Travel Blog Joao Cajuda

Rome – top 20 things to do in 3 days

Rome – top 20 things to do in 3 days

Rome is like an “open air museum”. For over 2000 years here were build monuments that nowadays are World Heritage Sites, from the giant coliseum to the magnificent Sistine Chapel. Considered the world’s center for centuries, Rome is a city of a thousand stories and myths… a disneyland for grownups who love culture. A city with so many attractions, attracts also large crowds… and you may not believe but I heard more American in Rome than Italian. Rome is bella, majestic, with large crowds, traffic and a contagious energy!

WHEN TO GO

I think it depends on each person, the best time I guess is spring… March, April and May are months of low rainfall and temperatures hover between 15 and 20 degrees. However for these reasons, this is also the time when the country get’s more tourists.

I like a little bit more warm so I went in June. July and August are months quite hot, great for those who like to stay in the swimming pool but terrible for those who want to explore the city. I don´t recommend you!

Fall is ok, September and October are great months to visit the country. In the winter months it is more stringent, temperatures can go down to 0 ° C, but for those who don´t have other option, better go than stay at home.

HOW TO GET

TAP and Ryanair have direct flights from Lisbon to Rome, if booked in advence the flight can cost you less than 100€. My flight was to the airport of Ciampino, there are two ways to get to the city center, bus and taxi (click here for more information on how to arrive / depart from Ciampino and Fiumicino airports).

WHERE TO SLEEP

Villa Spalletti

Veduta esterna della Villa Spalletti Roma

Located in the heart of Rome, this palace with over 100 years of history has become one of the most luxurious and exclusive hotels in the city. To read more about my stay, view pictures and video … click here.

Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto

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Located in one of the richest avenues, Via Vittorio Veneto, this wonderful hotel is pure Art Deco, offering luxurious accommodation for cosmopolitan travelers … read more about my stay, view pictures and video … click here.

 

TRANSPORT

Metro and bus – Biglietto semplice BIT price (one way): 1.50€. The B.I.T. tickets can be used in the metro and buses of Rome, the ticket is valid for 100 minutes, this means that if you’re quick you can reach any corner of the city. Biglietto giornaliero B.I.G. (Ticket one day) Price: 6€ valid for 1 day. Biglietto per 3 giorni B.t.i. (3-day ticket) Price: 6.50€. Biglietto Settimanale C.I.S. (1 week) Price: 24€

WHERE TO EAT

  • Al Vero Girarrosto Toscano, Via Campania 29 – An excellent restaurant for those who enjoy Tuscany cousine. It’s expensive!
  • L’Asino d’Oro, Via del Boschetto, 73 – Excellent Roman restaurant. Medium to expensive.
  • Ice Cream – The Carapina is one of the most famous gelatarias in Rome. Address: Via dei Chiavari 37.
  • The Frigidarium, in Piazza Navona or I dolci di Nonna Vincenza (Campo de’Fiori and Piazza Montecitorio). Anyway almost every gelatarias in Italy are great.

TIPS

Purchase a tourist card – If you want to visit plenty museums buy a card like Roma Pass or Biglietto 4 Musei (You can see up to 4 museums) http://www.rome-museum.com/it/biglietti-museo-nazionale -romano.php

Purchase tickets from museums and tourist attractions before you go, especially if you are in high season. Rome has many tourists, everything you don´t want is to lose three hours in the line to enter the Colosseum. Official website.

Check more tips before traveling to Italy here.

HERE IS MY VIDEO BELLA ITALIA.

 

BRIEF HISTORY OF ROME

The Founding of Rome is very much embroiled in myth. IT has as protagonists the twins Romulus and Remus. Abandoned in a basket near the waters of Tiber River, they were saved by a she-wolf who suckled them and watched them grow. When adult, Romulus killed Remus and then founded Rome eight centuries before Christ. Over the centuries, Rome became the center of a vast civilization that dominated the Mediterranean region for centuries, and it would be overturned by some Germanic tribes, triggering the historiography of the Middle Ages. Became the home of the Catholic Church and, under pressure from political circumstances, it would be forced to cede part of her territory, inside, to form an independent state, the Vatican City. Rome continued to play an important role in global politics, as it did in the history and culture of the European peoples for centuries. Today is the world’s city with more monuments, attracting an average of 7 to 10 million tourists a year. It is the third most visited city in Europe right after London and Paris.

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TOP THINGS TO DO AND DO IN ROME

Rome is the world’s city with more monuments and is not easy to decide where to go, what to do, what to visit … especially if the time is short. I’ll leave you here a map with a circuit I did during three days. Always walked on foot, it is healthy and the best way to discover the city. Legend: Day 1 (blue), Day 2 (red), Day 3 (green). Basically I visited all the main sights of the city, as well as other less knowned but equally worth a stop. It is the TOP 20 in Rome so you can explore the city in three days.

roma mapa feito

1 – Spanish Steps

Famous staircase in Piazza di Spagna. The stairs were built in 1720 and is a very popular place for those who like to sit on the stairs, drink wine or simply watch the city life. It is known for great fashion shows and also by tourists who break their legs, is slippery, watch out!

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2 – Trevi Fountain

One of the most famous fountains in the world and also one of the most packed of tourists. The best time to visit the fountain (if there is) is at lunch time when most people are in restaurants. For those who like superstitions, throw two coins (one for love, the other to return to Rome), over your left shoulder.

