Independently we go to Rome: trips, travel, rest, shopping. What to see in Rome yourself, what areas?

What do you need to know for an independent trip to Rome? Transport, food, security, housing - all the most useful read in this article.

How to get from the airport to Rome by yourself?

By train to Rome

Rome's main airport is called Leonardo da Vinci and is located 30 km from Rome in the suburbs of Fiumicino - often called it. There are 5 terminals at the airport, flights from Russia usually arrive at Terminals 1 and 3. For more information, see the schedule of flights, description of airport services and location of terminals here.

Fiumicino Airport, Rome, Italy

The fastest way to get from the airport of Rome to the city center is by express express train "Leonardo"( Leonardo Express).It will take you to Termini station for 14 euros for only half an hour without stops and transfers. The station can be found under the signs "Railway Station" or simply "Train".Tickets are sold at the ticket offices and vending machines directly at the station. The line operates from 6 am to 11:30 pm.

Leonardo Express( fast speed train)

Also from the airport( from the same station) you can reach the remote areas of Rome, Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina. To do this, you need to purchase tickets not a regional train for Treno Regionale or TrenItalia, the price is around $ 8-10 per person. Travel time will be longer than at Leonardo, as regional trains travel slower and with intermediate stops.

Train timetable in Rome

More information on the timetable for regional trains can be found here.

Regional train TrenItalia

Before boarding a train, you need to validate your ticket in a special machine. However, if you did not find the machine or it was broken( this happens), you can assure the ticket to the controller manually.

Train ticket TrenItalia

Important. In Italy, unlike other European countries, you can often find non-working machines, closed( for unknown reasons) cash registers, non-compliance with schedules, errors in tickets issued and similar situations. Therefore, do not be lazy to double-check your travel cards, always carry a credit card( if the machine does not accept cash and the cash desk is closed) and cash( if the cashier does not have a terminal for servicing bank cards), and keep in mind that the train canto be late.

Train Trains for Train TrenItalia

By bus to Rome. Bus timetable for Rome

The most economical way to get from Fiumicino airport to Rome is by bus. The price for the ticket is only 4 euros, the journey time is about 1.5-2 hours on average. Buses, like trains, do not work at night. The bus station is located at the exit from Terminal No.3.More information about the bus service can be found here.

Bus from Fiumicino Airport to Rome

The main areas of Rome and their features - where to stay for accommodation? Map of Rome

For accommodation in Rome, it is worth choosing hotels located in the historical center( see map), since everything that is located outside it will take up too much time for you to travel( taking into account the unessentiality of Italian transport and congestion of Rome by traffic flowsthis can become a significant problem, and ultimately spoil the holiday).

Rome, Italy

Termini Station Termini

Termini is the most economical and noisiest area in Rome( see map).It is ideal for those who stayed in Rome for a short time and tries to see as much as possible in a few days. Termini is a huge transport hub from where you can get to any point in Rome, as well as to places of interest in the suburbs.

Termini Station, Rome, Italy

There are many inexpensive cafes in the vicinity of the station, there are shops operating late, information kiosks;here all sightseeing buses stop, two main branches of the metro cross. In the area of ​​Termini, there are many inexpensive, economical hotels with a convenient location. It is not necessary to wait here for some special comfort( however, most hotels in Rome are quite specific).Here stop those who come to the hotel only to spend the night, but spend most of their time in the city.

Station Square Termini, Rome

Monti District

Monti( Monti) is the most bohemian and underground district in Rome. Despite the fact that the district is located in the center of the city, there are not many tourists here, as in other areas. In Monti a completely unique atmosphere of free artists;a lot of shops where you can buy unique handmade products from bags and clothes to interior items, a motley Hipster audience;a slow and measured rhythm of contemplation and friendly communication.

Monti - the most bohemian and underground district of Rome

The prices here are moderate, there are attractions, fashion boutiques, restaurants and cafes of different caliber and local grocery stores. The best option for living in Monti is rented apartment( options are available here)

Monti district, Rome, Italy

Trevi district

Trevi( Trevi) is the most expensive, noisy, crowded area that is full of attractions and prestigious establishments - from hotels toshops. Living here is not cheap, the prices for everything from food and living to household things are much higher than in other parts of Rome.

