Local Favourites
Antico Forno Roscioli
Historic bakery where Romans grab slices of pizza and bread by weight. Great quick vegetarian bite.
Order Pizza bianca, pizza rossa, cookies
Europe · Italy
Rome & Vatican
Ancient ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, bustling piazzas and superb pasta in the Eternal City, with the Vatican just a short walk across the river.
Best timeApril to June and September to October
Ideal trip3–5 days
Budget level₹₹₹₹
Getting thereRome Fiumicino (FCO); the Leonardo Express train reaches Termini in about 30 minutes
Visa (Indian passport)Schengen visa, apply through VFS Global (approximate — verify before travel) Other passport, or hold a US / UK / Schengen visa? Check the visa guide
Great Okay Not ideal
HistoryArtFoodPilgrimage
Four ways to see Rome
Touristy, offbeat, local or hidden?
Every traveller is different. Browse by style, then let the planner mix them into a day-by-day plan.
The famous must-sees
Colosseum≈ ₹1,700
The vast Roman amphitheatre where gladiators fought. Book a timed combined ticket and arrive early to avoid long queues.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Colosseum exterior and Arch of Constantine — Free walk around the outside of the amphitheatre and neighbouring arch; photos are great but you miss the interior.
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill≈ ₹1,700
Ruined temples and streets at the heart of ancient Rome, with Palatine Hill views. Bring water; shade is limited.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Capitoline Hill terrace — Free terrace behind the Capitoline Museums overlooking the Forum, with similar view but no walking among ruins.
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel≈ ₹2,400
Enormous papal collection ending with Michelangelo's ceiling. Pre-booking is vital, and silence is requested in the chapel.
culture · about 4 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: St Peter's Basilica — Free to enter, with Michelangelo's Pieta and grand architecture, but without the Sistine ceiling.
St Peter's BasilicaFree
The world's largest church, with Michelangelo's Pieta and a famous dome climb. Security queues are long; dress modestly.
spiritual · about 2 hrsTrevi FountainFree
Baroque fountain where visitors toss a coin over the shoulder. Go early or late to avoid crowds and pickpockets.
scenic · about 0.5 hrs · best in the eveningPantheon≈ ₹500
Nearly 2,000-year-old temple-turned-church whose dome has a central opening, so sunlight and rain enter inside.
culture · about 1 hrFree alternative: Santa Maria sopra Minerva — Free church close by with Michelangelo's statue and a vaulted blue ceiling, calmer than the Pantheon.
Spanish StepsFree
Wide stone stairway rising to a church, lined with fashion boutiques below. A classic spot to sit and watch city life.
scenic · about 0.5 hrs · best in the eveningQuieter, still easy to reach
Trastevere evening walkFree
Ivy-draped lanes with trattorias and small bars across the Tiber. Lively at night yet charming in daylight.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the eveningAppian Way by bicycle≈ ₹300
Cycle on ancient Roman paving stones past tombs and aqueducts. Bike hire available; weekends are traffic-free.
adventure · about 4 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Parco degli Acquedotti — Free park with towering Roman aqueduct arches, open grassland and few visitors, similar spirit to the Appian Way.
Borghese Gardens and Gallery≈ ₹1,400
Large park with rowing boats and a gallery of Bernini sculptures. The gallery needs a timed reservation.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Pincio terrace and park — Free hilltop terrace over Piazza del Popolo and lovely gardens, without the Bernini sculptures.
Castel Sant'Angelo≈ ₹1,400
Round fortress built as an emperor's tomb, later a papal refuge, with terraces overlooking the Vatican and Tiber.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Ponte Sant'Angelo and Tiber walk — Free angel-lined bridge and riverside walk with the castle views, minus the fortress interior.
Ostia Antica≈ ₹1,700
Remarkably preserved Roman port city with shops, baths and an amphitheatre, reached by suburban train and far less crowded than Pompeii.
culture · about 4 hrs · best in the morningFood, markets, crafts and people
Testaccio Market food walk≈ ₹2,000
Taste supplì, porchetta rolls and pizza al taglio in the market and neighbourhood known as Rome's food heartland.
food · about 2.5 hrs · best in the morningPasta-making class≈ ₹5,500
Learn to roll fettuccine and cook carbonara or cacio e pepe with a local cook; vegetarian options are available.
food · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonGelato crawl≈ ₹800
Visit family-run gelaterias with natural flavours instead of tourist-trap stalls. Avoid bright, heaped displays.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonCampo de' Fiori morning marketFree
Colourful square market selling produce, spices and flowers by day, turning into a lively bar scene at night.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the morningAperitivo in Pigneto≈ ₹1,200
Join locals in a former working-class district for evening drinks and small plates in a relaxed bohemian setting.
nightlife · about 2 hrs · best in the eveningSpots most visitors miss
Orange Garden and Aventine KeyholeFree
Quiet hilltop park with a city view, near a famous keyhole framing St Peter's dome. Peaceful at sunset.
scenic · about 1.5 hrs · best in the eveningQuartiere CoppedeFree
Fairytale neighbourhood of eccentric Art Nouveau buildings, arches and fountains, tucked away from main tourist routes.
culture · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonBasilica of San Clemente≈ ₹950
Three layers of history in one site: a medieval church over a 4th-century church over a Roman home with a temple.
culture · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonNon-Catholic CemeteryFree
Serene cemetery beside a pyramid, where Keats and Shelley are buried, shaded by cypress trees and home to cats.
culture · about 1.5 hrs · best in the morningEntry fees and times are approximate, per adult, and change often — we confirm everything before you book. Last reviewed November 2026.
