A short illustrated guide to Rome. Rome: a short guide to the Eternal City, written from the words of its inhabitants

Rome is known as one of the oldest cities in the world. The date of its foundation is considered to be 753 BC. Since antiquity, it has been called "Eternal", thanks to the Roman poet Albius Tibullus. The second name is "City on seven hills."

Rome is now the permanent capital of Italy, administrative center region of Lazio, province of Rome. The city is divided into nineteen municipalities (see districts), twenty-two districts, 35 quarters, six suburbs, 53 zones. ISTAT code 058091 according to the code assigned by the National Institute of Statistics of Italy.

The area of ​​Rome is 1285 km. The population density of Rome is 2197 people per square kilometer. As of 2010, 2 million 754 thousand 440 people live in the city. Timezone UTC+1, summer time UTC+2.

Communication is maintained through mail and telephony. The international dialing code for the city of Rome is +39 6. The postal code is 00100 (general), 00121, 00199.

Houses and hotels use European-type sockets. The voltage in the network is 220V.

Rome has three airports, one of which (Leonardo da Vinci or Fiumicino Airport) is the largest in Italy. Also, the city is located in the heart of the ring network highways, repeating the roads of ancient Rome, is the main railway junction in central Italy. You can get to Rome by plane, bus, car. The coordinates of the city are 41°48"N latitude and 12°14"E longitude.

How to get to Rome

There are plenty of reasons to be on the outskirts of Rome. This can be a direct tourist trip to the eternal city, or a transfer flight, during which there are several free hours waiting for your flight. In any case, you should take care of information on how to get to the city, evaluate the features of each type of transport.

The most common is a taxi.

Cars are parked near the airport, taxi drivers are constantly waiting for the client. For most tourists, a taxi becomes the only mode of transport, given that the taxi driver will take you from the airport directly to the desired hotel. However, the cost of taxi services is one of the highest. Therefore, tourists who prefer economical trips find other ways to get to the city.

For those in the know, one of the most suitable modes of transport is the Leonardo Express. It is suitable only if the tourist is at Fiumicino airport. However, given that this is the largest passenger airport in the country, the likelihood of being in it is very high. The convenience of the Leonardo Express is that the railway station is located right at the airport, the train leaves for the city every half an hour, the travel time is thirty minutes, the ticket price is about 14 euros, for children under 12 accompanied by an adult for free.

That is, even if you are in the suburbs of Rome for a short time, it makes no sense to just wait for your flight for several hours, free time you can take a tour of the city. The trip there and back will take no more than an hour. But Leonardo Express runs only until 23:36, at night it is better not to make short trips.

An even more economical option is the subway. This type of transport covers almost the entire city, suburbs, including airports.

Ticket price from 5.5 euros and more, depending on the point of arrival. Naturally, this species travel is less convenient.

Of course, you can not lose sight of the buses. The network of bus routes covers both the suburbs of Rome and the outlying cities of Italy. Traveling by bus is much more convenient and interesting compared to the metro, but also a little more expensive.

And, finally, the most convenient transport is a rental car. It is suitable for tourists who have arrived in Rome for a period of one day or more. The advantage of a car rental is that your own transport is always at hand. Usually a car is rented with a driver, that is, there will be no problems finding certain places. But you will have to pay a lot for the pleasure.

Climate of Rome

Most tour operators agree that Rome is good for tourists at any time of the year. In the place where the city is located, subtropical prevails. mediterranean climate. In Italy, summers are usually quite hot, and winters are very mild, and short.

It is believed that the best time to visit Rome is spring and autumn. During this period, warm dry weather sets in. There is very little rainfall, as a rule, in autumn and spring it is sunny in Rome, an umbrella is hardly needed during walks.

At the same time, there is no suffocating heat. The temperature in spring ranges from 15 to 23 degrees Celsius above zero, from September to November from 27 to 16 degrees with a plus sign. The only time in spring when you should not come on a regular tourist holiday is Easter. At this time, a lot of pilgrims gather.

In summer, high temperatures dominate in Rome. Hot air is brought by sirocco winds from the Sahara. The average temperature from June to August is 30-35 degrees, but it can rise even higher. Locals and tourists in the summer prefer to wear cotton and linen clothing, which helps a little to combat the high temperatures. However, the heat can be deceiving, in the evening in Rome it can be quite cool. Therefore, it is advisable to grab a sweater or jacket. August is the most suitable time for tourism, if you are not afraid of extreme heat. Most tourists leave by this time or are just preparing for the trip, because the streets of Rome are empty, and you can always find a free room in a hotel.

In winter, there are practically no sub-zero temperatures in Rome, although precipitation in the form of snow is sometimes noted, but it melts very quickly. The average temperature from December to February is 5-6 degrees above zero.

But do not be deceived by the apparent warmth, high humidity and sea winds blow quite strongly, creating very unpleasant sensations. During these months, Rome receives the most rainfall. In addition to warm clothes, you should take an umbrella with you. However, winter Rome also has its positive feature, there are practically no queues in museums and other historical places.

Sights of Rome

For those who come to Rome, where to go is not a problem, as there are a lot of famous tourist places. However, given that there are more than enough attractions in the city, you have to choose the places that are most interesting to visit. The article presents several historical places, collected from the best guides to Rome, that you should definitely visit.

