Dinner with a View: The Best Rooftop Restaurants in Rome

By Megan Hills

Take to the heights at the best rooftop restaurants and bars in Rome

While the Italian capital isn't the tallest city in Europe, that actually works in its favour as it boasts a number of rooftop restaurants and bars in Rome with panoramic views over the skyline. Whether you're looking to catch a breath between sightseeing with an espresso, revive yourself before dinner with aperitivo or looking for decadence with Michelin starred menus, there's a number of rooftops restaurants in Rome to add to your bucket list.

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Bramante Terrace, Hotel Raphael

Looking to get away from the crowds and bustle? Head upstairs to Hotel Raphael's Bramante Terrace, where you'll be able to drink in panoramic views of the Vatican, Castel Sant'Angelo and as much of Rome as far as the eye can see. With a killer wine list, cocktails and a food menu if you're feeling peckish, it's a great place to kick back and relax at the height of sophistication. It's not super well known and the terrace is quite small, making for an intimate experience you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

American Bar, Hotel Forum

Step into another time period at the American Bar, where you'll be able to unwind with views over ancient Roman landmarks like the Colosseum, Altare della Patria and of course, the Roman Forum ruins from which the hotel derives it name. You don't even need to be a hotel guest to lounge around here and it's a gorgeous place for a date night, if you're in the mood for romance.

Casina Valadier

Located atop the iconic Villa Borghese, this tranquil bar and restaurant has breathed neoclassical life into one of the Villa's historical structures and has become a must-visit spot for those on the tourist trail. The menu's worth making the trek out with recipes such as beef tartare sprinkled with comte flakes, lamb with a truffle and caprino cheese crust and mixed seafood grilled to perfection. As it's up on high, you'll be able to see all the major sights stretching out across the horizon from St Peter's Basilica to Piazza del Popolo.

Aroma

If you like the finer things in life, Aroma over at Palazzo Manfredi is one of Rome's best fine dining destinations - with a gorgeous view to boot. With a Michelin starred seven course tasting menu primed for an indulgent culinary evening, it's a surprisingly modest set-up which lets the food and the unbeatable view over the Colosseum speak for itself. Come with a hefty wallet though, dining at Aroma doesn't come cheap.

Minerva Roof Garden

Another fantastic hotel bar on the list, the Minerva Roof Garden crowns the Grand Hotel de la Minerve located in the heart of Rome. Just a stone's throw away from sights such as the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, it serves as both a restaurant and bar when the lights go down with traditional delights and more modern choices up for grabs. It's utterly chic with white jacketed staff keeping a beady eye out for those who need a champagne top up and a stellar view of sights such as the Pantheon.

Megan Hills
Rome Travel Expert

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A Visitor's Guide to the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums see over 5 million people per year; and with an estimated worth of over €15 billion it’s no wonder people flock to see it! At an impressive 9 miles in length the museum is bursting with art from floor to ceiling. It’s believed that if you spent just one minute admiring each painting it would take you four years to see the entire collection. And that’s not including the sculptures, tapestries, frescoes... The Vatican Museums are filled with some of the greatest masterpieces of all time; from Michelangelo to Botticelli, Bernini and Raphael. There are 54 rooms, or salas, in total ranging from miniature mosaics, Etruscan artefacts, classical antiquities and much more... But as part of the Holy See in the Vatican City (and the smallest country in the world), needless to say there are rules to be followed and customs to be respected. It’s hard to know where to begin, so we’ll give you some advice from what to see and to what to wear, with our visitor’s guide to the Vatican. Rules Because the Vatican City is a place of worship and the heart of the Roman Catholic Church, any visitor must abide to their rules and regulations - even if its outside of your beliefs. You may not wear short skirts, sleeveless blouses or shorts (cover all knees and shoulders) so make sure you come appropriately dressed in advance or you’ll be sold an overpriced scarf by a lurking tout to drape over yourself. As any important building or museum, you must be respectful of your surroundings. The Vatican Museums date back to the early 1500s so it’s almost an artefact in itself. Don’t try and touch any of the sculptures, or tapestries on display – even though there will be hoards of people inside - please leave enough room around the art pieces. Cameras may be used in the museum with no flash, but not in the Sistine Chapel. This is to protect the fresco from fading – and let’s be honest, it would be a travesty if Michelangelo’s Last Judgement were to peel and discolour. What to see An average visit to the Vatican Museums takes about four hours and from the moment you get in there are works of art, sculptures and architecture to be admired. From the spiral staircase built in 1832 right at the entrance, to the four imposing Raphael Rooms in the public part of the papal apartments, you can explore the great Vatican Museums from top to bottom. Discover the Ancient Egyptian Museum covering nine rooms, or learn about the different Popes in the portraits gallery. If you love statues, you can’t miss the hallway of marble masterpieces. Checkout the Sistine Chapel on your way out to end on a high. Literally. Remember no cameras are allowed, so take a mental picture of the famous 15th century ceiling and while you're in there, admire Botticelli’s long murals, too - something that often gets overlooked. Beat the crowds With the OMNIA and Vatican Card you can get free and fast track entry into the Vatican Museums, saving you hours of queuing in the summer months. Just flash your card and jump straight to the front. To make your experience even more enjoyable, our advice is visit around midday or 1pm when the early birds are leaving to get lunch which means there might be a lull in numbers. Saying that, it’s always pretty busy so make sure you’re good in crowds. There’s an outdoor area and little café in the grassy courtyard, too, if you need a break – and it’s always nice to sit outside and admire the architecture from a different perspective. If you want something a little different, why not try their Night Time Tours, which run in the summer (May-July and Sept-Oct) when the Vatican Museums are open until 11pm. It's the perfect time to go as you’re guaranteed fewer people and a calmer experience - even if it's at an extra cost. St Peter’s Basilica St Peter’s Basilica is part of the Vatican City however it’s not accessible through the Vatican Museums. For this, you’ll have to queue up under the right hand colonnades of St Peter’s Square and enter from the front of the basilica. Like the Vatican Museums, you must have shoulders and knees covered to be allowed entry. As this is a daily place of worship you must be respectful of those around you. With an OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card you can get a free audio guide and skip the lines to St Peter’s Basilica once you’ve visited the Vatican Museums, to complete your exploration of the Vatican City. Discover more of the Rome and the Holy See with the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card - your indispensable sightseeing pass!
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Our Guide to the Borghese Gallery: Don't Miss Out

