The beautiful city of Rome is no doubt, a top tourist destination. However, this is also a disadvantage for people as this could mean longer waits and lines. So if you're reading this, you're in for a well-planned itinerary complete with tips and tricks to get through the lines quicker while saving money on your trip.
I need to emphasize, that these 3 days include arriving and leaving Rome.
Tourists who are traveling from a European country to Rome will most likely be landing in Ciampino Airport as Fiumcino Airport is for International flights.
Fortunately for International travels, Trenitalia train runs from the airport and depending on where your destination is, you can always change stations. However, I have no experience with traveling from Fiumcino. As for Ciampino, there are no nearby train stations from the airport. In order to get to the Termini -which is the heart of the Rome metro- you have three options. There are three buses that could get you there. For further explanation and better understanding on how to get to Termini from the airport, I have attached two links that I've personally used for reference.
Ciampino to Rome transport suggestions and more detailed explanation of how to get to Termini
You can buy tickets for the buses outside of the airport from bus ticket sellers at the queue as you get closer to the bus. They do a head count so they do not just sell tickets to everyone lined up. Price may vary by the bus you choose.
Traveling around the City
In order to get around the city, you could either take the bus or metro. I have planned my previous trip accordingly to which we didn't have to take any buses but also minimize the distance of walking we had to do. Why? Personally, I was not impressed with the public transportation in Rome the moment we landed in Rome. Also, I did not want to worry about having to find Tobacconist just to buy a ticket for the bus. Tobacconists, as far as I am aware of, is the only other way to buy a ticket for a bus. In order to find these Tobacconists, you can just look for a blue T sign. Not only that, Metro is so much more convenient. You can buy tickets for the metro train from the machines at the stations. All major tourists spots are also very easily accessible to and from the tourist spots.
Vatican City
The most important thing to note is that if you do not buy a ticket to get into the Vatican City, you may have to wait for a while so it is good to consider buying a ticket ahead of time. My advice is that you visit the Vatican City first before going to St. Peter's Basilica. After buying a ticket and going through security, you will see a spiral incline to your left, and escalators to your right. No one really takes the spiral but there are a few models along the way to the top. When you get to the top with the escalator to your right, you will see that there is a souvenir shop past the escalator. The toilets are there as well. It is best to go before you go inside the museum. As far as I can remember, there were hardly any toilets inside.
At the lobby, to your right would be the way to Pinacoteca, it is filled with art made by some of the most famous artists. Personally, I am not a big fan of paintings, but the highlight of the visit to Pinacoteca for me were the tapestries of Jesus's miracles.
From the lobby, if you go straight outside, there is a garden and you would be able to see the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.
To the left would be the entrance to the Vatican Museum, this is the way to get to Sistine Chapel. It's a long walk to the Sistine Chapel and there is no way to skip to the Sistine Chapel.
Looking back to our time in the Vatican city, we spent at least 2 hours in there. There are also more info below.
If you wish to visit St. Peter's Basilica, take note of this. After you enter the Sistine Chapel, you will see at the other end that there is a fence to separate a smaller room. To your left is the exit, but if you take the exit to your right you will be able to skip the security line to St. Peter's. St. Peter's is free.
Visiting the Vatican
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| St. Peter's Basilica from Castel Sant Angelo |
Castel Sant Angelo
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| St. Peter's Plaza |
Baths of Diocletian, Piazza Repubblica & Saint Maria degli Angeli e dei Marteri
My friends and I were on our way to Baths of Diocletian when we found out we still had 30 minutes before it opened. So we decided to head to the basilica that I've read about ahead of time. Saint Maria is right next door to the baths of Diocletian. Before you enter, it does not look anything like a basilica. This is because the basilica was once part of the of the Baths. The characteristic of this basilica that caught my attention the most was the Meridian line that could be found inside. It is said that at 1215 at noon and 1315 during summer, the sun casts on the line. The church was also designed by Michelangelo. No pictures are allowed inside although there are no security inside so people take pictures anyway. The church should most definitely not be judged by its outer appearance.
The Baths of Diocletian was once a Roman bath house. The first thing you see is a beautiful well kept garden with a tiny pond and massive tree. It almost makes you feel like you've stepped away from the city for a minute. The baths are basically ruins but it is also a museum that took us at least an hour to see everything. I have seen a smaller Roman bath house before in the city of York. But it was amazing to see how massive the Roman bath house was. The pool was obviously drained but we were able to walk there as well.