First of all, of course, stands out the Roman Colosseum.

It can be called calling card cities. The Colosseum was built in 80 AD, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, and could accommodate up to 55,000 spectators. The most remarkable gladiator fights were held in the arena. Today, the Colosseum is empty, having long been a tourist destination. To increase interest in the Colosseum and on the way to the Arch of Constantine, you can meet men dressed in ancient Roman clothes, with whom you can take pictures.

The Roman Forum - at one time the most significant place within the Empire and beyond.

It was a complex of temples, arches, public buildings. Under the vaults of the Forum, the most important decisions for the Empire were made that influenced business, social, and religious life. The ancient Roman forum is very large, therefore it is better to allocate several hours for its inspection.

The Roman Pantheon is a religious shrine, originally pagan, and later converted into a Christian temple.

It is interesting not only for its tombs and history, but also for its good preservation. It is one of the few best preserved places. In addition, the entrance to the Pantheon is free.

The Capitoline Hill is the center of ancient Rome. It was located above the Forum, at its top stood the temple of Jupiter. Today, there are two museums on the Capitol Hill: Palazzo Nuovo - the oldest museum that houses Roman, Greek sculptures, Palazzo dei Conservatori with frescoes, sculptures, and other historical values ​​dedicated to art placed in it.

Castle of the Holy Angel - was originally intended as a tomb for the emperor Hadrian, who, according to rumors, designed this building himself. Modern name the castle was received in 590, during the plague raging in Europe.

According to the legend, Pope Gregory led a procession through the city in order to receive the mercy of the Virgin Mary, when he stepped on the bridge leading to the castle of the holy angel, an angel appeared above the tomb, sheathing his sword as a sign of the end of God's wrath.

Roman catacombs - the first Christians held meetings and buried their associates in them. Most of the catacombs have been little studied to this day, have several levels, and are many kilometers long.

Baths of Diocletian - you can not visit Rome and not visit them. Situated on 32 acres, the baths could accommodate up to 3,000 people. In addition to the terms themselves, a library, meeting rooms, and exercise rooms were provided. The baths were decorated with frescoes, pavilions, fountains. Some of them have not survived to this day, but the surviving baths of Diocletian have been reconstructed and restored. You can visit them any day except Monday.

Palatine is a place that can be called the founder of Rome. According to legend, it was here that Remus and Romulus were fed by a she-wolf. After the Palatine became one of the most expensive areas of the city, only wealthy, famous people settled here, emperors placed their residences.

Piazza Navona is a good place to relax after visiting the main attractions of Rome. The street is lined with many luxurious cafes and restaurants. In addition, Baroque fountains serve as decoration. Initially, Piazza Nova served for chariot races and athletic competitions.

Where to go in Rome

Rome is interesting not only for excursions to historical places. There are a lot of attractive and frankly interesting places in this city. But before choosing the places to go, you should decide on the goals and the desired result.

Most tourists prefer spending time in cafes. When visiting Rome in spring, autumn, and even more so in summer, this is one of the few places where you can hide from the hot sun. In addition, Roman drinks, sweets and ice cream attract many connoisseurs of taste. It is very easy to find a cafe in the city; there are plenty of such establishments in any area. But in order to pick up really interesting places you need to know where they are.

First of all, you should visit Piazza Navona, where a large number of luxurious cafes are located. According to rumors, Tartufo ice cream was invented here, it is offered by many establishments in Piazza Nanova. Leaving the Pantheon, you can visit the Golden Cup Cafe (Tazza d`oro), which serves delicious cappuccino, some call it the best in the city.

If you come with children, it is worth adding a few places that will be of interest to them. First of all, this is the shop of "Papa Carlo" from the famous fairy tale, where wooden toys are sold, and you can take a picture with Pinocchio. By the way, the store is located near the Pantheon, so you can go into it immediately after visiting historical sites. To commit virtual journey according to the ancient Colosseum, Imperial Rome, it is worth visiting Dreving. Also informative is the children's Roman museum Explora next to Piazza Del Popolo and the time machine (Time Elevator) in which you can travel to ancient Rome.

Children and adults will be interested in Zoomarine, a water park where you can meet marine animals and tropical birds. Water performances are arranged for visitors.

Park Villa Borghese combines not only water activities, but also walks along the green alleys. Boats, bicycles, roller skates, pony rides, rides, a small cinema and puppet show. Here at Villa Borghese there is a zoo, which is home to more than 200 species of animals. Both Zoomarine and Borghese Park have recreation areas, cafes, bars and a restaurant.

There are also enough clubs for evening relaxation in Rome. If you want to relax in peace and quiet, it is better to choose small places with calm quiet music. Entrance to some clubs is paid, but in return they offer one drink, which is included in the entrance fee.

When you want to visit the best nightlife in Rome, you should head to Trastevere - an area of ​​narrow streets located on the right bank of the Tiber near the Vatican. During the summer, the area hosts a large number of pop, Latin and jazz music festivals. Particularly noteworthy are Piazza Navona, Ostiense, Testaccio.

Rome airports

There are three airports in the vicinity of Rome. The first airport, one of the largest in Italy, is called Leonardo da Vinci, but more often it is called by its location - Fiumicino.