Trevi( Trevi) - the most expensive, noisy, populous area of ​​Rome

But Trevi - as they say, "the most tsimes": here is the famous street boutiques of Via Nazionale, Trevi Fountain, Baberini Palace;In addition, Trevi is the area where the main state institutions of Italy and Rome are located, including the presidential residence.

Trevi Streets, Rome

Settled here, you are guaranteed to have a "luxury" service, a view of the most famous sights of Rome, but at the same time you are guaranteed a round-the-clock noise and a pandemonium of tourists under the windows.

Trevi Streets, Rome

Borgo Borough

Borgo( Borgo) , although it belongs to the historical center of Rome Roma Centro, but it is somewhat remote from the rest of the districts. The main attraction here is the Vatican, with all the attributes attached: St. Peter's Cathedral, pilgrims, Swiss guardsmen and the atmosphere of measured peace, inherent in all religious centers of the world.

Borgo( Borgo) - area adjacent to the Vatican

If your goal is the Vatican, then definitely worth settling here. But if you intend to fulfill the entire "mandatory" tourist program of Rome, it may be better to choose another district. If you decide to settle in the Borgo area, choose apartments and apartments for living, they are much cheaper than hotels.

Borgo district, Rome, Italy

Campitelli district

Campitelli is perhaps the most ancient historical district of Rome. It is from here that the Eternal City of Rome begins, from the ruins of a Roman forum that reached its heyday under Emperor Augustus.

Campitelli - the oldest historical district of Rome

In the Roman forum there was also a "golden mile stone"( the reference point of all distances in the Roman Empire) and "the navel of the city", denoting the center of the universe of the Roman conquests. Here is the Capitol Hill, very near the Colosseum.

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

This is not the most expensive area, you can find acceptable prices for accommodation, but you need to know that the oldest buildings in the city are in Campitelli. Hotels and apartments in this area are in such an Old Testament condition that they can cause domestic shock. Before you book accommodation, be sure to specify all the details: the availability of amenities, the size of the room and similar questions.

Houses in the area of ​​Campitelli, Rome, Italy

Celio district

Celio is in all respects a very convenient neighborhood: in the very center, not far from the Colosseum, inexpensive, with well-developed infrastructure, with democratic prices and friendly public, very quietand cozy, despite the center.

Celio is an excellent area in the center of Rome

But there is one significant nuance: this area is very popular with non-traditional people. If you are an ardent opponent of same-sex love, you will be very uncomfortable here. Conversely, if you belong to the so-called "minorities", Celio is your only option. Nightlife here is a key, all the bars and institutions operate under the guise of "gay-friends."

Area Celio, Rome, Italy

Area Parione

Parione( Parione) is another old district located in the heart of Rome in the place of the ancient city, however, from those times there was nothing left. The area is almost completely rebuilt in the XVIII-XIX centuries, some buildings belong to the Middle Ages.

Parione is an old district in the very center of Rome.

Parione very successfully combines large noisy squares( for example, Navona Square) and quiet cobbled streets, expensive designer boutiques and democratic brands for young people.

Streets in the area of ​​Campo de Fiori, Rome

If desired, here you can find accommodation and food for any wallet. The main charm of Parion is its unique local flavor, especially in the market of Campo de Fiori.

Campo de Fiori market, Rome, Italy

Pinha and Sant'Eustachio districts

Pigna( Pigna) is a small area located in the historic core of Rome, near Campitelli. Pinyou can be called a rather expensive place. There are many gourmet restaurants, super-fashionable clothing boutiques and accessories. This area is loved by tourists, shopaholics, and local people.

Pigna - small area in the historic center of Rome

Sant Eustachio is also a tiny area adjacent to Pigna on one side and to the Trevi and Campitelli regions on the other. This is not the best place to live, because, firstly, it is expensive, and secondly, there are too many people here: St. Eustachio is located between the most popular historical districts of Rome, so that an incredible number of tourists scurry around it day and night.