Specialities
What Rome is famous for
food
Carbonara and cacio e pepe
Roman pasta classics made with egg, pecorino cheese and black pepper; ask for vegetarian options.
food
Supplì and pizza al taglio
Fried rice croquettes and rectangular pizza by the slice, cheap and filling street food.
food
Gelato
Creamy Italian ice cream in natural flavours like pistachio and hazelnut.
drink
Espresso at the bar
Locals drink small, strong coffee standing at the counter, usually cheaper than sitting down.
drink
Aperol spritz
Orange sparkling aperitivo enjoyed before dinner, widely served with snacks.
craft
Roman leather goods
Handmade bags, belts and wallets from small workshops near the centre.
souvenir
Olive oil and pasta
Good-quality olive oil, dried pasta and spice mixes make useful food gifts.
experience
Evening passeggiata
Join locals strolling through piazzas at dusk as monuments are lit up.
Where to eat
A taste of Rome
From the stalls locals queue at to the tables critics travel for — chosen for flavour, character and a warm welcome.
Must try
- Cacio e pepe vegPasta with Pecorino Romano and black pepper - simple, iconic and vegetarian.
- Carbonara / AmatricianaRoman pasta classics made with guanciale (cured pork cheek).
- Pizza al taglio and pizza bianca vegRoman square slices sold by weight; plain olive-oil pizza bianca is a local breakfast.
- Supplì vegFried rice croquettes with a molten mozzarella centre (classic version has meat ragù - ask).
- Carciofi alla giudia / alla romana vegArtichokes deep-fried Jewish-style or braised with mint; best in season (Feb-May).
- Gelato and maritozzo vegArtisan gelato all year, and cream-filled maritozzo buns for breakfast.
Street food trail
Testaccio: Rome's market quarter food walk
- Best time
- 10 am - 1:30 pm, Monday to Saturday (the market is a morning affair and closed on Sundays)
- Takes
- 2.5-3 hours
- Start at
- Mercato di Testaccio, Via Aldo Manuzio / Via Lorenzo Ghiberti (Metro Piramide, about 10 minutes' walk)
- Budget
- approx EUR 30-45 (Rs 3,000-4,500) per person
- Mercato di TestaccioTestaccio
Try Sandwiches from the market's food boxes, with vegetable fillings such as cicoria or melanzane (veg). Fresh fruit and pizza bianca (veg).
Mornings are best. Many sandwich stalls specialise in meat or offal, so ask for 'solo verdure' (vegetables only).
EUR 6-10 (Rs 600-1,000)Map
- TrapizzinoVia Giovanni Branca 88, Testaccio
Try Trapizzino, a triangle of pizza bread stuffed with Roman stews. The aubergine parmigiana filling is a vegetarian option (veg). Suppli, a fried rice ball. Ask for cacio e pepe or a vegetarian one, because the classic contains meat ragu.
This is where the trapizzino was born. Order at the counter and eat standing or on the outdoor seats.
EUR 6-10 (Rs 600-1,000)Map
- VolpettiVia Marmorata, Testaccio
Try Cheese and olive tastings. Pizza al taglio (by the slice) at the hot counter (veg options).
A famous deli, so prices are on the high side. Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano are always made with animal rennet. Ask for a 'caglio vegetale' (plant rennet) cheese if you need one.
EUR 8-15 (Rs 800-1,500)Map
- Pasticceria BarberiniVia Marmorata, Testaccio
Try Maritozzo, a brioche bun with whipped cream (veg). Cannoli and mini pastries (veg).
A neighbourhood favourite. Order at the counter and pay at the till, Roman style.
EUR 3-6 (Rs 300-600)Map
- Gelato on Via Marmorata or nearby, then Piazza TestaccioTestaccio
Try Fruit sorbetto (vegan). Pistachio or nocciola (hazelnut) gelato (veg).
Choose shops where the pistachio is a dull olive-green, not bright green, and where the gelato sits flat in covered tubs rather than piled high. That usually means it is made in-house with fewer additives.
EUR 3-5 (Rs 300-500)Map
Eat smart · every traveller
Diets & dietary needs
- Vegetarian
- Pizza, pasta al pomodoro, cacio e pepe and grilled vegetables are easy. Watch out for guanciale (pork cheek) in carbonara and amatriciana, and anchovy in fried courgette flowers (fiori di zucca) and some pizzas.
