Italy's enchanting capital sits on the shores of the Tiber river and contains some of the world's most beautiful examples of Renaissance and Baroque art and architecture. It also offers some of Europe's finest cuisine, hottest nightlife and chicest shopping.
Stay in Rome for a few days, experience modern life amid the ancient monuments and you'll soon understand why it's called the Eternal City.
Rome's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site characterised by expansive boulevards, public squares and labyrinthine cobblestone streets that house some of the city's best restaurants and upscale hotels. Although the city is officially divided into rioni (neighbourhoods), Romans will often refer to locations based on their proximity to the closest piazza or monument.
On the east side of the Tiber you'll find many of Rome's major sights including the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. The area is full of chic shopping streets, lively public squares like Piazza Navona, known for its street artists, and the vibrant Campo de' Fiori district, packed with bars and restaurants.
On the west side of the river you'll find Vatican City as well as the lively Trastevere neighbourhood, which houses the Romanesque Basilica of Santa Maria.
Vatican City holds some of Rome's most notable cultural attractions, like St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel. On Sundays, often the Pope conducts mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Admission is free, but you need tickets.
You can't come to Rome and miss the Colosseum. This feat of engineering served primarily as a venue for gladiatorial battles and public spectacles until the 5th century.
From the Colosseum, a short walk takes you to the Roman Forum, once the heart of Ancient Rome. The Pantheon, a building that dates back to roughly 128 AD and is one of the world's best preserved examples of ancient Roman architecture, is a 15-minute stroll from here.
The Spanish Steps, which connect the Piazza di Spagna with the elegant Trinità dei Monti church, are a popular spot to enjoy Rome's hustle and bustle. If the crowd is too much, a short stroll from the church takes you to the elegant parks of Villa Medici and the Pincio. From here, a bridge over a busy road allows you to enter Villa Borghese. This massive public park is dubbed the "park of museums" because in and around it are many galleries including the National Gallery of Modern Art.
Rome and its suburbs have hotels to suit every budget and style, from upscale accommodation in the city centre to budget-friendly properties close to major thoroughfares.
The city centre is the ideal setting if you want to be surrounded by history. You'll be steps away from the Vatican and close to trendy night-life spots around Campo de' Fiori or traditional trattorias in Trastevere.
Well-connected to Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO), hotels close to Magliana, Pisana or Aurelia business districts are ideal for business and leisure travellers alike. Nature-lovers will find peace from the buzz in nearby parks like Villa Doria Pamphili and Riserva Naturale della Tenuta dei Massimi.
Accommodation on the east of Rome is close to the A1 motorway and the city's ring road, the Grande Raccordo Anulare. This is a practical location if you are visiting by car or as a base for trips out of the city.
Much like the rest of the country, Rome's gastronomy relies on seasonal, local ingredients and dishes which have been around for generations. Pizza and gelato are popular foods that are easy to come by. Roman cuisine is also noted for using pancetta and guanciale (cured pork jowl) to enhance natural flavours.
With a focus on simple dishes and Frascati wines, few local experiences are more enjoyable than eating at an authentic Roman trattoria. Testaccio and Monti are hip neighbourhoods frequented by in-the-know locals. Here you'll find traditional Roman dishes like spaghetti alla carbonara, oxtail stew and fritti, lightly battered and fried vegetables.
For an upscale dining experience, head to the Villa Borghese district. You can enjoy a sophisticated lunch at Caffè delle Arti at the National Gallery of Modern Art or sit down to a stylish meal at Il Fellini, where typical Roman dishes are reinterpreted with innovative techniques.
With stalwart fashion houses like Valentino and Fendi headquartered in Rome, it's clear that shopping is an integral part of the local fabric.
For top designer wares, go no further than the network of cobblestone streets that branch out from the Spanish Steps: Via dei Condotti, Via Frattina and Via Borgognona. High-end shops like Prada, Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga are interspersed with exclusive antiques dealers.
Bargain hunters should hit up the weekly Porta Portese flea market in Trastevere, where you'll find endless piles of new and vintage clothing, used books, original art and general bric-a-brac. Haggling is the international language here, and most stalls only accept cash.
Via del Corso and its environs have department stores and clothing from chains like H&M and Zara.
Rome is noted for its thriving cultural scene that blends traditional arts like opera, theatre and ballet with contemporary plays, pop music, avant-garde art and modern dance. The city also plays host to the annual Rome Film Fest, the Roma Jazz Festivaland Estate Romana, a summer-long festival that sees live music, open-air cinema and gastronomic events take place at venues around the city.
Romans are known for being bon vivants, so there are plenty of things to do in the evening hours. You can choose from bars and clubs for patrons of all inclinations, or live music venues playing genres as varied as folk and electronica.
If you're staying near the historic city centre, the Trastevere and Campo de' Fiori neighbourhoods are brimming with nightlife. Testaccio is another lively district, filled with pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs like L'Alibi, renowned for its intense techno nights that play to a mixed crowd.
There are many ways to explore the city and its history for both you and your children to enjoy, like booking a private family tour of the Vatican Museums. Green spaces throughout Rome provide ample opportunity for kids to play and parents to relax.
Animal-lovers will enjoy a trip to the Bioparco di Roma, one of Italy's largest zoological gardens, while the gardens of Villa Borghese have rowboats, miniature pony rides and tandem bikes.
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