Sant Eustachio, Rome

District Column and Testaccio

Colonna is the most elegant and respectable area of ​​Rome. In the Column is located Via del Corso - the most fashionable and expensive street of the city, here are the most fashionable restaurants and the highest concentration of wealthy public.

Colonna - the most refined and respectable area of ​​Rome

Testaccio( Testaccio) - the most crazy district in Rome. There are not too many sights here, but they are not the main thing here. Nightlife is teeming in Testaccio, this is the most popular place for local youth, and recently more and more visitors are discovering local institutions for themselves. Here are very reasonable prices, a friendly democratic public and a fairly pleasant atmosphere.

Testaccio - the most craziest part of Rome

The big plus of Testaccio is that, unlike the center, there are much more locals here than tourists, which allows you to preserve local flavor and authenticity.

Area Testaccio, Rome

Regions and Sant'Angelo Regions

Regola is an area along the right bank of the Tiber River. This is the most medieval area in Rome. There are many small cobbled streets, old buildings are very organically intertwined with later buildings, and in the alleys there are the best craft shops of Rome where you can find absolutely stunning handmade products.

Regola - the most medieval part of Rome

Sant'Angelo( Sant-Angelo) is one of the most cozy and charming areas of the old city. It is here that you can see the famous ropes with linens stretched across the street, traditional local cafes where everyone knows each other and lunch in a cafe is more like a family meal than a catering establishment.

Sant'Angelo( Sant-Angelo) - one of the most cozy areas of Rome

In Sant'Angelo you can easily meet those most traditional Italians who in conversation actively gesture with their hands and try to outshout each other. The area was formed in the Middle Ages as a closed Jewish ghetto, and since then there has been a unique atmosphere of one big and noisy Italian family.

Region of Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy

Area of ​​Trastevere

Trastevere( Trastevere) is the most Italian and authentic of all areas of Rome. If you want to see the local life not from the window of the tourist bus, but from the inside, be sure to find a variant of accommodation in Trastevere. Most likely, it will be a rented apartment, as there are not too many tourists and hotels here. The more valuable is the beauty of medieval streets, not trampled by crowds of visitors.

Trastevere( Trastevere) - the most Italian of all areas of Rome

In the morning, numerous shops and family restaurants open the doors, where you will be greeted two days later, as with an old friend. At night, clubs and bars open the doors, street artists and musicians fill the area. Prices here are democratic, so Trastevere is a good option for a budgetary but impressive holiday.

Area Trastevere( Trastevere), Rome, Italy

Food in Rome. Food in Rome

The cheapest option is local supermarkets, where various cuts and semi-finished products are sold, as well as ready-made simple dishes such as pasta with meat or fried fish with potatoes. Such a dinner will cost only 3-5 euros, and the quality will be quite edible.

Food in Rome

By the way, in the shops of Italy it is not customary to touch vegetables and fruits with bare hands( some people like to check fruit on ripeness with hands).For such manipulations, there are special gloves that you can find next to the counter.

Grocery stores in Rome

In street shops and markets it is believed that the seller himself will offer you the best product, so here it is not accepted to touch anything or tell the seller what kind of apple you put on the scales.

Rome's food markets

The price of a street cafe in the center will cost at least 20-25 euros per person, in the areas of Trastevere, Campo d Fiori, Celio or Testaccio, prices will be slightly lower, from 12-15 euros. The main criterion for choosing an institution is the number of local residents dinning here( the more, the better) and remoteness from the most popular tourist places.

Restaurants in Rome, Italy

Very popular pizzerias, which can be found in every area on every corner. Pizza in them is very high quality and delicious, a huge selection of options, you can buy pizza in slicing in separate pieces.

Pizzeria in Rome, Italy

In all cafes and restaurants in Rome, there is a rule of the rack: if you are served at a bar counter, the same dish or cup of coffee will cost you much less than a full service at a separate table.

A street cafe in Rome

There are lots of fountains in Rome, most of them are drinking water( see tablets), so you can save on water: always carry a pair of plastic bottles with you and replenish your water supplies for free.