Feeling artsy? Check out our guide to the Borghese Gallery See some of the world's most significant pieces of art at Villa Borghese, where the family that the villa is named for cultivated one of the world's most impressive art collections. From early Caravaggios to Bernini's most breathtaking sculptures, there's lots to see here - make sure you see the highlights with our guide to the Borghese Gallery below. David with the Head of Goliath It should come as no surprise that this dark piece of work comes from the mind of Caravaggio, one of the greatest Baroque artists of all time. As with all of his works, the play of light and shadows is one of the most striking things about it. Beyond its biblical references to the story of David slaying the giant Goliath, it's also an allegory for Caravaggio himself who gifted this to Pope Borghese to ask for a murder pardon. Apollo and Daphne These gorgeous sculptures were crafted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a Baroque artist that grew to prominence in the 1600s. These mythological and romantic statues were actually crafted for Scipione Borghese, the founder of the Borghese Gallery - and Bernini was just 24 when he made them. Young Sick Bacchus While this portrait of the Greek god Bacchus has strong mythological ties, Caravaggio actually based it off of his own likeness and is one of his earliest self-portraits. Painted in the dark Baroque style the artist was renowned for, its said that it reflects Caravaggio's own illness for which he was hospitalised for several months. The Rape of Persephone The virtuoso sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini's work fills the halls of Galleria Borghese and The Rape of Persephone is perhaps one of his most visited. Crafted by the artist at just 23 years old, the work depicts the goddess Persephone fighting off the god Hades who eventually steals her away to the underworld to be his wife. It was commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese and while it moved around a bit in its lifetime, it eventually found its way back to the Borghese family in the early 1900s. Venus Victrix It's hard to believe this sculpture is hewn out of marble, as the artist Antonio Canova's work seems as though it is set to take a deep breath and come to life any second. This is one of the most famous sculptures in the Borghese Gallery and has strong historical precedence as well, as the semi-nude was actually based on Pauline Bonaparte - yes, that Bonaparte. (She was Napoleon's sister.) Sacred and Profane Love When discussing the masters of the Borghese Gallery, it's impossible for Titian's name and this particular painting to come up. As one of his earliest outstanding pieces, the contrast between the two women - one clothed and one bare naked - has been highly debated and meaning read and reread into everything from their composition, to their posture, to even what they're holding in their hands. The Deposition Also known famously as The Entombment, this biblical work by a young Raphael exemplifies the best of his early training, including his skills gained from Florentine masters. While the subject matter - the entombment of Christ following his crucifixion - isn't particularly original or groundbreaking, the choice of scene was very left field at the time and proof of his originality.
Megan Hills
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Celebrate the Feast of Saint Anthony Abbott

One of the many celebrated traditions in Rome is the feast of Saint Anthony Abbott, or ‘La Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate’ as it’s called locally. Celebrated on the 17th January it’s the perfect excuse to extend the festivities of the season and banish those January blues after all the excitement of New Years and the Epiphany. To give you a bit of context, originally the Feast of Saint Anthony Abbott stems from the celebration of Anthony, the ‘Father of Monks’, who is believed to be the founder of monarchism. He lived his years in the dessert and dedicated himself to charitable acts and those of piety and assistance. Nowadays the celebration of Saint Anthony Abbott involves street processions, local food stalls and artisan crafts laid in the grounds of the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate and Sant'Eusebio on the Esquiline Hill in Rome. The Church of Sant’Antonio Abate is a medieval 15th century church, nestled around the corner from the grand Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, that used to serve as a hospital and convent church, dedicated to ‘Anthony of Egypt’. From the late 1400s there was a ceremony in honour of Saint Anthony known as the ‘Blessing of the Animals’ that took place at the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate on the 17th January. Unfortunately, as it rose in popularity over the centuries, and after the invention of cars, the livestock was a little endangered as they wandered the grounds of the church. So much so it was decided to move the celebrations around the corner to the piazza outside Sant'Eusebio just to be safe! So whether you’re with or without a pet on your trip to Rome, and especially if you’re an animal lover, make sure you attend this family friendly celebration at the beginning of the year. It’s a good enough reason to continue celebrating for just one more weekend (this year it falls on a Friday) so head up to the Esquiline Hill and explore the ancient churches in the area, participate in the ceremonies and appreciate one of Italy’s longest standing traditions. Don’t forget to take small change so you can make the most of the arts and crafts stalls and take something home as a little reminder! Make the most of your trip to Rome with an OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass. With free and fast track entry to the Vatican and Museums, as well as top attractions such as the Coliseum and the Capitoline Museums, your holiday itinerary is sorted. Hop on a bus tour and get free travel around the city as well, all included in your three day pass. Click here for more information on how you can make your trip all the more memorable.
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