The Eternal City: The Perfect Guide to Rome, Italy

Mercati di Traiano (Trajan's Market)

While everyone lines up for hours at the Colosseum, I love sneaking over to this incredible multi-level ancient shopping complex. Walking through the intact brick arches and ancient streets almost entirely by yourself gives you a true sense of what daily life was like thousands of years ago.

Campo de’ Fiori Saturday Market

You absolutely have to spend a Saturday morning exploring the vibrant stalls of this historic outdoor market to soak up the local energy. It’s my favorite place to grab truffle-infused treats, homemade pastas, and locally crafted oils to pack in your suitcase.

Giardino degli Aranci (The Orange Garden)

Some of my absolute favorite memories in Rome were right here, sitting on a picnic blanket with a bottle of wine, local cheeses and meats. It’s a peaceful, romantic hilltop haven that offers hands-down the most stunning sunset view in the city as the sun sinks right behind St. Peter’s Basilica.

Trevi Fountain underground tour

Don’t just toss a coin into the fountain and leave; you need to book a tour of the Vicus Caprarius located right beneath the surrounding streets. It lets you walk through an incredible hidden archaeological excavation and see the working ancient Roman aqueducts that still feed the city today.

The Aventine Keyhole

Just a short walk from the Orange Garden, you’ll find a massive wooden door leading to the Priory of the Knights of Malta. Peek right through the tiny brass keyhole for a magical, perfectly framed view of St. Peter’s Basilica dome centered at the very end of a manicured garden hedge tunnel.

Mamertine Prison (Carcere Mamertino)

Tucked right beneath a 16th-century church on the edge of the Roman Forum, this grim subterranean site is a heavy piece of history that most tourists walk right past. Christian tradition holds that this ancient maximum-security cell is exactly where the Apostle Paul spent his final days under Nero and wrote his second letter to Timothy. Descending into the dark, chilly lower chamber gives you an unforgettable, sobering look into the raw grit of early Christian history.

Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio: The dome illusion

Step inside this magnificent church to see one of my favorite visual tricks in the entire city. The massive, beautiful dome above you is actually completely flat, painted so perfectly in the 1600s that your eyes will totally look right past the flat ceiling.

Galleria Borghese

Housed in a breathtaking villa, this museum holds a world-class collection of masterpieces, including jaw-dropping sculptures by Bernini that you’ll need to book weeks in advance. Afterward, I highly recommend renting a rowboat to explore the surrounding, stunning lake gardens from the water.

Piazza Cavour

This grand, tree-lined square is dominated by the magnificent Palace of Justice and feels wonderfully authentic to local life. It is one of my favorite spots to slow down, grab an espresso at a neighborhood café, and just enjoy some classic Roman people-watching.

Late-night walk of the iconic monuments

To truly feel the magic of landmarks like the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona, I always recommend walking them late at night or right at sunrise. Seeing these ancient pillars completely empty makes it feel like you have the entire city to yourself.

Sorpasso

This spot is a total neighborhood favorite, offering a casual yet effortlessly chic atmosphere with a fantastic wine list. It is famous for an incredible selection of artisan cured meats and cheeses, making it the perfect place for a long, relaxed afternoon aperitivo. You have to order the signature Selezione di Salumi platter to try their phenomenal 24 month-aged wild ham that practically melts in your mouth, and if you stay for dinner, their handmade Pappardelle Sugo Coda (oxtail ragu) is stellar.

The Court

I went here at night, and seeing the Colosseum lit up is such a cool way to experience it in a whole new light. This incredible upscale cocktail bar requires a reservation, but it rewards you with a jaw-dropping, direct view over the monument to enjoy world-class mixology drinks paired with high-end appetizers.

Del Frate

This is a beautiful restaurant and wine bar where the ambient walls are entirely lined with bottles of wine. It is an elegant choice whether you want to enjoy a flight of great Italian reds or sit down for a nice dinner. Start your evening during their happy hour to sample their gourmet tapas, especially their unique crispy fried cacio e pepe or amatriciana supplì (Roman rice balls).

Il Ciociaro

This classic tavern is an absolute must for an unforgettable Roman pasta dinner. They bring the carbonara out and enthusiastically toss the pasta inside a massive, hollowed out wheel of Pecorino Romano cheese right at your table.

Da Bucatino

Located in the historic culinary neighborhood of Testaccio, this legendary spot is famous for its rich and robust amatriciana sauce. Just be careful when you dive into a bowl of their thick, hollow bucatini pasta, because it is absolutely guaranteed to splash sauce all over the front of your shirt while you eat.

Pasta Imperiale

This was our absolute go to lunch spot when I lived here, and by the end of the three months we became such regulars that they would start prepping our pasta as soon as we walked in. It is one of the best choices in the city for fresh, handmade pasta served quickly on the go when you are busy sightseeing. You honestly cannot go wrong with either of the true Roman classics here, so grab a quick box of their incredible, rich carbonara or savory amatriciana.

Agrippa Osteria Pizzeria

A fantastic and dependable spot situated right near the ancient Pantheon in the historic heart of the city. Go here when you want a relaxed meal featuring exceptionally crisp, traditional thin-crust Roman-style pizzas.

La Soffitta

An excellent, comforting neighborhood choice known for its welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. It is a highly reliable option when you want to unwind over fantastic wood-fired pizzas and classic local dishes. Definitely try their fried zucchini flowers stuffed with fresh mozzarella for an appetizer, followed by their legendary, pillowy Neapolitan-style Margherita pizza or a comforting bowl of homemade cacio e pepe.