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It's not difficult to spend the perfect weekend in Rome. The Eternal City is packed full of fun activities to enjoy, delicious restaurants to eat at and historical buildings to marvel at. In fact, with so many choices it can be difficult to whittle down your itinerary, especially if you're only spending the weekend in Rome.
But don't worry, with this complete guide, we'll unveil what to do, where to stay and the best restaurants in Rome so that you can truly make the most of your time in this incredible city.
Our Guide to A Perfect Weekend in Rome
Why you should go on a weekend trip to Rome
If you're not 100% decided on where to go on your next holiday, you need to consider a weekend trip to Rome. Why? The delicious Italian food, historical sites and vibrant atmosphere can't be replicated anywhere else. Because of all this Rome is a perfect travel destination for foodies, couples and history buffs!
How to get to Rome from the UK
A flight to Rome takes just a few hours from the main UK airports, making it perfect for an impromptu European getaway.
- London to Rome: 2h30
- Manchester to Rome: 2h40
- Edinburgh to Rome: 2h55
Once you land in the Eternal City, the centre of Rome is only 40 minutes away from the Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino airport. You can expect to pay around €40 for a taxi but you can also take a direct train or go by bus.
If you've been given a travel gift voucher, why not redeem it on flight to the Italian capital so you can spend the weekend in Rome?
When's the best time to visit Rome?
The great thing about Rome is that you can visit at any time of the year. With its Mediterranean climate, temperatures are mild, even in autumn. In the summer, as expected the temperatures rise quickly as well as the number of tourists- so maybe best to avoid if you're not into crowds. In winter, the temperature varies between 3 and 17C, with mild temperatures, perfect for strutting around the best neighbourhoods in Rome.
But no matter which month you go to, Rome will always be synonymous with the La Dolce Vita.
How to get around Rome?
We can only advise you to use your feet in Rome! Firstly, all the monuments and tourist attractions are accessible on foot. Secondly, it helps to make your weekend trip to Rome more sustainable.
And last but not least, what a pleasure it is to wander through the narrow streets of Rome and discover secret addresses. Most of the streets are small and narrow and cars are not allowed except for taxis and residents.
However, if you want a totally Italian experience, why not rent a Vespa? Just watch out for the cars!
Things to do in Rome
1. Visit the Colosseum
A must-see if you are only spending the weekend in Rome! You absolutely have to visit the Colosseum! This Roman monument is an impressive sight and used to be the place where gladiator battles took place, seen by thousands of spectators. Nowadays, the Colosseum is visited every year by thousands of tourists from all over the world.
We advise you to buy a queue-cutting ticket online to reduce the long queues and book a guided tour with an expert to learn all the secrets of this majestic place.
You can also visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to be immersed in ancient history.
2. Take a trip to the Trevi Fountain
Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish. Every day, 3,000 euros are collected in the fountain and donated to the Caritas association, so you can do a good deed too.
The best time to see the fountain? No matter what time of day it is, it’s mesmerising.
Tip: Try to go in the morning before 9am and return in the evening to see it lit up.
3. Visit the Vatican City
The Vatican City is another must-see when spending the weekend in Rome. It’s a country within the city, the Vatican is full of wonders such as St Peter's Basilica, its dome and its main square. Plus, the Sistine Chapel is just breathtaking.
Take your time to wander around this part of the city during your weekend in Rome, as there is so much to see and and discover.
Tip: Enter every church you see, they’re all beautiful!
Explore Rome's Hidden Gems
We are generous, that's why we have selected a few places in Rome that are a bit more unusual and worth a visit.
- Villa Borghese: This vast park in the heart of Rome is home to several museums, the most famous being the Borghese Gallery. The park is open 24 hours a day, so there is no excuse not to go.
- Rome's Protestant Cemetery: Considered an idyllic spot in the capital, this Protestant cemetery is a must-see. It may seem surprising at first glance, but this place is rich in history and architecture.
- The historic centre of Coppede: with its strange and unusual shapes and its mix of art nouveau, Greek, Baroque, Gothic and medieval art, this district, located a few minutes from the city centre, is worth discovering. An unusual district that deserves a little attention.
Which hotels to choose in Rome?
The First Dolce, a high-end hotel
Experience the Dolce Vita by staying at the First Dolce, a 5-star boutique hotel in the heart of Rome. Be welcomed in pure Italian style and enjoy an unforgettable experience at this majestic hotel. Just a stone's throw from the Spanish Steps, you have the perfect location to visit all the must-see places in Rome.
