welcome
i hope you find this helpful
my personal recs for Venice!
Hi, welcome soon to Rome!
My name is Rita and I am a wedding and couples’ photographer living near the capital city of Italy! I have been living in the Eternal City (and nearby) for a long long time now, and I believe I can say without a doubt that I know the city quite well. I absolutely love walking around as if I were a tourist, because even after a lifetime, it never ceases to amuse me. I always find streets I have not seen or been before and new points of views of perspectives that give you beautiful views on the most amazing historical sights. As we all know Rome is probably the richest city in terms of history and things to see, I believe we can agree on that. So a couple days may not be enough to experience the city as a whole, but you still might be able to see most of the famous sights.
In this page I want to give you some information and hopefully usefull recommendations of places to go visit, and others to go to eat and drink to have an authentic experience of the Eternal City.
general information
The water coming out from these fountains is drinkable, so I recommend you bring your own water bottle and refill. Rome is full of these all around. Water from the “normal” fountains is NOT drinkable though and you can not bath in them either. Especially don’t buy water from those illegal vendors.
Public transportation in Rome is unfortunately very bad. especially the buses–especially some buses. Those going from Termini to the city center are okay, they are mostly on time, but if you can, I highly recommend you walk for the most part, once you are in the center. Everything is pretty close and you will spare yourselves a lot of time, and ticket fares.
especially on public transportation, be careful about your valuables. Hold your purses close if on bus/metro, and when you walk also, have everything under control. You can never be too safe.
At the moment you are required to wear an FFP2 mask on trains and transports, and to be vaccinated to enter restaurants and bars.
most well-known sight in rome
st mark's square
Like obviously. The most known sight of Rome and all Italy, you can not miss it.
I highly recommend seeing it from outside, it is also pretty cool inside, but unless you do not book the tickets prior to the trip, online, you will have to wait long lines to get in. Early morning (around opening hours) is the best time as there is less people.
Do not engage with those outside wanting to sell you tickets or giving you tickets, asking if you want a tour guide. You can book amazing tours with official guides like on Tripadvisor or “Walks”. If you want a photo with a “gladiator”, just know you’ll have to pay them.
I don’t really recommend eating or having a drink here as it is ridiculously more expensive than anywhere else and it’s only the view. Quality vise it’s not even the best. You can get there from Piazza Venezia by walk or by metro getting off at “Colosseo” station (it’s literally in front of the exit lol).
Make sure you go to the park from where you can a beautiful view on the Colosseum and eventually visit the Domus Aurea too!
riva degli schiavoni
Just above the Fori Imperiali is the Campidoglio (Capitolium which is the seat of the Municipality of Rome), and it has 3 beautiful terraces looking over the Fori Imperiali. I always love to go there either in the morning or afternoon, it’s impressive to see the remains of the fori so small/big! Highly recommended for sunset at Terrazza Caffarelli.
civil ceremony
one of the two locations where you can get officially married in Rome is actually the Sala Rossa in Campidoglio. Not really recommended, it is really dark, and too red. Also, they mostly speak at 100mph to end the ceremony as soon as possible; unromantic as it can be 🙁
rialto bridge
After the visit to the Colosseum, it is almost a normal and walk towards Piazza Venezia, passing in front of the “Fori” on Via dei Fori Imperiali. You don’t need to visit it from below (although it is included in most Colosseum tickets and the view from above is really beautiful), you can also walk by and enjoy looking at it from the street. There are three terraces you can have a look down at it and they’re all magical! (will soon write about these more in detail)
best bacaro places
One of the most delicious and old caffe places near the Pantheon and with incredibly reasonable prices. Highly recommended!
photo from the web
The most old-school and vintage bar you will ever find. The kindest old man working there who will greet you twice by kindness. Close to Piazza Navona and highly recommended.
photo from the web
Sant'Eustacchio
Great coffee but unfortuantely the people working are usually pretty rude. If you do go, you need to tell when asking the coffee if you want it with sugar or not! Coffee is usually good though.
