Rome

Rome, => the "Eternal City", is the capital of Italy and of the Lazio (Latium) region: it is the famed city of the Seven Hills, La Dolce Vita, the Vatican City and Three Coins in the Fountain.... Population 3.3 million (metropolitan area).

Downtown Districts


Neighborhoods


Understand

Situated on the River Tiber, between the Apennine Mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, the "Eternal City" was once the administrative center of the mighty Roman Empire, governing a vast region that stretched all the way from Britain to Mesopotamia. Today it remains the seat of the Italian government and home to numerous ministerial offices, but is superseded by Milan, in the industrial north, in terms of finance.

Romans

Romans are highly tolerant, but nonetheless try to avoid getting involved in political or religious debates. Also avoid emphasizing your wealth. It is also a deeply humorous town so don't get excited if anyone very soon starts laughing at you (they do it among themselves too).

Get in

By plane

Rome has two main international airports:

Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino International Airport (FCO)

There are several options for getting between Leonard da Vinci airport and downtown Rome:

Be aware that Express trains stop 1 km faraway from the railway station front. A good idea is to take any underground train of the red line (M1) at the nearest "Vittorio" square. N°70 bus is also available. Walking in Vittorio square and its neighborhood at night it's not advisable.

Airport shuttle offers Door to door service from airport FIUMICINO / CIAMPINO to the Rome Hotels or private residence. Minibus 8 seats Tel.: +39/06.42013469 or +39/06.4740451 or +39/06.42014507 http://www.airportshuttle.it/ ACS offers limousine service http://www.airportconnection.it/

Ciampino International Airport (CIA)

Easyjet, Ryanair and Wizzair flights, among others (see Discount airlines in Europe) arrive at Ciampino Airport (CIA). This small airport is closer to the city center than Fiumicino but has no direct rail link. Note that cash machines are available only in the departures area at Ciampino.

By train

Rome's main railway station is Termini Station. Like any other train station, it's not very safe at night. It's also locked up between 00:30 and 04:30, when the only people hanging around outside are taxi drivers and the homeless. Most long-distance trains passing through Rome between these times will stop at Tiburtina station instead.

Other main stations include Ostiense, Trastevere, Tuscolana, Tiburtina.

By car

Roman drivers are infamous for their aggressive driving. Avoid driving in Rome if you can.

By boat

Cruise ships dock in nearby Civitavecchia. Most cruises should have some form of transport to Rome. Now it is possible to dock in new Porto di Roma, Ostia. At few kilometers from Rome and linked by train and metro

Get around

By taxi

Warning! Some private citizens dress up their cars to look like cabs. Generally these people strategically locate themselves at airports and railway stations, waiting for travellers. By accepting their purposes for taxi service, you'll find your trouble. So watch out for operators that don't have a licenced meter. They will really rip you off! Use only authorised taxis (white vehicles with a taximeter) that are available in the arrivals areas of the terminals Taxis are the most expensive way to get around Rome. When you get in the cab there will be a fixed starting charge. Supplements are requested for luggage, night-time runs and public holidays.

If you bring bags aboard, say for example after you've been shopping, you'll becharged €1 extra for each bag

Cab stands are placed all over the city too, so flagging one down is not a problem. Be warned that when you call for a taxi, the cab' meters starts running when it is summoned, not when it arrive to pick you up, so by the time a cab arrives at your location there will already be a substantial amount on the meter.

The main taxi companies are 063570 and 065551. Rome also has several taxi cooperatives. La Capitale Tel 064994. Roma sud Tel 066645 Cosmos 0688177

By foot

Once you're in the center you're best off on foot.

By bus

The buses basically operate on the honor system, but ATAC => does police the bus system for people riding without tickets. ATAC officers may board at every door of the bus just before the bus leaves and check every passenger on the bus. Stamp the ticket before boarding the MetRo, or on board the bus or tram, or face a €100 fine. Though inspectors are rare, if you don't have sufficient money on you to pay the fine, they will actually escort you to an ATM to pay the fee. If you don't have an ATM card to withdraw money, the officers have been known to take you to jail for at most 24 hours.

By tram

The Tram routes mostly skirt the historic center, but there are stops convenient for the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the Trastevere area. The number 8 does run into the center. If you want to catch a soccer game at one of the stadiums in the north of the city, catch the tram just north of the Piazza del Popolo.

