http://www.museiincomuneroma.it/).
Don't forget the Roma Pass: this multi-purpose pass gives you access to most of Rome's archaeological sites and museums. It entitles you to two free admissions for the 3-day pass (one free admission for the 48-hour pass) for the first two sites visited, and reduced rates for subsequent visits. The card's big advantage: free use of Rome's public transport system for 2 or 3 days, depending on the package chosen! Points of sale: online(www.romapass.it), at tourist offices or at ATAC points of sale at certain metro stops. Please note that the Roma Pass can only be collected online 24 hours after purchase. Pass 48h: €36.50; 72h: €58.50.
The Vatican OMNIA Card allows you to visit basilicas and monuments of great religious and cultural interest (including the Vatican Museums), and also offers access to the Roma Cristiana Open Bus and audio guides with walking itineraries. The card can be purchased online (https://www.omniavaticanrome.org/), and the Vatican&Rome app can be used to book and manage visits before and during the trip. The OMNIA Card 24 hours costs €69, the Omnia Smart (valid for 12 months, with entry to the Colosseum) costs €95. Good to know: The OMNIA Card 72 h (€149) includes the Roma Pass 72 h.
Guided tours
As everywhere else, red buses(www.city-sightseeing.com) allow you to visit the city in comfort. You can also explore the city by Vespa(www.onmovo.com/) or by bike, along the Appia antica in particular (https://www.ecobikeroma.it/).
Rome has no main tourist office, but there are several PITs (punto informativo turistico) scattered throughout the city. Here are the main ones: piazza Pia (Castel Sant'Angelo), Fori Imperiali, via Minghetti (corner via del Corso) and Stazione Termini (entrance via Giolitti). You'll also find them at Fiumicino and Ciampino airports.
Tourist traps
Beware of the various touts at the metro exits who will offer you reduced-price tickets: always buy your tickets on the official website. And don't succumb to the charm of the gladiators in front of the Colosseum: the photo isn't free, and it's illegal!
What's very local
For religious sites, appropriate dress is required: no shorts or tank tops. Think about it, or you may not be able to get in.
