Rome, what can I say? It’s Rome! If you are someone that has been there already or haven’t, you have heard about this lovely city. Every single time I go I always fall more in love with it. Not only is there endless things to do and see, but it’s charming in every sense of the word.
I decided to make a trip to Rome again for the fourth time because my friend wanted to visit. I’ll always say yes to Rome and especially Italy. Right after I graduated from college, I decided to move to Florence for six months to learn the language and work a bit in the industry. It was one of the most amazing and memorable times of my life. Italy is so amazing. It has incredible history, art, architecture, language and food, food and food!
Since I am traveling for a couple of months, I have to be more conscious on my spending so we found a great spot on AirBNB in one of the coolest neighborhoods in Rome called Pigneto. It’s the new up and coming hipster cool area of Rome. It’s a great location too with easy access to the metro and bus stops. They have great bars, restaurants, coffee shops and markets you definitely want to check out when you go visit.
For the week that we were there we did a lot of ‘touristy’ musts but we also made sure to just relax some days and solely walk the streets with no specific purpose, get lost a bit, have some gelato in a hidden street and try an apertivo or two along the way. I always find it important when I travel to just go out and explore. Don’t have an agenda just walk the streets, you’ll be surprised what you stumble upon. I am a huge fitness bum so when I don’t have a gym around I have to walk as much as possible and do mini workouts in the bedroom. If you are like me, Italy is your dream place because you will do so much walking that you will double and sometimes triple your steps for the day. 🙂 Which is always good so then I can have more pizza, pasta or gelato later!
I am a total foodie and love almost everything so I can find something to eat anywhere. When it comes to Italy, you have to eat. Italy has it’s own unique way of life with food. Food to them is like water to us. It’s everything to them and you can tell they put so much love into their food because it tastes oh so good. Eat when you are here! You will be wonderfully surprised. Here were a couple of stand outs for me but there is so much goodness in that city I’m sure you’ll have recommendations of your own.
Favorite Place for Pizza: Pizzeria Da Remo | Best pizza I’ve ever had. Handmade wood fired thin pizza crust, just the right amount of cheese with incredible flavor. Make sure to get their right when they open or close to it or plan on waiting. Order your pizza of your liking with a glass of red. Bravissimo in your mouth!
Favorite Vegan Spot: Flower Burger | Best vegan burger I’ve had in a long time. I’m not a huge meat eater and eat fish occasionally but vegan spots are always my go to when it’s available. I went here on my own and honestly was in heaven. I had been craving a healthy burger and who knew I had come to the right place. Their buns are also super tasty and they come in colors so they make for a great pic. My mouth still waters a little when I think about this place and my burger below. 🙂
Italy is well known for their food and apertivo stops so make sure to try as much as you can because there is nothing like Italian apertivo and food. Just keep in mind lunch stops do close around 2 or 3 and then reopen after apertivo around 6 or 7. Apertivo usually starts around 4 too. See what I mean when I say Italy and food? 🙂
Favorite spot for for a Cappucciono or Apertivo: Santa Maria Bistrot | This place is gorgeous! Not only do they have the cutest decor but their food is suppose to be great. We only stopped in for a cappuccino but it was buenissimo to say the least! Strike a convo with some of the ladies at the bar, they were incredibly friendly and gave us some recos too.
Favorite Spot for Fried Artichoke: Il Portico | Do not leave Rome without trying fried artichoke, or as the Romans say it, Carciofo alla giudia. It is honestly one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted. Before we left Rome we wanted to visit the Jewish Quarter or Jewish Ghetto as they call it because we heard such great things about it. So on our last day we set out on a rainy day to find the best fried artichoke. Apparently there are many places that do this best but we stopped here and were very satisfied. The crunchiness and tastiness is all you need to leave with a smile on your face. The Jewish Ghetto is a place to definitely put on your Rome list. There are cute restaurants and shops everywhere and great history too. You will find some of the best restaurants in this side of the city so come hungry.
Things to See in Rome
The Vatican/Sistine Chapel: It’s a must. You will be mind-blown. It’s worth it. Do it.
Trevi Fountain: It’s a beautiful spot for a pic. Try to go early morning if possible because it’s gets incredibly crowded.
Pantheon: It’s a Rome signature and so beautiful. Take pictures from the outside and inside. There are beautiful and yummy places to get something to eat and drink as well in front of it. Enjoy. 🙂
Colloseum: Nothing more breath taking than this place. It was my second time there and the feelings were exactly the same than when I went there the first time. I would recommend to go there during the day and at night because there are just no words. Take your time walking around and even inside. Take pictures and make your memories here.
Spanish Steps: I love this spot. It’s in one of the most beautiful areas of Rome with luxury surrounding the steps. Great coffee and gelato shops, beautiful restaurants, designer shops, cutest of all European streets and talented performers. Writing this makes me want to be there now!
St. Peters Basilica: Catholic or not, we will appreciate this place like no other for it’s architecture and art. You have, have, have to go and see this place. The first time I saw this with my real eyes it was 11 years ago and till this day I have never seen anything like it. You most definitely have to make this visit when in Rome.
Ponte Sant’Angelo: This bridge is the most beautiful bridge in the world. Its openness to light, and perfect distance between arches and water surface makes it different… not to mention the beautiful materials it is made of, and the history it has. Last but not least, it is the bridge that connects the Eternal City to Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. If you are lucky, you will hear one of the best instrument playing by the most talented people on that bridge.
If you have enough time, go to Perugia for the day. We did this and we were so stoked we did. If you want to be up in the countryside with beautiful views, in a cute little town and chocolate shops everywhere then Perugia is your go to. Perugia is surrounded by defensive walls with gothic inspired streets and architecture. Expect to see some amazing churches, structures and museums while you are here. Plan to eat and make sure to try their chocolate they are famous for.
This list are just starters and ideas for your days in Rome but there are endless things to see, do and eat here. So much history, art, food, and architecture to take in and explore. Italy is really easy to travel to and from with great transportation and every place you manage to travel to is picturesque. If it’s your first trip here or your 10th, you will always love it. It’s that special.
