A Solo-Traveller's Guide to Rome

By Megan Hills

Heading out on your own? Here's a solo-traveller's guide to Rome to help you along.

Rome is a city that rewards travellers taking on its incredible sights and culture on their own, with so much to see and do. It always helps to be prepared before heading anywhere new however and we've put together a little solo-traveller's guide to Rome for anyone aspiring to their own Eat, Pray, Love adventure below.

Getting Around

Rome has a pretty advanced public transport system, though walking is the best way to see the city and really get a feel for the infectious atmosphere of the place. With public buses running 24 hours across the best tourist attractions, tourists can buy tickets that cover rides on the buses and metro (which isn't that extensive, with only a few lines). Taxis are also a popular way to get around, however mind that some drivers are known to scam unsuspecting tourists so keep an eye on the metre as you zoom through the streets. If you want to see the sights without the stress of navigating the city, there's a great Hop On Hop Off bus tour that departs from Termini Station and St. Peter's Basillica. Spanning places like the Coliseum, Circus Maximus and Piazza Navona, it's an easy way to explore the city and the ride also provides audio commentary on the key landmarks you'll pass.

Staying Safe

While Rome is generally safe, tourists are routinely subject to scams and pickpocketing so it helps to be vigilant when travelling. Make sure you know where your valuables are at all time, especially around big tourist sites and in busy crowds. As mentioned earlier, sometimes taxi drivers will try for a little more money than they should by adjusting metres or using other scams so it's worth keeping an eye out for that.

Cultural Stops

Rome overflows with culture and history, with stunning works of architecture and rich museums adding splashes of colour to the diverse city. Religion and art are closely intertwined in the capital and it's no secret that the Vatican City frequently tops every tourist's list, with Michelangelo's stunning frescoes at the Sistine Chapel and the towering structure of St Peter's Basilica set to amaze. Diving even further back into the city's past, travellers can trace the legacy of ancient Rome at places like the Coliseum and the Capitoline Museums providing a glimpse of its glorious past.

Culinary Experiences

If you're travelling to Italy, foregoing that no-carb diet is a given. Cheesy pastas are a must when coming to Rome (which happens to be the birthplace of carbonara) and particular dishes include bucatini al'amatriciana, a kind of pasta which is hollow all the way through and cooked with tomatoes, peppers and pancetta, as well as the simple comforts of a plate of cacio e pepe, a Pecorino Romano cheese and pepper dish. Other unexpected treats include deep fried artichokes, popularised by the city's Jewish community, and the city's predilection towards offal - a delight for adventurous eaters. Wine connoisseurs will be absolutely at home in the capital, with numerous high quality bottles stocked at every restaurant and wine tastings available for those looking to hone their knowledge. Looking for some culinary inspiration for your trip? Check out our Top 10 Rome Foods you must try!
Megan Hills
Rome Travel Expert

Continue reading

Blog

City Break: Long Weekend in Rome

Spending a long weekend in Rome? Make the most of your time with this quick guide to the Italian capital. Rome is a city that overflows with culture, with religious landmarks and artistic masterpieces on every corner. While this all sounds fantastic and is the stuff a culture vulture's dream vacation is made of, identifying the city's highlights and planning an itinerary for a long weekend in Rome is no small task. To make things easier, we've done the legwork for you below. Tonnarelli cacio e pepe #homemade #cacioepepe #cucinaitaliana #italianfood #primoitaliano #cucinaresano #sundaydinner #sundaymood #cooking #primiromani #pecorinoromano #tonnarelli #tonnarellicacioepepe #romefood #italianfood #italianstyle #foodporn #foodblogger #yummyfood #delicious #ciboitaliano A post shared by @lacucinaconamore on Mar 19, 2017 at 1:59pm PDT What to Eat When in Rome, do as the Romans do and indulge yourself in carbs. Unsurprisingly, homemade pastas are the name of the game in the Italian capital and carbonara is a must in the birthplace of the recipe. For simple comforts, try Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe (a peppery cheesy pasta) or Bucatini all’Amatriciana, a meaty, tomato-based dish using hollow pasta strings called bucatini. Fried appetizers such as artichokes, suppli and zucchini flowers are a great way to kick off a meal and if you're feeling adventurous, try a quinto quarto dish comprised of offal. Don't forget to bookmark our guide to Top 10 Rome Foods you must try when visiting the capital! Where to Go The Vatican City Regardless of your religious background, the Rome's holy city within a city never fails to amaze with its stunning architecture and range of Renaissance art. Filled with churches and museums, it's worth braving the hordes of tourists to see Michelangelo's breathtaking frescos across the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and find Botticelli's masterpieces scattered across the Vatican Museums. After that, venture to St Peter's Basilica and climb its intricate spire for a view over the city and see the papal throne at the Basilica of St John Lateran. For a glimpse of the Pope on Sunday, arrive early at St Peter's Square to see him read the Angelus prayer from his window. Things to See Colosseum Named for the gigantic statue of Emperor Nero that once stood nearby, this gigantic Roman stadium is a legacy of the capital's ancient past. Where gladiators and bloodthirsty spectators once roamed within its walls, tourists can now discover the history of its entertainment and see the remains of its glorious architecture. ☀️🇮🇹 #Rome #pretty #trevifountain A post shared by Fran Howes☀️ (@frannhowes) on Mar 22, 2017 at 12:12am PDT Trevi Fountain Sometimes the best tourist sites in life are free and the grand Trevi Fountain is one of them, with images of its pristine white marble sculptures and coin-filled waters featuring in every guide book. Participate in a Roman tradition by turning your back to the fountain and tossing a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand - it's said that this will ensure you'll return to Rome in the future. Roman Forum Featured in blockbuster movies such as The Talented Mr. Ripley, the once great Roman Forum now stands in ruins and serves as a popular tourist highlight. Located in Capitoline Hills, once you've basked in the remains of its tall columns and massive expanse, it's worth heading over to the Capitoline Museums to see the legacy of ancient Roman art. Vittorio Emanuele II National Museum Rome, Italy #rome #museum #italy #backpacker #backpacking #travel #traveller #travelling A post shared by TK (@tk085) on Nov 26, 2015 at 10:45am PST National Museum of Rome Spread across four separate buildings, the National Museum of Rome encompasses the history of Rome's architectural contributions, artistic past and evolution of culture. While the widespread nature of the collection makes seeing all of it a frustrating task, those short on time should prioritise seeing the darling of the museum, the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, which boasts a superb range of ancient Roman art.
Megan Hills
Blog

