Things To Do
Centro Storico
Centro Storico is home to some of the most historic must see sites, including Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. All picturesque and quintessential Rome! If you want to enter the Pantheon, make sure to book tickets online ahead of time! Also, make sure to throw at least one coin into the Trevi Fountain (1 to return to Rome, 2 to fall in love, 3 to be wed!). Nearby Barberini metro station you'll find Museo e Cripta dei Frati Cappuccini, the museum and skeletal crypts of the cappucin monks. Creepy but cool! Places I love to eat: Armando al Pantheon for classic Roman, Giolitti and Frigidarium for gelato, and Two Sizes for Tiramisu to go!
North Centro Storico
At northern points of Centro Storico, you will reach Piazza di Spagna, home to the Spanish Steps, as well as the famous Piazza del Popolo. You can take in a phenomenal view of Piazza del Popolo by climbing the adjacent steps to reach the park, Villa Borghese. Known for some incredible shopping along Via del Corso and within the surrounding side streets, as well as luxury shopping along Via Condotti and surrounding side streets near the Spanish Steps. Places I love to eat: Ristorante Alla Rampa for classic Italian, Pompi for Tiramisu
South Centro Storico
On the Southern part of Centro Storico, just south of Piazza Navona, just northeast of the Isola Tiberina (located on the River Tiber) you'll find must try fornos (bakeries) and local markets! Campo di Fiori is famous for Rome souvenirs, surrounded by local fornos. In addition, Rome's Jewish Ghetto features the historic landmarks of Portico d'Octavia and Teatro di Marcello. Place I love to eat: Roscioli Salumeria Con Cucina and Luciano for classic Italian, Emma for pizza, Roscioli forno for pizza al taglio/bakery goods, and Boccione for pastries (best cherry ricotta cake), and any of the Jewish Ghetto restaurants for carciofi alla giudia.
Trastevere
Trastevere runs along the west side of the Tiber river, west of Centro Storico. It is my favorite neighborhood to walk around, with lots of unique boutique shops, pubs, wine bars, nightlife and classic Roman trattorias. The Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere is gorgeous and worth popping in for a view! Both Piazza San Calisto and Piazza Trilussa turn into a lively crowd at night! Places I love to eat: Da Enzo Trattoria 29 and Roma Sparita for classic Roman, Le Mani in Pasta for classic Italian/ fish, Ai Marmi for pizza Romana/ bacala (my #1 pizza rec in the city), i Suppli for classic Roman suppli (street food- fried Rice balls with cheese filling), Trapizzino (street food- pizza pockets), La Norcineria di Lacozzilli for porchetta (and meat and cheeses), Bar San Calisto for coffee by day and spritzes/ beer at night, Latteria for wine bar, Fiordiluna and Otaleg for gelato. I highly recommend taking a Trastevere food tour through "Eating Europe" or "Carpe Diem."
Prati/ Vatican City
Prati is a beautiful, upscale neighborhood with high-end boutiques and beautiful piazzas such as Piazza Cavour. On the west side of the Tiber River, north of Trastevere, it sits adjacent to Vatican City and Castel Sant' Angelo! If it is your first time in Rome, I highly recommend a tour of the Vatican. With a private or semi-private tour, you will avoid lines and not deal with the general admission crowds! I did a semi-private tour through Liv Tours, and would definitely recommend. The Borgo area between the Vatican and Castel Sant' Angelo is worth strolling as well and you will get picturesque views of the Castel and Vatican from Ponte Sant' Angelo. A rooftop bar in Prati is always incredible, getting a stunning view of the Vatican! My favorite is Terazza Les Etoiles; fancy but spectacular! Places I love to eat: Panificio Bonci for polpette di bollito, pizza al taglio and maritozzi, La Zanzara for aperitivo (our first date spot :) ), and Locanda Meloni for classic Italian.
Celio/ Monti
The Celio and Monti neighborhoods are home to the iconic Colosseum, Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia (Monumento a Vittorio Emanele II and Campidoglio; where our civil ceremony took place), and Circo Massimo. All historic and must see landmarks of Rome. If you desire to tour the Colosseum, definitely book ahead of time! You can see stunning views of the Colosseum and Roman Forum by walking behind the Piazza del Campidoglio (where we took our civil ceremony photos, like the one above). On the northern part of Monti, close to Termini station you'll find Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (one of the 4 Vatican basilicas). The cobblestone streets of Monti are picturesque and have the cutest boutiques! Places I love to eat: Fratelli Trecca (next to Circo Massimo) for the best pizza rossa with parsley, also next to Circo Massimo the Campanga Amica farmers market for porchetta and more, in Monti Zia Rosetta for sandwiches, Fatamorgana for gelato, Er Baretto for coffee and sweet treats.
San Giovanni
San Giovanni is a neighborhood mixed with both tourists and locals, and although south of Centro Storico, it is still considered the city center. This is where I have lived for the past two years upon my move to Rome and have adored it. It is home to one of the 4 Vatican basilicas, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano. It is beautiful and one of my favorites in Rome. It is incredibly accessible as it has a Metro station for lines A and C just outside the main piazza in front of the basilica, as well as less than a 20 minute walk straight to the Colosseum and surrounding historic sites. Places I love to eat: Materia Cafe for coffee/brunch or even aperitivo (we lived across the street and its where we took our daily coffee and cornetti), La Differenza for the best lemon burrata in the city, meats and cheese and other unique Italian dishes (the sweetest family owned spot), Piano C Enoteca for aperitivo, Molino for pizza al taglio and sweet treats, and Hoppiness for beer and pasta!
Roma Nord
Roma Nord covers a few neighborhoods including Ponte Milvio, Flaminio, Parioli, Salario, and Tor di Quinto (where we live). These areas are definitely not tourist areas and more local Roman, however, if this is not your first time in Rome and you have already explored the Historic landmarks of Centro Storico, you may be interested in checking out to feel more local! Parioli and Salario are gorgeous local neighborhoods filled with boutique shops, coffee bars and restaurants. If you are nearby, stroll through Quartiere Coppede, as it is known for the most beautiful and elegant homes (palazzi) with stunning architecture, and a central fountain piazza. These neighborhoods are not too far of a walk to Villa Borghese as well. North of here however, you are no longer walkable to the very center and will need to rely on buses or taxis. Places I love to eat: Figo Ristorante Parioli for classic Italian, Treebar and Apoteca in Flaminio for classic Italian/ wine and cocktails.
Termini, Esquilino, and San Lorenzo
Termini is the central station of Rome's city center. It is where the A and B metro lines connect and where you would take a train to any other Italian city, both local and high speed. This is where the Leonardo Express train arrives and departs, to and from the airport. Inside the station there are two levels of shopping and many places to eat. During the day you are absolutely safe to walk around Termini, however, I would not recommend at night as it becomes unsafe. Overall Rome is the safest city I have ever lived in and this is very specific to this area at night. Esquilino is known for its International cuisine and San Lorenzo a University neighborhood! Both best by foot during the day and taxi by night as well! Places I love to eat: Termini Market for both Italian and international, Pastificio San Lorenzo for unique Italian (one of my favs!), Regoli Pasticceria in Esquilino for Maritozzi.