photo from the web
rooftop - fondaco dei tedeschi
For more Rooftop Bars in Rome, please check out the following article (it’s in italian but you can easily find the names on google) : https://tg24.sky.it/lifestyle/2021/10/23/rooftop-bar-roma-aperitivo-terrazza#09
libreria acqua alta
Just above the Fori Imperiali is the Campidoglio (Capitolium which is the seat of the Municipality of Rome), and it has 3 beautiful terraces looking over the Fori Imperiali. I always love to go there either in the morning or afternoon, it’s impressive to see the remains of the fori so small/big! Highly recommended for sunset at Terrazza Caffarelli.
civil ceremony
one of the two locations where you can get officially married in Rome is actually the Sala Rossa in Campidoglio. Not really recommended, it is really dark, and too red. Also, they mostly speak at 100mph to end the ceremony as soon as possible; unromantic as it can be 🙁
some more insights
gondola rides and how to get around
Located symmetrically in the centre of the two hemicycles of Bernini’s colonnade and aligned with the Vatican Obelisk, the “almost” twin fountains are due to the ingenuity of Carlo Maderno, creator of the facade of the Basilica, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a great exponent of the Roman Baroque and brilliant arranger of the square. Close by the fountains, there are two golden manholes that if you stand on them, you will see only 1 colonnade instead of the 4 that there are for real.
On the left of Giardino degli Aranci, you will find Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, designed by the famous engraver Giovan Battista Piranesi in 1765. From the lock of the door that leads to the Villa dei Cavalieri, you can see Saint Peter’s dome, framed by the garden hedges. It’s a wonderful optical “illusion” kind of thing, it’s incredible if you think how well thought out it is! and how far the two places are.
the closer you get to Saint Peter, the smaller the church looks! Go further and it will appear as if it gets bigger!
From here, you can admire the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the extraordinary Michelangelo‘s project, in a magical and unique perspective: walk along the road, keeping your eye on the dome, and the nearer you get, the further away it seems to go. On the other hand, if you move back, the dome appears to get larger and nearer.
It is a bizarre optical illusion, due to the layout of the buildings and observation point, that makes Via Piccolomini a very romantic place and one of the city’s numerous “magnificent deceptions”.
jewish ghetto
If you wander around Villa Borghese and finish at the Terrazza del Pincio, you’ll be overlooking Piazza del Popolo with the twin churches. It’s one of those places where most of the walk start: from there you can go to Via del Corso (shopping street) or Via del Babuino (more high-end) or Via della Scrofa and end at Ara Pacis. You decide. Most of the attractions can be reached walking from here. It’s one of those spots where people usually meet up on Saturday afternoon to go around and shop and have some good time.
stop for a coffee
There are two bars on the side of the churches, pretty fancy. I'd recommend the right one (watching the churches) even if they're not the kindest people. Also, don't sit down, it will cost you a lot and the view is not that worth it-- better at Pantheon or Navona to splurge a bit!
useful links
a few links that convey more tips and useful ideas of places to go see. Venice is so huge and there is so much to see. I know I forgeot to incluse things.
BURANO
The Pantheon with the oculus on the top and Piazza Navona are just a few minutes of walk away from each other. It is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings, in large part because it has been in continuous use throughout its history. It includes the tombs of Italy’s kings and also Raffaello’s. You’ll feel reeeeeeally small…
Did you know that for Pentecost sunday, the fireman walk up to the oculus, and launch a great amount of rose petals down to the Pantheon?! It’s really impressive, a rain of rose petals.
MURANO
Piazza Navona is just a few steps from the Pantheon and it was built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in the 1st century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium. The ancient Romans went there to watch the “games”, and hence it was known as a “competition arena”. Today it’s a gorgeous square with restaurants (not recommended) and the fountains to admire. The surrounding little streets are adorable and colorful; Via Dei Coronari just behind the Piazza is the antiques street.
amor.vincit.omnia
all are welcome
Destination wedding and elopement photographer based in Rome, Italy – traveling everywhere in Italy and abroad.
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