A Perfect Weekend in Rome

Are you going to spend a few days in the Eternal City? Want to have the perfect weekend in Rome?

With this complete guide to what to do, where to stay and the best restaurants in the Italian capital, Rome will hold no secrets for you.

Get ready to plan your next trip to Rome and have an unforgettable experience in one of the most romantic destinations in Europe.

Tips for visiting Rome

The flight

A flight to Rome takes just a few hours from most of the European major cities.

London to Rome: 2h30
Edinburgh to Rome: 2h55
Dublin to Rome: 3h15

It’s possible to find affordable flight tickets and if you have a Flightgift card, you can use your voucher on our booking system.
The centre of Rome is only 40 minutes away from Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino airport, which is located by the sea. Expect to pay around €40 by taxi or take a direct train.

When to visit Rome?

The great thing about Rome is that all seasons are pleasant for visiting the city. With a Mediterranean climate, temperatures are mild, even in autumn. In the summer, temperatures rise quickly, it can soar, and the number of tourists is even higher. In winter, the thermometer oscillates between 3 and 17C, with mild temperatures for strutting around the neighbourhoods.

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 trip 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? On your scooter, you will be a true Italian!

Italian Vespa in front of a house

What activities to do in Rome?

1. Visit the Colosseum

View on the Colosseum

A must-see if you are only staying in Rome for two days! You absolutely have to visit the Colosseum! This Roman monument is an impressive sight. This Roman amphitheatre used to be the place where gladiatorial 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

View on 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

Vatican City is a must-see 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. The Sistine Chapel is just breathtaking.

Take your time to wander around this part of the city, as there is so much to see and
and discover.

Little tip: Enter every church you see, they’re all beautiful!

Rome, the less touristy version

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.
Advantage: The park is open 24 hours a day. So there is no excuse not to go. However, be aware that it is essential to book your ticket for the Villa Borghese. You can find queue-cutting tickets on our Activitygift website.
Rome's Non-Catholic 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.

Park with a lake in Rome

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 only 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.

What restaurants in Rome?

What would a trip to Rome be without stopping at one of the city's many restaurants?

Supplizio for real 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.

The real Roman pizza to enjoy

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?

Try some real 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

Different kinds of ice cream

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:

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.

Want to be fashionable?

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.

Decoration for a beautiful interior

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.

Trevi Fountain in the Sun