Updated: August 9, 2025
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com
My Favorite Hotels in Rome
• 5-Star: Hassler
• 4-Star: Artemide • Singer Palace
• 3-Star: Palm Gallery • HT6 Hotel
• For families: Internazionale Domus
• For couples: Inn at the Roman Forum
15 Tips for First Time Visitors to Rome
My wife and I on the cobblestoned streets of ancient Rome, steps from our room at the Inn at the Roman Forum.
1. Stay in the Centro Storico (Historic Center)
For a first visit to Rome, this is where you want to stay. Basing yourself in the historic center puts you in the middle of the city’s most magical and atmospheric streets. You will be able to walk to most ancient sights, stumble upon incredible trattorias, and feel completely immersed in Roman life from the moment you step out of your hotel. Family-friendly rooms are tough to find. Book early.
2. Understanding the Boundaries of the Historic Center
Think of it as a large, walkable diamond defined by major landmarks. The northern point is the Spanish Steps, the western boundary is the Tiber River, and the eastern edge runs roughly along the Via del Tritone. The southern point is Piazza Venezia, which borders the Roman Forum, with the iconic Colosseum sitting just beyond this boundary. Deep inside this “diamond” is where you’ll find the true heart of ancient Rome, including the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. Staying anywhere within this area is a fantastic and central location.
3. Use the Metro for Speed, Buses for Coverage
Think of Rome’s public transport as two separate systems you will use together. The Metro is your tool for long-distance, high-speed travel between major hubs, like from Termini Station to the Colosseum or the Spanish Steps to the Vatican. However, its three lines do not cover the historic core. The extensive bus network is what you will use to get everywhere else, penetrating the narrow streets around the Pantheon and connecting neighborhoods like Trastevere. The best strategy is to walk as much as possible, use the metro for the long hops, and use the bus to fill in the gaps.
4. Pay for All Transport with a Contactless Card
The easiest way to pay for the metro, buses, and trams is with the “Tap & Go” system. Use your contactless credit or debit card (the one with the ‘wave’ symbol) or your phone with Apple Pay or Google Pay. On the Metro, you must tap your card at the gate to enter and tap the same card again at the gate to exit. On a bus or tram, you only need to tap once on the reader when you board. Remember, each rider needs their own separate card or device; you cannot tap the same card twice to pay for two people.
5. Plan Your Fiumicino Airport (FCO) Transfer in Advance
Decide how you will get to your hotel before you land. From Rome’s main airport (FCO), you have three good options. The Leonardo Express train is the fastest way to get to Termini Station, but it’s expensive and you still need to get from the station to your hotel. An official white city taxi from the designated taxi rank has a fixed fare of about €50 to the city center and offers door-to-door service. For most travelers, especially families, I recommend a pre-booked car service; the driver meets you in the arrivals hall, the price is fixed, and it is the most seamless, stress-free way to start your trip.
6. Use Termini Station, But Don’t Stay There
You will almost certainly use Termini Station – it is Rome’s main hub for airport trains, high-speed rail to other Italian cities, and the metro system. While the convenience and lower hotel prices are tempting, there are better places to stay than the immediate area around Termini. The neighborhood is chaotic, noisy, and lacks the charm and magic you come to Rome to experience. It can also feel less safe at night. The best strategy is to stay in a central neighborhood like the area around the Pantheon or in Trastevere, and simply take a 15-minute taxi or metro ride to Termini on the days you need to catch a train.
7. Confirm Your Hotel Has A/C and an Elevator
These are two critical details for Rome. Air conditioning (aria condizionata) is non-negotiable if you are traveling from May to September; the summer heat is intense. Secondly, many charming hotels are in ancient buildings that do not have an elevator (ascensore). If stairs are an issue, you must filter your hotel search for one or contact the property directly to confirm.
8. Book Your Hotel Months in Advance
The best hotels and guesthouses in Rome’s historic center are often small, family-run properties that sell out very quickly. For travel during peak season (April through October), you must book your accommodations 6 to 9 months in advance to secure a good room in a great location at a reasonable price.
9. Book Colosseum & Vatican Tickets Immediately
As soon as you book your flights and hotel, book your tickets for the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums. These mandatory sights sell out weeks, and often months, ahead of time. You cannot expect to buy tickets on the day you visit. Book directly from the official websites or through a reputable guided tour company.
10. A Guided Tour is the Best Money You’ll Spend
Rome’s ancient history is complex. A guided tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum and another for the Vatican Museums are worth every euro. A great guide will navigate the crowds, bring the ruins and art to life with context and stories, and make your experience infinitely more meaningful and less stressful.
11. Wear Your Most Comfortable Shoes
You will walk more in Rome than you can possibly imagine, almost entirely on uneven cobblestone streets (sanpietrini). This is not the place for fashion over function. Your most comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are the most important item you will pack.
12. Drink from the “Nasoni” Water Fountains
All over Rome, you will find free-flowing public drinking fountains called nasoni (big noses). The water is fresh, cold, and perfectly safe to drink. Carry a reusable bottle with you and fill it up throughout the day to stay hydrated and save money.
13. Make Dinner Reservations and Eat Late
Romans eat dinner late, with most restaurants getting busy around 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM. For any restaurant with good reviews, especially in popular areas like Trastevere, a reservation is essential. Also, be aware of the coperto on your bill, which is a small, non-optional cover charge per person for bread and use of the table setting.
14. Understand Italian Coffee Rules
For a quick and cheap coffee, do as the locals do and stand at the bar (al banco). The price for an espresso is usually just over €1. If you take a seat at a table (a tavola), that same coffee can cost three or four times as much. A cappuccino is generally considered a morning-only drink by Italians.
15. Cover Up to Enter Churches
A strict dress code is enforced at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon, and most other churches. Shoulders and knees must be covered for all genders. An easy solution is to carry a lightweight scarf to wrap around your shoulders or waist before you enter.
About Santorini Dave