Rome Holidays

Why is Rome called the Eternal City? The ancient Romans believed that no matter how many empires rose or fell, Rome had the power to live on forever. Visit some of the archaeological wonders, or take a leisurely hop on/hop off tour, to make your own memories of the city that all roads lead to.

Rome is often said to be the world’s greatest open-air museum, boasting hundreds of historic sights around every corner and in every square. There’s so much to see and do that you’d need a month to take it all in, but a week or less is enough to give you a taste of Italy’s incredible capital.

With more than 3,000 years under its belt, Rome has long been one of the world’s leading centres of culture. There are masterpieces like the Sistine Chapel, numerous wine-fuelled feasts to partake in, and a raft of iconic sights, including the world’s largest amphitheatre – the Colosseum.

Best of all, the majority of Rome’s attractions are within walking distance of each other, so you’ll be able to soak up the Roman way of life as you walk to the Pantheon or Trevi Fountain. Maybe you’ll discover a hidden church with beautiful frescoes or a secret trattoria serving excellent wine from the Lazio hills. That’s when the phrase ‘when in Rome’ really comes in handy...

a woman standing in front of a mirror posing for the camera

Your plans, our expertise

Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.

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Call us on 01293 765055

An Italian winter wonderland awaits, so immerse yourdelf in our winter cities guide and prepare to be inspired!

Handpicked hotels in Rome

Discover the real Rome while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels

Recommended

Italian Cities, Rome

Starhotels Metropole

Located in the heart of Rome, just minutes from Roma Termini station
A 20 minute walk from major historic sites, including the Colosseum

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Italian Cities, Rome

Hotel Forum

Close to the Colosseum with views over the Forum
A former Dominican monastery dating back to the 18th century

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Recommended

Italian Cities, Rome

Baglioni Hotel Regina

Situated on Via Veneto near Rome's key attractions
Stylish guest rooms and excellent hospitality

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Italian Cities, Rome

Hotel Amalfi

Convenient location in Rome
A short walk from the Colosseum

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Italian Cities, Rome

Palazzo Navona

Central location in the heart of Rome
Exclusive rooftop terrace bar to enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets

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Recommended

Italian Cities, Rome

Hotel Nazionale

Found in the historical centre of the eternal city of Rome
Within minutes’ walk from the Spanish Steps

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Rome Multi Centre Holidays

Take a look at our suggested itineraries for inspiration, or call our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765055* for a bespoke multi-centre

11 day suggested trip

Rome and Sorrento

From £1445 per person

ATOL Protected

Immerse yourself in the history of Pompeii
Island hop or explore the spectacular Amalfi Coast
Visit the top sights of Rome, the Eternal City

Find Out More About Rome and Sorrento

11 day suggested trip

Rome and Amalfi Coast

From £1495 per person

ATOL Protected

Experience the Amalfi Coast from land and sea
Explore the eerie remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum
See the epic sights of ancient Rome and the Vatican City
Stay in one of the beguiling little towns that cling to the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast

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Excursions and experiences in and around Rome

Experience more of Italy by adding an excursion to your holiday.

To pre-book one of our specially selected excursions, please call our Italy Experts on 01293 765055*.

/holidays/italy/lazio/rome/walking-tour-of-rome/A Journey Through Classical RomeWalking Tour of Rome

/holidays/italy/lazio/rome/archaeological-wonders-rome-excursion/Archaeological Wonders of RomeExplore the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Palatine Hill.

/holidays/italy/lazio/rome/colosseum-and-its-gladiators/Colosseum and its GladiatorsDiscover the glorious deeds performed by the gladiators and the life and tales of Flavius Attilius.

/holidays/italy/lazio/rome/hop-on-hop-off-bus-tour-excursion/Hop On / Hop Off Bus Tour24 and 48-hour passes for this sightseeing bus.

/holidays/italy/lazio/rome/the-heart-of-ancient-rome-and-jewish-ghetto/The Heart of Ancient Rome and Jewish GhettoTour among two of the most iconic districts of Rome

/holidays/italy/lazio/rome/naples-and-pompeii-excursion/Naples and PompeiiFull-day tour to the archaeological ruins of Pompeii.

/holidays/italy/lazio/rome/unesco-tivoli-villas-excursion/UNESCO Jewels: Tivoli and its VillasEscape the city for a morning tour of Italy’s most famous Roman villas.

/holidays/italy/lazio/rome/vatican-museum-and-sistine-chapel-small-group-tour/Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel – Small Group TourLearn all about Rome’s most famous site in this guided, small group tour.

Things to do in Rome

Rome is one of the most-visited cities in the world, reeling in over seven million international travellers a year. There’s a whole list of must-see sights to check off, from world-famous landmarks like the Colosseum to backstreet gelaterie that are among the best in Italy.

Palatine Hill is the best place to start. This vast archaeological dig reveals the powerful Roman heart of the city – from king-sized gladiator stadiums to the pristine Arch of Titus. Pop over to neighbouring Capitoline Hill, which comes topped with a museum-lined square by Michelangelo.

Like Florence and Pisa, the whole of Rome is an art gallery. The Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps give lessons in baroque architecture, while the Vatican Museums offer a glimpse into the secretive city-state at the centre of Rome.

Escape the lively city streets by spending an afternoon at Villa Borghese. The gardens are just as impressive as the mansion, serving up artful flowerbeds and a boating lake that wouldn’t look out of place in London.