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| Piazza Repubblica from the Basilica |
Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill was said to be the place where Lupa found Remus and Romulus. In other words, this is supposed to be where the Roman Empire was found. The place is a massive hill with ruins of the palace where Augustus and his wife Livia once lived. There is a tiny museum on the hill. One of the rooms in this museum has a presentation of Augustus's and Livia's time in Palatine Hill. South of the Palatine Hill, you will be able to see Circus Maximus. Circus Maximus was built for the chariot races. Now it is just merely an oval park. To the east of Palatine Hill, you will get a better angle of the Roman Colosseum for the perfect selfies and group pictures.
Roman Colosseum
What else is there to say other than, it's definitely a MUST SEE. This magnificent infrastructure can only be justified by visiting it. I believe that you should be able to get to the 3rd floor, however, I believe you need to buy a certain ticket for it. Otherwise, we never saw a staircase to get there.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum was once an urban settlement. Inside, there are multiple churches, temples and monuments. Viewing it from the Palatine hill, it looks like a street with colonnades. But it is definitely worth visiting as you will see the different infrastructures that the ancient Romans made. Also, with comparison to the other sites. The Roman Forum is one of the few places that was for the people of Rome rather than the royalties of Rome.
Altar of the Fatherland
Altar of the Fatherland is also known as Victor Emmanuel II Monument. My friends and I came from the left side of the monument since we were coming from the Forum and had little to no idea what this place was like. Needless to say, I was breath taken the moment we got up the stairs and got out to the balcony. Just like Castel Sant Angelo, this place needs more attention and appreciation. It is free to visit the monument although if you wish to get into the museum, you will have to pay. Another feature that the monument has is an elevator ride to the top of the monument which costs €7. It gives you a nice view of the surrounding area. You could see the Colosseum and Pantheon from up top. Other than this, the monument is magnificent by itself. Across the entrance, Piazza Venezia is also worth to drop by at as it gives you an amazing view of the monument.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is where the Padre della Patria rests. There is a church inside, aside from the tomb of Victor Emmanuel II. The Pantheon is a huge dome and quite touristy.
Trevi Fountain
Perhaps one of the most famous destinations in Rome. Trevi stands for three roads. It was meant to be a water source where travellers and merchants go for a rest from the three streets that meet here. I personally chose to visit the fountain as the sun was setting because I thought it would be pretty to see the water illuminated and was not disappointed at all. Make sure to throw a coin over your shoulder for a "guaranteed" return to Rome. The coins that the city collect goes to charities.
Tips and Tricks
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum was once an urban settlement. Inside, there are multiple churches, temples and monuments. Viewing it from the Palatine hill, it looks like a street with colonnades. But it is definitely worth visiting as you will see the different infrastructures that the ancient Romans made. Also, with comparison to the other sites. The Roman Forum is one of the few places that was for the people of Rome rather than the royalties of Rome.
Altar of the Fatherland
Altar of the Fatherland is also known as Victor Emmanuel II Monument. My friends and I came from the left side of the monument since we were coming from the Forum and had little to no idea what this place was like. Needless to say, I was breath taken the moment we got up the stairs and got out to the balcony. Just like Castel Sant Angelo, this place needs more attention and appreciation. It is free to visit the monument although if you wish to get into the museum, you will have to pay. Another feature that the monument has is an elevator ride to the top of the monument which costs €7. It gives you a nice view of the surrounding area. You could see the Colosseum and Pantheon from up top. Other than this, the monument is magnificent by itself. Across the entrance, Piazza Venezia is also worth to drop by at as it gives you an amazing view of the monument.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is where the Padre della Patria rests. There is a church inside, aside from the tomb of Victor Emmanuel II. The Pantheon is a huge dome and quite touristy.
Trevi Fountain
Tips and Tricks
- Omnia pass and Roma Pass, gives you access to certain places although both are not the same. Omnia pass is about €100 while Roma pass could cost €25 or €35, depending on which you choose. Check out these links for more info on Roma pass and Omnia pass.
- Archeology card is a cheaper substitute, but does not give you access to the Vatican City and does not include transportation. Archaeologia card
- If you do not wish to buy any of the tickets mentioned above but wish to go through the line faster in the Colosseum, buy your ticket at either the Roman Forum or the Palatine hill. The ticket you buy from either one gives you access to all three.
- Europeans in general like to savour and enjoy their food. Italy being known for its cuisine, restaurants are never in a rush to serve you. so the best time to go is right as they open. This is the time when tourists are also just scouring for places to eat and so it is still quite slow and the servers could focus on you. Also, this is highly encouraged for the places that are around the tourist sites as the restaurants fill up very VERY quickly. If you're running late, you should also reserve for a table.
- It is also best to go to the busier tourist places just right after lunch. Trust in me on this one. This most definitely saved me and my friends a lot of time.