The airport is divided into three terminals. In the first, air flights are carried out within the country. The second terminal serves aircraft that travel to European countries with which Italy has a number of agreements on visa-free or simplified visa regime. The third terminal is for international flights with visa control. Fiumicino Airport is located 28 km from Rome. You can get to the city by train, which leaves for the city every 30 minutes, by bus or taxi.

Rome's second airport, Ciampino, serves domestic charter flights. The airport is located 15 km from the city to the northeast.

Getting to the city from the airport is somewhat faster due to the shorter distance compared to Fiumicino airport. The train to Termini station leaves every 15 minutes, from which it is easy to get to the city center by metro. Bus stop located near the airport. There is also a taxi rank at the exit from the terminal building.

The third airport - Urba receives mostly charter flights.

The airport terminal is located 7 km from Termini station in the northern part of Rome on Via Salaria. As in other cases, from the airport building to the city can be reached by rail, bus and taxi.

Bus stations in Rome

Usually the bus tourist trips are among the most cost-effective for tourists. Despite the complexity of the journey, which can take several days, many people choose this type of transport due to the relatively inexpensive ticket price and getting a lot of impressions during the trip. However, it is worth noting that there is no international bus station as such in Rome. In most cases, transport companies choose the most remarkable places for parking, the starting point.

The main and largest bus station in Rome - Tiburina, is located near the railway station Stazione Tiburtina.

From the bus station start their transport routes various bus companies that run throughout Italy. The Tiburtina bus station is not particularly large, all buses depart from one site. You can buy tickets at the ticket offices, which are located near the bus station. There are also agencies that provide both bus services and are intermediaries for certain carriers. Most agencies are also located near the bus station.

There are several more bus stations in Rome. The main routes of buses departing from them cover the outskirts of the city.

Rome public transport

Rome's public transport categories include buses, trams and the metro. There is a trolleybus route, but due to the lack of an extensive network of wires, it has not gained popularity. Only part of the way the trolleybus passes under the wires, the rest of the way is done by batteries.

There are six tram routes in total. For tourists, this is the least convenient mode of transport (after the trolleybus), as the trams move too slowly. For the most part, tram lines connect the suburbs and Termini Station.

The Rome metro consists of two lines that intersect at Termini station, represented by the letter X on the diagram.

Line A runs from southeast to northwest. Line B - from south to northeast. A third line C is under construction, but on this moment the metro is not able to fully meet the needs of the city. Because stations and cars are usually crowded. It is extremely inconvenient to make tourist trips in the metro of Rome, because tourists usually use it only as a way to quickly arrive from the station to the hotel.

Buses in Rome are the most convenient form of public transport.

There are a large number of bus routes with short intervals. Buses in Rome are divided into day and night. The latter start running from 0:30 to 5:30 in the morning. There are not as many night routes as day ones, but you can always get to anywhere in the city on them. Most stops are only equipped with billboards showing the name and numbers of the buses that stop at them.

The most convenient way to pay. All public transport in the city is managed by ATAS, which is why the ticket is suitable for any type of transport. A ticket is bought before boarding the subway, newspaper, tobacco kiosks or vending machines. It is forbidden to pay the driver during the day. You can buy a ticket in transport only after 9 pm, however, its cost will increase by 1.5 times.

Taxi Rome

One of the most common modes of transport for tourists to travel around the city is a taxi. It is not difficult to recognize a taxi, these are white or yellow cars with a number on the door indicating belonging to a particular city. The brand of the car can be different, from an inexpensive Opel to a representative Mercedes or BMW. However, the landing price will always be the same.

For all its convenience, the Roman taxi is one of the most expensive modes of transport. On weekdays, you will have to pay about 2.33 euros for landing during the day, almost five euros at night, on weekends the cost of landing is 3.36 euros. Unlike domestic transport, the Italian taxi (as, indeed, the taxis of many other European countries) provides for payment for luggage, 1.04 euros per seat. The fare in the city is about 0.78 euros, below the line from 1.29 euros, according to the rules, the driver must warn about a change in the tariff. If you get into traffic jams, payment is calculated per minute.

Voting on the street is not accepted, so the driver may not stop. It's easier to find taxi ranks. There are quite a lot of them in famous places, for example, near Piazza Navona, Barberini, Popolo. You can also call a taxi by phone, while the cost of the trip is added to the price for giving the car to the specified place.

Museums in Rome

It's no secret that there are a lot of museums in Rome. One of the oldest cities contains the preserved remains of art, culture, life of different times. And any self-respecting tourist should visit at least half of the museums in Rome. And in order to better distribute the time of visits, this article will provide short description museums and opening hours.

The oldest complex is the Capitoline Museums, which are housed in three palaces (Palace of the Senators, Palazzo Conservatorios, New Palace) on Capitol Square. The palaces were designed by Michelangelo. The complex features sculptures dating back to ancient times. Opening hours 9:00-20:00, day off - Monday and holidays. Entrance is paid, the cost is 11 euros, and 9 euros are preferential. Admission is free for students.

The National Museum of the Palace of Venice, located in the palace of the same name, is recognized as the main museum of the decorative arts of the city. It contains 27 exhibition halls, which present masterpieces of famous masters such as Vasari, Giorgione, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and others. Opening hours 08:30-19:30, closed Monday. The entrance fee is 4 euros.

