Introduction
Rome is a city I didn’t just visit — I experienced it in completely different ways.
The first time was during COVID with my family, when the city was almost empty and felt incredibly calm and surreal. The second time was with a friend, and Rome showed its other side: lively, chaotic, and deeply social, with spontaneous nights, endless food spots, and long evenings in Irish pubs.
Since then, I’ve combined personal experiences with local tips and recommendations to create this guide — a mix of iconic highlights, hidden gems, food spots, and practical advice to help you experience Rome beyond the typical tourist path.
Activities & Sights
Rome is basically one big open-air museum — the best plan is to walk and let the city surprise you.
Must-sees (and actually worth it)
• Colosseum
→ Iconic, obviously
→ Photo tip: walk up the small stairs at Via Nicola Salvi for a slightly elevated, less crowded view.
Looking for the most Instagrammable spots in Rome? Read THIS article.
• Pantheon
→ One of the most impressive buildings in Rome (and free entry)
• Trevi Fountain
→ Always crowded but still magical → go early morning or late at night
• Spanish Steps
→ Lively, great for people-watching
Historic area (super underrated detail)
• Portico degli Dei Consenti
→ Located near the Roman Forum
Here you’ll find multiple ancient sites close together:
• Temple of Saturn
• Clivus Capitolinus
• Remains of the Roman Forum
→ Feels like stepping back into ancient Rome without the same crowds everywhere
Lively squares & atmosphere
• Piazza Navona
→ One of the nicest squares in Rome
→ Includes Fontana del Moro
→ Perfect for a drink and people-watching
• Campo de’ Fiori
→ Full of restaurants and bars
→ Very lively, especially in the evening → you’ll likely come back multiple times
Parks & chill spots
• Monti District
→ Trendy area with a small square/park vibe
→ In the evenings: often street musicians → super cozy atmosphere
• Tempio di Esculapio
→ Hidden gem in Villa Borghese park
→ Calm, romantic, perfect break from the city
• Pincio (Pincian Terrace)
→ One of the best viewpoints in Rome
→ Overlooks Piazza del Popolo
→ Perfect for sunset
• Monte Sacro
→ More local, less touristy area
→ Nice if you want to escape the busy city center
The perfect walk (DO THIS)
Start at Piazza Navona →
walk towards the river →
cross Ponte Umberto I →
→ amazing view over the city
Continue via Via Ulpiano →
towards Castel Sant’Angelo →
pass Piazza Adriana →
then Piazza Pia →
finish at Ponte Sant’Angelo
→ Especially beautiful at sunset
Day trip / escape
• Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica
→ Ancient Roman city, definitely worth visiting
→ Much quieter than Rome itself
• Beach: Lido di Ostia Levante (Spiaggia Il Curvone)
→ Super easy to reach from Rome:
→ Direct train from Porta San Paolo to Lido Centro
→ Around 30–35 minutes by train
→ Distance: about 25–30 km from the city
→ Trains run every ±30 minutes
→ Perfect quick escape from the city heat!
Food & Drinks
Go-to area
• Campo de’ Fiori
→ Restaurants + bars everywhere
→ Always a good vibe
Extra spot (hidden gem)
• Shisha Roof Garden Café de Anatolia
→ Take the elevator up to the bar
→ Beautiful view over the city
→ Especially nice at sunset
Where to eat (local vibes)
• Tonnarello
→ Very popular for classic Roman pasta
→ Known for cacio e pepe
• Domus Locanda Conviviale
→ More refined but still very local
→ Great for a proper Italian dinner
• Osterias (general tip)
→ Look for traditional “osteria” spots
→ This is where you’ll find authentic Roman food
What to eat
• Cacio e pepe
• Carbonara
• Pizza
→ Best strategy: share everything (half-half)
Nightlife
• Irish pub (international crowd)
→ chaotic, fun, party vibes
→ very easy to meet people
Personal highlights
• Sharing pizza & pasta every meal
• Endless beers in the Irish pub
• Eating incredibly well for surprisingly low prices
Social & Connections
• Very social city → easy to meet people
• Mix of locals + travelers
• Irish pubs = easiest place to connect
• Nights often turn spontaneous
Tips & Tricks (Combined)
• Walk everywhere → Rome is best discovered accidentally
• Avoid restaurants right next to major attractions
• Look for slightly hidden streets → better food, better prices
• Combine sightseeing with wandering → don’t rush
• Sunset walks = must
• Rome can feel chaotic, but that’s part of the charm
Reflection / Notes
Rome is one of those places that feels completely different depending on how you experience it.
The first time I went, I was there with my family during COVID. The city was almost empty, which made it feel unreal in the best way possible. There were no queues, no crowds, and we could see everything so easily. It was calm, quiet, and honestly something that will probably never happen again — a real once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The second time was completely different. I went with a friend, and the whole energy of the trip changed. It was more chaotic, more social, and way more spontaneous. Our days turned into nights without really planning anything — just going with the flow. We spent hours in an Irish pub drinking endless beers, shared pizza and pasta at almost every meal (always half-half), and wandered through the city discovering new places without even trying. At one point we even escaped the city and went to the beach, which made the whole trip feel even more varied and fun.
Same city, completely different experience — and that’s exactly what makes Rome so special.
What makes Rome special
• There is always more to discover
• The food is insanely good everywhere
• You can mix culture, partying, and relaxing
• It’s way less expensive than expected if you do it right
Personal takeaway
Rome is not a “one-time visit” city.
You go once for the highlights…
and then you go back for the lifestyle.