Drinking fountains in Rome

In Rome there are so-called enotecs( wine libraries), which are exclusively for wine tasting. It is customary to come here in the evening after work and close company to drink a bottle or two for heartfelt talk. There is no food in the enotecas as such, but you will be offered light snacks according to the drinks.

Enotecks ​​in Rome

Portions in Rome are simply huge, consider this fact when ordering meals( except - gourmet restaurants).More often than not, our tourists can only eat one dish, so if you like complex lunches( soup, hot, dessert), order one lunch for two or even three, because the size of the dishes will be fantastic.

Cuisine of Rome

Many institutions have so-called "happy hours"( happy hours), when lunch or dinner is cheaper than at other times. Usually this is a fixed time interval, for example, from 13 to 14 and from 19 to 20. You can clarify this issue with the staff.

Restaurants in Rome, happy hours

Tipping in Italy is not obligatory, as they are already included in the account of the institution. But if the service was great, and you want to thank the staff separately, you can leave a reward at your discretion.

Waiters in Rome

Transportation in Rome

Rome Metro Scheme

Rome is not a very big metro, but besides the metro, the route includes ground-based electric trains. You can download the schematic in good quality here. The Metropolitan operates from 5:30 am to 23:30 at night, on weekends the work time is extended to 00:30.

Metropolitan in Rome

Passes are sold in tobacco kiosks, vending machines and ticket offices at the entrance to the metro. They are suitable for travel on all types of transport and are of several types: 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days. The validity period is counted from the moment when you will validate the ticket before the first trip on the transport.

Metropolitan in Rome

Buses in Rome

The number of bus routes in Rome is huge. There are day and night routes( there are much fewer nights).Tickets are sold in tobacco kiosks, it is more profitable to purchase a single pass for all types of transport for several days. The driver tickets are never sold, unlike other European countries. Details about the buses and the cost of travel can be read here.

Buses in Rome

Taxi in Rome

Taxi of Rome is first expensive, and secondly, in most cases you will be deceived. Officially, passengers can only be transported by licensed cabs, but it is difficult for a foreigner to understand such subtleties, so they often fall prey to private traders who seek to strip away three hides from the newcomer and do not care too much about the height of the service.

Taxi in Rome

The official taxis in Rome are painted white, the emblem of the transport company( and there are only two in Rome) is necessarily on the driver's door. The licensed taxi drivers have a machine equipped with counters, they do not bargain and quickly call you the fare without offering discounts or additional conditions. The fare is higher at night and on weekends.

Taxi in Rome

Important. A trip within the city limits can not exceed 70 euros, including the road from Fiumcino airport to the hotel.

To catch a taxi on the street in Rome is not accepted, besides there is a risk to run into private traders. The car can be found on numerous parking lots in the city center( they are equipped with a "TAXI" sign), or call 060609( remember you will need to give the exact address of your location), or send a text message to 3666000159 with the date, exact time andmachine delivery addresses( be sure to wait for confirmation that your order is accepted).

Taxi in Rome

What to buy in Rome? Shopping

The main shopping streets in the center of Rome

• Via del Corso and the surrounding streets. Here you can find clothes and accessories of different brands and price categories. You can reach Via del Corso by metro( metro Flaminio, branch A)
• Via Nazionale starts from Termini Station and ends at Venice Square. Here in addition to the most diverse promoted brands, you can find special brands of clothing of large sizes and options for people with non-standard figure

Clothing store in Via del Corso, Rome

• Via Cola di Rienzo in addition to clothing offers a huge selection of leather goods and footwear,as well as jewelry. You can get to this street on line C to the station. Ottaviano
• On the Campo di Fiori you can find a lot of shops with very interesting youth clothing, including from the beginning designers, many options are sold in a single copy.
• All stores in area of ​​Spain( Piazza di Spagna) have the status of "premium", "VIP" and are designed for a very wealthy audience. Here are presented all the famous fashion houses, specializing in elite clothing for elite clients.

Shops on Via Nazionale, Rome

Sale in Rome

Sale in Rome is held twice a year: from January to February and from July to August. Sales only concern inexpensive democratic brands, as luxury brands usually have regular customers who, without advertising, buy goods at a reduced price.