The Keats and Shelley Museum is located near Plaza España, on the right side of the Spanish Steps. John Keats and Mary Shelley are famous 19th century Italian poets who are in love with each other. However, the love story ended tragically, Keats died at a young age. Opening hours 9:00-18:00, (from 13:00 to 15:00 break) on weekdays Monday-Friday, Saturday from 11:00 to 14:00, day off Sunday. The entrance fee is 4 euros, for persons under 18 and over 65 euros.

Museum of Roman Civilization, which contains models famous buildings and buildings from ancient times to the beginning of the reign of the first pope.

The museum is located in the Eure area. Opening hours 9:00-14:00, Sunday is half an hour shorter, closed Monday. The cost is 6.5 euros.

The museum in Pamphili Palace contains four large rooms and five smaller salons, which house paintings by Veronse, Titian, Dosso Dossi, Tintoretto, Ludovico and Annibale Carracci and other famous masters. Opening hours 10:00-17:00 daily. The cost is about 9 euros.

Roman National Museum housed in the Palazzo Altemps. Three collections are considered to be a golden exposition: the collection of princes Ludovisi-Boncompagni, Cardinal Altemps, and the collection of the Mattei family. In addition, the museum presents many other interesting compositions. Opening hours 9:00-19:45 from Tuesday to Sunday, day off Monday. The entrance fee is 7 euros.

The Napoleon Museum is located on the first floor of the Primoli Palace. The museum exhibits sculptural, artistic compositions, awards, weapons, personal items that tell about the periods preceding the coronation of Napoleon, his military campaigns and personal life. Opening hours 9:00-19:00 from Tuesday to Sunday, day off Monday. The entrance fee is 3 euros.

In the museum musical instruments, located on the left side of the Basilica of Santa Croce, presents instruments from various eras. Opening hours 8:30-19:30 Tuesday-Sunday, closed Monday. The entrance fee is 2 euros.

Cuisine and restaurants in Rome

Arriving in Italy and specifically in Rome for a tour of tourist package, many factors should be taken into account, including the characteristics of the kitchen. Italians are big eaters. This process takes them several hours a day. It also includes communication with friends and acquaintances. Most establishments at the moment are trying more and more to satisfy the desires of tourists. If necessary, the waiter can serve dishes in small plates. This is a very important fact because Italians eat a lot compared to most other European countries. However, there are restaurants that adhere to ancient traditions, and the waiter will not let the client leave the table until he has tasted the side dish, the first, second and third. If the client still refuses the dishes, he will offend the cook very much, and in his person the whole institution.

Italians really appreciate their cuisine, they try not to mix it with other cuisines of the world.

On the streets it is difficult to find establishments that cook dishes from other countries and cultures. But Italian cuisine is not for everyone. Therefore, with a little searching, you can find a couple of good Chinese, Indian, Japanese restaurants. Of course, they will not be in the center. No Italian would allow such a violation of their national cuisine and culture.

The menu of restaurants in Rome consists of both meat and vegetable dishes, so vegetarians do not have to worry about the difficulties of finding suitable establishments. In any restaurant, the waiter will offer dishes from beans, other legumes, pastas, cheeses, vegetables, in some establishments there are pizzerias where you can order pizza without meat filling. Meat lovers should keep in mind that the Romans are very fond of offal (the fifth quarter of the carcass that remains after the separation of the best pieces). The menu often contains nervetti (legs and cartilage), animelle (goiter, pancreas), cervello (brains), coda (tail), and other offal. All dishes are prepared exclusively from fresh ingredients. In Rome, it is not customary to buy frozen products, as they lose their taste and useful qualities.

Italian food is simple only sutra. For breakfast, Italians drink coffee with buns. In the future, the meal consists of appetizers (vegetables, seafood, cold meat), first course (soup or pasta), second course (meat or fish). Garnish ordered separately. In hot weather, especially in August, many restaurants close, as the Romans prefer to leave the city at this time, so you should find out their opening hours in advance. The rest of the time, establishments are open, as a rule, from 12:30 to 16:00, and after from 19:30 to 24:00, many restaurants close even later, and some work all day.

There are a lot of restaurants, cafes, shops where you can have a snack in the morning or eat a full meal in the afternoon on the streets of Rome. They can be divided into classic cuisine establishments, which are dominated by meat and fish dishes, family restaurants, pizzerias. Large and small traditional establishments are scattered throughout the city.

So, once you get to Piazza Barberini, you can go to the La Tavernetta restaurant, which presents the national Roman cuisine, which is not found in most other establishments. In the center of old Rome is the Alla Ramra restaurant, which can satisfy the tastes of any gourmet. And on the square of flowers there is an inexpensive restaurant Agata e Romeo, whose cuisine is distinguished by its special sophistication. If most restaurants can be called mixed-type establishments serving both meat and fish, La Rosetta restaurant specializes in fish dishes. The fish is prepared according to old Italian recipes.

There are few family restaurants in Rome. The fact is that Italians love children very much and always treat them with respect. special attention. In any institution, the waiter will always find a high chair and offer a children's menu. If you want to visit a real family restaurant, then you can choose Da Sergio, which is famous for classic recipes of famous Italian dishes.

Specialized pizzerias are also not common. Most of the restaurants and cafes have their own pizzerias. However, if you want to try a real delicious pizza, it is better to look for a specialized institution.