- Vegan
- Possible. Pizza marinara (no cheese), bruschetta, pasta with tomato sauce, sorbetto and many vegetable sides (contorni) are vegan.
- Jain (no onion, garlic)
- Hard. Garlic and onion are in most sauces. Pizza bianca, plain pasta with olive oil and fruit are your best bets. Indian restaurants around Piazza Vittorio (Esquilino) may help.
- Halal
- Limited in central Rome. Bangladeshi and Middle Eastern places around Esquilino and Termini serve halal food. Traditional Roman cuisine uses a lot of pork.
- Gluten-free
- Italy is excellent for this. Look for 'senza glutine' signs and the AIC (Italian Coeliac Association) logo, as many pizzerias and gelaterias offer certified options.
- With children
- Pizza al taglio, suppli, gelato and maritozzi are all hits. Avoid the offal sandwiches, such as trippa (tripe) and coratella, for kids.
- Spice level
- Mostly mild. Arrabbiata and some Calabrian dishes carry chilli (peperoncino). Ask 'non piccante' to avoid it.
Say it like a local
Useful phrases
- I am vegetarianSono vegetariano (man) / vegetariana (woman)SO-no veh-jeh-ta-ree-AH-no / veh-jeh-ta-ree-AH-na
- No meat, no fish, no eggSenza carne, senza pesce, senza uovaSEN-tsa KAR-neh, SEN-tsa PEH-sheh, SEN-tsa WOH-va
- Not spicy, pleaseNon piccante, per favorenon pee-KAN-teh, pair fa-VO-reh
- Is there anchovy in it?C'e acciuga?cheh a-CHOO-ga
- How much?Quanto costa?KWAN-toh KOS-ta
- Cards are widely accepted, but carry some euros for small market stalls and the coffee bar. Coffee is cheaper if you drink it standing at the counter than seated at a table.
- Avoid the restaurants with photo menus and touts right next to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Vatican walls. Walk two or three streets away for better value.
- The drinking fountains (nasoni) all over Rome give safe, cold water, so refill your bottle for free.
- A cover charge (coperto) of EUR 1-3 per person is normal at sit-down places. Tipping is optional, so round up or leave 5-10% for good service.
Trail stops, hours and prices are approximate and stalls move — check locally. Pronunciations are simplified guides. Last reviewed 9 November 2026.
Where to eat, by budget
Street food, markets and humble legends
Local Favourites
Pizzarium Bonci
Gabriele Bonci's tiny shop changed Rome's pizza-by-the-slice game; ideal after the Vatican.
Order Seasonal topped slices, supplì
Local Favouriteswidely recommended (since 1900)
Giolitti
Rome's grand old gelato parlour, a short walk from the Pantheon.
Order Gelato with panna (whipped cream)
Acclaimed cafés and celebrated mid-range tables
Smart & Stylish
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
Deli counter meets wine bar, known for some of the city's best Roman pastas. Book ahead.
Order Carbonara, cacio e pepe, burrata
Smart & Stylish
Da Enzo al 29
Small family trattoria with classic Roman cooking; expect to queue as reservations are limited.
Order Carbonara, carciofi alla giudia, tiramisù
Smart & Stylishwidely recommended (family-run since 1961)
Armando al Pantheon
A steps-from-the-Pantheon family trattoria that has stayed authentic despite its location. Reserve well ahead.
Order Cacio e pepe, amatriciana, seasonal vegetables
Award-winning tables, tasting menus and grand hotel dining
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide Italia 2026: 3 stars (Rome's only three-star)
La Pergola (Rome Cavalieri)
Heinz Beck's rooftop restaurant with a panoramic view over Rome and St Peter's - the city's grandest dinner.
Order Fagottelli 'La Pergola', tasting menu
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide Italia 2026: 2 stars
Il Pagliaccio
Anthony Genovese's inventive cooking blends Italian, French and Asian ideas in an intimate setting.
Order Tasting menu
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide Italia 2026: 1 star
Aroma (Palazzo Manfredi)
Dining at eye level with the Colosseum - a romantic, view-led special occasion with refined Mediterranean food.
Order Tasting menu with Colosseum view at sunset
Restaurants change hours, menus and prices often; awards are as published at the time of checking. Approximate — verify before you go. Last reviewed 9 November 2026. All our food picks
Time it right
Festivals & events
MarWorld
Easter in Rome
St Peter's Square and churches, Rome, Italy · Easter Sunday 28 March 2027 (Holy Week from about 21 March)
Holy Week fills Rome with processions, services and the Pope's Easter blessing. Pilgrims arrive from everywhere, and the city's churches are at their most atmospheric.
Tip: Reserve hotel rooms and museum slots early; some sights close on Easter Sunday.
Local tip: Pre-book Colosseum and Vatican Museums tickets online, and cover shoulders and knees for churches.
Make Rome yours
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