Sale in Rome

Discounts in the season of sales start from 15-30% and to the end reach up to 70-80%, however, all the best buy out, of course, in the first weeks. In outlets, goods at a reduced price can be found at any time of the year.

Map of Rome in Russian

Map of Rome in Russian with the most popular shops in the city center here.

Shopping in Rome, Italy

Most popular shopping centers and outlets in Rome

Castel Romano Designer( Castel Romano Designer Outlet) is a huge outlet 25 km from Rome where you can buy almost anything from clothing to electronics at very democratic prices.

Outlet Castel Romano Designer Outlet, Rome

In addition to the shopping arcade itself, there are playgrounds, a cafe, a sewing studio where you can tailor the items you bought exactly to the figure, as well as a huge parking lot and a bank branch.

Outlet Castel Romano Designer Outlet, Rome

You can reach the outlet by bus from Termini Station, as well as book a private transfer directly from the hotel's doors( order must be made in advance).More details of the schedule, the scheme of retail space and additional services can be found here.

Outlet Castel Romano Designer Outlet, Rome

Fashion District Valmontone Outlet is another excellent outlet, which, however, is located a little further from Rome, 40 km. It is the second largest trading city in the world, so visiting Valtmontone outlet will take you all day.

Outlet Fashion District Valmontone Outlet

The infrastructure from playgrounds and catering to bank branches and transportation services is also quite developed here. There is a regular bus and train to Valmontone from Termini Station. More information about the outlet can be found here.

Outlet Fashion District Valmontone Outlet

The main attractions of Rome and its environs. Sightseeing in Rome

The easiest way to look at the sights of Rome and not overpay for the services of guides are special sightseeing buses. For those who are first in Rome, such a bus will allow you to navigate in a huge number of attractions and choose the most interesting objects for yourself. Excursion buses in Rome

Sightseeing buses go on a circular route from the sights to the sights. You can get off at any stop, inspect the facility and take the next bus on this route. If desired, for an additional fee, you can take an audio guide, which in Russian will tell you the introductory information about each of the attractions on the route.

Excursions in Rome

The most popular bus routes of Rome

• City Sightseeing: buses run on the route from 09:00 to 19:00, the ticket price is about 20 euros( children are given discounts), the bus interval is every 20 minutes, the timetravel all along the route - 1,5 hours. More detailed information can be found on the official website of

City Sightseeing tour buses

• Rome OpenTour: you can go on the route from 09:00 to 16:00, the price of a daily ticket is about 20 euros, you can buy a ticket for several days( children are provideddiscounts), bus interval - every 40 minutes, travel time for the whole route - 2 hours. For more information, see here

Tour buses Rome OpenTour, Rome

Communications and the Internet in Rome

Mobile communication in Rome, as in all of Italy, is quite expensive. There are two options for the tariff: the calculation of the fact of the services provided( in this case you will need a lot of additional information about yourself: account number, home address and the like), or a mobile connection with a prepayment is the most convenient form for tourists. You can buy a SIM card in any cell phone, or in tobacco and newspaper kiosks.

Mobile connection in Rome

It is much more profitable and easier to use the free Wi-Fi entry points that are available in many cafes and restaurants, shopping centers, near government offices and popular tourist destinations.

Internet connection in Rome

Security in Rome

• Beware of pickpockets in crowded places, do not carry valuables, documents and money in a backpack behind or in the back pocket of the
• . Racers in Rome use motorcyclists who tear bags off the tourists on the go;try not to walk too close to a busy road or carry a bag thrown over your shoulder so that it can not be snatched from your hand or ripped off your shoulders.

Motorcyclists in Rome

• There have been cases when, after paying an invoice in a restaurant, tourists were required to repay the bill, makingthe view that there was no payment
• Sometimes thieves meet tourists at the door of the hotel in the guise of employees and offer to carry baggage. Do not trust your suitcases to outsiders if you are not quite sure about them

Safety rules in Rome

• If you pay for transportation in advance, prepare a trifle in order not to advertise a purse in public places.
• Sometimes things lost in a hotel in Rome are lost. Another important point - the washing time always takes more than a day, so do not hand over things on the eve of departure, you can not get them

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