For example, the PizzaRe pizzeria, located near the People's Square (Italian: Piazza del Popolo) on Via Ripetta. This pizzeria is recognized as the best in the area.

Shopping in Rome

Arriving in this city, every tourist thinks what to buy in Rome? These can be souvenirs for yourself, souvenirs from Rome to friends and acquaintances, expensive collectibles, religious things, jewelry for loved ones. It is difficult to find curiosities of other countries, eras and civilizations in Rome, but if we talk about the eternal city itself, then there are more than enough goods that will become memorable parts of the trip. The most common for shopping are shops that can be found in all parts of the city. In the center of Rome, shops are open throughout the day, while on the outskirts they adhere to the classic work schedule from 9:30 to 19:30 with a break of 13:30-15:30, on Monday the shops are open in the afternoon, the day off is Sunday.

In the world, Italy is known primarily for its clothing collections. If in Europe the collections from Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Giorgio Armani and other famous fashion designers of Italy are quite expensive, then shopping in Rome itself will be much cheaper.

To do this, you should look at Via Condotti, where there are many shops specializing in the sale of clothing. However, with all the savings, clothing in Rome is still quite expensive. Therefore, you should immediately calculate your capabilities. When you want to buy interesting clothes, but the budget does not allow (which happens quite often due to the high cost of things), a silk scarf will be an excellent choice. Scarves are stylish, fairly inexpensive, presented in a wide range. If you are interested in cheaper things, you can go to Via del Tritone, Nazionale to the Piazza della Republica area, where there are also many shops, but the prices in them are more reasonable.

Shoes and leather accessories are also widely represented. It is advisable to buy them in stores, street vendors often sin by selling fakes, although they are of quite high quality.

Italy's jewelry is famous all over the world, thanks to its design, unusual ornament, which is rooted in the jewelry past of the Roman Empire. Gold jewelry is expensive, but worth it. You can also pay attention to jewelry, it is much cheaper, but the quality is also good. Many appreciate Murano glass, which can also be bought in Rome. However, beware of scammers. Instead of Murano glass, fakes are often sold. The original must have a quality certificate.

Rome is a paradise for people interested in antiques and art objects. To see all the offers, it is recommended to visit Via dei Coronati, Via dei Soldati, Via Giulia Via Del`Orso. In Trastevere, on Sundays, the largest flea market in Rome, Italy and all of Europe is open.

Food is also common among the goods that tourists buy. Balsamic vinegar, sun-dried tomatoes, chocolate, Parmesan cheese and olive oil can be found in many grocery stores throughout the city. Of course, it is better to make such purchases before leaving.

Souvenirs in Rome can be bought anywhere. They are sold even on the street, almost on every corner. Experienced tourists never buy the first souvenir they like. Even if its cost is quite acceptable, in a couple of blocks you can find the same one, but much cheaper.

The most expensive souvenir shops are located near historical places where there are many tourists. If you are interested in religious souvenirs, you will have to look at Via della Conciliazione - this is the road that leads to St. Peter's Square. In other places you can also find many religious souvenirs, but here they are truly presented in abundance.

Why is it worth visiting Rome? Firstly, because it is the “eternal city”, the capital of the former Roman Empire, the center of thousands of years of history of all of Europe, and this history can be seen here with your own eyes, literally go into this history: the Forum, the Coliseum, etc. Secondly, because it is a holiday city, an antique city founded on 7 hills in 753 BC, and its entire center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Thirdly, because there are stunning shops in Rome! And finally, fourthly, because right in the very center of Rome are two of the smallest states in the world: the Vatican and the Order of Malta.

How to get there?

Regular flights to Rome are carried out from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg by the Russian and Italian companies Aeroflot and Alitalia. In addition, from Moscow and St. Petersburg there are many transit flights of various European airlines through the capitals of European countries - in these cases, the cost of the flight (as opposed to a direct one) is usually lower, but it is obvious that the travel time is much longer. Transit flights are also carried out from Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Perm, Samara, Ufa, Sochi, Novosibirsk, Kaliningrad, Krasnodar, Kazan.

By train from Moscow or St. Petersburg to Rome, you can only get with a transfer in any European capital, because. There is no direct rail connection. The cost of tickets is comparable to the cost of flights.

Direct bus routes from Moscow, St. Petersburg, cities of Ukraine - the most cheap look transport to Rome, however the most tiring.

The road to Rome on your own car, of course, is interesting, but it turns out to be difficult and long (for example, from Moscow through Poland, Austria, etc. it will be 3047 km), you will have to stand in line at the Polish border for several hours. In addition to a passport with a Schengen visa stamp, you need to have international class rights, a registration certificate and an insurance policy for a car.

Where to stay in Rome?

The tourist accommodation infrastructure offers options for “any wallet”: hotels of any star rating and, accordingly, the level of service and the availability of services included in the price, hotels in the center or far from the center (as well as in the suburbs), inexpensive family pensions (starting from 25 euros per room), apartments (50-70 euros per day), rural houses near Rome, villas (including villas on the sea), hostels.