By Metro

There are two lines, crossing at Termini station. Line A (red line) runs northwest past the Vatican, and south. Line B (Blue Line) runs southwest past the Colosseum and northeast. At moment (2006) Line A stops running at 9:30 pm.

See

Roman Empire structures

The Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill are all in very close proximity to each other.

Museums

Churches

If you aren't familliar with Roman Catholic churches, take a look inside of any one of these. You'll find the richness and range of decor astonishing, from fine classical art to tacky electric candles.

Public squares

Historical Buildings

Close to Navona square, this building housed the University of Rome since the middle of the 15th century until 1935. The splendid interior courtyard was created by Giacomo della Porta. The inside church of St Ivo [=> is one of the masterpieces of Architect Borromini[=>

Simple and elegant lines make up this building, whose construction began in 1480 for Count Girolamo Riario, nephew of Papa Sisto IV and was taken up by architect Martino Longhi for the new owner, Cardinal Marco Sittico Altemps.

Others

Do

Walk and feel the energy of the place, sights are everywhere waiting to be discovered. Explore the Trastevere neighbourhood for some great cafes and trattorie, and a glimpse at a hip Roman neighbourhood.

Partying in Rome is a pretty easy thing to do. Given a heart for exploration, Testaccio is the place to wander. Head down there around 11pm and listen for music. The outsides of the clubs will give you NO idea what the insides are like. There are usually loads of people simply walking through the street or looking for parking. Be brave, walk in, meet some wonderful Romans, but never buy them drinks unless you are looking for sex (in this case, better to be sure you are inviting the right person). This area is best in the summer when the dancing moves outside. In the winter, most clubs close.

A great place to look for where parties are happening is http://www.nightshots.it. They list at least one party per night somewhere. Only bummer for English speakers is that it's in Italian. But, with a little help from the Lonely Planet phrasebook, you'll figure out the days and times with no problem.

Events

Learn

Rome is replete with foreign language and cultural institutions. Of course, learning Italian is a worthwhile activity while in Rome.

Be a good guest if you do not speak Italian. Being extra polite will keep you out of trouble.

Work

If you want to work during the tourist season, ask around at the hostels, hotels and restaurants with that touristy feel. It is quite easy to get a job, and it is a lot of fun even if it does not usually pay well. There are differing views on how easy it is to get a job out here. There is high unemployment and most jobs seem to go on a family - friends - other romans -other Italians - white EU - other foreigners pecking order. Italian helps. And be wary about making any financial commitments before you've actually been paid - late and non-payment is common here, and you may find as a non-Roman you are more likely to be seen as an easy target for this. You will also need a permesso di soggiorno, whether or not you are an EU resident. Legally, you are required to have a working visa, although it is very easy to work and live without one.

Buy

Be aware that clothing bigger than a UK size 12/US 16 isn't always easy to find. Quality of clothing varies, from the high-quality (and expensive) Prada, to the poor quality goods found in some local shops. Via del Corso has affordable clothing, some brands (like Miss Sixty and Furla) are excellent. Some are not as good- be sure to feel garments and try them on. There are great quality shoes and leather bags at prices that compare well to the UK and US, quality for quality. Children's clothing can be expensive - basic vests (tank tops) can cost 21 euro in non-designer shops. Upim is a good shop for cheap clothing of workable quality. Lots of fake plastic 'Louis Vuitton' bags on sale from immigrants. Make sure you haggle; unsuspecting tourists pay up to 60euro for them.

If you need stamps get them at the post or tobacco shops.

Eat

The Trastevere neighbourhood and the old Jewish quarter have some of the best trattorie and ristoranti in Rome.

In Rome you can ask for:

Avoid the tourist areas where you'll often pay double the going rate just to get a badly reheated frozen pizza. Instead, head for a pizzeria like 'Pizzeria Maratoneta' in via dei Volci / via del Sardi, San Lorenzo area, where you'll find a fine atmosphere of families and groups of students, and you'll get a good meal with a bottle of local plonk at a very reasonable price. You'll get an English menu, too.

There are a few vegetarian restaurants in Rome. 'Arancia Blu' on Via Dei Latini (Via Tiburtina) is posh, overpriced and not that good, but the wine list looks impressive.

