Rome: tips for the 5 great classics

Have you never been to Rome either? For all Rome beginners, I’ve put together a few tips here: what to see, a few important and less important sights, important tips and a few first impressions. My tips for Rome, by the way, you can visit well on a weekend just as!

Rome tips in brief:
➜ Free admission & ticket for public transport with the Roma Pass*
➜ Get to the Colosseum faster*
➜ Stay overnight: Generator Rome*

Rome Classic No.1: The Colosseum

Somehow I always thought that the Colosseum was right in the center of Rome. But that’s not true at all. But it was easy to walk there from my accommodation near the main train station, and there’s a metro station right in front of it for everyone else. It’s unbelievable how big the stadiums were built back then and how much the construction method has influenced today’s stadiums. The massive stones everywhere, the sheer size: if you don’t visit the Colosseum in Rome, you’ve missed out.

In summer, the queues are endless. Even if, like me, you think half an hour after opening at 8 a.m. is early enough. You can order tickets from the official ticket office – but they are often sold out.

Please note: In addition to the official ticket store, there are also various commercial tour providers who sell tickets both online and on site with preferential admission so that you don’t have to queue.

In desperation, I actually opted for this option on the spot and ended up paying €30 (probably more by now), which was already the bargain price (yes, be sure to negotiate!). You still have to wait until the whole group is together. In return, you also get some extra information from the tour guide.

Overall, the ticket situation is quite opaque and anything but stress-free on site. So better buy your ticket in advance! If you can’t get a ticket at the official presale anymore, try this tour provider online:

Tip: If you want to visit even more sights in Rome, it might be worth buying the Roma Pass for 48 or 72 hours – this gives you free entry to one or two sights of your choice and you can travel for free on public transport!

➜ To the Roma Pass*

Rome sight no. 2: St. Peter’s Basilica

The same applies to St. Peter’s Basilica: queuing is inevitable (at least in summer). In the afternoon, the waiting time is supposed to be shorter, but still: In the end, it was 40 minutes in scorching heat. But you can pass the time by admiring St. Peter’s Square in all its glory: The huge area framed by colonnades is impressive. And inside – well, with so much art, gold and pomp, no one remains unflashed.

Visit to St. Peter’s Basilica: what you need to know!

Admission to St. Peter’s Basilica is free. However, before going in, you have to pass a security check. St. Peter’s Basilica is a religious site, so pay attention to the right clothing, especially in summer: Shoulders and knees should be covered, but no headgear!

If you have time, you can also visit the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and the Vatican Museums with their huge art collection!

➜ Buy tickets for the Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums in advance*

Rome Classic No. 3: Fontana di Trevi

Who does not know it, the huge Trevi Fountain, in which once bathed Anita Ekberg? Can still be seen today in Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita. The fountain, by the way, looks even more spectacular live, partly because of the really huge crowds that gather around it, but also because it is monstrous compared to the small Piazza di Trevi.

The Fontana di Trevi stretches across the entire façade of a palazzo and is so richly detailed in marble that you can always discover something new.

If you want to make the Rome experience complete, throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain. But beware: getting directly to the fountain in summer is nearly impossible thanks to the crowds, unless you’re not afraid to poke your way through the crowd with your selfie stick.

Rome Sightseeing No.4: The Spanish Steps

Near the Fontana di Trevi is theScalinata di Trinità dei Monti – the original name of the Spanish Steps, named after the church it leads up to.

The German name derives from the square below, Piazza di Spagna. And actually, the Spanish Steps is just a staircase – but huge, overcomes quite a height difference and is a meeting place and hangout at the same time. There is enough space on the stairs.

Rome Classic No.5: The Pantheon

The Pantheon has been a Catholic church for over 1500 years – that alone is incredible. Even more unbelievable that it is even much older, almost 2000 years, and at that time was most likely a temple for all sorts of deities.

The Pantheon is a domed structure and was the inspiration for several famous buildings, such as the Capitol in Washington. In the middle of the dome there is a big hole as the only source of light – and when it rains, well, it just rains right into the Pantheon. Whereby the floor was designed so that all rainwater simply drains away. Quite fascinating.

Spend the night in Rome

Finding accommodation in Rome is not difficult, even or especially in the middle of summer. Many articles and travel guides advise against the area around Termini Station. There are a lot of hotels there, but many people are not very enthusiastic about the station flair around it. I admit, if you live in Berlin-Neukölln like I do, you probably have different standards; however, I was not afraid there in the evenings.

I can highly recommend the Generator Hostel (there are also cheap double rooms): Clean, nice, stylish.

➜ Info & prices for Generator Hostel Rome*

The proximity to Termini station, from which you can also get to the airport and everywhere else quickly and easily, made the location perfect for me. Traffic-wise, it couldn’t have been better. Especially with a few days stay!