Food in Rome

Italian cuisine, which is one of the most delicious and traditional in Europe, is represented in Rome in almost the full range of all regions of the country and is a symbiosis of the cuisines of many nations, starting from antiquity and the Middle Ages: Arabs, Byzantines, Gauls, Hellenes, etc. Numerous restaurants and cafes represent both a whole range of national and European dishes, as well as dishes of any particular cuisine, or Italian region, or foreign country. The most inexpensive establishments are pizzerias, trattorias, osterias, cantinas, enotecas (these are Italian wineries). The main, purely Italian dishes include, first of all, pasta (they are called pasta) in various variations with brisket and cheese, artichokes, cow tails and offal, and, of course, pizza, and it is Roman pizza that differs from all other Italian pizzas in the special thinness of the crust-substrate. But in principle, in Rome there are pizzerias from various regions, cities of the country, including Naples, which is called the "homeland" of this dish. Famous Italian desserts are tiramisu, a variety of ice creams and lemon sherbet. Coffee and wine are a must during lunch. Coffee is for dessert, and it is brewed extremely tasty, because it is the favorite drink of Italians, there are a lot of types of coffee, but the most popular are espresso and cappuccino (translated as “monk's hood”). Italians do not just love wine, but know how to appreciate it, the winemaking process has been developed in the country since ancient times. Favorite wines: white "Trebiano" for vegetarian dishes, dark red "San Giovese" for meat dishes, cheese, red "Canina" for a sweet dessert, as well as wines such as "Albana", "Chianti Classico", "Lambusco", "Frascatti".

Transport

Public transport in Rome is the metro, buses, trams and 1 trolleybus route. Tickets are valid for any type of this transport (including regional trains), they can be bought at the box office near the metro, at any tobacconist or newsstand, at vending machines at the station. The duration of the tickets (more than 1 hour, day, etc.) and, accordingly, their cost are different.

Taxi: The distinctive color of a Roman taxi is white, but cars can be of any brand, there is no single brand. Taxis can be ordered by phone (the cost of the car's arrival will be added to the cost of the trip), taken at the parking lot or "caught" on the street. Not only the trip itself is paid, but also the landing and the place of luggage. The cost depends on the time of day, the day of the week (weekdays or weekends) and is different up to and beyond the ring road of Rome.

What to see in Rome?

To see and explore all the sights of Rome, many of which have already exceeded 2000 years, you need to live in this city for at least a year. And in 7-10 days you can see only the most famous ones: the Pantheon, the Capitol, the Colosseum, the Forum, the Villa Borghese complex, which includes a museum, a park and a gallery with a collection of sculptures and paintings by the most famous creators of Italy, Navona Square with the Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Trevi Fountain with an antique water pipe, Piazza di Spagna with the famous Spanish Steps, Roman catacombs, ancient Roman baths, the Vatican with an area and St. Peter's Cathedral, the residence of the Pope, the Sistine Chapel, the Pontifical Pinakothek and, finally, the territory of the Order of Malta. You can read more about these and other attractions in Rome on this page.

Entertainment

The most diverse concerts (rock, jazz, etc.) and discos are held mainly at Villa Borghese and Villa Celimontana - under open sky. Bars, discos, including night ones - in Piazza Navona, Piazza Campo dei Fiori and Santa Maria, near the Spanish Steps, and in large numbers - in the areas of Trastevere and Testaccio.

Shopping in Rome

In the center of Rome are Via del Corso - the largest and most expensive shopping street with branded stores of the world's most famous fashion houses, small boutiques, shopping centers, as well as busy shopping streets Via Barberini, Via Vittoria, Via Nazionale, Via Cola di Rienzo with a huge number of different shops of all kinds. In the Sampo dei Fiori area, there are mainly youth clothing outlets. Most expensive shops also surround the Plaza de España. There are department stores and outlets where prices are lower than in branded ones. central stores. During discount seasons (late December-early March and July-August), prices in department stores, shopping centers and small shops are reduced by 30-70%, however, branded galleries during these months prefer to sell their goods at reduced prices only to their regular customers. When buying in the amount of at least 176 euros in those shopping centers where it is indicated, a check is issued for Tax Free, according to which part of the money is returned at customs - more than 14% (of 20% value added tax).

Connection

Telephone. Pay phones are everywhere on the streets, in restaurants, cafes, etc. It is most convenient to call using phone cards, which are sold in newspapers, tobacco kiosks, hotels, cafes. You can call any city outside of Italy by first dialing the code of the desired country (Russia 007), then the city code, and finally, the subscriber's number. If you plan to stay in Italy for more than 2 weeks, then it is more convenient to buy a SIM card for your mobile phone in Rome (you need to show your passport when buying).

Mail. Two large post offices are located on Piazza San Silvestro (the main one) and at Termini Station, open from 8 to 20.00. Rest post offices– from 8 to 14.00.

Internet. There are many Internet cafes in Rome, 1 hour online costs 3 euros. It is cheaper only in the round-the-clock EasyEverything (in Piazza Barberini), where 1 hour costs 1.5-2.5 euros, depending on the time of day.

Miscellaneous

1. We must not forget that in all the crowded places in Rome (historical sights, shops, public transport, etc.) there are a lot of thieves, and often these are children. Bags, cameras should be carried only in a postman's way, so thieves rushing by on motorcycles will not be able to snatch them.

2. It is best to change money at points marked No commission (in the area of ​​the Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Spagna, Termini Station, Piazza Venezia), because commission fees can be very significant.

