City trip to Rome: Here are the best insider tips for 2025

Rome is for me like Paris. I could go there a hundred times without ever getting tired of it. I even lived there – only for four months, but still – and I still long to go back. People often ask me for insider tips for Rome and what to see in the world's most beautiful city, so here they are. All personally experienced and tested – my best tips for a city trip to Rome.

1. Accommodation in Rome: where to stay

I haven't tested all the hotels in Rome – there are far too many, and when we stayed there, we often slept at friends' places when we visited – but I have one hotel that meets all our wishes. If you stay here, you don't need to look any further. The hotel is called **Hotel Forum**. It's not trendy, not at all. If you're looking for a modern place, this is not for you. But it is classic, you can get there by car (a rarity in Rome, as you can't drive into the *centro storico* without permission), and when you step out of the hotel, you are right at the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. It is also reasonably priced, has a rooftop bar, and you have breakfast in a beautiful, open room with a view of the ancient ruins.
hotelforum.com

2. The best restaurants in Rome according to a local (me)

Of course, you eat well in Rome, but be aware: Roman cuisine is originally a “poor man's kitchen,” where many offal and other “discarded” meat parts are used. The Romans were not rich and therefore used meat that others considered to be of lower quality. The funny thing is that they made it so well that even the Pope eventually asked for this “poor man's food” after hearing so many good stories about it.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of calf intestines, kidneys, sweetbreads, or brains, so have a little food lexicon ready when you look at the menu.

That said, you can eat exceptionally well in Rome. If you want something traditional, you should eat at Checco er Carettiere in Trastevere – Rome's answer to Jordaan in Amsterdam.
checcoercarettiere.it – I especially love their terrace. I've already made a reservation and know what I'm going to order.

Another favorite is Gusto (gusto.it), which is located just behind the shopping streets. If the weather permits, I would recommend reserving a table outside, fuori. It's fantastic to sit on the terrace. Inside, there is a pizzeria and a more formal area. Choose what fits the moment. It's the perfect choice if you want something less traditional and a bit more modern. Tip: they also have nice gifts. We still use the apron that our friends from Rome gave us years ago.

A personal favorite is Trattoria Monti, in the Monti district (yes, we actually named our dog after this place). I need to go back there this summer and haven't been there in a while, so I don't know if it's exactly the same, but back then it was run by two brothers and their mother. She cooked based on what she found at the market that day, and the brothers served it all with love. We've taken friends there who now always return when they are in Rome.
Trattoria Monti, Via di San Vito 13.

For drinks, you can go to Campo dei Fiori – you can sit there for hours enjoying the city's life and atmosphere.

3. Culture in Rome: must-see attractions

Colosseum + Palatine Hill

Of course, you want to see the Colosseum. The line to get in is long. My tip: Buy a ticket to Palatine Hill – one of the seven hills in Rome, right next to the Colosseum – and you will automatically get access to the Colosseum and skip the long line. Thank me later. If a gladiator comes over and offers to take a picture with you, say no. He is happy to pose, but then demands 50 euros. Thank me later II.

Galleria Borghese

Galleria Borghese is perhaps the most beautiful museum I have ever visited. You can see works by Bernini, Caravaggio, Lippi, and many more and then take a walk in the beautiful park.

The Vatican and the Papal Palace

A little embarrassing confession: I have never been inside the Sistine Chapel. The line was too long, and unfortunately, I don't know any shortcuts. But just entering Vatican City and stepping into the basilica is an experience you won't forget. The grandeur, the beauty, the nuns and priests – it's amazing. Maybe you should leave early and tell me later how beautiful the Sistine Chapel really is.

Santa Maria Maggiore

A beautiful, large church close to Termini (and close to Trattoria Monti – perfect to combine), where you can see beautiful mosaics, a staircase by Bernini, and the tombs of several popes: Clement VIII, Clement IX, Nicholas IV, Paul V, Pius V, and Sixtus V. The famous artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Saint Jerome are also buried here. While you're there, you should check out one of the AS Roma stores and buy a jersey with your favorite player's name.

Castel Sant’Angelo

Perfect after a trip through Trastevere: Cross the bridge to **Castel Sant’Angelo**. This castle plays a big role in *Angels and Demons* and in the final act of the opera *Tosca*. It was built after a procession where they prayed to God to stop the plague, and where the archangel Michael was said to have appeared and sheathed his sword – a sign that the epidemic would end. To thank God and the archangel, Pope Pius II had the chapel built. As I remember it, it's free, and you get a fantastic view of the city.

Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain & Pantheon

Go to Piazza Navona, throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, and enjoy the beautiful light in the Pantheon.

4. Extra tips for your city trip to Rome

• Rent a Vespa and ride up to Gianicolo – my favorite place in the world.
• Explore Testaccio, the former butcher district, now a super cool area.
• Shop around Piazza di Spagna and Via Condotti.
• Prepare to be impressed when you step onto Piazza del Popolo.

Summary: your Rome tips

• Stay at Hotel Forum – central and classic, maybe we'll meet there.
• Eat at local favorites: Checco er Carettiere, Gusto, and Trattoria Monti – get ravioli with truffle.
• Skip-the-line tip for the Colosseum via Palatine Hill – you will thank me later.
• Visit Galleria Borghese, Santa Maria Maggiore, and Castel Sant’Angelo, and take lots of pictures!
• Vespa tour, Testaccio, shopping, and a magical moment at Piazza del Popolo (there's also a fantastic restaurant you shouldn't miss).