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3 – Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of the oldest buildings in Rome and one of the best preserved, worth a visit t to observe the open dome ceiling, Many Roman emperors and buried here.

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4 – Piazza Navona

Built in the year 85d.c, the square was initially a “Roman stadium” for more than 20,000 spectators, throughout history has changed and has given rise to one of the most beautiful squares in the city, at the center you will find the beautiful Fountain of the Four Rivers, built in 1651 and the two fountains, Fontana di Nettuno (1574) and the Fontana del Moro (1576).

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5 – Campo De Fiori

A great square to have dinner or drink a glass of wine in the evening. Quite busy with street artists playing live. Every day, except Sundays, there is one of the largest markets of Rome. The square was once the stage of the Inquisition. In the middle of the square you will find a statue in honor of the philosopher Giordano Bruno, burned alive at that location on February 17, 1600, for saying, as Galileo Galilei, that the earth was moving around the sun and not the otherwise.

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6 – Garibaldi Bridge

It is a common bridge, but a great spot to watch the sunset over the Vatican. Then move to the other side of the river to get in one of the most charismatic districts of Rome.

7 – Trastevere

Its one of my favorite neighborhoods, especially at night, has hundreds of cafés, bars and restaurants, street performers and a lot of movement, I recommend going to have dinner at Pizzeria Dar Poeta http://darpoeta.com, I ate the best pizza my life. The night here lasts until late, enjoy and have some drink.

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8 – Republic Square

Here you can visit the beautiful Naiadi fountain. In the square you can also visit the basilica Santa Maria Deli and Angeli dei Martiri, one of the most spectacular and quiet.

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9 – Rome Colosseum

Is one of the most iconic buildings in the world, was built , with almost 2000 years, the building suffered a lot of changes throughout history. It was the largest amphitheater built during the Roman Empire, and despite the hour queue, is well worth a visit. Rent an audio guide it has very interesting trivia.

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10 – Roman city

The Coliseum ticket also gives you entry to the Roman city right next to it. Most of the city are ruins of the great empire, but you can still see quite a few buildings. Do not miss.

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11 – Piazza Venezia

One of the most impressive squares of the city. It is possible to climb the monument Vittorio Emanuele II (paid up 6€) and enjoy the superb views of the city, unfortunately it closes at 7PM which make almost impossible to take photos at sunset. Behind the monument there is a staircase that leads you to the Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara coeli, bellissima with dozens of giant candlesticks, it is worth the climb.

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12 – Via del Corso

One of the most famous avenues in the city, explore the streets around. Stop at the historic Caffè Greco to drink an Italian coffee  – an exclusive place since XVIII century – and if you want to shop some clothes, the best street is Via Condotti, here you will find all luxury brands, from Prada to Louis Vuitton.

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13 – Castel Sant’Angelo

Served as a prison and a safe haven for many popes. The bridges and the entire architecture around the castle is beautiful. It is an excellent starting point to visit the Vatican.

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14 – Vatican City

The Piazza San Pietro has 284 columns, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1657 and 1666 is nowadays the home of the catholic church. Is huge and worth a visit. The Vatican museum entrance is 20€. Buy the tickets before: http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do

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15 – Gianicolo

One of the most beautiful panoramic views of Rome. You can walk from the Vatican. Every day at 12AM they launche the cannons as a way to inform people about the hours.

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16 – Buco di Roma

I saw a picture of a beautiful garden overlooking the Vatican, after searching and searching I found the place. Few tourists knows this place. Situated in the square dei Cavalieri di Malta, there is a keyhole with an amazing view. Worth going, zero tourists. Is easier to get there by Taxi.

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17 – Giardino Degli Aranci

Right next to Buco di Roma, this beautiful garden with an amazing view of the city is great to rest your legs after so much walking. Very few people, mostly Italians.

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18 – Mouth of Truth

Rome is full of treasures and secrets. The Mouth of Truth (La Bocca della Verita) is not one of those secrets because everyone knows and goes there. Get ready to get at least 30 minutes. Anyway you can take a picture right next to the mouth, but outside bars, more practical in my opinion. The Mouth of Truth is a grotesque mask and is is in the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. It is said that the stone was a decorative sewer lid, and from the Middle Ages was placed in the church as a lie detector. People puted the person’s hand in the mouth and made him question if the person was lying, the mouth would eat the hand. This monument became known worldwide with the film “Roman Holiday” with Audrey Hepburn.

audrey hepburn roma

 

19 – Museums

The National Gallery of Modern Art is one of the city’s museums where are exposed major Italian works. If in May, hopefully you catch the La Settimana dei Beni Culturali, a festival of 10 days and all the museums and tourist attractions are free.
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20 – Villa Borghese Gardens

The Villa Borghese gardens is the third largest public park in Rome (about 80 hectares). In this beautiful park you can find, for example, a zoo, a home movie for cinema lovers, some museums like the Museo Pietro Canonica… and of course, the main attraction, the Galleria Borghese. With an extraordinary ceiling created by the Sicilian Mariano Rossi between 1775 and 1779. The paintings are a tribute to the Roman civilization: in the center you can see Romulus image arriving at Olympus. The ticket costs 9€ and the schedule is: Saturday / Sunday – from 9:00h to 19:00h. Throughout the gardens you can find a lot of impressive fountains (such as Fontana dei Cavalli Marini), a lake and even a square called “S. Paolo del Brasile “! The park ideal to relax from the city fuss.

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