3. In any tourist office in Rome (tablets with the letter i), tourists are answered all questions, given free maps of the city, theater, club, museum programs, as well as booklets of advertising and announcements (booklets give a discount in a number of shops, restaurants, museums).

4. Embassy of the Russian Federation in Italy: Rome, Via Gaeta 5. Tel. 06 494 16 81

5. Ambulance, tel. 06 87149815

You can't come to Rome and not go to the Colosseum! Well, the truth is, probably, everyone who flies to the Eternal City for the first time definitely goes to the legendary amphitheater, wonders how it really is not “colossal”, but very modest by modern standards, and, bored, examines what is left of it.

But! Those who travel by downloading the Rome audio guide for iPhone and Android are much more impressed! Have you already listened to the track above this text? This is a small excerpt from an audio tour of the Colosseum. Turning it on completely, you will be surprised how these ruins “come to life” and appear before you as vivid pictures of gladiator fights, the emotions of spectators and orders of emperors.

walk along Eternal City much more interesting when they tell you something along the way. And for this it is absolutely not necessary to join group excursions, it is enough to download an audio guide to Rome from TravelMe. With it, you can walk in a mode that is comfortable for you, at any time of the day, pausing the story, interrupting for rest, shopping or photography. Have you ever tried to get acquainted with the city with the help of audio guides? It's time to start and understand how convenient it is!

Rome audio guide for iPhone and Android

It is not so easy to find a high-quality audio guide for Rome in Russian. But, you don't have to look any further :) The TravelMe mobile guide is several audio tours at once, prepared by a professional guide in Italy, an announcer and a sound engineer. This is not just a set of important facts and fascinating stories, it is a full-fledged city navigator. During the story, you will periodically come across clues about when to turn right, when to go forward, and when to raise your head. With us you can be sure that you won't miss anything interesting!

In total, there are 5 audio walks in Rome in the application: one overview, about the city, it can be downloaded for free, and 4 routes worth 1-2 dollars. Can you imagine? Interesting multimedia stories for less than a cup of coffee! And we don’t talk about traditional paper guides and the cost of organized excursions at all. In any case, downloading an audio guide to Rome from TravelMe will be cheaper than getting to know the city in any other way! You can download all audio walks or just the ones you find most interesting.

Rome audio guide #1: Tale of the city

Can be downloaded for free!

In fact, you can listen to it anywhere: at home on the couch, on the plane on the way to Italy, at the hotel at breakfast... We will tell you the main and most interesting stages in the history of the Eternal City, and we will help you build your walking routes around Rome so as not to miss anything important.

Duration- 28 minutes

Rome audio guide #2: St. Peter's Basilica

This audio guide is dedicated to the largest and most important Catholic cathedral in the world - St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. You can get into it for free, the main thing is to be decently dressed - no neckline, bare shoulders and knees. By the way, the famous temple has its own audio guide, but it costs several times more than ours;) We remind you that you can save and download an audio walk around St. Peter's Cathedral in mobile application TravelMe.

Duration- 32 minutes

Audio guide price: $1

Rome audio guide #3: Castel Sant'Angelo - Pantheon

We will start this tour at the Castel Sant'Angelo, then we will cross the Bridge of Angels to the other side of the Tiber, we will reach Piazza Navona and go out to the Pantheon along the winding grid of streets. By turning on this Rome audio guide, you can be sure that not only will you not get lost, but you will also learn dozens of interesting stories that you will excitedly tell friends and family when you arrive home :)

Duration- 34 minutes

Audio guide price: $1

The itinerary includes:

• Castel Sant'Angelo
• Bridge of the Holy Angel
• Via del Panico
• Piazza Navona
• Church of St. Agnes
• Fountain of four rivers
• Fountain of the Moor
• Fountain of Neptune
• Rotunda Square
• Pantheon

Rome tour itineraries with TravelMe audio guide

Rome audio guide #4: Colosseum and Arch of Constantine

We will start this tour with a visit to the Flavian Amphitheatre, better known as the Colosseum. We will tell you about its construction, crazy and bloody performances and Christian martyrs who were brutally tortured in its arena. Then we will go to the Arc de Triomphe of Constantine the Great - the first Roman emperor, who officially recognized Christianity as the state religion. You can download this Rome audio guide in the TravelMe mobile app.

Duration- 30 minutes

Audio guide price:$1

Rome audio guide #5: Roman Forum

Another place in Rome where you can't do without an audio guide! A simple walk among the ruins is not particularly impressive, but if you turn on our story, you will find out where majestic temples used to be located, where vestals and emperors lived, and where decisions about war or peace were made. With us, these "ruins" "come to life" and become incredibly interesting! And yes, just like in St. Peter's Basilica or the Colosseum, our audio guide for the Roman Forum costs several times cheaper than the official one :) Download it right now? ;)

Modern Rome. Coming here is like traveling back in time, standing where Caesar once stood, where chariots competed, where gladiators fought, and where Western civilization was formed.

But Rome is not a museum at all. He lives, develops and feels great. Modern Rome has absorbed ancient Rome and, to be honest, it is impossible to imagine one without the other. In Rome, antiquity and modernity live side by side. You can dine in the shadow of the temple of Jupiter, orient yourself in the ancient way, or see how archaeologists clean ancient frescoes from layers right in the middle of a noisy square.