Top Five Places to Picnic in Rome

Now that it’s hotting up, Rome is one of the most picture-perfect places to have a picnic and to indulge in the food the country’s famous for. From stone-baked pizzas, fresh buffalo mozzarella, to deep red tomatoes and arancini rice balls, Rome is the best place for finger food! To make the most of the weather and to see some of the best cityscapes Rome has to offer, we put our heads together to come up with our five favorite picnic spots from the lush and verdant parks, to the banks of the River Tiber. 1. Isola Tiberina 2. Villa Borghese 3. Monte Gianicolo 4. Gardens around the Catacombs of San Callisto Slightly outside Rome are the ancient Catacombs of San Callisto, which are worth a visit regardless with your Roma Pass. These Ancient Roman are the largest in Rome with over 20km of tunnels underground and are a fascinating insight into Rome’s important archaeology. But above ground is the Appia Antica which now considered is a large heritage park along Rome’s oldest roads – so there are plenty of ruins to marvel at. Take shelter and unroll your picnic mat under the natural Cyprus and palm trees – you'll completely forget that you’re in Rome! 5. Campo di Fiori As one of the original food and flower markets in Rome, Campo di Fiori is a chaotic and sometimes overwhelming experience, but worth it to see local vendors in action, true Roman dialect and of course to sample fresh produce. For anyone who wants supplies for an all-authentic Roman picnic, start at Campo di Fiori and you won’t regret it. With a range of stalls selling olives, cheeses, and fruit and vegetables stock up while you can and stop off at one of the local wine shops for something to wash it down with. Buon appetito! Consider picking up an Omnia Rome and Vatican Pass, and make the most of your very own Roman Holiday with all the best sights of the in one package. It even includes a travelcard so you can move around Rome with ease.
Go City Expert
Blog

A Movie Lover's Guide to Rome

Have your own cinematic adventure with our movie lover's guide to Rome. From adrenaline pumping chase sequences to delicate romance scenes, the Italian capital is a city that seems almost built for film with gorgeous architecture and charismatic streets on every corner. The likes of Audrey Hepburn, Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks have frequented its landmarks in memorable scenes, find out where some of them are and check them out for yourself with our movie lover's guide to Rome! Castel Sant'Angelo The Castel Sant'angelo with all its dramatic architecture and stunning religious iconography plays a backdrop to the heart pounding finale of Angels and Demons. Originally a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and his descendants, it has since lived other lives as a castle, a fortress and is now a popular tourist attraction. Villa Borghese Elizabeth Gilbert's famous novel Eat, Pray, Love and its famous adaptation starring Julia Roberts is an autobiography about a woman who leaves everything she knows behind after a crippling divorce, setting off to see the best of the world. It's no surprise she stops at Rome and in a mellow scene, orders gelato and wanders the meticulous greenery of Villa Borghese. Capitoline Museums/Roman Forum After an incredibly tense and violent arc in the movie The Talented Mr. Ripley, a young Matt Damon takes in a hillside view of what remains of the Roman Forum from Capitoline Hills. He also ventures inside the Capitoline Museums, where the broken pieces of once great statues on display heightens the melancholy tone. Wanting to be here right now. #spanishsteps A photo posted by Ruben Torres Jr (@rubent334) on Feb 7, 2017 at 1:21pm PST The Spanish Steps It's hard to forget the sight of Audrey Hepburn, dressed in an iconic crisp white shirt and full skirt, wandering the Spanish Steps with a gelato in hand in Roman Holiday. It's no surprise these beautiful steps play the backdrop to an offbeat romance, with a reporter played by Gregory Peck chasing after Hepburn's Princess Ann to charm her into a news story that will make him rich. Classic Rome (and photobomb by @styleconceptblog) #ThePantheon A photo posted by David Brown (@davidbrown30) on Feb 4, 2017 at 8:49am PST The Pantheon The location scouts behind Ocean's Twelve went into overdrive finding the perfect places for the heist movie, with scenes filmed everywhere from Berlin to Illinois. With a number of scenes played out in Rome, a particularly early one includes a café in the Pantheon's Piazza della Rotonda where Brad Pitt makes a narrow escape while kickstarting a romance with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Trevi Fountain It's no surprise that the Trevi Fountain is a popular location choice for filmmakers, as it practically begs to be filmed with its Baroque details and flowing water. Starring in films such as the epic La Dolce Vita where Anita Ekberg seduces Marcello Mastroianni as well as lower brow movies such as The Lizzie McGuire Movie, where the titular character makes a wish in the fountain, it never fails to capture an audience's imagination. Coliseum It's only fitting that a place built for the purpose of spectacle plays a part in many films, including previously mentioned titles like Roman Holiday, Eat Pray Love and Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr's romance Only You. It only takes a quick exterior shot of this massive structure in a film to symbolise Rome and its grand history.
Megan Hills

Dreaming of that Rome city break?

Sign up to receive top travel tips

Thick check Icon