Drink

Regional wines (they're cheaper and very good). House wine is almost always drinkable and inexpensive (unlike, say in the UK). Most trattoria wouldn't be caught dead serving poor wine. If the place looks really tourist-trappy then this doesn't apply! (And why would you want to eat there?)

Water is free at most fountains from designated water fountains. Some of these date to ancient times, and the water is still very good. It's fresh spring water and safe to drink. If you carry an empty bottle, fill it up for the rest of the day. Look for the drinking fountain with constant running water, plug the hole and it will shoot up so you can drink it

Sleep

If you're arriving in Rome during high season, be sure to book your accommodation at least a couple of days in advance.

Cheap

Ostia is the Capital's beach and it is also well-known for the "Tourist Port of Rome" with moorings for boats from 8 to 60 metres in length. Every angle of this geographic area makes you relive the sparkle of the past of the Roman coast. There's no time to describe it, it's time to visit it….

For backpackers the area east of Stationi Termini (the side where you find track 1) is full of cheap accommodation. Go to Enjoy Rome or find a place yourself. If you are staying for a week or more, haggle for a better price.

Mid-range

Cope

Embassies and consulates

Public conveniences

Clean, well-stocked, public facilities are sometimes hard to find. Those on the way into the Forum from the main road into Rome going to the Colosseum are worth knowing about. Carry tissue paper and soap with you - chances are that there won't be any. At Termini, under platform 24, near the left luggage office, 70c, well provisioned.

Stay safe

Rome is generally a safe place, even for women travelling alone. As in any big city, it is better if you don't look like a tourist: don't exhibit your camera or camcorder to all and sundry, and keep your money in a safe place. Termini (the main railway station), Esquilino and bus line 64 (Termini to San Pietro) are not so safe, so take extra care in these areas. Read up on the legends concerning tourist scams. Most of them occur regularly in Rome and you will want to see them coming. Watch out especially for bands of kids who will crowd you and reach for your pockets under the cover of newspapers or cardboard sheets.

A great deal of pickpocketing and bag- or purse-snatching takes place in crowded locations, but there is very little violent crime. Members of Italian public would likely be sympathetic if you are a crime victim. Police are also generally friendly if not always helpful. Carabinieri (black uniform) are military police, and Polizia (blue and grey uniform) are civilians, but they both do essentially the same thing and are equally good, or bad. Guardia di Finanza (the grey uniformed ones) do customs work. If you are robbed, try to find a police station and report it. This is essential to establishing a secure travel insurance claim.

Emergencies

In an emergency, call 113 (police) or 118 (medical first aid). Carry the address of your embassy or consulate.

Get out

If you plan to spend some time at Lake Bracciano and visit the towns and villages north of Rome, you might want to rent an apartment in the country. If you have a car, it's even worthwhile to stay outside Rome when sightseeing in the city - cool, quiet, with access to good and inexpensive restaurants in the smaller towns. Parties of up to 10 can rent Casale Treia - the owner speaks good English and French: http://www.mazzano.com/accommodation.htm

Especially if you have a rail pass, making Pompeii a day trip, while it is a very full day, is very doable. You can amuse people on the train by your complete lack of luggage.

This text of this article is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0. It has been slightly modified to fit the general design of this website. The authors of this document are Aidan Boreham, Alessandro Fibbi, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel, Benedetto Colicci, Brian, Christopher Orr, Evan Prodromou, Flaviano, Kristina Killgrove, Paul N. Richter, Rich Daley, Romolo, Rory, Ryan Holliday, Ted O'Neill, Tim Bell, Wikitravel user GeorgGerber, Wikitravel user Gobbler, Wikitravel user Harvzsf, Wikitravel user Jpahmi, Wikitravel user Luvdapug, Wikitravel user Rencattiva, Wikitravel user Sendell, Yann Forget and the following WikiTravel users: Adam.j.sporka, Bijee, Cjensen, Dave, DavidCary, DavidDixonPeugh, EBB, Elgaard, Hypatia, Ilkirk, Jonboy, Maj, Mimmo46, Nzpcmad, Pjamescowie, Rmx, Sjc196, Stavp, Xltel. The original version of this article can be seen at http://wikitravel.org/en/Rome.