Rome on the map of Italy and a brief reference to the Italian regions

The eternal city of Rome is located in the Italian region of Lazio. Find out, because the Italian boot is one thing, but the lair of the Empire is another story. Just in case, look at the regions of Italy on the map: very often tourists get to Rome from other regions of Italy, and in this case, knowledge of geography will only help you.

The Romans live in constant motion. Today's Roman streets are filled with the same creativity and craftsmanship that built the empire. For example, the art of parking or the art of driving in controlled chaos. The streets are not marked, so every centimeter is someone's legitimate booty. Only more than two subway lines were built in Rome, because they had to be laid among the ancient ruins. If you want to cross this street, remember important thing: here you have to be firm in your choice. In Rome, one must behave like the Romans. And if we talk about genuine art, then this is the second birth of the Eternal City.

You can, but be careful

Marathon for everyone

Having "survived" on the modern streets, you can head to the most important Roman ruins: on Forum, Palatine, V Coliseum and terms caracals.

Roman Forum

Hill Palatine (Palatino)

If you were sufficiently well off by ancient Roman standards, you would live on the Palatine. As now, the Palatine provided shelter from the crowds below and a beautiful view of Rome. Walking alone in the shade of orange trees and cypresses gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the past. Here stood imperial palaces, and the ruins of houses, crumbling stadiums and city courtyards are reminiscent of the wealth and luxury of the Roman elite. The richer he became, the more his inhabitants spent on food and holidays, sometimes reaching bankruptcy.

Today's Romans take food just as seriously. In Rome, there are many options for a quick meal. If you are short on time, buy panino(sandwich, usually with ham or prosciutto and cheese). Keep up with others and take espresso or cappuccino. tavola calda- such a set of all sorts of goodies with meat and cooked products - another great option for a quick bite or a small picnic. Many, however, prefer pizzeria rustica: in such places there is a huge selection of tempting looking pizzas. It is hard for a tourist to resist "supplies" - fried rice balls with tomato sauce and cheese, for which Rome is famous.

Photos of Palatina:

Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre)

Bread and circuses - that's what the people of Rome demanded. The emperors distributed grain and arranged games in order to entertain and calm the people. Usually performances in the amphitheater began with a comic bloodless battle between women or dwarfs. Then the games became deadly. In the afternoon they drove and killed hippos. Then the gladiators entered the arena, boasting of swords, pikes and bright red clubs. When the gladiator fell, he (or the winner) could ask for favors from the crowd. A sea of ​​fluttering robes and thumbs up (symbol of a raised sword) meant death. But much more often, the crowd put their thumb into their fist (a sword that is sheathed means life), which meant that the wounded gladiator was very lucky. Rome was merciful in its own way. Hollywood, by the way, did a great job of distorting the meaning of the Roman gesture “you can’t pardon the execution”: thumbs down or up is a fiction. How did the Romans have fun 2000 years ago? .

Photos of the Colosseum:

The Baths of Caracalla

After a little murder, what could be better than a bath? In ancient Rome, there was high unemployment and very poor housing. Therefore, everyone, both rich and poor, spent a lot of time in public places. The Baths of Caracalla (see on the map) were supplied with a miracle of engineering - the famous Roman ones. Here the townspeople performed a complex ritual of hot and cold baths. Visitors chatted, exchanged dinner invitations and sipped wine in sumptuous interiors that contained more gold, marble and mosaics than any other building in Rome. In the baths, one could work out in the gym, walk through the art gallery and read in the library, as well as enjoy the delicacies of that time.

Baths of Caracalla - photo:

Coffee, ice cream and important details for shopping in Rome

We will leave ancient Rome for a short time to taste modern delicacies - ice cream and coffee. In Rome if you order un caffe, you will get an espresso, usually at the counter. You can get into an awkward situation: if you sit down at a table, you will have to pay twice as much. But, you know, the coffee is worth it.

Fountains of Rome

Tourists love to sit and catch the sounds of the city. - Music of Rome. Some still feed Roman aqueducts. In ancient times, fountains provided residents with drinking water. Today, they offer a welcome respite from the scorching Roman sun. And who among the tourists knows that the idea of ​​squares and fountains as a single ensemble was invented by a great sculptor?

Piazza della Rotonda is one of the favorites for tourists. Moreover, this is an important area - the historical center. His pearl is the temple of all gods. The interior of the temple is practically no different from what it was in the second century, when it was built by the inventive emperor Hadrian. The Pantheon is perfectly preserved, because at the beginning of the 7th century. it was converted into a Christian church. The hole in the dome of the temple is, according to the new canons, a window to heaven.

Tourists enjoy walking along the quiet streets from the Pantheon to the theater Marcellus. Go from the Pantheon towards the river. Delightful surprises await you in the narrow streets. Here is a piazza decorated with sculptures by Bernini. This is a famous sculptor of the 17th century, who left a lot of his creations on the local streets and in churches.

Our path ends at the majestic Theater of Marcellus, an ancient theater that is very Roman in the 16th century. turned into a palace. Now there are luxury apartments.

Roman Pantheon

flower square

Navona Square

Torre Argentina

Vatican City Independent State is the icing on the cake and the Tourist Courage Award

At the end of your stay in Rome, you can visit the Vatican Museums, the Vatican Gardens and