The Solis, in the historic centre
Another hotel you can book on our Hotelgift website is the Solis. This charming hotel has a perfect location in the city centre for visiting the popular attractions of Rome. With three stars, this hotel is the right compromise between comfort and modernity. A choice we can highly recommend after a long day of walking around Rome.
Grand Hotel del Gianicolo, for a bit of greenery
If you want to have a breathtaking view of Rome, you must stay at the Grand Hotel del Gianicolo. This sublime hotel is located just a few steps from San Pietro, Trastevere and Palatine Hill. An unforgettable stay, between culture, history, period frescoes, all in comfort. And with a large swimming pool and palm trees, you are in the perfect place for total relaxation after a visit to Rome.
An idyllic sunset for a romantic weekend to admire from the hotel gardens.
The Best Restaurants in Rome
What would a weekend trip to Rome be without stopping at one of the city's many restaurants? Here are our recommendations for the best restaurants in Rome where you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine:
1. Supplizio for Authentic Italian Street Food
Before wolfing down your long-awaited Italian pizza, the locals recommend you start with Supplì. Supplì are actually a gourmet version of arancini balls.
In Supplizio, you can try a variety of these fried balls of happiness. You can opt for a classic made with rice, giblets, tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan or challenge your taste buds with a Burro e acciughe, filled with rice, mozzarella, butter and anchovies.
2. Pizzarium for the Best Pizza in Rome
Roman pizza is not exactly the thin, rounded dough with tomato sauce and mozzarella on top that you immediately imagine. In fact, real Roman pizza is a bit like focaccia. At the Pizzarium, you can try an amazing variety of these Roman pizzas. Some come with simple combinations like tomato sauce and rosemary, others are topped with figs, parmesan and pumpkin cream.
Which one will you choose?
3. Roscioli for Authentic Pasta Carbonara
What would a visit to Rome be without some real fresh Italian pasta? Roscioli in Rome is a place known for its succulent pasta carbonara. In fact, many people consider it to be the best pasta carbonara on earth!
The famous Italian ice cream: Gelato
Taste ice cream the authentic Italian way and try some products of Claudio Torcè.
Among the most famous are the celery, gorgonzola and habanero pepper flavours. Only natural ingredients are selected to create exquisite flavour palettes. The establishment has also switched from sugar to fructose and offers lactose-free options and gluten-free cones.
What to bring back as souvenirs from Rome?
Because a little shopping is always nice, whether for yourself or to please your loved ones with a gift, we present you with some ideas for gifts to buy in Rome:
Gifts For Food Lovers
- When we say Italy, what do you immediately think of? Pasta! So give the gift of good fresh pasta.
- Coffee is a staple in the Italian diet. We recommend you bring back ground coffee or coffee beans.
- Are you a cheese fan like us? Pecorino, a sheep's cheese, typical of Rome, is a delight.
Embrace the Italian Style
- A borsalino hat will be a perfect gift for your dad.
- A pair of leather gloves for your mum.
- If you have the budget, a luxury bag will be the dream gift for your sister or best friend.
Revamp your Interiors
- If you have children in your family, a very nice wooden toy such as Pinocchio or Gepetto is a good idea.
- Take a trip to the flea market in Porta Portese to find beautiful antiques, and small statuettes.
- Take culture home, a painting is an idea that always makes people happy.
With this complete guide, you are now ready for your next weekend in the famous romantic city of Rome. An ideal destination to discover for a few days or even for a honeymoon for newlyweds.
So, if you want to spend the perfect weekend in Rome, we recommend :
- Visiting all the main historical monuments (or as many as you can manage)
- Exploring Rome's hidden gems
- Relaxing in a beautiful hotel after your day exploring
- Sampling authentic Italian cuisine
Buy a Flight Voucher to Gift Someone a Weekend in Rome
Ever wondered how you can gift someone a weekend trip to Rome? When you buy a flight voucher from Flightgift, you can gift someone a weekend in Rome, Edinburgh, Belgium, Prague, London and hundreds of other global destinations! It's the best gift for travel lovers as they can redeem their travel gift voucher on all major airlines (KLM, Emirates and British Airways to name a few!) and fly to 980 destinations in over 70 countries. Additionally, when you buy a flight voucher for someone special, they're valid for 2 years, giving them plenty of time to choose their dream holiday. There's really no better travel gift!