Things to doPiazza NavonaPiazza Navona is perhaps Rome’s most beautiful open space: an extraordinary boat-shaped piazza bedecked with fountains and surrounded by a vast array of impressive baroque palazzos.Find out more about Piazza Navona

Things to doRoman Forum and Palatine HillSet adjacent to The Colosseum, the Roman Forum was once at the very heart of this ancient city, and today represents the location of many of Rome’s best-preserved monuments.Find out more about the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Things to doSan Luigi dei FrancesiIf you’re looking to infuse some art and culture into your trip then the church of San Luigi dei Francesi is a beautiful display of art and architecture.Find out more about San Luigi dei Francesi

Things to doSanta Maria Della VittoriaThe church of Santa Maria Della Vittoria was built in 1603 and is a fantastic example of Baroque architecture. The interior with its multi coloured marble and gold detailing is a feast for the eyes. Find out more about Santa Maria Della Vittoria

Things to doThe ColosseumThe imposing Colosseum, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is arguably Rome’s most iconic landmark.Find out more about the Colosseum

Things to doThe PantheonThe Pantheon is one of the best-preserved buildings of ancient Rome, originally commissioned in 27 AD during the reign of Augustus and later rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 125 AD.Find out more about the Pantheon

Things to doThe Spanish StepsRome’s Spanish Steps are known around the world for their majesty and beauty, and have captivated travellers for nearly 300 years.Find out more about the Spanish Steps

Thing to doThe Vatican museum and St. Peters Basilica Rome’s landscape is instantly recognisable by the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, and no visit to the Eternal City would be complete without spending some time at the Vatican, the world’s smallest independent state.

Things to doTrastevereBrimming with life, Trastevere is a neighbourhood that will have you falling in love. Settled on the other side of the Tiber River, Trastevere is plentiful with authentic trattoria, bars and shops that spill out onto its cobbled streets.Find out more about Trastevere

Things to doTrevi FountainThe Fontana di Trevi is one of the most impressive sites in Rome. Find out more about the Trevi Fountain

Things to doThe Vatican and The Sistine ChapelRome’s landscape is instantly recognisable by the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, and no visit to the Eternal City would be complete without spending some time at the Vatican, the world’s smallest independent state. Find out more about The Vatican and The Sistine Chapel

Things to doVilla Borghese GardensThe Villa Borghese Gardens are situated moments from Rome’s most unmissable sights, yet manage to offer a haven of serenity, with more than 148 acres of grounds to be enjoyed.Find out more about the Villa Borghese Gardens

Flight Information

Most international flights arrive into Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO), which is about 45 minutes from the centre of Rome. Direct flights to Fiumicino travel from from Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey, Leeds, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle. The flight time comes in at about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Some direct flights also head to Rome Ciampino airport (CIA); it's approximately 30 minutes away from the city centre. These flights jet off from London Stansted, Edinburgh, Manchester, East Midlands and Glasgow, taking around 2 hours 30 minutes.

When to go

You can visit Rome at any time of the year. The city can be crowded and the weather can get hot in July and August, but you can often find some good hotel offers during this time. Spring and autumn are popular months for visitors. The warm weather makes it one of the best times to wander through Rome's piazzas (via the gelato shops, of course). But winter also has its charms – read our 10 reasons to visit Rome in winter blog post to find out why we love it.

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.

On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.

On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.

Rome Specialities When it comes to cuisine, Rome doesn’t disappoint. Although Roman recipes are technically simple, the plates are generous and the dishes flavour-rich. Eating out can be as simple as picking up a cup of pistachio gelato, to marathon dinners that start with aperitivo and end with a cappuccino five hours later. You can also choose from Michelin-starred ristorantes and homespun trattorias.

Rome Specialities

Pizza, pasta – and artichokes

Don’t leave Rome without trying pizza bianca, a focaccia-style pizza that stocks bakeries city-wide. Typical pasta dishes include cacio e pepe. It sounds simple – cheese and black pepper – but that just brings out the salty kick of the local pecorino Romano cheese. Artichokes pop up all over Roman menus, too, both cooked into pasta and pizza, and deep-fried as a starter (the Roman-Jewish carciofi alla giudia).

Rome HistoryFew cities in the world are steeped in myth and history quite like Rome – there are around 2,500 years to account for, after all. Considered one of the birthplaces of Western civilisation, Rome was the capital of the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and Roman Empire.

Rome HistoryThe city was one of the centres of the Renaissance from around the 14th century, seeing both baroque and neoclassicism flourish. Much of this period gave Rome the breathtaking sights and art that bring millions of visitors every year, from Michelangelo’s Piazza del Campidoglio to the Trevi Fountain. Finally, in the 20th century, it settled as the capital of the Italian Republic and earned its place on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Rome Holidays

Your plans, our expertise

Handpicked hotels in Rome

Starhotels Metropole

Hotel Forum

Baglioni Hotel Regina

Hotel Amalfi

Palazzo Navona

Hotel Nazionale

Rome Multi Centre Holidays

Rome and Sorrento

From £1445 per person

Rome and Amalfi Coast

From £1495 per person

Excursions and experiences in and around Rome

Things to do in Rome

Flight Information

When to go

Visa Information

Tipping

Introduction to languages

What our customers think