City breaks in Rome
Discover Rome on an unforgettable city break! The Italian capital charms countless tourists looking for relaxing, culturally-rich city breaks every year. Immerse yourself in the spirit of La Dolce Vita, try classic Italian dishes and visit the internationally renowned landmarks which fill the city. Travelcircus offers deals on a range of 4 and 5 star hotels so you can enjoy your dream holiday in Rome surrounded by comfort.
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The Colosseum, the Vatican, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain are incredibles sights to explore on a holiday in Rome. Discover other fascinating destinations in Europe: Travelcircus offers deals in Paris, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam and many more intriguing cities so it’s never been easier to plan your next getaway!
Holidays in Rome – Culture, history and gastronomy
Stunning monuments, incredible beauty, exquisite gastronomy ... It’s no wonder that Rome is such a popular destination for city breaks. Rome is undoubtedly hot on the heels of Paris when it comes to the title of the most romantic city in the world. The city is a holiday hotspot, whether you’re travelling as a couple, a family or with friends.
Steeped in history, Rome itself is practically an open-air museum. Wander through its winding streets, breath-taking architecture and ancient ruins and soak up the atmosphere of this timeless city. Discover everything you can do on a 3-day trip to Rome, from must-see monuments to vibrant city districts and the ultimate dishes to try whilst you’re in the Italian capital.
What to see in Rome
Rome is brimming with magnificent sights and monuments which date from the time of the Roman Empire. Today, you will find these well-preserved monuments in the historic centre of the city which is a UNESCO World Heritage site:
- The Colosseum: This is the landmark most synonymous with Rome. The ancient amphitheatre was able to accommodate over 70,000 people and was frequently used for gladiatorial combat, horse racing and public executions.
- The Roman Forum: This marketplace would have been the economic, religious and political centre of the city.
- Palatinate Hill: The hill is home to the ruins of the Palace of Domitian and boasts views of the Forum and the Circus Maximus.
- La Piazza Venezia: The piazza is most well-known for its monument to the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II.
- The Capitolium: The centre of Rome. The Piazza del Campidoglio on top of the hill was designed by Michaelangelo and houses ancient statues and museums.
- Domus aurea : This ancient palace was once the residence of Emperor Nero and also known as the Golden House and is the most spectacular palace from Roman antiquity.
Other areas of Rome contain equally stunning sites:
Historic centre of Rome:
- Piazza Navona: This magnificent square is filled with cafés and restaurants and contains three fountains: the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, the Fontana del Moro and the Fountain of Neptune.
- The Campo de Fiori : This square hosts a market every day and is the perfect spot to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Trevi District:
- The Trevi Fountain: This fountain is the most famous in Rome. It is known for its baroque architecture and the tradition of tossing a coin into the fountain and making a wish.
In the North of the city:
- The Spanish Steps: These 136 steps are one of the most popular sights in the city. You can also find the Fontana della Barcaccia, the church of the Santissima Trinità dei Monti and an obelisk here.
- Villa Borghese: This idyllic park is perfect for a relaxing stroll and contains various statues, monuments and fountains. There are also museums and galleries to explore as well as a zoo.
The Vatican
- Vatican Museums: This collection of museums and palaces boasts almost 70,000 works of art dating from antiquity to the Renaissance (including paintings, sculptures and busts). The Bramante staircase, the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel are especially well-known.
- St. Peter’s Basilica: This incredible basilica is known throughout the world and has immense architectural, artistic and religious significance.
- The Sistine Chapel: The chapel’s crowning glory are the majestic frescoes which adorn the walls and the chapel ceiling. The chapel features work by Botticelli and Michaelangelo, with one of the more famous works being The Last Judgement by Michaelangelo.
Your holiday in Rome
If you’re short on time and you want to visit museums or monuments for which you need to purchase tickets, you can often reserve your tickets in advance online to avoid long queues on-site.
One way to save money while sightseeing is to buy a tourist card. The Roma Pass is particularly useful because it includes entry to museums and archaeological sites, free use of Rome’s public transport network and discounts for events and exhibitions for tourists. You can buy a 48 hour pass or a 72 pass. The 48 hour pass ( € 32.00 ) includes entry to one museum or archaeological site and the 72 hour pass ( € 52.00 ) includes entry to two museums or archaeological sites.
Sights for which the Roma Pass can be used include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatinate Hill, as well as the Borghese Gallery and Museum, the Baths of Caracalla, the Castel Sant'Angelo, the Capitoline Museums, the Circus Maximus, the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art and many more.
If you don’t have room in your budget for paying for museums, exhibitions or monuments, don’t despair! You can still enjoy an enchanting holiday in the Italian capital and explore this multifaceted metropolis. There are certain sights which are free to visit. Here are some of the places you can visit for free in Rome:
- St. Peter’s Basilica (entry to the Dome is subject to charges)
- The Altar of the Fatherland
- The Circus Maximus
- The Pantheon
- The Villa Borghese
- The church of Santa Maria del Popolo
- The church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane
The following are perfect for visiting on a stroll:
- The Trevi Fountain
- The Piazza Navona
- The Mouth of Truth (La Bocca della Verità)
- The Piazza di Spagna
- The Colosseum (wander around the outside)
- The Campo de’ Fiori
What to eat in Rome
Pizza, pasta, gelato, bruschetta, mozzarella, panna cotta, risotto, lasagne, focaccia ... Whether it’s sweet treats or savoury morsels, Italy’s culinary reputation is impeccable. As well as these Italian classics, you will also find numerous local dishes in Italy,as well as excellent wines and cheeses. Don’t miss out on these Roman delicacies on your city break:
- Spaghetti alla Carbonara, the most famous dish from Rome
- Cacio e Pepe, pasta with cheese and pepper
- Pasta Arrabiata, pasta in a spicy tomato sauce
- Abbacchio a scottadito, grilled, marinated lamb chops
- Carciofi alla Romana, artichokes prepared with mint, parsley, anchovies, breadcrumbs and parmesan
- Filetti di baccalà, fried fillets of fish
- Coda alla Vaccinara, oxtail stew with vegetables
- Saltimbocca alla Romana, veal escalope with ham and sage
FAQs: Frequently asked questions about city breaks in Rome
Why should I go to Rome for a city break?
How many days should I spend in Rome on a city break?
How much does a city break in Rome cost?
How can I best get around Rome on my holiday?
What are some must-sees for visiting Rome on a city break?
- The Colosseum
- The Trevi Fountain
- The Piazza Navona
- The Roman Forum
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- The Piazza Venezia
- The Castel Sant’Angelo
- The Campo de’ Fiori
- The Sistine Chapel
- The Pantheon
- The Palatinate Hill
- The Piazza di Spagna
What are the specialty dishes to try while I’m in Rome?
- Carciofi alla Giudìa, fried artichokes
- Pasta a la Carbonara
- Supplì, balls of fried rice
- Maritozzi, whipped cream buns
- Gnocchi
- Filetti di baccalà, fried dish
- Penne all'Arrabbiata, penne with a spicy, garlic and tomato sauce
- Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, spaghetti with cheese and pepper
- Abbacchio a scottadito, lamb chops
- Coda alla vaccinara, beef stew
- Polpette di bollito, fried meatballs
- Minestra broccoli e arzilla, skate and romanesco cabbage soup
- Saltimbocca alla romana, veal escalope with prosciutto and sage